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The Haunting of Willow Tree Court
A modern-day, dark, adult fairy tale… a suspenseful ghost story like you’ve never read before!...
Three years ago a near fatal car crash left Sally Archer crippled and childless. Now, with her life in tatters and her freedoms taken away, she is moved to a new home by her husband, to a house on Willow Tree Court. But, Willow Tree Court is no ordinary place, and her house has a long and unusual history. As if by magic, the extraordinary begins to unravel itself in a pattern as old as time, and both the beautiful and the macabre take hold, refusing to let go. Sally soon learns that places are haunted as much by the living as they are by the dead.
Three years ago a near fatal car crash left Sally Archer crippled and childless. Now, with her life in tatters and her freedoms taken away, she is moved to a new home by her husband, to a house on Willow Tree Court. But, Willow Tree Court is no ordinary place, and her house has a long and unusual history. As if by magic, the extraordinary begins to unravel itself in a pattern as old as time, and both the beautiful and the macabre take hold, refusing to let go. Sally soon learns that places are haunted as much by the living as they are by the dead.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2012
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About the author
Jennifer Adele
5 books36 followersJennifer Adele is an independent author and nature gal, whose sense of adventure is only matched by her predilection for the magical and macabre. Her love of the written word in its various forms and her fascination with the symbolism inherent in all languages provides an ancient, deep, and eclectic background to her works. She is also an active lecturer and educator for many local groups and public education venues. Her written works on broad-based educational topics, plants, animals, symbolism, and a wide range of nature-based subjects, as well as her creative writings and fiction, have been frequently featured in national and international publications.
On a more personal note, Jennifer is mom to three dogs and three cats and greatly enjoys nature hikes, dog walking and training, kitty cat playtime, photography, cooking, wild crafting, and travel.
On a more personal note, Jennifer is mom to three dogs and three cats and greatly enjoys nature hikes, dog walking and training, kitty cat playtime, photography, cooking, wild crafting, and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2014
In The Haunting of Willow Tree Court, Jennifer Adele has created one of the most complex point of view characters I've encountered.
Sally Archer is a young yoga instructor who loses her physical mobility, beauty, and her emerging career in a horrible car wreck. Worse, Sally's infant daughter dies in the car Sally was driving. For three years, Sally is unable to get past her losses so her husband buys a home for them on Willow Tree Court. This novel tells the story of Sally's progression towards healing in that home.
Although Sally is remarkably perceptive and intuitive, she reduces some people in her life to caricature. Although sympathetic, her husband is little more than a penis on a stick who does nice things for Sally. Her mother, a major character in the novel, doesn't develop much beyond an incomprehensible, manipulative, controlling, and cold-blooded woman. Although seemingly sensitive to the needs of others, in virtually every conversation Sally jousts for advantage. Sally mourns her loss of her daughter but expresses almost no survivor's guilt.
People reading this book may feel like yelling, "Sally Archer, the world doesn't revolve around you!" But on Willow Tree Court, the world does. The spirits who enchant and haunt the place all connect in some aspect to Sally.
The Haunting of Willow Tree Court works on a number of different levels. First, it can be read as a unique variation on the traditional haunted house story. Second, it can be read as an in-depth literary exploration of how one's own energy interacts with one's geographical place. Third, it can be read as a psychological journey showing how one woman's narcissism becomes so pathological it leads to disturbing and overwhelming delusions.
It's a remarkable book.
A few random comments:
I didn't find the sex scenes gratuitous as some reviewers have. I thought they were well written and advanced the story. A critical love interest is not well developed so it may feel like some of the sex scenes are gratuitous since the sensual seems to be the main attraction.
Because Author Adele attempts to do so much in this novel, the book is a bit wordy. Her choice of language to explore metaphysical and psychological behavior complicates the narrative. That's not bad. It just tends to slow down the telling of the story.
The Haunting of Willow Tree Court is told from the point of view and in the voice of Sally Archer. That's part of what makes this novel so rich. By about two-thirds of the way through, however, Sally's narcissism had become so suffocating I found the book difficult to finish.
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Sally Archer is a young yoga instructor who loses her physical mobility, beauty, and her emerging career in a horrible car wreck. Worse, Sally's infant daughter dies in the car Sally was driving. For three years, Sally is unable to get past her losses so her husband buys a home for them on Willow Tree Court. This novel tells the story of Sally's progression towards healing in that home.
Although Sally is remarkably perceptive and intuitive, she reduces some people in her life to caricature. Although sympathetic, her husband is little more than a penis on a stick who does nice things for Sally. Her mother, a major character in the novel, doesn't develop much beyond an incomprehensible, manipulative, controlling, and cold-blooded woman. Although seemingly sensitive to the needs of others, in virtually every conversation Sally jousts for advantage. Sally mourns her loss of her daughter but expresses almost no survivor's guilt.
People reading this book may feel like yelling, "Sally Archer, the world doesn't revolve around you!" But on Willow Tree Court, the world does. The spirits who enchant and haunt the place all connect in some aspect to Sally.
The Haunting of Willow Tree Court works on a number of different levels. First, it can be read as a unique variation on the traditional haunted house story. Second, it can be read as an in-depth literary exploration of how one's own energy interacts with one's geographical place. Third, it can be read as a psychological journey showing how one woman's narcissism becomes so pathological it leads to disturbing and overwhelming delusions.
It's a remarkable book.
A few random comments:
I didn't find the sex scenes gratuitous as some reviewers have. I thought they were well written and advanced the story. A critical love interest is not well developed so it may feel like some of the sex scenes are gratuitous since the sensual seems to be the main attraction.
Because Author Adele attempts to do so much in this novel, the book is a bit wordy. Her choice of language to explore metaphysical and psychological behavior complicates the narrative. That's not bad. It just tends to slow down the telling of the story.
The Haunting of Willow Tree Court is told from the point of view and in the voice of Sally Archer. That's part of what makes this novel so rich. By about two-thirds of the way through, however, Sally's narcissism had become so suffocating I found the book difficult to finish.
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
February 18, 2013
I gave this book 3 stars because I'm feeling generous and because there is a pretty good story here. It held my attention, so there is that. The downsides for me were the contrived sex scenes (I'm not a prude, but it's hard to take a book seriously when it goes into porn mode…numerous times! You could all but hear the 70's porn music playing in several scenes.) and especially the clunky and convoluted writing. Almost every sentence had me wondering at the author's word choices, or syntax, or clichés, etc. But it's an engaging story with some interesting characters, and a fairly quick read.
May 18, 2014
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Haunting of Willow Tree Court By Jennifer Adele, February 24, 2014
Review By Garry E. Lewis (Jacksonville, Illinois, USA)
This review is from: The Haunting of Willow Tree Court (Paperback)
I purchased this book recently, as I had the pleasure of meeting the Author through Face Book, Jennifer is an amazing and talented author indeed. Very well written a paranormal suspenseful story of a mother haunted by the death of her daughter through a tragic accident. Now haunted by her daughters death, she also finds her marriage suffering as well from this tragic event. A sudden move soon brings about a suspenseful journey, of intrigue, mystery, and some steamy sexual encounters as well. You'll find yourself turning page after page of this one as you wonder what awaits next. I gave it five stars as it was an excellent read, and you will not be disappointed if you enjoy, mystery and suspense along with the paranormal. I look forward to purchasing Jennifers next book now having found this one to be very good read indeed.
February 3, 2013
This is a really good book and what makes it special is that it's different the any other ghost story, or romance you may have read. The protagonist is a lot more raw and brittle and you don't necessarily love her which makes her very real. The interactions with the ghosts are not like in a "horror" book. It's really fresh and different and not like anything else you've read.
August 19, 2019
Ugh. DNF. I just can't keep reading this overwritten monstrosity.
Tried to read as part of 2019 Read Harder Challenge for category of "Book Published Prior to 2019 with Fewer than 100 Reviews on Goodreads". I guess there is a reason it doesn't have many reviews. I'll have to find something else to fill that category.
Tried to read as part of 2019 Read Harder Challenge for category of "Book Published Prior to 2019 with Fewer than 100 Reviews on Goodreads". I guess there is a reason it doesn't have many reviews. I'll have to find something else to fill that category.
February 7, 2013
I had a hard time putting this book down. Jennifer Adele has the ability to write beautiful description. I liken her descriptive abilities to Zane Grey, only better. Zane Grey could forget to stop with the description sometimes and go back to the action.
I loved the way the ghosts and the living were so interwoven. Really such a thin veil between! Excellent story that left me wanting more!
I loved the way the ghosts and the living were so interwoven. Really such a thin veil between! Excellent story that left me wanting more!
July 5, 2013
Jennifer scared the bejeesus out of me, and made me blush. Well played, Madame. :)
February 15, 2014
I had some of the plot figured out, but still a great read! Took a bit to finish as I only read during lunch. :)
June 24, 2015
It was okay... but mostly pretty boring, not scary at all and the erotic moments... just absurd, not because it's erotic - but because the way it is described, way to bloomy for my taste.
April 21, 2017
Couldn't get into this, as much as i tried. Probably won't pick it back up.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews