When Austin attorney Charles Towne-Landon learns he has inherited the historic Chadwick House in Tansy Hollow, America’s Gay Mecca, it feels like fate offering him a second chance. Overlooked for partnership and disillusioned with big-city politics, Charles is ready for something more—more purpose, more belonging, maybe even more love.
Then he meets Dr. Guy Archambeau at the Tansy Hollow Opera House.
Their connection is instant. Electric. Unmistakable.
Within weeks, Charles leaves Texas behind to open his own law practice and build a new life in the charming Southern town. With Guy only a short drive away, the future looks brighter than it ever has . But Chadwick House has secrets.
A mysterious fruit basket appears inside locked doors.
A Gaelic lullaby drifts down from the attic at 3:33 a.m.
The scent of bergamot and lemon lingers in empty rooms.
And a violent vision from the nineteenth century begins to unravel a tragic chapter in Charles’s own bloodline.
As Charles and Guy dig into the house’s hidden archives, they uncover the story of Angus Chadwick—murdered for loving the wrong man—and the woman who refused to let hatred be the final word.
But someone else is watching.
Someone who believes the Chadwick legacy should have been his.
With danger closing in and a restless spirit guarding the house, Charles must decide what kind of man he wants to be: one who runs from the past—or one who stands his ground and protects the love he’s found.
In Tansy Hollow, history doesn’t just echo.
It demands justice.
Works Like a Lavender Charm is a sweeping gay romance blending second chances, small-town charm, ancestral secrets, and a love powerful enough to heal generations.
Some houses are haunted. This one protects its own.
Dann writes gay romance novels along with other queer-themed works. He especially enjoys writing about men who, while dealing with trauma or other challenges, find themselves falling in love despite themselves. He also feels it's important to include allies who often provide good advice to their gay friends in a troublesome relationship.
When not writing, Dann enjoys running, reading in many genres, watching high quality movies and television series, and snuggling with his adorable American Eskimo dog, appropriately named Flurry. He loves showtunes (of course), golden oldies, classical music, and disco divas.
Currently, Dann and his husband, Josh, reside in the Roanoke, VA area.
Utterly weird and beautifully wonderful, that's this story. Slightly weird because of the way it moves through people and time frames, wonderful because I found it to be a totally addictive read that even though it confused me a couple of times I just adored it. You must not let the sudden zoom of times and persons frustrate you, it will all make sense eventually, just enjoy.
👉Works Like a Lavender Charm is a rich and atmospheric novel that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural into a deeply emotional story about second chances. Set in the welcoming yet quietly mysterious town of Tansy Hollow, the book begins with Charles Towne-Landon receiving an unexpected inheritance: the historic Chadwick House. What initially feels like an opportunity to start fresh soon reveals itself to be something far more complicated. The house is not just an old property filled with charm—it carries echoes of the past that refuse to remain silent.
👉Charles is a compelling main character whose journey feels authentic and relatable. Disappointed by his stalled career in Austin and weary of the competitive world he left behind, he arrives in Tansy Hollow hoping to rebuild his life on his own terms. His chance meeting with Dr. Guy Archambeau at the town’s opera house becomes one of the novel’s most heartwarming elements. Their connection is immediate but not rushed, developing gradually as trust and affection grow between them. Their relationship gives the story a strong emotional core that balances the darker mystery surrounding the house.
👉As Charles settles into Chadwick House, the atmosphere becomes increasingly eerie and intriguing. Strange details begin to appear—an unexplained fruit basket left inside locked doors, the distant sound of a Gaelic lullaby in the middle of the night, and lingering citrus-like scents drifting through empty hallways. These small supernatural touches create a haunting mood without overwhelming the romance. Instead, they serve as clues leading Charles and Guy toward uncovering a long-buried family tragedy connected to Angus Chadwick, a man whose love in the nineteenth century was met with cruelty and violence.
👉Dann Hazel skillfully intertwines the past and present, allowing the mystery to unfold gradually while deepening the emotional impact of the story. As Charles learns more about his family’s connection to Chadwick House, the stakes become personal.
Works Like a Lavender Charm is a paranormal small-town LGBTQ+ romance with gothic mystery elements written by the author Dann Hazel, set to be released in April 2026. From the very first pages, this novel wraps readers in an atmospheric tale where love, history, and the supernatural quietly intertwine. Set in the charming town of Tansy Hollow, the story begins when Charles Towne-Landon inherits the mysterious Chadwick House—a place that feels less like a home and more like a living witness to centuries of secrets.
What begins as a hopeful fresh start quickly turns into something deeper and far more intriguing. Charles’ instant connection with Dr. Guy Archambeau adds a warm romantic heart to the story, and their chemistry develops naturally, making their journey together feel authentic and emotionally rewarding.
But this isn’t just a love story—it’s also a haunting mystery. Strange occurrences within the house—mysterious gifts, a Gaelic lullaby drifting from the attic, and lingering scents in empty rooms—hint at a tragic past waiting to be uncovered. As Charles and Guy dig into the history of Angus Chadwick, the novel beautifully blends romance with suspense, revealing how the past still echoes through the present.
The writing is immersive and atmospheric, capturing the charm of a small Southern town while weaving themes of belonging, second chances, and the courage to embrace love despite fear and history. At its core, Works Like a Lavender Charm is about the power of love to heal generational wounds—a haunting yet heartfelt story where the past refuses to stay buried.
Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A hauntingly romantic tale where love, legacy, and restless spirits intertwine beautifully.
Final verdict: Works Like a Lavender Charm is a captivating blend of paranormal mystery, small-town charm, and heartfelt LGBTQ+ romance that proves some houses don’t just hold memories—they guard love across generations. A must-read for fans of atmospheric ghost stories and emotional romances.
Charles inherits the Chadwick family home in Tansy Hollow. He meets Guy and immediately sees what his life has been missing. Their connection is as unexplainable as the happenings in the mansion. Though Charles ultimately knows the house wouldn’t hurt him he still deals with uneasiness.
This was an odd story. The language and intonation from the earlier time of the story seemed stilted. And it seemed as though this was how a modern reader might of perceive their speech and mannerisms. But then when the story progressed to Charles and Guy they still used the same patterns.
Their romance was spicy, but there again the language used seemed old fashioned. A bad guy who was forgiven too easily also added to the overall strangeness.
I liked the premise of a haunted house but it didn’t seem quite haunted enough. Things that could of been “hauntier”, just kind of faded away or were given a pat an explanation.
I rated this a 3.5, so whether to round up or down took some thought. I decided on a 4 star with the thought that maybe this author’s style just wasn’t for me.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.