*Book Review* In My Dreams by Cameo Renae

 

Title: In My Dreams
Format: Ebook
Pages: 248
Published: 15th March 2015 (2nd Edition)
Publisher: Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Ghosts

Shelfability: Covet
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**About the Book**
he dreams were happening again. It was something seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Hayes thought she’d outgrown. She didn’t want them anymore; detailed premonitions of how people would die. One night, Lizzy’s worst nightmare occurs. She dreams of her boyfriend, Michael Young, and soon discovers his car was found in a river, along with his lifeless body. Confusion settles deep within when Michael appears alive in her dreams. He warns her, attempting to keep her safe from the very person who murdered him. Awake, Lizzy must pull on her inner strength, not only to save herself, but also her friends whose lives are in danger. In My Dreams is a story of trust, friendship, courage, and true love that lives beyond the grave.

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*Book Review* Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell

Reviewed By: Siobhán

Format: eGalley

Pages: 336

Published: 8th Oct 2014

Publisher: Flux

Source: Netgalley

Genre: YA, Mystery, Paranormal

Shelfability: Acquire/Covet

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Description:

Lucy Aimes has always been practical. But try as she might, she can’t come up with a logical explanation for the recurring dreams that have always haunted her. Dark dreams. Dreams of a long-ago place filled with people she shouldn’t know…but does.

When her family moves to a New Orleans plantation, Lucy’s dreams become more intense, and her search for answers draws her reluctantly into the old city’s world of Voodoo and mysticism. There, Lucy finds Alex, a mysterious boy who behaves as if they’ve known each other forever. Lucy knows Alex is hiding something, and her rational side doesn’t want to be drawn to him. But she is.

As she tries to uncover Alex’s secrets, a killer strikes close to home, and Lucy finds herself ensnared in a century-old vendetta. With the lives of everyone she loves in danger, Lucy will have to unravel the mystery of her dreams before it all comes to a deadly finish.

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Book Review: Afterlife Academy by Jaimie Admans

Reviewed By: Siobhán
Format: Kindle Ebook
Pages: 206
Published: 15th March 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Source: Bought
Genre:  YA Paranormal
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Description:

Even being dead isn’t enough to get you out of maths class.

Dying wasn't on sixteen-year-old Riley Richardson's to-do list. And now, not only is she dead, but she's stuck in a perpetual high school nightmare. Worse still, she's stuck there with the geekiest, most annoying boy in the history of the world, ever.

In a school where the geeks are popular and just about everything is wrong, Riley has become an outcast. She begins a desperate quest to get back home, but her once-perfect life starts to unravel into something not nearly as great as she thought it was. And maybe death isn’t really that bad after all...

Welcome to Afterlife Academy, where horns are the norm, the microwave is more intelligent than the teachers, and the pumpkins have a taste for blood.

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Surrender (Haunting Emma #3) by Lee Nichols

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: Paperback
Pages:  258
Published: 12th April 2012 (UK)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Paranormal, Ghost Story
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Description:

After a devastating battle at headquarters in New York, the ghostkeeping world is in shambles. When Emma and Bennett return home, they are determined to defeat the wraithmaster, Neos, forever. But it's not going to be easy. Bennett's parents kick him out when they realize he is still using drugs to enhance his powers. Emma is convinced her aunt has come back from the dead to warn her of a new threat. And worst of all, Neos is using wraiths to possess the students at Thatcher Academy. If the ghosts manage to take over the entire school, even Emma won't be strong enough to stop them. But if either she or Bennett sacrifice his or her powers, they might be able to save the ghostkeeping world once and for all-and break the "ghostkeepers lose their powers when they fall in love" curse. The question is: who will be the one to surrender all power?

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Betrayal (Haunting Emma #2) by Lee Nichols

Reviewed by: Siobhán

Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Published:  5th Sept 2011 (UK)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA, Ghost Story
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Description:

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great for battling the wraith-master Neos and horrible for her social life. Emma knows fellow ghostkeeper Bennett Stern is her soul mate, but when ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power. And until Neos is defeated, Bennett and Emma can't risk it. When the temptation of being with Emma gets to be too much, Bennett disappears, pursuing a dangerous path to increase his powers. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school. But when the Knell, a secret ghostkeeping society, sends two new ghostkeepers to Echo Point—one a snarky teen guy, the other a British scholar—Emma throws herself into training to battle Neos. But as the team grows stronger, so do the ghosts. And worse, one of their own will betray them. One Emma never suspected. . .

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Deception (Haunting Emma #1) by Lee Nichols

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Published: 5th Sept 2011 (UK)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA, Ghost Story,
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Description:

When Emma Vaile's parents leave on a mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. But then her best friend stops talking to her, the police crash her party and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian, Bennett Stern, and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England. After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular crowd. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain and strange visions are haunting her. Emma doesn't trust anyone any more - except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to her. One that will explain the visions ...and make Emma fear for her life

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The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 400
Published: 2nd Feb 2012 (UK)
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Publisher for Review
Genre: YA Romance, Ghosts
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Description:

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

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Shade (Shade #1) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: Paperback
Pages: 309
Published: Simon & Schuster
Publisher: 2nd Sept 2011 (UK)
Source: Gift
Genre: YA Parnormal, Ghosts
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Description:

Like everyone born after The Shift, sixteen year-old Aura can see and talk to ghosts. She's always found this mysterious ability pretty annoying, wishing only that she could reverse it and have some peace. But when her boyfriend, Logan, dies unexpectedly, Aura is forced to reconsider her connections to the dead...Devastated by Logan's sudden death, Aura realises that her ability to see ghosts might actually be a blessing. Surely a violet-hued spirit Logan is better than no Logan at all? But just when Aura is coming to terms with having a ghost as a boyfriend, she starts developing feelings for her new friend Zachary, who is understanding, supportive and, most of all, alive. Each boy holds a piece of her heart - as well as vital cues to the secret of the Shift - and it's time for Aura to choose between loving the living, or embracing the dead...

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Anna Dressed In Blood (#1) by Kendare Blake

Format: ARC Paperback
Published: August 30, 2011
Publisher: TorTeen
Genre: Paranormal, YA Fantasy

Description:

Just your average boy-meets-girl, girl-kills-people story. . .

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

And she, for whatever reason, spares his life.

Review:
Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake will originally lure you in by the hauntingly beautiful cover, but once you begin reading, be prepared to be amazed. Anna Dressed In Blood is centered around Cas, a teenage boy, and his kitchen witch mother, who move from place to place so Cas can carry on his dead father's legacy of killing ghosts.

Wielding his father's magical athame, Cas sets out in a new town to kill one of the strongest, most powerful ghosts he has ever encountered: Anna Dressed In Blood. As Cas begins to investigate the history of the mysterious Anna, he develops a circle of friends (a big no-no in his book), and quickly finds killing Anna is not going to be as easy as he planned.

Not only does the mystery surrounding Anna's death begin to unravel, Cas finds himself in the midst of an increasingly dangerous supernatural phenomenon...the ultimate battle he had been waiting for - the ghost who killed his father. Cas and his new friends are thrown into a world of magic, terror, adventure, and death, where no one knows if they will come out alive.

Coming from a male point of view, this novel will definitely appeal to fans of the television series Supernatural, as it contains many of the same elements, and in many ways Cas is not unlike the Winchester brothers.

This was the best ghost story that has been written in years. It is the ghost story readers have been looking for but haven't been able to find. Creepy, scary, and will keep you up all night turning the pages!

Rate: 5/5

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Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Format: Paperback
Pages: 344
Published: 9th July 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Genre: YA Historical, Paranormal

Description:
Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts, especially since her mother has worked as a fraudulent medium for a decade. Violet has taken part in enough of her mother's tricks to feel more than a little jaded about anyhting supernatural. The ghosts, however, believe in Violet and she's been seeing them everywhere. One ghost in particular needs Violet to use her emerging gift to solve her murder ...and prevent the ghost's twin sister from suffering the same fate.

Review:
Haunting Violet is set in late 1800's England. It follows the story of sixteen year old Violet as she helps her mother perform fake seances. Her mother has a very successful reputation with her seances which leads them to the wealthy Lord Jasper's country estate to perform for him and his guests. However, whilst there Violet discovers she can see ghosts, even though she doesn't want to. And soon Violet and her friends are trying to solve the murder of ghost called Rowena.

I had been wanting this book ever since I first seen it online. So when I got a copy for review you can guess that I was rather thrilled. I have heard alot about Alyxandra Harvey and her work and I have only just read the first book in The Drake Chronicles and I loved it (my review) so I was pretty excited for this. However, I honestly never knew this book was a historical paranormal. I haven't read many books that are in past tense so I was a bit worried. But I didn't have to be because I thought it was fantastic.

Violet is one of those really great main characters for a book. Even though her mother doesn't treat her very well she is still so strong. I think she is probably one of the easiest characters I have ever connected with it a book. I don't if it is was because she is a strong independent girl, or if it was because even though its set in the 1800s you can imagine Violet being your friend and getting along with perfectly.  What I did love the most about Violet was her friendship with Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a very happy bubbly character and you can't help but smile when reading about her. Their friendship is pure and from time to time very funny.

Violet does of course have a couple of love interests. What book is complete with out it? There is Xavier and Colin. Xavier even though he was a gentleman I just didn't like him at all. He is shallow and just doesn't connect with Violet. Colin on the other hand is dreamy (I think its the fact he is Irish I go weak at the knees from Irishmen) Colin has lived with Violet and her mother since he was young boy so he knew Violet and when she tells him about the ghosts he helps her.

Now, I can't do this review without mention the Mother. Argh, I hated her with a passion. Tricking people into believing she was a medium. She is just a selfish woman who wants nothing more than wealth.

Haunting Violet has quite a few elements to it. It's Historical Fiction, a paranormal ghost story and a murder mystery all rolled into one. Its truely fantastic. Being set in the 1800s it creates a perfect atmosphere for a gothic novel. Set in a country estate gives a really spooky fell that I honestly has goosepimples reading parts of it. Also with it being set in the UK it was fantastic to see some of the words we use within the book. I always love that in book.

My only negative is that I found the begining rather slow. It wasn't really until Violet seen her first ghost that I was truely captivated by the story.

Alyxandra Harvey has created a brilliant gothic novel that is a little spooky. If you like your books that are different and full of supsense with one hell of a twist that you don't see coming then I urge you to pick up a copy and get reading.

Thank you Bloomsbury for providing a copy for review

Rate: 4/5

Buy on Amazon: {UK}{US}

Visit Alyxandra: Website

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Wide Awake (Academy of the Fallen #1) by Daniele Lanzarotta

Format: Kindle
Pages: 280
Published: 25th May 2011
Publisher: Rocket Science Productions
Genre: YA Paranormal

Description:
Kayla is a 16-year-old girl who was adopted when she was little. She lives a normal life, with great friends, loving adoptive parents, and well... a not-so-great boyfriend. But the reason why she was given up for adoption was far from any usual reason. She was meant to be kept away from the Academy and anything else related to the supernatural beings that could hurt her. Unfortunately for Kayla, it was only a matter of time before she encountered the creatures from the Otherworld, and there is just no running away from the beings that she can now see. In trying to protect Kayla by keeping her away from the Academy, she may have just been put in even more danger.

Review:
Wide Awake is one of those spellbinding books that keeps you entranced all the way through. If I had the time I would have read this books in the space for a few days. It was incredible.

Kayla is like every other 16 year old girl. She has a great family and good friends. However, soon she meants Caroline who appears when Kayla doesn't expect it like in her bedroom in the middle of night. Kayle soon realised that she isn't an ordinary girl, she can see and speak to ghosts. Pretty soon Kayla's life is in danger and its up to Hunter to try and keep her safe from the evil Benjamin.

There are quite a few factors that make this story an excellent read. The story line is original and fast paced and the dynamic between the main characters is what makes the story such a good read. The chemistry we see between Kayla and Hunter is undeniable. They are both very independant characters their personalities are very similar. However, its when Kayla is confronted with Benjamin (the creepy bad guy) it becomes clear that Hunter and Kayla have a special bond. This just makes it a very easy read because the characters are flow nicely together.

Wide Awake has a very original story line that is fast paced. I love that there is a little bit of mythology woven into the current storyline explaining some of the backstory. It definity an interesting take on angels.

I do have one small negative. The ending. Without giving anything away it ends on a series cliffhanger. I don't using mind cliffhangers but this one I just didn't like. However, Daniele has done it in such a way that when you turn the very last page to realise there is no more you actually will scream at you book.

What else I say about this novel. Daniele has create such an interesting world that is captivatingly haunting with fantastic twist on the angel story. Fans of angels and supernatural beings will love this.




Rate: 4/5

Buy on Amazon: {UK}{US}

Visit Daniele: Website

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Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade #2)

Format: Kindle ebook

Published: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

Review:
Shift literally picks up where book one, Shade, leaves off. Aura is still reeling from Logan's possible shading and whether or not he is going to cross over. Her feelings for Zachary are more complicated than ever. And to make matters worse, she is learning things about her past that she has no idea how to deal with.

The plot thickens so much with this installment that it is even hard to review without giving spoilers because each event that occurs is so important and mind-blowing that I actually gasped on occasion. Jeri Smith-Ready takes readers on a tour through Aura's emotions, past, family, and eventually, a glimpse of her future that when I reached the last page, I couldn't help but think, "How am I going to make it another year until Shine comes out??" Very few series are so intriguing and so in depth, but this is one I would recommend in a heartbeat.

Instead of the sequel becoming dull or losing momentum, it picks up even more pace, adds more suspense, and raises even more questions that I cannot wait to see where she takes us with book three!

Rate: 5/5

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Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade #1)

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 309
Published: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart...and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Review:
Shade was a wonderful twist on ghosts and ghost story love. While this is not dystopian by any means, this is not the typical "paranormal" novel. Jeri Smith-Ready creates a new reality where a massive unknown event creates what is known as the Shift. Those born post-Shift are able to see and communicate with ghosts. The living and dead co-exist together, although only those under a certain age can communicate with them.

Not all ghosts are friendly either...these are "Shades". The regular ghosts that have yet to pass on have a violet hue to them and are usually waiting on unsolved business before they pass on; however, Shades, are ghosts gone dark and the government is trying to eradicate them by strict rules and preventive measures.

Main character, Aura, is a post-Shifter and works at her aunt's law firm who translates for ghosts in an effort to help them cross over by achieving peace through justice. She is good at her job...she just never thought she would be using those same skills to communicate with her boyfriend.

Aura's boyfriend Logan dies unexpectedly and she is forced to try to help him pass on, while clinging to her feelings for him and fighting her feelings for the new boy at school who is helping her discover more about herself than she ever knew possible.

This entire book was fast-paced and impossible to put down. The beginning was a little difficult to grasp when it came to understanding the concept of the Shift, but the more I read on, everything fell into place and I became so engrossed in the book, I couldn't wait to tackle the sequel!!

Rate: 5/5

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Me and My Ghoulfriends by Rose Pressey

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: April 10, 2011
Publisher: Rose Pressey
Genre: Adult Fantasy, Paranormal

Description:
There's always fun to be had on a ghoul's night out.

By day, Larue Donovan is a down-to-earth bookstore owner. But by night, she's a world reknowned psychic investigator dedicated to helping lost spirits find peace. Dead people won't leave her alone and Abraham Lincoln thinks he's in charge of her lovelife.


Larue can handle ghosts and undead presidents. Its the living that drive her crazy. When Callahan Weiss moves to town, the handsome newcomer opens a coffee shop right next door. She's smitten right from the start, but she's not the only one -- The boutique owner across the street has her eye on Callahan too, and uses witchcraft to fight dirty. When Callahan gets hit by a love spell, Larue will need more than a little help from her ghoulfriends to save the day...


Review:
Me and My Ghoulfriends was a wonderfully entertaining read! Main character, Larue, runs a bookstore, but she can also see ghosts and assist them in crossing over. This creates a hilarious backdrop as dead President Abraham Lincoln, amongst others emerges as one of her matchmakers for her currently non-existent love life.

Soon things pick up when a new coffee shop opens up next to her store and as Larue (and her
tag-along "ghoulfriends") begin dating the coffee chop owner, Callahan. Larue encounters several adventures on her dates and picks up many more undead friends that kept me laughing the whole way. The numerous ghosts each had such a unique personalitiy that I found myself looking forward to the introduction to each new spirit!

The novel is extremely cute and funny but Rose Pressey leaves something brewing with o ne supporting character that just leaves a bad taste in your mouth and I couldn't read fast enough to figure out what was going on with this scenario. It was just enough mystery to keep the story interesting and keep me on the edge of my seat, but not so much that it lost its humor or cuteness.

All of the characters, main and supporting, are very well developed, the plot is excellent, and the ending, while well done, left me wanting a sequel because it was so good! Bravo to Rose Pressey for a fabulous novel!

Rate: 5/5

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