Disclosure of
Material Connection: I received this
book for review from Loving the Book Blog Tour and the author. I was not compensated nor was I required to
write a positive review. The opinions I
have expressed are my own. I am posting
this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
and Testimonials in Advertising".
Haunted Hearts Series:
Introducing an exciting new series filled with paranormal activity, delicious romance, and plenty of suspense.
Victoria House
Series: Book 2, Haunted Hearts Series
Publisher: Self-Published
ASIN: B00O5CHUHUM
Date: November 20, 2014
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
Blurb:
Haunted by a dark mystery
in her family’s past...
When Tori Downing takes possession of the abandoned Hamilton
estate on the longest peninsula on Lake Jefferson, Arkansas, she avoids
revealing her connection to the ill-fated Hamilton family. Is the glowing image
that shimmers in the second floor window of Victoria House the ghost of
Victoria Hamilton? Can Tori handle moving into a house with paranormal
activity...again?
Tormented by a scandal
she thought she’d left behind...
Until she leaves her career at the Arkansas State Crime Lab
behind, she never even considers moving to Lake Jefferson, but the fallout from
scandal gives Tori a very good reason to escape to Hill County and refurbish
and restore the old family mansion. She settles into her new life...until the
old accusations from her past start resurfacing.
Attracted to a man
haunted by secrets of his own...
Drawn together to solve the murder of Jared Crenshaw, Tori and
Lt. Grayson of the Hill County Sheriff’s Department dive into a tangled web of
jealousy, deceit, and revenge as they attempt to solve both crimes, Jared’s
death and the mysterious death years ago of Victoria Hamilton. Grayson’s past
keeps interfering with his present, causing turmoil in both his professional
life and his personal life. Can their love survive revealing the truth—from
both the past and present—surrounding the tragedies at Victoria House?
Snippet:
At regular intervals, dim lights were set into recesses in
the wall, so that the tunnel was never totally dark. Of course, Hamilton could
afford to light his house and his grounds. Hamilton ruled the county,
financially, socially, and criminally.
The dim corridor seemed to go on forever until the man came
to another door just like the one he had entered. This entrance was unlocked as
well. Either Hamilton and his men were incredibly lax with their security or
something else was happening at Victoria House that night.
He stepped back from the open door. Perhaps, his timing was
off. Perhaps, another night would be better. Maybe someone else would do what
he intended to do and all he would have to do is sit back and laugh. No, no.
This was his justice. His wrongs to
right. He couldn’t let anyone else do what he needed to do, even if someone
else’s agenda played out in Victoria House that night as well.
He moved past the door into the dim interior of what he
presumed was the basement. Above him, the house stood quiet. One swift glance
around the large space told him all he needed to know. The room was used for
various illegal entertainments. Gambling and drinking. A speakeasy. Across the
way sat a long bar with a mirrored wall behind it. An assortment of shiny glass
bottles lined a shelf against the glass. He’d heard there was a club on the
peninsula, and if he had thought about it long enough, he would have assumed
Hamilton had control of it.
Against his better judgment, he proceeded toward the stairs
in the far corner of the room. The wood treads creaked as he ascended toward
the first floor of the house. For a second—just a slim moment—he studied the
fine woodwork of the stair banister. Hamilton had chosen only the best for his
castle, even in his basement.
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/victoria-house-denise-moncrief/1120727180?ean=2940046295825
My Thoughts:
Victoria
“Tori” Downing has finally come home to take care of her family’s legacy. You will see early on that the home she comes
home to is a little different from most.
Mitchell “Gray” Grayson seems to be an honorable man with an honorable
job. You will have no trouble feeling
the tension between our two characters.
As
things unfold the author will give the reader some background information but
it fits seamlessly within the scene – you will not feel lost. It’s like reading a movie scene. There’s a scene where Gray and Tori are
working the same job but the circumstances of the scene will have you thinking
that there may be other forces involved here – is this something you believe
in? It didn’t take me long to think that
this would be a great Lifetime movie or even a series – I would be a fan.
Just
like a movie would have you questioning what you see, this author has you
questioning what you read. I’m one of
those people that are lousy at figuring out mysteries, which for me is a good
thing because the story hooked me in until I got to the very end. If you’re a fan of CSI then you will love
this read. It’s not just a simple
mystery – murder and the paranormal also have a role in this second book of the
Haunted Hearts Series.
I
could go on and on about this book but this is a read you need to get lost in
and experience it for yourself. It’s a
movie that plays out in your mind. One
difference between reading this book and watching it on TV – no
commercials. This is also a series that
doesn’t need to be read in order (at least so far). And that’s good for you if you haven’t read Laurel Heights yet. With 2014 almost being over it brings the
reader that much closer to the release of book three which is titled Ashley Ridge.
About the Author:
Suspense, She Writes
Where the road to happily ever after takes a suspenseful detour. Fast paced twists and turns that keep you turning the pages. Romantic happily ever after moments that take your breath away. Paranormal romantic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Want to know a little bit more about Denise? She's a Southern girl who has lived in Louisiana all her life, and yes, she has a drawl. She has a wonderful husband and two incredible children, who not only endure her writing moods, but also encourage her to indulge her writing passion. Besides writing romantic suspense, she enjoys traveling, reading, and scrapbooking.
Accounting is a skill she has learned to earn a little money to support her writing habit. She wrote her first story when she was a teen, seventeen handwritten pages on school-ruled paper and an obvious rip-off of the last romance novel she had read. She's been writing off and on ever since, and with more than a few full-length manuscripts already completed, she has no desire to slow down.
You can connect with Denise at
Follow the tour:
Book 2
Victoria House
December 14
December 15
December 16
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
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