Review and Giveaway: Ghost Seer

Ghost Seer (Ghost Seer - Book 1) by Robin D. Owens

Publication Date: 04/01/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 042526890X
ISBN-13: 978-0425268902

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Robin D. Owens on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Excerpt from, Ghost Seer, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

There’s just something about Clare. Apart from the ghosts…
 
When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermac inherits more than just a small fortune. She receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it’s hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy—and living—Zach Slade, there’s certainly no ignoring him either.
 
A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossing paths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of a Wild West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more—and not just for help.

Thoughts:

Robin D. Owens starts out her new Ghost Seer series with the a book by the same title. With fantastic world building and colorful characters this is a series that will bring in readers of all kinds. From the paranormal enthusiast to the psychic inclined to the romance reader there is something for everyone, even a very slobbery ghost dog. Owens shows great imagination when it comes to the psychic gift inherited by lead character Clare. She also gives readers a 'police' point of view through former deputy sheriff, Zach. The combination is a book that readers will find hard to put down. 

What I liked:

There were several things I liked about this book. This is the first book I have read from the author and starting with book one in a series is always fun. Owens has a lot on her plate with this one because not only goes she have to set the scene for a good romantic series, she also has to build a world around Clare's psychic gifts. From how she got them to how they work, all the while adding in the back story's for both Clare and Zach, as well as, some very interesting secondary characters. There is a bit of eccentricity and definitely a bit of suspending of the laws of nature, but the combination was a very well crafted novel that will leave readers wanting more. 

Clare is a very practical accountant and when she inherits a psychic gift from her dead Aunt, she is more than a little taken aback. In fact she thinks she's crazy, when she starts to see the ghosts of long forgotten cowboys on the streets of Denver. Not to mention a very slobbery and wonderful spirit guide in the form of a dog named Enzo. 

Clare's gift was the central theme of the book and took readers back to Denver in the late 1800's. Owens does a fantastic job with incorporating Denver's past into Clare's life. The historical details were part of what made this such an enjoyable read for me. Owens gives readers a character that doesn't want to believe and in turn readers find a kinship with Clare. Wouldn't you think you were nuts if a ghost dog started following you around?

Zach Slade is also a man who doesn't have time for the supernatural, though he does have some sense of belief in it. He is a man who has practically lost everything due to an injury that will not let him continue to work in the field as a deputy sheriff. He has a lot of bitterness in him but he also gives off a vibe of competence and strength despite his physical issues. I think Owens uses his character to bring stability to the story line. Zach's perspective on things is generally very straight forward and to the point and I think that was needed to balance out Clare's psychic gift.

I loved the world building and all of the ins and outs of Clare's gift. Enzo was a fantastic character as is the eccentric Mrs. Flinton. I thought Owens was very creative in dealing with the limitations of Clare's gift. If she doesn't believe it and use it, she'll die. If she doesn't help those who come to her, she'll go mad. And there are moments when the reader might wonder if that's what is going to happen before Clare comes full circle. I liked that sense of suspense it provided in this one. 

What I didn't like:

The romance between these two characters was definitely there. From the connection they form at their first meeting and throughout the book. It was a little slow in forming because of Zach's strong disbelief in Clare's abilities and in his own inclinations toward the sight. I thought their were a few too many moments where the reader is brought into the relationship and then it is stifled. You expect that to a certain degree, but not as much as it happens in this one. 

Bottom Line:

This series has tons of potential. I loved Clare and Zach and how they worked together. The romance aspect was perhaps a little lacking, but that certainly didn't take away from the overall enjoyment of reading this book. I can't wait to see where Owens goes with this series. 

Ghost Seer is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

http://www.robindowens.com RITA Winner (Oscars of Romance) 2002 for HeartMate. Heart Thief out 06/03/03, Heart Duel out 04/04, Heart Choice 7/05, Heart Quest 8/06. Creativity exercises, affirmations on my website. I am a serious writer of 10 years, past President and contest chair of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. My most pressing interest in the craft of writing is CREATIVITY. My book, HeartMate, was the first futuristic-fantasy romantic adventure published by Jove in it's Magical Love line. It won the RITA for Best Paranormal Romance and finalled in Best First Book.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, May 12th.

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