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Lancaster House

by Taylor Dean (Goodreads Author)

4.04 of 5 stars 4.04 · rating details · 85 ratings · 45 reviews

A PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she disc...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published June 7th 2012 by Createspace

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Dec 06, 2012 Sherry Fundin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, demons, fantasy, fiction, first-edition, horror, murder, mystery, paperback, paranormal, romance, suspense, thriller, vampire, favorites

Zoe was in Serenity Hills because she had tried to kill herself. She was also accused of killing two men. Dr. Channing had taken over her care and was weaning her from the heavy medications she had been on since her admittance. When he told her there was no such thing as ghosts, she told him they had nothing to talk about. He asked her to tell him about Lancaster House. He didn't think she would answer, but she slowly began to tell him how she fell in love with the house and why she was so despe...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't usually read what pop culture refers to as "chick lit." I've never, for example, read a Nicholas Sparks book. But I'm still a sucker for romance, especially paranormal romance. The problem is that there is so much paranormal fiction hitting the shelves these days, it is really difficult to find one that is well-written. Even more difficult to find a story that is relatively clean.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well-written, fun paranormal romance in the indie-pub...more I don't usually read what pop culture refers to as "chick lit." I've never, for example, read a Nicholas Sparks book. But I'm still a sucker for romance, especially paranormal romance. The problem is that there is so much paranormal fiction hitting the shelves these days, it is really difficult to find one that is well-written. Even more difficult to find a story that is relatively clean.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised to find such a well-written, fun paranormal romance in the indie-published Lancaster House by Taylor Dean. I was even more surprised to find out that paranormal romance was a new genre for this author, because the unique love-story is both charming and heart-felt.

The story begins when Zoe Grayson decides her life needs a big change after experiencing several major losses. She sells her business, moves states, and purchases the rambling Victorian home, Lancaster House, with the idea that she can use her interior design skills to fix it up and sell it. Despite warnings from concerned neighbors that the house may be haunted and could spell bad news for residents, Zoe's fiery-spark of adventure and desire to prove herself leads her to purchase the home and begin renovations.

When work Zoe begins is finished in the night, she begins to wonder if someone is hiding in the enigmatic house. When a mysterious protector comes to her rescue, she begins to wonder if she is crazy. Zoe's time in Lancaster House introduces her to love, is rife with adventure, and has her question the world around her in such a way that lands her in a mental institution.

Lancaster House is a thought-provoking romantic read that isn't afraid to confront darkness, but doesn't wind up sliding down the shadowy slope that many current paranormal stories do. Dean's writing also brings the house to life, and you can tell that she did her research. Lancaster House becomes both a secondary character and a splendid setting for the story.

Some critics are probably going to call this book out for making easy use of mythology to explain certain things. Although some of the explanation is a bit abrupt, I still found myself pulled into the story. Even the romance, which could easily have been cheesy, is real for the reader and you empathize with both characters.

Although there are some repetitions and slight editing hiccups, Lancaster House is very well-written, especially for an Indie book. Literary snobs may look down their nose, but anyone who is looking for a compelling story or a fun Saturday-night romantic read will enjoy this book. I'd recommend it over at least 90 percent of the "romance" lit I've read this year and am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. In fact, I finished Lancaster House in a single evening, and I'll probably do the same with The Middle Aisle.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Tressa (Tressa's Wishful Endings) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy-paranormal

Zoe is looking for a new start. Her father, her only living parent, recently passed away leaving her all alone, but with a fortune. Shortly thereafter she becomes engaged, but then finds her fiance cheating on her. Devastated, but wanting to move on, she sells her business and moves to California where she finds an old Victorian house to renovate. She has a passion for old houses and this one has amazing details that she can't wait to restore. She is warned that the house is haunted, but who bel...more Zoe is looking for a new start. Her father, her only living parent, recently passed away leaving her all alone, but with a fortune. Shortly thereafter she becomes engaged, but then finds her fiance cheating on her. Devastated, but wanting to move on, she sells her business and moves to California where she finds an old Victorian house to renovate. She has a passion for old houses and this one has amazing details that she can't wait to restore. She is warned that the house is haunted, but who believes in things like that?

I was immediately drawn into Zoe's story. It is told as she is relaying events to her psychiatrist, Wade, while she is being treated for schizophrenia. I loved the details about the house. I also really felt the frustration of both Zoe and Wade as they try to work things out, since each believe their own side of things. I was also interested to find out if the house was really haunted and the story behind that. As I read I thought I was reading a regular ghost story and then it tells what happened to the resident ghost and I really didn't see it coming. It was a complete surprise. I think it's great if an author can do something like that, but make it feel fairly realistic.

However, then the story changed for me. I felt that the love-at-first-sight thing and a lot of the conversation between our heroine and hero were a little forced and lacked substance. I also thought Andre was a little like a stalker in some ways, but Zoe was completely fine with everything, which doesn't quite seem natural to me. Also, some things didn't make sense to me (the whole process with Zoe being held at an institution because she attempted suicide and having no rights or anything and some other inconsistencies in the story) and many things are never explained. To me this was a very interesting story at the beginning with solid details that ended up being just a general paranormal adult romance.

I would categorize this as an adult book because of content. There were no specific details, but lots of kissing and making out besides some other suggestive content and intimacy is talked about by the three main characters. There is also attempted rape and some violence.

Source: Received a free copy from a book blogger for this book's tour.(less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Eric Townsend rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lancaster house appeared to be a paranormal that included elements of romance, or at least that is what you would discern from the cover, the blurb “are you ever really alone” and the summary. However, once you get into the book that notion is quickly dispelled. This is a paranormal romance, and a good one, I only wish that it would be a bit more forthright with that knowledge. Maybe Dean didn’t feel that the book would do as well in that niche, maybe it wasn’t even intended on being so romance-...more Lancaster house appeared to be a paranormal that included elements of romance, or at least that is what you would discern from the cover, the blurb “are you ever really alone” and the summary. However, once you get into the book that notion is quickly dispelled. This is a paranormal romance, and a good one, I only wish that it would be a bit more forthright with that knowledge. Maybe Dean didn’t feel that the book would do as well in that niche, maybe it wasn’t even intended on being so romance-heavy, but regardless of the reason Lancaster House is chocked full of romance. Maybe even a bit too much.

Look, if I know I’m going to read a romance, as I do on occasion (Ethan & The Skeleton Song come to mind more recently, The Dark Lord certainly a while back) I’m more than up for it. However, when I expect paranormal aspects, maybe a little bump-in-the-night feel to the book and I’m thrown into one lovey-dovey scene after another I am going to be a bit thrown off, if not put off. Lancaster House opens in the psych ward, eventually having the main character, Zoe, tell her story. I love psychological elements and when the descriptions began about the awesome house (I’m a sucker for Victorians & secret passage ways, who isn’t?) I was hooked. Then came the reveals of another presence and I was intrigued, a solid start. Then she finally “meets” Andre, aka Mr. Lancaster, and seems to be enamored from the onset. You know what I’m thinking then, oh no, the dreaded insta-love. Please, anything but that, not again.

Luckily I would call this romance about a 4 on the insta-love scale, 1 being a full on slow build-up, 10 being they practically began marriage plans on eye-contact. There were enough issues and developments (I mean that in a good way) to make the romance develop at a relatively normal rate. Combine that with a certain “barrier” and a 1920′s old-fashioned mindset and you have a recipe for a good romantic setting. The strength of the love grows a bit too quickly for my taste, though when you have the ideal match and guy I guess I understand, but that is admittedly what puts it at the 4/10 on the scale.

The plot for me is the issue. It could have been an interesting tale, especially after some certain other types of beings were revealed, if not for the romance completely consuming the characters. The psychological bits back in the present were really interesting, and possibly were my favorite parts outside of perhaps the descriptions of the house, but they were fleeting. The ending seemed hurried after such a big build-up and that too was a shame.

Where those elements frustrated me, the characters did not. Zoe was an excellent MC. She was too innocent and accepting, but she was aware of it and was actively working on it. She was certainly intelligent, had a stubborn/defiant streak and a temper when she needed it. While she was overly dependent on Andre after a while, her character didn’t lessen, just the plot around her did. As for Andre, sure he’s the “ideal guy” in many ways, but he was flawed enough (outside of the obvious) to make him seem realistic in the personality sense. He’s old-school and it works for him and the story, but he’s also quirky and that keeps him from being an old mind in a younger body.

Lancaster House, despite its flaws, was written very well. That, the characters, and the potential for more of the paranormal aspects make me want to give The Middle Aisle, the sequel to Lancaster House, a shot. I’m admittedly as intrigued to find out what will happen to Zoe and Andre next as the psychiatrist Wade is. If you are into a paranormal romance that is a bit more heavy on the romance side then by all means I’d recommend Lancaster House. Just don’t go into it with a ghost-story mindset because this is not that book. I’ll probably be giving The Middle Aisle a look in the near future, I’m just too darn curious.

Rating: 3/5(less)

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Feb 15, 2013 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars

For me one of the most important parts of a book is the setting. While character development is vitally important and an interesting plot is essential, if I can't visualize the setting I have a hard time reading the book. That wasn't a problem here, Dean does a fabulous job creating a very vivid setting. In fact, she did such a great job that I wanted to actually leap into the book and visit the place, old and damaged or not. I loved the idea of secret hiding places and staircases that go nowher...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Zoe Grayson has just purchased her dream house. A 1920's Victorian Mansion that she is going to slowly fix up and restore. She loves the old house with all of its secret passages and history. People think it is strange for her to live alone in such a big house but she has never been happier. With a hefty inheritance , Zoe can work on the house at her leisure and not have to worry about income. Then strange things start to happen. Is Zoe imagining things or is some unseen force behind it? Zoe mee...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Charissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

Crazy...or not? This is the question you will ask yourself when you finish this awesome book. The main character, Zoe Grayson, is in a mental hospital after trying to kill herself. The petite, beautiful, seemingly sweet young woman is considered unstable and dangerous, as there are two dead men associated with her. As the story starts out with Doctor Channing doing therapy with her, he is leery and very careful with her. As weeks and months go by, Zoe begins to trust the doctor and tell him her...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Original Post at FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST 12/1/2012

LANCASTER HOUSE is Full of Suspense

When I first began reading this story I was off put somewhat by a few typos. But, I persevered and was rewarded by a book I could not stop reading until I tapped the final page.

While the virginal characterization of Zoe was entirely unrealistic, I really enjoyed the character and wanted to know more about her. Is she really delusional? Who knows. But she is energetic and loyal, and brave. She is also ver...more

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Nov 29, 2012 Simone rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This book really took me by surprise. You know the saying “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”? Well this is that book! Zoe moves to California for a fresh start. She uses her inheritance to purchase a rundown 1920’s Victorian mansion. Taylor Dean describes this house so meticulously that you can see it in your mind’s eye. Strange things begin happening in the house, the stove shuts itself off, the half wallpapered walls are suddenl...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Aliaa El-Nashar rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am not sure why, but when I was asked to be a part of this tour I quickly agreed, which is confusing to me. Why? The problem with the cover is that it didn't draw me in. I am easily influenced by pretty covers and this one was alright, but nothing I'd rush to read sadly. The Synopsis more than made up for it though and that balanced up my interest in reading this book. However I was hesitant since the name brought on an 'Amityville House' memory. My friend had known I liked reading and when he...more I am not sure why, but when I was asked to be a part of this tour I quickly agreed, which is confusing to me. Why? The problem with the cover is that it didn't draw me in. I am easily influenced by pretty covers and this one was alright, but nothing I'd rush to read sadly. The Synopsis more than made up for it though and that balanced up my interest in reading this book. However I was hesitant since the name brought on an 'Amityville House' memory. My friend had known I liked reading and when he'd gone to England - for some unknown reason - he thought 'Ghosts' was an appropriate book to give me. One of the first stories in it was the Amityville House one and the myths and truths around it. That story freaked me out so bad, and for some reason I sensed something similar in Lancaster House and was worried about it.

Zoe Grayson is a decorator who's been having a few rough months, she decides an escape from that reality is what she needs as she comes across Lancaster House. It was perfect. Zoe couldn't stop obsessing over the house and returning it to its former glory, she worked really hard on it, yet, she didn't seem to be only one doing so. She'd wake up to find the walls she was pretty certain she hadn't completed the day before completely done. The banisters she was sure she was exhausted to complete were finished and even random things like the stove being shut off as she forgets it on as she napped or being covered by a blanket in her sleep. Something was definitely off, but who was it helping her out? The story commences as Zoe is in the psychiatric ward, being prodded and questioned by Dr. Wade, who's trying to get to the bottom of her 'paranoid schizophrenia' as it seems the only likely solution to what Zoe is suffering from, and the only explanation as to why she tried to kill herself. But who was it in the house? And what was he? And was he real? Or just like the Doctor claimed, he's a figment of her imagination?

This book was a bit eery and I am almost always worried about reading paranormal books, but I still enjoyed it immensely! It had me so enthralled and curious as to what's going on. The story is told like the Notebook, with bits and pieces of the story coming back whilst Zoe explains to the doctor the events. Then we get a break as the doctor begins to analyze the bits of the story he's given every session and find a logical explanation to what's ailing her. Though the twist with Andre was a bit surprising and I am not sure if I was really into it. Andre's character was great, but what the author chose him to be is a bit hard to fathom, making me side with the doctor a bit, but I guess it's fiction so all is possible?

I loved the writing and the author's style. I enjoyed how flowing it was and it was an easy read - I do appreciate that. I love the flashbacks and the stories, and the explanation the doctor seems to find fitting. The story was well developed and so were the characters, it's just the added mystery that kept me on edge all throughout the book.

What I absolutely hated was the ending. This is not a way to end a book after dragging the readers along throughout it! Honestly! How could I possibly wait for book two with such and ending and teaser? I was about to go mad when I read it and I am still overcome with rabid curiosity! What on Earth happens next?

Rating:4/5(less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Shannon rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally reviewed at Bungalow Books

Initial Thoughts:
I am obsessed with old houses, so as soon as I read "1920's Victorian Mansion", I was sold.

The Pros:
I loved the author's attention to detail in regards to the house. It's apparent that she did some extensive research to accurately portray the house as she did. As a 1920's house junkie (I live in a 1924 American Bungalow), all of the details were spot on.

The hidden rooms that were inspired by the Winchester House were awesome treats througho...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Andrea Guy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, bewitchingbooktours, ebook, favorite-authors, paranormal, suspense, romantic-suspense

Can I just say WOW!

I was totally enamored of Taylor's Sierra, when I read it awhile back, but Lancaster House is even better.

Taylor weaves a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Zoe is an interior decorator who wants to restore Lancaster House and resell it, but once she starts working on it, strange things start to happen. Strange things that make her question her sanity, and then she meets Andre.

Andre is a new twist on a paranormal creature, part vampire and part ghost. Th...more

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May 11, 2013 Jen Minkman rated it 4 of 5 stars

One of the reasons K-Pax is one of my all-time favourite movies is because right until the very end, you don't know what's real. The same thing is going on with this book, Lancaster House. Told from the perspective of a woman in a mental institute, the book tells us of main character Zoe who relates to her doctor, Wade Channing, what landed here there in the first place.
Zoe buys a Victorian house and while in the process of restoring it to its former glory, she's starting to sense a presence in...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Jessica Adkins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow! What an intense and refreshing book! It pulled me in form the very first page! It has everything from suspense to mystery and yes, of course, romance! This book kept me on edge by keeping me guessing to the very end! Lancaster House is not your same ole paranormal romance that we all have come to know and expect! Oh no! There was no way I could have guessed all the twists and turns that are held in this book! It left me surprised and very satisfied with the the whole story! I guarantee you...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Shelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews-requested

The review was originally posted on my blog {Dive} Under the Cover ...

This book sucked me in from the very first chapter. Once I got started I literally put it down one time to make dinner for my family. As soon as dinner was over I was back reading! I probably read it in 3 hours, maybe a little more.

I have never read a book quite like this one. I can't begin to describe to you how good it was. When Taylor contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing it here on my blo...more The review was originally posted on my blog {Dive} Under the Cover ...

This book sucked me in from the very first chapter. Once I got started I literally put it down one time to make dinner for my family. As soon as dinner was over I was back reading! I probably read it in 3 hours, maybe a little more.

I have never read a book quite like this one. I can't begin to describe to you how good it was. When Taylor contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reading and reviewing it here on my blog, the thing that intrigued me the most was the old house. I remember reading a Nora Roberts book a long time ago about a woman (I think) who bought an old house and was restoring it and I really loved that book. So, I was pretty sure that I was going to like this one. This one took me quite by surprise. I wasn't at all prepared for the depth of the paranormal aspect of this story. Just when I thought I had it figured out something else would happen to take the story that much deeper.

One thing is certain, Lancaster House is a main character in this story. There is a little bit in the book about The Winchester House, I remember reading about it or seeing about it on a TV show. I love how the builder of Lancaster House incorporated some of the things he learned on that construction site into the construction of his own home. It gives Lancaster House some very distinctive characteristics.

I don't want to give anything away since this story is so unique. This story is told from two points in time. Zoe is in the present, in a place she doesn't want to be, telling her story to someone else. The story flows really well from one to the other and when she was telling her story I felt like I was right there with her. I was having a hard time not being really angry about what was going on in the present. I was frustrated for her and I just wanted everything to work out.

Zoe is young and energetic and takes this huge house on without a single thought. She walks right in to a house that the Realtor doesn't even want to go into and she sees it in all it's former glory and just knows that it's meant to be hers. She moves in and gets to work without any hesitation. Then odd things start happening, but at first she just chalks it up to exhaustion and things maybe she is just imagining it. One night something happens that she just can't deny and her life changes. She meets a mysterious man who seems to have been watching over her since the moment she walked into Lancaster House.

Zoe spends all her time working on the house and getting to know her mystery man to the point that she isn't even leaving the house at all. She discovers things about him that leave her with more questions than answers and he isn't even telling her everything. She searches out answers by researching the house and it's history, but even this isn't enough.

As the story goes back and forth from past to present, as a reader I was left wondering if she really is crazy! I know one thing is certain, I loved Andre and their love story is so romantic and original. The whole thing is a little reminiscent of random episodes of some of my very favorite paranormal shows. It's a theme that has been played on a handful of them, but I have never read a story with this theme. It's really something else, I know that I keep saying it, but I just can't get it out of my head!

I was NOT happy when it ended, but there is a second book coming out this winter that will hopefully tie it all up nicely. I can't wait to see how Andre and Zoe's story ends. I wholeheartedly recommend this for anyone who likes paranormal books, you will not be disappointed at all. It's not just a good story, it's really well written and just overall a great read.

There are really no content concerns, I don't think there was any profanity. There are some kissing scenes and talk of being intimate, but no detailed love scenes in this one.

I am going to tell you one more time...click on one of those links up there and BUY this book. You will not be disappointed and if you are then I don't think we can be friends anymore! (Just kidding...kind of!!)(less)

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Feb 11, 2013 Kenneth Harris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fxtion, e-books

I bought Lancaster House on a whim, thinking that the synopsis sounded cool and the cover was nifty. I can usually get into haunted house stories and am rather fond of trying author I've never heard of, so I figured I would give this one a shot. Taylor Dean did not disappoint!

I'm typically not a fan of paranormal romance, which is ultimately what this turned out to be -- but this one is far better than most I've read. The book is framed by a mental health setting. A woman is being held at a psyc...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Mary Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Lancaster House – wow this novel blew me away. Ha! I initially though Lancaster House was a ghost story – wrong. I had a love and hate relationship with Lancaster House. There were a few things that I didn’t quite well understand BUT there are definitely good things about this novel. Let’s discuss first what I didn’t like -

Andre as a vampire – it wasn’t believable to me. I get why Dean wrote it as it was but I really can’t see Andre as a vampire. But the revelation from my initial though of ghos...more Lancaster House – wow this novel blew me away. Ha! I initially though Lancaster House was a ghost story – wrong. I had a love and hate relationship with Lancaster House. There were a few things that I didn’t quite well understand BUT there are definitely good things about this novel. Let’s discuss first what I didn’t like -

Andre as a vampire – it wasn’t believable to me. I get why Dean wrote it as it was but I really can’t see Andre as a vampire. But the revelation from my initial though of ghost to vampire was left me speechless. I wasn’t expecting that turn of events.

Zoe was very depended – as in she eventually stopped “living” her life because she was obsessed with Andre. I apologized for using the word obsessed but that’s how Zoe really was resulting to her taking her life because she can’t be without Andre.

Abrupt ending – when it ended I was like “What the heck? What happened?” in a good way. I was so taken by the story that I was taken back by the sudden ending of the story. It left me craving for the next book right there and then.

Well basically these are minor details and it doesn’t really hinder a reader from enjoying the book so it doesn’t really matter. So what’s good about Lancaster House?

The house. There’s really no explanation there since the whole story in my opinion revolves around the house. Andre and Zoe are just secondary compared to how Dean described and highlighted the house in this story. This is also one thing I love about Lancaster House – it was very detailed. I can really picture the house.

Uniqueness. Without giving away much detail I can say that “Lancaster House is not what you perceive it to be. Prepare to be amazed at how different Lancaster House is to your usual reads.

How the story was told. It was like looking into Zoe’s mind since it is based on Zoe’s POV and I thoroughly enjoyed her session with the doctor in charge of her care. It was actually like reading her diary or more like watching a replay of events as it happened. Wade (her doctor) was caring and gentle with Zoe and you can really see his doubt through the sessions. The ending didn’t give any hint if we’ll see the doctor again or not but lets see.

Don’t be fooled by my abrupt ending above since the story was tightly wrapped in the end. You’ll just have this urge to grab a copy to know what happened next. It was a healthy mix of excitement and frustration. Lancaster House is a recommended read. If you haven’t got a copy, grab one now.

SIDE NOTE: Watch out for my interview with Taylor Dean to be posted this afternoon! (less)

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Sep 20, 2012 Brandy Jeffus rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lancaster House is amazingly written and such an original story. I was Zoe and Andre's number one fan from the beginning, they are an amazing couple, and Taylor easily conveys their love in this story.

Taylor made Zoe so likeable and so easy to sympathize with. You just want to tell off all the people who are so adamant about calling her crazy. Of course she's not crazy you want to scream at them! (Or at least I did, but I get really involved in novels if you haven't been able to tell) : )

I reall...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Mandy Sickle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, ghosts, magic, read2review, reading-diaries-reviews, psychic, romance, first-in-series, vampires

I received Lancaster House in return for an honest review from Laura @ Colorimetry as part of the Lancaster House tour. Zoe Grayson’s life hasn't been easy her father passed away from a heart attack a few months ago, and she walked in on her fiancée cheating. So needing to reinvent herself she purchases a rundown 1920’s Victorian Mansion with the plan to restore it to its glory. She’s warned when doing a walk through that the house is haunted but as long as it’s a ghosts and not spiders she’s fi...more I received Lancaster House in return for an honest review from Laura @ Colorimetry as part of the Lancaster House tour. Zoe Grayson’s life hasn't been easy her father passed away from a heart attack a few months ago, and she walked in on her fiancée cheating. So needing to reinvent herself she purchases a rundown 1920’s Victorian Mansion with the plan to restore it to its glory. She’s warned when doing a walk through that the house is haunted but as long as it’s a ghosts and not spiders she’s fine with that.

When Zoe moves in she puts her everything into fixing the house hiring all the right people and doing the work herself. It’s the morning after she started on the Banister that she finds someone has finished up where she started. She brushes it off thinking she was just too tired to realize she had finished it. When it happens again she’s sure someone else is living in a secret room in the house so she sets out to figure it out. It’s when she meets Andre she assumes he’s living in the house and when she starts to uncover his secrets he puts her asleep.

The pair starts to form a strong connection overcoming a burglar attack, as well as an attack from her crazy ex-fiancée. The more Zoe learns about her mystery man as the story unfolds. Will his secrets be too much for her to deal with? Will they finish restoring the Lancaster house? Will Zoe be arrested in the two strange deaths’ that happened at the house?

Wow such a fantastic book. It captivated me right from the start with the enchanting story of Zoe and Andre. I found the concept interesting because Zoe is telling the story to Dr. Channing at the psychiatric hospital who assumes she’s created Andre to cope with everything she’s dealing with. I really enjoy Zoe as a character she reminds me a lot of myself because when my mom passed away I pushed myself to keep busy however I didn't buy an old house but it sounds like a great idea. I've not read many ghost stories in the past so it’s still a new subject to me but I’m a new fan. I love the relationship with Zoe and Andre even though he’s from the 1920’s their relationship is very sweet he’s kind of the perfect guy except he’s not human. I think the author does an amazing job of creating a story teens as well as adults will enjoy. The book is beautifully written it was easy for me to see what Zoe was seeing I felt like I was there with her. I really loved the story and I’m thrilled to have the next book so I can know what happen to Zoe and Andre.
(less)

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Feb 21, 2013 Denice rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, ghosts

Thank you to Prism Book Tours and the author for providing an e-copy of this book…

Cover: I admit, that if I have discovered the book by myself I might not have been interested in reading the book… As some know, I firstly judge a book by its cover… But this is one of the books that made me think that judging them by the cover is not enough…

The cover is actually unique… It reminds me of abstract paintings…

Zoe:

She’s a very determined person… She was very intent on restoring Lancaster House to its f...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Carly Fall rated it 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW - 4.5 STARS

The first thing about this book is that it needs a new cover. The cover as it stands now (with the hand) simply doesn’t do this book justice.

Now, on to the content of the book.

Zoe is a 25 year old who has had a rough few months. I felt her pain, and can’t image two major life-altering events such as the ones she went through at that age. She’s an interior designer that has come into some money, and when she finds the Lancaster House with its oddities and the need for some TL...more MY REVIEW - 4.5 STARS

The first thing about this book is that it needs a new cover. The cover as it stands now (with the hand) simply doesn’t do this book justice.

Now, on to the content of the book.

Zoe is a 25 year old who has had a rough few months. I felt her pain, and can’t image two major life-altering events such as the ones she went through at that age. She’s an interior designer that has come into some money, and when she finds the Lancaster House with its oddities and the need for some TLC, she is sold.

Andre is the original builder and owner of Lancaster House, which makes him the resident “ghost.” As Zoe starts to rehab the house, he can’t help but join her, and needless to say, this freaks her out. Eventually, they meet and the attraction is immediate.

I loved the way this story was told, which was from Zoe’s perspective as she talks to her psychiatrist. She’s intelligent and well-spoken, but sometimes her defiance came across as a little childish to me, but it was easy to forgive her for it because I'd act a little childish as well in her position.

Andre…I was immediately in love with Andre...like I couldn't put the book down in love with him... and my only regret was that we never got a true glimpse into his head. And when it was revealed what he was, it felt a little like a “jump the shark” moment, yet as the story came together, I became more accepting of it, and understood why the author did it. But honestly, the story would have been wonderful without that detail being added.

There were a few things I didn’t understand about the book, but I can’t go into it without revealing spoilers, and obviously they didn't bother me enough to lower my rating of the book.

This book is well written, and the author was descriptive enough to make me feel like I really, really want to visit Lancaster House for...real. Unlike other reviews I read of this book, I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the ending. Maybe one more scene could have been added, but I closed my Kindle with a big smile on my face and felt like the story was finished. And that I wanted to read it again.

There are very few books I read anymore that stay with me, but Lancaster House did. I absolutely adored this book, the writing, and the characters. I am looking forward to reading the sequel to see where Andre and Zoe go from here.

This book was provided to me by an author representative for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.(less)

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Mar 19, 2013 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow! Another really clean romance from Taylor Dean! If you're looking for a paranormal romance that isn't smutty and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside, Lancaster House is the book for you. I was surprised at the direction that it took in the paranormal sense as I thought it was just going to be a ghost story. But there's much more to it than that! I found myself wondering if maybe the main character, Zoe, really was imagining things, but really hoping that Andre was real. I look forward to r...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Lancaster House has its strengths, and it has its weaknesses. I'm torn, because I like the concept: I love the detailed descriptions about the house, the non-traditional heroine that Zoe is, and the interweaving of 1920's slang in the dialogue. But at the same time, I wasn't too keen on the execution (the shifting of tenses, the intrusion of brief modern-day scenes within the main story reminiscence, and the heavily wrought descriptions of character attitudes that seemed to conflict with their w...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Englishrose rated it 5 of 5 stars

An enthralling tale that was skillfully crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat. Wonderfully created in a re-telling format, the author draws you into the world of Zoe Grayson, leaving you gripped in her story while leaving a niggling of doubt as to her actual sanity. The romance is sweet and tender and curl-your-toes kind of wonderful. Good characters created a chemistry all of their own, creating their own world and giving credibility to the psychiatrist's doubts. A few good twists help k...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Christy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lancaster House by Taylor Dean is an amazing book! It is so creepy in a good way! When I saw the cover, I was like, eh....what is this about? But I read the synopsis and was like whoa I need to read it! So when I was asked to be in this tour, I gladly accepted!

Zoe Grayson is an awesome, strong female character. She's been through some rotten circumstances yet manages to rise above them and go for what she wants. What she wants is to renovate old houses and sell them for profit. Her first underta...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Lizzy Lessard rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, dnf

I thought it was a ghost story, but it’s not at all scary. And the ghost isn’t a ghost…or is he? Half of the story was told in Zoe’s POV to the therapist and half was told in Zoe’s POV when she arrives in the house. I was completely bored by the scenes written with the therapist and bummed out that there wasn’t anything scary about the scenes in the house. I think the author tried too hard to make this novel work and it felt more like a spoof novel than the real thing. Since I knew around 50% t...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Candace rated it 3 of 5 stars

Taylor Dean's Lancaster House is a suspenseful tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Based in present day California, interior designer Zoe is going through a tough break up. In order to keep her mind off of her relationship woes, she decides to purchase an old house in order to restore it to what it once was. She never expects to find her true love as a result.

As rumors are running rampant around the neighborhood about long ago murders committed inside Lancaster House, Z...more
Taylor Dean's Lancaster House is a suspenseful tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. Based in present day California, interior designer Zoe is going through a tough break up. In order to keep her mind off of her relationship woes, she decides to purchase an old house in order to restore it to what it once was. She never expects to find her true love as a result.

As rumors are running rampant around the neighborhood about long ago murders committed inside Lancaster House, Zoe is determined not to let the whisperings of ghosts keep her from her goal. However, as strange things begin to happen inside Lancaster House, Zoe begins to question if the hype is getting to her or if she is indeed going crazy. After many unfortunate circumstances, Zoe finds herself fighting for her freedom in a Psychiatric Hospital. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Channing, genuinely likes Zoe and wants to see her better. As she opens up to him about the haunting of Lancaster House, he must decide if she is telling the truth or a very troubled young woman.

Lancaster House easily fits into the Paranormal Romance genre. It is a romantic ghost story with Zoe falling in love with the spirit that resides within her home. No mean spirited poltergeist or unhappy ghosts here. What I liked about this story was the fact that I went back and forth several times trying to decipher the true reality. Was Zoe really living in a haunted house, or was she truly schizophrenic? I discovered that only time would tell. As soon as I decided that Zoe was just insane, something would happen to change my mind and leave me guessing until the very end. Lancaster House actually reminded me of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie Shutter Island. I never knew what twist was going to come next. Kudos to Dean for making me use my brain!

Taylor Dean did an excellent job in describing the setting in Lancaster House. Since Zoe is an interior designer, Dean made sure to describe Lancaster House and its beauty in detail. I clearly had the picture of Zoe's new home in my mind by the time she had finished depicting its image. I could also tell that Dean had done her research regarding Victorian era houses. I felt like I was discovering the hidden rooms and little intricacies right along with Zoe.

I definitely recommend Taylor Dean's Lancaster House for those that enjoy Paranormal Romance. I really enjoyed the novel and the suspense it created. I'm very excited to read the sequel, The Middle Aisle, so that I can see what happens next with Zoe and Dr. Channing. If it is anything like Lancaster House, I'm sure it will leave me thinking! (less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Mandy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fangs-and-fantasy, looove-stories, weird-but-i-liked-it, favorites

I was spellbound by Lancaster House. The story was utterly entrancing and completely absorbing. It was also very smart; it kept me thinking and questioning what was going on the entire time, and even after reading it, I'm still not entirely sure what was real and what wasn't. I love a book that keeps me thinking about it well after I'm done reading it.

Lancaster House is definitely one of the best books I've read all year, and I cannot wait for the sequel!

You can read the rest of my review here...more

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Jun 05, 2013 Thayna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-books, read-in-english, 2013

A resenha original você encontra aqui: http://whosthanny.com/lancaster-house...

Zoe Grayson precisa de uma mudança. Após perder o pai e ter descoberto que seu noivo tinha um caso com sua melhor amiga, ela busca - desesperadamente - por um lugar para recomeçar. E uma velha mansão Vitoriana, escondida em San José, parece o lugar perfeito para isso. Lancaster House parece o lugar perfeito para descobrir um novo mundo.

Lancaster House -- a velha mansão Vitoriana, construída por volta dos anos vinte po...more

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Apr 24, 2013 Laura Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

To find out why Joy tried to kill herself, why she is under the care of Dr. Channing at Serenity HIlls, and why she is suspected of killing two men, we have to go back to the beginning.

When Joy first laid eyes on Lancaster House, she knew she had to have it.

She couldn’t wait to get started on the restoration. Couldn’t wait to bring the old house back to its former glory.

The work was slow but rewarding. She was doing one room at a time. She would go to bed exhausted and rise to start again the ne...more

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About Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it's paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you'll find all sub-genres of CLEAN Romance in her line-up.

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Quotes from Lancaster House

“I wear this because it suits me, it’s a part of who I am, of what I am. My soul is black, my life is black—as black as the nothingness that surrounds me.” — 4 people liked it

“Believe it. Know it. Accept it.” — 3 people liked it

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