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The First Time I Died
The First Time I Died
Jo Macgregor | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Captivating An Engaging
I was completely (and unexpectedly) bowled over by this book! Why you might ask? It leapt out at me to be read as it is a thriller which is one of my favourite genres. My enjoyment was unexpected as I am usually wary of anything to do with the paranormal, but not on this occasion. It is not a crime novel where the reader is buried under loads of supernatural information. The thriller and mystery parts are well interwoven along with the paranormal aspects and as a result, I was hooked from the very beginning!

Garnet McGee returns to her home-town in Pitchford, Vermont, at the suggestion of her college professor, who thinks she needs some time away from her studies so that she can re-evaluate what she wants to do with her life. Whilst there, she vows to solve the mystery of a murder which shattered her life ten years ago. But after dying in an accident and being brought back to life, she starts hearing voices, seeing visions and experiencing strange sensations. Are these merely symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and an over-active imagination, or is she getting messages from a paranormal presence?

This is the first of Jo Macgregor’s novels I have read and as always when reading a mystery, I started guessing who the main suspect was. Well, I was wrong because it was someone else…

THE FIRST TIME I DIED is unusual in that I had imagined that it would be about Garnet's death, but it was, in fact mostly about someone else’s. I found that this gave the novel an edge that was both engaging and enjoyable. I found it easy to empathise with Garnet and I wanted her to succeed in what she was looking to achieve.

I loved Jo Macgregor’s writing style and some of her descriptions in the novel were so atmospheric, especially those about Plover Pond. The first half of the novel is written in alternating chapters of time, giving the reader clarity, which really worked for me. "Then" referred to a time period of ten years ago, when Garnet was a seventeen-year-old schoolgirl.

Jo Macgregor brought everything together for a fabulous conclusion even though I never did manage to accurately guess who was behind the murder. I haven’t got anything negative thing to say about this book. I loved it and it has left me eager to read more from this author. THE FIRST TIME I DIED is an exciting and action-packed crime/thriller that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Hidden Gems and the author for a free ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary, honest review.
  
Show all 4 comments.
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Christine A. (965 KP) Feb 5, 2019

Great review! Added it to my want to read list. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Midge (525 KP) Feb 6, 2019

Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments! ??

Bound Across Time (Bound #1)
Bound Across Time (Bound #1)
Annie R. McEwen | 2024 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bound Across Time is intrigued with the title. The description also pulled me in. Who doesn't like a bit of paranormal with historical fiction mixed in? I was surprised by something I usually do not read, which brings in some magic.

Bound Across Time offers a unique perspective, blending historical fiction with elements of time travel or 'time slipping '. The narrative is enriched by a female main character, a rarity in this genre. Alongside her, a male main character adds depth to the story. The book initially presents itself as a blend of paranormal romance and historical fiction, a combination that it delivers on.

Though most of the story action takes place in the castle and its grounds, I do like that the author included a bit of witchcraft and soulers. Though the pace of the book at the beginning is a bit slow, it does pick up and get a bit more interesting when things start to happen without FMC and our MMC meeting each other.

Bound Across Time weaves a tantalizing mystery into its narrative, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The FMC's initial ignorance of her family history adds a layer of intrigue, and as the story unfolds, her research on a young man who is a ghost leads to unexpected and fascinating revelations. This element of suspense is a major draw for readers interested in historical fiction with a paranormal twist.

CeCe wants to go to Wales to use her history degree. What she finds is different from what she expected. The plot is really good. However, I was unsure if CeCe found out who she was in the plot. But it was good nonetheless. Mixing in love and witchcraft and a little magic was really good. I enjoyed it and will read more about it. The ending has me wanting more. I would have liked to hear more about CeCe and her lover.

This book may be your ally if you're a fan of witchcraft and historical fiction with a paranormal romance. I was craving to find out more about CeCe and what happened at the end. I wanted more, and there is a bit of explicit sex in this book, but nothing to offend anyone. Does CeCe and her lover have sons or not, or does CeCe have a big family? You will need to find out by reading.
  
This is supposed to be a book for Young Adults but I think it is suitable for anyone wishing to read a mystery / love story with a hint of paranormal in the form of "insights" or talents or gifts, whatever you want to call them.

This book starts on earth and will take you to different dimensions via 'strings', invisible (to most) passages of energy.

I won't go into the plot as it is better to just read the synopsis and go from there but it has an overall quite simple story that is overlaid with complications and events that all in all make this a fantastic read.

And, yes, I am a hopeless romantic, so the idea of having your other half out there who will complete you is almost certainly going to go down well with me and this book does it well!!
  
Just a Wild Ghost Chase (Unit 13 Book 2)
Just a Wild Ghost Chase (Unit 13 Book 2)
Dan Harris | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


Tom is covering for Amy on maternity leave at the unit. A firm that keeps the country safe from paranormal invasions. He has been recently sent on a job to look for a ghost. Even though 9 times out of 10 they aren't real, he finds out this one is, and it's the first of many.


Dan is a fantastic writer with just the right amount of humour and mystery thrown in together. It's definitely a series that you can get your teeth into and will have you second-guessing trying to unravel things.


If I have any criticisms it's I don't like the ending but that's only because I wasn't ready for it to finish, now I'm going to have to wait for the next one!


Super job, Dan!


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
  
The Exorcist Who Loved Me (Must Love Ghosts #2)
The Exorcist Who Loved Me (Must Love Ghosts #2)
Jennifer Savalli | 2015 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This a fast-paced and quirky story, telling of a young widow and an exorcist, and the things that they uncover both of the normal and paranormal types. The whole book has a timespan of about 5-7 days, so it is definitely in the 'insta-love' category, but somehow, it seems to work for them. Holly is warm, caring and babbles when she's nervous. Lawe is a 'wandering star' who doesn't want any roots to hold him down. Of course, things change when these two meet.

Well-written, with a healthy dose of humour, and a dollop of mystery. This book is a light read, guaranteed to delight. Definitely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 17, 2016
  
TG
The Ghosts of Misty Hollow
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Emma and Phil are in Massachusetts at the invitation of mystery writer Gino Costello. He plans to include ghosts in his next book, and plans to use Emma’s expertise to get that part right. However, tension between Gino and Vanessa and the presence of many ghosts looking for Emma’s help will keep this trip for being restful.

While I don’t read many paranormal cozies, I enjoy this series because the characters are so much fun. We only really see Emma, Phil, and Granny here, but they are fantastic, and the new characters more than make up for any characters you might miss. The pacing is a little uneven, but the plot is good and the further I got into the book, the harder it was to put down.

Note: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-ghosts-of-misty-hollow-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.