Today on the site I’m delighted to welcome back Paul Michael Winters to reveal the cover of The Haunting Between Us, a coming-of-age ghost story releasing from Maelstrom Press on January 7th, 2025! Here’s the story:

Sixteen-year-old Cameron Walsh can’t believe the boy of his dreams just moved into the house of his nightmares.

He dreads the haunted Victorian mansion across the street, where the ghost of the White Lady roams the halls. When he sees her through the bay window, his ghost-hunting friend Abby wants to investigate. But then the new owners pull up, and Cameron is captivated by the brooding, handsome boy moving in. He longs for a boyfriend, but years of bullying have shattered his self-esteem.

Sixteen-year-old Hugo Cruz and his father flip old houses, moving often, fleeing from the grief at the loss of Hugo’s mother. They unknowingly move into the most haunted house in Port Townsend, Washington. From day one, Hugo encounters shadows that move by themselves, locked doors without keys, and hidden rooms. He hides the mysteries from his superstitious father, not wanting to uproot their lives.

When the White Lady becomes impossible to ignore, Hugo turns to Cameron to help uncover the house’s dark history. They soon form a bond that goes beyond friendship, but as their feelings deepen, the White Lady’s wrath intensifies. Entangled in a web of sinister secrets, they risk not only their love but their very existence.

And here’s the appropriately haunting cover, designed by Valerie Gomez and illustrated by Marcella Bolivar! 

Buy it: Amazon

Paul Michael Winters is a lifelong creative writer whose life is filled with queer joy. His passion is to spread that joy through storytelling and writing books where you might not typically see queer characters. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his husband and two tuxedo kitties. Find him online at pmwinters.com and follow him on social media at @pmwintersauthor.