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Haunting Joy #0.5
Chain Reaction : A Short Story
When a "reveal your secret crush" chain letter goes awry, Joy gets caught in the middle--possibly with the help from her first haunting. A short, lighthearted contemporary romance for teens and young adults. A short story, prequel to the Haunting Joy Series . Includes a sneak peek at Haunting Book 1 ! Haunting Joy Series Haunting Book 1 Haunting Book 2 Chain A Short Story (Prequel to Haunting Joy)
- GenresYoung Adult
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2014
About the author
Lena Goldfinch
16 books174 followersLENA GOLDFINCH writes sweet historical Western romance, inspirational romance, and books for teens, books with a taste of "sigh-worthy romance." Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests.
Latest Releases:
CHRISTMAS CAKE KISSES
SWEET BRIAR ROSE
THE BRIDES SERIES:
* THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE
... "This old-fashioned mountain romance is an unexpected treat!"
* SLEIGH BELLS & MISTLETOE
* THE BARTERED BRIDE
* ONLY THE HEART KNOWS
"With unexpectedly fresh characters and twists, the imagination is kept on its toes, even while feeling entirely comfortable with the familiarity of the mail-order bride storyline... A great curl-up-on-a-cold-night read, so go grab a copy for yourself!" (USA TODAY on THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE)
"Danger, magic, romance, and royal intrigue, AIRE is a must read!" (NYT Bestselling Author JESSICA ANDERSEN)
"Looking for something fresh and new to read? Try Lena Goldfinch's AIRE." (USA TODAY)
"SONGSTONE sings with characters who come to life, a story full of magic, heart and adventure, and a world that lets you smell the sea air and feel the tropical sun on your back." (LISA GAIL GREEN, author of THE BINDING STONE)
"SONGSTONE is an original fantasy world inhabited by superstitious tribal nations and intriguingly developed characters." (USA TODAY)
"THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS is the perfect tiny romantic escape." (Tales of Whimsy)
Latest Releases:
CHRISTMAS CAKE KISSES
SWEET BRIAR ROSE
THE BRIDES SERIES:
* THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE
... "This old-fashioned mountain romance is an unexpected treat!"
* SLEIGH BELLS & MISTLETOE
* THE BARTERED BRIDE
* ONLY THE HEART KNOWS
"With unexpectedly fresh characters and twists, the imagination is kept on its toes, even while feeling entirely comfortable with the familiarity of the mail-order bride storyline... A great curl-up-on-a-cold-night read, so go grab a copy for yourself!" (USA TODAY on THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE)
"Danger, magic, romance, and royal intrigue, AIRE is a must read!" (NYT Bestselling Author JESSICA ANDERSEN)
"Looking for something fresh and new to read? Try Lena Goldfinch's AIRE." (USA TODAY)
"SONGSTONE sings with characters who come to life, a story full of magic, heart and adventure, and a world that lets you smell the sea air and feel the tropical sun on your back." (LISA GAIL GREEN, author of THE BINDING STONE)
"SONGSTONE is an original fantasy world inhabited by superstitious tribal nations and intriguingly developed characters." (USA TODAY)
"THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS is the perfect tiny romantic escape." (Tales of Whimsy)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 31, 2015
I just read Chain Reaction because it came with Take a Picture. Same thoughts basically ... I had a hard time connecting with the situation ... (I was homeschooled and would have never thought of dating a guy in 9th grade!). But anyway, it was a cute, short read overall.
I was confused by the brief mentions of "haunting" and a bit weirded out. But I suppose that's because this is a prequel, and I would need to read the rest of the series! :p
But yeah; I gave these a try. They weren't my thing. Now I've decided to stick to Lena Goldfinch's brilliant fantasy and historical novels! ^_^
I was confused by the brief mentions of "haunting" and a bit weirded out. But I suppose that's because this is a prequel, and I would need to read the rest of the series! :p
But yeah; I gave these a try. They weren't my thing. Now I've decided to stick to Lena Goldfinch's brilliant fantasy and historical novels! ^_^
July 17, 2014
Since Take a Picture was a short story, it was a real treat to read this bonus short story also. I remember these chain notes from high school, but I never participated in them. I was never superstitious either, but words have power and if the note ever fell into the wrong hands….well the need to have the ground swallow you up was just overwhelming at the time. Goldfinch captures this experience PERFECTLY here and even though she had me craving for a longer plot in this one, I just love her writing in this!
Joy is minding her business trying to have a non eventful kind of day when her friend, Sarah, decides to shove a chain letter her way. Joy reacts EXACTLY as I would’ve. She has no interest in participating, but her curiosity gets the best of her and she does respond. The note does end up in the wrong hands, YIKES, but what happens afterwards is not predictable. I definitely consider this prequel a standalone even though there are hints to Haunting Joy and I really loved how this short story concludes. Not something I could relate to with my high school memory, but an enjoyable tale all the same!
I felt everything Joy experienced: drama, nervousness, hiding a delicate secret, frustration with the school rumor bully, shyness, desperation, great best friend support, and pleasant surprise at the conclusion. This bonus short story will have the reader quickly turning pages and it will NOT disappoint! Cheers for teen boys like Nick who help out without being nosy and for cupcakes with M&Ms!!
I want to thank the author and Amber for the review ecopy received. I was not required to write a positive review, but I had fun doing so! The opinions expressed are my own.
July 19, 2014
Super cute short story. Chain Reaction was included in the back of Take a Picture as a prequel for Haunting Joy. Lena Goldfinch captured the world perfectly in her well-written story. I was transported back to my past, recalling the nervous anticipation of a crush finding out about my feelings.
I'm eager to read Haunting Joy next and hope the author has full-length works in her future because I would be interested in reading those too.
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and the We Love YA Books group for giving me the opportunity to read this work.
I'm eager to read Haunting Joy next and hope the author has full-length works in her future because I would be interested in reading those too.
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and the We Love YA Books group for giving me the opportunity to read this work.
June 25, 2023
Firstly I'd like to thank Lena Goldfinch for giving me this book in exchange for a honest review
I really liked this sweet short prequel to Haunting Joy. It took me back to High School where chain letters, secret notes, secret crush's and friends were EVERYTHING and the mini adrenaline rush that you felt because you didn't want to get caught in the middle of passing your note and it falling into the wrong hands or worst yet, the horror of having your secret crush revealed.
Looking back I laugh at those memories and how I felt the same as Joy did when she read that if she didn't pass the chain letter on and write her secret crush's name down she would never be kissed. OH THE HORROR!!!!! Who would risk that? haha I laugh so hard at my younger self but who knows, perhaps I never would have been kissed if I hadn't passed that letter on .... Perhaps.. LMAO
I really liked this sweet short prequel to Haunting Joy. It took me back to High School where chain letters, secret notes, secret crush's and friends were EVERYTHING and the mini adrenaline rush that you felt because you didn't want to get caught in the middle of passing your note and it falling into the wrong hands or worst yet, the horror of having your secret crush revealed.
Looking back I laugh at those memories and how I felt the same as Joy did when she read that if she didn't pass the chain letter on and write her secret crush's name down she would never be kissed. OH THE HORROR!!!!! Who would risk that? haha I laugh so hard at my younger self but who knows, perhaps I never would have been kissed if I hadn't passed that letter on .... Perhaps.. LMAO
November 30, 2014
As I read this sort story that started due to a chain letter I assumed it was set in the 90's, since that was when the whole chain letter thing was big. But then Ugg boots were mentioned so that made no sense at all!
Also, the "drama" felt like early middle school, not high school. It was not YA, but rather just Y! None of it rang true of teens today at all.
Finally this was suppose to make me want to read the rest of the series about Haunting? I guess....? Maybe if it actually had more than one sentence about haunting then it would feel like it could be a lead in. As it stands now, however, it was all in all disingenuous and way too short to be much more than a first chapter of a book I would not even be that interested in reading....
Also, the "drama" felt like early middle school, not high school. It was not YA, but rather just Y! None of it rang true of teens today at all.
Finally this was suppose to make me want to read the rest of the series about Haunting? I guess....? Maybe if it actually had more than one sentence about haunting then it would feel like it could be a lead in. As it stands now, however, it was all in all disingenuous and way too short to be much more than a first chapter of a book I would not even be that interested in reading....
October 6, 2014
Cute story.
December 3, 2014
Tennage' s love is no laughing matter lol
January 1, 2015
review to come~
February 9, 2016
I liked this...it was positively creepy at how much I could relate!! lol
June 25, 2016
Such a sweet story. I wish I had more experiences like this in high school.
December 28, 2014
I would like to read the first book now.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews