Traces of Her

by C.M. Radcliff

I am a ghost,
a captive stripped of my own identity.
I’ve lived in solitude in the depths of hell until the devil appeared, pulling me out of the darkness and shoving me into the arms of my new prison.
But sometimes a prison becomes a home.
And sometimes that home is within the heart of a man.

I have a debt to pay and my brother’s collecting.
He makes the messes and I deal with the aftermath. Only this time, he went too far and took something that wasn’t his and now it’s my problem.
She’s a liability and the last thing I need.
She’s an enigma and she’s everything I need.

Our separate hells brought us together.
Our personal inferno molded us into one.
The devil reappeared and tore us apart.
I will turn this world upside down until I find her.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Abuse

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2019

About the author

C.M. Radcliff writes dark, toxic romance with a touch of suspense. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two kids. If she isn't reading or writing, she's probably on a little adventure with her family.

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY REVIEW: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

“You look like a fucking ghost. You're hair’s all white and shit, with you pale ass skin, and you’re so tiny, you’re like barely even there.”

’TRACES OF HER’ Is a full length dark romance novel by new to me author C.M. Radcliff. Traces of Her is Griffin & Rowena story. Spoken in Dual POV's.

We're first introduced to a ten year old Rowena who witnessed her best friend get tragically killed, this tragic accident was the catalyst that set the whole ball rolling. A year goes by and the first anniversary of her lost friends life is also when Rowena is stripped of everything, even her own identity has been taken away from her leaving her a cold shell that barely even recognises herself.
Years go by..Survival is her constant companion, freedom is a fond memory that she clings to in the dead of night.

The longer time went on, the farther away I drifted from life; from an identity.



Biding her time she escapes with barely her life in tact, but freedom isn't hers to have just yet, the cards she's been dealt haven't stopped playing with her just yet. Things are going to get even more fucked up, it's around this time she meets Griffin a forensic psychologist, he's just as broken and lost as she is, he's fighting his own demons, blood stains his hands in the name of his brother Jared who kidnapped Rowena because she was witness to a crime he committed.

Survival instinct kicks up a notch and Griffin and Rowena are a force to be reckoned with, together they must get out of the shit hole they have found themselves in. A sit on your edge of your seat adrenaline spiked as you root for these two to get their HEA.

Holy Sh#t!! I’m sitting her mouth open, reeling over what I’ve just read, I feel like I’ve been run over by a Mac truck and pulled through a hedge backwards!!
This book is not for the faint of heart, it’s dark, gritty, raw, disturbing, my mind is all over the place, this was one f#cked up read!!
Even through the darkest of times love won the battle, but it took a long time to get us to that place, chaos, mayhem, murder, kidnapping, it all went down in a fast octane ride of pure darkness. Brace yourselves for one crazy ride!!

* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *

     

[Book Boyfriend Whoarder Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two tortured souls meet to melt as one.

Rowena, stripped of everything, including her identity becomes a shell. Cold, distant, untouchable. She is thrown in into one situation she knows she won’t make it out without some casualties. The casualty, her heart. But she’s a survivor, a fighter through and through.

Griffin, loyal brother, actions sometimes questionable. He has a method of dealing with the Devil. He never expected Rowena to shatter his foundation.

Together they find themselves. Together they become one. Together they heal.

They face the same monster. They rise from the ashes, their love conquering all.

Ro stole my heart in When Darkness Consumes, Radcliff gave her much deserved story finally!! Her story will break your heart, but like a good book boyfriend, Griff will help you mend it. I was on the edge of my seat when reading this, fast paced and suspenseful. Ro finally got her much deserved HEA!

[Dri ✰ · Rating 1 out of 5]

★ 1 STAR ★

▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🖤💔💔🖤🌟🌟🌟🌟s

This was intense.
And tough.
And dark.
And painful.
And not easy at all.

“If the walls in this house were able to talk, I think they would choose to be silent. Some stories don’t need to be told and silence can speak louder than any words ever could.”

Although I haven’t read the author’s previous books, I had the suspicion that most of the characters had been introduced before.
The writing was raw but respectful, the angst hit high levels and I think the characters could have been more developed.
The only thing that didn’t convince me was how fast Rowena and Griffin fell for each other.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This bish CM Radcliff had me raging. I was fine one minute and the next I was screaming for them all to die. Traces of Her is about Ro’s story. I loved it. You know what else? I loved Grif too. Sure, I could even like the bad guy a bit after reading this book. I know I’m weird like that. Ghost Girl is my favorite character in all of CM Radcliff’s books. Don’t believe she’s the best? Read it. CM is going to make you ragey too.

[Jaime Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please excuse me while I try to put into words what I just read. Absolutely phenomenal read. It is recommended one read When Darkness Consumes and Returned to the Light before divulging into this amazing, mind numbing read. Rowena and Griffin are both pawns in a situation that is beyond messed up involving Jared. In order to survive games must be played and things done that would screw with anyone’s mind. This is a story that once you start you will not be able to put down with the disturbing twists and turns. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride that you need to go on. Looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

[Avery Kingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first two books I was so excited to hear that Rowena’s story was coming! She was such a captivating character in the first two I couldn’t wait to get my paws on this book.

I loved getting her backstory. Warning it’s dark, tragic and it will break your heart. BUT what it does more than that is show her resilience. Her will to survive and rise above the shaft that she is handed in life. She’s so strong, and so beautiful. I love Ro as a person.

Griffin, GAH. I love him. My heart has grown more for him in each book. Jury was out on him in first story, but now he’s won my heart.

I loved how Radcliff weaves in the timeline from the previous two books, you get to see what Griff and Ro were going through during Ryder and Lydia’s stories. You do NOT have to read those to enjoy this, but I recommend that you do just to get the full picture. It will mean SO much more if you have (and they’re fantastic books…so you should anyway). What I liked is that it explained WHY certain characters were forced into the situations that they were by Jared. It answered all those questions I had lingering.

Fantastic read. Fantastic characters. Well done. I can't wait to see what this author does next!

[I Read What I Want · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story.....hot damn. Ive been waiting on this one since I read the very first book from this author and it was more than worth the wait. It's everything that I didn't even know I needed. In the very beginning I was already blown away and 100% captivated by the journey that this story takes you on. After reading the first two books there was so much mystery around Ghost Girl that finally getting her story was like the best birthday and Christmas presents wrapped up together. Once again though I was left with lots of moments where I found myself holding my breath, wanting to throw my Kindle, curl up in a ball and cry, and a general sense of WTF. It was an incredible experience to finally get to read this story and fill in the missing blanks abouth Ro and Griffin from the first two books. While it is a Romantic Suspense novel it also shines light on inner strength, knowing your worth, and never giving up on true love. Emphasis on Suspense here though. It is a book that will have you flying through pages desperate for the knowledge of what comes next. I'm so happy that it's finally here....but sad at the same time to see the end for these characters. I can't wait for what's next from this author!!!
Kel
Kel and Mel Tell Book Blog

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read. While I would have loved to have read more about Rowena and Griffin and not so much about the rehash of the previous book, without all that it wouldn’t have been a stand alone.

[Katydidnt_doit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cm Radcliff delves back into the lives of Lydia, Ryder, Jared, Scarlet, Griffin and Rowena with Traces of Her. This time we are living the story through Griffin and Rowena’s eyes. We start out by meeting Rowena as a child and all the turmoil, challenges and obstacles life has thrown her way. Rowena can be described with one of word, survivor. She knows what she needs to do to survive and make it through the different situations she finds herself thrust into.

I had so much difficulty rationalizing how Lydia could form a relationship with Griffin let alone have him be such a big part of her life after all she had endured. After reading this book and getting a glimpse of the circumstances that molded Griffin and Jared, I get it.

Radcliff has found her niche, writing captivating, emotionally driven stories that leave you wanting more!!

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author, and she blew me away with her words! This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first sentence. I loved it so much I read it in one sitting! The story of Rowena, a girl who went thru more than any person ever could, yet comes out strong. And Griffin, the savior she never knew she would find. But Griffin has a debt to pay to his brother, Jared, and Jared keeps them all trapped in his crazy world. This story has so much going for it and this author has a way of describing the scenes and characters that you can feel the emotions coming from these characters to your very soul. I highly recommend this book, it is a definite page turner!

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear CM Radcliff,

Please return my heart.

Love,
A Forever-Will-Be-Yours Reader

In Traces of Her, be prepared to witness such utter strength and pain, truly intense hatred and love, gutted heartache and redemption.

I am usually an HEA reader, and avoid the cracks and crevices of both physical and mental torment and pain. But when an author can create a world that savors the psyche and takes you along on her journey as an extension of her soul, then I am willing to forego my sweet sensitivities.

Join us in Ro’s rabbit hole.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you start reading a book you don't know exactly what to expect from it. Would it be too dark and with a lot of triggers for me? Would it be too disappointing? Would i like the heroine? The hero? What they have to go through so they can find their HEA? Would it be too much or too less and will let me wanting more?
I read this book in 3 days actually because apart from adulting, there were things that made me put the book down, not because i didn't like it but because it was too INTENSE, still is after finishing 2 days ago.
There are so many things that happen in this world that we just refuse to acknowledge most of the time and if they surface we just say O poor girl/woman and they were just demented to be able to do that to a girl.

After an awful accident, her best friend dies and the parents of her friends take another turn and at her one-year anniversary kidnapped our heroine and keep her hostage with all the awful things that they do to her for many years until she manages to escape. After this her journey to more pain, more sufferance, more unbelievable things would happen to her but in all this twisted story she get to know a man that is her match and in their twisted living life they get to know how they really are and accept each other and will find a HEA that i was so eager for them.

It's a story full of angst, i cried, i swore, i had to put it down so many times but i went back to keep reading because it is really worth it.

[Cat Imb || The Reading Cat || · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author and I voluntarily reviewed it. Thank you C.M. Radcliff!

This book was something else. It was all sorts of twisted and demented while still providing a glimmer of change a relief at every page for our main character, Rowena. The story is original and fresh : I’d never read anything like it before. The sequence of events plays with your emotions and will make your heart race - unlike Rowena who is a as cool as a cucumber the entire time.

I was utterly captivated by the dark story. I had a hard time putting the book down. I just kept felling a gnawing need to see what would happen and kept flipping pages. This book grabs you and pulls you in from the very first page. It’s dramatic and suspenseful.

There was an abundance of characters in this book, and some you just can’t help but falling for. Each one is inherently different from the other and has a unique voice and feel. Radcliff does a great job of creating complex characters with layered pasts, which is impressive.

This was my first Radcliff book, and it definitely will not be my last! I loved every minute reading this book, and cannot wait to discover what else she has written.

[Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: Although this is listed as a standalone, in my opinion, it is not. I would read WHEN DARKNESS CONSUMES & RETURN TO THE LIGHT 1st as this is where the main characters are introduced!!!

I LOVED RETURN TO THE LIGHT but it had left me with some questions. In TRACES OF HER almost all is finally revealed!!! I say almost because unfortunately, I still have some unanswered questions even after reading this book. For someone reading this series for the first time, every conversation is necessary. However, if you read this immediately after RETURN TO THE LIGHT like I did, a huge portion of this book is repetitive since conversations are literally repeated verbatim. My other complaint (and major reason why I didn’t give this book 5 stars) is because it is in need of a good proofreading to catch simple errors like HERE instead of HEAR. Also, I didn’t love the ending. First we are catapulted two years ahead, then five. I would’ve like to know a bit more about what happened during those seven years. Despite these criticisms, I really enjoyed this books! I loved the dark, graphic descriptions and the passion was never lacking!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The darkness is so frighteningly beautiful, it draws you in like a moth to a flame and I'm already in, deeper than I'd ever admit, slowly falling into his sinful world."
Rowena is like a ghost, captive and living in solitude. Her life had been shrouded in darkness since she was ten years old. But, the thing about ghosts is they aren't afraid of death. Her prison is quickly becoming home.
Griffin is paying a debt to his brother- the devil himself. He cleans up the messes Jared leaves behind. But this time, he has gone too far, and Rowena lands in his lap.
Their separate hells brought them together, until the devil himself tore them apart.
This was the first book by C.M. Radcliff that I have read. It was dark and twisted, and you never knew what was going to happen next. I was drawn in by the cover, and the blurb, immediately wanting more. I felt for Rowena, and the crazy, life she has lived. I enjoyed watching this story unfold, 4⭐ out of 5⭐.

[Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Synclare Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

F@cking Fiddlesticks!
I consumed this read. Rowena is such an incredibly strong young woman. I have no idea how she could survive so much emotional trauma. It really make me realize we as human beings, are so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for.
Jared..wowza...He’s one fucked up dude. I don’t want to say much else. Trust me, you want a dark 5 ⭐️book that will sweep you away, get this one ASAP.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~

Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 4/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Fantastic
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook ~ ARC for honest review


Would I read more from this author? yes
Would I recommend this book? HELL YES

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the midst of all the darkness lays one hell of a Ghost.
This book is Fanfluckingtastic!! Rowena and Griffin's story is addictive. Both their lives have been turned upside down, their pasts forcing them to rely on their survival instincts. The book is dark, gritty, contains triggers and is deliciously dangerous.
I loved all the characters, yes, even sadistic Jarad.
C.M has delivered another fantastic dark read, her writing is impeccable.

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I LOVE this book and highly recommend it!
The wide range and depth of emotions, Radcliff pulls out of me with her writing puts her at the top of my list for dark romance .

[Heather McQuillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in a long while! It's a dark, edge of your seat ride!

[Crystal Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know how to put into words how this book made me feel. How much can someone go through before they give up? This brought out so many feelings, it was dark and twisted. I have not read anything else by this author but I am for sure going back and reading the others.

"Love and fear, they need each other to exist"

[Thea™ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think you could read this book as a standalone but to really understand the full story and get the whole experience, it's definitely recommended to read the duet novels, When Darkness Consumes & Returned To The Light (which are also two absolutely jaw dropping books!)

EE; BotM February 2019 ---> reading starts the 15th.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Macaroni!! Just haunting, just, wow. Traces of Her by CM Radcliff is darkness. It is waiting for the next monster to come around the corner to swallow you whole and spit you back out over and over again.

Rowena is a ghost, not really but because of her features and because of the life she has been dealt. She has learned to hide in the shadows. To not bring any attention to herself. What she endures in this book from the beginning is mind-blowing. How she can even function, I have no freaking clue but that is how the brain works. It allows us to go into that file in the back and shut out everything. The numbness the emptiness that Rowena goes into pulls you into that numbness, that darkness. I don’t wanna give to much of this book away besides what you read as the description but Rowena was stripped of everything she has ever known and not in a good way. I don’t think I will ever have bleach in my house again. The beginning of this book will have you wanting to kill. Then you just keep reading along and you think oh she has got this and then WHAM! You feel like you are on a roller coaster but the roller coaster is not going back up. She eventually meets Griffin and a little light comes into her darkness but little does she know Griffin is under his psychotic brother's thumb. Bending over backward for his brother for years, Griffin now has to figure out how to get him and Rowena out alive.

This book is breathtaking. It is staggering, you will question your own sanity. It is definitely worth the read.
FYI: Big time trigger warnings throughout the book.

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

[Heather 'Confessions Of A Bibliophile' Creighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I devoured this book in one sitting! I think you could read as a standalone but to really understand the full story and get the whole experience, it's definitely recommended to read the duet novels, When Darkness Consumes & Returned To The Light (which are also two absolutely jaw dropping books!)

Traces of Her focuses on Griffin & Rowena. These two have both been through so, so much! Ro has had her whole identity stripped from her and she's left a shell of her self. Griff, he's loyal to a fault and he's done some questionable things in his life for his psycho brother Jared out of those loyalties but Jared has gone to far this time and Griff has had enough of his crap (finally!) If you've read the duet novels you should already know where I'm going with this and you'll finally get to understand the story of the "ghost girl", if you haven't, then first of all I suggest you go and get them now, seriously right now and then come back and grab this one!

This book was everything I needed to get the complete story and answer questions I still had after reading the duet. Griff had caught my eye a lot before and reading this I fell for him even more, the love he and Ro share is truly one for the history books. He'd do absolutely anything for her, even if it means giving his life for hers.

Sheesh I'm on total book hangover mode right now...thanks C.M Radcliff for another dark and disturbed (but yet somehow still a love story) book! Lol

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I did a bad thing. I read Traces of Her first, when I know some of the characters are introduced in CM Radcliff's first two books. But honestly, reading and finishing TOH just makes me want to read the other books that much more! I want...no, I NEED more of this gritty depressing as ish world! LOL. Don't be scared--there's some love and romance too, just enough to reward our heroine and hero after surviving the awful lives they have had! Rowena is a special kind of dark. She hasn't let the devastating experiences in her life take her reason and ability to open up to the right person. She was able to shut off her brain to the pain...to a point anyway. And because of that, she's still a strong willed, sharp and intriguing character. Griffin has gone through his own share of horrible ish, and he's just trying to maintain some semblance of a normal life while keeping up with his psycho brother's adventures. It's inevitable that Ro and Griffin will find solace in each other. Speaking of psycho brothers...Jared is so messed up and so twisted that you can't help liking him as the villain. Is that weird? Well, what can I say, CM writes her psychos well. I haven't said too much about the plot, but it's the right kind of effed up to grab your attention throughout reading if you are a fan of dark suspense/romance. 5 stars for Traces of Her!

[Lorena Garcia -- Brittany's Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new to me author has impressed me immensely with this dark and gritty book that has left me with tingles all over my body.

This story was so damn fascinating and held my attention throughout the whole book.

Rowena and Griffith were pretty much thrown at each other without wanting to. It's bad enough Ro already has issues and she doesn't have a very good childhood per se after the death of her best friend as a child.

The things she goes through as a child is just appalling and I hated to read what she went through in those few years of her life.

She goes from being in one bad situation to jumping right into another one, but she's a survivor and I loved that about her. She was done with everything and everyone and was just taking things as they go. Ro and Griffith end up getting to know each other better and they start confiding in each other and sharing their demons and at the same time they are faced with the devil (Grif's brother Jared). They never know what to expect from him or what he has planned next. He was one hell of a psychopath.

We get nothing but suspense throughout this book that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

4 Stars

**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsive reading...but beware...

This story was compulsive reading, but definitely not for the faint of heart. What a dark and twisted life Rowena, the young heroine, is dragged into; who would have thought a childhood tragedy could be the precursor to such despicable acts.

The author has created an intriguing and unique character in Rowena. She is a ‘ghost’, that’s how she survives. The journey she takes is forced upon her by circumstances, but that does not mean she is a victim or has lost all control of her life. Rowena is strong and I admired her fortitude and perceptiveness throughout. She encounters a diverse group of people over the course of the story, almost all of them are dysfunctional and warped, but some are the embodiment of pure evil, and others offer a helping hand when least expected.

I was completely engrossed in this story of death, destruction and retribution... but most of all amongst all the wicked acts there is also a love story between two equally damaged people, which brings light to the darkest of lives...I received a copy of this book from the author via Quirky Blind Date with a Book.

[Rumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** 5 STARS ***

After reading When Darkness Consumes and Return to the Light, it's safe to say I was intrigued and utterly obsessed with Rowena and Griffin from the little glimpses offered by the duet. I wasn't too sure how these two would work together, but I could not wait to find out. And, boy, did Traces of Her deliver!

Traces of Her is a standalone novel that takes you on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. We finally – FINALLY – get see why and how Rowena earned the name Ghost Girl. Her past is not one for the faint-hearted, but makes you appreciate her character development and her journey towards a HEA with Griffin.

We discover another layer to Griffin, whom appears to be indifferent and callous. Not a single person makes him tick like Rowena does, not even his deranged brother or abused sister. It's interesting to see how he interacts with each person, particularly how he went from wary to protective of Ro. And I fell hard for the man in the suit.

Traces of Her is well-written novel and paced just right. It definitely kept me on my toes and was a very enjoyable romantic suspense read.

**BETA read

[Mack Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense. Scary. Beautiful.
This story dives into the depths of hell. In it you see the first story from another's point of view while also learning the story of how ghost girl and Griffin come to be. Their back stories. Their lives and how they tangle with Lydia and Ryders. I felt a magnitude of emotions while reading this. Anger. Betrayal. Hurt. Guilt. Sadness. I cried for Rowena and for Lydia. I even cried for Griffin. I always knew Jared was a monster, but to see if from this other side was enough to make me hate him forever. To feel nothing when he finally met his downfall.
Traces of Her was everything I expected and more. CM Radcliff has a way of writing nightmares in a way that you cant help but to feel every single moment. Edge of your seat, fingernails gripping, barely breathing as you follow the ride that is this nightmare.
If I could give this more than five stars, I would. Its worthy of at least 20. Hands down, CM Radcliff is an author you need to watch for. She will go far with her twisted dark tales of love and torment.

[Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this author before. I saw the cover and the blurb that was inviting. So I decided to take a chance.

oh my god! What a mind F*&%k. I was blown away by this intense and addicting story. It was rough, raw and gruesome. I loved it!!!!!!! It’s a dark story but not the love story. It’s the storyline in between. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout. I basically devoured this story. I was surprised at every turn. I never knew what to expect.

I don’t want to reveal anything because it needs to be experienced. Let me say this if you Love darkish kinds of stories, trust me you need to read this.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.