A Haunting in Maine, and it’s not a story by Stephen King!

I always enjoy reading Deborah Hughes’ real-life ghost stories and paranormal tales on her blog: Ghostly Dramas, so I eagerly snapped up her novel, Be Still, My Love, and last weekend, I spent a rainy couple of days curled up on the couch with my brand new Kindle and this ghostly tale.

This novel was perfect company for the current wintry weather we’re experiencing in Cork.  I was thrilled to learn it’s set in Maine, a place I myself refer to as Stephen King land.  With star-crossed lovers in the form of ghosts, a medium (though she doesn’t like to be called that) and waves crashing against a rocky shore, I had a feeling this tale would be right up my alley.

Tess has spent the past two years grieving for her husband who was killed by a drunk driver.  On her doctor’s orders, she heads off on a three week break to Sea Willow Haven resort which is said to be haunted.  While there, Tess gradually comes back to the world of the living and reconnects with her spirituality.  She is determined to get to the bottom of the strange happenings at the resort, though she doesn’t bargain for the friendships she makes and her attraction to ex-Marine, Kade.

I like characters that are flawed.  Tess has all but given up on living when she arrives at Sea Willow.   Her life ended when her husband’s and dog’s did, and now she chain-smokes through her days, her gaze set firmly on the past.  Even her therapist has had enough of her, and so off Tess goes to Maine, to get away from the home where she now lives alone, depressed and unwilling to look to the future.  She finds her way back to her faith through spending time with others and I found that I too enjoyed spending time with Tess and her new friends.

One thing I would have liked to see more of was a little spice between Tess and Kade.  The man is an ex-soldier for crying out loud. Fictional soldiers are always hot and Tess deserved a little romantic action.  I did find this novel quite long and felt a shorter book would have done the story more justice.  Tess’s beliefs and faith are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.  I accepted that and was able to enjoy spending time with her.

Read at your leisure and enjoy the easygoing pace.  A gentle tale with a superb, haunting setting.  ***

Check it out on Amazon HERE

I’m always on the lookout for a good ghost story. I’d love to hear some suggestions?

 *****************