Lori Brighton

I feel like a read a different book than everyone else here.

This book had great potential but it didn't live up to it. There was too much going on. I kind of felt like I was listening to one of my sons telling a story. "And then this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened..." Practically everyone in the book turned out to be an enemy of the main couple. The revenge plot didn't make any sense. The way that the hero chose to pretend to be a wild man when he really wasn't just show more didn't make sense. How was that supposed to help anything? It was a ludicrous idea. Just FYI, fighting at a ball will not make anyone think you're insane. Most of the scenes were very short and there were just too many of them. (again, and then this happened, and then this happened) The plot wandered all over. It was RIFE with coincidence after coincidence. When the lady who raised her turned out to be in on this 20 year old plot I couldn't take it anymore. I finally got disgusted with the level of coincidence and skimmed the last two chapters.

There were good moments. I wish the book had concentrated on the psychic ability of the heroine and having her actually help heal a man who didn't fit in with society to overcome his anger and wildness etc. That's the story I thought I was going to be reading. The scenes with the two of them swimming and things like that were very nice.

Thanks melissaB for loaning it to me even though it didn't work for me. show less

Oh the FEELS….. I think that phrase can best sum up this book. The emotional content of this historical romance is off the charts. For most of this book, I was in tears, both happy and painful; the other half was spent fist pumping when our hero and heroine came out happily in the end over obstacles small and large. That right there is my favorite part of this novel: the ability to move me to tears and make finish this puppy in 24 hours.

The romance in this book is to die for. Two very show more damaged souls who find comfort in each other and heal at the same time. I ask you, what’s not to love?! Any romance lover worth their salt will love this book for that element alone. James and Eleanor are a beautiful couple and balance each other out so well. The added twist that it’s the guy and not the girl who’s the prostitute is a nice element. But Lori’s ability to pack this much emotion into the pages would make this book worth reading despite that unique twist.

I also liked that the author wasn't afraid to draw in some pretty heavy subject matter to off balance some of the gentle sweet romance, all the while giving that romance some more depth. Domestic violence, slavery, betrayal, and rape all play a very tragic part to the story and makes the reader think about what Victorian morality is really all about. The author draws in all these bleak circumstances to set her romance against, and I have to admit that she’s able to balance the horrific and the romantic very well.

What results is a beautifully historical romance that I enjoyed immensely. The emotions are beautiful, the characters are ones I can pull for, and the author isn’t afraid to write about the dark as well as the light. To me, folks, this is what a historical romance should be. Highly, highly recommended! show less

I have a confession to make: I have a soft spot for books about mind readers. I don't know when it happened, but it's some of my favorite paranormal readings now. I think it's because the mind readers are bombarded by people lying to their faces all the time and they become a little snarky with their inner dialogue to deal with it. Cameron is no exception, and that's why it made me fall in love with her instantly. Cameron was an absolute wonderful protagonist and I adored getting to know show more her. She's young, she's experiencing things for the first time - and you can tell that with the raw emotion that shows through. She's also a very strong mind reader, and you can recognize that right away with Lori's writing. Every single image described was clear in my mind as I read. It helped to make the story that much better.

The other characters were fleshed out just as well, even the characters with the smallest roles had their own voice. Lewis is a strong character and I thought that him and Cam had that perfect chemistry that you want in your book's love interests without it being all dramatic and OMG-I'll-die-if-I-ever-lose-him! Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the heroines that are only strong when there's a boy to hold them up all the time. Thankfully, it's not the case here. There's definitely strong feelings, but it's healthy. And Maddox? Well, yeah ... he just leaves me speechless. This boy has too much mystery for his own good.

Besides having wonderful characters, this book also had an equally intriguing premise and storyline that will keep you guessing until the end. I was gnawing at the bit trying to figure things out as I went, only to be turned upside down then right side up again with another new clue that had me second-guessing myself the entire time. It seems tiresome, but it was definitely the niche that sold the story for me. I was hooked until the end. And the ending? It was good, but left me knowing there's more... and wanting that "more" as soon as possible! show less

Ashley has moved to England after inheriting a pub from her dead aunt. She hopes to not only find answers about her dad’s disappearance, but also escape the current path her life is on. Upon arrival she realizes the pub is in need of some major TLC. Super sexy Cristian enters the scene and is persistent on trying to buy the building from her. Now she has to fight off his offers and the growing attraction she feels for him. Oh, and did I mention she also talks to ghosts, and the pub just show more happens to have plenty of them. It is never a dull moment in the life of protagonist Ashley Hunter.

This book was really lots of fun. I enjoyed the protagonist’s snarky sense of humor. I’ve found myself saying her catch phrase, fanfreakingtastic, on more than one occasion. It’s contagious :)

I loved all the paranormal characters this sleepy little English village had to offer. The lore that revolved around what Cristian actually is was quite fascinating. Nice pacing of the plot, and the characters were well developed. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and felt the novel had a very nice flow all around. The ending was open and left me feeling (hoping, dreaming maybe) that a sequel might be possible. I sure hope so! This is a world I’d love to visit again. If that isn’t enough this book offers not one, but two hotties with accents. I was swooning!

The Ghost Hunter is a very enjoyable read. If you like ghost stories, hot boys with accents, and paranormal romance novels with action that isn’t restricted to between the sheets give The Ghost Hunter a try. The fact that this novel is self-published left me even more impressed by author Lori Brighton. show less