Overview.
This exciting paranormal romance is set in Texas in 1886. Quite a page turner. There is some explicit sex, but not too much.
I am pleased to see that it is book 1. That means I can spend more time with these characters, and see how they continue their development, and if Gavin can come to terms with his own unacknowledged talent.
Although I don't usually enjoy graphic sex scenes, there wasn't too much in this book and it didn't bother me. What I can't stand is what seems to be a story simply to carry the sex scenes.
And I love the cover.
It is an excellent read.
Story.
A mysterious fire breaks out in the southern states of the US destroying a complete village and killing most of the inhabitants.
Doctor Gavin Morris is trying his best to help the dying and injured when he meets Annabelle Smith. She appears to be speaking to the ghosts of the dead.
Gavin does not believe her, but she explains how she has been called here to help the dead on their way. She is emaciated and obviously poor, so Gavin feels sorry for her and wishes to help.
Not to give too much away, there are more inexplicable fires, and the pair decide to investigate. During their investigations they grow closer.
They find themselves in a terrifying situation, being stalked by an entity far more frightening and dangerous than the ghosts.
Characters
I liked the main characters. They had their struggles with both the paranormal and the romantic feelings developing between them.
They developed nicely throughout the novel, with Gavin reluctantly accepting Annabelle's work, and the fact of the ghosts.
Secondary characters were also well developed, including the ghosts, some of which had to be told they had died. They also kept their worldly characters, especially one rather unpleasant woman.
Writing
I thought that Ms Beaudelaire gave us a clear feeling of both time and place. I had a clear picture in my head of every setting, and believed in the characters.
No grammatical mistakes, nor typos.
I give this book 5*