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An Ancient Gift and Other Stories
An Ancient Gift and Other Stories is a collection of three “light” horror stories. These tales of the paranormal are akin to old-fashioned campfire stories - stories that offer a sense of the uncanny without the gore.
“The Glove” offers the chilling tale of a woman recounting how her grandfather’s prejudices - and gift for sorcery - terrorized a neighborhood boy. Is her son at risk, too? “Friday Night Visitor” features the old trope of a deal with the devil. But unlike fiddle contests of old, Rita, our heroine, must guess a riddle to unveil the identity of the visitor and save the guy she loves.
“An Ancient Gift”, the title tale, offers glimpse at a reluctant psychic. Anna and her sister Amy are charged with clearing out her grandmother’s house for the real estate agents when they uncover an unusually wrapped package in her father’s childhood closet, a deck of antique tarot cards. Did their father have the ancient gift of divination, and does one of the sisters have it, too?
“The Glove” offers the chilling tale of a woman recounting how her grandfather’s prejudices - and gift for sorcery - terrorized a neighborhood boy. Is her son at risk, too? “Friday Night Visitor” features the old trope of a deal with the devil. But unlike fiddle contests of old, Rita, our heroine, must guess a riddle to unveil the identity of the visitor and save the guy she loves.
“An Ancient Gift”, the title tale, offers glimpse at a reluctant psychic. Anna and her sister Amy are charged with clearing out her grandmother’s house for the real estate agents when they uncover an unusually wrapped package in her father’s childhood closet, a deck of antique tarot cards. Did their father have the ancient gift of divination, and does one of the sisters have it, too?
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First published June 1, 2014
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About the author
Jeanne Grunert
14 books22 followersJeanne Grunert is an award-winning writer and with a passion for telling character-driven stories. She is the author of The Majek Family mysteries, a series of mystery novels set on Long Island's wealthy Gold Coast and New York City's Billionaire Row. Originally from the New York City area, Jeanne now lives and works on a 17-acre farm in rural Virginia near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2019
I absolutely enjoyed this three story set written by a master storyteller. In the first story, 'The Glove', you'll find a nasty grandfather who urges his daughter and some kids from the neighbourhood into seriously frightening a boy he doesn't like. In 'Friday Night Visitor' you have to guess the name of a mysterious blonde man who's obviously waiting on the singer of the band to finish his gig. What are his reasons? The third story, 'An Ancient Gift', leads two sisters to something hidden and has to do with a deck of tarot cards. Those compelling stories are eerie, have an interesting twist and plausible characters. The author doesn't need any gore or sex but simply comes up with some fine stories to enjoy. Highly recommended!
September 6, 2018
Spine tingling
Three tales. Three tales that will have your hair raising and your spine tingling, looking around to see who's behind you. Don't read it in the dark.
Three tales. Three tales that will have your hair raising and your spine tingling, looking around to see who's behind you. Don't read it in the dark.
October 4, 2019
Three spooky short stories that were well written without being gory. I don’t think I’ll ever walk into a dark room without turning the light on first, though. Thanks for that Jeanne Grunert!!
July 18, 2014
This review can also be found here
Don't let my two star rating fool you, I did enjoy the three short stories within this book quite a bit. However, I truly went into it thinking they were going to be creepier than they were. However, this is not necessarily a deal breaker because they were creepy in their own way, just not to the point where I was terrified.
Honestly I think the three stories would be good for middle grade readers who like creepy stories but aren't necessarily allowed to read all of the extremely scary ones out there.
I enjoyed the last story, also the one the book is named after, the most. An Ancient Gift delivered what I was hoping for with these stories. It was creepy and I was really looking forward to finding out what happened to the two sisters. The first story The Glove was strange, I didn't know what to expect and the ending definitely made me want to know more about the characters and what happened. Friday Night Visitor was my second favorite, the whole mystery surrounding what was going on and how everything turned out definitely kept me entertained.
The major issue I had with this book was the grammar and spelling mistakes. It took a little while for me to deal with the mistakes and accept them but it didn't make the book less enjoyable overall. With a little more editing I think this book would be good to go.
The three stories that make up this book are quick reads and they are definitely mysterious. If you want something that you will fly through that will have you curious as to what is going to happen in the end I would recommend you check this out. You may end up loving it more than I did.
**Copy provided via the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.**
Don't let my two star rating fool you, I did enjoy the three short stories within this book quite a bit. However, I truly went into it thinking they were going to be creepier than they were. However, this is not necessarily a deal breaker because they were creepy in their own way, just not to the point where I was terrified.
Honestly I think the three stories would be good for middle grade readers who like creepy stories but aren't necessarily allowed to read all of the extremely scary ones out there.
I enjoyed the last story, also the one the book is named after, the most. An Ancient Gift delivered what I was hoping for with these stories. It was creepy and I was really looking forward to finding out what happened to the two sisters. The first story The Glove was strange, I didn't know what to expect and the ending definitely made me want to know more about the characters and what happened. Friday Night Visitor was my second favorite, the whole mystery surrounding what was going on and how everything turned out definitely kept me entertained.
The major issue I had with this book was the grammar and spelling mistakes. It took a little while for me to deal with the mistakes and accept them but it didn't make the book less enjoyable overall. With a little more editing I think this book would be good to go.
The three stories that make up this book are quick reads and they are definitely mysterious. If you want something that you will fly through that will have you curious as to what is going to happen in the end I would recommend you check this out. You may end up loving it more than I did.
**Copy provided via the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.**
October 19, 2014
this is a great book book of chillingly eery tales. Jeanne grunert has a knack for letting your hair stand on end especially in the glove. That one seriously I do not want to get on that Grandfathers bad side and I don't think a basement is in my future anytime soon. My favourite I have to say is the Ancient Gift I like how it was about changing your defined lot and destiny and views on things. Seeing that not all is as it seems and sometimes we need to embrace what it is we loathe.
the friday night visitor I did not expect the dude to be who he is. The way the bartering is done and the riddles were just freaky. Good freaky but freaky. The girls love for her messed up best friend and his for her in the end is great to see but still what he put her through was just all kinds of wrong.
A series of stories with their own message veiled in eeriness of the supernatural and darkness of what can be and cannot be when we do things or don't do things. beautifully written and will have you hair on end as you get gripped in each stories tale and wonder what is going to happen.
Received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review and so glad I did. This is one I am going to put out each hallows eve to get others to read the eery tales and get their hair on end as well for these are a great way to get the month of October or any time you want to scare someone going.
the friday night visitor I did not expect the dude to be who he is. The way the bartering is done and the riddles were just freaky. Good freaky but freaky. The girls love for her messed up best friend and his for her in the end is great to see but still what he put her through was just all kinds of wrong.
A series of stories with their own message veiled in eeriness of the supernatural and darkness of what can be and cannot be when we do things or don't do things. beautifully written and will have you hair on end as you get gripped in each stories tale and wonder what is going to happen.
Received this book from the author in exchange for a honest review and so glad I did. This is one I am going to put out each hallows eve to get others to read the eery tales and get their hair on end as well for these are a great way to get the month of October or any time you want to scare someone going.
July 24, 2014
An Ancient Gift and Other Stories is a short collection of three stories and is the author's first work of fiction.
In "The Glove", Kathy's fevered nightmares take her back to the summer at Grandpa's house when she was nine years old. What happened that summer? Her son Bryan is staying with Grandpa while she's sick. Why does Kathy sense he's in danger? What horror lies in wait in Grandpa's basement?
In "Friday Night Visitor", Rita and Bob are working at Winter's bar one Friday night when a strange man comes to visit Bob. What does he want in return for the favor he did for Bob a few years ago?
In "An Ancient Gift", Anna has the family gift of being a psychic, while her sister Amy is a skeptic. While preparing to sell Grandma's house, they come across an ancient gift their father left behind in his childhood room. Which daughter is it for, and who's the one with the real gift?
This short book contains quite a number of editing errors, too many for the length of the book. Nevertheless, the author manages to create suspense and a creepy atmosphere very quickly. The stories keep you wanting just a little bit more. I just wish this volume contained more stories so I could enjoy it a bit longer.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
In "The Glove", Kathy's fevered nightmares take her back to the summer at Grandpa's house when she was nine years old. What happened that summer? Her son Bryan is staying with Grandpa while she's sick. Why does Kathy sense he's in danger? What horror lies in wait in Grandpa's basement?
In "Friday Night Visitor", Rita and Bob are working at Winter's bar one Friday night when a strange man comes to visit Bob. What does he want in return for the favor he did for Bob a few years ago?
In "An Ancient Gift", Anna has the family gift of being a psychic, while her sister Amy is a skeptic. While preparing to sell Grandma's house, they come across an ancient gift their father left behind in his childhood room. Which daughter is it for, and who's the one with the real gift?
This short book contains quite a number of editing errors, too many for the length of the book. Nevertheless, the author manages to create suspense and a creepy atmosphere very quickly. The stories keep you wanting just a little bit more. I just wish this volume contained more stories so I could enjoy it a bit longer.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
August 4, 2014
This collection of short stories was a very quick read. I read it in less than 20 minutes. There were three paranormal stories. Each of the stories had interesting concepts and were designed to creep you out.
The problem I have with short stories, that I am learning, is that sometimes things are unexplained or left hanging. This makes a story that is supposed to be scary/mysterious a bit confusing. The first two stories were interesting and enjoyable. The first was basically a woman remembering something terrifying that happened when she was a child. The second was a waitress who runs into a scary diner guest. The third is.. I guess two sisters dealing with a terrifying power while trying to put their family home on the market. Maybe.
"The Glove" and "Friday Night Visitor" were pretty straightforward in their creepiness and had enough details that you aren't left floundering for an explanation. However, when I read "An Ancient Gift" I was pretty much just left confused. The concept for it was very interesting, but I felt like I was lost without more back-story.
The problem I have with short stories, that I am learning, is that sometimes things are unexplained or left hanging. This makes a story that is supposed to be scary/mysterious a bit confusing. The first two stories were interesting and enjoyable. The first was basically a woman remembering something terrifying that happened when she was a child. The second was a waitress who runs into a scary diner guest. The third is.. I guess two sisters dealing with a terrifying power while trying to put their family home on the market. Maybe.
"The Glove" and "Friday Night Visitor" were pretty straightforward in their creepiness and had enough details that you aren't left floundering for an explanation. However, when I read "An Ancient Gift" I was pretty much just left confused. The concept for it was very interesting, but I felt like I was lost without more back-story.
September 1, 2014
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This book contains 3 short stories that are creepy. I like the cover choice because it kind of gives me the willies.
All of the stories are well written and kept my interest although this is a very quick read. The title story, “An Ancient Gift,” is spooky and has a good ending. “The Glove” was about typical kids in a creepy situation and the ending was scary. My favorite was “Friday Night Visitor” which was a tension filled story but I liked the ending.
I definitely recommend An Ancient Gift and Other Stories. It’s a quick read but all of the stories keep your interest.
This book contains 3 short stories that are creepy. I like the cover choice because it kind of gives me the willies.
All of the stories are well written and kept my interest although this is a very quick read. The title story, “An Ancient Gift,” is spooky and has a good ending. “The Glove” was about typical kids in a creepy situation and the ending was scary. My favorite was “Friday Night Visitor” which was a tension filled story but I liked the ending.
I definitely recommend An Ancient Gift and Other Stories. It’s a quick read but all of the stories keep your interest.
July 18, 2014
This isn't normally a genre that I read, but I'm so glad I decided to check it out. Each story in this book draws you in and demands you to read it to the end. I couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy paranormal stories, or even if you don't, I recommend An Ancient Gift as a great escape from your day. These stories are eerie without being overdone, which made them a perfect way to enjoy an afternoon.
If you enjoy paranormal stories, or even if you don't, I recommend An Ancient Gift as a great escape from your day. These stories are eerie without being overdone, which made them a perfect way to enjoy an afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews