Book Review Friday -- The Ghost Downstairs, and Nocturne

It's Book Review Friday again, and today I want to mention two books: 

One I reviewed for Saramento Book Review , Nocturne, by L. D. Harkrader

One is an e-book I won in a giveaway contest, The Ghost Downstairs, by Molly Ringle.  

I'll share The Ghost Downstairs first:

The Ghost Downstairs   by Molly Ringle

For some reason I was not able to upload a picture of the jacket, but you can see it at Molly's site.  Normally I only review children's books or YAs on this blog, and this book actually falls closer to adult than YA.  But I love ghost stories, and I love a mystery.  This book has both, as well as a steamy romance (thus the "adult" comment).  

I don't want to give the plot away, because the whole idea is so original.  Let me just say that The Ghost Downstairs involves ghosts (two of them), broken hearts (two of them), manslaughter, suicide, and a young man with a mysterious past.  The story unfolds with one surprise after another and the ending was the biggest surprise of all.  Once I started reading it, I simply had to finish it.  Go check it out for yourself.  

And thanks, Molly, for an enjoyable read! 

Next is Nocturne, a YA novel with lots of atmostphere.  No ghosts , but  magic, mystery, and the question of who to trust. . . . .

Nocturne

By L.D. Harkrader
Mirrorstone, $9.95, 245 pages

Fifteen years ago, Flannery Lane was left on the doorstep of the village wizard, Monsieur Anatole. A mysterious note advised, she will do better with someone of her own kind. Monsieur Anatole has raised Flannery as his niece, admonishing her never to use her own magic. Why? Magic draws evil to itself.

“Flan squared herself before the immense gates, and as she stood there, searching for a bell or knocker on the fat stone pillar, the gates groaned and swung open.” 

But, it’s hard not to use natural talent. At fifteen, Flan surreptitiously dabbles in small spells. An incident at the local blacksmith’s earlier eroded villagers’ trust in Anatole’s protective magic. People come to him now only for simple amulets and spells. When a sudden curse weakens his powers, he becomes bedridden. Flannery tries to cure his curse while keeping his condition secret. Two mysterious strangers come to town. Each takes an interest in Flan: one claims he wants to become a vampire hunter. But, does he? The other claims he’s a relative of the last Viscount Blakely, the vampire hunter who protected the village when he was alive. But, is he? People disappear. A violin plays a nocturne in the still of the night.

This suspenseful tale brings new surprises on each page, and the author avoids a predictable ending.