Shadows Stir at Seven Sisters

Seven Sisters #3

by M.L. Bullock

Shadows Stir at Seven Unearthing the Past's Echoes*In the heart of downtown Mobile, the walls of Seven Sisters whisper secrets of a bygone era — and one name echoes through the Calpurnia Cottonwood.*Historian Carrie Jo Jardine and the enigmatic owner of Seven Sisters, Ashland Stuart, stand on the precipice of the plantation's final mystery. Having triumphed over spectral dangers from a past that refuses to slumber, they now face a haunting question that threads through the mansion’s Where is Calpurnia Cottonwood?Compelled by the unyielding spirits of Seven Sisters and driven by her own indomitable will, Carrie Jo once again harnesses her extraordinary dream catching gift. Venturing through the veils of time, she seeks out the fragments of truth scattered in the past. Each dream is a step deeper into the labyrinth of family secrets and buried scandals.In her quest to uncover the fate of Calpurnia, Carrie Jo is not merely a witness to history; she becomes an integral thread in the tapestry of stories that enshroud Seven Sisters. But as she navigates the shadowy corners of the mansion's legacy, she realizes that some secrets are guarded by forces more formidable than she ever anticipated."Shadows Stir at Seven Sisters" invites you into a world where the line between the past and present is as delicate as a spider's web. Join Carrie Jo and Ashland as they journey into the heart of a mystery that has lingered in the halls of Seven Sisters for generations. Will they unravel the enigma of Calpurnia Cottonwood, or will the shadows of yesteryear consume their search for truth?SEVEN SISTERS#1 Seven Sisters#2 Moonlight Falls on Seven Sisters#3 Shadows Stir at Seven Sisters#4 The Stars That Fell#5 The Stars We Walked Upon#6 The Sun Rises Over Seven Sisters#7 Beyond Seven SistersBonus Christmas at Seven SistersBonus The Ghost on the SwingBonus Silent Night, Haunted NightThe Ultimate Seven Sisters CollectionIDLEWOOD#1 The Ghosts of Idlewood#2 Dreams of Idlewood#3 The Whispering Saint#4 The Haunted ChildThe Hauntings of IdlewoodRETURN TO SEVEN SISTERS#1 The Roses of Mobile#2 All the Summer Roses#3 Blooms Torn Asunder#4 A Garden of Thorns#5 Wreath of RosesReturn to Seven Sisters CollectionTHE GRACEFIELD HAUNTINGS#1 Haunted Gracefield#2 The Three Graces#3 Grace Before DyingThe Gracefield Hauntings Collection

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction, Horror, Fantasy

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2015

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I spoke too soon saying book 2 was missing something, as it all arrives in book 3. A great read that I read in one day as I couldn't put it down!!!
This book has the answers to the mystery of the Seven Sisters mansion and it's hidden secret of what happened to Calpurnia Cottonwood. It's full of mystery, action, danger and mad mixed up relationships in the past and the present. When nothing is as it seems how can CJ make sense of everything and find the answers she seeks when she doesn't know who to trust???
A great book and a series well worth reading!

[Barbara Langlois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow true to the hype. Loved this book

[Emily Horne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending kinda felt sudden but the series continues so maybe it will explain the jump more in the next book

[Taralyn Knox · Rating 3 out of 5]

WTH?

What was that ending? I don't like how it ended. On to number 4 and see if it makes more sense
Edit:
(Book 4 was more confusing and I did not even try to finish it)

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waited until I had read the first three books in this series before I wrote a review. I enjoyed these books and the story very much. However, I don't enjoy a series that ends each book with a cliffhanger, compelling the reader to buy toe next book. Personally, I'd rather have a longer book and get the whole story.

The story was compelling and quite spellbinding, fortunately I was able to get each book free, but I have to say that had I been forced to pay full price, I would never have finished the series. I find that very sad and I feel somewhat exploited by the style of writing that compels the reader to continue buying the next book in order to get the whole story.

[Crystal Pralle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a page turner

This book was entertaining but not my favorite. I felt like the author shared minute details that didn't add to the plot and made the book drag on in spots. I skimmed the second half just to get it over with.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

This was an excellent series, well worth reading. I had a hard time putting it down. Thank you for writing such an amazing story, I felt like I was right there.

[Patty Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing

I delete that it had a great build up of characters. and then let you down at the end. All the bad guys died with no conclusion. to the last treasure.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first three "books" in this series should have been one book. The storyline was carried through in all of the books. The plots that got introduced in the first book didn't get explained or completed until the third book. There was absolutely no reason for all three books to only have 12 chapters, about 150 pages each, and storylines that were all of one arc. If all of these books had been complied into one novel, it would have made way more sense. The urge to keep reading would have been there. The plot would have been completed in a way that made sense. And it still would have only been about 500 pages.

The books read like a soap opera. You have all of the classic tropes in there. Buried treasure. People are coming back from the dead. Ghosts appearing to pretty much anyone with a name in the story. Double and triple crosses. And the "cliffhanger" endings of each book that read like the end of one days episode of any soap opera.

The other thing that bugged me about this book is that the epilogue seemed to have been tacked on as an afterthought. Time had apparently passed since Carrie Jo and Ashland are married and have a baby. But we have no idea what happened when. CJ mentions some things in the epilogue, and the reader is supposed to infer quite a bit.

That being said, this is an enjoyable story. It's fast-paced, so it does lose a little bit of character development and world building. But it's an easy read when you don't want to have to think too hard.

There are apparently 8 books total in this series, and I will read them all. Mostly, I'm hoping to get some of my questions answered. Hopefully, the rest of the books won't be one book split into 5 or 6 pieces.

My rating for the first three books: 4 stars

[M.M. Schreier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little concerned after the first 2 installments that this 3rd would continue the serial novel format, however it did more or less wrap up most of the storylines, with only a couple lingering questions. All in, "books" 1-3 read as one complete novel.

I was not a big fan of the epilogue - it felt tacked on, like a hasty addition designed to complete the Calpurnia storyline.

Despite enjoying the premise and finding the writing light and easy reading, I slowly lost interest in the characters as I continued through the first 3 installments. While the story continues (currently for free on kindle unlimited) I have no real desire to read on- I'm not invested enough to spend the time.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weak Ending

For as compelling as the first two books were I was so disappointed in this one. Finding out what happened to Calpurnia and Muncie was just okay. The conclusion for Isla and the Captain was just really not explained only a passing mention.

So much more could have been done to complete the saga of the Seven Sisters and make me interested in reading the next chapter of Callie Jo and Ashland's life. As it is I think I I'll wait for either $.99 sale or better yet freebies.

[Bette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven Sistershas come to life ... and not in ways historian Carrie Jo Jardine had expected. Family secrets still exist even after Carrie Jo survived a dangerous encounter with a visitor from the past. Carrie Jo and house owner, Ashland Stuart, have one last mystery to uncover. Where is Calpurnia Cottonwood? Carrie Jo once more puts her dream catching gift to work. She returns to the past, searching for clues, and she’s determined to finally find out what happened to Calpurnia Cottonwood.

This Southern paranormal mystery kept me entertained and guessing to the end.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This last of three stories was fairly fulfilling. After better understanding Carrie Jo’s dream abilities, the changing perspectives of the characters was much more fluid. Finally having closure with Calpurnia was also a plus. However, the ending of this particular novella seemed exceptionally rushed!! I thought I had missed something, but after going back and rereading, I realized that Bullock had written a simple “The End” to the story and the characters. Still, I loved the mystery and the inclusion of the supernatural!

[Victoria Terrinoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series but I finally bought the Ultimate book with the entire series because I had to reread book #1 to figure out what was going on in book #2. Bullock does not give any background at all in subsequent books. You could not pick up one of the middle books and figure out what is happening or even who the characters are. A paragraph or two recapping who is who and the general plot of the series would be nice in each book.

[Jennifer (Jaye) (I was on a roll, now struggling to add comments - why???) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There needs to be more

This book almost seems like it’s the end of an era but there are more books to go. CJ spent a lot of this book trying to work out why her friend Mia seems to be deranged and is her friend William on cahoots with Mia or can he be trusted. Let alone dealing with the ghosts of the Seven Sisters. I hope this is not the end of the story and they touch on more about the characters past and present

[Anne Schell · Rating 1 out of 5]

still terrible

I keep hoping the author will learn how to write a story but she doesn’t. The storyline itself is good. Only now one hopes that someone will teach the author that you simply cannot begin a tale without a beginning, middle and end. If you are going to use characters from another book you must still introduce them. You cannot assume the reader knows the backstory of each character. Very poorly written

[Donna Hendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop reading!

The first book is fabulous and as soon as it ends, you have to start reading the second one. As soon as it ends you have to start reading the third!

The books are wonderful. There is mystery, heart pounding intrigue, love... I can't say enough about how good this series is. I am a voracious reader and I almost don't want to finish because the series is so good. More, more, more!

[Kelly Graban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

This book will hold you to the very end. An ending that you will not expect but one you will wish for. Happy,sad and fulfilling. I have to read the next one so get ready for my next review. This authoress is right up there with Nora Roberts , Heather Gramm and Merabeth James.

[Karel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Third Book In The Series

Another excellent book in the series! One part of the past finished and now onto the next! This series, as I've said before, fascinating and fast moving. It is really well written and the story intriguing. Again, I highly recommend this book and the whole series. Now onto Book 4!

[Mickey Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series!

So far, these books are well written and captivating. I love the main characters, and most of the paranormal aspects of the story. There are some missing pieces from between the books that I find distracting. Maybe they will be pulled together in later books. I am looking forward to the next books.

[Susan Sheehy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series goes on for while but I'm feeling like it's too much to get to it. The book seems to be broken into seven sections and by this 3rd book I'm feeling done. The character's dreams are few now and it's mostly just a love story, sort of.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third book finally gives us a kind of resolution, but it is awkward and disjointed, placed largely within an epilogue.

While I have enjoyed this story, it is very poorly structured, and difficult to find any satisfaction in. This needed a good editor, and sadly did not have it.

[Toni Tavernier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each book in the series stops at 80 some percent, with ads for next one filling in the rest of book

I don't like this writer using almost 1/3 of book to advertise her others. Each one in the series does that. I'm done with her

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

Plenty of twists and turns and interesting characters makes this series one of my favorites. The historical characters are multilayered and easily pull you in to their plight. I certainly plan on reading the next book in the series.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I can say I have enjoyed the story, the writing was all over the place. At times it was ok, and others, just didn't seem to flow. There were times that the story seemed to jump around. I liked the premise of the story, and the characters.

[Nicole Tul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Great characters,a mystery with a little supernatural mixed in. Very clean writing,nothing gory, no sex in offensive details. Grab the series and get lost for awhile.

[Naomi Martinez]

This book is like a rollercoaster for sure. Just when you think you've figured out what's happen something different happens.

I love a mystery book and I found that in this book. If you enjoy a little paranormal with a lot of mystery then this book is for you.

[Elizabeth MacDuffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series!

Fabulous deep south History and atmosphere. The Historical and Supernatural
Intertwine with Interesting characters and surprising plot twist and turns. You can almost smell and taste current day Mobile, Alabama. This whole series is a great find!

[Sarah Haque · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overdose of mysteries :/

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the ending but there was too much missing from the story at the end. Not enough about what went onto happen to many of the characters.