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Mary O’Reilly #14
Stolen Dreams
“But Sol, it ain’t haunted like you thought,” Marty argued cautiously. It wasn’t a good idea to get Sol too angry. “We’ve tried everything, séances, Ouija boards, mediums—everything. This place is just an old, empty house. A creepy, old house.”
Sol shook his head, disregarding Marty’s words, and started up the tall staircase to the second floor. “It just has to seem like a haunted house,” he said. “We’ll keep the crowds coming if it seems like a haunted house. People pay good money to spend the night in a haunted mansion.”
Marty followed him, shaking his head. “After that last paranormal research group came through and found nothing, we ain’t been getting the crowds like we used to,” he pointed out. “People look on the internet for everything. All they have to do is research the house and they’ll see we’ve been investigated by three different groups. They ain’t gonna pay top dollar to stay in the state’s most haunted house if it ain’t got no ghosts.”
Sol stopped at the top of the stairs and waited for Marty. “Then all we need is a ghost,” he said.
Marty shook his head and put his hand on his partner’s shoulder. “Sol, we’ve been at this for three years,” he replied. “The balloon payment is coming up in three months. We ain’t got the capital. We gotta let go of this place before we lose everything.”
Shoving Marty’s arm off his shoulder, Sol paced angrily down the hallway. “Don’t you get it, Marty?” he growled, his teeth clenched. “I’m going to lose everything if this place doesn’t pan out. I sunk everything I owned into this place. I don’t have any reserves. I don’t have anything to turn to. This place has to work out.”
Marty leaned one hand on the balustrade at the top of the staircase and sadly shook his head. “I’m sorry, Sol. I’d do anything to help you,” he said sadly. “But this place just ain’t got a ghost.”
Sol sighed deeply and turned back to his friend, nodding his head slowly. “Thank you, Marty,” he replied.
A icy tremor of fear swept through Marty’s body as he saw the cold, calculating look in Sol’s eyes. He lifted his hands defensively. “No, Sol, no,” he cried even as he felt the power of Sol’s body knock him backwards and down the stairs.
A few moments later, Sol stood at the top of the staircase, looking down at the broken, lifeless body of his business partner sprawled unnaturally on the black and white, ceramic tiled, lobby floor. He leaned against the same balustrade that only moments before had been held by Marty and nodded. “And now we have a ghost.”
Mary, Ian and Mike investigate a supposedly haunted house and discover there are more than just ghosts hidden behind its doors.
Sol shook his head, disregarding Marty’s words, and started up the tall staircase to the second floor. “It just has to seem like a haunted house,” he said. “We’ll keep the crowds coming if it seems like a haunted house. People pay good money to spend the night in a haunted mansion.”
Marty followed him, shaking his head. “After that last paranormal research group came through and found nothing, we ain’t been getting the crowds like we used to,” he pointed out. “People look on the internet for everything. All they have to do is research the house and they’ll see we’ve been investigated by three different groups. They ain’t gonna pay top dollar to stay in the state’s most haunted house if it ain’t got no ghosts.”
Sol stopped at the top of the stairs and waited for Marty. “Then all we need is a ghost,” he said.
Marty shook his head and put his hand on his partner’s shoulder. “Sol, we’ve been at this for three years,” he replied. “The balloon payment is coming up in three months. We ain’t got the capital. We gotta let go of this place before we lose everything.”
Shoving Marty’s arm off his shoulder, Sol paced angrily down the hallway. “Don’t you get it, Marty?” he growled, his teeth clenched. “I’m going to lose everything if this place doesn’t pan out. I sunk everything I owned into this place. I don’t have any reserves. I don’t have anything to turn to. This place has to work out.”
Marty leaned one hand on the balustrade at the top of the staircase and sadly shook his head. “I’m sorry, Sol. I’d do anything to help you,” he said sadly. “But this place just ain’t got a ghost.”
Sol sighed deeply and turned back to his friend, nodding his head slowly. “Thank you, Marty,” he replied.
A icy tremor of fear swept through Marty’s body as he saw the cold, calculating look in Sol’s eyes. He lifted his hands defensively. “No, Sol, no,” he cried even as he felt the power of Sol’s body knock him backwards and down the stairs.
A few moments later, Sol stood at the top of the staircase, looking down at the broken, lifeless body of his business partner sprawled unnaturally on the black and white, ceramic tiled, lobby floor. He leaned against the same balustrade that only moments before had been held by Marty and nodded. “And now we have a ghost.”
Mary, Ian and Mike investigate a supposedly haunted house and discover there are more than just ghosts hidden behind its doors.
326 pages, ebook
First published January 11, 2015
223 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Terri Reid
105 books827 followersTerri Reid is the author of the Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mysteries. An indie author, Reid uploaded her first book “Loose Ends” in August 2010. By the end of 2012, “Loose Ends” had sold over 82,000 copies and, as of the writing of this bio, was the number one bestselling book in Amazon’s ranking of Ghost Stories in the Book/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Horror/Ghosts section and the number two in the same area in the Kindle eBooks section. She has eight other books in the Mary O’Reilly Series and has enjoyed Top Rated and Hot New Release status for many of them in the Women Sleuths category through Amazon US. Her books have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese and are also now available through CreateSpace and Amazon in print versions. She is also working on an audiobook for “Loose Ends.”
Reid has been quoted in several books about the self-publishing industry, including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was also honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers—The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” She has also had the distinct privilege of guest blogging for Joe Konrath.
Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters. Her background is in marketing and public relations. She is married, the mother of seven children, and the grandmother of twenty-three.
She has her grandchildren convinced that she talks to fairies and animals - and they talk back.
Reid has been quoted in several books about the self-publishing industry, including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway. She was also honored to have some of her works included in A. J. Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers—The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” She has also had the distinct privilege of guest blogging for Joe Konrath.
Reid is from Northwest Illinois, near the town of Freeport, the home of her fictional characters. Her background is in marketing and public relations. She is married, the mother of seven children, and the grandmother of twenty-three.
She has her grandchildren convinced that she talks to fairies and animals - and they talk back.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 14, 2015
Terri Reid does it again!
The author really draws you as you follow the series of Mary O'Reilly. Her characters will make you laugh and cry, and have you cheering them on. I have followed the entire collection and will be sad to see it end. If you enjoy a relaxing read with a paranormal story, you will enjoy this.
The author really draws you as you follow the series of Mary O'Reilly. Her characters will make you laugh and cry, and have you cheering them on. I have followed the entire collection and will be sad to see it end. If you enjoy a relaxing read with a paranormal story, you will enjoy this.
January 14, 2015
another great Mary O'Reilly book! Terri Reid just keeps getting better! I can't wait for the next one and the birth of the baby! A whole new set of stories! Nothing like a good ghost mystery story! Thanks Terri!
July 4, 2015
Ghosts with a problem
Another good book in this series. Mary is very compassionate. Lots of love or good warm feelings in this book
Another good book in this series. Mary is very compassionate. Lots of love or good warm feelings in this book
September 3, 2017
I LOVE this series. In all honesty, I have suffered for years from clinical depression, and was suffering from a very serious downturn. This series helped get me through. The friendship, the camaraderie, the family, the love and laughter, helped tremendously. It was extremely helpful in getting me to that turning point back to me.
I laughed till my belly hurt, then cried until I couldn't see the words. I felt anger and betrayal for those whose journey was suspended. I found redemption, grace, and, most of all, hope. I loved the ghosts/spirits (except for those malevolent ones), the mortals, the story lines and resolutions. I loved the lessons these stories conveyed, and the poignancy with which they were told.
I have several favorite characters, Mary and Bradley (and, by extension, Clarissa), being the foundation. Ian is someone I want to meet, and get to know, and just listen to him talk. Hopefully, he wears the black shirt (but don't tell Gillian I said that...it's strictly platonic, I swear). Mike. Dear Mike. I cried so hard for him for some reason, especially the role he was given. It was a sweetness that I didn't even know i was craving. I love Mike. I want Mike on my side. Always. Rosie & Stanley, such a opposites-attract couple, yet full of love. The O'Reilly clan. Can I move in with them?? Or maybe just visit Ireland with Sean??
I suspended all other reading until I got through the entire series, and feel as though these characters are my friends and family. Please, please, please, give me more!
Note: I would love to give this series 4 1/2 stars, or even 5, but the grammatical and punctuation errors just don't cut it for me. Miss Terri, your writing is superb. Let it be polished until it glows. Let me be your proofreader (beta reader?).
I laughed till my belly hurt, then cried until I couldn't see the words. I felt anger and betrayal for those whose journey was suspended. I found redemption, grace, and, most of all, hope. I loved the ghosts/spirits (except for those malevolent ones), the mortals, the story lines and resolutions. I loved the lessons these stories conveyed, and the poignancy with which they were told.
I have several favorite characters, Mary and Bradley (and, by extension, Clarissa), being the foundation. Ian is someone I want to meet, and get to know, and just listen to him talk. Hopefully, he wears the black shirt (but don't tell Gillian I said that...it's strictly platonic, I swear). Mike. Dear Mike. I cried so hard for him for some reason, especially the role he was given. It was a sweetness that I didn't even know i was craving. I love Mike. I want Mike on my side. Always. Rosie & Stanley, such a opposites-attract couple, yet full of love. The O'Reilly clan. Can I move in with them?? Or maybe just visit Ireland with Sean??
I suspended all other reading until I got through the entire series, and feel as though these characters are my friends and family. Please, please, please, give me more!
Note: I would love to give this series 4 1/2 stars, or even 5, but the grammatical and punctuation errors just don't cut it for me. Miss Terri, your writing is superb. Let it be polished until it glows. Let me be your proofreader (beta reader?).
June 9, 2019
Ehhh not that good.
I have read these books one after another & like in most series the more books there are the quality seems to go down. Not a fan of this book. Seriously?!?! Demons on top of everything else - I just couldn't with this book. Interesting subplot with the woman from Mary's dreams but this was just not good -not even Ian's return could make it worth the read & I love the character of Ian. I liked that this series was about helping ghosts but it's moving to somewhere I don't know if I want to go. It's only Halloween in the book & that means it hasn't even been a year since book 1 which took place right before thanksgiving. I'm going to take a break from the series & try to let my annoyance pass before finishing the series. So disappointed & I definitely won't be picking up the companion series with Mary's brothers.
I have read these books one after another & like in most series the more books there are the quality seems to go down. Not a fan of this book. Seriously?!?! Demons on top of everything else - I just couldn't with this book. Interesting subplot with the woman from Mary's dreams but this was just not good -not even Ian's return could make it worth the read & I love the character of Ian. I liked that this series was about helping ghosts but it's moving to somewhere I don't know if I want to go. It's only Halloween in the book & that means it hasn't even been a year since book 1 which took place right before thanksgiving. I'm going to take a break from the series & try to let my annoyance pass before finishing the series. So disappointed & I definitely won't be picking up the companion series with Mary's brothers.
July 15, 2024
Good
There were some boring parts with the really evil being. I love the wle concept you've used in all the series that made me see God, angels and humans seem more simple. It has given me a different view of my faith and I'd recommend this to any Christian. I also loved the Halloween costume choice. Best ever.
There were some boring parts with the really evil being. I love the wle concept you've used in all the series that made me see God, angels and humans seem more simple. It has given me a different view of my faith and I'd recommend this to any Christian. I also loved the Halloween costume choice. Best ever.
November 25, 2017
I am beginning to think the author just moves this couple from one day to the next. Would like to see some skipping in months. Guess that will not happen. I really like the series but it is totally different than any other cozy mystery I have read.
March 13, 2018
Heart warming and terrifying at the same time!
Mary O'REILLY has a crazy, not normal life! Tears, of happiness and sadness flow in this story. Halloween in Freeport is going to be really scary!
Mary O'REILLY has a crazy, not normal life! Tears, of happiness and sadness flow in this story. Halloween in Freeport is going to be really scary!
October 9, 2018
Always great
I love this series, it is exciting, thrilling and fun! You really feel like these characters are your friends and you're on an adventure with them. I wish they would make this a Netflix series
I love this series, it is exciting, thrilling and fun! You really feel like these characters are your friends and you're on an adventure with them. I wish they would make this a Netflix series
November 18, 2016
Another lovely ghost whisperer episode, but by the amount of cookies they ate in this book, they should all be severely diabetic by now.
June 10, 2017
Love her books keep them coming
July 23, 2017
So this one brought in a whole other 'world'. This was a little spookier, but I did enjoy the story. So glad Rosie was able to have a good family connection even of it was a little late.
June 9, 2018
I love the Mary O'Reilly Series.
July 3, 2018
Another great book!
March 6, 2019
always a must read, the Mary O'Reilly series is the perfect combo of paranormal and family life!!
March 7, 2019
Another great book in the series and Ian came back to help solve this one. Yay!
March 15, 2019
Loving the series.
September 30, 2019
Always fun
This one was spooky with a demon, they usually don’t have a scary aspect like this one did! Off to read the next one!
This one was spooky with a demon, they usually don’t have a scary aspect like this one did! Off to read the next one!
September 27, 2020
Oh My wow awesome!
I can't say it enough, I love this series. Terri Reid leaves you breathless with the ending. Between family, blood and made, Mary has it all!
I can't say it enough, I love this series. Terri Reid leaves you breathless with the ending. Between family, blood and made, Mary has it all!
February 11, 2024
Hauntings
It gets a little scarier than some of the other books. I had a little jump scare. Very unusual for me
It gets a little scarier than some of the other books. I had a little jump scare. Very unusual for me
February 27, 2015
New Turn In Mary O'Reilly's world
Mary and Bradley are expecting a little boy and Mary is still helping ghosts find the light. In this latest volume in the Mary O'Reilly series, demons try to thwart her work. Prayer is introduced as both protection and weapon. I always liked the series because it hinted at Christian themes that have now approached coming out of the closet. There was an obvious way I'd like to see, keeping andthe Roman Catholic flavor while expanding the audience to Evangelicals: Ian is from Scotland, bastion of Knox and Calvinism. While Mary holds to the "being a good person makes you right with God" of Catholicism, Ian could easily introduce faith as the key to being right with God, widening the audience for the book. I loved the scene where Mike, an angel (admittedly a problem because doctrinally dead humans are saints, not angels - but also explained in another volume as a special situation due to Mike's urgent desire to aid and protect Mary and those she loves), is shown in his angelic state. Because of these turns in the story, which I have been quietly rooting for, I think this is the best book in the series thus far. I can't wait for the next one!
Mary and Bradley are expecting a little boy and Mary is still helping ghosts find the light. In this latest volume in the Mary O'Reilly series, demons try to thwart her work. Prayer is introduced as both protection and weapon. I always liked the series because it hinted at Christian themes that have now approached coming out of the closet. There was an obvious way I'd like to see, keeping andthe Roman Catholic flavor while expanding the audience to Evangelicals: Ian is from Scotland, bastion of Knox and Calvinism. While Mary holds to the "being a good person makes you right with God" of Catholicism, Ian could easily introduce faith as the key to being right with God, widening the audience for the book. I loved the scene where Mike, an angel (admittedly a problem because doctrinally dead humans are saints, not angels - but also explained in another volume as a special situation due to Mike's urgent desire to aid and protect Mary and those she loves), is shown in his angelic state. Because of these turns in the story, which I have been quietly rooting for, I think this is the best book in the series thus far. I can't wait for the next one!
August 19, 2016
Stolen Dreams by Terri Reid
In book #14 we see Mary further along in her pregnancy still out there helping lost souls find their loved ones.
The first spirit to contact Mary was through her dreams. Her name was Alison Grandee and she was looking for the child that was taken from her when she was fifteen years old. This woman can not pass to the light without saying goodbye to her sixty year old daughter.
The next spirit was Marty Cannon who was business partners with Sol Atkinson who both owned a house that clearly was not haunted. To make good on his investment, Sol killed Marty so that the house would indeed be haunted. When both Mary & Ian went on a walk through of the home Mary came upon the dining room which did not bode well for her. In this room were the demons waiting for her to bully her into not doing her work by showing the lost souls the light.
In book #14 we see Mary further along in her pregnancy still out there helping lost souls find their loved ones.
The first spirit to contact Mary was through her dreams. Her name was Alison Grandee and she was looking for the child that was taken from her when she was fifteen years old. This woman can not pass to the light without saying goodbye to her sixty year old daughter.
The next spirit was Marty Cannon who was business partners with Sol Atkinson who both owned a house that clearly was not haunted. To make good on his investment, Sol killed Marty so that the house would indeed be haunted. When both Mary & Ian went on a walk through of the home Mary came upon the dining room which did not bode well for her. In this room were the demons waiting for her to bully her into not doing her work by showing the lost souls the light.
May 31, 2015
In this latest story, Mary O'Reilly has two mysteries to solve. The first involves a recurring nightmare she has, hearing a baby cry behind a locked door and not being able to reach her....yes, her, which means since she is pregnant with a boy, she is channeling someone else. She needs to find this person so she can resolve the dream. Her second mystery is more sinister. She is contacted by someone that wants her to validate his haunted house, because his business is z haunted bed and breakfast inN and they want his ghost to be publicly proven. But something seems off about this person and his request and this case could ultimately lead to Mary's demise. I really enjoy this series with all its interesting characters and ghosts. I love the interactions between Mary and her friends and family, including her guardian angel, Mike. I look forward to the next book in this series.
April 23, 2016
Tales from the dark side
I guess that it was only a matter of time until Mary O'Reilly received attention from demons. In a case where Sol, a businessman, wants to pay Mary to prove that his house is haunted so that he can rent it out to people who want to stay in a haunted house, Mary encounters her first but not last demon.
Mary also meets a ghost in her dreams who wants her to find her daughter who was taken from her 62 years ago in a convent where her parents sent their unwed pregnant daughter to give birth. Mary thinks that she has failed this ghost when the mother superior of the convent burns the records of the adoption. However, things turn out better than she hoped.
I guess that it was only a matter of time until Mary O'Reilly received attention from demons. In a case where Sol, a businessman, wants to pay Mary to prove that his house is haunted so that he can rent it out to people who want to stay in a haunted house, Mary encounters her first but not last demon.
Mary also meets a ghost in her dreams who wants her to find her daughter who was taken from her 62 years ago in a convent where her parents sent their unwed pregnant daughter to give birth. Mary thinks that she has failed this ghost when the mother superior of the convent burns the records of the adoption. However, things turn out better than she hoped.
March 13, 2015
Many Truths to Learn!
So,14 books, and many lessons, we as readers need to remember to bring out to the public. Maybe a greater use of Facebook and Twitter...
Terri Reid has exposed us to many messages....what true unconditional love really is, AND how to make it happen in each of our lives. Then,trafficking of children, "re-homing" of children through illegal contracts, the power of positive thinking, and most important, the POWER of FAITH through PRAYER.
What writer has given all of these powerful messages to us through wonderful stories with believable characters?....Terri Reid, thank you so very much! God bless you...and I await book 15!
So,14 books, and many lessons, we as readers need to remember to bring out to the public. Maybe a greater use of Facebook and Twitter...
Terri Reid has exposed us to many messages....what true unconditional love really is, AND how to make it happen in each of our lives. Then,trafficking of children, "re-homing" of children through illegal contracts, the power of positive thinking, and most important, the POWER of FAITH through PRAYER.
What writer has given all of these powerful messages to us through wonderful stories with believable characters?....Terri Reid, thank you so very much! God bless you...and I await book 15!
March 25, 2015
Terri Reid has done it again with her 14th book in her Mary O'Reilly Paranormal Mystery series! Terri has a quiet softness in her writing as she handles hard and sometimes dark issues. In her quiet way she shows the strengths her characters possess as they work toward finding resolution for Mary's "lost" clients.
Mary has faced danger and evil before but in Stolen Dreams the evil takes on a new meaning as she faces off against her newest opposition who is determined to stop her in her work.
Loved it Terri!!!!
Mary has faced danger and evil before but in Stolen Dreams the evil takes on a new meaning as she faces off against her newest opposition who is determined to stop her in her work.
Loved it Terri!!!!
January 14, 2015
Love this series! I love all the characters and all the different types of ghosts that Mary meets, the struggles and the story line all match up. I don't get bored with these books because each one is different, yes they're all interconnect and about the same characters but it's almost like the TV show Supernatural where there is their everyday life and jobs that still need to be done but an underlying plot of something more that runs through each of them. I'm incredibly glad you brought Ian back for a visit and that Mike is still an angel to be envied.
January 28, 2015
Although I remain a fan of this author and this cozy-ish paranormal mystery series, number 14 was not one of my favorites. The mysteries this time were overshadowed by the turn to demons who 'don't like goodness and what Mary is doing to help others and want to stop her. It seemed an unnecessary turn and made it feel a bit like a demonic possession movie (especially the ending) rather than the story line I enjoy. We will see what the next book brings but hopefully we'll get past this turn and back to the series I love.
May 31, 2015
Finally some dark spirits!
I've been hoping and waiting for some dark, evil spirits to make an appearance in this series, and it only took fourteen novels! ;) I am so excited to see what Reid does with demons and evil spirits. When I picked up this series, those are the kinds of things I expected Mary O'Reilly to battle, not human bad guys (that's not to say I haven't loved every minute of this series, because I have), so I am ecstatic to see this finally happening! Hurry up and write book fifteen Mrs. Reid! I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting it. :D
I've been hoping and waiting for some dark, evil spirits to make an appearance in this series, and it only took fourteen novels! ;) I am so excited to see what Reid does with demons and evil spirits. When I picked up this series, those are the kinds of things I expected Mary O'Reilly to battle, not human bad guys (that's not to say I haven't loved every minute of this series, because I have), so I am ecstatic to see this finally happening! Hurry up and write book fifteen Mrs. Reid! I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting it. :D
April 16, 2015
Another great addition to this series! I just love Mary, Bradley, Mike and the rest of the gang. Mary encountered some real evil forces this go round. Thank goodness for the love and support that surrounds her. I'm so glad Ian came back. I just love him! And we find out what the baby is *I'm not telling*. The ending was a real tear jerky! I'm so glad Mary gave such a special gift to Rosy! I can't wait for the next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews