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Psychic CORE #1
Celeste Files: Unlocked
Some secrets should remain locked in the past…
Celeste Kain hasn’t had a psychic vision in two years. After being brutally attacked while helping criminal investigation agency CORE stop a serial killer, her mind repressed her clairvoyant abilities. Married to CORE agent, John Kain, mother to their toddler, Olivia, and owner of an up-and-coming bakery, Celeste has been doing fine psychic-free. Only now the dead are using her body to tell their stories again…putting her new life and family at risk.
Haunted by a murdered woman, Celeste turns to a psychic mentor to learn how to control her gift, protect her family and bring justice to the dead. But the more she digs into the dead woman’s past, the further she slips into the unknown, unlocking secrets literally worth killing for. As the body count rises, it becomes clear: someone in the dead woman’s family is deeply, violently wrong. And Celeste needs to be careful, before she loses something more precious to her than her life.
Celeste Risinski, the heroine of Shadow of Danger (Book 1 CORE Shadow Trilogy), is back with her own series. Join her as she learns how to deal with being a wife, mom, baker and…psychic investigator.
Celeste Kain hasn’t had a psychic vision in two years. After being brutally attacked while helping criminal investigation agency CORE stop a serial killer, her mind repressed her clairvoyant abilities. Married to CORE agent, John Kain, mother to their toddler, Olivia, and owner of an up-and-coming bakery, Celeste has been doing fine psychic-free. Only now the dead are using her body to tell their stories again…putting her new life and family at risk.
Haunted by a murdered woman, Celeste turns to a psychic mentor to learn how to control her gift, protect her family and bring justice to the dead. But the more she digs into the dead woman’s past, the further she slips into the unknown, unlocking secrets literally worth killing for. As the body count rises, it becomes clear: someone in the dead woman’s family is deeply, violently wrong. And Celeste needs to be careful, before she loses something more precious to her than her life.
Celeste Risinski, the heroine of Shadow of Danger (Book 1 CORE Shadow Trilogy), is back with her own series. Join her as she learns how to deal with being a wife, mom, baker and…psychic investigator.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2015
67 people are currently reading
599 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Mason
38 books311 followersKristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies, C.O.R.E. Shadow and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next series, C.O.R.E. Above the Law, along with more Psychic C.O.R.E. novels.
Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.
Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!
Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Or sign up for her newsletter at www.kristinemason.net.
Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.
Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!
Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Or sign up for her newsletter at www.kristinemason.net.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 8, 2015
I am always eager to get my hands on another Kristine Mason novel and have met Celeste before, in Shadow of Danger (Book 1 CORE Shadow Trilogy) (CORE shadow triology). These books stand alone, but I think once you read one, you will want to read them all, so might as well start at the beginning, with the C.O.R.E Shadow Trilogy, three books in one. Or start with Celeste, the first novel in Celeste’s very own series.
Kristine Mason caught me off guard. Fanfrickingtastic from the very first page. She is very good at grabbing my attention and keeping it, from the opening page to the closing page. Her pacing and suspense is superb. She had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and with each new book her writing amazes all over again.
Celeste is a psychic, she has premonitions. The dead like to talk to her. Does this enable her to change the future or just get answers for something that has already happened? Her mother had been a psychic, but was in denial. Would Olivia, her daughter, be one too?
Her father is Ian, who founded C.O.R.E., a private investigative agency. She had used her abilities to help in investigations, but she hasn’t had any visions in two years.She is married to John, who doesn’t understand her psychic abilities but loves her completely. She has a fourteen month old baby and loves being a mom. She quit working for C.O.R.E. and opened a bakery, the Sugar Shack. (Great name, Kristine. Brings forth good memories and leaves a song reverberating through my mind.)
All the characters are of a type, each special and talented in their own way. I have come to think of them as my family. They have all the problems you and I have, plus some extras.
John wants one thing and Celeste wants another, so where is the compromise between two professionals raising a baby and wanting another. Who will care for the children while they are working? Communication is always the key. Sometimes our perceptions can be wrong.
Celeste’s psychic gifts return. She does not know how they will reconcile John’s dislike of her gift, so she keeps it a secret from him. What price will she pay when he finds out?
NOW, it has become imperative she discover all her abilities and learn to control them, not let them control her. Danger surrounds her. She needs help. I loved that Maxine, the woman who would be her mentor, has a unicorn room. I used to collect unicorns and have them scattered throughout my home. Kristine seems to hit all my buttons. :-)
Kelly, her friend’s mom dies, but her vision showed her something, something that kept nagging at her, not letting her go. She couldn’t quite grasp what had happened. Have you been trying to think of something and it hovers just out of your grasp? Have you found your mind going round and round, refusing to be shut off? Mine does all the time.
Celeste goes into trances that are so deep, she is afraid she may not return from them. She died with Kelly, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw. She is afraid the next time, she may walk with the dead into the light. Imagine John’s terror at seeing her like that, unable to call her back.
Celeste listens to a tape John made while she was in a trance, trying to understand his fears. Now she understands, but that still doesn’t change anything. He believes in facts, evidence and science and struggles to understand her psychic world. Some people need to feel, see and touch, no faith in acceptance and belief for what can’t be explained. For Celeste to use her abilities to solve a murder was not a surprise for her, but was there more to it, more that she would not let her mind confront?
I love the sexual banter between Celeste and John. The love and romance is hot without being graphic. Kristine talks about the pitter patter of little baby feet and I hear it. She talks about babby babble and I want to speak it. The mommy/daddy/baby banter is so sweet, cute and loving, it puts a smile on my face. So much love from John as he grapples with her gifts. And secrets? Would you want your friends, and family to know all of yours?
“I’m always a bundle of nerves over what might happen to you when you’re working a case. What gets me through is knowing you’ll do whatever it takes to come back to me and Olivia. Trust that I would do the same.”
Celeste makes me think of the Ghost Whisperer, a TV show with Jennifer Love-Hewitt. She talked to earthbound spirits and helped them cross over into the light.
I want to race through the pages and work very hard to slow myself down. I want to savor the delicious morsels before me.
Kristine, like many authors with their “babies”, works very hard to produce the best product for her readers and I believe she does this in spades.
If you love romantic suspense novels, Kristine Mason’s books are a MUST READ. They stand above many New York Times bestselling authors.
I received an ARC from the author and am ecstatic to share my honest review with you!
To see the review with all the bells and whistles, stop by my blog and say hi:
http://www.fundinmental.com/fanfricki....
Kristine Mason caught me off guard. Fanfrickingtastic from the very first page. She is very good at grabbing my attention and keeping it, from the opening page to the closing page. Her pacing and suspense is superb. She had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and with each new book her writing amazes all over again.
Celeste is a psychic, she has premonitions. The dead like to talk to her. Does this enable her to change the future or just get answers for something that has already happened? Her mother had been a psychic, but was in denial. Would Olivia, her daughter, be one too?
Her father is Ian, who founded C.O.R.E., a private investigative agency. She had used her abilities to help in investigations, but she hasn’t had any visions in two years.She is married to John, who doesn’t understand her psychic abilities but loves her completely. She has a fourteen month old baby and loves being a mom. She quit working for C.O.R.E. and opened a bakery, the Sugar Shack. (Great name, Kristine. Brings forth good memories and leaves a song reverberating through my mind.)
All the characters are of a type, each special and talented in their own way. I have come to think of them as my family. They have all the problems you and I have, plus some extras.
John wants one thing and Celeste wants another, so where is the compromise between two professionals raising a baby and wanting another. Who will care for the children while they are working? Communication is always the key. Sometimes our perceptions can be wrong.
Celeste’s psychic gifts return. She does not know how they will reconcile John’s dislike of her gift, so she keeps it a secret from him. What price will she pay when he finds out?
NOW, it has become imperative she discover all her abilities and learn to control them, not let them control her. Danger surrounds her. She needs help. I loved that Maxine, the woman who would be her mentor, has a unicorn room. I used to collect unicorns and have them scattered throughout my home. Kristine seems to hit all my buttons. :-)
Kelly, her friend’s mom dies, but her vision showed her something, something that kept nagging at her, not letting her go. She couldn’t quite grasp what had happened. Have you been trying to think of something and it hovers just out of your grasp? Have you found your mind going round and round, refusing to be shut off? Mine does all the time.
Celeste goes into trances that are so deep, she is afraid she may not return from them. She died with Kelly, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw. She is afraid the next time, she may walk with the dead into the light. Imagine John’s terror at seeing her like that, unable to call her back.
Celeste listens to a tape John made while she was in a trance, trying to understand his fears. Now she understands, but that still doesn’t change anything. He believes in facts, evidence and science and struggles to understand her psychic world. Some people need to feel, see and touch, no faith in acceptance and belief for what can’t be explained. For Celeste to use her abilities to solve a murder was not a surprise for her, but was there more to it, more that she would not let her mind confront?
I love the sexual banter between Celeste and John. The love and romance is hot without being graphic. Kristine talks about the pitter patter of little baby feet and I hear it. She talks about babby babble and I want to speak it. The mommy/daddy/baby banter is so sweet, cute and loving, it puts a smile on my face. So much love from John as he grapples with her gifts. And secrets? Would you want your friends, and family to know all of yours?
“I’m always a bundle of nerves over what might happen to you when you’re working a case. What gets me through is knowing you’ll do whatever it takes to come back to me and Olivia. Trust that I would do the same.”
Celeste makes me think of the Ghost Whisperer, a TV show with Jennifer Love-Hewitt. She talked to earthbound spirits and helped them cross over into the light.
I want to race through the pages and work very hard to slow myself down. I want to savor the delicious morsels before me.
Kristine, like many authors with their “babies”, works very hard to produce the best product for her readers and I believe she does this in spades.
If you love romantic suspense novels, Kristine Mason’s books are a MUST READ. They stand above many New York Times bestselling authors.
I received an ARC from the author and am ecstatic to share my honest review with you!
To see the review with all the bells and whistles, stop by my blog and say hi:
http://www.fundinmental.com/fanfricki....
February 19, 2015
The first book in all of the Core series had a paranormal aspect to it. The rest were not. This first book in the Psychic Core series takes us back to Celeste and John. Since their book and all the harrowing things that Celeste went through her “gift” of experiencing what a victim goes through before they die has been quite for two years. During that time Celeste has become a mother and running her own bakery. So when out of the blue an episode hits her she is both shocked and excited. Shocked because when she goes into one of her trances she is not aware of anything that is going on around her – this could put her baby in harm’s way and she also knows her husband isn’t going to be thrilled its back either. On the other hand she is somewhat relieved that it’s back because is been a part of her whole life along with all the women in her family.
One of the big differences in this book is Celeste, through her father’s urging, is now going to a psychic mentor that is helping her learn how to control and stay grounded during her episodes. I’ve always enjoyed the author’s graphic details she writes of Celeste trances of how the victim was murdered – its always so vivid and you feel you are experiencing it right along with Celeste.
This was a good kick off to new series that looks to be where each book there will be a murder that Celeste needs to solve with her gift. Its also about the love between Celeste and John and the trust they both have to have in each other to deal with it. I am never disappointed in a Kristine Mason book and love all of the different break off Core series she write and look forward to reading them..
One of the big differences in this book is Celeste, through her father’s urging, is now going to a psychic mentor that is helping her learn how to control and stay grounded during her episodes. I’ve always enjoyed the author’s graphic details she writes of Celeste trances of how the victim was murdered – its always so vivid and you feel you are experiencing it right along with Celeste.
This was a good kick off to new series that looks to be where each book there will be a murder that Celeste needs to solve with her gift. Its also about the love between Celeste and John and the trust they both have to have in each other to deal with it. I am never disappointed in a Kristine Mason book and love all of the different break off Core series she write and look forward to reading them..
May 29, 2025
2,5 stars
This book was interesting and had some cool ideas, especially with the whole psychic/vision angle. It definitely kept me curious about what was going on. But honestly, I found parts of it kind of confusing, especially toward the end. I’m still not 100% sure what happened or how I’m supposed to feel about it. I think it had potential, just didn’t fully click for me.
This book was interesting and had some cool ideas, especially with the whole psychic/vision angle. It definitely kept me curious about what was going on. But honestly, I found parts of it kind of confusing, especially toward the end. I’m still not 100% sure what happened or how I’m supposed to feel about it. I think it had potential, just didn’t fully click for me.
February 21, 2024
I enjoyed it, not the best.
November 22, 2017
She cane see what other people can't see and she help the police it is really good
July 8, 2015
I enjoyed more the books in the past series because there was an undercurrent of gripping terror that here was missing.
Where the villains in the past books were truly frightening, I found that here it was not the case.
There's nothing extremly wrong and stupid here, but something is missing... It could be that the books is short... I realy don't know and cannot put my finger on it, but while I still love the writing style I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others.
But I'll be reading the next one! :)
Where the villains in the past books were truly frightening, I found that here it was not the case.
There's nothing extremly wrong and stupid here, but something is missing... It could be that the books is short... I realy don't know and cannot put my finger on it, but while I still love the writing style I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others.
But I'll be reading the next one! :)
March 2, 2015
I love all things paranormal and was very excited to read this. It was all I'd hoped for and more.
I'm excited that Celeste is getting her own series. Her and John are 2 of my faves. The struggles they have dealing with her gift serve to make the characters real and relatable. And the main story itself was very believable. And so good! I did not see that ending coming!
Ms Mason never disappoints. Her story telling skills are exceptional and I can't wait for the next one.
I'm excited that Celeste is getting her own series. Her and John are 2 of my faves. The struggles they have dealing with her gift serve to make the characters real and relatable. And the main story itself was very believable. And so good! I did not see that ending coming!
Ms Mason never disappoints. Her story telling skills are exceptional and I can't wait for the next one.
August 2, 2018
This was a good read but centered entirely on Celeste from the original CORE series. I would classify it as general mystery/suspense and not romantic suspense except that it is an offshoot of the others. John becomes little more than a minor secondary character. The book does stay true to Celeste's character established previously, both in the good ways and in her unfortunate tendency to occasionally act immature and bitchy.
I probably will continue with the Celeste Files series, but only when I'm in the mood for something besides romance. Honestly, if I had to pick between the two for suspense, I would rather read a series with John as the MC. He has always been the better character to me.
I probably will continue with the Celeste Files series, but only when I'm in the mood for something besides romance. Honestly, if I had to pick between the two for suspense, I would rather read a series with John as the MC. He has always been the better character to me.
January 2, 2020
Paranormal excellence❤️
Absolutely love anything that Kristine writes! This book has been on my TBR list for ages and even though I bought this book a while ago....I wasn’t quite ready to read it but now I question why I waited so long😭
I loved this story and being back with Celeste and her hubby John. This story starts with Celeste having a vision and unlocks her gift and danger along with it. A not to be missed series and author that will keep you on your toes and awake ALL night from the storylines😁
Absolutely love anything that Kristine writes! This book has been on my TBR list for ages and even though I bought this book a while ago....I wasn’t quite ready to read it but now I question why I waited so long😭
I loved this story and being back with Celeste and her hubby John. This story starts with Celeste having a vision and unlocks her gift and danger along with it. A not to be missed series and author that will keep you on your toes and awake ALL night from the storylines😁
January 5, 2024
What a surprise! This is actually quite good. Even the conflict between the couple felt realistic rather than dramatic. I love the family scenes with the baby because they felt quite natural! The psychic/trance scenes are pretty creepy as well. What an underrated series. (And possibly underrated author too?)
April 13, 2019
Excellent
Absolutely a wonderful book. The story so exciting from the first and on to two surprising ends. I read it in two days I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller. Now I will read the next book in this series.
Absolutely a wonderful book. The story so exciting from the first and on to two surprising ends. I read it in two days I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good thriller. Now I will read the next book in this series.
February 10, 2024
Really enjoyed! She’s trying to get her physic abilities under control, has a 14 month old and a husband who works for her father investing stuff.
Has a “fairy god mother” type teaching her to control her abilities but I honk something is up with her and Celeste’s dead mom.
Has a “fairy god mother” type teaching her to control her abilities but I honk something is up with her and Celeste’s dead mom.
January 12, 2018
Good story, continuing with a character from her other books. I just did not like the interaction between Celeste and John.. really felt it should have been handled differently...
July 14, 2018
A good book to read
October 17, 2023
Good story. Unnecessary sex scenes for a psychic thriller however.
March 27, 2024
This is a Great storyline with a psychic. I never guessed the ending.
July 4, 2015
The beginning of the book, I found it a difficult read but as the story progressed - mainly after game way through, I found I was enjoying the story a lot more. I wouldn't say, it's a book you can't put down, but I find myself wanting to read the first book of this series as book three has unfortunately not garnered my interest.
Celeste Kain is a psychic in which the dead live their final moments through her and in doing so, Celeste physical being is in danger. She must use the aid of another psychic to help ground her during her trances and visions.
Celeste bears witness psychically the murders of her friend's mum and the half sister nobody knew about. Worried about losing her friendship, but wanting to be a voice for the victims, Celeste enlists the help of a local P.I. who is also associated with the case and together they investigate her visions to stop the killer from striking once more.
Celeste Kain is a psychic in which the dead live their final moments through her and in doing so, Celeste physical being is in danger. She must use the aid of another psychic to help ground her during her trances and visions.
Celeste bears witness psychically the murders of her friend's mum and the half sister nobody knew about. Worried about losing her friendship, but wanting to be a voice for the victims, Celeste enlists the help of a local P.I. who is also associated with the case and together they investigate her visions to stop the killer from striking once more.
February 21, 2015
Short and not so sweet
I really enjoyed the CORE and Ultimate CORE series, so I was excited about trying this new spin off. John and Celeste were favorites of mine from the original CORE series, and I looked forward to getting more of their story. Unfortunately, this story fell a little flat for me. It felt sort of slow moving and had more of a procedural feel than most of the other CORE books. A few things didn't ring true for me in the storyline, but it is fiction after all. My main problem was the ending. Everything was wrapped up very quickly and too neatly for my inquisitive mind. I just couldn't make myself buy into it. This was definitely my least favorite of all the CORE books. That said, I will probably still at least give the next book a try in hopes that it will be closer to the level of wonderful suspense I always expect from this author.
I really enjoyed the CORE and Ultimate CORE series, so I was excited about trying this new spin off. John and Celeste were favorites of mine from the original CORE series, and I looked forward to getting more of their story. Unfortunately, this story fell a little flat for me. It felt sort of slow moving and had more of a procedural feel than most of the other CORE books. A few things didn't ring true for me in the storyline, but it is fiction after all. My main problem was the ending. Everything was wrapped up very quickly and too neatly for my inquisitive mind. I just couldn't make myself buy into it. This was definitely my least favorite of all the CORE books. That said, I will probably still at least give the next book a try in hopes that it will be closer to the level of wonderful suspense I always expect from this author.
Read
March 1, 2015Fantastic new series!
I love all things paranormal and was very excited to read this. It was all I'd hoped for and more.
I'm excited that Celeste is getting her own series. Her and John are 2 of my faves. The struggles they have dealing with her gift serve to make the characters real and relatable. And the main story itself was very believable. And so good! I did not see that ending coming!
Ms Mason never disappoints. Her story telling skills are exceptional and I can't wait for the next one.
I love all things paranormal and was very excited to read this. It was all I'd hoped for and more.
I'm excited that Celeste is getting her own series. Her and John are 2 of my faves. The struggles they have dealing with her gift serve to make the characters real and relatable. And the main story itself was very believable. And so good! I did not see that ending coming!
Ms Mason never disappoints. Her story telling skills are exceptional and I can't wait for the next one.
August 7, 2015
Kept me reading
I loved this series and spinoffs. Each book goes together but can be read separately. The struggles with everyday life when you are a psychic can be trouble. But to have a support there for you, helps
I loved this series and spinoffs. Each book goes together but can be read separately. The struggles with everyday life when you are a psychic can be trouble. But to have a support there for you, helps
February 23, 2015
The Shadow and Ultimate CORE were better, more thrilling reads. This was ok.
Read
May 31, 2015Another great read!!
I love Celeste, John and Olivia. This was a great story with wonderful characters and an ending that I did not see coming.
I love Celeste, John and Olivia. This was a great story with wonderful characters and an ending that I did not see coming.
December 19, 2019
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
October 1, 2015
Great read
March 26, 2017
Celeste Unlocked
After two years without a vision the dead have found her. Like all of Kristine Mason's books suspense is every where. You are kept guessing from beginning to end, with more romance on the side. Getting reacquainted with Celeste and John the added bonus. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a great story with suspense.
After two years without a vision the dead have found her. Like all of Kristine Mason's books suspense is every where. You are kept guessing from beginning to end, with more romance on the side. Getting reacquainted with Celeste and John the added bonus. I recommend this book to everyone who loves a great story with suspense.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews