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Nell
Doctor Gavin Wade, archaeologist with Durham University is no stranger to excavating skeletons. It is a regular part of the many digs that he organises with groups of students. However, the find at the small village of Gainford, north of the university town, is somewhat unusual. According to the team's anthropologist, the skeleton is that of a woman. She had been buried in unconsecrated ground and weighed down by a heavy stone slab. Injuries to her neck pointed to death by hanging. Could she have been a witch executed for her crimes?
Removed to the university for further investigations, the skeleton mysteriously disappears from a locked examination room. In its place, Gavin finds a young, blonde woman who claims that he is the catalyst of her resurrection, being, she claims, her lover from her previous seventeenth century life. Life for Gavin is about to spiral out of control as he struggles to extricate himself from this woman's obsessive stalking.
Removed to the university for further investigations, the skeleton mysteriously disappears from a locked examination room. In its place, Gavin finds a young, blonde woman who claims that he is the catalyst of her resurrection, being, she claims, her lover from her previous seventeenth century life. Life for Gavin is about to spiral out of control as he struggles to extricate himself from this woman's obsessive stalking.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2024
3 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Maureen Turner
17 books13 followersAlthough born in Birmingham in the Midlands I have lived in Gloucestershire for the past thirty years. I applied for redundancy following 25 years as a teaching assistant in a rural Gloucestershire school. I had already started writing my debut novel First Breath before finishing work and completed the writing in 2012. The book was published in August 2012. Since then I have penned a further three novels and a collection of short stories. All have been published as e books and most as traditional books as well. Two of the e books were later re-published as one traditional novel. All my novels are in the fantasy romance genre. My collection of short stories are multiple genre. My writing has been influenced by many authors from H.G. Wells to Laini Taylor. As well as fantasy romance I enjoy reading Historical, sci fi and contemporary books.
My books are: First Breath...
Malchediel-Warrior Angel...
Amy-Nephilim Freedom Fighter...
Do Androids Dream?...
Purgatory...
Wings Unfurled.
I am 45,000 words into my latest book as yet untitled.
My books are: First Breath...
Malchediel-Warrior Angel...
Amy-Nephilim Freedom Fighter...
Do Androids Dream?...
Purgatory...
Wings Unfurled.
I am 45,000 words into my latest book as yet untitled.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 1, 2024
Sometimes book covers draw you in, beckoning you to read what’s inside—only to disappoint. Not this one! This tale is as imaginative as its cover is alluring. If you are a fan psychological suspense, you will certainly enjoy this fast-paced, but in depth portrayal of a witch who reincarnates four-hundred years after being hung for her crimes. What would it be like if you found yourself trying to make sense of the world after sleeping for centuries? Turner realistically portrays this unlikely scenario. The modern world is scary, yet due to her cunning intelligence, Nell fairly quickly adapts to our strange ways. And what would you do if you find the love of your life again, but they don’t recognize you? Another question this talented author asks and explores through credible first person points-of-view. A deeply satisfying Romantic Fantasy. High praise for this work of literary genius!
February 4, 2024
The premise of Maureen Turner’s latest fantasy romance hooked me at once: University archaeologist Gavin Wade unearths the skeleton of a 17th century woman killed by hanging. And oh, my goodness, that’s just the start of this tale of stalking and vindictive vengeance sought by the title character, Nell, hanged for witchcraft.
Unfortunately for him, Gavin’s job requires him to excavate the skeleton and transport it to his university. Once it’s reassembled, the skeleton mysteriously disappears from an examination room and a beautiful blonde with unearthly powers appears in its place. And all of her attention is focused on Gavin. He’ll soon wish he’d left those bones well enough alone.
Nell may be a fish out of water in the 21st century, but she’s smart, and quickly learns to adapt. As she does her best to convince Gavin he’s the re-embodied form of her long-dead lover Jacob, she employs all the wiles at her disposal, magical and sensual. Nells’ determination to have Gavin for herself intensifies, while Gavin still wants to believe in his ability to lead his normal, orderly life, free of her harassment (a hope so naïve that more than once I wanted to grab him by the lapels and shake some sense into him). But Nell is a vengeful she-devil with a lethal plan in mind.
Nell is written as a 1st person narrative, with the chapters alternating between the two principal characters. Turner handles the often difficult feat of writing from both a male and female point of view deftly and believably. She builds a sense of urgency in her tale until at last Gavin understands just how far Nell is willing to go to get what she desires. (And to help him reach that understanding, Turner employs a delightful, ingenious device that took me completely by surprise.) All the while the tension continues to climb until it has reached the point of explosive confrontation. When that point comes, it’s shocking, yet deeply satisfying, and the ending, I think, is perfection. With Nell, Maureen Turner has written another winner.
Unfortunately for him, Gavin’s job requires him to excavate the skeleton and transport it to his university. Once it’s reassembled, the skeleton mysteriously disappears from an examination room and a beautiful blonde with unearthly powers appears in its place. And all of her attention is focused on Gavin. He’ll soon wish he’d left those bones well enough alone.
Nell may be a fish out of water in the 21st century, but she’s smart, and quickly learns to adapt. As she does her best to convince Gavin he’s the re-embodied form of her long-dead lover Jacob, she employs all the wiles at her disposal, magical and sensual. Nells’ determination to have Gavin for herself intensifies, while Gavin still wants to believe in his ability to lead his normal, orderly life, free of her harassment (a hope so naïve that more than once I wanted to grab him by the lapels and shake some sense into him). But Nell is a vengeful she-devil with a lethal plan in mind.
Nell is written as a 1st person narrative, with the chapters alternating between the two principal characters. Turner handles the often difficult feat of writing from both a male and female point of view deftly and believably. She builds a sense of urgency in her tale until at last Gavin understands just how far Nell is willing to go to get what she desires. (And to help him reach that understanding, Turner employs a delightful, ingenious device that took me completely by surprise.) All the while the tension continues to climb until it has reached the point of explosive confrontation. When that point comes, it’s shocking, yet deeply satisfying, and the ending, I think, is perfection. With Nell, Maureen Turner has written another winner.
February 13, 2024
I’ve read several of Maureen Turner’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them all, including her latest book, Nell, which grabbed me from the very first page. I’m a great fan of stories about witches and witchcraft and, as always, Ms Turner has taken a very novel approach to hers.
Finding a complete, human skeleton during a dig would be a fabulous find for any archaeologist, and Dr Gavin Wade, a lecturer at Durham University, is no exception. Interest and excitement increase as it becomes evident that this female was likely to have been hanged as a witch at the time of the great witch hunts in England, the 17th century. Gavin is thrilled when a colleague offers to order a facial reconstruction of the woman but, unfortunately, events unfold that could put an end to any hope of that.
I won’t describe how the skeleton of Nell transforms into a living woman after being taken to the university, except that from the moment she does, she is adamant that Gavin is the reincarnation of her 17th century lover, Jacob. Once outside in the city, Nell makes friends easily, and joins a small group of people in their squat. She copes well in the modern-day world, although she is not averse to using her powers on occasions when her anger takes over. She stalks Gavin relentlessly, turning up unexpectedly to torment him in her quest to make him see that he is Jacob and they belong together. Gavin’s fiancée becomes the target of Nell’s jealousy and rage – and she makes plans to ensure that Sophie won’t be around for much longer.
All in all, Nell is great read and for me, a page-turner. The plot moves along quickly and the characters are well-drawn. Anyone who enjoys stories about witchcraft, set in the past or present, will love this one. Oh, and the ending is unexpected but totally fitting.
Finding a complete, human skeleton during a dig would be a fabulous find for any archaeologist, and Dr Gavin Wade, a lecturer at Durham University, is no exception. Interest and excitement increase as it becomes evident that this female was likely to have been hanged as a witch at the time of the great witch hunts in England, the 17th century. Gavin is thrilled when a colleague offers to order a facial reconstruction of the woman but, unfortunately, events unfold that could put an end to any hope of that.
I won’t describe how the skeleton of Nell transforms into a living woman after being taken to the university, except that from the moment she does, she is adamant that Gavin is the reincarnation of her 17th century lover, Jacob. Once outside in the city, Nell makes friends easily, and joins a small group of people in their squat. She copes well in the modern-day world, although she is not averse to using her powers on occasions when her anger takes over. She stalks Gavin relentlessly, turning up unexpectedly to torment him in her quest to make him see that he is Jacob and they belong together. Gavin’s fiancée becomes the target of Nell’s jealousy and rage – and she makes plans to ensure that Sophie won’t be around for much longer.
All in all, Nell is great read and for me, a page-turner. The plot moves along quickly and the characters are well-drawn. Anyone who enjoys stories about witchcraft, set in the past or present, will love this one. Oh, and the ending is unexpected but totally fitting.
August 5, 2024
Nell by Maureen Turner is a near perfect mix of a romantic suspense and a thriller. It's a love story with a difference and tackles the theme of reincarnation, albeit not in a way you might be expecting. And that's exactly why anyone looking for an escape from the humdrum of daily life must sink into this book.
Nell was a woman put to death in the 16th century for being a witch. Now somehow she has come back to life 400 years later and this time all her affection and love is centred on archaeologist and professor Gavin Wade.
Maureen Turner is a skilled writer as she can really hold the reader's attention with an engaging plot. You keep wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. When I read the blurb I was drawn to this book and I fully expected my sympathies to be drawn to the main protagonist , Nell. But Maureen surprised me once again with her adept writing as she instead drew out the dangers of a woman scorned in love. Ms Turner writes so brilliantly that I literally disliked Nell and had little sympathy for her romantic notions, at the same time I couldn't help feeling a little impatience with Gavin's character as he time and time again falls into Nell's trap.
I wouldn't like to reveal too much of the plot but needless to say this is a must read book and I'm happily awarding it 5 stars as I read it in just two sittings.
Nell was a woman put to death in the 16th century for being a witch. Now somehow she has come back to life 400 years later and this time all her affection and love is centred on archaeologist and professor Gavin Wade.
Maureen Turner is a skilled writer as she can really hold the reader's attention with an engaging plot. You keep wanting to turn the pages to see what happens next. When I read the blurb I was drawn to this book and I fully expected my sympathies to be drawn to the main protagonist , Nell. But Maureen surprised me once again with her adept writing as she instead drew out the dangers of a woman scorned in love. Ms Turner writes so brilliantly that I literally disliked Nell and had little sympathy for her romantic notions, at the same time I couldn't help feeling a little impatience with Gavin's character as he time and time again falls into Nell's trap.
I wouldn't like to reveal too much of the plot but needless to say this is a must read book and I'm happily awarding it 5 stars as I read it in just two sittings.
January 18, 2024
Another superb story from Maureen Turner. Her stories never disappoint. I was interested in this from the start. A 17th Century witch resurrected from an archaeological dig, who believes the archaeologist to be her lover from their past lives. This unleashes a nightmare for Doctor Gavin Wade, who Nell believes to be Jacob.
I have to say I felt for Nell all the way through, longing for her lost love even though she resorted to the drastic measures of her powers to win him back. I had no idea how the story could end but Ms Turner usually has a spectacular conclusion to her books.
As I always do with this author I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Very well written and researched with meticulous attention to detail. A must read for anyone with an interest in reincarnation, supernatural, witchcraft, archaeology - a multitude of topics covered in one volume. I loved it!
I have to say I felt for Nell all the way through, longing for her lost love even though she resorted to the drastic measures of her powers to win him back. I had no idea how the story could end but Ms Turner usually has a spectacular conclusion to her books.
As I always do with this author I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Very well written and researched with meticulous attention to detail. A must read for anyone with an interest in reincarnation, supernatural, witchcraft, archaeology - a multitude of topics covered in one volume. I loved it!
January 22, 2024
Nell and Jacob, lovers to Nell's death, but do witches really die? Four centuries later Doctor Gavin Wade discovers that they do not and the resurrected Nell thinks he's Jacob. And she is so jealous of Jacob's, er ah Gavin's betrothed. There's only one thing to do; take the woman out of the picture... kill her! Nell is a witch after all, so it can't be that hard. Once again Maureen Turner turns on her talent and weaves a story that can't be put down. Well done and five stars Ms. Turner.
August 21, 2024
Oh my word!! What a fabulous read from this very talented author!! I so love her books and struggle toput any of them down! Thank you Maureen Turner!!👏👏👏
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews