Spirited by Mary Behre
Published by Berkley
Published on: March 4, 2014
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 321
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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She's running from who she is...
All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life--preferably one that doesn't include ghosts. Jules's ability for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her...
He'll do whatever it takes to catch her.
Detective Seth English can't get distracted from the big case he's working on, not even by his alluring new neighbor. He doesn't believe that Jules had anything to do with the string of robberies-turned-murders that he's investigating, but when she keeps showing up in all the wrong places, his gut tells him she knows more than she's letting on. To solve his case, he'll need to expose what the sexy redhead is hiding--no matter how impossible the truth may be...
Like a ghost story with heart? I do and that’s what I got when I read this book. One of the blogs I follow gave it 5 stars, so I decided to try it. And I am glad I did! Not only is it a ghost story, but it’s also a mystery who done it, and a really good romance, with a total Alpha Male. Throw in a main character that can see ghosts, and I am in!
Jules has moved back to her hometown to manage her parents flower shop. She meets her new neighbor in a comedy of errors moment, when a ghost mentally boosts her into entering his bedroom window. And that’s all I am telling about that..too cute of a scene not to let you read it yourself. Seth is a police detective with one major thing in his life-his work and his need to get promoted after some set-backs. He certainly doesn’t need a neighbor that starts driving him crazy from minute one! When a female ghost starts haunting Jules with visions of her(the ghost’s) murder, Jules can’t help but to get involved. And of course, Seth gets in on the action too.
I liked the characters of Jules, and her parents were well written too. Seth was a total hot guy with a liberal dose of arrogance. I wanted to slap him upside the head on more then one occasion! There were other characters that I liked but since this is a who done it, not going to say which ones. There’s lots of sexual tension and a couple of steamy scenes.
If you are looking for a really deep story, this isn’t it. But if you like a good romance with a good mystery and some funny moments, then you are in luck. Don’t get me wrong. There’s some really bad villains and more then one ghost. Seth wasn’t always my favorite character but he did grow on me and Jules manages to get into life threatening moments more then once. She is also one of three sisters, all adopted to different homes and she has been hunting them for years. The next book features her sister that can communicate (not talk) with animals. I am interested in seeing what the third sister can do.
Bottom line? I did enjoy it, and it was very readable. I will be watching for the next in the series titled, Guarded. If you don’t care about the sisters, then this is can be a stand alone read.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Seth wasn’t always my favorite character either, but like you, I did enjoy reading this one overall! I thought the mystery aspect was well done, I didn’t guess the killer which is always fun for me:) I’m curious about her sisters, so I’ll definitely be giving Guarded a try too! Lovely review:)
I didn’t really guess the killer either and that’s always a good thing for me too! And yes I want to read the next one too..communicating with animals? Love that premise 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks for the nice review Lorna, I have added this book to my wishlist based on some reviews as well.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
This sounds different and entertaining, I like the idea of a ghostly mystery and I appreciate that there is suspense and that for the most part it can be read as a stand alone. I might just give this a try.
I hope you like it!
I like when a meet-cute is really cute! And I’m totally fine with a brain candy story. I can gorge myself on those.
Then I think you will really enjoy this!
This sounds like a great read. I love listening to paranormal (romance) mysteries when I get ready for bed. They relax me. 🙂
The only time I listen to books is when I travel long distances. Someday I need to try it for no reason! I hear lots of good things about different narrators.
I agree I love stories with ghosts! Well with no talking animals, it seems that I’m talented to have that lol. But it’s not the case here. Thanks for the review I was really curious about it.
i read a portion of the second book that was included with this one and the communicating with the animals wasn’t Dr. Doolittlish(wow, there’s a word I never thought I’d use). The sister is a vet and I am interested enough to try it too 🙂
Lorna, I enjoyed this too, and I like how each book is tied together but also standalone with different paranormal elements.
Yes, I liked that too. I wonder if we will find out the why to the abilities the sisters have.
I have seen it around and everyone seems to enjoy it 🙂
I did! 🙂
Well, this one sounds like a fun one. I thought it was more UF with the cover, but I see by your review it is more PNR. Don’t mind that at all, but good to know! 🙂
Well it dd take place in a city, and there were paranormal beings(ghosts) but you are right-it’s more a romance/mystery then anything else.She’s not exactly a kick-ass main character and that was okay in this type of book 🙂
Romance and mystery…what’s NOT to love! 😉 Great review!
Thank you!(and you’re right!)
I like the sounds of this one. I am even more excited for the second one, since I’m such an animal-lover!
Me too! The chapter I read of the next book did look good 🙂
I do like ghost stories especially with heart! I will need to check this one out as it sounds right up my alley. 🙂
I hope you enjoy it!
I love a good ghost story and mystery so this sound perfect!
It was a good ghost story though not really scary!