What do you think?
Rate this book
The Godmothers #6.5
Spirited Away
Part Two of the New Three-Part Godmothers Serial!
The best of friends, Toots, Ida, Mavis, and Sophie have been there for each other through thick and thin. Now Sophie needs the rest of the Godmothers to help her through something they’ve never faced before . . .
There are no secrets between best friends. At least, Teresa “Toots” Loudenberry has always believed that to be the case. In the decades since she, Sophie, Ida, and Mavis met in Catholic school, they’ve shared all the joys and hardships of their colorful, extraordinary adventures. But right now, Toots can tell that Sophie is hiding something.
Sophie wishes she could confide in Toots. But she can’t reveal her hunch about her home’s history and the unhappiness that still seems to linger there. There’s too much at stake, including the safety of Toots’ daughter Abby and her twin girls. But though Toots, Ida, and Mavis are all entering new phases in their lives—and love lives—they won’t let Sophie face this challenge on her own . . .
The best of friends, Toots, Ida, Mavis, and Sophie have been there for each other through thick and thin. Now Sophie needs the rest of the Godmothers to help her through something they’ve never faced before . . .
There are no secrets between best friends. At least, Teresa “Toots” Loudenberry has always believed that to be the case. In the decades since she, Sophie, Ida, and Mavis met in Catholic school, they’ve shared all the joys and hardships of their colorful, extraordinary adventures. But right now, Toots can tell that Sophie is hiding something.
Sophie wishes she could confide in Toots. But she can’t reveal her hunch about her home’s history and the unhappiness that still seems to linger there. There’s too much at stake, including the safety of Toots’ daughter Abby and her twin girls. But though Toots, Ida, and Mavis are all entering new phases in their lives—and love lives—they won’t let Sophie face this challenge on her own . . .
98 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2017
841 people are currently reading
573 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
429 books6,550 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 12, 2017
Sophie now knows that she has an evil male ghost along with a female ghost who wants to tell her something in her new house. She doesn't quite know yet if it's demonic or just and angry evil man.
When she goes to visit Toots, she and, Geobel, she has to tell Toots something but she doesn't want to put into words exactly what yet. Then Ida visits Toots as they are all at the table eating breakfast. It's then that Ida tells Sophie she went by her house and it was trashed, but there is clearly something very wrong with Ida.
Sophie leaves Ida with Toots and Geobel so she can go check something at their house and she tries to communicate with whoever is in the house again. When she receives some response but not what she wants, she decides to walk through the house and make sure that it's locked up tight when she her heart breaks over their kitchen and what was done to it.
While they are trying to get Ida straightened out they are also trying to keep Abby and the kids away from this and Abby doesn't like it one bit. There's other news though, on a happier note but this mess with Sophie's ghosts is overshadowing that news.
After doing all they can to get answers here and combing through the trunks in Sophie's attic, they find out that there is a living relative over ninety in Charlotte, NC that they must go see. Now, if only they can keep Ida herself for long enough for that visit.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When she goes to visit Toots, she and, Geobel, she has to tell Toots something but she doesn't want to put into words exactly what yet. Then Ida visits Toots as they are all at the table eating breakfast. It's then that Ida tells Sophie she went by her house and it was trashed, but there is clearly something very wrong with Ida.
Sophie leaves Ida with Toots and Geobel so she can go check something at their house and she tries to communicate with whoever is in the house again. When she receives some response but not what she wants, she decides to walk through the house and make sure that it's locked up tight when she her heart breaks over their kitchen and what was done to it.
While they are trying to get Ida straightened out they are also trying to keep Abby and the kids away from this and Abby doesn't like it one bit. There's other news though, on a happier note but this mess with Sophie's ghosts is overshadowing that news.
After doing all they can to get answers here and combing through the trunks in Sophie's attic, they find out that there is a living relative over ninety in Charlotte, NC that they must go see. Now, if only they can keep Ida herself for long enough for that visit.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2017
I was really excited about this new novella series. These women have been friends since 7th grade and they have had some adventures.
In this second book, they have all moved to Charleston,South Carolina and Sophie is hiding a secret from the others. But not for long. Toots is way too nosy for that!
Somewhere in Sophie's new house is a spirit that looks like it is there to destroy the entire house. Bt Sophie knows there is a story here and she will get to the bottom of it with help from her friends.
Nobody does strong women better than Fern Michaels. For some reason I feel better about life in general after reading her stories!
Good Job with this one and can't wait for the next!
In this second book, they have all moved to Charleston,South Carolina and Sophie is hiding a secret from the others. But not for long. Toots is way too nosy for that!
Somewhere in Sophie's new house is a spirit that looks like it is there to destroy the entire house. Bt Sophie knows there is a story here and she will get to the bottom of it with help from her friends.
Nobody does strong women better than Fern Michaels. For some reason I feel better about life in general after reading her stories!
Good Job with this one and can't wait for the next!
November 18, 2017
Not sure why Fern Michaels split this up into 3 installments -- this story really got me no closer to understanding the mystery of Sophie and Goebel's house. Lots of fluff -- 3 out of 10.
May 10, 2017
Sophie has made two key discoveries: a female ghost who first called to her in the new house she is sharing with her husband, and now a male ghost with evil intent. Unfortunately, as Sophie is determined to discover the why of the ghosts, she’s not totally certain that she wants to involve her friends, since everyone seems to be settling into new lives and loves, after years of personal tumult interrupted by new cases and causes. While Sophie is trying to sort out her own uninvited guests in her new home, she is unsettled and concerned that her investigations and questions are only stirring up the spirits, and perhaps spurring the evil one to action.
With no real answer to hand, and her own reluctance to disturb the friends she has relied on for years, she takes some rather drastic measures. Toots, one of the more determined friend of the bunch knows that Sophie is hiding something big – and we see through repeated flashbacks to the ladies’ pasts, histories and relationships just how strong their bond is and how much better they are as a unit, even when solutions are more instinctual acts of luck and circumstances than pure planning.
Still unfinished with new questions to answer, the strength of the bond between the women and their reliance on one another is highlighted, and actually takes precedence over Sophie’s investigation into the spirits in her house. With so many questions still unanswered, they underlying mystery thread is still in play, but a moment to connect with the ladies and give background on their history should play an important role in the final installment of this serial, coming at the end of the month.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
With no real answer to hand, and her own reluctance to disturb the friends she has relied on for years, she takes some rather drastic measures. Toots, one of the more determined friend of the bunch knows that Sophie is hiding something big – and we see through repeated flashbacks to the ladies’ pasts, histories and relationships just how strong their bond is and how much better they are as a unit, even when solutions are more instinctual acts of luck and circumstances than pure planning.
Still unfinished with new questions to answer, the strength of the bond between the women and their reliance on one another is highlighted, and actually takes precedence over Sophie’s investigation into the spirits in her house. With so many questions still unanswered, they underlying mystery thread is still in play, but a moment to connect with the ladies and give background on their history should play an important role in the final installment of this serial, coming at the end of the month.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
June 22, 2017
Title: Spirited Away - The Godmothers Book 8
Author: Fern Michaels
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 5-9-2017
Pages: 98
Genre: Women's Fiction
Sub-Genre: Sagas; Short Reads; Contemporary Fiction; Paranormal
ISBN: 9781496712080
ASIN: B01KE3UBT2
Reviewed For NetGalley and Kensington Books
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I was lucky enough to read all three books at one sitting. As for "Spirited Away" is the second of three parts of the whole book. The cost accumulation equals one full book in the Godmother Series.
"Spirited Away" continues where "Hideaway" leaves off. Sophie has yet to explain the full background of her new home or the true danger to Toot's daughter and granddaughters. Still the friends stand together to face any adversity. Even when they do not know all the facts.
Well worth the time and effort to read. Part 1 is "Hideaway" and the final part is "Getaway"
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KE3UBT2/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spir...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Fern Michaels
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 5-9-2017
Pages: 98
Genre: Women's Fiction
Sub-Genre: Sagas; Short Reads; Contemporary Fiction; Paranormal
ISBN: 9781496712080
ASIN: B01KE3UBT2
Reviewed For NetGalley and Kensington Books
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.25 Stars
I was lucky enough to read all three books at one sitting. As for "Spirited Away" is the second of three parts of the whole book. The cost accumulation equals one full book in the Godmother Series.
"Spirited Away" continues where "Hideaway" leaves off. Sophie has yet to explain the full background of her new home or the true danger to Toot's daughter and granddaughters. Still the friends stand together to face any adversity. Even when they do not know all the facts.
Well worth the time and effort to read. Part 1 is "Hideaway" and the final part is "Getaway"
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KE3UBT2/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spir...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
May 9, 2017
The second installment picks up directly from the end of the first one, Hideaway.
Sophie is still trying to determine what the woman from her vision is trying to tell her and there is a mean (not evil) spirit causing havoc in her house and with her friend, Ida. There are also flashbacks to 1955 when the four girls met in seventh grade and formed inseparable friendships.
You will want to get the third and last installment to finish the series and learn how they get rid of the spirit.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.
Sophie is still trying to determine what the woman from her vision is trying to tell her and there is a mean (not evil) spirit causing havoc in her house and with her friend, Ida. There are also flashbacks to 1955 when the four girls met in seventh grade and formed inseparable friendships.
You will want to get the third and last installment to finish the series and learn how they get rid of the spirit.
Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.
May 29, 2021
Spirited Away
This Fern Michaels book is another humdinger of a story about spirits and friends and the rest of the Godmothers. In this book Sophie is trying to figure out what is still in the house she and her husband Gobel bought. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This Fern Michaels book is another humdinger of a story about spirits and friends and the rest of the Godmothers. In this book Sophie is trying to figure out what is still in the house she and her husband Gobel bought. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
May 24, 2017
Spirited Away
I love reading Fern Michael's books. I have enjoyed the previous Godmother series books. This one just lacked something. I just know this book was disappointing. I'm glad I am already familiar with the quality of her writing.
I love reading Fern Michael's books. I have enjoyed the previous Godmother series books. This one just lacked something. I just know this book was disappointing. I'm glad I am already familiar with the quality of her writing.
March 4, 2018
Not as good as the other books.
A little disappointed. I like hearing more about Toots, her relationship with Phil. And I'd like her to go back and discuss the dream Abby had about the slave girl.
A little disappointed. I like hearing more about Toots, her relationship with Phil. And I'd like her to go back and discuss the dream Abby had about the slave girl.
May 14, 2017
Great
Love these ladies, and the flashbacks are great to see how this strong friendship began. Looking forward to the next book
Love these ladies, and the flashbacks are great to see how this strong friendship began. Looking forward to the next book
May 31, 2017
Number 2 in a series of 3 .. haunted house and screaming babies.. decent not great
June 10, 2017
Spirited Away is the second part of this serial in The Godmothers series written by author Fern Michaels. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance copy.
June 16, 2017
2nd in this small series. Loved this one too! I am so excited on how this one ends!
September 3, 2017
I am in love with Fern Michaels' Godmothers series! Just can't stop til there are no more to read! Awesome, funny, mysterious, romantic etc!
October 6, 2017
I really enjoyed the book.
January 1, 2018
Never a dull moment with the Godmothers! I enjoyed this 3 part story and hope there will be more to come. Don’t miss these!
July 13, 2018
Read 7/12/18. This is the #2 novella, of 3. This one also ends at a weird point in. The story. They are all one story line and should have been put into one book!
December 16, 2018
Love all her books
Read
August 30, 2019always enjo her books
Read
January 15, 2021kffhbvfghkmjh HH hhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2021
Mysterious
Left me hanging, wish I could have read more. Want more! Delving into the unknown. I enjoyed reading this and will continue to
Left me hanging, wish I could have read more. Want more! Delving into the unknown. I enjoyed reading this and will continue to
May 23, 2022
I like the characters in this series, but can’t stand that themes are never resolved until you buy another book. Sometimes they don’t conclude for a couple of books which is annoying.
June 1, 2022
I LOVE this series of books. These woman have me laughing out loud all the time! I wish this series could continue forever!!
December 16, 2022
Frustratingly short.
March 16, 2023
Hoopla ebook getting to be just like the sisterhood series repeat, repeat
May 15, 2020
Didn't get last chapters . My copy ended at chapter 14.
I'm not a happy reader. Four ads for new books but no ending chapters for the book I'm reading. What happened. Help.
I'm not a happy reader. Four ads for new books but no ending chapters for the book I'm reading. What happened. Help.
March 25, 2017
Why a 3 star review for the second book of the series when I gave 4 stars for the first book? Personal opinion only: I don't like to read about exorcisms. They bother me. I can't say a whole lot because I'm disturbed by this book.
I will read the third book as I want to know what happens.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC of this book for my honest review that is my own opinion.
I will read the third book as I want to know what happens.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC of this book for my honest review that is my own opinion.
March 29, 2017
Since all three books in the new godmother series by Fern Michaels relate directly to each other and since all the books are totally intertwined within each other, I am reviewing Hideaway, Spirited Away and Getaway together. None of the three books is particularly long, and each reads rather quickly, making them seem more like one “big” book. In this trilogy, the four friends, Toots, Sophie, Mavis and Ida, join forces to figure out what exactly is happening in Sophia’s new, apparently haunted house. Sophia’s psychic/paranormal abilities help the foursome as they move through a series of strange events, all related to the history of Sophia’s house. This is also a story of the four seniors who have “been there, done that” and are ready to settle down in happily married life once again. One thing I did not understand, however, is why after all the other books in the series, the author chose to provide short snippets of how the four came together as adolescents at a religious school none particularly even wanted to attend. It would seem that this sort of recap/back story would have been better suited for an earlier book in the series, if not the first book, where the four are introduced.
The story, as I said, move along at a nice, steady clip. I am not sure, however, if the way they choose to put the final piece of the puzzle together is the realistic way these sorts of things are done. I am not going to go into this more because I want to avoid spoilers. Naturally, throughout the three books we are introduced (or perhaps re-introduced in some cases) to the men, who now become an integral part of their lives and how the entire crew interacts and works together. In addition, Abby, the once-upon-a-time journalist daughter of Toots and mother of one-year old twins (the apples of their grandmother’s and godmother’s eyes) as well as her husband and twin children also play a solid, though not dominant, role in the book, giving the story a bit of hominess and levity. Nevertheless, I wondered sometimes, as I read, if these were the same characters from the other books and why things between and among Toots and the three godmothers seemed off, not really like the way they were in other books. Possibly, the introduction of men into the lives of these four women is what made things unlike the characters in the other books in the series. They just did not seem, as I said, like they were in the other books. The story reads well and quickly, as I said. The three books are well-written and interesting. I just found the way things were handled a bit off. If you enjoy other books by the author or if you enjoy this series, you will enjoy this one. I am also not sure about stretching the story over three books, as there was a story line and plot, though not much of one. I am not sure having the reader procure three books was a great idea, though it is a bit unique. This is a fast easy read for someone who enjoys curling up with a book, or books in this case, and reading something or things that is/are quick and light. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
The story, as I said, move along at a nice, steady clip. I am not sure, however, if the way they choose to put the final piece of the puzzle together is the realistic way these sorts of things are done. I am not going to go into this more because I want to avoid spoilers. Naturally, throughout the three books we are introduced (or perhaps re-introduced in some cases) to the men, who now become an integral part of their lives and how the entire crew interacts and works together. In addition, Abby, the once-upon-a-time journalist daughter of Toots and mother of one-year old twins (the apples of their grandmother’s and godmother’s eyes) as well as her husband and twin children also play a solid, though not dominant, role in the book, giving the story a bit of hominess and levity. Nevertheless, I wondered sometimes, as I read, if these were the same characters from the other books and why things between and among Toots and the three godmothers seemed off, not really like the way they were in other books. Possibly, the introduction of men into the lives of these four women is what made things unlike the characters in the other books in the series. They just did not seem, as I said, like they were in the other books. The story reads well and quickly, as I said. The three books are well-written and interesting. I just found the way things were handled a bit off. If you enjoy other books by the author or if you enjoy this series, you will enjoy this one. I am also not sure about stretching the story over three books, as there was a story line and plot, though not much of one. I am not sure having the reader procure three books was a great idea, though it is a bit unique. This is a fast easy read for someone who enjoys curling up with a book, or books in this case, and reading something or things that is/are quick and light. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
April 2, 2017
I've read many Fern Michael's books and this series has grown over time. This is book two in a special trilogy within the Godmother series. This story deals with the haunted house that Sophia and her new husband have purchased as they have all moved back down south. The fab four have a small wedge in their friendship as Sophia is reluctant to tell the others about the evil ghost in her house. An open ending so you'll want to get book three as soon as it's out. I did ok reading this one without reading book 1. The Godmothers are a fun group who rely on each other through thick and thin.
April 14, 2017
Note: This is a novella, book 2 of 3, and it does leave you hanging a bit :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews