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Haunted: Where the past meets the present.
The old plantation house had been standing for well over a century, stuck in a time capsule all its own. Its walls bear witness to the horrors and sadness that had taken place within.
Richard Hammond, a wealthy plantation owner, had built the home for his growing family when tragedy struck. His wife passed away giving birth, leaving Richard to raise his only daughter in a town caught up in their own traditions that he refused to impose upon his daughter, Amara.
Timothy, a boy from the wrong side of town becomes best friends with Amara and they eventually find themselves in a tragic love story.
Jesse Calmers takes control of the house some years later and the horrors he committed there are still locked away in the basement of nightmares.
As the years passed, the plantation house became a place of fear and dread. A place the locals avoided. It has become the ghost stories told around campfires at night, and the truth of what really happened there became a thing of the past.
Desirae is an interior designer in Hollywood, California, who has become burnt out on working with the Hollywood elite. One day, unexpectedly, she is contacted by an Estate attorney in Madison, Georgia to inform her that she needs to travel across the country to a place where she has never been, to go over her grandfather's will. A grandfather that she thought had been dead for many years. When she arrives, she is blown away. To her astonishment she has been left with a beautiful plantation home with a shady past. A home she is determined to possibly live in. She quickly finds out that everyone in the town is petrified of the house and wants nothing to do with it.
Frustrated that she cannot get a contractor or anyone to help with the work on the house. She seeks out the help of Sylvia, the owner of the Bed and Breakfast she is staying at. With Sylvia's help, she finds a contractor, who just happens to be Sylvia's grandson, Shane, who not only isn't afraid of the house, but also draws Desirae's attention in a bizarre way. Together the three of them look for the truth of what really happened in the house all those years ago.
Will they find the truth or will the house and what is wandering within its walls scare them off…the way it has everyone else in the past?
Richard Hammond, a wealthy plantation owner, had built the home for his growing family when tragedy struck. His wife passed away giving birth, leaving Richard to raise his only daughter in a town caught up in their own traditions that he refused to impose upon his daughter, Amara.
Timothy, a boy from the wrong side of town becomes best friends with Amara and they eventually find themselves in a tragic love story.
Jesse Calmers takes control of the house some years later and the horrors he committed there are still locked away in the basement of nightmares.
As the years passed, the plantation house became a place of fear and dread. A place the locals avoided. It has become the ghost stories told around campfires at night, and the truth of what really happened there became a thing of the past.
Desirae is an interior designer in Hollywood, California, who has become burnt out on working with the Hollywood elite. One day, unexpectedly, she is contacted by an Estate attorney in Madison, Georgia to inform her that she needs to travel across the country to a place where she has never been, to go over her grandfather's will. A grandfather that she thought had been dead for many years. When she arrives, she is blown away. To her astonishment she has been left with a beautiful plantation home with a shady past. A home she is determined to possibly live in. She quickly finds out that everyone in the town is petrified of the house and wants nothing to do with it.
Frustrated that she cannot get a contractor or anyone to help with the work on the house. She seeks out the help of Sylvia, the owner of the Bed and Breakfast she is staying at. With Sylvia's help, she finds a contractor, who just happens to be Sylvia's grandson, Shane, who not only isn't afraid of the house, but also draws Desirae's attention in a bizarre way. Together the three of them look for the truth of what really happened in the house all those years ago.
Will they find the truth or will the house and what is wandering within its walls scare them off…the way it has everyone else in the past?
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2023
6 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Tilley Hall
6 books49 followersMelissa lives in Valrico, Florida with her husband of Twenty-seven years, Dennis. They have eight cats, an old German Shepherd named Kira Bob, a Congo African gray and a Quaker parrot.
If you would like to contact Melissa, please feel free to do so! She loves to hear from her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 7, 2023
Not usually into ghosts in a story but WOWW. Ghost, romance .. plus Timothy and Shane?? you just have to read!
June 23, 2023
OMG! What an amazing book.
What an amazing book. A ghost story and a romance all wrapped up in one book. A book that will scare you and melt your heart at the same time. If you like reading scary books, then read this. If you like reading historical romances, read this. If you like reading modern romances, read this. If you're ok with romance novels not having the happily ever after endings, read this. If you want the happily ever after ending reading. If you haven't guessed it by now, this book has it all.
Melissa Tilley Hall is truly a gifted story writer.
What an amazing book. A ghost story and a romance all wrapped up in one book. A book that will scare you and melt your heart at the same time. If you like reading scary books, then read this. If you like reading historical romances, read this. If you like reading modern romances, read this. If you're ok with romance novels not having the happily ever after endings, read this. If you want the happily ever after ending reading. If you haven't guessed it by now, this book has it all.
Melissa Tilley Hall is truly a gifted story writer.
June 25, 2023
anndddd I’m dead… I died
This was an absolutely beautiful story! The first chapter hooks you In immediately and you can’t help but feel for the characters. The story itself has a wonderful slow burn that wraps up in a beautiful ending! Only negative…. I hate all men around me because none of them live up to Timothy/Shane.
This was an absolutely beautiful story! The first chapter hooks you In immediately and you can’t help but feel for the characters. The story itself has a wonderful slow burn that wraps up in a beautiful ending! Only negative…. I hate all men around me because none of them live up to Timothy/Shane.
July 19, 2023
A Timeless Romantic Ghost Story
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful, romantic ghost story. I enjoyed how it oscillated between past and present. Authentic characters seemed to come to life with endearing, timeless qualities. I could visualize this old mansion that was being renovated to its original splendor. I would really love to see this made into a movie!
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful, romantic ghost story. I enjoyed how it oscillated between past and present. Authentic characters seemed to come to life with endearing, timeless qualities. I could visualize this old mansion that was being renovated to its original splendor. I would really love to see this made into a movie!
August 30, 2023
Holy smokes! This book though! If you are looking for a spooky mystery peppered with murder, ghosts, and unwavering love, look no further! This book has it all!
The characters are lovable, the settings surreal. And the dual storyline? Hall does it like a pro! Highly recommend to fans of love, mystery, and the paranormal! Bravo!
The characters are lovable, the settings surreal. And the dual storyline? Hall does it like a pro! Highly recommend to fans of love, mystery, and the paranormal! Bravo!
January 11, 2024
This is such a beautiful story, the progress to the ending flowed seamlessly and had me wanting to know more the entire book! I loved how every little detail was so well thought out as it unfolded into this adventure. Melissa did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life! Will definitely recommend to friends!
June 19, 2023
amazing!!!
Wow!! I could not put this incredibly haunted tale down. This was such an amazing deeply layered story that kept me glued to my kindle the entire weekend! I can’t read to read more fro this series!! Highly recommend!
Wow!! I could not put this incredibly haunted tale down. This was such an amazing deeply layered story that kept me glued to my kindle the entire weekend! I can’t read to read more fro this series!! Highly recommend!
August 31, 2023
Not one but two paranormal romances in one! I loved it!
September 7, 2023
A spooky romance in a house full of secrets.
It’s romance wrapped in horror. A spooky house giving up its secrets one layer at a time. Congratulations on another great book.
It’s romance wrapped in horror. A spooky house giving up its secrets one layer at a time. Congratulations on another great book.
June 20, 2024
This is a fun read. It's a romance and a ghost story.
December 18, 2023
I want a Shane! The couples in this book were too perfect. Sad about what happened to Amara but her story was beautiful.
July 14, 2023
This story is incredible. The twist and turns of Amara, Timothy, Desirae, Shane, and the Hammond Mansion will make you feel so many emotions. You will fall in love with characters! It’s truly is a story where the present meets the past! I’m not usually one for romance stories, but this is so much more! I would highly recommend it to anyone, because it’s that good! Very well written! An absolute page turner!
August 14, 2023
Haunted
Melissa Tilley Hall melds two worlds together very nicely. This book is full of sadness and the fight for true love.
Melissa Tilley Hall melds two worlds together very nicely. This book is full of sadness and the fight for true love.
October 12, 2023
Tear jerker
I waited to read this until October with the hopes of a spooky story, and I was not disappointed. This is a terrifying yet adorable ghost story! I love the small twists and turns along the way to slowly reveal the answers they're seeking. It could easily be a standalone book, but I'm curious about what Melissa Tilley Hall does next with this series! Love the storyline and context. As an indie author, there are some minor errors and some long dialogue sections, but nothing takes away from the great meaning and storyline. MUST READ for sure!
I waited to read this until October with the hopes of a spooky story, and I was not disappointed. This is a terrifying yet adorable ghost story! I love the small twists and turns along the way to slowly reveal the answers they're seeking. It could easily be a standalone book, but I'm curious about what Melissa Tilley Hall does next with this series! Love the storyline and context. As an indie author, there are some minor errors and some long dialogue sections, but nothing takes away from the great meaning and storyline. MUST READ for sure!
January 15, 2024
Compelling, Intriguing, Gripping
Genres: Contemporary Fiction/Historical Fiction/ Romance
'Haunted' by Author Melissa Tilley Hall 🎹
Amara still occupied the large house, all these years later, the house she had been born in, since her Father had ceased to own the property. In that time, she had successfully seen off two potential proprietors. It was just her and the others remaining now, and her precious piano. However, the girl had arrived, with her suitor. Amara did not object to her though. She knew that this was where she belonged.
Desiree knew, from the first time she saw the house and wondered around it's vast spaces, that she loved it completely; with its fine furnishings and elegant decor. Almost all of this house, gave her a magical feeling, with the exception of two areas, which evoked the exact opposite emotions. She longed to discover its history and that of previous occupants. She intended to restore the house to it's former glory, and find out exactly why her Grandfather, had not been able to do the same. 👻
I really enjoy a paranormal mystery, having read a few of them now. I also love dual period stories, and this novel satisfied both criteria. The front cover, which initially attracted me to the book, is a perfect representation for what lies inside. This novel was extremely easy to read for me, getting engrossed in this intriguing, well constructed, exhilarating narrative for hours at a time. The story drew me in from the start with it's lively and likeable positive characters (other than Thomas), it was extremely hard to put down.
The feelings evoked by Amara's story were very Waltons-esque, although I know it was set long before. It is a time period that I hugely enjoy in books and films. This helped me to immediately warm to the characters. However, I struggled with being able to imagine Shane's Grandmother and what she might look like. I kept getting an image of a woman of colour, slightly on the larger side. In fact Mammy-Two- Shoes from the Tom and Jerry cartoons. Although, you never see her face, which is probably why I had trouble with Sylvia's identity. Strangely though, even though they were related, my imagery of Shane was very different.
Surprisingly, although I did see forsee the pregnancy, what it lead to, even after Desiree read the letters, was a part of the plot that I did not predict. This was a clever plot twist making the conclusion of their story, even more tragic.
When Shane arranges for work to be done on the house, Desiree's joy is palpable and through the book, her jubilation at her new life & being given the chance at a fresh start with all the added bonuses of friends that she now sees as family, and that fabulous new home is tangible, and very visible within the writing. The big question is, does she leave her old life behind for the one she has been living for months?
The characters were existing in my mind's eye as if they were real people. The Author really manages to breath life into her work The only element of the story that I was a little disappointed in was where Sylvia informs Shane and Desiree that she has been given a letter 💌 from Richard for them. I feel it would have been more endearing to have confined that link to the past to Shane and Desiree only. A letter could have been left marked for their attention.
At this point, I would like to thank the Author for the inclusion of Liz, a character who is confined to a wheelchair after an accident. As a wheelchair user myself, I have hardly ever, if at all, come across any book featuring someone in my position. It put a smile on my face! This book being the first one of a series excites me for what's to come and I look forward to reading subsequent enstallments.
Genres: Contemporary Fiction/Historical Fiction/ Romance
'Haunted' by Author Melissa Tilley Hall 🎹
Amara still occupied the large house, all these years later, the house she had been born in, since her Father had ceased to own the property. In that time, she had successfully seen off two potential proprietors. It was just her and the others remaining now, and her precious piano. However, the girl had arrived, with her suitor. Amara did not object to her though. She knew that this was where she belonged.
Desiree knew, from the first time she saw the house and wondered around it's vast spaces, that she loved it completely; with its fine furnishings and elegant decor. Almost all of this house, gave her a magical feeling, with the exception of two areas, which evoked the exact opposite emotions. She longed to discover its history and that of previous occupants. She intended to restore the house to it's former glory, and find out exactly why her Grandfather, had not been able to do the same. 👻
I really enjoy a paranormal mystery, having read a few of them now. I also love dual period stories, and this novel satisfied both criteria. The front cover, which initially attracted me to the book, is a perfect representation for what lies inside. This novel was extremely easy to read for me, getting engrossed in this intriguing, well constructed, exhilarating narrative for hours at a time. The story drew me in from the start with it's lively and likeable positive characters (other than Thomas), it was extremely hard to put down.
The feelings evoked by Amara's story were very Waltons-esque, although I know it was set long before. It is a time period that I hugely enjoy in books and films. This helped me to immediately warm to the characters. However, I struggled with being able to imagine Shane's Grandmother and what she might look like. I kept getting an image of a woman of colour, slightly on the larger side. In fact Mammy-Two- Shoes from the Tom and Jerry cartoons. Although, you never see her face, which is probably why I had trouble with Sylvia's identity. Strangely though, even though they were related, my imagery of Shane was very different.
Surprisingly, although I did see forsee the pregnancy, what it lead to, even after Desiree read the letters, was a part of the plot that I did not predict. This was a clever plot twist making the conclusion of their story, even more tragic.
When Shane arranges for work to be done on the house, Desiree's joy is palpable and through the book, her jubilation at her new life & being given the chance at a fresh start with all the added bonuses of friends that she now sees as family, and that fabulous new home is tangible, and very visible within the writing. The big question is, does she leave her old life behind for the one she has been living for months?
The characters were existing in my mind's eye as if they were real people. The Author really manages to breath life into her work The only element of the story that I was a little disappointed in was where Sylvia informs Shane and Desiree that she has been given a letter 💌 from Richard for them. I feel it would have been more endearing to have confined that link to the past to Shane and Desiree only. A letter could have been left marked for their attention.
At this point, I would like to thank the Author for the inclusion of Liz, a character who is confined to a wheelchair after an accident. As a wheelchair user myself, I have hardly ever, if at all, come across any book featuring someone in my position. It put a smile on my face! This book being the first one of a series excites me for what's to come and I look forward to reading subsequent enstallments.
December 23, 2023
I finished reading Haunted by Author Melissa Tilley Hall in less than 24 hours. I'll be submitting reviews for it on other platforms for her within the next few days, but for my followers...
It was an amazing book. At one point I was thinking that it was a cross between Barbara Michaels and a Hallmark movie (both compliments, in case you are unsure), small town guy, big city girl and then it actually mentioned a Hallmark movie. Perfect. I loved the book and will definitely be reading more of her work in the near future. There's mystery, a plot, the people don't fall into bed upon first meeting, there's light and dark, internal and external struggles...
And I have to ask the author...
Could Jesse have been the reincarnation of Thomas?
The book is amazing. If you like books with the things that I have already mentioned, you should be ordering it and reading it. 5 stars and 4 of my signature hearts. Melissa, your book is beautifully written and inspires connections to the characters. It's everything to me that a book should be to keep readers with interests like myself to keep reading. I had to know the whole story, before I could allow myself to be distracted by the day to day.
💙💜💙💜 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It was an amazing book. At one point I was thinking that it was a cross between Barbara Michaels and a Hallmark movie (both compliments, in case you are unsure), small town guy, big city girl and then it actually mentioned a Hallmark movie. Perfect. I loved the book and will definitely be reading more of her work in the near future. There's mystery, a plot, the people don't fall into bed upon first meeting, there's light and dark, internal and external struggles...
And I have to ask the author...
Could Jesse have been the reincarnation of Thomas?
The book is amazing. If you like books with the things that I have already mentioned, you should be ordering it and reading it. 5 stars and 4 of my signature hearts. Melissa, your book is beautifully written and inspires connections to the characters. It's everything to me that a book should be to keep readers with interests like myself to keep reading. I had to know the whole story, before I could allow myself to be distracted by the day to day.
💙💜💙💜 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 27, 2023
A good, imaginative read
This is a good story and an easy read. I love the cover, very well done. I liked the romantic storyline’s premise of a two hundred year old past colliding with the present, but felt distracted by some writing challenges while reading it. It could be above average with a good editor guiding the author. There are grammatical missteps, words used incorrectly and/or repetitively, and other small issues that could be resolved with line editing. It could take the writing up a notch, as the story itself is on par with others in this genre. Recommend for diehard romance/mystery fans.
This is a good story and an easy read. I love the cover, very well done. I liked the romantic storyline’s premise of a two hundred year old past colliding with the present, but felt distracted by some writing challenges while reading it. It could be above average with a good editor guiding the author. There are grammatical missteps, words used incorrectly and/or repetitively, and other small issues that could be resolved with line editing. It could take the writing up a notch, as the story itself is on par with others in this genre. Recommend for diehard romance/mystery fans.
June 25, 2023
This is a powerful and moving story which takes us through the truth that the past is always here, not lost in a remote time which no longer exists. It is also a story of the power of love, reaching through the domain that we call death to what we call life, uniting the past, the present and the future in an unbreakeable bond.
This uniting of past and present through love can heal the suffering of old sorrows, can resolve the torments of failure and separation. The past will speak to us, provided that we listen and do not run away.
A beautiful story which I highly recommend.
This uniting of past and present through love can heal the suffering of old sorrows, can resolve the torments of failure and separation. The past will speak to us, provided that we listen and do not run away.
A beautiful story which I highly recommend.
May 8, 2025
Okay. This did tug on my heartstrings, BUT I was assuming haunted and romance meant it would be a dark romance? And that the haunting wouldn’t have an HEA, or kind of a Pen Pal by Gessinger kind of ending.
This was cute, and I believe the author did a great job with it. I’m just not necessarily the target audience for insta-love and hauntings that aren’t also psychological thriller. It did work as a good palette cleanser since I, clearly, don’t tend to read cute love stories 😅
However? If that IS you, absolutely grab this!
This was cute, and I believe the author did a great job with it. I’m just not necessarily the target audience for insta-love and hauntings that aren’t also psychological thriller. It did work as a good palette cleanser since I, clearly, don’t tend to read cute love stories 😅
However? If that IS you, absolutely grab this!
June 29, 2023
Enjoyable read!
October 17, 2023
This book has something for everybody. Love a good slow-burn romance? This book is for you. Love a haunted house mystery? This book is also for you. Love a strong female main character? This book is doubly for you.
I've always dreamed of inheriting a haunted mansion, but for Desirae that dream is a reality. In her new home, several mysteries unfold about the former owners, leading to the shocking conclusion of the young lovers who once roamed the halls. The ghost plot was perfect for a spooky season read, but it was the romance between Desirae and Shane that really grounds the book and keeps you turning pages to find out what happens between them. The love story between Timothy and Amara is equally engaging despite its tragic end.
I loved everything about this book. It was a beautifully haunting story with equal parts tragic and happy endings. A great read that I'd recommend to everyone.
I've always dreamed of inheriting a haunted mansion, but for Desirae that dream is a reality. In her new home, several mysteries unfold about the former owners, leading to the shocking conclusion of the young lovers who once roamed the halls. The ghost plot was perfect for a spooky season read, but it was the romance between Desirae and Shane that really grounds the book and keeps you turning pages to find out what happens between them. The love story between Timothy and Amara is equally engaging despite its tragic end.
I loved everything about this book. It was a beautifully haunting story with equal parts tragic and happy endings. A great read that I'd recommend to everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews