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The Ghost Mothers: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel
The activist, the scientist, and the spy. They’re no longer among the living, but they’re the only thing real she can count on.
Sydney, Australia. Yasmin Taylor-Lee struggles to believe in herself. Still at home with her mum and annoying sister, the twenty-four-year-old finds comfort and a sense of worth with three invisible phantoms as her fairy godmothers. So she’s stunned when she wangles her way into her dream job on a long-running women’s magazine... only to be given the impossible task of stopping it from imploding.
Desperate for her companions’ kooky cooperation to keep from being outed as a fraud, Yasmin vows to come up with a plan to restore record circulation. But if she can’t rescue the publication that first immortalized them, she’ll be forced to say goodbye to her best friends forever.
Can Yasmin conjure up the magic she needs to save her ghostly gal pals?
'The Ghost Mothers' is a standalone paranormal women’s fiction novel. If you like scrappy heroines, hilarious hijinks, and oodles of supernatural charm, then you’ll love Jackie McCarthy’s friendship-filled frolic.
Read 'The Ghost Mothers' to make the hereafter headlines today!
Sydney, Australia. Yasmin Taylor-Lee struggles to believe in herself. Still at home with her mum and annoying sister, the twenty-four-year-old finds comfort and a sense of worth with three invisible phantoms as her fairy godmothers. So she’s stunned when she wangles her way into her dream job on a long-running women’s magazine... only to be given the impossible task of stopping it from imploding.
Desperate for her companions’ kooky cooperation to keep from being outed as a fraud, Yasmin vows to come up with a plan to restore record circulation. But if she can’t rescue the publication that first immortalized them, she’ll be forced to say goodbye to her best friends forever.
Can Yasmin conjure up the magic she needs to save her ghostly gal pals?
'The Ghost Mothers' is a standalone paranormal women’s fiction novel. If you like scrappy heroines, hilarious hijinks, and oodles of supernatural charm, then you’ll love Jackie McCarthy’s friendship-filled frolic.
Read 'The Ghost Mothers' to make the hereafter headlines today!
258 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2019
37 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Jackie McCarthy
3 books10 followers
Strong female characters and quirky, inspiring tales.
Jackie writes Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) science fiction and fantasy. She is partial to dystopian and futuristic stories with a magical twist.
She has worked in publishing and the media for over 20 years, in both London and Sydney. Her debut novel, The Ghost Mothers, is very loosely inspired by her time working in the magazine industry, many moons ago.
Jackie's new release, Rebel Conspiracy, is the rollicking second book in The Kaseath Chronicles, a YA Dystopian science fiction series. If you like heroines to root for, action-packed suspense, and exploring the slippery slope between good and evil, then you’ll enjoy Jackie’s coming-of-age adventure.
If you would like to be notified of new books as they are released, you can sign up for the Reader's Group here:
www.jackiemccarthy.com/sign-up/
She thanks you for stopping by, and for your reviews!
Jackie writes Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) science fiction and fantasy. She is partial to dystopian and futuristic stories with a magical twist.
She has worked in publishing and the media for over 20 years, in both London and Sydney. Her debut novel, The Ghost Mothers, is very loosely inspired by her time working in the magazine industry, many moons ago.
Jackie's new release, Rebel Conspiracy, is the rollicking second book in The Kaseath Chronicles, a YA Dystopian science fiction series. If you like heroines to root for, action-packed suspense, and exploring the slippery slope between good and evil, then you’ll enjoy Jackie’s coming-of-age adventure.
If you would like to be notified of new books as they are released, you can sign up for the Reader's Group here:
www.jackiemccarthy.com/sign-up/
She thanks you for stopping by, and for your reviews!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2019
Yasmin is a liar. She is in her early 20s, did not actually graduate from university, and has no real friends. She still lives with her mother and sister, both of whom wish she would just move out of the house already.
She seems a little bit cracked, a little bit desperate, and she can see ghosts - specifically, three ghosts that have sprung from the pages of her favorite magazine, The Woman’s Standard – a publication she has wanted to work for since the age of ten.
Initially, I, as the reader, was incredibly put off by Yasmin and, what felt like, her extreme oddness. She comes off strange and hopeless, and you start off the book wondering if the protagonist is a crazy-person where we’ll be watching her live out a fantasy world within the world of reality. However, as she stalks & lies her way into the dream job of ten year old Yasmin, her enthusiasm starts to grown on you.
What I loved most about the journey our main character traveled is that she worked on finding herself and being true to herself...something she had not been doing in her past. And with the help and guidance of her Fairy Ghost Mothers, Yasmin starts to be the woman she has always wanted to be.
Another piece of the story that I found impressive and important for fellow women readers is that the Fairy Ghost Mothers were strong women in their own times, fighting the fight that we women are still fighting today. They taught Yasmin (and the reader) to go to battle for what you feel to be important, don’t stand down when bullies try and squash your ideas and plans, as well as, raising up other women – be allies, not enemies.
These are lessons I have personally picked up in my many years as an ‘adult.’ At almost 40, it took a long time to reach these conclusions on my own, however, ‘The Ghost Mothers’ would be an excellent read for those young women just starting out in ‘The Real World’ of adulting.
I do, however, wish we could have known the origin story of our Fairy Ghost Mothers sooner instead of continuing to wonder if these apparitions were just in Yasmin’s head. And while I understand that this book is magical realism fiction, there were times that pieces of the story felt incredibly unrealistic. For example, I know that Yasmin did not graduate from college, but what young person in this day and age doesn’t know, not only, how to use Word & Excel, but also what they are? I felt McCarthy pushed Yasmin’s naiveté too far and into an unbelievable situation.
While Ghost Mothers was, initially, a slow start for me, by the middle I was rooting for Yasmin, Audrey, Deborah, & Nicole.
Thank you to Jackie McCarthy & Reedsy for this digital copy to read and review!
*3.5 Stars*
She seems a little bit cracked, a little bit desperate, and she can see ghosts - specifically, three ghosts that have sprung from the pages of her favorite magazine, The Woman’s Standard – a publication she has wanted to work for since the age of ten.
Initially, I, as the reader, was incredibly put off by Yasmin and, what felt like, her extreme oddness. She comes off strange and hopeless, and you start off the book wondering if the protagonist is a crazy-person where we’ll be watching her live out a fantasy world within the world of reality. However, as she stalks & lies her way into the dream job of ten year old Yasmin, her enthusiasm starts to grown on you.
What I loved most about the journey our main character traveled is that she worked on finding herself and being true to herself...something she had not been doing in her past. And with the help and guidance of her Fairy Ghost Mothers, Yasmin starts to be the woman she has always wanted to be.
Another piece of the story that I found impressive and important for fellow women readers is that the Fairy Ghost Mothers were strong women in their own times, fighting the fight that we women are still fighting today. They taught Yasmin (and the reader) to go to battle for what you feel to be important, don’t stand down when bullies try and squash your ideas and plans, as well as, raising up other women – be allies, not enemies.
These are lessons I have personally picked up in my many years as an ‘adult.’ At almost 40, it took a long time to reach these conclusions on my own, however, ‘The Ghost Mothers’ would be an excellent read for those young women just starting out in ‘The Real World’ of adulting.
I do, however, wish we could have known the origin story of our Fairy Ghost Mothers sooner instead of continuing to wonder if these apparitions were just in Yasmin’s head. And while I understand that this book is magical realism fiction, there were times that pieces of the story felt incredibly unrealistic. For example, I know that Yasmin did not graduate from college, but what young person in this day and age doesn’t know, not only, how to use Word & Excel, but also what they are? I felt McCarthy pushed Yasmin’s naiveté too far and into an unbelievable situation.
While Ghost Mothers was, initially, a slow start for me, by the middle I was rooting for Yasmin, Audrey, Deborah, & Nicole.
Thank you to Jackie McCarthy & Reedsy for this digital copy to read and review!
*3.5 Stars*
April 7, 2019
This book should be made into a movie.
Author Jackie McCarthy is a literary force to be reckoned with!
Her novel, The Ghost Mothers, grabbed me by the imagination and refused to let go.
I started reading an advance review copy, but ended up downloading and reading the ebook from Amazon...and enjoying it immensely.
The book had me at the title: I was intrigued by the idea of a ghost mother (let alone more than one) and wanted to know what that involved. The book explains in detail, without revealing too much at any one time…beckoning the reader onward one mesmerizing turn of fancy at a time.
I was captivated by the wonderfully inventive metaphors, delightful turns of phrase, and fresh take on the English language. As an American, there were some Australian words and phrases I was not familiar with, but that only added to the book’s sense of mystery and sense of place.
The writing style is fresh, creative, and inviting: drawing the reader into a world of magic, history, and suspended disbelief. Words I would use to describe the book include “inspiring”, “insightful”, “whimsical”, “gracious”, “charming”, “entertaining”, “innovative”, and “wry”.
The author details the significance of (recent) historical eras as they affect the young women of today... or rather, one particular young woman, the protagonist of the novel. Being of (somewhat) “ghost mother” age myself, the book provided me with not only a delightful read, but also an opportunity to reflect on how the experience of one generation of women reverberates in the lives of later generations down the line.
I found this book entertaining and instructive in equal and complementary parts, and the prequel we are offered at the end gives yet a deeper glimpse into the lives and deaths of each of the ghost mothers.
As I (reluctantly) put the book down (only because I had finished it and there was no more left to read), I felt that I had gotten to know the ghost mothers as well as Yasmin, the book’s protagonist, does.
Here’s hoping that Jackie McCarthy has more novels in the works. I would love to spend more time with the ghost mothers and delve further into their fascinating, vivid worlds.
--Rebecca Frost Cuevas, Author of Hello World—Meet Mother Rebecca: The autobiography of a fictional Victorian know-it-all (2018)
Author Jackie McCarthy is a literary force to be reckoned with!
Her novel, The Ghost Mothers, grabbed me by the imagination and refused to let go.
I started reading an advance review copy, but ended up downloading and reading the ebook from Amazon...and enjoying it immensely.
The book had me at the title: I was intrigued by the idea of a ghost mother (let alone more than one) and wanted to know what that involved. The book explains in detail, without revealing too much at any one time…beckoning the reader onward one mesmerizing turn of fancy at a time.
I was captivated by the wonderfully inventive metaphors, delightful turns of phrase, and fresh take on the English language. As an American, there were some Australian words and phrases I was not familiar with, but that only added to the book’s sense of mystery and sense of place.
The writing style is fresh, creative, and inviting: drawing the reader into a world of magic, history, and suspended disbelief. Words I would use to describe the book include “inspiring”, “insightful”, “whimsical”, “gracious”, “charming”, “entertaining”, “innovative”, and “wry”.
The author details the significance of (recent) historical eras as they affect the young women of today... or rather, one particular young woman, the protagonist of the novel. Being of (somewhat) “ghost mother” age myself, the book provided me with not only a delightful read, but also an opportunity to reflect on how the experience of one generation of women reverberates in the lives of later generations down the line.
I found this book entertaining and instructive in equal and complementary parts, and the prequel we are offered at the end gives yet a deeper glimpse into the lives and deaths of each of the ghost mothers.
As I (reluctantly) put the book down (only because I had finished it and there was no more left to read), I felt that I had gotten to know the ghost mothers as well as Yasmin, the book’s protagonist, does.
Here’s hoping that Jackie McCarthy has more novels in the works. I would love to spend more time with the ghost mothers and delve further into their fascinating, vivid worlds.
--Rebecca Frost Cuevas, Author of Hello World—Meet Mother Rebecca: The autobiography of a fictional Victorian know-it-all (2018)
April 8, 2019
Fans of “The Devil Wears Prada” are going to love this quirky, hilarious story of Yasmin Tayor-Lee. It’s always been Yasmin’s dream to work at The Women’s Standard, Australia’s most popular women’s magazine. So, when she graduates from university (kind of) and her mother gives her an ultimatum to move out, Yasmin decides it time to make her dream come true. But with no degree, work experience or support from home, Yasmin is forced to enlist the help of her fairy ghost mothers to help make it a reality. A contemporary story with a nod to women’s history, this book is a fun read.
March 31, 2019
When you were little did you ever wish you had a fairy godmother who would make all your wishes come true? Well what if instead of one fairy godmother you had three fairy Ghost-Mothers?
Meet Yasmin, the central character in Jackie McCarthy’s debut novel The Ghost-Mothers. At 24 Yasmin Taylor-Lee still lives at home with her mum and slightly strange younger sister Catina. Since she was 10 all she has ever wanted to do is work at The Woman’s Standard with THE Felicia Pine, editor extraordinaire. The trouble is Yasmin has never actually had a job anywhere, or done any journalistic work, or even actually graduated from University, but hey, when you are destined to steer The Woman’s Standard into the next decade and beyond why let a few minor facts like that get in the way.
Sadly, it seems Felicia Pine doesn’t share Yasmin’s naïve view of the world. Enter the Ghost-Mothers, the War Hero, the Feminist and the Scientist, three women who graced the front pages of The Woman’s Standard over the years, sharing the dubious honour of each dying at age 30, and prepared to stop at nothing to get Yasmin her dream job.
There are just a few obstacles to overcome, Yasmin’s complete lack of skill, experience and well everything, the fact that it’s now 2019 and the technological changes that have occurred since each of the women’s deaths will leave them stunned and amazed, oh and the minor detail that they aren’t able to leave Yasmin’s bedroom! What could possibly go wrong?
McCarthy weaves an intriguing story as Yasmin strives to become the person she believes she is with just a little help and mayhem from her well-meaning (most of the time) Ghost-Mothers.
A most enjoyable debut novel which will be enjoyed by anyone who likes their reading a little on the quirky side.
Meet Yasmin, the central character in Jackie McCarthy’s debut novel The Ghost-Mothers. At 24 Yasmin Taylor-Lee still lives at home with her mum and slightly strange younger sister Catina. Since she was 10 all she has ever wanted to do is work at The Woman’s Standard with THE Felicia Pine, editor extraordinaire. The trouble is Yasmin has never actually had a job anywhere, or done any journalistic work, or even actually graduated from University, but hey, when you are destined to steer The Woman’s Standard into the next decade and beyond why let a few minor facts like that get in the way.
Sadly, it seems Felicia Pine doesn’t share Yasmin’s naïve view of the world. Enter the Ghost-Mothers, the War Hero, the Feminist and the Scientist, three women who graced the front pages of The Woman’s Standard over the years, sharing the dubious honour of each dying at age 30, and prepared to stop at nothing to get Yasmin her dream job.
There are just a few obstacles to overcome, Yasmin’s complete lack of skill, experience and well everything, the fact that it’s now 2019 and the technological changes that have occurred since each of the women’s deaths will leave them stunned and amazed, oh and the minor detail that they aren’t able to leave Yasmin’s bedroom! What could possibly go wrong?
McCarthy weaves an intriguing story as Yasmin strives to become the person she believes she is with just a little help and mayhem from her well-meaning (most of the time) Ghost-Mothers.
A most enjoyable debut novel which will be enjoyed by anyone who likes their reading a little on the quirky side.
March 31, 2019
The premise of Jackie McCarthy’s debut novel The Ghost Mothers is challenging. Twenty-four-year-old uni drop out Yasmin Taylor-Lee lives at home with her mother and younger sister and appears to have no problem lying - even stealing - to follow her dream to work at the prestigious The Woman’s Standard magazine.
Is she a likable character? Not always. Actually, hardly ever! Do we want to learn whether she gets her come-uppance? You bet! And do we? You be the judge.
I loved how those ghost-mothers Audrey, Deborah and Nicole demonstrated, in their care for Yasmin and each other, just how inter-generational support can work for women.
McCarthy has a light touch with humour. The description, early in the novel, of the first meeting in the carpark between Yasmin and the editor of The Woman’s Standard, Felicia Pine sets the tone. There are many other very visual, almost slapstick scenes.
Having said that, she also has a delicate hand at pathos. I particularly liked the description of Audrey's lost war-time love: ‘Audrey, in a borrowed veil, stood next to the Frenchman, smart in his uniform. Her friends threw rice that caught in her veil like sprinkled pearls.’
It’s a quick, escapist read, but leaves a lingering thought: ‘What would I be prepared to do to follow my dreams?’
Is she a likable character? Not always. Actually, hardly ever! Do we want to learn whether she gets her come-uppance? You bet! And do we? You be the judge.
I loved how those ghost-mothers Audrey, Deborah and Nicole demonstrated, in their care for Yasmin and each other, just how inter-generational support can work for women.
McCarthy has a light touch with humour. The description, early in the novel, of the first meeting in the carpark between Yasmin and the editor of The Woman’s Standard, Felicia Pine sets the tone. There are many other very visual, almost slapstick scenes.
Having said that, she also has a delicate hand at pathos. I particularly liked the description of Audrey's lost war-time love: ‘Audrey, in a borrowed veil, stood next to the Frenchman, smart in his uniform. Her friends threw rice that caught in her veil like sprinkled pearls.’
It’s a quick, escapist read, but leaves a lingering thought: ‘What would I be prepared to do to follow my dreams?’
June 6, 2019
What a great debut novel from Jackie McCarthy. A well written and engaging story with loads of imagination, humour and sentiment. The main character, Yasmin, is beautifully flawed and this vulnerability not only makes Yasmin relatable, but it establishes a strong foundation for an entertaining story. Sure, Yasmin is a liar, totally unskilled and a bit of a ditz, but her lack of prowess creates a lot of humour and begs the question - who hasn't told a few white lies to score the job of their dreams in an overly competitive marketplace?
Love the way McCarthy visually places the reader in the text and her cutaway metaphors that often caught me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. This novel would make a great film.
The story itself reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada but there is a strong theme of female unity which sets it apart and makes it unique. Not only does McCarthy deliver a good read, she gives us a story full of female characters who create their own destiny and success.
Looking forward to following McCarthy’s journey. If this is anything to go by, I predict Australia is going to have a best-selling novelist on their hands.
Love the way McCarthy visually places the reader in the text and her cutaway metaphors that often caught me by surprise and made me laugh out loud. This novel would make a great film.
The story itself reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada but there is a strong theme of female unity which sets it apart and makes it unique. Not only does McCarthy deliver a good read, she gives us a story full of female characters who create their own destiny and success.
Looking forward to following McCarthy’s journey. If this is anything to go by, I predict Australia is going to have a best-selling novelist on their hands.
March 31, 2019
A strong debut, Jackie McCarthy has a lightness of touch in her writing beyond that of many famous authors I’ve read. Anyone who wants to get in early on an emerging fiction writer should read this because, frankly, if this is what she can do on her first effort there will be some very compelling, entertaining stories coming soon. The scenes in Ghost Mothers come alive off the page (no laboured metaphors, instead pithy parallels). I also enjoyed the interwoven comedic elements especially the dialogue. The ghost-mothers concept is fresh and fun, the setting will invite comparisons to Devil Wears Prada but without the extremes; it feels real-world. Women who want to encourage women (and girls) to see there can be a world where women lead in all realms will love this book. Perhaps there are one too many characters, which slows the book down at about the half way mark, but that’s just my taste. Enjoyed it overall.
April 3, 2019
Like the movie “The September Issue” on steroids! A trainee journalist lands her dream job at a prestigious women’s magazine. But she, her job and the magazine aren’t as they seem. Can Yasmin rise to the challenge? Or does she need some serious ghostly help? The plot kept me suspended to the very end. I enjoyed the sharp-tongued camaraderie between Yasmin and her ghost mothers. I enjoyed the peek into the semi-chaos that is modern journalism these day. And this book does make me wonder what will happen to the old media?
June 11, 2019
This book was a slow burner for me at the start, as we first got to know Yasmin and her trio of ghosts, but once the action kicked in and they were racing against time to save the magazine, well then I couldn’t put it down.
I really enjoyed the bringing together of the various ghost-Mother’s causes through time, and how they’re just as relevant today as they ever were. And I was really drawn to the themes of friendship and bring true to yourself. An overall highly enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed the bringing together of the various ghost-Mother’s causes through time, and how they’re just as relevant today as they ever were. And I was really drawn to the themes of friendship and bring true to yourself. An overall highly enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2019
I really enjoyed this debut novel - it is a great read for all ages. The story really comes alive and you very quickly find yourself immersed in Jasmin’s colourful life.
It is so refreshing to see a book with a leading cast of strong and interesting female characters - we can all find little pieces of ourselves in these pages :-)
It is so refreshing to see a book with a leading cast of strong and interesting female characters - we can all find little pieces of ourselves in these pages :-)
March 31, 2019
A wonderfully unique story bringing together a group of strong and beautiful women from different eras. The characters are so loveable and the behind the scene stories of the publishing industry give an interesting insight.
This is a well written, heart warming easy read which offers much humour throughout.
I highly recommend this as a feel good escape.
This is a well written, heart warming easy read which offers much humour throughout.
I highly recommend this as a feel good escape.
April 1, 2019
Wonderfully imaginative story!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the beginning by the author's fast paced, descriptive style. I could literarily "see" the main characters come to life. It was lighthearted but also focused on significant issues women have faced for years. I consumed this book in a day and look forward to future books by this talented author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the beginning by the author's fast paced, descriptive style. I could literarily "see" the main characters come to life. It was lighthearted but also focused on significant issues women have faced for years. I consumed this book in a day and look forward to future books by this talented author.
April 23, 2019
Such a different story!
It has its own place on the shelf in my opinion.
Real, fantasy, funny and lots of heart.
We all have dreams and daydreams and the ones in this tale weave with life and grown expediently ! Can't wait to read more by this author!
It has its own place on the shelf in my opinion.
Real, fantasy, funny and lots of heart.
We all have dreams and daydreams and the ones in this tale weave with life and grown expediently ! Can't wait to read more by this author!
April 24, 2019
A wonderful debut novel from a talented writer. I had the privilege of reading an advance copy, but I still downloaded it from Amazon. I loved it, un-putdownable. I'm looking forward to reading more from this amazing author. Huge congratulations Jackie McCarthy.
August 4, 2019
I loved this--- I loved the writer's compassion of a lonely child. I loved the history of the 3 Ghost Mothers and the way they were presented in the book.
I look forward to reading more from Jackie McCarthy.
I look forward to reading more from Jackie McCarthy.
March 31, 2019
I really loved reading this. I felt like I was really in the office with Yasmin.
It has great female characters and a story with quite a few unexpected twists and turns.
It has great female characters and a story with quite a few unexpected twists and turns.
September 23, 2019
A fun book to read.
November 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at magazine publishing and how an outsider and her "friends" tried to become part of that world.
August 14, 2022
A beautiful story! Adding her to my list of favorite authors!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews