Midlife Ghost Hunter

Forty Proof #4

by Shannon Mayer

If you thought being over forty meant the end of adventures, then you're in for a shock as Bree, and her ragtag bunch take you on a side-splitting rollercoaster ride!

Stuck with Alan's ghost following her around, Bree is in hot water now with no easy way out as she's been framed for his murder and plunked in the local pokey.

If that weren't bad enough, Gran's ghost has been kidnapped, and all clues point to the Big Easy—New Orleans.

With the police on her never-mind-the-size butt, two men vying for her attentions, and a mystery wrapped around the murder of her Gran and ex, she has more than enough to keep her stressed and turning prematurely gray.

So when a local coven stirs things up in NOLA, and a new nemesis appears on the scene, Bree is ready to meet them head-on.

As soon as she's popped a few Advil.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Ghosts, Fae

253 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2020

About the author

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away, I was born into a family of Star Wars nuts. I have a lot of siblings (somewhere I lost count but I think there was more than could be numbered on one hand) and being one of the young padawans I was subjected to Star Wars marathons, on a regular basis. If you've read any of my books you'll see there is often a reference to said movies as a small homage to my upbringing. May the force be with you and all that jazz.

I started writing when I realized I didn't want to grow up not believing in magic, or not believing in creatures everyone else said didn't exist. That being said, I have never seen a fairy, unicorn or dragon. I had a neighbour who swore they fed the leprechauns in their garden, but I never caught the little buggers no matter how long I lay in wait. (And consequently had to help the neighbours plant new flowers to replace those I killed waiting for the leprechauns to show their faces.)

Along the way, I found my husband who is the rock that keeps me from floating away into my dreams, and we have a little boy who is the centre of our world. Living on a farm keeps us busy (as if the writing wasn't enough) and I have more than my share of stories about wrestling with cows, helping birth calves and ending up in the creek during the process, falling in the mud (we'll call it mud but we all know that on a farm, mud is rarely mud) and chasing escaped livestock in the hopes the four legged convicts don't make it to the highway.

I've taken up archery, and the goal is to move into horseback archery in time (you know, when I can hit the target on a consistent basis) and when no one is looking, I love to bake (this doesn't happen often as it's hard to keep the sweet treats in stock with two boys in the house.)

As to what's coming next for me? More stories (since those never stop inside my head, I might as well share them with all of you!) and more adventures. Pretty much, when the fancy strikes, I'll jump on it. Leap before you look I'm sure that motto was created for me.

Or was that . . . think big and dream bigger, ready, set, pull the trigger . . . yeah. That one is a good one too. But only if you have a gun. And are hunting elephants. Which is not cool because of so many reasons. Let's stick with the first one with an addendum.

Leap before you look and let your dreams carry you on their wings. And that, my friends, is me in a nutshell.

Reviews

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT

Absolutely loved this instalment and the growth of the characters have progressed so much that I truly love them all!!! I adore this series, I'm hooked, addicted and I want more now!!!!

Full of fun, laughter, suspense and definitely full of hotness!!! ha!

[Jennasis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading review: 4 stars!

I'm going to say first off that I loved this book, but to me it was the weakest installment of the forty proof series thus far. It wasn't bad, not by a long shot, but it for a few reasons it just didn't live up to the other three books. Its still a 4 star book, just not a 5 star. The romantic elements were just not there in this book. And the entire situation with Corb... I mean he was never a viable love interest, so I found myself just kind of wanting to move the story along when ever they had scenes together.

I also found it kind of weird how often characters just kept popping up at the right times. Crash specifically did this a lot. There would be a set scene where he would say "Look I've gotta go for these reasons plot wise." and they made sense, but then like two pages in he pops back up and saves the day. Like why even write that he had to leave if he wasn't leaving? Also, how did he get there? How did he know she needed help JUST then? Multiple times this happens, and it was just kind of weird.

Other than that I loved the book, great mystery, and amazing dialog. Though the potty humor is starting to get a bit stale for me. There's a limit to how many times you can joke about farting or peeing yourself before I start to just roll my eyes or wince. I loved crash in this and Robert and OH MY GOD I CALLED IT IN THE LAST BOOK. Robert as a viable love interest just brings back the SPICE.

Before book was released review: I'm gonna go ahead and rate this 5 stars because every book in the series thus far has earned Every. Single. Star. of their 5 star reviews. I'm foaming at the mouth for this next installment and desperately hoping I can get my grubby little hands on a early copy some how. (through legit means only, obviously, I'm not HEATHEN.)

I need moreeeee.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this series it is just so much fun and has been an amazing series to start during these crazy times. It just keeps getting better and better and I am so ready for the next!

[Dragana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice urban fantasy.

The rating would have been even higher but:

- Love triangle is back. I thought it was finally resolved but noooo... Does every book have to start with the heroine having to choose and lust for 2 men? It is getting kinda boring. At least change them xD

- Tries to be funny and down-to-earth but it's too crude for me sometimes. Example:
"Sweat rolled down the sides of my face, between my boobs, and, lucky me, into my ass crack."

- Ends in a cliffhanger

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Easy fun!!

This was a rollercoaster of a ride! Between the jaw dropping action, to loss, belly laughter, hot kisses, and betrayal I’m still trying to gather all the information I’ve just learned.

I’m speechless and yet satisfied with what happened in this installment. Breena has come so far from where we originally met her. I absolutely love her character and loved seeing that she can depend on others. So happy to see the gang and Feish was hilarious with all of her cat talk! 🤣 You gotta read the book!!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tore through the whole series one book after another from cover to cover and wanted more.

All classy 5 star reads
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

And each book better than the other.



🔥The Forty Proof Series is
A Paranormal Women's Fiction with a bit of class, and a lot of sass for anyone who feels like age is just a number!

🔥Full of snark, sass and class, this tale of a middle-aged woman who'd given up trying to please everyone and run out of ducks to care for, is one that gripped me from the very first page and had me set it on my shelf of all-time favourites.

What should you expect if you decide to give it a try?

🔥A tale of mystery full of plot twists you'll probably never see coming.
🔥Lots of danger and action
🔥Cool magic, creepy shadow world stuff and a whole load of classy snark
🔥A forty something woman with a broken filter who's done caring what everyone else thought,
🔥an animated skeleton and an undead horse, who happen to be among my favourites,
🔥A more or less stupid werewolf who got his tail in a twist,
🔥A love sick siren
🔥And giant spider reading and editing books, among others.


How that last bit works you're gonna have to read this to find out. 😉😎

My advice if you'll have it:

🔥Give these ducking books a try.
And you can thank me later.🤩

❤Happy reading Bookdragons
And be kind😘

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to just say it. Out of ALL the books that came out in the introduction of this genre, THIS series is my absolute favorite. And honestly, there are some really great series in this category so that really is saying something. Why is this my favorite? Because it is hilarious, yet somehow very real. Our main MC, is such a funny MC who seems to be at a loss for all of the events happening in her life, but is determined to just "go for it" when it comes to figuring out all of the mysteries that are happening in her life.

She is determined to not freak out over the fact that she has a male Siren and the King of the Fae both interested in her and in this book, we might have just added a skeletal version of her friend who also might be vying for her attention...or is he? She is determined to find her Gran, get rid of her ex and stay away from Crash...in no particular order. There is a ton of betrayal in this book and we do not know who to trust. But, she is making progress. The level of UST between her and well, all I really care about is Crash, but the level is definitely rising so I'm really hoping that we get some payoff soon.

I listened to most of this and have to say that Lauren Fortgang is a narrator who I tend to really like - this series is no different. I'm not really sure how it happened, but I felt like the book had just started and it was over that quickly. To me, that is the sign of a great and well paced book. Hopefully, the next book will be forthcoming quickly :)

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shannon Mayer is back with a rip roarin’ ride of a book with this addition to the The Forty Proof series, and let me tell you right now…if you enjoy this series then you are not going to want to miss out on Midlife Ghost Hunter. This book is jam packed with danger, drama, hilarity, ghosts, friendship, and the delicious sparks of romance. The pieces are coming together and you aren’t going to want to miss out on what happens next with Bree and her new family.
When Midlife Ghost Hunter started I was a tad bit confused at first. I was immediately like…wait!? Why is Bree in jail?? Don’t worry the author and Bree know we’re not all spry in the memory department so we get a nice quick refresher on how she lands in jail with her leathers still on without a lot of her rights being trampled all over. Bree is in a world of trouble and honestly…it’s not even her fault. Someone wants her out of the picture and they have officially pulled out all the stops to make it happen.
My jaw might as well have lived on the floor reading this book because of the number of times it dropped. LOL! There is so much going on in this book. Bree’s gran has been taken, a little girl is missing, Bree is being railroaded for her ex-husband’s death, and add into ALL of that man problems? Well, Bree has more on her plate than she can handle. This book is chock full of humor and I couldn’t get enough of it. Now, there are some more somber/emotional moments as well which created some more mellow moments in this book. I really got choked up for Bree in one because she really didn’t deserve that bit of cruelty.
Now, this book isn’t a reverse harem novel, but there were some hints that maybe…just maaaybe something could happen. Got my hopes up and everything for a minute. LOL! But…then the reality hands us a cold plate of reality and showed that…some people still have a lot of growing up to do. If you’ve read the series to this point…you know who I mean…other than Alan the ghost. LOL!
The thrills and suspense in this book literally had me on the edge of my seat so many times. Bree has some seriously good friends and I like that she gets a couple more along the way. I’m honestly on pins and needles to learn what nasty spell Bree’s Gran was working so hard to prevent from happening. Now, there were a couple of moments when Bree got on my nerves a bit, but the author was just simply reminding us that Bree isn’t infallible and that while she has been improving herself she’s not “Super Woman.”
At the end of the day, and this review, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. I loved every moment of it and can’t wait for the next book. This book is so much fun, and really packs a good time in a solid punch. If you have read this series and enjoyed it then I highly encourage you to grab this book and dive in! But clear your schedule because you won’t want to do anything until you’ve turned the last page! Enjoy

[Emma James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful installment in the series.
Alan... you are slime. Ugh! What was Bree ever thinking marrying the douche. Their personalities are so different.
Crash, I am rooting for you, but for some reason when Robert is not a bag of bones, I am rooting for him too. His personality suits Bree, but he can be just a finger bone, so there is that. Crash is all rawrrr but the Fae are the Fae.
Corb... I think Sarge spelled it out well. It makes sense, so Corb gets a pass (I think it was Sarge with the insightful information).
I need to read some more authors (13) in this group of Paranormal Women's Fiction. I think I have read 3 authors but 8 books between them, and I've bought a bunch more to read.
I'm looking forward to book 5.

[☆Dani☆ ☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series like crazy but..

I am really sad about things with Corb! I really liked him and was rooting for him and his special magic! I love Robert and can't wait to see what's in store for him and Breena and their next adventures with the gang!

[Valerie - Cats Luv Coffee Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review at Wicked Cool Flight

Boy, Bree has always managed to have trouble follow her around but this time she might not be able to talk her way out of this one. As we know from the last book, ex Alan is dead, but that doesn’t make him less of a huge tool. It might even make him more of one since Bree is stuck with him. And even dead, he’s still managing to cause trouble for her since the police think that SHE offed him. I mean, yeah, she’s definitely wanted to, but she didn’t do it. So who did? And where did her granny’s ghost go? You know the saying about the fan and what hits it? That’s Bree’s life in a nutshell.

I’m enjoying Bree coming into her own. It’s been a slow journey and she’s had some setbacks but at the end of the day, she puts on her big girl panties, pops some Advil, and gets to work. NOLA is bringing a lot of trouble. Necromancers and dark spellbooks. Wraiths and tonton macoutes aka zoms. Even though she doesn’t know what she’s doing most of the time, she forges ahead anyway.

"Gawd in heaven, all the fear had leaked out of me, leaving behind the kind of righteous indignation that only shows up after you turn forty. Trust me on that one, it’s a powerful blend."

She’s got a great group of friends around her and she’s learning that maybe she doesn’t have to shoulder the burden alone. Feish is hilarious in this one. She’s been reading romance novels and has some interesting new verbiage that she’s spouting. It’s funny and awkward all at once, like your parents trying to use teenage slang.

Bree’s love life continues to be a hot mess. There hasn’t been this big of a division since Team Jacob/Team Edward. Part of me will always root for Team Crash, because erm, hot fae blacksmith, hello!? He’s redeemed himself a little by being so sweet to Bree in this one. But then there’s that part of me that is ALL Team Robert. So what that he’s a skeleton most of the time? Bree’s magic is bringing him back in flesh and blood so heyyyy. We can’t count Robert out. I know people really get tired of the love triangle but the fact that we are on book four and will still don’t have an answer kinda gives me life. In spite of all this man candy, this isn’t a reverse harem. Some might be annoyed by the lack of hanky panky but I enjoy the action side of PWF since I’m an urban fantasy junkie at heart.

A lot of plot points get checked off in this one. We learn what Bree’s magic really is, and what really happened to her parents. All the pieces are falling into place finally but Midlife Ghost Hunter is an emotional roller coaster. Yes, there’s plenty of action, and there are some series, heart-wrenching moments as well. I can’t wait to continue the series. Is Bree ever going to choose? Argh!!!

[Delos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this stop at the one before in this series, unless you’re really, really into this genre regularly. My suspension of disbelief stretched and finally snapped on this entry in the series.

Was tempted to polish this one off, just to find out what happens and the previous had gone down so easily. There are some unexpected plot twists in this one, I’ll grant you that, but I was irritated at how so many characters have just completely flipped personalities from the first one. Made it easier to shoehorn in some plot points. Started doing that a bit in the previous one, seemed to take it up to 11 in this one.

No one really needs to read details of every hour of a bunch of people on long car trip. That was a bummer, in the type of book you read say, on a trip yourself and living through those discomforts irl and looking to forget and escape in a fun way.

Not even tempted to find out resolution in next book of series after this one. Anticipate I’ll just be annoyed by the characters continuing to be completely inconsistent, in a suspiciously plot-convenient manner.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 4 and the gang all get together and save the day again. Some of them pop up out of the blue to help, while some are there all along but take their sweet time to help out. The characters are fun for the most part but Bree is starting to become tedious. She is a forty year old woman but her sex life is like that of a teenager. Surely she is old enough to know if she wants to have sex or doesn't want to. All this teen angst is a bit silly for an adult. Also, someone who was married to a jerk for many years strings guys along because she only wants a lifetime commitment. This feels forced. A lot of people have stabbed Bree in the back, but she still continues to blab personal information constantly to anyone who will listen. This is a weird character trait, naivete that borders on stupidity, but somehow it always works out for her. The series is fun but is starting to feel repetitive and the long game is still getting dragged out and seems like it may never be resolved.

[Archi Tart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the series immensely and love the main character BUT I am so disappointed with this book. It didn't resolve much of anything and the cliffhanger was simply annoying. You have to buy the next book to find out, and while some people might say it's good marketing, I hardly think that it's fair to buy a book that leaves everything unresolved. Mayer also regurgitated the love triangle to the point that it was annoying. If Corb returns in the next book for the same old crap, I will probably have to stop reading despite how much I love Bree.

As for spoilers, well how can I spoil when we are just going in circles?

[Kami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed these books up to a point but I have issues that just came to a head with this latest book. #1 I'm done with the "I'm 40 and my body just hurts all the time". It's exhausting and honey, 40's not that old. #2 the sexual frustration thing coming from Bree and the whole back and forth between Corb and Crash, will she, won't she, should she, shouldn't she, feelings of self doubt, yada, yada,yada. In every book makes it BORING. I don't feel Bree's character evolving just doing the same things just with a different background.

[Janet Faes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another choc full story. Alan got what was coming to him, so did Corb. Mmmm Robert, mmmm Crash. Can’t decide if I’m Team Robert or Team Crash. Who am I kidding, Team Robert!! Today’s adventures take us to New Orleans, where Bree learns a little bit more about what she is, and embraces her kick-assery more.

[Tracie Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Shannon Mayer and will always read her books but this one wasn’t for me. The story was chalked full of adventure but I just couldn’t get past the “Duck you, Duck me” content. If you don’t want to say the F word then leave it out. A 40 yo woman going around saying “Duck” was cringe worthy. I was excited about a story with the MC a 40 yo woman, but this fell short.

[Nathalie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was sooo good I read this book in no time💕💕

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I adore these characters and I can;t wait to see what happens next with them!!

[Blushing Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! The best of the series! Finally the books have hit there stride and I’m hooked... now I have to wait months 😫

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly funny series of books that are a great quick read! Super entertaining, captivating yet light hearted.

[Anca Antoci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be my favorite book in the series. Breena finds herself in trouble once more, but now she ends up in jail, framed for her ex-husband's murder and the shadow world wants her dead. Her life is hanging by a thread and she has to rely on her ex-husband's ghost, you know, Alan the douchebag who we grew to hate since the beginning of this series. This is the first book where Breena doesn't refer to Alan as Himself, probably because he's now somehow bound to her. If you're hoping he'll redeem himself, don't hold your breath.
As with previous books, we get a good story, hot characters, plenty of plot twists, and a satisfying ending.

[Natalie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ouch. Corb really knows how to mess up. More ghosts, the misfits and a quick stint in a jail cell. I’m liking Robert more and Crash a little less. Penny was a fun character, with more hints into what Bree is. Looking forward to the next one.

[Sher · Rating 5 out of 5]

#nowimtorn

OMG so I just have to say I have been team Robert all this time but Crash sure pulled out the big guns in this one (okay so he redeemed himself, let’s not get crazy here. And you know, the hotness!). Corb can go suck a lemon, Breena is so done with him. Robert surprised us all there at the end and normally I’d be all kinds of excited, but Crash was crazy nice to Breena this book. Damn Shannon mixing stuff up like that!
So anyway loved the book. We now know what Breena is but that’s all we know. Just a name. She is a little closer to really knowing who her friends are but at the same time knows everyone has divided loyalties. Those that she thinks are on her side aren’t necessarily and vise versa. Things get a bit muddled. We find out who one of the major players is and who he’s controlling and what killed Gran, Alan and Breena’s parents. We just don’t know who’s actually behind it all yet. Breena and the gang head to NOLA to try to find Gran and answers. She gets a little of what she’s looking for. I guess we wait to find out more in the next book. It was a wild and crazy Breena ride yet again and I loved every bit of it.

[#ByFelicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaysus, lord that was an unbelievable ride, I can finally breathe! So much action in this book. Mayer kept me on my toes throughout and the humor was over flowing. We finally learn what Breena is. Hopefully now she can figure out her magic better. But who will be helping her with that? Breena’s rag tag team is coming together nicely as their bonds of friendship strengthened even more. I love the way Feish continues to come out of her shell. Her and Kink had me in tears with this one. I’m glad Breena met Penny and I hope she proves to be a strong alliance. I love how we learned a little more about Missy too. She’s not so bad and hopefully she will be redeemed within the series. Feish, Kinkly, Eric, Suzy, Sarge, Corb, Crash, and the ever faithful Robert are more than friends. They’re the family Breena chose. I’m chomping at the bit to see where Breena takes us next.

[Terra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story but...

I have nothing but great praise for the “Forty Proof Series” and maybe Shannon Mayer is adding new characters to keep the journey going. However, the saying you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink also goes on to say eventually the trough loses its appeal. Bree has now gone through 4 books where she comes to the man trough and doesn’t drink. Much more and I know it will lose its appeal. I understand Bree is working on finding herself but she is written as a strong lady who knows which direction she wants except when it comes to men; and a confident lady would be able to make a decision by now. I would give this story 3.5 if it allowed half marks. Read the series if you haven’t as it is great, and Shannon Mayer will come through as she is an exceptional story teller and author. Looking forward to book 5.

[Kandice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed all the other books in the series, but this one just fell flat for me. While the main plot idea was good, and it starts off with a bang, it just kinds of peters out. It starts out with Bree in jail being railroaded for her ex’s murder. Events are moving fast, and she could be dead in a few days. But then she escapes, and that problem just goes away. No one seems to care anymore. Then she goes to NOLA to try to find her grandmother’s spirit. She runs around town for most of the book meeting strange but not particularly scary characters. She keeps all love interests at arm’s length. And the ending is anti-climactic when she easily uncovers what she was looking for.

I’ll read the next one, because I’ve enjoyed the other books. But I sincerely hope the next one doesn’t disappoint, or that may be the last one I read.

[Yolène Belette Bavarde · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 16% (during chapter 4).

I don't really know if it's just Shannon Mayer style of writting that doesn't do it for me but I can't follow this series anymore.
The characters are weird, not physically but in their actions or reactions. It just seems... wrong. Like the story is disjointed. Nothing makes sense and every events jumble with one another. It feel like a nightmare or a dream, incoherent.

[paisean13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

At this point, Bree should not still be making stupid choices, blurting out sensitive information to anyone who will listen, and trusting people who continue to betray her. She has the mentality of a teenager, but moves like she is in her 70s. She is not hurting because she is in her very early 40s. She is hurting because she is out of shape. And, seriously, quit dragging the stupid love triangle crap out.

[AlohaMyPikachu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the books, but right now I feel like groundhog day. Lather, rinse, repeat. It's like a bad case of, he loves me, he loves me not. And when it's on the 'not,' then we get a big dose of one more hunky guy added to the mix. I'm only going to read on because I'm curious. I've invested too much time in the series to want to stop.