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Stoddard Sisters #1
Hallows Gate
Alternative Cover Edition for ASIN B0078TEC8W
New Years Eve changed Angelina ‘s life
She got lost and fell in love – with a ghost
Now she needs to save him by becoming his wife
The problem?
If she succeeds, she frees him, but loses him forever.
Love is more complicated than she thought...
And that doesn’t include the elves.
New Years Eve changed Angelina ‘s life
She got lost and fell in love – with a ghost
Now she needs to save him by becoming his wife
The problem?
If she succeeds, she frees him, but loses him forever.
Love is more complicated than she thought...
And that doesn’t include the elves.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2012
323 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Erickson
41 books29 followersI'm an old soul that accomplished an unusual goal: publish 12 books in 12 months. I did it in 11 because I'm the white rabbit of time (so my children tell me).
I live in Idaho, work in another world, and thrive on the written word. By the time you read this, I'll working with new characters to turn upside down (or inside out), spin more plots to weave and plant subplots to harvest.
I have plans for many other books in various stages of development and must get cracking instead of writing this...are you still reading? Good. Keep it up - and thanks.
I live in Idaho, work in another world, and thrive on the written word. By the time you read this, I'll working with new characters to turn upside down (or inside out), spin more plots to weave and plant subplots to harvest.
I have plans for many other books in various stages of development and must get cracking instead of writing this...are you still reading? Good. Keep it up - and thanks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 21, 2022
This book is addictive! I couldn't put it down. It is a historical time travel romance (not like a cheesy fluff piece like I thought it was going to be). It is so quirky and sweet that I found myself smiling a lot. As the story unfolds you can't help but say "oh!" a lot because stuff starts falling in to place. I never felt confused or lost either and the end is very satisfying. I definitely want to read the second one in the series!
August 22, 2023
Such a fun read. Time travel, romance, paranormal all together. Coco and Betty were hilarious and so smart. Redge was an unforgettable ghost.
October 25, 2017
An entertaining story. Anyone who reads with a critical eye for realism will be disappointed (and they will have to give up watching NCIS and other fictitious literature). But if you read for entertainment and stress reduction, this is for you. The characters are more than sympathetic and they are unbelievable. You end up chuckling and laughing (Angelina's difficulties with her cell phone describes my partner perfectly). Don't analyse the HOW, just enjoy the trip. And if you find certain passages unbelievable, just remember that this is fiction and go on.
November 13, 2019
Murder Mystery?
I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who killed Angelina the most. It's a very weird story concept because they did but they didn't.
The story starts with Angelina meeting Redge as a ghost in the future. She falls in love with him and marries him. Yes, she marries a ghost!
The writer never really explains how she travels back into the past or how Betty and Colette follow her into the past. There is some mention of a curse but that's never really explained.
I enjoyed the mystery of trying to figure out who killed Angelina the most. It's a very weird story concept because they did but they didn't.
The story starts with Angelina meeting Redge as a ghost in the future. She falls in love with him and marries him. Yes, she marries a ghost!
The writer never really explains how she travels back into the past or how Betty and Colette follow her into the past. There is some mention of a curse but that's never really explained.
January 5, 2019
I love this book. I have read it about 4 times already and will probably read it again. Such a great book. A Must Read. One of my most favorite books!
May 21, 2025
This book was 2 1/2 stars for me.
The first half of the book was very slow and a lot of "tell" vs "show." The writing felt a bit juvenile as well as the main character's thoughts. I think the author was going for quirky but kind of missed the mark on the tone and it was just irritating and I found myself skimming the inner dialogue. There's repetition and a lot of grammatical errors.
The BIGGEST sin is continuously referring to Redge as being "hung." Pictures are hung. People are hanged. It was a pervasive mistake and just highlighted the lack of polish this book had and the need for an editor or at least a critical reader before it was published.
First half of the book - they’ve had 3 short conversations, 1 dance and 1 kiss - no chemistry, no development at all but they're both supposed to be so in love. Again, a lot of tell, when it comes to them. We're told time is passing, we're told they're in love but we don't really see them connect at all.
Then about halfway the book is derailed by this side plot with her mother getting sick. This takes up several chapters of the book. I almost quit at this point but I really wanted to see if the author could actually pull this together. Less time spent on the mother and her recuperation and more time spent on the couple - in either time - would have been better.
The second half got better as this is when she FINALLY goes into the past. But while the second half has more action and at least more interaction between Redge and Angelina, there is a huge amount of information thrown at the reader and it also feels very rushed. So first half is slow, and second half is too fast.
The twists of what happens to Redge and Angelina is interesting and infuriating - the future is changing so the story kind of changes. That's interesting, but it's also hard to keep up and frankly, some things made no sense.
And several things are just left completely unexplained:
- how did Angelina travel back in time?
- how can the sisters travel back in time? This is NEVER remotely explained, which was frustrating and felt kind of lazy.
- the actions in the past to change the future for Redge make absolutely no sense and are never explained. It just happens.
I just come back to what I keep saying - time travel books are really hard to write in a way that makes sense and in an entertaining way. Yes, I'm buying into the idea that there's a ghost and that people can travel through time, but the author still has to establish a framework for this that makes sense and doesn't contradict itself. And sadly, this one fell extremely short.
I have to ask, what was with the cat?!! Mysterious cat makes an appearance more than once, alluding to something significant - that never materializes. I was disappointed that this wasn't developed.
And how hot was this guy that every side character female is crazy for him? Come on! It was getting ridiculous and then that kind of played into the final twist, which again, was just silly.
This book had some likable characters and the second half had some interesting developments, but the "romance" between the main characters took way too long and was a bit lackluster in the end. I just had a hard time believing they were in love in the future or the past because we don't see much of that. I don't like giving a bad review but this book just had way too many issues for me.
The first half of the book was very slow and a lot of "tell" vs "show." The writing felt a bit juvenile as well as the main character's thoughts. I think the author was going for quirky but kind of missed the mark on the tone and it was just irritating and I found myself skimming the inner dialogue. There's repetition and a lot of grammatical errors.
The BIGGEST sin is continuously referring to Redge as being "hung." Pictures are hung. People are hanged. It was a pervasive mistake and just highlighted the lack of polish this book had and the need for an editor or at least a critical reader before it was published.
First half of the book - they’ve had 3 short conversations, 1 dance and 1 kiss - no chemistry, no development at all but they're both supposed to be so in love. Again, a lot of tell, when it comes to them. We're told time is passing, we're told they're in love but we don't really see them connect at all.
Then about halfway the book is derailed by this side plot with her mother getting sick. This takes up several chapters of the book. I almost quit at this point but I really wanted to see if the author could actually pull this together. Less time spent on the mother and her recuperation and more time spent on the couple - in either time - would have been better.
The second half got better as this is when she FINALLY goes into the past. But while the second half has more action and at least more interaction between Redge and Angelina, there is a huge amount of information thrown at the reader and it also feels very rushed. So first half is slow, and second half is too fast.
The twists of what happens to Redge and Angelina is interesting and infuriating - the future is changing so the story kind of changes. That's interesting, but it's also hard to keep up and frankly, some things made no sense.
And several things are just left completely unexplained:
- how did Angelina travel back in time?
- how can the sisters travel back in time? This is NEVER remotely explained, which was frustrating and felt kind of lazy.
- the actions in the past to change the future for Redge make absolutely no sense and are never explained. It just happens.
I just come back to what I keep saying - time travel books are really hard to write in a way that makes sense and in an entertaining way. Yes, I'm buying into the idea that there's a ghost and that people can travel through time, but the author still has to establish a framework for this that makes sense and doesn't contradict itself. And sadly, this one fell extremely short.
I have to ask, what was with the cat?!! Mysterious cat makes an appearance more than once, alluding to something significant - that never materializes. I was disappointed that this wasn't developed.
And how hot was this guy that every side character female is crazy for him? Come on! It was getting ridiculous and then that kind of played into the final twist, which again, was just silly.
This book had some likable characters and the second half had some interesting developments, but the "romance" between the main characters took way too long and was a bit lackluster in the end. I just had a hard time believing they were in love in the future or the past because we don't see much of that. I don't like giving a bad review but this book just had way too many issues for me.
March 13, 2024
There wasn’t enough of Angelina and Redge together either in present day or in the past. While reading the present day, I kept thinking why they felt so much in love would be shown in the past but it never happened. We were just told they loved each other but they didn’t spend any time together to get to know each other and fall in love. It was all about trying to save him from being killed and then trying to save Angelina from being killed. While the reason he was originally killed was understandable due to Letha setting him up as a thief, the reasons behind Angelina was killed was not understandable. The murderers appear out of nowhere, never ever being mentioned in the book previously. And their reasoning of them killing Angelina so they could then blackmail Eleanor for them doing so for her so she could marry Reg instead was just plain stupid. The author should have had them work for Reg’s family at least instead of Eleanor’s so they would have an excuse for access to the property. It was never explained how they got the keys from the butler, James unless he was also somehow involved but it seemed like he was not. The over all way Angelina was being attempted to be murdered didn’t make sense at all with her being wacked on the head, buried, dug up by I think Reg but it wasn’t clear, then NO ONE is around when she wakes up as the murderers just cloroformed the sisters and took them to someone to take them to a doctor to get help (separately at different times)and so the stable people left to take them James the butler supposedly opened the door to find the maid covered in blood (chicken blood) to alert Reg so they could whack Reg on the head, but no word of what happened to James. All this is told to Angelina after they all get back and the murderers have supposedly been dealt with. We see the death of one but not the other. And why can the sisters and Angelina travel to the past and the sisters bring future items with them but then sisters claim they can’t bring future items to the past. And the sisters can’t get back to the present but they could send Angelina and an alive Reg?! And the misunderstanding about a friend (maybe boyfriend), Kevin, who left a voicemail to come to his place hours away so he could propose only or we to find him kissing someone else and say he was marrying that girl, yet Angela thought he was going to propose to her?! Just so confusing all around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
I really wanted to like this one, but it was just okay. I love romantic ghost stories, and this was only about 50% that and it wasn’t romantic.
The first half of this book is basically one long mental monologue of the protagonist Angelina. She came off as a crazy out sorts of woman who couldn’t survive without this guy in her life. There seemed to be a lot of stuff that took place before the book started but the author didn’t elaborate enough on that, so it felt like you were jumping in mid-book.
The second half of this book is just pointless. The mystery was solved on New Year’s Eve, but the author decided to throw in a whole other genre and keep on going. It was just weird. I think it was partly because the ghost guy had no personality in the first half and was barely involved so we needed to see why Angelina felt so strongly for him, but it just didn’t flow smoothly with the first half of the book.
The narration was fine. I’m just not a fan of when the author also narrates – there isn’t enough distinction on the characters voices for me to build a mental picture of the characters.
The first half of this book is basically one long mental monologue of the protagonist Angelina. She came off as a crazy out sorts of woman who couldn’t survive without this guy in her life. There seemed to be a lot of stuff that took place before the book started but the author didn’t elaborate enough on that, so it felt like you were jumping in mid-book.
The second half of this book is just pointless. The mystery was solved on New Year’s Eve, but the author decided to throw in a whole other genre and keep on going. It was just weird. I think it was partly because the ghost guy had no personality in the first half and was barely involved so we needed to see why Angelina felt so strongly for him, but it just didn’t flow smoothly with the first half of the book.
The narration was fine. I’m just not a fan of when the author also narrates – there isn’t enough distinction on the characters voices for me to build a mental picture of the characters.
September 23, 2017
Reviewed at Haunted Bookshelf
I had such an enjoyable time with Hallow’s Gate. But, unfortunately I really can’t tell you too much about if for that would spoil a whole lot of surprises.
A bit of a time slip, a mystery, a ghost love story and two mischievous ladies who truly do resemble Christmas elves in stature and personality. This is a romance that spans time. And so many twists and turns your head will indeed spin. As well as keeping you glued to the page to find out what craziness will happen next. You’ll fall in love with a handsome ghost and watch history be rewritten… sorta. Complicated, funny, charming, entertaining and pure fun if you love ghost stories.
I loved it, I wish I felt comfortable talking about it but with this many plot twists… nah, I don’t want to give anything away. If you love time slips and ghost love stories then this one would delight your every reading moment.
I own an e-book copy.
I had such an enjoyable time with Hallow’s Gate. But, unfortunately I really can’t tell you too much about if for that would spoil a whole lot of surprises.
A bit of a time slip, a mystery, a ghost love story and two mischievous ladies who truly do resemble Christmas elves in stature and personality. This is a romance that spans time. And so many twists and turns your head will indeed spin. As well as keeping you glued to the page to find out what craziness will happen next. You’ll fall in love with a handsome ghost and watch history be rewritten… sorta. Complicated, funny, charming, entertaining and pure fun if you love ghost stories.
I loved it, I wish I felt comfortable talking about it but with this many plot twists… nah, I don’t want to give anything away. If you love time slips and ghost love stories then this one would delight your every reading moment.
I own an e-book copy.
December 24, 2021
3.5 I Could Not Fathom What Mummies Had To Do With Digging In Virgina Soil Stars
Hallows Gate is the first book in the Paranormal Romance Time Travel and Murder Mystery series by Michelle Erickson.
This is such a cute read. While the writing does appear to fluctuate between two different styles, or at least varying degrees of detail. The weird otherness of this story was a joy to discover. I only wish the ending was given more thorough depth. Alas, the pace felt so terribly rushed especially with the beginning of the book as such a strong contrasting comparison.
I just adore the creative genius that manufactured the "bury in the past, to dig up in the future" time plays so prevalent throughout this story. And my adoration for the elves themselves may just lead me to further explore this series and discover their future antics. Even if I'll miss Angelina and Redge along the way.
Hallows Gate is the first book in the Paranormal Romance Time Travel and Murder Mystery series by Michelle Erickson.
This is such a cute read. While the writing does appear to fluctuate between two different styles, or at least varying degrees of detail. The weird otherness of this story was a joy to discover. I only wish the ending was given more thorough depth. Alas, the pace felt so terribly rushed especially with the beginning of the book as such a strong contrasting comparison.
I just adore the creative genius that manufactured the "bury in the past, to dig up in the future" time plays so prevalent throughout this story. And my adoration for the elves themselves may just lead me to further explore this series and discover their future antics. Even if I'll miss Angelina and Redge along the way.
October 18, 2019
Not for me...
This book has a good IDEA, but terrible execution. I made it about half way through and I just can't force myself to keep going. The "in love with a ghost" thing? Sure, cool, I can get on board with that. I mean, I absolutely adored the Casper movie because Casper as a real boy turned into Devon Sawa. But this story? Nah. Makes no sense. I'm not saying everything HAS to make sense either, but it's just not a conceivable idea that someone gets lost, finds a haunted mansion, and on first sight falls in love with a specter. I've not even made it to the time traveling part of the book yet. I just can't. None of it is even remotely interesting at this point. #SMBSLT
This book has a good IDEA, but terrible execution. I made it about half way through and I just can't force myself to keep going. The "in love with a ghost" thing? Sure, cool, I can get on board with that. I mean, I absolutely adored the Casper movie because Casper as a real boy turned into Devon Sawa. But this story? Nah. Makes no sense. I'm not saying everything HAS to make sense either, but it's just not a conceivable idea that someone gets lost, finds a haunted mansion, and on first sight falls in love with a specter. I've not even made it to the time traveling part of the book yet. I just can't. None of it is even remotely interesting at this point. #SMBSLT
September 21, 2024
This is my first book of Michelle Erickson's. I was very charmed by this book, it kept me so interested , I had to go back to it every chance I got wanting to find out what happened to the charters in the book. Michelle has a way of making you fall in love with stars of the book, it has lots of twists to it, keeping me so interested.
I love the people who Michelle has picked to make a story about, the ghost, he is so handsome and I havent even seen him but for a book cover which isnt really clear, but I fell in love as Angelina did, brought me back to my younger days haha.
So thank you for my first book Michelle, I have already bought the second one and cant wait to get started.
Val
I love the people who Michelle has picked to make a story about, the ghost, he is so handsome and I havent even seen him but for a book cover which isnt really clear, but I fell in love as Angelina did, brought me back to my younger days haha.
So thank you for my first book Michelle, I have already bought the second one and cant wait to get started.
Val
August 1, 2021
This book jumps between time lines but also between the living and the dead. It's a story about a woman driving in the South during bad weather and kissing the ghost of a man that was hung for a murder he did not commit. It's about family and unusual things happening and falling in love and wanting to make the world right. It was very confusing at times but it makes you want to find out what happens and you really don't get the answers until the final few pages. Read it if you can! It is worth all the confusion!
October 22, 2017
This book pulled me in right away. I absolutely loved the characters. Especially Betty & Coco. Those two are quite devious. I am a huge fan of time travel books so this book was right up my alley. Betty & Coco should have a series with their time traveling antics (hint to the author). This book is a one of a kind book that left me not wanting to put it down. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last.
October 31, 2019
Confusing beginning for me but all became clear.
Yep! I had to read several of the first chapters after I was half way through the book. I was confused but after rereading the start I figured it out. Good story with two fun and funny aunties/elves. Four and a half stars because of my confusion at the beginning of the story. Fun read and looking forward to reading more of these sisters.
Yep! I had to read several of the first chapters after I was half way through the book. I was confused but after rereading the start I figured it out. Good story with two fun and funny aunties/elves. Four and a half stars because of my confusion at the beginning of the story. Fun read and looking forward to reading more of these sisters.
February 21, 2020
To love a ghost
There is never a full moment. Visiting a boyfriend while thinking he is going to pop the question is s mistake. She gets lost, and ends up kissing a ghost. He know her. It a mixture of past and future, stopping a murder, stopping a hanging, and a marriage in either time. Very enjoyable. Thank Michelle.....
There is never a full moment. Visiting a boyfriend while thinking he is going to pop the question is s mistake. She gets lost, and ends up kissing a ghost. He know her. It a mixture of past and future, stopping a murder, stopping a hanging, and a marriage in either time. Very enjoyable. Thank Michelle.....
May 10, 2021
Great time travel and mystery
I love a time travel novel, and a romantic suspense made it best. I'm just a .little disappointed in who the kidnappers turned out to be, as we had no knowledge of them throughout the story. Usually have someone picked out as the culprit, but these people weren't even included before the ending.
I love a time travel novel, and a romantic suspense made it best. I'm just a .little disappointed in who the kidnappers turned out to be, as we had no knowledge of them throughout the story. Usually have someone picked out as the culprit, but these people weren't even included before the ending.
August 8, 2022
A weak 3 stars
This... was weird. While I liked how the story started, and I did manage to get through this, I found parts of the story very disjointed and it deliberately tried to be confusing. As much as I did want to know how the story ended, it was frustrating having to go through so much that was just extraneous as well as all the weirdness.
This... was weird. While I liked how the story started, and I did manage to get through this, I found parts of the story very disjointed and it deliberately tried to be confusing. As much as I did want to know how the story ended, it was frustrating having to go through so much that was just extraneous as well as all the weirdness.
January 16, 2023
what a romp
Angelina and Redge are in love. Only trouble is, she’s in present time and he’s a ghost. With the help of a pair of delightful old ladies (and a really mysterious cat) they achieve a HEA. The Stoddard sisters are some of the realest characters I’ve read in a cozy mystery. The plot has more twists than a Mobius helix. It’s a very fun read.
Angelina and Redge are in love. Only trouble is, she’s in present time and he’s a ghost. With the help of a pair of delightful old ladies (and a really mysterious cat) they achieve a HEA. The Stoddard sisters are some of the realest characters I’ve read in a cozy mystery. The plot has more twists than a Mobius helix. It’s a very fun read.
December 25, 2017
This book is truly amazing! I'm mad it took so long to read it! Clever, well written, crazy, and fun all rolled into one. Loved the characters because the were cute and surprisingly believable. What a ride! Creative time travel mystery.
March 21, 2019
Highly Entertaining
I loved the zany characters! And what's more romantic than a time-travel romance?! I really enjoyed the storyline. This book is perfect for relaxing on a rainy day.
I loved the zany characters! And what's more romantic than a time-travel romance?! I really enjoyed the storyline. This book is perfect for relaxing on a rainy day.
July 13, 2019
Lots to keep track of
Loved this story. Great mystery and I didn't guess who the murderers were. Not anything like your typical time travel romance novel. So glad I pick this one up. Going to continue with series and I generally do not buy books that are series. Wow
Loved this story. Great mystery and I didn't guess who the murderers were. Not anything like your typical time travel romance novel. So glad I pick this one up. Going to continue with series and I generally do not buy books that are series. Wow
August 11, 2019
Murder Mystey
So this book was not a bad read but at times I did struggle to stay interested. The aunts at times seemed to drag things out and I felt the need to just turn pages. The ending to the book was enjoyable.
So this book was not a bad read but at times I did struggle to stay interested. The aunts at times seemed to drag things out and I felt the need to just turn pages. The ending to the book was enjoyable.
October 22, 2019
Romance time travel
This was a fun read. It included present and past time . A present day mystery that was solved by traveling back in the past. I couldn't put the book down till I finished reading it.
This was a fun read. It included present and past time . A present day mystery that was solved by traveling back in the past. I couldn't put the book down till I finished reading it.
October 27, 2019
Hallows gate
A different take on mysteries. A little bit of everything thrown in. Romance, ghosts, time travel, murder, crazy people. But all in a well written and comprehensive way. Very good read. Looking forward to next one.
A different take on mysteries. A little bit of everything thrown in. Romance, ghosts, time travel, murder, crazy people. But all in a well written and comprehensive way. Very good read. Looking forward to next one.
February 6, 2020
Surprise
I normally don't read this type of book But I thought I would try something new.wow was I surprised I really like this book a new genre for me especially Michelle Ericsson's books
I normally don't read this type of book But I thought I would try something new.wow was I surprised I really like this book a new genre for me especially Michelle Ericsson's books
April 16, 2020
Future and past
Riveting time travel, love story. Love can span time and perhaps change history? At least the Stoddard sisters believe with the proper planning all things can be made right.
Riveting time travel, love story. Love can span time and perhaps change history? At least the Stoddard sisters believe with the proper planning all things can be made right.
April 21, 2020
Great Read
If you are looking for a time travel, clean romance then this is the book for you! I truly enjoyed the eccentric characters and the love than developed across time. Swoon worthy😍
If you are looking for a time travel, clean romance then this is the book for you! I truly enjoyed the eccentric characters and the love than developed across time. Swoon worthy😍
September 8, 2020
Enjoyable read
The sisters were my favorite, both humorous and lovable characters. The story was intriguing with the future and past connections wrapped in their adorable personalities.
The sisters were my favorite, both humorous and lovable characters. The story was intriguing with the future and past connections wrapped in their adorable personalities.
January 20, 2021
Book wasn’t the best but I loved how the author wrote. She was really funny in the words and word phrasing she used. I loved the analogy of her left and right brain fighting each other😂 Overall, the plot was decent but not super impressive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews