Celia: A Haunting Mystery by S. L. Cullars

From the Publisher

Cheryl Thompson is a self-made African-American woman whose world is turned upside down when one rainy day, while on a trip to North Carolina, she sees the face of her aunt Celia staring back at her in a mirror. Horrified, Cheryl thinks she is hallucinating since Celia died in an accident when Cheryl was just a child. But when Cheryl begins to see Celia everywhere, and to continually smell a mysterious scent of lilacs, she wonders about the accident that killed Celia.

Cheryl tries to question her aunt Gladys about Celia's death, but Gladys is unwilling, even afraid, to talk about the accident. As Cheryl delves deeper, though, facts begin to emerge indicating that Celia was, in fact, murdered. And Cheryl finds that more than a few people have something to hide, including the white man Gladys once had an affair with - and who is now running for governor.

Cheryl's only ally is Arthur Blevins, the young attorney who handled her recently-deceased grandmother's estate. Their relationship grows as both try to solve the mystery of Celia's death. And as Cheryl uncovers old secrets, she finds that someone is willing to kill again to keep her from discovering the truth.

The Best Reviews - Simmons

"A shocking, power packed paranormal mystery"

Cheryl Thompson has returned to her North Carolina home only days after her Grandmother's funeral, and quickly finds herself embroiled in the mystery of her Aunt Celia's death. A death that occurred 35 years ago.

Cheryl knows the questions she's asking could likely get her killed, she knows the secrets the small town and its more influential citizens hold will not be given up easily, especially when those secrets involve a young black woman, and the games the higher society white males played. North Carolina has changed a lot over the years, but some things will never be relinquished easy, certain prejudices never forgotten. But the paranormal visits from her dead Aunt, and the danger suddenly coming closer to her, pull Cheryl into a maze of questions, confusing answers, and enemies she would have never imagined.

Solving her Aunt's death will bring more pain to not just her, but her Aunt Gladys, the aunt she always wanted to love, and the man who betrayed her. The paths twist and cross, and come full circle to man who will test Cheryl's determination to live, and the ghost of her Aunt Celia, who is determined to see justice done.

Celia is an emotional, edge of your seat paranormal mystery that grips your imagination and your curiousity and draws you inexoribly into the story S.L. Cullars had created. A definite must read for the gripping drama and emotional intensity this author has set up. CELIA will draw you in, keep you hanging and then reveal the answers in a shocking, power packed scene that will leave you gasping.

Jaycee - Romance Reviews Today

Celia, A Haunting Mystery is the perfect title for this story. From beginning to end you get the sense of mystery surrounding Celia's death. Ms. Cullars does a terrific job of keeping both the physical and emotional tension going, compelling you to read on. The story is in constant motion, so there's barely a place to take a deep breath.

Product Details

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Read an Excerpt

Prologue - 1967

Celia gripped the steering wheel tightly until the leather seemed to burn through her fingers. The brutal jarring had sent the tires spinning and screeching, and now the car sped across the median strip into the other lane at a half-turned angle. The edge of the sharp embankment was in front of her. She exhaled in jagged gasps as she floored the brake, but the car drew dangerously close to the embankment. There was nowhere for her to go. She screamed as it rolled down the sloping edge, picking up speed with its sudden descent. Her eyes closed instinctively to the death waiting for her, but not fast enough to shut out the image of the massive oak trunks coming up fast.

The car hit with pain-wrenching force, bringing down a cascade of leaves and branches on top of the windshield, blotting out the sunlight. Through the jostling and confusion of the impact, she heard the ugly screech of metal as her body was brutally slammed into the wheel. And then mercifully it was over.

Everything was silent. Even the morning birds had stopped chirping. The only sound now was that of her labored breathing filling the deafening stillness. Slowly she lifted her head; blood dripped from a gash where her forehead had made contact with the wheel. A few spots fell onto her dress, creating islands of red in a sea of white. Bright red beads obscured the translucence of the off-white pearls hanging around her throat. Her chest blazed with pain. Each breath was excruciating, and she wondered whether she had cracked a few ribs. Yet, she was still alive. Painfully, she moved her hand to brush tendrils of hair out of her eyes. Tears flowed from both relief and fear, but the relief was short-lived. If she wanted to escape, she had to move now. They would be coming for her soon.

She looked through the side window, where a large crack ran from top to seam. She was in a partially wooded area with blooms of jonquils growing in patches around the base of the trees. The road was several feet above her now. If she could just get up there, flag someone down, someone who would drive her to the next county where she could find the police. But except for the Rolls, she hadn't seen another car within miles. And not for some time. There was no one to help her. She was on her own.

She pushed against the jammed door, causing unbearable pain in her chest. At first, the door refused to give way, but desperation pulled strength from some reserve within her wrecked body and made her move with all her might against the door now welded to the damaged frame. It opened with a protesting groan, and she groaned in response as the fire in her chest flamed through her entire body. Then she heard the sound of the car above her on the road as the wheels came to a slow halt. Doors opened and slammed shut. She looked up and saw the shining gleam of the Rolls, coldly ominous in the warmth of the early morning sun. And knew it was already too late. She began to run for her life.