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The Caretakers #1

A Taker of Morrows

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RG Granville has his whole life in front of him…but only twenty-four hours to live it.
 
Beyond life’s boundaries, an enduring battle between good and evil determines the fate of earthly souls. Here, ‘caretakers’ guard and protect against the evil and vengeful ‘jumpers’ who slip back and forth between worlds to prey upon the living.

For one man, news of his impending demise sets off a deadly chain of events fueled by a jumper’s burning vengeance. Now he’s in a race against time to stop an unrelenting evil unleashed upon the earth. And if he’s to protect his family, and the world, he must breach the tenuous boundary between life and death to confront a killer—and a shocking secret from his long-buried past.

Book One in the Caretaker series, A TAKER OF MORROWS is a roller coaster ride that will leave readers contemplating the nature of life and death and the eternal price we pay for what we carry in our souls.

302 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2018

9 people are currently reading
137 people want to read

About the author

Stephen Paul Sayers

7 books20 followers
Stephen Paul Sayers is the top-10 Amazon bestselling author of The Caretakers horror trilogy: A Taker of Morrows, The Soul Dweller, and The Immortal Force. His latest novel, The Carousel Man, released in 2024, was a Literary Global Award Finalist (horror category). As a college professor and research scientist, Stephen yields to the left-brain world of data analysis and statistics by day but releases the demons in his slightly twisted right-brain by night. It gets confusing around dusk when neither side is in control. Jet-setting between New England and the Midwest—well, more like driving back and forth in an RV—he divides his time between Columbia, MO and Plymouth, MA thinking up scary stories and watching classic horror films with his ill-mannered dog, Ollie. Visit Steve at www.stephenpaulsayers.com or reach out on Facebook: facebook.com/stephenpaulsayers; Twitter: twitter.com/SayersAuthor; or Instagram: instagram.com/stephenpaulsayers.

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for ✨Bean's Books✨.
648 reviews6 followers
September 27, 2018
Interesting.
What would you do if you learned you only had 24 hours to live? Would you visit friends and family? Would you gain as much knowledge as you possibly could? Or would you do something dangerous? Maybe like upsetting the balance between Good and Evil... RG Granville is visited by a strange individual known as Morrow who tells him his life is about to end. Evil jumpers between the worlds are vengeance driven and after his earthly soul. Evil is unleashed and RG is now in a race against time to save his family and maybe even himself.
The book was very well written. The story, other parts of it we're not new ideas, was very unique. The characters are believable and relatable. All in all it was very good book.
I did enjoy this book but I have to admit the beginning is a little slow. It's difficult to jump right in and run with but it ends up picking up steam rather quickly.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark sci-fi & paranormal reads.
Profile Image for Suzy Michael.
190 reviews27 followers
April 29, 2019
*I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for my fair and honest review.*

A Taker of Morrows is the fast paced, thought provoking debut novel by Stephen Paul Sayers. This supernatural thriller, with it's unique plot and seamless storytelling will have you enticed from the very beginning. What would you do if you only have 24 hours to live? Our main character is faced with that scenario. Things can't get more complicated than that! Can they?

A Taker of Morrows introduces us to an alternate reality of our universe. Everything is the same except for a few minor details. Beyond life's boundaries, a battle of epic proportions between Good and Evil is being waged and determines the fate of earthly souls. On Earth, “Caretakers” guard and protect against the evil and vengeful “Jumpers” who slip back and forth between worlds to prey upon the living. RG Granville, who has just been told by a strange man in his house that he has only 24 hours to live, ends up accidentally setting off a deadly chain of events, fueled by a particular vengeful “Jumper”. Now, he has 24 hours to stop an unrelenting evil that has been unleashed upon Earth. And if he's to protect his family and the world, he must breach the boundary between life and death to confront a killer- and a shocking secret from his past.

Wow. This book was a trip! In a good way! First off, kudos to Sayers for creating something completely original! The plot was intriguing and engaging, and the continuous high tension kept me turning the pages! The characters were well crafted and developed. Very relatable and familiar.
Ok, let's talk world building. Sayers created this alternate reality where there is no heaven or hell- for those people who believe in one or both. Whatever, this is not a theological debate. In this reality, when you die, you sort of just go to another world. Everyone goes to the same place and are exactly how they were on Earth in the Afterlife. Oh, and there is a HUGE battle between good and evil going on there too. But in all honesty, if they just went their separate ways there would be way less friction, but whatever!
What is impressive is that Sayers didn't stick with the norm, but created his own version of the Afterlife. And the Afterlife plays a big part in driving the plot forward. It's very impressive how it flowed so well with the story and totally works. Did I say I was impressed yet?

A Taker of Morrows is a complex mix of a murder mystery tale with a huge supernatural driving force, and somehow, it completely works! With skillful pacing, vivid prose, and it's fair share of plot twists, somehow Stephen Paul Sayers pulls this incredible tale off! And this is just his first novel! I can't wait to read what he has up his sleeves for the sequel!
Profile Image for Allison.
198 reviews2 followers
August 10, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it was well-written, flowed well, and it kept me engaged. I also loved that it took place in Boston, Massachusetts since I’m familiar with most of the places that were mentioned (such as Fall River, etc).
I’m looking forward to reading more books in this series as they come out!
Profile Image for Mimi Davis Hopkins.
676 reviews4 followers
June 11, 2018
This is truly a great story, a work of art, right from the start the reader is thrown right into the story. This author has taken me by surprise with this story. If I could give this book 10 stars, I would with out hesitation. The characters are very well defined, the flow is great, and the unexpected twists and turns kept me wanting more. But it was the plot which held me captivated even more. Imagine having a guardian angel who actually communicates with you. And of course, if there are guardian angels, there has to be wicked or evil spirits in the mix, and yes, he takes us there. This author has crafted this work of art, which has the reader hanging onto e v e r y word. I really and truly enjoyed this story, and I want more like it! Who is this author????

Great read for those who enjoy reading stories of the occult, horror, mysteries, or even stories which prompts you to think .

I almost forgot, I received this book free of charge and am reviewing it totally because I choose to and of course because I really enjoyed reading it, also I do believe that we will be reading more great books by this author.
Profile Image for Oralee.
145 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2018
I started this book with hesitation, not sure if it was really my type of book.. Fantasy, other worlds are not really my thing ,unless its a good horror story, but Taker of Morrows was a pleasant surprise. Unexpectedly told he has only 24 hours to live by his caretaker aka guardian angel. Being suddenly faced with his own mortality RG ends up thrown into an unknown world and the life of those around him are at stake. Cheating death only ends up making life a living hell .With the help of his wife and 2 unlikely allies they face a enemy from out of this world. RG is a mixed bag, dedicated, loyal and loving to his friends he can also be a bit of a jerk and smart alack. He soon wins the reader over with his compassion and deep love especially for Kacey.
Sayers writes what could have been a overdone fantasy into a compelling tale that makes one want to believe. With the juxtaposes of love/hate, good and bad Sayer weaves a story that draws you in and has you rooting for a happy ending. The twists and turns keep the action fresh and the reader interested.
I look forward to reading the next book!
Profile Image for Icy_Space_Cobwebs .
5,649 reviews330 followers
November 27, 2018
Review: A TAKER OF MORROWS by Stephen Paul Sayers

Exciting, intriguing, and riproaring supernatural thriller, the debut novel from this author, A TAKER OF MORROWS (and its sequel, THE SOUL DWELLER) is a novel that will keep you up late or miss appointments and phone calls just to finish it. RG Granville, who lost his father early on to a senseless accident, one evening discovers a man in his house, who informs him that he will die in 24 hours, and there is nothing RG can do to circumvent it. But RG, who immediately goes through all the grief symptoms, perhaps more especially because he will be leaving his wife and unborn child, determines there must be an answer. There is, but it certainly was way beyond what RG could have expected, and he is propelled into an entirely new life path. No more staid Boston University research professor; now RG and his wife Kacey are on a new purpose, one that serves Life in more than just our earthbound dimension.
Profile Image for Sammy.
1 review
June 6, 2018
I loved this book. The suspense was amazing and the imagery made it feel like I was in the book and experiencing everything with the characters, at times I forgot I was even reading a book. Each character was super relate able, even the villain. The relationship between Kacy and RG was a very beautiful thing. Overall this book was awesome. The only thing that I didn't care for is that it started very slow and I had a hard time really getting into the book but I'm glad that I was able to stick with it!
1 review
September 3, 2018
I stayed up all night to finish this book, was surprised and delighted by the revelation at the end, and can't wait for the second in the series. The writing style reminded me in all the best ways of Preston & Childs' Pendergast Series. Any who has spent time in Boston and on The Cape will enjoy the familiar references and have a strong Dunkin Donuts craving while reading. Bravo on a first novel that is hard not to imagine being a movie
Profile Image for Melissa P. .
1 review
September 24, 2018
Really enjoyed it! Sayers introduces suspense in the first few pages and it just builds from there. Death is coming for the character of RG, and he has 24 hours to not only figure out why, but somehow stop it. The story weaves back and forth between the past and present, and somewhere in the "dream-between." The backdrop of the Cape is a perfect setting and one in which Sayers obviously has a deep connection. Great first novel, looking forward to the next in the series!
Profile Image for Jeanne.
931 reviews
October 6, 2018
A Taker of Morrows is a fast-paced paranormal thriller. This novel moves at breathtaking speed as RG is told he has 24 hours to live and learns of the existence of caretakers and jumpers. I loved the characters and thoroughly enjoyed this well written horror story. I am looking forward to the second book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book and choose to review it voluntarily.
Profile Image for Helen .
45 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2018
Could not put it down! RG only has 24 hours to live and he puts his wife and unborn child first. He's a caring and selfless person he truly is. This book describes the spiritual world in an interesting way without being directly religious.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
51 reviews
November 21, 2019
I am on another book by this author (Immortal Force). He has a way of pulling you into the story as if you are the person/person. I enjoyed this one and I am on to the next one. Thank you, Stephen, for letting me read your work.
Profile Image for Kathy Brown.
Author 12 books24 followers
September 23, 2019
Supernatural thriller. Starts a little slow with lots of flashbacks and worldbuilding set up, but finds its stride quickly. Recommend for fans of "Supernatural " TV show.
Profile Image for Crystal Andrews.
71 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2018
I was caught up within the first pages! a different take on a horror story because let's face it, if we know we have less then 24hours to live it is a different kind of horror.
Really can't wait for more from this author.
Profile Image for Doris Vandruff .
468 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2018
Robert Granville has so much to live for. His lovely wife, and his son to be born baby. Then he receives the news his time has come. He needs to live life to the fullest is the briefest amount of time. He won't share wonderful moments with his wife, and he won't be a father to his child. And then....Morrow appears. Did I say appears? Yes I did! He has to hurry and take advantage of the time left to find the solution to be with his family. All he has to do is learn to go from dimension to dimension and frome plane to plane....one more thing....he has to fight a murderous entity.
Well written story. One of those where you get deeply involved in the storyline and everything around you ceases to exist
Author 8 books16 followers
August 22, 2018
I had a hard time following this book. There were so many characters and long backstories that I felt it was distracting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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