Publication Date: 09/02/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425268918
ISBN-13: 978-0425268919
(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
Books in the series:
Ghost Seer
1. Ghost Seer
2. Ghost Layer
Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from, Ghost Layer, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.
Synopsis:
Second in the new series from the author of Heart Fortune, Heart Journey, and other Celta novels
What lies beneath…
Clare Cermak’s adjusting to a new man in her life—and a lot of ghosts. The passing of Clare’s aunt gave way to a sizeable inheritance of not only money, but also the ability to communicate with the dead. At the same time, she met Zach Slade, a private detective with a rough past, and just like Clare, he’s not yet ready to accept her gift—or his own.
But Clare has another matter to look into. A multimillionaire needs her help after relocating an old ghost town to his mountain estate. The bones of a murdered prospector are making nightly appearances in his guests’ beds. When the gold miner’s ghost contacts Clare, she promises to help find the name of his killer—but someone doesn't want the past revealed and might find her first…
Thoughts:
Ghost Layer is the second book in Robin D. Owens', Ghost Seer series. Readers who are looking for a book that has paranormal, romance and a good mystery will love this series. Both the hero and the heroine have psychic gifts, but they aren't the average couple, nor are their abilities. The Old West ghosts bring a historical element to the story as well. This one has everything from mysterious moving bones to a ghost dog named Enzo. It's a real treat for readers looking for something different.
What I liked:
I love the premise for this series! Owens has done such a great job of coming up with something that original in a very saturated genre. The paranormal explosion in the literary world has given us everything from vampires to demons, but one of the original paranormal characters was the ghost. I love that Owens has brought that back. Psychic abilities are also making a comeback in books and Owens is using the combination of both to bring this series alive. Added to that you have a great mystery with each book that generally has a historical angle and some romance. The Ghost Seer books have a lot to offer paranormal purists and those readers who are looking for something besides the typical vampire book.
Zach is a great male lead! Readers will enjoy Zach's moral compass and his protective and loyal attitude. He is the epitome of an Old West law man who just happened to have been born in this century. He gives off a commanding presence and doesn't seem to be afraid of much, other than his own psychic gift. I loved the old crow rhyme taught to him by his grandmother and how that plays into his premonitions. There is so much potential with this character. I think Owens has created one of those lawmen that readers won't soon forget!
Clare has her own troubles, as she figures out how to not only accept her gift, but to use it. I found her struggle captivating and understandable. I think readers sometimes want to rush the development with a character like this. They want the author to make her accept and move on, but I don't think that's how it would realistically happen if this were a real person and when I read I wanted these people to be real to me. So I am happy that Clare is taking her time to become who she wants to be. This wasn't something she wanted and that takes a lot more time to absorb. The romance between Clare and Zach is still pretty hot and heavy, but they are learning to be a part of each others lives and how they fit together a lot better in this one.
The Old West ghosts of course Enzo the ghost dog are always my favorite part of this series. I love the way that each ghost has a problem that is keeping them from moving on. Each one adds a new historical element to the story that is so interesting. In this one Clare is trying to help a ghost who has been murdered and the closer she gets to resolution the more danger her life is in. I loved how she and Zach worked together and Enzo keeps things lively. Such a great idea for a series! I like the slant where Clare only deals with ghosts from a certain time period as well. That gives the series a more solid theme overall.
What I didn't like:
The secondary characters are a bit stereo-typical in this one. The millionaire was a was a real piece of work and I didn't feel like we got to know Rickman any better than we did before.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent series and I look forward to each new book. Owens has created not only a great heroine, but the hero is top notch as well. The Old West ghosts, as well as, the ghost dog really are the stars of the show with this one. Owens has taken a lot of different elements and added them together to make a series that readers will fall in love with. Mystery, romance, and a few ghosts... what more could a paranormal reader ask for?
Ghost Layer is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Ghost Layer by Robin D. Owens.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 30th.
1. Please leave a comment about what time period you'd like to have, if you were a medium. Clare's ghosts come from the Old West.
2. Please fill out the FORM.
9 comments:
A medium from the Second World war would be my choice. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I think one from the 1700's would be interesting.
I love the roaring 20's.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I'm with Clare, I'd love to have Old West ghosts! But Scotland during the Jacobite Rising comes to mind as well. (Late 1700's)
As far as mediums go, I think Victorian England would be an interesting time to visit with someone.
I've always thought the roaring twenty's were pretty neat so I think I would pick then.
maybe 1600s
I love Owens first book so I know I would love this one too. Besides, they kind of take place in my back yard. As for time frame I would want it to center on a pioneering period for wherever I am. So for where I live that would cover a huge span of history from Lewis and Clark to the 20s and 30s (they were still living in one room cabins and cowboying out here). It would make mysteries a lot harder to solve though!
I would like one from the Old West too, around 1860 or so. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
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