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Haunted Love #8
Necromancing with a Ghost
Carsen McAllister isn’t much of a necromancer. He doesn’t lay spirits to rest or handle dangerous hauntings. He’s more of a dog guy—a pet psychic, to be precise, with a tiny Pomeranian familiar on one side and his childhood (un)dead dog on the other. So when his boss asks him to handle a haunting at an abandoned farm in rural Kansas, his first instinct is to say “Not only no, but hell no!” But when the spirit doing the haunting is a dog, Carsen can’t just leave it to suffer.
The farm turns out to have far more secrets than anyone knew, even the ghost of the man haunting the place. Rafael Medrano is handsome, funny, kind…and he died more than seventy years ago. What’s keeping him here? Why did his dog stay, driving away anyone who came here? And how does he keep pulling Carsen into visions from the past—not only the violence of war, but the tenderness of true love?
Most importantly…will their dogs get along?
The farm turns out to have far more secrets than anyone knew, even the ghost of the man haunting the place. Rafael Medrano is handsome, funny, kind…and he died more than seventy years ago. What’s keeping him here? Why did his dog stay, driving away anyone who came here? And how does he keep pulling Carsen into visions from the past—not only the violence of war, but the tenderness of true love?
Most importantly…will their dogs get along?
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2022
57 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Cari Z.
133 books537 followersCari Z. is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She has a wonderful relationship with her husband, a complex relationship with the characters in her head and a sadomasochistic relationship with her exercise routine. She feels like Halloween should happen every month, which is why you get this picture of her, and hopes that you enjoy reading what she's put out there as much as she enjoyed writing it in the first place.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 11, 2022
Okay. Well. The writing is fine. But.
but.
1. Where’s the romance??
There isn’t any! A little bit of “he’s pretty” and then….yeah nah. Nothing.
2. This reads like a prequel, not a standalone anything.
There’s so many small tidbits of information that would make sense if this was a prequel to a same couple series. The whole world setup with necromancers, the law, history, etc. The brother?? the family??? The dogs! So many things that feel like they’re meant to be expanded on, but since this is just a novella, it feels very out of place.
It ends so abruptly. If this was off to “and then they were a ghost-necromancer dog psychic crime solving team roaming the US with dogs” for a series premise, that would be cool. It is not. Instead I’m left feeling very ?????
3. The file is a grand total of 72 pages long, and yet it still ends at 88%!!!!
!!!
Overall, while the writing was fine, and while I think it would make for a very fun series premise, this was frustrating to read due to its non-standalone feel and total lack of actual romance. Since so many critical things were missing, I can’t give it a higher rating.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
1. Where’s the romance??
There isn’t any! A little bit of “he’s pretty” and then….yeah nah. Nothing.
2. This reads like a prequel, not a standalone anything.
There’s so many small tidbits of information that would make sense if this was a prequel to a same couple series. The whole world setup with necromancers, the law, history, etc. The brother?? the family??? The dogs! So many things that feel like they’re meant to be expanded on, but since this is just a novella, it feels very out of place.
It ends so abruptly. If this was off to “and then they were a ghost-necromancer dog psychic crime solving team roaming the US with dogs” for a series premise, that would be cool. It is not. Instead I’m left feeling very ?????
3. The file is a grand total of 72 pages long, and yet it still ends at 88%!!!!
!!!
Overall, while the writing was fine, and while I think it would make for a very fun series premise, this was frustrating to read due to its non-standalone feel and total lack of actual romance. Since so many critical things were missing, I can’t give it a higher rating.
Read more reviews on my blog:
https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
March 11, 2025
Um..ok... so this wasn't romance.. just a story about a ghost trying to move on.. (he was gay before he died) I thought something juicy was gonna be revealed. But no.
Boring.
Boring.
October 8, 2022
2.75 stars rounded up
First of all, it's not romance. There's a love story ABOUT the ghost haunting the house, but it's not about the main character. It seems like a start of a good paranormal cozy mystery...
HOWEVER, it feels like the author left out the whole background story/universe from this novella. There's mention about Carsen's father working for the FBI, and somehow the universe has necromancers because it's used in the WW II.. and things like that. It's not FUN not knowing all of that.
BUT I'm rounding it up because I like the dogs!
First of all, it's not romance. There's a love story ABOUT the ghost haunting the house, but it's not about the main character. It seems like a start of a good paranormal cozy mystery...
HOWEVER, it feels like the author left out the whole background story/universe from this novella. There's mention about Carsen's father working for the FBI, and somehow the universe has necromancers because it's used in the WW II.. and things like that. It's not FUN not knowing all of that.
BUT I'm rounding it up because I like the dogs!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2022
I am a big Cari Z fan and truly enjoy her style, stories and characters. I need to start out by saying that because it likely affects my end rating of this story even though I think I’d rate it this way even if Cari was entirely new to me.
Necromancing with a Ghost was a sweet, intriguing and charming short story. The characters endearing and engaging and the plot entertaining. That said, this story is not what I expected. That said, I was entertained and charmed by the characters, their relationship and interaction and by the plot in general.
I’m not sure how to rate this one…
My level of entertainment was 4.25 stars but will warn readers that if you’re a “romance” purist, you may be shocked and disappointed with the direction this one goes and where it ends up. As for me, I thought it was delightful.
Necromancing with a Ghost was a sweet, intriguing and charming short story. The characters endearing and engaging and the plot entertaining. That said, this story is not what I expected. That said, I was entertained and charmed by the characters, their relationship and interaction and by the plot in general.
I’m not sure how to rate this one…
My level of entertainment was 4.25 stars but will warn readers that if you’re a “romance” purist, you may be shocked and disappointed with the direction this one goes and where it ends up. As for me, I thought it was delightful.
October 8, 2022
Was good
This I quite enjoyed but the end came to quickly for my liking. I would love to know what happened next, but I guess that's kind of the beauty of this is that you get to imagine where they went and what happened to them.
This I quite enjoyed but the end came to quickly for my liking. I would love to know what happened next, but I guess that's kind of the beauty of this is that you get to imagine where they went and what happened to them.
April 24, 2023
moving ghostly tale of love and grief
Rating: 4🌈
I just can’t resist a dog story. Even one where the dog is dead. And a ghost. Or two ghostly dogs.
The Haunted Love series are stories of ghostly romance told by ten different authors.
Cari Z gives us a alternate universe where necromancers were used on both sides of WWII, magic , especially necromancy, is common place as to have specific roles and abilities, even a power qualifier that would enable one to get into the highest ranks of society and business levels.
Having skills that allow one to communicate with animals, specifically dogs, or having companions that facilitate the interaction with ghostly animals, doesn’t rate high for most people. Except those with the need for help and love that involves dogs in some case’s.
Pet psychic Carsen McAllister works for a company that handles all types of cases that call for a necromancer. In his case, he , along with his two trained canine companions get handed those specific files that involve animal spirits.
The author has a special backstory for Carsen’s trained canines. One, Ruby is a Belgian Malinois, who just happens to be a ghost herself. The other is Bess, a darling very much alive Pomeranian especially breed to work with spirits. Carsen’s himself has a fascinating history with a near tragedy that he shares with his brother.
I really wanted to know more about what happened to cause Ruby’s death, and the events surrounding the incident that’s caused a rift between brothers. This short story just can’t handle the questions the great elements the author’s set afloat.
It starts with a job to clear a haunted property of its ghost. The family that owns it and a developer need the ghost gone so they can get in to clear the place. Problem is the ghost is a scary dog who’s kept everyone out for decades, even physically threatening them.
The author’s story turns into a layered investigation into a historical romance. Two soldiers and a dog.
I’ll be honest and say I definitely needed some tissues. Carsen’s intervention into one , make that two ghosts grief and then the recognition that love , being loved is enough.
The ending is lovely but I was left with questions. It’s in the details. As in what happens to that moving grave marker and Rafael Medrano’s body?
I’m mean, the plan is to bulldoze the place. It’s the small items like those that I need closure for.
On the whole? Necromancing with a Ghost (Haunted Love #8) by Cari Z is a heartwarming ghostly tale and I’m delighted to recommend it for all lovers of the paranormal stories.
Yes, dead dogs. But they’re splendid! And ghosts! And already dead when the story starts , so don’t let that stop you from reading. ( As it does me in the movies and TV shows).
Haunted Love series (10 books)
- [ ] Stargazing With A Ghost by K.L. Hiers
- [ ] Sexting With A Ghost by Ashlynn Mills
- [ ] Screwing With a Ghost by Morgan Mason
- [ ] Gardening with a Ghost by Amanda Meuwissen
- [ ] Baking With A Ghost by RM Neill
- [x] Necromancing with a Ghost by Cari Z
- [ ] Dancing with a Ghost by Alex J. Adams
- [ ] Haunting With A Ghost by B. Ripley
- [ ] Flunking with a Ghost by Baylin Crow
Note: I realize 9 books are listed but unfortunately unable to find the 10th.
Rating: 4🌈
I just can’t resist a dog story. Even one where the dog is dead. And a ghost. Or two ghostly dogs.
The Haunted Love series are stories of ghostly romance told by ten different authors.
Cari Z gives us a alternate universe where necromancers were used on both sides of WWII, magic , especially necromancy, is common place as to have specific roles and abilities, even a power qualifier that would enable one to get into the highest ranks of society and business levels.
Having skills that allow one to communicate with animals, specifically dogs, or having companions that facilitate the interaction with ghostly animals, doesn’t rate high for most people. Except those with the need for help and love that involves dogs in some case’s.
Pet psychic Carsen McAllister works for a company that handles all types of cases that call for a necromancer. In his case, he , along with his two trained canine companions get handed those specific files that involve animal spirits.
The author has a special backstory for Carsen’s trained canines. One, Ruby is a Belgian Malinois, who just happens to be a ghost herself. The other is Bess, a darling very much alive Pomeranian especially breed to work with spirits. Carsen’s himself has a fascinating history with a near tragedy that he shares with his brother.
I really wanted to know more about what happened to cause Ruby’s death, and the events surrounding the incident that’s caused a rift between brothers. This short story just can’t handle the questions the great elements the author’s set afloat.
It starts with a job to clear a haunted property of its ghost. The family that owns it and a developer need the ghost gone so they can get in to clear the place. Problem is the ghost is a scary dog who’s kept everyone out for decades, even physically threatening them.
The author’s story turns into a layered investigation into a historical romance. Two soldiers and a dog.
I’ll be honest and say I definitely needed some tissues. Carsen’s intervention into one , make that two ghosts grief and then the recognition that love , being loved is enough.
The ending is lovely but I was left with questions. It’s in the details. As in what happens to that moving grave marker and Rafael Medrano’s body?
I’m mean, the plan is to bulldoze the place. It’s the small items like those that I need closure for.
On the whole? Necromancing with a Ghost (Haunted Love #8) by Cari Z is a heartwarming ghostly tale and I’m delighted to recommend it for all lovers of the paranormal stories.
Yes, dead dogs. But they’re splendid! And ghosts! And already dead when the story starts , so don’t let that stop you from reading. ( As it does me in the movies and TV shows).
Haunted Love series (10 books)
- [ ] Stargazing With A Ghost by K.L. Hiers
- [ ] Sexting With A Ghost by Ashlynn Mills
- [ ] Screwing With a Ghost by Morgan Mason
- [ ] Gardening with a Ghost by Amanda Meuwissen
- [ ] Baking With A Ghost by RM Neill
- [x] Necromancing with a Ghost by Cari Z
- [ ] Dancing with a Ghost by Alex J. Adams
- [ ] Haunting With A Ghost by B. Ripley
- [ ] Flunking with a Ghost by Baylin Crow
Note: I realize 9 books are listed but unfortunately unable to find the 10th.
October 26, 2025
Beware! False advertising & not a romance!!
Unfortunately, that the author intentionally misrepresented the categorization for this book adding it to MM Romance lists, Facebook group posts, etc,
I cannot honor this story with a higher rating because for me it all matters. The story outside of the above issue is actually a sweet one. Raff is such a sweet ghost & I’m sad that the author chose to keep this story so short as I would have enjoyed his experiences in current day life. Carsen is also a great character that we don’t get to know well either & he’s an intriguing character; the dogs…love when animals are used in a story. As the story itself is only 68 pages I don’t want to give spoilers. I’ll finish with it was a bittersweet story ultimately that does end on an upbeat note at the end but I won’t read this book again nor will I recommend it. Solid 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
Unfortunately, that the author intentionally misrepresented the categorization for this book adding it to MM Romance lists, Facebook group posts, etc,
I cannot honor this story with a higher rating because for me it all matters. The story outside of the above issue is actually a sweet one. Raff is such a sweet ghost & I’m sad that the author chose to keep this story so short as I would have enjoyed his experiences in current day life. Carsen is also a great character that we don’t get to know well either & he’s an intriguing character; the dogs…love when animals are used in a story. As the story itself is only 68 pages I don’t want to give spoilers. I’ll finish with it was a bittersweet story ultimately that does end on an upbeat note at the end but I won’t read this book again nor will I recommend it. Solid 3⭐️ 🤷🏻♀️
February 12, 2023
I'm not really sure what to do with this one. It feels like a beginning / a prologue to a story. I'm not even sure a romance novel. Maybe.
There's quite a lot of "world building" and an understanding of Carsen McAllister (our MC and sole POV). Who he is and what is abilities are. I won't get into the details as I don't think it's that important for this review. He is commissioned to stop a dog hunting a house. A house no one has lived in for more than 40 years. When Carsen find out what the dog is "guarding" he strikes a conversation with a VERY powerful being. Someone still heartbroken about what happened so many years ago and unable to leave.
Don't expect a true romance in this one. It has a little love element but it's VERY small / brief.
There's quite a lot of "world building" and an understanding of Carsen McAllister (our MC and sole POV). Who he is and what is abilities are. I won't get into the details as I don't think it's that important for this review. He is commissioned to stop a dog hunting a house. A house no one has lived in for more than 40 years. When Carsen find out what the dog is "guarding" he strikes a conversation with a VERY powerful being. Someone still heartbroken about what happened so many years ago and unable to leave.
Don't expect a true romance in this one. It has a little love element but it's VERY small / brief.
January 3, 2024
2.5 stars
Cute story, but false advertising. On Amazon the title line explicitly calls this a paranormal romance, which it is not. Romance has a very simple, very clear industry definition and this does not fall into ANY grey area. This is quantifiably, verifiably NOT Romance. I'm getting real tired of authors trying to get that Romance dollar and lying to readers to get it. There's no HEA, because there's no romance. There's no HFN because there's NO ROMANCE.
The most annoying part is, they didn't need to lie! The writing is good and the world-building is interesting. If anything, this reads as a prequel to a cozy mystery series. I would so read that series, with or without romantic elements. The audience for it exists!
Cute story, but false advertising. On Amazon the title line explicitly calls this a paranormal romance, which it is not. Romance has a very simple, very clear industry definition and this does not fall into ANY grey area. This is quantifiably, verifiably NOT Romance. I'm getting real tired of authors trying to get that Romance dollar and lying to readers to get it. There's no HEA, because there's no romance. There's no HFN because there's NO ROMANCE.
The most annoying part is, they didn't need to lie! The writing is good and the world-building is interesting. If anything, this reads as a prequel to a cozy mystery series. I would so read that series, with or without romantic elements. The audience for it exists!
September 27, 2024
2.75 ⭐️
Did I step in the middle of a story? There were so many elements that hinted at a previous story (the whole necromancy world, the relationship with his brother, his dogs, etc) and then, it looked like the prequel of a story between Carson and Rafe.
It’s not a romance because the characters don’t have a relationship. Rafe talks about his relationship with Jimmy when he died 70 years ago and Carson is there to listen.
The book finished (a whole 60 pages later) with them taking off on a road trip.
I found weird how short this story is considering that all other books in the series have - at minimum - 138 pages.
Did I step in the middle of a story? There were so many elements that hinted at a previous story (the whole necromancy world, the relationship with his brother, his dogs, etc) and then, it looked like the prequel of a story between Carson and Rafe.
It’s not a romance because the characters don’t have a relationship. Rafe talks about his relationship with Jimmy when he died 70 years ago and Carson is there to listen.
The book finished (a whole 60 pages later) with them taking off on a road trip.
I found weird how short this story is considering that all other books in the series have - at minimum - 138 pages.
November 1, 2024
3.5 "feels more like a prequel" stars.
Pros: strong characters especially the dogs. Interesting AU where necromancy is a normal thing that people use (I wasn't clear for what, other than war and therapy). I liked the feeling that there was a world here with things going on outside the MC and his assigned haunted house. I assume the author has more with the brother Noah.
Cons: the final reveal is anti-climactic and the story kind of trails off. Romance fans may be a bit let down; there are romance vibes but no one gets together in the story.
Short, enjoyable read, would likely pick up the next book.
Pros: strong characters especially the dogs. Interesting AU where necromancy is a normal thing that people use (I wasn't clear for what, other than war and therapy). I liked the feeling that there was a world here with things going on outside the MC and his assigned haunted house. I assume the author has more with the brother Noah.
Cons: the final reveal is anti-climactic and the story kind of trails off. Romance fans may be a bit let down; there are romance vibes but no one gets together in the story.
Short, enjoyable read, would likely pick up the next book.
November 5, 2022
Wanted more
The haunted love series im loving it can't get enough and in this one loving it just not enough wanted more of these guys ended to soon Carsen is a necromancer and is two dogs Bess and Ruby whos a spirit dog who meet Raff the ghost and is dog Argos also a spirt together they are amazing just wanted more of them what a series this is.
The haunted love series im loving it can't get enough and in this one loving it just not enough wanted more of these guys ended to soon Carsen is a necromancer and is two dogs Bess and Ruby whos a spirit dog who meet Raff the ghost and is dog Argos also a spirt together they are amazing just wanted more of them what a series this is.
May 22, 2023
Necromancing With A Ghost
A very heartwarming but also heart wrenching short story.
I would love to see this expanded and find out what happens with his twin brother and if they can repair their relationship and also to see if anything becomes of the budding friendship between these two. Plus more of the dogs please.
Highly recommend.
A very heartwarming but also heart wrenching short story.
I would love to see this expanded and find out what happens with his twin brother and if they can repair their relationship and also to see if anything becomes of the budding friendship between these two. Plus more of the dogs please.
Highly recommend.
October 13, 2022
Loved it!
This book isn’t a romance, it’s a small mystery in why a ghost dog and ghost are haunting a house. The necromancer figures out the details and a new beginning starts for the ghost and ghost dog.
I do want more of this story, I didn’t want it to end.
This book isn’t a romance, it’s a small mystery in why a ghost dog and ghost are haunting a house. The necromancer figures out the details and a new beginning starts for the ghost and ghost dog.
I do want more of this story, I didn’t want it to end.
November 27, 2022
This was my favorite of the series but I wish it had been longer because there was so much just left hanging. It felt like this could become a series if the author was interested. I loved it except for the end.
January 2, 2024
I was going to give it 5* until it ended at 88% which always frustrates me AND leaves it totally open ended with the option for way more stories and not very much closure at all! Uuughhh!!! Cute story but .. uuugh. Is there more???!!
May 24, 2025
Short and sweet.
I enjoyed the story and especially the dogs, though by the end it feels a lot more like a beginning. It makes you crave to read about their next adventures. In short, a pleasure.
I enjoyed the story and especially the dogs, though by the end it feels a lot more like a beginning. It makes you crave to read about their next adventures. In short, a pleasure.
October 24, 2022
It was a very, very charming story.
November 11, 2022
A really sweet story, despite memories of war and the ghost's death, but exactly what I expect from this author.
April 1, 2023
Loved it. A great story. I am really loving this series.
May 20, 2024
2.5 rounded up for the dogs.
Where’s the romance?
Reads like a prequel but it’s been over a year and a half
so perhaps not.
Where’s the romance?
Reads like a prequel but it’s been over a year and a half
so perhaps not.
October 7, 2024
Rating: 3/5 🌟
Spice: .5/5 🌶️
Characters: Carsen and Rafael
Spice: .5/5 🌶️
Characters: Carsen and Rafael
December 10, 2022
Um... what? Ok, so this is a new-to-me author, and at first, I was excited! This series - as so many multi-author series are - has been hit and miss for me so far, but as I started this one it was so adorable that I thought I might have found a new author to binge. And while the writing and story weren't utterly amazing, the story was a solid 4-star read for me with nothing I didn't like about it... until I hit 88% on my Kindle and the book E N D E D. With, and this just left me blinking in shock, tbh... no romance. NO ROMANCE. This series is called "Haunted Love" and yet this isn't a love story. I mean, tbf, it does reference , and if I'd gone in expecting something different than a romance - you know, the kind where the two actual main characters fall in love with each other - then I might not feel so put out right now, but nope. This is categorized as gay romance, it's in a series about living men falling in love with ghosts, and neither of those things happened. What it does feel like is a set-up for one of those adorable little cozy mystery type things where the ghost and necromancer go off on a whole book-series' worth of (pet-related) adventures, all the while letting their slow-burn romance build as an overarching series arc. But I'm not here for that, and I'm honestly really fucking tempted to lower this to a 2-star for how put out I am about my expectations vs what I got. But, le sigh, I won't. The book was fun and well-written for what it was, it just wasn't as advertised, and I am left completely unsatisfied and with a bit of a sour attitude toward this author.
Oh well. Moving on.
Oh well. Moving on.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews