Blissful Breneaux has spent her career catching troublesome ghosts for a covert government agency. But all that changes the day she is fired.
She has one shot to redeem herself— track down the biggest, baddest spirit the agency has ever known and haul him in.
Too bad that ghost resides in the one place Blissful despises—Haunted Hollow, Alabama. It’s the tourist attraction from hell. Blissful is knee deep in a foreign place—and it’s not just the deer head trophies and the giant pickup trucks that are throwing her for a loop.
When a local reveals he has information that could save her career, Blissful is all ears. But when he winds up murdered, Blissful becomes a suspect.
Thrust into a murder mystery, Blissful teams up with a pair of amateur ghost-hunting grannies who know more about town dynamics than hunting spirits. Then there’s the handsome bed and breakfast owner who’s keeping more secrets than he’s revealing. But Blissful is determined to discover what the murder victim knew. She’ll hunt for clues all over town. Will the hunt save her career or place her in the clutches of the Haunted Hollow murderer?
Hey, I’m Amy, I write books for folks who crave laugh-out-loud paranormal mysteries. I help bring humor into readers’ lives. I’ve got a Pharm D in pharmacy, a BA in Creative Writing and a Masters in Life. And when I’m not writing or chasing around two small children (one of which is four going on thirteen), I can be found antique shopping for a great deal, getting my roots touched up (because that’s an every four week job) and figuring out when I can get back to Disney World. If you’re dying to know more about my wacky life, here are three things you don’t know about me. —In college I spent a semester at Marvel Comics working in the X-Men office. —I worked at Carnegie Hall. —I grew up in a barbecue restaurant—literally. My parents owned one. If you want to reach out to me—and I love to hear from readers—you can email me at amyboylesauthor@gmail.com. Happy reading!
I really liked this paranormal cozy mystery set in Alabama. The MC can see ghosts and talk to them, and guide them into the light. She is suspended from her job but can get it back if she can find Lucky Strike, a ghost haunting a town in Alabama. She finds more than she bargains for when she gets there, but also finds a hot guy running a B&B. Really fun storytelling and great characters.
Not a bad start to the series. A quirky fun read! Though there are a few, ok, one in particular I wanted to see get their comeuppance and it didn’t happen in this book. Blissful quickly gathers a human and ghostly gang to her and the mysteries start. Discovering the Ghost Gang and her father may not have been the idyllic world she’s thought all these years is quite a shock, but settling into Haunted Hollow may be just what she needs.
Honestly, if you are going to use a defined setting for a place with as much personality as a town in Alabama, then why not actually use the setting to its full potential? There was no character for the little town to the point that it could be set anywhere in the whole world, much less the Southeastern US where there are certain things you are completely unable to escape no matter how hard you try.
Seriously, this is my biggest pet peeve in literature. Why does the setting matter you ask?
Because each of us remembers something specific from every place we visit. Despite many towns and regions looking alike, each one is unique in their own way.
Where I live right now, there is a train that comes through every couple of hours and graffiti on the bridge underpass that reads "TIM LOVES TINK". It could be a local sports team or that little old lady that knows everybody and all their secrets and this book 100% missed that opportunity.
This book was cute and I was entertained by it but it is ultimately going to be lost in my mind with the numerous other paranormal mystery books. If it isn't distinct, it is gone and this one did not make me remember it.
Soul Food Spirits (Southern Ghost Wranglers Book 1) - Review by Martha A. Cheves
"Blissful, you're suspended."
My heart popped out of my chest and hit the floor with a thud. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" Then Anita, the woman who had bested me for my dad's job by sleeping with his superior, who spoke to me like I was three years old, who had the audacity to put a picture of her with my father on her desk, slowly opened her mouth and enunciated every single syllable. "Blissful. You. Are. Suspended." Her eyelids popped open. "I've got the paperwork already filled out. You are now officially not a member of the Ghost Team. You have been suspended."
My dad's death a few months ago left an oozing wound in the establishment he helped create - The Ghost Team. With the help of secret funding from the government, my dad, Vince Breneaux, created a crew of highly capable, clairvoyant agents whose single mission was to seek out rouge spirits, those hellbent on attacking and plaguing the living, and sent them on to the other side - the light, as we call it. Naturally, since my father had been director of said team, when it came to promotion time, I was a shoo-in. But, as I said, Anita got the job instead of me and she has had it out for me from day one. Now she has decided to suspend me. And the only way I can hopefully prove my worth is to the beautiful town of Haunted Hollow and bring in one of the most feared spirits ever - Lucky Strike. Even my father couldn't bring him in and send him to the light.
Blissful's first day there turns out to be a disaster when she decides to have lunch at the Soul Food. It seems that one of the spirits in the establishment takes a liking to her and starts up a conversation. Since Bliss can see her but the other customers can't she decides to carry on a very 'light' conversation with her. But as it turns out, the more they talk the more visible the spirit becomes. This causes everyone in the restaurant to see her with most of them taking pictures of both Bliss and the spirit with many being posted to the internet. So much for trying to stay in town without being noticed.
This book was a joy to read. It's filled with humor as well as tons of ghosts - both good and bad, or so they appear. And the same can be said for some of the living residents too. I enjoyed Book 1 so much that I can't wait to read book 2.
Blissful can see and communicate with ghosts. She’s sent on a mission so she can keep her job, but what she really wants is to take her rightful place as boss - a position stolen from her when her adoptive father died. Blissful learns quite a bit on this mission, and has some choices to make. Overall, good premise, decent but not great pacing, barely disguised tell (not show), but likable characters. Will read the next one.
This tale has it all: a driven heroine with a well concealed heart; a hero with unexpected qualities; a pair of nutty senior wannabe ghostbusters; intriguing backstories for the characters; a finely directed murder mystery; a few comic elements; and, deceit and betrayal. Blissful's choice for her future is satisfying and makes this book an excellent beginning for this series. "Soul Food Spirits" is a great read for anyone who appreciates a really good paranormal cozy.
Let me preface this review with the fact of how much I love Amy Boyles. She’s really one of my most favorite supernatural cozy authors I’ve ever read. I religiously read her series titled “The Southern Sweet Tea Witches”, when I tell you I really cannot get enough of these books. In this newest series I’ve started, I’m once again totally hooked. We meet Blissful Breneaux a spunky violet haired ghost hunter. Blissful recently suffered the loss of losing her dad, who was also her ghost hunting boss. Blissful thought that she would take her fathers place at the helm of this secret government ghost hunting branch, but someone else close to her had other plans. While some low level bootlicker manipulates their way into Blissful’s rightful place, Blissful needs to come up with a new plan. Anita is the woman who takes her place and she’s made it her mission to make Blissful’s life a living hell. First of all she fires Blissful (I won’t tell you why or how because that would just give all the fun away), she sends her on a mission without her supplies, and goes out of her way to see Blissful fail. Blissful has one more shot to go to a small haunted Alabama town and take care of a dangerous ghost. The only catch is Blissful has no support from her agency, no tools, and no direction. I never ever give spoilers so I’m gonna stop right here at the setup. This book is a perfect series starter and will have you hooked immediately. Amy Boyles most profound writing gift in my opinion is her ability to build this lovable intricate characters within these charming magical towns. These books will make you feel as if an old friend has invited you in for some tea and cookies. Every desire of comfort and familiarity is met within these pages. I promise once you start this series it will be nearly impossible to put down. Treat yourself and enter the world of Haunted Hollow, Alabama!
Short but sweet, Amy Boyles book, "Soul Food Spirits" was great fun to read. I haven't read a single book in a day in a long while. I absolutely loved this book!
Ghosts, check! Ghost hunters, check! An organization that tries to get ghosts to cross over, check! Competitive workplace, check! Loveable, and characters you love to hate, check! Possible budding romance, check! Family secrets, check! A murder mystery involving a TV ghost hunter, check! What was there not to love about this book?
Imagine a family-run business (getting ghosts to cross over) you were supposed to inherit, but someone else gets the top spot and has it in for you because of your familial ties?! Now, imagine that person has your job by the short and curlies ... you do what you have to in order to keep that job, even if it means going back to a place you never wanted to go to in order to catch the uncatchable ghost. Luckily a different way crops up for our main character, Blissful Breneaux, to get her job back, but that leads to a lot of mystery and mayhem.
Does Blissful get the ghost? Does she get her job back? Does she find a new path? You'll have to read it and find out. It is a lot of fun with a few chuckles for good measure! The characters are wonderful and so very different. If there was one complaint that I could give about the book is that is was too short. I wanted more.
Ghostbusters on speed mixed with the Keystone Kops,
A fun, quirky, light read that most will enjoy. A ghost hunter that is actually a medium but is so used to seeing ghosts that she treats them the same way as the living - with sarcasm and smart alec remarks. Lots of over the top scenes, plenty of humour and a great plot that will keep you guessing. Since her adopted father passed, the woman who had been given the job that should have been hers has made her life a misery. Now she has suspended her for not moving a ghost into the light. (All the ghost wants is to see her daughter off to the prom.) The only way she can come back is by bringing in the ghost who everyone has tried to catch from the most haunted town around. Can she catch him? Should the ghost be left to live unmolested? A reality crew catch up with her when a ghost is spotted by her at the local diner. Now they want her to reenact the proceedings that took place. When the star is found dead and she is nearby, she knows she has to find the real killer. With the aid of two eccentric seniors, the very hunky inn keeper and a helpful ghost a search for the truth begins. Will they find the killer? Will she catch the elusive ghost and what will he tell her?
I love ghost stories. The perfect time of year for a spooky story!
Ghost who are wreaking havoc must be sent on, into the light, so they can’t plague the living anymore. Failing to do so can cost you your job on the Ghost Team. And that’s exactly what happens to Blissful.
She’s cynical and sarcastic. She sure knows how to kick a**! At first glance she isn’t likeable at all, but somehow you really can’t dislike her and she can be kind and understanding when the situation calls for it. With hot B and B owner Roan and 1980s ghost as her new ghost bestie by her side, she is ready for any adventure coming her way. Oh and with the help of two older ladies who have an until now unsuccessful ghost catching business.
I just loved this book. Super entertaining! Very fitting for this spooky time of year! Not too scary. But very exciting! Lots of fun!
This could well become one of my favorite series ever!
Favorite quote (Blissful doesn’t want to give in to her attraction to Roan): “There was suddenly a very intriguing spot behind him that I found incredibly important to stare at.” LOL.
stopped at 28% It just wasn't holding my interest.
Amazon synopsis: Blissful Breneaux has spent her career catching troublesome ghosts for a covert government agency. But all that changes the day she is fired.
She has one shot to redeem herself— track down the biggest, baddest spirit the agency has ever known and haul him in.
Too bad that ghost resides in the one place Blissful despises—Haunted Hollow, Alabama. It’s the tourist attraction from hell. Blissful is knee deep in a foreign place—and it’s not just the deer head trophies and the giant pickup trucks that are throwing her for a loop.
When a local reveals he has information that could save her career, Blissful is all ears. But when he winds up murdered, Blissful becomes a suspect.
Thrust into a murder mystery, Blissful teams up with a pair of amateur ghost-hunting grannies who know more about town dynamics than hunting spirits. Then there’s the handsome bed and breakfast owner who’s keeping more secrets than he’s revealing. But Blissful is determined to discover what the murder victim knew. She’ll hunt for clues all over town. Will the hunt save her career or place her in the clutches of the Haunted Hollow murderer?
I ended the book thinking that was fun. Cozy mystery, fun ghosts, some great characters. I had been reading her Sweet Tea Witch series and when there was a mention of Pepper coming to this series for a brief visit I decided to start it and get where I need to be for the two. I think I actually liked this series a tiny bit more. The southern language seems a little more natural.
I am pleased to have found a new series to enjoy and this was entertaining and enjoyable enough I will also check out Amy Boyles other series too.
One thing..... curious if Any Boyles had one of THOSE co-workers. Blissful (Ghost Wranglers) as well Pepper (Sweet Tea Witch) both lost their job because of a trouble making female co-worker. It always makes me want to see them get paid back. Evidently Amy Boyles' is nicer than me though because they haven't in STW's yet, though it is too early for me to know in GW series.
Recommend this book and I will be checking out other series by her.
Haunted Hollow, Alabama, has to be.one of the.most haunted towns in the world. There are so many ghosts they have to double up.haunting buildings. Blissful is a professional ghost wrangler who has.just been suspended from her job for going easy on a ghost. To get her job back she has to go.to Haunted Hollow and capture an infamous ghost named Lucky Strike. He has caused mayhem all across America and no wrangler has ever been able to capture him --- so no pressure for Blissful------ but when she gets to town she finds not all is as it seems. Blissful meets ghosts who are perfectly content with their existence and who have no desire to go to the light, it leads her to begin questioning everything she's been taught. Then there's a murder and Blissful is right in the thick.of things, so much for keeping a low.profile.
This was rough. Blissful is a workaholic who will stop at nothing until she gets her old job back. Thing is, she thinks she deserves it because her dad had the job first. Uhh no this isn't royalty you gotta earn your job.
Blissful herself is rude and unlikeable. She treats people and ghosts horribly.. some reason the handsome b and b owner is instantly smitten with her. It's more instant love than twilight.
The town has potential but it all falls flat.
The premise of a secret society is interesting and I wish there was more about that.
I'll continue the next two books because the third is a crossover with the sweet tea witches. After that, I don't think I'll continue with Bratty Blissful.
Our heroine Blissful is packed with vinegar. The potential future ahead of her seems to take out some of that. Losing her job and faced with an overwhelming ghost hunt to get it back becomes fraught with murder and a heck of a lot of ghosts. Two ghosts remain at question in the end: the scary monster ghost in the basement of the bed & breakfast she’s staying at and Lucky Strike the ghost forced to stick around to keep business afloat. It doesn’t mention Blissful leading him to the light.. other than that she has a freelancing gig with two sweet old ladies wrangling ghosts with her power to interact with them, a potential rental home, two murders solved, Justice served and a dinner date with the guardian of the monster in the basement.
Blissful catches ghosts for the government. The director of the government agency she works for hates her. She sends her on what may be a no-win mission to Haunted Hollow in Alabama. She has to force a ghost named Lucky Strike to pass over into whatever is next.
The place has lots of ghosts, many of which would rather remain there and not pass over into whatever is next.
Then there's a guy named Roan who has his own secrets. Unfortunately, she finds herself attracted to him. So, all she has to do is get her boss fired, if possible, somehow deal Lucky Strike, a ghost who no one has managed to handle yet and, while all his is going on, figure out just what she feels about Roan.
A fun new series by the author of the Sweet Tea Witches, this introduces us to the ghostly world through a feisty FMC whose job is to "help" ghosts go into the afterlife. As the first book in the series, it is quite well done in creating a setting that I would like to read more about, but there were quite a few grammatical errors and some instances where the scenes did not flow properly together and I had to go back and re-read things a couple of times. I expect the writing to grow smoother as the series continues, which is what I found with the author's other series, and I look forward to reading more about these characters.
Blissful Breneaux can see ghosts, which is why she was sent after a ghost that no-one else could stop. Well, that, and because she and the woman who sent her don’t see eye to eye. Blissful is suspended, without equipment, and has to fend for herself, but before long, she is in the center of a murder investigation, all the while trying to prove her erstwhile boss is crooked. In the end, Blissful has some interesting choices to make.
An enjoyable romp through a haunted town, with multiple ghosts, a couple of ghost-busting grannies, and a hot B&B owner.
"Soul Food Spirit" is a fast and enjoyable read. It's also quite shallow with little or no character or location description. The town of Haunted Hollow, in particular, comes across as pretty generic anywhere. But, if you like a humorous book that fairly zips along you won't be disappointed. I did appreciate the idea of 'Ghost Gifts' and a community of spirits who just don't want to get on their afterlives without going into the light was a novel concept. There's a murder mystery which, ultimately, doesn't amount to much, and a slightly flat ending. 3 Stars.
I have to say Blissful's character turned me off from the get-go. The idea that the director's job goes to the daughter as if she were next-in-line to the throne smacks of entitlement, and causes me to doubt Blissful's perception of Anita's qualifications. Nothing throughout changes my mind -- I see a young woman who thinks all *should* accrue to her, and who shows a distinct lack of leadership and maturity.
Not a bad story, that aside, and allowing for an author who doesn't care that "viola" is a stringed orchestral instrument, while "voila" is the French exclamation for "and there!".
I wasn’t sure what to think when I started but this book just hugged on me and I found a new series to love. Blissful is a speak the truth sort of gal who can see and talk to dead people. She was supposed to inherit her father’s ghost hunting business but a certain bimbette stole her job and sent her to Haunted Hollow to transition one of the worlds most difficult ghosts. Easy peasey, right? I really enjoyed the town snd the ghosts and how Blissful found a new path for herself.
This was such a great start to a series. I have only read two other books by this author and now I feel I need to work through her back catalouge haha.
Took me back to when I used to be into Charlaine Harris novels, but just a bit more fun. A little dash of romance in there too but not the main vein of the story. As someone who reads majority romance, I thought I wouldn't like that so much, but I very much did.
Also, Ghosts! Ghosts aren't done enough in paranormal books, so I very much just ate this book up.
I enjoyed the story of Blissful and her cohorts. It didn’t have a ton of depth, or world building, but Blissful is a cool heroine, with fun sidekicks and a potential love interest. I like reading about people who see ghosts but they make it fun and interesting. I will buy another book and am hoping it continues the romance, and fun. Sometimes a light read is just what I need.
Really entertaining and absolutely enjoyable! I'm so glad I decided to give this series a try. Once I got started I couldn't put it down. The thing I value most in a book is that it has to grab my attention right from the beginning. At least within the 1st 2 chapters. This was an attention getter right from the 1st page. Can't wait to see where the next book will take me!!!!
I enjoyed this book. It was well written, with laugh out loud entertainment. Although not suspenseful, I still enjoyed the mystery. The killer came as a complete surprise. They weren't even on my suspect list. There were a few surprise twists that blew my mind. There were also a few parts that could have been conveyed in a different way. All in all it was a pleasant read, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
She wants me to capture whom? And with no magic apparatus to help?
This writer weaves a very enjoyable reading. Can you already figure it out? Not want me to give away any of the parts of the story I encourage you to have a happy reading experience with a book that is long enough to enjoy, well short enough to fit into your schedule.
Great story! I couldn't stop reading! Love Blissful, the main character! After her adopted Dad dies, Blissful is overlooked and lonely. Her life is at a changing point and I really love love the change! First book in a series of four, so far, easy reading and so much fun!
I wasn't sure about this at the beginning, but the characters grew on me, and things do get very exciting. The ghosts are as interesting as the people, and the women behind Southern Ghost Wranglers are happy to meet Blissful, who can talk to ghosts and send them to the light.