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Roxy May #1
Haunted Spark
"Roxanne May McDonald lives as simple a life as any fifteen year old, she goes to school, studies hard and she has her crush, Brandon to admire from afar. Roxy's world is turned upside down when her beloved Grandfather dies. She is broken hearted and can't imagine her life without her only Granda in it.
On the morning of the funeral Roxy gets a surprise, clad in a pair of moccasin slippers her Granda pays her a visit. He's just as shocked as she is, after all who expects to see the ghost of their dead grandfather in their bedroom?
Turns out its not just her Granda she can now see, someone seems to have told all the stray ghosts in Aberdeen that Roxy is accepting visitors and she soon finds herself helping a number of lost souls including the sad ghost of Carrie, a girl who was murdered by an old headmaster in Roxy's school.
While Roxanne is getting used to her new profession she is asked to give Brandon maths tuition, things couldn't get any better!
She can't help but feel that Brandon is flirting with her and as she gets to know him better she senses something is different about him but what is it and why is he constantly eating, i mean constantly?
Is Brandon's love genuine?
Can Roxy help solve a sixty year old murder case to free a troubled ghost?
And can she do all this without looking like she's gone stark raving mad!"
On the morning of the funeral Roxy gets a surprise, clad in a pair of moccasin slippers her Granda pays her a visit. He's just as shocked as she is, after all who expects to see the ghost of their dead grandfather in their bedroom?
Turns out its not just her Granda she can now see, someone seems to have told all the stray ghosts in Aberdeen that Roxy is accepting visitors and she soon finds herself helping a number of lost souls including the sad ghost of Carrie, a girl who was murdered by an old headmaster in Roxy's school.
While Roxanne is getting used to her new profession she is asked to give Brandon maths tuition, things couldn't get any better!
She can't help but feel that Brandon is flirting with her and as she gets to know him better she senses something is different about him but what is it and why is he constantly eating, i mean constantly?
Is Brandon's love genuine?
Can Roxy help solve a sixty year old murder case to free a troubled ghost?
And can she do all this without looking like she's gone stark raving mad!"
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 11, 2011
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 25, 2011
Aww. What a sweet story. You can really get into this wonderful story. To be able to do what Roxy can do, being a seer and helping spirits pass over. Wow! And I never would have guessed that about Brandon when he revealed his "secret". Boy! I was so off! LOL. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Keep up the great work, and never stop writing such awesome stories Nicola!
Keep up the great work, and never stop writing such awesome stories Nicola!
June 6, 2021
At first, I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book, mainly because I don’t read contemporary stuff. But once I got past chapter 6, I was hooked. I loved the way the story progressed and the different ghosts that Roxy met. I also found the characters and dialogue very realistic with reactions that I felt were accurate to how normal people react.
I do wish that some scenes got expanded on more, especially the Mr Ratchet scenes and the possessions. I feel like those scenes could have been elaborated on to evoke more emotions but I still feel like the story was well-paced.
That ending was definitely not something I prepared for. I had some assumptions about what would happen but none of them were right. I absolutely loved the ending and felt like it was a well-paced and well thought out ending. It felt right and I’m really hoping that we get to see Azaelia more in future books because I’m excited to learn more about the lore and have some world building.
I do wish that some scenes got expanded on more, especially the Mr Ratchet scenes and the possessions. I feel like those scenes could have been elaborated on to evoke more emotions but I still feel like the story was well-paced.
That ending was definitely not something I prepared for. I had some assumptions about what would happen but none of them were right. I absolutely loved the ending and felt like it was a well-paced and well thought out ending. It felt right and I’m really hoping that we get to see Azaelia more in future books because I’m excited to learn more about the lore and have some world building.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2021
Haunted sparks is a beautifully written YA story of love, paranormal, managing loss and navigating school as a geek.
Roxy is a seemingly regular teenager, with her two best friends and an awesome mum; for her, her biggest decisions will be what to buy in the summer sales until her world falls apart with the death of a loved one. Soon begins a journey of discovery, included learning new skills and having to spend additional time with the hottest boy in school (It’s a hard life Roxy!). Having secrets is hard, but everyone has their secrets!! And magical things can happen when we share those secrets with others! The end was unexpected but gave me a lovely, warm glow and left the door open for more Roxy adventure.
I loved this story, for me it was reminiscence of Jacqueline Wilson in it’s way of managing difficult life events, such as grief and the continued feelings of not being the ‘type’ for the handsome, popular jock. It was written with such love and warmth for the characters. They have been carefully carved, with the ability to see a little of yourself within a character within the book. This is a very thoughtful tale, that has been considered and there is definitely a piece of the author within the work.
Some of my favourite moments came with nods to Colin Fry (RIP) and Derek Acorah (def. showing my age with those references) and the bathroom and library scene was blooming scary.
I think that had I have had this story as a teenager I would have re read and re read. It highlighted the importance of friendship, being proud of your identity, that we all think we have the measure of the people (but how wrong we can be) and that sometimes we can be out own worst enemy, if only we could see our self through others peoples eyes. I have finished feeling that I have a new set of friends in Roxy, Brandon and, fingers crossed, Granda.
Such a great read and am off to buy the remainder of the series.
Roxy is a seemingly regular teenager, with her two best friends and an awesome mum; for her, her biggest decisions will be what to buy in the summer sales until her world falls apart with the death of a loved one. Soon begins a journey of discovery, included learning new skills and having to spend additional time with the hottest boy in school (It’s a hard life Roxy!). Having secrets is hard, but everyone has their secrets!! And magical things can happen when we share those secrets with others! The end was unexpected but gave me a lovely, warm glow and left the door open for more Roxy adventure.
I loved this story, for me it was reminiscence of Jacqueline Wilson in it’s way of managing difficult life events, such as grief and the continued feelings of not being the ‘type’ for the handsome, popular jock. It was written with such love and warmth for the characters. They have been carefully carved, with the ability to see a little of yourself within a character within the book. This is a very thoughtful tale, that has been considered and there is definitely a piece of the author within the work.
Some of my favourite moments came with nods to Colin Fry (RIP) and Derek Acorah (def. showing my age with those references) and the bathroom and library scene was blooming scary.
I think that had I have had this story as a teenager I would have re read and re read. It highlighted the importance of friendship, being proud of your identity, that we all think we have the measure of the people (but how wrong we can be) and that sometimes we can be out own worst enemy, if only we could see our self through others peoples eyes. I have finished feeling that I have a new set of friends in Roxy, Brandon and, fingers crossed, Granda.
Such a great read and am off to buy the remainder of the series.
November 4, 2021
This book is the young adult version of the Ghost Whisperer and I am totally for it.
However, the ending of the book had a twist that I didn't love and that's why I took 1 star off. It was still a FANTASTIC book and I plan on reading the rest of the series, but the 2nd book will be the true test of the twist for me.
However, the ending of the book had a twist that I didn't love and that's why I took 1 star off. It was still a FANTASTIC book and I plan on reading the rest of the series, but the 2nd book will be the true test of the twist for me.
June 11, 2021
10/10: Wonderful, lovely, heartfelt, cute, fantastic! I can't say enough good things about this book! I loved the story and the characters, the relationships and the fantasy! I giggled and cried! So great! Highly recommend!
August 26, 2011
Wow is all I can say about this book. I can't wait until the next one comes out. So many things to say here. Roxy is a girl who goes to a prep school. She is the geek as she describes herself. She lives with her mother. Her father died when she was young. One day while going to school she gets asked into the Headmistress's room to only find out that her Granda had a stroke and passed away. She is sent home. While being home her Granda appears to her as a ghost. Roxy has the power to see ghosts and interact with them. Two other ghosts Carrie, and Wendy are introduced to the plot where she helps both of these so they can finally pass on. Mr. Ratchet was the former headmaster of the school and killed little girls that attended there. Carrie wanted Roxy to help her find out where her body is so she can move on peacefully. With the help of her granda and hours at the school library Roxy remembers a fireplace in the headmistress's room. That's where her body is. She along with a guy she is tutoring in maths class by the name of Brandon helps here dig up the body. Brandon is a rugby player and swimmer at the school in which Roxy has a crush on. She gets assigned by Mr. Winters to tutor Brandon. Brandon breaks up with his girlfriend and starts dating Roxy. There is this big dance at their school and he previously explained to her that he had a little secret. (Spoiler alert) He can see ghosts too. Although he can't interact with them like Roxy can. He than tells her that he is infact not human but a fairy and she is a seer which is how she is able to help the ghosts.
Again let e just say I love books dealing with the occult and paranormal especially YA Paranormal and this one is a must read for those who are like me.
Again let e just say I love books dealing with the occult and paranormal especially YA Paranormal and this one is a must read for those who are like me.
February 3, 2014
An extraordinary tale the takes you on an incredible journey through the life of a young teenager who is about to discover the magic locked within…
Now the story starts out with this teenage girl, Roxanne, who has this certain flare about her that you find yourself loving her from the start. A whole new world is about to become unveiled before her very eyes. However, it happens during a great time of grief that has left her devastated. Not only that but the mysterious and handsome Branndon, at school seems to be paying a lot of attention to her. Not that she minds seeing how she secretly has had a crush on him. Unfortunately his incredibly jealous girlfriend is not too happy about it.
Meanwhile, new people as well as old people seem to be popping up in Roxy’s life which leads to the discovery of a mystery of long ago. However, Truths about herself as well as others will change her life forever. This leads to discovering a whole new world that she would never dream possible…
I absolutely adore the style of language in which the story was written. You could actually hear the Scottish brogue in your mine as you read the story giving it that authenticity to the story. I am anxious to read the second in the series fairy Wings!
Now the story starts out with this teenage girl, Roxanne, who has this certain flare about her that you find yourself loving her from the start. A whole new world is about to become unveiled before her very eyes. However, it happens during a great time of grief that has left her devastated. Not only that but the mysterious and handsome Branndon, at school seems to be paying a lot of attention to her. Not that she minds seeing how she secretly has had a crush on him. Unfortunately his incredibly jealous girlfriend is not too happy about it.
Meanwhile, new people as well as old people seem to be popping up in Roxy’s life which leads to the discovery of a mystery of long ago. However, Truths about herself as well as others will change her life forever. This leads to discovering a whole new world that she would never dream possible…
I absolutely adore the style of language in which the story was written. You could actually hear the Scottish brogue in your mine as you read the story giving it that authenticity to the story. I am anxious to read the second in the series fairy Wings!
August 23, 2011
Roxanne is a fifteen year old girl with a secret, after her Granda dies he appears to her, Roxy has a gift that has yet to be revealed to her. Through her Granda she realizes that she can help others and along the way she also discovers the boy she pines for isn't all she thought he was.
I really liked this story, the characters are so warm and the friendships so real that you feel like you are there with them. The first part of the book was amazing, the second half was great also however, I felt like it was a rush to the finish and there was so much going on that I kind of lost my pace with the story. With that being said, I would definitely continue reading this story, as the reader you will get caught up with Roxy, she is an amazing young woman with an amazing gift and the supporting characters seemed liked my old friends. 3.75 stars
I really liked this story, the characters are so warm and the friendships so real that you feel like you are there with them. The first part of the book was amazing, the second half was great also however, I felt like it was a rush to the finish and there was so much going on that I kind of lost my pace with the story. With that being said, I would definitely continue reading this story, as the reader you will get caught up with Roxy, she is an amazing young woman with an amazing gift and the supporting characters seemed liked my old friends. 3.75 stars
August 24, 2011
I liked this cute story of Roxy and her recently deceased Granda (grandfather) who is a ghost. Roxy is a high school girl who is a geek who has two best friends. Roxy goes on a quest to help solve some problems for a couple of little girl ghosts she encounters at her school. Her friends no nothing of this. Follow Roxy's quest to help her new friends and deal with the old. The ending is so "wow I never saw that coming".
August 23, 2011
I really enjoyed this book a really easy read. Love the main characters Roxy and Brandon and Granda. I live the idea of Roxy using her gift to help people, and Brandon being Fae not at all what I expected!
All in all I would ready a follow up or other books by Nicola Ormerod :)
All in all I would ready a follow up or other books by Nicola Ormerod :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews