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Haunts For Sale #1
First Contact
Sloane Osborne is a paranormal realtor in the business of selling haunted houses but, in truth, she’s only searching for one ghost. And her time is running out. It’s the 366th day after her fiancé’s death. Michael used to like putting things off for “a year and a day”—so tonight’s the night. Sloane will do anything to make contact with him before the clock strikes midnight. When she gets a call to check out a home in Waukesha, Wisconsin, it’s the last place she thinks Michael would contact her. Sloane is dead wrong.
Audible Audio
First published August 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 12, 2018
verall Rate 5
Performance Rate 5
Story Rate 5
As you can tell from my rating I thought that this audio book was outstanding in both, the writing and the narration.
Michael always liked to put things off for a year and a day so sloane was ready for him that night, though she was surprised that her job as a paranormal estate agent takes her to Wisconsin on that day. What she wasn't ready for was the alarming sequence of occurrences that followed.
As Sloane follows her instincts and the evidence she is drawn into a dark, dangerous and disturbing series of events.
I started listening to this audio book and I couldn't stop until the very last word. It had my heart beating faster and me sitting on the figurative edge of my seat.
KAT de Falla and Rachel GREEN (The duo writing as Kat Green) are immensely talented authors, from the first to the last word this book holds you in its grip. This book has all the elements of a well spun tale and I am looking forward to more of their work.
Kate Tyler is a hugely skilled narrator. She brings every element of feeling to the narration and not only is it clear who she is speaking as but the emotion is expressed in every word. The storytelling part of the narration is amazing at drawing you in to the atmosphere. It will be a pleasure to listen to more of her work in the future.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kat Green. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Performance Rate 5
Story Rate 5
As you can tell from my rating I thought that this audio book was outstanding in both, the writing and the narration.
Michael always liked to put things off for a year and a day so sloane was ready for him that night, though she was surprised that her job as a paranormal estate agent takes her to Wisconsin on that day. What she wasn't ready for was the alarming sequence of occurrences that followed.
As Sloane follows her instincts and the evidence she is drawn into a dark, dangerous and disturbing series of events.
I started listening to this audio book and I couldn't stop until the very last word. It had my heart beating faster and me sitting on the figurative edge of my seat.
KAT de Falla and Rachel GREEN (The duo writing as Kat Green) are immensely talented authors, from the first to the last word this book holds you in its grip. This book has all the elements of a well spun tale and I am looking forward to more of their work.
Kate Tyler is a hugely skilled narrator. She brings every element of feeling to the narration and not only is it clear who she is speaking as but the emotion is expressed in every word. The storytelling part of the narration is amazing at drawing you in to the atmosphere. It will be a pleasure to listen to more of her work in the future.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kat Green. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
December 3, 2014
5*s
Absolutely loved this!
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one sitting!
As the synopsis tells us – Sloane Osbourne became a paranormal real estate agent so that she could search for the ghost of her dead fiancé Michael. He had a thing where he would say put it off for a year and a day, so Sloane has a good feeling he will come through for her tonight, exactly a year and a day later and what better way to come through than a haunted house that has a potential buyer and Sloane is on the case. Once there she goes about her business with her paranormal detecting kit and waits….. then the banging starts…..then comes the cries for water…… then comes Michael and he tells her she needs to leave NOW!!! But does Sloane leave? No, she wants more time with Michael but what she uncovers could give her time with him…..permanently!
This book was just brill, I connected to Sloane straight away because she was grieving but being proactive about it by trying to hunt down Michael’s ghost. You can tell that she loved him a lot and that is what was driving her on her mission to make contact and the ‘year and a day’ rule was cute. In the beginning when she’s explaining how she came to be travelling to the potential haunted house, my suspicion was aroused straight away; I understand why she wanted to do it and that her focus on Michael was the driving force but alarm bells started ringing straight away. When she makes contact on the first night and is given her warning she did exactly as I would have – delved right into it. The story that followed was an edge of the seat ride, very atmospheric and you could easily picture yourself as Sloane, sitting, waiting in the dark for contact, exploring the house with her detecting technology, finding a strange basement with a chair facing an unusually clean incinerator, hearing voices & banging and being scared beyond anything but knowing she needs to be right where she is if she hopes Michael will come through. She enlists the help of Michaels best friend who is not only sensitive to ghosts and has seen them but is also on the FBI payroll, he drops everything to get to Sloane because we all know something is not right which is furthermore proven when we meet the former owner of the house. As she starts to investigate we see that the house has a more sinister history than we thought but will its secrets be revealed? I also liked how as we go through the story that we get flashbacks to Sloane’s happy times with Michael which brought some insight into their relationship but also lightened up a very spooky story. You could be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a typical love tragedy where one of the couple has died and needs to deal with unfinished business…….you would be wrong though. What this book is, is a whole lot more – filled with mystery, intrigue and suspense – and it would make an excellent movie. I urge you to give this book a read and be just as surprised as me by how great it is!
Absolutely loved this!
Review posted here...
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one sitting!
As the synopsis tells us – Sloane Osbourne became a paranormal real estate agent so that she could search for the ghost of her dead fiancé Michael. He had a thing where he would say put it off for a year and a day, so Sloane has a good feeling he will come through for her tonight, exactly a year and a day later and what better way to come through than a haunted house that has a potential buyer and Sloane is on the case. Once there she goes about her business with her paranormal detecting kit and waits….. then the banging starts…..then comes the cries for water…… then comes Michael and he tells her she needs to leave NOW!!! But does Sloane leave? No, she wants more time with Michael but what she uncovers could give her time with him…..permanently!
This book was just brill, I connected to Sloane straight away because she was grieving but being proactive about it by trying to hunt down Michael’s ghost. You can tell that she loved him a lot and that is what was driving her on her mission to make contact and the ‘year and a day’ rule was cute. In the beginning when she’s explaining how she came to be travelling to the potential haunted house, my suspicion was aroused straight away; I understand why she wanted to do it and that her focus on Michael was the driving force but alarm bells started ringing straight away. When she makes contact on the first night and is given her warning she did exactly as I would have – delved right into it. The story that followed was an edge of the seat ride, very atmospheric and you could easily picture yourself as Sloane, sitting, waiting in the dark for contact, exploring the house with her detecting technology, finding a strange basement with a chair facing an unusually clean incinerator, hearing voices & banging and being scared beyond anything but knowing she needs to be right where she is if she hopes Michael will come through. She enlists the help of Michaels best friend who is not only sensitive to ghosts and has seen them but is also on the FBI payroll, he drops everything to get to Sloane because we all know something is not right which is furthermore proven when we meet the former owner of the house. As she starts to investigate we see that the house has a more sinister history than we thought but will its secrets be revealed? I also liked how as we go through the story that we get flashbacks to Sloane’s happy times with Michael which brought some insight into their relationship but also lightened up a very spooky story. You could be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a typical love tragedy where one of the couple has died and needs to deal with unfinished business…….you would be wrong though. What this book is, is a whole lot more – filled with mystery, intrigue and suspense – and it would make an excellent movie. I urge you to give this book a read and be just as surprised as me by how great it is!
October 20, 2014
I have one beef with the novella. I know that the normal reader wouldn’t understand what equipment for a paranormal investigation is called and what it is used for, but I didn’t care too much for the info dump at the beginning about it when Sloane does her investigation of the house. But once the info dump is done and the first paranormal activity happens, the thrills and chills sucked me into the book. It is not just a horror book with romance, but ‘a serial killer who done it,’ too. The novella has intrigued me enough to want to read the next book in the series when it comes out.
Read the rest of the review at I Smell Sheep Reviews: http://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/10/bo...
Read the rest of the review at I Smell Sheep Reviews: http://www.ismellsheep.com/2014/10/bo...
November 6, 2014
I found this book at the library in a display of Wisconsin authors.
This is not normally what I read but I did find it to be a good start to the Sloane Osborne series
The book is about a Sloane a paranormal realtor that investigates alleged haunt houses,apparently this is what the cool kids are doing purchasing haunted houses as status symbols.
She was engaged to be married but her fiancee died in a car accident,she has been living a reclusive lifestyle ever since.She knows that Micheal's ghost will contact her within 366 days but that deadline is fast approaching.(pun intended)
The current house she is trying to sell at first yields some good results but then she realizes that she is in way over her head.
This is not normally what I read but I did find it to be a good start to the Sloane Osborne series
The book is about a Sloane a paranormal realtor that investigates alleged haunt houses,apparently this is what the cool kids are doing purchasing haunted houses as status symbols.
She was engaged to be married but her fiancee died in a car accident,she has been living a reclusive lifestyle ever since.She knows that Micheal's ghost will contact her within 366 days but that deadline is fast approaching.(pun intended)
The current house she is trying to sell at first yields some good results but then she realizes that she is in way over her head.
November 13, 2020
First Contact is the first book in the Haunts For Sale series, and it was an enjoyable quick read. It wasn’t quite what I had expected, but it certainly had me hooked and I powered through it in a single sitting.
First Contact is a story that easily sucks you in, one that has you curious to see how everything will come together. I confess to working out the perpetrator in the first chapter, but I enjoyed watching the way the pieces came together. There were some elements thrown in that I did not see, and it had me hooked to see how everything connected. With plenty of elements introduced in this one, it’s a great start to a series that has me wanting to see what comes next for the characters.
All in all, First Contact makes for a great quick read. It packs a punch and has you happy to dive into book two to see what comes next.
First Contact is a story that easily sucks you in, one that has you curious to see how everything will come together. I confess to working out the perpetrator in the first chapter, but I enjoyed watching the way the pieces came together. There were some elements thrown in that I did not see, and it had me hooked to see how everything connected. With plenty of elements introduced in this one, it’s a great start to a series that has me wanting to see what comes next for the characters.
All in all, First Contact makes for a great quick read. It packs a punch and has you happy to dive into book two to see what comes next.
September 27, 2019
I really liked the premise of this story. A paranormal real estate agent who checks to make sure haunted houses are safe to live in before she sells them? One who is looking for a chance to contact her dead fiance just one more time? I'm here for that. Unfortunately, it wasn't well executed. I found this on the Audible Escape package. The narrator was okay. I liked some of the voices she used for the characters, but I don't think she put a lot of emotion into the story. Things that should have been sad, or scary, came across as kind of flat. She was also very slow. I generally listen at 1.85x speed, but I ended up bumping this one to 2.10x speed.
More often than not Sloane was TSTL (too stupid to live). Her dead fiance's best friend, Jonah, is a cold case investigator with the FBI, and also a strong medium. She used to hunt ghosts with him until her fiance died and she retreated into herself. She called him once she made first contact with the spirits in a house in Wisconsin, because she suspected girls had been murdered there. He asked her to wait for him before venturing back into the house, or speaking to anyone about her suspicions. She thinks to herself, "I should wait..but I'm not going to." She also thinks to herself several times that she's in over her head, yet she still continues on her merry way. It was no surprise to me when she ended up trapped in a hole in the floor for her stupidity.
The villains were easily picked out from the first, and honestly they were both such dumb-asses I'm surprised they got away with anything as long as they did. The only reason I kept reading was because I was interested in the ghosts themselves. I was hoping we'd see more of their backgrounds and they'd be a bigger focus of the story. Sadly, that wasn't the case. It mostly focused on Sloane and she bumbled her way into danger.
There were also a lot of inconsistencies in the story. Michael, the dead fiance, was a paragon of male worthiness and nothing could ever live up to his memory..except he sounded like a controlling asshole a lot of the time and she even thinks to herself at one point that things may not have worked with them long-term after all. Except, wait, he was the LOVE OF HER LIFE. Things like that really pulled me out of the story and kind of drove me crazy.
I did really like Jonah, however. He kind of made the story for me, though he spent more time off page than on. Although the premise is interesting, I don't believe I'll continue on with the series. Watching Sloane stumble around and make dumb decisions mostly just gave me a headache.
More often than not Sloane was TSTL (too stupid to live). Her dead fiance's best friend, Jonah, is a cold case investigator with the FBI, and also a strong medium. She used to hunt ghosts with him until her fiance died and she retreated into herself. She called him once she made first contact with the spirits in a house in Wisconsin, because she suspected girls had been murdered there. He asked her to wait for him before venturing back into the house, or speaking to anyone about her suspicions. She thinks to herself, "I should wait..but I'm not going to." She also thinks to herself several times that she's in over her head, yet she still continues on her merry way. It was no surprise to me when she ended up trapped in a hole in the floor for her stupidity.
The villains were easily picked out from the first, and honestly they were both such dumb-asses I'm surprised they got away with anything as long as they did. The only reason I kept reading was because I was interested in the ghosts themselves. I was hoping we'd see more of their backgrounds and they'd be a bigger focus of the story. Sadly, that wasn't the case. It mostly focused on Sloane and she bumbled her way into danger.
There were also a lot of inconsistencies in the story. Michael, the dead fiance, was a paragon of male worthiness and nothing could ever live up to his memory..except he sounded like a controlling asshole a lot of the time and she even thinks to herself at one point that things may not have worked with them long-term after all. Except, wait, he was the LOVE OF HER LIFE. Things like that really pulled me out of the story and kind of drove me crazy.
I did really like Jonah, however. He kind of made the story for me, though he spent more time off page than on. Although the premise is interesting, I don't believe I'll continue on with the series. Watching Sloane stumble around and make dumb decisions mostly just gave me a headache.
October 6, 2014
In this debut paranormal mystery, Kat Green gives us an appealing but flawed heroine with a unique profession - she's a realtor who specializes in haunted houses. What a cool premise!
Sloane Osborne lost her fiancé in a car accident a year before the story opens. A year and a day, to be precise, as that specific timing was significant in their relationship. As a part time ghost hunter, Sloane figures Michael will finally make contact with her on the year plus a day anniversary of his death, and needs a haunted house to make contact with him. She flies to Wisconsin to certify and broker a haunted sale, and gets more than she bargained for.
Michael makes contact - but so do all the ghosts of the girls who mysteriously disappeared and died in this house, except there's no record or evidence of any of it. Sloane calls her old ghost hunting partner, and Michael's best friend, who also happens to work for the FBI. Jonah flies out to help her, and protect her from her insatiable curiosity, but can he keep her safe?
The ghosts are creepy, the bad guys ooze with slimy evilness, and the haunted house scenes had me both riveted and repulsed. Green does an excellent job with both her villains and the creepy factor of the restless spirits. I enjoyed the main character's voice and spunk, even as I got annoyed by some of her dumb choices. When someone tells you not to go into that haunted house alone, listen to him! Horror movie cliché, but oh so true!
While I really liked the premise and the story, I felt confused by some of the editorial choices. The back story was woven into the novel in sometimes confusing flashbacks, and at other times it felt like key bits of information might have ended up on the cutting room floor. There are several wrong word choices and misspellings that should have been caught before publication as they marred otherwise riveting scenes. The prior relationship between Sloane and Jonah wasn't adequately explored and Sloane is just a little too fond of using metaphors.
All in all, I enjoyed this book as a fast-paced, engaging thrill ride. I look forward to the next book in the series, and hope the editorial issues will be overcome by then.
Sloane Osborne lost her fiancé in a car accident a year before the story opens. A year and a day, to be precise, as that specific timing was significant in their relationship. As a part time ghost hunter, Sloane figures Michael will finally make contact with her on the year plus a day anniversary of his death, and needs a haunted house to make contact with him. She flies to Wisconsin to certify and broker a haunted sale, and gets more than she bargained for.
Michael makes contact - but so do all the ghosts of the girls who mysteriously disappeared and died in this house, except there's no record or evidence of any of it. Sloane calls her old ghost hunting partner, and Michael's best friend, who also happens to work for the FBI. Jonah flies out to help her, and protect her from her insatiable curiosity, but can he keep her safe?
The ghosts are creepy, the bad guys ooze with slimy evilness, and the haunted house scenes had me both riveted and repulsed. Green does an excellent job with both her villains and the creepy factor of the restless spirits. I enjoyed the main character's voice and spunk, even as I got annoyed by some of her dumb choices. When someone tells you not to go into that haunted house alone, listen to him! Horror movie cliché, but oh so true!
While I really liked the premise and the story, I felt confused by some of the editorial choices. The back story was woven into the novel in sometimes confusing flashbacks, and at other times it felt like key bits of information might have ended up on the cutting room floor. There are several wrong word choices and misspellings that should have been caught before publication as they marred otherwise riveting scenes. The prior relationship between Sloane and Jonah wasn't adequately explored and Sloane is just a little too fond of using metaphors.
All in all, I enjoyed this book as a fast-paced, engaging thrill ride. I look forward to the next book in the series, and hope the editorial issues will be overcome by then.
December 14, 2014
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Lop or Lovers of Paranormal*
Sloane has an interesting job. She is a paranormal real estate agent. Though the only ghost she really wants to find is Michael, her dead fiance. When she finally finds him he says she must leave the house immediately! But Sloane has been waiting for this time with Michael and she can't leave him yet.
I fell in love with this story. I read it in two sittings (it would've been one but I have a baby). I couldn't wait to see what was going to come next! I liked Sloane alot. She was so in love and determination was admirable. I'd probably be a little like her. Michael was a sweet book boyfriend...even if he was a dead one. I just found out that there is going to be a book two which I am very happy about. I can't wait for more!
4*
Sloane has an interesting job. She is a paranormal real estate agent. Though the only ghost she really wants to find is Michael, her dead fiance. When she finally finds him he says she must leave the house immediately! But Sloane has been waiting for this time with Michael and she can't leave him yet.
I fell in love with this story. I read it in two sittings (it would've been one but I have a baby). I couldn't wait to see what was going to come next! I liked Sloane alot. She was so in love and determination was admirable. I'd probably be a little like her. Michael was a sweet book boyfriend...even if he was a dead one. I just found out that there is going to be a book two which I am very happy about. I can't wait for more!
4*
January 18, 2015
***I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the goodreads group Lovers of Paranormal, LOP.***
I really enjoyed First Contact. Sloane is a very real character. She's been through profound loss and is struggling to pick up the pieces of her life. She's got a pretty damn cool job as a paranormal real estate agent (where do I sign up?), and it is this that leads to her to investigate a potentially haunted home in Wisconsin for an interested buyer. As she delves deeper into the mystery of the house, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous. I was not expecting just how dark things got, but I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for book two!
I really enjoyed First Contact. Sloane is a very real character. She's been through profound loss and is struggling to pick up the pieces of her life. She's got a pretty damn cool job as a paranormal real estate agent (where do I sign up?), and it is this that leads to her to investigate a potentially haunted home in Wisconsin for an interested buyer. As she delves deeper into the mystery of the house, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous. I was not expecting just how dark things got, but I loved every minute of it. I can't wait for book two!
November 26, 2014
** I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Lovers of Paranormal, LoP**
'First Contact' pulled me in from the beginning and did not let go. I could not put this book down. The storyline was thrilling. I loved how the story played out. The characters were an awesome cast of personalities. Sloane got in above her head a little, but she is an amazing lead. I loved her strength. A few twists were thrown in that had me gripping my reading device like crazy. The authors did a fabulous job on writing a great paranormal thriller. This book is a good add to your tbr list.
'First Contact' pulled me in from the beginning and did not let go. I could not put this book down. The storyline was thrilling. I loved how the story played out. The characters were an awesome cast of personalities. Sloane got in above her head a little, but she is an amazing lead. I loved her strength. A few twists were thrown in that had me gripping my reading device like crazy. The authors did a fabulous job on writing a great paranormal thriller. This book is a good add to your tbr list.
December 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal). I love the idea of a paranormal real estate agent! This was a really good book. I felt sorry for all that Sloane lost, but what she gained was even better in my opinion. I actually liked that the book was short, just because it was drawn out. Short and sweet, and I really enjoyed it.
June 20, 2018
A "thriller" masquerading as a ghost story with a misleading blurb, not-at-all scary ghosts and an obvious twist involving the perpetrators that you see coming from a mile away. The romance subplot is obvious as well. Could've been scarier, better, darker. Listened with the Audible romance package
December 28, 2017
I was unsure about this book when first recommended to me, I normally read romance and am not into ghost stories. The story starts with Sloane and you learn fast about how she has lost her fiancé in an accident and is searching for his ghost to make contact with him. She is sure this house will be the one, it has to be the one because it is coming up on one year and a day from the accident. Sloane is also into paranormal real estate, she goes to haunted houses to determine if they are truly haunted for the clients that are interested.
Sloane has stepped away from all of her friends since that tragic day. Except one, Jonah. Jonah is not only her paranormal research partner, he has had his first contact, but he was also the best friend to her fiancé, Michael. Jonah normally helps her find the haunted real estate and may even come with her. Not this time, though, someone else has sent her this house.
There is so much in this book, from first loves to tragedies. I don't want to ruin any of the book, but I will tell you I loved this story. It was a bit predictable, but that didn't ruin anything. There are some scenes that made me queasy, but I pushed through because I had to find out what happen in the house.
I highly recommend this book.
Sloane has stepped away from all of her friends since that tragic day. Except one, Jonah. Jonah is not only her paranormal research partner, he has had his first contact, but he was also the best friend to her fiancé, Michael. Jonah normally helps her find the haunted real estate and may even come with her. Not this time, though, someone else has sent her this house.
There is so much in this book, from first loves to tragedies. I don't want to ruin any of the book, but I will tell you I loved this story. It was a bit predictable, but that didn't ruin anything. There are some scenes that made me queasy, but I pushed through because I had to find out what happen in the house.
I highly recommend this book.
February 16, 2020
Sloane Osborne lost her fiancé in a car accident a year before the story opens. A year and a day, to be precise, as that specific timing was significant in their relationship. As a part time ghost hunter, Sloane figures Michael will finally make contact with her on the year plus a day anniversary of his death, and needs a haunted house to make contact with him. She flies to Wisconsin to certify and broker a haunted sale, and gets more than she bargained for.
Michael makes contact - but so do all the ghosts of the girls who mysteriously disappeared and died in this house, except there's no record or evidence of any of it. Sloane calls her old ghost hunting partner, and Michael's best friend, who also happens to work for the FBI. Jonah flies out to help her. Will he be able to keep her safe?
The ghosts are creepy, the bad guys ooze with slimy evilness, and the haunted house scenes had me both riveted and repulsed. Green does an excellent job with both her villains and the creepy factor of the restless spirits.
The most recent house was picked for her and she went alone without Jonah. All kinds of bad things happen. The story had some humor, wit and kept you on your toes.
Michael makes contact - but so do all the ghosts of the girls who mysteriously disappeared and died in this house, except there's no record or evidence of any of it. Sloane calls her old ghost hunting partner, and Michael's best friend, who also happens to work for the FBI. Jonah flies out to help her. Will he be able to keep her safe?
The ghosts are creepy, the bad guys ooze with slimy evilness, and the haunted house scenes had me both riveted and repulsed. Green does an excellent job with both her villains and the creepy factor of the restless spirits.
The most recent house was picked for her and she went alone without Jonah. All kinds of bad things happen. The story had some humor, wit and kept you on your toes.
June 5, 2020
3.5
February 19, 2018
3.5 Stars. When I saw the cover of First Contact, the first book in a new series called Haunts for Sale, I was immediately interested in this book. CREEPY! Then I read the premise of the story revolving around a paranormal real-estate agent, and I was MORE interested. UNIQUE! Additionally, it is a short audio book, clocking-in at just under five and a half hours, which was all I needed to seal the deal, as it was only a one-day commitment. PERFECT.
The story has an excellent opening hook, and when main character Sloane Osborne uttered her first “Arrrrgh” in frustration, I laughed because you just gotta love a character who says “Arrrrgh.” And though First Contact is primarily a horror story (with the living often scarier than the dead), Sloane is sassy and there are more than a few humorous scenes sprinkled throughout the story.
Even though I connected with Sloane’s pirate-like utterings and sass, that was about my limit of connection. Overall, I didn’t particularly care for the character. She’s uneven – at times, she is smart, clever, quick-thinking, and resourceful; at most other times, she’s a twit who ignores the obvious and exhibits no common sense at all. And then there is this unnatural yearning for Michael, a man, when among the living, sounds like he was an overbearing a-hole, and with whom the relationship was full of red flags. (Umm, when I fella tells you to quit the job you love because he doesn’t like it, and if he speaks to you like a two-year-old, saying things like, “I said NO,” it’s time to kick him to the curb.) When a horribly misplaced and groan-worthy (not in a good way) sex scene shows up in the story, I decided that the mind-blowing sex had blinded Sloane to all the shortcomings in the relationship -- and it had made her a twit. It happens.
The other characters in the book are vastly more interesting than Sloane – there are some seriously pissed-off ghosts and some seriously evil (and slimy!) humans, who author team Kat Green bring to awful life. Talk about loathsome! It is in the ghosts and the bad guy(s?) where the authors’ characterization skills really shine and have readers begging for some comeuppance. Bad Guy? Guys? No spoilers, here, though this and other elements are abundantly obvious early-on. There is also the seriously fascinating and complex, Jonah. He is a sensitive in more ways than one, and he is who will be the biggest draw for me in the upcoming second book in this series. There are hints that we might see some growth in Sloane via Jonah, and I hope that the holes in their back-story are filled in there.
Speaking of holes…there are a lot of them, and the weight of suspending one’s disbelief is heavy. First Contact is a story that asks readers to just go with it and accept it as it is. Once I did that, the story was more fun and listening became easier when I wasn’t trying to make the pieces fit together. I also didn’t like the F-bomb dropping that begins about half-way through the story. Not necessary.
As far the audio book experience, regular speed was too slow and overly pause-y. (I bumped it up to 1.25x/1.5x.) Narrator Kate Tyler does a great job voicing the numerous characters and their wide range of personalities and emotions. There are three things that didn’t work for me, but these are completely subjective and examples of how a reader’s/listener’s own experiences make an impact: Jonah’s southern accent, the sudden echo-y thing in the voicing of ghostly Karen towards the end, and the overall lack of projecting fear. I haven’t read the print book, but it seems to me that it might be a better option if you want to up the scare factor – the scenes should have made my skin crawl and looking over my shoulder. They didn’t.
So, would I recommend First Contact? Yes. It isn’t a big time investment and there is more than enough there to pique a reader’s interest. I am also operating under the assumption that more back-story will come out, tying-up the loose ends and puzzlers from book one.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions for providing me a free download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This review and more features on Hall Ways Blog: https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
The story has an excellent opening hook, and when main character Sloane Osborne uttered her first “Arrrrgh” in frustration, I laughed because you just gotta love a character who says “Arrrrgh.” And though First Contact is primarily a horror story (with the living often scarier than the dead), Sloane is sassy and there are more than a few humorous scenes sprinkled throughout the story.
Even though I connected with Sloane’s pirate-like utterings and sass, that was about my limit of connection. Overall, I didn’t particularly care for the character. She’s uneven – at times, she is smart, clever, quick-thinking, and resourceful; at most other times, she’s a twit who ignores the obvious and exhibits no common sense at all. And then there is this unnatural yearning for Michael, a man, when among the living, sounds like he was an overbearing a-hole, and with whom the relationship was full of red flags. (Umm, when I fella tells you to quit the job you love because he doesn’t like it, and if he speaks to you like a two-year-old, saying things like, “I said NO,” it’s time to kick him to the curb.) When a horribly misplaced and groan-worthy (not in a good way) sex scene shows up in the story, I decided that the mind-blowing sex had blinded Sloane to all the shortcomings in the relationship -- and it had made her a twit. It happens.
The other characters in the book are vastly more interesting than Sloane – there are some seriously pissed-off ghosts and some seriously evil (and slimy!) humans, who author team Kat Green bring to awful life. Talk about loathsome! It is in the ghosts and the bad guy(s?) where the authors’ characterization skills really shine and have readers begging for some comeuppance. Bad Guy? Guys? No spoilers, here, though this and other elements are abundantly obvious early-on. There is also the seriously fascinating and complex, Jonah. He is a sensitive in more ways than one, and he is who will be the biggest draw for me in the upcoming second book in this series. There are hints that we might see some growth in Sloane via Jonah, and I hope that the holes in their back-story are filled in there.
Speaking of holes…there are a lot of them, and the weight of suspending one’s disbelief is heavy. First Contact is a story that asks readers to just go with it and accept it as it is. Once I did that, the story was more fun and listening became easier when I wasn’t trying to make the pieces fit together. I also didn’t like the F-bomb dropping that begins about half-way through the story. Not necessary.
As far the audio book experience, regular speed was too slow and overly pause-y. (I bumped it up to 1.25x/1.5x.) Narrator Kate Tyler does a great job voicing the numerous characters and their wide range of personalities and emotions. There are three things that didn’t work for me, but these are completely subjective and examples of how a reader’s/listener’s own experiences make an impact: Jonah’s southern accent, the sudden echo-y thing in the voicing of ghostly Karen towards the end, and the overall lack of projecting fear. I haven’t read the print book, but it seems to me that it might be a better option if you want to up the scare factor – the scenes should have made my skin crawl and looking over my shoulder. They didn’t.
So, would I recommend First Contact? Yes. It isn’t a big time investment and there is more than enough there to pique a reader’s interest. I am also operating under the assumption that more back-story will come out, tying-up the loose ends and puzzlers from book one.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions for providing me a free download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This review and more features on Hall Ways Blog: https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
August 29, 2017
First Contact (Haunts for Sale).
It was a very good read. One can know who done it rather soon but it still holds one's interest.
It was a very good read. One can know who done it rather soon but it still holds one's interest.
December 8, 2014
Just when you think you have it all figured out . . . . bazinga! (For my fellow Sheldon Fans @BigBang_CBS) This paranormal mystery book is full of misleads, detours, flashbacks, and my personal favorite, sarcastic wit and humor. Author Kat Green keeps you on the on the hook by using those tricks, that will have you saying, “Oh, I see what you did there. . . . .”
The personal journey that the heroine is going through, the loss of a loved one and how to move on, is universal, and one all of us can relate to on one level or another. Your emotions will run the gamut, from sympathy to fear, from anger to laughter, and then to wanting to know the character more in the next installments of the series.
The paranormal aspect is very interesting and has many facets. The heroine is discovering her abilities as she comes into her 'First Contact' with the paranormal. So we get a firsthand account of becoming a sensitive. As the house she is inspecting is filled with the spirits of murdered women, let's just say she goes from beginner to advanced very quickly, as she has to solve their murders to set them free!
Author Kat Green has put out an amazing read in their debut novel, I highly recommend that you buy this book and come back and look for Book 2. I know I will be checking for news of their next release on their Facebook page under Author Kat Green and their Twitter account @hauntsforsale
This book would make a great stocking stuffer for your loved one who likes a little scary with their mystery reading! #christmas2014 #stockingstuffer
The personal journey that the heroine is going through, the loss of a loved one and how to move on, is universal, and one all of us can relate to on one level or another. Your emotions will run the gamut, from sympathy to fear, from anger to laughter, and then to wanting to know the character more in the next installments of the series.
The paranormal aspect is very interesting and has many facets. The heroine is discovering her abilities as she comes into her 'First Contact' with the paranormal. So we get a firsthand account of becoming a sensitive. As the house she is inspecting is filled with the spirits of murdered women, let's just say she goes from beginner to advanced very quickly, as she has to solve their murders to set them free!
Author Kat Green has put out an amazing read in their debut novel, I highly recommend that you buy this book and come back and look for Book 2. I know I will be checking for news of their next release on their Facebook page under Author Kat Green and their Twitter account @hauntsforsale
This book would make a great stocking stuffer for your loved one who likes a little scary with their mystery reading! #christmas2014 #stockingstuffer
December 30, 2016
Sloane is a paranormal real estate agent. She sells houses that are haunted. No one knows that she is not only searching for haunted houses to sell, but is also looking at them because she wants to find her fiancé Michael. He died in a tragic car accident. Ever since that fatal day Sloane has been waiting for him to make an appearance. Michael always said to try out everything for 365 days and a day. On the 366th day Sloane is investigating a possible haunted house. She feels that this is her last chance to reconnect with Michael.
How great would it be to work as a paranormal real estate agent? I liked reading about Sloane and her job a lot. I have seen lots of episodes of Ghost Hunters and I found myself getting excited when Sloane was setting up her equipment. She is so brave, cool and collected. My imagination would probably go mental with the first creak of the stairs or floorboards. I admired Sloane, but at the same time my heart ached for her because she's still grieving so immensely about the loss of the love of her life.
When I saw the cover of First Contact I knew I had to read this debut novel by Kat Green, which is the alias of authors Kat de Falla and Rachel Green. They have put a lot of personal experiences in their story and this shows in well written details. First Contact grabbed me from the beginning. I even stopped reading in the evening once because I had chills running down my spine. I love it when a story scares me. This was my first experience with Kat Green, but it certainly won't be my last. I'm ready to be spooked again.
How great would it be to work as a paranormal real estate agent? I liked reading about Sloane and her job a lot. I have seen lots of episodes of Ghost Hunters and I found myself getting excited when Sloane was setting up her equipment. She is so brave, cool and collected. My imagination would probably go mental with the first creak of the stairs or floorboards. I admired Sloane, but at the same time my heart ached for her because she's still grieving so immensely about the loss of the love of her life.
When I saw the cover of First Contact I knew I had to read this debut novel by Kat Green, which is the alias of authors Kat de Falla and Rachel Green. They have put a lot of personal experiences in their story and this shows in well written details. First Contact grabbed me from the beginning. I even stopped reading in the evening once because I had chills running down my spine. I love it when a story scares me. This was my first experience with Kat Green, but it certainly won't be my last. I'm ready to be spooked again.
Read
January 14, 2017I don't read ghost stories, quite frankly because they give me cold shivers. I didn't exactly sleep with the lights on when I read First Contact, but the book is chilling while at the same time having a lovely love plot woven cleverly through the story. I bought this book because it came highly recommended by a friend who devours books in short order as a must read. From the first time he walked on stage, I was hoping Joshua would get the girl. I'm not going to divulge whether he did or not, but I think you'll like the characters and enjoy them as much as I did. Sloane, the heroine, stepped off the page into reality (if you can call her chosen profession reality) immediately and kept the pages turning until the end and way too late most nights when I'd surface from the story and realize it was time for bed. Even the ghosts "come alive" and become moving forces in this tale of misguided love and madness. Take a deep breath and jump into First Contact. You'll finish it in a short time because you can't stop reading -- even if the hair at your napes ripples and a shiver leaps down your spine! I look forward to reading more of Kat Green's well-plotted and well-written novels. Next!
December 1, 2014
Thanks for making my morning completely unproductive! I just blew through this book. Could not put it down.
Sloane is certainly braver then I lol! Paranormal Realtor...working alone...walking around an unfamiliar house in the dark setting up equipment...shudder one.
Being surrounded by groping ghosts telling me to leave/get out etc and then going there again for round 2 again on her own?? Shudder two.
Shudder three was the tunnel. I would loose my s&*t. Not to mention everything else disturbing the author wrapped up in a nice little package. I'm kinda mad that it's over because I wanted to continue the journey with Sloane ;p
I'm hoping there is a 2nd book in the works, because I want to be totally sucked in again and see the connection grow between Sloane and Jonah.
Everyone needs a shoulder squeeze once in a while.
Thanks for letting me read and review.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. (LoP, r2r)
Sloane is certainly braver then I lol! Paranormal Realtor...working alone...walking around an unfamiliar house in the dark setting up equipment...shudder one.
Being surrounded by groping ghosts telling me to leave/get out etc and then going there again for round 2 again on her own?? Shudder two.
Shudder three was the tunnel. I would loose my s&*t. Not to mention everything else disturbing the author wrapped up in a nice little package. I'm kinda mad that it's over because I wanted to continue the journey with Sloane ;p
I'm hoping there is a 2nd book in the works, because I want to be totally sucked in again and see the connection grow between Sloane and Jonah.
Everyone needs a shoulder squeeze once in a while.
Thanks for letting me read and review.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. (LoP, r2r)
January 21, 2015
First Contact has such an awesome premise! I loved the idea of someone being hired as a paranormal real estate agent. I really enjoyed Sloane’s character and her drive to be reunited with her dead fiancé Michael.
What I loved most about First Contact was the relationship between Sloane and Michael. I could feel Sloane’s heartbreak and I thought the “year and a day” reunion was a sweet setup. Things turn scary for Sloane while reaching Michael from beyond the grave and that was when the story picked up.
First Contact was a short and fast-paced read. The book is a good setup for sequels, but also offered a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
What I loved most about First Contact was the relationship between Sloane and Michael. I could feel Sloane’s heartbreak and I thought the “year and a day” reunion was a sweet setup. Things turn scary for Sloane while reaching Michael from beyond the grave and that was when the story picked up.
First Contact was a short and fast-paced read. The book is a good setup for sequels, but also offered a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
October 15, 2014
Review by WW Reviewer Jenn
I love paranormal books, movies and photos. So this book was right up my alley.The main character Sloane, has never really interacted with ghosts or even seen one. She has gone on tours with her friends. When her fiance dies she starts her own paranormal investigating business in order to try and make contact with him. She begins investigating homes for people who want to buy a haunted house. Which leads her to her most recent house to investigate.Sloane's first real contact with ghosts turn into a scary situation. Due to it she starts unraveling a mystery that has haunted the town for years.
I love paranormal books, movies and photos. So this book was right up my alley.The main character Sloane, has never really interacted with ghosts or even seen one. She has gone on tours with her friends. When her fiance dies she starts her own paranormal investigating business in order to try and make contact with him. She begins investigating homes for people who want to buy a haunted house. Which leads her to her most recent house to investigate.Sloane's first real contact with ghosts turn into a scary situation. Due to it she starts unraveling a mystery that has haunted the town for years.
November 25, 2014
I want to be a paranormal realtor when I grow up! What a fabulous job that would be, and what a unique idea for a book! Sloane Osbourne is a likable realtor with a smart mouth and a spine made out of steel, two qualities that should be required in her line of work. The ghosts were creepy, and I enjoyed watching as the mystery of the house unfolded.
I do wish that the love interest had been fleshed out a little more since we only really get to know him through flashbacks. Also, there were quite a few missing words, letters, and improper word selections, which took away from my enjoyment of the book while I tried to decode it. But overall, this is a solid story.
I do wish that the love interest had been fleshed out a little more since we only really get to know him through flashbacks. Also, there were quite a few missing words, letters, and improper word selections, which took away from my enjoyment of the book while I tried to decode it. But overall, this is a solid story.
October 15, 2014
I love paranormal books, movies and photos. So this book was right up my alley.The main character Sloane, has never really interacted with ghosts or even seen one. She has gone on tours with her friends. When her fiance dies she starts her own paranormal investigating business in order to try and make contact with him. She begins investigating homes for people who want to buy a haunted house. Which leads her to her most recent house to investigate.Sloane's first real contact with ghosts turn into a scary situation. Due to it she starts unraveling a mystery that has haunted the town for years.
December 20, 2014
*I received this book from Lovers of Paranormal in exchange for an honest review.*
This is the story of Sloane Osbourne, paranormal investigative realtor. Who knew that could be a career choice? She's grieving because of the loss of her fiance in an accident the year before, which made her decide to become a paranormal hunter, in hopes of making contact with him, which she was able to do. I loved the plot and the story, but most of all Sloane's curiosity that kept getting her into trouble. I'm eagerly awaiting more from the world of Sloane and will definitely be recommending this book.
This is the story of Sloane Osbourne, paranormal investigative realtor. Who knew that could be a career choice? She's grieving because of the loss of her fiance in an accident the year before, which made her decide to become a paranormal hunter, in hopes of making contact with him, which she was able to do. I loved the plot and the story, but most of all Sloane's curiosity that kept getting her into trouble. I'm eagerly awaiting more from the world of Sloane and will definitely be recommending this book.
December 6, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review LoP (Lovers of Paranormal)
To me, this story played out like a creepy episode of the new show Stalkers. Even though I don’t like the show, the story was very good. The main character Sloane is like a curious cat that keeps getting herself in trouble. It was fun to read in the sense that you want to know what is going to happen next, but also scary as heck! Great start to the series.
To me, this story played out like a creepy episode of the new show Stalkers. Even though I don’t like the show, the story was very good. The main character Sloane is like a curious cat that keeps getting herself in trouble. It was fun to read in the sense that you want to know what is going to happen next, but also scary as heck! Great start to the series.
Read
December 10, 2014This was something else...
I've never been much into scary stories with ghosts and such but lately I've had craving for these particular books. I'm extremely happy that Kat Green's book First Contact was what introduced me. I can only recommend this.
First Contact was intense and mysteries. You kept guessing and investigating alongside Jonah and Sloane. A fantastic story for a night at home alone!
I've never been much into scary stories with ghosts and such but lately I've had craving for these particular books. I'm extremely happy that Kat Green's book First Contact was what introduced me. I can only recommend this.
First Contact was intense and mysteries. You kept guessing and investigating alongside Jonah and Sloane. A fantastic story for a night at home alone!
February 25, 2015
I won this book in a giveaway hosted by the Apocalypse Whenever group on Goodreads.
This was definitely an interesting book. The surprises were a bit obvious and I felt like I was being hit over the head with them once or twice, but I don't feel it interfered with my enjoyment of the story. It was cute at times and chilling at others. I think anyone looking for a paranormal romance would likely enjoy this.
This was definitely an interesting book. The surprises were a bit obvious and I felt like I was being hit over the head with them once or twice, but I don't feel it interfered with my enjoyment of the story. It was cute at times and chilling at others. I think anyone looking for a paranormal romance would likely enjoy this.
March 5, 2015
I've never been much into scary stories with ghosts and such but lately I've had craving for these particular books. I'm extremely happy that Kat Green's book First Contact was what introduced me. I can only recommend this.
First Contact was intense and mysteries. You kept guessing and investigating alongside Jonah and Sloane. A fantastic story for a night at home alone!
First Contact was intense and mysteries. You kept guessing and investigating alongside Jonah and Sloane. A fantastic story for a night at home alone!
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