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The Haunting of Blackburn Manor #1
Strange Sanctuary
Blackburn Manor hides a terrifying and unnatural secret. Evil just got a new address…
After months on the run from an abusive relationship, Linda Green is ready to slow down and start her life over again. Exhausted from ever-present fear and stress, she yearns for the peace that a fresh start can bring. A fresh start she hopes to find at Blackburn Manor.
The lush green trees and serene nature surrounding the manor feel so calming to her frazzled soul that Linda is ready to take advantage of everything this peaceful oasis has to offer. No internet, no distractions. It’s perfect.
Until she sees the faces in the window.
Not one to believe much in the supernatural, Linda shrugs it off as just a feeling. But the longer she’s at the manor, the more the feeling of uneasiness grows. From the creepy old neighbor who watches her every move to the moving shadows and unexplained phone calls in the middle of the night, something is just not right.
She can trust no one. Not even herself.
As Linda begins to uncover the history of the place, she is sure that something strange is going on at Blackburn Manor. Something sinister that hides in the shadows, deep within walls cloaked with secrets.
Something that will stop at nothing to keep those secrets hidden.
The Haunting of Blackburn Manor is a chilling supernatural tale of what happens when a woman’s search for sanctuary turns into a desperate and terrifying attempt to save her own life. Evil truly has a new address...
Don’t miss the first installment of this six-part series of suspense, supernatural horror and mystery!
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2020
315 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 5, 2020
Strange Sanctuary part 1 of Haunting of Blackburn Manor
Two sisters are moving into Blackburn Manor, Linda who has survived being a victim of domestic violence and her sister Ashley who is there to support her sister as she gets herself together during her stay at The Manor, strange things begin to occur......Cannot wait to read the next part of this story! Wth is happening here?!
Thank you to the authors Blake Croft and Ashley Raven for this installment!
Two sisters are moving into Blackburn Manor, Linda who has survived being a victim of domestic violence and her sister Ashley who is there to support her sister as she gets herself together during her stay at The Manor, strange things begin to occur......Cannot wait to read the next part of this story! Wth is happening here?!
Thank you to the authors Blake Croft and Ashley Raven for this installment!
May 4, 2020
This book started out really interesting, but the ending, sadly, fell very short. It was disappointing, since there was very little that had to do with the "haunting." Most of the story was about past abuse. It seemed disconnected between the beginning and ending of the story. It seems like the authors were more focused on selling the next book in the series and other books that have been written. It was a little disappointing as a "stand-alone" book.
September 17, 2020
An unusual (and painful) Prologue launches a Spooky story of isolated Blackburn Manor, currently owned by a famed psychotherapist, former Academic, and feminist. However, Dr. Evelyn Blackburn is NOT what sisters-in-need Linda and Ashley expect, nor is administrator S. Blackburn. Neither is Linda's counselor. The sisters are in financial straits and Linda suffers from overpowering PTSD after six years of psychological and physical abuse (which may be triggering for some readers). "Out of the frying pan, into the fire", because Blackburn Manor is wrong, and so is the weird elderly cat lady whose house is the only one nearby. Something spooky is afoot at Blackburn Manor, not conducive to a peaceful "therapy retreat. "
March 7, 2020
This book is not your average ghost story. It hauntingly creepy and the ghosts and serial killer keep you glued to the pages all the way to the end. Well written storyline and characters, and I cannot wait to read the next book.
Read
June 13, 2025I’m not really too sure how to rate this on it’s own, I think it’s one I’ll need to come back to once I finish the series of shorts but I’m intrigued…
March 6, 2020
Blackburn Manor hides a terrifying and unnatural secret. Evil just got a new address…
After months on the run from an abusive relationship, Linda Green is ready to slow down and start her life over again. Exhausted from ever-present fear and stress, she yearns for the peace that a fresh start can bring. A fresh start she hopes to find at Blackburn Manor.
The lush green trees and serene nature surrounding the manor feel so calming to her frazzled soul that Linda is ready to take advantage of everything this peaceful oasis has to offer. No internet, no distractions. It’s perfect.
Until she sees the faces in the window.
Not one to believe much in the supernatural, Linda shrugs it off as just a feeling. But the longer she’s at the manor, the more the feeling of uneasiness grows. From the creepy old neighbor who watches her every move to the moving shadows and unexplained phone calls in the middle of the night, something is just not right.
She can trust no one. Not even herself.
As Linda begins to uncover the history of the place, she is sure that something strange is going on at Blackburn Manor. Something sinister that hides in the shadows, deep within walls cloaked with secrets.
Something that will stop at nothing to keep those secrets hidden.
The Haunting of Blackburn Manor is a chilling supernatural tale of what happens when a woman’s search for sanctuary turns into a desperate and terrifying attempt to save her own life. Evil truly has a new address...
What a truly enjoyable read that I could not put down!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
After months on the run from an abusive relationship, Linda Green is ready to slow down and start her life over again. Exhausted from ever-present fear and stress, she yearns for the peace that a fresh start can bring. A fresh start she hopes to find at Blackburn Manor.
The lush green trees and serene nature surrounding the manor feel so calming to her frazzled soul that Linda is ready to take advantage of everything this peaceful oasis has to offer. No internet, no distractions. It’s perfect.
Until she sees the faces in the window.
Not one to believe much in the supernatural, Linda shrugs it off as just a feeling. But the longer she’s at the manor, the more the feeling of uneasiness grows. From the creepy old neighbor who watches her every move to the moving shadows and unexplained phone calls in the middle of the night, something is just not right.
She can trust no one. Not even herself.
As Linda begins to uncover the history of the place, she is sure that something strange is going on at Blackburn Manor. Something sinister that hides in the shadows, deep within walls cloaked with secrets.
Something that will stop at nothing to keep those secrets hidden.
The Haunting of Blackburn Manor is a chilling supernatural tale of what happens when a woman’s search for sanctuary turns into a desperate and terrifying attempt to save her own life. Evil truly has a new address...
What a truly enjoyable read that I could not put down!!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 8, 2020
Chapter one has been reworked from the original draft and is much improved. I would advise all readers to ignore the original reviews of the whole book (The Haunting of Blackburn Manor) and wait for the new reviews.
Two sisters leave NY behind and move to a sort of rehab house in rural Pennsylvania. We meet the original owner, who is now confined to a wheelchair and her son, who has the day-to-day running of the place. We also meet the owner's nurse and the cook, as well as a very unfriendly neighbor. The house is an old Victorian with bad wiring and a dark basement. Linda 's nerves are shot, due to a very nasty ex-boyfriend. She sees things out of the corner of her eye and puts it down to her awful past and the bad lighting. Not scarifying yet, but definitely on the way.
Two sisters leave NY behind and move to a sort of rehab house in rural Pennsylvania. We meet the original owner, who is now confined to a wheelchair and her son, who has the day-to-day running of the place. We also meet the owner's nurse and the cook, as well as a very unfriendly neighbor. The house is an old Victorian with bad wiring and a dark basement. Linda 's nerves are shot, due to a very nasty ex-boyfriend. She sees things out of the corner of her eye and puts it down to her awful past and the bad lighting. Not scarifying yet, but definitely on the way.
March 4, 2020
EVIL HAD A HOME...
The Blackburn Manor have a secret...
The Blackburn Manor have a secret so bad..
What is the Blackburn Manor secret...
Linda is scared and want to hide, but where? Everything is so different in the Manor...peace?
Lets enjoy this story and see if Linda at the Blackburn Manor will...survive coz Evil is here!
The characters are good and the story even with so many sub-plots are also good. Do you know Evil?
The Blackburn Manor have a secret...
The Blackburn Manor have a secret so bad..
What is the Blackburn Manor secret...
Linda is scared and want to hide, but where? Everything is so different in the Manor...peace?
Lets enjoy this story and see if Linda at the Blackburn Manor will...survive coz Evil is here!
The characters are good and the story even with so many sub-plots are also good. Do you know Evil?
March 6, 2020
Sisters, Linda and Ashley, move to Blackburn Manor - Linda to get counseling and Ashley to get back on her feet. They will both work at the Manor to offset the help Linda needs. First day/night there and Linda is having strange visions and nightmares.
And one has to wonder what is up with the elderly 'cat lady' across the street. She seems overly angry and almost vengeful.
Eager to see what happens. Arc
And one has to wonder what is up with the elderly 'cat lady' across the street. She seems overly angry and almost vengeful.
Eager to see what happens. Arc
March 7, 2020
I feel like I'm going to struggle with this format. This entire novella did just what the beginning of a longer book would do; it introduced the characters, provided some background, and established the setting. Then it was over. It really wasn't enough to catch my interest. Add to that the fact that the first counselor we meet has an openly bad attitude, which doesn't seem to bother any of the characters, and, yeah, I'm having a tough time. I'm gonna keep going, but can't guarantee that I finish this series.
This story was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
This story was provided to me free of charge. My review is given voluntarily.
February 28, 2020
The Book Title links the first installment of your story well. The atmosphere around the characters and the Mansion's location weave a story not unlike "walking the plank" i.e. security on the boat, to stepping onto a plank in order to be freed from doubt, and all the instances in between before the final "splash." I'm looking forward to the next segment of the book to find out more about the sisters and their progress at the Sanctuary.
March 6, 2020
This first in the series is a fast paced, quick read that will have you swiping your Kindle just to get to the next event; that being said, you'll finish it quickly. The author wastes no time getting right to the nitty gritty, introducing and developing the characters, and tons of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat. I received an ARC and am providing a review. One Click Now. So worth it!
May 31, 2020
Not So Hot
I always try to say something good about a read. So here goes: it is short. Neither the characters nor the plot were adequately developed before the story is dumped into the Read The Next Book column. The opening offering was not good enough to entice me to read on.
I always try to say something good about a read. So here goes: it is short. Neither the characters nor the plot were adequately developed before the story is dumped into the Read The Next Book column. The opening offering was not good enough to entice me to read on.
February 19, 2021
Strange Sanctuary is a terrific start to this story
At only 51 pages, I just ready to gobble up the rest of the story. It was really involved and reasonable characters and I really enjoyed it, but I even hate tv shows with "to be continued" as the closure. Certainly will hate it if the rest of the story isn't ready!
At only 51 pages, I just ready to gobble up the rest of the story. It was really involved and reasonable characters and I really enjoyed it, but I even hate tv shows with "to be continued" as the closure. Certainly will hate it if the rest of the story isn't ready!
March 5, 2020
I received this ARC book and am submitting my review.
I'm a fan of ghost stories and enjoy finding new to me authors, this fills the bill perfectly! Fast paced, great character development and a plot that flows well. Great writing! Am looking forward to the next book in the series! Enjoy!
I'm a fan of ghost stories and enjoy finding new to me authors, this fills the bill perfectly! Fast paced, great character development and a plot that flows well. Great writing! Am looking forward to the next book in the series! Enjoy!
March 5, 2020
This should be a good short series, I like it so far. Sisters have moved to a Haunted house for work and counseling as one of them has had a shaky past. I received a review copy and voluntarily choose to reveiw.
March 14, 2020
I received an ebook from the author and this is my voluntary review. This is a thriller out of this world. As you read you expect something to jump out of the page at you. Fantastic! I highly recommend. Enjoy! 📚📚
September 24, 2020
Good
This was pretty good. I’m ready for some action though!!! It was definitely interesting and you kind of tell where it’s going. I wasn’t expecting it to be so short and was disappointed that it was over.
This was pretty good. I’m ready for some action though!!! It was definitely interesting and you kind of tell where it’s going. I wasn’t expecting it to be so short and was disappointed that it was over.
January 25, 2022
Interesting book and this lays the ground work for the series establishing the characters, and a few scares to start of the series.
But definitely don't have any idea why the books were parted in this way like 5 chapters a piece.
But definitely don't have any idea why the books were parted in this way like 5 chapters a piece.
March 5, 2020
If you like a good old fashioned ghost story, you’ll love this.
March 6, 2020
Spooky.
March 20, 2020
Really great series, they wanted a fresh start, a safe place to start. But that not what they get, creepy and strange things start the first night they come to Blackburn manor
June 26, 2020
Disappointed
I love the book until it left me hanging for the rest of it. If I wanted the rest I would have to buy it.
I love the book until it left me hanging for the rest of it. If I wanted the rest I would have to buy it.
January 27, 2021
It was boring
January 28, 2021
So short
So this book is ok. I think this book need better character development being that its so short. Idk guess ill read the second
So this book is ok. I think this book need better character development being that its so short. Idk guess ill read the second
October 26, 2024
A great start to the series. The atmosphere is building with the strange little things here and there, flashes of someone and the old lady across the street.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews