The Vintage Medium

The Chancellor Fairy Tales #4

by Melanie Karsak

The spirits who linger in my store dance the jitterbug, look after the plants, and gossip about long-dead relatives. Even though no one believes me about my mediumistic gifts, it’s my job to aid these lost souls. I can help them, even if I gave up hoping to find someone who understood me long ago. Call me a vintage-items peddler, but it’s my duty to match ghosts—and the objects to which they are attached—with the people who need them. That’s where James comes in. James Herringbone, the high-end antique dealer who looks like he just stepped out of an expensive cologne ad, possesses a pocket watch I desperately need. Until I get it back, the spirit of a flapper girl who haunts my shop will let me have no rest. Talking to James isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I mean, he is perfection in glasses and a tweed jacket, even if he looks down on junk-item antiquarians like me. But when I try to bargain with James for the pocket watch, things get…complicated. Of course they do. Because this is Chancellor, where magic lives on every corner.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Cozy, Paranormal, Adult, Magic, Novella

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling historical fantasy author Melanie Karsak is the author of the Celtic Blood series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, Steampunk Fairy Tales, the Road to Valhalla Series, and other works of fantasy and fiction. The author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

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Reviews

[Inez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet... a ghostly treat. I like the way it connected with the other books in the series.

[Veertje Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute/romantic spooky read! This book is perfect for reading in the Falls.
This is the fourth part in this series but the first time that I have read it.

I love the little town and paranormal vibes, the lively family/friends and the kind spirits.
The relation between Tess and James made me smile so much.

This book makes me excited to read the entire series!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. 3.5 stars.

[Elysian Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vintage Medium is a fun, slightly spooky romance that will get the reader in the Fall mood and have them searching the stores for tasty fall favorites. This story is packed full of romance, antiques, family, friends, spooky moments, and a whole lot of Fall tasty goodness. I devoured the story one afternoon.

If you have read this series (all standalones) then you will be happy to hear that this story is a great boost and the perfect complement to the others, and it brings the reader right back to this fun magical town. If you are new, start here. You will experience a sweet romance and it will be a great introduction to the rest of the stories. They are all wonderful reads.

I am so excited to visit this world again and I highly recommend this story to those looking for a sweet, clean, happy Fall themed romance.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5

I really liked learning about Tess’ powers, and I think out of all the books so far, her magical gift is the most interesting. I would honestly love a full length book about her and the spirits she helps in her shop.

Spoilers ahead:

However, I really wish we would’ve gotten another spooky scene with the cursed chest. I feel like that storyline was promise unfulfilled. I thought, at the very least, we would see the characters either learn to banish the dark spirit or help it switch into the light. But instead, the story just focused on the romantic drama and the spirit connected to the chest never even really mattered.

I also wasn’t a huge fan of the male protagonist because other than Tess, he felt no women were good enough for him. So it rang of him thinking, “She’s not like other girls.” 🙄

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vintage Medium is the fourth book in the Chancellor Fairy Tales series. While it can be read as a stand alone the cameos of characters from previous books, make reading them in order particularly pleasing.

I especially loved this book because the characters were so lively, despite the majority of them being ghosts. Rose was my favorite with her boisterous attitude and her roaring 20s lingo.

Tess was a great leading lady and her unique brand of mediumship gave the story a fun and hopeful spin.

Hollie Jackson, who narrated the previous three books In this series, returns and does an amazing job, not only giving each new character a unique voice, but in remaining consistent with voices used on previous characters who pop up for cameos.

[Sandra Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the Chancellor books but this one might be my favorite. I loved the characters, the growing relationship, and the setting.
Melanie Karsak's books always make the characters feel real and I want to be friends with Tess. She is quiet and reserved but she is witty with a little sass too. The budding relationship is magical (as are most in Chancellor). The drama and struggle add to the intrigue of the story and are the most moving parts of the story.
I highly recommend this series and this book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet novella in the Chancellor Fairy Tale series!
I really enjoyed the characters and the magic in this one -I only wish it would have been longer. I’ve been reading these out of order, which is fine, but I think I’ll go back now and start at the first one.
Jamie is an antiques dealer who lives with his ailing grandfather and Tess owns a curio shop in town. They’re both bidding for the same item at an auction, but when Jamie wins, they strike a bargain and make a date. But Tess has a secret- she talks with ghosts.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 4th of a series of 5 Novellas.
The main character owns a small thrift-trinket shop. She can see and talk to people who are attached to these items that need to find their purpose/ their place.
I feel like out of all the novella's this one probably could have had more story more depth because of the apparitions attached to the items.
I enjoyed the love story between the two. This author knows how to add interesting twists into such a short love story. I appreciate the dynamics and not the instant fall-in-love-everything-is-perfect.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love These Stories

I read the first three of these books and enjoyed them awhile back. I just found this one and enjoyed it just as much. As with the others, they take place in the same small town and feature characters of the paranormal sort although so far no vampires or werewolves. I'm totally fine with that. The heroine sees and talks to ghosts that are attached to an object from their pasts. It's also a sweet romance that I liked. It was a fun short read. Cozy. Recommended!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and loving series.

A medium with an eclectic antiques store and a very serious antiques dealer. She helps ghosts transition over with the help of their cherished possessions. He is in search of his Pops life goal of finding a Dumaa Star. Both a little shy manage to find their way to each other facing challenges, excitement, and a little terror along the way. Tess and James are made for each other they just need to get past a little paranormal. As with the rest of thei series it's is a magical read.

[Michelle Fritz PA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, I'm all googly-eyed after that sweet ending! What perfect words to end this enchanting novella with. Could these two characters be any cuter?! I absolutely adored this beautiful book. Who wouldn't want to visit a fairy tale town where the unexpected happens with brilliant detail? Likable characters pave the way for a plot that will touch your heart and make you shed a tear or two. If paranormal romance set in an intriguing fantasy world is your jam, don't let this pass you by!

[Chasity Miller Veit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you live all things Chancellor you will not be disappointed!

I loved this addition to the Chancellor Fairy Tales. It's a sweet short story that will charm you. It's also fun to revisit characters from other books here and there. I'm a fan of Melanie Karsak and have read almost everything she has on Amazon. She never fails to deliver characters that you like and stories that draw you in.

[Renee Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess is an awesome woman. She's a medium with a vintage shop in Canterbury. Rose is a spirit that is almost always with her helping find things to buy that are significant for other spirits to be able to move on. This is a fun book with a budding romance. I definitely recommend this book. I loved it!

[marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, such a cute little novella, I loved it! Now I’m hooked and I have to read the whole Chancellor fairy tale series. The characters are loveable, the plot is interesting and moves quickly, and the food descriptions are amazing! Maple cotton candy - are you kidding me?! I can’t wait to meet more characters from this cute little world. 🥰

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vintage Medium - Melanie Karsak ✨4.5/5✨

I loveddddd this book! It was so cozy and sweet and just the perfect book for the fall. Any book that involves the main character being able to talk to ghosts is automatically going to be great for me, but the romance in this book made it all the better.

My only complaint is that I wish it were longer!

[Vintage Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of a series, but you can read them out of order. I have fallen in love with the magical little town of Chancellor, all of it's special characters and quirky shopfronts. The more in the series I read, the more I enjoy spotting characters from other books in the series. This is a feel-good, slightly spooky rom-com in the perfect setting.

[Bego Salem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Such a nice little story... A fast read, totally cute and a bit spooky. Perfect for a chilly fall weekend, to be enjoyed with your favorite blanket, your cat in your lap and a cup of pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate.

[Jennifer Frandsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks

I'm never disappointed in a book by Melanie. Her characters step into your heart as you step into their world. Always a bit misty eyed to leave them behind with their happy ending.

[Linda Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended too suddenly

It was a good ending...just too sudden. One of my favorite authors, but sadly I've read almost all of her books. Is Chancellor a real place? While I doubt all the magical residents, I'm curious....because I want to live there!

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those feel good and twist your heart tales that you wish that there was more to the story because you enjoyed reading it so much. I really loved the characters in this book. They were so sweet and endearing. Plus I absolutely loved the concept of the storyline.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish this was a full length novel! I loved the characters, the setting, the premise. It was charming but not saccharine. Perfect to read in autumn. Looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

[Witty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is like trying to make your own pumpkin spice latte at home, only you used pumpkin spice creamer so it just tastes like plastic and then you accidentally dumped too much cinnamon in as well.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

James & Tess

I loved this so much! But I cried. I actually cried real tears. It hurt my heart. It was absolutely beautiful but it was sad and sweet. I love both James and Tess. I love everyone that comes with Tess too. I am loving Chancellor so much!! ❤️

[J. L. Linn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! If you like cozy romances, then this is for you. It felt like a Hallmark movie. I loved the premise where Tess owns an antique shop and has medium capabilities thus interacting with those attached to items. All of the characters were lively - even the ghosts!

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another magical story in chancellor

I just love these quick and sweet stories so much! Chancellor is such a magical place.
I really loved the idea of a medium owning an antique shop and helping spirits.

[Ribbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Tess's relationship with ghosts. They're not scary, they're just nice folks who need a little help. I want more of this kind of ghost story. I was iffy about James at first but once we get his first chapter it all clicks into place. Another great story from Chancellor.

[Alisa Swerdlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these stories

Chancellor is such a delightful place to visit. I've enjoyed each book in the series. This was short and sweet. It would have been fun to see test interact with other past characters to visit old friends. But it was still a lovely story And a very quick read.

[Jessica Piro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is my favorite of this series! I really enjoyed the oddness of this FMC in that she can see, communicate, and help ghosts move on. I would've liked it a lot more if more would've been done with the evil, malignant spirit attached to that sea chest, but the problem was just handed off. *sigh* Another avoided interesting opportunity.

[MARY L. HOLDEN-HALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy these 4 books

I enjoyed these 4 books so much never put them down until I was finished. I would love to live in Chancelor.