Running Haunted: A Greek womens fiction romance comedy book with a ghost that makes you cry and laugh out loud

by Effrosyni Moschoudi

Kelly ran a marathon... and wound up running a house. With a ghost in it.Kelly Mellios is a stunning, athletic woman, who has learned--the hard way--to value herself. Having just finished her first marathon in the alluring Greek town of Nafplio, she bumps into Alex, a gorgeous widower with three underage children, who is desperately looking for a housekeeper.The timing seems perfect, seeing that Kelly aches to start a new life, and Nafplio seems like the ideal place to settle down. She accepts the position on the spot, but little does she know that Alex's house has an extra inhabitant that not even the family knows about...The house is haunted by Alex's late wife, who has unfinished business to tend to. By using the family pet, a quirky pug named Charlie, the ghost is able to communicate with Kelly and asks her for help. She claims she wants to ensure her loved ones are happy before she departs, but offers very little information about her plans.Kelly freaks out at first, but gradually finds herself itching to help. It is evident there's room for improvement in this family... Plus, her growing attraction towards Alex is overpowering...Will Kelly do the ghost's bidding? How will it affect her? And just how strange is this pug?"I have read all of Effrosyni's books, the characters become your friends. Running Haunted is the perfect summer read set in Greece." ~Just Kay, Amazon UK reviewer"Another charming book from Effrosyni. Read it, and you'll be transported to Greece & never look a dog the same way again!" ~Just Me.Mo, Amazon UK reviewer"A fast-paced original story with attention to detail and engaging dialog. A heartfelt emotional read, with family love, romance and a lovable ghost. I highly recommend it." ~Sheri Wilkinson, Amazon US reviewer

Genres: Romance

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2020

About the author

Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She writes books for the romantic at heart, and for all readers around the world, who love her country, its people and vast culture.

Her stories are set in alluring locations around Greece and tend to feature supernatural creatures such as angels, ghosts or witches, as she believes our world is magical and not as mundane as we think.

She writes clean and sweet romances that are peppered with humour and a touch of family drama, offering the reader an emotional rollercoaster ride with perfect happily-ever-after endings.

During her twenty years of work experience in large corporations in both Greece and the United Kingdom, Effrosyni has met some of the most problematic and unbalanced people one can ever have the misfortune of sharing an office space with. Still, it has not been for nothing, but has provided a wealth of material for creating the most hilarious among her villains.

Effrosyni lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with a British husband, two naughty cats, and a vast collection of books and DVDs. Her little town is heavenly enough, yet her mind forever drifts to her beloved island of Corfu.

The Ebb, her new adult romance that was inspired from her summers in Corfu in the 1980s, was a Q-Finalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards in 2014. Her debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, won a silver medal in the 2017 book awards of Readers’ Favorite. Her ghost romance novella, The Boy on the Bridge, was a Top 10 winner of the “50 Best Indie Books” awards of Readfree.ly in 2021.

Effrosyni’s books are clean and sweet romances. All of them are Amazon bestsellers, having hit #1 several times, and are available mainly in kindle and paperback format.

The paperbacks, other than Amazon, can also be ordered at any library or physical bookstore worldwide.

What others say about Effrosyni's books:

"Effrosyni layers her words on the page like music."
~USA Today bestselling author Jackie Weger

"Very few writers have such a gift for realism."
~Kelly Smith Reviews

Go here to grab FREE books by this author: http://effrosyniwrites.com/free-stuff/

Visit her website for free excerpts, book trailers, her travel guide to Corfu, delicious Greek recipes, and to join her email list for her news and special offers: http://www.effrosyniwrites.com

**Like her on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni

**Follow her on X:
https://X.com/frostiemoss

**Find her on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

**Email her at contact@effrosyniwrites.com or ladyofthepier@gmail.com

**Follow her on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/effrosyni

**Like her page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni

**Follow her on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/effro...

**Follow her blogs. The first one lists all her travels around Greece. On the second blog you’ll find all her yummy Greek recipes!
http://www.effrosyniwrites.com
http://www.effrosinimoss.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully atmospheric and typically Greek as ever 😊.


Now isn't it strange, I have recently read Poirot books by Agatha Christie (and loved them), Maigret novels by Georges Simenon (excellent), Discworld novels by Sir Terry P (hilarious and brilliantly written), and then I've read a few books by a relatively new author, Greek, who writes romance novels with a touch of fantasy/paranormal, and although I would say this is not my genre, I have enjoyed them all tremendously.

This book is no exception, its so Greek, you can smell the herbs as you open the book; the food mentioned makes my mouth water, but it's the stories themselves that I thoroughly enjoy. Yes there is a bit of romance, dashing good looks, smouldering glances, (which make me smile as we have all been there), but they are also some incredibly feel-good stories. Yes, you know that in general its going to end well, but sometimes that's what we all want, and if along the way its a rollercoaster of a story that involves Greek food, people, locations, customs, then I'm going to say "yes please" and without a doubt enjoy the book.

Effrosyni you have hit upon a great idea (Greece, fantasy, touch of romance), and I look forward to your next book.

[Sophie's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our heroine comes across the opportunity to work in a place that she likes as a nanny to a hotel owner. He is a widower and has three kids, but his current housemaid and nanny has to leave and needs a replacement and there comes our heroine to save the day!

This was a book unlike others that I have read at the past. First and foremost it had to do with a ghost, so you can call it a paranormal rom- com, something that if you're asking me is very unique, since most of PNR books are more on the creepy thriller side. Anyhow, I also loved the fact that this took place in my country, Greece and specifically in Nafplio, a place I haven't visited, but really want to. Trust me that you'll get a travel lust after reading this one.

"Love is timeless. It never dies. It transcends everything. Even death."

There were some things that I didn't like much like the body shaming or the fact that the one who was fat needed to lose weight in order to not being bullied or that this was how he would be handsome and overcome his bullies? The point is to stop bullying, not to change yourself for bullies to stop. Same with our heroine's ex. The meaning should be to accept yourself no matter how you look and others will accept you as well. Also, some scenes seemed absurd and a bit immature in my opinion. These are minor issues, but can't say that I liked them much and took away from my own personal pelasure.

So this is a nice fun book to keep you company, especially during summertime. As you can imagine it focuses a lot on the family element and Kelly helps a lot this family with each of their struggles. First she helps the kids with each issue they face seperately and then our hero, who at first doesn't seem to understand that by avoiding his wife's death and not facing it with his kids, that he keeps her soul on earth and she can't rest in peace knowing her family can't talk about her and they hide away from her death. I really liked that, because I do believe that we need to let go at some point and be at peace with their departure.

ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest and say that I started to read this without reading the entire blurb. Therefore, I didn't know it was a romance. My fault. I don't really care for romance too much, as there's always too much "lusting" for the male on the part of the female, and it really doesn't add to the story. But oh, well. Anyway, this book had that quality in it, so it took me a while to finish, which I try to do with all books I read (yet don't always succeed).

First off, I wondered about her giving the dog chocolate treats since chocolate can kill dogs. That bothered me. Then I wondered how quickly everyone bent to Kelly's will (a matter of a couple of days). She had changed their diet and no one seemed to care. Kids like sugar. It's a given. Yet not one peep, not even from the six-year-old. I get that she wants everyone to eat healthy (I do). But I can't even imagine what would happen if I wanted kids to go cold turkey on sugar instead of gradually moving it away from them. Again, just my opinion.

I was disappointed in the ghost part, especially since most of it seemed to be in Kelly's head, and not an apparition at all until toward the end of the book. I suppose romance lovers will enjoy this book, for myself, not so much. I found the writing to be a bit simplistic, with everything coming together too easily for my taste. I found it a bit on the boring side. But again, that's just me.

The ending was stereotypical, with the expected love match made and the family happy together. That's as it should be, and I don't think it's any spoiler to say so, as I won't give away any of the "ghostly" aspects of the book.

[Olga Miret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased a copy of this novel, which I also review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team (authors, if you are looking for reviews, check here).
I had read and reviewed a novella by this author before and enjoyed it (you can find my review for The Amulet here). It perfectly combined a lightness of touch, humour, a paranormal element (not in a heavy-handed manner but rather whimsically), and a lovely setting in Greece, with plenty of gorgeous locations and pretty tasty-sounding food. The ideal read for a holiday or for those occasions when we need a holiday but are not in a position to take one (and also perfect for the winter months, when we need a bit of sun, even if it is just coming from a page). I was therefore well-predisposed toward the writer’s offerings, and when I came across an interview where she explained how personal this novel had become for her, I had to buy it and add it to my list to read. I can confirm that it shares many characteristics with the novella I had read before, down to the wonderful settings, the food, the paranormal element (that becomes quite poignant here, in places), and the light and humorous touches.
The description of the book provides a good summary of the plot. There are some surprises along the way (that I won’t go into), and the book fits in well within the romance genre, down to the gorgeous protagonists (both), some difficulties and hindrances along the way (including old lovers and others), plenty of wish fulfilment, and a great ending which will make readers see things in a new light (and will leave them smiling). I have mentioned the paranormal element, and as the blurb explains, we have a ghost who becomes an important protagonist of the book, as well as quite a few unexplained things (and I’m going to avoid spoilers as usual).
All the characters are easy to like (well, almost all, but I won’t get into that). They are far from perfect, though. We have Kelly, who has transformed her life after an abusive relationship (no physical violence, but her ex-boyfriend always put her down and made her feel insecure) and has turned into a woman who won’t let anybody tell her what she can or can’t do, who will fight to become the person she wants and will help others do the same. On the other hand, she can rush into things without thinking about the consequence; she can be pushy and too direct; and the way she approaches some topics might be one-sided and simplistic (her approach to bullying and to the excess weight of one of the kids, for example), but it’s difficult not to be won over by her enthusiasm and goodwill. Alex is still grieving his wife and finds it difficult to know how best to deal with his children, but he is (as usual in romances) pretty perfect otherwise. The children all have their problems but are good kids and loveable, and what can I say about Charlie, the dog. I adored it! None of the characters are very complex, and this is even more so if we talk about their friends and other secondary characters we see little of. On the other hand, the connection between the members of the family, once the problems have been solved, feels real, and readers are likely to enjoy becoming an ersatz member of the household as much as Kelly does. I really liked Lauren, though, and she is perhaps the one aspect of the novel that feels a little less traditional, as we tend to see women mostly in domestic roles, and there are no particular challenges to the status quo. Lauren’s love for her family is inspiring, and it’s easy to understand why they have all struggled so much to cope without her. She and Kelly seem to have much in common, and I loved her resourcefulness and her wicked sense of humour.
The novel touches upon the different ways people deal with grief, and I found particularly interesting the examples of young children trying to come to terms with the death of their mother. There are very touching moments in the book, and although there is a great deal of humour, the subject is sensitively approached, and I think many people who have suffered losses will feel inspired and comforted by this story.
The writing is fluid and the story is told in the third-person, mostly from the point of view of Kelly, the main protagonist, although there are a few snippets from other characters’ viewpoints, which help readers be a step ahead sometimes but not always (the author keeps a few tricks up her sleeve). There are lovely descriptions of locations and mentions of Greek food, but those do not interfere with the action of the rhythm of the story but rather enhance the enjoyment and help readers immerse themselves in the narrative.
I have mentioned the ending before, and it is a joy. Not only will most readers be left with a smile, but I suspect a few will laugh out loud as well. Well done!
If you are looking for a book that challenges genre and gender conventions, whose characters are diverse, and/or want to avoid triggers related to fat-shaming and bullying, this is not your book. On the other hand, this is a great read for those looking for a sweet romance (no sex or erotica here), in a gorgeous setting, who love the inclusion of humour and paranormal elements. I particularly recommend it to readers who love dogs, Greece, and who can’t go on a real holiday. I enjoyed my time with Kelly and Alex’s family, and I’m sure you’ll do too.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces you to Kelly who dreams of living in a quiet town like Nafplio and - quite coincidentally gets a job there as a housekeeper.

With "Running Haunted", Effrosyni Moschoudi has created a highly enjoyable story of a woman who is warm-hearted and caring and currently facing some challenges. It is a very captivating read, keeping you glued to Kelly's story. Kelly is believable and complex; the other characters are of sufficient depth for their respective impact. Effrosyni Moschoudi's story develops at a steady pace, drawing you closer to Kelly, Alex, his sons, Charlie the dog, and everything that happens. This heart-warming and fun story is thought-provoking and has a great flow. I had a great time reading this memorable book, thoroughly enjoying it from beginning to end.

This is a book for you if you like excellent story-telling i.e. well-told and thoughtful stories with more than a little paranormal touch.

Highly recommended!

[Brenda Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are very interesting and believable. Love the setting that the story was placed in. Kelly is a woman really for a big change in her life. Her best friend Efi and Kelly decide to go the marathon the Kelly was running in and turn it into a mini vacation. Kelly runs the race and then met Efi in a cafe for coffee. As they enjoy their coffee, they over hear a couple men talking at the next table. They are talking how that one of them needed a housekeeper like yesterday. Efi goes over and telling them about Kelly how great she would be for the job. The girls are now invited to join the men's table and they all introduce themselves. They are all talking about this job. Alex is the one who needs a housekeeper, he decided to hire Kelly right there at the table. They agree to meet later in the day and Alex will take Kelly to his house and meet the three boys that she will in charge of. Kelly doesn't have the clothing that she will need, but Efi tells her that she will bring her more from her apartment on the following Sunday. They meet Alex and they go their separate ways. Now they are at Alex's house and she meets the boys and the housekeeper that is leaving. She get filled in about she needs to do and about the boys. There is a weird pug too. This is when all the fun begins, that involves the ghost of the late wife of Alex and the problems that the boys have. It will definitely keep you turning the page after page. So get the book and enjoy yourself.

[Janice Spina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet and Delighful Romance!

I love all Effrosyni Moschoudi’s books. She writes lovely romances that transport the reader to her beautiful home of Greece. Greece is a magical place that makes the reader feel at home with the people, food, and gorgeous scenery. The author’s descriptions of her homeland create a longing in her readers to visit and experience the magic there.

Running Haunted is a delightful romance that connects the present with the hereafter in a fun way. When Kelly Mellios returns to Greece to run a marathon she is surprisingly thrown into a job as a nannie for three boys. What she doesn’t know is that the house is haunted by the owner’s late wife.

Kelly must try to help this family who is grieving from their loss and is struggling to function. While she is trying to solve some of the problems the family is having she discovers some strange happenings dealing with the family’s pet pug. What she doesn’t expect is that her feelings for her boss go beyond being an employee.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and couldn’t wait to see how it was going to end. The author created a sweet story that was a fun read with a touch of comedy that made it quite entertaining.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. After running a marathon in Nafplio, Kelly is talking with her friend about moving to the town to get a fresh start on her life. As they discuss this in a cafe they overhear a man at the next table telling his friend he needs a new housekeeper immediately. Kelly ends up taking the job and making life better for the whole family including the ghost of the man's dead wife. Clean, wholesome romance.

[Darlingmichie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. This is a new-to-me author and wow, I was so blown away by this book. It is such a wonderful read with relatable characters, a great storyline that keeps you wondering and a slightly unusual way of presenting a haunted story. I loved it and can totally see it being made into a Hallmark movie!

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy a trip to NAFPLIO?

Check out our review on You Tube: https://youtu.be/GuZb-V2n0a8

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book that had no problems holding my attention. In the end I couldn't put it down.

[Marcia]

Absolutely loved this book, have read most of the books by this author.Effrosyni transports the reader to wonderful Greece, almost as good as being there in these days of lockdown. Looking forward to the next one.

[Jennifer K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a bit slow going at first kind of awkward like I walked in in the middle of something but it improved the more you read. It was a very quick read and had several humorous moments. If you enjoy romance and a little paranormal this is a good book for you to read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! This was such a sweet feel-good story. The characters were loveable, and the storyline was easy to follow.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Haunted: A Greek romantic comedy with a ghost set in Nafplio Greece
By Effrosyni Moschoudi

Kelly is a marathon runner in Nafplio, Greece. She meets Alex a widower with three children (He) is looking for a housekeeper. Kelly decides to take him up on the offer, but she does not expect what is about to happen, Alex's deceased wife (a ghost) is still in the house. She has unfinished business and she needs the help to carry out her final wishes.

A fast paced original story with, attention to detail and engaging dialog. The characters are well rounded and very likable,.The situation Kelly is in is unique, but she is will to embark on a journey that she never expected. A heart felt emotional read, with family love, romance and a lovable ghost. I highly recommend Running Haunted: A Greek romantic comedy with a ghost set in Nafplio Greece To all.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so much, especially the parts Charlie in it. The poor guy, haunted by his late mother, Lauren. However, I do have a question. Kelly used chocolate treats to train Charlie. Is there a dog friendly chocolate in Greece? Because I have always believed that chocolate is toxic for dogs. Very curious about that.

Kelly was a very likeable person. She really fit in perfectly with Alex and his three boys. Almost too perfect at times. But it was a big change from the books I normally read. Not one murder! I need to read more about Greece. And the food, mmmmmm 😋😋 I found myself reading a little on all the different foods mentioned. Not a lot of vegetarian dishes but they still made me hungry.

Everyone in the book were enjoyable to read about, except Stella. What a detestable person. Glad she's not my neighbor, although her muffins did send me running to the kitchen to get a muffin to enjoy while reading that part.

I highly recommend this book. I hope that it's not just a one-off. More, please.

[Nanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read with many references to areas in Greece. The widower, Alex, needed a housekeeper and caretaker for his three boys and hired Kelly. The story progressed nicely; the character development was deep and complex; the settings were detailed and picturesque; the plot was fun, serious, and entertaining. Really great read.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Haunted

A fun romantic second chance story. Kelly is looking to start over after a bad romance and losing her job. Alex is in need of a housekeeper after losing his wife. The two don't know it, but they have been setup to meet. I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Greg Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running haunted

A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series

[Paulette Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book

This is the second book I have read and it is very romantic. I will definitely read more. Thank you.

[mrs lynda hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, as I love all things Greek,it made my day to read this book, I was not disappointed,great storyline as well.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirits

Things happen according to plan but who ,s plan is it. Lovely story, imaginative plot proving that love is all powerful

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute. I really want to go to Greece

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly keeps seeing things as they were, doesn't she??? Make it so!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.