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The Crane Diaries #9
The Ties That Bind
You are cordially invited to the wedding of:
Emma Crane And Daniel Richards
August 6, 2022 at 7pm
Our Lady Of Hope Presbyterian Church
New Orleans, LA
Reception to follow at The Crane Plantation
Please beware the ghosts in the church as they are hostile and could potentially do you bodily harm.
Otherwise, join the parents of Emma and Daniel to rejoice in the celebration of their marriage.
Emma Crane And Daniel Richards
August 6, 2022 at 7pm
Our Lady Of Hope Presbyterian Church
New Orleans, LA
Reception to follow at The Crane Plantation
Please beware the ghosts in the church as they are hostile and could potentially do you bodily harm.
Otherwise, join the parents of Emma and Daniel to rejoice in the celebration of their marriage.
- GenresParanormalHorror
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
71 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Apryl Baker
79 books1,827 followersSo who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters.
Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
You can reach me at any of these places:
Blog: http://apryl-baker.blogspot.com/
Twitter:@AprylBaker
The Promise Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO2zTi...
PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 7, 2022
Officer Dan and his Squirt finally get married after everything they have been through. Mattie/Emma's journey to this point has been horrendous. But through it all she has gained family and friends and of course the love of her life - Dan.
Being a fan of this series from book 1 of the Ghost Files it was a treat that almost every character from the previous books were either in the story or mentioned. I loved that we are finally at this point - the union of Dan and Mattie professing their eternal love for one another. There is still so much more story to be told so I am hoping in the future we will get more books. But for now I am so happy where things are for everyone.
Being a fan of this series from book 1 of the Ghost Files it was a treat that almost every character from the previous books were either in the story or mentioned. I loved that we are finally at this point - the union of Dan and Mattie professing their eternal love for one another. There is still so much more story to be told so I am hoping in the future we will get more books. But for now I am so happy where things are for everyone.
September 13, 2022
Loved this book! I loved the story of how Mattie/Emma picked her church for her wedding. I love this author Apryl Baker and soo many of this author's books. I love how Apryl writes and love the story telling in each book. I can't wait to follow on the next adventure and see what new things Apryl will bring to the table. Apryl's imagination is so awesome and I am glad we get to enjoy it in each and every book! Thank you for the great stories.
March 6, 2025
I might have shed too many tears during this book😭
September 14, 2022
I love everything Apryl Baker has written so far. I have read (devoured?) the Ghost Files series and now have read everything so far in the Crane Diaries series. When I read this last book, it just seems to me like her heart isn't in it. It seems a little mechanically written. I am actually struggling to finish it and can't figure out exactly why. I am pretty disappointed and surprised, and it just felt to me like this was written more to fulfill a deadline obligation rather than something she WANTED to write. The characters are just as engaging, the story line is good but there seems to be something missing with this one. I have noticed a few spelling errors, no big deal I know but to spelling Nazi's it sticks out like a sore thumb, and to be honest, I don't remember coming across this in any of her other books. Just seems like something is off here and I'm not sure. Her Manwhore book was great, I loved her take on a romance book, so it isn't her writing style changing or anything. I just don't know. Maybe it's just me? It will be interesting to see if others agree or disagree with my opinion.
September 11, 2022
Emma and Dan are finally getting married. What could possibly go wrong? While preparing for the wedding, Emma does what she does best as a living reaper - helps ghosts who have undergone horrific deaths cross over. Emma's entire family and her closest friends come together for the big event, which leads to some very awkward and sometimes humorous situations. This is the final installment of Emma and Daniel's story. These two have been on quite a journey together and I do believe that Ms. Baker gave them a good, proper ending. I just felt the delivery was a bit lacking. This could be because I absolutely loved the previous book and was expecting the reasons why to carry forward into this book. This book is by no means a standalone and anyone interested in the book should read the ones leading up to it.
March 14, 2023
Another great installment to this series! It wasn't my most favorite. It felt almost like a filler, but I think it's kicking off the potential for bigger stories.
The only thing I'd really say is that it was frustrating me that nobody seemed to understand how Mattie felt when she had to leave in the last book. I get it hurt them, but she just went through something hugely traumatic and she had to deal with it and go through it how it was best for her. They called her selfish, but isn't it THEM who are selfish for expecting her to deal with it how THEY want her to? They should know by now that's not who she is. And if they truly cared, they'd let her deal with it how she needs/wants to. Give her space, even if that means she has to take off.
Okay, rant over. 😁 I still love this series, and I hope to see more big bads come out to play in future books!
The only thing I'd really say is that it was frustrating me that nobody seemed to understand how Mattie felt when she had to leave in the last book. I get it hurt them, but she just went through something hugely traumatic and she had to deal with it and go through it how it was best for her. They called her selfish, but isn't it THEM who are selfish for expecting her to deal with it how THEY want her to? They should know by now that's not who she is. And if they truly cared, they'd let her deal with it how she needs/wants to. Give her space, even if that means she has to take off.
Okay, rant over. 😁 I still love this series, and I hope to see more big bads come out to play in future books!
August 24, 2022
Oh man, to say that we've been waiting for this moment is an understatement. We, as readers, have watched Mattie grow up into a young woman , find herslef, her footing, her meanings and her love. We;ve done the same with Dan so seeing them finally take that moment meant just for them was amazing. More than that though, getting tohave a case, getting to reconnect with our cast of characters and getting glimpses of what might be o come was just perfection. Loved every moment of this story. It was so fulfilling and just what I needed!
February 11, 2023
I loved Mattie in the Ghost Files series, but I am not sure that I like were this one is going. I feel like Mattie is acting more and more like the spoiled child who always gets her way and it’s not appealing. I am glad they are on Kindle Unlimited because between the super short length of the books and the amount of time is spent reviewing previous books, I would really struggle justifying continuing reading.
On a side note, I have read and loved almost every book by Apryl Baker, I’m just getting a bit frustrated with this series.
On a side note, I have read and loved almost every book by Apryl Baker, I’m just getting a bit frustrated with this series.
August 30, 2022
Wonderful series! I absolutely LOVED every moment of reading this story. I’ve been a fan from the very beginning. I can’t say enough how much this story is awesome. It was such a roller coaster of emotions for me while reading it. Highly highly recommend this series as a must read. I wish so much that there will be more to come. I adore Mattie and the other characters and would love to see more of them.
September 11, 2022
But will there be a 10?
I binge read the entire series starting with The Ghost Files through Crane Diaries book 6, then I have (impatiently) waited each release since. I finished this one in a day, and it's just as good as the others, but I'm sad I can't keep binge reading! The writing is well done and it's a must read to continue the series and have a happy heart.
I binge read the entire series starting with The Ghost Files through Crane Diaries book 6, then I have (impatiently) waited each release since. I finished this one in a day, and it's just as good as the others, but I'm sad I can't keep binge reading! The writing is well done and it's a must read to continue the series and have a happy heart.
August 21, 2022
This has to be one of my favourites in this series. She got what she deserves, the wedding is just simply amazing and my emotions ran high throughout. Would definitely recommend the whole series.
August 25, 2022
Oh how I love this series. It just gets better and better. What a beautiful wedding Apryl Baker wrote I could
Truly picture it as I was reading it. What a fabulous story line. Emma/Maddie got to help the ghost bride. I think that made it that much more enjoyable for me.
Truly picture it as I was reading it. What a fabulous story line. Emma/Maddie got to help the ghost bride. I think that made it that much more enjoyable for me.
September 9, 2022
Most amazing books EVER!
I've read all the books from the ghost files all the way through and to finally have this book, my days. Tissues are needed!
I already need to know more but I'm so in love!
The hardships, the love and care for this characters. Just amazing
I've read all the books from the ghost files all the way through and to finally have this book, my days. Tissues are needed!
I already need to know more but I'm so in love!
The hardships, the love and care for this characters. Just amazing
September 11, 2022
Fantastic read
Loved, loved loved this book. Thank you Apryl for another amazing book. You never disappoint with your stories. its an amazing storyline with all your great characters. Totally recommend this book.
Loved, loved loved this book. Thank you Apryl for another amazing book. You never disappoint with your stories. its an amazing storyline with all your great characters. Totally recommend this book.
September 22, 2022
I do...
I adore these characters... They have all grown so much since the start of the first series. The love they have for each other is truly amazing. The family has grown stronger and wiser with each book. An awesome series to fall in love with!
I adore these characters... They have all grown so much since the start of the first series. The love they have for each other is truly amazing. The family has grown stronger and wiser with each book. An awesome series to fall in love with!
September 27, 2022
Amazing
This was another amazing read from a fantastic author . I have followed mattie and Dan from the very start and will continue to do so . I can't wait for the next installment to see how they deal with the next crazy evil person's who think they can take them all on.
This was another amazing read from a fantastic author . I have followed mattie and Dan from the very start and will continue to do so . I can't wait for the next installment to see how they deal with the next crazy evil person's who think they can take them all on.
June 24, 2024
great series
I loved every minute it to
ok to read this series, all 9 books. It was worth it. I will be looking for other Apryl Baker books/series to read for the future. If you love supernatural stories, very little swearing, and no smut, these are your books.
I loved every minute it to
ok to read this series, all 9 books. It was worth it. I will be looking for other Apryl Baker books/series to read for the future. If you love supernatural stories, very little swearing, and no smut, these are your books.
July 1, 2024
PHENOMENAL story🤗☺️
This story was just WOW!!!. Finally put the ring on her!!!. These 2 deserves each other and more, they complete each other beautifully!!. Apryl is a PHENOMENAL storyteller and writer!!. Can't wait to read more from her😘😍.
This story was just WOW!!!. Finally put the ring on her!!!. These 2 deserves each other and more, they complete each other beautifully!!. Apryl is a PHENOMENAL storyteller and writer!!. Can't wait to read more from her😘😍.
August 19, 2022
Oh my heart!! I'm just so overwhelmed by that ending. It was the perfect wedding for the perfect couple ❤
September 22, 2022
Awesome books
Great series i love these and other ones as well. I can't wait till more comes out. Thanks for the read
Great series i love these and other ones as well. I can't wait till more comes out. Thanks for the read
September 26, 2022
I love Mattie and Dan as much as they love each other!
This love story mixed with ghosts is the best series I have ever read! I truly hope this series never ends!
This love story mixed with ghosts is the best series I have ever read! I truly hope this series never ends!
February 23, 2023
Fabulous
Fabulous from start to finish couldn't put this series down would definitely recommend hopefully The Ties That Bind is not the last i want to read more love them x
Fabulous from start to finish couldn't put this series down would definitely recommend hopefully The Ties That Bind is not the last i want to read more love them x
May 22, 2023
Rated
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
March 9, 2024
Happy Ending
Although predictable, the ending was happy in true Emma's/Mattie's and Dan's styles. I really enjoyed this series from beginning to end.
Although predictable, the ending was happy in true Emma's/Mattie's and Dan's styles. I really enjoyed this series from beginning to end.
May 30, 2024
4.5/5
June 8, 2025
A little slow starting but hang in there.
This has a wonderful end to the main story and for Dan and Emma. Thank you for completing the story.
This has a wonderful end to the main story and for Dan and Emma. Thank you for completing the story.
December 20, 2024
I hate to say this, but I think this series is losing it's appeal to me.
It makes me really sad because I have loved these characters from the start.
The Ghost Files blew me away. I'd never read a series like it before. There are a lot of story lines about characters that see and speak to ghosts. But this one was unique and addictive. I was hooked. A book-junkie that needed her fix.
I was beyond myself to know the story would continue in the Crane Diaries. And the first few books did not disappoint. I loved the older versions of the young characters. Seeing their growth and what direction their lives were going.
I was really into it until book 4. Then the Bayou mini-series took it in a whole different direction.
Everything got a little jumbled up and in some cases went way off kilter. I am all for refreshing things and going for new and different paths. But by book 8, it was like I was reading a different series completely.
I mean, book 8 IS basically the start of a different series. And then BAM! book 9 and we are kind of right back to where we were at the end of book 4.
***Spoilers Ahead***
But this book, #9 is really repetitve and predictable. Everything is too on the nose. A mad bride that's holding up in the church Maddie wants to get married in, (even though she didn't even die in it).
And it somehow ties into many books ago when Dan was being a long-distance player. I get the big in-your-face point to all these Crane Diaries books is supposed to be this BIG LOVE that trascends all between Maddie and Dan.
Honestly, I am not feeling it. I mean, I get that some of their questionable baggage is being aknowledged in this book. But all it does is make me question them even more.
And there are so many things that spell disaster for later books.
We all know that a mate-bond is supposed to be the end all of SoulMates. So how is that going to go for the Nancy-Alesha-Zeke mess? And now Nancy is pregnant. That's a cluster-cluck in the making.
And even though Maddie repeats her reasons for leaving until she's blue in the face in this book, it's still a little BS in my opinion. Love goes a long way; I get the focus is on the whole 'the family you make' thing is important.
But there's no way I believe everyone's just forgiving her so easily. At the same time they all wonder if she will bail again.
She keeps saying she never had love and now they give her an abundance, blah blah blah - then it shouldn't have been so easy to walk away from them.
Yeah yeah, her emotions were 'shut off'. They weren't so shut off that she wasn't starting to 'feel' for Evan. MmmHmm..
And then there are her powers/abilities.
One minute she's this death-date seeing super reaper goddess and the next her goddess mom (that she mostly treats like crap) is muting her abilities like turning down the radio volume.
And then there's my biggest gripe of all: Her 'Mama'.
Are you freaking kidding me!? It's not like I haven't been ticked off enough by this woman. But I was able to understand and tolerate it when she forgave her mom, many books ago. When they said their farewells and sorries in the hospital that time.
Ok. That was good for Maddie, not letting that eat her up. But now she's all my "Mama is so good". Dude, she was a drug addict that kidnapped you and then murdered you, at the age of five! by stabbing you too death?!?!?
Okay so you forgave her, now she's perfect, and BAM! oh by the way, she's back from the dead!! For good! Figure out what to do with her. (Because obviously she does not fit in anywhere.)
And the suggestion made is to let her watch over children?!?! Are you kidding me!?I don't get this at all.
I also don't get why the Cranes have to just suck it up and not be mad anymore. Especially Zeke. In his posistion I would like Claires return to the living - just so I could murder her myself!
She only gives a few brief lines near the end "Oh, he wasn't the bad guy, I didn't need to save you from him.." Like it's a big oopsie. And then she blames it on the drugs. NO! Just no.
There's too much all over the place and things that don't work going on.
And what's really is disappointing is no one seems to want to point these things out. Everyone is just 5 starring this and saying how much they love it.
Either they aren't into this like me, or they are being suck ups. Reviews are supposed to be honest. There are big plot holes happening and they need fixed.
I want to love this world again. I want to gasp in amazed shocked. Cry at the devastation and hope. And I want to be forlorn when I have to wait for the next book.
But it's not happening on this track. I can't be the only one that this is bothering????
Yeah, I will still read the next book. But it's not the desperate-can't-wait-to-return desire I had before. Now I just want to see if the train wrecks more or if there's some light at the end of the tunnel...
It makes me really sad because I have loved these characters from the start.
The Ghost Files blew me away. I'd never read a series like it before. There are a lot of story lines about characters that see and speak to ghosts. But this one was unique and addictive. I was hooked. A book-junkie that needed her fix.
I was beyond myself to know the story would continue in the Crane Diaries. And the first few books did not disappoint. I loved the older versions of the young characters. Seeing their growth and what direction their lives were going.
I was really into it until book 4. Then the Bayou mini-series took it in a whole different direction.
Everything got a little jumbled up and in some cases went way off kilter. I am all for refreshing things and going for new and different paths. But by book 8, it was like I was reading a different series completely.
I mean, book 8 IS basically the start of a different series. And then BAM! book 9 and we are kind of right back to where we were at the end of book 4.
***Spoilers Ahead***
But this book, #9 is really repetitve and predictable. Everything is too on the nose. A mad bride that's holding up in the church Maddie wants to get married in, (even though she didn't even die in it).
And it somehow ties into many books ago when Dan was being a long-distance player. I get the big in-your-face point to all these Crane Diaries books is supposed to be this BIG LOVE that trascends all between Maddie and Dan.
Honestly, I am not feeling it. I mean, I get that some of their questionable baggage is being aknowledged in this book. But all it does is make me question them even more.
And there are so many things that spell disaster for later books.
We all know that a mate-bond is supposed to be the end all of SoulMates. So how is that going to go for the Nancy-Alesha-Zeke mess? And now Nancy is pregnant. That's a cluster-cluck in the making.
And even though Maddie repeats her reasons for leaving until she's blue in the face in this book, it's still a little BS in my opinion. Love goes a long way; I get the focus is on the whole 'the family you make' thing is important.
But there's no way I believe everyone's just forgiving her so easily. At the same time they all wonder if she will bail again.
She keeps saying she never had love and now they give her an abundance, blah blah blah - then it shouldn't have been so easy to walk away from them.
Yeah yeah, her emotions were 'shut off'. They weren't so shut off that she wasn't starting to 'feel' for Evan. MmmHmm..
And then there are her powers/abilities.
One minute she's this death-date seeing super reaper goddess and the next her goddess mom (that she mostly treats like crap) is muting her abilities like turning down the radio volume.
And then there's my biggest gripe of all: Her 'Mama'.
Are you freaking kidding me!? It's not like I haven't been ticked off enough by this woman. But I was able to understand and tolerate it when she forgave her mom, many books ago. When they said their farewells and sorries in the hospital that time.
Ok. That was good for Maddie, not letting that eat her up. But now she's all my "Mama is so good". Dude, she was a drug addict that kidnapped you and then murdered you, at the age of five! by stabbing you too death?!?!?
Okay so you forgave her, now she's perfect, and BAM! oh by the way, she's back from the dead!! For good! Figure out what to do with her. (Because obviously she does not fit in anywhere.)
And the suggestion made is to let her watch over children?!?! Are you kidding me!?I don't get this at all.
I also don't get why the Cranes have to just suck it up and not be mad anymore. Especially Zeke. In his posistion I would like Claires return to the living - just so I could murder her myself!
She only gives a few brief lines near the end "Oh, he wasn't the bad guy, I didn't need to save you from him.." Like it's a big oopsie. And then she blames it on the drugs. NO! Just no.
There's too much all over the place and things that don't work going on.
And what's really is disappointing is no one seems to want to point these things out. Everyone is just 5 starring this and saying how much they love it.
Either they aren't into this like me, or they are being suck ups. Reviews are supposed to be honest. There are big plot holes happening and they need fixed.
I want to love this world again. I want to gasp in amazed shocked. Cry at the devastation and hope. And I want to be forlorn when I have to wait for the next book.
But it's not happening on this track. I can't be the only one that this is bothering????
Yeah, I will still read the next book. But it's not the desperate-can't-wait-to-return desire I had before. Now I just want to see if the train wrecks more or if there's some light at the end of the tunnel...
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews