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Lantern Creek #1
Evening in the Yellow Wood
Abandoned by an eccentric father on the eve of her twelfth birthday, Justine Cook has lived with her fair share of unanswered questions. Now, ten years later she leaves her life in southern Michigan and heads north to the mysterious town of Lantern Creek after seeing his picture in a local newspaper. Once there, she discovers her father had been leading a double life and meets the autistic brother she never knew—a young man who is mute but able to read her mind.
When a local girl who looks like Justine is mysteriously murdered, she joins forces with sheriff's deputy Dylan Locke to capture the killer. But the more they dig for clues to the past, the closer they come to discovering a secret someone will kill to protect. Justine begins to show signs of supernatural power and eventually must stop an immortal enemy that has hunted her family for generations.
When a local girl who looks like Justine is mysteriously murdered, she joins forces with sheriff's deputy Dylan Locke to capture the killer. But the more they dig for clues to the past, the closer they come to discovering a secret someone will kill to protect. Justine begins to show signs of supernatural power and eventually must stop an immortal enemy that has hunted her family for generations.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2018
54 people are currently reading
2022 people want to read
About the author
Laura Kemp
4 books395 followersLaura is a teacher who loves to write about her home state of Michigan. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University where she studied under Stuart Dybek, and has had her short fiction and poetry published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Word Riot, Tonopalah Review, SaLit and SLAB: Sound and Literary Art Book. “The Pursuit of Happiness,” – a short story she wrote while at WMU, was chosen as a finalist in the Trial Balloon Fiction Contest.
When not writing, Laura enjoys musical theatre, hiking, swimming, reading and performing with her Celtic band- Si Bhaeg Si Mohr. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and children as well as her dog, two hamsters, two gerbils, ten chickens, two horses and eight (and counting) cats.
Laura loves to connect with readers on her blog: laurakemp.author@blogspot.com (Sea Legs on Land), as well as on Facebook, Twitter (@LKempWrites) and Instagram. (lkempwrites)
'Evening in the Yellow Wood' recently received a Bronze Medal in the Readers' Favorite annual book contest, and will be featured in the 2019 Miami Book Fair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
July 9, 2019
Justine is on the trail of her wayward father, who abandoned her and her mother years ago, after a photograph of him turns up in a local newspaper. Her search takes her up north to a small town called Lantern Creek. Along the way she meets a few new characters to her life. Including a brother, Adam, that she never knew she had. Adam is mute but is able to speak to Justine through telepathy. With their combined forces they try to figure out the family's deep-seated roots that are shrouded in mystery.
Okay this book has a very slow beginning for the type of book that it is. The writing style in the beginning is even repetitive in some points. It's almost like the author was holding out just a little bit longer to hit you with the really good stuff.
The characters are both lovely and interesting which also makes for a very compelling read. The romantic aspect of the book is written beautifully. The twists and turns, some of which definitely caught me off guard, were also a very pleasant surprise. Somehow the author managed to mix mystery, paranormal, adventure and romance all together without having it come off as fictional vomit. I know that doesn't sound appealing but please believe me when I say that that is a very big compliment because this is something that is very hard to do without having the book come off as cheesy or overwhelming for the reader. This book was neither. It was engaging and the reader was immediately sucked in as soon as the story picked up in about the 5th chapter.
I had a lot of mixed emotions going into this book but once the book started to pick up I was totally on board for the ride. And indeed, what a ride it was! I cannot say bravo to Kemp enough for being able to bring all these elements together and interweave them so cleverly. I am really in awe. So bravo my dear! 👏👏👏 You deserve the praise!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery with a touch of romance and a bit of the supernatural 😉
Okay this book has a very slow beginning for the type of book that it is. The writing style in the beginning is even repetitive in some points. It's almost like the author was holding out just a little bit longer to hit you with the really good stuff.
The characters are both lovely and interesting which also makes for a very compelling read. The romantic aspect of the book is written beautifully. The twists and turns, some of which definitely caught me off guard, were also a very pleasant surprise. Somehow the author managed to mix mystery, paranormal, adventure and romance all together without having it come off as fictional vomit. I know that doesn't sound appealing but please believe me when I say that that is a very big compliment because this is something that is very hard to do without having the book come off as cheesy or overwhelming for the reader. This book was neither. It was engaging and the reader was immediately sucked in as soon as the story picked up in about the 5th chapter.
I had a lot of mixed emotions going into this book but once the book started to pick up I was totally on board for the ride. And indeed, what a ride it was! I cannot say bravo to Kemp enough for being able to bring all these elements together and interweave them so cleverly. I am really in awe. So bravo my dear! 👏👏👏 You deserve the praise!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery with a touch of romance and a bit of the supernatural 😉
August 25, 2021
When Justine Cook is abandoned by her father at twelve years old, she is plagued by constant questions and doubts. Why would her father, whom she idolized, just up and leave her and her mother to fend for themselves? Years later, as an adult, Justine sees a picture of a man who can only be in her father in the background of a photo and before she knows it, she is headed out to the small town of Lantern Creek for answers. When she arrives however, she discovers her father had a mistress and a son, her half-brother, and she begins to wonder if she made the trek in vain. But then Justine starts seeing ghosts and visions from the past, girls who look eerily like Justine start to go missing and are later found dead, and she soon realizes she can communicate with her autistic half-brother telepathically. With the help of her elderly neighbour and the handsome sheriff, Justine quickly learns that another family is just one of her father’s many well-kept secrets.
“Evening in the Yellow Wood” by Laura Kemp has a little bit of everything- romance, family drama with paranormal and supernatural elements that will make your skin crawl. It has just the right amount of intrigue and twisty-turns, that you won’t be able to put the book down.
Justine is a relatable and likable character, her adult life in shambles as a result of her father’s abandonment and her mother’s secretive and cold personality. Desperate to find where she belongs, she ends up in Lantern Creek and finds way more than she expected. Police officer Dylan adds the spicy-hot romance with his handsome features and protective nature. Of course I loved Justine’s brother, as I always love to see characters with exceptionalities portrayed in a positive light.
The backdrop of autumn in Michigan has a reader smelling the fallen leaves and dusting off the hooded sweatshirts, providing the perfect background for a fall mystery. The creative and well-developed plot is gripping and page-turning, and I didn’t want to miss a minute!
There are lot of characters with various back stories in this book, and it takes some thinking and sorting through to get it all down (especially the story of Justine’s family and all of the different characters with grudges to avenge) but the short chapters and easy flow of the novel makes “Yellow Wood” engaging and entertaining.
Laura Kemp is a relatively new author but it is very clear she has found her niche in writing. “Yellow Wood” crosses genres effortlessly and I am so grateful to have yet another new author to add to my list!
“Evening in the Yellow Wood” by Laura Kemp has a little bit of everything- romance, family drama with paranormal and supernatural elements that will make your skin crawl. It has just the right amount of intrigue and twisty-turns, that you won’t be able to put the book down.
Justine is a relatable and likable character, her adult life in shambles as a result of her father’s abandonment and her mother’s secretive and cold personality. Desperate to find where she belongs, she ends up in Lantern Creek and finds way more than she expected. Police officer Dylan adds the spicy-hot romance with his handsome features and protective nature. Of course I loved Justine’s brother, as I always love to see characters with exceptionalities portrayed in a positive light.
The backdrop of autumn in Michigan has a reader smelling the fallen leaves and dusting off the hooded sweatshirts, providing the perfect background for a fall mystery. The creative and well-developed plot is gripping and page-turning, and I didn’t want to miss a minute!
There are lot of characters with various back stories in this book, and it takes some thinking and sorting through to get it all down (especially the story of Justine’s family and all of the different characters with grudges to avenge) but the short chapters and easy flow of the novel makes “Yellow Wood” engaging and entertaining.
Laura Kemp is a relatively new author but it is very clear she has found her niche in writing. “Yellow Wood” crosses genres effortlessly and I am so grateful to have yet another new author to add to my list!
April 23, 2019
Justine Cook doesn't know why her father left. No explanation and her mother isn't saying much. When Justine sees his picture in a newspaper in another town, she sets out to find him. Her quest brings her to Lantern Creek where everything isn't what it seems. Even her father.She discovers she has a brother she never knew about and he doesn't speak but he and Justine can read each other's thoughts. When a local girl who looks like Justine gets murdered things get creepy fast. The story flashes between the present and the past. The pas is full of old curses, Indians and secrets.The present, a mystery, a boogeyman and a all too handsome local Sheriff who will do anything to protect Justine. Together they discover haunting secrets about the town and their families.
I was completely compelled by this story! So hauntingly believable I was on the edge of my seat. I love stories that have a past. This reads like an old creepy folk tale that is full of twist, history and romance. It blew me away.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Blog
Hudson Valley NY
I was completely compelled by this story! So hauntingly believable I was on the edge of my seat. I love stories that have a past. This reads like an old creepy folk tale that is full of twist, history and romance. It blew me away.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Blog
Hudson Valley NY
July 24, 2019
Evening in the Yellow Wood is a "hold-on-tight and don't let go" kind of a read! This book took me into the world of Justine Cook and her world was a place of unsolved myteries, unsolved murders, and unsolved questions of what really happened to Justine's father, Robert Cook. It was a thrill of a time searching with Justine for the answers. There is a lot going on in this novel and it never slows down.
Justine's father leaves (she feels abandoned) when she's only twelve years old on her birthday. He has left a gift for her with a card. She doesn't understand how a father could do this. One she's so attached to and loves so very much. She's angry and tears the card up and leaves the gift unopened.
The story then advances to ten years later and Justine sees her father in a newspaper photo. She knows she has to find him. She wants answers as to why he left her. This is where the story takes you on a wild and unforgettable ride into a world of secrets and mystery. A world of terror, shamans, old legends, mind reading, murders, paranormal visions, totems and symbolism. This book has so much that kept me running and holding my breath as I was holding onto my seat! I was "living" this story along with Justine and trying my hardest to get through the tangle of past versus present. It was a heart pounding, rushing adrenaline, don't close my eyes kind of a book. There was a romance aspect to the story that had me pulling for the characters in spite of all the obstacles and threats thown into the mix.
Ms. Kemp wrote a book that kept me awake reading. I could hear and feel a "bumps in the night" kind of feeling as I turned the pages. The story had the pictures in my head and my mind seeing the tricks of the visions so vividly because of the descriptive writing. I enjoyed this book very much...it holds a wonderful mix of things that make you go "YIKES" but also has a storyline with a romance that I loved. There are also so many humorous passages that gave me laughs.
"Except for the fact that I'm a liar who has paranormal visions that cause me to wander around and almost fall off breakwalls, a married ex-lover who has a tendancy to show up unannounced......and a crazy grandmother.......... . aside from that, Mrs. Locke-I'd be a perfect candidate for your son."
I am sufficiently breathing now and had a thrill of a read in this book. I want to thank Ms. Kemp for the copy of her suspenseful book that had my heart racing in so many places. It was GREAT! A five star thrill a page book!
Justine's father leaves (she feels abandoned) when she's only twelve years old on her birthday. He has left a gift for her with a card. She doesn't understand how a father could do this. One she's so attached to and loves so very much. She's angry and tears the card up and leaves the gift unopened.
The story then advances to ten years later and Justine sees her father in a newspaper photo. She knows she has to find him. She wants answers as to why he left her. This is where the story takes you on a wild and unforgettable ride into a world of secrets and mystery. A world of terror, shamans, old legends, mind reading, murders, paranormal visions, totems and symbolism. This book has so much that kept me running and holding my breath as I was holding onto my seat! I was "living" this story along with Justine and trying my hardest to get through the tangle of past versus present. It was a heart pounding, rushing adrenaline, don't close my eyes kind of a book. There was a romance aspect to the story that had me pulling for the characters in spite of all the obstacles and threats thown into the mix.
Ms. Kemp wrote a book that kept me awake reading. I could hear and feel a "bumps in the night" kind of feeling as I turned the pages. The story had the pictures in my head and my mind seeing the tricks of the visions so vividly because of the descriptive writing. I enjoyed this book very much...it holds a wonderful mix of things that make you go "YIKES" but also has a storyline with a romance that I loved. There are also so many humorous passages that gave me laughs.
"Except for the fact that I'm a liar who has paranormal visions that cause me to wander around and almost fall off breakwalls, a married ex-lover who has a tendancy to show up unannounced......and a crazy grandmother.......... . aside from that, Mrs. Locke-I'd be a perfect candidate for your son."
I am sufficiently breathing now and had a thrill of a read in this book. I want to thank Ms. Kemp for the copy of her suspenseful book that had my heart racing in so many places. It was GREAT! A five star thrill a page book!
May 19, 2019
Evening in the Yellow Wood
By Laura Kemp
Fiction - Paranormal 281 Pages Reviewed on 03/19/2019
Justine’s childhood essentially ended one afternoon when her mother came and dragged her out of the community swimming pool where she was hanging out with her friend, Sherry. As her mom pulled into the driveway, she finally broke the news that Justine’s dad was gone. Her mom had no idea why or where, and the note her mom found added little to the mystery of his disappearance. He had indicated that one of his paintings had been sold, and he wanted the proceeds to be put towards Justine’s college funds, and he asked that they not try to find him.
This in a story unlike anything i have ever read. She totally blew me away with this story. Laura, has written an intense, unique and captivating novel. The Genres for this novel are Paranormal, Mystery, Romance Suspense, Horror, folk lore, with some Thriller there in it.I honestly can say I've never read a novel quite like this. Laura Kemp’s debut novel Evening in the Yellow Wood is such extraordinarily powerful story. It pulled me in right from the start and kelpt my attention throughout the whole story. I loved every moment I spent following Justine as she leaves her familiar world and goes north to find her dad after seeing his picture in that towns paper. This story has many surprising twist. Buckle up cause you are going on an adventure filled with twists, turns, and surprises ! It was so addictive to read. At the end of each chapter you are very eager to find out what happens next. The book was fast paced , easy to read , and the characters were well developed. While im not one to read paranormal the mix which this book is made of drew me in. The story is good enough to be a standalone but at the same time leaves you wanting more .
By Laura Kemp
Fiction - Paranormal 281 Pages Reviewed on 03/19/2019
Justine’s childhood essentially ended one afternoon when her mother came and dragged her out of the community swimming pool where she was hanging out with her friend, Sherry. As her mom pulled into the driveway, she finally broke the news that Justine’s dad was gone. Her mom had no idea why or where, and the note her mom found added little to the mystery of his disappearance. He had indicated that one of his paintings had been sold, and he wanted the proceeds to be put towards Justine’s college funds, and he asked that they not try to find him.
This in a story unlike anything i have ever read. She totally blew me away with this story. Laura, has written an intense, unique and captivating novel. The Genres for this novel are Paranormal, Mystery, Romance Suspense, Horror, folk lore, with some Thriller there in it.I honestly can say I've never read a novel quite like this. Laura Kemp’s debut novel Evening in the Yellow Wood is such extraordinarily powerful story. It pulled me in right from the start and kelpt my attention throughout the whole story. I loved every moment I spent following Justine as she leaves her familiar world and goes north to find her dad after seeing his picture in that towns paper. This story has many surprising twist. Buckle up cause you are going on an adventure filled with twists, turns, and surprises ! It was so addictive to read. At the end of each chapter you are very eager to find out what happens next. The book was fast paced , easy to read , and the characters were well developed. While im not one to read paranormal the mix which this book is made of drew me in. The story is good enough to be a standalone but at the same time leaves you wanting more .
February 7, 2020
This book was written in such a way that I was left wanting more.
I wanted the characters to have believable relationships with each other. If you have a brother that talks to you in your mind, wouldn't you spend time with him?!? Any amount of time besides him slicing your wrists?? How are you suddenly serious about a man you went out with twice and slept with?
Characters suddenly appeared and disappeared in ways that made no sense, including a dog.
The main character's boyfriend reads her journal, tells her that and nothing more is said about it. If someone read my journal you can bet we are going to be talking about it!
The mystery wasn't very mysterious because there was only a few characters to begin with. The character of the"bad man" was pretty obvious because there was no one else it could have been.
I would not recommend this one unless you are able to overlook such trivial things as character development.
I wanted the characters to have believable relationships with each other. If you have a brother that talks to you in your mind, wouldn't you spend time with him?!? Any amount of time besides him slicing your wrists?? How are you suddenly serious about a man you went out with twice and slept with?
Characters suddenly appeared and disappeared in ways that made no sense, including a dog.
The main character's boyfriend reads her journal, tells her that and nothing more is said about it. If someone read my journal you can bet we are going to be talking about it!
The mystery wasn't very mysterious because there was only a few characters to begin with. The character of the"bad man" was pretty obvious because there was no one else it could have been.
I would not recommend this one unless you are able to overlook such trivial things as character development.
October 11, 2022
This book took me on a fantastic journey, a great meld of suspense, romance, family drama, adventure, and the paranormal. The story took many twists, surprising me at every turn. All of the characters were interesting, facing conflicts and danger with courage and love. I love discovering debut novels that are this rich, and I look forward to reading more by this author!
June 14, 2019
BOOK REVIEW: Evening In The Yellow Wood by author, Laura Kemp
Description- Abandoned by an eccentric father on the eve of her twelfth birthday, Justine Cook has lived with her fair share of unanswered questions. Now, ten years later she leaves her life in southern Michigan and heads north to the mysterious town of Lantern Creek after seeing his picture in a local newspaper. Once there, she discovers her father had been leading a double life and meets the autistic brother she never knew—a young man who is mute but able to read her mind.
*****
With a hole in her heart, a mother who refuses to be supportive; consoling, empathetic and loving, and not a clue where to begin, Justine sets out on a journey of self discovery that will lead her to much more than she bargained for. With her feet now planted in the mysterious Lantern Creek, a town full of the quirky, eclectic and downright spooky, she is soon to find that she has stepped into a place where the past and present soon bend into a parallel universe, and she holds the key to its secrets.
Author, Laura Kemp has masterfully created as her debut, a suspenseful, romantic, powerful yet haunting tale that is the epitome of a true genre-bending narrative that flows seamlessly between past and present. Ms. Kemp pulls together a Shaman, a spunky old woman, a Talisman, a cantankerous landlord, Totems, true love, and the supernatural together into the "captivating, and creepy"..... she has created a world that will have you on the edge of your seat! A journey that is wonderfully mysterious and thrilling.
I thank Ms. Kemp for my personal, signed copy, of The Evening In The Yellow Wood that I not only thoroughly enjoyed, but in doing so, was able to review at a 5 Star status.
5 Stars
#EveningInTheYellowWood
#Laura Kemp
#PandaMoonPublishing
Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
Description- Abandoned by an eccentric father on the eve of her twelfth birthday, Justine Cook has lived with her fair share of unanswered questions. Now, ten years later she leaves her life in southern Michigan and heads north to the mysterious town of Lantern Creek after seeing his picture in a local newspaper. Once there, she discovers her father had been leading a double life and meets the autistic brother she never knew—a young man who is mute but able to read her mind.
*****
With a hole in her heart, a mother who refuses to be supportive; consoling, empathetic and loving, and not a clue where to begin, Justine sets out on a journey of self discovery that will lead her to much more than she bargained for. With her feet now planted in the mysterious Lantern Creek, a town full of the quirky, eclectic and downright spooky, she is soon to find that she has stepped into a place where the past and present soon bend into a parallel universe, and she holds the key to its secrets.
Author, Laura Kemp has masterfully created as her debut, a suspenseful, romantic, powerful yet haunting tale that is the epitome of a true genre-bending narrative that flows seamlessly between past and present. Ms. Kemp pulls together a Shaman, a spunky old woman, a Talisman, a cantankerous landlord, Totems, true love, and the supernatural together into the "captivating, and creepy"..... she has created a world that will have you on the edge of your seat! A journey that is wonderfully mysterious and thrilling.
I thank Ms. Kemp for my personal, signed copy, of The Evening In The Yellow Wood that I not only thoroughly enjoyed, but in doing so, was able to review at a 5 Star status.
5 Stars
#EveningInTheYellowWood
#Laura Kemp
#PandaMoonPublishing
Wild Sage Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
April 18, 2019
Laura Kemp, Author of "Evening in the Yellow Wood" has written an intense, unique and captivating novel. The Genres for this novel are Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The author describes her unusual characters as complex, complicated, and full of suspense.
Justine Cook's father abandoned her and her mother when she was twelve. Justine is a Journalist and has always been seeking why her father left. Somehow, Justine thinks she sees him in a newspaper in another town and is drawn to leave home and find him. Justine seems to meet a strange cast of characters. There seems to be a feeling of deja vu from some of the characters who seem to be attracted to Justine in the town of Lantern Creek.
Justine is starting to hear folktale stories about strange events in this town. Two young women are murdered, and strange things begin to happen. Justine finds that she is capable of seeing certain visions, and has certain strengths. As Justine is pushed to find out more details, she realizes that someone will go to great lengths to kill her.
This is an edgy, intense, and at time frightening story that had me totally engrossed. I would highly recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy a story with Paranormal activity, and thrilling suspense.
Justine Cook's father abandoned her and her mother when she was twelve. Justine is a Journalist and has always been seeking why her father left. Somehow, Justine thinks she sees him in a newspaper in another town and is drawn to leave home and find him. Justine seems to meet a strange cast of characters. There seems to be a feeling of deja vu from some of the characters who seem to be attracted to Justine in the town of Lantern Creek.
Justine is starting to hear folktale stories about strange events in this town. Two young women are murdered, and strange things begin to happen. Justine finds that she is capable of seeing certain visions, and has certain strengths. As Justine is pushed to find out more details, she realizes that someone will go to great lengths to kill her.
This is an edgy, intense, and at time frightening story that had me totally engrossed. I would highly recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy a story with Paranormal activity, and thrilling suspense.
February 8, 2019
Justine's father left her when she was young and now someone who resembles Justine turned up dead. But this is not just another mystery waiting to be solved. . It's also a love story with lots of supernatural elements and twists. And it's told in an entertaining, and sometimes even humorous way.
Although I've rarely been to Michigan, I could relate to the rural and small town elements, having grown up in the Midwest. Kemp's descriptions effectively paint the setting for each scene and her dialog is spot on. The story is well paced and offers several surprises along the way. It's a memorable page turner that will leave you wanting for more . I'll bet you'll become a fan like I have.
Publisher provided a copy in exchange for an honest evaluation.
Although I've rarely been to Michigan, I could relate to the rural and small town elements, having grown up in the Midwest. Kemp's descriptions effectively paint the setting for each scene and her dialog is spot on. The story is well paced and offers several surprises along the way. It's a memorable page turner that will leave you wanting for more . I'll bet you'll become a fan like I have.
Publisher provided a copy in exchange for an honest evaluation.
March 12, 2019
Laura Kemp’s debut novel Evening in the Yellow Wood is an engaging and eclectic story of family bonds that surpass physical presence and friendships that survive hardship, all against the rich backdrop of rural Michigan. It’s abundant in both beauty and suspense, and I can’t wait to see what Kemp delivers next.
December 14, 2021
Laura Kemp's Evening in the Yellow Wood blew me away. So much packed into this book, there’s never a moment you don’t want to keep reading. Love, action, family, secrets, magic, history and horror are all on full display in this debut novel. Every page leaves you wanting more, with numerous jaw-dropping twists that are completely unpredictable. If you enjoy small-town thrillers and mysteries, imbued with folklore and intrigue, wrapped up in family drama and a budding romance, then this one is for you. I can’t wait to read her follow up, Snow in Summer!
September 16, 2019
5 Stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 across the board!!
This book was like no other paranormal book I have ever experienced
Laura Kemp took me on a journey of suspense, adventure, romance and danger!
I felt the story come to life with each page I turned and I found myself engrossed in the characters lives.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Paranormal Activity, family drama, suspenseful romance and twists that you just don't see coming!!
I look forward to seeing what Laura comes up with next!!
This book was like no other paranormal book I have ever experienced
Laura Kemp took me on a journey of suspense, adventure, romance and danger!
I felt the story come to life with each page I turned and I found myself engrossed in the characters lives.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves Paranormal Activity, family drama, suspenseful romance and twists that you just don't see coming!!
I look forward to seeing what Laura comes up with next!!
August 4, 2021
I did not like this book. It is about Justine, a woman in her early 20s whose dad disappeared when she was 11. She's trying to track him down and stumbles into a mystery concerning a local murder from the late 19th century. In the process she randomly starts falling into visions of the past. So far so good.
The first ugh moment of the book is when you realize that Justine has horrible taste in men. She has a creepy guy from her past and she can't decide if she is over or not (Brad). There are two guys in the tiny town she is investigating, Jaime and Dylan. They are both way too possessive. There is a lot of "Stay away from her!" and "Did you kiss him??" and "How dare you go fall into a vision and sleepwalk away without telling me!" She eventually decides to go with the guy who is fractionally better than the other, for no good reason that I could see. If she holds back any information about what happens to her on a day to day basis she is berated for not "coming clean" voluntarily. He reads her diary like it is no big deal. Meanwhile she is a snoop as well, reading old letters of his and even using her new astral projection powers to try and spy on him from a distance.
The next let down was realizing that a huge premise of the book is that the one Native American guy around in the 19th century had magical powers due to his religion. Referred to as Butler in the book (it is unclear if that is his real name or a nickname), he is described as a shaman who can use animal totems to give people LITERAL SUPERPOWERS. And by people I mean a few select white people because that is everyone else in the book. I don't think that he has any actual dialogue in the book. His magic requires lots of bloodletting and fire and is not very complementary of actual Ojibwa religious beliefs. I checked the back of the book, and there is nothing in the author bio indicating any familiarity with the Ojibwa, and she doesn't thank any cultural or historic experts in her acknowledgements either. So I kind of feel like she just picked a Native American group at random and turned them into devil worshipers to move her plot along.
Her writing style in general didn't sit well with me. Even though this is set in the modern day, everyone's names and the main character's internal dialogue felt very 70s sitcom to me. There is also a child who is described as autistic, but even though he doesn't speak or make eye contact he is totally fine with people ruffling his hair or pulling him around by the arm, and he voluntarily holds hands with people. Some aspects of the story were inventive and interesting, but this is undermined by how poorly it is fleshed out.
The first ugh moment of the book is when you realize that Justine has horrible taste in men. She has a creepy guy from her past and she can't decide if she is over or not (Brad). There are two guys in the tiny town she is investigating, Jaime and Dylan. They are both way too possessive. There is a lot of "Stay away from her!" and "Did you kiss him??" and "How dare you go fall into a vision and sleepwalk away without telling me!" She eventually decides to go with the guy who is fractionally better than the other, for no good reason that I could see. If she holds back any information about what happens to her on a day to day basis she is berated for not "coming clean" voluntarily. He reads her diary like it is no big deal. Meanwhile she is a snoop as well, reading old letters of his and even using her new astral projection powers to try and spy on him from a distance.
The next let down was realizing that a huge premise of the book is that the one Native American guy around in the 19th century had magical powers due to his religion. Referred to as Butler in the book (it is unclear if that is his real name or a nickname), he is described as a shaman who can use animal totems to give people LITERAL SUPERPOWERS. And by people I mean a few select white people because that is everyone else in the book. I don't think that he has any actual dialogue in the book. His magic requires lots of bloodletting and fire and is not very complementary of actual Ojibwa religious beliefs. I checked the back of the book, and there is nothing in the author bio indicating any familiarity with the Ojibwa, and she doesn't thank any cultural or historic experts in her acknowledgements either. So I kind of feel like she just picked a Native American group at random and turned them into devil worshipers to move her plot along.
Her writing style in general didn't sit well with me. Even though this is set in the modern day, everyone's names and the main character's internal dialogue felt very 70s sitcom to me. There is also a child who is described as autistic, but even though he doesn't speak or make eye contact he is totally fine with people ruffling his hair or pulling him around by the arm, and he voluntarily holds hands with people. Some aspects of the story were inventive and interesting, but this is undermined by how poorly it is fleshed out.
September 22, 2019
Any book that can take you somewhere you never expected is always fun, and this book does just that. Genre-bending done well. What starts off as a story of a girl looking for the father she lost long ago turns into an adventure full of romance, sass, and a wild paranormal twist. And the roller coaster keeps going with every clue Justine uncovers in her search. Using her old stomping grounds, Laura Kemp immerses the reader in her setting and introduces us to characters that will quickly steal your heart. One of my favorites is a special little boy that I hope we get to know even better in the next book of the series! Highly recommend and am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
May 20, 2019
Great book. When I picked it up, I wasn't sure how I would react to the supernatural component. Let me just say, Laura Kemp wove the tale so well, it became one of my favorite parts.
I love backstory, and this book has it. I made the mistake of not paying attention to the full cast of characters in the beginning and got lost trying to remember who did what. That was on me, though, not the author.
I loved the character development and the relationships between the characters. I loved the unexpected twists. It was an engaging read, and I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel.
I love backstory, and this book has it. I made the mistake of not paying attention to the full cast of characters in the beginning and got lost trying to remember who did what. That was on me, though, not the author.
I loved the character development and the relationships between the characters. I loved the unexpected twists. It was an engaging read, and I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel.
May 14, 2019
I loved this debut novel by Laura Kemp. Justine moves to the small town of Lantern Creek to search for her father that left just before her 12th birthday. After she arrives, the visions begin, she discovers she has a brother, and she falls in love. That is just the beginning of Justine's adventure. I highly recommend Evening in the Yellow Wood to those who like thrillers with a paranormal twist. I won this book in a giveaway. Thank you Laura Kemp for my signed copy.
July 23, 2020
All I knew going into author Laura Kemp’s highly praised Evening in the Yellow Wood is that I loved the title. It’s phonetically pleasing, lyrical, and balanced. Give me a title that sings on a haunting book cover and you have my attention. Hand me a dilemma that yearns on the second page and I’m thoroughly roped in.
In an au currant voice so accessible you think you know the narrator, Evening in the Yellow Wood exemplifies the term “page turner.” It’s an off-kilter, rollicking ride on a hero’s journey; an edge-of-your-seat through-line chock-full of forward momentum in a cauldron of delectable genres that has something for every discerning reader.
Recent college graduate Justine Cook doesn’t know her genetic history. She’s on course of a promising journalism career when one glance at the local newspaper derails her plans. Through the glass window of a hardware store in another town stares her lost father’s photograph. The mystery begins with Justine’s caution to the wind move, and the game begins.
More than a mystery, Evening in the Yellow Wood is commercial fiction walking the high wire of romance strung up by the paranormal. Its personality shimmers, its pacing is breathtaking. It’s the rare writer who makes the unusual plausible, and Laura Kemp does so by anchoring her charming novel in the small-town Midwest. In the name of covert operation, Narrator Justine Cook takes a bartending job and drives “the heap.” She shares an apartment with a delightfully disreputable local and falls in love with a cop-- who, it unfolds, is uncannily part and parcel to the whirlwind story, as Justine adheres to the task of finding her father.
Immortality, mind reading, totems, and visions fuel the fire of this spellbinding book. Evening in the Yellow Wood by Laura Kemp is absolutely unforgettable.
In an au currant voice so accessible you think you know the narrator, Evening in the Yellow Wood exemplifies the term “page turner.” It’s an off-kilter, rollicking ride on a hero’s journey; an edge-of-your-seat through-line chock-full of forward momentum in a cauldron of delectable genres that has something for every discerning reader.
Recent college graduate Justine Cook doesn’t know her genetic history. She’s on course of a promising journalism career when one glance at the local newspaper derails her plans. Through the glass window of a hardware store in another town stares her lost father’s photograph. The mystery begins with Justine’s caution to the wind move, and the game begins.
More than a mystery, Evening in the Yellow Wood is commercial fiction walking the high wire of romance strung up by the paranormal. Its personality shimmers, its pacing is breathtaking. It’s the rare writer who makes the unusual plausible, and Laura Kemp does so by anchoring her charming novel in the small-town Midwest. In the name of covert operation, Narrator Justine Cook takes a bartending job and drives “the heap.” She shares an apartment with a delightfully disreputable local and falls in love with a cop-- who, it unfolds, is uncannily part and parcel to the whirlwind story, as Justine adheres to the task of finding her father.
Immortality, mind reading, totems, and visions fuel the fire of this spellbinding book. Evening in the Yellow Wood by Laura Kemp is absolutely unforgettable.
February 10, 2020
I sure understand why Evening In The Yellow Wood by Laura Kemp won the Bronze Medal in the Reader's Favorite Annual Book Contest and was a finalist in the Fiction Cross-Genre category of the 2019 Best Book Awards sponsored by American Book Fest. Laura Kemp's novel kept me engrossed with it's suspenseful mystery with a supernatural flair. The main character, Justine Cook, had paranormal images and dreams that makes the story captivating and makes the readers wonder what will happen next. The answer is not what a person expects. Of course, there is a budding romance included which has it's ups and downs for Justine. I surely recommend Evening In The Yellow Wood to readers that want a story out of the normal realm that will keep them guessing till the last pages. Well done on this debut novel and so looking forward to reading more books by Laura Kemp!
March 17, 2020
Evening in the Yellow Wood is the literary equivalent of your favorite aunt’s holiday trifle....layer upon layer of goodness that reveals itself with each bite. And in the end, the result is just plain deliciousness.
First impressions imply a story of dysfunction within a family. Delving deeper, the reader soon realizes there are additional layers of telepathy, time travel visions, love, and a haunting family history within a northern Michigan lake community. The overwhelming aftertaste is a satisfying one. So pull up a chair and dig in. You won’t regret it.
December 31, 2019
This was a great read. You will root for the main character, Justine, along with her little brother, to prevail using her supernatural powers. I loved the relationships Justine built along her journey. Can't wait for the next book by this Michigan author!
February 18, 2020
Evening in the Yellow Wood is a mesmerizing, magical mystery that will have you laughing, crying, swooning, and sitting on the edge of your seat.
It's a must-read for everyone!
It's a must-read for everyone!
September 22, 2020
Come spend an Evening or two In The Yellow Wood if you dare :) Laura Kemp masterfully leads you on an adventure you are not able to soon forget!
For me it was delightfully reminicant of Nancy Drew and Old Turner Classic movie Nore Film Story line with a Modern Twist! I Promise this Book will keep you turning the pages in Full Attention!
P.s.My favortie characters are Rocky and Adam :)
Thank You!! for the Sure Delight of my time spent In "Evening in the Yellow Wood" and Looking forward to "Snow In the Summer" !
I received this book from the author in exchange or a fair and honest review !
For me it was delightfully reminicant of Nancy Drew and Old Turner Classic movie Nore Film Story line with a Modern Twist! I Promise this Book will keep you turning the pages in Full Attention!
P.s.My favortie characters are Rocky and Adam :)
Thank You!! for the Sure Delight of my time spent In "Evening in the Yellow Wood" and Looking forward to "Snow In the Summer" !
I received this book from the author in exchange or a fair and honest review !
September 23, 2019
Interesting book that combines mystery with Indian folk lore. Set in Michigan's northeast counties, in places that are easy to identify. Quick read and author (who lives in SW Michigan) is available to come to book club events where she'll share information and pictures on the places and things that helped shape her characters.
January 11, 2021
Genre : Paranormal thriller/romance. First in a series
Justine Cook goes in search of her father, who left when she was a child. He left her a gift, which she has never opened, but will prove to be the key to ending a eternal curse. The tension builds as she races to unravel the mystery and fight for her survival and the lives of her loved ones.
Justine Cook goes in search of her father, who left when she was a child. He left her a gift, which she has never opened, but will prove to be the key to ending a eternal curse. The tension builds as she races to unravel the mystery and fight for her survival and the lives of her loved ones.
March 29, 2021
Justine's father left her when she was 12 years old. She never knew why he abandoned her.
10 years later, Justine is a journalist, she sees a picture of her father in a small town in the newspaper.
She leaves home planning to find her father in a town called Lantern Creek. She comes across strange characters that give her a sense of Deja vu.
Justine stays in Lantern Creek and gets to discover secrets, love, and paranormal strengths. As she continues to dig into mysterious stories, the mystery of her father and her family history starts to unfold one after another.
Set in Rural Michigan, Evening On Yellow Wood is an engaging story focusing on family bonds. The story takes you on a beautiful journey, a mixture of Suspense, romance, drama, and paranormal. Not my usual mix but I found it intriguing.
I found the characters engaging and complex. They are all Fearlessly facing conflicts and insecurities with love. The story has a vibrant setting with details vividly explained.
I loved this book.
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10 years later, Justine is a journalist, she sees a picture of her father in a small town in the newspaper.
She leaves home planning to find her father in a town called Lantern Creek. She comes across strange characters that give her a sense of Deja vu.
Justine stays in Lantern Creek and gets to discover secrets, love, and paranormal strengths. As she continues to dig into mysterious stories, the mystery of her father and her family history starts to unfold one after another.
Set in Rural Michigan, Evening On Yellow Wood is an engaging story focusing on family bonds. The story takes you on a beautiful journey, a mixture of Suspense, romance, drama, and paranormal. Not my usual mix but I found it intriguing.
I found the characters engaging and complex. They are all Fearlessly facing conflicts and insecurities with love. The story has a vibrant setting with details vividly explained.
I loved this book.
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August 18, 2019
Laura Kemp Just Blew My Mind!!
Whoa! What did I just read? Evening In The Yellow Wood is Ms. Kemp's debut novel and created a genre all it's own. She includes romance and family secrets, (that's with a capital "S"!), heartbreak, healing, humor and action. So much action that is extremely well written I dare you to turn the pages as fast as this story moves. Justine's father abandoned her as a child. When she spots his picture in a Newspaper article she decides to start out on a quest to find him and get an answer to the question she's had half her life. Why? Justine is such a loveable character she makes it worth being on this wild ride because I truly was invested in her outcome from the first page to the last. The fact is there are many well developed Characters and the crafty way this story unfolds is just amazing writing. It contains the elements of suspense, the paranormal, mystery, murder mixed with some grand historical fiction and a sweet albeit complicated romance. A true genre bender that Kemp has woven perfectly together and really makes it all work. The relationships in this story are strong and deep whether based on good or evil. Beautifully written descriptions definitely place you in the setting with the characters; rather than reading the story you walk into and through it with them. I would recommend this book to any reader because of the crossover to multiple genres and the strength of the story. Bravo Laura Kemp! Beautifully done!
Whoa! What did I just read? Evening In The Yellow Wood is Ms. Kemp's debut novel and created a genre all it's own. She includes romance and family secrets, (that's with a capital "S"!), heartbreak, healing, humor and action. So much action that is extremely well written I dare you to turn the pages as fast as this story moves. Justine's father abandoned her as a child. When she spots his picture in a Newspaper article she decides to start out on a quest to find him and get an answer to the question she's had half her life. Why? Justine is such a loveable character she makes it worth being on this wild ride because I truly was invested in her outcome from the first page to the last. The fact is there are many well developed Characters and the crafty way this story unfolds is just amazing writing. It contains the elements of suspense, the paranormal, mystery, murder mixed with some grand historical fiction and a sweet albeit complicated romance. A true genre bender that Kemp has woven perfectly together and really makes it all work. The relationships in this story are strong and deep whether based on good or evil. Beautifully written descriptions definitely place you in the setting with the characters; rather than reading the story you walk into and through it with them. I would recommend this book to any reader because of the crossover to multiple genres and the strength of the story. Bravo Laura Kemp! Beautifully done!
November 7, 2020
I didn't know much about this story going in. I originally was drawn to the cover—those yellow leaves were exactly what I was seeing this fall on my walks every day. They really made me think about this book... and then I started reading it.
I immediately fell in love with Laura's writing style. The words flowed easily off of the page into my head and I found myself becoming completely immersed in Justine's world. And then things started getting creepy and weird, but trust me, it was in a totally good way. It's just that since I really didn't know much about the story, it kind of caught me off guard. But the surprises in the story-line were great and kept me captivated.
I read this during the week of Halloween and let me tell you, that was the perfect time to read a book like this. Spooky, creepy, strange characters and happenings—yep, it had it all!
I loved this book and loved the character of Justine and the whole story surrounding her. This is Laura Kemp's debut novel and I am so excited to see what else she has in store for her readers!
I immediately fell in love with Laura's writing style. The words flowed easily off of the page into my head and I found myself becoming completely immersed in Justine's world. And then things started getting creepy and weird, but trust me, it was in a totally good way. It's just that since I really didn't know much about the story, it kind of caught me off guard. But the surprises in the story-line were great and kept me captivated.
I read this during the week of Halloween and let me tell you, that was the perfect time to read a book like this. Spooky, creepy, strange characters and happenings—yep, it had it all!
I loved this book and loved the character of Justine and the whole story surrounding her. This is Laura Kemp's debut novel and I am so excited to see what else she has in store for her readers!
December 19, 2019
A captivating book that mixes romance, suspense, and the supernatural into an intriguing story that will keep you guessing until the end. A great debut novel that I highly recommend.
June 16, 2019
I was truly impressed with Laura Kemp’s debut novel, EVENING IN THE YELLOW WOOD. This novel has something for everyone, such as family issues, romance, mystery, murder, folklore, and what I enjoy, the supernatural. Kemp blends them all so expertly and gives the reader a story they can’t put down.
Justine Cook’s father leaves her and her mother leaving just a note and a birthday present when she was twelve. Now in her early twenties, she sees a newspaper photo of him which takes her to Lantern Creek in upstate Michigan searching for him and seeking answers to her many questions. She learns that her father loved another woman who she had a son with – her younger brother. Little does she know that her ancestry is filled with supernatural powers, some of them which she inherits. While in Lantern Creek, they kick in, and she and her brother, who’s autistic, speaks to her reading her mind and thoughts. Together their supernatural powers are stronger, and they must stop an immortal enemy before it gets them. But then there is Dylan Locke, the blond, handsome cop whose dreams have haunted him of Justine for many years. He is also a part of the folklore, and he and Justine’s love for one another is the rare kind of love that every woman longs for.
Kemp kept me glued to this book. She is an extremely talented writer and her imagination is boundless. Her novel is a totally captivating supernatural tale that kept me riveted and on edge. Take the action-packed supernatural mystery, the romance of star-crossed lovers, folklore that goes back for generations, and Kemp gives you a ride and an incomparable concoction like you’ve never read before. It’s that good.
Justine Cook’s father leaves her and her mother leaving just a note and a birthday present when she was twelve. Now in her early twenties, she sees a newspaper photo of him which takes her to Lantern Creek in upstate Michigan searching for him and seeking answers to her many questions. She learns that her father loved another woman who she had a son with – her younger brother. Little does she know that her ancestry is filled with supernatural powers, some of them which she inherits. While in Lantern Creek, they kick in, and she and her brother, who’s autistic, speaks to her reading her mind and thoughts. Together their supernatural powers are stronger, and they must stop an immortal enemy before it gets them. But then there is Dylan Locke, the blond, handsome cop whose dreams have haunted him of Justine for many years. He is also a part of the folklore, and he and Justine’s love for one another is the rare kind of love that every woman longs for.
Kemp kept me glued to this book. She is an extremely talented writer and her imagination is boundless. Her novel is a totally captivating supernatural tale that kept me riveted and on edge. Take the action-packed supernatural mystery, the romance of star-crossed lovers, folklore that goes back for generations, and Kemp gives you a ride and an incomparable concoction like you’ve never read before. It’s that good.
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