The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James: A Book Review

The Haunting of Maddy Clare
Author: Simone St. James
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: 2012
Pages: 335
Source: My State Public Library
Synopsis: Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist a ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis-rich, handsome, scarred by World War I, and obsessed with ghosts- has been summoned to investigate the spirit of nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is haunting the barn where she committed suicide. Since Maddy hated men in life, it is Sarah's task to confront her in death. Soon Sarah is caught up in a desperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Can Sarah and Alistair's assistant, the rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance-before she destroys them all?

Winner of two RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America and the Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada

My Review: Sarah has finally heard back from her temporary agency. However, her job is unusual. She is to assist a ghost hunter, Alistair, in his investigation of a teenage ghost, Maddy Clare, who is haunting the barn. Alistair has hired Sarah because Maddy hates men and he believes a woman will be most helpful in the investigation. When Sarah arrives at the barn, she finds that there is more than she bargained for. The ghost has scared the living daylights out of the investigation team. Can Sarah help the ghost find peace and rest?

Sarah has always been very practical. However, the mission Alistair assigns her has made her question everything she has ever known about the world. Thus, this case changes her perceptions about the world. She is also a very brave woman because she is willing to face the ghost by herself. She is very clever and compassionate. She wants to learn more about Maddy’s past and why Maddy is a vengeful spirit. Thus, Sarah is a very likable heroine.

Overall, this book is about love, vengeance, mystery, and forgiveness. While Sarah is a likable heroine, the character that steals the show is Maddy. She was the most intriguing character in the story, and I wanted to learn about her past. The other two characters, Alistair and Matthew, were also very lovable. The mystery aspect was predictable. However, the paranormal aspect was well-done. After reading this book, I felt like I knew Maddy, and I wanted her to get the peace she deserved. There were some parts of the book where the paranormal aspect was pushed to the side for some romance parts. Other than that, it was an enjoyable read with engaging stories and an atmospheric setting. The Haunting of Maddy Clare will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! Simone St. James has proven that she is an author to look out for!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint (Women in Antiquity) by David Potter: A Book Review

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint (Women in Antiquity) Author: David Potter Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, History Publisher: Oxford University Press Release Date: November 4, 2015 Pages: 288 Source: Publisher/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Two of the most famous mosaics from the ancient world, in the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, depict the sixth-century emperor Justinian and, on the wall facing him, his wife, Theodora (497-548). This majestic portrait gives no inkling of Theodora's very humble beginnings or her improbable rise to fame and power. Raised in a family of circus performers near Constantinople's Hippodrome, she abandoned a successful acting career in her late teens to follow a lover whom she was legally forbidden to marry. When he left her, she was a single mother who built a new life for herself as a secret agent, in which role she met the heir to the throne. To the shock of the ruling elite, the two were married, and when Justinian...

Guest Post: The Ladies-in-Waiting: Lady Isabel Baynton by Alexandra Walsh

Today's guest writer is Alexandra Walsh. She is the author of The Catherine Howard Conspiracy , which is a historical thriller surrounding the infamous Tudor queen. In this guest post, Mrs. Walsh discusses the life of Catherine's lady-in-waiting, Isabel Baynton. This post will be sure to fascinate fans of Tudor era. If you enjoy her post, please pick up a copy of The Catherine Howard Conspiracy ! Thank you, Mrs. Walsh! The Ladies-in-Waiting – Lady Isabel Baynton by Alexandra Walsh One of the most enjoyable things about writing an historical novel is discovering the tiny details that make the period real on the page. While I was researching The Catherine Howard Conspiracy , I spent a great deal of time hunting out the life stories of the women who surrounded the young queen in order to create a group of realistic friends and confidants. There are some well-known names linked with Catherine and her downfall: Lady Jane Boleyn,...

Guest Post by Cheryl Anne Stapp: Sacramento Women in the Pioneer Era

Today's guest writer is Cheryl Anne Stapp. She is the author of Before The Gold Rush - The Sinclairs of Rancho del Paso 1840-1849 , and Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush Through the Civil War . I am currently reading Before the Gold Rush , and I find it fascinating! In this guest post, she writes about stories of pioneer women that settled in Sacramento. I hope you find these stories captivating and that it will give you some insight into her novel. Thank you, Mrs. Stapp! Sacramento Women in the Pioneer Era I don’t write fiction. I tried, but soon found that I have no talent for plotting. My first and only attempt at a historical romance was actually pretty far along when an editor friend pointed out there was more historical matter than romance in the manuscript…and as far as a well-constructed storyline with surprising plot twists, well… But in 2009 I found my niche, largely inspire...

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