Divining Elise: Granite Lake Romance

by Jody A. Kessler

Elise Martinez wished her date with destiny didn’t include being run off the road by the most caring, handsome, and intelligent man she’d ever met.

Moving to Granite Lake to manage a bookstore and coffee shop meant Elise could finally leave her haunted past behind, but being a psychic mom to a deaf child has its benefits and downfalls—and her guarded heart isn’t ready for a new romance.

Rob Everett never imagined giving up corporate law to open a brewery with his brothers in Granite Lake would begin with a car accident and the arrival of a surprise baby.

As if being a single dad and starting a new business weren’t challenging enough, Rob can’t get the beautiful, mysterious, and feisty bookstore manager out of his mind.

For Elise and Rob, falling in love is a complicated, sexy, and emotional enterprise.

Mix in a baby, a haunted brewery, craft beer, and a dangerous ex-husband into this recipe of love and their future isn’t as easily divined as the fates would have foretold.

**A steamy, sexy, stand-alone novel with a happy ever after.

**Intended for 18+ for mature language and sexual content.

Genres: Romance

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2018

About the author

Jody A. Kessler is a USA TODAY bestselling author and the winner of the Readers' Crown Award. She writes in multiple genres and is the author of The Night Medicine (A historical time travel adventure), Granite Lake Romance, Romance with Altitude series, An Angel Falls and more.

When Jody isn't navigating the terrain of her imagination and writing it down, she can be found exploring the wilderness of Colorado with her family, or in the kitchen baking cookies & brownies - and trying not to eat them all.
She loves exploring old ghost towns, riding her mountain bike, hiking with her dogs, and reading anything and everything that catches her interest.

Subscribe to the newsletter and receive a free ebook: The Call - A Chris Abeyta ghost hunting novella - part of the An Angel Falls series. www.JodyAKessler.com

Reviews

[Britt Chaotic Creatives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divining Elise was such a unique blending of sweet romance with just a hint of the paranormal sprinkled throughout! I wasn’t sure what to really expect after reading the blurb, I just knew I was throughly intrigued and had to read this. I’m so glad I took that chance because I was completely hooked on this one! The deliciously swoony single parent romance captured my heart and the glimpses of ghosts and premonitions snagged me even deeper into Elise and Rob’s story.
There’s quite a lot going on in this book which kept things constantly interesting, but occasionally felt like a bit too much all at once. You’ve got a beautiful romance, a woman running from a dangerous ex, a surprise baby, a sweet little boy, a haunting, and psychic abilities all happening at any given time. It definitely makes for a book that grabs you!

[Julia Red Hatter Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving away to escape an ex and protect your son is hard. Doing so and getting in a car accident when you aren't that far from your new home makes it harder. Meeting the man of your dreams, literally, turns this new move into a disaster.
Moving to start your dream business and leaving the corporate world behind is hard. Finding out the day you are leaving that you are a dad to a newborn makes it harder. Meeting a gorgeous woman and her charming son and having an instant attraction to her after causing her to wreck turns this new move into a disaster.

Elise is awesome! She's got a spine of steel, and humor to hide it. She's a great mom to her son and always makes sure he comes first. She may also have a small psychic gift that gives her some pretty crazy dreams and let's her see ghosts. Rob is such a delicious sweetheart! He's strong and dependable, he's also strong enough to admit his faults. He's struggling as a new dad to a surprise baby, but he's trying so hard that you can't help but melt for him.

I knew I had to get this book when I saw the blurb, it was unique and quirky and drew me in. I wasn't disappointed. I loved the writing style and the characters. Each one more unique and awesome than the last. This was my first in this series but I plan on going back to read the others, this world and town has a heartwarming old time feel to it and I can't wait to visit it again!

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divining Elise was a great story with an interesting story line and likable characters , the blurb really drew me in to were I wanted to know what was going on with them . I thought it was refreshing how the couple meet and how their journey goes .

[Katie O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other books in this series, the fourth book in Jody Kessler's Granite Lake romance series, Divining Elise, gives us a second chance romance between two jaded individuals. Ms. Kessler's lyrical writing style lends itself to interior monologues plagued with second thoughts and self doubt, as her two main characters weave an intricate dance around each other, their shared past, and the sizzling chemistry they both try so hard to deny. Unlike the other stories in this series, the author weaves in touches of the paranormal style she also excels at in her other works.

Elise Martinez has psychic premonitions and dreams, and - as it turns out - can see the ghosts haunting her new neighbors' building. She and her hearing-impaired son have just moved to the small mountain town of Granite Lake, California for new opportunities - Elise for a chance at a new job opening a bookstore with her best friend, and a new school and new doctor for Colton.

Rob Everett is the oldest of three brothers, and gives up a lucrative law career to go into business with his siblings, buying and renovating an old brewery in Granite Lake. Before he has a chance to begin his new life, his old life throws him a curve ball in the form of a baby daughter. His ex-girlfriend died giving birth to a child she never told him about, but listed him as the father on the birth certificate. The hospital sends him home with a daughter who doesn't come with an instruction manual, throwing a wrench into his carefully laid plans.

Although Elise has dreamed of Rob several times, she tries to keep her distance, not trusting that her attraction to her hot neighbor will turn out any better than her relationship with Colton's father - a man who ended up abusing her and landed himself in jail. Elise is done with men - but Rob is not the kind of guy to give up. And when they do finally get together, the scenes are sizzling.

Lots of plot twists keep the story moving along in rollercoaster fashion - between Colton's medical problems, Elise's shady ex-boyfriend, the mystery of the ghost and a decades old murder, and Rob's legal battles to keep the baby he wasn't sure he wanted but now can't let go of.... stir in a heavy dose of crackling chemistry any time Elise and Rob are in the same room and you get a book where the pages almost turn themselves. This is a great addition to the series and adds another layer of depth to the town of Granite Lake.

The books in this series are all stand-alone romances and can be read in any order, but the stories share common characters who add depth and breadth to the narratives, making the small town come to life. I love the way Jody Kessler writes with such passion and insight, making her characters real and believable with quirks and foibles but also with passion and dreams. This is not a fast read, but one to be read slowly and savored, as she packs meaning and feeling into each paragraph.

Five solid stars for this enjoyable story.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise is a unique kind of heroine for me. She's lovely, sweet, strong and resilient. She's moved herself and her little boy to Granite Lake for a better life, a more thriving life. She's the Mama Bear you hear about in jokes, or see mentioned in memes. She'll do what's necessary to protect her own, moving heaven and earth to ensure her family is safe and flourishing.

Rob isn't all that different, I don't think. He gave up corporate law to go into business with his brothers in Granite Lake and wound up with a secret baby along the way. I admired that he didn't shirk his responsibility or deny his child just because he already had plans in place. An infant daughter threw him for a loop, absolutely, but he made her part of his life from that point on instead of an afterthought. It's a fine line he walks as he balances fatherhood and business.

Elise and Rob meet in the most unusual of ways: he runs her off the road. Not intentionally, of course. He's stressed from opening the brewery, exhausted from being a new single dad who really has no idea what to do but is giving fatherhood his best shot. Despite their rough beginning, Rob and Elise forge a friendship that turns into lust then love. It doesn't happen without encountering bumps along the way though, but the road to happiness is rarely smooth sailing.

Ms. Kessler is a new-to-me author, and one I'm happy to continue following. Elise and Rob are incredible characters to get to know and to watch fall deeply in love. Granite Lake is a beautiful setting, one I'll explore more in the first three books of this series. This isn't an angst-filled story, neither is it so complicated that the reader gets lost. The characters are real, or real enough, without being obnoxiously over the top concerning themselves, each other, and their lives. While the ending of this story is obvious, Ms. Kessler does a great job of getting her characters to their well-deserved, long-awaited Happily Ever After with minimal damage.

It made this a relaxing read for me, one I would also recommend to anyone needing a break from whatever their normal reading material is, or if you're just looking for someone new to read.

Received from publisher for an honest review

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise never thought she'd leave her family and home behind, but circumstances dictated otherwise. Elise's ex is up for parole and she doesn't want anything to do with him. When her best friend offers her a job to manage a bookstore in Granite Lake, she jumps at the opportunity to start over. Even though she's hopeful, Elise foresees trouble ahead.

Rob is tired of the grind of corporate law and the big city. He's ready to leave his job and join his brothers in their newest endeavor--making craft beer for their new bar. As he's about to leave town, Rob is informed he's the father of an infant. As he races to the hospital, he finds that his ex kept his baby a secret from him and she's passed away. Exhausted, terrified, and unprepared for this new adventure Rob gets behind the wheel....

I loved how "real" the intersecting storylines were. I don't really like "physic ability" stories, but it worked in this story. It didn't read as though it was too much or too unbelievable. I absolutely loved how Rob's brothers were with Elise's son. I loved how they wore helmets to make him fell less of an outcast. I enjoyed the playfulness and banter amongst brothers and that they always had each other's back! The chemistry between Rob and Elise was off the charts. While I understand Elise's trust issues with men, I wanted to smack some sense into her. Rob was patient beyond belief!!! I didn't like how she wanted him to be a part of their lives, but then excluded him when he offered to be there for her during her son's surgery. Other than that, I truly enjoyed the novel and can't wait to read about her best friend, business partner, author....I received a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

A romance with many twists and turns! Elise and Rob are both in complicated situations...and yet drawn to one another. Elise is a psychic and mother of a deaf child. Leaving her past behind to start anew in Granite Lake, she meets Rob in an unexpected manner. And yet...is it something she knew ahead of time? Being psychic isn’t all sunshine and roses though, and Elise is wary of trusting what she has seen in her dreams.

And Rob? Leaving behind a successful law practice to open a brewery in Granite Lake with his brothers, his life begins to take some consequential turns...events that shape his future in a way he hadn’t imagined.

For all that is thrown at Rob, he is the steady one. Elise has her plate full but has never come to grips with her special abilities. She has a short fuse, seems to swing from one emotional level to another and often looks at every situation thinking there’s a catch, which, given her history, is somewhat understandable.

Unfortunately, that made Elise a little hard to warm up to. She would push Rob away one minute and then later allow him in. Rob, on the other hand, was SUCH a wonderful character! Life threw him a curve ball too and yet he was more than up to the challenge. And yet he also has the patience in dealing with Elise. And when they are together - sparks fly!

In the end, there’s a lot going on here - drama, suspense and romance - which makes for a good story.


I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Everett was a lawyer who decided to give it up and open a brewery in Granite Lake with his two brothers. Before leaving town, he finds out he is the father of a baby girl and his ex died giving birth to her. He has been up with the baby a lot and not sleeping much so he is very tired, and is leaving Granite Lake to pick her up at his parents when he falls asleep driving and runs Elise Martinez and her deaf son Colton off the road. He apologizes profusely, but she stays mad at him. Elise is a psychic which scares many people. She has her good friend Autumn who is opening a bookstore in Granite Lake and Elise and Colton are going to live in the apartment above free, and Elise is going to run the bookstore. Elise doesn’t trust her dreams and fate throwing another man at her, so she tries to push Rob away.

This is a good book, with good friends, bad past mistakes, beautiful children, love, and even some ghosts. Elise helps the Everett brothers with some odd things happening in their remodel of the brewery with her psychic ability. Rob is so good with Colton, and being patient with Elise. The chemistry between the two is blazing. The Everett brothers were great with Colton. They melted my heart with some of the things they did with Colton. I liked that this is a love story with a few different situations thrown in. I encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book

I Love books like this one. Elise is a mother to a deaf child and she is a psychic. She's leaving everything behind to start over in Granite Lake. She then meets Rob in a bit of a unconventional way.
Rob who found out he is dad to a baby after the mother died giving birth to her, hasn't been sleeping much and he is tired, when he falls asleep while driving to pick her up from his parents he runs Elise and her son off the road. Even though he apologized she is still angry with him. And even angrier that after everything she has been through now fate has thrown another man at her and all she wants is to be left alone raising her son and staying safe.

A very sweet read about second chances. About over coming your past mistakes and trying to move on to start a new life. And definitely loved the side characters as well. You will definitely fall in love with this story and the characters. A Firs for me from this author and I was not disappointed.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Granite Lake series with Rob Everett as the Everett brothers build their Black Bear Brewing in town. The story has soo many great layers to it, a surprise baby, a single mom, strong loving support in the Everett family and a crazy best friend, with second chances for both Rob Everett and Elise Martinez.

Elise is a single mom, fleeing Arizona from an abusive ex. Leaving everything she knows to move her son Colton somewhere safe, her best friend has set her up as the manager of Granite lake book shop & coffee house. And she is excellent at keeping people at a distance, for a good reason, she has psychic visions/dreams. Here Rob enters her life first via vision and then by car accident. New dad Rob, surprised with a baby he didn't know about has his own set of troubles. Together these two stressed out parents/business owners use the strength in each other to figure a way out and around a haunted brewery and a vengeful ex-con and a manipulative cousin/guardian. And fall hard for each other.

I received this ARC for a voluntary and honest review.

[Juliana Ignácio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elise moves to Granite Lake with her son, Colton, to start a new life, leaving the problems of their past behind.
Rob is also moving to Granite Lake to open a brewery with his brothers, but before the move he got unexpected news and ended up with a baby in his arms.
The first meeting between Elise and Rob is not one of the best, but from there they build a friendship and, although the attraction between them is huge, they are both a bit afraid to take the next step in their relationship.
Elise has suffered a lot in the past, so her walls are always up when it comes to relationships. But Rob is the perfect guy, and he does everything he can for Elise to see that what he feels for her is true love.
I loved the interactions of little Colton with all the Everett's men.
Some events throughout the story really surprised me. I loved the story, the characters and the ending.
I highly recommend the reading.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Jody Kessler! I am loving the Granite Lake Series. Rob and Elise were such realistic characters and Colton and Maisie were so adorable. Plus, I loved the fact that Elise’s friend, Autumn, is a romance writer. She was a quirky character and I hope she gets her own book.
Rob is Brodie’s brother, who was one of the main characters in “Unwrapping Treasure” and “Chasing Treasure,” Book 1 and 2 of the series. Shane is the third brother and I’m expecting his story is coming soon. Rob’s the oldest brother and their brotherly antics are amusing. Their beer sounds amazing too!
Elise recently moved to Granite Lake to start a new life with her 5-year old son Colton, who is hearing impaired. This book brought a new aspect of the paranormal into this series, as Elise gets premonitions and can see ghosts.
HEA once they fight off the dangerous ex-husband.
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elise was running to a new adventure, leaving the chaos that surrounded her behind. She was focusing on her new business and not looking for love, but isn't that what they all say when it smacks them upside the head. He had enough on his hands with a new baby and starting up the brewery, the last thing he needs is the complications that come with Elise. This author gives us a great story of being blindsided by love but not only that, healing so that love can be accepted and returned. They have baggage and trust issues but overcoming challenges is part of the process. Great characters and a wonderful plot make this an awesome read.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob at times needs to keep himself in check, "Elise’s gaze traveled over his body so quickly he almost missed it. There was a knowing gleam in her eyes, then she dropped those lashes so he couldn’t read her. It was probably for the best since he didn’t need a hard-on in front of her kid." Rob is just a playful man at times, “are you also demanding my body in this agreement?” Rob asked, and lowered his face so his lips hovered just in front of hers." I really liked this book, Parker was a good man and Elise was such a good mom.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read about Elise Martinez, a single mom to a deaf son, and Rob Everett, a lawyer that quits his practice to open Black Bear Brewing with his brothers. Before Rob moves to Granite Lake, he learns he’s a father. These characters are all well written and lovable. I love the chemistry between Elise and Rob. The interactions between Colton, Elise’s son, and Rob and his brothers is amazing. I’m not going to leave any spoilers because I really want everyone to read this page turner.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy and this is my honest review. What a story. Right from the start you have a vagrant telling Rob that a beautiful girl awaits him, then he meets his daughter. Then you have Elise moving into Granite Lake to run the bookstore. Then you have a ghost with a mystery happening. Oh My! I liked the line Rob used when he was reading a book that Elise brought him: He was instantly sucked into the story. That sums its up, you get instantly sucked into the story. Would recommend this to all who love romance and mystery.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me, but my word, I will certainly be looking out for her in the future, and 1-clicking her work. Elise is a single mom to a deaf son, and Rob is a lawyer who leaves his practise in order to open a brewery with his brothers. The chemistry between these two is explosive. No spoilers though; this is a definite must read page turner, you will not be disappointed. This is a well written flawless story, which is emotional, steamy, and with twists and humour, which all had me enthralled throughout. I recommend this authors’ work for all readers.

[Delacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story that had a nice sprinkling of paranormal activity to spice up this romance. Both characters were likable, though Elise was a bit standoffish due to her history. The plot moved along nicely, with a little bit of drama, but nothing over the top. The descriptions of the beer recipes made me want to go buy a fictional brewery's beer, they sounded that delicious. Overall, an enjoyable story. * I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[QueenBeeQT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Love Overcome Stubbornness?

Elise and Rob are two super stubborn characters. Both are starting a new life in a Granite Falls, California, but for two completely different reasons. Being single parents just adds to their daily drama. Throw in a ghost, mind-blowing sex, and a crazy ex and this story has it all. HEA and No Cliffhanger! I loved these characters!

[Myst]

Enjoyable

[Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Cranky Stars


Elise has a history of her very vivid dreams coming true. She dreams of a man who will rescue her from her life. She is fleeing an abusive relationship with her hearing impared son to open a book store in Granite Lake. On her way to this town she encounters the man from her dreams.


Rob left his cushy job as a lawyer cause he felt this wasn't the life for him. Him and his brothers are opening a brewery when a phone call that changes his life happens. Now facing being a single father he isn't expecting to meet the fiery Elise.


This book was a sweet read. A tad odd I would say. I mean we suddenly have ghosts but that's eradicated half way in the book and then the stalker ex boyfriend. So I guess because that Elise is good with communicating with the dead and has premonitions in a way this made it paranormal in a sense. There was some back and forth with the baby name that threw me. I loved his brothers and Colton. He was a pretty sweet kid. I found out this was book 4 in a series but seems it can be read as a standalone. All in all a pretty good read.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divining Elise was an amazing story that I never saw coming. This was only the second time that I've read anything by Jody A. Kessler, and I found her writing style original, as her talent shone through the pages. It's the sweet romance of two people with past baggage who end up in the same place, as fate wants them together. Their journey starts out when Elise gets in a car accident with Rob, who was at fault. She's a bit of a psychic, and recognizes him from some of her dreams but that doesn't stop her from freezing him out. Not to mention it doesn't make it any easier for Rob to scale her walls because while she is happy for others in love, she refuses to take another chance at it. Rob can't help his attraction to her, and since both of their new businesses are next door to each other, not to mention she lives above her new book store, he's able to stay close to her. His brothers and two tiny humans make up most of the cast of secondaries, and really add humor to the mix throughout the story. Elise did get to be over to the top stubborn at times, which had me ready to pull my hair out, and Rob made a decision when she pushed him away one too many times that also had me yelling colorful metaphors, but I can honestly say that they were realistic characters with flaws. There was a bit of the paranormal in the mix, which I loved, a twist or two that had me dropping f-bombs, and a lot of angst, so this story ticked all of my boxes while adding more! I hope all the brothers get stories, as I want more! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]