Awakened Within

Lost Souls #1

by Michelle Ann Hollstein

In order to make the nightmare stop, Vienna Rossi, realizes she must take matters into her own hands. She’s compelled by an unseen force to hop on a last minute flight to track down a murderer. Awakened within her is a psychic gift she never knew she had, a handsome spirit guide who drives her nuts, and the ability to help lost souls cross over to the other side. Vienna and her spirit guide, Jack, team up with Vienna’s best friend, Kim, for a dangerous, murder solving, ghost hunting adventure.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

202 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2011

About the author

Michelle Ann Hollstein resides in Southern California with her two wonderful children and her spoiled pup, Dougal. She’s the author of the quirky and comical Aggie Underhill Mysteries, the Fantasy Trilogy, The Niberia Chronicles, the paranormal romance mystery series, A Lost Souls Novel, and the new nonfiction series, Who Says You Can’t Paint?

You can visit her website at http://www.MichelleHollstein.com to learn more about her books and to view book trailers.

Reviews

[Kady Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day Vienna Rossi wakes up from a bad dream and feels an overwhelming need to travel to her father's holiday home. From here, the story starts to show Vienna's awakening paranormal gifts which will help her unravel the plots mystery. But if you are looking for a super-sleuth investigation, then this book isn't for you as the characters in this story aren't particularly bright. They are likeable and fun though which kept me listening. I would also listen/read another book in this series. I thought the narrator did a great job with both the narration and production and I would certainly listen to her read again. I was given a copy of this audiobook for an unbiased review.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This review can also be found at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/

Vienna has been experiencing a nightmare, causing her to escape a way on a whim to her father's vacation house in Palm Springs. But instead of the relaxing getaway she was hoping for, instead she gets some family drama and some odd things she can't explain. Next thing Vienna knows, it is up to her and her best friend Kim as well as mysterious Jack to solve a deadly mystery.

I am always up for a paranormal mystery so when I read the synopsis for Awakened Within I was very interested to read it. I found this to be an engaging mystery with some creepy elements and with a great cast of characters. I loved that we get to meet Vienna just when she is starting to develop her gifts so we can learn how it works right along with her. I really really want a unlikely romance to occur between Jack and Vienna, but I can't see that happening but I will keep hoping! The paranormal aspect of the book was interesting and I would love to know more about her gifts, her agreement and her spirit guide. And the mystery was a nice twist that I did not expect. Michelle kept me on my toes guessing what would happen next and I love that in my mysteries.

I listened to the audiobook and I found it very enjoyable. The narrator was able to give personality and spunk to the characters (her voice for Bunny was my absolutely my favorite!!) and it was easy to get lost in the mystery. The one downside to the audiobook was that occasionally the perspective would switch between characters with no warning and their internal voices were the same so it took a minute for me to figure out what was going on and who was talking. Overall though I think this audiobook was well done and I would love to listen to the rest of the series. I enjoyed getting to know Vienna, Kim, Bunny and Jack and I want to see what mystery they solve next.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a strange dream, Vienna is compelled to travel to Palm Springs to investigate. There she finds a mystery to solve and a lot stranger things than her dreams. Meeting the spirit guide she never knew she had, does nothing to make things any less weird.
The book was interesting but I found it very hard to have much sympathy for Vienna or Jack. Vienna is a bit too clueless and Jack gets quite irritated when Vienna doesn't automatically sense he is trying to make contact, as if it's normal to believe in paranormal goings on right away.

[Kitty_ranma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nightmares and ghosts Ohhhh my.
It strikes me that there doesn't seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I'd start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities.
2 there are redeeming qualities.
3 good worth reading, or well written but not my cup of tea.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.

A good beginning for a series. I can't wait for more of this, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't go into details. I wish we could give half stars I'd have given this 3 1/2 stars.

I've recently had several conversations with people that have said that one of the things they'd like to see in a review is if I'd read/listen to it again. So I'm now adding that to my reviews.
Yes I'd listen again.

The narrator brings the story to life.

Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Witty, Romantic, Wonderful characters, Page-turner, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Action-packed, Twisted, Funny, Haunting, Scary, Whimsical.
Bookshelves/tags:
animal, contemporary, dogs, ghost, humorous, mystery, paranormal, recorded, series.

This Audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.

[bluepits73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this book.

I absolutely loved all of the characters in this charming paranormal cozy mystery. They are all very personable and relatable. The author writes the characters with such a great dynamic that they are super easy to love. I haven't listened to a mediator/necromancer paranormal in a while, so this was a particularly refreshing listen, for me. This was an excellent introduction to the characters with an interesting spin. I think we are kind of left hanging on what Jack's entire purpose as a spirit guide for Vienna; however, I imagine we will get these answers in the following books and their relationship develops. Fabulous afternoon listen!

This narrator did an outstanding job bringing the characters to life and bringing out their personalities in this performance. She seems like a perfect fit as Vienna's voice and point of view. She was consistent with character distinctions and this was a pleasant listen!

I look forward to more from this Author and Narrator duo.

I received a review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what i would call a mystery but a really enjoyable read about a sceptic who suddenly gets psychic powers.

A good solid start to a new series. Recurrent nightmares make her life unbearable and lead her to go on an unscheduled visit to her father's holiday home. However what she didn't expect was her father's new fiancee, being told she has psychic gifts and meeting a hunk who tells her that he is her spirit guide. Wi she accept her gift and help the earthbound ghost? An interest take on how we chart out our lives before we're born (bet a lot of us would want to revise that) and how spirit guides operate. The characters are as real as you can get and her resistance to having psychic powers is understandable. The plot itself is smooth and we'll written with enough tension intermixed with humorous incidents. An enjoyable read but really not what I would call a mystery. Enjoyed the book.

[Christi Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Awakened Within
Author: Michelle Ann Hollstein
Format: Audio
Narrator: Karen Bachman
Genre: Suspense, Paranormal (Ghosts), Murder Mystery
Standalone: Yes
Part of a Series: Book 1 in A Lost Souls
POV: Vienna, Jack and Kim
Steam Level: None
4/5

Awakened Within is a murder mystery with a paranormal twist. Its a fun whodunit with twists and turns and ghosts and spirit-guides. Awakened Within is a fun start to this series. It's funny and suspenseful. Vienna isn't too thrilled about her new ability = fighting that she actually has it. And who is the handsome stranger who keeps appearing and then disappearing? Vienna's friend Kim is a good balance to Vienna's skepticism and cautiousness. Overall a fun and fast-paced mystery.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Michelle Ann Hollstein's book, and won't be the last! This is the first book in the A Lost Soul Series. This is a great and well written cozy paranormal. Vienna and Jack are both great characters! The secondary characters are also great, and very important in this story. The storyline has it all: Suspenseful, mysterious, funny, captivating, and intriguing. Now, I can't wait for the next book in the Series! The narration is well done, easy to understand. I enjoyed my listening, and I totally recommend it! I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily written this review.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awakened Within: A Vienna Rossi Paranormal Mystery was a good read by Michelle Ann Hollstein. Vienna Rossi has been compelled by an unseen force to go on a plane to track down a murderer. She finds that she has awakened a psychic gift she never knew she had. She also has an infuriating and handsome spirit guide to help her. She has the ability to help lost souls crossover to the other side. Vienna teams up with her best friend Kim, and spirit guide Jack, to solve murder and take on a ghost hunting adventure. I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

[Curly's Ramblings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awakened Within is an interesting paranormal mystery involving murder, an art major, a bubbly fiancé, a spirit guide, and a ghost. The story had a great blend of drama mixed with mystery, attraction, and mayhem that kept my attention from start to finish. The narrator did a good job with providing unique voices for each character and appropriate tone inflections for each scene. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible:Good story.I liked the supernatural spots,though there didn't seem to be a clear explaination as to why Vienna has a spirit guide.Maybe I missed it.I found narration by Karen Bachman so S-L-O-W that I had to set the timing to 1.25.Voices by narrator were good. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[Daniel Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, Awakened Within, A Lost Souls Novel by Michelle Ann Hollstein, is not my usual go-to genre, but Hollstein’s positive social media presence (See! It does matter!) had an impact on me, so I thought I’d see what the book was all about. I’m glad I did.
After what begins as a strange dream, the story’s heroine, Vienna Rossi, finds herself falling into a strange world of ghosts and other-worldly beings who seemingly need her help. Now, this is one of those books that is nearly impossible to review without giving too much of the plot away, so I’ll simply say that if you’re a fan of the paranormal blended into a murder mystery, with a dose of reluctant heroism thrown in, you will enjoy this book.
The character development (even the dead ones) is excellent, and I really enjoyed how the author sprinkled just enough humour into the story to keep me wanting more. As they often do, Awakened Within ends with the reader imagining the next novel and where Vienna and her handsome spirit-guide will find themselves. Oh, did I forget the mention the subtle sexual tension between Vienna and her spirit-guide? Well, you’ll just have to read the book.

[Susanna Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author's Words:

"With a jolt, Vienna Rossi sat straight up in bed. She ran her fingers into her thick tangled mass of hair. The room was dark and she could hear a chorus of crickets chirping outside her bedroom window. Taking a deep breath, she held it for a moment then exhaled, trying to calm the rapid beating of her heart. This was the third night in a row this week that she awoke because of a nightmare. And not a series of nightly scares, but the same disturbing dream that had been haunting her for the last few weeks. It was becoming more frequent and it wasn't getting any easier to deal with."

"Vienna searched her purse for something to take for motion sickness. If she didn't take it now, she knew she'd pay for it later. Popping a little yellow pill into her mouth, and slipping on her trusty pressure point wrist bracelet for travelling, she settled in for the flight."

Vienna is a young college student who is having strange nightmares and hears a voice talking to her. She decides to follow her instincts and go to Palm Springs, California where her dad has a vacation home and solve the nagging vision that was haunting her. Seeking clues to a bloody murdered girl in the past leads her into supernatural events. She discovers secrets about her self and meets some very interesting characters along the way, a handsome man who is there one moment and gone the next. He appears out of thin air and poof he is gone again.

While she is in California she finds out her uptight dad is engaged to a woman named Bunny, Bunny a little older then Vienna, and she is not happy about her new future step-mother, and who will tell the ex -wife the bad news.

Meanwhile the nightmares are leading Vienna to dark places and isolated back alleys and possibly meeting the murderer of the haunting vision of the girl that keeps invading her dreams.

She needs help but is too embarrassed to explain about the strange events occurring in her life. She is at a crossroads in her life, she enjoys being an artist and part-time teacher, not ready to dive into an unknown supernatural realm where the unexpected occurs. Her best friend Kim and even the new step-mom surprised Vienna for they believe in ghosts and other unseen phenomenon. She discovers Kim is a paranormal investigator, news to Vienna. She herself is still sceptical but not for long. She keeps getting hit in the head with warnings and signs, and a baritone voice.

Is she about to lose it or give up, and ignore all the signs? Will Jack, her spirit guide, be able to save her in time? She is closed to his presence and he is fading fast. Without her belief in him, something wicked is about to happen and he will not be able to protect her.

He tries to get her attention, with mirror writing, static in the music, and vapours in and out of her eyesight. He is scaring the daylights out of her.

Kim arrives in town with her paranormal equipment. Of course the girls go shopping first, and then chase after the possible friend of the suspect they think may have killed the young girl. Vienna dares herself to go on a date with the murderer's co-worker to find out more information about Nathan who was the alleged suspect, he disappeared from his computer job and not been heard from since.

Meanwhile Kim is contacting the computer company to have a technician come to the house and does her own investigation. The girls are in separate locations and Vienna is in trouble and Jack can't reach her.

The story is action packed, and modern writing with an edge of haunting quality to it. It is a page turner because the characters are unique in their own personalities.

This is the author's word's

"Jack," she said. "Jack, are you here with me? Give me some sort of sign."
The lamp on the nightstand flickered.
"Okay. You're here. I wish I could see you."
Jack summoned up energy from the lamp causing it to flicker again. He conjured up just enough to make himself visible, yet transparent.

"Oh, my God." Kim placed her hand to her racing heart. "I can see you."
The bedside light flashed in response.
"Where's Vienna? What can I do?"
"She's in trouble," Jack answered, his voice barely a whisper. Kim had to concentrate to understand him. "She's with Ryan. She's been drugged. I can't wake her."

Author's words:

"Where the hell was she? She couldn't see out. Should she start screaming for help and bang on the walls? Would someone besides Ryan hear her? Or would he be the only one. That would make him angry. His bright green eyes flashed in her mind. He was going to hurt her.

What was she going to do? An even worse thought occurred to her; what was he going to do?

This was a haunting chilling supernatural tale with all the elements of the unseen from ghosts to spirit guides and everything in between. I highly recommend this book by Michelle Matkins a/k/a Michelle Ann Hollstein. She is becoming one of my favourite authors, and writes in different genres too. Psst, I heard this book will be free this weekend, go see her works and decide if she is an author you like to store in your reading library.

http://www.amazon.com/Awakened-Within...

[Nefol_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one. ..

Doesn't make me want to read more. I know she's a college student, but common sense and a bit of maturity would be terrific.

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

The author has created an unusual and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down

[Brick ONeil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute paranormal/mystery, may be within the first few books for the author, writing is at times stilted and choppy. Scenes are written well, characters are developed beyond their immediate use-which few authors are able to complete. The main character, Vienna, comes across as a spoiled rich valley girl, making vapid first impressions of people and not wanting to delve deeper, but that may be what the author intended.

Reactions to the paranormal are divided between scared and pissed, which can be confusing for the reader. A little continuity can be a great thing in a book. The book does move at an acceptable pace, there weren’t any scenes that dragged. The writing style reminds me a little of Heather Grahams.

Overall, an enjoyable read to wile away a few hours. I would give 4 stars.

[W.A. Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful read.
I enjoyed it very much.
Full of mystery and suspense.
Highly recommend