The Visit

Japanese Hauntings #2

by Laura M. Drake

For one year, Selena has lived with the haunting knowledge that a Japanese ghost kidnapped her father. Now Lincoln, the only other survivor of that horrible night, invites her on a trip to Japan to celebrate their high school graduation. It’s Selena's chance to learn more about the deadly phantom who has haunted her dreams.

In Tokyo, she has a chance to spend more time with Lincoln and see if their friendship might blossom into something more. But lurking beneath Japan’s natural beauty is a darkness that plagues the residents. Selena soon realizes that Oiwa isn’t the only ghost to look out for as strange happenings around her become increasingly difficult and dangerous.

Will she and Lincoln figure out what’s happening in time before they or their new friends become victims to another haunting?

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2021

About the author

My name is Laura M. Drake, and I'm the youngest of five kids. I grew up in Arkansas and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. After spending three summers abroad in France, Japan, and China, I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and began teaching 4th grade near Salt Lake City. A few years later I moved back to Japan to fulfill a life-long dream of living there. When Covid got bad, I came back to America and have been living in Arkansas and writing full-time ever since. I'll soon be moving to UT and look forward to the new adventures that await me there. When I'm not writing (which isn't very often--I should probably get a life haha) I love playing ultimate frisbee, board games, writing in my journal, and spending time with friends and family.

Reviews

[Megan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic sequel and I loved reading this book.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first book and the second book is every bit as good if not better. It’s a well written fantastic continuation of Selena’s story as she and Lincoln take a journey to Japan. It’s a fantastic adventure and we find out so much more about Japanese ghosts / lore as well as the darkness that is just below the surface. It’s mysterious, it’s a little more scary and set the hairs up on the back of my neck brrrrr and I really enjoyed it. Bring on book three!

[Jane Lebak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues, and Selena goes to Japan to seek out Oiwa and find a clue to bring back her father. Now that the characters are established, I felt the story flowed even better than the first, and I enjoyed the trip through Japan.

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am totally hooked!

I love how this story just keeps seriously getting better. I have to admit this book so far is my favorite.

We meet new characters and learn of other Japanese ghosts. Another new one in particular really leaves u feeling also unsettled as well and
makes you think twice about brushing off ghost stories that may sound like a story to scare children.

The imagery was perfect. I love how the story has gotten more scary too! I really enjoy reading all kinds of scary ghost stories and this having a Japanese ghost being the center is pretty cool. It gave me goosebumps and left me wanting more. Who doesn’t love a good scare? Or creepy factor? Haha

I’ve been to Japan before and it made me think of my time there before. Definitely makes me want to go back again one day.

I also will say that I love how Selena and Lincoln’s relationship is coming along. And I can’t wait to read more to find out if Selena will ever get closure whether by finally getting what she wants most back. Or atleast figuring a way to stop Oiwa. I don’t want to say much more because then I might end up spoiling the story.

I highly recommend this as a must read. Can’t wait for next book!!

[R.M. Krogman, Dark and Epic Fantasy Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura M. Drake's "The Visit" continues the story of Selena, an American girl haunted by the terrifying Japanese spirit Oiwa.

4.5/5 Stars

⚠️ SPOILERS FOR BOOK 1 "THE MOVE" AHEAD ⚠️

After the events of Book 1, Selena is haunted by nightmarish memories and fears of losing those she loves more than any ghost, but a trip to Japan lends the spark of hope once again.

Guided and comforted by her handsome friend Lincoln, Selena voyages across the ocean to Oiwa's territory, hoping to find some clues hidden in the shadows of shrines and the hushed whispers of superstition. But every stone path seems to dead end, and every slight hope is dashed before its light has a chance to brighten her eyes to the good things around her.

Drake follows Selena's emotional turbulence from a close third point-of-view, giving you a constant insight to her journey. Hope of finding her father, fear of ruining a truly good friendship, desperation for answers, and a frustrating lack of belief in her own worthiness. Sometimes, it was a little too repetitive for me, but it also seemed true to the character's internal chaos.

The reader also gets a beautiful and sometimes funny perspective of a naive American seeing the beauty and uniqueness of Japan for the first time. I adored the little hints (countless KitKat flavors, cat cafés, and street taiyaki) that tell you the author has a personal love and experience with this world, and I appreciated the descriptions of food and places. (It made me hungry for Japanese food...)

Selena's visit reveals more ghost stories, too silly to believe and too real to deny, and I look forward to reading the next installment! Onward to "The Message," Book 3 of Drake's Japanese Hauntings series!

[Lara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in this series see the characters travel to Japan.
I loved how this added a unique twist to the story and I loved reading about some of the cultural differences.
We gradually start to unravel more of the mystery as we continue the search for Selena's father.
There are creepy bits to keep you entertained and the romance is really sweet and reminiscent of the uncertainty of first relationships.
Definitely looking forward to continuing the series and seeing how the author brings events to a satisfactory conclusion.
Highly recommend!!

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Visit: A paranormal romantic suspense novella (Japanese Hauntings Book 2) by Laura M. Drake is an awesome story to read. This is book number two in this awesome series that I have been hooked on since the beginning and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone.

I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and with the integration of a visit to Japan, I was blown away. I play many jrpgs such as persona 4 and the world ends with you which made it even more exciting. Thrilling, spine tingling and engage from front cover to back, this was a fantastic addition to the series and I'm on edge waiting for the next one.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book. The following opinion is of my own wording!)

The Visit, Japanese Hauntings, book 2
By: Laura M. Drake

A great addition to the first book of the series, The Move!

The story continues with Selena and Lincoln, only this time in Japan. And a lot of things happen while they are there, including the disappearance of a friend of Lincoln's! I really enjoyed this and I liked reading about the different scenes in Japan.

But I liked even more the haunting suspense throughout it and was not ready for the ending!

Great read and looking forward to next addition!

[Cera · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we left Selena at the end of the first book, The Move, her new Oregon home is haunted, she meets super cute guy, Lincoln, and a ghost has stolen her Dad. The neighborhood kids were so right when they called that house "The Snatcher". Her Dad just disappeared.

Now she's living with her Aunt and her family back in Cali. She's withdrawn and sad. Her Dad is gone. (I might repeat that a lot because that's a big deal!) But being back in Cali also puts her in contact again with her old bff/crush and the triangle begins!

I will giver her ex bff credit through because he's the one who seeks her out and shows some real genuine concern. But again, "Why haven't you returned my calls?!?!" Her freaking Dad disappeared!!

With a year under her belt since the incident and her college plans in line, Lincoln sweeps in to take Selena to Japan with him. And that's when the spooky fun begins!

I loved their trip through Japan and made me long to go as well. But along with all the cool places that Lincoln took her, there was her underlining need to find out what this ghost who took her Dad is all about.

We meet some of Lincoln's family in Japan, his friends, and other Japanese ghosts that scared me too much to even look them up on Google.

There were definitely some parts where Lincoln was basically like, "What is wrong with you?" to Selena and I was always screaming, "Her Dad Disappeared!!" But other than that, I loved when Lincoln became more and more protective of Selena and showed his feelings more and more. YESS!!

Awesome series so far!! I can't wait for the next book!

[Renly Magnusson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Visit! The location and culture were new to me and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. The character interactions and the slow unraveling of the ghosts story was really interesting.

[Rebecca Yockey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and full of suspense.

I loved this story. It’s a quick read and pulls you in from the beginning. Full of suspense and mystery, the underlying romance will keep you reading until the end.

[Miranda Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of this thrilling series leads us on a trip to Japan seeking revenge or at least answers about Selena's taken father. Will she find answers about the ghost she desperately needs? Or will her life take an even more sullen turn? A quick lively read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the series and it’s so good. This is a really well written series that keeps you hooked. I’m so excited for book 3!!! A definite must read!!!

[Samantha Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the continuation of Selena story. I really loved how I got what I wanted in regards to storyline panning out. Would recommend this book definitely can't wait for book 3.

[Lara]

I edited this novella collection. Japanese ghost stories meets Pacific coast Japanese-American culture.

[Patrick Stockdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting trip to Japan! The idea of the NKH man terrifies and intrigues me. Rip Miki :-( (JK, she was the worst.)

LOVED the ending though.