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Ghost Series Trilogy #1
The Ghost Illusion
In this spine-tingling tale, New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin melds psychological thriller and ghost story as one woman’s daring search for the truth behind a historic British tragedy tests the dividing line between life and death.
If you need help, we are here for you.
Eve St. Clair desperately needs help sorting reality from her fearful imaginings when ghostly voices seem to haunt the Victorian house in Sunderland, England, that she inherited from her uncle. Online research leads to a group that claims to offer just the aid she’s seeking. But can Ransom King’s hand-picked team of investigators truly banish Eve’s night terrors?
Since the deaths of his wife and daughter, Seattle billionaire Ransom King has devoted himself to researching parapsychology and debunking the frauds who prey upon the bereaved. But Eve is a psychologist herself, clearly sane, and her sincerity is palpable. King senses a very real danger stalking the beautiful divorcée. As his interest in her case turns deeply personal, he will move heaven and earth to uncover the truth—no matter how shocking—and save the woman he loves.
If you need help, we are here for you.
Eve St. Clair desperately needs help sorting reality from her fearful imaginings when ghostly voices seem to haunt the Victorian house in Sunderland, England, that she inherited from her uncle. Online research leads to a group that claims to offer just the aid she’s seeking. But can Ransom King’s hand-picked team of investigators truly banish Eve’s night terrors?
Since the deaths of his wife and daughter, Seattle billionaire Ransom King has devoted himself to researching parapsychology and debunking the frauds who prey upon the bereaved. But Eve is a psychologist herself, clearly sane, and her sincerity is palpable. King senses a very real danger stalking the beautiful divorcée. As his interest in her case turns deeply personal, he will move heaven and earth to uncover the truth—no matter how shocking—and save the woman he loves.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published September 26, 2023
762 people are currently reading
25484 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
190 books3,172 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
September 5, 2023
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
A spine-tingling tale this is not. I was ready to get my gothic vibe on but the dragged out descriptions in this one ruined it for me. I am all for atmospheric writing but this went completely overboard and wrecked the experience.
This is supposed to be a thriller but yet again a female author has gone to the romance side so this is more like a suspenseful romance. The two main characters were not very likable and the romance was for no good reason other than the fact that the male is rich and handsome with smoldering ice-blue eyes. BARF!🤮
I had no connection to the people on these pages, they were more like caricatures than characters. The lead guy's name is Ransome King and they call him Ran. I nearly died laughing...I mean really? The book also loses points for the religious aspects and the side plot of human trafficking got more time than the ghosts did. There was no proper plot development, not enough ghosts and too much of the sexy time. This is a wildly popular author and the book has a 4.43 rating (WTF!?) so I guess I am an outlier once again...Well, I like it like that!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
A spine-tingling tale this is not. I was ready to get my gothic vibe on but the dragged out descriptions in this one ruined it for me. I am all for atmospheric writing but this went completely overboard and wrecked the experience.
This is supposed to be a thriller but yet again a female author has gone to the romance side so this is more like a suspenseful romance. The two main characters were not very likable and the romance was for no good reason other than the fact that the male is rich and handsome with smoldering ice-blue eyes. BARF!🤮
I had no connection to the people on these pages, they were more like caricatures than characters. The lead guy's name is Ransome King and they call him Ran. I nearly died laughing...I mean really? The book also loses points for the religious aspects and the side plot of human trafficking got more time than the ghosts did. There was no proper plot development, not enough ghosts and too much of the sexy time. This is a wildly popular author and the book has a 4.43 rating (WTF!?) so I guess I am an outlier once again...Well, I like it like that!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
September 12, 2023
Romance, suspense, ghosts, death, and more are combined in Kat Martin’s romantic suspense novel,
The Ghost Illusion
. Add in some horror, criminals, and a Victorian mansion with hidden secrets and readers will find themselves quickly turning the pages. Eve St. Clair has recently inherited a house in Sunderland, England from her uncle. She’s a psychologist and decided to move there from Boston, Massachusetts. However, when she starts hearing voices and footsteps in the house, she decides to contact Paranormal Investigations, Inc., a group who researches problems like hers. Since his wife and daughter died, Seattle billionaire Ransom King has added researching parapsychology and debunking frauds to his more standard businesses. He agrees to send his team to England to investigate Eve’s claims.
Eve is sincere, intelligent, open-minded, compassionate, and determined to find answers. However, she came across as a little more vulnerable than I expected in a couple of scenes. Ransom is self-sufficient, efficient, and protective. However, he is also filled with guilt since he was driving during the storm that led to an accident and the death of his family. Both main characters go through transformations during the story. The secondary and tertiary characters are also well developed.
The plot is multi-layered and gets increasingly dangerous as the unsettling disturbances escalate and secrets are revealed. It’s twisty, thought-provoking, and tragic, as well as full of suspenseful moments. While the book takes three or so chapters to start moving, readers get a sense for Eve and the mansion, as well as an introduction to Ransom’s team. By the end of the fourth chapter, I was eager to see what was going to happen next. The writing is fluid and flows well in this unsettling story that occasionally makes your blood run cold. The incredible setting was easy to visualize. While the romance is predictable, how they approached it added another layer of interest to the story. I also enjoyed the approach to research taken by the team members to help resolve the problem.
Overall, this novel was entertaining and had great characterization. If you enjoy engaging characters and a well-plotted ghost story mixed with romance, suspense, action, and danger, then I recommend you check out this novel. Kat Martin is a great storyteller and I always look forward to reading her books. I recommend reading the author’s note after reading the novel. She talks about a building and an event that are part of the story in it.
Kensington Books and Kat Martin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 26, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Eve is sincere, intelligent, open-minded, compassionate, and determined to find answers. However, she came across as a little more vulnerable than I expected in a couple of scenes. Ransom is self-sufficient, efficient, and protective. However, he is also filled with guilt since he was driving during the storm that led to an accident and the death of his family. Both main characters go through transformations during the story. The secondary and tertiary characters are also well developed.
The plot is multi-layered and gets increasingly dangerous as the unsettling disturbances escalate and secrets are revealed. It’s twisty, thought-provoking, and tragic, as well as full of suspenseful moments. While the book takes three or so chapters to start moving, readers get a sense for Eve and the mansion, as well as an introduction to Ransom’s team. By the end of the fourth chapter, I was eager to see what was going to happen next. The writing is fluid and flows well in this unsettling story that occasionally makes your blood run cold. The incredible setting was easy to visualize. While the romance is predictable, how they approached it added another layer of interest to the story. I also enjoyed the approach to research taken by the team members to help resolve the problem.
Overall, this novel was entertaining and had great characterization. If you enjoy engaging characters and a well-plotted ghost story mixed with romance, suspense, action, and danger, then I recommend you check out this novel. Kat Martin is a great storyteller and I always look forward to reading her books. I recommend reading the author’s note after reading the novel. She talks about a building and an event that are part of the story in it.
Kensington Books and Kat Martin provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 26, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 4.24 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
September 25, 2025
This is a well-written, entertaining, paranormal romantic suspense novel. It has a likable, intelligent, and empathic female protagonist, a kind and caring, billionaire male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, suspense, a heartbreaking tragedy, and a happily ever after ending. The author's note is interesting and informative, and is truly appreciated. Ms. Martin never disappoints her readers!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kat Martin, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel. This is my honest opinion.
The following is a link to Kensington's BTC club, of which I am a member, "Exploring a Ghost Town" provided by the author, which is fascinating and informative: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/betwe...
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kat Martin, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this novel. This is my honest opinion.
The following is a link to Kensington's BTC club, of which I am a member, "Exploring a Ghost Town" provided by the author, which is fascinating and informative: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/betwe...
October 1, 2023
This book isn’t the thriller I was hoping for it was a romantic suspense. That being said I did enjoy the story and the gothic vibes, but I would have liked more ghosts and less romantic drama that didn’t feel particularly realistic to me. Evie has moved into her uncle’s home which she recently inherited and she has fond memories of visiting as a child. Despite her belief that it shouldn’t be happening she sensing a negative spirit in the home. Her research into haunting and the paranormal leads her to Ransom King (this name was a little too much for me) and his small side business (he’s a billionaire) offering help to anyone struggling with the paranormal. I really appreciated the author’s notes about what she took from reality to inspire the more gothic elements of the story. I wasn’t blown away by the romance, but it wasn’t bad. Overall it was a light read that was fun, but not with the thriller or spooky vibes I was truly hoping for. 3.5 stars rounded up.
October 11, 2023
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“Spirits may have the ability to be visible, but they may not want to be seen.”
It's spooky season, so the alluring cover of The Ghost Illusion reached out to me - beckoning me to give it a go. Sure, why not? I'm always up for giving a new author a chance...
Someone once said to me that I was a picky person and very hard to please - that I always want things to be the way that I want. I denied that sentiment at the time, refusing to believe that I could ever be that kind of person. After I finished reading my first Kat Martin book, I may have to agree with them. 😔
“In a way, this is new for me, too. Nothing like this has ever happened before. No one we’ve ever worked with got caught up in the situation the way you have.
Unfortunately, now that you’re involved, we have to deal with it. You have to deal with it. You don’t have any other choice.”
Eve is a thirty-year-old psychiatrist who enlists the help of Ransom King, a billionaire businessman/grieving widower, and his team of ghost hunters to rid her newly-inherited house of the demons that are haunting it. Upon their arrival, Ran is instantly taken by her feminine delicate charm and her beauty; but, devoted loyalty to his deceased wife and daughter prevent him from acting on his feelings for ever so long - till, neither of them can deny that irresistible charm that sparks between them. Will it be the whispers of the past or the haunts of the present that will threaten to keep them apart?
Or maybe, it'll just be me.😟
Ah, I'm struggling to find the words to explain why I did not like it, when, objectively, there really was nothin wrong with it. The author said she wanted to write a ghost story with romance and mystery - it had each of those elements. It was just something about the writing, I fear, that didn't evoke any feeling in me. 😕 It was straight-forward and simple, but also fell so very flat - like it was just a script that was being hashed out with dialogue -- not corny, but not exactly hard-hitting. And I get, that it was their first attempt at the supernatural vibe, so that may be why I wasn't really connecting with it either. An emotional scene may have been taking place, but it didn't evoke any heart-wrenching feeling in me - some compassion or conviction for their plight of feelings. 🤷
“Each ghostly investigation they had dealt with as a team had been distinctly different, each a story all its own. Though there had been certain similarities, nothing close to this had ever happened. Ran fiercely wanted to know more.”
As a sucker for mysteries, I enjoyed how they investigated deeper into the hidden truths surrounding the paranormal and questionable activities that took place. Apart from their lingering affections for each other, Eve and Ran made for an interesting pair as they grappled to find out the connections that tied Eve to the ghosts that were haunting her. I appreciated that there were actually ghosts - with hints of the occult, seances, and magic. 👍🏻 But, at the same time, the horror never really transcend beyond being surface-level. Despite there being a cruel and painful backstory to the apparitions, I wasn't scared or alarmed at any of the supposedly evil spirits of 'pure malevolence'. There was no -- fear factor, even when the characters were in peril danger. It wasn't even that it was a cartoonish danger, it just wasn't tangible - the descriptions didn't resonate anything within me. 😥😥
“If there was ever a cliché, that’s it. If you regret it, that’s up to you. For me, last night was wonderful. A memory I’ll cherish. I don’t expect any sort of commitment.”
His beautiful blue eyes looked stormy. “Damn it, Eve, I don’t regret it. I want you again right now.”
He leaned down and softly kissed her. “No matter what happens, this feeling between us . . . it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before.”
I think what confused, well, perhaps, what perplexed me most was that I couldn't figure out if the author wanted it to be more of a ghost mystery, or more of a romantic story? It wasn't just that their relationship was a part of their story, it sometimes was the only focus of the story. Both Eve and Ran were struggling to leave the trauma of their past behind them, but they still fall in love with each other - because they saw something in the other, that they didn't know they could find again. 💔 It's a star-crossed, ill-fated affair that should have struck a match in my heart, but it's just the way it was written was so not to my taste, that I couldn't care for their affections. Even the sex scenes felt so out-of-place and unnecessary - not to mention, how it ended that really took a turn for a really unrealistic and cheesy ending! 😞😞
And another thing - why was Eve portrayed in such a damsel-in-distress-y way?? 😭😭 Why? It annoyed me to no end at how easily she just fell into Ran's arms, whenever she was distressed or emotionally distraught - followed by her continuous train of thought of how she felt so comforted by his strong muscular arms and his big, hard, body. It made me cringe so much!! 😖😖 Like an irritation that I couldn't understand why one would choose to portray their characters this way. I really hoped it would be good, but simply by assessing my reaction afterwards, I didn't like that I didn't like it - for reasons that are purely only based on my personal preferences. And and for that, I have to walk away, while I'm still ahead.
“She knew what he wanted. The question was what did she want? And how much was she willing to risk in order to find out?”
There is, however, one very important part of this story that I really did appreciate - the historical relevance to the plot. I was surprised at the reveal and also deeply saddened by it, too. I had never heard about such a tragic and and heart-breaking moment of history, and after delving a little deeper into it's history with further details, it broke my heart even more. So, if I had not read this, I would have probably never have even heard of it; for bringing it to my attention, I am eternally grateful. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
“Spirits may have the ability to be visible, but they may not want to be seen.”
It's spooky season, so the alluring cover of The Ghost Illusion reached out to me - beckoning me to give it a go. Sure, why not? I'm always up for giving a new author a chance...
Someone once said to me that I was a picky person and very hard to please - that I always want things to be the way that I want. I denied that sentiment at the time, refusing to believe that I could ever be that kind of person. After I finished reading my first Kat Martin book, I may have to agree with them. 😔
“In a way, this is new for me, too. Nothing like this has ever happened before. No one we’ve ever worked with got caught up in the situation the way you have.
Unfortunately, now that you’re involved, we have to deal with it. You have to deal with it. You don’t have any other choice.”
Eve is a thirty-year-old psychiatrist who enlists the help of Ransom King, a billionaire businessman/grieving widower, and his team of ghost hunters to rid her newly-inherited house of the demons that are haunting it. Upon their arrival, Ran is instantly taken by her feminine delicate charm and her beauty; but, devoted loyalty to his deceased wife and daughter prevent him from acting on his feelings for ever so long - till, neither of them can deny that irresistible charm that sparks between them. Will it be the whispers of the past or the haunts of the present that will threaten to keep them apart?
Or maybe, it'll just be me.😟
Ah, I'm struggling to find the words to explain why I did not like it, when, objectively, there really was nothin wrong with it. The author said she wanted to write a ghost story with romance and mystery - it had each of those elements. It was just something about the writing, I fear, that didn't evoke any feeling in me. 😕 It was straight-forward and simple, but also fell so very flat - like it was just a script that was being hashed out with dialogue -- not corny, but not exactly hard-hitting. And I get, that it was their first attempt at the supernatural vibe, so that may be why I wasn't really connecting with it either. An emotional scene may have been taking place, but it didn't evoke any heart-wrenching feeling in me - some compassion or conviction for their plight of feelings. 🤷
“Each ghostly investigation they had dealt with as a team had been distinctly different, each a story all its own. Though there had been certain similarities, nothing close to this had ever happened. Ran fiercely wanted to know more.”
As a sucker for mysteries, I enjoyed how they investigated deeper into the hidden truths surrounding the paranormal and questionable activities that took place. Apart from their lingering affections for each other, Eve and Ran made for an interesting pair as they grappled to find out the connections that tied Eve to the ghosts that were haunting her. I appreciated that there were actually ghosts - with hints of the occult, seances, and magic. 👍🏻 But, at the same time, the horror never really transcend beyond being surface-level. Despite there being a cruel and painful backstory to the apparitions, I wasn't scared or alarmed at any of the supposedly evil spirits of 'pure malevolence'. There was no -- fear factor, even when the characters were in peril danger. It wasn't even that it was a cartoonish danger, it just wasn't tangible - the descriptions didn't resonate anything within me. 😥😥
“If there was ever a cliché, that’s it. If you regret it, that’s up to you. For me, last night was wonderful. A memory I’ll cherish. I don’t expect any sort of commitment.”
His beautiful blue eyes looked stormy. “Damn it, Eve, I don’t regret it. I want you again right now.”
He leaned down and softly kissed her. “No matter what happens, this feeling between us . . . it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before.”
I think what confused, well, perhaps, what perplexed me most was that I couldn't figure out if the author wanted it to be more of a ghost mystery, or more of a romantic story? It wasn't just that their relationship was a part of their story, it sometimes was the only focus of the story. Both Eve and Ran were struggling to leave the trauma of their past behind them, but they still fall in love with each other - because they saw something in the other, that they didn't know they could find again. 💔 It's a star-crossed, ill-fated affair that should have struck a match in my heart, but it's just the way it was written was so not to my taste, that I couldn't care for their affections. Even the sex scenes felt so out-of-place and unnecessary - not to mention, how it ended that really took a turn for a really unrealistic and cheesy ending! 😞😞
And another thing - why was Eve portrayed in such a damsel-in-distress-y way?? 😭😭 Why? It annoyed me to no end at how easily she just fell into Ran's arms, whenever she was distressed or emotionally distraught - followed by her continuous train of thought of how she felt so comforted by his strong muscular arms and his big, hard, body. It made me cringe so much!! 😖😖 Like an irritation that I couldn't understand why one would choose to portray their characters this way. I really hoped it would be good, but simply by assessing my reaction afterwards, I didn't like that I didn't like it - for reasons that are purely only based on my personal preferences. And and for that, I have to walk away, while I'm still ahead.
“She knew what he wanted. The question was what did she want? And how much was she willing to risk in order to find out?”
There is, however, one very important part of this story that I really did appreciate - the historical relevance to the plot. I was surprised at the reveal and also deeply saddened by it, too. I had never heard about such a tragic and and heart-breaking moment of history, and after delving a little deeper into it's history with further details, it broke my heart even more. So, if I had not read this, I would have probably never have even heard of it; for bringing it to my attention, I am eternally grateful. 🙏🏻 🙏🏻
February 7, 2024
Young woman psychologist moves to family home in England and confronts eerie happenings with the help of a handsome billionaire and his team of ghosthunters. The plot is good but gets a bit sidetracked for me by romantic sexual scenes that felt a little textbook. Still a worthwhile read.
September 23, 2023
I love a Kat Martin book, but I had a real problem with this one. I am not keen on paranormal anything so that is one problem to begin with. Don't get me wrong, one of my favorite cozy series has a ghost, but he is more of the Casper the Friendly Ghost variety and the one of the ghosts in this book is decidedly not friendly.
The dialogue is stiff, and the descriptions lack vitality, they just don't draw me in and make me want to be there. Ransom (Ran) is a billionaire and acts like it and has the toys to prove it. A white Bentley Limo in an English industrial town really seems a bit on the showy side, but hey, I'm not a billionaire whose hobby is paranormal pheromonal. Eve has inherited a house with paranormal activity. Match? Right? Well, Ran is "damaged goods" because his wife and daughter died in an accident where he survived. Eve married a man for companionship, and he cheated. Not my favorite start to any book, but he's hot and she's beautiful. Gag me! Two unattached people with an obvious attraction, what's wrong here? Eve falls in love, but Ran is heartbreak on the hoof - hot, handsome and rich.
There was very little I liked about this book. one was the supporting characters, they were great. The plot was slow to develop, but I did like the mystery surrounding why Eve has ghosts in her house and how they went about assisting them to the light.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
The dialogue is stiff, and the descriptions lack vitality, they just don't draw me in and make me want to be there. Ransom (Ran) is a billionaire and acts like it and has the toys to prove it. A white Bentley Limo in an English industrial town really seems a bit on the showy side, but hey, I'm not a billionaire whose hobby is paranormal pheromonal. Eve has inherited a house with paranormal activity. Match? Right? Well, Ran is "damaged goods" because his wife and daughter died in an accident where he survived. Eve married a man for companionship, and he cheated. Not my favorite start to any book, but he's hot and she's beautiful. Gag me! Two unattached people with an obvious attraction, what's wrong here? Eve falls in love, but Ran is heartbreak on the hoof - hot, handsome and rich.
There was very little I liked about this book. one was the supporting characters, they were great. The plot was slow to develop, but I did like the mystery surrounding why Eve has ghosts in her house and how they went about assisting them to the light.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
February 6, 2024
I’ve always seen the author’s name but this was my first book of hers. It just did not work for me. Not much of a thriller. The romance was far too drippy sweet. Way too many adjectives for every move made and they were always just too sweet and unnecessary, in my opinion. For example, the description of the man buckling the woman’s seatbelt. I wanted to DNF then but I don’t jump to do that. I continued and it didn’t get much better for me.
If you love Hallmark mysteries, this will be for you. For me, I doubt I will choose any of her other books.
If you love Hallmark mysteries, this will be for you. For me, I doubt I will choose any of her other books.
November 3, 2023
A romance novel wrapped up in a religious mystery. Too much sex, not enough ghosts.
November 14, 2023
Eve St. Clair has recently moved to England to live in her family's ancestral home, after inheriting it from her uncle. Unexplained things begin to happen more frequently, so she decides to hire a team of paranormal investigators. When they arrive, the activity gets even more disturbing, with Eve herself being the target of much of the threats. I preferred the ghost and suspense parts to the romance. This was a quick and easy read.
September 10, 2023
The Ghost Illusion by Kat Martin. Thanks to @kensingtonbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eve inherits her uncles old Victorian home in England and stays there. After some spooky experiences, she enlists the help of a ghost hunting team.
If you like the genre mash ups of horror and romance, this would be a good one for you. I didn’t get too much into the horror and investigation but the romance and historical plot were interesting to me. The story was fast paced and there’s a little bit of many genres to entice a variety of people.
“Britain’s kind of dreary. But with all the old buildings, there are certainly plenty of ghosts.”
The Ghost Illusion comes out 9/26.
Eve inherits her uncles old Victorian home in England and stays there. After some spooky experiences, she enlists the help of a ghost hunting team.
If you like the genre mash ups of horror and romance, this would be a good one for you. I didn’t get too much into the horror and investigation but the romance and historical plot were interesting to me. The story was fast paced and there’s a little bit of many genres to entice a variety of people.
“Britain’s kind of dreary. But with all the old buildings, there are certainly plenty of ghosts.”
The Ghost Illusion comes out 9/26.
May 29, 2023
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Eve is now living in England after her uncle has passed away. She starts hearing voices and noises. She meets Ransom who she likes. Digging into the rich history of the area, they learn more about the townspeople. I enjoyed this book.
February 15, 2024
I honestly don’t know why this book has 4/5 as the author must have went to the ABC school of writing. I thought this book was utter nonsense. I like paranormal mysteries as much as the next person but this was not good. I sorely wish I had a dollar for every time Eve went ‘deathly white’. What was she thinking with what is possibly the most stupid name for a main character ever Ransome King really!? 🫢. Recruited to get the ghosts out of Eve’s house I was all set for a good horror but it seemed that every time the ghosts got a bit exuberant, Ran would shout ‘Let’s go’ they would then pack up their gear and get out of there (good job he was footing the bill). It also annoyed me that the ex-priest who did the exorcisms didn’t show up for days and was constantly referred to as Lucas Devereaux. His full name all the time there was no other person called Lucas so we would know who he was. Plus don’t get me started on the side plot. Why did she just throw that in! Colour me baffled.
Also has this author been to Newcastle because I don’t think a Bentley Limo is going to easily maneuvered around the streets there.
With a multitude of books behind her are they all this bad or has she just got tired. I am glad that I got this book on Kindle Unlimited and sympathize with anyone who spent their cold hard cash on this story. I will not venture to read another one.
Also has this author been to Newcastle because I don’t think a Bentley Limo is going to easily maneuvered around the streets there.
With a multitude of books behind her are they all this bad or has she just got tired. I am glad that I got this book on Kindle Unlimited and sympathize with anyone who spent their cold hard cash on this story. I will not venture to read another one.
August 17, 2023
The Ghost Illusion by Kat Martin
I will be upfront —- Net Galley and Kensington Books gave me an ARC for my honest opinion of The Ghost Illusion by Kat Martin. I could not put this book down! The more I read, the more I was invested in the story—plot twists and turns — and characters. I like Kat’s characters because intelligent and independent heroines are paired with strong alpha heroes. Even secondary characters are well-developed. Kat .is one of my favorite authors. In The Ghost Illusion (*based on a true event), she takes us on a journey of good vs. evil through suspense, paranormal activity, emotions, romance and healing.
Eve St. Clair inherits her uncle’s house in England, where she spent many happy times throughout her childhood. As she settles in, sinister events occur in the house —- she hears whispers, running feet and other creepy sounds. After much researching, she decides to contact Ransom (Ran) King’s paranormal investigation company in Seattle. . Eve’s emails describe haunting and frightening events. Ran is intrigued by the events —and Eve. He and his specialized team head to England .
The first night they set up the sensitive cameras and sound equipment, malevolent ghosts attack and try to drive them out . The team discovers hidden doors, a basement, tunnels and a dilapidated orphanage. Eve remembers playing with Wally, a secret childhood “friend” dressed in strange clothes. Eve tries to connect with him. He appears along with Herbie, an orphan child ghost . When Eve and Ran investigate the orphanage, they discover more ghost children. The evil ghosts manifest and attack Eve several times. They try to prevent Eve and Ran’s team from “freeing” the orphans. Ran offers Eve comfort and emotions grow. Ran still carries the guilt of a car accident that killed his wife and child.
This is just a brief synopsis of the events in the book. There is SO much more going on! Buy the book —you won’t be disappointed!
(*The Victoria Hall disaster happened in 1883. At a holiday magic show, almost 200 children were crushed to death in a rush for free toys ).
#BTCInsider
I will be upfront —- Net Galley and Kensington Books gave me an ARC for my honest opinion of The Ghost Illusion by Kat Martin. I could not put this book down! The more I read, the more I was invested in the story—plot twists and turns — and characters. I like Kat’s characters because intelligent and independent heroines are paired with strong alpha heroes. Even secondary characters are well-developed. Kat .is one of my favorite authors. In The Ghost Illusion (*based on a true event), she takes us on a journey of good vs. evil through suspense, paranormal activity, emotions, romance and healing.
Eve St. Clair inherits her uncle’s house in England, where she spent many happy times throughout her childhood. As she settles in, sinister events occur in the house —- she hears whispers, running feet and other creepy sounds. After much researching, she decides to contact Ransom (Ran) King’s paranormal investigation company in Seattle. . Eve’s emails describe haunting and frightening events. Ran is intrigued by the events —and Eve. He and his specialized team head to England .
The first night they set up the sensitive cameras and sound equipment, malevolent ghosts attack and try to drive them out . The team discovers hidden doors, a basement, tunnels and a dilapidated orphanage. Eve remembers playing with Wally, a secret childhood “friend” dressed in strange clothes. Eve tries to connect with him. He appears along with Herbie, an orphan child ghost . When Eve and Ran investigate the orphanage, they discover more ghost children. The evil ghosts manifest and attack Eve several times. They try to prevent Eve and Ran’s team from “freeing” the orphans. Ran offers Eve comfort and emotions grow. Ran still carries the guilt of a car accident that killed his wife and child.
This is just a brief synopsis of the events in the book. There is SO much more going on! Buy the book —you won’t be disappointed!
(*The Victoria Hall disaster happened in 1883. At a holiday magic show, almost 200 children were crushed to death in a rush for free toys ).
#BTCInsider
August 19, 2023
4.5 Stars
A fast-paced thriller with some supernatural romance and historical mystery mixed in, this novel was a page-turner. This was the first book by this author I have read, and I plan to keep reading other works by her now as well. The supernatural ghost story with the historical tidbits make this a perfect choice for the upcoming Halloween season. Only downside was the steady romance that took a very quick turn at the end. Overall, a truly suspenseful read with a solid setup for a sequel.
Kensington BTC Giveaway
A fast-paced thriller with some supernatural romance and historical mystery mixed in, this novel was a page-turner. This was the first book by this author I have read, and I plan to keep reading other works by her now as well. The supernatural ghost story with the historical tidbits make this a perfect choice for the upcoming Halloween season. Only downside was the steady romance that took a very quick turn at the end. Overall, a truly suspenseful read with a solid setup for a sequel.
Kensington BTC Giveaway
March 13, 2024
I enjoyed the main story in The Ghost Illusion but was distracted by the lesser plots. Had the intensity of the "haunting" been better emphasized and the histories of the deceased been exposed earlier in the book, I think it would have provided more depth. As written, I didn't feel pulled in. The author puts a lot of emphasis on the attractiveness of ALL of the main characters and their unavoidable attraction to eachother. This lessened the earnestness of what should have been an all-consuming situation. If my life is being threatened by an evil entity, I may not notice the burning blue eyes and sinewy chest of the paranormal investigator. A three for me is a generous rating.
December 18, 2025
TW/CW: Language, death of parent, death of child, anxiety, depression, grieving
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Eve St. Clair desperately needs help sorting reality from her fearful imaginings when ghostly voices seem to haunt the Victorian house in Sunderland, England, that she inherited from her uncle. Online research leads to a group that claims to offer just the aid she’s seeking. But can Ransom King’s handpicked team of investigators truly banish Eve’s night terrors?Since the deaths of his wife and daughter, Seattle billionaire Ransom King has devoted himself to researching parapsychology and debunking the frauds who prey upon the bereaved. But Eve is a psychologist herself, clearly sane, and her sincerity is palpable. King senses a very real danger stalking the beautiful divorcée. As his interest in her case turns deeply personal, he will move heaven and earth to uncover the truth—no matter how shocking—and save the woman he loves.
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 279
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. I liked the plot of the book
What I Didn't Like:
1. Felt more like a romance than a ghost story
2. Writing was dry and childish
3. Felt like a YA
4. Boring
5. Insta love
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
So she moved in 6 months after her uncle died but she stayed with him in the house before and there was nothing weird going on. This is very weird. Makes you wonder maybe it's her uncle.
So Ran is only going because he has a hard on for Eve and wants to see her in person since he feels a draw to her.
No no no! Do not make this book with a love interest! Why is that needed?? Can't we just have one book where someone does not have to fall in love??
Omg... Ran is so horny for Eve and I have to keep reading about them horning it up for each other. This is terrible.
Is this a ghost story or a horny romance story????
Final Thoughts:
I dnfed this book 60 pages in before the stupid insta-love was annoying me so much and distracted me from this being a ghost story. Actually the author says this is a psychological thriller and ghost story and I am telling you that no it's not. It is a paranormal romance, which no thank you. Don't bait and switch on me.
I just could not continue after reading how hot Ran was working construction while digging the hole for the basement. He's so hot and stuff but he has been in town for 2 days and not once has he mentioned going to the gym. I guess he must have those fantasy book muscles that men was just born with.
IG | Blog
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Eve St. Clair desperately needs help sorting reality from her fearful imaginings when ghostly voices seem to haunt the Victorian house in Sunderland, England, that she inherited from her uncle. Online research leads to a group that claims to offer just the aid she’s seeking. But can Ransom King’s handpicked team of investigators truly banish Eve’s night terrors?Since the deaths of his wife and daughter, Seattle billionaire Ransom King has devoted himself to researching parapsychology and debunking the frauds who prey upon the bereaved. But Eve is a psychologist herself, clearly sane, and her sincerity is palpable. King senses a very real danger stalking the beautiful divorcée. As his interest in her case turns deeply personal, he will move heaven and earth to uncover the truth—no matter how shocking—and save the woman he loves.
Release Date: September 26th, 2023
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 279
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. I liked the plot of the book
What I Didn't Like:
1. Felt more like a romance than a ghost story
2. Writing was dry and childish
3. Felt like a YA
4. Boring
5. Insta love
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
So she moved in 6 months after her uncle died but she stayed with him in the house before and there was nothing weird going on. This is very weird. Makes you wonder maybe it's her uncle.
So Ran is only going because he has a hard on for Eve and wants to see her in person since he feels a draw to her.
No no no! Do not make this book with a love interest! Why is that needed?? Can't we just have one book where someone does not have to fall in love??
Omg... Ran is so horny for Eve and I have to keep reading about them horning it up for each other. This is terrible.
Is this a ghost story or a horny romance story????
Final Thoughts:
I dnfed this book 60 pages in before the stupid insta-love was annoying me so much and distracted me from this being a ghost story. Actually the author says this is a psychological thriller and ghost story and I am telling you that no it's not. It is a paranormal romance, which no thank you. Don't bait and switch on me.
I just could not continue after reading how hot Ran was working construction while digging the hole for the basement. He's so hot and stuff but he has been in town for 2 days and not once has he mentioned going to the gym. I guess he must have those fantasy book muscles that men was just born with.
IG | Blog
October 3, 2023
I enjoyed this ghost story, but I didn't care for the cheesy romance parts. It was interesting to find out that the Victoria Hall incident was based on a true event.
June 25, 2024
Half a ghost story and half love story. Well, more love story.
But with that being said, I really enjoyed reading this haunted tale. Eve needs help. She hears footsteps, children running, and men arguing. So she reaches out for help to a paranormal team led by Ransom "Ran" King.
The battle between good and evil is very strong in this book.
I recommend this book if you're into haunted stories. I read this on the Libby app.
But with that being said, I really enjoyed reading this haunted tale. Eve needs help. She hears footsteps, children running, and men arguing. So she reaches out for help to a paranormal team led by Ransom "Ran" King.
The battle between good and evil is very strong in this book.
I recommend this book if you're into haunted stories. I read this on the Libby app.
June 25, 2024
I’m surprised at how high the average rating for this book is. The ghost story part was ok. The romance made it weird. Felt like this book couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. The whole gang part and going off to the party was really unnecessary. Also, how did the asylum suddenly sell when there had been no interest in it? Too much going on that didn’t need to go on and then an oddly quick conclusion to the main plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2023
Snoozefest. Didn’t work as either a mystery or romance. The romance pieces were particularly off-putting, with weird bodice-ripper vibes and the MC’s attraction to one another seemingly down to their physical aspects. I was completely put off by all the religious aspects of the demon exorcism and the sex trafficking part of the plot felt awkward and clunky. Just a weird mishmash of too many different things and nothing came together well. It didn’t help that I felt zero connection with any character and rolled my eyes virtually every time “Ran” was mentioned. Gag. Don’t mind me as there appears to be plenty of love for this, but I absolutely should’ve DNF’d.
September 26, 2023
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? This one is complete with a hidden basement and tunnel, a spooky asylum, and a priest who performs exorcisms. Throw in some romance and lots of suspense, and Kat Martin does it again with her latest novel, The Ghost Illusion.
Eve St. Clair lives in England in a home her uncle willed to her upon his death. She hears voices and believes there is something or someone in her home. When she has had enough, she seeks the help of a paranormal investigations team from the US, run by billionaire, Ransom King. Here is where the true story begins.
I loved the originality of this novel. Each member of the investigations team had their own unique job and place in the story. Although not as spooky as I hoped, this book is definitely full of suspense.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
Eve St. Clair lives in England in a home her uncle willed to her upon his death. She hears voices and believes there is something or someone in her home. When she has had enough, she seeks the help of a paranormal investigations team from the US, run by billionaire, Ransom King. Here is where the true story begins.
I loved the originality of this novel. Each member of the investigations team had their own unique job and place in the story. Although not as spooky as I hoped, this book is definitely full of suspense.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.
September 26, 2023
Just like watching a episode of my favorite ghost show with a romance on the side. Lots going on in this storyline that keeps you on edge from start to finish.
Ransom King organized a Paranormal Team after the death of his wife and daughter. When “Dr. Eve St. Clair contacts him for help he feels drawn to help her.
There was something about Eve St. Clair that drew him, an inner light that seemed to shine through the darkness around her.
Eve moved to England two months ago when her Uncle passed away. Strange things have been happening and she’s at her whits end.
Ransom King was a man who made no effort to hide his intentions, not when there was something he wanted.
This is an intense ghost story. So incredibly sad it makes you want to cry. If your a fan of ghost shows like I am grab this book now.
Ransom King organized a Paranormal Team after the death of his wife and daughter. When “Dr. Eve St. Clair contacts him for help he feels drawn to help her.
There was something about Eve St. Clair that drew him, an inner light that seemed to shine through the darkness around her.
Eve moved to England two months ago when her Uncle passed away. Strange things have been happening and she’s at her whits end.
Ransom King was a man who made no effort to hide his intentions, not when there was something he wanted.
This is an intense ghost story. So incredibly sad it makes you want to cry. If your a fan of ghost shows like I am grab this book now.
April 7, 2023
If you like ghost stories and the paranormal this is your book. Never have I ever wanted a book to be over so fast yet found it almost impossible to put down. Grab some tissues, clear your calendar, and forward your phone to voicemail because this one is going to grab you (no pun intended) and not let you go until this is over.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2024
3.0 Most of this was okay with the setting and the ghosts being the most interesting to me. It is very sad that part of this is based on a true tragedy. Too much repetitive and predictable romance in it caused me to get bored during the last third. I skimmed the last part to a predictable ending.
October 5, 2023
Excellent ghost story! Thoroughly enjoyable this time or any time of the year!
August 9, 2024
Not sure why I finished this book to be honest, I need to get better at putting them down and giving it up…this book mentioned clothes and succulent fish a ridiculous amount of times while also including random romances and storylines. It just seemed to go on forever when it could have been finished much earlier. Probably won’t read much more from this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
4.5 Stars
September 13, 2023
Eve St. Clair has moved to her uncles' home in Sunderland, England. She is hearing voices and running footsteps and fears its a ghost. She contacts Ransom King as he has a paranormal group that does investigation.
Ran's crew arrive and realize that there is something in the house. Ran started this group after the death of his wife and daughter. He wants to find out about the hereafter or if there is one.
Eve is a psychologist and knows when something isn't right and going on in her home.
Ran and Eve are attracted to each other and when he realizes it's dangerous for her to stay in her home, he moves her to the hotel with him and his crew.
This was well written and held my interest.
Ran's crew arrive and realize that there is something in the house. Ran started this group after the death of his wife and daughter. He wants to find out about the hereafter or if there is one.
Eve is a psychologist and knows when something isn't right and going on in her home.
Ran and Eve are attracted to each other and when he realizes it's dangerous for her to stay in her home, he moves her to the hotel with him and his crew.
This was well written and held my interest.
April 16, 2025
Even though I feel duped by this book, I still managed to finish it. The author is supposedly a New York Times Best Selling Author, and as such I expected a much higher quality of book by a phenomenal writer, but it's not well-written at all. I read a lot of Indy authors, many of whom are great writers much superior to this author. This book reads like a cheesy low-quality indy book.
I read it through Kindle Unlimited, and the genre categorizations showed it as "Suspense" but honestly there was little suspense to it. I picked it up because I wanted a paranormal read, but really, for me at least, it was a quarter paranormal and three quarters cheap romance. I feel like it should have been categorized as Romantic Suspense (to be fair, it is labeled as a romance on Goodreads, but when I buy books, I look at Amazon categories, not Goodreads categories).
This book would have been a tight five stars if the author had kept it the paranormal suspense I was led to believe it was. All the paranormal chapters were interesting and those I really did enjoy. Unfortunately, though, the romance between the two main characters took away from the so-called suspense. There was so much cringe in the book. First, Ransom "Ran" King and Eve were the main characters. I'm not one to criticize character names, but sheesh, could these names be any more cheesy and soap opera-ish?
There were so many annoying repetitions: Every time the two main characters saw each other, we were told ad nauseum about his blue eyes and her hazel eyes that, depending on the situation, were darker green or lighter green. We get it already! We don't need to be told their eye color every time they look at each other. The two main characters acted more like raging hormone teenagers than mature adults, constantly lusting after each other's physical attributes in their minds, constantly wanting each other in bed. It was full of cringe narratives like groin and nipple hardening, his broad shoulders, and her cleavage, etc. Eve was also turned on by watching the muscles of Ran's throat move as he drank. Just weird. I've never read a cheesy, trashy Harlequin novel but if you love those, then I imagine you might enjoy this book because that's basically what this is.
Another annoying repetition was reading in painstaking detail every fashion choice for every character. Every time a character came on the scene, we had to read a full description of what they were wearing down to their shoes. It served no purpose and pulled me out of the story in most instances. Details are good, but sometimes when mundane details are taken to the extreme they can become an impediment to the story. We also got the delightful privilege of knowing what every character ordered at restaurant scenes, and reading about characters chewing and swallowing their food (as if we readers NEED to read about chewing and swallowing). Ugh, there were just so many eye roll moments that, if eliminated, would've made the book read much better. (As an aside, as an author myself, I made the newbie mistake of over detailing scenes in my first couple of books too, so it happens. I get that you don't always know until you know, and having made the same mistakes in my earlier books, I can forgive it in others' books, but this author has written tons of novels so it seems she should have a better grasp of how to craft a well-written book by this point in her writing career.) Maybe some readers enjoy the overkill of mundane details but I'm not one of those readers. Sometimes the less is more approach gives readers a more pleasant reading experience.
Also, there was a weird child trafficking storyline that involved tracking down the perpetrator, and that storyline just didn't fit into the paranormal/romance story. I'm not sure why it was included because it could have been removed without impacting the story at all. It was literally a useless, irrelevant side story.
Even though I didn't enjoy most of the book, I'm giving it three stars because I did enjoy the paranormal scenes, which, unfortunately, were few and far between. It was well edited in that there were no glaring typos, but in other ways it could have used more rigorous editing to get rid of some of the repetition, excess detail, and unnecessary storyline.
I read it through Kindle Unlimited, and the genre categorizations showed it as "Suspense" but honestly there was little suspense to it. I picked it up because I wanted a paranormal read, but really, for me at least, it was a quarter paranormal and three quarters cheap romance. I feel like it should have been categorized as Romantic Suspense (to be fair, it is labeled as a romance on Goodreads, but when I buy books, I look at Amazon categories, not Goodreads categories).
This book would have been a tight five stars if the author had kept it the paranormal suspense I was led to believe it was. All the paranormal chapters were interesting and those I really did enjoy. Unfortunately, though, the romance between the two main characters took away from the so-called suspense. There was so much cringe in the book. First, Ransom "Ran" King and Eve were the main characters. I'm not one to criticize character names, but sheesh, could these names be any more cheesy and soap opera-ish?
There were so many annoying repetitions: Every time the two main characters saw each other, we were told ad nauseum about his blue eyes and her hazel eyes that, depending on the situation, were darker green or lighter green. We get it already! We don't need to be told their eye color every time they look at each other. The two main characters acted more like raging hormone teenagers than mature adults, constantly lusting after each other's physical attributes in their minds, constantly wanting each other in bed. It was full of cringe narratives like groin and nipple hardening, his broad shoulders, and her cleavage, etc. Eve was also turned on by watching the muscles of Ran's throat move as he drank. Just weird. I've never read a cheesy, trashy Harlequin novel but if you love those, then I imagine you might enjoy this book because that's basically what this is.
Another annoying repetition was reading in painstaking detail every fashion choice for every character. Every time a character came on the scene, we had to read a full description of what they were wearing down to their shoes. It served no purpose and pulled me out of the story in most instances. Details are good, but sometimes when mundane details are taken to the extreme they can become an impediment to the story. We also got the delightful privilege of knowing what every character ordered at restaurant scenes, and reading about characters chewing and swallowing their food (as if we readers NEED to read about chewing and swallowing). Ugh, there were just so many eye roll moments that, if eliminated, would've made the book read much better. (As an aside, as an author myself, I made the newbie mistake of over detailing scenes in my first couple of books too, so it happens. I get that you don't always know until you know, and having made the same mistakes in my earlier books, I can forgive it in others' books, but this author has written tons of novels so it seems she should have a better grasp of how to craft a well-written book by this point in her writing career.) Maybe some readers enjoy the overkill of mundane details but I'm not one of those readers. Sometimes the less is more approach gives readers a more pleasant reading experience.
Also, there was a weird child trafficking storyline that involved tracking down the perpetrator, and that storyline just didn't fit into the paranormal/romance story. I'm not sure why it was included because it could have been removed without impacting the story at all. It was literally a useless, irrelevant side story.
Even though I didn't enjoy most of the book, I'm giving it three stars because I did enjoy the paranormal scenes, which, unfortunately, were few and far between. It was well edited in that there were no glaring typos, but in other ways it could have used more rigorous editing to get rid of some of the repetition, excess detail, and unnecessary storyline.
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