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Haunting Blue
Punk, blue-haired “Blue” Shaefer, is at odds with her workaholic single mother. Raised as a city girl in a suburb of Indianapolis, Blue must abandon the life she knows when her unfeeling mother moves them to a dreadful small town. Blue befriends the only student willing to talk to computer nerd “Chip” Farren.
Chip knows the connection between the rickety pirate boat ride at the local amusement park and the missing money from an infamous bank heist the townspeople still talk about. When Blue helps him recover the treasure, they awaken a vengeful ghost who’ll stop at nothing--even murder--to prevent them from exposing the truth behind his evil deeds.
Haunting Blue will excite readers who enjoy contemporary ghost stories featuring a hard-edged, sassy teenage heroine. Those who miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer will love Haunting Blue.
Chip knows the connection between the rickety pirate boat ride at the local amusement park and the missing money from an infamous bank heist the townspeople still talk about. When Blue helps him recover the treasure, they awaken a vengeful ghost who’ll stop at nothing--even murder--to prevent them from exposing the truth behind his evil deeds.
Haunting Blue will excite readers who enjoy contemporary ghost stories featuring a hard-edged, sassy teenage heroine. Those who miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer will love Haunting Blue.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Sullivan
18 books39 followersR. J. Sullivan and his family live in Heartland Crossing, Indiana, south of Indianapolis. R. J. Sullivan’s novel Haunting Blue is an edgy paranormal thriller and the first book of the adventures of punk girl Fiona “Blue” Shaefer and her boyfriend Chip Farren. Seventh Star Press released Haunting Obsession, a Rebecca Burton Novella, in 2012 and Virtual Blue, the second book in Fiona’s tale, in 2013. Seventh Star will release a new edition of Haunting Blue in early 2014. R. J.’s short stories have been featured in such acclaimed collections as Dark Faith Invocations by Apex Books and Vampires Don’t Sparkle. His newest project is the Red Lotus series of science fiction novelettes for readers of all ages.
R.J. resides with his family in Heartland Crossing, Indiana. He drinks regularly from a Little Mermaid coffee mug and is man enough to admit it. Check in at www.rjsullivanfiction.com to learn the latest about the projects of R. J. Sullivan.
R.J. resides with his family in Heartland Crossing, Indiana. He drinks regularly from a Little Mermaid coffee mug and is man enough to admit it. Check in at www.rjsullivanfiction.com to learn the latest about the projects of R. J. Sullivan.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 20, 2011
Ghosts are one of the overlooked monsters of the paranormal out there these days, mostly likely because it's hard to make a ghost sexy (I mean, without totally ripping off Ghost.) Luckily RJ Sullivan doesn't even try. Haunting Blue is classic, fun little horror novel about a blue-haired punk girl forced to move to small town Indiana who immediately gets tied up in the town's big urban legend. It has a classic ghost story/urban legend feel, that one would expect to be cliché at this point, but is still very tantalizing. And it's got the only climax at a theme park that I've enjoyed other than Zombieland.
Sullivan makes good use of his teen lead's heavy mix of feelings and sense of worthlessness without making this an issue book. Also the involvement of a geek hero and a D&D table top "date" scene (even if it was wrong, number-wise) humored me to no end. Haunting Blue is a solid read, it moves well, sweeping readers up in Fiona's conflicts, be they mundane or ghostly. Recommended for sure, especially for readers looking for a good ghost story in a vampire and zombie world.
Contains: violence, language, sex
Sullivan makes good use of his teen lead's heavy mix of feelings and sense of worthlessness without making this an issue book. Also the involvement of a geek hero and a D&D table top "date" scene (even if it was wrong, number-wise) humored me to no end. Haunting Blue is a solid read, it moves well, sweeping readers up in Fiona's conflicts, be they mundane or ghostly. Recommended for sure, especially for readers looking for a good ghost story in a vampire and zombie world.
Contains: violence, language, sex
November 8, 2011
Fiona ("Blue")--against her wishes--moves with her mother to a small Indiana town. At first, it seems that all Blue has to look forward to is the day she'll become a legal adult and can move back out, but then she is drawn into an exploration of a dark incident in the town's past--and attracts the attention of a restless spirit with unfinished business.
RJ Sullivan takes the time to develop his characters, investing them with depth, secrets, and real emotion. Third-person scenes within the overall first-person narrative develop the driving incident from the past, and what seems to be a straightforward path toward the intersection of the two takes several surprising twists into dark and dangerous territory. Solid storytelling, clear and evocative prose, and compelling characters make this a memorable read, one I very much enjoyed.
RJ Sullivan takes the time to develop his characters, investing them with depth, secrets, and real emotion. Third-person scenes within the overall first-person narrative develop the driving incident from the past, and what seems to be a straightforward path toward the intersection of the two takes several surprising twists into dark and dangerous territory. Solid storytelling, clear and evocative prose, and compelling characters make this a memorable read, one I very much enjoyed.
September 18, 2011
Once I started reading I didn't want to stop, but when I finished the book I wanted more. The story was fast moving, never boring, and full of surprises. I wish all books could be like this. I'm looking forward to reading more from R.J. Sullivan.
November 3, 2013
The girl with the blue hair. Misunderstood, unloved, then uprooted to move to a new town. Surprisingly, the book is a ghost story, but you really don't find out about the ghost until later in the book. Enjoyed this one and I'm planning to read the sequel.
April 19, 2011
You can find my review on my blog:
http://mybookaddiction.blogspot.com/2...
http://mybookaddiction.blogspot.com/2...
September 19, 2011
Quite good. I am pleasantly surprised.
June 1, 2021
The author does a surprisingly good job representing an authentic voice of a 17-year-old girl in the year 2010. The scene where she has to put on a costume at her new fast-food job felt particularly realistic. I really loved the setting of an old, small-town amusement park. The book shifts back and forth from the main character’s point of view--conflict with her mom, adjusting to a new small-town school, missing her former life etc.-- and flashbacks to a historic bank robbery-- the origin of the ghost she eventually encounters. The ending was much much darker than I expected.
February 6, 2019
Thoroughly Enjoyed it!
This was a fun and touching exploration of small town Indiana life, and just what it means to be a feisty outsider. Who just happens to help solve a twenty-year old mystery.
This was a fun and touching exploration of small town Indiana life, and just what it means to be a feisty outsider. Who just happens to help solve a twenty-year old mystery.
August 17, 2020
This was a really great story!I'm glad it is book 1,so there will be more to read about Fifi. Danielle Muething was a wonderful narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
July 16, 2014
My favorite part of this story is Fiona Felicity Shaefer, aka Fi Fi, aka Blue. She’s spunky yet vulnerable, lethal yet loving. And she’s only 17 years old.
Blue’s mother is a successful lawyer with little time to play mom so Blue is left to her own devices, hanging with college kids in Broad Ripple.
A great opportunity for her mom has them moving to the small town of Perionne and Blue isn’t too happy. With only 1 year left, she has to finish her senior year of school among strangers.
Her blue hair and attitude makes her the enemy of the school bully, but it doesn’t take long for the dark side of her nature to emerge and she pounds him good. That’s when she meets Chip, a computer geek with electrifying eyes and an easy-going attitude.
There’s an urban legend in Perionne. A local man, Gunther is purported to have robbed the bank and then disappeared without a trace. Most believe he’s dead and there have been numerous reports over the last twenty years of his specter being spotted.
When Chip coerces Blue into doing something crazy, they find out first hand if the legend of Gunther is real and they just might not survive to tell.
The author told this story in two different points of view. You’ll read Blue’s story, which takes place in 2010. And you’ll read Gunther’s story from 1990.
It’s easy to follow as the author flashes from present to past and present again. I would be reading about Blue and be totally engaged. Then I’d be reading about Gunther and be thus enthralled. Whether in the present or the past, I couldn’t wait to see what was coming and it made for twice the fun.
I was thrilled to learn this is the first book in the Adventures of Blue Shaefer. I’ll be sure to check out further adventures, and I hope the author writes about Blue’s years in Broad Ripple. I’d like to know how she became so lethal.
A great adventure, an urban legend, and a bit of clean romance await you. I’d recommend this book to all adventure lovers.
I received this book for my honest review.
Blue’s mother is a successful lawyer with little time to play mom so Blue is left to her own devices, hanging with college kids in Broad Ripple.
A great opportunity for her mom has them moving to the small town of Perionne and Blue isn’t too happy. With only 1 year left, she has to finish her senior year of school among strangers.
Her blue hair and attitude makes her the enemy of the school bully, but it doesn’t take long for the dark side of her nature to emerge and she pounds him good. That’s when she meets Chip, a computer geek with electrifying eyes and an easy-going attitude.
There’s an urban legend in Perionne. A local man, Gunther is purported to have robbed the bank and then disappeared without a trace. Most believe he’s dead and there have been numerous reports over the last twenty years of his specter being spotted.
When Chip coerces Blue into doing something crazy, they find out first hand if the legend of Gunther is real and they just might not survive to tell.
The author told this story in two different points of view. You’ll read Blue’s story, which takes place in 2010. And you’ll read Gunther’s story from 1990.
It’s easy to follow as the author flashes from present to past and present again. I would be reading about Blue and be totally engaged. Then I’d be reading about Gunther and be thus enthralled. Whether in the present or the past, I couldn’t wait to see what was coming and it made for twice the fun.
I was thrilled to learn this is the first book in the Adventures of Blue Shaefer. I’ll be sure to check out further adventures, and I hope the author writes about Blue’s years in Broad Ripple. I’d like to know how she became so lethal.
A great adventure, an urban legend, and a bit of clean romance await you. I’d recommend this book to all adventure lovers.
I received this book for my honest review.
Read
June 15, 2011Ghosts are one of the overlooked monsters of the paranormal out there these days, likely because it's hard to make a ghost sexy (I mean, without totally ripping off the movie Ghost.) Luckily, RJ Sullivan doesn't even try. Haunting Blue is a fun little horror novel about a blue-haired punk girl forced to move to small town Indiana who immediately gets tied up in the town's big urban legend. It has a classic ghost story/urban legend feel, that escapes the trap of cliché, and is still very tantalizing. It's also got the only climax at a theme park that I've enjoyed other than Zombieland.
Sullivan makes good use of his teen lead's heavy mix of feelings and sense of worthlessness without making this an issue book. Also, the involvement of a geek hero and a D&D tabletop "date" scene amused me to no end. Haunting Blue is a solid read, it moves well, sweeping readers up in the heroine’s conflicts, be they mundane or ghostly. Recommended for sure, especially for readers looking for a good ghost story in a vampire and zombie world.
Contains: violence, language, sex
Review by Michele Lee
Sullivan makes good use of his teen lead's heavy mix of feelings and sense of worthlessness without making this an issue book. Also, the involvement of a geek hero and a D&D tabletop "date" scene amused me to no end. Haunting Blue is a solid read, it moves well, sweeping readers up in the heroine’s conflicts, be they mundane or ghostly. Recommended for sure, especially for readers looking for a good ghost story in a vampire and zombie world.
Contains: violence, language, sex
Review by Michele Lee
December 6, 2015
This was a really fun book! I completely enjoyed the pop culture references ; this helps flesh out the character with real life references. Blue is someone I could invite over to play Rock Band ( with the Evanescence song pack) , or pack a lunch & take books to the park. Robert Heinlein is an underrated favorite of mine, so I really enjoyed the references to his books .
I could relate to Fiona's sadness at moving to a small town while in school; I moved from Chicago to a small Texas town. It's really tough to make friends when you are the outsider. Mr. Sullivan does a great job of having well-rounded characters like Chip & his gamer friends.
The plot was interesting as well;the towns big unsolved mystery is set in a classroom setting so research can be done as the plot unfolds. The author must have had experienced an amusement park setting because the details were well grounded.
I'm glad there is already a sequel written because I don't want to wait a whole year or more to read more adventures of Blue & Chip! : ))
I could relate to Fiona's sadness at moving to a small town while in school; I moved from Chicago to a small Texas town. It's really tough to make friends when you are the outsider. Mr. Sullivan does a great job of having well-rounded characters like Chip & his gamer friends.
The plot was interesting as well;the towns big unsolved mystery is set in a classroom setting so research can be done as the plot unfolds. The author must have had experienced an amusement park setting because the details were well grounded.
I'm glad there is already a sequel written because I don't want to wait a whole year or more to read more adventures of Blue & Chip! : ))
October 10, 2012
This is a wonderfully dark ghost adventure story, set in rural Indiana. The protagonist, unsinkable teenaged Blue, has been transplanted by her mom from the city to the country, in the town of Perionne.
To say she has trouble fitting in would be an understatment, her unnaturally blue hair and naturally tough attitude being too much for the locals. Except for Chip, a nerdy D&D-playing, computer hacking, ghost-obsessed who becomes her unlikely ally and friend. A bank robbery in decades past has seeped into town folklore and has Chip scheming to find the hidden gold. The ghost of the criminal explodes out of the past to stop the two teens at any cost.
Sullivan is a fantastic storyteller. I found myself drawn into Blue's troubles and I cheered for her victories. I have been paranormal investigator for years, so the ghost story in the book intrigued me as much as the main plot, and I loved watching it unfold.
To say she has trouble fitting in would be an understatment, her unnaturally blue hair and naturally tough attitude being too much for the locals. Except for Chip, a nerdy D&D-playing, computer hacking, ghost-obsessed who becomes her unlikely ally and friend. A bank robbery in decades past has seeped into town folklore and has Chip scheming to find the hidden gold. The ghost of the criminal explodes out of the past to stop the two teens at any cost.
Sullivan is a fantastic storyteller. I found myself drawn into Blue's troubles and I cheered for her victories. I have been paranormal investigator for years, so the ghost story in the book intrigued me as much as the main plot, and I loved watching it unfold.
July 17, 2014
My thoughts:
I have already had the privilege of meeting Blue, and I still would love to hang out with this girl. This character is so intriguing. Sullivan has done a fantastic job of making a character that I would love to see continue in many more books. This book reviewed is Book one and I have already read book two. Sullivan is a great story teller and has done an amazing job in creating a ghost story. This story had it all laughs, scary moments, and meaningful scenes. Blue moves to a small town with her mom and discovers there is a lot more going on then she could have ever imagined. Legend tells of Gunther and along with pal Chip they discover more than ever dreamed of. I love the way Sullivan tells the story from Blue’s point of view and then from Gunther's in the past. This was a fantastic read.
My Rating:
4 ½ out of 5
I have already had the privilege of meeting Blue, and I still would love to hang out with this girl. This character is so intriguing. Sullivan has done a fantastic job of making a character that I would love to see continue in many more books. This book reviewed is Book one and I have already read book two. Sullivan is a great story teller and has done an amazing job in creating a ghost story. This story had it all laughs, scary moments, and meaningful scenes. Blue moves to a small town with her mom and discovers there is a lot more going on then she could have ever imagined. Legend tells of Gunther and along with pal Chip they discover more than ever dreamed of. I love the way Sullivan tells the story from Blue’s point of view and then from Gunther's in the past. This was a fantastic read.
My Rating:
4 ½ out of 5
August 28, 2012
i actually loved this e-story. i think teens who enjoy paranormal romances will really fall for the characters "Blue" and "Chip" and easily relate to them. that being said, i'm a bit disappointed with the ending. *SPOILER* honestly i would not have had the mother killed. that just seemed really off and a bit much to me. the death of a mother is something one never wants to imagine and yet, when it occurred to Blue she seemed ok. i mean yeah she broke down in the hospital but still... i just couldn't buy it. she was able to still save the day knowing that her mother had been murdered by a ghost? nope, can't buy that. the author should have just had the mom held hostage or something but straight up murder... it was just overkill. pardon the pun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2014
Certain elements must play together perfectly to make a good ghost story. Subtlety is vital for the effectiveness of the later scares. We have to be given characters with whom we can relate so that we have an emotional investment in the story. A good, interesting back story is essential so that we care about the gradual reveal of the purpose behind the haunting. It is a very hard balance to achieve without giving away things too early or drawing things out too much. R.J. Sullivan achieves the right amount of each piece of his ghost story in Haunting Blue so that by the end of the book your only complaint is that it is over.
To see my full review, go to: http://ragecircus.blogspot.com/2014/0...
To see my full review, go to: http://ragecircus.blogspot.com/2014/0...
September 7, 2013
Haunting Blue is a book set for young adults to read, but I can tell you it quickly draws someone even in my age range in .The main Character in the book, Blue, has seriously hit some life changes and with it comes some out of this world changes as well. What is really cool is it is set small town USA, showing that anyone can have crazy things happen. I love the way she is shown: her strengths, weaknesses, her attitude and tough girl image when , in reality, she is as messed up as most teenage girls. I recommend this for SURE!
July 14, 2013
Not bad, fast moving novel. Loved the heroine (blue hair gets me every time) and her toughness. This is a ghost story, but the ghost doesn't figure prominently until the last 25% or so. Thomas is an Indiana author, and this book was set in a small town in northern Indiana. There were times where I could not manage suspension of disbelief at some actions of the characters, but it was still an enjoyable read.
May 13, 2014
awesome book would have finished sooner if not for my eyes and grand-daughter allowing me to keep reading. Stunning ending. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews