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Haunted
Staff ghost story night happens every Thursday at the Poet's Corner Bookstore, but this Thursday will change Cassie's life in ways she could never have imagined. When Michael Penfield walks into the store as the new hire, Cassie is surprised to see her friend from childhood. But Michael has changed since she last saw him, from his completely serious demeanor to the scar that mars his face and neck. Cassie, still reeling from the death of her boyfriend, Daniel, has concerns of her own. That night, Michael tells a true ghost story from the earlier years he shared with Cassie, and both of them are soon involved with phantoms from the past: the haunted house where Cassie lives; a horrific murder from thirty years ago; even the story Michael has never shared with another living soul.
Not everyone is haunted, but everyone has a ghost story.
Not everyone is haunted, but everyone has a ghost story.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2012
59 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Ophelia Julien
23 books34 followersI grew up in a haunted house on the north side of Chicago. I didn't realize how disturbed it was until I was old enough to do sleepovers at friends' houses and realized their homes felt nothing like mine! Ghosts have influenced everything I've ever written, even as a kid. My first attempt at a full length novel was like Nancy Drew Hits a Haunted Cemetery. I have tried writing without ghosts, but they always find their way into my work, so now I just let them.
I have tried many careers in my lifetime: secretary, sign language interpreter, special ed aide, medical transcriptionist, medical assistant, but through all of it, I never stopped writing. So now I am ready to say "I write" when people ask me what I do. It's the only thing that I have always done.
Collecting ghost stories is important to me, so if we ever meet, feel free to tell me a story or two. Better yet, I'll swap stories with you.
And please feel free to contact me -either here or at my website. I do answer!
I have tried many careers in my lifetime: secretary, sign language interpreter, special ed aide, medical transcriptionist, medical assistant, but through all of it, I never stopped writing. So now I am ready to say "I write" when people ask me what I do. It's the only thing that I have always done.
Collecting ghost stories is important to me, so if we ever meet, feel free to tell me a story or two. Better yet, I'll swap stories with you.
And please feel free to contact me -either here or at my website. I do answer!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 2, 2018
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE AND MAY GOD BLESS US ALL! This fits my Ethereal reading theme. https://cmriedel.wordpress.com/ethere...
“Haunted”, Ophelia Julien, 2012, feels mature despite everyone living with parents. I had this novel on my list awhile and liked it more than 3 stars suggest. It is the first self-published book authored professionally enough not to tell the difference. Unfortunately, it had all my peeve expressions. I loathe “gently” and “tug” but abhor the incongruous actions together! Ophelia overuses “said softly” and “tangle” too. Hair seldom tangles. People mean “messy”; editing that can be adjusted in this admirably continuous series. I sense that Ophelia is keen on growth. I enjoyed this début, more than most literature! This is my kind of book.
We are engaged with urgency; although everyone should guess that a spirit has a message. Cassie's and Michael's stories are touching, climaxing with the titular haunting; in a twist worthy of big name authors. Everyone is well-rounded, from the bookstore friends to Michael's wonderful Grandpa Henry. I was hooked by Cassie's and Michael's ability to see, hear, sense ghosts intermittently. It matches life, that perceiving the ethereal is shaky. A minor critique is that I haven't experienced a staff who are all friends. Few are invested in low wage milieus and are merely earning paycheques,
The employee relating an old murder didn't identify the house, an important detail if this were your town and the mother's “don't believe in ghosts” attitude pressed too far. If your family were terrified, you would investigate. My major beef is that loss of a loved-one builds the desire to discuss them and retain memories. If a book's premise relies on relatives being closed-mouthed, it disconnects me for being false. Steve not discussing history, when Cassie was at his home to babysit, didn't hold truck either. However, I presume that ploy is over with and am keen to read volume II!
“Haunted”, Ophelia Julien, 2012, feels mature despite everyone living with parents. I had this novel on my list awhile and liked it more than 3 stars suggest. It is the first self-published book authored professionally enough not to tell the difference. Unfortunately, it had all my peeve expressions. I loathe “gently” and “tug” but abhor the incongruous actions together! Ophelia overuses “said softly” and “tangle” too. Hair seldom tangles. People mean “messy”; editing that can be adjusted in this admirably continuous series. I sense that Ophelia is keen on growth. I enjoyed this début, more than most literature! This is my kind of book.
We are engaged with urgency; although everyone should guess that a spirit has a message. Cassie's and Michael's stories are touching, climaxing with the titular haunting; in a twist worthy of big name authors. Everyone is well-rounded, from the bookstore friends to Michael's wonderful Grandpa Henry. I was hooked by Cassie's and Michael's ability to see, hear, sense ghosts intermittently. It matches life, that perceiving the ethereal is shaky. A minor critique is that I haven't experienced a staff who are all friends. Few are invested in low wage milieus and are merely earning paycheques,
The employee relating an old murder didn't identify the house, an important detail if this were your town and the mother's “don't believe in ghosts” attitude pressed too far. If your family were terrified, you would investigate. My major beef is that loss of a loved-one builds the desire to discuss them and retain memories. If a book's premise relies on relatives being closed-mouthed, it disconnects me for being false. Steve not discussing history, when Cassie was at his home to babysit, didn't hold truck either. However, I presume that ploy is over with and am keen to read volume II!
October 3, 2016
Haunted was a much better book than the overly simple, totally unoriginal title suggests. Luckily, the cover just absolutely screams fall and kept me from glancing over this title in the Kindle library, because I would have been passing up a really great blend of YA-style romance, paranormal activity, and murder-mystery (the kind where there are psychics involved in the case--which are the best kind). Surprisingly, there were a few scenes that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck and at least one scene that made me bawl like a little baby... Heebie jeebies + weepy-feelies= the perfect recipe for a solid four star rating.
☆☆☆☆
P.S. Please forgive this crummy and admittedly strange review. I'm running on fumes.
☆☆☆☆
P.S. Please forgive this crummy and admittedly strange review. I'm running on fumes.
March 5, 2013
I've enjoyed reading fantasy fiction since I was a pre-teen, but I'd never before delved into paranormal romance fiction. A review of Ophelia's Julien's Haunted made it sound interesting, though, and having recently read my first romance fiction, I figured I might as well take the plunge, and I downloaded Haunted. Which turned out to be a very enjoyable read. Judging from the age of the characters, I guess this to be a YA paranormal romance, but the characterization and plot are nuanced and well-developed; older readers should find a lot to like here, too.
Cassie Valentine can sometimes see the restless dead, even commune with them on occasion, and oh, her house seems to be haunted. Her first love, Daniel, died a year past, and her grief and her love for him remain undiminished. Tthen she encounters Michael, whom she knew years earlier and who also has lost loved ones and sometimes sees ghosts.
I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that I think there's a lot to admire about Julien's storytelling. I mentioned her character and plot development, and I'll repeat that I think they're very good. I also appreciate her prose's lack of excess verbiage. The book's sharp evocation of a small town setting and its residents pleased me, too, and brought Bradbury to mind with its clear-eyed sympathy. The well-drawn relationships between Cassie and her friends were another pleasure and reminded me of Charles De Lint's work, in that regard. Finally, the story's pacing was good, not too fast, not too slow.
If you enjoy reading fantasy and mystery, mixed with fictional family dynamics and, yes, love, I think you'll have a good time with Haunted.
Cassie Valentine can sometimes see the restless dead, even commune with them on occasion, and oh, her house seems to be haunted. Her first love, Daniel, died a year past, and her grief and her love for him remain undiminished. Tthen she encounters Michael, whom she knew years earlier and who also has lost loved ones and sometimes sees ghosts.
I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say that I think there's a lot to admire about Julien's storytelling. I mentioned her character and plot development, and I'll repeat that I think they're very good. I also appreciate her prose's lack of excess verbiage. The book's sharp evocation of a small town setting and its residents pleased me, too, and brought Bradbury to mind with its clear-eyed sympathy. The well-drawn relationships between Cassie and her friends were another pleasure and reminded me of Charles De Lint's work, in that regard. Finally, the story's pacing was good, not too fast, not too slow.
If you enjoy reading fantasy and mystery, mixed with fictional family dynamics and, yes, love, I think you'll have a good time with Haunted.
July 8, 2015
Haunting
The story was good. Definitely not light reading The ghost stories told in the book as well as the actual haunting in the book left me with with a creepy feeling. I mostly read at night when everyone has gone to bed. As I was reading this story I felt like pulling the covers over my head.
I did at times have trouble with the use of some words the author used. You can tell an authors writing style as you begin a book. So when a word is used in a sentence that throws you off, you look it up. Some of the uses just didn't make sense. Or was too "heavy" for that sentence. It was enough that is was a small nuisance, but didn't hurt the story. It's my own humble opinion. Or maybe I just need a better dictionary.
The secondary characters were great in supporting the story. The grief in the story was written well. The light love story was very sweet. I hope to read more about that and find the answers in the next book. Which I will certainly be reading.
The story was good. Definitely not light reading The ghost stories told in the book as well as the actual haunting in the book left me with with a creepy feeling. I mostly read at night when everyone has gone to bed. As I was reading this story I felt like pulling the covers over my head.
I did at times have trouble with the use of some words the author used. You can tell an authors writing style as you begin a book. So when a word is used in a sentence that throws you off, you look it up. Some of the uses just didn't make sense. Or was too "heavy" for that sentence. It was enough that is was a small nuisance, but didn't hurt the story. It's my own humble opinion. Or maybe I just need a better dictionary.
The secondary characters were great in supporting the story. The grief in the story was written well. The light love story was very sweet. I hope to read more about that and find the answers in the next book. Which I will certainly be reading.
September 7, 2017
Ophelia Julien's writing style flows. It was so easy to read, I almost felt like I was reading a poem. It flowed that easily. Cassie and Michael and the rest of the bookstore gang were wonderful characters. Easy to relate to and very likable. All of us should be so lucky as to work in that type of environment. This story had chills and mystery. Twists were sprinkled throughout and the overall story moved steadily. I felt the ending was a bit predictable and I was disappointed that it wasn't wrapped up at the end. That is why I gave it 4 stars. I will be reading the next book though and I have high hopes for it.
May 16, 2017
great book.
March 16, 2018
I was thinking this book wasn't bad for a YA until I got to the end. There was no end. If I want to know how the story ends I have to buy the next 2 books. I hate books that don't end. This one wasn't compelling enough for me to want to spend money or time on the rest of them. So, if you don't like books that don't end, don't start this one.
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
January 27, 2019
I really like it and am now going to read the second one in the series.
Good mystery and paranormal.
I got the author from The author Terri Reid whom I absolutely love. I highly recommend her Mary O’reilly series.
Good mystery and paranormal.
I got the author from The author Terri Reid whom I absolutely love. I highly recommend her Mary O’reilly series.
March 1, 2019
Suspense and a surprise
Good story of loving people, and a cruel ending for an entire family. You will not be able to stop reading. You will have to read the next one,like me, to see if they catch the killer.
Good story of loving people, and a cruel ending for an entire family. You will not be able to stop reading. You will have to read the next one,like me, to see if they catch the killer.
October 6, 2018
An entertaining book.
October 6, 2018
3.5* It started off strong but fizzled out towards the middle with a strange ending. I'm not sure if the story continues in book 2 but the ending was abrupt and felt incomplete.
November 9, 2015
I read this book based off all the good reviews, saying it was a great ghost story. It was a classic haunting that would make you have chills and look behind you.
Well, honestly there was only 1 scene that truly felt like that. This was a good paranormal mystery, that involved more mystery and romance than ghosts, and it felt more on a young adult level than adult. Because I was looking for a lot more, and had high expectations this story didn't exactly deliver. I gave it 3 stars because it would be great for young adults.
Well, honestly there was only 1 scene that truly felt like that. This was a good paranormal mystery, that involved more mystery and romance than ghosts, and it felt more on a young adult level than adult. Because I was looking for a lot more, and had high expectations this story didn't exactly deliver. I gave it 3 stars because it would be great for young adults.
July 6, 2016
3.5 stars
I liked this enough to want to check out the sequels. The overall story is okay, if somewhat predictable. It's a little hard to believe that nearly everyone just immediately accepts that the supernatural is real and the entire cast involved are one big happy family, but I can overlook it for an easy lunchtime read. If you're hoping for bone-chilling mystery with lots of keep-you-guessing twists, this isn't for you. But if you don't mind some paranormal fluff, this fits the bill.
I liked this enough to want to check out the sequels. The overall story is okay, if somewhat predictable. It's a little hard to believe that nearly everyone just immediately accepts that the supernatural is real and the entire cast involved are one big happy family, but I can overlook it for an easy lunchtime read. If you're hoping for bone-chilling mystery with lots of keep-you-guessing twists, this isn't for you. But if you don't mind some paranormal fluff, this fits the bill.
July 6, 2015
I could not figure out what happened at the end. Or better yet, where was the ending? The book just stops.
The story was great, nuanced. And sometimes paranormal-based stories tend to be more interested in scaring you then developing plots. So, I was pleased that the author was able to balance character and chills.
I hope that in reading the second book in the series I will see if maybe I find the ending of the first one.
The story was great, nuanced. And sometimes paranormal-based stories tend to be more interested in scaring you then developing plots. So, I was pleased that the author was able to balance character and chills.
I hope that in reading the second book in the series I will see if maybe I find the ending of the first one.
January 2, 2016
I started this book because the "you may like" for #3 came up in Amazon. I had perused about 100 books already (I'm really picky.) The reviews caught my eye and I gave it a chance. By the 4th chapter I was already glad that there are 2 more in the series waiting for me! Like able, intriguing characters. Good story build up. If you are looking for something to break the same old same old paranormal mystery routine, this is it. A bit of romance, too, but not over the top.
September 6, 2015
Just wow....
Perfectly paced thriller / mystery / romance, and very well balanced between the three. The characters pull the reader in, and the story is gripping in its believability. Kudos to Ms. Julien; this is a tricky tale but is organized in a way that is easy to follow. Looking forward to reading more!
Perfectly paced thriller / mystery / romance, and very well balanced between the three. The characters pull the reader in, and the story is gripping in its believability. Kudos to Ms. Julien; this is a tricky tale but is organized in a way that is easy to follow. Looking forward to reading more!
April 18, 2016
This is a YA novel. Well written and solid plot. People long parted coming together, learning about pasts, all set in the circumstances of a haunting. The book finishes one plot line, and dangles the bait for the next book. I'm not intrigued enough, but if I was a teen I might want to keep on reading.
May 1, 2016
Love this book!
This book is intense, lighthearted, and suspenseful at any given moment. I read this book in less than 24 hours, I couldn't stop reading. I love reading about ghosts, and this one was not only great enough for me to enjoy, but my preteen daughter as well. The ending left me wanting more, but there is a second, and third book (which I will also be purchasing ).
This book is intense, lighthearted, and suspenseful at any given moment. I read this book in less than 24 hours, I couldn't stop reading. I love reading about ghosts, and this one was not only great enough for me to enjoy, but my preteen daughter as well. The ending left me wanting more, but there is a second, and third book (which I will also be purchasing ).
April 12, 2013
I absolutely loved this book!! I am not usually one to dig anything paranormal, but I just couldn't get enough of this one!! The characters were very well written, and easy to fall in love with!! I must say, I'm hooked!!!
January 6, 2015
I just discovered this author and have just finished reading the first of the Bridgeton Cemetery stories. I found it to be a well written story line with just the perfect mix of suspense and paranormal. It had a few interesting and unexpected surprises too!
May 24, 2015
For a tween novel this was surprisingly good! Well developed characters, good ghost story, sweet love story. The characters sometimes read like teenagers rather than the twenty somethings they're supposed to be but this was a nice diversion for me. Pretty solid mystery also.
August 12, 2015
Enjoyable but lacked character development. I'm also not sure exactly what happened at the end, it ended so abruptly. Likely a cliffhanger, but a bit odd. Saying that, I will be reading the second novel to see if that may answer some of my questions.
August 29, 2015
A thought provoking story where a thirty year old murder is intertwined in to the present day. A sensitive and a book store owner is linked together in the past and present by ghosts, a haunted house and co workers. A story that you can't put down until the story is told.
September 13, 2015
Addicted
I loved this story. I thought I had figured out the whole story line. Then bam!! I was wrong and surprised by the twist. I really enjoyed all the characters and I'm now addicted to this series. Now, on to book 2.
I loved this story. I thought I had figured out the whole story line. Then bam!! I was wrong and surprised by the twist. I really enjoyed all the characters and I'm now addicted to this series. Now, on to book 2.
October 5, 2015
Was an ok story but left things undone
The story was ok but unfinished. It was going along and then simply stopped. Which I really don't care for. I resize there are more books to follow, but each should have some type of ending.
The story was ok but unfinished. It was going along and then simply stopped. Which I really don't care for. I resize there are more books to follow, but each should have some type of ending.
October 18, 2015
This was an OK book, not scary in my opinion. I feel there were too many characters, and too much dialogue between them that I could care less about. I'm not sure at this point whether I will read the next one.
November 27, 2015
Amazing
I bought this book a while back and just got to it. Of all the books I have read in the past year, and there were a LOT, I think this is the most amazing book. I will buy the other ones so I can read more. I love ghost stories and paranormal stuff. This is the best.
I bought this book a while back and just got to it. Of all the books I have read in the past year, and there were a LOT, I think this is the most amazing book. I will buy the other ones so I can read more. I love ghost stories and paranormal stuff. This is the best.
January 20, 2016
Great read!
I th I'll Nant :) at this book is a fun, exciting, and sometimes pretty scary read. There was just the right mix of romance and ghosts for an interesting story, and I would recommend this book to anyone!
I th I'll Nant :) at this book is a fun, exciting, and sometimes pretty scary read. There was just the right mix of romance and ghosts for an interesting story, and I would recommend this book to anyone!
Read
May 9, 2013It was a great story about ghosts, one of the best I have read in awhile. Couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews