Archive for the ‘Ghost’ Category

MY ANGEL, MY LIGHT AS DARKNESS FALLS
Linda Hays-Gibbs
ISBN:  978-1615726035 (Paperback)
ASIN: B00769015M  (Kindle)
February 2012  (Paperback)
February 2012 (Kindle)
Eternal Press / Damnation Books LLC
Historical / Regency / Paranormal

On the eve of the battle of Waterloo, Lady Pru was led out to the ballroom by her fraternal twin brother Michael David Densington White, sixth Earl of White. Even though Pru had not been formerly brought out yet, the stress of being shut up waiting for Bonaparte’s army to initiate the battle led to those waiting to let off steam, find joy and celebrate before the battle.  Michael, ever protective did not like the attention Pru was getting from his friend Fearghass MacDonald, the Duke of Somerled  but allowed Fearghass one dance with his sister, one dance and one stolen kiss that was enough for Fearghass to proclaim he wished to make Pru his Duchess once the battle was over.

When the battle ended and Michael did not return for her, Pru could not be persuaded to leave until she found Michael and went to the battlefield, a sea of blood and carnage where she walked, stumbled and searched for her brother’s body.  When found just before nightfall, she sank down and cradled her brothers body and screamed and raged throughout the night.  However, a French soldier saw her and rather than flee as he should have – as the night grew colder he drew her into his arms as she finally slept – keeping Pru warm and safe from the evil that stalked the night.

***  This short novella was a most unusual paranormal regency romance with vampires and ghosts. I picked this up on a whim, because of the mention of ghosts and found it to be an utterly and totally engrossing story.  The title of MY ANGEL, MY LIGHT AS DARKNESS FALLS was unusual to say the least but from the first few pages I was hooked.

Pru and her brother were orphaned and being twins they had a special bond – the author put that to excellent use in later showing how much love there was between the two. Describing Pru’s heartache and devastation so extreme for a young girl who had never had to fend for herself.  Michael had protected and provided for her every need.  Pru was delicate, dainty and so beautiful it took most peoples breath away – beautiful and pure.  With this in mind the author was able to portray, how such a fragile young woman survived, with the help of a few new friends, including a devoted heart-sick French soldier; a huge protective dog; a confused ghost; and help from the great beyond as goodness versus evil in a most wonderful and provocative tale with an ending I found to be FANTASTIC.  Talk about a nice twist!

I don’t want to spoil the surprises of this marvelous tale by giving any more spoilers away, but the bottom line is that I was moved, emotionally and spiritually by the prose and beautiful imagery this author was able to convey.   I strongly suggest and highly recommend that most readers of both historical and paranormal will find a lot to love in this beautifully rendered story.

Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

 

OF GHOSTS AND GEEKS
Molly Ringle
ISBN: none
October 2011
Wild Rose Press (Faery Rose)
Paranormal: ghosts
E-book novelette : http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4645

Gwen Walberg is a literature professor who is trying to gain the respect of her colleagues.  When she finds a book that may be one of six of its kind in the world, she is thrilled.  She is enchanted by the illustrations of the mythology book, but also excited to prove her mettle to her academic co-workers.  She didn’t expect the book to come with a resident ghost, especially not one who considers herself a voyeur and lusty matchmaker.  Violetta coerces Gwen into increasingly intimate scenarios with her handsome lawn tender, Paul Chang.  Gwen and Paul are both horrified. Aren’t they?

This is a fast short read that is long on humor and sizzle.  While a longer venue would have allowed for more character development, the author creates a wonderful character in Gwen and a hilarious troublemaker in Violetta.  I also have a love of old books and I was able to relate to Gwen and her self-proclaimed geeky-ness.  I loved the way she evaluated Paul’s comments while trying to decide if he was too geeky, not geeky enough or just right geeky.  Wild Rose Press is particularly good at acquiring great stories for their various short categories and Of Ghosts and Geeks is another home run for them.  A great, funny, feel-good alternative read for a spooky Halloween night.

HUNTERS BOOK 12: HUNTER’S NEED
Shiloh Walker
ISBN: 978-0-425-23150-0
B002DW92XY (Kindle eBook)
December 2009
Penguin Putnam/Berkley Sensation
Paranormal Romance/Shape Shifter
Paranormal Romance/Ghost
Paranormal Romance/Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback

Ana Morrell is haunted by the choices of her past. She’s been living at Excelsior, home to the Hunters, while trying to get control of her psychic powers so that no one can ever force her to use her powers for evil again. Duke Lawson is both a shape shifter and a Hunter- and the biggest regret of Ana’s life. However, Anna can’t hide behind the walls of Excelsior anymore so she moves to Alaska. Now, Ana finds herself seeing and hearing ghosts, and Duke is the one sent to help her. Can the two of them find a way to work together and discover just who is murdering these women? And will the attraction between them stand a chance despite their past?

HUNTER’S NEED is the twelfth book in the Hunters series but can be read as a stand alone as Shiloh Walker provides enough of the history between Duke and Ana. However, readers should note that events in HUNTER’S NEED are closely tied to those in HUNTING THE HUNTER, which chronicles the events as they unfolded between Ana, Duke, and Cat.

Anything written by Shiloh Walker is guaranteed to be phenomenal and HUNTER’S NEED is no exception. Ana and Duke’s story is intensely emotional, fueled by the past that haunts them both. Ana and Duke were held captive by a vicious and cruel vampire named Cat, but Ana has the deep regret of being the one who lured Duke into Cat’s clutches. Despite their volatile and scarred past relationship, Duke and Ana still feel drawn to one another but they will both have to learn to sort through their varied emotions if love is to survive. Shiloh Walker is a master at taking emotionally wounded and fragile characters and helping them find their happily-ever-afters.

The psychic angle with the ghosts adds an intriguing twist to the world of the Hunters. Shiloh Walker keeps her world fresh by injecting new twists and turns while remaining true to the heart of the series. HUNTER’S NEED is yet another spectacular story from the talented Shiloh Walker. Highly recommended!