What do you think?
Rate this book
Secrets of Roseville #1
Traces
When architect Meredith Reed inherits her family's plantation after the devastating loss of her own family, she has to choose how to move on with her life. Keep it? Not a good idea. Sell it? Better. Turn it into a memorial park? Better yet. But can she go against her family traditions and the hunky but irate lawyer?
Max Chandler needs two things to complete his life plan: become a senior partner and find his soul mate. He's due a promotion once his legislation to protect the county's historic properties is approved. The wife part he finds more challenging, having never met the right woman. If only the talented, attractive, aloof Meredith didn't want to destroy the very property he's grown to cherish.
While Meredith struggles to reconcile her past and future, she learns a lesson from the spectral Lady in Blue that may save both her family and home from destruction.
(Updated and revised edition; originally published in 2014 as Traces.)
Max Chandler needs two things to complete his life plan: become a senior partner and find his soul mate. He's due a promotion once his legislation to protect the county's historic properties is approved. The wife part he finds more challenging, having never met the right woman. If only the talented, attractive, aloof Meredith didn't want to destroy the very property he's grown to cherish.
While Meredith struggles to reconcile her past and future, she learns a lesson from the spectral Lady in Blue that may save both her family and home from destruction.
(Updated and revised edition; originally published in 2014 as Traces.)
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2014
1 person is currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Betty Bolté
40 books255 followersWhen I sit down to write, the goal for my historical stories is to bring the lives of people in the past to life for my readers. I write both historical and contemporary stories featuring strong, loving women and brave, compassionate men. No matter whether the stories are set in the past or the present, I love to include a touch of the paranormal. In addition to romantic fiction, I've written several nonfiction books, and earned a Master of Arts in English in 2008. I'm a member of Romance Writers of America, the Historical Novel Society, the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Authors Guild. Find out more about me at www.bettybolte.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 15, 2014
Traces by Betty Bolte was a great book.. It was a ghost story, love story and family saga all combined into one story. And all three aspects were well written. Betty Bolte's writing style is very descriptive and there are no wasted words. Everything she writes has meaning and adds to the story. It is so descriptive that it pulls you right into the story and keeps you there. You feel like you are right there in the setting and action. The characters were well written and you begin to care about them and can't wait to see what happens to them next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books that pull you in at the beginning and don't let you go. Anyone who likes ghost stories or love stories will really enjoy the book. I sure hope this is the beginning of a series because I want to know what happens to all the characters and continue to follow their lives. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Traces by Betty Bolte, you will not be disappointed.
April 23, 2014
Traces is a beautifully written romance that weaves the paranormal into a small town setting. Meredith comes back to her ancestral home with one goal in mind, to rip down the elegant plantation house in the same way her child and husband were ripped apart from her life in a horrific accident. Time spent in the house with her estranged sister, the caretakers who will soon lose their jobs, and a ghost with a secret, alter Meredith’s perspective and her heart. Max, an estate attorney with an admiration of historic buildings, helps Meredith realize that it’s possible to love again.
Betty Bolte writes stories with luscious details and a wonderful range of emotions. Her language is lyrical and her ability to make a reader fall into her carefully woven world is a gift. Enjoy this book. I did.
Betty Bolte writes stories with luscious details and a wonderful range of emotions. Her language is lyrical and her ability to make a reader fall into her carefully woven world is a gift. Enjoy this book. I did.
November 13, 2014
Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I struggled a bit with this book. From the synopsis I was excited and expecting part romance and part ghost story but it didn't quite take me there.
The characters in this book were really hard to like. In fact, I could not stand Meredith and Max wasn't much better. I understand that Meredith was dealing with the loss of her husband but I found I couldn't even feel sorry for her because she was so unlikeable. She was too selfish, immature and rude most of the time that there was no redeeming herself as far as I was concerned. Max was just kind of dull and I couldn't understand his attraction to Meredith with the way that she treated him. I found their whole relationship awkward.
The relationship and story surrounding Meredith and her sister was a train wreck for lack of better words. The reasons for their alienation didn't fly with me and could not account for the extreme resentment found in the pages. I found it really hard to swallow that two sisters in their forties would actually resort to a physical altercation for any reason and particularly the reasons that were laid out in this story. I think I would have preferred if the sister was completely cut out of the story because it irritated me that much.
The "Lady in Blue" was the part of the plot that I was most excited to read about. I was anxious to know the secrets of the past and why it seemed that her spirit was stuck inside the house. Again, it didn't quite take me there. Her visits to Meredith were too infrequent and her story was extremely underdeveloped. I was hoping that I would hear her story and that the pages would take me into the past to get to know her but that didn't happen. Instead a few letters were read about her disappearance and there was a lot of guessing and speculation. There were no hard facts as to how Meredith discovered what really happened to her and it was very anti-climatic.
The story idea is good one but I feel like the characters need some revamping and the ghost aspect needs some development in order for it to translate onto the page.
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I struggled a bit with this book. From the synopsis I was excited and expecting part romance and part ghost story but it didn't quite take me there.
The characters in this book were really hard to like. In fact, I could not stand Meredith and Max wasn't much better. I understand that Meredith was dealing with the loss of her husband but I found I couldn't even feel sorry for her because she was so unlikeable. She was too selfish, immature and rude most of the time that there was no redeeming herself as far as I was concerned. Max was just kind of dull and I couldn't understand his attraction to Meredith with the way that she treated him. I found their whole relationship awkward.
The relationship and story surrounding Meredith and her sister was a train wreck for lack of better words. The reasons for their alienation didn't fly with me and could not account for the extreme resentment found in the pages. I found it really hard to swallow that two sisters in their forties would actually resort to a physical altercation for any reason and particularly the reasons that were laid out in this story. I think I would have preferred if the sister was completely cut out of the story because it irritated me that much.
The "Lady in Blue" was the part of the plot that I was most excited to read about. I was anxious to know the secrets of the past and why it seemed that her spirit was stuck inside the house. Again, it didn't quite take me there. Her visits to Meredith were too infrequent and her story was extremely underdeveloped. I was hoping that I would hear her story and that the pages would take me into the past to get to know her but that didn't happen. Instead a few letters were read about her disappearance and there was a lot of guessing and speculation. There were no hard facts as to how Meredith discovered what really happened to her and it was very anti-climatic.
The story idea is good one but I feel like the characters need some revamping and the ghost aspect needs some development in order for it to translate onto the page.
October 14, 2014
I won this book from a contest on Goodreads.
Forty-one year old Meredith Reed, a once architect who is now in demolition, has inherited a 400 acre plantation home in the rural community of Magnolia Grove, Tennessee. The fact that she hadn't seen her grandmother in 30 years has her mystified as to why she would leave this place to her. Now she must meet up with the estate planner, Max Chandler to go over the last wishes her grandmother has requested in her last will. But Meredith's plans to restore the house, as Max envisioned she would, was the furthest from her mind. In fact, her plans are to sell off all the furnishings and then demolish the building itself to make a park-like memorial garden in honour of her dead husband so she can finally find closure. As the estate planner, one of Max Chandler's jobs is to have the diseased wishes honoured and in this case it is to keep the house in the family and to have the plantation added to the National Register of Historic places.
Due to the fact that Max has come to love this historical and gorgeous plantation is one thing, but after learning of Meredith's intentions to destroy this thing of beauty is too much for him to bear. How can he convince her to preserve this beautiful estate, but at the same time keep his distance from this woman who he believes is the one person who can fulfill his destiny and they can live happily ever after? And how can Meredith grant her dead grandmother's last wishes when all she wants is to snuff it out just as her dead husband and child's life were snuffed out?
Forty-one year old Meredith Reed, a once architect who is now in demolition, has inherited a 400 acre plantation home in the rural community of Magnolia Grove, Tennessee. The fact that she hadn't seen her grandmother in 30 years has her mystified as to why she would leave this place to her. Now she must meet up with the estate planner, Max Chandler to go over the last wishes her grandmother has requested in her last will. But Meredith's plans to restore the house, as Max envisioned she would, was the furthest from her mind. In fact, her plans are to sell off all the furnishings and then demolish the building itself to make a park-like memorial garden in honour of her dead husband so she can finally find closure. As the estate planner, one of Max Chandler's jobs is to have the diseased wishes honoured and in this case it is to keep the house in the family and to have the plantation added to the National Register of Historic places.
Due to the fact that Max has come to love this historical and gorgeous plantation is one thing, but after learning of Meredith's intentions to destroy this thing of beauty is too much for him to bear. How can he convince her to preserve this beautiful estate, but at the same time keep his distance from this woman who he believes is the one person who can fulfill his destiny and they can live happily ever after? And how can Meredith grant her dead grandmother's last wishes when all she wants is to snuff it out just as her dead husband and child's life were snuffed out?
April 30, 2014
I enjoyed this story, it's labeled a Romantic Women's Fiction but I think it also has a historical romance feel (which I love) Meredith the main character inherits her grandmothers plantation and throughout the book we learn about Meredith's past and memories of childhood and grief she lives with, I liked her character I just didn't love her all the time, I get why she's uptight and put-off ish but I wanted a little more warmth from her too. Max is a sexy, no nonsense kind of guy who wants his promotion which he will get after the house is approved through the county as historical site but also wants to do what's right, he also wants Meredith but they don't always see eye to eye. As the story progresses we learn some creepy things about the house, mysterious happenings with Meredith and her sister, whose taken up residence and refuses to leave the plantation. Very intriguing story in parts, the Lady in Blue, very mysterious. Over all I enjoyed the story, I just wish there was a little more hmm not sure what but something felt missing to me but I thought the story was creative, the characters interesting and the story gripping in parts, romantic too. 3.5 to 4 stars review by Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com
October 2, 2014
There have been a lot of books that I have not enjoyed one bit. But this one takes the cake. I absolutely hated it. Such crap. What a waste of my bloody time and money. I'm pissed at myself for actually sticking with it. Stupid plot. Demolish a plantation because your husband died and you can't live there without him? Then leave. There's no rule you have to stay. Give me a break. And the characters. Good God! Not one likeable person. Two grown sisters in their 40's literally beating the living shit out of each other using their fists? What the fuck!? I skimmed as quickly as possible to reach the end and was so glad when I did. It's one of those books that had it been a paperback, I would've thrown it into a burning fire, ripped out the pages, or thrown it off my balcony to be run over by a car. Yes, I hated it that much. As I'm in the minority here, don't base your decision on my review as to whether or not you should read it. This is my opinion and how I felt about the novel.
February 4, 2015
Goodreads giveaway win.
It had a bit of a slow start, but it quickly got more interesting. This book was really easy to get into, the descrptions were well done and help the reader feel more connected to the story. The only reason that I took a star off was that sometimes the narration would get a bit long and there just wasn't enough action. You'd get these big blocks of text reinforcing information you already knew.
The characters were believable, each having their own distinct personality. But all the characters had their some annoying habits as well that just made them more relatable because they weren't perfect all the time. Due to this, you can get pretty attached to a certain character, and start to experience the story with them and truly feel outraged when anything bad happens to them.
There wasn't actually that much paranormal aspects to the story, only a little bit here and there. It focuses more on Meredith, and her moving past the tragedy that occured years before. In short, it was a nice, fun story (which caused me to throw my book at the wall in frustration every now and then in reaction to the actions of certain characters).
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
An issue that I had, more concerning the delivery of the plot than the actual writing wad that Meredith's sister, Penelope, was just so mean at the beginning of the book, it just didn't seem very realistic when they made up so easily. I couldn't get over when Meredith told her sister she couldn't stay with her and then Penelope responded by saying that she would send her sister the bill from staying at the b&b. It was just so rude, and Meredith just excused her of it, as well as many other instances from their past, so easily. Plus, their arguments were just brushed off by both of them liking the same boy when they were younger. Which I found not only weak, but also made no sense. Wasn't Meredith complaining at the beginning of the book was that her sister was always asking for more money? So what does that have to do with a boy? And don't even get me started on how pushy Penelope was, inviting herself to her sister's house and also inviting their parents without telling Meredith until the day they were suppose to arrive. I mean, who does that? If I was Meredith I would have thrown that girl out as soon as she stepped through the door. Something that I found kind of funny was that we never did hear the reason why Penelope thought her sister owed her (which again, made absolutely no sense). It might have been bause, oh I don't know, her sister didn't owe her anything!
It had a bit of a slow start, but it quickly got more interesting. This book was really easy to get into, the descrptions were well done and help the reader feel more connected to the story. The only reason that I took a star off was that sometimes the narration would get a bit long and there just wasn't enough action. You'd get these big blocks of text reinforcing information you already knew.
The characters were believable, each having their own distinct personality. But all the characters had their some annoying habits as well that just made them more relatable because they weren't perfect all the time. Due to this, you can get pretty attached to a certain character, and start to experience the story with them and truly feel outraged when anything bad happens to them.
There wasn't actually that much paranormal aspects to the story, only a little bit here and there. It focuses more on Meredith, and her moving past the tragedy that occured years before. In short, it was a nice, fun story (which caused me to throw my book at the wall in frustration every now and then in reaction to the actions of certain characters).
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
An issue that I had, more concerning the delivery of the plot than the actual writing wad that Meredith's sister, Penelope, was just so mean at the beginning of the book, it just didn't seem very realistic when they made up so easily. I couldn't get over when Meredith told her sister she couldn't stay with her and then Penelope responded by saying that she would send her sister the bill from staying at the b&b. It was just so rude, and Meredith just excused her of it, as well as many other instances from their past, so easily. Plus, their arguments were just brushed off by both of them liking the same boy when they were younger. Which I found not only weak, but also made no sense. Wasn't Meredith complaining at the beginning of the book was that her sister was always asking for more money? So what does that have to do with a boy? And don't even get me started on how pushy Penelope was, inviting herself to her sister's house and also inviting their parents without telling Meredith until the day they were suppose to arrive. I mean, who does that? If I was Meredith I would have thrown that girl out as soon as she stepped through the door. Something that I found kind of funny was that we never did hear the reason why Penelope thought her sister owed her (which again, made absolutely no sense). It might have been bause, oh I don't know, her sister didn't owe her anything!
June 17, 2014
A young architect marries the man of her dreams, leaving behind her family and southern heritage to build a new life. Tragedy strikes, taking the life of her husband and unborn child. Angry at the world, instead of using her skills to build a new future, she vows to destroy everything that reminds her of what she's lost, including the old plantation home left to her by her grandmother. As determined as she is to dismantle the house, her family and her grandmother's handsome attorney, are just as determined to stop her.
I felt as if I belonged in the plantation, with it's squeaky floors, flowing ghost, and cool breezes flaring the lace curtains away from the windows. A totally unexpected turn of events makes this story one of a kind. The descriptive scenes the writer has painted run throughout the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves ghost stories.
I felt as if I belonged in the plantation, with it's squeaky floors, flowing ghost, and cool breezes flaring the lace curtains away from the windows. A totally unexpected turn of events makes this story one of a kind. The descriptive scenes the writer has painted run throughout the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves ghost stories.
August 31, 2018
Won a copy of Traces through goodreads giveaway!
After suffering a life-changing tragedy former architect Meredith, decides to destroy her recently acquired ancestral home in an effort to wipe away her past and move with her life. Angered by her decision to destroy the home and its history, lawyer Max Chandler wages a campaign to save the home while trying to not succumb to Meredith's fiery personality. Aided by a cast of characters including an equally strong willed sister and a fiercely protective housekeeper, Meredith must choose to escape her familial history or embrace it.
After suffering a life-changing tragedy former architect Meredith, decides to destroy her recently acquired ancestral home in an effort to wipe away her past and move with her life. Angered by her decision to destroy the home and its history, lawyer Max Chandler wages a campaign to save the home while trying to not succumb to Meredith's fiery personality. Aided by a cast of characters including an equally strong willed sister and a fiercely protective housekeeper, Meredith must choose to escape her familial history or embrace it.
October 11, 2014
“Traces” has an interesting feel: part romance and part women’s fiction.
Read full review in the 2014 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 October issue of InD’tale Magazine.
February 22, 2016
I really enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and fully drawn. The plantation was fascinating. I loved the little details. Charming and not predictable.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews