Showing posts with label ghost story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ghost story. Show all posts

Friday, April 10, 2015

[Review] The Next Always by Nora Roberts

The Next Always by Nora Roberts
Series: Inn BoonsBoro, #1
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Publishing Date: 2011
Format: paperback, purchased
324 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis 

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it’s getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there’s another project he’s got his eye on: the girl he’s been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town’s bookstore. Busy, with little time for romance, Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett’s transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look . . . at the building and the man behind it.

With the grand opening inching closer, Beckett’s happy to give Clare a private tour - one room at a time. It’s no first date, but these stolen moments are the beginning of something new - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next . . .

My Review

I'm a big Nora Roberts fan and have read so much of what she's written. I knew when I saw this one, I had to grab a copy. While I liked this book, it wasn't my favorite of hers. I thought the storyline was interesting and I love that the Montgomery men, along with their mom, are fixing up an old building and turning it into an inn. I also liked the ghost that lives in the inn - she's intriguing and I want to know who she was and how she's related to the house! I wish the story talked about her a little more (which surprises me since I've never been into ghost stories before). 

There's also a little suspense in this book that I wasn't expecting at all! I've read a few of Roberts' books with suspense in them and she does it really well. I think because that's not what this story was about, it wasn't as good as I was expecting. 

Even though there were some things I didn't like about this book, there were still many things I did! I enjoyed Clare's character. She clearly has had a tough life and is raising three young boys on her own. Beckett's had a crush on her since high school and now that he can, he's taking a chance on showing his heart to Clare. I love how Beckett interacts with Clare's children. He can empathize with them since he also lost his father and he shows them what it's like to have a father-figure around. Each of the three boys are so sweet, but I especially liked Harry, the oldest. He feels like he has to look out for his mom and the rest of his family since he's the "man of the house" now that his dad's gone. He's a cute kid! I own the third book in this series but not the second, so I think I'll just jump to that one unless I come across the second sometime soon. 


Others in the Series

Friday, October 3, 2014

[Review] Where There's Smoke by Jodi Picoult

Where There's Smoke by Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publishing Date: Mar. 19, 2014
Format: ebook, purchased
40 Pages
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N


Synopsis 

Even as a child, Serenity Jones knew she possessed unusual psychic gifts. Now, decades later, she’s an acclaimed medium and host of her own widely viewed TV show, where she delivers messages to the living from loved ones who have passed. Lately, though, her efforts to boost ratings and garner fame have compromised her clairvoyant instincts. When Serenity books a young war widow to appear as a guest, the episode quickly unravels, stirring up a troubling controversy. And as she tries to undo the damage—to both her reputation and her show—Serenity finds that pride comes at a high price.

My Review 

I first downloaded this book because it was free on Kindle and because its written by Jodi Picoult. I'm a huge fan of hers and have read almost everything she's written. I didn't know what it was about at first, but when I found out it the main character, Serenity, appears in her next book, I knew I had to read it. 

This is a short story, and while I don't often read them, I find that I enjoy them. I still think they're way too short (though I suppose that fits the name!).  I'm not sure what I believe about psychics or mediums, but I found Serenity's story fascinating. I want to read more about her and her 'gift' and how she comes into play in Picoult's new novel, Leaving Time. While I certainly don't think this is Picoult's greatest work, I think it has a lot of potential to develop into something great in Leaving Time! 

Monday, July 28, 2014

[Review] Hawthorne by Sarah Ballance

Hawthorne by Sarah Ballance 
Publisher: Sarah Ballance
Publishing Date: February 2014
Format: free ebook
40 Pages
Links: Amazon | Goodreads


Synopsis 

After a terrifying encounter with the unexplained, it takes ten years and the news of her grandmother’s passing for Emma Grace Hawthorne to return to her childhood home. She seeks peace in saying a proper goodbye, but what she finds is an old love, a sordid family history, and a wrong only she can right. 

Living in the shadow of Hawthorne Manor, Noah Garrett has never forgotten about Emma Grace. In a house full of secrets, his search for missing documents reveals a truth that can cost him everything. What he finds gave Emma the freedom to walk away from the mansion, her heart free and clear, but at what price to Noah?

My Review 

I found this short story on Amazon when the Kindle edition was free, so I just downloaded it on a whim. I finally read it today on my Kindle - it's a quick read, so it didn't take too much time from my other books. This is a short story about ghosts, old mansions and romance. I can't say I've ever really read a ghost story before, but I liked this one! This book didn't suck me in immediately, but once I was about halfway through, I was hooked. And the ending?! All I can say is "wow." I wasn't expecting that at all. It really makes me want to go back and reread the story since I'm sure I'll pick up on a few other things now! It also really makes me want to visit (or live in!) an old house like the one described so beautifully in this book.