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A Frost of Cares
Military historian Luke Alcott leaps at the chance to live in the seventeenth-century country mansion of Eelmoor Hall, home of the Royal Military School of Medicine, after being offered a job cataloging the school’s archives. Luke believes he chose the perfect place to start a new life and put his broken past behind him. But soon after settling into the old house, he hears strange noises—like footsteps—and he begins to suffer from terrible nightmares.
The only person Luke can turn to for help is the taciturn caretaker, Jay, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who carries an old battle wound. Together they try to understand Eelmoor Hall’s history and decipher what could be causing the haunting. As the weather grows colder and snow dusts the countryside, a child goes missing. Luke needs to deal with his own demons and learn to trust in love again if he hopes to face down the angry spirit and find the missing girl.
The only person Luke can turn to for help is the taciturn caretaker, Jay, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who carries an old battle wound. Together they try to understand Eelmoor Hall’s history and decipher what could be causing the haunting. As the weather grows colder and snow dusts the countryside, a child goes missing. Luke needs to deal with his own demons and learn to trust in love again if he hopes to face down the angry spirit and find the missing girl.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2016
24 people are currently reading
836 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rae Durreson
34 books385 followersAmy Rae Durreson is a quiet Brit with a degree in early English literature, which she blames for her somewhat medieval approach to spelling, and at various times has been fluent in Latin, Old English, Ancient Greek, and Old Icelandic, though these days she mostly uses this knowledge to bore her students. Amy started her first novel a quarter of a century ago and has been scribbling away ever since. Despite these long years of experience, she has yet to master the arcane art of the semicolon. She was a winner in the 2017 Rainbow Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
July 26, 2016
This story starts later. The end is the beginning, and the beginning is this:
Luke doesn’t believe in ghosts. But when one lonely Christmas he finally accepts that his boyfriend Danny is never coming home, he leaves London for Eelmoor Hall where he meets the Mistletoe Bride, a girl who hid so well, no one ever found her.
But that’s not the most important part. The most important part is Jay.
As Luke tells us, This isn’t a ghost story. This is a love story.
Both men have lost so much: a partner, a limb, their sense of self. Some things we lose forever, and some return to us.
Luke is looking for closure so he can stop waiting for Danny, who was gone long before he left Luke at a hospital ten years prior and never returned.
And Jay, all frowns and hard edges, is looking for someone he can trust, someone who will stay. He doesn't know it, but Jay is looking for Luke.
We know how this story ends: with a happily ever after.
But if you know only the end, you’ll miss the frantic, lingering kisses; you’ll miss the fireworks and cheese on toast, and two little girls caught in a dangerous game of hide-and-go-seek; you’ll miss an old coal chute and a woman’s sigh.
A Frost of Cares is chilling and provocative—the best kind of gothic mystery, and an even better romance. Brilliantly written, sexy, and just a little bit creepy, this book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
This is a story of how Luke and Jay fell in love. It’s a story about loss and fear, but mostly it's a story about healing and letting go. This is a story of ghosts outside and within. It’s every love story we tell ourselves.
Luke doesn’t believe in ghosts. But when one lonely Christmas he finally accepts that his boyfriend Danny is never coming home, he leaves London for Eelmoor Hall where he meets the Mistletoe Bride, a girl who hid so well, no one ever found her.
But that’s not the most important part. The most important part is Jay.
As Luke tells us, This isn’t a ghost story. This is a love story.
Both men have lost so much: a partner, a limb, their sense of self. Some things we lose forever, and some return to us.
Luke is looking for closure so he can stop waiting for Danny, who was gone long before he left Luke at a hospital ten years prior and never returned.
And Jay, all frowns and hard edges, is looking for someone he can trust, someone who will stay. He doesn't know it, but Jay is looking for Luke.
We know how this story ends: with a happily ever after.
But if you know only the end, you’ll miss the frantic, lingering kisses; you’ll miss the fireworks and cheese on toast, and two little girls caught in a dangerous game of hide-and-go-seek; you’ll miss an old coal chute and a woman’s sigh.
A Frost of Cares is chilling and provocative—the best kind of gothic mystery, and an even better romance. Brilliantly written, sexy, and just a little bit creepy, this book grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
This is a story of how Luke and Jay fell in love. It’s a story about loss and fear, but mostly it's a story about healing and letting go. This is a story of ghosts outside and within. It’s every love story we tell ourselves.
December 31, 2017
*Quick! Run and grab this in the next 30 minutes for only $0.77!! (12/31/17 until 6 pm EST) https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/boo...*
*4.5 stars*
I was hesitant to read this book because I heard from a few people that it was spooky, and me and scary thing do. not. mix. I can't stomach anything more intense than Harry Potter, and even that pushed me to my limits, TBH. But I was TOTALLY fine reading this book, and I think all of my fellow wimps will be fine with it too.
This book is told in an interesting format, sort of like a diary entry. I liked that because all of the events in the story happened in the past, so I KNEW that everything was going to be okay with the paranormal elements. If I know the MCs survive, I can stomach a few spooky details.
Where this book really shines is in the romance. I often have issues with novellas because it isn't usually enough time to build intimacy between characters. That wasn't an issue here. The romance between Luke and Jay felt very organic, and I loved the little private snippets of conversation between the two of them told in the diary format. It made me feel like I was peeking in on their relationship, which helped me feel emotion in a novella-length story.
The plot was interesting but not the highlight for me. Still, I enjoyed reading about the journey to discover what happened to the ghost, even if it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Overall, this was an excellent read and another standout from this author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
*4.5 stars*
I was hesitant to read this book because I heard from a few people that it was spooky, and me and scary thing do. not. mix. I can't stomach anything more intense than Harry Potter, and even that pushed me to my limits, TBH. But I was TOTALLY fine reading this book, and I think all of my fellow wimps will be fine with it too.
This book is told in an interesting format, sort of like a diary entry. I liked that because all of the events in the story happened in the past, so I KNEW that everything was going to be okay with the paranormal elements. If I know the MCs survive, I can stomach a few spooky details.
Where this book really shines is in the romance. I often have issues with novellas because it isn't usually enough time to build intimacy between characters. That wasn't an issue here. The romance between Luke and Jay felt very organic, and I loved the little private snippets of conversation between the two of them told in the diary format. It made me feel like I was peeking in on their relationship, which helped me feel emotion in a novella-length story.
The plot was interesting but not the highlight for me. Still, I enjoyed reading about the journey to discover what happened to the ghost, even if it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Overall, this was an excellent read and another standout from this author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
February 8, 2017
Cross-posted at Shelf Inflicted and at Outlaw Reviews
A delightful read by a new to me author that left me breathless and charmed in equal measure. This is a modern gothic novel set in England replete with a haunted country mansion, dusty archives, an unhappy ghost, an aloof caretaker, and a lonely man looking for a fresh start.
Jay McBride lost his leg in Afghanistan. Luke Alcott is losing hope that he will find his missing lover. Luke is offered a job by the Royal Military School of Medicine that involves cataloguing the school’s archives stored at Eelmoor Hall.
This story was interestingly told from Luke’s perspective a decade after the story’s events. Though he has achieved closure after learning what happened to Danny, and moved on to have a very loving relationship, Luke is still haunted by the Mistletoe Bride. His husband, Jay, believes that writing the story down will excise the ghosts in his head.
The men don’t like each other at first. Their friendship starts tentatively with lots of conversation, a home-cooked meal and lots of heat, including that caused by the green chilies. I loved how Luke and Jay work through their struggles together and develop trust and love.
This is a romance first, and a beautiful one that takes its time developing. Luke and Jay may drive each other crazy at times, but there is no denying the chemistry between them. This is also a chilling, tense and satisfying mystery that wraps up neatly in the end.
I gobbled up this book in one sitting, flipping pages well into the night. It was beautifully written, dark, atmospheric, and as comforting as a warm blanket.
A delightful read by a new to me author that left me breathless and charmed in equal measure. This is a modern gothic novel set in England replete with a haunted country mansion, dusty archives, an unhappy ghost, an aloof caretaker, and a lonely man looking for a fresh start.
Jay McBride lost his leg in Afghanistan. Luke Alcott is losing hope that he will find his missing lover. Luke is offered a job by the Royal Military School of Medicine that involves cataloguing the school’s archives stored at Eelmoor Hall.
This story was interestingly told from Luke’s perspective a decade after the story’s events. Though he has achieved closure after learning what happened to Danny, and moved on to have a very loving relationship, Luke is still haunted by the Mistletoe Bride. His husband, Jay, believes that writing the story down will excise the ghosts in his head.
The men don’t like each other at first. Their friendship starts tentatively with lots of conversation, a home-cooked meal and lots of heat, including that caused by the green chilies. I loved how Luke and Jay work through their struggles together and develop trust and love.
“I don’t think it’s the things that happen to us that decide whether we’re broken. I think it’s how we choose to live with the things we can’t control.”
This is a romance first, and a beautiful one that takes its time developing. Luke and Jay may drive each other crazy at times, but there is no denying the chemistry between them. This is also a chilling, tense and satisfying mystery that wraps up neatly in the end.
I gobbled up this book in one sitting, flipping pages well into the night. It was beautifully written, dark, atmospheric, and as comforting as a warm blanket.
October 2, 2025
This isn’t a ghost story. This is a love story. It’s the story of how I fell in love with you. And it has a happy ending, like the best stories do.
I really enjoyed this one, even with its odd pacing and slightly meandering flow. The story is told in Luke’s voice nearly a decade after the events, almost diary-style, with him looking back and commenting as he goes, which sometimes made it tricky to follow, but also gave the story warmth.
The atmosphere is wonderfully eerie, Durreson captures the chill of an old, haunted house and the sense of being constantly watched so well.
While doing some research in an estate, Luke finds himself drawn to Jay, the gruff ex-soldier turned caretaker who now manages the isolated estate after losing a leg to an IED. Their connection builds slowly, with a quiet trust and shared vulnerability, and I loved how it unfolded alongside the creepy ghost story. She was very creepy!!
Tropes/themes:
Haunted house/winter ghost story
Grumpy caretaker
Thoughtful historian
Hurt/comfort
Slow burn
Isolation setting
Past trauma
Healing through love
HEA
This is a proper winter ghost story, bleak, tense, a little heartbreaking, but with a thread of hope running through it.
*I don’t believe for one second those poor kids recovered from what happens at the end without years of therapy.
I really enjoyed this one, even with its odd pacing and slightly meandering flow. The story is told in Luke’s voice nearly a decade after the events, almost diary-style, with him looking back and commenting as he goes, which sometimes made it tricky to follow, but also gave the story warmth.
The atmosphere is wonderfully eerie, Durreson captures the chill of an old, haunted house and the sense of being constantly watched so well.
While doing some research in an estate, Luke finds himself drawn to Jay, the gruff ex-soldier turned caretaker who now manages the isolated estate after losing a leg to an IED. Their connection builds slowly, with a quiet trust and shared vulnerability, and I loved how it unfolded alongside the creepy ghost story. She was very creepy!!
Tropes/themes:
Haunted house/winter ghost story
Grumpy caretaker
Thoughtful historian
Hurt/comfort
Slow burn
Isolation setting
Past trauma
Healing through love
HEA
This is a proper winter ghost story, bleak, tense, a little heartbreaking, but with a thread of hope running through it.
*I don’t believe for one second those poor kids recovered from what happens at the end without years of therapy.
March 25, 2016
i got waylaid by certain internet fuckeries and didn't have much energy even to enjoy a new Durreson, which tells you something.
piecemeal as my read was, i can say i liked it lots, and can certify without equivocation that when the scary ghosty bits happened i had to squeeze a cat a little too hard for a few minutes until my heart rate went down.
i thought the typing-while-talking-while-writing bits were too much; they were distracting for me and felt a bit forced.
but the romance made me feel good, and that denouement was unusually excellent, with all the hurly-burly and imperiled [spoilers] and whatnot.
some things didn't make sense to me, like how .
but by then i was having too much fun to give a shit, so.
piecemeal as my read was, i can say i liked it lots, and can certify without equivocation that when the scary ghosty bits happened i had to squeeze a cat a little too hard for a few minutes until my heart rate went down.
i thought the typing-while-talking-while-writing bits were too much; they were distracting for me and felt a bit forced.
but the romance made me feel good, and that denouement was unusually excellent, with all the hurly-burly and imperiled [spoilers] and whatnot.
some things didn't make sense to me, like how .
but by then i was having too much fun to give a shit, so.
October 8, 2025
This random little ghost story novella managed to hit upon the perfect balance of spooky atmosphere, ghost story mystery and romance and I gobbled it up.
Luke Alcott, a Junior Research Fellow specialising in the 19th century development of the British Army, is hired by the Royal Military School of Medicine to catalogue all their history that has accumulated in Eelmoor Hall, where they have been housed since the 1920s. When Luke arrives at the imposing estate he is met by the only other inhabitant, the handsome but taciturn, Sergeant Jay McBride, who is in the process of being medically discharged from the British Army and staying at the estate rent free in exchange for keeping an eye on the property. It isn’t long into the cataloging work that Luke starts to suspect that something is very wrong at Elmore Hall and that perhaps even his wellbeing could be at risk.
Despite loving a good spooky book its rare that I actually feel unsettled but the way this haunting manifested and the mounting tension really worked for me and I found myself holding my breath along with Luke as the haunting and the stakes escalated.
I absolutely loved the relationship between Jay and Luke. The process of watching them find connection, support and understanding and becoming increasingly smitten with each other was a delight. This is a novella though, so while I don’t believe that it’s insta-love, it is not a slow burn. Honestly, it just felt like a very real attraction that is put under some pretty unique pressures.
I think that the way that this story was told wouldn’t be for everyone. The narrative is framed by way of Lukes written recounting of the events that happened over the winter at Eelmore Hall. I enjoyed Luke’s narrative voice so it didn’t bother me, but I can imagine the occasional 4th wall breaks wouldn’t work for a lot of people and it does suck some of the drama out of the story cause you know immediately there’s a HEA eventually by virtue of him sitting down to write it.
End of the day though, a fantastic short spooky read with a delightful romantic subplot and such a good spooky season pick up!
Luke Alcott, a Junior Research Fellow specialising in the 19th century development of the British Army, is hired by the Royal Military School of Medicine to catalogue all their history that has accumulated in Eelmoor Hall, where they have been housed since the 1920s. When Luke arrives at the imposing estate he is met by the only other inhabitant, the handsome but taciturn, Sergeant Jay McBride, who is in the process of being medically discharged from the British Army and staying at the estate rent free in exchange for keeping an eye on the property. It isn’t long into the cataloging work that Luke starts to suspect that something is very wrong at Elmore Hall and that perhaps even his wellbeing could be at risk.
Despite loving a good spooky book its rare that I actually feel unsettled but the way this haunting manifested and the mounting tension really worked for me and I found myself holding my breath along with Luke as the haunting and the stakes escalated.
I absolutely loved the relationship between Jay and Luke. The process of watching them find connection, support and understanding and becoming increasingly smitten with each other was a delight. This is a novella though, so while I don’t believe that it’s insta-love, it is not a slow burn. Honestly, it just felt like a very real attraction that is put under some pretty unique pressures.
I think that the way that this story was told wouldn’t be for everyone. The narrative is framed by way of Lukes written recounting of the events that happened over the winter at Eelmore Hall. I enjoyed Luke’s narrative voice so it didn’t bother me, but I can imagine the occasional 4th wall breaks wouldn’t work for a lot of people and it does suck some of the drama out of the story cause you know immediately there’s a HEA eventually by virtue of him sitting down to write it.
End of the day though, a fantastic short spooky read with a delightful romantic subplot and such a good spooky season pick up!
February 3, 2019
LOVED this. I can't think of one negative or niggle. (please no-one faint in shock!)
The blurb has full promise of a gothic romance and despite knowing it was set in modern times the very first sentence threw me off the tracks at the same time captivating me, I was immediately there with the character. Luke exploded off the page, then invited confidences, drawing me into the tale before I noticed. Also sounding very British there at the beginning!
It's written as an epistolary; Luke writing down what happened ten years ago, but adding some contemporary observations - which works incredibly well. Never breaking the flow it enables the story to be third person but also include a more personal aspect; an instant sense of familiarity bringing the reader into the circle, reassuring chills and easing anywhere the story might get too heavy.
Jay is a solid strength, taciturn from his own problems he warms up as the story progresses, showing vulnerability through his pride while never seeming weak. He grounds the story and felt real. I loved them together. The support they offer each other, the emotion when they come together. How they always felt like equals who fit well together.
The ghost story is very creepy, tying in with events in Luke's life to run the gauntlet of sad, interesting and outright scary. Chilling without melodrama. It's intelligently written with enough historical input to be interesting but not overwhelm. There's some looking at their own lives as well as things from the past. Mostly though this is a love story, as Luke himself comes to see:
Perfect. I have a love of gothic romance; wandering old isolated buildings with their histories, their attractive cranky caretakers, some mystery, a touch of paranormal and strong men carrying each other through. And I do need my happy endings.
Completely absorbed me, it's like the author read my wish-list! Left me blinking at the sun-light needing to re-acclimatise with life.
The blurb has full promise of a gothic romance and despite knowing it was set in modern times the very first sentence threw me off the tracks at the same time captivating me, I was immediately there with the character. Luke exploded off the page, then invited confidences, drawing me into the tale before I noticed. Also sounding very British there at the beginning!
It's written as an epistolary; Luke writing down what happened ten years ago, but adding some contemporary observations - which works incredibly well. Never breaking the flow it enables the story to be third person but also include a more personal aspect; an instant sense of familiarity bringing the reader into the circle, reassuring chills and easing anywhere the story might get too heavy.
Jay is a solid strength, taciturn from his own problems he warms up as the story progresses, showing vulnerability through his pride while never seeming weak. He grounds the story and felt real. I loved them together. The support they offer each other, the emotion when they come together. How they always felt like equals who fit well together.
The ghost story is very creepy, tying in with events in Luke's life to run the gauntlet of sad, interesting and outright scary. Chilling without melodrama. It's intelligently written with enough historical input to be interesting but not overwhelm. There's some looking at their own lives as well as things from the past. Mostly though this is a love story, as Luke himself comes to see:
This isn't a ghost story. This is a love story. It's the story of how I fell in love with you. And it has a happy ending, like the best stories do.
Perfect. I have a love of gothic romance; wandering old isolated buildings with their histories, their attractive cranky caretakers, some mystery, a touch of paranormal and strong men carrying each other through. And I do need my happy endings.
Completely absorbed me, it's like the author read my wish-list! Left me blinking at the sun-light needing to re-acclimatise with life.
August 25, 2019
DNF @ 43%
I didn’t like the writing style, I couldn’t feel anything in this story so far. Considering all the good reviews, it’s just me and not the book. Hope you like it more than me!
I didn’t like the writing style, I couldn’t feel anything in this story so far. Considering all the good reviews, it’s just me and not the book. Hope you like it more than me!
January 30, 2016
4.5 stars
A modern day gothic - downright scary at times - yet perfectly balanced out by its lovely and gentle romance.
This story is told as a recounting by Luke. He's a military historian asked to temporarily move up to Eelmoor Hall to catalogue the library before the military relocates. Luke sees this as an opportunity to move on ... ten years ago his boyfriend, Danny, disappeared. He's waited for him all those years but he finally realizes it's time to give up. Yet lingering guilt haunts Luke. And it won't be the only thing haunting Luke at Eelmoor ...
The only other person at Eelmoor is Jay who lives in one of the outbuildings and acts as caretaker. Jay recently lost his leg and is in the process of retiring from the military. Although their initial meetings are frosty (as Luke says "look, I never claimed it was love at first sight"), Luke and Jay gradually become friends and, as eerie things start to happen to Luke at Eelmoor, Jay is steadfastly there at his side.
And those eerie things? It seems to be that the ghost of the Mistletoe Bride is at Eelmoor. It's an old-fashioned urban myth, or so Luke thinks, that the bride went missing on her wedding night after a game of hide and seek. Perhaps being locked into a trunk that she's not able to open? No one ever knows as she is never found, dead or alive.
For some reason, the Mistletoe Bride seems to be haunting Luke in particular, likely sensing his lingering guilt over not doing everything he could to find Danny. This leads to some really chilling scenes here. Admittedly, I don't read a huge number of ghost stories so maybe not everyone will find them as chilly as me but I definitely felt some fear reading this!
What I loved, though, was the perfect balance between the scariness and the developing relationship between Luke and Jay. They each have scars, both physical and mental, that they need to overcome and, together, they're able to do it, first as friends and then as lovers.
This isn't a ghost story. This is a love story. It's the story of how I fell in love with you.
A modern day gothic - downright scary at times - yet perfectly balanced out by its lovely and gentle romance.
This story is told as a recounting by Luke. He's a military historian asked to temporarily move up to Eelmoor Hall to catalogue the library before the military relocates. Luke sees this as an opportunity to move on ... ten years ago his boyfriend, Danny, disappeared. He's waited for him all those years but he finally realizes it's time to give up. Yet lingering guilt haunts Luke. And it won't be the only thing haunting Luke at Eelmoor ...
The only other person at Eelmoor is Jay who lives in one of the outbuildings and acts as caretaker. Jay recently lost his leg and is in the process of retiring from the military. Although their initial meetings are frosty (as Luke says "look, I never claimed it was love at first sight"), Luke and Jay gradually become friends and, as eerie things start to happen to Luke at Eelmoor, Jay is steadfastly there at his side.
And those eerie things? It seems to be that the ghost of the Mistletoe Bride is at Eelmoor. It's an old-fashioned urban myth, or so Luke thinks, that the bride went missing on her wedding night after a game of hide and seek. Perhaps being locked into a trunk that she's not able to open? No one ever knows as she is never found, dead or alive.
For some reason, the Mistletoe Bride seems to be haunting Luke in particular, likely sensing his lingering guilt over not doing everything he could to find Danny. This leads to some really chilling scenes here. Admittedly, I don't read a huge number of ghost stories so maybe not everyone will find them as chilly as me but I definitely felt some fear reading this!
What I loved, though, was the perfect balance between the scariness and the developing relationship between Luke and Jay. They each have scars, both physical and mental, that they need to overcome and, together, they're able to do it, first as friends and then as lovers.
This isn't a ghost story. This is a love story. It's the story of how I fell in love with you.
February 7, 2024
✰ 3.75 stars ✰
“This isn’t a ghost story. This is a love story.
It’s the story of how I fell in love with you.”
Hauntingly poetic and beautifully atmospheric is how A Frost of Cares invites its readers into what has the basis of a ghost story, but is undoubtedly one of a love story. A love story of two broken people who end up in what technically is a haunted house, but emerge with a love stronger than the searching hands that just wanted to be found. For when military historian, Luke Alcott and the war veteran, Jay are assigned to overview Eelmoor Hall, both with their own respective reasons for being there, they weren't expecting to find more than just a ghost that haunted it, but leave with a love stronger than their broken pieces and a bond tighter than the forces that threaten to keep their hearts apart. 🤍🤍
“Things never just end, do they? Every painful thing comes back to haunt you, time and time and time again.”
Even though the story is being recalled in Luke's perspective nearly ten years later than the events that unfold - almost a diary-style format with Luke commenting over his shoulder, so to speak - there was such a warmth and honesty to it that immediately invites you in. Despite the few interruptions of breaking the fourth wall, so to speak, it was still very easy to read - very descriptive and informative in a way that the history lessons that Luke shared, never threatened to overtake the narrative. 👍🏻 While the history of the mansion is important, so too is the way the author provides enough backstory to each character that brings them to life; it makes them human with wounded limbs and broken spirits that somehow helps them relate to one another.
Luke's story was so heart-breaking; waiting for nearly ten years for his boyfriend, Danny to return, but not all was always well in their relationship. And Jay's own past was just as painful - emotional battle wounds that were more than skin-deep. They're both damaged in their own respective ways, but meeting each other gave them a chance to heal - the emotional closure they both didn't know they needed. 🥺 'I felt so warm, as if I was filled from head to toe with heat, not blazing and hungry but softly overwhelming.' Jay was so stubbornly quiet and yet so fiercely protective of Luke. But, the way Luke acted upon his attraction, the way that almost out of a frenzied necessity they clung to one another, only to ease into a comfortable stance, till their lives were in such immediate danger that they had to escape the ghostly haunts - was so very well done. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Carefully, I lay down again, pillowing my face back onto his leg. Before I could think better of it, I dropped a kiss onto the soft skin of his inner thigh.
“Actually, no,” he said, voice rough. “Get up here.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, but he pulled me in hard, hugging me so tightly that I could barely breathe. Even when he relaxed that grip, he held me close, pressing his face against my shoulder and mumbling something.
“What?” I asked.
“I said you’re one of the good ones, aren’t you?”
Luke and Jay's romance may have had the roots of an opposites attract scenario, yet even with their obvious attraction being so very quick it felt so right. 🥹🥹 They were both very likeable characters and their conversations never felt stilted or forced. I loved their easy banter, the way they started to feel comfortable with one another. 'You’d be a pain to rescue.” / “Oh, is this a rescue now? I thought we were both just running away. 😊 Luke and Jay had a bit of a rocky start, but once they realized that they only had each other to look out for - that their lives were in danger and they couldn't deny how much they were drawn to each other - the pull became stronger than the will to stay apart.
And the open vulnerability in their intimate scenes - the reassuring way in which Luke comforted Jay, that absolutely heartbreaking moment when Jay shows how raw he still is from what he lost during his time in the war was so painfully tender. At the same time, you can't forget Luke's grief and heartache and the way Jay gently reminds him that Luke is still alive, that he can overcome it and face his fears and that he's worthy of being here. It was just so lovely and caring and kind; just this soft tender melody of two people who rise above their challenges and confront their scars - literally and physically. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“I don’t think it’s the things that happen to us that decide whether we’re broken. I think it’s how we choose to live with the things we can’t control.”
A lot also has to be admired about the writing. The author so skillfully kept it light and humorous with Luke and Jay's conversations, but then gave such a sad and lonely touch to when they were feeling down - this longing of wanting to be close to someone and not knowing if they can still have that. 'Just this tiny little luxury of having someone share my space, even a near stranger I wasn’t sure I liked, was heady.' And still be so very descriptive in capturing the prevailing chill of the cold emanating the mansion and the chilling presence of the ghost. I got chills - it was creepy and cryptic.It's not the way it just jumps out at you, but this quiet presence that sneaks up upon you that lets the fear feel. 😨 I appreciated all the historical facts that the author shared - whether factual or fictional it made the threat seem so much more palpable.
The Mistletoe Bride was terrifying - she was hellbent on a purpose, but she still emanated such a grief and sadness to her - almost an echo to Luke's own personal trauma that you can't help but sympathize for her and the gripping terror she brought upon them. 😦 It was prevalent and Luke's fear and his need to find out the truth behind it was a heady motivation, which culminated in a terrifying yet satisfying conclusion that wrapped up all storylines very nicely and soundly so. It was bittersweet and rather cathartic and as it is when ghosts are involved, there's just a sense of time lost and an existence that was searching for something more than what had been denied to them for so very long. 🥺
“My prime of youth is but a frost of cares.”
I enjoyed the author's writing style quite a lot. I would have liked it if it had been a bit longer to give their relationship more time to grow, but the story itself was so well written and their love, such a beautiful and believable one that I can find myself forgiving it for its shortcomings. For in the end I got to see two damaged souls find something in each other that only tackling a ghost could help them find, then who am I to say anything, but let them have the shot at happiness that that poor soul was denied so many years ago. 🥰
“This isn’t a ghost story. This is a love story.
It’s the story of how I fell in love with you.”
Hauntingly poetic and beautifully atmospheric is how A Frost of Cares invites its readers into what has the basis of a ghost story, but is undoubtedly one of a love story. A love story of two broken people who end up in what technically is a haunted house, but emerge with a love stronger than the searching hands that just wanted to be found. For when military historian, Luke Alcott and the war veteran, Jay are assigned to overview Eelmoor Hall, both with their own respective reasons for being there, they weren't expecting to find more than just a ghost that haunted it, but leave with a love stronger than their broken pieces and a bond tighter than the forces that threaten to keep their hearts apart. 🤍🤍
“Things never just end, do they? Every painful thing comes back to haunt you, time and time and time again.”
Even though the story is being recalled in Luke's perspective nearly ten years later than the events that unfold - almost a diary-style format with Luke commenting over his shoulder, so to speak - there was such a warmth and honesty to it that immediately invites you in. Despite the few interruptions of breaking the fourth wall, so to speak, it was still very easy to read - very descriptive and informative in a way that the history lessons that Luke shared, never threatened to overtake the narrative. 👍🏻 While the history of the mansion is important, so too is the way the author provides enough backstory to each character that brings them to life; it makes them human with wounded limbs and broken spirits that somehow helps them relate to one another.
Luke's story was so heart-breaking; waiting for nearly ten years for his boyfriend, Danny to return, but not all was always well in their relationship. And Jay's own past was just as painful - emotional battle wounds that were more than skin-deep. They're both damaged in their own respective ways, but meeting each other gave them a chance to heal - the emotional closure they both didn't know they needed. 🥺 'I felt so warm, as if I was filled from head to toe with heat, not blazing and hungry but softly overwhelming.' Jay was so stubbornly quiet and yet so fiercely protective of Luke. But, the way Luke acted upon his attraction, the way that almost out of a frenzied necessity they clung to one another, only to ease into a comfortable stance, till their lives were in such immediate danger that they had to escape the ghostly haunts - was so very well done. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Carefully, I lay down again, pillowing my face back onto his leg. Before I could think better of it, I dropped a kiss onto the soft skin of his inner thigh.
“Actually, no,” he said, voice rough. “Get up here.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, but he pulled me in hard, hugging me so tightly that I could barely breathe. Even when he relaxed that grip, he held me close, pressing his face against my shoulder and mumbling something.
“What?” I asked.
“I said you’re one of the good ones, aren’t you?”
Luke and Jay's romance may have had the roots of an opposites attract scenario, yet even with their obvious attraction being so very quick it felt so right. 🥹🥹 They were both very likeable characters and their conversations never felt stilted or forced. I loved their easy banter, the way they started to feel comfortable with one another. 'You’d be a pain to rescue.” / “Oh, is this a rescue now? I thought we were both just running away. 😊 Luke and Jay had a bit of a rocky start, but once they realized that they only had each other to look out for - that their lives were in danger and they couldn't deny how much they were drawn to each other - the pull became stronger than the will to stay apart.
And the open vulnerability in their intimate scenes - the reassuring way in which Luke comforted Jay, that absolutely heartbreaking moment when Jay shows how raw he still is from what he lost during his time in the war was so painfully tender. At the same time, you can't forget Luke's grief and heartache and the way Jay gently reminds him that Luke is still alive, that he can overcome it and face his fears and that he's worthy of being here. It was just so lovely and caring and kind; just this soft tender melody of two people who rise above their challenges and confront their scars - literally and physically. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“I don’t think it’s the things that happen to us that decide whether we’re broken. I think it’s how we choose to live with the things we can’t control.”
A lot also has to be admired about the writing. The author so skillfully kept it light and humorous with Luke and Jay's conversations, but then gave such a sad and lonely touch to when they were feeling down - this longing of wanting to be close to someone and not knowing if they can still have that. 'Just this tiny little luxury of having someone share my space, even a near stranger I wasn’t sure I liked, was heady.' And still be so very descriptive in capturing the prevailing chill of the cold emanating the mansion and the chilling presence of the ghost. I got chills - it was creepy and cryptic.It's not the way it just jumps out at you, but this quiet presence that sneaks up upon you that lets the fear feel. 😨 I appreciated all the historical facts that the author shared - whether factual or fictional it made the threat seem so much more palpable.
The Mistletoe Bride was terrifying - she was hellbent on a purpose, but she still emanated such a grief and sadness to her - almost an echo to Luke's own personal trauma that you can't help but sympathize for her and the gripping terror she brought upon them. 😦 It was prevalent and Luke's fear and his need to find out the truth behind it was a heady motivation, which culminated in a terrifying yet satisfying conclusion that wrapped up all storylines very nicely and soundly so. It was bittersweet and rather cathartic and as it is when ghosts are involved, there's just a sense of time lost and an existence that was searching for something more than what had been denied to them for so very long. 🥺
“My prime of youth is but a frost of cares.”
I enjoyed the author's writing style quite a lot. I would have liked it if it had been a bit longer to give their relationship more time to grow, but the story itself was so well written and their love, such a beautiful and believable one that I can find myself forgiving it for its shortcomings. For in the end I got to see two damaged souls find something in each other that only tackling a ghost could help them find, then who am I to say anything, but let them have the shot at happiness that that poor soul was denied so many years ago. 🥰
August 19, 2020
~4.5 stars!~
This is one of those books that was outside of my comfort zone, but so so worth it.
HEA - check.
Angst - check
Good character development - check
Ghost haunting MCs' living space - check
No, not that kind of ghost. Let me start over for you.
Luke is a British military historian hired to archive and pack up the contents of a library at a historic residence that's been owned and used by the Army for medical school for the past century. It's there he meets the only other person who inhabits the residence, Sergeant McBride, it's caretaker.
The story is told through epistolary method, as Luke is recounting the events from those weeks in an electronic journal, ten years after they've happened. We learn of the outcome of the romantic relationship right away because of it, though this didn't take anything away the outpouring of Luke's story.
Luke and Jay have demons though. Luke is still mourning an ex who disappeared ten years ago, never to be heard from again. Jay is still mourning a limb. Neither have accepted where life has brought them. This was my favorite part of the book. Watching them blossom for each other. Even with only Luke's POV, we truly see BOTH men's scars begin to heal.
Luke is staying in a room far across this "manor" from where Jay resides. And its away from Jay that he begins to encounter "her." The Mistletoe Bride latches onto Luke, for whatever reason, and wants him to help her. As a historian, Luke does all he can to research what happened during her actual life and how it was tied to the building, and then tries to deduce what it is that she wants. Now, if it was me? I'd have run screaming after the first "incident" because there is no amount of money worth that shit, uh uh, no way, no how. But it's Luke's and Jay's logic and Luke's researcher mind that cause these men to keep digging.
But what starts out as them thinking she means no harm, she just wants resolution, quickly turns into "This chick is cray cray."
Aaaaand this is where my discomfort came in. So I feel the need to put out a warning, just for those who are scaredy cats like me. There's a bit of a creep factor with this book. It's not OTT. It's not gonna make you lose sleep. But this isn't a "nice" ghost, content to haunt the halls and just be seen from time to time. So I have no shame in admitting that I was a smidge freaked the fuck out. I was also reading at night while the rest of my house was sleeping, which in hindsight was probably not the best setup for my ninny baby self. Anywaaaaaay....moving on. Not thinking about it. Luke and Jay know what they gotta do.
Even though there's a ghost here, it doesn't detract from the romance at all. Like I said earlier, the whole time they are researching and plotting how to rid Luke of the hold she has over him, our MCs are building something, becoming smitten, and healing. I was all smiles. And the British humor had a lot to do with that. The snark was spicy and right up my alley.
I highly recommend this one, even those who don't usually read m/m with ghosts. I usually don't either, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be going to this author's backlist immediately to see what else she's got.
This is one of those books that was outside of my comfort zone, but so so worth it.
HEA - check.
Angst - check
Good character development - check
Ghost haunting MCs' living space - check
No, not that kind of ghost. Let me start over for you.
Luke is a British military historian hired to archive and pack up the contents of a library at a historic residence that's been owned and used by the Army for medical school for the past century. It's there he meets the only other person who inhabits the residence, Sergeant McBride, it's caretaker.
The story is told through epistolary method, as Luke is recounting the events from those weeks in an electronic journal, ten years after they've happened. We learn of the outcome of the romantic relationship right away because of it, though this didn't take anything away the outpouring of Luke's story.
Luke and Jay have demons though. Luke is still mourning an ex who disappeared ten years ago, never to be heard from again. Jay is still mourning a limb. Neither have accepted where life has brought them. This was my favorite part of the book. Watching them blossom for each other. Even with only Luke's POV, we truly see BOTH men's scars begin to heal.
Luke is staying in a room far across this "manor" from where Jay resides. And its away from Jay that he begins to encounter "her." The Mistletoe Bride latches onto Luke, for whatever reason, and wants him to help her. As a historian, Luke does all he can to research what happened during her actual life and how it was tied to the building, and then tries to deduce what it is that she wants. Now, if it was me? I'd have run screaming after the first "incident" because there is no amount of money worth that shit, uh uh, no way, no how. But it's Luke's and Jay's logic and Luke's researcher mind that cause these men to keep digging.
But what starts out as them thinking she means no harm, she just wants resolution, quickly turns into "This chick is cray cray."
Aaaaand this is where my discomfort came in. So I feel the need to put out a warning, just for those who are scaredy cats like me. There's a bit of a creep factor with this book. It's not OTT. It's not gonna make you lose sleep. But this isn't a "nice" ghost, content to haunt the halls and just be seen from time to time. So I have no shame in admitting that I was a smidge freaked the fuck out. I was also reading at night while the rest of my house was sleeping, which in hindsight was probably not the best setup for my ninny baby self. Anywaaaaaay....moving on. Not thinking about it. Luke and Jay know what they gotta do.
Even though there's a ghost here, it doesn't detract from the romance at all. Like I said earlier, the whole time they are researching and plotting how to rid Luke of the hold she has over him, our MCs are building something, becoming smitten, and healing. I was all smiles. And the British humor had a lot to do with that. The snark was spicy and right up my alley.
I highly recommend this one, even those who don't usually read m/m with ghosts. I usually don't either, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will be going to this author's backlist immediately to see what else she's got.
August 1, 2016
**4.5 stars**
I almost never read ghost stories, but Dani's review convinced me to give this a go. I LOVED it.
What an amazingly skilled author Amy Rae Durreson is, pulling off the first-person single POV, AND breaking the fourth wall, so that Luke is talking directly to us readers.
Bravo! I'm officially creeped out, and I have no regrets.
I almost never read ghost stories, but Dani's review convinced me to give this a go. I LOVED it.
What an amazingly skilled author Amy Rae Durreson is, pulling off the first-person single POV, AND breaking the fourth wall, so that Luke is talking directly to us readers.
Bravo! I'm officially creeped out, and I have no regrets.
June 22, 2020
Just as amazing as I remember.
------------Original Review 2 Aug 2016-----------
4.5 Stars
A Frost of Cares starts at the end, which is kind of like the beginning, only later. Or something like that. It was kind of an odd way to start a story like this, but it totally worked.
Luke Alcott knows loss. He's been waiting for his boyfriend, Danny, to come home for ten long years. And I don't mean he actually expected it to happen, but he didn't really move forward in his life, either. Luke deserved better than he got from Danny, who was drowning in addictions, but Luke isn't a man who gives up easily.
Jay McBride is a damaged man. But not necessarily in the way he thinks. He lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan, sure, but the damage done was more than superficial and though he has come a long way in dealing with his pain and PTSD, there are parts of him that have yet to begin healing.
Luke says this isn't a ghost story, but I don't agree. It isn't just the story of the ghost haunting Eelmoor Hall, though. No, most of the ghosts are their own pasts. And it is those ghosts that really begin their story together. The manifestation of the ghost of Eelmoor Hall was a perfect metaphor for dealing with the past so they can finally move on.
Both men are well acquainted with pain and loss. They both carry scars - emotional and physical. They are both survivors. And they help each other heal and move on. And they fall in love. So, maybe this is a love story, after all. Yeah, it definitely is that. (But it's also a ghost story.)
What an amazing story A Frost of Cares is! Told in the first person, by Luke, it is in turns chilling and hot. And more than a little creepy. Reading this book before bed wasn't the wisest of moves, perhaps, but it was worth it.
--------------------------
A review copy of A Frost of Cares was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
------------Original Review 2 Aug 2016-----------
4.5 Stars
"This isn't a ghost story. This is a love story. It's the story of how I fell in love with you."
A Frost of Cares starts at the end, which is kind of like the beginning, only later. Or something like that. It was kind of an odd way to start a story like this, but it totally worked.
Luke Alcott knows loss. He's been waiting for his boyfriend, Danny, to come home for ten long years. And I don't mean he actually expected it to happen, but he didn't really move forward in his life, either. Luke deserved better than he got from Danny, who was drowning in addictions, but Luke isn't a man who gives up easily.
Jay McBride is a damaged man. But not necessarily in the way he thinks. He lost a leg while serving in Afghanistan, sure, but the damage done was more than superficial and though he has come a long way in dealing with his pain and PTSD, there are parts of him that have yet to begin healing.
Luke says this isn't a ghost story, but I don't agree. It isn't just the story of the ghost haunting Eelmoor Hall, though. No, most of the ghosts are their own pasts. And it is those ghosts that really begin their story together. The manifestation of the ghost of Eelmoor Hall was a perfect metaphor for dealing with the past so they can finally move on.
Both men are well acquainted with pain and loss. They both carry scars - emotional and physical. They are both survivors. And they help each other heal and move on. And they fall in love. So, maybe this is a love story, after all. Yeah, it definitely is that. (But it's also a ghost story.)
What an amazing story A Frost of Cares is! Told in the first person, by Luke, it is in turns chilling and hot. And more than a little creepy. Reading this book before bed wasn't the wisest of moves, perhaps, but it was worth it.
--------------------------
A review copy of A Frost of Cares was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Where are they when you need them?
What a remarkable ghost story!
Luke Alcott takes a temporary job at the abandoned military facility Eelmoor Hall, where he is supposed to index the library and put objects from an old museum in storage boxes.
Things are fine and Luke even takes a liking to grumpy Jay, the ex-military housekeeper/mechanic who lost a leg in an IED explosion - and who is literally the only person for miles around.
However, the two men aren't alone in the huge mansion. An oppressing presence roams the walls and haunts Luke in his sleep. Luke is receptive to this kind of haunting, since he has not yet found closure to a dark chapter in his life. Military historian Luke quickly finds the reason for the haunting and the origin of the ghost.
It's a girl whose sad fate even made it into folklore tales. The question remains: What does she want?
And how can Luke help her?
I loved the set up of the story. An eerie dark mansion, two very likable guys, both with dark and saddening pasts finding strength and ultimately love in each other.
The narration style is very outstanding too. The book is written by Luke himself as an account of what happened to him 10 years earlier. Luke doesn't hide his current life in favor of telling the story, so he often kind of breaks the 'fourth wall' by telling us what his husband Jay says about the passage he just wrote. I found this very unusual and while I disliked the fact that the outcome of the romance was revealed right at the beginning, it worked very well for this story.
I'm also glad we got a closure on Luke's past. He couldn't have moved on without knowing.
BUT, the ghost was a BITCH!!!
The things she did to Luke! I really hoped Jay would finally call for professional help to get rid of the gal!
Sadly, she didn't get a happy ending in her time, but then most ghost stories don't, since they're already dead...
I felt very bad for her, though.
This was a very impressive read!
5 stars!
What a remarkable ghost story!
Luke Alcott takes a temporary job at the abandoned military facility Eelmoor Hall, where he is supposed to index the library and put objects from an old museum in storage boxes.
Things are fine and Luke even takes a liking to grumpy Jay, the ex-military housekeeper/mechanic who lost a leg in an IED explosion - and who is literally the only person for miles around.
However, the two men aren't alone in the huge mansion. An oppressing presence roams the walls and haunts Luke in his sleep. Luke is receptive to this kind of haunting, since he has not yet found closure to a dark chapter in his life. Military historian Luke quickly finds the reason for the haunting and the origin of the ghost.
It's a girl whose sad fate even made it into folklore tales. The question remains: What does she want?
And how can Luke help her?
I loved the set up of the story. An eerie dark mansion, two very likable guys, both with dark and saddening pasts finding strength and ultimately love in each other.
The narration style is very outstanding too. The book is written by Luke himself as an account of what happened to him 10 years earlier. Luke doesn't hide his current life in favor of telling the story, so he often kind of breaks the 'fourth wall' by telling us what his husband Jay says about the passage he just wrote. I found this very unusual and while I disliked the fact that the outcome of the romance was revealed right at the beginning, it worked very well for this story.
I'm also glad we got a closure on Luke's past. He couldn't have moved on without knowing.
BUT, the ghost was a BITCH!!!
The things she did to Luke! I really hoped Jay would finally call for professional help to get rid of the gal!
Sadly, she didn't get a happy ending in her time, but then most ghost stories don't, since they're already dead...
I felt very bad for her, though.
This was a very impressive read!
5 stars!
October 25, 2016
It was good, but not that good.
I would have loved it to be much more, but in the end it was just ok.
The author really knows how to write a chapter, you are going to finish it and… BAM!!! No way you can stop there. I started this book at night (major error, I’ll explain why) and wanted to read only a few pages, enough to keep me interested for the following day. I read 30% of the book that way.
If you allow me this, I recommend reading this book in daylight and not in bed. I should have followed this advice myself, because it was creepy as hell reading about a ghost making an appearance at night while you are sleeping and who freezes you to death and doesn’t let you even blink every time you wake up.
It’s kind of claustrophobic and dark-phobic and bed-phobic and any other phobic I can come up with.
This book made my hair stand on end.
The story is written from a 1st person POV, Luke’s. I know people don’t like 1st person but I love it. I think it’s gets so close to the character’s heart in a way that a 3rd person couldn’t. In a different way, anyway. It’s not easy to do, but it’s beautiful to read.
Luke is writing the story, the story of what happened in that enchanted old house. But the real story is not the ghost that lived there. The real story is Jay. The story is for Jay. Their beginning. I loved the constant references to Jay, the glimpses of their present and the future, the buffing and eye-rolling from Jay’s part, and the loving interruptions that came just in time to delight me.
I loved the paranormal story. But I loved Jay’s story so much more. There is a particular rhythm with these parallel plots going hand to hand. I was so enthralled in each story that every time one of them cut the action in the middle I could not really care.
*****
I would have loved it to be much more, but in the end it was just ok.
The author really knows how to write a chapter, you are going to finish it and… BAM!!! No way you can stop there. I started this book at night (major error, I’ll explain why) and wanted to read only a few pages, enough to keep me interested for the following day. I read 30% of the book that way.
If you allow me this, I recommend reading this book in daylight and not in bed. I should have followed this advice myself, because it was creepy as hell reading about a ghost making an appearance at night while you are sleeping and who freezes you to death and doesn’t let you even blink every time you wake up.
It’s kind of claustrophobic and dark-phobic and bed-phobic and any other phobic I can come up with.
This book made my hair stand on end.
The story is written from a 1st person POV, Luke’s. I know people don’t like 1st person but I love it. I think it’s gets so close to the character’s heart in a way that a 3rd person couldn’t. In a different way, anyway. It’s not easy to do, but it’s beautiful to read.
Luke is writing the story, the story of what happened in that enchanted old house. But the real story is not the ghost that lived there. The real story is Jay. The story is for Jay. Their beginning. I loved the constant references to Jay, the glimpses of their present and the future, the buffing and eye-rolling from Jay’s part, and the loving interruptions that came just in time to delight me.
I loved the paranormal story. But I loved Jay’s story so much more. There is a particular rhythm with these parallel plots going hand to hand. I was so enthralled in each story that every time one of them cut the action in the middle I could not really care.
*****
Read
November 22, 2016A very enjoyable ghost story that builds up super-spooky atmosphere with one point that was genuinely make-you-jump startling. Which is pretty hard to do in a book, so that's admirable work. It's also got a lovely warm romance to go with, the ghost story and love story interacting very well, and handles some serious themes with care and grace.
I didn't love the device of it being consciously written by the 'now' narrator looking back with his now-husband watching him type, so that we knew from the beginning that he'd got his HEA. Obviously we knew we'd get a HEA, it's a romance, but knowing from the start that everything's going to work out kind of breaks the romance fourth wall. (The deal is that the reader knows there will be a HEA but we let the author make us doubt and hope and panic and fear before we have the confirmation.) IDK, it's just a genre convention, there's no reason not to muck around with those. And I liked the narrator's voice a great deal in itself. But I did feel that device just slackened the tension, both spooky and romantic a little.
A really engaging and likeable read, thoroughly engrossing.
I didn't love the device of it being consciously written by the 'now' narrator looking back with his now-husband watching him type, so that we knew from the beginning that he'd got his HEA. Obviously we knew we'd get a HEA, it's a romance, but knowing from the start that everything's going to work out kind of breaks the romance fourth wall. (The deal is that the reader knows there will be a HEA but we let the author make us doubt and hope and panic and fear before we have the confirmation.) IDK, it's just a genre convention, there's no reason not to muck around with those. And I liked the narrator's voice a great deal in itself. But I did feel that device just slackened the tension, both spooky and romantic a little.
A really engaging and likeable read, thoroughly engrossing.
February 21, 2017
Delightfully creepy, yet also delightfully romantic.
I've come to the conclusion that Amy Rae Durreson can write any genre. And she can write it well.
I'm really not a fan of epistolary-style novels. I rarely enjoy them, and usually have a hard time getting in to the story and connecting with the characters. But I decided to give this book a chance because of the author. I'd say that while this style of writing still isn't my favourite, it worked well for the story. The side commentary and musings added to the story, rather than being distracting.
Ghost stories genuinely freak me out. I can watch a slasher film without blinking an eye, but throw in a malevolent ghost and I'll end up clinging to whoever's sitting beside me. The paranormal aspect of this book sucked me in from the beginning. I could hear the floorboards creaking as the ghost walked around the house, and I could feel Luke's fear whenever he woke up paralyzed and terrified. The gothic feel to the story made it a page-turner.
'A Frost of Cares' is in equal parts also a romance. Both Luke and Jay know the feeling of loss and not having any control as their lives spiralled out of control. They're both a bit broken, and love is the last thing they're looking for. While the two get off to a rocky start, they grow closer as they spend dinners together, and soon can't deny the building attraction.
I really liked seeing the two go from at each other throats, to lightly teasing one another, before becoming more. Jay and Luke had a natural chemistry, so it was really easy to fill in the blanks and see how they went from the situation at Eelmoor Hall to married a decade later. I loved seeing the two together, and reading about them supporting and building each other up.
Overall, 'A Frost of Cares' was a great read. It's got a sweet romance, and a creepy ghost. Recommended!
I've come to the conclusion that Amy Rae Durreson can write any genre. And she can write it well.
I'm really not a fan of epistolary-style novels. I rarely enjoy them, and usually have a hard time getting in to the story and connecting with the characters. But I decided to give this book a chance because of the author. I'd say that while this style of writing still isn't my favourite, it worked well for the story. The side commentary and musings added to the story, rather than being distracting.
Ghost stories genuinely freak me out. I can watch a slasher film without blinking an eye, but throw in a malevolent ghost and I'll end up clinging to whoever's sitting beside me. The paranormal aspect of this book sucked me in from the beginning. I could hear the floorboards creaking as the ghost walked around the house, and I could feel Luke's fear whenever he woke up paralyzed and terrified. The gothic feel to the story made it a page-turner.
'A Frost of Cares' is in equal parts also a romance. Both Luke and Jay know the feeling of loss and not having any control as their lives spiralled out of control. They're both a bit broken, and love is the last thing they're looking for. While the two get off to a rocky start, they grow closer as they spend dinners together, and soon can't deny the building attraction.
I really liked seeing the two go from at each other throats, to lightly teasing one another, before becoming more. Jay and Luke had a natural chemistry, so it was really easy to fill in the blanks and see how they went from the situation at Eelmoor Hall to married a decade later. I loved seeing the two together, and reading about them supporting and building each other up.
Overall, 'A Frost of Cares' was a great read. It's got a sweet romance, and a creepy ghost. Recommended!
June 21, 2020
5 Stars
A few days ago, I started reading some great paranormal mysteries, and my journey down the proverbial (and scary) rabbit hole of Gothic mysteries began. I am already adding more of author Amy Rae Durreson's other ghost stories to my library. She tells an amazing tale!
This story is fantastic!
While there is an overwhelming sense of foreboding and fear that looms large, there is also a reassuring and comforting knowledge that all of the scary events happened in the past. While the narrator is telling his scary ghost story, he is also interspersing the tale with little joyful snippets from the present. The reader knows that whatever horror transpired in the past, this intrepid narrator survived and found love on the other side. This is, ultimately, a love story, and our narrator does a beautiful job of making the reader celebrate this love.
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~'s Reviews has an amazing review that does a wonderful job of describing this story and all the intense feelings it evokes.
I absolutely loved this beautiful tale of resilience, recovery, and renewal. Haunting, heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful and heartwarming.
Highly recommend!
A few days ago, I started reading some great paranormal mysteries, and my journey down the proverbial (and scary) rabbit hole of Gothic mysteries began. I am already adding more of author Amy Rae Durreson's other ghost stories to my library. She tells an amazing tale!
This story is fantastic!
While there is an overwhelming sense of foreboding and fear that looms large, there is also a reassuring and comforting knowledge that all of the scary events happened in the past. While the narrator is telling his scary ghost story, he is also interspersing the tale with little joyful snippets from the present. The reader knows that whatever horror transpired in the past, this intrepid narrator survived and found love on the other side. This is, ultimately, a love story, and our narrator does a beautiful job of making the reader celebrate this love.
~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~'s Reviews has an amazing review that does a wonderful job of describing this story and all the intense feelings it evokes.
I absolutely loved this beautiful tale of resilience, recovery, and renewal. Haunting, heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful and heartwarming.
Highly recommend!
March 5, 2017
Short, cute, nice plot and likeable characters. The plot was interesting and very intriguing.
Jay&Luke were so lovely. :)
Jay&Luke were so lovely. :)
February 9, 2017
4.5 stars. Wonderful story, wonderfully told. A ghost story (about the Mistletoe Bride, an English "urban legend" of sorts), set in a haunted English mansion and with MCs Luke & Jay. Loved how there was the historical mystery as well as the contemporary mystery of what happened to Danny, Luke's ex who had been missing for ten years.
Read
August 4, 2016I don't think I'm in the right mood for this one.
Strangely I found myself bored.
Perhaps I'll try again another day!
Strangely I found myself bored.
Perhaps I'll try again another day!
January 30, 2016
I love how the author told this story. It sooo worked. Luke is telling their story and I don’t mean it’s just in his POV, I mean he is writing down the story of Eelmoor Hall at Jay’s insistence with the hopes that Luke will be able to let the ghost go. It really reads as if a friend is telling me a truly great ghost story because it’s so story-tellerish. That totally makes sense in my head. It’s very personal from the beginning so I felt an immediate connection to Luke because his voice was so strong. Not to short change Jay at all, his presence was just as strong as he made comments to Luke throughout. Jay’s little digs and endearments as he peeks over Luke’s shoulder at what he’s writing, as told through Luke’s voice was completely charming. Note, pay special attention to 21%, it was yummmm and dayum and awwwwww all at once. It also is exactly why I love Jay and Luke together.
We know from the get go that they are an established couple, no mystery there, but that in no way takes away from the romance as the two get to know one another through Jay’s retelling of their winter at Eelmoor Hall. There is more than just one ghost in this story too. Not only is the mystery of the Mistletoe Bride told, but so is Luke’s history and the missing ex who still has a piece of him. That was a heartbreaker right there. It spoke to Luke’s strength of character and loyalty in a way that was really well done.
You’ll especially enjoy this if you are a native and have any interest at all in history. I’m across the pond from the stories setting and I found it fascinating. I’m sure a big part of that was in how Luke communicates. He’s that awesome history teacher you had (or wish you had) that teaches through anecdotes and makes the historical figures into real relatable people. It’s not that the story was particularly heavy with historical information, just balanced perfectly to make the ghost story make sense to what was happening to them.
I really love a good old fashioned ghost story and this is exactly that. It’s a story that has roots as a mysterious tragedy and that has been told and retold so many times the truth has been lost along the way. With Luke being a historian, it made perfect sense that he would be able to research the story of the Mistletoe Bride and figure out what facts fit their locale. The story is not overtold, it’s the perfect less-is-more approach. A few perfectly placed words and the absolute best chapter endings ever kept me hooked and deliciously creeped out.
The author did a really great job of balancing the ghost story with the romance between Jay and Luke. They may have been thrown together via circumstance and a haunting, but they didn’t shy away from the good thing they had going. I loved the evolution of their relationship, their banter and the building heat between them. They were both so real and honest, it was refreshing to read the beginnings of a relationship without unnecessary angst. They said what they felt and showed affection naturally. Plus, they had snark, I love snark. Considering the situation they found themselves in, the story could have been too heavy and dark, but the banter and aforementioned snark kept the story relatable throughout. I loved it.
Jay waited longer than I would have done, long enough that I was starting to get restless, but at last he said, “Clear.”
“I don’t think she’s going to shoot us.”
“Keep walking, Luke.”
“I’m walking. Just saying.”
I was pretty sure the look he was giving me was less than fond. “You’d be a pain to rescue.”
“Oh, is this a rescue now? I thought we were both just running away.”
Some of the absolute best parts were when the two were getting to know each other and divulging the stories of their own personal ghosts and then the reaction of the other. The reactions were always very thoughtful, words weren’t thrown into conversation to fill space or placate, every revelation had meaning. When Luke spoke about his ex, Danny, Jay was honest but respectful. Jay lost a leg on a tour in Afghanistan. He’s self-conscious in front of his new lover and the honesty that Luke respected him with was just perfect.
While Jay’s assignment to Luke was to write their story with the hopes of finally letting the ghost go, the conclusion that Luke came to in the end was ideal. This will no doubt be a reread for me in the future. The characters are too good to read just once and I had too much fun with the mystery not to revisit it.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
We know from the get go that they are an established couple, no mystery there, but that in no way takes away from the romance as the two get to know one another through Jay’s retelling of their winter at Eelmoor Hall. There is more than just one ghost in this story too. Not only is the mystery of the Mistletoe Bride told, but so is Luke’s history and the missing ex who still has a piece of him. That was a heartbreaker right there. It spoke to Luke’s strength of character and loyalty in a way that was really well done.
You’ll especially enjoy this if you are a native and have any interest at all in history. I’m across the pond from the stories setting and I found it fascinating. I’m sure a big part of that was in how Luke communicates. He’s that awesome history teacher you had (or wish you had) that teaches through anecdotes and makes the historical figures into real relatable people. It’s not that the story was particularly heavy with historical information, just balanced perfectly to make the ghost story make sense to what was happening to them.
I really love a good old fashioned ghost story and this is exactly that. It’s a story that has roots as a mysterious tragedy and that has been told and retold so many times the truth has been lost along the way. With Luke being a historian, it made perfect sense that he would be able to research the story of the Mistletoe Bride and figure out what facts fit their locale. The story is not overtold, it’s the perfect less-is-more approach. A few perfectly placed words and the absolute best chapter endings ever kept me hooked and deliciously creeped out.
The author did a really great job of balancing the ghost story with the romance between Jay and Luke. They may have been thrown together via circumstance and a haunting, but they didn’t shy away from the good thing they had going. I loved the evolution of their relationship, their banter and the building heat between them. They were both so real and honest, it was refreshing to read the beginnings of a relationship without unnecessary angst. They said what they felt and showed affection naturally. Plus, they had snark, I love snark. Considering the situation they found themselves in, the story could have been too heavy and dark, but the banter and aforementioned snark kept the story relatable throughout. I loved it.
Jay waited longer than I would have done, long enough that I was starting to get restless, but at last he said, “Clear.”
“I don’t think she’s going to shoot us.”
“Keep walking, Luke.”
“I’m walking. Just saying.”
I was pretty sure the look he was giving me was less than fond. “You’d be a pain to rescue.”
“Oh, is this a rescue now? I thought we were both just running away.”
Some of the absolute best parts were when the two were getting to know each other and divulging the stories of their own personal ghosts and then the reaction of the other. The reactions were always very thoughtful, words weren’t thrown into conversation to fill space or placate, every revelation had meaning. When Luke spoke about his ex, Danny, Jay was honest but respectful. Jay lost a leg on a tour in Afghanistan. He’s self-conscious in front of his new lover and the honesty that Luke respected him with was just perfect.
While Jay’s assignment to Luke was to write their story with the hopes of finally letting the ghost go, the conclusion that Luke came to in the end was ideal. This will no doubt be a reread for me in the future. The characters are too good to read just once and I had too much fun with the mystery not to revisit it.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
March 8, 2020
My first book by this author, which I haven't heard much about before. But I am very pleasantly surprised. Mostly with a writing style that reminds me of Josh Lanyon's style. In the best possible way.
We have two main characters here who remind me of those I know from Lanyon's novel. Strong, expressive personalities, intelligent men with a past. Who together form a very good pair.
The plot is also very good. I'm not a big fan of horror stories, and this one definitely has a lot from this genre. I would prefer something frightening, but I still think it's a very good story. Also, with a very well-developed love thread. Although it is a fairly short book, I had no doubts about the feelings between Luke and Jay.
This is definitely not my last book by this author. I hope her other works are equally good. And if you liked Winter and The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, then you should definitely read this book.
We have two main characters here who remind me of those I know from Lanyon's novel. Strong, expressive personalities, intelligent men with a past. Who together form a very good pair.
The plot is also very good. I'm not a big fan of horror stories, and this one definitely has a lot from this genre. I would prefer something frightening, but I still think it's a very good story. Also, with a very well-developed love thread. Although it is a fairly short book, I had no doubts about the feelings between Luke and Jay.
This is definitely not my last book by this author. I hope her other works are equally good. And if you liked Winter and The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, then you should definitely read this book.
February 1, 2016
Amazing book!
I loved this. This was a surprising hit out of the ballpark for me. I had never read this author before. In fact I had never heard of her before. The blurb sounded interesting so off I went. This book surpassed all my expectations. I love a good gothic romance but I don't come across them all that often in the m/m genre. This one though was perfect. The haunted manor, the ghost stories, the footsteps in the hallway, the cold spots, the breath on the back of your neck, the bad dreams, the paralyzing fear. It was all here and was creepy as can be. It was turn the lights on and look over your shoulder creepy. In addition to this there was a beautiful love story. It's a story about forgiveness and letting go of the past and going on with the future.
The story is told in first person pov as Luke tells us, the readers, a story about how he and Jay met. He's immediately personable and you felt drawn in right away. It was like sitting down with a good friend while they tell you a story. He tells you Jay's comments and one liners and he's goes along so you get a feel for Jay quickly also. A part of the story is how Luke came to let go of Danny, a love from his past. This is an important part of the story and was both touching and heartbreaking. Jay and Luke are great characters and I liked them both a lot. They had good chemistry and you can feel what makes them good together right away.
I think first person pov narration is hard to do well but again, I thought this was excellent. In the course of this story this author had me laughing, had me scared to death and had my eyes filling with tears of emotion. I felt so much for Luke and every event, every emotion, he went through. This is a must read in my opinion.
I loved this. This was a surprising hit out of the ballpark for me. I had never read this author before. In fact I had never heard of her before. The blurb sounded interesting so off I went. This book surpassed all my expectations. I love a good gothic romance but I don't come across them all that often in the m/m genre. This one though was perfect. The haunted manor, the ghost stories, the footsteps in the hallway, the cold spots, the breath on the back of your neck, the bad dreams, the paralyzing fear. It was all here and was creepy as can be. It was turn the lights on and look over your shoulder creepy. In addition to this there was a beautiful love story. It's a story about forgiveness and letting go of the past and going on with the future.
The story is told in first person pov as Luke tells us, the readers, a story about how he and Jay met. He's immediately personable and you felt drawn in right away. It was like sitting down with a good friend while they tell you a story. He tells you Jay's comments and one liners and he's goes along so you get a feel for Jay quickly also. A part of the story is how Luke came to let go of Danny, a love from his past. This is an important part of the story and was both touching and heartbreaking. Jay and Luke are great characters and I liked them both a lot. They had good chemistry and you can feel what makes them good together right away.
I think first person pov narration is hard to do well but again, I thought this was excellent. In the course of this story this author had me laughing, had me scared to death and had my eyes filling with tears of emotion. I felt so much for Luke and every event, every emotion, he went through. This is a must read in my opinion.
June 12, 2016
Squueeeeeeeeeeee :)
Since I'm not publishing this review for Prism, I fee like I can be a bit silly again ;-P
This book. Just wow.
It has everything one could wish for: suspense and surprising scary moments, fun and banter, romance and passionate love making, and likeable characters with depth and issues.
Moreover, all these different things worked so well together and complemented each other. I'm blown away by the richness of the story, although it's under 200 pages long, and it doesn't feel too much, either.
Okay, things you should expect:
Be warned to maybe not read this ghost story at night in the dark. Although you will probably survive it. I did. Because, seriously, this haunted old mansion is so scary it's palpable.
Relax, because while it really is, from time to time, so scary, this book has so many lovely and funny moments, because it's not only a ghost story. Maybe you could say it's more a love story even.
Both main protagonists have their baggage and work through it during the time of the book. I think this part was done extraordinarily well. It gave depths to Luke and Jay, and also to their relationship. I want to mention here that the depiction of Jay's war injury and his emotional struggles because of it—he is wearing a leg prothesis—seemed very realistic and believable.
I also really liked the way the story is narrated: Years after the story took place, Luke still feels the aftereffects of being haunted and he writes the story to process it. From time to time, he takes us into the present, and it's really lovely and funny to see him interact with Jay in the present as well.
I really have absolutely not a single complaint about this story. It was amazing and I highly recommend it. Surely a favourite of the year for me.
ETA Feb 25: I lay in bed yesterday and couldn't sleep. Don't ask me why but I suddenly remembered a scene in which one guy was holding the balls of another while asleep, and it struck me as, I dunno, a mixture of hot and romantic, like he's being possessive while being unconscious. Yeah... so, I like that. So much I needed to remember and find out in which book I had read it. I'm pretty sure it was this one. Pretty sure :D
______________________________
Genre: romance, ghost story
Tags: m/m, haunted house, disability (war injury)
Since I'm not publishing this review for Prism, I fee like I can be a bit silly again ;-P
This book. Just wow.
It has everything one could wish for: suspense and surprising scary moments, fun and banter, romance and passionate love making, and likeable characters with depth and issues.
Moreover, all these different things worked so well together and complemented each other. I'm blown away by the richness of the story, although it's under 200 pages long, and it doesn't feel too much, either.
Okay, things you should expect:
Be warned to maybe not read this ghost story at night in the dark. Although you will probably survive it. I did. Because, seriously, this haunted old mansion is so scary it's palpable.
Relax, because while it really is, from time to time, so scary, this book has so many lovely and funny moments, because it's not only a ghost story. Maybe you could say it's more a love story even.
Both main protagonists have their baggage and work through it during the time of the book. I think this part was done extraordinarily well. It gave depths to Luke and Jay, and also to their relationship. I want to mention here that the depiction of Jay's war injury and his emotional struggles because of it—he is wearing a leg prothesis—seemed very realistic and believable.
I also really liked the way the story is narrated: Years after the story took place, Luke still feels the aftereffects of being haunted and he writes the story to process it. From time to time, he takes us into the present, and it's really lovely and funny to see him interact with Jay in the present as well.
I really have absolutely not a single complaint about this story. It was amazing and I highly recommend it. Surely a favourite of the year for me.
ETA Feb 25: I lay in bed yesterday and couldn't sleep. Don't ask me why but I suddenly remembered a scene in which one guy was holding the balls of another while asleep, and it struck me as, I dunno, a mixture of hot and romantic, like he's being possessive while being unconscious. Yeah... so, I like that. So much I needed to remember and find out in which book I had read it. I'm pretty sure it was this one. Pretty sure :D
______________________________
Genre: romance, ghost story
Tags: m/m, haunted house, disability (war injury)
October 31, 2016
This was an interesting read for me. There were things I liked and some I didn't. The writing was very "flowery" for lack of a better word. Don't get me wrong...it was good just different. I did feel like the ghost story overshadowed the love story between Luke and Jay. I really wanted to read more about them and how they came to be a couple.
I loved how it was written. It was written like Luke, the author, was talking to the reader in present day but retelling how he and Jay met as well as the ghost story. At times it was extra creepy....I could feel her breath on my face and it freaked me out a time or two.
I have to say, I hate history. It's just not my thing and never was. I was bored to tears in school in my history classes. So, when there was a bit of a history lesson here, I sort of glazed over and skipped a bit. Again, it's just me.
So overall, it was good and I enjoyed it, ghost and all. But, I just wanted a little more of their story.
I loved how it was written. It was written like Luke, the author, was talking to the reader in present day but retelling how he and Jay met as well as the ghost story. At times it was extra creepy....I could feel her breath on my face and it freaked me out a time or two.
I have to say, I hate history. It's just not my thing and never was. I was bored to tears in school in my history classes. So, when there was a bit of a history lesson here, I sort of glazed over and skipped a bit. Again, it's just me.
So overall, it was good and I enjoyed it, ghost and all. But, I just wanted a little more of their story.
January 31, 2022
4.5
This was a perfect ghost story with a side of sweet romance! In fact, it read a bit like a blend of a good Lanyon mystery and Harmon’s The Spectral Files… Thoroughly enjoyable! 😍 Luke was an excellent narrator; I liked his POV, and all the banter with Jay was cute. I loved how the author handled Jay’s disability. It wasn’t central to the plot, yet it was undeniably there, just a normal, real-life ‘issue.’ As for the ghost… I really liked that she wasn’t just some hypothetical haunt, but a REAL scary-ass ghost. 👻 It was spooky, but very nicely executed. 👌 I loved the writing.
This was a perfect ghost story with a side of sweet romance! In fact, it read a bit like a blend of a good Lanyon mystery and Harmon’s The Spectral Files… Thoroughly enjoyable! 😍 Luke was an excellent narrator; I liked his POV, and all the banter with Jay was cute. I loved how the author handled Jay’s disability. It wasn’t central to the plot, yet it was undeniably there, just a normal, real-life ‘issue.’ As for the ghost… I really liked that she wasn’t just some hypothetical haunt, but a REAL scary-ass ghost. 👻 It was spooky, but very nicely executed. 👌 I loved the writing.
January 30, 2016
Absolutely bloody loved this story. Recommended to everyone.
February 12, 2018
A very well written ghost story that has a perfect balance of spooks and a gentle & warm romance. 4.5
Read
July 24, 2016This is my first full length ghost story. It's very different from my previous books--it's contemporary, it's written in first person, and it's a genre I'd barely dabbled in before. I loved every moment of writing it, and now have a list of possible ideas for further ghost stories (okay, it's not a list. It's a door covered in post-it notes which say things like 'Hellhounds on the holloway!' and 'the thing in the shadows under the bridge that knows your name!' and 'what dead things rise with the flood?').
It was also the story that scared me. I first started thinking about this story in the spring of 2014, between the first and second drafts of Resistance. I wanted to write a Christmas story and had a fancy for making it a traditional English ghost story. I'd recently come across a couple of mentions of the mistletoe bride legend and its association with Christmas Eve, so I came up with the vague idea of a protagonist who has to spend Christmas alone in an old country house and gets stalked by the ghost of this girl who desperately wants to be found. The first thing I did was hunt out more information on the Mistletoe Bride legend. There are several houses which lay claim to her, all over England, but the one which caught my attention was Bramshill House, the former police training college in Hampshire, which is about ten miles from where I live in the army town of Aldershot. It's a stunning building, the government were in the process of selling it, and by a weird coincidence, my uncle had worked there briefly some years ago. Empty schools and colleges are inherently creepy, a organisation moving location gave my character a reason to be there, and the pictures I found drew me. I didn't want to use Bramshill itself, not when I could have the flexibility of my own haunted house, but it made for a good base. So I had to pick another organisation to be running the college. At that point, there had been lots of reports about big changes to the British Army, including closing and moving some bases. Perfect. My haunted house could be an army training school which was moving to a cheaper part of the country and needed someone to organise its archives. There could be an onsite caretaker who would be the love interest. Things were starting to fall into place.
Next, I needed a location. If it was going to have a military connection, North Hampshire seemed obvious. There are countless army colleges and barracks scattered around the local countryside. One more would make no difference. The only specific qualification was that it had to be isolated. I opened up the map and was immediately drawn to the triangle of land between Aldershot, Fleet and Farnborough. I was a little hesitant at first, because suddenly this story was getting close to home. The Basingstoke Canal runs through that bit of countryside and I've walked that stretch of the towpath countless times in the last ten years. It's an oddly eerie little place. The hills dip low, the heath is bare and lonely, and for all the times I've walked it, I've only seen it in sunlight a couple of times, even when the rest of the day's walking has been bright. I couldn't talk myself out of it. It was too good a setting to waste. It seemed very appropriate to take its name for my haunted house, and so Eelmoor Hall was born. My haunted house was now a mere three miles from home.
And after that everything fell into place. A story which had started slowly poured out of me, and every bit of research I did slotted perfectly into place. That happens sometimes, especially when you've absorbed a lot of background information about a place. My heroes were smitten, my ghost was malevolent, and everything was working. I even had two potential titles: An Unquiet Heart, which is a Tennyson quote, and A Frost of Cares which comes from a final poem written by a chap called Chidiock Tichbourne, who was executed for his part in a plot to kill Elizabeth I. I was swaying towards the Tichbourne quote, simply because by then I had realised that my ghost dated from the English Civil War, which echoed the same religious conflict that led Tichbourne to his death. There were also some weird parallels between his life and the story, which I have included in the book when Luke starts digging into his own research. There were several other little details which struck me as weird coincidences--odd things like the regiment Jay belonged to actually being based here at the right time, and the real life equivalent of the training school in the Hall being in my parents' village.
Then I got to the point where I needed some detail about the ghost's family. I'd already decided she'd married into a Royalist family, whose son had died in battle in 1643 (and when I went to look for a battle for him to die in, I found a very brutal one only two towns over, on a cold, cold winter's day). I decided to look up the actual local landowners of the time to see if that gave me any more ideas.
They were Tichbournes too, of a different branch of the family from the poet, a century later. They had also built a new manor house in the same decade as I'd chosen for the building of Eelmoor Hall. Their manor wasn't in the same place as the hall I'd invented. It was in a different, much closer, part of Aldershot.
In fact, if it wasn't for the modern buildings in between, I could see it from my study window. My ghost story had followed me home.
And that was why I started sleeping with the lights on until I finished the book.
It was also the story that scared me. I first started thinking about this story in the spring of 2014, between the first and second drafts of Resistance. I wanted to write a Christmas story and had a fancy for making it a traditional English ghost story. I'd recently come across a couple of mentions of the mistletoe bride legend and its association with Christmas Eve, so I came up with the vague idea of a protagonist who has to spend Christmas alone in an old country house and gets stalked by the ghost of this girl who desperately wants to be found. The first thing I did was hunt out more information on the Mistletoe Bride legend. There are several houses which lay claim to her, all over England, but the one which caught my attention was Bramshill House, the former police training college in Hampshire, which is about ten miles from where I live in the army town of Aldershot. It's a stunning building, the government were in the process of selling it, and by a weird coincidence, my uncle had worked there briefly some years ago. Empty schools and colleges are inherently creepy, a organisation moving location gave my character a reason to be there, and the pictures I found drew me. I didn't want to use Bramshill itself, not when I could have the flexibility of my own haunted house, but it made for a good base. So I had to pick another organisation to be running the college. At that point, there had been lots of reports about big changes to the British Army, including closing and moving some bases. Perfect. My haunted house could be an army training school which was moving to a cheaper part of the country and needed someone to organise its archives. There could be an onsite caretaker who would be the love interest. Things were starting to fall into place.
Next, I needed a location. If it was going to have a military connection, North Hampshire seemed obvious. There are countless army colleges and barracks scattered around the local countryside. One more would make no difference. The only specific qualification was that it had to be isolated. I opened up the map and was immediately drawn to the triangle of land between Aldershot, Fleet and Farnborough. I was a little hesitant at first, because suddenly this story was getting close to home. The Basingstoke Canal runs through that bit of countryside and I've walked that stretch of the towpath countless times in the last ten years. It's an oddly eerie little place. The hills dip low, the heath is bare and lonely, and for all the times I've walked it, I've only seen it in sunlight a couple of times, even when the rest of the day's walking has been bright. I couldn't talk myself out of it. It was too good a setting to waste. It seemed very appropriate to take its name for my haunted house, and so Eelmoor Hall was born. My haunted house was now a mere three miles from home.
And after that everything fell into place. A story which had started slowly poured out of me, and every bit of research I did slotted perfectly into place. That happens sometimes, especially when you've absorbed a lot of background information about a place. My heroes were smitten, my ghost was malevolent, and everything was working. I even had two potential titles: An Unquiet Heart, which is a Tennyson quote, and A Frost of Cares which comes from a final poem written by a chap called Chidiock Tichbourne, who was executed for his part in a plot to kill Elizabeth I. I was swaying towards the Tichbourne quote, simply because by then I had realised that my ghost dated from the English Civil War, which echoed the same religious conflict that led Tichbourne to his death. There were also some weird parallels between his life and the story, which I have included in the book when Luke starts digging into his own research. There were several other little details which struck me as weird coincidences--odd things like the regiment Jay belonged to actually being based here at the right time, and the real life equivalent of the training school in the Hall being in my parents' village.
Then I got to the point where I needed some detail about the ghost's family. I'd already decided she'd married into a Royalist family, whose son had died in battle in 1643 (and when I went to look for a battle for him to die in, I found a very brutal one only two towns over, on a cold, cold winter's day). I decided to look up the actual local landowners of the time to see if that gave me any more ideas.
They were Tichbournes too, of a different branch of the family from the poet, a century later. They had also built a new manor house in the same decade as I'd chosen for the building of Eelmoor Hall. Their manor wasn't in the same place as the hall I'd invented. It was in a different, much closer, part of Aldershot.
In fact, if it wasn't for the modern buildings in between, I could see it from my study window. My ghost story had followed me home.
And that was why I started sleeping with the lights on until I finished the book.
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