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Ghostly Vendetta: A Prequel Novella to the Candace Marshall Chronicles
“Dare to spend the night in mysterious Rutherford Hall! When? The 175th anniversary of the Rutherford family’s unsolved murder. Ghosts guaranteed. Cash $5,000. Want more deets? Ask Tyler, Stewart, or James.”
I laughed aloud as I read the flyer. Yeah, right. To think that I, Candace Marshall, world’s biggest scaredy-cat, would go anywhere near some haunted house, much less spend the night in one. I crumpled the stupid thing, pitched it in the nearest trash can, and went on my merry, oblivious, and soon-to-be-scared-out-of-my-mind way.
Candace Marshall doesn’t do ghosts. Or zombies. Or vampires. Or mummies.
Anything scary, really.
When she finds herself signed up for a dare she’s gone out of her way to avoid, things spiral out of control. Quickly.
Stuck in a mansion alongside a vengeful spirit, a miffed boyfriend, and a room full of people she doesn’t know or even like (if she’s being completely honest here), she must decide whether to act brave or let the coward within show.
Or kill the person who got her involved in the first place.
Ghostly Vendetta is a prequel novella to Zombie Book One of the Candace Marshall Chronicles.
I laughed aloud as I read the flyer. Yeah, right. To think that I, Candace Marshall, world’s biggest scaredy-cat, would go anywhere near some haunted house, much less spend the night in one. I crumpled the stupid thing, pitched it in the nearest trash can, and went on my merry, oblivious, and soon-to-be-scared-out-of-my-mind way.
Candace Marshall doesn’t do ghosts. Or zombies. Or vampires. Or mummies.
Anything scary, really.
When she finds herself signed up for a dare she’s gone out of her way to avoid, things spiral out of control. Quickly.
Stuck in a mansion alongside a vengeful spirit, a miffed boyfriend, and a room full of people she doesn’t know or even like (if she’s being completely honest here), she must decide whether to act brave or let the coward within show.
Or kill the person who got her involved in the first place.
Ghostly Vendetta is a prequel novella to Zombie Book One of the Candace Marshall Chronicles.
165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2020
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Michele Israel Harper
19 books105 followersMichele Israel Harper spends her days as a stay-at-home mom and her nights spinning her own tales. Sleep? Sometimes…
She has her master's degree in publishing, is obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else.
Author of 12 published books, Michele prays her involvement in writing, editing, and publishing will touch many lives in the years to come.
Visit micheleisraelharper.com to learn more about her.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/michele_israel_harper
She has her master's degree in publishing, is obsessed with all things French—including Jeanne d’Arc and La Belle et la Bête—and loves curling up with a good book more than just about anything else.
Author of 12 published books, Michele prays her involvement in writing, editing, and publishing will touch many lives in the years to come.
Visit micheleisraelharper.com to learn more about her.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/michele_israel_harper
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 19, 2022
I don’t normally read ghost stories. I also don’t read or watch horror (don’t do heightened scary and creepy, thanks). So why did I pick this book up? Beats me.
*crickets*
Kidding! I thought it sounded interesting because the main character, Candace, is a scaredy-cat who doesn’t do these things either yet somehow gets roped into staying in a haunted house.
And it was so much fun! (For me, not her. I wouldn’t be having fun either if this situation had happened to me)
I love Candace and can’t wait to spend more time with her in Zombie Takeover. She’s awkward and caring and doesn’t know what to say at the right places or time and I can SO relate to that as I am an awkward bean most of the time, haha. I also like how she can be scared and even though pretty much ALL the other characters make fun of her for doing so (RUDE), she’s written in a way that the author is saying it’s okay to be a scared damsel is distress sometimes and that doesn’t take away from your inner strength, and I LOVE that message!
The only part I didn’t like was Peter. What a manipulative jerk! 😡 I hate his guts and am pleased most everyone in this book does too. Except for Candace, poor girl…
Even though this isn’t my genre per se I loved this story and how much fun yet still creepy it was (seriously, the creep was THERE just not enough to give me nightmares, thank goodness). I’m now going to eagerly jump into the next book!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a ghost woman commits suicide by shooting herself
Language: oh my gosh; freaking; hecka; darn; geez; dang; hell; whore
Violence: a ghost woman shoots other ghosts and blood sprays (not detailed); ghost woman commits suicide by shooting herself; characters are shot at; a ghost man wields a knife; a room is set on fire
Sexual: guys are called hot; kissing (not detailed); hints that a husband had affairs; a ghost woman servant is seen lying on a bed, implied she was sleeping with said husband; kisses on the cheek
Drug/Alcohol: it’s implied alcohol is served at a party
Other: a character is mentally and emotionally manipulative; characters stay in a haunted house where a woman murdered her whole family; ghosts; a talking skeleton; a vengeful dark spirit
*crickets*
Kidding! I thought it sounded interesting because the main character, Candace, is a scaredy-cat who doesn’t do these things either yet somehow gets roped into staying in a haunted house.
And it was so much fun! (For me, not her. I wouldn’t be having fun either if this situation had happened to me)
I love Candace and can’t wait to spend more time with her in Zombie Takeover. She’s awkward and caring and doesn’t know what to say at the right places or time and I can SO relate to that as I am an awkward bean most of the time, haha. I also like how she can be scared and even though pretty much ALL the other characters make fun of her for doing so (RUDE), she’s written in a way that the author is saying it’s okay to be a scared damsel is distress sometimes and that doesn’t take away from your inner strength, and I LOVE that message!
The only part I didn’t like was Peter. What a manipulative jerk! 😡 I hate his guts and am pleased most everyone in this book does too. Except for Candace, poor girl…
Even though this isn’t my genre per se I loved this story and how much fun yet still creepy it was (seriously, the creep was THERE just not enough to give me nightmares, thank goodness). I’m now going to eagerly jump into the next book!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: a ghost woman commits suicide by shooting herself
Language: oh my gosh; freaking; hecka; darn; geez; dang; hell; whore
Violence: a ghost woman shoots other ghosts and blood sprays (not detailed); ghost woman commits suicide by shooting herself; characters are shot at; a ghost man wields a knife; a room is set on fire
Sexual: guys are called hot; kissing (not detailed); hints that a husband had affairs; a ghost woman servant is seen lying on a bed, implied she was sleeping with said husband; kisses on the cheek
Drug/Alcohol: it’s implied alcohol is served at a party
Other: a character is mentally and emotionally manipulative; characters stay in a haunted house where a woman murdered her whole family; ghosts; a talking skeleton; a vengeful dark spirit
June 24, 2020
Candace is trying to be debt free, which means paying off the remaining balance of her tuition. There is a way she can get the last of the money if she stays in a known haunted house all night. When she finds out how much is being offered, she thinks it is a joke, but her boyfriend encourages her to take the dare.
This was a paranormal book with spooky elements and fun antics, which made for a great story. The main character, Candace kept me turning the pages. She is a natural scaredy cat and having her maneuver through the haunted house was hilarious. Her motivational talks with herself was a highlight in the book. Peter ticked me off throughout the book with his selfish ways and his lies. I loved the storyline, characters and the ending has me more intrigued. After reading this prequel, I must get, Zombie Takeover to see what else Candace will get into. If you like paranormal with a hint of scary and a little humor than Ghostly Vendetta is right for you.
This was a paranormal book with spooky elements and fun antics, which made for a great story. The main character, Candace kept me turning the pages. She is a natural scaredy cat and having her maneuver through the haunted house was hilarious. Her motivational talks with herself was a highlight in the book. Peter ticked me off throughout the book with his selfish ways and his lies. I loved the storyline, characters and the ending has me more intrigued. After reading this prequel, I must get, Zombie Takeover to see what else Candace will get into. If you like paranormal with a hint of scary and a little humor than Ghostly Vendetta is right for you.
May 3, 2020
What a unique story! Michele Israel Harper does a great job at categorizing Candace as a scary cat. Her emotions were all over the place. The idea of staying at a haunted house in order to pay off her college debt with no loans was remarkable. As someone who graduated with all her degrees with no debt, I really liked this twist. More college-age students need to do this too. My favorite part of the whole story was when Candace was actually in the house. It was interesting to see what happened. Even though Harper really didn't explain how it happened, which I want. That was a little not satisfying. Maybe it comes later. The romance between Candace and Peter made me want to smack him. I couldn't stand him. Why Candace was dating this jerk I'll never know. The ending is left with a little bit of head scratching, so I can't wait to see what happens next. I think young adults would actually enjoy this story.
May 1, 2020
I love Candace so much! This story was so fun! I loved every moment I spent reading this! Can’t wait to read more about Candace!
I was sent a free copy of Ghostly Vendetta by the author with no expectation of a review whatsoever. All opinions are my own.
I was sent a free copy of Ghostly Vendetta by the author with no expectation of a review whatsoever. All opinions are my own.
June 4, 2020
A fun story laced with horror and humor
I picked up the sample for this book and read through to the end wanting more! The story was simple yet drew me in. Candace is a college student dating a total jerk and trying to get through her final year without debt. To make the money for the final bill, she ends up spending the night in a haunted house for $5k. Sounds simple enough, but Candace is a total scaredy-cat who can’t even make it though a Halloween party.
I loved the mix of horror and humor as Candace worked her way though the haunted house with the other couples competing for the prize. I also liked getting to know Candace and a bit of her backstory. The content was clean and comical, and Candace is over the top but endearing. I found her struggles relatable and wanted to see her succeed. This would be a great book for high school juniors and seniors as well as college students. I enjoyed it as an adult post-college reader and would have loved sharing it with my friends back in the day (ok, I’m not that old, but I did reminisce about my college days while reading). The ending was a bit mysterious, so if you don’t like cliffhangers, beware! The explanation about the ghosts and the final scene left me a bit unsatisfied, but I’m excited for more misadventures with Candace and look forward to checking out more of her story in Zombie Takeover.
I picked up the sample for this book and read through to the end wanting more! The story was simple yet drew me in. Candace is a college student dating a total jerk and trying to get through her final year without debt. To make the money for the final bill, she ends up spending the night in a haunted house for $5k. Sounds simple enough, but Candace is a total scaredy-cat who can’t even make it though a Halloween party.
I loved the mix of horror and humor as Candace worked her way though the haunted house with the other couples competing for the prize. I also liked getting to know Candace and a bit of her backstory. The content was clean and comical, and Candace is over the top but endearing. I found her struggles relatable and wanted to see her succeed. This would be a great book for high school juniors and seniors as well as college students. I enjoyed it as an adult post-college reader and would have loved sharing it with my friends back in the day (ok, I’m not that old, but I did reminisce about my college days while reading). The ending was a bit mysterious, so if you don’t like cliffhangers, beware! The explanation about the ghosts and the final scene left me a bit unsatisfied, but I’m excited for more misadventures with Candace and look forward to checking out more of her story in Zombie Takeover.
August 24, 2021
Okay I liked the overall story itself. As someone who wouldn't be caught dead in an haunted house. I totally got Candace's reluctance as someone who also has crippling student debt and would love it to be only 5 grand. I totally get the temptation to spend the night and win money. But that was all I could get behind.
Candace, irked me. Mightily. I can get behind a coward who succeeds in spite of themselves. Shaggy and Scooby come to mind. (mostly because they are referenced in the book) but Candace rubbed me the wrong way. I had to skip to the interesting bit (the haunted house) to actually get into the story. I don't know. I just don't like flaky, whiny, wishy washy characters. And Candace was all of these things. From start to finish. I mean if she'd grown a little bit or something. but really the only thing she learned was not to let someone else deposit her checks...
I am aware that this is a prequel Novella, I actually started reading the first book in the series before discovering the prequel. and one of my quirks is I like to read things in order, so I stopped reading that book to read this one. I figured it would be fast, since it is a prequel and supposed to be an introduction to the character.
I'm pretty sure I don't want to read the next book but I probably will try since I did start it.
I will say I did like the haunted house section. It was interesting and
Candace, irked me. Mightily. I can get behind a coward who succeeds in spite of themselves. Shaggy and Scooby come to mind. (mostly because they are referenced in the book) but Candace rubbed me the wrong way. I had to skip to the interesting bit (the haunted house) to actually get into the story. I don't know. I just don't like flaky, whiny, wishy washy characters. And Candace was all of these things. From start to finish. I mean if she'd grown a little bit or something. but really the only thing she learned was not to let someone else deposit her checks...
I am aware that this is a prequel Novella, I actually started reading the first book in the series before discovering the prequel. and one of my quirks is I like to read things in order, so I stopped reading that book to read this one. I figured it would be fast, since it is a prequel and supposed to be an introduction to the character.
I'm pretty sure I don't want to read the next book but I probably will try since I did start it.
I will say I did like the haunted house section. It was interesting and
August 2, 2020
Such a fun introduction to Candace Marshall and the world she inhabits! Harper's imagination shines through while giving me chills simultaneously. Candace feels like someone I would be friends with in real life and that's completely because of the strong voice Harper gives her-can't wait to continue this series.
October 23, 2020
Ghostly Vendetta is a quick, fun read. I enjoyed Candace as a main character, even though I want to knock some sense into her. (Girl, in the words of the Backstreet Boys, get another boyfriend!) The ghostly aspects were just the right sort of chilling, without getting so scary I couldn’t read without hiding my face. ;) Nice little read for just before Halloween!
July 8, 2020
What I Enjoyed: Spooky and humorous. Clean horror is tough to find, so this one is appropriate for all ages. Short story that is easy to get through.
What Didn't Work: An awkward beginning, and sometimes the characters are a bit contrived. Hopefully the author grows as the series continues.
What Didn't Work: An awkward beginning, and sometimes the characters are a bit contrived. Hopefully the author grows as the series continues.
May 18, 2020
This was a fun read! I really like Candace, quirks and all. Now I need to dive into the first book of the Candace Marshall Chronicles before the second book comes out! :)
October 20, 2021
This story of a girl who takes a dare to spend a night in a haunted mansion was quite fun. It’s more contemporary than fantasy, but the fantastical elements definitely show up during the night spent in the mansion.
I enjoyed the fact that the MC wanted nothing to do with the haunted house, and I appreciated the way the author got here there due to a serious need for money.
I do hope that her jerky boyfriend gets what he deserves in the next book... because he's awful and manipulative and abusive, and his role in the story made it hard for me to really enjoy the read.
A spooky-but in a fun way-story that made for a great October read. I look forward to reading the next books in the series and spending more time with Candace.
I enjoyed the fact that the MC wanted nothing to do with the haunted house, and I appreciated the way the author got here there due to a serious need for money.
I do hope that her jerky boyfriend gets what he deserves in the next book... because he's awful and manipulative and abusive, and his role in the story made it hard for me to really enjoy the read.
A spooky-but in a fun way-story that made for a great October read. I look forward to reading the next books in the series and spending more time with Candace.
September 19, 2021
Scaredy cats unite!! Like Candace, the MC in this book, I absolutely hate being scared. I don’t do haunted houses, most horror movies, or anything likely to leave me screaming like a two year old.
Unfortunately, Candace has to pay off a loan before graduation and her idiot boyfriend just lost her check. So, she agrees to spend the night at a haunted house.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read with just enough spook to put you in a Halloween mood, search no further.
Unfortunately, Candace has to pay off a loan before graduation and her idiot boyfriend just lost her check. So, she agrees to spend the night at a haunted house.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read with just enough spook to put you in a Halloween mood, search no further.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews