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Damned and Cursed #10
Own Ghost Story
One. One too many to drink. One mistake. One accident. One life lost. Two years have passed since Drew killed Lilah while driving under the influence. He's been struggling to put his life back together since that night. Desperately trying to make ends meet, survive day to day. He sees Lilah. He saw her during his recovery at the hospital. He sees her in his dreams. It will pass, the doctors say. Just hallucinations brought on by stress and trauma. But now he sees Lilah when he's awake. She speaks to him. Has Drew finally lost his mind? Is the guilt too much? Or are Drew and Lilah in the middle of their own ghost story?
292 pages, Paperback
Published February 2, 2022
40 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 25, 2024
It's really good to be back in this world again. I think the last book from this author came out more than 3 years ago which is a shame because I'm yet to come across one of this author's books that I haven't enjoyed. This book is no different.
Like with many of the books from this author, the story is quite small in scope, maybe smaller than I would usually enjoy reading about, but that is overshadowed by the strength of the characters. It really doesn't take long at all to draw you into Drew and Lilah's story, and from there on you are hooked to the point where you don't want to put the book down.
So strong is my attachment to these characters, that I can overlook how the plot meanders a little and drags its feet towards the middle of the story. I can also overlook how when the characters we already know from this universe start to show up it almost feels like a series of unimportant cameos like fan service in a movie rather than anything all that meaningful. Even Alex, who is a bigger part of this story at the second half of the novel, felt more like a plot device to help out with Drew and Lilah's story than a character with his own character arc and journey.
However, at the heart of this story are two characters who must overcome a pretty messed up situation and it was interesting to see how the author dealt with that particular conflict.
Overall, I was on the fence with this one about whether I was going to give it a 4 or 5-star rating and eventually it came down to one simple thing; when I started reading this book, I couldn't bring myself to put it down until I had read it all the way through. That's always a 5-star experience in my eyes.
Fingers crossed that it's not 3 years again until the next one.
Like with many of the books from this author, the story is quite small in scope, maybe smaller than I would usually enjoy reading about, but that is overshadowed by the strength of the characters. It really doesn't take long at all to draw you into Drew and Lilah's story, and from there on you are hooked to the point where you don't want to put the book down.
So strong is my attachment to these characters, that I can overlook how the plot meanders a little and drags its feet towards the middle of the story. I can also overlook how when the characters we already know from this universe start to show up it almost feels like a series of unimportant cameos like fan service in a movie rather than anything all that meaningful. Even Alex, who is a bigger part of this story at the second half of the novel, felt more like a plot device to help out with Drew and Lilah's story than a character with his own character arc and journey.
However, at the heart of this story are two characters who must overcome a pretty messed up situation and it was interesting to see how the author dealt with that particular conflict.
Overall, I was on the fence with this one about whether I was going to give it a 4 or 5-star rating and eventually it came down to one simple thing; when I started reading this book, I couldn't bring myself to put it down until I had read it all the way through. That's always a 5-star experience in my eyes.
Fingers crossed that it's not 3 years again until the next one.
December 21, 2021
Rating 4.0 stars
I really enjoy this author's work. There is something about the characters that he writes that make it easily relatable to me. I was thinking out the reason for that and I think I came up with an idea. Most people who like fantasy books (like myself) have always felt a little like an outsider. Not part of the group. Not part of the in crowd. Maybe feeling like they just aren't quite good enough despite having other strengths. Fantasy has become more mainstream now but despite the now acceptance I still feel that there is a little judgement from people when they find out you like fantasy. The characters that this author writes about speak to that. They are somewhat special but feel like they are on the outside. They are wanted but don't really see/feel it. There is this internal voice telling them that they don't belong even though they desperately want that. They then meet someone who shows them what they are really like and opens their eyes to who they really are instead of the negative picture they have of themselves. This speaks to me. I was that kid. I never thought people noticed me. Never thought I was part of the crowd. Never thought I had anything to offer, even though on an intellectual level I knew that wasn't true, that is just what I felt. So these stories really speak to me. I can identify with his characters and I like how the author always tries to make things work out in the end.
I did enjoy this story but it is hard for me to think of this as one of the damned and cursed books. The story follows Drew and Lilah. There was no hint of anyone else in the series until the halfway mark when Alex shows up. Drew is not doing well, he doesn't have any friends and he can't forgive himself. He drove drunk one night and ended up killing someone. Since then he is filled with self hatred and can't seem to move on. That is until he meets Lilah. To bad she turns out to be a ghost and the woman that he killed when he drove drunk that one night. The first half of the story is them dealing with each other. Lilah coming to terms with her death and hatred for Drew as well as dealing with him being the only one that can see her. Drew having to deal with his guilt and coming to terms with his new "friendship" with the woman that he killed. At the halfway point they contact Demons LLC and that is when Alex shows up. Turns out to be more complicated than anyone thought. Overall a good book and I can't wait for anything else this author writes.
I really enjoy this author's work. There is something about the characters that he writes that make it easily relatable to me. I was thinking out the reason for that and I think I came up with an idea. Most people who like fantasy books (like myself) have always felt a little like an outsider. Not part of the group. Not part of the in crowd. Maybe feeling like they just aren't quite good enough despite having other strengths. Fantasy has become more mainstream now but despite the now acceptance I still feel that there is a little judgement from people when they find out you like fantasy. The characters that this author writes about speak to that. They are somewhat special but feel like they are on the outside. They are wanted but don't really see/feel it. There is this internal voice telling them that they don't belong even though they desperately want that. They then meet someone who shows them what they are really like and opens their eyes to who they really are instead of the negative picture they have of themselves. This speaks to me. I was that kid. I never thought people noticed me. Never thought I was part of the crowd. Never thought I had anything to offer, even though on an intellectual level I knew that wasn't true, that is just what I felt. So these stories really speak to me. I can identify with his characters and I like how the author always tries to make things work out in the end.
I did enjoy this story but it is hard for me to think of this as one of the damned and cursed books. The story follows Drew and Lilah. There was no hint of anyone else in the series until the halfway mark when Alex shows up. Drew is not doing well, he doesn't have any friends and he can't forgive himself. He drove drunk one night and ended up killing someone. Since then he is filled with self hatred and can't seem to move on. That is until he meets Lilah. To bad she turns out to be a ghost and the woman that he killed when he drove drunk that one night. The first half of the story is them dealing with each other. Lilah coming to terms with her death and hatred for Drew as well as dealing with him being the only one that can see her. Drew having to deal with his guilt and coming to terms with his new "friendship" with the woman that he killed. At the halfway point they contact Demons LLC and that is when Alex shows up. Turns out to be more complicated than anyone thought. Overall a good book and I can't wait for anything else this author writes.
December 10, 2021
Throughly enjoyable reading!
As soon as I saw another book in this series I bought it and read it! This one was a little different but very enjoyable and has most of the characters making an appearance! It also had some nice twists that I did not see coming! I read this quickly! Highest compliment I can give - I will be reading this book again!
I will definitely be looking out for more in this series! This author can definitely spin a good story! Well worth time and money to read! If you have read any or all of the other 10 books why would you stop!?
As soon as I saw another book in this series I bought it and read it! This one was a little different but very enjoyable and has most of the characters making an appearance! It also had some nice twists that I did not see coming! I read this quickly! Highest compliment I can give - I will be reading this book again!
I will definitely be looking out for more in this series! This author can definitely spin a good story! Well worth time and money to read! If you have read any or all of the other 10 books why would you stop!?
October 21, 2022
Lilah and Drew’s story (Best of the series)
Oh my goodness, Mr. Bullion! You finally did it!
This is by far the most impressive of the the Damned and Cursed series.
I was hooked from start to finish having a tough time putting the book down. That’s saying a lot for this reader who is new to fantasy-fiction.
It was truly heart breaking when Drew drove while intoxicated and caused a serious accident. He went to jail, but only for two years. (I guess a human’s life is of little value for this author.)
The accident left Drew with facial scars that he thought to be hideous, but also made him give up drinking completely!
He became an Uber, Lift, delivery driver.
Lilah, whom he thought he’d killed in the accident, turns out to be a ghost. At first, she hated him, but then her feelings change as time goes by.
Dr. Scott was always very friendly to Drew which should have been a clue.
The same doctor Scott who “worked” on her the night of the accident and pronounced her dead actually lied. He snuggled her and others to a secret wear-house as test subjects for comatose patients from when his daughter had been in one sometime ago.
Drew and Lilah seek help, from Alex from the first in the series, but Alex was unable to see her and was mystified as to why.
The “good” doctor enlisted Jonathan to located anyone Drew had contacted concerning Lilah. Jonathan, in turn, reached out to some of his buddies to locate and threaten Drew. Said buddies even went after Alex’s family and were met by Jack and Victoria. That did not end well for the buddies.
Alex took Scott and Jonathan to devil-land, but he only returned with Scott.
Lilah ended back up in the hospital and woke up from the come.
Now, it did not end there. You’ll have to read the rest.
Oh my goodness, Mr. Bullion! You finally did it!
This is by far the most impressive of the the Damned and Cursed series.
I was hooked from start to finish having a tough time putting the book down. That’s saying a lot for this reader who is new to fantasy-fiction.
It was truly heart breaking when Drew drove while intoxicated and caused a serious accident. He went to jail, but only for two years. (I guess a human’s life is of little value for this author.)
The accident left Drew with facial scars that he thought to be hideous, but also made him give up drinking completely!
He became an Uber, Lift, delivery driver.
Lilah, whom he thought he’d killed in the accident, turns out to be a ghost. At first, she hated him, but then her feelings change as time goes by.
Dr. Scott was always very friendly to Drew which should have been a clue.
The same doctor Scott who “worked” on her the night of the accident and pronounced her dead actually lied. He snuggled her and others to a secret wear-house as test subjects for comatose patients from when his daughter had been in one sometime ago.
Drew and Lilah seek help, from Alex from the first in the series, but Alex was unable to see her and was mystified as to why.
The “good” doctor enlisted Jonathan to located anyone Drew had contacted concerning Lilah. Jonathan, in turn, reached out to some of his buddies to locate and threaten Drew. Said buddies even went after Alex’s family and were met by Jack and Victoria. That did not end well for the buddies.
Alex took Scott and Jonathan to devil-land, but he only returned with Scott.
Lilah ended back up in the hospital and woke up from the come.
Now, it did not end there. You’ll have to read the rest.
January 8, 2025
Raw.
The quality of this author's work is beyond compare. There may be some who are equal, but none (that I have encountered) are better.
That said, I can't finish reading this. The story and it's emotions are rather raw and depressing. I made it 46 % of the way through the story before I had to give up. I feel disloyal by admitting that, but there is a LOT of pain involved if a reader cognitively connects with the protagonists of this work.
I hope Mr. Bullion is alive and well (I have seen no new posts on his blog since 2021. Covid wacked a lot of people). I hope that he writes more works in the future. If you are still out there author, please forgive me for not having the courage to finish this book.
The quality of this author's work is beyond compare. There may be some who are equal, but none (that I have encountered) are better.
That said, I can't finish reading this. The story and it's emotions are rather raw and depressing. I made it 46 % of the way through the story before I had to give up. I feel disloyal by admitting that, but there is a LOT of pain involved if a reader cognitively connects with the protagonists of this work.
I hope Mr. Bullion is alive and well (I have seen no new posts on his blog since 2021. Covid wacked a lot of people). I hope that he writes more works in the future. If you are still out there author, please forgive me for not having the courage to finish this book.
December 2, 2021
This isn’t like any other ghost story you’ve ever read!
I was chosen online as part of a small group to proofread the novel before publication. I have no other connection to the author.
Own Ghost Story is character driven and explores whether two individuals involved in a tragic event, caused by the choices and actions of one of them, can work their way past that history to truly see and accept each other. It’s a very human story. Of course, Glen Bullion usually writes novels with a fair bit of action, so there’s more going on than our two main characters know at the beginning!
I was chosen online as part of a small group to proofread the novel before publication. I have no other connection to the author.
Own Ghost Story is character driven and explores whether two individuals involved in a tragic event, caused by the choices and actions of one of them, can work their way past that history to truly see and accept each other. It’s a very human story. Of course, Glen Bullion usually writes novels with a fair bit of action, so there’s more going on than our two main characters know at the beginning!
December 31, 2021
Great read as usual
I've been reading Glenn Bullion since the beginning. To this day I have not read a single book that I don't like. The stories are good. The characters are excellent and make you want to see more of them. My only problem is that I have to wait so long between books but that's the breaks if you want good storytelling. Thank you Mr. Bullion for the nice evenings reading your stories.
I've been reading Glenn Bullion since the beginning. To this day I have not read a single book that I don't like. The stories are good. The characters are excellent and make you want to see more of them. My only problem is that I have to wait so long between books but that's the breaks if you want good storytelling. Thank you Mr. Bullion for the nice evenings reading your stories.
December 8, 2021
Excellent as usual
This story started as sad. The main character, Drew, drives drunk causing an accident that leaves a woman dead and Drew disfigured with severe mental health problems. Of course, as with Bullion's stories, the supernatural is always the twist.
This story started as sad. The main character, Drew, drives drunk causing an accident that leaves a woman dead and Drew disfigured with severe mental health problems. Of course, as with Bullion's stories, the supernatural is always the twist.
December 10, 2021
Be patient!
In the first half, entirely new characters are introduced and a very weird and interesting plot twist developed and then the whole crew of Demons LLC invoked to untwist that lovely knotted plot.
Lots of fun!
G.
In the first half, entirely new characters are introduced and a very weird and interesting plot twist developed and then the whole crew of Demons LLC invoked to untwist that lovely knotted plot.
Lots of fun!
G.
December 24, 2021
As others have said, it’s been a big gap between books, too long!
As with all the books in this series I really enjoyed it, Gareth is more technical in his review but like him I read it in 24hrs and I suspect we won’t be alone in that!
As with all the books in this series I really enjoyed it, Gareth is more technical in his review but like him I read it in 24hrs and I suspect we won’t be alone in that!
January 20, 2022
Happy for another in the series
It has been a while but glad to get another from Glenn. Hope it wasn't due to problems from the pandemic. Tough topic but written lightly with love and hope mixed in. The cameo of my favorite characters was all too brief. Looking forward to another.
It has been a while but glad to get another from Glenn. Hope it wasn't due to problems from the pandemic. Tough topic but written lightly with love and hope mixed in. The cameo of my favorite characters was all too brief. Looking forward to another.
May 21, 2022
Interesting perspevtive
And yet another page turner. This one finished even quicker than the last. Definitely enjoyed the pot twists, and once again all hands on deck. What's not to like?
And yet another page turner. This one finished even quicker than the last. Definitely enjoyed the pot twists, and once again all hands on deck. What's not to like?
June 3, 2023
Love the series.....this one didn't do it for me.
The original crew is barely in this, and the cool things they do are pretty much all behind a curtain. Personally didn't care about the main characters in this one.
The original crew is barely in this, and the cool things they do are pretty much all behind a curtain. Personally didn't care about the main characters in this one.
December 8, 2021
loved it!
I was not sure I was going to like this book based on the blurb, but it was amazing. I have read every book he has written in every one of them has delivered!
I was not sure I was going to like this book based on the blurb, but it was amazing. I have read every book he has written in every one of them has delivered!
December 13, 2021
Very good book
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I anxiously await the sequel to this.
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I anxiously await the sequel to this.
December 19, 2021
Loved it!!
I love this series. The characters are like old friends. I am so glad we have two more joining and can't wait for the next book!!
I love this series. The characters are like old friends. I am so glad we have two more joining and can't wait for the next book!!
February 3, 2022
An awesome addition to this series
I forgot about this series until recently. I am really enjoying reading all of the books and this Has to be my favorite
I forgot about this series until recently. I am really enjoying reading all of the books and this Has to be my favorite
February 17, 2022
Wow
The story pulls you in fast and its great I hope to see the people in this story continue in future books. I really enjoyed this one.
Tom
The story pulls you in fast and its great I hope to see the people in this story continue in future books. I really enjoyed this one.
Tom
August 14, 2023
Good story, nice little thriller
Drew, the main protagonist really grows on you. It’s a sweet love story with some action & gore thrown in. What more is needed?
Drew, the main protagonist really grows on you. It’s a sweet love story with some action & gore thrown in. What more is needed?
October 12, 2023
I've read all of Glenn's books at least once, most more. This is probably my favorite one that can be read pretty much standalone. Drew's strong emotions regarding the event are portrayed exceptionally and I love seeing his path towards acceptance. Its a wonderful book that is hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews