MacGowan's Ghost

by Cindy Miles

Gabe MacGowan—a sexy, brooding, guilt-ridden widower and father to mischievous seven-yearold Jake—is the proprietor of Odin’s Thumb Inn and Pub in a misty Scottish seaside village. He decides to sell the inn and move, not only to give his son a more stable environment, but to escape the ghosts who haunt him—in particular his dead wife.

Gabe hires Allie Morgan, an easy-going and fun-loving American, to oust the spirits who are chasing away potential buyers. Odin’s Thumb is bustling with frightened tourists, quirky residents of the village, and dodgy yet lovable apparitions—including the ghost of a sea captain who fancies Allie. Allie knows she can help Gabe chase away his own ghosts, but can she help him rediscover life—and love?

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Ghosts, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2009

About the author

Cindy Miles is the best-selling author of twelve novels, one anthology and three short stories. She also writes as Elle Jasper, and grew up on the salt marshes of the Vernon River in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"MacGowan's Ghost" is my fourth read by Cindy Miles. Her books are quirky...a mix of PG-rated romance, ghost story, and mystery. The fact that I continue to read, even without hot sex, should tell you that there's something about her tales that touches me. And the sexy, handsome Alpha males certainly don't hurt either. She writes an excellent Alpha who manages to find tenderness for his woman...and aren't we all suckers for that?

Allie's a ghost buster. Of course, she really hates that term because what she does is assist spirits with their problems and issues which in turn enables them to either move on, or just move to a different location. The problem isn't truly with the ghosts, it's with the humans who can't see or hear them and just want them gone. But when Allie gets a chance to do some 'business' in Scotland, she's excited that she'll finally get a chance to visit a place she's dreamed about seeing. And when she arrives at Odin's Thumb, a verra haunted pub in a picturesque Scottish seaside village with a verra sexy owner, she discovers the most intriguing and difficult 'case' of her life.

Gabe grew up seeing, and playing with, his ghostly friends. His village and pub are fairly famous in the highlands as the ghosts are acknowledged and welcomed by the entire village! But when Gabe begins to have nightmares about his dead wife, he decides to sell the pub and relocate with his son. Unfortunately, the resident 'ghosties' don't want him to leave...so they are putting on quite a show for every prospective buyer. In desperation, he calls on Allie for help. Of course, once she arrives he discovers she's nothing like he imagined...and everything he could dream of. But the ghost of his late wife has no intention of letting Gabe be happy, and she'll do whatever she can to put a halt to Gabe's growing happiness.

There's really a lot more going on than I can explain in a short review. The interaction between the ghosts and Allie, and the ghosts and pretty much anybody, are so hilarious without being slapstick. The author's bio states that as a trauma nurse she's seen many a near death experience and her belief in things unseen comes through in her writing. At one point Allie states something along the lines of ghosts being real people with real feelings, just without a solid body. I found that a different take and that attitude makes Miles' writing special...at least to me.

My only beef with her books is the PG rating...of course that could be because I'm a dirty old lady who relishes a steamy sex scene. But even though I know the consummation will only come at the very end, I'm still impressed with the sexual tension that pervades encounters between the hero and heroine in her books. And I always come to feel for her characters and root for them to find a way to be together.

All this just to say that I enjoy Cindy Miles' books, even with the PG-rating. I'll continue to buy them, but I'll certainly follow them up with something a little steamier!

[Booknut 101 · Rating 5 out of 5]

'"Look at me."

(...)Locking in on her gaze, Gabe eased one hand up and threaded it through the heavy mass of Allie's hair - just as soft as he imagined. He watched with fascination as one long curl coiled around his finger as though it had a life of its own.

Slowly, he slid his hand to her jaw, tilted it just so, and held her chin as he lowered his head.'

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Morgan is hired to ousts the ghosts at Gabe MacGowan's pub in Scotland. Well, maybe not oust but persuade them to leave. Gabe MacGowan is desperate to sell the pub so he can move his son and himself to another location. The ghosts don't want to go and don't understand why he wants them to leave. But every night Gabe is being haunted by his dead wife who drowned years ago and things are getting worse.

Cindy Miles writes some fun romantic ghostly stories that I love. I've had this book for quite a while and finally got it off the ole TBR shelf to read. I don't understand why I waited so long. I loved the characters and the humorous dialogue. The ghosts were so much fun.

[Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Amerikanerin Allie wird von dem schottischen Pubbesitzer Gabe engagiert um dort die Geister, zu beruhigen, damit er das Lokal verkaufen kann. Noch nie hat Allie erlebt, dass Geister für jedermann sichtbar sind und praktisch zur Familie gehören. Warum will Gabe mit seinem kleinen Sohn unbedingt das schottische Dörfchen verlassen, obwohl die Geister seine besten Freunde sind?

Dieser Geisterroman hat viele gute Ideen und ein sehr schönes Setting. (Ilona)

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this is a 2009 release but after starting to read it, I realized I have read this book before! Not sure if I got my hands on an ARC or what, but....

This book is cute, funny and full of good romance. A fun-loving American "ghosthunter" who actually just talks to ghosts and helps them to figure out why they are still around and move on (if that's what they want), Allie comes to the rescue (bringing her own ghostie with her!) of Scottish pub owner Gabe MacGowan. Gabe wants to sell his haunted pub because its been taken over by a crew of ornery ghosts. Oh he loves these ghosts...having grown up with them his whole life, but Gabe feels he needs a more stable environment for his young son. And to escape what is really haunting him - his wife's death.

Allie is a great character. Fun, cute but not gorgeous, great sense of humor and an ability to know when to talk and when to listen. Gabe is a tall, sexy Highlander who isn't sure what he wants but thinks Allie can help him, in more ways than one.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read - not a keeper but enjoyable. A ghost story like her other books - it's full of sexy guys [both corporeal and not:], fascinating settings and quirky plot turns.

None of her books are a 'series' but characters from previous books usually appear [at least briefly:] on later ones.

Novels
Spirited Away (2007)
Into Thin Air (2007)
Highland Knight (2008)
MacGowan's Ghost (2009)
Thirteen Chances (2009)

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...

Ghostly chaperones, sexy Scottish Highlanders, and a terrified inn keeper keep an intrepid American woman on her toes and test her sense of humor while leading her on a path of discovery that will change her life. MacGowan’s Ghost has so much to offer a reader with its richness of characters, dialogue and scenery, not to mention a sensual build up that keeps the emotional tension taunt, that it’s a book a romance reader can visit again and again.

First off, there are the ghosts. The whole plot revolves around them and they do a fine job of keeping the heroine, Allie, from doing what she was hired to do. In fact, they make a counter offer. It’s adorable how she not only understands them but eventually counts them as friends. How can ghosts be friends?

Ms. Miles explored that to my satisfaction and amazement. So much history, love and compassion surrounded them that I sometimes forgot they were ghosts. I felt really bad for one of them because I think he fell in love, but it couldn’t ever be realized. Poor guy, he knew it too but that didn’t stop him from doing certain things. I respected him all the more for it. Authors work magic; I wish Ms. Miles could someday work it for him.

The man who does benefit from love is the hero, Gabe. Actually, the truer phrasing would be that he eventually benefits from love. The author put him through the wringer emotionally and he has to deal with some very unpleasant things from his past before he can truly live for the future. It starts off innocuous enough but eventually he’s faced with an evil he has no idea how to handle. Fear rules him for a lot of the story and a reader will find out why. It was a very powerful plot conflict, and effective. In spite of that drama, he is a wonderful, manly and seductive man. I enjoyed learning about him, how he views his home, family and village. I also liked how completely Allie bowled him over and made this competent and virile man so tongue tied, he could only stare. Ms. Miles did a wonderful job of describing his eyes. I was hard pressed to decide which was the sexiest part of Gabe MacGowan, I liked everything about him.

Jake is Gabe’s son and he’s another contributor that affects Allie’s decision making. I liked how the author utilized the young and vibrant character because it brought more depth of emotion to the telling of the tale. Throw in a doting aunt and a loving mother and grandmother, toss in an exuberant brother and pesky prospective buyers for the inn, and a reader has a full stage of personalities to be charmed and entertained by.

Speaking of secondary characters, I had no idea that Ms. Miles had written other paranormal romance stories. When I met Gabe’s neighbors, I was agog. How did I miss more great sexy Highlander stories? I have no idea if it was intentional or not but the author set up an awesome hook for investigating her back list and I assure you, I’m going to. They were hot!

As for Allie, the heroine, she’s a peach. She’s presents as a chipper, optimistic and caring individual that refuses to see or speak ill of anyone. She is charming, delightful, cooks well and has the serious hots for Gabe. At first she comes across as too perfect. As Gabe and a reader get to know her, small tidbits of darkness start to show up. Eventually, I found out how she came to be the way she was. It was horrific, scary and totally fascinating. Ms. Miles has a great imagination and this book benefited from its genius. There is a lot more to Allie Morgan than just an effective ghost mediator/interpreter/ouster.

As much as I adored this book and stayed riveted to the pages until the late evening hours, there was something that made me snort. I liked Gabe’s eyes, and I mentioned that earlier. This is an extremely sensual romance that only became spicy at one point or moment in the book. It was mostly build-up and teases. One technique that was over used was the stare or eye-lock between Gabe and Allie. It got to be sort of freakish because it was used so much. I understood the author’s intention and in the beginning it worked like a charm. After awhile, though, his staring made me uncomfortable, like he was a vampire working woo-woo. Fortunately, there were many more wonderful techniques and descriptions that pushed my happy buttons and it all worked out.

I’d be lax if I didn’t mention the humor. This book was loaded with it. There are plenty of opportunities for a reader to giggle, chuckle, groan or throw their hands up in exasperation every time Drew put in his two cents, which was often and much to Gabe and Allie’s consternation. For me, it was fun.

MacGowan’s Ghost is a wonderful read with plenty to keep a fan of romance basking in its sensual glow. The characters are endearing, well rounded and entertaining. The plot was intricate and woven well throughout the tale and the relationship between Gabe and Allie was everything I could have wanted. I enjoyed the dialogue and the clever schemes the author thought up to deter the sale of the inn. The happy ever after is at first touching, bittersweet yet full of hope and promise. The final moments that sealed their happiness was what I’d been wanting and waiting for, for so many chapters in the book, and it was a relief to see it realized. Ms. Miles delivered on the promise of a delightful love story and I couldn’t be happier. If readers haven’t discovered the talents of this author, they’re missing out. Obviously, I was, but no longer. I like this author’s style.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a pretty extensive book collection—around 1200 print copies and about 2000 e-books—which I reread frequently. Oh the joy of being retired! While I definitely love my e-books, sometimes you just want to hold onto a print copy. 😊

I love books by Cindy Miles...plain and simple. The storylines are awesome; the characters absolutely divine; plot twists and turns help move the stories along; and HEAs that steal your breath away. And don’t forget the ghosts and remember that every book is a trip to Scotland without actually leaving your house.

Grab MacGowan’s ghost today. It’s a truly delightful read!

[Judy Giblin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had a pretty interesting take on the living and non living existing together. More like a 3.8 rating, in my opinion, due to a lot of repetition and very G rated romance. I did enjoy it despite those factors. I write, though. So I'm very hard on books...LOL. Most people will enjoy this story.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was just ok for me. It doesn't have to be a graphic or overly steamy romance but come on, they don't even kiss until the book is half over. I do like a lot of the secondary characters and I really liked the hero, but I just prefer her other books.

[Kaitlyn Kumler · Rating 5 out of 5]

a little scary at times but a super sweet book!!!!! i loved this book! cindy miles never misses!

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

After dying 2 times and being revived 2 times, the heroine has developed the ability to see and commune with spirits. She's highly sought after for people who want their homes and businesses de-ghosted but she's not the exorcism ghost be gone sort of spirit hunting, no instead she talks to them, befriends them. She knows that though their bodies may have died, the soul of who they were is still very much alive. She knows they have feelings same as everybody and she treats them with respect.

When she's offered a job in Scotland to help a tavern owner purge his business of ghosts so he can sell, she jumps at the opportunity. Well it is in her nature to jump at any opportunity life throws her way. She's adventurous and daring, never saying no when she can say yes and always seeking everything this short life can offer.

It's this openness, this kindness and vibrant lust for life that draws people to her-both living and dead. Then she meets her new employer. Quite a surly man, dark and brooding. He and his son live in a small village that possesses a rather unorthodox relationship with ghosts. Something about the town strengthens spirits powers and as such they can be seen and heard with such clarity that they are counted as friends and family. Never before in her life has the heroine encountered such a thing and she is delighted at this notion of having spirits treated like normal people. Because for her they always have been. What confuses her, however, is why the hero wants this ghosts ousted.

It becomes quite clear that he too loves them, spent his hole life growing up around them. When asked, he says he needs to sell the tavern and they make a habit of frightening off each and very potential buyer. It's clear that something darker is going on with her new boss but one things for sure, the ghosts are not the source of his distress.

It's a struggle to maintain her unfailing cheerfulness is the face of so much sadness and gruffness but the heroine vows to kill him with kindness. Indeed, the hero is quite stunned at the vibrant and beautiful woman in his employ as well as her nature attraction that seems to ensnare everyone around her-himself included. She's more than just a ghost hunter. She's soothing his soul, patching up all the emotional wounds left beyond with the death of his wife. But she can't stop what's haunting him.

Once the tavern is sold, she'll return to America and he'll be left with his ghosts. But he can't stop himself from falling for her. The heroine too struggles to understand the growing feelings she has for the sexy Scottish man with so much weight on his shoulders. When he turns from brooding antisocial humbug to charming passionate flirt, she finds it even harder. And as their attraction and love develops, it just seems like so much is stacked against them. The fact that the heroine is expected to return home. The fact that they both have so much emotional baggage. And the fact that his dead wife his haunting him, slowly driving him mad.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The angst, the drama, the sexy brooding master and the kind charming and loveable ghost hunter. Then it changed. I didn't enjoy it as much when the hero flipped switch and suddenly went all smooth Scottish lover. It was just odd and I felt it was rushed and out of place.

However, I was pleased with the general mood that stayed true through out the book. It wasn't much of a mystery and it didn't take any time at all to figure out the hero's secret but I found the story enchanting and dark all at the same time. The ghost of the dead wife was disturbing considering all the other ghosts were normal people and she was like something out of Mama. I loved the heroine. She was such a charismatic woman who just drew people in and I was one of them. She killed with a smile, never losing her temper unless it was that one time when the hero told her he blames himself for his wife's death and she freaked out. Otherwise, even when she was frustrated, she would just smile. The hero was another great character. His torment and his guilt over the past ruled his life and was slowly driving his crazy until he was just as depressed as his wife had been. Together they has great chemistry and I enjoyed the story a lot.

[Natasja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Morgan has a gift; she is able to see spirits and can communicate with them. She has set up s business to help people who don’t want their houses and business haunted by ghosts. When she receives a phone call from Gabe MacGowan, who claims his pub is haunted by several ghosts, she knows she has to travel from America to Scotland to see if she can help. But Allie doesn’t travel alone, she’s bringing her own ghost Dauber along with her, one who’s very protective and wants to see her save.

Gabe MacGowan, owner of the pub is tired of the ghosts, who haunted his pub. They have been there since he was a little boy, but it isn’t funny anymore. Gabe wants to sell his pub and move away so his young son Jake can have a normal childhood away from ghosts. Especially when he knows that his son has the same ability as he does and can see and hear these ghosts. But that’s not all, Gabe feels guilty for his wife’s death, who he never loved. She is haunted his dreams and he’s afraid that something bad will happen with him or Jake, if he doesn’t move away quickly.

MacGowan’s ghost by Cindy Miles is a fabulous novel and easy to read. It’s about two young people who happen to see and talk to ghosts. One has accepted her fate and deals with it the best way she can by helping others. And he is trying real hard to ignore his gift and wants to run away from it all.

Allie doesn’t know shat she’s up against when she travels to Scotland, but when she meets the lovely bunch of ghosts, she discovers that they all cares for Gabe and Jake. They are very certain that they don’t want to leave and will scare any possible buyer away. Allie wants to help Gabe get pass his personal ghost and pain, meaning his dead wife. She hopes with a little help of Jake and her new ghostly friends that she’s able to do just that.

Gabe is stubborn, like most of the Scotsman, so when Allie walks through his door, he knows life will never be the same and he won’t have that. He will avoid her as much as possible, but he cannot help himself falling for her. It seems that the townspeople and his ghosts all welcome Allie in their lives and he knows he’s doomed forever…he doesn’t want her to leave when her work is over.

This novel has me smiling from time to time and I really enjoyed reading it. Cindy Miles has written a terrific novel; you cannot put it away and not fall in love with the characters. I highly recommend this book if you love the Highlands mixed up with the tale of ghosts.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like the major conflict which was keeping information secret from someone who was there to help.

STORY BRIEF:
Allie sees and communicates with ghosts. She makes her living by getting ghosts to stop haunting places. Allie does this by researching events and helping ghosts understand what is troubling them. Gabe’s wife died five years earlier. He is raising his son Jake. Gabe inherited a pub in Scotland which is where he has lived his whole life. A group of friendly ghosts has lived in the pub for hundreds of years. They are like family to Gabe and his son. Now, something is troubling Gabe, and he wants to sell the pub and move away. Each time potential buyers come to look, the ghosts scare them away. Gabe hires Allie to stop the ghosts from haunting the buyers.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I didn’t like the main conflict: something is troubling Gabe, and he won’t tell Allie what it is. The friendly ghosts know what the problem is but when one of them starts to tell Allie, another ghost says “don’t tell her, it should be Gabe who tells her.” This happens on several occasions. Even Gabe’s relatives know and don’t tell Allie. The ghosts and relatives know that Allie is the best one to help Gabe. Keeping the secret from Allie is the major conflict until page 196 when someone accidentally tells her. After this, the reader must continue to wait until page 274 before any action happens. The conversations and actions that later solve the problem could have been better. The solution didn’t fit the problem partly because it was too quickly and easily resolved.

A second problem is that Gabe and Allie are drawn to each other. On a few occasions, they kiss, and are immediately interrupted by one of the friendly ghosts. This ghost does not want them kissing or touching unless they are married. So they comply with the ghost’s wishes. I didn’t care for this reason. I saw it as a weak excuse to provide conflict.

At times, there was too much pondering which felt like filler, making the story longer than it needed to be.

DATA:
Story length: 316 pages. Sexual language: none to mild. Number of sex scenes: 1. Total number of sex scene pages: 3. Setting: current day Northwest coast of Scotland and Raleigh, N. Carolina. Copyright: 2009. Genre: fantasy romance.

[Angels · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacGowan's Ghost
by Cindy Miles
4 out of 5 stars

http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-...

Gabe MacGowan—a sexy, brooding, guilt-ridden widower and father to mischievous seven-year old Jake—is the proprietor of Odin's Thumb Inn and Pub in a misty Scottish seaside village. He decides to sell the inn and move, not only to give his son a more stable environment, but to escape the ghosts who haunt him—in particular his dead wife.

Gabe hires Allie Morgan, an easy-going and fun-loving American, to oust the spirits who are chasing away potential buyers. Odin's Thumb is bustling with frightened tourists, quirky residents of the village, and dodgy yet lovable apparitions—including the ghost of a sea captain who fancies Allie. Allie knows she can help Gabe chase away his own ghosts, but can she help him rediscover life—and love?


Mass Market Paperback, 336 pages
Published February 3rd 2009 by Signet (first published January 9th 2009)
ISBN
0451226186 (ISBN13: 9780451226181)
original title
MacGowan's Ghost (Signet Eclipse)

My Thoughts...


Thought this was a very cute and funny story. Loved all the characters , setting and the mystery surrounding the pub/Inn . Loved the 5 spirits in cahoots ! and there charades that the put on when and interested buyer came to see the pub ! LOL And there there interaction with Allie and Gabe and his family these spirits were such a part of there lives like family and more amazing the were able to be seen a communicated with.Gabe MacGowan—a sexy, brooding, guilt-ridden widower and father to mischievous seven-year old Jake—is the proprietor of Odin’s Thumb Inn and Pub in a misty Scottish seaside village. He decides to sell the inn and move, not only to give his son a more stable environment, but to escape the ghosts who haunt him—in particular his dead wife.Gabe hires Allie Morgan, an easy-going and fun-loving American, to oust the spirits who are chasing away potential buyers. Odin’s Thumb is bustling with frightened tourists, quirky residents of the village, and dodgy yet lovable apparitions—including the ghost of a sea captain who fancies Allie. Allie knows she can help Gabe chase away his own ghosts, but can she help him rediscover life—and love?

[Wendy Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gabe MacGowan grew up with the ghosts that now haunt his pub. They are baffled why he would want to leave them, and hurt that he would do so. Allie Morgan died when she was younger, and when she was revived, she could see ghosts. She’s made it into her life’s work. Now she is hired for the job of a lifetime.

Allie Morgan can see dead people. She is hired by many to oust the spirits that haunt their homes. Usually, she talks to the spirits and does some research about them. Once she finds out why they are haunting, she tries to solve the problem. Allie loves her job, and she is good at it. She soon finds herself taking her first international job in Scotland to oust the spirits of a pub, Odin’s Thumb.

Gabe MacGowan is the proprietor of Odin’s Thumb Inn and Pub in a Scottish village and he has hired Allie to oust the spirits that live there. They keep scaring away potential buyers. He is determined to sell the pub so he and his son Jake can move. Not only for a more stable environment for his son, but also to escape the ghosts that haunt him, particularly his dead wife.

Allie falls in love with the Pub and its ghost’s very quickly. She is determined to break the hard shell Gabe has enclosed himself in, as well as try to keep her own heart from getting broken. Gabe is scared to unleash his horrific burden on Allie, even though her very presence ignites feelings in him he hasn't felt in a long while. Between the two of them, sparks fly and emotions run deep.

A beautiful Scottish background, ghosts who are full of character, and witty prose make this a fun and enjoyable read. With a splash of romance, gut-wrenching emotion, and a solid plot, MACGOWAN’S GHOST is wonderful to read while catching some rays or curled up in front of the fire.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, what a terrible cover hiding such a good book inside! It told me nothing of the humour and paranormal nature of the book. Work harder, Signet art department!

But apart from the sexiness of the hero being stated a few too many times (okay, I get it - she's attracted to him!) and finding it hard to track all the names to start with, given the quantity of characters and ghosts, this is genuinely a book that keeps you smiling page after page.

The humour comes from the characters and the dialogue, and, along with the description, weaves a charming web that makes the book hard to put down.

I don't normally read paranormal romance, usually so dark and forbidding, but this book is easily accessible to all. Whilst it has its dark moments - there is a truly scary climax to the book - it will satisfy readers who love quirky, light, small town romances too.

The Scots accent is conveyed throughout the book, but Ms Miles has balanced it nicely so the text remains very readable and doesn't pull the reader out of the story.

A charming read.

[I_love_a_happily_ever_after · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kept this book on my shelf for quite a while before I picked it up, I was not sure I was going to like the prot and ant both being mortal and alive. I love Cindy Miles' romances between the Alive heroine, and the cursed or dead ghostly heros, and could not foresee how this story could be as magical as her others. I was delighted to discover that this book was just as magical.
The Pros of this book:

Endearing Characters. I loved Justin Catesby, probably more than the hero. I hope he gets his own story eventually.

The Character of Kait was very scary. I love how Cindy intensified her through the story. At the end I was actually scared, and I do not get scared very easily.

Book Cons: A little too syrupy at times, and the Ghost Dauber needed more development. But This was not enough to Bring her down from a 5 star rating!! :o)

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! Keep up the great work Cindy!

[Amy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books such as this one. Light, with some nice heart-tugging scenes. Allie Morgan is an American and a ghost ouster. She helps people rid themselves of those pesky specters. Gabe MacGowen is the owner of the Odin's Thumb pub in Scotland. He has a pack of pesky ghosts he needs quieted in order to sell his pub. So after browsing the internet, he contacts Allie to do the job.

Allie accepts and finds herself in the rugged, beautiful country of Scotland, situated in a small coastal town that Allie learns has an uncanny way of attracting ghosts. But once she gets there she soon discovers that it's not the band of ghosts she needs to worry about but a ghost more evil and malevolent than she's ever experienced before. The ghost of Gabe's dead wife, Kait.

I thought this was a very light and sweetly sensual tale of ghosts, and the healing power of love. There was a touch of silliness along with a dash of creepiness at the end.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's what the back of the book says:

It's hard to leave the past behind when it keeps coming back to haunt you....

Odin's Thumb Inn and Pub may be owned by brooding Highlander Gabe MacGowan, but it is actually run by a crew of ornery ghosts, who aren't eager for their home to undergo a change in management. Gabe intends to sell the pub not only to give his son a more sable environment but to escape what really haunts him-his wife's death.

Leave it to fun-loving American Allie Morgan to come to Gabe's rescue. Hired to oust the sneaky spirits, who are chasing away potential buyers of the inn, Allie winds up winning the hearts of everyone in the Scottish seaside village, including those of the ghost of a sea captain and Gabe himself. Now all she has to do is find a way to help the sexy Highlander chase away his own ghosts.

[Lhenry · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story should have been more interesting than it actually was. I agree with another reviewer who said there was a lot of "filler" scenes that were nice, but that didn't really move the story along. I was feel very impatient for a climactic scene with Kait, Allie and Gabe, but it was not really all that excting when it finally transpired. I was disappointed with the characterizations too. I justed didn't feel much beyond the basics on each one: Gabe was tortured, the ghosts were feisty, the townspeople and Gabe's relatives were so quaint. And Allie was really just too perfect. I was actually annoying at how everyone raved about how adorable she was. I like spunky heroines, but she was just a little too much. I wanted to like this more, but it just didn't do anything for me.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't want to say this is a paranormal romance. To me this book is a romance novel that happens to have ghosts.

Gabe MacGowan hires Allie Morgan to rid his pub of ghosts. Allie can communicate with the dead but is not your typical ghost buster. She wants to find out why the ghost are still hanging around and at Gabe's put their is a whole circle of ghosts and a whole town who accepts them as they are.

I don't want to spoil anything with this book but it is an EASY, ENJOYABLE, FUNNY, ROMANCE and worth every minute you spend reading it.

Find out why Allie can talk to the dead and what Gabe wants to sell his pub.

[Donna Jo Atwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to believe in ghosts and a whole town that sees the same ghosts and a ghost hunter/buster who is effective because she's already "died" twice, this is the book for you.
Oh, and I forgot the tormented hero with a load of emotional baggage and the cute little boy and a whole passel of villagers who just twinkle with happiness every time they turn around. And the clan of warriors who seem to be fugitives from the 14th century, but NOT ghosts (perhaps leftovers from a previous book that I fortunately missed).
Just a little too much of the Scottish burr.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical paranormal romance was awesome. Gabe MacGowan's ghostly wife was a creepy as creepy gets. Allie Morgan was tasked to clear her out of MacGowan's pub so it could be sold. Unfortunately for both of them, the crew of other ghosts in the pub aren't so eager to have their home sold. Fun ghost antics. Great, edgy plot. And dreamy romance. I loved this book as I have with all of Miles' books.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet paranormal romance set on the rugged coast of Scotland. Gabe MacGowan's pub has been haunted for hundreds of years, but the ghost that's haunting Gabe is that of his unhappy wife who died several years ago, and is just as unhappy in the spirit world as she was in the living and breathing world. Gabe contacts medium Allie Morgan to rid the pub of all ghostly afterlife, and falls for Allie in the process, which makes his ghostly wife even more angry and threatening.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked this up, but it turned out to be a really cute, light read.

I liked both the main characters. Allie was a bright, sunny person. That might have been irritating, but she was well balanced.

Gabe was more dark and brooding, but that wasn't irritating either. He suffered from things in his past in a way I found believable.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first part of this book, but the second half was a tad boring and eye-rolling. Things like equating his sobriety w/ not trying to have sex with her just escaped me. I'm not sure how the two are related. The ghost characters in this one were fun. It was also fun to see the characters from a previous novel (can't remember the name right now.)

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premiss of this story was a good one, but the book failed to live up to it. It started off slow, and I really would have liked more background info on the ghosts of Odin's Thumb. Also the ghost of the wife was not really believable.

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't remember it -- just had it on my list of books I've read.

Merged review:

Cute Scottish paranormal stuff -- such a cute hero and heroine it kind of sucks you in, even if you hate that kind of thing. I liked it.

[Kristin Whitehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story. I loved the ghosts. It would be fun to hear their stories as well. Maybe in a book of short stories. Every time I read a book set in Scotland it makes me want to go there even more.