Helen’s Unfinished Verses
Forbidden love and ghostly echoes reveal the buried secrets haunting Four Seasons in this ethereal mystery by Mikayla Young.
Phantom Page Turners • Book 2 of 8 • Adult (18+) • Contemporary Fantasy • Paranormal (Ghosts) • Mystery/Crime • Historical Fiction • Romance
Unspoken Verses
Independently Published: April 7, 2026 · Available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats.
As their secret romance blossoms in the shadows, they exchange letters and stolen moments beneath the stars, weaving a tapestry of hope and desire. But the dark forces of the Blackwood family, intent on preserving their status and power, conspire to tear them apart. When tragedy strikes, Helen’s life is abruptly extinguished, leaving behind a legacy of unfinished verses and a love story that lingers like a ghost in the hearts of those who knew her. Years later, Emery Hastings, a passionate librarian assistant and member of the Phantom Page Turners, uncovers the hidden truths of Helen’s life while grappling with her own struggles.
With the help of her spectral friends, Emery embarks on a quest to honor Helen’s memory by revealing the truth behind her tragic end. As they delve into the depths of the library’s forbidden section, they uncover long-buried secrets that threaten to resurface, forcing them to confront the shadows that linger in their own lives. Through the power of storytelling, love, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship, “Helen’s Unfinished Verses” explores the complexities of love in a world filled with societal constraints. Will Emery and her friends be able to illuminate the shadows that haunt Helen’s story and give her the peace she deserves? Or will the darkness of the past consume them all?
Creating Helen's World
Helen’s Unfinished Verses grew out of a question that wouldn’t leave me alone after I finished Emery and the Library of Shadows: what really happened to Helen Amora, and what did her unfinished story mean for everyone left behind? This second book let me step deeper into the world of Four Seasons, following the phantom page turners while giving Helen and Edward the space to finally share their own love story, heartbreak, and the secrets that shaped them.
The writing journey for this book was emotional and layered. I wanted to honor what readers experienced in Book 1 while opening a new door—one that blends forbidden romance, ghostly mystery, and Emery’s ongoing struggle to carry Arthur’s legacy forward. Helen’s poems, Edward’s art, and Emery’s determination all became threads in the same tapestry, exploring how love, grief, and memory can echo across time.
Designing the cover was just as personal as writing the story. I hand-drew the artwork again, starting with an aged paper background that echoes the letters and poems Helen and Edward exchange. The bookshelves, letters with hearts, quill and ink, paintbrush and canvas, intertwined initials, oak tree, and purple flowers all tie directly into scenes and symbols from the book. Even the missing piece of the “H” in the title is intentional—a visual hint at the mystery surrounding Helen’s death and the sense of incompleteness that Emery is trying to mend.
For me, Helen’s Unfinished Verses is about more than solving a mystery; it’s about how our stories, even when cut short, can still reach forward and touch others. I hope that as you read, you feel the weight of Helen and Edward’s love, the courage of Emery and the Phantom Page Turners, and maybe even recognize pieces of your own journey in theirs. Thank you for stepping back into this haunted library with me and for letting these characters—and their unfinished verses—find a place in your heart.
What Readers Are Saying!
"Lyrical, haunting, and richly emotional, Helen's Unfinished Verses" weaves romance, mystery, and magic into a captivating tale where love transcends time, and uncovering the truth may finally give a forgotten voice the ending it deserves."
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Quotes
"We often fight the biggest battles inside our minds," she explains. "We are constantly at war with ourselves, questioning if we will ever be enough, if we will ever truly deserve the beautiful things in life, such as love and happiness. This internal conflict can become so intense that it leads us to question our very worth," she continues. "I can't make that go away for you, darling, but I promise to stay by your side, to remind you of your beauty, your unique talents, and most importantly, your undeniable worthiness of love, joy, friendship, and all the successes that life has to offer."
"I yearn to explore a light that guides us toward a future where love knows no boundaries, where the heart may soar free from the chains of societal judgment."
"Every story has the power to transcend time, to connect the past and present, and to illuminate the darkest corners of our existence."
"Love in the shadows can be beautiful but heartbreaking all the same, but in this society where classes clashed, one love story must remain forever a secret in the shadows."