What do you think?
Rate this book
Haunted Holidays #1
Ghosts of Christmas Past
Romantic suspense and holiday romance, all wrapped up with a sexy ghost story. Brrr. Warm up this Christmas with Ghosts of Christmas Past.
Jen MacNamara flees the Christmas wedding of her best friend and cheating fiance and runs to the country to spend the holiday alone. It's the perfect plan, until her unexpectedly sexy neighbor and landlord, Nate Pierce, insists on bringing the holiday to her--complete with a Christmas tree, hot chocolate, and an unexpected kiss.
And that's not Jen's only problem. The cozy country farmhouse is already occupied by something evil.
Now Jen's nights are spent wrapped in sensual dreams of a past life, and her days growing closer to Nate as they solve the mystery of the malevolent ghost that haunts not only the house, but also wants Jen dead.
Explore Jessica Aspen's new world of contemporary, new adult, Gothic romance with her new short paranormal romance series: Haunted Holidays."
Jen MacNamara flees the Christmas wedding of her best friend and cheating fiance and runs to the country to spend the holiday alone. It's the perfect plan, until her unexpectedly sexy neighbor and landlord, Nate Pierce, insists on bringing the holiday to her--complete with a Christmas tree, hot chocolate, and an unexpected kiss.
And that's not Jen's only problem. The cozy country farmhouse is already occupied by something evil.
Now Jen's nights are spent wrapped in sensual dreams of a past life, and her days growing closer to Nate as they solve the mystery of the malevolent ghost that haunts not only the house, but also wants Jen dead.
Explore Jessica Aspen's new world of contemporary, new adult, Gothic romance with her new short paranormal romance series: Haunted Holidays."
- GenresRomanceParanormal
138 pages, ebook
First published August 6, 2014
8 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Aspen
43 books426 followersJessica always wanted to be spirited away to a world inhabited by elves, were-wolves and dark dangerous men who walk on the sharp side of the knife. Luckily, she's able to explore her fantasy side and delve into new worlds by writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romantic Suspense.
Jessica loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of exotic vacations. When she isn't crafting magical adventures she spends most of her time walking on the beach and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Jessica Aspen writes dark witchy Urban Fantasy and fast-paced Paranormal Romantic Suspense.
As her alter-ego, J.B. Aspen, she writes the magical para-cozy mystry series MAGICAL MIDLIFE IN RETROGRADE. You can also find her fantasy romance series, HUNTED BY THE FAERIE QUEEN, under the pen-name, Jesica Ash.
Jessica loves indulging in dark chocolate, reading eclectic novels, and dreaming of exotic vacations. When she isn't crafting magical adventures she spends most of her time walking on the beach and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Jessica Aspen writes dark witchy Urban Fantasy and fast-paced Paranormal Romantic Suspense.
As her alter-ego, J.B. Aspen, she writes the magical para-cozy mystry series MAGICAL MIDLIFE IN RETROGRADE. You can also find her fantasy romance series, HUNTED BY THE FAERIE QUEEN, under the pen-name, Jesica Ash.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 28, 2014
I fell in love with Jessica Aspen when I found her first book in the TALES OF THE BLACK COURT TALES. Since then I have well lets just say kind a stalked around Jessica's page and grabbed her new releases up. I loved her paranormal stories so when I saw that she started a new world of new adult romance with a mix of paranormal. I was intrigued. I knew she could write about fairies and twisted fairy tales. Now I was excited when I got this book. As I read the blurb I went ooooh this could be good it takes us back to a past life and a ghost story. I love a good ghost story and I love a good romance. So combining them is the cats meow for this girl
As I started reading I met Jen Mcnamera a girl running away from a wedding of her best friend and her ex boyfriend and an overbearing mom. Just wanting time alone. She comes to the farmhouse that Nate is renting to her. Oh Nate is hot and so damaged from a past relationship. All he wants at the beginning is to rent out the farmhouse to pay his brothers off and maybe have a holiday lay.
As the story progresses poor Jen is terrorized by a ghost and Nate and her have to work together to get to the bottom of the reason of the haunting. As they work together they realize that they are growing closer and realizing that they are great together. But will they survive the ghost and the past to claim their future
For a first book in the contemporary romance , Jessica hit it out of the park. She takes a ghost story an mixes in a love story that goes from the past to the present. The story flowed flawlessly between the past and the present. There were some really steamy scenes also. Both in the past and the present.
Jessica's characters are always well written and it is true about these characters. Even the ghost is well written and oh boy she is evil and selfish. You can see the characters evolve and grow with each turn of the page. Even though this is a ghost story it is also a love story between two people and you can feel the love story coming through.
This was a sexy page turning novella which will take you into the past to help understand the present. So if you want to read a suspenseful sexy story that has a terrifying ghost and a hot and sexy couple check out Jessica's new book . I give it a five star rating and I want you to add it to your reading list today
November 7, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Ghosts of Christmas Past is a cute novella about a haunted house that brings two lost souls together. It's a super-fast read with endearing characters and a sweet romance.
Jen desperately needs to escape from her dead-end life. Sometimes the wealthy just don't have it all. With a self-centered mother, a man-stealing best friend, and a louse of an ex-fiance, Jen isn't happy at all. She flees the city to avoid the wedding of her best friend and ex-fiance.
Nate is desperately trying to hold onto the family real estate, renting out the old farmhouse that he remodeled. Problem is: it's haunted. Not that he has experienced anything, but he can't keep a tenant due to supernatural events.
Jen and Nate feel an immediate, intense attraction to each other. They bond over a couple of days while investigating the haunting. The romance moved really fast, but given their pasts, I'm not really surprised that they would cling to each other.
Overall, it's a fun read. I definitely enjoyed the first half better than the last half. Perhaps a bit more investigation would have made the second half better. While I liked Jen and Nate as a couple, their whirlwind romance was a tad much for me. If you're looking for a sweet ghost story/romance, I think you'll enjoy this novella.
Ghosts of Christmas Past is a cute novella about a haunted house that brings two lost souls together. It's a super-fast read with endearing characters and a sweet romance.
Jen desperately needs to escape from her dead-end life. Sometimes the wealthy just don't have it all. With a self-centered mother, a man-stealing best friend, and a louse of an ex-fiance, Jen isn't happy at all. She flees the city to avoid the wedding of her best friend and ex-fiance.
Nate is desperately trying to hold onto the family real estate, renting out the old farmhouse that he remodeled. Problem is: it's haunted. Not that he has experienced anything, but he can't keep a tenant due to supernatural events.
Jen and Nate feel an immediate, intense attraction to each other. They bond over a couple of days while investigating the haunting. The romance moved really fast, but given their pasts, I'm not really surprised that they would cling to each other.
Overall, it's a fun read. I definitely enjoyed the first half better than the last half. Perhaps a bit more investigation would have made the second half better. While I liked Jen and Nate as a couple, their whirlwind romance was a tad much for me. If you're looking for a sweet ghost story/romance, I think you'll enjoy this novella.
June 6, 2015
I received an ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review. this is the second book I have read by Jessica Aspen and the first book in her Haunted Holidays series. This is her first venture into contemporary Gothic Fantasy romance and honestly, she nailed it! This was a fun, quick and sexy suspenseful romance with a ghost terrorizing the heroine, Jen, who has escaped the pending nuptials of her ex-boyfriend and her ex-BFF at Christmas. Sexy hero, Nate, is there to aid Jen in discovering the mystery surrounding the ghost as well as satisfy the undeniable chemistry between them! Great suspense, terrifying ghost, and steamy romance make this novella a 5-star hit! I highly recommend it!!
January 11, 2015
With a sexy landlord, a snowy landscape, a roaring fire and twinkling Christmas lights the stage is set for a romantic interlude.
Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read
August 8, 2014I'm super excited to bring you my newest venture into paranormal romance, Ghosts of Christmas Past. It's (get ready for it) a spicy, new adult, modern Gothic. Enjoy!
December 10, 2015
MUCH better than what I was expecting. I really liked this novella. I am definitely going to read more from this author. The paranormal suspense was spot on.
January 1, 2024
The Haunting . . .
Jen MacNamara runs from a distasteful wedding and seeks some quiet time on her own. She rents a farmhouse from sexy landlord Nate Pierce who needs the money for his mortgages and doesn’t want to lose nearly a month’s rent in the middle of winter; so he tries to distract her from a ghostly situation he thought had been taken care of when he had a priest perform a spiritual cleaning of the house -- but evidently the ghost is back, or never left. So now he insists on making hot chocolate for her and tells her he will be bringing in a tree and setting it up for her. He ignores her denial that she wants any of that and dragged the tree inside.
It becomes more obvious that there is truly a resident ghost who terrifies Jen, so she and Nate will need to work together to find out why it is bothering her and what can be done. Working side by side on this, Nate and Jen get closer to each other. Will this be a temporary distraction? Or will they find something special neither had known they were looking for?
Jen MacNamara runs from a distasteful wedding and seeks some quiet time on her own. She rents a farmhouse from sexy landlord Nate Pierce who needs the money for his mortgages and doesn’t want to lose nearly a month’s rent in the middle of winter; so he tries to distract her from a ghostly situation he thought had been taken care of when he had a priest perform a spiritual cleaning of the house -- but evidently the ghost is back, or never left. So now he insists on making hot chocolate for her and tells her he will be bringing in a tree and setting it up for her. He ignores her denial that she wants any of that and dragged the tree inside.
It becomes more obvious that there is truly a resident ghost who terrifies Jen, so she and Nate will need to work together to find out why it is bothering her and what can be done. Working side by side on this, Nate and Jen get closer to each other. Will this be a temporary distraction? Or will they find something special neither had known they were looking for?
December 25, 2023
Jen flees her own Christmas wedding and runs to the country to spend the holiday alone. It's the perfect plan—until her unexpectedly sexy neighbor and landlord, Nate Pierce, insists on bringing the holiday to her—complete with a Christmas tree, hot chocolate…and an unexpected kiss. But the cozy country farmhouse is already occupied— by something evil… Now Jen’s nights are spent wrapped in sensual dreams of the past—and her days growing closer to Nate as they solve the mystery of the malevolent ghost that haunts the house—but also wants Jen dead.
This was a wonderful book. Jen and Nate were perfect for each other. She has had a bad breakup with her cheating fiance and needs to get away for the holidays. Nate is her landlord, he has emotional issues himself. There is some drama but most of it is from the ghost. No spoilers :) I truly enjoyed this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a wonderful book. Jen and Nate were perfect for each other. She has had a bad breakup with her cheating fiance and needs to get away for the holidays. Nate is her landlord, he has emotional issues himself. There is some drama but most of it is from the ghost. No spoilers :) I truly enjoyed this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 20, 2023
This was a paranormal romance novella, so it didn't take too long to read. Initially, I was expecting an eerie ghost story, and I'd say this was eerie, even if it wasn't the exact type of eerie that I had in mind. By that, I mean that it didn't feel like a traditional ghost story. I got into it though, and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it felt particularly festive, but it felt quite wintry. It was a little bit sexier than I initially expected too, so if you want a paranormal romance with a wintry theme, and a little bit of spice, this might be what you're looking for.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2023
Jen and Nate find themselves in this story. Finding each other and love allows these lost and searching souls to find happiness and a future at Christmas time. I don't know which had it tougher before the met. Jen's friend stole her fiancee and her perfect wedding leaving her wondering who she was. Nate's brothers wanted to take his also.
Instead, they find each other and stop a ghost from recreating the tragic past through them. A good Gothic story and a good story about finding hope at the holidays.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Instead, they find each other and stop a ghost from recreating the tragic past through them. A good Gothic story and a good story about finding hope at the holidays.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2024
First book I've read by Jessica Aspen. I'm so glad I was able to read this well written, interesting, suspenseful romance. The characters are well developed and interesting. That book held my attention and interest and at some points, it was different difficult to put the book down. Jen was to be married this holiday season, but circumstances change that. She chose to get away staying at a farmhouse that was haunted. Her neighbor enters into the picture and the story begins. Aspen gets an A+ this novella.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2017
Nate and Jen find themselves thrust into the paths of two star-crossed lovers from the past in Ghosts of Christmas Past. They uncover the tragedy of Nathanial and Ginny and attempt to send the twisted ghost of Nate's sister back to a watery grave forever. Will they be successful in banishing her or will her evil destroy them like it had Nathanial and Ginny? And will they both tear down the walls they've erected around their hearts and let each other in? This Christmas edition of the Haunted Holidays series is aia wonderful present for any reader.
Read
December 19, 2023This is a well written holiday romance with strong characters in Jen and Nate. The author takes you into their lives as she deals with betrayal and his desperation and kept me reading with the haunted house and their investigation as it brings them together in this romance and ghost hunt. She moves the story quickly with her descriptive scenes and delivers a terrific read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
January 11, 2024
This well-written, psychic, Paranormal Romance, has a suspenseful story with interesting Charaters. This story is action-packed and has twists, turns, ghosts, hunky landlord, suspense, mystery, chemistry, romance, and love. This a must read story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this suspenseful story. All the twists, surprises, intrigue, drama, and unbelievable moments will keep you going through to the end. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to find out what would happen next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 26, 2023
This was a wonderful book. It kept me occupied thoroughly throughout the book. I hope it does the same for you. It's full of excitement, fun and so much more that I am not going to ruin the surprises for you. Just make sure to read the book. You'll be glad you did! Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2023
“Son of a bitch. That’s my name and it says I died in 1857.”
This is such a cute story. Fast paced, easy to follow, and good characters.
It’s a fun read with Jen and Nate dealing with a ghost, from the past, who wants to hurt her and keep him. Just a cute book and a fun read.
This is such a cute story. Fast paced, easy to follow, and good characters.
It’s a fun read with Jen and Nate dealing with a ghost, from the past, who wants to hurt her and keep him. Just a cute book and a fun read.
December 21, 2017
Cute story
This was a palette cleanser for me. I found it refreshing and cute. The needed break from my overly full fantasy library.
This was a palette cleanser for me. I found it refreshing and cute. The needed break from my overly full fantasy library.
May 2, 2018
I loved this book
I could not put the book down for even a second it was truely a chilling yet hot and steamy book
I could not put the book down for even a second it was truely a chilling yet hot and steamy book
December 10, 2015
This review was first published on my blog Lecture toute une Aventure
I quite enjoyed this story despite being left with some unanswered question… I do love Jessica’s writing stile it’s engaging and immerse us quickly in the story. She also managed to make characters we can connect immediately with…I could only pity Jen..; not only her fiancé cheatd on her wxith her best friends but he even dare to ask her to give her wedding plans to them , all her work and to organise it for them?! What a jerk!!! I really hated him on the stop same for the so called best friend…. No friends would act like that.
Nate also suffered on his side….but deep down both are persistent, courageous and honest… I loved that.
The way the romance is linked to the holidays and ghosts is really well done and made this one quite original, I can already tell you that I would love to see her other Haunted holidays stories when they will be released because it’s tempting and different.
However that’s also where I was left with an unfinished feeling…. Perhaps because I can be too picky when reading but still….i was taken aback with the way they took care of the ghost… for me it was not enough , not satisfactory…when they discover the truth etc ( trying not to spoil everything) but it was too easy confrontation especially seeing how strong the ghost was…. What bothered me even more and still bother me in fact (^^;;) is the link between Nathaniel and Nate…..which is not clear at all…..we think one is the descendant of the other… that would be logical…..however when we learn of the story that becomes impossible with the only information we have…. Seeing that Jen thought about checking genealogy etc I would have loved an explanation… same as who did the sleight^^;;
Now like I said I’m picking and that’s why those details bothered me but the story can still catch and keep the interest nevertheless so I do recommend it….because if you are not as attached to detail as I am you will enjoy this one even more!
If you want some different holidays romance, spicy enough too, and love Ghosts stories this one is a story you should not miss.
I quite enjoyed this story despite being left with some unanswered question… I do love Jessica’s writing stile it’s engaging and immerse us quickly in the story. She also managed to make characters we can connect immediately with…I could only pity Jen..; not only her fiancé cheatd on her wxith her best friends but he even dare to ask her to give her wedding plans to them , all her work and to organise it for them?! What a jerk!!! I really hated him on the stop same for the so called best friend…. No friends would act like that.
Nate also suffered on his side….but deep down both are persistent, courageous and honest… I loved that.
The way the romance is linked to the holidays and ghosts is really well done and made this one quite original, I can already tell you that I would love to see her other Haunted holidays stories when they will be released because it’s tempting and different.
However that’s also where I was left with an unfinished feeling…. Perhaps because I can be too picky when reading but still….i was taken aback with the way they took care of the ghost… for me it was not enough , not satisfactory…when they discover the truth etc ( trying not to spoil everything) but it was too easy confrontation especially seeing how strong the ghost was…. What bothered me even more and still bother me in fact (^^;;) is the link between Nathaniel and Nate…..which is not clear at all…..we think one is the descendant of the other… that would be logical…..however when we learn of the story that becomes impossible with the only information we have…. Seeing that Jen thought about checking genealogy etc I would have loved an explanation… same as who did the sleight^^;;
Now like I said I’m picking and that’s why those details bothered me but the story can still catch and keep the interest nevertheless so I do recommend it….because if you are not as attached to detail as I am you will enjoy this one even more!
If you want some different holidays romance, spicy enough too, and love Ghosts stories this one is a story you should not miss.
August 29, 2014
Thrills + Chills + Christmas = One Unique and Wonderful Christmas Romance!
I was given a free copy by the author in return for an honest review.
I love this novella! I could not put it down, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a really good Christmas-themed romance and also likes suspense or paranormal.
This story had all the good stuff: a very likeable hero and heroine who have good character development throughout the story, a plot that I could not completely predict, and a beautiful setting in the New England countryside. The author has an engaging writing style, and the novella was edited very well (I am a stickler for typos but I saw hardly any).
The hero of the story is sigh-worthy. Who doesn’t like a good-looking, sensitive guy in a plaid shirt and jeans who is skilled at restoring old houses? I also like how the lady in the story gains self-confidence and spunkiness. Don’t let her initial angstiness and self-pity party turn you off; she gets through it, and the haunted house plot kept me extremely interested in the story.
The writer, Jessica Aspen, has a gift for suspense and spookiness, and she keeps the story well balanced by times of coziness and steaminess between the two main characters. I look forward to reading future books in this series, “Haunted Holidays”. This was a totally awesome novella and a really unique Christmas romance!
I was given a free copy by the author in return for an honest review.
I love this novella! I could not put it down, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a really good Christmas-themed romance and also likes suspense or paranormal.
This story had all the good stuff: a very likeable hero and heroine who have good character development throughout the story, a plot that I could not completely predict, and a beautiful setting in the New England countryside. The author has an engaging writing style, and the novella was edited very well (I am a stickler for typos but I saw hardly any).
The hero of the story is sigh-worthy. Who doesn’t like a good-looking, sensitive guy in a plaid shirt and jeans who is skilled at restoring old houses? I also like how the lady in the story gains self-confidence and spunkiness. Don’t let her initial angstiness and self-pity party turn you off; she gets through it, and the haunted house plot kept me extremely interested in the story.
The writer, Jessica Aspen, has a gift for suspense and spookiness, and she keeps the story well balanced by times of coziness and steaminess between the two main characters. I look forward to reading future books in this series, “Haunted Holidays”. This was a totally awesome novella and a really unique Christmas romance!
June 16, 2015
Jen flees a wedding that she wasn't really interested in going through with. She ends up at a wonderful old farmhouse that has been lovingly updated by the original owners descendants. Nate needs the money from this rental to finish the big house he'd bought when married. Now basically broke and working two jobs, he's determined to not give up...even when a ghost visits.
Something doesn't want Jen at the home and will do anything to keep her away but she's determined to find out the truth. I love the suspense in this story as Jen and Nate find out that they are perfect for each other, yet the ghost will even murder to keep them apart.
It reads like a romantic gothic tale complete with ghost and mysteries. I would have eagerly ditched the cheating ex for a chance at happily ever after with Nate!
Something doesn't want Jen at the home and will do anything to keep her away but she's determined to find out the truth. I love the suspense in this story as Jen and Nate find out that they are perfect for each other, yet the ghost will even murder to keep them apart.
It reads like a romantic gothic tale complete with ghost and mysteries. I would have eagerly ditched the cheating ex for a chance at happily ever after with Nate!
June 6, 2015
I received an ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review. this is the second book I have read by Jessica Aspen and the first book in her Haunted Holidays series. This is her first venture into contemporary Gothic Fantasy romance and honestly, she nailed it! This was a fun, quick and sexy suspenseful romance with a ghost terrorizing the heroine, Jen, who has escaped the pending nuptials of her ex-boyfriend and her ex-BFF at Christmas. Sexy hero, Nate, is there to aid Jen in discovering the mystery surrounding the ghost as well as satisfy the undeniable chemistry between them! Great suspense, terrifying ghost, and steamy romance make this novella a 5-star hit! I highly recommend it!!
Read
December 13, 20143 stars
With a sexy landlord, a snowy landscape, a roaring fire and twinkling Christmas lights the stage is set for a romantic interlude.
Read full review in the 2014 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
With a sexy landlord, a snowy landscape, a roaring fire and twinkling Christmas lights the stage is set for a romantic interlude.
Read full review in the 2014 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews