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The Haunting
Investigating a noise in the attic of her historic home, Maggie Holliday encounters a handsome man in a Civil War uniform. He calls her "Isabel", seduces her in ways the shy academic had never dreamed of, then literally vanishes.
With every fleeting visit, Maggie's mysterious lover, Ethan, takes her closer to the edge of ecstasy and madness. Is he really a ghost? Far from chilling her, his touch is incendiary; it all feels so real and so very, very good. And so very familiar.
Ethan insists Maggie's the reincarnation of his long-lost love. And after a few incredible nights in his arms, Maggie is inclined to believe him. But does she dare surrender to a passion that transcends time, tragedy, and even death?
With every fleeting visit, Maggie's mysterious lover, Ethan, takes her closer to the edge of ecstasy and madness. Is he really a ghost? Far from chilling her, his touch is incendiary; it all feels so real and so very, very good. And so very familiar.
Ethan insists Maggie's the reincarnation of his long-lost love. And after a few incredible nights in his arms, Maggie is inclined to believe him. But does she dare surrender to a passion that transcends time, tragedy, and even death?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Hope C. Tarr
51 books212 followersAward-winning author of the American Songbook series: IRISH EYES and STARDUST (Joffe Books).
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And more!
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/y2s7cfkj
Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/3hfkehad
Bookshop.org: https://tinyurl.com/3xhmfvzm
Walmart: http://tinyurl.com/dwbf554r
Target: http://tinyurl.com/374se9aw
Books-a-Million: http://tinyurl.com/bdenart2
Thunder Road Books: https://shop.thunderroadbooks.com/boo...
Book Culture: https://www.bookculture.com/book/9781...
River Road Books: https://www.riverroadbooks.net/book/9...
The Comfort Zone: https://comfortzone-og.com/
And more!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 18, 2022
This is the last time I randomly pick a book from Scribd...
Where do we start with this book.... there's the grooming of a ghost following the woman since she was a girl because she was "his soulmate", there was the weird magic system of ghosts being able to become solid and move objects that was never explained. There was completely unnecessary description of sexual assault that was so sudden and jarring. Oh yeah, and the very negative view of using sex toys, essentially shaming people that use them.
I try to find positive things about books, even when it's not a book I like. But honestly I can't do that with this one.
Where do we start with this book.... there's the grooming of a ghost following the woman since she was a girl because she was "his soulmate", there was the weird magic system of ghosts being able to become solid and move objects that was never explained. There was completely unnecessary description of sexual assault that was so sudden and jarring. Oh yeah, and the very negative view of using sex toys, essentially shaming people that use them.
I try to find positive things about books, even when it's not a book I like. But honestly I can't do that with this one.
September 14, 2011
I guess I am not a fan of pointless 'Look,its her only reincarnated!OMG!' books. Go figure. Plus, not being able to get...ehm...off without the right man? Sad.
November 29, 2020
This is one I should’ve read, instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator should look into other career fields. (Harsh, but true!) The story was good but it could’ve been done a bit better. The premise of the story and romance of it all was lovely but overall it was simply mediocre. Meh.
September 5, 2019
Really, really cheesy. At least it was short.
April 5, 2010
I'll fully admit something hearing the audiobook version of this story - it's excellently read by the narrator (Gabra Zackman), and the premise of the story had potential between a 30 something history teacher and a Civil War ghost. The premise seems sweet, mysterious, atmospheric, and the hook that brought me to this story over the fact that it was a Harlequin work. If the sexual elements were toned down, and the dialogue not so cheesy/campy/downright eye-roll worthy, I probably would've liked this more. Plus, there were just parts of this that were uncomfortable to listen to and completely unrealistic - and not in the sense that it deals with a ghost story, but in the dynamic of events and character interaction.
I'm starting to find my footing with better romance/erotica stories, and while this isn't close to what I would call one of the better ones I've read, it's not by any means the worst I've heard (I've heard much, much worse). The historical backstory and Maggie searching for clues as to the life of Isabel, Ethan's love from the past, was refreshing, much more in depth than typically noted for this genre of books. I don't mind Maggie's characterization either - at least the author isn't overbearing on either her flaws or her virtues.
The main conflict is predictable as one follows the story, but I think those who aren't expecting too much will not mind the repetition. It bugged me that there were cases of repetitive diction and description, but I consider that a nitpick of mine more than anything else. :P
I'm probably one of the few people who didn't mind the ending - I've heard similar stories end up in the way that it did, so while it didn't surprise me, it didn't upset me either. The epilogue left it on a note where I thought things were tied together well.
Overall, I wouldn't hold much against this story - it had potential and there were parts of it that I liked, but there were just as many parts of it I didn't like and felt could have developed into a more fulfilling, compelling story if it wasn't hampered by the dialogue and the overfocused sexual situations.
Overall: 2/5
I'm starting to find my footing with better romance/erotica stories, and while this isn't close to what I would call one of the better ones I've read, it's not by any means the worst I've heard (I've heard much, much worse). The historical backstory and Maggie searching for clues as to the life of Isabel, Ethan's love from the past, was refreshing, much more in depth than typically noted for this genre of books. I don't mind Maggie's characterization either - at least the author isn't overbearing on either her flaws or her virtues.
The main conflict is predictable as one follows the story, but I think those who aren't expecting too much will not mind the repetition. It bugged me that there were cases of repetitive diction and description, but I consider that a nitpick of mine more than anything else. :P
I'm probably one of the few people who didn't mind the ending - I've heard similar stories end up in the way that it did, so while it didn't surprise me, it didn't upset me either. The epilogue left it on a note where I thought things were tied together well.
Overall, I wouldn't hold much against this story - it had potential and there were parts of it that I liked, but there were just as many parts of it I didn't like and felt could have developed into a more fulfilling, compelling story if it wasn't hampered by the dialogue and the overfocused sexual situations.
Overall: 2/5
May 12, 2009
The Haunting is one category romance that is very spicy with the sex scenes and talk. Overall, a very delicious and sensual read that has an overwhelming atmospheric feel. Too bad it wasn't a full length novel with more insight on our star crossed lovers especially the ones during the Civil War. Through memories and diary entries, we meet Ethan our Yankee hero and his soul mate Isabel who is a Southern Belle from Virginia.
Maggie is a present day assistant professor who has just bought her first house. Maggie has been through a lot in life. She has lost her parents and sister, almost committed suicide and has a semi- abusive relationship with her former therapist. Maggie's world is about to become very interesting when she finds the diary of Isabel, a young woman who lived in the house during the Civil War. Maggie soon comes to realize that she is the reincarnation of Isabel from meeting the ghost of Ethan who resides in the home.
Ethan was from Boston and in the bluecoat's army. He meets Isabel and they start having a hidden romance. Unfortunately their romance was cut short by tragedy and Ethan being framed by a man who wants Isabel for himself.
We are given glimpse of Virginia and a sweet young woman's love for her enemy through her diary, along with Maggie trying to understand this all, including the ghost of Ethan who is able to be intimate with Maggie and make her remember her life as Isabel. Their love scenes sizzle even though Ethan is a ghost.
But how can they have a life together? The forces seem stacked against these two but Hope Tarr gives us an incredible romance and an ending that is very touching and beautiful.
Maggie is a present day assistant professor who has just bought her first house. Maggie has been through a lot in life. She has lost her parents and sister, almost committed suicide and has a semi- abusive relationship with her former therapist. Maggie's world is about to become very interesting when she finds the diary of Isabel, a young woman who lived in the house during the Civil War. Maggie soon comes to realize that she is the reincarnation of Isabel from meeting the ghost of Ethan who resides in the home.
Ethan was from Boston and in the bluecoat's army. He meets Isabel and they start having a hidden romance. Unfortunately their romance was cut short by tragedy and Ethan being framed by a man who wants Isabel for himself.
We are given glimpse of Virginia and a sweet young woman's love for her enemy through her diary, along with Maggie trying to understand this all, including the ghost of Ethan who is able to be intimate with Maggie and make her remember her life as Isabel. Their love scenes sizzle even though Ethan is a ghost.
But how can they have a life together? The forces seem stacked against these two but Hope Tarr gives us an incredible romance and an ending that is very touching and beautiful.
September 17, 2018
I actually really enjoyed this book and was quite surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I am normally a “mystery” girl but this is nothing but a straight up paranormal romance. I do admit I have always had a soft spot for ghost and ghost stories. I enjoyed all the characters and the fact the story gave you insight to more than just the main characters thoughts/feelings.
If your are looking for a lot of twists and side plots, this isn’t it. The story is very straight forward and predictable. I wasn’t upset by the predictably as it was more like the predictably of a comfy couch versus the predictably of a monotonous job. The only thing that leaves the reader at a unknown is how the author is going to end it and tie up all the loose ends.
The only thing that kept this from 5 stars is all the talk in the book about how strong Maggie is. Well she is not a strong character but she does grow towards that in in the end. The author tries to explain this away with some not so good excuses.
The narrator was very good at all the voices and I didn’t feel like they overdid the southern accents.
If your are looking for a lot of twists and side plots, this isn’t it. The story is very straight forward and predictable. I wasn’t upset by the predictably as it was more like the predictably of a comfy couch versus the predictably of a monotonous job. The only thing that leaves the reader at a unknown is how the author is going to end it and tie up all the loose ends.
The only thing that kept this from 5 stars is all the talk in the book about how strong Maggie is. Well she is not a strong character but she does grow towards that in in the end. The author tries to explain this away with some not so good excuses.
The narrator was very good at all the voices and I didn’t feel like they overdid the southern accents.
March 23, 2021
The Haunting
1 Star
Quickie Review
Idiotic plot and one dimensional characters that I couldn't care less about.
The heroine is an obsequious doormat and despite the fact that her boyfriend is a complete jerk, the fact that she cheats on him, albeit with a ghost, is inescapable.
The hero is a pathetic excuse for an alpha male and is actually in love with the heroine's past life.
While the villain is suitably obnoxious, even his comeuppance couldn't save this catastrophe.
1 Star
Quickie Review
Idiotic plot and one dimensional characters that I couldn't care less about.
The heroine is an obsequious doormat and despite the fact that her boyfriend is a complete jerk, the fact that she cheats on him, albeit with a ghost, is inescapable.
The hero is a pathetic excuse for an alpha male and is actually in love with the heroine's past life.
While the villain is suitably obnoxious, even his comeuppance couldn't save this catastrophe.
June 2, 2022
I took a whole star off because I am genuinely appalled that she would abandon her cat, who she referred to as her CHILD, to suddenly die and join her ghost soulmate. Thankfully the didn’t want to live without her anyway and decided to cross over too. But damn bitch ok
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
The storyline definitely had me interested and portions of the story were very good. The ending was a bit strange but I actually was OK with how it played out. I do enjoy Hope's stories and will continue to read them.
September 2, 2022
I don't know what her deal is with toys, and her human boyfriend is utter garbage. Oh, and the bedroom talk? No. This was fine listening in the background while I did other things, but not a great read on its own.
January 8, 2021
There was a lot I didn't care for in this book. It did make me cry a little so I gave it 2 stars.
April 4, 2021
DNF I can't I just can't
December 10, 2021
DNF. not my style unfortunately. Some of the story was good but I couldn't get past some of the scenes!
March 20, 2023
2.5 ⭐️ this was meh. It’s hard to say why it didn’t work for me, but it just didn’t.
April 17, 2024
Just up my street, loved the audio book and reader. Romance at its best
January 29, 2021
Erm... weird.
I can’t be the only one who hates reading that the female protagonist when turned on is gushing, or flooding, streaming, pooling etc. That’s got to be a serious problem, right?
DNF
I can’t be the only one who hates reading that the female protagonist when turned on is gushing, or flooding, streaming, pooling etc. That’s got to be a serious problem, right?
DNF
February 20, 2009
I'm embarrassed to say that I really enjoyed this book. I mean it's a Harlequin for crying out loud! But let me tell you why I even read it and maybe you'll understand.
It's a historical love story that transverses time. It's the story of a couple from the civil war. He was wrongfully hung and now his ghost is knocking around her old attic for 150 years. She's reincarnated and has just moved in prior to starting her teaching job at the local university and runs into him. It is a story of reunited love crossing centuries.
OK, so it's a bit cheesy. Here's why I liked it.
It's set in my home town and was written by a local author. Only reason I snagged it from my mum (and probably the only reason she got it in the first place). Fredericksburg, VA claims to be the country's most historic city. It has been home to five US Presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independance lived here, it was the home of Alex Haley's ancestors (seriously Roots was set about a 20 minute drive from downtown), and it was home to half a dozen major battles during the Civil War. Now it's a 'burb of DC.
With historical romances loving the Civil War timeframe (why???? War is NOT pretty, it is NOT sexy, and it is NOT fun. And the Civil War was neighbour against neighbour and us burning our own towns, killing our own people, and etc.) I have never run across one set in Fredericksburg. Everyone focuses on Gettysburg and the like for the Civil War. Maybe it's the bloodbath that ensued in Fredericksburg? No one wants to touch on major bloodbath? Well anyway, about dang time si all I gotta say.
Fredericksburg is home to so many awesome ghost stories. So I liked that, too. I've read a ton of different ones. My best friend's house is haunted by a Civil War soldier. Trust me.
So yeah, I love that this book pulled in a ghost story from town, that it hit on Fredericksburg during a very difficult time in our history. And best of all? The bulk of it was set in 2007 so the main character was hitting up places all over town. My biggest complaint? It was summer and this lady never went to Carl's for some ice cream? Please. Where was that? But I cheered when she went to Claibourne's and I stuck my tongue out at Hyperion (seriously how can a coffee shop screw up hot cocoa, no thanks!). I giggled at the awesome reference to our downtown library and this character even went to crazy Old Man Beck's bookstore next to the Visitor's Center!
And there wasn't even that much sex, which I basically skipped over. I thought these books were mostly thinly veiled plots to get people in bed, but this one had a story. The character was damaged and found healing through her digging into the past of her house, her ghost, and her past life. It seemed more like the author went 'Oh yeah, this is a harlequin, better throw in a bed scene' and made these as after thoughts.
Hope Tarr should get out of the Harlequin business. This book should have been picked up by a non-Harlequin publisher. (I'd like to say reputable but there are people who adore Harlequin.) I'm not gonna become some Harlequin junkie, but if Hope Tarr writes another Fredericksburg book, I'd be willing to give it a go in a heartbeat! Seriously, I hope she gets out of the Harlequin business. She could do some great things with ghost love stories that don't need to be Harlequin.
It's a historical love story that transverses time. It's the story of a couple from the civil war. He was wrongfully hung and now his ghost is knocking around her old attic for 150 years. She's reincarnated and has just moved in prior to starting her teaching job at the local university and runs into him. It is a story of reunited love crossing centuries.
OK, so it's a bit cheesy. Here's why I liked it.
It's set in my home town and was written by a local author. Only reason I snagged it from my mum (and probably the only reason she got it in the first place). Fredericksburg, VA claims to be the country's most historic city. It has been home to five US Presidents, signers of the Declaration of Independance lived here, it was the home of Alex Haley's ancestors (seriously Roots was set about a 20 minute drive from downtown), and it was home to half a dozen major battles during the Civil War. Now it's a 'burb of DC.
With historical romances loving the Civil War timeframe (why???? War is NOT pretty, it is NOT sexy, and it is NOT fun. And the Civil War was neighbour against neighbour and us burning our own towns, killing our own people, and etc.) I have never run across one set in Fredericksburg. Everyone focuses on Gettysburg and the like for the Civil War. Maybe it's the bloodbath that ensued in Fredericksburg? No one wants to touch on major bloodbath? Well anyway, about dang time si all I gotta say.
Fredericksburg is home to so many awesome ghost stories. So I liked that, too. I've read a ton of different ones. My best friend's house is haunted by a Civil War soldier. Trust me.
So yeah, I love that this book pulled in a ghost story from town, that it hit on Fredericksburg during a very difficult time in our history. And best of all? The bulk of it was set in 2007 so the main character was hitting up places all over town. My biggest complaint? It was summer and this lady never went to Carl's for some ice cream? Please. Where was that? But I cheered when she went to Claibourne's and I stuck my tongue out at Hyperion (seriously how can a coffee shop screw up hot cocoa, no thanks!). I giggled at the awesome reference to our downtown library and this character even went to crazy Old Man Beck's bookstore next to the Visitor's Center!
And there wasn't even that much sex, which I basically skipped over. I thought these books were mostly thinly veiled plots to get people in bed, but this one had a story. The character was damaged and found healing through her digging into the past of her house, her ghost, and her past life. It seemed more like the author went 'Oh yeah, this is a harlequin, better throw in a bed scene' and made these as after thoughts.
Hope Tarr should get out of the Harlequin business. This book should have been picked up by a non-Harlequin publisher. (I'd like to say reputable but there are people who adore Harlequin.) I'm not gonna become some Harlequin junkie, but if Hope Tarr writes another Fredericksburg book, I'd be willing to give it a go in a heartbeat! Seriously, I hope she gets out of the Harlequin business. She could do some great things with ghost love stories that don't need to be Harlequin.
January 1, 2011
This one was a ghost story about a woman who moves into a new house and learns a whole lot about herself and her past. And I'm not talking about her current life, either. I really enjoyed reading about Ethan too, and Maggie's story arc was great. I was cheering for her several times.
Anyway, if you enjoy a lovely love story that spans more than one lifetime, you'll definitely enjoy this one. Oh, but I need to warn you, although there is a HEA, it's not an average one. It was quite different, for a romance novel. Still, it made sense. :)
Anyway, if you enjoy a lovely love story that spans more than one lifetime, you'll definitely enjoy this one. Oh, but I need to warn you, although there is a HEA, it's not an average one. It was quite different, for a romance novel. Still, it made sense. :)
May 24, 2010
abanded it because i just got out of interset in this love/romance book.
November 9, 2011
Started off strong and different. Really enjoyed it until about 3/4 of the way through and then it felt rushed at the end.
October 17, 2012
Fun Quick read.. Always love a ghost story.
April 30, 2013
It was ok.....not amazing nor awful :) cute story line.
December 9, 2011
Great story I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews