When a young, wealthy heiress, Calpurnia Cottonwood, disappears from Seven Sisters in 1850, rumors swirl. But no trace of the girl had ever been found--until now. Historian Carrie Jo Jardine and her handsome employer, Ashland Stuart, find clues to the heiress' whereabouts and even more mysteries are revealed. With Carrie Jo's ability to dream about the past, she watches a sinister plot unfold. Is she unable to prevent tragedy, or can she intercede without ending up lost too? Uncanny encounters with an unhappy presence and a walk in the Moonlight Garden leave Carrie Jo wondering if the past is trying to repeat itself. Can she and Ashland survive threats from the present and the past? Will they be safe when moonlight falls on Seven Sisters?
Author done irritated me now. Story line is interesting, writing is interesting, BUT... these aren't books - they're installments.
I read the first one, which was short, but it was cheap so I wasn't quite as upset when absolutely nothing was resolved and the book just stopped at the end of what I would consider a chapter.
But book #2 does the exact same thing, and from reading reviews on Amazon it looks like #3 is in the same hanging ending mode. #4 is coming out, but, sorry... I don't feel the book is good enough to spend $2.99 (at least) three times for future installments. Finish the dratted book, sell it to me complete for $5.99 or so, and I'll be happier.
You should know that this is a serialised novel - each book ends on a cliffhanger. I read book one and liked it enough to read book 2, but I'm not involved enough to go looking for book 3. The writing is easy to read and the odd incorrect word which should have been picked up by an editor doesn't slow the pace enough to worry about. I'm a fan of historicals, time slip and archaeology, and if this story had an ending (even a conclusion to SOME of the threads) I would keep reading. As it is, I'll move on to something else, purely because reading 40000 words and coming to a cliffhanger annoys me.
A good follow-up from book one. The story keeps moving along with danger lurking in the wings. These books are page-turners that are easy yet enjoyable to read. It feels a little like something is missing though and the unexpected events fall a little flat at times. Despite that though I can't help liking them and look forward to finding out what's next in the story and series.
I'm going to simply warn people that this book is not complete. The suspected murderer is not caught (or proven guilty of murder). The treasure is not found. The story does not come to a climax or a conclusion, either one.
A trilogy or a series is NOT created by randomly cutting a single story into arbitrary pieces. Each of the novels in a series should have its own complete story that contributes to the larger story arc that spans the series or trilogy as a whole. This isn't rocket science.
Add to the above that the author desperately needs to take a writing class and hire a competent editor, and this book is seriously irritating. I won't be reading the rest.
God only knows when her poor readers will find out how the story ends,
I do love these books even though they are lacking in ways. I don't care for the cliffhanger endings. I firmly believe series books should each be complete in a way. Its just a money grab for authors to sell people what could be one book in instalments.
I read #1 for free on Amazon. OK. So if you read my review of the first book you will see that I agreed to read #2 if it were offered for free. And then it was. I kid you not. And this is probably the only reason why I am reading this series. The mystery of the old house and its residents from way back continues. It is interesting enough, although a bit, well, simple. The writing isn't bad, but it isn't great. But the story has caught my imagination, I have to give her that. A bit more character development, maybe a course in writing conversations, and this could be better. A creative premise, an interesting storyline, and again...the abrupt and shitty ending. Waiting for #3 to become available at no charge to see where we go next. Stay tuned....
I finished all 6 of the books in one day. I am glad I got them with my Kindle Unlimited or else there would be one less customer. Good storyline mostly, still don't know what the heck a swunny is..... but oh well. Editing could have been better, who did this, a newbie? I too as well as others don't like the choppy-ness of the books, its supposed to flow but unfortunately it doesn't. I was kind of sad at the end of the last book when I read the note from the author. All in all, it was MY kind of story ........but it was......... "off" to be completely satisfied . I'm still looking for the rest for the books I want to read, Idlewood for one. Though I suspect it'll be more of the same, not a "complete ending".
Not often I finish a book on the same day I start it, but that likely has more to do with the length of the books I typically read.
I enjoyed the book, but the "end" left me feeling irritated and unsatisfied, much like the first. I picked them both up for free on Amazon however, so I had no qualms about continuing on after the first book. It was ready and waiting, with no cost to me. The real question is whether or not I'm invested enough to pay for the third.
I am enjoying the story. I like the historical aspect of it, which is not typical of the types of books I usually read. I can't speak for the historical accuracy, but it's a refreshing change for me. Also have no idea about the accuracy of its portrayal of southern life, as a Canadian myself; I'm about as far as you can get from the South without leaving the continent. It feels genuine, however, and very immersive. No lengthy explanations or excessive details.
In the end, I feel like I want to spend more time with these characters and find the answers to some of these mysteries. On to book three.
Need to read whole set to understand what’s happening
Here’s the good- the story was intriguing enough that I got through the whole thing, even though I was very confused at the beginning (because I didn’t read the first book and the rundown of what had happened before this book was very unclear). Still though, there was enough to keep me interested.
Here’s the annoying- you can’t just read this one book because it’s just a piece of a puzzle. You get through it and realize it’s a completely cut off story that (makes you) have to purchase the next in the series. There is no resolution to this. I wouldn’t have bothered had I known it was split up like this. The names irritated me as well sorry. Muncie & Ashland, and then all of the two name wonders -Carrie Jo, Detra Ann, Terrance Dale? It’s a little much.
If you’re going to read this, you should just get the whole set, otherwise it’s not worth your time.
If This Doesn't Bring This Part To An End, I Write My Own Ending
The second book or part of the story takes us further into the story of life of Calpurnia and her cousin Isla as seen through Carrie Jo's dreams. We also discover who the murderer is. Or so it seems.
I like the fact that it's easy to differentiate between present and past. I like the people who recognize that the house haunted by sadness and hopelessness and not necessarily ghosts.
I do hope this is the last book to conclude this story. I don't mind a series but having to buy more than three books is a bit much.
This second installment was not quite as good as the first because it was a continuation of the story with yet another cliffhanger. It is apparent that these first three novellas are simply part of one novel. I wish it was not so chopped up.
What I did love about this novella was the inclusion of the supernatural. It read just as creepy as it would have if it were really happening. I loved the search for the Cottonwood treasure! However, stopping as they were getting ready to dig for it was unfair! From a writing perspective, character development is ongoing except for Ashland who seems almost like an “extra.”
Poor marketing trick! Almost got to the end of the book, and it ended where Devecheaux (sp?) screamed in the Moonlight Walk. Then the next page was a bunch of excerpts for the other books written by the author. Was that the end of the book, or what? Now I'm expected to buy the other published works by this author to find how this one book ends? Or was that really the end of the book? No. I can't call this a "spoiler" since I don't know if that's how this book ended! Extremely disappointed. I can honestly say I refuse to find out.
Firstly let me qualify my two star review- I haven't read the first book in the series, so maybe this has a bearing on my opinion.
This had great potential, all the component parts of the plot made for a great read, however I just felt that it was a little bit dull. I didn't really buy into the characters and found them lacking depth.
Not for me I'm afraid - there are a great many writers that do this genre so much better.
As mentioned on book one - buyer beware - this is a serial novel not a series of complete novels. Do not expect anything to be resolved. Luckily, this continues to be available on kindle unlimited or I would be seriously annoyed.
The story continues to be light and enjoyable reading, however I'm not fully invested in the characters and #3 had better change that or it might not hold my attention though all 8 installments.
This is the second instalment of the series and I found this one more enjoyable. We are getting to know a little more about the lead character Carrie-Jo and her abilities. This time up until now her dreams meant being in a historical building, this time around her ability extends to other places and objects . I am looking forward to how the story develops and the mystery as why her best friend Mia has turned against her.
(I downloaded this book because it had a good blurb and it was free. I have not read the first book (and won't)) This is a relatively short book. But I found the writing irritating enough that it took me 3 months to finish it. I'm not reading any others in the series and I disliked it enough that I immediately deleted it from my Kindle after I finished it. I gave it 2 stars because there were enough interestng writing to keep me going - barely.
A slightly strange book. It begins with a mansion restoration in the deep south. A young woman as restorer and the man that owns the place. She dreams of the people that owned the house back in the late 1800. Reading diaries leads to dreams of murder and unspeakable things that happened there. Were her dreams actual or just dreams. We'll never know in this book! The story continues in other books.
I haven't read the first volume, which matters in a serialized story like this. The setting is interesting, as are some of the characters. There are times some parts feel a bit redundant. The book ends on a cliffhanger to draw you to the next part of the story. I am not sure how I interested I a!m I'm continuing.
I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable read. I loved the characters and how well written the story. Just the right amount of mystery and suspense. The only reason I have for rating this only four stars, is because I felt that the story ends rather abruptly and on a cliffhanger. Overall though, its a great book. I do recommend it.
I am really enthralled by this series, so much so I'm staying up until I finish the darn book!! This is book three in the series and it is as compelling as the first one maybe even more so. It compares most favorably with Heather Graham's stories. I am looking forward to starting Book 3!
This installment gets closer to explaining the history of the house and the what happened to the fortune. I keep hoping fo ra conclusion as it seems that the further I get into this story the better the story gets, but the worse the writing gets. I can't really explain it. I'll read one more and decide after this next one if it's worth the money to continue.
Even though I enjoyed reading this book, I feel like some parts were left out. The plot is clever and well written. I found the characters to be engaging and believable. It was as if a chapter was forgotten in the beginning, and a significant chunk at the end. Still, I do recommend this series and look forward to the next book.
Now we are getting somewhere- kind of. I suppose I can forgot Ms. Bullocks horrid decision for the layout of the first book, however, now there is this odd combination of piecing books together that would actually be just one book anyway. There is no smooth transition, rather, a thrust into this existing, undefined plot line.
This story was interesting, but it wasn't a story in its own right. I felt like I had come in halfway through a tv show and didn't know what had gone before, then it didn't finish - it just ended. It really should have been published with the first and third parts because it's really only 11 chapters of a longer book.
The story has some fine points but the author did not end the story. Expecting the reader to buy the next book in the series is one thing but to require it in order to read the ending of this one is not fair and I feel cheated. I will not buy another book from M L Bullock if this is the style to expect.
This was not as good as the first book and I did not see the continuity. I expected to see more of the plantation and the other sisters, but it was a completely different story. I was a bit disappointed that the author only made references to her family instead of actually bringing one or two into the story.
I bought this book by mistake thinking it was one from The Seven Sisters series. I finished it (it didn’t take long) but it’s really not my cup of tea. The storyline is too far fetched and the writing style very simplistic. At least I’ve realised which book I should have bought and I’m very much looking forward to reading it.
This series should have been one book instead of 5 much smaller separate books. These are not stand alone books because there is no resolution at the end of a book. It just seems like the author (or editor) simply counted out however many pages and made that a book.
Sounds good, but the book isn't self-contained. Must read the series to get the story. Each book has only a section. Must read all of the series to understand. Reading just 1 book is confusing.
Draws you in. The author holds you in suspense and draws on your emotions. This is an amazing and wonderful tale. It has such vivid imagery with out being too wordy. I highly recommend.