By Tammy Roberts

Staff Writer

Charismatic Cocoa Beach becomes a town of mystery, magic and murder within the pages of a local author's newest novel.

Ron Starr, who moved to the Space Coast in 2006, completed his fourth book, "The Inn: A Cocoa Beach Ghost Story" in November, adding a chill of suspense to guests of the city's 50-room fixture.

While living in Orlando, Mr. Starr and his wife, Doris, vacationed at The Inn at Cocoa Beach about once a month for more than 12 years.

"We just fell in love with it," Mr. Starr said of the European-style oceanfront establishment. "Everyone there just has this air about them. It's a wonderful place."

The experiences the couple shared while staying at The Inn prompted Mr. Starr to use the hotel for the setting of his next novel - accentuating room No. 107 and several of the staff members as characters in the book.

"That room has become our most popular room since the book came out," said inn manager Nichole Kaminiski, who is portrayed as a character in the novel. "It's exciting - having some of our names being used and having our hotel being featured."

The inn also sells copies of the book to guests and local residents.

"We've sold about 30 since the book was published in November," Ms. Kaminski said. "Newcomers will see it displayed in our lobby and their curiosity just takes over."

While he's been an active novelist since 1994, Mr. Starr's writing profession began as just a pipe dream.

"Growing up, I made four life goals for myself," he said.

In no particular order, his dreams were to fly a plane, build a house, start his own business and write a novel.

While his wife became the pilot of the family, Mr. Starr was able to cross the remaining three off his list for himself.

With his own two hands, he built a home in Seattle, Wash., from the ground up, and later, started his own Orlando-based software company, which he ran for more than 10 years.

In between these accomplishments, Mr. Starr raised five children and traveled the world. Both provided him with inspiration for the four novels he's had published in the past three years.

Each of his novels - "Welcome to the Ahwahnee," "Mounds," "Retribution" and "The Inn" - combine a sense of supernatural events, spiritualism, mystery, fantasy and history.

Mr. Starr's flair for detail and ability to illuminate historical events takes his readers through the canvas of a Thomas Kinkade painting, a deadly hurricane in the 1900s, the travels of an antique yacht and the death of an unrelenting spirit, among other adventures.

"Everyone I meet and everywhere I go is my inspiration," Mr. Starr said. "I love history. You'll find pieces of it in all of my novels."

After retiring from the business world, Mr. Starr devoted the majority of his time to his writing.

Stationed in front of his desk within his Cocoa Beach townhouse is where he's most often found.

"Sometimes, I'll take a break and wait around for a thought to evolve," he said. "Other times, my fingers can't keep up with my imagination."

While he completed "The Inn" just three months ago, Mr. Starr is already working on four other books - two fiction novels and two writing how-to books.

"This is it for me," Mr. Starr said. "I love it. This is what I want to be doing."

Ron Starr's novel "The Inn: A Cocoa Beach Ghost Story," can be ordered online or at most bookstores. For signed copies, visit The Inn at Cocoa Beach, 4300 Ocean Beach Blvd.; Anna Lia Gifts, 38 S. Atlantic Ave.; Silvestro's, 2039 N. Atlantic Ave.; or online at www.quillandpen.com.

Contact Tammy Roberts at (321) 751-5968 or Roberts@hometownnewsol.com.