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How the Ghost Was Won
There are ghost stories. And there are ghost legends.
From orphan to saloon girl to ghost whisperer, Hattie Hart has been and seen a lot of things in her time. Her new job as a detective with the Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency takes her out to the remote town of Carolina City, Nevada, on a vague assignment to investigate the disappearance of a US Marshal.
Except, when she arrives, she meets the devilishly handsome Grant Madsen, a US Marshal who is alive and well. Certainly not missing, but certainly the man of her dreams. So why did her boss send her out to this small boomtown when there’s nothing for her to investigate?
She soon discovers that in Carolina City, there are strange happenings from the afterlife that threaten to kill her or worse. She’ll have to race against time to save her life, the town, and the US Marshal she was sent to find—and maybe, if she's lucky, her heart.
From orphan to saloon girl to ghost whisperer, Hattie Hart has been and seen a lot of things in her time. Her new job as a detective with the Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency takes her out to the remote town of Carolina City, Nevada, on a vague assignment to investigate the disappearance of a US Marshal.
Except, when she arrives, she meets the devilishly handsome Grant Madsen, a US Marshal who is alive and well. Certainly not missing, but certainly the man of her dreams. So why did her boss send her out to this small boomtown when there’s nothing for her to investigate?
She soon discovers that in Carolina City, there are strange happenings from the afterlife that threaten to kill her or worse. She’ll have to race against time to save her life, the town, and the US Marshal she was sent to find—and maybe, if she's lucky, her heart.
104 pages, ebook
3 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hayes
102 books526 followersSci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books.
She works as an advertising copywriter by day, and she's a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author by night. She has lived in New Zealand, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, and now San Francisco with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.
You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.
She works as an advertising copywriter by day, and she's a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author by night. She has lived in New Zealand, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, and now San Francisco with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.
You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 20, 2017
How the Ghost Was Won: A Paranormal Western Romance by Erin Hayes is an awesome book about Hattie, a detective that goes to a town that no one will go to from the neighboring town, she is sent there to find a clue to what happened to the marshal. She is a detective from a Psychic Investigations because she can see ghosts. It is a wonderful story filled with danger, mystery, and the current handsome marshal that helps her search. LOVED it!!!
November 1, 2016
How the Ghost was Won was the first book by Erin Hayes I have ever read, and I will not stop here! I loved this book so much I purchased a copy for my mother-in-law who loves ghost stories. Erin's world was carefully built, and Hattie Hart is a strong character with the past that is believable.
Hattie sees ghosts. She has seen them ever since an accident took her sister from her early in life and her sister's ghost came to her. AND HASN'T LEFT HER SINCE. Hattie was sent on assignment to a silver mining town in Carolina City, NV by her employer Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency. Once close to town she was left by the train stop proprietor with a mule and a hasty goodbye. Ordinary people would think again, but not Hattie.
She then she meets the good, the bad and the incredibly handsome (Grant, the US Marshall to be exact) occupants of the town. Most of them just see her as the brothel worker she once was, noting the scar on her face and her fancy clothes. But she does get to make some friends.
One unusual event after another leads her to her task at hand, but those events truly make for a captivating storyline. My hat is off to you Erin Hayes!! 5 stars for an excellent book!!
*This book was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
Hattie sees ghosts. She has seen them ever since an accident took her sister from her early in life and her sister's ghost came to her. AND HASN'T LEFT HER SINCE. Hattie was sent on assignment to a silver mining town in Carolina City, NV by her employer Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency. Once close to town she was left by the train stop proprietor with a mule and a hasty goodbye. Ordinary people would think again, but not Hattie.
She then she meets the good, the bad and the incredibly handsome (Grant, the US Marshall to be exact) occupants of the town. Most of them just see her as the brothel worker she once was, noting the scar on her face and her fancy clothes. But she does get to make some friends.
One unusual event after another leads her to her task at hand, but those events truly make for a captivating storyline. My hat is off to you Erin Hayes!! 5 stars for an excellent book!!
*This book was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
October 31, 2016
A short, but very fun read!
I really enjoyed this little book. It was a quick read, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked the Wild West setting. It gave the paranormal heart of the story a fresh veneer. The fact that the female protagonist is not cut from a wholesome cloth is another nice touch. Like a lot of women of that time, Hattie's had a tough time of it and has fared better than most by becoming an investigator of the paranormal. Her struggle to discern between ghosts and the living was unsettling, and compounded by her opiate addiction. She's not a reliable narrator.
The love interest was all sorts of swaggering goodness, and I liked their connection.
As for the twist at the end...I really liked it!
I'd love to see more adventures with Hattie.
I really enjoyed this little book. It was a quick read, but one I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked the Wild West setting. It gave the paranormal heart of the story a fresh veneer. The fact that the female protagonist is not cut from a wholesome cloth is another nice touch. Like a lot of women of that time, Hattie's had a tough time of it and has fared better than most by becoming an investigator of the paranormal. Her struggle to discern between ghosts and the living was unsettling, and compounded by her opiate addiction. She's not a reliable narrator.
The love interest was all sorts of swaggering goodness, and I liked their connection.
As for the twist at the end...I really liked it!
I'd love to see more adventures with Hattie.
September 25, 2016
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. I knew it was about ghosts and written by Erin Hayes, but that's about it. This one wasn't fully a book for me, but there were some things I enjoyed and in the end I am glad I gave it a read. I think this is mostly a case of it's me not the book. And it's pretty different from the other books by this author that I've read, so maybe my expectations steered me wrong a bit.
How the Ghost was Won follows Hattie Hart she's a psychic investigator and she can see ghosts. I was curious at first to see what Hattie her assignment would be and how the ghost aspect would be handled. She can't find any leads when she arrives in the town and she only has half of a telegram, so she doesn't know everything. I was eve wondering why she stayed in town when it didn't seem like anyone knew anything. It seems like things went a bit slowly for a bit there and that's saying a lot as it's a short read. Then towards the end there are some great twists and while I had predicted part of it I didn't see all the twists coming. It sure was interesting and I liked how things got wrapped up, while leaving things open enough in case the author ever decides she want to write more. The twists were one of my favorite parts of the book as it was quite nicely done and made sense when looking back. There is lots of foreshadowing going on that only makes sense at the end.
From one of the first scenes it became obvious Hattie is a bit of an unreliable narrator, she's addicted to drugs even though she doesn't admit that, but she does admit that she can't always tell ghosts from the living. I am usually not a fan of unreliable narrators and I was constantly doubting her judgment. I didn't fully warm up to her as a main character, but she was interesting enough to read about.
I just wish there would've been a bit more about Hattie her personality and her ability to see ghosts. I am not sure why, but the story just never fully grabbed me. And I never fully cared about the characters. I did like Betty, the mule Hattie lends. There is a bit of romance as well and while I didn't fully feel it, I did like how things ended up. The book has a bit of a western historical feel and combined with the ghosts it made for a bit of a haunting feel. It did fit the book.
To summarize: this wasn't quite the book for me. I never fully got into the story or connected with any of the characters. But there were things I did like, like Hattie her mule and there are some great twists towards the end of the story. The twits took me by surprise and I only partially predicted them. I also liked how looking back I saw the foreshadowing the author did. The book has a bit of an haunting atmosphere which did fit the story. I would recommend this to people who like a a western historical paranormal book with a bit of romance and some nice twists.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book. I knew it was about ghosts and written by Erin Hayes, but that's about it. This one wasn't fully a book for me, but there were some things I enjoyed and in the end I am glad I gave it a read. I think this is mostly a case of it's me not the book. And it's pretty different from the other books by this author that I've read, so maybe my expectations steered me wrong a bit.
How the Ghost was Won follows Hattie Hart she's a psychic investigator and she can see ghosts. I was curious at first to see what Hattie her assignment would be and how the ghost aspect would be handled. She can't find any leads when she arrives in the town and she only has half of a telegram, so she doesn't know everything. I was eve wondering why she stayed in town when it didn't seem like anyone knew anything. It seems like things went a bit slowly for a bit there and that's saying a lot as it's a short read. Then towards the end there are some great twists and while I had predicted part of it I didn't see all the twists coming. It sure was interesting and I liked how things got wrapped up, while leaving things open enough in case the author ever decides she want to write more. The twists were one of my favorite parts of the book as it was quite nicely done and made sense when looking back. There is lots of foreshadowing going on that only makes sense at the end.
From one of the first scenes it became obvious Hattie is a bit of an unreliable narrator, she's addicted to drugs even though she doesn't admit that, but she does admit that she can't always tell ghosts from the living. I am usually not a fan of unreliable narrators and I was constantly doubting her judgment. I didn't fully warm up to her as a main character, but she was interesting enough to read about.
I just wish there would've been a bit more about Hattie her personality and her ability to see ghosts. I am not sure why, but the story just never fully grabbed me. And I never fully cared about the characters. I did like Betty, the mule Hattie lends. There is a bit of romance as well and while I didn't fully feel it, I did like how things ended up. The book has a bit of a western historical feel and combined with the ghosts it made for a bit of a haunting feel. It did fit the book.
To summarize: this wasn't quite the book for me. I never fully got into the story or connected with any of the characters. But there were things I did like, like Hattie her mule and there are some great twists towards the end of the story. The twits took me by surprise and I only partially predicted them. I also liked how looking back I saw the foreshadowing the author did. The book has a bit of an haunting atmosphere which did fit the story. I would recommend this to people who like a a western historical paranormal book with a bit of romance and some nice twists.
August 17, 2016
I had the privilege of reading this book as an arc. I absolutely loved the different time setting and enjoyed the profession along with the back story of Hattie Hart. I also really just love her name. I think with just a few tweaks that I brought to the authors attention that this book will quickly be another favorite of mine :)
Hattie, all though had had a rough past, she seems to be heading into the right direction. Atleast it seems that way till she receives a telegram telling her about a missing marshall....
without adding any spoilers Hattie is the perfect heroine.
sketchy past that she has to overcome ✔
handsome hunk that she resists ✔
brave ✔
has ghost seeing abilities ✔
humble ✔
I mean really what more could you want?
Hattie, all though had had a rough past, she seems to be heading into the right direction. Atleast it seems that way till she receives a telegram telling her about a missing marshall....
without adding any spoilers Hattie is the perfect heroine.
sketchy past that she has to overcome ✔
handsome hunk that she resists ✔
brave ✔
has ghost seeing abilities ✔
humble ✔
I mean really what more could you want?
August 25, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book in return for a review.
This book is a strange mixture of an old style western, a ghost story and a love story. That may read as something odd but it actually works.
Hattie is a detective for the Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency who is trying to find a missing US Marshall. Instead she finds a completely different US Marshall who is gorgeous. Will she, or even should she resist him, and will she actually complete her mission?
Interesting concept that I enjoyed. I can see that this could be a new series as Hattie travels solving ghostly mysteries.
Well written, with lots of surprises and interest up to the very end of the book. Tastefully done scenes that left everything to the imagination. Definitely worth a read.
This book is a strange mixture of an old style western, a ghost story and a love story. That may read as something odd but it actually works.
Hattie is a detective for the Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency who is trying to find a missing US Marshall. Instead she finds a completely different US Marshall who is gorgeous. Will she, or even should she resist him, and will she actually complete her mission?
Interesting concept that I enjoyed. I can see that this could be a new series as Hattie travels solving ghostly mysteries.
Well written, with lots of surprises and interest up to the very end of the book. Tastefully done scenes that left everything to the imagination. Definitely worth a read.
October 5, 2016
OMG...this book is beyond fantastic! As I was reading, I kept "hearing" snippets of western movie themes as the story unfolded. This could so easily be turned into a TV special or mini series. Hattie Hart could go a long way!
This story is so good; you laugh (until you almost pee your granny panties), you shed a tear or two as you realize who's alive or dead; and you get angry at the bad guys! Couldn't get any better unless we get more Hattie Hart in the future.
Get this book! It's a wonderful read.
This story is so good; you laugh (until you almost pee your granny panties), you shed a tear or two as you realize who's alive or dead; and you get angry at the bad guys! Couldn't get any better unless we get more Hattie Hart in the future.
Get this book! It's a wonderful read.
November 9, 2017
A former saloon girl turned paranormal investigator (ghost hunter) gets a partial telegram from her mysterious boss wanting her to check into the disappearance of a US Marshal. But when she arrives in the town, she finds a very much alive Marshall. As she tries to figure why she was sent there, strange things start to happen that could pose a threat to her very life.
I thought this was a good blending of romance, paranormal, mystery, and western. None of the elements were too overpowering. It is fairly easy to guess what is really happening, but I still found myself wondering if I was right until the very end of the adventure.
I hope this is the start of a series with more stories (hopefully full novels instead of novella length) to come in the future.
I thought this was a good blending of romance, paranormal, mystery, and western. None of the elements were too overpowering. It is fairly easy to guess what is really happening, but I still found myself wondering if I was right until the very end of the adventure.
I hope this is the start of a series with more stories (hopefully full novels instead of novella length) to come in the future.
November 8, 2017
This was my first time reading Erin Hayes and I absolutely loved it!! The story is filled with lots of action, drama, great chemistry, witty moments, all expertly woven into an incredibly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it.
October 7, 2016
Erin Hayes writes a very good ghost story, quite different than her regular stories. Hattie is a psychic investigator who wasn't given the whole story about what she had to investigate, but goes to investigate anyway. You will thoroughly enjoy this story. It is very well-written with characters you will really appreciate. A very good story. You'll love it.
February 24, 2017
Hattie Hart is a psychic detective for the Tremayne Psychic Specters Investigations Agency straight out of St. Louis, MO. Her mission is to find out whatever she can about a missing US Marshall in Carolina City, NV. When she arrives at said location, she ends up spending weeks (instead of days) there wrapped up in the most curious of mysteries ever! All alone, and getting a little worried she's going to end up coming back empty handed for the boss, the silver mine folk drag her into an unbelievable scenario.
Right off the bat, SCORE! I love psychics, and ghost stories, and psychics that investigate ghosts, the whole thing is right up my alley. Hattie's story takes place in the late 1800's, the wild west baby! She has a shady past about her, but she's a cool as f*** character, and I immediately liked her. She heads on her investigation alone, which I thought was weird considering the time, but she gives no f**** what people think and gets her s*** done. Shortly after arriving in Carolina City she meets the yummy Marshall Grant Madsen. Grant takes her to a grumpy old hag that runs a boarding house, and viola! The story has got me in it's grasp.
This book is really short at 104 pages, but it packs a damn good punch! I thoroughly enjoyed the book from cover to cover, and am so thankful that I was introduced to this author through Carolina Book Fest 2016, or I would have maybe never met her. I would highly recommend this book to any of my ghost detective, psychic loving supporters out there.
Right off the bat, SCORE! I love psychics, and ghost stories, and psychics that investigate ghosts, the whole thing is right up my alley. Hattie's story takes place in the late 1800's, the wild west baby! She has a shady past about her, but she's a cool as f*** character, and I immediately liked her. She heads on her investigation alone, which I thought was weird considering the time, but she gives no f**** what people think and gets her s*** done. Shortly after arriving in Carolina City she meets the yummy Marshall Grant Madsen. Grant takes her to a grumpy old hag that runs a boarding house, and viola! The story has got me in it's grasp.
This book is really short at 104 pages, but it packs a damn good punch! I thoroughly enjoyed the book from cover to cover, and am so thankful that I was introduced to this author through Carolina Book Fest 2016, or I would have maybe never met her. I would highly recommend this book to any of my ghost detective, psychic loving supporters out there.
October 29, 2021
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I began this book, but I was certainly won over by the end of this story.
Psychic Hattie Hart is sent to a haunted ghost town, Carolina City, by her employer 'The Tremayne Specters Investigations Agency' to look for a missing US Marshall. Receiving only a partial telegraph, she arrives in town and speaks with the towns inhabitants to find that no one has heard of any missing marshal. To make matters worse, her ability to see ghosts have become somewhat skewed, giving her almost non-stop migraines and making her not fully aware as to when she is speaking to a ghost or someone alive. If that's not bad enough, she's having recurring dreams of a man, whose face she cant quite see but she has affection for, begging her to "Find me. Save me". With the help of the town marshal, Grant, she tries her best to solve the town's mystery, while maintaining her sanity.
I loved this book and would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good ghost story with a little romance and a few twists!
Psychic Hattie Hart is sent to a haunted ghost town, Carolina City, by her employer 'The Tremayne Specters Investigations Agency' to look for a missing US Marshall. Receiving only a partial telegraph, she arrives in town and speaks with the towns inhabitants to find that no one has heard of any missing marshal. To make matters worse, her ability to see ghosts have become somewhat skewed, giving her almost non-stop migraines and making her not fully aware as to when she is speaking to a ghost or someone alive. If that's not bad enough, she's having recurring dreams of a man, whose face she cant quite see but she has affection for, begging her to "Find me. Save me". With the help of the town marshal, Grant, she tries her best to solve the town's mystery, while maintaining her sanity.
I loved this book and would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good ghost story with a little romance and a few twists!
September 3, 2016
How the ghost was won
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So Hattie can speak to the dead but seems to be having problems telling the dead from the living. She has an assignment in Carolina City looking for a missing Marshall, and finds a lot more then she thought and Grant. Wow he is hot and so lovely, how he wants to take care of Hattie is lovely. This book keeps you guessing on what's going to happen but also who is dead and who is alive. It seems Hattie ghost insight is off a little. But I'm glad:) when you read it you will understand why I'm glad. The townsfolk at Carolina City are fun characters to read, plus let's not forget Betsy. I did feel heartbroken for Hattie alot, she hasn't had such a happy life and is lonely and scarred. I so enjoyed this and would really love for follow up books on Grant and Hattie adventures.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So Hattie can speak to the dead but seems to be having problems telling the dead from the living. She has an assignment in Carolina City looking for a missing Marshall, and finds a lot more then she thought and Grant. Wow he is hot and so lovely, how he wants to take care of Hattie is lovely. This book keeps you guessing on what's going to happen but also who is dead and who is alive. It seems Hattie ghost insight is off a little. But I'm glad:) when you read it you will understand why I'm glad. The townsfolk at Carolina City are fun characters to read, plus let's not forget Betsy. I did feel heartbroken for Hattie alot, she hasn't had such a happy life and is lonely and scarred. I so enjoyed this and would really love for follow up books on Grant and Hattie adventures.
October 26, 2016
If I say "True Grit" you will probably think of the obnoxious little girl but I want you to think of John Wayne's deeply flawed Rooster Cogburn, pushing forward against all odds. Laudanum addict Hattie Hart has moved beyond her troubled past and is working as a psychic detective but the ghost of her own sister won't leave until she experiences true love. As she sets out into the wild west of the silver rush will she find true death first? Written with a light, deft touch and an eye for detail, this novella invokes the grit and grandeur of the western desert and mountains of Nevada, U.S. Marshall and all!
September 2, 2016
This quirky and funny Ghost Story is just that with it's interesting twist of a good old western. Hattie Hart goes to Carolina City to investigate a disappearance and falls smack dab in the middle of things. She has no idea what is going on and wonders why no one knows anything about the person she is looking for. Never once does it occur to her that things may not be what they seem. A fun quick read with an interesting twist in the story and a pretty interesting ending (not to give anything away) all comes together to bring us a pretty cool read.
November 21, 2016
I received this ARC as a gift in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good ghost story!
This book was fun to read. It definitely isn’t your normal ghoulish ghost story that has you horrified at every bump in the night or dreading tonight’s dreams, but it is a good story that keeps your interest right up to the end!
Instead, this is about a fearless woman in a man’s world who finds herself caught up in mystery and a bit of danger. Her experiences are awkward, funny and leave you with a smile on your face.
I love a good ghost story!
This book was fun to read. It definitely isn’t your normal ghoulish ghost story that has you horrified at every bump in the night or dreading tonight’s dreams, but it is a good story that keeps your interest right up to the end!
Instead, this is about a fearless woman in a man’s world who finds herself caught up in mystery and a bit of danger. Her experiences are awkward, funny and leave you with a smile on your face.
October 5, 2016
Another hit!!! Erin writes in a way that pulls you in and doesn't let you go even after the last page. This story is so different and just when you think you have it figured out - boom! There's a shift and you realize how wrong you were. I loved it
November 14, 2016
Weird
This was the weirdest love story I have read in a while! But Hattie Hart is adorable and she got her psychic duty done. I don't think I will ever be a fan of this type of romance though.
This was the weirdest love story I have read in a while! But Hattie Hart is adorable and she got her psychic duty done. I don't think I will ever be a fan of this type of romance though.
October 28, 2016
I didn't want to put it down. I saw a little part of the end coming, but most of it surprised me. I really wish it was way longer. I could see this as a movie. (They probably wouldn't do it justice though.)
November 21, 2016
A very enjoyable ghost story. Hattie is a great character, I hope
there are more books about her coming out. This story was very
well written, it was easy to picture her scenes in your mind because
they are so descriptive. Loved it and I think you will too. Highly recommend.
there are more books about her coming out. This story was very
well written, it was easy to picture her scenes in your mind because
they are so descriptive. Loved it and I think you will too. Highly recommend.
December 19, 2016
Short, fun read. I did, honestly suspect what came to pass...but kept second guessing myself throughout. I really enjoyed this!! There was a great bit of mystery and a great load of western-ness and ghosts!! Can't go wrong with any of that.
March 21, 2017
What a sweet story this was, one of the nicest I have read this year. A really surprising twist in the tail. (I was given this ebook in return for an honest review, entirely voluntary on my part.)
October 25, 2016
Omg! I hope there'll be more to Hattie & Grant! Love!
Read
December 25, 2016Hattie & Grant's journey is not normal or easy, but you can't help who you love. Great story, awesome characters, and incredible writing ~ Love this book
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews