Good Spirits by B K Borison

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 384

Publisher - HQ

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm


My Review

Duo character point of view, meet Harriet, people pleaser living a very quiet life and always doing what it takes to keep the peace even if it means she misses out. The last person you would expect to be getting a visit from the ghost of Christmas past, enter Nolan. Nolan also isn't what you would expect for a ghost from the Christmas past. Easy on the eye, bit grumpy, it is his job to take Harriet back to her past and get her to the stage she needs for the next ghost. And scene!

So this is a very different take on a Christmas carol, how do you even get a job as a ghost (with head offices and everything) let alone as the festive spook! As the two spend time together, navigating Harriet's memories, trying to figure out why she has been selected and what these memories mean they find themselves drawn to each. Feelings growing, times getting closer to Nolan having to get the goal of his haunting of Harriet and Harriet trying to understand and navigate Nolan, her memories, why her and her life/choices.

This is a cutesy festive read, I liked Harriet, she is a total people pleaser bless her and as we explore her life and past we understand how she is the way she is. She loves Christmas, candy canes, old beautiful things (she works in an antique shop) and the absolute opposite of who you would expect the ghost of Christmas past targeting.

I liked the way she reacted to him, I absolutely could see that being me, how do I know you are real you could be some mad burglar, she cracks me up. Nolan is a bit of a mystery I think we all enjoyed unravelling and finding more about him. As well as the wee work visits like an actual job as a ghost/Christmas past, love it and woulda liked to see more snippets from there.

Lil bit of romance, pinch of spice, lots of festiveness - first time reading this author and I would absolutely read her again. I did this as a buddy read with Niamh (tiktok) and would absolutely do another buddy read for sure. 4/5 for me this time, if you just want a read that has a wee bit of everything and Christmas centred and ghosty, this one is for you!

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The Amityville Horror 2 by John G Jones

The Amityville Horror II by John G. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Warner

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

George and Kathy Lutz flee their demon-plagued home only to face renewed terrors


My Review

If you have read or seen the movies you know what the story is about, this book picks up where the first book leaves off. Kathy, George and the kids flee Amityville house leaving all their possessions/belongings and pretty much everything they own in attempts to flee the evil entity. Sadly they soon find that no matter where they go evil is following them.

The only thing I would say I found different from the movies etc well from what I remember the book goes into them doing the book and the promotion for it. How things go, how they are received by the general public, interviewing hosts and what is happening to the rest of their family whilst they travel.

Perfect book for candles, dark night, blanket & a quiet freaky night in. I think most people have an interest in this story and if you enjoy freaky/supernatural tales then whether you believe this to be a true story or not you will enjoy it. 4/5 from us for this one.

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The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Pages - 315

Publisher - Bantam Books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 385

Publisher -

Source - I think this was a competition win

Blurb from Goodreads

28 Days of Terror in a House Possessed by Evil Spirits

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their dream home, the same home where Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers and sisters just one year earlier.

The psychic phenomena that followed created the most terrifying experience the Lutz family had ever encountered, forcing them to flee the house in 28 days, convinced that it was possessed by evil spirits.

Their fantastic story, never before disclosed in full detail, makes for an unforgettable book with all the shocks and gripping suspense of The Exorcist, The Omen or Rosemary's Baby, but with one vital difference...the story is true.


My Review


I don't think there is anyone from my generation who doesn't know about this famous house/story. The house was a scene of horror anyway after a whole family minus the eldest son was murdered in their home, mum, dad and kids, Ronald Defoe junior was the oldest son and only survivor later convicted of the murders. The house was then bought at a steal price by the Lutz family who only lasted 28 days before fleeing in fear leaving all their belongings.

Amityville is thought to be one of the most haunted houses. Anson met with the Lutz and wrote this story based on their experiences. For me the fact it was a murder site of a whole family, how the Lutz report it affected them and what they experience makes it a bit more freaky.

The book also goes over the experiences from the priest from when he went into the house, how he was affected afterward and even when calling/reaching out to the Lutz by telephone. I think when religion is brought into it and affected as these individuals were it gives me the heebies.

The story is reported as true and there have been a few written about it and interviews with the Lutz, it is reported when asked Anson would never answer whether he believed it or not. The story also went on to have a few movies, also creepy (I haven't seen them all). Absolutely creepy whether you believe or not it is worth a read 4/5.

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Faithless by Hunter Shea

Today is my turn on the blog tour for Faithless by author Hunter Shea, organised by Random Things Tours.

About the author

Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot was real. He’s the author of over 17 books, including 'The Jersey Devil'and 'We Are Always Watching'. Hunter’s novels can even be found on display at the International Cryptozoology Museum.

Faithless is available to buy now, treebook or ebook - click HERE for Amazon UK. For my stop I have my review, enjoy.

Faithless by Hunter Shea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3.5 days

Pages - 256

Publisher - FlameTreePress

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads


How do you survive hearing your family being brutally murdered over the phone? For Father Raul Figeuroa, all faith and hope are lost. Turning away from the priesthood behind, he retreats to his aunt's empty farmhouse in upstate New York, hoping to drink himself to oblivion. But he's not alone in the house. Something is trying to reach out to him. Or is he losing his grip on reality? When his childhood friend Felix comes to visit, things take a darker turn. The deeper they dig into the mystery, the closer they get to hell literally breaking loose.


My Review

Aw man poor Father Raul, horrendous drive home in the rain, car trouble, on the phone to his wife and kids when he hears them brutally attacked. Sprints for home, car abandoned, it is too late and life for Raul will never be the same. Lost faith, lost the will to live he heads to his aunt's farmhouse on a mission of self destruction. In a haze of booze, self pity and medication Raul starts to notice things happening in the house. He can't blame his new house crasher, a cat that seems to know the place well but he can't remember his aunt having one. Things start to go "bump in the night" which you could blame on the drink/drugs.......until he starts to hear his family. Why would they follow him to the farm and what do they want from him?

I feel so so sorry for Raul, hearing your family being killed on the phone and being able to do nothing about it. That would break anyone but a man of the cloth, ooft. The story starts with the murder then we have a descent into addiction/oblivion, loss of reality and then the presence of his loved ones. On one hand you would be happy to know they are there but also freaked out especially being Raul, a priest so devout then losing all faith. Poor guy is emotionally wrought, then torn over the thought he failed them, he is a bit of a wee scone.

The book builds up slowly, setting the scene, a wee character here and there and just when you think you have it worked out Shea yanks the rug. It is different and the pace changes, it has its spooky moments, tension, shady characters and no surprised but I LOVED the cat!

I am struggling to read just now, concentration is all over the place but short chapters and a story that took me out of my own woes and into Raul's horror, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Lost Ones by Anita Frank

You may have noticed a whole ton of us are sharing our review and love for this book today, enjoy my review.

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - as able over 4 days

Pages - 464

Publisher - H Q Stories

Source - Review copies

Blurb from Goodreads

Some houses are never at peace.

England, 1917

Reeling from the death of her fiancé, Stella Marcham welcomes the opportunity to stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her imposing country mansion, Greyswick – but she arrives to discover a house of unease and her sister gripped by fear and suspicion.

Before long, strange incidents begin to trouble Stella – sobbing in the night, little footsteps on the stairs – and as events escalate, she finds herself drawn to the tragic history of the house.

Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick’s dark and terrible secrets – secrets the dead whisper from the other side…


My Review

Stella is reeling from the loss of her fiance, mourning and still a bit lost when she is invited to go and stay at the mansion with her pregnant sister Madeleine. Not long after arriving she finds the house and people, bar her sister, to be unwelcoming. Strange happenings that are being dismissed and Madeleine is being more and more alienated when no one believes her. When Stella witnesses something she can no longer deny there is a presence in the house but what does it want and what secrets are the house hiding?

Ooooh I love a ghost story but even for those who aren't huge lovers of this type of stories this one has so much to offer. Tragedy, family, secrets, hostility between the servants and those they serve. Unexplained happenings and the ghost aspects are only small in relation to the whole story. There is so much emotion in this and I love love love Stella, for women of their time they are meant to be meek, serving and non opinionated, Stella doesn't fit into that box and she is a passionate live wire.

Some passages and scenes are so eerie you can't help but being drawn in, emotion is tangled throughout with some hints of unease/spookiness. It is the perfect read for someone who isn't into horror but wishes to dip their toe in. A dark tale intertwined with love, loss, relationships, family and secrets primarily based in a big old house. Perfect for an October read and ticks just about every box for most readers, check it out, something for everything 4.5/5 for me this time.

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The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor

The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 469

Publisher - Michael Joseph

Source - Waterstones buy

Blurb from Goodreads

1786, Jerusalem College, Cambridge. The ghost of murdered Sylvia Whichcote has been sighted prowling the grounds by Frank Oldershaw, a disturbed fellow commoner. When his anxious mother employs John Holdsworth, author of The Anatomy of Ghosts- a stinging account of why ghosts are mere delusion - to investigate the sighting, the uneasy status quo at Jerusalem is rapidly torn apart. Holdsworth grows to realise that the sinister Holy Ghost Club governs the privileged life at Jerusalem with a rigour far more effective than anything the Master, Dr. Carbury, could muster. And when Holdsworth finds himself haunted - not only by the ghost of his dead wife, Maria, but also Elinor, the very-much-alive Master's wife - his fate is sealed. He must unravel the circumstances surrounding Sylvia's death ... or the hauntings will continue.



My Review

The opening chapter is a bit weird, it is Jesus, his apostles and an offering of a pure young lady awaiting a chosen apostle. The time in the 1786s so I had no idea what was going on, however as the book goes on you start to understand what the chat is.

John Holdsworth is hired by a very wealthy woman to investigate what is happening to her son. He is as college and has become unhinged after seeing a ghost. John is hired after he wrote a book "The Anatomy of Ghosts" penned after he lost his son and his wife spent their money on a medium desperate to connect with her lost child. John doesn't believe in ghosts and that is what the good lady needs, John is in financial straits and over a barrel so reluctantly he goes.

What follows is a view into some very entitled folk, secrets within the college and a young man whose mental health is suffering and is volatile. I took a bit to settle into the book it goes at a sedate pace, the writing isn't the issue but I took a while to get what was happening and why it was relevant. A lot of the characters are pretty pompous and I felt for John who has already lost so much and now has to go ghost chasing. I think he was the only character I had any kind of feeling toward and mostly that was sympathy for what he had endured. 3/5 for me this time, this was my first time reading this author, if I came across his works I would give me another go.

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Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 368

Publisher - Stripes Publishing

Source - Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

We're waiting for you to come and play. Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind...Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there's her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn't be there. The girl that died.


My Review

After a life changing encounter Sophie heads to visit her cousins and stay at the old school house. Lilias is the youngest and emotionally up and down, Cameron is bordering on rude/aggressive but Piper is lovely and welcoming. With Sophie having to face her own grief a change of scenery could but the perfect choice. The more time Sophie spends there the more eerie things become, Lilias is worried about the old dolls and the damage they can cause, Cameron is becoming more hostile and Piper seems the only one she can talk to. But everything is not what it seems and secrets have a way of coming out.

This is my first time reading this author and it won't be my last. We kick off with a ghostly encounter or is it just a fluke in circumstances. We meet Sophie's family and as we get to know them we discover just how bizarre things are at the old school house. It has a past, it is linked to the dolls and the youngest member of the family is terrified. We learn along with Sophie about her cousins, those on this earth and the one in the spirit world.

Secrets, ghosts, supernatural, friendship, family and a whole lot of spookiness is central to the book. Lots of different threads and I sank into it quickly. We get small snippets of the frozen Charlotte story at the beginning of each chapter, I liked that and hadn't heard it before. The supernatural aspect I found captivating and scary dolls isn't something that has been done lots (well in the books/movies I have read). A great wee read and I look forward to the next book, 4/5 for me this time.

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This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

This House is Haunted by John Boyne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Doubleday

Source - Gift from SS in a book group

Blurb from Goodreads

1867. Eliza Caine arrives in Norfolk to take up her position as governess at Gaudlin Hall on a dark and chilling night. As she makes her way across the station platform, a pair of invisible hands push her from behind into the path of an approaching train. She is only saved by the vigilance of a passing doctor.

When she finally arrives, shaken, at the hall she is greeted by the two children in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There are no parents, no adults at all, and no one to represent her mysterious employer. The children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, a second terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.

From the moment she rises the following morning, her every step seems dogged by a malign presence which lives within Gaudlin’s walls. Eliza realises that if she and the children are to survive its violent attentions, she must first uncover the hall’s long-buried secrets and confront the demons of its past…



My Review

Eliza takes a job as a child carer in Norfolk, she has an unsettling encounter almost from the moment she reaches the place. As she gets to the house things get weirder and more unsettling, the children are a delight so why can they not keep a nanny? Her first night she has a terrifying encounter and as the days progress there are more bumps in the night. With a wall of silence to her questions, strange reactions from the villagers and fearing for her safety, Eliza decides she will find out, one way or another, exactly what happened to those before her and what is terrifying her at her new home.

A bit of a slow build with this one, we know quickly things aren't right and there is a bit of spookiness going on. Some of the scenes are really well done however some of Eliza's behaviour and choices irritated me. I loved the children and as we get the reveal of that which has passed things start to make sense. Some took a while to come to fruition however I did enjoy the book and got a wee bit creeped with some of the scenes.

I do enjoy Boyne's work and whilst I liked this, I didn't love it. Enjoyable and put me in the mood for reading more of the same. I will read this author again as after reading his newest book I loved it so much I bought a few from his back catalogue. 3/5 for me this time.

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Grimalkin Manor by S Roit

Grimalkin Manor by Sherry Roit
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - Over 8 days

Pages - 288

Publisher - Snow books

Source - Pound shop

Blurb from Goodreads

The case seems simple enough: prove to a wealthy client that his mansion is not haunted. Five American ghost hunters and one English psychic converge on the old house to complete the routine task. One night, like so many others they've spent, to put to rest the frightening rumors. Apart from the clashing of personalities, nothing will happen. Or so they assume. It would seem Grimalkin Manor has other ideas… and she knows their secrets.


My Review

Hired to stay over night in a haunted house and disprove the rumours or get conclusive proof of ghost a team of five ghost hunters and an psychic from England team up. The man who hired them is nowhere to be seen but they have their equipment and set out to do their task. Tensions are running high, the team have their own issues and things quickly start to get out of hand.

I found this story quite hard to get into, there always seemed to be something I was missing. Everyone has their own secrets, James (the English psychic) is a sensitive, can read people and places so it puts the rest of the team on edge. There is a lot of in house bickering and I felt it took an age before anything really kicked off in the house.

When it started to get into it, the scenes in the house did get a bit eerie and I liked the tension and spooky aspects. You are constantly left in a state, or I was, of perplexity, I genuinely wasn't sure what was happening a lot of the time. I had to put it down and read a book or two inbetween as I found it hard going. Not because it was badly written but I didn't like how the characters interact with each other, their lingo, cutting sentences off half way through. I felt I was left with a lot of questions and had to go back and re read a few bits just in case it was me missing something. The chapters themselves aren't too long which is great for putting it down and dipping in and out as required.

Dark, intrigue, mystery and certainly spooky in places, I am sure many will love this wee book, sadly it just wasn't for me, 2/5 for me this time.

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Ash by James Herbert

Ash by James Herbert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 10 days

Pages - 693

Publisher - MacMillan

Source - Bought online

Blurb from Goodreads


David Ash – detective of the paranormal – is sent to the mysterious Comraich Castle, secluded deep in the Scottish countryside, to investigate a strange, high-profile case: a man has been found crucified – in a room that was locked. The reports suggest that the cliff-top castle is being haunted . . .

Who – or what – is the reclusive hooded figure that Ash has seen from the window walking across the courtyard in the dead of night?
What are the strange, animal-like sounds that come from the surrounding woods?
And why are the castle’s inhabitants so reluctant to talk about what they have seen?

. . . what Ash eventually discovers is truly shocking.



My Review

This is a re read for me, I first read this in 2012 not realising it was a trilogy and I think it absolutely affected my enjoyment, despite both times getting a 3* rating. I would absolutely advise reading the first two books as it gives you better insight into Ash's character, the theme for the actual book and alerts you to it being all about the supernatural.

Ash is put forward to go to Comraich Castle to investigate a horrific crime and unexplained goings on, David has been very much a skeptic despite his job being an investigator of the supernatural. If you read the previous books you will appreciate why David has since had a change of heart and sets to investigate. However the Castle has a grim past, it is occupied by some of the most loathsome humans of our time and evil is drawn there. Restrictions are put upon Ash as they must protect their "elite" clients who "live" there. Names from the past history appear as characters and links and secrets of folk we mere everyday Joes think have passed appear in Comraich.

It is a weird tale with some dark and horrifying scenes that may turn the stomach of some readers, rape, cannibalism, incest, horror, death, ghosts and that is just touching on some of it. Supernatural goings on, claustrophobic scenes all with the hallmark of Herbert, if you are familiar with his past work you will be fine with this. Some of it is fantastical needing to suspend belief, as is with a lot of Herbert's writing. Despite being almost 700 pages I felt it could have been longer, the ending felt unfinished and for me, somewhat unsatisfactory although I know many love it just as it is. Always the signs an author has done their job when leaving the reader wanting more, for me though I need lots of closure and answers hence it just being 3/5.

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The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert

The Ghosts Of Sleath by James Herbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off over 4 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Harper Collins

Source - Bookshop

Blurb from Goodreads

Psychic investigator David Ash delves into the mysterious events terrorizing the community of Sleath, and as each dark secret is unveiled, evil forces are unleashed, and Ash fears for his own sanity as well as that of the village people.



My Review

This is the second book in a trilogy, I would advise reading the first as you get a better idea of who Ash is and why he behaves as he does. David Ash works for the Psychical Research Institute with Kate McCarrick, unlike many in the field David is a skeptic, despite his own experiences and works to disprove rather than prove hauntings. This book sees him go to Sleath, a small town with an increase in weird episodes and violence among the towns folk. Ash finds himself failing to explain it all away and his own past being addressed.

The theme is darker in this one, extreme violence, abuse, sexual abuse, hauntings, rituals you name it Herbert covers it. It is certainly one of his more spookier books and now I have read the first two I have re bought the third to re read as I didn't love it and think it was my lack of background on the character and themes in this book and the previous.

Ash is so unlucky and the fact he is so focused on disproving hauntings I think says a lot about what happens to his character and all that befalls him. He is complex and this book gives us a bit more of his history helping to understand why he is the way he is. The chapters are short, the atmosphere is eerie and pulls you in pretty much from the get go. A perfect October read although as with some of the themes readers should be cautious incase of upset. If you aren't easily triggered and like a dark, supernatural read with complex characters and a ghost or two you will love this book, 4/5 for me this time.

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Make A Christmas Wish by Julia Williams

Make A Christmas Wish: A heartwarming, witty and magical festive treat! by Julia Williams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - Avon

Pages - 367

Blurb from Goodreads

Last Christmas, when Livvy was knocked down in the supermarket car park she certainly wasn’t ready to actually be dead! For months now she’s floated on the edge of the afterlife, generally making a nuisance of herself.


And she’s not ready to go just yet! She’s furious about the new woman in her husband’s life and she’s worried about her beloved son who doesn’t seem to be adjusting to life without her at all.


This Christmas, Livvy is given one last magical chance to make everything right. Will she take it and give her family the perfect Christmas?




My Review

Imagine finding out a betrayal by your husband just before Christmas, furious, upset and then to be hit by a car and killed! That is what happens to Livvy, however Livvy is earth bound for the foreseeable and she is enraged. Viewing her husband, the other woman and her son she struggled to accept she is dead and determined to get through to her family.

This is an emotive book, Livvy's son Joe has Asperger's, her and Adam (the husband) had a toxic relationship and the book takes us through their relationship in stages. We visit the past & present, seeing what Livvy's relationship was really like. Livvy is in denial and this is her chance at redemption, forcing her to examine her part in the breakdown in the marriage and deal with her unresolved issues. We hear from Joe in diary format and get to see Adams point on some things too, for this and with the time and character jumps you can dip in and out of this book without missing out on anything.

One major problem I had with this book is it states on the back "A hilarious and just a little heartbreaking festive treat..." I didn't laugh once at this. A lot of it is heartbreaking, I didn't laugh once and the main character really annoyed me with her selfish and destructive behavior. I understand she is mad and frustrated however causing more upset to people you love I just couldn't get on with. Some people loved the character though so it is definitely one you should read and make your own judgement on. I loved the character Joe, we see glimpses of his outlook from his diary entries and the interactions viewed by Livvy, I think they were quite emotive and he is a lovely carved character in some very unlikable ones. This was my first time reading this author, I would read her again, 3/5 for me this time.

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Q&A with Michael Christopher Carter

1. Welcome to So Many Books, So Little Time Michael, thanks for taking the time to come and chat. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in England’s Home Counties of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, before succumbing to the Pembrokeshire Pull and moving to the wonderful Pembrokeshire Coast National park in the South West corner of Wales. The scenery, towns and cities of Wales have been a big inspiration, and feature prominently in many of my stories.


2. Who inspires you and are you reading anything just now?

I have enjoyed many of the biggest names—John Grisham, Stephen King, Dean Kuntz and Robert Goddard, but really I have a very diverse taste. Recently, I’ve been enjoying discovering independent authors but, whether it’s a thriller, or a comedy, or horror, or even an autobiography I do like a twist! I always have a twist in my stories, and because I plan them out beforehand, there are always clues along the way. I get very excited when I write something and imagine myself as the reader trying to work it out. When I get feedback from readers who have been hooked by my red herrings, I get very excited.


3. An Extraordinary Haunting, is this your first book? Without spoilers, what is your book about?

I wrote and released three other books before this one, each exploring different paranormal elements, and each having their own twists. This one’s about a houseful of students in Swansea who experience some weird poltergeist activity. Ghostly goings on are occurring in other places too: the local pub, as well as the new home of former housemate, Elin Treharne. Nothing is as it seems, and when hints of the truth are realised, all the threads collide in a thrilling climax. And I don’t like loose ends. I try to make sure all questions are answered; it’s one of the key questions I put to Beta-Readers.


4. What gave you the idea for it?

Real life experiences of my wife and my late mother-in-law were the inspiration. It’s difficult to say what those were without spoiling the story.

5. When I read the blurb I expected a completely different kind of read, what made you decide to tell the book with astro travel themes rather than horror?

It wasn’t so much a decision. It was always the inspiration. Offering a different perspective for poltergeist activity was my main intention. I love exploring the unusual, and imagining readers exploring with me is thrilling. Reviews all say how scary the book is, but to be honest, that surprised me. I’m pleased, but the thrust of the story for me are the twists. The scary parts were required to make those happen, but it seems to work!


6. Are you working on anything just now?

Of course! But I’m not sure ‘working’ is the right word, because I enjoy it so much. I am writing every day creating a couple of books at the moment; one, ‘The Nightmare of Eliot Armstrong’ is almost out with beta-readers, and my next novel ‘Destructive Interference’ is in alpha stage. I hope to release by November and New Year.

7. Where can fans find you?

On Amazon, worldwide. I have U.S. and U.K. author pages, Facebook, and Twitter, and at my website: michaelchristophercarter.co.uk. Don’t be shy, I’d love to hear from you!


Twitter - @cartercarter72 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michaelchristophercarter/?ref=bookmarks



And now is your chance to win a paperback copy of An Extraordinary Haunting, as always use the Rafflecopter below to enter, this competition is open only to the UK, good luck.



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ARC - The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman

The Dead Wife's Handbook by Hannah Beckerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Publisher - Penguin

Pages - 435

Blurb from Goodreads

A poignant and touching portrayal of love and loss told from a wonderfully original perspective.

Rachel and Max met eleven years ago. They were the perfect couple - best friends, lovers and partners - and when their daughter, Ellie, came along they thought their family was complete. The last thing they expected was that one celebratory night out would change their lives forever.

But fate had other plans.

Now Max is doing his best to adapt to his new life without Rachel - he might forget which day Ellie needs her sports kit and the name of her favourite teacher but he's trying his hardest - and the last thing he wants is more change.

Lonely and alone, Rachel is stuck in a place between worlds. Grieving everything she has lost and everything she won't experience, she has no choice but to watch helplessly as her family face a future without her. But what Rachel doesn't realise is that love is so strong that the one thing that will break her heart may become the one thing she wishes for more than anything.


My Review

The story opens up with a powerful line from Rachel, our main character leaving you with no delusions that she is in fact dead. What follows is Rachel's thoughts, feelings and views as she watches her family, when permitted, trying to recover from her sudden departure. Alongside this Rachel is going through the different stages of grieving, for the life she had and that which she will never have. We get to see her family through her eyes as they also try to recover and deal with a life without Rachel. Max is devastated trying to come to terms with the loss of his wife, Ellie their wee girl and Rachels's mum who has already suffered a big loss. The family deals with it in different ways and we get to view this as and when Rachel does.

This story is very different from anything I have ever read, initially I didn't think I would like it. Rachel is in a place between our world and where you imagine spirits would go after they die. There isn't a how or why, we are given as much info as Rachel is which is nothing. At first I thought this was a cop out by the author, but actually it added to the "realism" of the story. We don't know what happens to us when we pass and Rachel is there with as much understanding as we have, learning as we do with her.

She gets to "visit" her family with no seeming pattern to it, access is when it is given. Rachel is limited in many ways which adds to her anger, loneliness and frustration.

This is a lovely, sad and heart breaking story that hits you on subtle levels provoking big reactions, deep thoughts and emotions as you can't help, well I couldn't, but think about people you have lost. A very powerful book, not because of the tale itself which is very different and well put together story but because of the chain of thought and emotions it may evoke from you. I think it is a fantastic debut novel, done in a unique way and I would be happy to read this author again. 4/5 for me this time and thank you to RealReaders for an ARC of this book and introducing me to a new author. This book is available for release on 13th of February 2014.

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