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Sunspots
Sunspots is personal. A personal journey of grieving, a personal journey of self-discovery, and a personal journey geographically. A young woman from Brooklyn, Aurora, a man from Austin, Texas, Jake, meet accidentally in NYC and it changes the trajectory of their lives. Aurora decides to grab on to what she perceives may be her only chance at the comfy married existence that has so far eluded her. But it is no hardship to leave NYC and her stalled acting career for this apparently wealthy, dynamic, handsome lover who whisks her off her feet. But after the honeymoon, reality sets in and she realizes that marriage can be isolating, and that the socio-economic differences between her and Jake can become a wedge. How can Aurora adjust to these changes? How can she regain the independent personality she had before Jake became her only focus in life?
Fast forward two years, and Aurora finds herself a widow. An accident. Unexpected. And then her journey becomes one of accepting the harsh reality of encounters with Jake's ghost, the real nature of her time travel experiences, and Jake's true character. Viola Parker is her guide through these episodes not of this world. Viola, a ghost who has a connection with Aurora's past, leads her to find, Cliff, her true soulmate, her true love in this life erasing the pain of her mistakes with Jake Stein through the centuries. Sometimes from the ashes, sometimes from blackness awaits the brilliant light of a life of happiness.
Fast forward two years, and Aurora finds herself a widow. An accident. Unexpected. And then her journey becomes one of accepting the harsh reality of encounters with Jake's ghost, the real nature of her time travel experiences, and Jake's true character. Viola Parker is her guide through these episodes not of this world. Viola, a ghost who has a connection with Aurora's past, leads her to find, Cliff, her true soulmate, her true love in this life erasing the pain of her mistakes with Jake Stein through the centuries. Sometimes from the ashes, sometimes from blackness awaits the brilliant light of a life of happiness.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2012
13 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Karen S. Bell
8 books195 followersKaren S. Bell continues to be in awe of the magical and wondrous phenomenon called life. As an observer and obvious participant in feminine values and approach to our human challenges, she brings this perspective to her work. Fascinated by the mysteries of the unseen forces that perhaps play a role in guiding our choices, she continues to search for answers in the mundane as well as in the cosmic forces that surround us. She is working on her third novel and lives in Ponte Vedra, Fl. with her husband and their two furry kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 27, 2013
Having heard seen this book discussed rather a lot lately, I had to give it a try.
Chapter three opens with the words "One can never be, and should never be, smug about life." Which is odd, considering the preceding chapter while attempting to be deep and literary, consists entirely of the MC being entirely too smug about her friends, her compatriots, and some random guys she dated. In fact, smug to the point of being utterly unlikeable. And then this chapter continues with her being just as smug about her wardrobe. Hilariously, she goes in one sentence from bragging about her Kate Spade and Manolos, to unironically mentioning that her mother bought her Ugg boots because she was broke in the next. Well you would be, buying Manolos on a temp's income, because despite her insistence on the magnificence of her own talent, she can't, apparently, land an acting job. Dunning-Kruger effect, much?
Apart from a thoroughly superficial and unlikeable main character, who is very difficult to sympathise with at all, the writing is dense and difficult to parse, full of convoluted and unnecessarily complicated sentences. "My prudent study of this man, this Jake Stein, as we nonchalantly strolled along, was intentionally unintentional--I absorbed him as if he was liquid." Prudent? Really? Is the author trying to make the MC even more unlikeable?
Why apparently yes, because a page later she's practically planning the wedding--instalove on the first date, before they even make it to the restaurant. And it's inconsistent. One moment the MC is musing to herself in high literary fashion, and the next she's rating the poor man on the hunk-o-meter, which only shines a harsher light on the pretentiousness of the rest of the prose.
And then to top it all off, the MC goes and decides he's gay, because he's cultured and good looking. And she's surprised she didn't twig sooner, because he didn't recognise her shoes were Manolos (the author is quite obsessed with this shoe brand, btw), and every gay man in the world would, obviously, know that. Because all gay men are exactly the same, right?
I actually laughed out loud. Then I stopped reading.
Chapter three opens with the words "One can never be, and should never be, smug about life." Which is odd, considering the preceding chapter while attempting to be deep and literary, consists entirely of the MC being entirely too smug about her friends, her compatriots, and some random guys she dated. In fact, smug to the point of being utterly unlikeable. And then this chapter continues with her being just as smug about her wardrobe. Hilariously, she goes in one sentence from bragging about her Kate Spade and Manolos, to unironically mentioning that her mother bought her Ugg boots because she was broke in the next. Well you would be, buying Manolos on a temp's income, because despite her insistence on the magnificence of her own talent, she can't, apparently, land an acting job. Dunning-Kruger effect, much?
Apart from a thoroughly superficial and unlikeable main character, who is very difficult to sympathise with at all, the writing is dense and difficult to parse, full of convoluted and unnecessarily complicated sentences. "My prudent study of this man, this Jake Stein, as we nonchalantly strolled along, was intentionally unintentional--I absorbed him as if he was liquid." Prudent? Really? Is the author trying to make the MC even more unlikeable?
Why apparently yes, because a page later she's practically planning the wedding--instalove on the first date, before they even make it to the restaurant. And it's inconsistent. One moment the MC is musing to herself in high literary fashion, and the next she's rating the poor man on the hunk-o-meter, which only shines a harsher light on the pretentiousness of the rest of the prose.
And then to top it all off, the MC goes and decides he's gay, because he's cultured and good looking. And she's surprised she didn't twig sooner, because he didn't recognise her shoes were Manolos (the author is quite obsessed with this shoe brand, btw), and every gay man in the world would, obviously, know that. Because all gay men are exactly the same, right?
I actually laughed out loud. Then I stopped reading.
May 31, 2014
I'm sorry. I just couldn't get into this book. The first chapter was okay. I felt sorry for the main character as she lived through her losses. But mostly the rest was memories of her falling in love with the cowboy-lawyer or whatever he was. I just didn't like the characters and the writing was so boring that I was looking for other things to read. So thanks. But no thanks. Not for me. I see that others loved it so it must be the kind you love or hate. There are books for everyone and all moods.
By the way, I picked this up for free from BookRooster for honest review.
By the way, I picked this up for free from BookRooster for honest review.
July 20, 2014
I rarely give two stars on a book, but this book brought out my redneck hillbilly side of me. Two stars I think is pretty generous.
Now I am not a grammar Nazi and I will never be one so my review has absolutely nothing to do with which pronoun or adjective was used and if the verb was conjugated appropriately. It will however have a whole lot to do with the realism and believability that this story was meant to convey. I would be rather amiss if I didn't let you know that some spoilers are unavoidable after this paragraph so proceed with caution.
The prologue was beautifully written and captured perfectly what I felt when I lost my grand daughter a little over a year ago. I was devastated. I didn't want to live anymore because the world seemed so empty. I felt horribly alone and the words that flowed through the authors mind and filled my screen, made me cry. Someone out there got me, they understood enough that they could physically write it down. That however was where the realism for me ended.
The next several chapters were filled with flowery prose and unrealistic series of events and I am not talking about the ghost stuff. In a paranormal book that stuff to me is what I expect but I cringed every time I read a sentence that just didn't seem to fit. Let me see if I can explain this better, give me a moment to collect my southern side that is way more honest than the respectful lady side of me is.
Okay so the author sucks us in with her beautiful mourning and then tramples all over us like horses crush hay in a freshly mucked stall. Her description of the parents being hippies was comical and her mother the now lawyer and her constant references to classical film about did my head in. I mean come on she told us how she came from these crazy roots and how different her life was and the only time I heard the character she should have been was when she meets Jake the jerks mother. For real? That one paragraph should have been her character all along and not this Bertha better than you, hoity toity, innocent and super naive persona that overtook 90 percent of the book.
Here she was this new age, I can feel things mystical and she knew it because she was named after it and even used a stage name that suggested it, but she was so naive that she couldn't see all the things that blasted me in the face from the beginning. Maybe my vision is green tinted though as I have had experience with a cheating partner and can recognize the neon signs that she was blasting before her mother ever blew the lid off of Mr. Perfect in Celeste's eyes.
From the first sentence of the book I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to read a story about how someone dealt with that kind of loss and moved on. The ghost thing could have even helped her get through it but I didn't get that. Instead I got a high society rich girl who put blinders on and trolled through a ton of inconsequential memories. I have no idea what this author was attempting but as the reader I felt like I was wading through the corral outside the milk barn without waders. I was up to my armpits in ... well, poop.
I kept prodding myself to get through the story because somewhere there had to be a middle and an end right. Wrong. There was no story, not really. She caused a major blockage in the main pipeline, so much so that the septic tank stood empty while the toilets overflowed. She filled it with so much backstory that when I finally reached the end I wondered where the hell the year of grieving went. What happened to the middle of the story? I skimmed through it a second time, thinking what the heck did I miss a chapter or two somewhere? Nope all the same information dump filled the pages although I was able to glimpse where she was trying to go, she just never got there.
Ahem, *clears throat* while smacking my redneck into the next room. This could have been a great story, it had super potential not just as a moving away from grief but also as a paranormal book. The problem was that there was so much other stuff added in there that I got bored. I had to force myself to read it, I hoped with each new chapter that somewhere along the line the information dump and pompous quality would go away and we would get to see the real character emerge. The other characters were stereotyped and information we could have used to see the story as the author wanted was overshadowed.
Her insane ability to flesh out things the reader didn't need to know and then to add insult to our already injured minds she stereotyped some of the important characters and left a bad taste in my mind.
OMG! The author unleashed Betty Sue!
I felt a bait and switch here.
Now I am not a grammar Nazi and I will never be one so my review has absolutely nothing to do with which pronoun or adjective was used and if the verb was conjugated appropriately. It will however have a whole lot to do with the realism and believability that this story was meant to convey. I would be rather amiss if I didn't let you know that some spoilers are unavoidable after this paragraph so proceed with caution.
The prologue was beautifully written and captured perfectly what I felt when I lost my grand daughter a little over a year ago. I was devastated. I didn't want to live anymore because the world seemed so empty. I felt horribly alone and the words that flowed through the authors mind and filled my screen, made me cry. Someone out there got me, they understood enough that they could physically write it down. That however was where the realism for me ended.
The next several chapters were filled with flowery prose and unrealistic series of events and I am not talking about the ghost stuff. In a paranormal book that stuff to me is what I expect but I cringed every time I read a sentence that just didn't seem to fit. Let me see if I can explain this better, give me a moment to collect my southern side that is way more honest than the respectful lady side of me is.
Okay so the author sucks us in with her beautiful mourning and then tramples all over us like horses crush hay in a freshly mucked stall. Her description of the parents being hippies was comical and her mother the now lawyer and her constant references to classical film about did my head in. I mean come on she told us how she came from these crazy roots and how different her life was and the only time I heard the character she should have been was when she meets Jake the jerks mother. For real? That one paragraph should have been her character all along and not this Bertha better than you, hoity toity, innocent and super naive persona that overtook 90 percent of the book.
Here she was this new age, I can feel things mystical and she knew it because she was named after it and even used a stage name that suggested it, but she was so naive that she couldn't see all the things that blasted me in the face from the beginning. Maybe my vision is green tinted though as I have had experience with a cheating partner and can recognize the neon signs that she was blasting before her mother ever blew the lid off of Mr. Perfect in Celeste's eyes.
From the first sentence of the book I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to read a story about how someone dealt with that kind of loss and moved on. The ghost thing could have even helped her get through it but I didn't get that. Instead I got a high society rich girl who put blinders on and trolled through a ton of inconsequential memories. I have no idea what this author was attempting but as the reader I felt like I was wading through the corral outside the milk barn without waders. I was up to my armpits in ... well, poop.
I kept prodding myself to get through the story because somewhere there had to be a middle and an end right. Wrong. There was no story, not really. She caused a major blockage in the main pipeline, so much so that the septic tank stood empty while the toilets overflowed. She filled it with so much backstory that when I finally reached the end I wondered where the hell the year of grieving went. What happened to the middle of the story? I skimmed through it a second time, thinking what the heck did I miss a chapter or two somewhere? Nope all the same information dump filled the pages although I was able to glimpse where she was trying to go, she just never got there.
Ahem, *clears throat* while smacking my redneck into the next room. This could have been a great story, it had super potential not just as a moving away from grief but also as a paranormal book. The problem was that there was so much other stuff added in there that I got bored. I had to force myself to read it, I hoped with each new chapter that somewhere along the line the information dump and pompous quality would go away and we would get to see the real character emerge. The other characters were stereotyped and information we could have used to see the story as the author wanted was overshadowed.
Her insane ability to flesh out things the reader didn't need to know and then to add insult to our already injured minds she stereotyped some of the important characters and left a bad taste in my mind.
OMG! The author unleashed Betty Sue!
I felt a bait and switch here.
November 22, 2014
First off, let me say that I didn't much like the book and certainly not the main character. That doesn't mean this isn't a good read, this is.
The mix of not quite literary, not quite paranormal and at times over romantic wasn't my cup of tea. That may be in part because I am a male reader. I hasten to add that I found no hardship in reading every word, and in piecing together every loopback in the chronological progress. I enjoyed the long prose, the well worked descriptions, the first person narrative and the deep and convoluted analysis of main character as writer. A lot of the book reads like classic memoir. I like the way Bell so well conveyed the characters confusions through the slow construction of the plot, almost like building a house jumping between bricklaying on different floors in total defiance of gravity.
Those that are expecting a classic paranormal read will be disappointed, because the abnormal never really rises far beyond what might be interpreted as purely machinations of an intoxicated mind, often the toxin being romance itself.
Those that like modern crisp plot in a sharp journalistic Hemingwayesk style will be annoyed. This is a book for those that enjoy deeply painted pictures and can stand lumps of plot diversion that allow the author to develop the grain of the picture rather than its total image. I didn't find the prose leaning to the 'purple' to be any problem. In fact I loved the well studied textures. What did annoy me was the padding with hardly relevant lists and references to film and literary history. Even if I wanted to wade through lists of media classics drawn from diverse dramatic arts it wouldn't be in the middle of a fiction novel. They weren't even marginally necessary to the conveyance of the plots drama and no one will convince me that anyone strung-out individual analyses information in that way.
This is a book centred completely on the mind of the character as guide and director, which means that we only tend to see support characters as one dimensional. The dimension they are usually seen in by the first person's eyes. However, the other players were eventually painted well enough, being shown in greater depth not so much when the plot begged it; but rather more naturally, when the first person narrator became truly aware. But then that is a truth of life, we do tend to see characters as 'flat' personalities, as predictably animated instillations rather than as the rounded people they really are. Of course, people are never simple, but they can still be one dimensional to use even after a long time known. That actually is the whole point of the book, the central theme, being the rigid views that romantic love, social expectation and immediate impression bring. In this clever book we are led through that, even possibly nudged to recognise that flaws in our own observations. People are rarely even close to the masks we first paint and we suffer if we play to the single dimensions others have of us.
Will I read any more of Bell's works? Possibly not, but that is a matter of my taste not the books artistic merits.
The mix of not quite literary, not quite paranormal and at times over romantic wasn't my cup of tea. That may be in part because I am a male reader. I hasten to add that I found no hardship in reading every word, and in piecing together every loopback in the chronological progress. I enjoyed the long prose, the well worked descriptions, the first person narrative and the deep and convoluted analysis of main character as writer. A lot of the book reads like classic memoir. I like the way Bell so well conveyed the characters confusions through the slow construction of the plot, almost like building a house jumping between bricklaying on different floors in total defiance of gravity.
Those that are expecting a classic paranormal read will be disappointed, because the abnormal never really rises far beyond what might be interpreted as purely machinations of an intoxicated mind, often the toxin being romance itself.
Those that like modern crisp plot in a sharp journalistic Hemingwayesk style will be annoyed. This is a book for those that enjoy deeply painted pictures and can stand lumps of plot diversion that allow the author to develop the grain of the picture rather than its total image. I didn't find the prose leaning to the 'purple' to be any problem. In fact I loved the well studied textures. What did annoy me was the padding with hardly relevant lists and references to film and literary history. Even if I wanted to wade through lists of media classics drawn from diverse dramatic arts it wouldn't be in the middle of a fiction novel. They weren't even marginally necessary to the conveyance of the plots drama and no one will convince me that anyone strung-out individual analyses information in that way.
This is a book centred completely on the mind of the character as guide and director, which means that we only tend to see support characters as one dimensional. The dimension they are usually seen in by the first person's eyes. However, the other players were eventually painted well enough, being shown in greater depth not so much when the plot begged it; but rather more naturally, when the first person narrator became truly aware. But then that is a truth of life, we do tend to see characters as 'flat' personalities, as predictably animated instillations rather than as the rounded people they really are. Of course, people are never simple, but they can still be one dimensional to use even after a long time known. That actually is the whole point of the book, the central theme, being the rigid views that romantic love, social expectation and immediate impression bring. In this clever book we are led through that, even possibly nudged to recognise that flaws in our own observations. People are rarely even close to the masks we first paint and we suffer if we play to the single dimensions others have of us.
Will I read any more of Bell's works? Possibly not, but that is a matter of my taste not the books artistic merits.
December 13, 2012
Sunspots is a moving, beautifully-written mystery about the devastating consequences of obsessive love,
Bell’s elegant prose not only describes the events and scenery of this self destructive love story in riveting detail, but also skilfully evokes the atmosphere both internal and external. The structure of the story is very clever. At the beginning of the book, our empathy is aroused for grieving widow Aurora Goldberg. It appears that she had the perfect marriage to charming Jake, but as the story progresses, we and Aurora discover Jake’s secrets, so shocking to her that she is forced to re-evaluate their love. Through eyes opened by the truth—and helped along by the visions provided by a ghost—she sees that all was not as rosy as she had believed. Not only that, but the legacy he left her could be life-threatening.
Popular fiction tends to romanticise love where one looses themselves in the other, or feels completed by the other, or feels they cannot live or be happy without the other; Sunspots takes this kind of notion to its extreme to show how disempowering an obsession with the object of our love actually is. Obsession not only blinds you, it makes you weak, needy and boring. Your partner is likely to turn elsewhere to get away from your clinging, especially if you end up harping on at him that he never gives you any attention anymore. It’s dangerous to let your whole life revolve around one person, for when they leave you—by death as it is in this case—you are devastated. As the book progresses we come to see how much Aurora has brought her crippling grief upon herself. She literally looses herself in this obsession.
Bell brings a metaphysical element to the story with the addition of Viola Parker, the ghost of the sister of Aurora’s last incarnation. With her help, Aurora sees that this pattern of obsessive love and betrayal by Jake—in his previous incantations—has been repeated in past lifetimes that ended with Aurora’s suicide. Viola urges her to take a different path in this life and cut the cycle of self-destruction.
Bell deals with interesting themes here, that we tend to repeat patterns until we make a conscious effort to change them, that the past can be changed by actions in the present, and that when someone ‘saves’ us with love, in a healthy, balanced relationship we also to some extent ‘save’ them.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes psychological depth in their romance. I give it 5 stars and a place on the Awesome Indies list.
Bell’s elegant prose not only describes the events and scenery of this self destructive love story in riveting detail, but also skilfully evokes the atmosphere both internal and external. The structure of the story is very clever. At the beginning of the book, our empathy is aroused for grieving widow Aurora Goldberg. It appears that she had the perfect marriage to charming Jake, but as the story progresses, we and Aurora discover Jake’s secrets, so shocking to her that she is forced to re-evaluate their love. Through eyes opened by the truth—and helped along by the visions provided by a ghost—she sees that all was not as rosy as she had believed. Not only that, but the legacy he left her could be life-threatening.
Popular fiction tends to romanticise love where one looses themselves in the other, or feels completed by the other, or feels they cannot live or be happy without the other; Sunspots takes this kind of notion to its extreme to show how disempowering an obsession with the object of our love actually is. Obsession not only blinds you, it makes you weak, needy and boring. Your partner is likely to turn elsewhere to get away from your clinging, especially if you end up harping on at him that he never gives you any attention anymore. It’s dangerous to let your whole life revolve around one person, for when they leave you—by death as it is in this case—you are devastated. As the book progresses we come to see how much Aurora has brought her crippling grief upon herself. She literally looses herself in this obsession.
Bell brings a metaphysical element to the story with the addition of Viola Parker, the ghost of the sister of Aurora’s last incarnation. With her help, Aurora sees that this pattern of obsessive love and betrayal by Jake—in his previous incantations—has been repeated in past lifetimes that ended with Aurora’s suicide. Viola urges her to take a different path in this life and cut the cycle of self-destruction.
Bell deals with interesting themes here, that we tend to repeat patterns until we make a conscious effort to change them, that the past can be changed by actions in the present, and that when someone ‘saves’ us with love, in a healthy, balanced relationship we also to some extent ‘save’ them.
Highly recommended to anyone who likes psychological depth in their romance. I give it 5 stars and a place on the Awesome Indies list.
January 22, 2014
This is one of those the reader either "gets" right away--or not at all. I got it. I got the obsessions of the main character, her being able to connect with lives no longer on this level of existence, her coming close to suicide, her overdoing everything in life. She's surrounded characters both funny and tragic, sad and hilarious. The whole state of Texas should blush from this one, but everyone who has ever left Texas for good will love it. Altogether a fun read.
January 19, 2023
The one thing that stood out the most in this book Sunspots was the fluent flow of words creating wonderful sentences that put me in awe of the author's penmanship. She took normal average words and combine them with passionate flavor creating beautifully crafted lines that captivates you, draws you in and waken the imagination. Powerful wizardry with the flick of a pen; or in our modern case the punch of a keyboard.
The character Aurora Celeste Sunny Abbott free-spirited New Yorker seeking her own fame in this world famous and culturally alive city that never sleeps. Doing what she does best, living a life set by her own rules. Birthed from hippie parents that were never married opening her world to all its mystic and magical possibilities and wonders.
Jewish born and holding onto the traditional ways all her life met Texan Jew Jake Stein, picture perfect with a bright smile that weaken her knees. So different but yet so connected that she left everything to follow him to Austin got married and life as she new it stopped exciting. She became obsessed and a clinging parasite to him, her world evolved only around him that she did not see the signs of a failing marriage.
Although he proclaimed he loved her and gave her every thing she could desire it was not enough to keep him from having an affair. Thoughtlessly he would plunge her life in danger with his adrenaline junkie escapades without considering what she would like or do.
Only after his death she find to many secrets, learned that her life was at an end and that she would have to sell every thing to settle his debt. Rumors of drugs and affairs floated around her while she tried to deal with his sudden death.
The story goes back and forth as we are introduced to her first encounter with his family, their cold reception of her. Walking into a new world she did not understand. We learn more about their marriage, honeymoon while in her state of grieve she notice him every where not willing to come to grips of his death.
Buying a new house she was confronted with a ghost Voila Parker who leads her to the truth unwillingly. Traveling back in time to find her husband in the arms of another woman. Learning more about Jake's past.
At times her thoughts was shadowed with dark and obsessed thoughts, at times it just overshadowed the story; as she secluded herself from every one. Easily side tracked unfocused as she relive her brief marriage with this man she adored and loved possessively.
Drawn into a world that was mystical and without comprehension. As Voila open more and more secrets of a past best forgotten. But yet in its revealing deliverance she found she could finally move on to find a new love.
Her lawyer mother who worked with battered women and friend Marinda keeping her body in tact while she tried to understand the forces at play. Her In-laws who still could not accept her stayed passive and Owen the lawyer used her for his own pleasure. Warning her of an eminent danger.
Confronting Charlotte and finding more than she bargain for.
Her character involving from free-spirit to obsessed to depressed to maturity in a short span of a year. Rebuilding herself as a person to become the woman she always felt she could be.
A thought provoking book I can recommend to serious readers.
The character Aurora Celeste Sunny Abbott free-spirited New Yorker seeking her own fame in this world famous and culturally alive city that never sleeps. Doing what she does best, living a life set by her own rules. Birthed from hippie parents that were never married opening her world to all its mystic and magical possibilities and wonders.
Jewish born and holding onto the traditional ways all her life met Texan Jew Jake Stein, picture perfect with a bright smile that weaken her knees. So different but yet so connected that she left everything to follow him to Austin got married and life as she new it stopped exciting. She became obsessed and a clinging parasite to him, her world evolved only around him that she did not see the signs of a failing marriage.
Although he proclaimed he loved her and gave her every thing she could desire it was not enough to keep him from having an affair. Thoughtlessly he would plunge her life in danger with his adrenaline junkie escapades without considering what she would like or do.
Only after his death she find to many secrets, learned that her life was at an end and that she would have to sell every thing to settle his debt. Rumors of drugs and affairs floated around her while she tried to deal with his sudden death.
The story goes back and forth as we are introduced to her first encounter with his family, their cold reception of her. Walking into a new world she did not understand. We learn more about their marriage, honeymoon while in her state of grieve she notice him every where not willing to come to grips of his death.
Buying a new house she was confronted with a ghost Voila Parker who leads her to the truth unwillingly. Traveling back in time to find her husband in the arms of another woman. Learning more about Jake's past.
At times her thoughts was shadowed with dark and obsessed thoughts, at times it just overshadowed the story; as she secluded herself from every one. Easily side tracked unfocused as she relive her brief marriage with this man she adored and loved possessively.
Drawn into a world that was mystical and without comprehension. As Voila open more and more secrets of a past best forgotten. But yet in its revealing deliverance she found she could finally move on to find a new love.
Her lawyer mother who worked with battered women and friend Marinda keeping her body in tact while she tried to understand the forces at play. Her In-laws who still could not accept her stayed passive and Owen the lawyer used her for his own pleasure. Warning her of an eminent danger.
Confronting Charlotte and finding more than she bargain for.
Her character involving from free-spirit to obsessed to depressed to maturity in a short span of a year. Rebuilding herself as a person to become the woman she always felt she could be.
A thought provoking book I can recommend to serious readers.
March 24, 2013
The one thing that stood out the most in this book Sunspots was the fluent flow of words creating wonderful sentences that put me in awe of the author's penmanship. She took normal average words and combine them with passionate flavor creating beautifully crafted lines that captivates you, draws you in and waken the imagination. Powerful wizardry with the flick of a pen; or in our modern case the punch of a keyboard.
The character Aurora Celeste Sunny Abbott free-spirited New Yorker seeking her own fame in this world famous and culturally alive city that never sleeps. Doing what she does best, living a life set by her own rules. Birthed from hippie parents that were never married opening her world to all its mystic and magical possibilities and wonders.
Jewish born and holding onto the traditional ways all her life met Texan Jew Jake Stein, picture perfect with a bright smile that weaken her knees. So different but yet so connected that she left everything to follow him to Austin got married and life as she new it stopped exciting. She became obsessed and a clinging parasite to him, her world evolved only around him that she did not see the signs of a failing marriage.
Although he proclaimed he loved her and gave her every thing she could desire it was not enough to keep him from having an affair. Thoughtlessly he would plunge her life in danger with his adrenaline junkie escapades without considering what she would like or do.
Only after his death she find to many secrets, learned that her life was at an end and that she would have to sell every thing to settle his debt. Rumors of drugs and affairs floated around her while she tried to deal with his sudden death.
The story goes back and forth as we are introduced to her first encounter with his family, their cold reception of her. Walking into a new world she did not understand. We learn more about their marriage, honeymoon while in her state of grieve she notice him every where not willing to come to grips of his death.
Buying a new house she was confronted with a ghost Voila Parker who leads her to the truth unwillingly. Traveling back in time to find her husband in the arms of another woman. Learning more about Jake's past.
At times her thoughts was shadowed with dark and obsessed thoughts, at times it just overshadowed the story; as she secluded herself from every one. Easily side tracked unfocused as she relive her brief marriage with this man she adored and loved possessively.
Drawn into a world that was mystical and without comprehension. As Voila open more and more secrets of a past best forgotten. But yet in its revealing deliverance she found she could finally move on to find a new love.
Her lawyer mother who worked with battered women and friend Marinda keeping her body in tact while she tried to understand the forces at play. Her In-laws who still could not accept her stayed passive and Owen the lawyer used her for his own pleasure. Warning her of an eminent danger.
Confronting Charlotte and finding more than she bargain for.
Her character involving from free-spirit to obsessed to depressed to maturity in a short span of a year. Rebuilding herself as a person to become the woman she always felt she could be.
A thought provoking book I can recommend to serious readers.
The character Aurora Celeste Sunny Abbott free-spirited New Yorker seeking her own fame in this world famous and culturally alive city that never sleeps. Doing what she does best, living a life set by her own rules. Birthed from hippie parents that were never married opening her world to all its mystic and magical possibilities and wonders.
Jewish born and holding onto the traditional ways all her life met Texan Jew Jake Stein, picture perfect with a bright smile that weaken her knees. So different but yet so connected that she left everything to follow him to Austin got married and life as she new it stopped exciting. She became obsessed and a clinging parasite to him, her world evolved only around him that she did not see the signs of a failing marriage.
Although he proclaimed he loved her and gave her every thing she could desire it was not enough to keep him from having an affair. Thoughtlessly he would plunge her life in danger with his adrenaline junkie escapades without considering what she would like or do.
Only after his death she find to many secrets, learned that her life was at an end and that she would have to sell every thing to settle his debt. Rumors of drugs and affairs floated around her while she tried to deal with his sudden death.
The story goes back and forth as we are introduced to her first encounter with his family, their cold reception of her. Walking into a new world she did not understand. We learn more about their marriage, honeymoon while in her state of grieve she notice him every where not willing to come to grips of his death.
Buying a new house she was confronted with a ghost Voila Parker who leads her to the truth unwillingly. Traveling back in time to find her husband in the arms of another woman. Learning more about Jake's past.
At times her thoughts was shadowed with dark and obsessed thoughts, at times it just overshadowed the story; as she secluded herself from every one. Easily side tracked unfocused as she relive her brief marriage with this man she adored and loved possessively.
Drawn into a world that was mystical and without comprehension. As Voila open more and more secrets of a past best forgotten. But yet in its revealing deliverance she found she could finally move on to find a new love.
Her lawyer mother who worked with battered women and friend Marinda keeping her body in tact while she tried to understand the forces at play. Her In-laws who still could not accept her stayed passive and Owen the lawyer used her for his own pleasure. Warning her of an eminent danger.
Confronting Charlotte and finding more than she bargain for.
Her character involving from free-spirit to obsessed to depressed to maturity in a short span of a year. Rebuilding herself as a person to become the woman she always felt she could be.
A thought provoking book I can recommend to serious readers.
June 12, 2013
Five absolutely amazing sparkling stars! My review will be posted on my blog as part of the Sunspots Blog tour on June 12th at oldvictorianquill.wordpress.com.
Full Review
I can find no other way to describe ‘Sunspots’ than it being a stunning piece of literature. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of a young woman Aurora who loses her husband Jake in a car accident and, during her battle to move on, is confronted with information showing her late husband wasn’t as deserving as she believed.
This story took not only Aurora on a journey but also me as a reader. I felt myself connect so strongly to Aurora and her pain, feeling heartbroken at her grief and a strong desperation for her to find peace with herself at the sudden end of her marriage. Sunspots was so cleverly written and I applaud Karen Bell for taking me on such a journey through her writing that when I finished it I was shaking and sobbing, feeling as though I’d been going through the same trials as the characters.
I sometimes feel sad when I read books where we are made to dislike the main characters original love interest immediately, and then spend the rest of the book looking for her new one, so it was a wonderful and refreshing change to see the development of Aurora and Jake’s relationship from the start, which makes us also in a way connect to Jake and feel hope that he too loved Aurora as much as she did him. This also made me more strongly connect to Aurora as a character, and grieve with her as she starts her new life without her husband.
What I really loved about this story was the glimpses of the past we were given throughout the novel. The switch from the present to the past was expertly done, and I greatly enjoyed how the two storylines unfolded. I was stunned by how cleverly the switches in time were placed within the story, as the chapters of Aurora and Jake’s beautiful courtship and their obvious love for each other coincided with chapters set in the present where Aurora was grieving for the lost love that she thought was perfect, and then as Aurora began to realise that her life with Jake had some issues, the flashbacks to the past showed the less deserving side of Jake which had always slipped through Aurora’s rose-tinted view of her husband. This was incredible storytelling, and helped lead to some brilliant character development.
The paranormal and spiritual side to ‘Sunspots’ was wonderfully balanced and whilst being an important feature in the second half of the book, wasn’t unrealistic in its role. It was instead a beautiful and poignant reminder that there is more to this world than we always realise, and didn’t at all detract from Aurora’s storyline of her finding acceptance. I loved the past-life elements that were infused within the story and there was some brilliant use of foreshadowing in the flashback chapters that all adds together in the final chapters.
I cannot recommend ‘Sunspots’ enough, and if I could give it more than 5 stars, then I definitely would. It is a beautiful journey of love, loss, grief and acceptance, which portrayed a realistic and heartbreaking view of the world that we live in today.
5 Stars!
Full Review
I can find no other way to describe ‘Sunspots’ than it being a stunning piece of literature. It is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of a young woman Aurora who loses her husband Jake in a car accident and, during her battle to move on, is confronted with information showing her late husband wasn’t as deserving as she believed.
This story took not only Aurora on a journey but also me as a reader. I felt myself connect so strongly to Aurora and her pain, feeling heartbroken at her grief and a strong desperation for her to find peace with herself at the sudden end of her marriage. Sunspots was so cleverly written and I applaud Karen Bell for taking me on such a journey through her writing that when I finished it I was shaking and sobbing, feeling as though I’d been going through the same trials as the characters.
I sometimes feel sad when I read books where we are made to dislike the main characters original love interest immediately, and then spend the rest of the book looking for her new one, so it was a wonderful and refreshing change to see the development of Aurora and Jake’s relationship from the start, which makes us also in a way connect to Jake and feel hope that he too loved Aurora as much as she did him. This also made me more strongly connect to Aurora as a character, and grieve with her as she starts her new life without her husband.
What I really loved about this story was the glimpses of the past we were given throughout the novel. The switch from the present to the past was expertly done, and I greatly enjoyed how the two storylines unfolded. I was stunned by how cleverly the switches in time were placed within the story, as the chapters of Aurora and Jake’s beautiful courtship and their obvious love for each other coincided with chapters set in the present where Aurora was grieving for the lost love that she thought was perfect, and then as Aurora began to realise that her life with Jake had some issues, the flashbacks to the past showed the less deserving side of Jake which had always slipped through Aurora’s rose-tinted view of her husband. This was incredible storytelling, and helped lead to some brilliant character development.
The paranormal and spiritual side to ‘Sunspots’ was wonderfully balanced and whilst being an important feature in the second half of the book, wasn’t unrealistic in its role. It was instead a beautiful and poignant reminder that there is more to this world than we always realise, and didn’t at all detract from Aurora’s storyline of her finding acceptance. I loved the past-life elements that were infused within the story and there was some brilliant use of foreshadowing in the flashback chapters that all adds together in the final chapters.
I cannot recommend ‘Sunspots’ enough, and if I could give it more than 5 stars, then I definitely would. It is a beautiful journey of love, loss, grief and acceptance, which portrayed a realistic and heartbreaking view of the world that we live in today.
5 Stars!
December 13, 2012
Author: Karen S. Bell
Published By: K.S.B.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
Karen S. Bell's "Sunspots" was a Wow of a excellent fiction/ghost read. I can only say that this was one of those novels I couldn't put down until finished with this well written novel. This is a story of Aurora Celeste Sunny Goldberg (Celeste Abbott). How she could have all of those.... three first names is a story within itself. Aurora is born to wonderful parents that never married. Being brought up in New York..she tries out for acting and is also works for a temp agency when Aurora meets Jake Stein...falls in love ...follows 'her destiny' and becomes his lovely wife only to have to move to Austin, Texas...while giving up her acting career. Aurora is so happy...she has her best friend..Jake however, this happiness would soon end..for her husband dies suddenly (was it suicide or murder?) after only two years of marriage and leaves her in a world that would only take her away...if he hadn't been for her mom, dear friend...Marina, Paul, Sophie, Thula, Viola and Clif Chance Clifford Buckley..yes he has three name too...and that is another part of this wonderful story. For this love of Jake had definitely become 'an obession' of Aurora and would their be help for this poor soul? Will Aurora be able to "accept her fate and the many secrets that will be revealed about Jakes' true character?" For she had not only lost her husband(her best friend) but herself...Aurora was no longer who she thought she was...Is she in a time travel... ghost?...or the past, present or future? Who are these people Aurora is seeing? What does Aurora's new home have to do with all of this? Just who is Viola, Georgina, Clara, Max Stein, Gustav Jacobs and Constantina?
This novel offers up such good characters that I would not want to leave out a few...such as Owen Burns..Jake's lawyer and his Owen's twin sister.. Charlotte Burn Griffin, Vanessa, Margaret (Jake's sisters) and mom...Claudia. Now, this is where I say to you that in order to know what, where, why and who ..you must pick up "Sunspots" for you will not be disappointed in seeing what is in the works for dear Aurora. Will she be able to pick herself up and see that "The person who I had lost was not Jake because I never really had him? ...It was me...I had lost myself in the aura of Jake." Aurora starts to take charge of her life and goes back to school to get her MBA but what will she find there? ....a professor, cowboy, rancher and just how does this help her? I will stop here and let you read for yourself about its outcome.
"Sunspots" was indeed a wonderful well written novel that was intriguingfrom the very beginning till the end. It was definitely "a story of loss, redemption and ghosts" that did haunt the life of Aurora Celeste Sunny Goldberg.... and yes I would recommend this read as a excellent read. Thank you ... Karen Bell for letting me read early... your novel: "Sunspots."
March 8, 2014
This book was a tough one for me to get through. I am not a lover of literary fiction. It often seems like pretentious drivel to me. This style uses way too many descriptive words to make a point or get the message across. Plus there is never really any plot to speak of, just days in the life of... Sunspots was like this for me. It was all I could do to pick the book back up again each day, up until the last ten or fifteen percent of the book when the story actually started moving forward.
I understood that Aurora had aspirations to be an actress of stage and film who related events of her life to them. However in telling her story Ms. Bell made numerous references to actors, television soap operas, movie titles, and other famous literary works (ancient to contemporary) throughout this story. It starts off pretty innocuous but becomes overkill after a while with overusage numbing my brain and actually causing my eyes to roll. Honestly, I felt like Ms. Bell's descriptive prose was skilled enough to manage the scenes without using the pop-culture and literary references so much.
Underneath all the pompous blather there is a good story here. Beyond all the Gothic reverie, depression, and malignant obsession Aurora is going through, you would be challenged to find a more flawed character. There is a positive message of being able to make it beyond the darkness of your life. If you can manage to stick with the story through all the time hopping as she remembers, relives, and tries to reorganize her life to see it through to the end.
If you enjoy Literary Fiction about women’s issues, Aurora's journey is a unique one that you may enjoy. This book just wasn't for me, the ghosts pulled me in, but they weren't enough to satisfy me.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant errors in editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 27, 2014
I understood that Aurora had aspirations to be an actress of stage and film who related events of her life to them. However in telling her story Ms. Bell made numerous references to actors, television soap operas, movie titles, and other famous literary works (ancient to contemporary) throughout this story. It starts off pretty innocuous but becomes overkill after a while with overusage numbing my brain and actually causing my eyes to roll. Honestly, I felt like Ms. Bell's descriptive prose was skilled enough to manage the scenes without using the pop-culture and literary references so much.
Underneath all the pompous blather there is a good story here. Beyond all the Gothic reverie, depression, and malignant obsession Aurora is going through, you would be challenged to find a more flawed character. There is a positive message of being able to make it beyond the darkness of your life. If you can manage to stick with the story through all the time hopping as she remembers, relives, and tries to reorganize her life to see it through to the end.
If you enjoy Literary Fiction about women’s issues, Aurora's journey is a unique one that you may enjoy. This book just wasn't for me, the ghosts pulled me in, but they weren't enough to satisfy me.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant errors in editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** February 27, 2014
May 23, 2013
Anyone who read and enjoyed Walking With Elephants (reviewed by BestChickLit in January this year) will be pleased to find a new novel from Karen S Bell, who returns with all the same sensitivity and imagination that were present in that first book, while adding a metaphysical element that surprises and pleases in equal measure.
The subject of Sunspots is not only the loss of love – our heroine, Aurora loses her husband after only two years of marriage – but the overwhelming power of love itself and its sometimes destructive consequences. The fact that these questions are raised – perhaps embodied – by the spirit of a woman come to warn and guide Aurora, gives the whole story a rare dream-like dimension. It’s an unusual premise, but one that is approached with conviction and assuredness by the author. The story of Aurora’s gradual understanding that her apparently perfect husband was not all he seemed, giving rise to the idea that that he may even have been murdered, clearly has its roots in melodrama and old-time thrillers. Twinned with the sometimes reassuring, sometimes disturbing presence of a ghost, you might be reminded of Vertigo, a film about infatuation, secrets and the ghost of past lives come to reclaim an apparently lost love. Bell doesn’t neglect these underlying thriller elements, allowing the plot to build to a satisfying conclusion. Ultimately, however, Sunspots is a study of bereavement, about destiny and the repeating cycles of behaviour that must be broken in order to be free, about love and the contradictory feelings inspired when you lose someone who was your life. These are intriguing themes for a novel to deal with, and Sunspots it is all the more impressive for it.
Reviewed by Jamie Simpson on behalf of BestChickLit.com.
The subject of Sunspots is not only the loss of love – our heroine, Aurora loses her husband after only two years of marriage – but the overwhelming power of love itself and its sometimes destructive consequences. The fact that these questions are raised – perhaps embodied – by the spirit of a woman come to warn and guide Aurora, gives the whole story a rare dream-like dimension. It’s an unusual premise, but one that is approached with conviction and assuredness by the author. The story of Aurora’s gradual understanding that her apparently perfect husband was not all he seemed, giving rise to the idea that that he may even have been murdered, clearly has its roots in melodrama and old-time thrillers. Twinned with the sometimes reassuring, sometimes disturbing presence of a ghost, you might be reminded of Vertigo, a film about infatuation, secrets and the ghost of past lives come to reclaim an apparently lost love. Bell doesn’t neglect these underlying thriller elements, allowing the plot to build to a satisfying conclusion. Ultimately, however, Sunspots is a study of bereavement, about destiny and the repeating cycles of behaviour that must be broken in order to be free, about love and the contradictory feelings inspired when you lose someone who was your life. These are intriguing themes for a novel to deal with, and Sunspots it is all the more impressive for it.
Reviewed by Jamie Simpson on behalf of BestChickLit.com.
November 18, 2014
The plot for Sunspots pulled me in quite quickly and it never felt like a forced read to me. Sunspots was a good helping of emotion so I assume this may not be a popular read for everyone. The expressions of afterlife, love and how much you actually know a person stay with you long after you have finished the book.
Despite Aurora's quirky, clingy behaviour she is lovable. Karen took everyday situations, characters and added a tinge of paranormal which made the story even better. Plot, settings and characters need no improvement. What does need a lot of help is the cover and the use of jargon in many of its sentences. This is an easy book to love but it's equally easy to get frustrated with it.
Author Karen plays on the life of modern couples and the modern 'understanding' of relationships. Who courts who, who pulls what stunt to attract whose attention. Of course, after all her efforts at being noticed, Aurora finds that the person she thought was 'the one' was far from right for her.
Through Aurora's eyes, the reader is then asked an important question - does the concept of true love exist? What if the people you loved are living double lives you know nothing about? So surreal, I loved a lot of this book. I highly recommend this book for a serious, deep thinking reader. Thank you, Karen for sharing your story with us.
this review was originally posted by "REVIEWS BY NOBODY IMPORTANT"
Despite Aurora's quirky, clingy behaviour she is lovable. Karen took everyday situations, characters and added a tinge of paranormal which made the story even better. Plot, settings and characters need no improvement. What does need a lot of help is the cover and the use of jargon in many of its sentences. This is an easy book to love but it's equally easy to get frustrated with it.
Author Karen plays on the life of modern couples and the modern 'understanding' of relationships. Who courts who, who pulls what stunt to attract whose attention. Of course, after all her efforts at being noticed, Aurora finds that the person she thought was 'the one' was far from right for her.
Through Aurora's eyes, the reader is then asked an important question - does the concept of true love exist? What if the people you loved are living double lives you know nothing about? So surreal, I loved a lot of this book. I highly recommend this book for a serious, deep thinking reader. Thank you, Karen for sharing your story with us.
this review was originally posted by "REVIEWS BY NOBODY IMPORTANT"
June 18, 2013
After the tragic events, of losing her husband Jake, Aurora cannot come to terms with his death and the story drifts back and forth to tell us a touching tale, as she remembers memories of her life in the past and in the present day she is learning that the life she had with her husband, may not have been as perfect as she thought.
When she moves into a new home and she feels the spirit of an elderly lady, who Aurora feels is guiding her. Will this be the key that will reveal the truth for Aurora?
This is a unique and original story, that I really enjoyed reading. The story drifts from past to present and the way it is written is done so remarkable well that the reader never gets confused. There is also a touch of the paranormal to the story which I loved, but you don’t have to be a fan of the paranormal to love this book because it is only a small part to this great story that fits into the story well. This also one of those great stories that you cannot predict what will happen next.
When she moves into a new home and she feels the spirit of an elderly lady, who Aurora feels is guiding her. Will this be the key that will reveal the truth for Aurora?
This is a unique and original story, that I really enjoyed reading. The story drifts from past to present and the way it is written is done so remarkable well that the reader never gets confused. There is also a touch of the paranormal to the story which I loved, but you don’t have to be a fan of the paranormal to love this book because it is only a small part to this great story that fits into the story well. This also one of those great stories that you cannot predict what will happen next.
June 10, 2013
This book was the first one I’ve read by this author and I was deeply emotionally touched by this beautiful story. I don’t even know where to begin – there was so much content in this book! I loved the way the author creates two little stories in one (by jumping between the memories in the past and the happenings of the present).
I have to admit that I couldn’t read the book in one go. I found the storyline too “heavy” and emotionally challenging to do so but I was so drawn to the book that I picked it up several times throughout the day to continue with Aurora’s and Jake’s story.
In my opinion, the author deals extremely well with the difficult subject of grieving for your loved one. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolds – there is so much more to the book than I initially thought.
Karen describes all the relevant characters so amazingly well! I especially loved the difficult yet easy going relationship between Aurora and her parents (I know this is slightly confusing but you will have to read this book to fully understand).
I have to admit that I couldn’t read the book in one go. I found the storyline too “heavy” and emotionally challenging to do so but I was so drawn to the book that I picked it up several times throughout the day to continue with Aurora’s and Jake’s story.
In my opinion, the author deals extremely well with the difficult subject of grieving for your loved one. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolds – there is so much more to the book than I initially thought.
Karen describes all the relevant characters so amazingly well! I especially loved the difficult yet easy going relationship between Aurora and her parents (I know this is slightly confusing but you will have to read this book to fully understand).
March 25, 2013
Beautifully written and deeply moving, Sunspots is the kind of book that will resonate with readers, especially those who have grieved a loved one, felt betrayed by someone they trusted, or who have lost themselves in their love for another person. Karen S. Bell has a magnificent gift for creating a realistic atmosphere; at times evoking a heartbreaking sadness, and at others the joys of new-found love. This author has a true skill with words that is absolutely beautiful to behold. I loved how the story unfolded and how all of the pieces of the mystery that is Jake Stein fell into place. I was honestly sad when I read the last sentence. I didn't want it to come to an end. I just cannot praise this book enough. There really isn't much more I can say about it, except READ IT! READ IT NOW! I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
March 15, 2013
This book was absolutely wonderful! It's all about a woman's journey through life, having loved, lost and feeling betrayed. It was wonderfully written and flowed so smoothly that I found it hard to put down. This is a must read for everyone, not just women. Kudo's to the author
August 16, 2014
2.5/5.0
Sunspots is a long, painful story about a woman investigating her deceased husband’s duel life in order to heal herself.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Sunspots is a long, painful story about a woman investigating her deceased husband’s duel life in order to heal herself.
Read full review in the 2013 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
September 30, 2014
Karen Bell writes an emotional tale of a young woman who has lost the love her life. The book follows their life together and causes the main character Aurora to question her husband when she discovers he wasn't the man she thought she knew.
A great read.
A great read.
Read
May 19, 2014I didn't enjoy this as much as I'd hoped. I found the main character to be bitter and whiny, very unattractive traits that turned me off immediately.
September 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Sunspots is a touching and imaginative story that blends grief, love, and a touch of the paranormal. Aurora’s journey after losing her husband feels raw and very human, and I appreciated how the author captured the confusion, sorrow, and small moments of hope that come with healing. The ghostly encounters and time-shift elements added an intriguing, almost mystical layer without taking away from the emotional depth of the story.
The characters are believable and multi-dimensional, especially Aurora, whose voice carries the narrative with honesty and vulnerability. At times the pacing felt a little unconventional, but the story’s heart and message shine through.
If you enjoy emotional romance with a spiritual or supernatural twist something reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks but with a cosmic edge you’ll likely find Sunspots both moving and memorable.
Review:
Sunspots is a touching and imaginative story that blends grief, love, and a touch of the paranormal. Aurora’s journey after losing her husband feels raw and very human, and I appreciated how the author captured the confusion, sorrow, and small moments of hope that come with healing. The ghostly encounters and time-shift elements added an intriguing, almost mystical layer without taking away from the emotional depth of the story.
The characters are believable and multi-dimensional, especially Aurora, whose voice carries the narrative with honesty and vulnerability. At times the pacing felt a little unconventional, but the story’s heart and message shine through.
If you enjoy emotional romance with a spiritual or supernatural twist something reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks but with a cosmic edge you’ll likely find Sunspots both moving and memorable.
September 9, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Sunspots is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant novel that explores grief, identity, and redemption through supernatural and cosmic threads.
What Stands Out
The story follows Aurora Goldberg Stein, a Brooklyn-born actress who relocates to Austin, Texas after marrying the charming Jake Stein. When Jake tragically dies in a car accident, Aurora is left shattered haunted by his voice, his presence, and the questions of what really happened
eBay
Readers' Favorite
The narrative is infused with elements of magical realism: ghostly presences and time shifts draw Aurora and the reader into a deeper exploration of love, loss, and what it means to reclaim one’s life. As one reviewer notes, Aurora’s journey is “a delightful and detailed story of Aurora's dealing with what life has dealt her with a little help from ghostly presences,” brought to life by “believable and multi-dimensional” characters and refreshingly natural dialogue
Sunspots is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant novel that explores grief, identity, and redemption through supernatural and cosmic threads.
What Stands Out
The story follows Aurora Goldberg Stein, a Brooklyn-born actress who relocates to Austin, Texas after marrying the charming Jake Stein. When Jake tragically dies in a car accident, Aurora is left shattered haunted by his voice, his presence, and the questions of what really happened
eBay
Readers' Favorite
The narrative is infused with elements of magical realism: ghostly presences and time shifts draw Aurora and the reader into a deeper exploration of love, loss, and what it means to reclaim one’s life. As one reviewer notes, Aurora’s journey is “a delightful and detailed story of Aurora's dealing with what life has dealt her with a little help from ghostly presences,” brought to life by “believable and multi-dimensional” characters and refreshingly natural dialogue
September 15, 2025
“Sunspots is a deeply emotional, beautifully written exploration of grief, love, and second chances. Aurora’s journey after the tragic loss of her husband is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Karen S. Bell writes with sensitivity, pulling readers into Aurora’s inner world where sorrow mingles with hope, and reality bends into the mystical. The time shifts, ghostly presences, and past-life revelations are handled with just the right touch never gimmicky, always purposeful. What I appreciated most is how the story makes you think about destiny, love across lifetimes, and the resilience of the human spirit. This book stayed with me long after I finished.”
September 15, 2025
“Bell has created a novel that is part romance, part mystery, and part metaphysical adventure. Aurora is a complex heroine sometimes frustrating in her choices, but always real and relatable. The presence of Viola Parker, the ghostly guide, added such a unique layer to the story and made the time-traveling elements feel fresh. While the pacing slowed in a few places, the emotional weight kept me engaged. The writing itself is lyrical, with passages that read almost like poetry. Readers who enjoy Nicholas Sparks or Alice Hoffman will find much to love here.”
September 15, 2025
“Karen S. Bell has written a story that is both intimate and universal. Aurora’s grief feels so personal and specific, yet the emotions loss, regret, longing, and the desperate hope for another chance are ones we can all relate to. The paranormal elements are seamlessly blended with the emotional arc, making the book feel magical but never far-fetched. What I loved most is how the story challenges the idea of ‘happily ever after’ showing instead that love is complicated, evolving, and sometimes meant to be rediscovered across lifetimes. A moving and unforgettable read.”
December 9, 2017
Sunspot is a moving book. The words used in the book were well written.
Even though this book includes loss, and redemption. This book is like a book by Amy Cross. This book based in the present and gives flashbacks from the past and then returning to the present.
A young woman grieving over her dead husband. It was heartbreaking, but as I read on, it got better and better. The romance, fantasy and paranormal into one book had me hanging onto the book until I finished it.
Even though this book includes loss, and redemption. This book is like a book by Amy Cross. This book based in the present and gives flashbacks from the past and then returning to the present.
A young woman grieving over her dead husband. It was heartbreaking, but as I read on, it got better and better. The romance, fantasy and paranormal into one book had me hanging onto the book until I finished it.
May 21, 2019
This is a very poor, overly opinionated read. It feels like the book was put together so the author could sound off about her own opinions on the subject matter, and those opinions aren't remotely interesting at that.
August 26, 2013
Sunspots Review on K-Books
I hadn't really head anything about this book before getting involved with the blog tour. I read the blurb and was instantly intrigued. I thought it just sounded fantastic. I wasn't wrong. Sunspots is an incredible story that is emotional and uplifting. I really enjoyed reading it and going along for the journey with the characters.
Aurora is devastated. She has lost the love of her life. But while dealing with the loss of her true love, Jake she uncovers that he had a whole secret life. While going on a journey to discover the truth Aurora must face many troubles and challenges, including a self-discovery about herself and her life. Was Jake really her true love? Did she really know him at all? And will she be able to move on?
I felt that Sunspots was a fantastic story. It takes you on a journey of secrets and drama and self-discovery. I really loved so many aspects of this book. It was a beautiful romance with a deeper meaning and such an inspirational and uplifting message. I also loved that there was a mix of magic in there. Everyone who knows me knows how much I adore paranormal and fantasy and so having just that touch of magic just made the book complete to me.
Aurora went on such a fantastic journey throughout this book. Not just in the literal sense but in the sense that she grew as a character. We experienced everything along with her and I felt like that was what made this book just a little bit magical. Aurora has such a tough time throughout the book and it just makes her that much of a tougher and stronger character and I loved that about her.
Sunspots had such a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. One problem that I had though was the writing style. I found it a little weird compared to other books I have read. I found that the writing lacked flow for me. It seemed a little choppy and like the narration told you what was happening and how Aurora was feeling rather than showing you. That took it away from the story I felt. Because of this I couldn't really connect with the characters and story on an emotional level as I usually do. I am a highly emotional person and when reading I usually feel everything along with the character. With this one although I still do admit it is a highly emotional book and I enjoyed going along with the story and going on that journey but I felt like I wasn't connected to the story as much as I would have liked to have been.
Sunspots is a highly enjoyable story and I would recommend to any fans of this genre. I just felt like the writing style stopped me from feeling the story and enjoying it to the full extent that I wish I had. Because of this reason I feel like there was just something missing for me.
I hadn't really head anything about this book before getting involved with the blog tour. I read the blurb and was instantly intrigued. I thought it just sounded fantastic. I wasn't wrong. Sunspots is an incredible story that is emotional and uplifting. I really enjoyed reading it and going along for the journey with the characters.
Aurora is devastated. She has lost the love of her life. But while dealing with the loss of her true love, Jake she uncovers that he had a whole secret life. While going on a journey to discover the truth Aurora must face many troubles and challenges, including a self-discovery about herself and her life. Was Jake really her true love? Did she really know him at all? And will she be able to move on?
I felt that Sunspots was a fantastic story. It takes you on a journey of secrets and drama and self-discovery. I really loved so many aspects of this book. It was a beautiful romance with a deeper meaning and such an inspirational and uplifting message. I also loved that there was a mix of magic in there. Everyone who knows me knows how much I adore paranormal and fantasy and so having just that touch of magic just made the book complete to me.
Aurora went on such a fantastic journey throughout this book. Not just in the literal sense but in the sense that she grew as a character. We experienced everything along with her and I felt like that was what made this book just a little bit magical. Aurora has such a tough time throughout the book and it just makes her that much of a tougher and stronger character and I loved that about her.
Sunspots had such a great story and I really enjoyed reading it. One problem that I had though was the writing style. I found it a little weird compared to other books I have read. I found that the writing lacked flow for me. It seemed a little choppy and like the narration told you what was happening and how Aurora was feeling rather than showing you. That took it away from the story I felt. Because of this I couldn't really connect with the characters and story on an emotional level as I usually do. I am a highly emotional person and when reading I usually feel everything along with the character. With this one although I still do admit it is a highly emotional book and I enjoyed going along with the story and going on that journey but I felt like I wasn't connected to the story as much as I would have liked to have been.
Sunspots is a highly enjoyable story and I would recommend to any fans of this genre. I just felt like the writing style stopped me from feeling the story and enjoying it to the full extent that I wish I had. Because of this reason I feel like there was just something missing for me.
January 18, 2015
Sunspots is personal. A personal journey of grieving, a personal journey of self-discovery, and a personal journey geographically. A young woman from Brooklyn, Aurora, a man from Austin, Texas, Jake, meet accidentally in NYC and it changes the trajectory of their lives. Aurora decides to grab on to what she perceives may be her only chance at the comfy married existence that has so far eluded her. But it is no hardship to leave NYC and her stalled acting career for this apparently wealthy, dynamic, handsome lover who whisks her off her feet. But after the honeymoon, reality sets in and she realizes that marriage can be isolating, and that the socio-economic differences between her and Jake can become a wedge. How can Aurora adjust to these changes? How can she regain the independent personality she had before Jake became her only focus in life?
Fast forward two years, and Aurora finds herself a widow. An accident. Unexpected. And then her journey becomes one of accepting the harsh reality of encounters with Jake's ghost, the real nature of her time travel experiences, and Jake's true character. Viola Parker is her guide through these episodes not of this world. Viola, a ghost who has a connection with Aurora's past, leads her to find, Cliff, her true soulmate, her true love in this life erasing the pain of her mistakes with Jake Stein through the centuries. Sometimes from the ashes, sometimes from blackness awaits the brilliant light of a life of happiness.
Fast forward two years, and Aurora finds herself a widow. An accident. Unexpected. And then her journey becomes one of accepting the harsh reality of encounters with Jake's ghost, the real nature of her time travel experiences, and Jake's true character. Viola Parker is her guide through these episodes not of this world. Viola, a ghost who has a connection with Aurora's past, leads her to find, Cliff, her true soulmate, her true love in this life erasing the pain of her mistakes with Jake Stein through the centuries. Sometimes from the ashes, sometimes from blackness awaits the brilliant light of a life of happiness.
September 14, 2013
Technically, there is nothing wrong with this novel. Bell’s story is intricately written. She flashes back to Aurora and Jake and the moments that made them the strong couple they were despite their very limited time together. There is a slight paranormal aspect but the story is very much Aurora and Jake. Bell gives the reader detailed descriptions of the setting and characters that integrate well with the story.
There are twists within the story that are interesting. The haunting and they way the spirit characters influence Aurora’s life plan and her thought in regard to life plan. The discovery she has of her husband after his passing. The attempts she makes to find love again.” Sunspots” is a very well constructed book in professional presentation and character development. Aurora and Jake are very real characters. The point of view is first person and through Aurora’s eyes so we get the confusion and horror and wonder as she experiences them. We are with her when she discovers that perhaps she didn’t know all she should have about her husband. The story flows in a way that makes it easy to visualize for the reader.
The bottom line for this reader that it is a good book that just didn’t hit my interest. If you like the work of Nicolas Sparks, you will likely enjoy “Sunspots.”
There are twists within the story that are interesting. The haunting and they way the spirit characters influence Aurora’s life plan and her thought in regard to life plan. The discovery she has of her husband after his passing. The attempts she makes to find love again.” Sunspots” is a very well constructed book in professional presentation and character development. Aurora and Jake are very real characters. The point of view is first person and through Aurora’s eyes so we get the confusion and horror and wonder as she experiences them. We are with her when she discovers that perhaps she didn’t know all she should have about her husband. The story flows in a way that makes it easy to visualize for the reader.
The bottom line for this reader that it is a good book that just didn’t hit my interest. If you like the work of Nicolas Sparks, you will likely enjoy “Sunspots.”
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