Ghost of a Summoning Wickwood Chronicles Book 3
Paranormal Romantic Comedy
City Owl Press
Sept. 14, 2021
Kindle
326
amazon
When a mysterious stranger turns up looking for a job, antique store owner Aubrey Karle finds it hard to resist Roman's quiet charm. But things become weird when the ghost who's been attached to her since she was a kid takes an instant dislike to the newcomer, objecting to his presence in a violent way.
Why can't she just have a semblance of a normal life?
Roman Milone has demons in his closet, literal ones. A prophecy spoken by a fallen angel brings him back to his home town, and his world is turned upside down when he finds his next target is a sweet woman with a sexy smile and curves that go on for days. She can't be the one prophesized to bring hell on Earth, not with a soul as bright as hers.
Just as the pair give in to their attraction, and think they might be able to find a bit of happiness, a powerful demon with a thirty-year-old grudge makes an appearance in Wickwood. How can Roman keep Aubrey safe when he is the one who might be the biggest threat of all?
If you like Denise Grover Swank, Colleen Helme, Michelle M. Pillow, and Danielle Garrett, you'll love this paranormal romantic comedy!
REVIEW BY SHERRY PERKINS
MEMBER OF THE PARANORMAL ROMANCE GUILD REVIEW TEAM
“She’d almost killed him. Twice.”—Ghost of a Summoning
J.E. McDonald is a new author to me. Now that I’ve found her, myto be read list has grown by several books including the first two books in this series, the Wickwood Chronicles, “Ghost of A Gamble,” and “Ghost of An Enchantment.” Although “Ghost of A Summoning” is a standalone, the characters, the town of Wickwood and its story were truly engaging, and I wanted to learn more about everyone!
“Ghost of a Summoning” follows Aubrey Karle. She has an antique store, a witch for a friend and a twelve-year-old ghost who would do anything to protect her. But Aubrey hardly needs protection. Of course, if she knew what was in store for her, she might reconsider.
Roman Milone doesn’t have an antique store, any friends, or a ghost. What he does have, is a juvenile, human-demon half breed named Moe, who regards Roman as a parent, teacher, and friend. Roman is a demon hunter with a scarred past—literally. He’s been touched by the demon that killed his father and that tried to take Roman’s soul. If he has his way, he’ll still take Roman’s soul. Moe has something to do with that.
Wickwood is the place where the lives of these disparate characters intersect. Roman’s manipulated his way into Aubrey’s store, surreptitiously there for a job. Actually, he’s there because of a prophecy. Great! Because I love a prophecy; the more generic, the better. Generic prophecies are open to interpretation. You often don’t see the plot twists coming as a result.
This prophecy is quite generic. It has wording about an orphan who will bring about the end of the world. That’s problematic for Roman since he’s determined Aubrey is said orphan. Except he finds himself drawn to Aubrey, unexpectedly trusting her, wanting her, then questioning his mission to execute her and thereby preventing the release of untold evil, death and destruction as foretold.
The plot is clever, the sexual tension that burgeons into fiery passion between Aubrey and Roman is barely controlled, and Moe is the bit of comic relief so sorely needed when the apocalypse is looming.
The story’s catastrophic progression is logical, the world building easy to believe, and the romantic relationshipas it develops between Aubrey and Romanis satisfying with a secret along the way including theprophetic plot twist in all its wickedness.
McDonald does a nice job of crafting a tale that explains the meaning to the summoning and how Aubrey’s ghost guardian does his best to keep all of it from happening despite Roman’s unwelcome appearance.
A five-star read about a woman who finds family in unexpected places, ability she didn’t fully understand, a demon hunter with a score to settle and the small demon half breed who is, perhaps, the most human of them all.
ROMANCE/PARANORMAL/FANTASY/WITCHES & WIZARDS
