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Paranormal Series II #1
Scent of Roses
Elizabeth doesn't believe in ghosts. But this time she has no choice. Family counselor Elizabeth Conner isn't sure what to think when Maria Santiago comes to her for help. Pregnant and terrified, Maria claims to be visited each night by the ghost of a little girl, warning her to flee. Her husband, Miguel, a migrant worker at Harcourt Farms in the San Joaquin Valley, dismisses her fears as hormonal changes. Sympathetic to the young woman, Elizabeth agrees to help by contacting Miguel's employers, who own the cottage where the young couple lives.
Elizabeth immediately picks up on the deep enmity between the two Harcourt brothers: Carson, the handsome scion running the estate for his incapacitated father, and Zack, the rebellious black sheep. While Carson is more interested in Elizabeth than in her concerns, Zack grudgingly agrees to help her look into the history of the house.
But even as unexpected desire draws them together, Elizabeth and Zack feel something dark and disturbing at the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of pure evil surround her, Elizabeth knows something terrible has happened here before, something that has its roots in murder....
Elizabeth immediately picks up on the deep enmity between the two Harcourt brothers: Carson, the handsome scion running the estate for his incapacitated father, and Zack, the rebellious black sheep. While Carson is more interested in Elizabeth than in her concerns, Zack grudgingly agrees to help her look into the history of the house.
But even as unexpected desire draws them together, Elizabeth and Zack feel something dark and disturbing at the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of pure evil surround her, Elizabeth knows something terrible has happened here before, something that has its roots in murder....
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2006
301 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
Kat Martin
188 books3,171 followersKathleen Kelly Martin (aka Kathy Lawrence, Kasey Mars)
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
Kathleen Kelly was born on 14 July 1947 in the Central Valley of California, USA. She obtained a degree in Anthropology and also studied History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She was a real estate broker, when she met her future husband, Larry Jay Martin. A short time after the two became acquainted, Larry asked her to read an unpublished manuscript of an historical western he'd written. Kat fell in love with both the book and the author! Then, after doing some editing for him, she thought she'd try her own hand at writing. She moved on to become a full time writer.
Published since 1988, she signed her books with her married name, Kat Martin, but she also used two pseudonyms: Kathy Lawrence for a book in collaboration with her husband Larry Jay Martin, and Kasey Mars for her first contemporary romances. The New York Times bestselling writer, among her many awards, has won the prestigious RT Book Review Magazine Career Achievement Award. To date, Kat has over eleven million copies of her books in print. She has been published in seventeen foreign countries, including England, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Bulgaria, China, and Korea.
Currently residing with her husband, a Western-writer and photographer, in Missoula, Montana, USA. But when they are not writing, they also enjoy skiing and traveling, particularly to Europe.
"I've always loved books. I was an avid reader, with any number of my own stories rolling around in my head. Writing them down seemed a logical step."
"I love anything old," Kat says. "I love to travel and especially like to visit the places where my books are set. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and houses built in times past. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
May 5, 2018
A little bit of a slow start the first few pages, but then I'm sucked into the vortex of this ghostly mystery. KM never fails me. The paranormal of this is more minor gothic than anything. The suspense, romance, mystery and characters were all great. I could truly smell the roses :)
July 3, 2010
I realize that the only possible way I can stomach a romance novel is to add ghosts to it!
October 14, 2011
Martin has produced another irresistible novel that blends the eerie and unexplainable with her own uniquely sensual style. I couldn't put it down!
Merged review:
In Martin's paranormal romantic suspense novel, family counselor Elizabeth Conner isn't sure what to think when Maria Santiago came to her for help. Pregnant and terrified, Maria claims to be visited each night by the ghost of a little girl, warning her to flee. Her husband, Miguel, a migrant worker at Harcourt Farms in the San Joaquin Valley, dismisses her fears as hormonal changes. Sympathetic to the young woman, Elizabeth agrees to help by contacting Miguel's employers, who own the cottage where the young couple lives. Elizabeth immediately picks up on enmity between the brothers and quickly aligns herself with Zack who grudgingly agrees to help her research the history of the house. Drawn together by unexpected desire, they both feel something dark and sinister in the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of evil surround them, Elizabeth knows something terrible happened there. Martin has once again produced an irresistible story that blends the eerie and unexplainable with her own uniquely sensual style.
Merged review:
In Martin's paranormal romantic suspense novel, family counselor Elizabeth Conner isn't sure what to think when Maria Santiago came to her for help. Pregnant and terrified, Maria claims to be visited each night by the ghost of a little girl, warning her to flee. Her husband, Miguel, a migrant worker at Harcourt Farms in the San Joaquin Valley, dismisses her fears as hormonal changes. Sympathetic to the young woman, Elizabeth agrees to help by contacting Miguel's employers, who own the cottage where the young couple lives. Elizabeth immediately picks up on enmity between the brothers and quickly aligns herself with Zack who grudgingly agrees to help her research the history of the house. Drawn together by unexpected desire, they both feel something dark and sinister in the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of evil surround them, Elizabeth knows something terrible happened there. Martin has once again produced an irresistible story that blends the eerie and unexplainable with her own uniquely sensual style.
May 3, 2017
It was like watching an episode of Supernatural in which the Winchesters didn't show up and the people seeing the ghost had to figure it out for themselves. Add in the romance, and voila, a very readable book. Sad though, that it was actually based on a true story.
August 25, 2009
Great summer read - interesting - a little romance, a little mystery, and a little "ghost". Keeps your attention.
May 3, 2018
Great story, will keep you reading.
April 25, 2018
Definitely a romance/ suspense/ thriller with a few ghosts to go with it. I definitely never would have expected this kind of ending to this book, but its good that all the loose strings and random pieces all fit together. I really liked this story and would love to read more from this author.
April 16, 2018
One of my favorite books to date! I loved everything about this story, from the paranormal mystery, to the steamy romance between Elizabeth and Zack.. wow! Zack is every lady's dream guy. He transformed his life and really made things happen for himself. Not every hero is perfect, and the author showed us that in Zack.
I felt like I knew all of the characters. Kat Martin is amazing at characterization. You feel like you're right in the story, on the edge of your seat.
I felt like I knew all of the characters. Kat Martin is amazing at characterization. You feel like you're right in the story, on the edge of your seat.
July 9, 2018
Do you know the feeling when you really aren't enjoying a book, but you feel committed and have to see it through to the end? That's how I felt reading Scent of Roses.
There was something about the characters that just fell flat for me. I really hated Liz's constant inner monologue of exaggerated assumptions about other characters, i.e. assuming Zach made his money from drugs?!
The villain is revealed and dealt with so late in the book, it almost seemed like an afterthought.
And this is a petty criticism, but cunnilingus is considered sexually adventurous? Is it the 1950s? When Zach was like 'Whoa, pump the brakes, that might be TOO MUCH, TOO FAST' I was so confused/amused. Like okay, you can have penetrative sex, but let's save the oral for another time, that may be too overwhelming for this sexually experienced woman...okay Zach. 🤔🙄
Also, there was mention of condom use in the first sex scene, but it was glaringly absent in the up against the wall quickie and thus I spent the rest of the book thinking Liz was going to find out she was pregnant.
Anyway, I cared way more about Maria, Miguel, and Raul. And I wish Miguel had been treated less like a stereotype.
There was something about the characters that just fell flat for me. I really hated Liz's constant inner monologue of exaggerated assumptions about other characters, i.e. assuming Zach made his money from drugs?!
The villain is revealed and dealt with so late in the book, it almost seemed like an afterthought.
And this is a petty criticism, but cunnilingus is considered sexually adventurous? Is it the 1950s? When Zach was like 'Whoa, pump the brakes, that might be TOO MUCH, TOO FAST' I was so confused/amused. Like okay, you can have penetrative sex, but let's save the oral for another time, that may be too overwhelming for this sexually experienced woman...okay Zach. 🤔🙄
Also, there was mention of condom use in the first sex scene, but it was glaringly absent in the up against the wall quickie and thus I spent the rest of the book thinking Liz was going to find out she was pregnant.
Anyway, I cared way more about Maria, Miguel, and Raul. And I wish Miguel had been treated less like a stereotype.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2009
This was a good book. Some of the wording became redundant: fingernail of a moon; sickening sweet, bad element, etc. but it wasn't extreme. The author did an excellent job with making the ghostly appearances eerie; I got the chills once or twice and had to sleep with the kids' night light for a few nights. The author also does well with sex scenes (almost too well).
I think if the author had stuck with one plot, this would have been a 4-star book for me. I found the two plots overwhelming. Okay, so not only do we have the guy and the girl falling in love and tracking down a ghost, but the guy has to deal with his asinine brother, his sick father and his own demons from his past. Hello, Information Overload. The book would have been stand-alone as a ghost story.
There was an interesting twist thrown in in the last two pages. According to the Author's Note, this is based on actual events. Curious to know more, I spent 1-1/2 hours on the internet and turned up nothing relating to this story. Curious if this really is based on actual events or if that was just a sales gimmick.
I think if the author had stuck with one plot, this would have been a 4-star book for me. I found the two plots overwhelming. Okay, so not only do we have the guy and the girl falling in love and tracking down a ghost, but the guy has to deal with his asinine brother, his sick father and his own demons from his past. Hello, Information Overload. The book would have been stand-alone as a ghost story.
There was an interesting twist thrown in in the last two pages. According to the Author's Note, this is based on actual events. Curious to know more, I spent 1-1/2 hours on the internet and turned up nothing relating to this story. Curious if this really is based on actual events or if that was just a sales gimmick.
September 21, 2017
Really good!
Even though this was an older book it was really excellent! The mystery and suspense were incredible. The plots were good and complex which I really enjoy. Three plots that merge to create one fantastic book. Family history and sibling rivalry was a great addition to the paranormal ghost story plot with hot romance and jealousy on the side. All around a fantastic read. Loved it .
Even though this was an older book it was really excellent! The mystery and suspense were incredible. The plots were good and complex which I really enjoy. Three plots that merge to create one fantastic book. Family history and sibling rivalry was a great addition to the paranormal ghost story plot with hot romance and jealousy on the side. All around a fantastic read. Loved it .
July 28, 2011
Incredible read. The romance and suspense in this book are on equal footing. The paranormal plot to the book was not unbelievable if one keeps an open mind. This book made me cry and gave me goosebumps. The story draws you in and you can't find a good place to put down. Liz and Zach were great together.
June 9, 2019
I’ve loved every book I’ve read by kat Martin- 5 star kind of love. I could not get into this one at all. And it was long so I skimmed the last 1/4 just to be done already. I can’t pinpoint why I didn’t like it, just that I didn’t. And maybe I’m comparing it to all kat Martin’s other books which had me swooning. But this one was not my jam.
May 31, 2012
This book was a good mix of romance and paranormal. Some of the paranormal incidents gave me the chills, but I wanted to keep reading. The author does a good job of describing some of the ghostly events, and at times can make you think you are smelling the "sickening sweet scent of roses".
March 28, 2014
Good story - but not great writing! Towards the end of the book I noticed they used two different names for the same person. I wrote to the author & she admitted the mistake! She acknowledged writing too many stories and not having a sharp editing team.
August 8, 2018
OK. A ghost, mystery and romance novel. Seems like an adventurous read, but I was able to figure out piece of the puzzle early on. The mysterious ghost was best part. Romance ok, Liz and Zach make a good couple , but insecurities in relationship make it somewhat ho-hum.
February 15, 2009
Good involved story - kept my interest. It has ghosts, if you like them. You kind of have to go with the fantasy of it all.
August 20, 2011
enjoy all of her books and style of writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2011
This book freaked me out! Normally "spooky" stuff doesn't bother me. This gave me goose bumps. I looked forward to the end only so I could find out what happened with the ghost.
February 10, 2012
I loved this book! It is a mystery, romance, and paranormal all in the same book. It makes the story line intense and keeps you turning the pages. A definite must read!
February 28, 2012
I loved the ghost story in this book but could have done without the explicit sexual content. The author repeats phrases over and over...very annoying.
November 6, 2015
Totally love this book. Not only is it scary and spine tingling, you have two characters that grow personally and really find what is important in life.
January 9, 2011
This book was great!! Gave me goosebumps a couple times too!!! Love Kat Martin! :)
August 22, 2024
I'm so conflicted in this review. I think a 2.5-3 star rating is appropriate, I think the critiques/dislikes out way the positives.
My positives generally include the plot, I suppose! In the epilogue, Kat Martin mentions that the plot of this book, outside of the MC's plot, is somewhat a true story. This makes it extra spooky and makes sense why it was a good true-crime case, although so so sad. The end of the book, the resolution of the crime I suppose, was an interesting one, and I love a good statistical grid digging sesh. I made multiple comments through the book, but they way they diagnose "anxiety", saying its not real but treatable, general anti-ghost rhetoric lol made it seem like her additions onto this story were interestingly written. Not to mention the depictions of immigrants, especially farmworkers, and how weirdly they were treated. Nothing mentioned about union rights or how they legit live in real life, but it was 2005. Despite this, it was plot twisty.
That being said, I do not think this was written well. Multiple times, the terms "overweight" and general negative depiction's of women were throughout this book. Dated it significantly. As did the aforementioned discussion of immigrant and illegal farmworkers were. I'm glad the republican ended up being the bad guy! And I love a good bad boy romance.
Zach didnt come around until way to late in the book for me through, everything up to that point was so cheesy so it felt like the ending didnt match the rest of the tone- it made the proposal all the more cringe. The entire time, they were so resistant to love, so it doesnt make any sense for him to be into marriage that quickly. Long-term, low maintained wife girlfriend would be more like it. Wouldn't be romance, I suppose. The sex was well described and very sweet, like I mentioned I love bad boys. I'm glad shes 30 and has had a life before this as well! Same with him, although the "reformed convict" character choice is RISKY. Pretends to add dimensions, although they're surprisingly ignorant.
Ulitimately I feel mediocre about this book! I think I'm left underwhelmed by the ending, but was so encouraged by some of the good portions of the book (which ended up being the true story).
My positives generally include the plot, I suppose! In the epilogue, Kat Martin mentions that the plot of this book, outside of the MC's plot, is somewhat a true story. This makes it extra spooky and makes sense why it was a good true-crime case, although so so sad. The end of the book, the resolution of the crime I suppose, was an interesting one, and I love a good statistical grid digging sesh. I made multiple comments through the book, but they way they diagnose "anxiety", saying its not real but treatable, general anti-ghost rhetoric lol made it seem like her additions onto this story were interestingly written. Not to mention the depictions of immigrants, especially farmworkers, and how weirdly they were treated. Nothing mentioned about union rights or how they legit live in real life, but it was 2005. Despite this, it was plot twisty.
That being said, I do not think this was written well. Multiple times, the terms "overweight" and general negative depiction's of women were throughout this book. Dated it significantly. As did the aforementioned discussion of immigrant and illegal farmworkers were. I'm glad the republican ended up being the bad guy! And I love a good bad boy romance.
Zach didnt come around until way to late in the book for me through, everything up to that point was so cheesy so it felt like the ending didnt match the rest of the tone- it made the proposal all the more cringe. The entire time, they were so resistant to love, so it doesnt make any sense for him to be into marriage that quickly. Long-term, low maintained wife girlfriend would be more like it. Wouldn't be romance, I suppose. The sex was well described and very sweet, like I mentioned I love bad boys. I'm glad shes 30 and has had a life before this as well! Same with him, although the "reformed convict" character choice is RISKY. Pretends to add dimensions, although they're surprisingly ignorant.
Ulitimately I feel mediocre about this book! I think I'm left underwhelmed by the ending, but was so encouraged by some of the good portions of the book (which ended up being the true story).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2019
Scent of Roses by Kat Martin is a thrilling suspense novel. I was intrigued by the characters, their situations, and the bad rift between the two brothers. Then, there's another character who sees and hears a dead girl's ghost. Warning her to leave before they take her baby. Frightened but not knowing what to do, the woman finally tells Liz. Liz is a family counselor for the young woman's only brother. A brother who is getting his life back together and is worried about his sister.
Something is happening and is connected to the dead girl's ghost. Not only that, but the husband of the young woman senses the chilling presence in their new home. It's tearing them apart.
Liz and one of the of the men who own the property that the house is on, explore what might have happened. They do some digging both research and actual shovel digging beneath a house. What they find stirs up more than just more anger from a family relative.
Their puzzle pieces together more than one crime. It was amazing. Everything fitted together perfectly. Kat Martin writes well. I enjoyed the story. The characters had a way of pulling me into their lives. Dark, emotional, and scary-Scent of Roses is a must read for all suspense and romantic suspense fans!
I bought this copy from a local bookstore. This is my voluntary review.
Something is happening and is connected to the dead girl's ghost. Not only that, but the husband of the young woman senses the chilling presence in their new home. It's tearing them apart.
Liz and one of the of the men who own the property that the house is on, explore what might have happened. They do some digging both research and actual shovel digging beneath a house. What they find stirs up more than just more anger from a family relative.
Their puzzle pieces together more than one crime. It was amazing. Everything fitted together perfectly. Kat Martin writes well. I enjoyed the story. The characters had a way of pulling me into their lives. Dark, emotional, and scary-Scent of Roses is a must read for all suspense and romantic suspense fans!
I bought this copy from a local bookstore. This is my voluntary review.
January 24, 2025
Elizabeth doesn't believe in ghosts. But this time she has no choice. Family counselor Elizabeth Conner isn't sure what to think when Maria Santiago comes to her for help. Pregnant and terrified, Maria claims to be visited each night by the ghost of a little girl, warning her to flee. Her husband, Miguel, a migrant worker at Harcourt Farms in the San Joaquin Valley, dismisses her fears as hormonal changes. Sympathetic to the young woman, Elizabeth agrees to help by contacting Miguel's employers, who own the cottage where the young couple lives.
Elizabeth immediately picks up on the deep enmity between the two Harcourt brothers: Carson, the handsome scion running the estate for his incapacitated father, and Zack, the rebellious black sheep. While Carson is more interested in Elizabeth than in her concerns, Zack grudgingly agrees to help her look into the history of the house.
But even as unexpected desire draws them together, Elizabeth and Zack feel something dark and disturbing at the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of pure evil surround her, Elizabeth knows something terrible has happened here before, something that has its roots in murder....
Elizabeth immediately picks up on the deep enmity between the two Harcourt brothers: Carson, the handsome scion running the estate for his incapacitated father, and Zack, the rebellious black sheep. While Carson is more interested in Elizabeth than in her concerns, Zack grudgingly agrees to help her look into the history of the house.
But even as unexpected desire draws them together, Elizabeth and Zack feel something dark and disturbing at the house. And when the cloying scent and lingering chill of pure evil surround her, Elizabeth knows something terrible has happened here before, something that has its roots in murder....
January 12, 2025
I’m a sucker for stories that are inspired by real events. In the summer of 1995, a couple from California repeatedly saw the ghost of a little girl at the foot of their bed. Each time, the little girl warned them of imminent danger. She said unspeakable heartache would come if they did not leave the house.
Sadly, the warning went unheeded and the little girl’s tragic prophecy came to pass.
Kat Martin combines this true tale with her own fictional flare to make a killer story. Her characters Liz and Zach are the unlikely duo thrown together to find the origin of this elusive ghost. Will they find the answers in time to save their friends and protect an innocent life?
Give Scent of Roses a read!
Sadly, the warning went unheeded and the little girl’s tragic prophecy came to pass.
Kat Martin combines this true tale with her own fictional flare to make a killer story. Her characters Liz and Zach are the unlikely duo thrown together to find the origin of this elusive ghost. Will they find the answers in time to save their friends and protect an innocent life?
Give Scent of Roses a read!
September 25, 2017
I picked up this book this morning and didn't put it down till I was done about 4pm. Nice quick book. Would be a great vacation read. I did put it on my rated R shelf due to some sex scenes. But, with that said - the scenes last about a page and if I remember right-There a two at the most. Its a mystery at it's heart with a little romance and supernatural thrown in. I think my mom kicked down this book to me eons ago. She was a reader like me although are tastes were a little different in prefered reading genres. Of course we would both read anything in a pinch. I might try to find some more of Kat Martins works to try in the future.
May 27, 2020
Túto knihu som kedysi dávno pradávno asi dvakrát čítala a páčila sa mi tak veľmi, že som si ju nakoniec aj kúpila. Čo bolo pred siedmimi rokmi a odvtedy mi tak smutne sedela na poličke, až som to nedokázala dlhšie zniesť a nakoniec knihu opäť otvorila.
Je to sčasti romantika, potom detektívka a nakoniec jemná duchárčina, takže som sa ani chvíľu nenudila. Občas bol síce príbeh spracovaný možno až príliš oddychovo, ale chápem, že toto mala byť predovšetkým romantická kniha. Zámer teda autorke vyšiel a ja som rada, že sa mi kniha páčila aj po rokoch. (Aj keď teraz som z nej rozhodne nepadala na zadok.)
Je to sčasti romantika, potom detektívka a nakoniec jemná duchárčina, takže som sa ani chvíľu nenudila. Občas bol síce príbeh spracovaný možno až príliš oddychovo, ale chápem, že toto mala byť predovšetkým romantická kniha. Zámer teda autorke vyšiel a ja som rada, že sa mi kniha páčila aj po rokoch. (Aj keď teraz som z nej rozhodne nepadala na zadok.)
December 30, 2017
Esencia de rosas
Wau que historia a veces uno tiene libros guardados y no se da cuenta lo buenos que son.tremenda historia de principio a fin.desde el primer capítulo es interesante de tal modo que no puedes dejar de leer y cuando paras no puedes dejar de pensar en el libro.hacia tiempo que una historia no captaba mi atención de este modo.
Wau que historia a veces uno tiene libros guardados y no se da cuenta lo buenos que son.tremenda historia de principio a fin.desde el primer capítulo es interesante de tal modo que no puedes dejar de leer y cuando paras no puedes dejar de pensar en el libro.hacia tiempo que una historia no captaba mi atención de este modo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews