The Coat Check Girl

 
Laura Buchwald

Sometimes, it's in confronting the shadows that we find the brightest light.

Embark on a touching journey with Josie Gray as she navigates the turbulent waters of loss, love, and the supernatural. After bidding farewell to her cherished grandmother, Josie finds herself adrift in a sea of grief, compounded by the complexities of an ambiguous romantic entanglement and the return of her unsettling "gift"-the ability to sense and communicate with spirits. A presence haunts the restaurant where she works, dredging up long-buried memories from her childhood.

But amidst the shadows, a luminous figure emerges-the restaurant's new coat check girl. Mia is a beacon of understanding and solidarity, offering solace in shared experiences and a determination to unravel the mystery shrouding the restless spirit. Bolstered by a vibrant ensemble of characters, from restaurant comrades to familiar faces in the neighborhood, Mia keeps Josie afloat during one of the most difficult seasons of her life, helping her to embrace her unique talents and confront the ghostly enigma looming over them.

Set against the backdrop of the bustling restaurant scenes of New York City and New Orleans, The Coat Check Girl is a compelling tale weaving together threads of sorrow, redemption, and the enduring power of connection. Join Josie as she discovers that sometimes, it's in confronting the shadows that we find the brightest light.

Available on:
Publisher: Radiance
Genres:
Tags:

About the Author

Laura Buchwald

Laura Buchwald is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Manhattan and considers New Orleans her second home. She’s written for Gotham Magazine, LA Confidential, the websites of Penguin Random House and Simon and Schuster, The New York Daily News, and The New York Post’s Page Six, where she frequently covered the restaurant world and the antics of celebrity chefs. She is co-host of the podcast People Who Do Things, a series of conversations with writers and creators about the creative process.

The Coat Check Girl won a First Chapter contest sponsored by the Bronx Council on the Arts.

Photo by: Shirin Tinati

Recommended Posts

Practicing Partners

Healing hearts takes more than medicine.
Bran Jackson, a gifted trauma surgeon, finds himself at a crossroads after his fast-paced lifestyle in Seattle lands him in hot water. Suspended from the hospital, he retreats to his hometown of Maiden’s Bay, hoping to take over his grandfather’s medical practice and salvage his career. The quiet coastal town seems like the perfect place to start anew—until he meets his competition.
Aubrie Turnbridge, a pediatric oncologist, wants to put the shadows of her past in Dallas behind her. Moving to Maiden’s Bay offers a fresh start and the chance to work at a small-town doctor’s office. She’s ready for the change, but not for the infuriatingly charming doctor she’s up against. Bran’s arrogance grates on her, and his motivations are as questionable as his roguish grin is disarming.
As Bran and Aubrie vie for the coveted position, the clinic becomes a battleground for their ambitions and a surprising catalyst for their hearts. With every patient they treat together, their rivalry softens into mutual respect, and then something more.
Practicing Partners is a heartwarming tale of rivalry, redemption, and romance set against the charming backdrop of Maiden’s Bay. Bran and Aubrie must navigate their own wounds and the healing power of love to find a cure for their lonely hearts.

 

The Name Tree

He had to lose his daughter to save her. And himself.
Naomi was gone. Her death, sudden and unexpected, shattered those who loved her. No one could understand why. A year into grieving, Naomi’s father faces a hard truth-he had a role in her passing. In his heart, he knows Naomi wasn’t of this world. She didn’t know her true identity, and he failed to guide her.
But it’s not too late. He believes there’s one way to make amends. To truly help her now, he must do the unimaginable-pass through the thin veil between life and death to where Naomi resides.
On the other side, he’ll face his darkest fears, confront his mistakes, and battle the demons that have haunted him. Only by emerging from the depths of his soul can he become the father Naomi needed. Together, they’ll embark on a harrowing journey through the unseen-facing impossible challenges and confronting her false identity-all in the hope of freeing her spirit.
This is a war for Naomi’s soul, a battle beyond the grave for a future she was meant to have. But will her father have the strength to see it through?
A poignant and powerful story of redemption, love, and the relentless pursuit of hope, this journey begins-and ends-at The Name Tree.

 

The Bogus Bondsman

Only the Strong Survive.
When a faceless New York investor orchestrates a hostile railroad takeover, he unleashes a tidal wave of chaos across the West. His weapon of choice? Over a million dollars in counterfeit bearer bonds, crafted by a ruthless crime syndicate and peddled by a mysterious beauty with a knack for beguiling bankers. As the Texas & Pacific Railroad teeters on the brink, they enlist the notorious Allan Pinkerton to unmask the culprits. But the banks, bleeding from the fraudulent scheme, call on the Great Western Detective League to track down their stolen fortunes.
Colonel David J. Crook taps his top men-Briscoe Cane and Beau Longstreet-to lead the charge. Alongside Pinkerton’s sharp-eyed Reginald Kingsley and the dangerously seductive Samantha Maples, they race across the untamed West, from bustling railways to desolate deserts, in a high-stakes pursuit. As Kingsley and Cane match wits with a phantom bondsman, Maples and Longstreet find themselves in a rivalry both fierce and flirtatious, all while staying focused on their quarry.
But the syndicate won’t go down without a fight. Ambushes, assassination attempts, and ruthless betrayals follow the detectives’ every move, leading to a heart-pounding showdown from Yuma, Arizona, to the dusty streets of El Paso.
Prepare for a relentless ride with the Great Western Detective League as they navigate treacherous territory, outsmart cunning criminals, and face down ruthless outlaws. The chase barrels toward a thrilling conclusion, where honor, grit, and gunslinging skills are all that stand between justice and chaos in the unforgiving West.

 

Leave A Comment