Paranormal Confessions: True Stories of Hauntings, Possession, and Horror from the Bellaire House

by Kristin Lee

“Paranormal Confessions is a wonderfully creepy book. After spending a few nights at the Bellaire House and experiencing the spirits within its walls. I can say it's very haunted and still has a few secrets to share…” —Johnny Zaffis, Paranormal Investigator True stories of hauntings, possessions, and things that go bump in the night at one of the most haunted places in the world.Built in 1847 on the banks of the Ohio River, the Bellaire House is reputed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Since the early twentieth century it has earned a reputation as a hotbed of paranormal activity, with reports of apparitions, curses, psychic assaults, and violence. This is a collection of true ghost stories from the owner of the Bellaire House and the proprietor of the Bellaire House Afterlife Research Center. It is a mix of lurid and heartwarming stories that both entertain and convey to the reader what the dead want us to know. Stories include accounts of a ghostly sexual assault, communications from spirits of slaves (the house was part of the Underground Railroad) and French and Native American ghosts from the eighteenth-century battlefield, and tales of madness.

Genres: Paranormal, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Horror

Audio CD

Published August 3, 2021

Reviews

[Andi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd like to thank Edelweiss and Red Wheel Weiser for allowing me a chance at reading this book.

I'd read a lot of books about hauntings, some from the actual people who the hauntings happened to. When it comes to this book, this is the first for me where the terminology and the overall writing was causing me to have struggles with the focus.

You have a mother who moved up from the South after the devastating two hurriacnes that came through. She buys this house in Ohio, which turns out to be haunted.

Meanwhile, did you know she is a Paranormal Investigator? No, it's not really discussed but she is or she ended up joining their team. It's told in such a hodgepodge way that there is no clear 'flow' to what you're reading.

The point where I knew this book wasn't for me was when the book talks of a séance at the home, and this one individual who was at the séance was radiating energy which the spirits took advantage of. She made a comment like 'they downloaded him'. What? Who says that.

There was also at some point where she says that she channeled into 'gods' which were not her own, but didn't really give any explanation on who these gods are? She references them as brother sister, higher mother or higher father.

You can feel this is written by an amateur and honestly it needs proof-reading. Maybe there is a entertaining story, but it's unconvincingly bad.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paranormal Confessions
By Kristin Lee
I really wanted to like this book! I read a lot of paranormal stuff, mostly fiction.

[Heena Rathore Rathore-Pardeshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall an okay book. I liked the stories that were told, but not how they were told. The writing is below average and was so flat at times that I was wondering why did the author not ask a real writer to write it for her. She had some really good stories to share, but stuff like 'downloading' did actually sound like it was made-up.

[Dave Wilkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wasn’t a fan of this book. The history of the house is fascinating and I thought some of the ghost stories experienced by the author were interesting as well. The book, however, felt like more of an advertisement to book ghost tours at the house. The author seems very self-important, always taking other people’s experiences and making them about herself. There were 2 instances in the book that I particularly disliked. The first was when the author claimed to have contacted aliens through a spirit box and proceeded to interview them. During this interview, the aliens allegedly made a bunch of predictions regarding presidential elections and COVID-19 among other things. Wildly far fetched and in my opinion, hurts the credibility of the other claims in the book which is supposed to be based on a true story. The other thing I didn’t like was the alleged claim of demonic possession of a paranormal investigator during an investigation. Kristen claims to have ended the possession by splashing a vile of water (not holy water) on the possessed. The “possessed” investigator was unaware it wasn’t holy water at the time. This is a trick exorcists use to weed out fakers and I think Kristen unintentionally outed her investigator as a faker by sharing the story. 2.4⭐️

[Shoba Isobel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like I was reading an essay. The portions regarding hauntings were interesting. 2.5⭐️

[Rosa Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

It came off as trying too hard to be serious and failed miserably. It felt more silly. It seemed like a lot of the same remedies for warding or cleansing of bad spirits or energies was a salt bath.

[Kimberlyisaddicted2books · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Tour Through A Haunted House

I love this book, it was easy to read. Each chapter felt like a tour through one of the rooms of Bellaire House and I love the helpful hints at the end of each chapter.

When I began reading it, I was amped up to visit it as I used to ghost hunt when I got into recovery early on with a group of ladies and then eventually my boyfriend and sister. I even lived in a couple haunted houses myself, though not any of them were malevolent in nature though I did meet a group of black energy people who scared the shit right out of me one night.

As I continued to read the book and got to the last three chapters, I declared out loud that I would not be visiting this house as it had nothing to prove to me- I'm already a believer and dont want to put myself or my family in any danger by being in places I wasn't invited to.

The stories and paranormal experiences are fascinating, scary and eye opening. I am so excited to share a world with otherworldly beings, star people and kind spirits. To have the good, we must have the bad and therefore, we must tread carefully not only where we put our feet but where our thoughts wander to.

I recommend this book to all those curious about the after life, haunted houses and paranormal experiences. You won't be bored or disappointed. I hope the author writes more about her life, beliefs and experiences, I would love to read more of her writing.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Some of the ghost stories and the history are interesting, but the way in which this book was written is a bit... all over the place. I think it would have been a lot better if it was written chronologically or at least dedicated the first portion to the historical facts and her decision to move to the home. As it is, it almost felt like whiplash as we went back and forth between ghost stories, historical evidence, and sporadic times in her life.

She also throws in "helpful hints" but doesn't tell us the sources behind these or why she is credible as a source of spiritual counseling. There is no clear point in this book where she tells of her transition from new home owner to where she is today as a paranormal investigator. It's assumed that she learned all these things by letting other groups into the home to investigate, but there was no scientific studying of her own explained. Just a lot of rules she enforced with some groups and not others, with her own choice to personally ignore those safety rules.

The Bellaire House had been a place I would have liked to visit, but after reading this account, I'm not sure I will.

[Lisa Laing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really disappointed in this book. I expected to read more about the hauntings in more detail than the author wrote. It seemed to me more about her trying to promote herself and the Bellaire House than a story about the hauntings there.

As another reviewer mentioned, the flow to the book was just not there. There was a lot of back and forth, and I honestly couldn't remember who was who aside from the two spirits that are supposedly haunting the house.

Apparently, according to the author, this house is capable of everything from mind-reading to physical and spiritual healing. I'm still confused about the connection to the Underground Railroad, as she says the house wasn't even built during that time period, yet the house has had hauntings of people who were hiding there on their way to freedom.

I kept hoping that it would get more interesting along the way, but it just stayed the same droning on and on until the end of the book. I finished it, but it was quite the chore!

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say about this book. I believe this old house could in fact be haunted but this author who used to live there (still owns it) and has paranormal investigations there now, these stories she talks about are so far fetched. Maybe something could have happened but the majority to me was left open to interpretation. Most of the stories involved a ghost box which I think can be an incredible tool, but I just don't believe she heard as many things as she claimed. I don't think she's lying, I just think like as I said before she interpreted most things wrong. I mean when she started saying that she was helping people cross over to the light? And she admits she didn't know what she was doing but yet it worked? Really?! And her communication with the "star people" (aliens) through the ghost box. Really?! I tried to go online and find videos of what she was claiming for some proof but I didn't find much that was very good. It was all I could do to finish this.

[Magen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give this five stars because I find it to be too good to be true and Lee's credibility is very questionable considering it sounds like she has a disposition for this kind of thing. Suuuuure you just happened to get this house because it was all you could afford. I don't doubt losing everything in a hurricane, that's really tragic, but I'm sure the opportunity to buy this house was just too good to pass up. If you know you shouldn't mess with the unknown, don't go looking for trouble with the unknown. Anyway, I may find this to be pretty ridiculous, but it's good for a quick read and much more entertaining than watch Zach Bagans yell "DUDE! WHAT WAS THAT, DUDE? I FELT SOMETHING, BRO!" for an hour. This book gives you the "evidence" you want to get from a paranormal investigation show, and though it relies heavily on anecdote, it's framed in a very personable and compelling way that makes it much more interesting than any show I've seen.

[Edie Kennard · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was incredibly excited to delve into "Paranormal Confessions," hoping for chilling tales and spine-tingling accounts of the Bellaire House, but unfortunately, this book was a complete letdown. The stories felt repetitive and uninspired, lacking originality and genuine scares. It seemed like the same themes and events were recycled throughout the book. The writing itself was clunky and amateurish, failing to create any sense of atmosphere or suspense. Many of the accounts felt fabricated and lacked any real evidence, making it difficult to take them seriously. Furthermore, the book lacked a clear structure, with stories presented in a haphazard and confusing manner. "Paranormal Confessions" was overhyped and underwhelming, failing to deliver the shocking and terrifying tales promised. Overall, it was a disappointing read that left me feeling cheated and bored. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in the paranormal or seeking a genuinely frightening read.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bellair House is located in Ohio. The house was built in 1847 by Jacob Heatherington, a coal mining tycoon. In fact, the house is built on top of a coal mine that had an unfortunate explosion that killed 42 people in 1893. This certainly adds to the reputation of the house. The house is also in close proximity to Indigenous burial sites. Through the years, the house has had various owners. Some of those owners were slave owners. Some owners of the house dabbled in the paranormal, which is believed to have ramped up paranormal activity in the house. The residents of the house lived interesting lives. Even if you are not a believer in the paranormal, this is an interesting book that is full of history and legacy. If you are interested in visiting, the house does do tours. This book is currently available on Audible Plus, and was around four hours to listen to.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5. The beginning is rough and put me off, but as the story progressed I enjoyed learning about the events at Bellaire house. I stopped at one point to watch the Paranormal Lockdown episode and was floored by how active the various spirit boxes were in capturing the name Ed. Prior to that, I though the author writing about such long, clear sessions with intelligent spirits wasn’t possible, as I’ve never seen it in all of the shows I’ve watched, but lo and behold it was incredibly clear and consistent communication.

I do wish the book included images as documented proof along with the written testimony of the author. The would have added more credibility to the book.

[Ariel · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give zero stars, I would.

Normally, I try to keep an open mind about anything regarding the afterlife. I certainly don't have all the answers. However, this lady seems so full of bullshit, that it actively degraded my opinion of the afterlife existing as a whole. In every chapter, she's the smartest, most specialist little ghost hunter to ever exist and the hero of every story. Anybody else who might be having a genuine experience is doing it wrong or putting everyone in danger. All the ghosts like her best, and they talk exactly like her. Her supposed methods of contacting and warding seem cobbled together out of pop culture and vague ideas of what seems the most "spiritual".

Genuinely a miserable read. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

[Ismija · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to start. I’ve had personal experiences with ghosts myself, but this book seems totally exaggerated and really feels like part of her trauma. As a novel, it could pass, and at first, it was somewhat believable. But then she started saying she could see ghosts in a transparent form, and it quickly turned into aliens, ormus, salt, holy water – and the priest part really took it over the top. It's more of a comedy at this point. Sorry, but it sounds like pure nonsense, and it seems like she’s just trying to make money off of it.

[Rogue Blackwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've never done investigations maybe this isn't for you. I get that the book was maybe not what others were expecting, it is not in any particular order. And despite being from the owner it is not the tales of her living in the house from the start to finish. More just short stories of the most memorable accounts.
I enjoyed it a great deal!

[Jonathon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I felt like I was listening to a commercial with the insufferable repetition of "If you happen to visit the Bellaire House, you might want to..."

Less memoir, more brochure to drum up business, if you ask me.

[Kaitlynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed reading this book. Couldn't possibly read it at night by myself, LOL. It's one of the scariest books I've read, especially whilst knowing these are authentic stories.
If you are one who tends to be fascinated by the supernatural, I highly recommend!

[Derek L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook version. While I did really enjoy my time listening to this, I thought the narrator's occasional voice dialogue for men to be rather cringy. She does well narrating, don't get me wrong, but something just sounded weird when she attempted to do men's dialogue.

[eNNi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on Kristin Lee via various YouTube channels, who have made paranormal investigating in the house. Even tho kristen have been interviewed in these videos, i really wanted to hear her full story and this book really gives it to me!

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that the author should have hired a professional writer to write this book.
It just didn't flow well at all, and I had to keep rewinding because I got bored and my mind kept wandering. Not a book that will stick in my memory for long.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooooooo cheesy. A little spooky sometimes which is the reason I read it but, man. So cheesy.

[Macy Kemble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Very spooky

[Jerrid Kruse · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 2 for imagination and decent writing. Stories were fanciful, at best.

[Steffy · Rating 1 out of 5]

The authors account of things are cheesy, not very believable and hyped. Didn't like this book and others unfavourable reviews explain quite well why.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, I felt the author was a bit braggy. I read it in one day and one sitting.

[Tiny Maus Boots]

Interesting collection of events and history of the house

[Reese · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive and disorganized.

[Adri G.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy and interesting enough to keep hold of my atention all throughout.