Reviewer: Holly Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens
Series: Ghost Seer #1
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: April 1st 2014
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 320
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Series Rating:
There’s just something about Clare. Apart from the ghosts…
When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermac inherits more than just a small fortune. She receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it’s hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy—and living—Zach Slade, there’s certainly no ignoring him either.
A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossing paths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of a Wild West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more—and not just for help.
I’m a fan of Robin D. Owens’ Celta’s HeartMates series. When I saw she was starting a contemporary series I jumped all over it.
Clare and Zach are both trying to adjust to big changes in their lives. Neither were given a choice about the new direction their futures were headed, and each dealt with that change differently. Clare’s circumstances were a bit more dire, because her health would literally fade (in fact, she could die) if she didn’t accept her gift. I felt Owens kept Clare’s reaction realistic. I can’t imagine finding out ghosts exist and I can not only communicate with them, but that I must help them.
Zach had a hard time dealing with his injury and the subsequent changes in his life. While I understood his need to grieve for his lost career and his anger at his changed circumstances, I found myself becoming impatient with the way he constantly ran hot and cold. He’d draw Clare in, only to push her away. His thoughts and actions were all over the place. I’d hoped to see more growth from him by the time the novel ended, but no such luck.
As this is a continuing series featuring Clare, her gift and Zach’s place in her life, I expect more will be resolved in the next book. I’m looking forward to it.
The paranormal aspects of this novel are intricately woven in to the story. I never question the appearance of Clare’s ghosts or the manifestations of the other paranormal elements of the story. In that, Owens did an excellent job of building her world.
Though the romance was slow-moving, the story itself was engaging and fun. I very much look forward to the next book.
3.75 out of 5
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.