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Foolish #1

Foolish Aspirations

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Being psychic, I should have known I'd end up living in Guntersville, Alabama--the most dangerous place for me given the exponential growth of my paranormal "gifts."

An ironic twist of fate. Right?

I'm only back in my hometown temporarily. I hope. What other choice do I have when my long-held dream of being a high-dollar defense attorney was stolen from me in Atlanta?

Moving home was a frugal decision on my part, but it's not free. There are a mind-blowing number of strings attached-all unspoken, of course. We are southern, after all. It's rude to ask directly.

I'm grateful for the room and board while I prepare for my rise from the ashes with a spectacular plan "B" to start my life. Still, it leaves me cobbling together odd jobs to pay for my monstrous student loan debts.

My brother Dusty is researching the next installment of his best-selling "Thirteen Haunts" novel series. My "gifts" are in high demand. He offers me an obscene amount of money to assist his paranormal investigation team. The team's next excursion is to the Osborne hotel in Paducah, Kentucky. A poltergeist recently caused the death of one of the hotel staff.

I must decrease my involvement with paranormal events. I've noticed with each exposure to the supernatural, my strange powers level up. Still, I'm going on their ghost hunting excursion. Did I mention the job pays exceptionally well?

Uncle Howard left the law office in my hands while he takes a vacation to the beach. I think he has a love interest in Mobile. Not that it's any of my beeswax, except I'm left responsible for planning a credible defense to keep a mom of four out of jail, and I could use his advice. She's charged with murdering her husband-the prosecution is out for blood-no pressure there, of course.

As if my dance card isn't full enough, Shane White, my "I wish he were my boyfriend" guy friend, comes for a visit. I'm too busy to pay him any mind. Sure, I might have noticed him on the dock with his shirt off, but it isn't like I'm fantasizing about his uber hot body. We're just friends.

Foolish Aspirations is the first installment in the April May Snow Foolish paranormal women's fiction series, and a continuation from The Gifts Awaken prequel series. The novels are stand-alone.

Do you enjoy K.F. Breene, Jana DeLeon, Angie Fox, Elizabeth Hunter, Amanda M. Lee, Nora Roberts (Sign of Seven, In the Garden, Key of Light, the Cousins O'Dwyer or The Guardians series), Stephen King (The Shining, Revival, Duma Key, Doctor Sleep or Bag of Bones) or the fast pace of a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum novel? If yes to any, you won't want to miss the Foolish series.

Foolish Aspirations will keep you turning pages until the end!

Want more April May Snow? Try the complete prequel series listed below.

#1 Throw the Bouquet (Short intro story)

#2 Throw the Cap (Novella)

#3 Throw the Dice (Novella)

#4 Throw the Elbow (Short Novel)

#5 Throw the Fastball (Short Novel)

#6 Throw the Gauntlet (Short Novel)

#7 Throw the Hissy (Short Novel)



**READER TIPS** April May Snow books are paranormal women's fiction. The novels chronicle the life of a young defense attorney as she struggles with a career path gone awry and her bourgeoning supernatural "gifts." AMS books are not cozies. That's not to say there isn't humor and some family silliness; you'll find a fair measure of both in each novel. Still, they have a more serious tone than cozies, and the setting is in the "real" world. The paranormal and crime scenes run from moderate to graphic, sexuality in the series is warm to mildly spicy. The language is mild unless you're offended by an occasional "Fudge biscuit" or "Kiss my grits." I hope this helps with your decision. Thank you for considering April's story! - M. Scott

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Published August 17, 2020

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About the author

M. Scott Swanson

23 books103 followers
I learned early it's not acceptable for me to talk about the weird things I see at night or the whispering voices in my room. They told me there's no such thing as ghosts. Dead folks don't hang out in little boy's bedrooms, and I have an overly active imagination.

They were right about the imagination.

Later, I discovered that while talking about "such nonsense" is taboo, writing stories about paranormal events is acceptable. I've been hooked ever since.

You may find the female characters in my books to be ridiculously smart, tough, resourceful, and occasionally a hot mess. This is not only because I find this style of protagonist intriguing. Writers write what they know. Where I come from, most women fit into this category.

April May Snow, the protagonist in the prequel series The Gifts Awaken and the full-length novel series Foolish, is a young woman who personifies a strong woman. She just doesn't know it yet.

The April May Snow books are a paranormal women's fiction series. They are not a midlife series. Considering the multitude of dangerous situations April finds herself in, they might be past her midlife. Let's hope not. I've come to love her and hope you will, too.

To round out my Bio, I was born in San Diego and raised in Birmingham. I like to think I keep a California surfer's attitude toward life most days while conversing in a heavy Southern drawl.

I now live a few miles outside of Nashville. Since I can't play the guitar, which is a genuine impediment to being a successful country music singer, I continue to write books, which I enjoy immensely. I hope you'll receive as much joy from reading one of my books as I get from bringing it to life.

Please follow for new releases. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-sco...

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5 stars
437 (51%)
4 stars
273 (32%)
3 stars
101 (11%)
2 stars
32 (3%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
31 reviews
August 24, 2023
Cute story, very enjoyable read!

I found this book/author on a Facebook ad that popped up on my page. So I downloaded the books to check them out. I found the first one pretty good, and just finished the second.

Think Matlock (only female and modern) meets Ghost Hunters, on steroids. That would be a close description of this storyline.

I enjoyed the building of these characters. I would like to see where he takes them. The ghost stories are gripping and intriguing.
Profile Image for Lisa Malmquist.
771 reviews23 followers
September 7, 2021
Enjoyable cozy mystery!
April May Snow has graduated from law school. She got hired onto a new firm and arrives for her new position just as that firm's personnel are being hauled away in handcuffs. HMMM. What to do? She heads home to her parent's house and 3 brothers. She gets a job with her Uncle Howard, who has a small law practice in town.
He is happy for her help and she can work on all types of legal situations.
Meanwhile, her brother, Dusty, needs her help with a ghost hunt.
Turns out that April has some abilities in finding ghosts and communicating with them.
Dusty has made a huge success out of his business but needs some help as his ex is demanding lots of royalties. So he is under pressure to find his next big story and film it.
April is offered a large amount of money to help find the ghosts.
So they are off to Paducah, Kentucky and the old Osborn Hotel.
A fun cozy with a paranormal twist.
Profile Image for Sara.
745 reviews16 followers
June 27, 2022
Do I quit? Do I see it through? This is bad on so many levels - I think it's supposed to have some horror vibes but nothing really happens, then this is randomly juxtaposed with a murder case where the protagonist is the public defender? WTF? Some of the ideas in here seem to have potential but this is a hot mess. 200 pages in and pretty much skimmed all the way as nothing - not one thing - in it, not the sibling relationship, not the "back to small hometown," not the paranormal whatever it is - has been compelling enough to make my eyes really stay on the page. Pretty sure I have easily been thinking about other things while reading. This had to have been self published - an editor probably could have cleaned it up into a decent trashy read.
Profile Image for Sara.
745 reviews16 followers
June 27, 2022
Do I quit? Do I see it through? This is bad on so many levels - I think it's supposed to have some horror vibes but nothing really happens, then this is randomly juxtaposed with a murder case where the protagonist is the public defender? WTF? Some of the ideas in here seem to have potential but this is a hot mess. 200 pages in and pretty much skimmed all the way as nothing - not one thing - in it, not the sibling relationship, not the "back to small hometown," not the paranormal whatever it is - has been compelling enough to make my eyes really stay on the page. Pretty sure I have easily been thinking about other things while reading. This had to have been self published - an editor probably could have cleaned it up into a decent trashy read.
Profile Image for Katie Bates.
16 reviews
September 3, 2022
I'm not sure why I even chose this book (let's be honest: it probably had to do with the sparkly heels on the cover) because paranormal reads aren't my usual fare. I'm glad I did. It's plucky, it's descriptive, and it keeps moving. There were a couple cringeworthy moments in it for me, such as curly hair she was able to run her fingers through (HOW?), or someone being hit hard with a blunt force object in the shoulder responding simply with "what the heck." Overall, though, this book is great! I will gladly read anything M. Scott Swanson writes.
6,202 reviews41 followers
November 22, 2022
April May Snow has lost her job. She has a friend, Dusty. She's moving back home to a room above a boathouse. She's offered a job as a paralegal and Dusty offers her a chance to join his paranormal investigative team.

That's not all she is dealing with. Her grandmother is a witch. April hears voices and the ability to see the past or future by touching an object. So the book series has a two-prong approach to their stories: her work as a paralegal and her work in paranormality.

There's a haunted hotel, an electronic ouija board (something to always avoid, by the way), an attacking ghost and a death.

Handling two basically un-related areas of work is a difficult task for the writer but a good job is done. Both approaches seem to work and it leads to a good story.
Profile Image for Bonnie Hunter.
1 review1 follower
October 3, 2023
I finished listening to the Audible version of Foolish Aspirations!!!! It was wonderful, delightful, hilarious, spooky, quirky and the list goes on! I enjoyed meeting April May Snow and being witness to her struggles, abilities, mentality, vulnerability, insecurities, sassiness, and her prowess as a defense lawyer. I loved her relationship with her Mom, Uncle, and brothers, too. She made me laugh on many occasions (Chapter 43 was hilarious to me) and she had me saying "Go ahead, girl!!!" on more than one occasion! My only complaint is that Foolish Haints isn't on Audible yet, but I did buy it on my Kindle from Amazon. I look forward to going on more ghost adventures with her and her brother and his team.
1,899 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2022
When a job in the city doesn't pan out for April, she returns home and works with her uncle. Although she insists the situation is temporary until she passes the bar, she finds herself enjoying the job. Working part time for her brother in this paranormal investigating business keeps her on edge and curious. This book was quite scary at points and kept me turning pages quickly to see what happened next!
Profile Image for Larry.
3,038 reviews17 followers
September 20, 2022
I borrowed this book from the Prime Reading Library and will most likely buy the book. This was another roller coaster ride of a story and a bit of a cliff hanger as well. The approach is different from what I am used to, but that is the essence of the paranormal. The main character, April May Snow is a character and a half. I admire her courage and determination. I definitely recommend this book.
35 reviews
March 14, 2023
Sabotage is not okay

I want to start by saying that I love this series. Sometimes April Is annoying in a bit of a selfish brat way. In this book its off the charts and I didn't like it. She went to help her brother and then did whatever she wanted, not caring about trying to catch the ghosts on film, over and over and over, hid it from them and then lied and then was shocked to have that pointed out? I disliked her character in this one.
Profile Image for Lynn Leach.
299 reviews
September 9, 2022
Sadly, the main character was as annoying as all get out. She could benefit from getting a lot of her junk out in the open. Also, I found there was way too much going on and the story jumped around too much. Still it was a good effort and maybe the next book will be better.
Profile Image for Purpletex.
46 reviews
December 19, 2022
uggg

I dislike the heroine…she so ridiculous…her actions are man like..
.Every time she opens her mouth…I roll my eyes….I started skimming past most of what she says..I wanted to like this book..could not..uggg..
Profile Image for Brandy Boysen.
25 reviews5 followers
October 19, 2023
unexpected

This had me with tears at 92% of the way through. Good tears tho. I don’t normally tear up at a simple read but I was pleased for a character and I’ll take whatever happy I can get these days.
Now to continue Aprils’ journey.
Profile Image for Annette.
123 reviews
May 25, 2024
worthy read

Not cringy in the least.

Great writing with a twisty plot. Smart women. Oblivious men (in a nice way)

The reason for the title will keep you guessing until the final chapter.

Fine as a stand alone but I’ll definitely be reading the next in the series.
Profile Image for Barbara Stewart.
681 reviews
September 27, 2022
not sure

Not sure yet how I feel about the book. Kind of confusing at times but not too bad… I’ll have to see if I want to read another one
8 reviews4 followers
October 7, 2022
very fun read I think you should read it

I enjoyed it and liked the different aspects of it, not just one thing, but three and all well spun
Profile Image for Letha Gene.
93 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2024
ghosts

This was almost a dnf for me but as I got towards the middle it picked up and now I'm looking for the next book.
Profile Image for Carolyn Evans.
823 reviews6 followers
August 14, 2022
Cool

The book is well written with a nicely twisted plot and several different storylines to entertain you. Both the legal aspects and the ghost hunting work well together to make a compelling read.
Profile Image for Catha Reese.
71 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2022
awesome book

Wow, ghost, murder and so much more.if you like a good mystery then read this great story. You got a fan. Catha Watkins Reese
953 reviews4 followers
December 21, 2020
by Barbara Kelley

Foolish Aspirations is Novel #1 in the April May Snow novel series by M. Scott Swanson. This novel follows the seven novellas in the "Throw the" series, which are about April May Snow.

First of all, I have a request for Mr. Swanson. You have a really good storyline and plot sequence with the April May Snow paranormal series. However, you need a grammar editor for where to place, or not place a comma, as well as when and when not to capitalize a word. There were too many typographical errors: for example - "hear" should be "here"; "her" should be "here", and so on. There were way too many to list them all. These errors detract from an otherwise perfect story.

This novel has two mysteries: (1) If Charlotte didn't kill her husband, then who did? and (2) Who are all the ghosts in the hotel? Two ghosts are on the 14th floor and one very angry ghost is in the cellar of the hotel. April realizes that it would have been better to "not poke a ghost (she) should have left alone."

As I read this book, I was reminded of the violent physical nature some ghosts have toward the living. A bully ghost from a previous story physically hurt Aril. In this book, a very violent ghost injured not only April, but another woman named Liza, a new character I hope to see more of in future episodes. Liza likes April's brother Dusty - a whole lot, and Liza has special paranormal skills that are different from April's skills.

I gave this book 4 stars; however, if the grammar and punctuation had been better, I would have give it a 5 star rating.
Profile Image for Jackie Welcel.
446 reviews6 followers
July 13, 2024
I enjoy reading cozy, paranormal mysteries in between heavy psychological thrillers. This book was great although not as cozy as some, it definitely had some scarier scenes. I really like April but she could use an attitude adjustment every now and then. I liked how she was open to using her gifts and was quite successful with it. She is a new attorney ready to pass the bar and working for her uncle now as well as helping her brother with his ghost hunting business. I enjoyed both parts of the story and was puzzled by the case she was working on and couldn't figure out how the man could have died but the explanation she found was perfect. I'm planning on reading the next April May Snow book for sure.
Profile Image for Gail Daley.
Author 43 books20 followers
March 19, 2021
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t

What can I say? This was a good paranormal story. I won’t Say mystery because the paranormal side of the book isn’t really a mystery, just a ghost story About two murders that happened back in the 20s. On the mundane side there wasn’t a murder, just a really stupid accident. Also the explanation about how the MCs psychic powers work is confusing,
Unfortunately I found the writing style (first person present tense) distracting enough to keep me from developing much empathy for the MC, and frankly just a tad irritating.
That said, unless you have my hang ups about the writing style I think you will enjoy the book.
2 reviews
July 23, 2021
Fast read, cute story

I liked that the story moved quickly. There were a lot of things going on but written in a way that didn't feel rushed. I couldn't stand April though. She was too insecure and acted like a 13 year old instead of 25. Didn't like her personality or that she seemed to have zero common sense. She wasn't smart or witty or tough or anything you look for in a main character. I'd read the next book just for the story but she is too annoying to put up with.
Profile Image for Brenda.
101 reviews3 followers
July 26, 2021
Unexpected gifts

April thinks her gifts aren't welcome but I think they're just unexpected. I'm not fond of most lawyers but April has become my favorite fictional one. Her family is fascinating and her sideline intrigues me. I am always amazed by the paranormal in reality and fiction gives us a way to dip our toes in the spirit world. Oh, by the way, I cast my vote for Officer Hurley, marriage and babies and a series that goes to 20 books or more please!
Profile Image for Judy Upton.
46 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2021
Oh my! Ghosts and scary folks abound!

April May Snow is a refreshing heroine with enough spunk to be real! Her down south personality has endeared her to me! A smart lady with a family history of supernatural characters that can’t be denied the attention they deserve. Join me in following her stories?
878 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2021
An enjoyable book, with 2 separate story lines. April May Snow is back home with her tail between her legs after her wonderful new job disappeared on her first day. She takes part time work with her Uncle who owns a law firm in her home town until she decides what to do next. She also agrees to use her psychic abilities to help her brother with his paranormal investigations.
318 reviews4 followers
November 10, 2021
Paranormal Attorney…how cool is that?

Well this was a surprise I didn’t see coming. I love the small town vibe which is so spot on whether your from the north or the south, the robust characters, the spooky ghosts and the paranormal attorney who takes them all on. Kept me reading past my bedtime so it gets 5 stars.
Profile Image for Rosemary Gillanders.
100 reviews
November 18, 2021
great story.

I was really impressed with this book. It started a little jumbled to me because I had not read the precursor to this book, however the more I read the more I was impressed with how it melded a “normal everyday world” with the psychic abilities of a female Lawyer, her siblings and others. I look forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Wendy G.
11 reviews
April 11, 2022
fun, Fast paced and spooky!

Living in N Alabama and having traveled, fished and shopped in Guntersville, it was like reading about friends I didn’t know I had.

This was an easy, spirited ( yes I did that) read with captivating characters.

Let me just end this with War Eagle and grab the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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