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The Wraith Files #1
Don't Wake the Dead
My name is Zoe Thorne and I'm just an ordinary woman. There's nothing special about me...except that I can see ghosts.
I always felt like an outsider, until I meet Malachi Flemming and his merry band of goofballs. When I begin working with them as a paranormal investigator, we stumbled across a spirit on a deserted, country road. Hank Murphy was murdered decades ago and he desperately wants justice.
As we search for the culprit, it becomes clear that the killer is determined to protect their identity, even if it means picking us off one by one. Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried.
Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.
I always felt like an outsider, until I meet Malachi Flemming and his merry band of goofballs. When I begin working with them as a paranormal investigator, we stumbled across a spirit on a deserted, country road. Hank Murphy was murdered decades ago and he desperately wants justice.
As we search for the culprit, it becomes clear that the killer is determined to protect their identity, even if it means picking us off one by one. Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried.
Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.
290 pages, Paperback
First published May 22, 2016
65 people are currently reading
1070 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Wood
47 books1,418 followersBorn and raised in Texas, C.C. Wood writes saucy paranormal and contemporary romances featuring strong, sassy women and the men that love them. If you ever meet C.C. in person, keep in mind that many of her characters are based on people she knows, so anything you say or do is likely to end up in a book one day.
A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles.
A self-professed hermit, C.C. loves to stay home, where she reads, writes, cooks, and watches TV. She can usually be found drinking coffee or wine as she spends time with her hubby, daughter, and two beagles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 10, 2023
Scintillating paranormal murder mystery!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌎
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍🥰
The heroine: Zoe Thorne - she sees dead people. Literally. She has seen ghosts, ghouls and zombies since she was five years old when she died for a few minutes. Zoe has adapted to the fact that they confront her at odd times when other ‘living’ people are around. She knows not to talk to them when they talk to her, so she often pretends to be texting on her phone and has them read what she types. When the insurance company she worked for went through restructuring, her job was eliminated.
The Hero: Malachi Flemming - he is a Paranormal Investigator and Host/Creator of The Wraith Files, a successful YouTube show. He is in town for a few weeks to film at a few different locations and was told by locals about a house that was haunted and was on the market for a very long time due to that fact. However, when he gets to the home, he finds that Zoe Thorne bought the house and is now living there.
The Story: Mal offers to pay Zoe a good amount of money to film in her home, especially after Zoe’s ghost friend Teri slams a door and flickers the porch lights on and off while he is there. She has been trying to get Zoe interested in men for quite a while, though most of the men in town think Zoe is an odd duck. Malachi is handsome in a geeky way and Teri thinks he has a nice butt. Zoe can’t argue with that and needs the money since she has been stuck doing temp work, so she agrees to let them film.
While returning from a job, Zoe sees a ghost along an old highway and finds out that the man was murdered nearly twenty years ago. This sets the team on an adventure to figure out what really happened to the man and who killed him. The investigation stirs up a lot of old feelings and resentment within their small town.
I loved this story as it contained paranormal and mystery all in one and the fact that it was set in Texas was kind of funny as well. At one point someone shoots at their van yet they aren’t totally at the mercy of the killer since two people in their van happen to carry guns as well. Only in Texas! I love the ghost aspect of the story since not many paranormal romance books center around ghosts. I would say it was very original, though the book I read yesterday turned out to be very similar to this one, having a Ghost Whisperer/Ghost Hunter plot just like this. Both books were great, and I didn’t mind the similarities at all.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🖤💜💖
Heat/Steam: 🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌎
Character development: 🤨😟😳😍🥰
The heroine: Zoe Thorne - she sees dead people. Literally. She has seen ghosts, ghouls and zombies since she was five years old when she died for a few minutes. Zoe has adapted to the fact that they confront her at odd times when other ‘living’ people are around. She knows not to talk to them when they talk to her, so she often pretends to be texting on her phone and has them read what she types. When the insurance company she worked for went through restructuring, her job was eliminated.
The Hero: Malachi Flemming - he is a Paranormal Investigator and Host/Creator of The Wraith Files, a successful YouTube show. He is in town for a few weeks to film at a few different locations and was told by locals about a house that was haunted and was on the market for a very long time due to that fact. However, when he gets to the home, he finds that Zoe Thorne bought the house and is now living there.
The Story: Mal offers to pay Zoe a good amount of money to film in her home, especially after Zoe’s ghost friend Teri slams a door and flickers the porch lights on and off while he is there. She has been trying to get Zoe interested in men for quite a while, though most of the men in town think Zoe is an odd duck. Malachi is handsome in a geeky way and Teri thinks he has a nice butt. Zoe can’t argue with that and needs the money since she has been stuck doing temp work, so she agrees to let them film.
While returning from a job, Zoe sees a ghost along an old highway and finds out that the man was murdered nearly twenty years ago. This sets the team on an adventure to figure out what really happened to the man and who killed him. The investigation stirs up a lot of old feelings and resentment within their small town.
I loved this story as it contained paranormal and mystery all in one and the fact that it was set in Texas was kind of funny as well. At one point someone shoots at their van yet they aren’t totally at the mercy of the killer since two people in their van happen to carry guns as well. Only in Texas! I love the ghost aspect of the story since not many paranormal romance books center around ghosts. I would say it was very original, though the book I read yesterday turned out to be very similar to this one, having a Ghost Whisperer/Ghost Hunter plot just like this. Both books were great, and I didn’t mind the similarities at all.
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December 8, 2016
Reading this book was a bit like watching the Ghost Whisperer. For those unfamiliar with the show, which starred Jennifer Love Hewitt, she played a woman that could see and communicate with ghosts and help them to cross to the "other side". I was really sad when it got cancelled. Anyhoo, this book had some similarities with that and needless to say, I enjoyed it.
Zoe has been able to see and communicate with spirits since the age of 5. She attracts not only ghosts, but also ghouls and zombies. If she goes to a cemetery at night, guaranteed she's raising the dead. A spooky gift, that's for sure, but it's all that she's known. After spending years trying to explain to people of her small town what she can see, she's earned the reputation of an oddity or oddball. Enter Malachi and his two best friends, Blaine and Stony. These guys see Zoe's gift as miraculous and encourage her to join their show as a paranormal investigator. Zoe finally finds somewhere she fits.
The writing of this story was almost above reproach and the plot flowed pretty seamlessly. I was thoroughly entertained by the mystery/suspense introduced when the team investigated Hank (the ghost) and his suspected murder. However, I went into this expecting a paranormal romance, but there was absolutely no romance to be found.
While Malachi can be seen as a potential love interest, Zoe says and does nothing to encourage it. Though her reasoning is sound, I was still disappointed. Overall, this was a great tale and I'm immediately diving in to book 2, The Dead Come Calling.
Release Date: May 22, 2016
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
POV: Heroine - 1st person
Steam: 0
⁂ A copy of this book was generously given by the author in exchange for an honest review ⁂
Zoe has been able to see and communicate with spirits since the age of 5. She attracts not only ghosts, but also ghouls and zombies. If she goes to a cemetery at night, guaranteed she's raising the dead. A spooky gift, that's for sure, but it's all that she's known. After spending years trying to explain to people of her small town what she can see, she's earned the reputation of an oddity or oddball. Enter Malachi and his two best friends, Blaine and Stony. These guys see Zoe's gift as miraculous and encourage her to join their show as a paranormal investigator. Zoe finally finds somewhere she fits.
The writing of this story was almost above reproach and the plot flowed pretty seamlessly. I was thoroughly entertained by the mystery/suspense introduced when the team investigated Hank (the ghost) and his suspected murder. However, I went into this expecting a paranormal romance, but there was absolutely no romance to be found.
While Malachi can be seen as a potential love interest, Zoe says and does nothing to encourage it. Though her reasoning is sound, I was still disappointed. Overall, this was a great tale and I'm immediately diving in to book 2, The Dead Come Calling.
Release Date: May 22, 2016
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
POV: Heroine - 1st person
Steam: 0
⁂ A copy of this book was generously given by the author in exchange for an honest review ⁂
May 31, 2016
5 Embracing your gifts stars!
Don't Wake the Dead (The Wraith Files) is the first book in a new paranormal/mystery series by C.C. Wood.
Synopsis
My name is Zoe Thorne and I'm just an ordinary woman. My life is mundane, and that's perfectly fine with me; I work a boring job, watch TV, read books, and sleep alone. There's nothing special about me.
Except that I can see ghosts.
After suffering years of rejection due to my freakish ability, I'm determined to hide my "gift" from others. That is until I meet Malachi Flemming and his peculiar yet amusing friends. Mal hosts a paranormal web show titled The Wraith Files and when he discovers my talent, he offers me a job. Well, offer may not be the right word.
He won't take no for an answer.
One night, we stumble across a spirit on the side of a deserted, country road. He seems lost and scared, convinced someone murdered him. Mal's interest is piqued and he insists we investigate the accident. The deeper we dig, the clearer it becomes that the killer doesn't want us to discover the truth.
Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried. Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.
My thoughts
Don't Wake the Dead is a wonderfully written paranormal mystery with strong-sassy-smart characters.
Those who read/follow my reviews know that I'm a HUGE C.C. Wood fan.
This story is one of her best stories yet!
I really liked the chemistry/attraction between Zoe and Malachi.
They perfectly complimented one another, but my favorite character was Teri the ghost who came with Zoe's house.
She was/is amazing!
Excellent story telling C.C.!
You took me on a wonderful adventure, and I CAN'T WAIT to read the next book in the series!
Giveaway
http://gvwy.io/opf0c5f
Buy Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6FUG2O/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01G6FUG2O
iBooks: http://apple.co/1VkHyQq
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1ORnMp1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Z4ghkr
About the Author
A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same things. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to share their crazy stories and started writing books.
Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorccwood
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorccwood
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cc_wood
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/ccwood01
"A copy of this book has been provided by the author in exchange for an honest review"
August 1, 2017
What a hidden gem this book turned out to be. I really don't want to share this with all you peeps. But if you request a book and in honour of the author then you unfortunately love a bbok then you must write a review.
I love this book. There is nothing like a good paranormal/ghost hunting story to get you out of your near book slump. But even without being in a near book slump I would still have loved every second.
Ms. Wood had me at “Leave me alone. And don’t ever lick my face again, asshole.”
Zoe Thorn is a great heroine. She is quirky, sarcastic & smart. But she hasn't been living the life she should. She is the town peculiar.
Why you ask? Well let me tell you.
At the age of five her heart stopped beating. No one knows why. Luckily her neighbour resuscitated her. Since the incident she has seen things and hears things.
Zoe has resigned to lead a boring life in the small town of Kenna, Texas. The best stories take place in small towns if done well. Trying to lead a normal life while ignoring her gift as best as she can isn't turning out too well.
Malachi has a YouTube channel called the Wraith Files. Rumours have it that there is a haunted home in Kenna which leads him straight to Zoe Thorn and her resident ghost Teri. But Mal isn’t alone he has his trusty buddies Blaine & Stony.
Teri is a riot.
”I wonder what he wants to talk to me about,” I mused to myself. “Hopefully, mutual nudity.” I shot a dirty look at Teri. “What is it with you and your obsession with my sex life?” She shrugged one shoulder. “One of us should have one and you’re the only one with a pulse.”
They shoot at Zoe’s house when all comes out Mal offers her a job and won’t take no for an answer.
One night on a drive home Henry Jacob Murphy is waiting at the roadside. He has for the past twenty years. They set off to solve a twenty year old murder. Full of suspense and banter especially the interaction with the main and the secondary characters.
I heard the connecting door between the two rooms fly open. “Dude, why are you yelling at her?” Blaine asked. “We want her to work with us, not take out a restraining order.”
The one thing I was disappointed about was Mal & Zoe not getting enough time and this is a pure assumption right now but as this will be a series we’ll be seeing more of them.
I can’t wait for the next book especially with this ending.
She was still here. Of the myriad of women he’d known all those years ago, she was his favourite. She’d fought the noose fiercely, even with the drugs he’d pumped into her system.
While the hunt wasn’t as enjoyable as the kill, he hadn’t experienced this thrill in thirty years. And he had nothing but time.
Book received by author in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
I love this book. There is nothing like a good paranormal/ghost hunting story to get you out of your near book slump. But even without being in a near book slump I would still have loved every second.
Ms. Wood had me at “Leave me alone. And don’t ever lick my face again, asshole.”
Zoe Thorn is a great heroine. She is quirky, sarcastic & smart. But she hasn't been living the life she should. She is the town peculiar.
Why you ask? Well let me tell you.
At the age of five her heart stopped beating. No one knows why. Luckily her neighbour resuscitated her. Since the incident she has seen things and hears things.
Zoe has resigned to lead a boring life in the small town of Kenna, Texas. The best stories take place in small towns if done well. Trying to lead a normal life while ignoring her gift as best as she can isn't turning out too well.
Malachi has a YouTube channel called the Wraith Files. Rumours have it that there is a haunted home in Kenna which leads him straight to Zoe Thorn and her resident ghost Teri. But Mal isn’t alone he has his trusty buddies Blaine & Stony.
Teri is a riot.
”I wonder what he wants to talk to me about,” I mused to myself. “Hopefully, mutual nudity.” I shot a dirty look at Teri. “What is it with you and your obsession with my sex life?” She shrugged one shoulder. “One of us should have one and you’re the only one with a pulse.”
They shoot at Zoe’s house when all comes out Mal offers her a job and won’t take no for an answer.
One night on a drive home Henry Jacob Murphy is waiting at the roadside. He has for the past twenty years. They set off to solve a twenty year old murder. Full of suspense and banter especially the interaction with the main and the secondary characters.
I heard the connecting door between the two rooms fly open. “Dude, why are you yelling at her?” Blaine asked. “We want her to work with us, not take out a restraining order.”
The one thing I was disappointed about was Mal & Zoe not getting enough time and this is a pure assumption right now but as this will be a series we’ll be seeing more of them.
I can’t wait for the next book especially with this ending.
She was still here. Of the myriad of women he’d known all those years ago, she was his favourite. She’d fought the noose fiercely, even with the drugs he’d pumped into her system.
While the hunt wasn’t as enjoyable as the kill, he hadn’t experienced this thrill in thirty years. And he had nothing but time.
Book received by author in exchange for an honest review.
Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...
May 3, 2017
3.5 stars!
May 30, 2016
With Mal, Blain, and Stony, I could just be myself. It was liberating. I didn’t feel as though I had to constantly keep my guard up and watch what I said. For the first time in my life, I could be Zoe Thorne . . . whoever she was.’
This book had me hooked from the start. I mean really, a small town girl who can see and talk to ghost, can raise the dead and on top of it all has ghouls falling over her like love sick puppies. So much fun and excitement to be had and C.C. Wood did not let down. This is the first installment of The Wraith Files and wile it does have a sweet beginnings of a romance it is not the main focus of the story and for me that was a refreshing change of pace. I do feel like future books might be heavier on the romance but this one really gave us a chance to fall in love with the strong characters and dive deep into a mystery.
“I’m going to whisper dirty things in his ear and see how much he hears,” ~Teri the ghost
What you don’t get by reading the synopsis and seeing the cover (although it is super awesome) is how hilarious this book is. While all the characters involved bring a good strong dose of humor, none more than Zoe’s resident live in ghost, Teri. From grabbing at men’s asses to perving on the neighbor, plus all her snarky comments by the end I was sad that I don’t have my own Teri the ghost to be honest.
‘Mal was my boss now. Getting involved would be a monumentally bad idea. Right?’
If you adore a strong and independent heroine like I do and enjoy getting caught up in a good mystery than this is a book not to miss. Full of page turning moments and a whole cast of characters I simply fell in love with I cannot wait to devour the next book in the series.
4.5 Smooches
~miranda
This book had me hooked from the start. I mean really, a small town girl who can see and talk to ghost, can raise the dead and on top of it all has ghouls falling over her like love sick puppies. So much fun and excitement to be had and C.C. Wood did not let down. This is the first installment of The Wraith Files and wile it does have a sweet beginnings of a romance it is not the main focus of the story and for me that was a refreshing change of pace. I do feel like future books might be heavier on the romance but this one really gave us a chance to fall in love with the strong characters and dive deep into a mystery.
“I’m going to whisper dirty things in his ear and see how much he hears,” ~Teri the ghost
What you don’t get by reading the synopsis and seeing the cover (although it is super awesome) is how hilarious this book is. While all the characters involved bring a good strong dose of humor, none more than Zoe’s resident live in ghost, Teri. From grabbing at men’s asses to perving on the neighbor, plus all her snarky comments by the end I was sad that I don’t have my own Teri the ghost to be honest.
‘Mal was my boss now. Getting involved would be a monumentally bad idea. Right?’
If you adore a strong and independent heroine like I do and enjoy getting caught up in a good mystery than this is a book not to miss. Full of page turning moments and a whole cast of characters I simply fell in love with I cannot wait to devour the next book in the series.
4.5 Smooches
~miranda
May 11, 2016
Let me start by saying I'm not a big ghost person. I don't watch any shows on haunted buildings and I really dislike the shows with ghost hunters. I do however love the show Supernatural and I enjoy reading Paranormal books at times. So how do I go from hating those shows about ghosts to giving a 5 star rating to this book about a girl who can see and talk to the dead? Simple. Author C.C. Wood's writing. From the moment I started the book, I literally could not put it down until I finished it. The writing and story are strong, as is the character development. These characters are ones you come to love and feel like you are experiencing their adventures with them.
Zoe Thorne died when she was five. Her heart stopped with no medical explanation, but a nurse across the street attended to her as soon as she collapsed and after two minutes of being dead, she was breathing again. After that she could see and talk to the dead. As a kid she desperately tried to tell others what she could see, but within a few years she realized people thought she was crazy and she learned to stop talking about it.
Now she lives in a house she got as a steal because the resident ghost scared buyers away for years. Teri the ghost is a friendly one though, if at times annoying and has become a roommate of sorts for Zoe.
Then one day everything changes when Malachi Flemming, host of a YouTube series of ghost chasers, visits her. Knowing the history of the house's rumored haunting, Mal begs Zoe to let them film an episode there. While Zoe does her best to turn him down and tell him her house isn't haunted, Teri the ghost thinks otherwise and uses the opportunity to switch the lights on and off and slam a few doors, much to the annoyance of Zoe and the delight of Mal. Mal eventually convinces Zoe to agree to let them film but she continues to pretend she doesn't know much about the weird things that "very rarely happen" around her house (according to her). However when Teri wants to make herself known, she does so with flourish and Zoe has no choice but to admit her skill to Mal and his team (Blaine and Stony). Fearing more rejection, Zoe finds she actually gets acceptance from this open-minded trio and for the first time in her life she doesn't feel like the oddball. She feels accepted. Zoe doesn't know much about her skills other than what's she's experienced over the years but there are some things that happened to Zoe she'd prefer never to experience again.
Then there's a ghost she and the gang encounter that was murdered 20 years ago who begs her desperately to find out who killed him. She and the gang agree, but digging up clues from a cold case might not be the best thing for their safety.
There are other, more sinister supernatural forces gathering that we only catch glimpses of in the book, that future books are sure to touch on more. And there is that undeniable chemistry between Mal and Zoe that both of them are having a hard time fighting.
The banter between Zoe and Teri the ghost, and between Zoe and the trio, create much of the comedic tone throughout the book.
I loved every single minute of this book as I forewent sleep in favor of reading from start to finish. I highly recommend this 5 star gem and I can't wait to read more of this series as author C.C. Wood churns them out.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Zoe Thorne died when she was five. Her heart stopped with no medical explanation, but a nurse across the street attended to her as soon as she collapsed and after two minutes of being dead, she was breathing again. After that she could see and talk to the dead. As a kid she desperately tried to tell others what she could see, but within a few years she realized people thought she was crazy and she learned to stop talking about it.
Now she lives in a house she got as a steal because the resident ghost scared buyers away for years. Teri the ghost is a friendly one though, if at times annoying and has become a roommate of sorts for Zoe.
Then one day everything changes when Malachi Flemming, host of a YouTube series of ghost chasers, visits her. Knowing the history of the house's rumored haunting, Mal begs Zoe to let them film an episode there. While Zoe does her best to turn him down and tell him her house isn't haunted, Teri the ghost thinks otherwise and uses the opportunity to switch the lights on and off and slam a few doors, much to the annoyance of Zoe and the delight of Mal. Mal eventually convinces Zoe to agree to let them film but she continues to pretend she doesn't know much about the weird things that "very rarely happen" around her house (according to her). However when Teri wants to make herself known, she does so with flourish and Zoe has no choice but to admit her skill to Mal and his team (Blaine and Stony). Fearing more rejection, Zoe finds she actually gets acceptance from this open-minded trio and for the first time in her life she doesn't feel like the oddball. She feels accepted. Zoe doesn't know much about her skills other than what's she's experienced over the years but there are some things that happened to Zoe she'd prefer never to experience again.
Then there's a ghost she and the gang encounter that was murdered 20 years ago who begs her desperately to find out who killed him. She and the gang agree, but digging up clues from a cold case might not be the best thing for their safety.
There are other, more sinister supernatural forces gathering that we only catch glimpses of in the book, that future books are sure to touch on more. And there is that undeniable chemistry between Mal and Zoe that both of them are having a hard time fighting.
The banter between Zoe and Teri the ghost, and between Zoe and the trio, create much of the comedic tone throughout the book.
I loved every single minute of this book as I forewent sleep in favor of reading from start to finish. I highly recommend this 5 star gem and I can't wait to read more of this series as author C.C. Wood churns them out.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2016
This book had everything I could have asked for. Great characters with a paranormal story line full of suspense, comedy and angst. I was riveted from the start and it was the perfect book to get me out of my rut. Lately, reading romance every day was starting to feel monotonous, and Don't Wake the Dead was the breath of fresh air I needed to bring life back to my enjoyment of reading.
Zoe is an independent female in a small town where her gift has kept the small town gossip mill going since she was just a girl and she tries her hardest to life as normal a life as possible... until a handsome, geeky Malachi Flemming asks if he can film his little YouTube show at her house. She learns quickly that Mal and his two friends don't see her as the freak she's always felt to be. She finds a friendship with with Mal, Stoney and Blaine that she never thought was possible.
Along with her best friend, Jonelle and Teri, the sexually frustrated and boy crazy spirit that lives in her house, her confidence in herself grows. With their support, she learns to embrace what makes her special and along the way, they help her find a purpose for her gifts.
I loved each and every character. None of them had a small part in this story. They all made it what it was and contributed to so much of what made it so great. I can't wait to see what's next for the Wraith Files gang. Mal, was sweet and sexy. Understanding and supportive and caring. He was just all around "dreamy". Blaine and Stoney kind of reminded me of Shaggy and Scooby. They were the silly, comic relief but were so much more. They were intelligent and cute and caring guys. The three of them welcomed Zoe into their small circle with instantly and made her feel accepted.
Jonelle and Teri were her sex crazed besties...except only one of them is breathing. Teri was funny as hell. For three decades she's missed sex and is super happy to have all these new men around to play with. A horny ghost is absolute hilarity.
I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud with these characters, yet the story line was perfect to even everything out so that it was all perfectly balanced. If you need to get over a book hangover, Don't Wake the Dead is my TOP recommendation. For a quick and HIGHLY entertaining read, Don't Wake the Dead is my TOP recommendation. This book did not disappoint.
Zoe is an independent female in a small town where her gift has kept the small town gossip mill going since she was just a girl and she tries her hardest to life as normal a life as possible... until a handsome, geeky Malachi Flemming asks if he can film his little YouTube show at her house. She learns quickly that Mal and his two friends don't see her as the freak she's always felt to be. She finds a friendship with with Mal, Stoney and Blaine that she never thought was possible.
Along with her best friend, Jonelle and Teri, the sexually frustrated and boy crazy spirit that lives in her house, her confidence in herself grows. With their support, she learns to embrace what makes her special and along the way, they help her find a purpose for her gifts.
I loved each and every character. None of them had a small part in this story. They all made it what it was and contributed to so much of what made it so great. I can't wait to see what's next for the Wraith Files gang. Mal, was sweet and sexy. Understanding and supportive and caring. He was just all around "dreamy". Blaine and Stoney kind of reminded me of Shaggy and Scooby. They were the silly, comic relief but were so much more. They were intelligent and cute and caring guys. The three of them welcomed Zoe into their small circle with instantly and made her feel accepted.
Jonelle and Teri were her sex crazed besties...except only one of them is breathing. Teri was funny as hell. For three decades she's missed sex and is super happy to have all these new men around to play with. A horny ghost is absolute hilarity.
I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud with these characters, yet the story line was perfect to even everything out so that it was all perfectly balanced. If you need to get over a book hangover, Don't Wake the Dead is my TOP recommendation. For a quick and HIGHLY entertaining read, Don't Wake the Dead is my TOP recommendation. This book did not disappoint.
June 13, 2016
A new author to me.
I liked this book a lot. It's different than what I usually read, but it kept my attention. There was good action, and an enjoyable cast of side characters. It was well-written with very few typos (like maybe 2 minor ones). I plan to read the next book... it sounds a lot scarier.
I liked this book a lot. It's different than what I usually read, but it kept my attention. There was good action, and an enjoyable cast of side characters. It was well-written with very few typos (like maybe 2 minor ones). I plan to read the next book... it sounds a lot scarier.
May 24, 2016
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I don't usually read paranormal books, even when my favourite author writes them I don't give them the time of day. But this year I've been branching out and trying new genres so when I saw the blurb for Don't Wake the Dead and it looked fun, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm so glad I did because it was fun. I head a good time reading this book.
Zoe has been able to see ghosts since she was a child. Not generally accepted by the people in her town because of her ability, when she is approached by Mal who wants to film her house for his You Tube show on haunting, she is weary about accepting his offer. But the need for cash wins out and she says yes.
Zoe finds acceptance with Mal and his crew and the four of them make a great team. There are plenty of laughs to be had and Teri, the ghost Zoe's shares her house with, is a riot. But things become a little more serious when a ghost asks Zoe to investigate his murder. Throughout this the attraction between Zoe and Mal is growing and weaving a little bit of romance through the story.
If, like me, you haven't branched out into paranormal reads I think Don't Wake the Dead is a great place to start. I hope Ms Wood give us more of The Wraith Files soon.
![ʺWicked]()
I don't usually read paranormal books, even when my favourite author writes them I don't give them the time of day. But this year I've been branching out and trying new genres so when I saw the blurb for Don't Wake the Dead and it looked fun, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm so glad I did because it was fun. I head a good time reading this book.
Zoe has been able to see ghosts since she was a child. Not generally accepted by the people in her town because of her ability, when she is approached by Mal who wants to film her house for his You Tube show on haunting, she is weary about accepting his offer. But the need for cash wins out and she says yes.
Zoe finds acceptance with Mal and his crew and the four of them make a great team. There are plenty of laughs to be had and Teri, the ghost Zoe's shares her house with, is a riot. But things become a little more serious when a ghost asks Zoe to investigate his murder. Throughout this the attraction between Zoe and Mal is growing and weaving a little bit of romance through the story.
If, like me, you haven't branched out into paranormal reads I think Don't Wake the Dead is a great place to start. I hope Ms Wood give us more of The Wraith Files soon.
April 4, 2017
4.5 stars ;)
This book was such a pleasant surprise ;) I've never read any books from Ms. Wood :)
I loved Zoe but Teri totally won my heart with her perverted ways! I loved her! She was Sooo fricken funny.. The boys have great characters
The story is super interesting there's a bit of mystery and action and creepiness too it ;) onto book 2
This book was such a pleasant surprise ;) I've never read any books from Ms. Wood :)
I loved Zoe but Teri totally won my heart with her perverted ways! I loved her! She was Sooo fricken funny.. The boys have great characters
The story is super interesting there's a bit of mystery and action and creepiness too it ;) onto book 2
October 12, 2017
Don't Wake the Dead was almost exactly what I expected from C.C. Wood's book. It had wittiness, quirkiness, lovable characters and a pinch of action.
I wrote "almost" before, but not in a bad way—even after so many books I've read from her, C.C. Wood can still surprise me with her mysterious (or funny) twists and new ways how to make my belly hurt from laughing.
I wrote "almost" before, but not in a bad way—even after so many books I've read from her, C.C. Wood can still surprise me with her mysterious (or funny) twists and new ways how to make my belly hurt from laughing.
October 12, 2016
This is the first book of C.C.'s I've read, though familiar with her work, and fun loving nature. We've pimped C.C. out here at Evermore several times, in the past. We've even hosted a take over quite a while ago, yet I still had not read her work until Don't Wake The Dead came along. The final (smirks at pun) nail in the "now I have to read the book" coffin, was the caution I received about her strange way of writing. While they were referring to her writing in first person, in actuality strange does not describe C.C.'s style, bloody brilliant is more like it.
C.C. is right up there with the big mainstream authors whom I have called bitch and many other nasty names as they have taken me on a wild ride of emotional turmoil before bringing the story to a climax (more smirking). Yes, she writes in first person, but clear, concise, descriptive sentences. The one more chapter kind even though you have to get up early in the morning. The you just have to know what happens to Zoe and Mel because you can't stand the suspense.
***SPOILER ALERT Do Not READ FURTHER if you DON'T WANT SPOILERS***
When I first began to read the book I was like, "Huh, so she can see ghost." However, C.C. took it a step further which made the story more interesting. The family dynamics between Zoe and her mother, Zoe and her father and her parents together showed a definite understanding of how many of us (even as adults) still try to please our moms. The total shock of her mom's secret was more surprising to Zoe than to me as the reader.
Although I realize this is book one in a series, I was disappointed that Zoe and Mel do not hook up, get together, have sex, do the wild thing, whatever you want to call it. C.C. does a great job giving plausible reasons why they do not, but as a paranormal romance I wanted more than tingly hormones, a horny ghost and a hot and heavy kiss. For future installments, she is building the foundation for a long term relationship between the two. However, in my opinion, I would have I would have listed this under a different genre. Romantic Suspense or New Adult rather than Paranormal Romance. Just my two cents, but a great read and an ending to make you go, "Oh no he didn't."
C.C. is right up there with the big mainstream authors whom I have called bitch and many other nasty names as they have taken me on a wild ride of emotional turmoil before bringing the story to a climax (more smirking). Yes, she writes in first person, but clear, concise, descriptive sentences. The one more chapter kind even though you have to get up early in the morning. The you just have to know what happens to Zoe and Mel because you can't stand the suspense.
***SPOILER ALERT Do Not READ FURTHER if you DON'T WANT SPOILERS***
When I first began to read the book I was like, "Huh, so she can see ghost." However, C.C. took it a step further which made the story more interesting. The family dynamics between Zoe and her mother, Zoe and her father and her parents together showed a definite understanding of how many of us (even as adults) still try to please our moms. The total shock of her mom's secret was more surprising to Zoe than to me as the reader.
Although I realize this is book one in a series, I was disappointed that Zoe and Mel do not hook up, get together, have sex, do the wild thing, whatever you want to call it. C.C. does a great job giving plausible reasons why they do not, but as a paranormal romance I wanted more than tingly hormones, a horny ghost and a hot and heavy kiss. For future installments, she is building the foundation for a long term relationship between the two. However, in my opinion, I would have I would have listed this under a different genre. Romantic Suspense or New Adult rather than Paranormal Romance. Just my two cents, but a great read and an ending to make you go, "Oh no he didn't."
October 26, 2016
YES!!! A new series by C.C. Wood. I am absolutely in LOVE with her PNR. Her Bitten series is still one of my favorites. I was so excited to read this. CC is a skilled author who can create lovable real characters that you can identify with. They'll remind you of your best friend, or someone you wish could be....
As you know I hate spoilers in a review. So what I will tell you is that this book has the beginning sparks of a sweet swoon worthy romance, humor that will have you giggling out in public, and mystery that will keep you guessing. I didn't find a dull moment while reading. I did however find that my cheeks hurt from smiling the whole time! The banter is witty and laugh out loud funny. The story gives us three relatable strong female character and three male characters that you will absolutely LOVE. They are each good looking and charismatic fun guys that will steal you heart. (like read this quick and claim your hottie before your book bitch tries to swoop in and take him from you!)
Don't Wake the Dead is the first book in The Wraith files. I've come to realize that in a series by CC, each book blows me away more than the last! If the amazing epilogue is any indication, we are in for one hell of an amazing ride in the Wraith Files!
I . CAN . NOT . WAIT for the next installment, I'll be picking up the next book in a heartbeat! And may or may not hassle her until it is delivered to my kindle
✨✨✨ GRAB IT HERE ✨✨✨
Amz US
Amz UK
Amz CA
iBooks
Kobo
B&N
Copy received for an honest review
As you know I hate spoilers in a review. So what I will tell you is that this book has the beginning sparks of a sweet swoon worthy romance, humor that will have you giggling out in public, and mystery that will keep you guessing. I didn't find a dull moment while reading. I did however find that my cheeks hurt from smiling the whole time! The banter is witty and laugh out loud funny. The story gives us three relatable strong female character and three male characters that you will absolutely LOVE. They are each good looking and charismatic fun guys that will steal you heart. (like read this quick and claim your hottie before your book bitch tries to swoop in and take him from you!)
Don't Wake the Dead is the first book in The Wraith files. I've come to realize that in a series by CC, each book blows me away more than the last! If the amazing epilogue is any indication, we are in for one hell of an amazing ride in the Wraith Files!
I . CAN . NOT . WAIT for the next installment, I'll be picking up the next book in a heartbeat! And may or may not hassle her until it is delivered to my kindle
✨✨✨ GRAB IT HERE ✨✨✨
Amz US
Amz UK
Amz CA
iBooks
Kobo
B&N
Copy received for an honest review
June 3, 2016
Don't Wake the Dead (The Wraith Files #1)
by C.C. Wood
This is my first book by this author, C.C.Wood. I really enjoyed what I read, a little disappointed that there wasn’t any romance, but it is ok I am hoping to see more of that in the next book.
I found the characters strong, and well developed they were fun to read along with.
I liked this story, Zoe can see and speak to the dead(ghosts) and Mal, well he is a TV producer of a YouTube ghost hunter show. If there were two people right for each other these two are it. Brilliant chemistry and sexual tension but it wasn’t enough for me.
I really thought it was a fun, quirky lovable story.
You will laugh, and you will be on the edge of your seat, to see what will happen next.
3.5 stars.
Arc was provided for an honest review
PNR Book Lover Reviews
by C.C. Wood
This is my first book by this author, C.C.Wood. I really enjoyed what I read, a little disappointed that there wasn’t any romance, but it is ok I am hoping to see more of that in the next book.
I found the characters strong, and well developed they were fun to read along with.
I liked this story, Zoe can see and speak to the dead(ghosts) and Mal, well he is a TV producer of a YouTube ghost hunter show. If there were two people right for each other these two are it. Brilliant chemistry and sexual tension but it wasn’t enough for me.
I really thought it was a fun, quirky lovable story.
You will laugh, and you will be on the edge of your seat, to see what will happen next.
3.5 stars.
Arc was provided for an honest review
PNR Book Lover Reviews
July 11, 2016
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads.
This book was not what I was expecting and I definitely enjoyed it. It's definitely not your typical paranormal set up. I loved the lighthearted feel throughout the story. It was snarky, humorous, and a little sexy all in one interesting page turner that I did not want to put down. I would recommend this easily.
Wicked Reads Review Team
This book was not what I was expecting and I definitely enjoyed it. It's definitely not your typical paranormal set up. I loved the lighthearted feel throughout the story. It was snarky, humorous, and a little sexy all in one interesting page turner that I did not want to put down. I would recommend this easily.
Wicked Reads Review Team
October 31, 2018
I'm currently working on Book 3 of this series and I just added a free short story to Wattpad from Teri's point-of-view. If you subscribe to my monthly newsletter, you got this direct to your inbox in October 2018.
If you want to read Ghosts are People Too on Wattpad, you can find it here -> https://w.tt/2yGvQd9
If you want to sign up for my monthly newsletter so you can get free short stories like this before anyone else, click here -> http://www.ccwood.net/newsletter/
If you want to read Ghosts are People Too on Wattpad, you can find it here -> https://w.tt/2yGvQd9
If you want to sign up for my monthly newsletter so you can get free short stories like this before anyone else, click here -> http://www.ccwood.net/newsletter/
May 18, 2016
*I was gifted an ARC copy of this book*
This is a highly entertaining book. I was pleasantly surprised. It's true that the mystery takes prevalence over the romance, but I really enjoyed the story. It's original, it's funny (I loved the dialogue between Zoe and the members of the team)... A very nice read!! I totally recommend it!!!
This is a highly entertaining book. I was pleasantly surprised. It's true that the mystery takes prevalence over the romance, but I really enjoyed the story. It's original, it's funny (I loved the dialogue between Zoe and the members of the team)... A very nice read!! I totally recommend it!!!
June 11, 2016
I've never read anything by this author. This find was a pleasant surprise. I loved the characters in the book...Teri has to be my favorite. Cant wait to see more from this series.
February 19, 2017
Loved this book! I can't wait for more in the series.
January 1, 2024
This was so hilarious, I laughed so many times. I love Teri. This was also sweet and I liked the trio. The mystery and paranomal stuff was also very interesting. And I LOVED the cute romance between Zoe and Mal. Loved this book. I highly recommend this.
October 29, 2019
Really enjoyed this. The concept was great and I love the characters. Interested to find out what happens next from the ending to this book!
March 27, 2020
I've been eyeing this book for quite some time because the cover is everything. The cover, alone, says quirky and fun. My only reservation was the paranormal aspect. Paranormal books usually aren't my thing. I usually have a hard time separating them from reality in fiction. I'm glad I finally read this one. It was not like others I have attempted.
This book is full of fun, quirky, zany, exciting characters. I didn't dislike any of them. They kept me giggling from start to finish. I love that this book isn't overly focused on the paranormal aspect. The paranormal undertones just added to the fun in this book.
I can't wait to pick up the other books in this series. I want to see what this gang of characters gets up to. If you're looking for a fun, enjoyable book, this is one for you!
This book is full of fun, quirky, zany, exciting characters. I didn't dislike any of them. They kept me giggling from start to finish. I love that this book isn't overly focused on the paranormal aspect. The paranormal undertones just added to the fun in this book.
I can't wait to pick up the other books in this series. I want to see what this gang of characters gets up to. If you're looking for a fun, enjoyable book, this is one for you!
Read
October 26, 2020Find the complete list of my PNR novels on my website -> http://www.ccwood.net/books-by-c-c-wood/
June 10, 2016
Don’t Wake The Dead (The Wraith Files Book 1) ~ C.C. Wood ~ Review
“My name is Zoe Thorne and I'm just an ordinary woman. There's nothing special about me...except that I can see ghosts.
I always felt like an outsider, until I meet Malachi Flemming and his merry band of goofballs. When I begin working with them as a paranormal investigator, we stumbled across a spirit on a deserted, country road. Hank Murphy was murdered decades ago and he desperately wants justice.
As we search for the culprit, it becomes clear that the killer is determined to protect their identity, even if it means picking us off one by one.
Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried.
Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.”
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. I can honestly say that I freaking LOVED this book, I could not put it down…I just wanted to keep reading and reading and I cannot wait until there are more books because with an ending like the one there was there just HAS to be more!!!
This book follows Zoe Thorne, an ordinary woman on the outside…until you really get to know her, when she lets you in on her secret…if she lets you in on her secret you will find out that she can see and talk to ghosts. (always wished I could do that myself)
Zoe’s story starts off with her riding in an elevator with a turd of a ghost who ever since he found out that she can see him, will not stop taunting her at work, she thankfully gets off the elevator at work with not too much embarrassment and is promptly called into her bosses’ office. When he asks her to shut the door she immediately knows something is wrong. After four years of service she is being let go due to restructuring. She heads back to the elevator and happily tells Jerry the ghost that he will never get to taunt her again. As he is left screaming and angry, Zoe goes on her merry way home.
Zoe goes home and talks to her live in ghost Teri about getting fired then calls her best friend Jonelle and chats with her for a bit before settling in to watch some TV. A couple months pass and she works temp jobs to pass the time and keep money coming in to cover bills, luckily she had money saved up so she is still doing okay and had barely touched her actual savings.
“Teri was calling you a not-so-nice name. I was planning to punish her with Happy Phantom on repeat, but you walked right through her so that may be punishment enough.”
“So what did she call me?” Jonelle took the glass of wine I held out to her. When I hesitated, she sighed. “As if anything that demon poltergeist could call me would hurt my feelings.”
“Cock hopper,” I stated.
Jonelle choked on her wine as she guffawed. “Oh my God, that’s a good one. I’ve got to remember that.”
One day Zoe is lazing around on her front porch when a man approaches her about her house. Malachi Flemming, Paranormal Investigator and Host/Creator of The Wraith Files. She looks at him and is about to tell him off when he starts to explain himself. He tells her that someone mentioned her house to him and he wanted to ask if she had seen or heard anything unusual there. She proceeds to tell him no but then her resident ghost Teri intervenes and starts banging the screen door and flashing the porch light. When she tells him this has never happened, he says he wants to film at her house, she starts to tell him no and he offers her one thousand dollars just to film there. She tells him she needs to think about it and he leaves. She tells Jonelle about the offer and Jonelle tells her to do it, so Zoe starts researching him and his videos. Zoe calls him back and agrees to meet up with him. When he comes over, Teri again really plays up the ghostly noises for Mal and then grabs his ass, when he freaks out, Zoe slips and lets out that she feels Teri is a she.
Zoe allows him to come in and film with his team but has so many reservations, she is nervous and does not want to be on the camera at all. When they bring Marcy the Medium, Zoe gets angry because she is a fraud and Teri decides she does not like Marcy so she plays a mean nasty trick on her. Zoe’s secret gets let out of the bag and Malachi offers her a job with his team. Will Zoe take the job and learn to fit in with a new team of people or will she turn him down and try to maintain her anonymity.
This is a MUST read book if you enjoy hilarity, ghosts, mysteries and a little bit of romance. I give it a HUGE 5 cupcakes!!!
~Melissa~
“My name is Zoe Thorne and I'm just an ordinary woman. There's nothing special about me...except that I can see ghosts.
I always felt like an outsider, until I meet Malachi Flemming and his merry band of goofballs. When I begin working with them as a paranormal investigator, we stumbled across a spirit on a deserted, country road. Hank Murphy was murdered decades ago and he desperately wants justice.
As we search for the culprit, it becomes clear that the killer is determined to protect their identity, even if it means picking us off one by one.
Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried.
Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.”
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review. I can honestly say that I freaking LOVED this book, I could not put it down…I just wanted to keep reading and reading and I cannot wait until there are more books because with an ending like the one there was there just HAS to be more!!!
This book follows Zoe Thorne, an ordinary woman on the outside…until you really get to know her, when she lets you in on her secret…if she lets you in on her secret you will find out that she can see and talk to ghosts. (always wished I could do that myself)
Zoe’s story starts off with her riding in an elevator with a turd of a ghost who ever since he found out that she can see him, will not stop taunting her at work, she thankfully gets off the elevator at work with not too much embarrassment and is promptly called into her bosses’ office. When he asks her to shut the door she immediately knows something is wrong. After four years of service she is being let go due to restructuring. She heads back to the elevator and happily tells Jerry the ghost that he will never get to taunt her again. As he is left screaming and angry, Zoe goes on her merry way home.
Zoe goes home and talks to her live in ghost Teri about getting fired then calls her best friend Jonelle and chats with her for a bit before settling in to watch some TV. A couple months pass and she works temp jobs to pass the time and keep money coming in to cover bills, luckily she had money saved up so she is still doing okay and had barely touched her actual savings.
“Teri was calling you a not-so-nice name. I was planning to punish her with Happy Phantom on repeat, but you walked right through her so that may be punishment enough.”
“So what did she call me?” Jonelle took the glass of wine I held out to her. When I hesitated, she sighed. “As if anything that demon poltergeist could call me would hurt my feelings.”
“Cock hopper,” I stated.
Jonelle choked on her wine as she guffawed. “Oh my God, that’s a good one. I’ve got to remember that.”
One day Zoe is lazing around on her front porch when a man approaches her about her house. Malachi Flemming, Paranormal Investigator and Host/Creator of The Wraith Files. She looks at him and is about to tell him off when he starts to explain himself. He tells her that someone mentioned her house to him and he wanted to ask if she had seen or heard anything unusual there. She proceeds to tell him no but then her resident ghost Teri intervenes and starts banging the screen door and flashing the porch light. When she tells him this has never happened, he says he wants to film at her house, she starts to tell him no and he offers her one thousand dollars just to film there. She tells him she needs to think about it and he leaves. She tells Jonelle about the offer and Jonelle tells her to do it, so Zoe starts researching him and his videos. Zoe calls him back and agrees to meet up with him. When he comes over, Teri again really plays up the ghostly noises for Mal and then grabs his ass, when he freaks out, Zoe slips and lets out that she feels Teri is a she.
Zoe allows him to come in and film with his team but has so many reservations, she is nervous and does not want to be on the camera at all. When they bring Marcy the Medium, Zoe gets angry because she is a fraud and Teri decides she does not like Marcy so she plays a mean nasty trick on her. Zoe’s secret gets let out of the bag and Malachi offers her a job with his team. Will Zoe take the job and learn to fit in with a new team of people or will she turn him down and try to maintain her anonymity.
This is a MUST read book if you enjoy hilarity, ghosts, mysteries and a little bit of romance. I give it a HUGE 5 cupcakes!!!
~Melissa~
June 1, 2016
GOLD LIPSTICK
Every single time CC Wood announces that she's writing paranormal romance I have that moment of telling myself that I don't read PNR, I don't enjoy it, no really it's a conversation I have with myself EVERY SINGLE TIME. Each time I find myself wondering what it's about, whether I will enjoy it, all this posturing has lead me to a conclusion, I may not enjoy paranormal romance, but I love Ms Wood's paranormal romance, I never feel like I'm drowning in ghosts and werewolves and vampires OH MY, despite the fanciful characters from the other world her works always have a realistic, tangible quality to them, I find myself easily getting lost in the story, slipping into readerspace and just revelling in her words. In Don't Wake The Dead we're introduced to Zoe Thorne, Zoe is your normal, everyday young woman, she's working a job she doesn't love, surrounding but a pretty non existent social life and her two best friends are a well meaning man eater Jonelle and a ghost Terri, yep you heard right, Zoe's current roommate is the deceased former inhabitant of her apartment, after a lifetime of hiding her gifts, Zoe is quick to dismiss ghosts and the paranormal existence, she learnt early on that disclosing her abilities only serves to alienate her, leaving her the town pariah.
"Well, golly gee, Mal, most people would think I was crazy if I started telling them that I can see ghosts. Oh, and talk to them."
When Zoe finds herself out of a job, and Malachi (Mal) Flemming comes knocking on her door with a sweet deal to film a webisode from her haunted apartment, it seems like a fairly easy way to make some quick cash, only she isn't prepared for all that will happen when Mal and his merry band of Blaine and Stony come to document the paranormal existence in her home.
"What is it with you and your obsession with my sex life?"
"One of us should have one and you're the only one with a pulse."
Where I was expecting something predominantly focus on the existence of the otherworld, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the main focus was purely the story, while it did have paranormal elements Don't Wake The Dead is definitely a story that contemporary romance or romantic comedy readers will be able to sink their teeth into. Zoe and Mal have an electric chemistry, one that sizzles and crackles and truly bursts from the page, while Wood serves up the sexual tension in spades, she also delivers on the gut busting laughs, and the perfect comedic timing she has become known for, it's a hard task to set the tone for a story and to continue to deliver it throughout the story when it shifts in style from paranormal romance to suspense and drama to comedy. While together Mal and Zoe are exciting and fresh, and so darn intriguing that you can't look away, but individually they are genuine and funny, sassy and sexy, slow burn romance done exquisitely, add to that the other colourful characters like Jonelle and Terri, and Blaine and Stony and Wood has created the kind of ensemble where you hope each get their own story. From the first page I was intrigued, by the end of the first chapter I was utterly captivated, by the half way point I was so desperately invested that I couldn't decide whether I wanted the devour the pages or savor them and take my time. Intermixed with moments of sheer hilarity, and breathtaking suspense, were moments so beautifully tender and heartbreakingly real that left me desperate for more. At the end of yet another review for CC Woods work I stand by my former claim; PNR as a genre may not be for me, but Wood's take on PNR certainly is.
http://www.glasspaperinkbookblog.blog...
Every single time CC Wood announces that she's writing paranormal romance I have that moment of telling myself that I don't read PNR, I don't enjoy it, no really it's a conversation I have with myself EVERY SINGLE TIME. Each time I find myself wondering what it's about, whether I will enjoy it, all this posturing has lead me to a conclusion, I may not enjoy paranormal romance, but I love Ms Wood's paranormal romance, I never feel like I'm drowning in ghosts and werewolves and vampires OH MY, despite the fanciful characters from the other world her works always have a realistic, tangible quality to them, I find myself easily getting lost in the story, slipping into readerspace and just revelling in her words. In Don't Wake The Dead we're introduced to Zoe Thorne, Zoe is your normal, everyday young woman, she's working a job she doesn't love, surrounding but a pretty non existent social life and her two best friends are a well meaning man eater Jonelle and a ghost Terri, yep you heard right, Zoe's current roommate is the deceased former inhabitant of her apartment, after a lifetime of hiding her gifts, Zoe is quick to dismiss ghosts and the paranormal existence, she learnt early on that disclosing her abilities only serves to alienate her, leaving her the town pariah.
"Well, golly gee, Mal, most people would think I was crazy if I started telling them that I can see ghosts. Oh, and talk to them."
When Zoe finds herself out of a job, and Malachi (Mal) Flemming comes knocking on her door with a sweet deal to film a webisode from her haunted apartment, it seems like a fairly easy way to make some quick cash, only she isn't prepared for all that will happen when Mal and his merry band of Blaine and Stony come to document the paranormal existence in her home.
"What is it with you and your obsession with my sex life?"
"One of us should have one and you're the only one with a pulse."
Where I was expecting something predominantly focus on the existence of the otherworld, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the main focus was purely the story, while it did have paranormal elements Don't Wake The Dead is definitely a story that contemporary romance or romantic comedy readers will be able to sink their teeth into. Zoe and Mal have an electric chemistry, one that sizzles and crackles and truly bursts from the page, while Wood serves up the sexual tension in spades, she also delivers on the gut busting laughs, and the perfect comedic timing she has become known for, it's a hard task to set the tone for a story and to continue to deliver it throughout the story when it shifts in style from paranormal romance to suspense and drama to comedy. While together Mal and Zoe are exciting and fresh, and so darn intriguing that you can't look away, but individually they are genuine and funny, sassy and sexy, slow burn romance done exquisitely, add to that the other colourful characters like Jonelle and Terri, and Blaine and Stony and Wood has created the kind of ensemble where you hope each get their own story. From the first page I was intrigued, by the end of the first chapter I was utterly captivated, by the half way point I was so desperately invested that I couldn't decide whether I wanted the devour the pages or savor them and take my time. Intermixed with moments of sheer hilarity, and breathtaking suspense, were moments so beautifully tender and heartbreakingly real that left me desperate for more. At the end of yet another review for CC Woods work I stand by my former claim; PNR as a genre may not be for me, but Wood's take on PNR certainly is.
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June 10, 2016
I'm not a Paranormal Romance fan - I'm very selective - I've been burned before so I'm very gun shy and picky. I read one of C. C. Wood's Romantic Thrillers and was really impressed and loved it. So putting my trust in her hands I gave Paranormal Romance a shot - and I adored "Don't Wake the Dead". Although it's a super tame book and the romance is more of an attraction, it appears as if the series is going to allow that relationship to have room to groove. The Heroine, Zoe, is strong in a beleaguered, self preservation way because she has many abilities when it comes to ghosts, the undead, and ghouls - yes separate things. In her small town she is notorious and has only a couple of friends - one of which is a ghost. Her father is supportive and the mediator between her and her not so understanding mother. The Hero, Mal, is a "ghost hunter. He and his two friends have a YouTube channel in which they visit haunted places and prove or disprove the presence of spirits. Mal, is the sexy nerd hero, with my personal Kryptonite - black frame eyeglasses. Me-yow! The important thing about Mal and his friends, Blaine and Stoney, are that they believe in ghosts - and up until now Zoe has only had her best friend, Jonelle, and her ghostly "roommate" Teri who believed her. This meeting has opened a whole new world for her - and with it a couple of new opportunities which are at cross purposes - an attraction and a potential relationship with a hunky guy and a job working with a few ghost hunters. The problem is that the hunky ghost hunter who she's attracted to - and he's just as smitten with her - offered her a job with the ghost hunting team. But if he's her boss she can't date him because it would make things awkward, especially if things go south. "Don't Wake the Dead" is action packed and amazingly funny.
"Don't Wake the Dead" has more thrills, attraction, and sexual tension than romance. The paranormal is in the spotlight and it isn't over-the-top, heavy handed, or ridiculous - it's like a super convincing episode of "Ghost Hunters". C. C. Wood shows me just how much of a gamut she can stretch between this Wraith Files series and the first installment of the Dark Romantic Thriller in the Wicked Games series. I got so into "Don't Wake the Dead" that I finished it in less than a day - and as I've said, I don't do Paranormal. The secondary characters are extremely entertaining as well. Mal and Zoe are magnetic and you can't help but root for them to figure a way to work things out so they can be a couple - because they are so sweet together. I really look forward to reading more of this series. I hate waiting.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/219r7qb
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
"Don't Wake the Dead" has more thrills, attraction, and sexual tension than romance. The paranormal is in the spotlight and it isn't over-the-top, heavy handed, or ridiculous - it's like a super convincing episode of "Ghost Hunters". C. C. Wood shows me just how much of a gamut she can stretch between this Wraith Files series and the first installment of the Dark Romantic Thriller in the Wicked Games series. I got so into "Don't Wake the Dead" that I finished it in less than a day - and as I've said, I don't do Paranormal. The secondary characters are extremely entertaining as well. Mal and Zoe are magnetic and you can't help but root for them to figure a way to work things out so they can be a couple - because they are so sweet together. I really look forward to reading more of this series. I hate waiting.
To read the entire review please visit: http://bit.ly/219r7qb
This novel was provided in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 30, 2016
I was asked for an honest review.
This was my first book by C.C. Wood and I can't wait to read more of her work. Her writing style was refreshing and brilliant. The level of skill and talent were so apparent, and the story was perfectly developed and delivered right from the first page. The characters were a breath of fresh air and the dialogue was completely engaging. I was like an addict and couldn't put it down! I absolutely loved this book.
We meet a unique young woman, Zoe, and are introduced to her “special” abilities right from the beginning. She has been isolated from society, due to public scrutiny and her own desire to hide from it. Growing up with a rare gift for seeing the dead, has left Zoe a very lonely person - well, lonely for the living. She has one particular companion, of the spectral variety, that enjoys Zoe’s company more than she is comfortable with. Having a mostly unwelcome roommate, that only she can see and hear, is not the type of company that Zoe craves. She craves acceptance from those around her, none more so than her own family. Living a sheltered life has left Zoe with little trust and healthy dose of skepticism where people are concerned, which means when a charming and attractive man approaches her about filming a show in her “haunted” home, she doesn't believe him or his motives.
Malachi, or Mal as he prefers, soon realizes that he has his work cut out for him with the beautiful, but guarded, Zoe. Desperate to experience a real paranormal event that will launch his fledgling show into a success, he seeks to film an episode of his show in the house that he is lead to believe is haunted. Little does he know how real (and horny) this ghost is. The veil between the living and the dead is about to be lifted, tilting the perceptions of what he thought he believed.
As Zoe and Mal enter into a tentative working agreement, the sparks begin to fly and the ghosts will have them chasing more than a story for their next episode, but a mystery that just might cost them their lives.
I would highly recommend this story to anyone that wants it all in one book; humor, romance, mystery and thrills. It is quite simply, a great read.
This was my first book by C.C. Wood and I can't wait to read more of her work. Her writing style was refreshing and brilliant. The level of skill and talent were so apparent, and the story was perfectly developed and delivered right from the first page. The characters were a breath of fresh air and the dialogue was completely engaging. I was like an addict and couldn't put it down! I absolutely loved this book.
We meet a unique young woman, Zoe, and are introduced to her “special” abilities right from the beginning. She has been isolated from society, due to public scrutiny and her own desire to hide from it. Growing up with a rare gift for seeing the dead, has left Zoe a very lonely person - well, lonely for the living. She has one particular companion, of the spectral variety, that enjoys Zoe’s company more than she is comfortable with. Having a mostly unwelcome roommate, that only she can see and hear, is not the type of company that Zoe craves. She craves acceptance from those around her, none more so than her own family. Living a sheltered life has left Zoe with little trust and healthy dose of skepticism where people are concerned, which means when a charming and attractive man approaches her about filming a show in her “haunted” home, she doesn't believe him or his motives.
Malachi, or Mal as he prefers, soon realizes that he has his work cut out for him with the beautiful, but guarded, Zoe. Desperate to experience a real paranormal event that will launch his fledgling show into a success, he seeks to film an episode of his show in the house that he is lead to believe is haunted. Little does he know how real (and horny) this ghost is. The veil between the living and the dead is about to be lifted, tilting the perceptions of what he thought he believed.
As Zoe and Mal enter into a tentative working agreement, the sparks begin to fly and the ghosts will have them chasing more than a story for their next episode, but a mystery that just might cost them their lives.
I would highly recommend this story to anyone that wants it all in one book; humor, romance, mystery and thrills. It is quite simply, a great read.
December 12, 2016
This book was a suggestion for me to read. I had so much
fun reading this book. Now you all know I typically read
romance that is hot and steamy, but I do read Young Adult
book every now and then to. I have to say I was laughing my
ass off at some of the things that came out of Mal and his
friends mouths. But more so with Teri the Ghost, between her
sassy mouth and antics I was laughing so hard I had tears in
my eyes. She was so funny, having died 30 years ago. Let’s
say she missed a few things, namely men. This story may be
about Zoe and how she deals with the fact she can see and
speak to ghosts. When Mal shows up wanting to film at her
house, Teri has to mess with him. Even though Zoe tells her
not to do it, but Teri never listens. When she grabs Mal’s butt
he gets excited he may have found the best thing for his
show. But little does he know he may have also found the
best thing for him as well. Now he just has to convince Zoe.
When he finds out she can see and speak to ghosts, he has
to have her on his team and nothing will stop him. They get
along so well, I just wish Zoe would take the leap and take
a chance on Mal. She is just to afraid of losing her friends,
now that she has Mal, Stony, and Blain in her life. She won’t
let her hormones ruin it for her. There is on spot in the book
I really lost it, and woke my hubby up as I could not stop
laughing. One night at Zoe’s Mal and Blain are staying with
her. Blain wants to get a shower and Teri screams "did that
hunk of man say he was getting a shower?" To which Zoe
tells her no "don’t". To which Teri replies "I have not seen a
naked man in 30 years Zoe 30 YEARS!!", again Zoe says no.
But you know Teri off she goes. A few minutes later you hear
Blain yell "who the hell is touching my butt". I lost it.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you
enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book,
please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it
when you do; they value your opinions too.
fun reading this book. Now you all know I typically read
romance that is hot and steamy, but I do read Young Adult
book every now and then to. I have to say I was laughing my
ass off at some of the things that came out of Mal and his
friends mouths. But more so with Teri the Ghost, between her
sassy mouth and antics I was laughing so hard I had tears in
my eyes. She was so funny, having died 30 years ago. Let’s
say she missed a few things, namely men. This story may be
about Zoe and how she deals with the fact she can see and
speak to ghosts. When Mal shows up wanting to film at her
house, Teri has to mess with him. Even though Zoe tells her
not to do it, but Teri never listens. When she grabs Mal’s butt
he gets excited he may have found the best thing for his
show. But little does he know he may have also found the
best thing for him as well. Now he just has to convince Zoe.
When he finds out she can see and speak to ghosts, he has
to have her on his team and nothing will stop him. They get
along so well, I just wish Zoe would take the leap and take
a chance on Mal. She is just to afraid of losing her friends,
now that she has Mal, Stony, and Blain in her life. She won’t
let her hormones ruin it for her. There is on spot in the book
I really lost it, and woke my hubby up as I could not stop
laughing. One night at Zoe’s Mal and Blain are staying with
her. Blain wants to get a shower and Teri screams "did that
hunk of man say he was getting a shower?" To which Zoe
tells her no "don’t". To which Teri replies "I have not seen a
naked man in 30 years Zoe 30 YEARS!!", again Zoe says no.
But you know Teri off she goes. A few minutes later you hear
Blain yell "who the hell is touching my butt". I lost it.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you
enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book,
please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it
when you do; they value your opinions too.
May 4, 2016
4 Cold Spot Stars
Ever get that feeling that you are not alone? Or being watched? You know that creepy feeling that gives you the shivers? This book is full of them. And the reasons for them.
Zoe has been special for most of her life. She can see things others can't. Speak to those others can't talk to. She has learned to mask her abilities while around us mere muggles. She has a live in ghost named Teri who wants to get Zoe laid. And a best friend....who wants to get Zoe laid. Do you sense a theme. Zoe needs to get laid. But this is not that kind of book.
Mal is the producer of a YouTube ghost hunter show. He is in east Texas to film in all the haunted places around the area. I actually have been to several of the places mentioned. There are lots of haunted places around.
When Mal and Zoe meet he convinces her to let him film. She does have a ghost after all. A ghost who loves to pull pranks and cuss and sneak peaks at naked guys.
"We should get drunk," Teri stated.
"We can't get drunk, Teri. You're a ghost. Ghosts don't drink."
"I know. I fucking miss it too. That and smoking." She paused. "And sex. God, do I miss sex. Do you know how difficult it is to have an orgasm when you can't feel anything?"
Don't Wake the Dead is fun and funny. It's suspenseful and quirky. And full of family drama of the dead and alive variety. Zoe finally finds a place where she is appreciated and cherished. Well, it is YouTube, so she is a little less flattered than she might be but Mal and guys are serious about ghosts while being way less than serious about everything else.
For the first time in my life, I could be Zoe Thorne...whoever she was.
So take a walk on the dead side. Just don't do it at night in a cemetery. You might not walk alone.
Ever get that feeling that you are not alone? Or being watched? You know that creepy feeling that gives you the shivers? This book is full of them. And the reasons for them.
Zoe has been special for most of her life. She can see things others can't. Speak to those others can't talk to. She has learned to mask her abilities while around us mere muggles. She has a live in ghost named Teri who wants to get Zoe laid. And a best friend....who wants to get Zoe laid. Do you sense a theme. Zoe needs to get laid. But this is not that kind of book.
Mal is the producer of a YouTube ghost hunter show. He is in east Texas to film in all the haunted places around the area. I actually have been to several of the places mentioned. There are lots of haunted places around.
When Mal and Zoe meet he convinces her to let him film. She does have a ghost after all. A ghost who loves to pull pranks and cuss and sneak peaks at naked guys.
"We should get drunk," Teri stated.
"We can't get drunk, Teri. You're a ghost. Ghosts don't drink."
"I know. I fucking miss it too. That and smoking." She paused. "And sex. God, do I miss sex. Do you know how difficult it is to have an orgasm when you can't feel anything?"
Don't Wake the Dead is fun and funny. It's suspenseful and quirky. And full of family drama of the dead and alive variety. Zoe finally finds a place where she is appreciated and cherished. Well, it is YouTube, so she is a little less flattered than she might be but Mal and guys are serious about ghosts while being way less than serious about everything else.
For the first time in my life, I could be Zoe Thorne...whoever she was.
So take a walk on the dead side. Just don't do it at night in a cemetery. You might not walk alone.
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