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Japanese Hauntings #1
The Move
Selena knows that haunted houses are only real in movies.
Or are they?
When Selena moves to a sleepy Oregon town with her dad, she knows her life will be different than the one in California she left behind. But before they even finish unpacking, she realizes that everything isn’t as it seems. As the hauntings escalate in your home the neighborhood kids call “The Snatcher,” Selena realizes that no one is safe.
With the help of a cute neighbor boy, will Selena be able to solve the mystery behind the vengeful ghost before time runs out? Or is it already too late?
Or are they?
When Selena moves to a sleepy Oregon town with her dad, she knows her life will be different than the one in California she left behind. But before they even finish unpacking, she realizes that everything isn’t as it seems. As the hauntings escalate in your home the neighborhood kids call “The Snatcher,” Selena realizes that no one is safe.
With the help of a cute neighbor boy, will Selena be able to solve the mystery behind the vengeful ghost before time runs out? Or is it already too late?
63 pages, ebook
Published May 19, 2019
8 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Laura M. Drake
25 books188 followersMy name is Laura M. Drake, and I'm the youngest of five kids. I grew up in Arkansas and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. After spending three summers abroad in France, Japan, and China, I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and began teaching 4th grade near Salt Lake City. A few years later I moved back to Japan to fulfill a life-long dream of living there. When Covid got bad, I came back to America and have been living in Arkansas and writing full-time ever since. I'll soon be moving to UT and look forward to the new adventures that await me there. When I'm not writing (which isn't very often--I should probably get a life haha) I love playing ultimate frisbee, board games, writing in my journal, and spending time with friends and family.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 8, 2021
This haunted house story really got me into the spirit of the season! I was hooked from the very beginning as the mystery of this abandoned house in Oregon scared the living crumb out of some kids.
Following the father/daughter duo of the story on their road trip from Cali to Oregon, it turns out that they are moving into this super scary house. The chills and spooky clues of this haunted house had me on edge as much as the main character, Selena. I never knew what exactly was going on here. Was it a real ghost or an actual person?
A really fun ghost story with a cute little budding romance between Selena, and the boy in her new town, Lincoln. He's heard all the stories about the house, but he likes Selena enough to not let his fear keep him from following her into the situation and standing by her side.
My only problem now is that this left me on such a cliff hanger that I am currently dying. I can’t wait for book two!
Following the father/daughter duo of the story on their road trip from Cali to Oregon, it turns out that they are moving into this super scary house. The chills and spooky clues of this haunted house had me on edge as much as the main character, Selena. I never knew what exactly was going on here. Was it a real ghost or an actual person?
A really fun ghost story with a cute little budding romance between Selena, and the boy in her new town, Lincoln. He's heard all the stories about the house, but he likes Selena enough to not let his fear keep him from following her into the situation and standing by her side.
My only problem now is that this left me on such a cliff hanger that I am currently dying. I can’t wait for book two!
May 25, 2019
Amazing
I loved the intensity of this short story it has a good cliff hanger and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. Everyone should read this short story.
I loved the intensity of this short story it has a good cliff hanger and leaves you wanting to know what will happen next. Everyone should read this short story.
December 6, 2021
Creepy/scary ghost story that mixes a haunted house tale with a Japanese legend about a ghost out for revenge against any man who sets foot in the house. This was good, and the story continues in the next novella, so I've picked that up.
May 22, 2019
It was a compelling read because the people, sense of humor and setting (e.g. use of technology) felt really relatable. Especially the narration of thoughts the main character was having. Clever writing! Definitely enjoyed the sense of humor. Intriguing touch of Asian influence throughout.
October 1, 2021
It was a great book and I enjoyed reading it.
May 26, 2019
I enjoyed the read and appreciated how well I got to know the characters in such a short span of time.
Very well written. The author manages to make you feel as if you've moved with her. She manages to give just enough of the storyline while leaving enough for the next installment.
Very well written. The author manages to make you feel as if you've moved with her. She manages to give just enough of the storyline while leaving enough for the next installment.
Read
August 1, 2025Literally a page turner. I couldn’t put it down! Well worth the price. Great for late grade schoolers all the way up to adults. A great debut book from a promising new author.
September 27, 2021
I am a fan of anything super natural horror story. And I loved how this story deals with a type of Japanese scary ghost. I haven’t come across many books dealing with Asian ghosts. Just mainly by hearing stories passed down through my own asian culture. So this was really cool!
I love a good ghost story that keeps me guessing and not knowing what to expect next. Plus there’s this budding romance happening which I also am loving! Totally shipping Selena and Lincoln.
I really Enjoyed reading this from start to finish. That ending though! I wasn’t ready for that. But I am so relieved that there will be another book! I need the next book in my life asap haha. Would love to read more and find out what happens next! I don’t want to spoil anything. But I really hope that things for the Selena will be much better and find out what actually happened.
I love a good ghost story that keeps me guessing and not knowing what to expect next. Plus there’s this budding romance happening which I also am loving! Totally shipping Selena and Lincoln.
I really Enjoyed reading this from start to finish. That ending though! I wasn’t ready for that. But I am so relieved that there will be another book! I need the next book in my life asap haha. Would love to read more and find out what happens next! I don’t want to spoil anything. But I really hope that things for the Selena will be much better and find out what actually happened.
April 10, 2022
For teenager Selena, a new house in Oregon is a fresh start! But who knew a new house would come with such a stench of decay and dread? The old Victorian house hides secrets behind the doors and windows, the kind of secrets that make the floor creak and the air chill.
Selena suspects her new home is more than it seems, but as a practical girl heading into senior year, she's more concerned with finding her place in the new town than in silly ghost stories. After all, ghosts aren't real.
I truly enjoyed this short, quick read. Instead of sleeping at 1am, I opened this book and was hooked by the end of the Chapter 1. I finished it the next day! Drake keeps an excellent pace in line with the plot and develops unique characters with their own personalities and mannerisms in a brief amount of time. I look forward to reading the next Japanese Hauntings, Book #2!
Selena suspects her new home is more than it seems, but as a practical girl heading into senior year, she's more concerned with finding her place in the new town than in silly ghost stories. After all, ghosts aren't real.
I truly enjoyed this short, quick read. Instead of sleeping at 1am, I opened this book and was hooked by the end of the Chapter 1. I finished it the next day! Drake keeps an excellent pace in line with the plot and develops unique characters with their own personalities and mannerisms in a brief amount of time. I look forward to reading the next Japanese Hauntings, Book #2!
October 17, 2021
The Move (Japanese Hauntings, book 1)
By Laura M. Drake
Short and suspenseful. But worth the read! From the opening of the prologue to the very last page, you will be pulled in! This kind of has a feel like the movie The Grudge! I really liked the relationship between the main character, Selena and her dad. And I loved how the author describes the scene between Selena and the cops at the end of the book! She really draws you in and I wasn’t ready for the end at all! This was a great read!
(Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book! All wording is of my own opinion.)
By Laura M. Drake
Short and suspenseful. But worth the read! From the opening of the prologue to the very last page, you will be pulled in! This kind of has a feel like the movie The Grudge! I really liked the relationship between the main character, Selena and her dad. And I loved how the author describes the scene between Selena and the cops at the end of the book! She really draws you in and I wasn’t ready for the end at all! This was a great read!
(Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book! All wording is of my own opinion.)
February 2, 2022
Selena moved to Oregon with her father, into a supposedly haunted house. Believing haunted houses are only myth, she doesn't think anything about it, until the myth becomes reality. With the help of a cute, local boy, Lincoln, Selena sets out to find out what is really happening.
I normally do not gravitate toward ghost stories, but this book was so interesting that it may have changed my mind about them. We have a Japanese ghost story that focuses on a ghost who goes after any man stepping into the house. That part of the story was intriguing and I loved that the author gave us enough background to understand the full story rather than giving us bits and pieces.
I normally do not gravitate toward ghost stories, but this book was so interesting that it may have changed my mind about them. We have a Japanese ghost story that focuses on a ghost who goes after any man stepping into the house. That part of the story was intriguing and I loved that the author gave us enough background to understand the full story rather than giving us bits and pieces.
October 5, 2021
The Move: A paranormal romantic suspense novella (Japanese Hauntings Book 1) by Laura M. Drake is a wonderful story to read. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I am now so hooked on and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading paranormal romance and suspense stories.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
October 13, 2021
I am a fan of anything super natural horror story. And I loved how this story deals with a type of Japanese scary ghost. I haven’t come across many books dealing with Asian ghosts. Just mainly by hearing stories passed down through my own asian culture. So this was really cool!
I love a good ghost story that keeps me guessing and not knowing what to expect next. Plus there’s this budding romance happening which I also am loving! Totally shipping Selena and Lincoln.
I really Enjoyed reading this from start to finish. That ending though! I wasn’t ready for that. But I am so relieved that there will be another book! I need the next book in my life asap haha. Would love to read more and find out what happens next! I don’t want to spoil anything. But I really hope that things for the Selena will be much better and find out what actually happened.
I love a good ghost story that keeps me guessing and not knowing what to expect next. Plus there’s this budding romance happening which I also am loving! Totally shipping Selena and Lincoln.
I really Enjoyed reading this from start to finish. That ending though! I wasn’t ready for that. But I am so relieved that there will be another book! I need the next book in my life asap haha. Would love to read more and find out what happens next! I don’t want to spoil anything. But I really hope that things for the Selena will be much better and find out what actually happened.
June 17, 2019
Quick, suspenseful read
This story highlights a close, fun-loving relationship between father and daughter in a nuanced way. Not many stories effectively weave family relationships and hopeful young adult romantic relationships with the suspense of haunted houses or Asian ghost stories. Good stuff!
This story highlights a close, fun-loving relationship between father and daughter in a nuanced way. Not many stories effectively weave family relationships and hopeful young adult romantic relationships with the suspense of haunted houses or Asian ghost stories. Good stuff!
October 3, 2021
I absolutely love Halloween and I love a good spooky read so couldn’t wait to read this one and it did not let me down. A short, fun, clean, and spooky story that grabs you from the start as we follow Selena and her dad to Oregan. It’s a suspenseful read full of mystery and a scary haunted house, a great father daughter relationship and a budding romance. Totally loved it!
November 26, 2021
A nicely paced novella that leaves you wanting more.
I was quickly pulled into the mystery surrounding the house and the people who have gone missing. As I was reading, I wasn't sure if the author intended for their to be a logical explanation or a spooky paranormal one, and I wasn't disappointed. A definite book to add to your TBR pile!
I was quickly pulled into the mystery surrounding the house and the people who have gone missing. As I was reading, I wasn't sure if the author intended for their to be a logical explanation or a spooky paranormal one, and I wasn't disappointed. A definite book to add to your TBR pile!
December 23, 2021
This is a story that could easily be in Supernatural! I got major Monster House and the Grudge vibes blended in all in one. This is a short book BUT it doesn't make it less than any other book I've read.
If you are like me and have issues imagining scenes that take place, don't worry! Laura has you covered!
If you are like me and have issues imagining scenes that take place, don't worry! Laura has you covered!
May 25, 2019
Awesome!
I loved reading this short story! The only problem is it ended way too soon. I need a sequel to find out what happens next!! I was amazed how attached I got to the characters so quickly. Great read.
I loved reading this short story! The only problem is it ended way too soon. I need a sequel to find out what happens next!! I was amazed how attached I got to the characters so quickly. Great read.
October 2, 2021
I loved the story.
Would have liked it a little longer as I could not put it down once started but loved the story as well as all the characters. Loved the flow and it wasn't dragging anything out which is a HUGE positive for me. Would recommend this as a read to anyone.
Would have liked it a little longer as I could not put it down once started but loved the story as well as all the characters. Loved the flow and it wasn't dragging anything out which is a HUGE positive for me. Would recommend this as a read to anyone.
December 30, 2021
I've never been much of a short story reader but the premise of The Move really interested me. I found it really enjoyable and I thought it twisted a lot of the cliches found in the teen horror genre.
September 26, 2023
A chilling story of a young girl and her father moving to escape a tragic past, but being faced with even more trauma. The start of this series has me hooked for even more Japanese horror. Phenomenal easy-flowing writing and unique with its Japanese horror mythology, a great start to this series!
October 20, 2025
It was a nice refresher after the book genre I was currently doing. Im just starting to venture into the murder mystery, and mystery genre. This was beautifully written ♡ nice and cozy just in time for the season!
October 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. This story really keeps you pulled in from start to finish. A very well written book that I would recommend.
June 13, 2023
An intriguing blend of high school romance and Japanese spirit lore: I’m excited to move onto the sequel and learn more about Oiwa!
January 10, 2025
The books ending destroyed any hopes of continuing. It's like she forgot to finish it. Ending it without actually making an ending.
October 21, 2025
Good short story
The cliffhangerrr! The story was good and kept my attention. I'd recommend to those who like suspenseful horror and throw in a cute crush between characters.
The cliffhangerrr! The story was good and kept my attention. I'd recommend to those who like suspenseful horror and throw in a cute crush between characters.
October 10, 2021
A great story that blends the right amount of urban fantasy, suspense and horror with a dash of romance. It was a chilling, thrilling read and I can't wait to see how the series continues!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews