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Phantasmic
A neurotic thriller.
Arden, a struggling screenwriter, moves into a bungalow where she starts experiencing visitations from a shadowy mysterious man. He is unbelievably handsome and sexy. And he's just so into her.
The only problem is...he might be...well...a ghost.
There's also the fact that he might have been an insanely jealous murderer back when he was alive. But still...He's such an amazing lover. And it's not like he can leave her for someone with smaller thighs.
Arden must solve the mystery of her unusual and dangerous new roomie - and then decide whether or not to give up the ghost.
This is a romantic comedy cozy mystery novella of approximately 28,000 words.
It was formerly known as PHANTASMIC
Arden, a struggling screenwriter, moves into a bungalow where she starts experiencing visitations from a shadowy mysterious man. He is unbelievably handsome and sexy. And he's just so into her.
The only problem is...he might be...well...a ghost.
There's also the fact that he might have been an insanely jealous murderer back when he was alive. But still...He's such an amazing lover. And it's not like he can leave her for someone with smaller thighs.
Arden must solve the mystery of her unusual and dangerous new roomie - and then decide whether or not to give up the ghost.
This is a romantic comedy cozy mystery novella of approximately 28,000 words.
It was formerly known as PHANTASMIC
Unknown Binding
First published September 28, 2012
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38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2013
3.5 stars rounded up
I wasn't sure about this but it sounded interesting. I enjoyed the storyline, especially the mystery surrounding Carlo's death. I laughed aloud at some of the things that happened with Arden (i.e., forgetting her window was open when she yelled to the ghost that she was sleeping alone...and the cute neighbor heard).
Arden moves into a bungalow and soon discovers she's not alone. She shares her new home with a rather ardent ghost named Carlo. She eventually learns Carlo is the ghost of an actor who was shot by his lover...after stabbing her several times. At least, that's the story everyone believes. But a series of frighteningly real flashbacks leads Arden to doubt the story.
In the meantime, everything that can go wrong will when her cute neighbor is around. Embarrassing purchases at the store, awkward conversations, silly misunderstandings and assumptions -- Arden manages all these and more.
I did feel that the sex wasn't really necessary to the story. I mean, it almost felt like the author included it so the word "sexy" could be in the subtitle -- let's face it, sex sells. But the sex scenes felt rushed and awkward; I know, that sounds weird, since we're talking about a ghost, after all. (Yes. Ghost sex. I said it.) I just found myself skimming those scenes, looking for the next "real" part of the book.
Since I found this book in the romance section, and it IS subtitled as a romantic comedy, I'd have liked a little more development of the relationship between Arden and...What's-His-Name, the cute neighbor. A few more meaningful conversations, maybe?
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but the romance was actually not so much between the H/h as it was the ghost and someone else (avoiding spoilers). I'd be interested to see if there's a follow-up; maybe we'll get to learn the guy's name. ;-)
I wasn't sure about this but it sounded interesting. I enjoyed the storyline, especially the mystery surrounding Carlo's death. I laughed aloud at some of the things that happened with Arden (i.e., forgetting her window was open when she yelled to the ghost that she was sleeping alone...and the cute neighbor heard).
Arden moves into a bungalow and soon discovers she's not alone. She shares her new home with a rather ardent ghost named Carlo. She eventually learns Carlo is the ghost of an actor who was shot by his lover...after stabbing her several times. At least, that's the story everyone believes. But a series of frighteningly real flashbacks leads Arden to doubt the story.
In the meantime, everything that can go wrong will when her cute neighbor is around. Embarrassing purchases at the store, awkward conversations, silly misunderstandings and assumptions -- Arden manages all these and more.
I did feel that the sex wasn't really necessary to the story. I mean, it almost felt like the author included it so the word "sexy" could be in the subtitle -- let's face it, sex sells. But the sex scenes felt rushed and awkward; I know, that sounds weird, since we're talking about a ghost, after all. (Yes. Ghost sex. I said it.) I just found myself skimming those scenes, looking for the next "real" part of the book.
Since I found this book in the romance section, and it IS subtitled as a romantic comedy, I'd have liked a little more development of the relationship between Arden and...What's-His-Name, the cute neighbor. A few more meaningful conversations, maybe?
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but the romance was actually not so much between the H/h as it was the ghost and someone else (avoiding spoilers). I'd be interested to see if there's a follow-up; maybe we'll get to learn the guy's name. ;-)
April 23, 2013
The story: A cute ghost/murder/romance tale that is light and enjoyable. Humor can be found throughout the book. It was a very light read. There was not much depth to be found anywhere.
The characters: I really enjoyed the quirkiness in the characters. They really shaped the story for me.
The writing: This is where I had a problem. This is a tough one because I think this author has a lot of potential. She has a nice little flair for comedy and created a pleasing story. However, the writing really needs work. I hate to say it, but if the story had not been so cute, I would have put down the book before the half-way point. Writing in the first person can be tricky. When it is done properly you can ride on the character's shoulders and feel every emotion. However, when you look at a page and the first sentence of four out of five paragraphs begins with the word "I" it shows that the writing needs work. There are also several punctuation issues that are distracting, along with sentences that should be joined and are not. It was quirky at first, but it got old very quickly. Overall, it felt like someone was gabbing at me.
Predictability: I called it, but I call most stories. There was a small part that I did not catch. I knew something was tucked in, but I could not find it. To me that's a huge deal.
I do hope this writer continues to hone her craft, because I feel she has great potential. I would like to see what comes next, but if the first chapter is not an improvement over what I read here, I won't finish the book.
The characters: I really enjoyed the quirkiness in the characters. They really shaped the story for me.
The writing: This is where I had a problem. This is a tough one because I think this author has a lot of potential. She has a nice little flair for comedy and created a pleasing story. However, the writing really needs work. I hate to say it, but if the story had not been so cute, I would have put down the book before the half-way point. Writing in the first person can be tricky. When it is done properly you can ride on the character's shoulders and feel every emotion. However, when you look at a page and the first sentence of four out of five paragraphs begins with the word "I" it shows that the writing needs work. There are also several punctuation issues that are distracting, along with sentences that should be joined and are not. It was quirky at first, but it got old very quickly. Overall, it felt like someone was gabbing at me.
Predictability: I called it, but I call most stories. There was a small part that I did not catch. I knew something was tucked in, but I could not find it. To me that's a huge deal.
I do hope this writer continues to hone her craft, because I feel she has great potential. I would like to see what comes next, but if the first chapter is not an improvement over what I read here, I won't finish the book.
December 6, 2013
This story pulled me in with a sexy dream sequence that changed into a paranormal mystery/comedy. I loved the flow, the humor and the modern colloquial expressions. This writer knows what she’s doing and if she is really a screenwriter like the main character, then she’s probably very successful and if she’s not successful yet, she will be. I loved the story and honestly, couldn't put it down.
July 30, 2013
Ok, so there wasn't really any content in it. No grand story. No big revelation either but it sure as hell was fun to read. It was light, quirky, energetic and incredibly amusing. I can't say I've learned anything because I haven't but I had an amazingly fun time reading this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2013
Wow. I honestly thought this was just going to be a fluff piece but it was great. Hoping to see more such works from Evie Long!
March 13, 2014
Just wasn't very...enthusiastic to read. The writing was good just the story was not exciting.
January 17, 2013
A fun, fast,humorius read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews