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Mirror of Shadows
Ella McKaye returns home for her grandmother's funeral to find she's inherited a ton of money and a run down mansion she never knew existed, called Grey Manor. Her greedy mother is appalled when the will stipulates specifically that Ella can't give her any of the inheritance. She quickly throws Ella out of her home forcing her to take up immediate residence in the spooky old mansion.
Within minutes of entering her new home she has a strange interaction with a creepy old mirror in the main hallway and the ghostly inhabitants of the past get more and more agitated the longer Ella's there. Nearly fatal back to back accidents make Ella start to wonder if she's angered some ghost or if there is something more sinister at work.
Will Ella unravel the deadly mystery before she becomes a ghost herself? Or will fate take another one of the Grey ancestors to the grave.
Within minutes of entering her new home she has a strange interaction with a creepy old mirror in the main hallway and the ghostly inhabitants of the past get more and more agitated the longer Ella's there. Nearly fatal back to back accidents make Ella start to wonder if she's angered some ghost or if there is something more sinister at work.
Will Ella unravel the deadly mystery before she becomes a ghost herself? Or will fate take another one of the Grey ancestors to the grave.
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2012
2 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
T. Lynne Tolles
18 books411 followersT. Lynne Tolles can be found most days, juggling one of two cat muses and a laptop, tripping over a Newfoundland puppy and washing a never-ending pile of laundry. When life doesn’t get in the way, she writes sweet paranormal romances for new adults.
Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their happily ever after.
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Her passion for witches, ghosts, and vampires together with a light-hearted wit are reflected in her loveable characters and the adventures of mystery they unravel to find their happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 13, 2018
Won this in a goodreads giveaway!
A very fast read. And a decent one. The writing is a bit lighter than I like for my mysteries and it has just a dash of paranormal yet I still found myself caught up in the story. Ella is a sweet, caring girl who has had a rough upbringing. Her naivety had me shaking my head at times. No real world experience does this girl have. But she takes an a sweet stray so she earns points there! Her mother is awful in this! Glad she plays a small role! There are two guys in this story, one I despised and one I really liked. I won't say which as it helps give away the story.
Although this mystery is so light, and given in an obvious manner it is not hard at all to figure out what is happening for the most part. That was my biggest disappointment. I like twists, turns and unknowns and this did not deliver there. Still, I am willing to check out other books by T. Lynne Tolles. This story was charming in its own right. It has a bit of a gothic mystery feel but didn't quite hit the right feels to fully qualify.
A very fast read. And a decent one. The writing is a bit lighter than I like for my mysteries and it has just a dash of paranormal yet I still found myself caught up in the story. Ella is a sweet, caring girl who has had a rough upbringing. Her naivety had me shaking my head at times. No real world experience does this girl have. But she takes an a sweet stray so she earns points there! Her mother is awful in this! Glad she plays a small role! There are two guys in this story, one I despised and one I really liked. I won't say which as it helps give away the story.
Although this mystery is so light, and given in an obvious manner it is not hard at all to figure out what is happening for the most part. That was my biggest disappointment. I like twists, turns and unknowns and this did not deliver there. Still, I am willing to check out other books by T. Lynne Tolles. This story was charming in its own right. It has a bit of a gothic mystery feel but didn't quite hit the right feels to fully qualify.
May 12, 2013
Review
****I received this book as part of a blog tour for my honest review****
This was a very satisfying read. A paranormal type mystery, with all sorts of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Ella is a decent character and although she is just out of college, she seems quite mature. There is a bit of a love triangle situation that occurs, between Ella, Jeremy and Matt. Jeremy is the handyman hired to help get Grey Manor back up and running again after years of disuse. Matt is a wealthy gentlemen. I enjoyed the tension between the three and when "incidents" started happening, the finger pointing that occurred was great. Of course I was a sucker for Jeremy, I love a dark brooding character. However the stand out character in this book was the cat Boo. I love it when pet steals the show.
The mixture of paranormal, mystery, suspense and romance worked well in this book. It was easy to read and it felt like an afternoon well spent. Not overly long this book could be finished in one sitting if you had an hour or two spare just to escape into a story, and this would be an enjoyable book to do it with.
September 25, 2012
Ella McKaye has just graduated from college when she receives the devastating news that her beloved grandmother has passed away. She hurries home for the funeral and learns that she has inherited Grey Manor, an immense family residence that has been empty for many years, and a vast fortune. Heartsick over the death, she barely comprehends all the nuances and ramifications of her new circumstances. The family lawyer, and longtime friend of her grandmother, recommends a handyman for some much-needed renovations on the old house. It turns out that Grey Manor holds many secrets, and someone is determined to go to any lengths necessary to reclaim the property believed to have been stolen long ago.
This gothic mystery made for captivating reading. I loved Ella’s voice in this story. The grief she feels over the loss of her grandmother could be felt throughout the story. I thought some of her actions and emotions occasionally seemed more in character with a younger person, but she does grow up quite a bit over the course of the book. I also loved watching the house take on character as certain scenes unfolded. An exceptionally terrifying experience that really knocks Ella for a loop becomes a pivotal point later where that frightening experience is actually something else entirely – something not to fear but rather to embrace and learn from.
My favorite character is the kitten, little Boo. Probably because of my love of cats, darling Boo is a welcome presence of contentment, love and devotion throughout this dark tale. Boo is a powerful anchor helping Ella retain her sanity during some exceptionally stressful periods. But even Boo was not spared from mishap, as the little fluffball is used to further someone’s evil agenda. Boo!! Hiss!
You can always count on this author for exceptional storytelling. She writes books that keep me eagerly turning the page (or actually swiping my reader screen) to find out what will happen next. My favorite, still, is Somber Island, but Mirror of Shadows was a very enjoyable read for me, as well.
This book was provided to me free of charge by T Lynne Tolles in return for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
This gothic mystery made for captivating reading. I loved Ella’s voice in this story. The grief she feels over the loss of her grandmother could be felt throughout the story. I thought some of her actions and emotions occasionally seemed more in character with a younger person, but she does grow up quite a bit over the course of the book. I also loved watching the house take on character as certain scenes unfolded. An exceptionally terrifying experience that really knocks Ella for a loop becomes a pivotal point later where that frightening experience is actually something else entirely – something not to fear but rather to embrace and learn from.
My favorite character is the kitten, little Boo. Probably because of my love of cats, darling Boo is a welcome presence of contentment, love and devotion throughout this dark tale. Boo is a powerful anchor helping Ella retain her sanity during some exceptionally stressful periods. But even Boo was not spared from mishap, as the little fluffball is used to further someone’s evil agenda. Boo!! Hiss!
You can always count on this author for exceptional storytelling. She writes books that keep me eagerly turning the page (or actually swiping my reader screen) to find out what will happen next. My favorite, still, is Somber Island, but Mirror of Shadows was a very enjoyable read for me, as well.
This book was provided to me free of charge by T Lynne Tolles in return for my honest review.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
November 1, 2012
Mirror of Shadows is a modern day paranormal mystery with a quasi-gothic feel. Recent college graduate Ella McKaye returns home suddenly because her beloved grandmother has passed away. Although devastated, Ella doesn't take much time to grieve as her grandmother has left her a handsome inheritance which includes an old, rundown home called Grey Manor.
Ella immediately moves into the very large home because her mother, Patricia, kicks her out in anger. A clause in the will prevents Ella from her giving or sharing money with her chronic alcohol and drug abusing mother.
With the guidance and recommendation of the kind family attorney, Marlin, who administers her trust, Ella hires a surly, mysterious handyman, Jeremy, and begins restoring the manor to its former grandeur. Ella insists that Jeremy stay in one of many extra bedrooms to accommodate a more rapid transformation of Grey Manor.
Twinges of feeling between Ella and Jeremy start almost immediately, but being the tough guy that he is, Jeremy acts disinterested and withdrawn. Within days of their co-habitation, another man appears in Ella’s life; suddenly she finds herself in a love triangle of sorts with handyman Jeremy and much wealthier out-of-towner Matt.
In the midst of all these new relationships, Ella must also contend with a series of nightmares, all courtesy of a scary looking mirror in the hallway. Attempts at banishing the artifact all fail. The anxiety of the frightening dreams and visions are compounded by a series of accidents which has the male characters pointing fingers at each other. Luckily, Marlin is always around to help Ella back on her feet and sort things out, reminiscent of Batman's loyal aide, Alfred.
Ella is a smart, likeable protagonist, but she felt older, or at least more mature, than most recent college graduates. One picky observation . . . given the paranormal events, accidents and injuries she sustained, it was difficult to believe Ella was having routine romantic outings with Matt instead of nursing herself back to health.
T. Lynne Tolles is a good storyteller. Mirror of Shadows combines a lot of genres— paranormal, mystery, and romance—with an effective, fluid style.
The book is a fun, easy read that is easily completed in a leisurely afternoon. The plot has several aspects that keep the reader guessing. You may think you have it solved halfway through, but the author creates a few twists, thanks to the paranormal storyline, which make for a satisfying conclusion.
This book was reviewed as part of the Wise Bear Digital Book Awards competition. Entry fees associated with the contest are administrative in nature and do not influence our honest, unbiased book reviews.
Ella immediately moves into the very large home because her mother, Patricia, kicks her out in anger. A clause in the will prevents Ella from her giving or sharing money with her chronic alcohol and drug abusing mother.
With the guidance and recommendation of the kind family attorney, Marlin, who administers her trust, Ella hires a surly, mysterious handyman, Jeremy, and begins restoring the manor to its former grandeur. Ella insists that Jeremy stay in one of many extra bedrooms to accommodate a more rapid transformation of Grey Manor.
Twinges of feeling between Ella and Jeremy start almost immediately, but being the tough guy that he is, Jeremy acts disinterested and withdrawn. Within days of their co-habitation, another man appears in Ella’s life; suddenly she finds herself in a love triangle of sorts with handyman Jeremy and much wealthier out-of-towner Matt.
In the midst of all these new relationships, Ella must also contend with a series of nightmares, all courtesy of a scary looking mirror in the hallway. Attempts at banishing the artifact all fail. The anxiety of the frightening dreams and visions are compounded by a series of accidents which has the male characters pointing fingers at each other. Luckily, Marlin is always around to help Ella back on her feet and sort things out, reminiscent of Batman's loyal aide, Alfred.
Ella is a smart, likeable protagonist, but she felt older, or at least more mature, than most recent college graduates. One picky observation . . . given the paranormal events, accidents and injuries she sustained, it was difficult to believe Ella was having routine romantic outings with Matt instead of nursing herself back to health.
T. Lynne Tolles is a good storyteller. Mirror of Shadows combines a lot of genres— paranormal, mystery, and romance—with an effective, fluid style.
The book is a fun, easy read that is easily completed in a leisurely afternoon. The plot has several aspects that keep the reader guessing. You may think you have it solved halfway through, but the author creates a few twists, thanks to the paranormal storyline, which make for a satisfying conclusion.
This book was reviewed as part of the Wise Bear Digital Book Awards competition. Entry fees associated with the contest are administrative in nature and do not influence our honest, unbiased book reviews.
January 20, 2013
I was given an E-edition of this book for the purpose of writing a review.
This was one of those books that had me from the first page. I ended up reading it all in one sitting. It was full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, drama, a little romance and a small amount of believable paranormal activity (if you believe in the paranormal, of course).
Ella McKaye has just graduated from college when she gets the news that her beloved Grandmother, Rose Grey McKaye, has died. Ella is devastated and after the funeral is quite stunned when the family lawyer take Ella aside and informs her that she is the sole heir to her Grandmother's estate. Upon discussion Ella finds that her Grandmother was a very wealthy woman and that her Grandmother has been the sole source of any income her Mother ever had. Ella's Father died when she was very young and out of a sense of responsibility to her son, Rose supported Ella and her Mother by setting up a trust that took care of them. Ella's Mother finds out about the inheritance after looking through Ella's belongings while she slept. Thinking they have hit the mother load, she is busy making plans of all the things she can do and buy when Ella wakes up and see's that she has been snooping in her things. When Ella asks her Mother what she is doing she states that she is looking at all of the things they can do with their new found wealth. Ella must then break the news to her Mother that there is one stipulation in the will and that is she can never give, will, bequeath or loan any of the inheritance to her Mother. If she does not agree with the terms the estate will be sold and the proceeds will go to the town and various charities. At hearing this, Ella's mother becomes enraged and begins to talk very badly of her mother-in-law. Ella tells her to stop and not to speak of Rose in that manner. Ella's Mother promptly kicks Ella out of the house. Ella has no where to go so she opens up the papers the lawyer gave her and sets out in search of the mansion that is part of her inheritance. No one has lived in the home for many years so it need a lot of work and TLC. With the help of the lawyer who is like an uncle to her Ella decides to make a go of living in the run down property while fixing it up. What unfolds is a good story about family, trust and secrets. Ella had no idea life would become so complicated or dangerous so quickly.
I enjoyed the ups, downs, twists and turns of this story. Being a sucker for a happy ending I wasn't disappointed. A few characters were predictable but I was able to overlook that with the storyline that was just begging to be read.
This was one of those books that had me from the first page. I ended up reading it all in one sitting. It was full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, drama, a little romance and a small amount of believable paranormal activity (if you believe in the paranormal, of course).
Ella McKaye has just graduated from college when she gets the news that her beloved Grandmother, Rose Grey McKaye, has died. Ella is devastated and after the funeral is quite stunned when the family lawyer take Ella aside and informs her that she is the sole heir to her Grandmother's estate. Upon discussion Ella finds that her Grandmother was a very wealthy woman and that her Grandmother has been the sole source of any income her Mother ever had. Ella's Father died when she was very young and out of a sense of responsibility to her son, Rose supported Ella and her Mother by setting up a trust that took care of them. Ella's Mother finds out about the inheritance after looking through Ella's belongings while she slept. Thinking they have hit the mother load, she is busy making plans of all the things she can do and buy when Ella wakes up and see's that she has been snooping in her things. When Ella asks her Mother what she is doing she states that she is looking at all of the things they can do with their new found wealth. Ella must then break the news to her Mother that there is one stipulation in the will and that is she can never give, will, bequeath or loan any of the inheritance to her Mother. If she does not agree with the terms the estate will be sold and the proceeds will go to the town and various charities. At hearing this, Ella's mother becomes enraged and begins to talk very badly of her mother-in-law. Ella tells her to stop and not to speak of Rose in that manner. Ella's Mother promptly kicks Ella out of the house. Ella has no where to go so she opens up the papers the lawyer gave her and sets out in search of the mansion that is part of her inheritance. No one has lived in the home for many years so it need a lot of work and TLC. With the help of the lawyer who is like an uncle to her Ella decides to make a go of living in the run down property while fixing it up. What unfolds is a good story about family, trust and secrets. Ella had no idea life would become so complicated or dangerous so quickly.
I enjoyed the ups, downs, twists and turns of this story. Being a sucker for a happy ending I wasn't disappointed. A few characters were predictable but I was able to overlook that with the storyline that was just begging to be read.
February 2, 2013
I was given an E-edition of this book for the purpose of writing a review.
This was one of those books that had me from the first page. I ended up reading it all in one sitting. It was full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, drama, a little romance and a small amount of believable paranormal activity (if you believe in the paranormal, of course).
Ella McKaye has just graduated from college when she gets the news that her beloved Grandmother, Rose Grey McKaye, has died. Ella is devastated and after the funeral is quite stunned when the family lawyer take Ella aside and informs her that she is the sole heir to her Grandmother's estate. Upon discussion Ella finds that her Grandmother was a very wealthy woman and that her Grandmother has been the sole source of any income her Mother ever had. Ella's Father died when she was very young and out of a sense of responsibility to her son, Rose supported Ella and her Mother by setting up a trust that took care of them. Ella's Mother finds out about the inheritance after looking through Ella's belongings while she slept. Thinking they have hit the mother load, she is busy making plans of all the things she can do and buy when Ella wakes up and see's that she has been snooping in her things. When Ella asks her Mother what she is doing she states that she is looking at all of the things they can do with their new found wealth. Ella must then break the news to her Mother that there is one stipulation in the will and that is she can never give, will, bequeath or loan any of the inheritance to her Mother. If she does not agree with the terms the estate will be sold and the proceeds will go to the town and various charities. At hearing this, Ella's mother becomes enraged and begins to talk very badly of her mother-in-law. Ella tells her to stop and not to speak of Rose in that manner. Ella's Mother promptly kicks Ella out of the house. Ella has no where to go so she opens up the papers the lawyer gave her and sets out in search of the mansion that is part of her inheritance. No one has lived in the home for many years so it need a lot of work and TLC. With the help of the lawyer who is like an uncle to her Ella decides to make a go of living in the run down property while fixing it up. What unfolds is a good story about family, trust and secrets. Ella had no idea life would become so complicated or dangerous so quickly.
I enjoyed the ups, downs, twists and turns of this story. Being a sucker for a happy ending I wasn't disappointed. A few characters were predictable but I was able to overlook that with the storyline that was just begging to be read.
This was one of those books that had me from the first page. I ended up reading it all in one sitting. It was full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, action, drama, a little romance and a small amount of believable paranormal activity (if you believe in the paranormal, of course).
Ella McKaye has just graduated from college when she gets the news that her beloved Grandmother, Rose Grey McKaye, has died. Ella is devastated and after the funeral is quite stunned when the family lawyer take Ella aside and informs her that she is the sole heir to her Grandmother's estate. Upon discussion Ella finds that her Grandmother was a very wealthy woman and that her Grandmother has been the sole source of any income her Mother ever had. Ella's Father died when she was very young and out of a sense of responsibility to her son, Rose supported Ella and her Mother by setting up a trust that took care of them. Ella's Mother finds out about the inheritance after looking through Ella's belongings while she slept. Thinking they have hit the mother load, she is busy making plans of all the things she can do and buy when Ella wakes up and see's that she has been snooping in her things. When Ella asks her Mother what she is doing she states that she is looking at all of the things they can do with their new found wealth. Ella must then break the news to her Mother that there is one stipulation in the will and that is she can never give, will, bequeath or loan any of the inheritance to her Mother. If she does not agree with the terms the estate will be sold and the proceeds will go to the town and various charities. At hearing this, Ella's mother becomes enraged and begins to talk very badly of her mother-in-law. Ella tells her to stop and not to speak of Rose in that manner. Ella's Mother promptly kicks Ella out of the house. Ella has no where to go so she opens up the papers the lawyer gave her and sets out in search of the mansion that is part of her inheritance. No one has lived in the home for many years so it need a lot of work and TLC. With the help of the lawyer who is like an uncle to her Ella decides to make a go of living in the run down property while fixing it up. What unfolds is a good story about family, trust and secrets. Ella had no idea life would become so complicated or dangerous so quickly.
I enjoyed the ups, downs, twists and turns of this story. Being a sucker for a happy ending I wasn't disappointed. A few characters were predictable but I was able to overlook that with the storyline that was just begging to be read.
May 19, 2013
*****2.5 stars*****
Forced to move into her grandmother's childhood home when her worthless mother kicked her out, Ella did her best to try and move on. That would have been a lot easier if it weren't for the fact that her new home was a run-down, neglected, dust-covered shoe-in for "creepy house of the year". With welcome guest Boo, the kitten who seemed to come with the house, and not-so-welcome guest Jeremy, the handyman with a chip on his shoulder, she put forth her best effort to make herself a comfortable home. But nightmares plagued her sleep, and there was just something about that mirror in the hallway that she couldn't shake. Something she couldn't grasp and she wasn't sure she wanted to.
Ella was a likable enough heroine, though I felt like all of the characters in this story lacked a spark of any kind in their personality. They were all fairly bland, but she and Jeremy at least shared some moments where I felt there was legitimately something between them. I liked the creepiness factor as Ella faced night after night of frightening dreams, all centered around the mysterious mirror that made her terrified to look at it. As she began to decipher what her dreams meant, she was blind to the real-life threat she had right in front of her. Little did she know just how coveted her newfound property was, or just how far those who staked a claim to it would go to have it back. Ella put her trust in the wrong man and turned away the one who really cared to help her, but it was understandable given she just didn't know who to turn to. The suspenseful moments were rather far-fetched, but they were interesting shifts in the plot and they definitely helped me appreciate Jeremy's character more.
Overall, for a paranormal story with adult characters I was expecting a lot more; more chills, more emotion, more character development, and more unexpected and otherworldly twists in the plot. I think younger readers would appreciate this because it's an easy read without any racy or explicit scenes, and it does have an eerie edge to it, but it just wasn't for me.
I was given an ebook copy of this book to read for review on behalf of The Autumn Review.
Forced to move into her grandmother's childhood home when her worthless mother kicked her out, Ella did her best to try and move on. That would have been a lot easier if it weren't for the fact that her new home was a run-down, neglected, dust-covered shoe-in for "creepy house of the year". With welcome guest Boo, the kitten who seemed to come with the house, and not-so-welcome guest Jeremy, the handyman with a chip on his shoulder, she put forth her best effort to make herself a comfortable home. But nightmares plagued her sleep, and there was just something about that mirror in the hallway that she couldn't shake. Something she couldn't grasp and she wasn't sure she wanted to.
Ella was a likable enough heroine, though I felt like all of the characters in this story lacked a spark of any kind in their personality. They were all fairly bland, but she and Jeremy at least shared some moments where I felt there was legitimately something between them. I liked the creepiness factor as Ella faced night after night of frightening dreams, all centered around the mysterious mirror that made her terrified to look at it. As she began to decipher what her dreams meant, she was blind to the real-life threat she had right in front of her. Little did she know just how coveted her newfound property was, or just how far those who staked a claim to it would go to have it back. Ella put her trust in the wrong man and turned away the one who really cared to help her, but it was understandable given she just didn't know who to turn to. The suspenseful moments were rather far-fetched, but they were interesting shifts in the plot and they definitely helped me appreciate Jeremy's character more.
Overall, for a paranormal story with adult characters I was expecting a lot more; more chills, more emotion, more character development, and more unexpected and otherworldly twists in the plot. I think younger readers would appreciate this because it's an easy read without any racy or explicit scenes, and it does have an eerie edge to it, but it just wasn't for me.
I was given an ebook copy of this book to read for review on behalf of The Autumn Review.
November 10, 2012
Ella McKaye has always been close to her Grandmother. So when she passes away, Ella is devastated The funeral is barely over when she finds out that in addition to a large monetary inheritance, she has also inherited a rundown Mansion named Grey Manor. A Mansion that once belonged to her Grandmother, although Ella herself had never known of its existence.
Before Ella has time to process this information, she is involved in a fight with her greedy (and immature) mother, who is furious to learn that the will stipulates that Ella is to share nothing of her inheritance with her. In a rage, Ella's mother demands that Ella leave immediately, leaving Ella with no choice but to take up residence immediately in the old Mansion.
Regardless of how she came to be there, Ella tries to make the best of her situation, taking in a stray kitten and hiring someone to come in and make all the necessary repairs to the Mansion right away. Things seem to be working out for Ella, until the old mirror in the hallway begins showing her ghastly images of a young woman's death. A woman that looks strangely like Ella. After being involved in two nearly fatal accidents in nearly as many days, Ella begins to wonder if she's angered the spirits of the house, or if the ghosts are merely trying to warn her?
My Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Smooth flowing, Mirror of Shadows grabs your attention almost immediately, and the twists and turns as the book unfolds, will keep you from putting it down until the very end. The characters are interesting, and well developed, each with their own motives for doing the things that they do.
The ending had a surprise twist that I did not expect, however the only negative thing I can say about this book is the "fast forwarding" of the ending. I would have liked there to be more details surrounding the killer's arrest.
Aside from that, the book was a quick and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my thoughts or my review of this book.
Before Ella has time to process this information, she is involved in a fight with her greedy (and immature) mother, who is furious to learn that the will stipulates that Ella is to share nothing of her inheritance with her. In a rage, Ella's mother demands that Ella leave immediately, leaving Ella with no choice but to take up residence immediately in the old Mansion.
Regardless of how she came to be there, Ella tries to make the best of her situation, taking in a stray kitten and hiring someone to come in and make all the necessary repairs to the Mansion right away. Things seem to be working out for Ella, until the old mirror in the hallway begins showing her ghastly images of a young woman's death. A woman that looks strangely like Ella. After being involved in two nearly fatal accidents in nearly as many days, Ella begins to wonder if she's angered the spirits of the house, or if the ghosts are merely trying to warn her?
My Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Smooth flowing, Mirror of Shadows grabs your attention almost immediately, and the twists and turns as the book unfolds, will keep you from putting it down until the very end. The characters are interesting, and well developed, each with their own motives for doing the things that they do.
The ending had a surprise twist that I did not expect, however the only negative thing I can say about this book is the "fast forwarding" of the ending. I would have liked there to be more details surrounding the killer's arrest.
Aside from that, the book was a quick and enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend.
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my thoughts or my review of this book.
May 9, 2013
Mirror of Shadows is such a great read. I was very surprised that it had so much wrapped into one neat story which is a cross between paranormal suspense and a ghost story. T.Lynne Tolles did a great job unraveling a story that has one girl on the hunt for the truth.
Ella McKaye is just living her life. Happy she is out of college and is not sure where she is going or what she is doing. Then tragedy strikes the family when her grandmother passes away. After the funeral Ella is told that she has inherited every thing from her grandmother. At first Ella is confused because her mother should get every thing not her but the lawyers explains to Ella that her grandmother left her all her money and a mansion her grandmother lived in called Grey Manor. This just down right pisses Ella's mother off and her mother tells her that she has to leave because as a part of the will Ella's grandmother states her daughter can not get any money or step foot on her property. With this being stated in the will Ella's mother throws her out and makes her live in the mansion.
Ella alone now is forced to move into the mansion. When she arrives at the mansion she is a little freaked out but she knows she has no where else to go. Her mother has disowned her because she wants her mothers money and house. So Ella is living in the creepy mansion when things start to happen. She sees a mirror in the hall and she feels like eyes are watching her but she is not sure because she has never seen a ghost let alone felt one but she knows there is something wrong with this house and that mirror. As the days go by things happen like little accidents but Ella is not sure what to make of it so she decides she has to figure out what is going on in the house. That is when Ella comes face to face with her worst nightmare.
What will Ella do about the ghosts? Why do they want her? Will she end up like her grandmother? This is such a cute suspenseful story and it is a quick read. Plus there is a swoon worthy guy or maybe two but you have to read the story to see what I am talking about.
Ella McKaye is just living her life. Happy she is out of college and is not sure where she is going or what she is doing. Then tragedy strikes the family when her grandmother passes away. After the funeral Ella is told that she has inherited every thing from her grandmother. At first Ella is confused because her mother should get every thing not her but the lawyers explains to Ella that her grandmother left her all her money and a mansion her grandmother lived in called Grey Manor. This just down right pisses Ella's mother off and her mother tells her that she has to leave because as a part of the will Ella's grandmother states her daughter can not get any money or step foot on her property. With this being stated in the will Ella's mother throws her out and makes her live in the mansion.
Ella alone now is forced to move into the mansion. When she arrives at the mansion she is a little freaked out but she knows she has no where else to go. Her mother has disowned her because she wants her mothers money and house. So Ella is living in the creepy mansion when things start to happen. She sees a mirror in the hall and she feels like eyes are watching her but she is not sure because she has never seen a ghost let alone felt one but she knows there is something wrong with this house and that mirror. As the days go by things happen like little accidents but Ella is not sure what to make of it so she decides she has to figure out what is going on in the house. That is when Ella comes face to face with her worst nightmare.
What will Ella do about the ghosts? Why do they want her? Will she end up like her grandmother? This is such a cute suspenseful story and it is a quick read. Plus there is a swoon worthy guy or maybe two but you have to read the story to see what I am talking about.
February 18, 2013
First I must state that I was a goodreads give-away winner and received this book and a bunch of little promotional things from the author. I liked this book. It was entertaining and an easy read. I was able to finish it within a day. I liked the main character and I liked her supporting characters. Here's what I didn't like though:
Her mom: While the tension she had with her mother was there I felt like there should have been a few more encounters to flesh out that relationship. The explanation of why Ella and her mom had the relationship they did was there but I felt like there wasn't enough interaction or emotional investment from Ella to help support that.
Matt: I didn't like his character and I didn't like Ella's response to his character. Ella's response to him was extremely naive. If my daughters behaved the way she did I would be appalled. Their interactions just seemed forced and unbelievable. I won't say more because of spoilers.
The End: Remember that movie "The Abyss"? How it was a wonderful movie and was just awesome and then in the last 10-15 minutes it seemed like "Welp we've blown our budget, time to wrap things up!" Yeah, that's how I felt about the end of this book. Everything was wrapped up within a few pages in a whirlwind. I felt like something was missing and it was just BOOM! over in a flash.
I did like the underlying story and the mystery; I just feel like the story needed more bulk to it and the ending could have had more to it. She did end it with hint towards the next one in the series. I'll probably read it because I did like Ella and Jeremy and I liked the mystery. I just feel like the book was thin...almost like this was an outline of the story rather than the full book.
Her mom: While the tension she had with her mother was there I felt like there should have been a few more encounters to flesh out that relationship. The explanation of why Ella and her mom had the relationship they did was there but I felt like there wasn't enough interaction or emotional investment from Ella to help support that.
Matt: I didn't like his character and I didn't like Ella's response to his character. Ella's response to him was extremely naive. If my daughters behaved the way she did I would be appalled. Their interactions just seemed forced and unbelievable. I won't say more because of spoilers.
The End: Remember that movie "The Abyss"? How it was a wonderful movie and was just awesome and then in the last 10-15 minutes it seemed like "Welp we've blown our budget, time to wrap things up!" Yeah, that's how I felt about the end of this book. Everything was wrapped up within a few pages in a whirlwind. I felt like something was missing and it was just BOOM! over in a flash.
I did like the underlying story and the mystery; I just feel like the story needed more bulk to it and the ending could have had more to it. She did end it with hint towards the next one in the series. I'll probably read it because I did like Ella and Jeremy and I liked the mystery. I just feel like the book was thin...almost like this was an outline of the story rather than the full book.
October 22, 2012
This is a a delightful New Adult read. It is categorized as New Adult based on the fact that Ella. it's protagonist, is fresh out of college, making her over 18 but under 25. This would also explain a lot of the naive trust that she shows in regard to the people and situations in which she finds herself.
Don't take her kind heart to mean that she is a pushover however, Ella proves herself to be very smart, capable, funny, and just all around lovable as the story progresses.
Jeremy was a wonderful hero. Dark, brooding, handsome, a cat lover, and a man with a mysterious past. Who could ask for more?
As with all supermen, this one two has a fatal flaw. His secretiveness about his past. everyone else's past is revealed at some point, except his. We have allusions to some non-murderous criminal behavior in his past, but not much else.
Matt is a great foil for Jeremy in his bid for romantic lead. If it were not for his being such a class A jerk, the other things that he does would be a total surprise. He is a great bad boy.
Boo Kitty is the real star of this show. This is one fabulous ball of purr. She steals your heart from the time that she enters the story. She is always there for Ella and brings Ella and Jeremy together on more than one occasion.
This story is very well written, likable characters tug at your heartstrings and the story line flows in a very consistent way through the course of the read. The paranormal aspect of the story does come up short, but that in no way diminishes the fact that this is a very sweet romance.
September 20, 2012
Mirror of Shadows just came out and is the 7th book to be written by the author. Tolles herself said that she never planned on being an author, but started writing in hopes to inspire her daughter. Tolles is a fiction author who mainly rights about the supernatural as well as mythical creatures.
Mirror of Shadows is a modern day book that follows Ella Mckaye after she receives a large inheritance from her grandmother. Though Ella was initially very lucky with her inheritance, a series of horrible events follow. Ella is kicked out of her house, and then haunted by a ghost while she is in almost constant peril.
For the most part I enjoyed Mirror of Shadows. It’s one of those books that you can sit down and read for fun in a day or so. Though some events and characters are a bit unrealistic, I felt myself pulled in by the plot, and enjoying my time as I made my way through the story.
Unfortunately Mirror of Shadows ended very abruptly, and that was the biggest problem I had with the book. Tolles did an good job of not rushing through the story, until the very end which made me feel as if she just wanted the book to end. I wish I could have read a bit more about the events that would follow after falling action. Tolles did seem to set it up for a sequel, so If you are a paranormal fan looking for a book with multiple parts, this may be for you.
Mirror of Shadows is a wonderful ghost story for all ages.
Mirror of Shadows is a modern day book that follows Ella Mckaye after she receives a large inheritance from her grandmother. Though Ella was initially very lucky with her inheritance, a series of horrible events follow. Ella is kicked out of her house, and then haunted by a ghost while she is in almost constant peril.
For the most part I enjoyed Mirror of Shadows. It’s one of those books that you can sit down and read for fun in a day or so. Though some events and characters are a bit unrealistic, I felt myself pulled in by the plot, and enjoying my time as I made my way through the story.
Unfortunately Mirror of Shadows ended very abruptly, and that was the biggest problem I had with the book. Tolles did an good job of not rushing through the story, until the very end which made me feel as if she just wanted the book to end. I wish I could have read a bit more about the events that would follow after falling action. Tolles did seem to set it up for a sequel, so If you are a paranormal fan looking for a book with multiple parts, this may be for you.
Mirror of Shadows is a wonderful ghost story for all ages.
May 8, 2013
See the full post at sychofaeriesbookobsession.blogspot.com
Mirror of Shadows was a nice paranormal mystery.
Elle was a very independent protagonist. She wasn't dependent on a man to come in and save the day, even though that did keep happening. I was happy she didn't come off as being perfect. She even made herself look a little crazy at the beginning when she first met Jeremy. I hated Matt straight from the beginning, but I love Jeremy. He was the silent, keep-to-himself type, and that drove me crazy wanting to get to know him. Jeremy was another character who wasn't perfect. He was handsome and, obviously, likes cats, but he was far from flawless and had a somewhat bad background. There was not any insta-love or hooking up, so I have my fingers crossed for a follow up book with more on Elle and Jeremy's relationship.
Jeremy and Elle were well written and, to me, felt like they could be real people. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. It was fun (and creepy) trying to figure out the secrets of Willow along with Elle. Who was she? Why did she die? Is she good or bad? What the heck is up with that mirror in the hallway? The ending was good, and I would recommend this to anyone who wanted a clean, paranormal romance.
Mirror of Shadows was a nice paranormal mystery.
Elle was a very independent protagonist. She wasn't dependent on a man to come in and save the day, even though that did keep happening. I was happy she didn't come off as being perfect. She even made herself look a little crazy at the beginning when she first met Jeremy. I hated Matt straight from the beginning, but I love Jeremy. He was the silent, keep-to-himself type, and that drove me crazy wanting to get to know him. Jeremy was another character who wasn't perfect. He was handsome and, obviously, likes cats, but he was far from flawless and had a somewhat bad background. There was not any insta-love or hooking up, so I have my fingers crossed for a follow up book with more on Elle and Jeremy's relationship.
Jeremy and Elle were well written and, to me, felt like they could be real people. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story. It was fun (and creepy) trying to figure out the secrets of Willow along with Elle. Who was she? Why did she die? Is she good or bad? What the heck is up with that mirror in the hallway? The ending was good, and I would recommend this to anyone who wanted a clean, paranormal romance.
May 9, 2013
A paranormal whodunit that grabbed me, pulled me into the book and didn't let go until the last word of the last page. A quick read, but a satisfying read. The author, respecting the readers time, gives enough of a back story to start off with that you can go forward quickly. A story within a story. A mirror that provides visions into the past. Betrayals, romance, sabatoge, and mystery wrap this story all into a finely done package.
I want to thank the author for providing me a copy for an honest review. A secret gem that shines on its own. Why only 4 stars? I pretty much figure out early on who was behind all the attacks, but it didn't take away from the ending at all. I would have liked just a bit more mystery, a bit more of tagging me along trying to guess who was the bad guy.
Ella's mother is a basketcase. That being said, she didn't seem to find a solid place in the story. Now, if the author proceeds further with this storyline, I can see where she could fit in later, but in this book she could have just been left out altogether.
Do I recommend this book? Yes!!! To who? Anyone who likes a good mystery, from 6th grade through the age of 100. The paranormal hold part of the story, but there's so much more to it than that.
I want to thank the author for providing me a copy for an honest review. A secret gem that shines on its own. Why only 4 stars? I pretty much figure out early on who was behind all the attacks, but it didn't take away from the ending at all. I would have liked just a bit more mystery, a bit more of tagging me along trying to guess who was the bad guy.
Ella's mother is a basketcase. That being said, she didn't seem to find a solid place in the story. Now, if the author proceeds further with this storyline, I can see where she could fit in later, but in this book she could have just been left out altogether.
Do I recommend this book? Yes!!! To who? Anyone who likes a good mystery, from 6th grade through the age of 100. The paranormal hold part of the story, but there's so much more to it than that.
June 2, 2013
(This review may contain spoilers).
This book was fairly easy to read and I liked the idea behind it, but I did think that - apart from Ella and maybe Jeremy - a lot of the characters came across as very one-dimensional.
The atmosphere around the book was a bit spooky, but read more like a Point Horror book than an adult paranormal. Ella, however, kept on annoying me. For someone who was supposed to be shy and not good with people, she had insights akin to Patrick Jane and then just... missed things that were completely obvious at other times. (Jeremy did the same, too. A kitten goes missing and has claws that are damaged - as if she was scratching at somewhere she was trapped - and he found a box in someone's car with air holes and claw marks in it... yeah. Cause that's not obvious at all).
There were some good parts to the book, but I didn't think very much of the characters. And I figured out pretty early on about Matt. There wasn't much of a mystery about the book. I was a bit disappointed - and, to be honest, the formatting wasn't very good. Two people kept talking in the same paragraph and new paragraphs were started at the wrong points.
This book had a lot of potential, but probably could have been aimed at younger readers.
This book was fairly easy to read and I liked the idea behind it, but I did think that - apart from Ella and maybe Jeremy - a lot of the characters came across as very one-dimensional.
The atmosphere around the book was a bit spooky, but read more like a Point Horror book than an adult paranormal. Ella, however, kept on annoying me. For someone who was supposed to be shy and not good with people, she had insights akin to Patrick Jane and then just... missed things that were completely obvious at other times. (Jeremy did the same, too. A kitten goes missing and has claws that are damaged - as if she was scratching at somewhere she was trapped - and he found a box in someone's car with air holes and claw marks in it... yeah. Cause that's not obvious at all).
There were some good parts to the book, but I didn't think very much of the characters. And I figured out pretty early on about Matt. There wasn't much of a mystery about the book. I was a bit disappointed - and, to be honest, the formatting wasn't very good. Two people kept talking in the same paragraph and new paragraphs were started at the wrong points.
This book had a lot of potential, but probably could have been aimed at younger readers.
January 15, 2013
First of all I would like to say that I was a goodreads give-away winner and received this book and a wonderful array of swag from the author. It was such a delight. This is a wonderfully delightful book. T. Lynne Tolles' characters are very wonderfully described. The story line flows in a wonderful way through the book. Once I started reading, I simply could not put it down. This is a book I will be re-reading often. I have never read any of her books before but I will be seeing about reading any other books she has written. She drew me into the story as if I were Ella myself. This story is very well written. I will not go into the story for I do not want to spoil it for anyone. BUT It is a MUST READ. The paranormal aspect of the story has been written very well and pulls you into the story so you keep guessing what is going to be happening next. This book contains a bit of romance, mystery, and paranormal activy . It is extremly well written and a very good read.
I would recommend this book to anyone!
I would recommend this book to anyone!
July 4, 2013
Ella Mckaye is returning to her home town to attend her grandmother funeral. Ella and her grandmother were very close. Marlin a friend of the family but was also Ella grandmother attorney. Marlin informed Ella that her grandmother had left her a lot of money plus Grey Manor. When Ella's mother finds out about the money, she starts to planning on how she will spend it. One stipulation in the will was that Ella could not give her mother any part of this money or will it to her. When Ella's mother found out about this, she kick her out of the house. Ella had only one place to go and that was Grey Manor. Grey Manor needed a lot of work done to it. There was this creepy looking mirror in Ella new house. Right from the beginning Ella thinks that she see shadows of someone in the mirror. Ella starts to have these strange dreams at night. One of the dream involves a young woman being hung for being a witch. There is something very familiar about this woman. The young woman looks very much like Ella.
February 16, 2013
I won Mirror of Shadows by T.Lynne Tolles in a Halloween promotion. I was very happy with the book and story. The author was able to write a good story that can be enjoyed by adults and yet appropriate enough to allow young teens to also enjoy it. I have Grandchildren and nieces and nephews that I share my books with, and it is nice be able to share some of my favorites with them. The paranormal genre is very popular now, with children as well as adults and I believe Ms.Tolles style of writing covers a broad spectrum of readers. The story has all the elements of a good romance, and enough suspense, mystery and danger to cater to most all the criteria of a good read. She also allows us to read between the lines if we choose, or not stray from her words for the younger group. Ms.Tolles books will help fill my bookshelves!
December 1, 2012
I received this book via Library Thing's Member Giveaways.
Ella inherits her beloved grandmother's estate, which includes a big rundown house that she chooses to restore and live in. It gives her a good opportunity to escape her mother, a drug addict not above mooching off others' kindnesses and wallets.
Ella finds herself in danger and haunted by dreams she can't understand. She will have to fight for what belongs to her and choose who to trust when it seems there are many who would exploit her inheritance and are willing to kill in the process.
Mirror of Shadows is a good, light beach read. I did find the plot line predictable and Ella was far too naive, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this mystery romance with just a touch of gothic drama.
Ella inherits her beloved grandmother's estate, which includes a big rundown house that she chooses to restore and live in. It gives her a good opportunity to escape her mother, a drug addict not above mooching off others' kindnesses and wallets.
Ella finds herself in danger and haunted by dreams she can't understand. She will have to fight for what belongs to her and choose who to trust when it seems there are many who would exploit her inheritance and are willing to kill in the process.
Mirror of Shadows is a good, light beach read. I did find the plot line predictable and Ella was far too naive, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this mystery romance with just a touch of gothic drama.
January 16, 2013
I received a copy free through Goodreads First Reads. Along with some pretty awesome bookmark swag!
This was a great story. It had wonderfully touching moments and it was easy to see Ella was grieving for her grandmother. It was also refreshing to see a young character who was not overly angsty! The pace moved along nicely. It was a rather dark read at times and very intriguing! This is a new author for me and I am eager to check out more works.
I must admit that the cover needs work. Online I like the top portion, but in hard-copy it is almost black and you do not see the beautiful image in the mirror. If I saw this at a bookstore I would probably walk on by. And then I would have missed a great read!
This was a great story. It had wonderfully touching moments and it was easy to see Ella was grieving for her grandmother. It was also refreshing to see a young character who was not overly angsty! The pace moved along nicely. It was a rather dark read at times and very intriguing! This is a new author for me and I am eager to check out more works.
I must admit that the cover needs work. Online I like the top portion, but in hard-copy it is almost black and you do not see the beautiful image in the mirror. If I saw this at a bookstore I would probably walk on by. And then I would have missed a great read!
February 26, 2013
The story starts with the death of Ella’s grandmother and with Ella discovering details regarding her inheritance. The story is aimed at New Adult as there is no bad language or sex in it.
I liked the characters in this book, especially Ella and Jeremy (and not forgetting Boo the kitten!)
The ‘mirror of shadows’ in the title didn’t play a huge part of the story just set the scene and moved it on when needed. It had a touch of paranormal about it and I enjoyed the ‘mirror’ aspect of it.
It was a little predictable and Ella was very naive but I’m not sure if that was because of the intended audience. Overall though a good read and something I would recommend for the age group indicated (and those of us who are very slightly older!) 4/5
I liked the characters in this book, especially Ella and Jeremy (and not forgetting Boo the kitten!)
The ‘mirror of shadows’ in the title didn’t play a huge part of the story just set the scene and moved it on when needed. It had a touch of paranormal about it and I enjoyed the ‘mirror’ aspect of it.
It was a little predictable and Ella was very naive but I’m not sure if that was because of the intended audience. Overall though a good read and something I would recommend for the age group indicated (and those of us who are very slightly older!) 4/5
October 9, 2012
This was a good book, I thought. Some parts and dialogue felt rushed and the writing style wasn't my favourite but manageable. I think I might look into other books by the author. I thought the character of this book was a bit /too/ naive for a young adult, even though that was touched upon in the book. I did like me some Jeremy Hickey and wished there was more of him in the book but if there were it would have ruined his air of mystery.
I felt the 'paranormal' aspect of things weren't touched upon enough and it all felt rushed at the end. Overall, a good read though.
I felt the 'paranormal' aspect of things weren't touched upon enough and it all felt rushed at the end. Overall, a good read though.
November 9, 2012
I thought this book was amazing! It had me hooked from page 1. The characters are well developed and the story flowed sooo well. I finished it in one day. It is only 200 pages, but it was that good of a read, I literally could not put it down. It is filled with family deceit, love, greed and murder. You have to read this one! I received this book form library things member giveaways to give an honest review. Get this one, you will not regret it. It is a great, fast paced read.
April 15, 2013
I started this book last night and I just couldn't put it down! It was a little predictable which was the only downside. The writing was excellent and I felt pulled along the entire time. I felt that I could relate to the character and I really hope that this is a series and continues on! The plot was also relateable since we all have family problems and dealing with relationship issues. I got this book as a free giveaway through GoodReads and I look forward to reading more from this author!
February 5, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read, (I finished it in a few hours), and it told an interesting story. It was somewhat predictable, but suspecting what was to come about did not make me want to read it any less. The author is very good at describing scenery and images without being boring about it. If you want an enjoyable read, this is a good book to pick up. It may be a little creepier if you read after the sun goes down.
February 13, 2016
I enjoyed reading this paranormal/suspense story, I was fascinated with the old architecture of the mansion,and it's antiques. Ella inherited this place from her grandmother,starts to renovate it, she will experience some strange happenings, including that of an antique mirror on the wall-it was creepy.
Sometimes, though,I felt annoyed at Ella's character, she would trust too easily,in strangers,at that. Anyway,I won't say much more, don't want to give too much of the story away.
Sometimes, though,I felt annoyed at Ella's character, she would trust too easily,in strangers,at that. Anyway,I won't say much more, don't want to give too much of the story away.
November 1, 2014
I won this book in a giveaway on here.
I really enjoyed the story and the main character. I also liked Jeremy and Marlin as well. Matt, however, I was not a fan of at all. I liked the fact that it takes place in a small town since I am from a small town myself. I'm happy with the way the story played out and the way things ended. Overall I enjoyed the book.
I really enjoyed the story and the main character. I also liked Jeremy and Marlin as well. Matt, however, I was not a fan of at all. I liked the fact that it takes place in a small town since I am from a small town myself. I'm happy with the way the story played out and the way things ended. Overall I enjoyed the book.
September 18, 2012
It was compelling and intriguing. It had me from the first few pages. It had a great story line, and you came to care for the characters. I really couldn't put it down considering, that one thing annoyed me, is I figured it out before the end. It was predictable in that manner, but it was still worth it to read the ending of the novel. I won this book on Goodreads First reads.
September 21, 2012
I had a bit of a hard time getting in to this book. The story as pretty predictible and there were no real surprises for me so it was just an okay book. I won this book through Goodreads Firstreads program.
August 20, 2012
looks and sounds awesome...
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