Cats and Other Kindred Spirits

An adorable opposites-attract contemporary romance with a sprinkle of purr-anormal magic from award-winning author Lauren Connolly.

Welcome to Cromwell Manor, where the soul of every house cat who has ever resided there continues to do so.

Housekeeping can be odd. Demanding homeowners, mysterious stains, plants with a more rigorous care plan than a toddler. But by far the strangest of Vivian Owens’s tasks has to do with the ghost cats of Cromwell Manor. After years of cleaning the stately-yet-crumbling mansion, Vivian has grown familiar with the introverted and stubborn Judith Cromwell and her phantom felines, each with their unique peculiarities.

When Judith unexpectedly dies, Vivian is shocked to coinherit the property. The self-reliant housekeeper is uncomfortable with the too generous gesture and decides to offer full ownership to Judith’s distant nephew, Boyd Cromwell.

But when the cheery repairman arrives with a gorgeous grin, a goofy black labrador, and extravagant plans to renovate the dilapidated building and convert it into a cozy bed and breakfast, Vivian refuses to hand over her keys until she’s sure he’ll respect and tend to Judith’s clowder of ghost cats—a collection of high maintenance critters who would not appreciate strangers in their home.

Despite a stiff learning curve, a few maintenance mishaps, and plenty of cat chaos, Boyd’s sunny, bright personality brings new light into the haunted household…even shining through the cracks in Vivian’s protective walls.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs