What do you think?
Rate this book
Her Keepers
Tess is starting over with the help of a strange woman who may or may not be a Good Samaritan. Tess was raised in an orphanage. She doesn't know much about her family, and she doesn't really care. Angela showed up-seven months pregnant-and said, "I'm going to take care of you". So Tess left the orphanage, but she didn't plan on ending up in a creepy, old house with this woman she doesn't know and doesn't trust. Then, the dreams begin-dreams that make Tess think she's been to this creepy house before and that make her think Angela isn't the stranger she appears to be. What is the link between them, and why did Angela suddenly show up and take her away from life as an orphan? Soon, the dreams escalate, and Tess finds herself in serious danger. It's almost as though the house is out to get her. To put a stop to the horror, Tess must take a closer look at her past. Who was her family, and where did they go? Could the house have once belonged to them? As secrets are revealed, Tess doesn't like what she sees; worse, she might not be the only one in danger. It's never a good idea to awaken the ghosts of the past-especially when those ghosts may not have Tess's best interests in mind.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
Laura Camby McCaskill
3 books9 followersBest known for her ghostly thriller Her Keepers, Laura McCaskill has taken her love for writing and harnessed it to help others. In 2012, Laura published her first work Her Keepers, which won outstanding reviews. In 2016, she published her second work Fallow, a romance thriller which received equally stunning reviews.
In 2017, she became a foster parent for a local rescue in Asheville, NC. After working with-and-fostering several sick and injured small animals, Laura found a way to mix her love of writing and her love for animals. In 2018, her first article entitled Belk’s Silent Cry, was published in The House Rabbit Society’s magazine, The House Rabbit Journal. The article focused on the struggles of one of her foster rabbits, who had been diagnosed with a severe abscess in his lower jaw. Belk’s story was also published in, Discarded Rabbits by Lucile Moore and Debby Widolf.
Laura began writing for the SC United Methodist Advocate Newspaper in July 2018. Her articles consisted of ministry’s which helped people locally and some that stretched to places as far as the Navajo Reservation in Baca, New Mexico. One of Laura's articles was featured in a 40 day devotional, Feed My Sheep, by Jessica Brodie.
From My Pen, was published in 2019. A blog on the hilariously true and random events that Laura has encountered over the years. The comical blog has been a source of escape for those who come back each week to read about a new encounter.
In 2019 Laura started, All Writers, a Facebook group that helps writers connect to not only each other but publishers, illustrators, photographers, and editors; to name a few. The group is intended to help writers learn and grow in their writing endeavors.
Laura has been a guest on several podcasts, such as The Writer’s Way podcast by Laurie Wright, The House Rabbit Society podcast by Bill Velasquez, The Honest Uproar by The Uprising Spark, A Little Bit of Everything With Me by Angelica Vallecillo-Goncalves, Brehrens House of Chaos a podcast by Chris and Katt, and Fun, Feisty, and Fabulous.
Laura is currently working on her third novel.
In 2017, she became a foster parent for a local rescue in Asheville, NC. After working with-and-fostering several sick and injured small animals, Laura found a way to mix her love of writing and her love for animals. In 2018, her first article entitled Belk’s Silent Cry, was published in The House Rabbit Society’s magazine, The House Rabbit Journal. The article focused on the struggles of one of her foster rabbits, who had been diagnosed with a severe abscess in his lower jaw. Belk’s story was also published in, Discarded Rabbits by Lucile Moore and Debby Widolf.
Laura began writing for the SC United Methodist Advocate Newspaper in July 2018. Her articles consisted of ministry’s which helped people locally and some that stretched to places as far as the Navajo Reservation in Baca, New Mexico. One of Laura's articles was featured in a 40 day devotional, Feed My Sheep, by Jessica Brodie.
From My Pen, was published in 2019. A blog on the hilariously true and random events that Laura has encountered over the years. The comical blog has been a source of escape for those who come back each week to read about a new encounter.
In 2019 Laura started, All Writers, a Facebook group that helps writers connect to not only each other but publishers, illustrators, photographers, and editors; to name a few. The group is intended to help writers learn and grow in their writing endeavors.
Laura has been a guest on several podcasts, such as The Writer’s Way podcast by Laurie Wright, The House Rabbit Society podcast by Bill Velasquez, The Honest Uproar by The Uprising Spark, A Little Bit of Everything With Me by Angelica Vallecillo-Goncalves, Brehrens House of Chaos a podcast by Chris and Katt, and Fun, Feisty, and Fabulous.
Laura is currently working on her third novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 2, 2016
If you're a fan of paranormal thrillers then pick up a copy of "Her Keepers" and enjoy the roller coaster ride. The story revolves around fourteen-year-old Tess, the only surviving member of her family, who is rescued from an orphanage by a lady named Angela. The book opens with Tess and Angela arriving at a large and forbidding house that holds secrets which will threaten Tess and Angela. As they settle in and begin cleaning and emptying the rooms of the former residents. Tess begins having flashbacks to another time. Her four brothers were killed in a car crash in which she survived and their ghosts are still in the house, protecting Tess from the one remaining person who wants to see her dead. When the house suddenly grows cold, Tess knows one or more brothers is about to appear. When there is danger to Tess, the house moans. Angela knows more about Tess's background than she initially lets on. Eventually they go from a contentious relationship to a supportive one, as they band together to save themselves from a mysterious person who tries to break into their house. I don't want to reveal the resolution but everything comes to a head in the last few pages. Does Tess learn her true identity? Does she survive? Read the book and find out.
November 5, 2013
When I started reading this book, it failed to make sense and just seemed to confuse me. However, as I kept going, I couldn't stop. Everything started to make sense and the story unfolded with such force that I never once felt the need to put the book down. The more chapters I read, the more interesting the story became, more the plot developed, and more of me succumbed to the depths of Laura's world.
Laura's style is simple and easy to understand; it's raw emotion and direct. The best part of her writing is the flow. She wrote the characters well; the best part of the book. I was immediately drawn to the relations and the personalities and back-stories. I loved all her characters - they made me 'feel' and not just 'read' on paper.
By the end of the book, I was in tears. I cried so hard because it was bittersweet and emotional. The love between siblings, even when not there physically, is something not easily corrupted.
This book was a joyride; I finished it within two days. It's one of my favorites, even with a few plot-holes and grammatical errors, it never fails to make me tear up just be the mere thought of a brother's love for his sister.
It can move worlds.
Laura's style is simple and easy to understand; it's raw emotion and direct. The best part of her writing is the flow. She wrote the characters well; the best part of the book. I was immediately drawn to the relations and the personalities and back-stories. I loved all her characters - they made me 'feel' and not just 'read' on paper.
By the end of the book, I was in tears. I cried so hard because it was bittersweet and emotional. The love between siblings, even when not there physically, is something not easily corrupted.
This book was a joyride; I finished it within two days. It's one of my favorites, even with a few plot-holes and grammatical errors, it never fails to make me tear up just be the mere thought of a brother's love for his sister.
It can move worlds.
August 9, 2012
Laura does an amazing job describing the scenery and the characters, I was sucked in immediately! There were twists are turns, and just when you think you have it figured out, she surprises you again! I loved this book and could not put it down, what a wonderful debut and I look forward to future works!!
October 16, 2015
Great read!
This book had me guessing, the way it twists and turns, I will definitely recommend it to others. The author does a great job at giving detail, makes you feel like you are there.
This book had me guessing, the way it twists and turns, I will definitely recommend it to others. The author does a great job at giving detail, makes you feel like you are there.
December 5, 2013
Very unique and suspenseful I recommend this read to everyone.
August 28, 2021
I'm rating this a 3.7 out of 5 Stars.
If you like thrillers with a supernatural twist, this might just be a book for you. The story follows around a 14-year-old, Tess, an orphan, and her guardian, Angela, as they arrive at a dark and creepy house. But the house isn't just creepy appearing. When Tess is in danger, the house moans, and creaks. When it suddenly becomes cold, one of Tess' dead brothers appears to protect her. As secrets slowly reveal themselves and Tess learns not only who she is, but who these 'ghosts are', she becomes close with Angela.
To be honest, the beginning wasn't that eye-catching to me. It wasn't until halfway through the book that I was suddenly invested in the storyline. The writing style is simpler than I'm used to, but as you get more comfortable with it, you actually feel like the simplicity makes the story raw and full of emotion. It's quite direct in terms of writing style and Laura doesn't bother painting a whole magical landscape for you all at once, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed seeing Tess' character develop as she continues to live in her new house and learn who these ghosts are through a series of flashbacks. Be prepared to go on a rollercoaster of emotions as by the end of the book I was in tears!
If you like thrillers with a supernatural twist, this might just be a book for you. The story follows around a 14-year-old, Tess, an orphan, and her guardian, Angela, as they arrive at a dark and creepy house. But the house isn't just creepy appearing. When Tess is in danger, the house moans, and creaks. When it suddenly becomes cold, one of Tess' dead brothers appears to protect her. As secrets slowly reveal themselves and Tess learns not only who she is, but who these 'ghosts are', she becomes close with Angela.
To be honest, the beginning wasn't that eye-catching to me. It wasn't until halfway through the book that I was suddenly invested in the storyline. The writing style is simpler than I'm used to, but as you get more comfortable with it, you actually feel like the simplicity makes the story raw and full of emotion. It's quite direct in terms of writing style and Laura doesn't bother painting a whole magical landscape for you all at once, which I enjoyed. I also enjoyed seeing Tess' character develop as she continues to live in her new house and learn who these ghosts are through a series of flashbacks. Be prepared to go on a rollercoaster of emotions as by the end of the book I was in tears!
April 21, 2018
Hook, line, and sinker, this book pulled me in from the first chapter. An adrenaline rush of action and mystery, every page yanks you deeper into a thrilling story.
Well-written, well-plotted, and extremely well-told is Laura C McCaskill’s book “Her Keepers.”
A short, nearly 200-page mystery thriller that is just long enough to get your blood pumping and your heart invested before it wraps up in a nice, immensely satisfying package of literary awesomeness.
Definitely one of my favorite Indies so far. Thank you, LC McCaskill!
Well-written, well-plotted, and extremely well-told is Laura C McCaskill’s book “Her Keepers.”
A short, nearly 200-page mystery thriller that is just long enough to get your blood pumping and your heart invested before it wraps up in a nice, immensely satisfying package of literary awesomeness.
Definitely one of my favorite Indies so far. Thank you, LC McCaskill!
November 14, 2021
Her Keepers is a captivating, well-written science-fiction/thriller that sucks the reader into the entirely new (and not always friendly) world of a girl named Tess. After being picked up from the orphanage by a woman named Angela, who claims to be Tess's new guardian, and taken to an old, unsightly house far from everything she ever knew, Tess struggles to understand how her life will ever be the same again. The young girl is full of questions, and Angela is hiding the answers. The two make it their mission to clean out the old house and deem it livable again.
Tess is unnerved by the house. It settles. Beams shift. Walls groan. No matter where she wanders, she can't find warmth within its grounds. Angela is stressed, but Tess offers her a deal to clean out the lifeless bedrooms in exchange for answers. By sifting through the cluttered rooms, Tess discovers secrets about their long-gone occupants. Tess cannot find rest when night falls. She has recurring nightmares about evil ghosts and forsaken spirits that plague her mind and night after night. As time stretches on, they get worse and worse. Her dreams begin to feel real. Maybe they are.
I devoured this book! It was gifted to me by a neighbor who knows the author, and it was the first of McCaskill's works that I've read. The story took a few chapters to get underway, but it didn't take long for me to be sucked into the story. I'm not really into thrillers, but this is a great book for a reader who wants a taste of scary but doesn't want to delve into graphic, gory horror. It was actually written quite simply, which makes it easier to understand, but the imagery is on point! It's a fairly clean book with no cursing, and I definitely recommend it to any thriller-seeking reader ages 12 and up!
Tess is unnerved by the house. It settles. Beams shift. Walls groan. No matter where she wanders, she can't find warmth within its grounds. Angela is stressed, but Tess offers her a deal to clean out the lifeless bedrooms in exchange for answers. By sifting through the cluttered rooms, Tess discovers secrets about their long-gone occupants. Tess cannot find rest when night falls. She has recurring nightmares about evil ghosts and forsaken spirits that plague her mind and night after night. As time stretches on, they get worse and worse. Her dreams begin to feel real. Maybe they are.
I devoured this book! It was gifted to me by a neighbor who knows the author, and it was the first of McCaskill's works that I've read. The story took a few chapters to get underway, but it didn't take long for me to be sucked into the story. I'm not really into thrillers, but this is a great book for a reader who wants a taste of scary but doesn't want to delve into graphic, gory horror. It was actually written quite simply, which makes it easier to understand, but the imagery is on point! It's a fairly clean book with no cursing, and I definitely recommend it to any thriller-seeking reader ages 12 and up!
June 16, 2016
Help comes from unexpected places
Tess is now fourteen years old. She has spent her life in an orphanage. Then one day a young woman, Angela, comes and takes her. She has the authority to do so by a deceased grandmother, who had been taking care of Tess after her parents died in a car wreck when Tess was three years old. Then the grandmother was shot and Angela takes Tess to live in this old house that moans at times and is two stories. Angela is several months pregnant, can no longer work but is paid to look after Tess and allowed to live in this house. Tess knows nothing about Angela, the grandmother and can hardly remember her parents. Angela won’t tell Tess anything and is very cross with Tess. She makes Tess clean various parts of the house, which has been vacant a long time.
On the second floor are six bedrooms and it is obvious four bedrooms were occupied by teenage boys, whom Tess found a picture of with her grandmother. As time passes eventually Tess learns the four boys all died in the same car wreck and whenever Tess’s life is threatened, which happens often, the house moans, the area around Tess becomes very cold and finally she meets the ghost of each boy. Eventually Angela tells the history of Tess’s family and someone is attempting to kill Tess, but they have to lure her out of the house for as long as she is in the house, the boys can protect her.
The story is filled with Tess seeking the story of who she is, who Angela is and these young male ghosts, why her life is in danger most of the time, which makes it a convoluted mystery. This story is a page turner and although it might be considered a YA category, I am a mature person and I certainly enjoyed it. I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.
Tess is now fourteen years old. She has spent her life in an orphanage. Then one day a young woman, Angela, comes and takes her. She has the authority to do so by a deceased grandmother, who had been taking care of Tess after her parents died in a car wreck when Tess was three years old. Then the grandmother was shot and Angela takes Tess to live in this old house that moans at times and is two stories. Angela is several months pregnant, can no longer work but is paid to look after Tess and allowed to live in this house. Tess knows nothing about Angela, the grandmother and can hardly remember her parents. Angela won’t tell Tess anything and is very cross with Tess. She makes Tess clean various parts of the house, which has been vacant a long time.
On the second floor are six bedrooms and it is obvious four bedrooms were occupied by teenage boys, whom Tess found a picture of with her grandmother. As time passes eventually Tess learns the four boys all died in the same car wreck and whenever Tess’s life is threatened, which happens often, the house moans, the area around Tess becomes very cold and finally she meets the ghost of each boy. Eventually Angela tells the history of Tess’s family and someone is attempting to kill Tess, but they have to lure her out of the house for as long as she is in the house, the boys can protect her.
The story is filled with Tess seeking the story of who she is, who Angela is and these young male ghosts, why her life is in danger most of the time, which makes it a convoluted mystery. This story is a page turner and although it might be considered a YA category, I am a mature person and I certainly enjoyed it. I was given a complimentary copy for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews