by
4.23 of 5 stars
A modern Gothic thriller, with the author's screenplay adaptation included. DRM-free. CREATIVE SPIRIT: BONUS EDITION WITH SCREENPLAY After pa... read full description

reviews

Feb 14, 2012
Christina rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Creative Spirit
Scott Nicholson
Haunted Computer Books, 2003
Haunted Computer Books
PO Box 135
Todd NC 28684
www.hauntedcomputer.com
ISBN# 978-1-4524-2668-6
Reviewed by Christina Francine
http://ChristinaFrancine.wordpress.com

Life leads us down paths we don’t always understand the reasons and as we step tentatively, continuing though we don’t know why, life reveals answers. When the path doesn’t make sense and is out of our character, not only More...
Feb 01, 2012
Quentin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I was drawn to this book by its setting. I am from the Appalachian Mountain region and find myself interested in stories based within the ridges and deep hollows throughout the area. This is my introduction to Mr. Nicholson and found him to be an excellent storyteller and writer.

Imagine a group of artists on a retreat, each trying to recapture the "creative spirit" that for many has slipped away, only to find themselves trapped and being used by a the spirit of the man who bu More...
Jan 15, 2012
Indie Books rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Click here to read the full review as it originally appeared on our blog.

We’ve all seen the set up before: A small group of strangers are invited to an opulent mansion beyond the reaches of civilization. They get to know each other, somebody dies, strange events ensue, then the waiter comes around with dessert.

“Creative Spirit” is anything but bad dinner theatre.

The book opens with an introduction to the frantic Sylva. She’s going to the home of Ephram Korban More...
Dec 17, 2011
Books rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is probably the shortest review I’ve written on any book so far, but “Creative Spirit” is easy to sum up in a few sentences, so here goes.

“Unputdownable” doesn’t roll off the tongue so well for me, but that’s just what it is. Wonderfully creepy are also great words to capture the essence of this book. For quite some time now I’ve been searching around for a book that would scare the living daylights out of me, as I am a big horror / paranormal fan, and don’t scare easily. How lu More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 30, 2011
TC rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I am taking part in Be Nicholson's Agent, where Scott is giving away 15% of his Sept e-book earnings to readers and bloggers, and have read this book for that event.

This is one creepy book! The atmosphere created is filled with menace and foreboding, and yet the artists on the retreat feel they are being driven by their creative visions, rather than being manipulated by an unseen force. Some of the descriptions of the locale make it sound beautiful, while Korban Manor itself is sinis More...
Jan 25, 2012
Talk Supe rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Haunting, possessions and apparitions are occurring on different levels. The ghost of Ephram Korban is everywhere and this stud of a man has control of the place. Even in death and the after-life his mistresses are clamoring for his return, with a promise of eternity with him. And Ephram Korban ALWAYS keeps his promises. No soul can escape (like the Murder House in American Horror Story) and most of these souls' energies are trapped so they can feed Korban. But those poor departed are not enough More...
Jan 25, 2012
Mallory Anne-Marie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Delightful! Lyrical prose-horror viewed through the kaleidoscope of realism and shifting reality-finely tuned characterization-and a pace that allows no stopping nor turning back-another Scott Nicholson gem! Every one of Author Nicholson’s books I’ve read has been a winner, but some are even beyond exceptional, and “Creative Spirit” is one of these. I absolutely could not turn away from this book-I felt as if I was devouring it rather than reading it.

This is not a novel in which the ho More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 08, 2012
Doskoi_panda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Scott Nicholson's novel Creative Spirit is a paranormal novel set in the Appalachian mountains in an old mansion that is being run as an artist's retreat. The story opens on the arrival of a group of guests, and a scene to demonstrate the remoteness of the mansion - it isn't accessible by car, and there is a bridge worthy of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom to cross by foot before they arrive at the house itself. The mansion is kept to the 1800's lifestyle, with no modern amenities, and wit More...
Jan 14, 2012
Karen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Thrillers are the kind of books that unless well written fall flat on their pages by half way through.
Creative Spirit is definiately NOT one of those. This book got me hooked in the first couple of pages, and the suspense held until the end of the book. Even then it leaves a mystery of sorts for you to imagine the end of. Hold much hold do spirits of the past have on the present and the future? A young scalpter is invited to an artists geraway at the famous Korban Mansion where he hopes More...
Dec 18, 2011
Katy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A group of artists come to Korban House, in the North Carolina mountains, to take part in a six-week retreat. Korban House is an authentic piece of history – the owner stipulated in his will that the house and lands were to be kept in the same condition as they were when he died 150 years prior, falling from the widow’s walk to his death on the blue moon in October. Included in the group are writers, painters, a sculptor, musicians and even a parapsychologist. Korban House is also said to be More...
Jan 26, 2012
Matt rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I don't usually read the Gothic thriller genre, but I downloaded this as a Kindle freebie so I gave it a chance. It was well written and definitely had me hooked early on. The story was creative enough that it pulled me along, even though it felt like horror movies I have watched in the past.

I only gave it 3 stars because I wasn't compelled to finish it quickly. I was able to put it down after only 1 or 2 chapters, which is not typical for me. I tend to read books in 3-4 sittings, th More...
Feb 19, 2012
Laurel-Rain rated it: 4 of 5 stars
In the beginning of "Creative Spirit," we are introduced to the history of Korban Manor...and to the domineering owner of the house and grounds.

Then we are thrust into the future as several artists gather to the present-day manor, kept in its historic condition as directed by Korban's will.

As the artists converge on the manor for their retreat, we catch a glimpse of what each of them hopes to achieve in this six-week stay at the old estate. Mason hopes to sculpt More...
Dec 09, 2011
Georgeanna rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Possession, witchcraft, slow and painful deaths, voodoo-type dolls that trap souls, insane lust for power, and some frustrated artists. Scott Nicholson adds some very strong personalities to these bizarre elements, and it totally works :) Some scenes were so scary that I raced through them without even blinking once! I'll be looking for--and reading--more of Mr. Nicholson's work!
Jan 27, 2012
Gayle rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This was a hard read book. There were a lot of different characters doing a lot of things and it was easy to forget who one was. It was also the kind of book that I would like to read the last chapter early, but too hard to do on a kindle. I did like it and I liked the ending. A lot of surprises.
Nov 27, 2011
Darcia rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book made me want to cover my eyes and hide in the closet - but I couldn't put it down long enough. You won't find a typical ghost or haunted house story here. The plot is original and kept me on edge from start to finish. Scott Nicholson has a gift for breathing life into his words, inviting us to step into his characters' world and share their experiences. If you're looking for horror with substance, this is the one for you.
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Dec 17, 2011
Deb rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book was a mystery but not with the stereotypical haunted house. The story had some different relationships and trials. The characters were well thought out and realistic. I did not want to put this book down and I would highly recommend it as a good read for anyone. Well done Scott
Dec 20, 2011
Recluse rated it: 5 of 5 stars
You can add Korban Manor to the listing of sinister "unreal estate", right up there with Belasco House and Hill House. A chillingly atmospheric haunted house tale that will have you leaving the lights on long after you finally put it down.
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Jul 16, 2011
Naomi rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I am so happy that I gave this author's novels another shot after disliking the last book I read of his...This book is AWESOMELY CREEPY!! Just some good readin'. I will def. continue on with his works.
Jan 22, 2012
Angel rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Spooky, but a little confusing. Sometimes spookiness stems from a bit of uncertainty, but I was a little too confused about the potions and such.
Jan 22, 2012
Kimmie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Loved it!!!!!! There was a fabulous backstory to the big old house and the scary ghost. The storylines kept up through the whole book and things went crazy so fast at the end.

A group of people join together for an artists' retreat at the scary old manor. They are cut off from civilization. They all have their own plans for their artistic outlets but someone more powerful takes over those plans.

This story has it all. The artistic temperments. The spooky old manor hou More...
Feb 07, 2012
Pamela rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I read this in print form year ago when it was under another name. Still a good horror novel to read, bu then Scott Nicholson writes them well. He pulls you into the story and you walk with the characters, feel with them, and know the terror they encounter.
Jan 24, 2012
Erin rated it: 4 of 5 stars
not my typical book of choice with all the paranormal activity but thoroughly enjoyed it. very well written. one of those hard to put down reads.
Jan 16, 2012
Cyneva rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I always love finding 'new' talent, although Scott Nicholson is by no means a new writer; he's written many books and I look forward to adding them all to my collection. Recommended to any fan of horror/paranormal fiction.
Jan 30, 2012
Shelly added it
I'm REALLY glad this book was free because it sucked. Only my stubbornness - not wanting to leave a book unfinished - kept me reading.
Oct 21, 2011
Katy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, the characters were well developed with their own motivations and personal conflicts. Plenty of action and plot twists.
Feb 22, 2012
Rahma rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Feb 20, 2012
Lori rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Feb 20, 2012
Paul marked it as to-read
Feb 20, 2012
Bethany rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 18, 2012
John marked it as to-read