Member Reviews
Christmas Spirits is the second Ash and Cole Adventure, but I had no problem following the story. Ash's husband died of cancer 5 years ago, and she still feels his presence. Just over a year ago, she was a victim of a stalker and that was when she met Cole, who owns a security company. They fall in love and are now married. In this book, Ash is out running when her dog runs into a cave and she follows him. She finds a body of a beautiful woman dead in the cave. The killer wants recognition, so is upset when the reporters are more interested in the woman who found the body. He believes that he is the hand of God, wreaking vengeance, so now has his eyes on Ash. He becomes a stalker, with the intent to kill Ash before he moves on to another location.
This story should have been one I enjoyed, but it just wasn't for me. First there was a lot of open door romance that I skimmed, and not much of a storyline besides the killer stalking Ash. I thought the whole God's tool for vengeance was a bit contrived and the ending was wrapped up a bit awkwardly. There was more Christmas than I would have thought with family celebrations, a short holiday and gifts, but overall, not a winner for me.
Debris has consistently felt at ease in the unassuming community of Humble, Connecticut, particularly for these special seasons. After her better half's passing, she at no point ever suspected she'd adore in the future, however at that point Cole Whelan showed up. His attractive features and tormented hazel eyes were difficult to overlook, and their energy shut down her straightforward, requested life. This year, she can hardly hold on to celebrate with hot cocoa, a tree to brighten, and presents, bunches of presents.
Yet, when Debris coincidentally finds a cave and a corpse during a run, Christmas transforms into an emergency. There's a stellar on the chase, and she's his next target. With the snow falling, Debris facilitating for these special seasons, and one more secretive homicide, will all desire for seasonal happiness be destroyed like old wrapping paper?
Adored this book! Perusing it was like strolling into a dim and puzzling occasion Trademark film. There's a great deal of activity, secret, and sentiment to keep any reader engaged. Such a tomfoolery occasion read.
Ash and her husband Cole are at it again with a crazy killer on the loose. First I've read by this author, but lots of memories thrown in throughout the story. Good read, although a bit creepy for Christmas. Not a fan personally of being inside the killer's mind, but it did add to the story. Would recommend.
This book was just not it for me, the writing was good and the plot was intriguing, but I had a problem buying it. The murderers motive was great, but I could not get on board with how he was supposed to be a really good killer, but takes some not so great choices, and he gets too cartoon villain. The ending was dissapointing because it was so anticlimatic. Also the main character and her husband were so stupid, no one who knows she is being targeted by a murderer would say no to police help or continue to go out alone like that. The book had A LOT of spice, but I could not enjoy it in a book about murdering and r*pe, it felt too wrong. The dialogue was also unrealistic, and not in a way I feel people actually talk. But it was a quick read with a holiday theme, and if you can get aboard the spice I think you'll like it.
First of all, this isn’t a romcom not a cozy mystery novel but as it has stated, a mystery/thriller. Also I believe this is an other book to Ash and Cole Adventures. As the story progresses, it tells how the couple had met after her first husband’s death due to cancer and past history together.
This story begins at the beginning of the holidays when Ash stumbled upon a dead woman in a cave during one of her runs. She meets up with an investigator while dealing with the news reporters, job, and her privacy. Her husband is finally home for the holidays and helps her deal with it only to find out that she’s being stalked. It carries on into a conclusion close to Christmas Day.
It was an interesting thriller with Raman e with her new husband.
Thank you #netgalley andQuill and Lantern publishing for reading this. My review was my own opinion in an exchange for reading this novel.
Ash has always felt at home in the small town of Humble, Connecticut, especially for the holidays. After her husband’s death, she never thought she’d love again, but then Cole Whelan arrived. His good looks and haunted hazel eyes were impossible to ignore, and their passion put an end to her simple, ordered life. This year, she can’t wait to celebrate with hot chocolate, a tree to decorate, and presents, lots of presents.
But when Ash stumbles into a cave and a corpse during a run, Christmas turns into crisis. There’s a killer on the hunt, and she’s his next target. With the snow falling, Ash hosting for the holidays, and another mysterious murder, will all hope of holiday cheer be trashed like old wrapping paper?
I was completely fooled by the cover, this is not a sweet romcom, nor is it a cozy mystery. Instead, it is a mystery ghost story, and it is very, very short.
Well, I must admit I was fooled by the cover and title of this book.
This is not a cozy Christmas book.
This is not a sweet holiday romcom.
It is, however, a neat little mystery thriller ghost story. I liked Ash. My biggest problem with the story is that it was too short. And I wanted more depth.
"I'm a grown woman. I can handle a little trouble."
"A little trouble? Ash, trouble practically follows you around like a long-lost lover."
A nice Christmas story to read to get you in the holiday spirit.
Can holiday joy be found?
Mystery
Romance
Finding love again is the theme of Christmas Spirits.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
A Christmas story with a murder mystery and a killer on the loose. Is my cup of tea. But then I watch Criminal Minds to relax it's my comfort show. And I'm not a huge fan of Hallmark Christmas movies. I'm find them predictable and cheesy. I like a little of grit when my Christmas stories and this one gave me that.
Ash has had a couple of bad years but is finally happy with her new husband. Or so she thinks. On her morning run she finds a dead body. Now she has a serial killer after her. Good edge of your seat thriller.
Ash’s husband, Baxter, died, and she has married Cole. Just when they think their lives have returned to normal, after a stalker, she stumbles upon a body…what ensues is terrifying. The murderer comes after Ash. Cole protects her as do the police. This is a mystery that is thrilling and frightening. Family and friends…the holidays…murder and mayhem. This is not a cozy mystery. It is scary. This author has written a cannot put down murder mystery which happens at the most exciting time of the year, Christmas. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks also to the publisher and the author.
Ash’s first husband, Baxter, died of cancer. While they were dealing with his illness, she was being stalked. Now Baxter is gone and she has recently married Cole Whelan. While out on a hike with her dog, she discovers the body of a woman in a cave. She has no idea the how this will disrupt her life once again. She is soon cleared of any involvement in the woman’s death, but realizes that once again her life is a subject for the news media. When she believes that she could be in danger, Cole, who owns his own security company, promised to keep her safe. For some reason the murderer sees her as his next target. It was a little unbelievable that she would once again go hiking, in the woods, when she knew that a killer was looking for her. This was a sequel to A Haunted Love, which although I had not read, the author included enough back story to make this one easy to understand. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)