Well. That was NOT a cozy.

On the plus side, I can use this book for my PopSugar Challenge for "A book that scares you" - because this book scared the bejeezus out of me. I started reading it yesterday and foolishly took it to bed with me last night. It didn't take long to realise I was going to need another book to read if I was ever going to get to sleep; the short trip down my dark hallway to my library nearly did me in.

Now I'll qualify myself: for those of you who regularly read horror, or hard-edged paranormal, this book is probably a walk in a sunny park; you might even find parts of it humorous. But I was raised an old-school RC; coupled with a natural inclination toward skittishness and a wildly active imagination, let's just say I have a very healthy respect for traditional connotations of good and evil.

Still, just like my mom, I enjoy a good ghost story. Once in awhile, I like reading something that brings on a bit of... let's call it tension. I do not like being frightened. This book straddled that line - even crossed it a bit when I was dumb enough to think I could read it at night.

M.J. and Heath go to her childhood home for her father's wedding and find themselves sucked into investigating the haunting of a house her soon-to-be stepmom is trying to renovate. Only these aren't ghosts, these are demons.

Ms. Laurie balances this book (and her others) with a constant message of love, but the trigger warning list in this book is long. Ghosts, demons, ouija boards, child-harm: this is a confronting story on a lot of levels. I like that Ms. Laurie talks about the risk of ouija boards; she doesn't get preachy about it, but she makes it clear her feelings about kids playing with them.

The plot is pretty twisted (see trigger warning list above) and the ending felt horrifyingly inevitable as it was happening. Looking back at it, I can see a point in the story where I should have seen the ending coming but frankly I was too freaked out by the spooky and my deductive reasoning skills probably weren't as sharp as they could have been.

4 stars because ultimately it was a book that had me hooked but the character of Gilley, while nowhere near as obnoxious as usual, was still silly and childish. By the end of the book I just kept picturing a fat little pig he ate so much ice cream and was constantly asking for more.

I hope Ms. Laurie doesn't feel like she needs to keep topping herself with this series - this one was just about as much as I could take and still say I enjoyed myself. If she goes for anything more intense it might just put paid on my anticipation of the next one. Thank goodness I have some nice, calming, British historical mystery with which to wind down with.


[PopSugar 2015 Challenge: A book that scared you.] ( )

No Ghouls Allowed is the ninth book in the Ghost Hunter Mystery series

Quite a gripping book for Victoria Laurie. Though I, personally, don't feel this book falls into the "cozy mystery" category it is definitely a very exciting read.

M.J., Keith and Gil are headed to Valdosta, GA to attend the marriage of her father to Christine Bigelow. Upon arriving they find that Christine is restoring an old mansion that is inhabited by very evil beings. Even without their equipment they agree to meet the evil spirits head on. M.J. learns some disturbing news about her late mother's childhood and feels compelled to solve that mystery and send the spirits to a lower world.

Another exciting look into the lives of M.J. and Keith as their relationship continues to grow. And of course no book would feel right without the drama queen, Gil, around. He continues to want to be on the very outside of the ghost huntings. Gil, when he is stressed by the work, eats. This book is no exception and there isn't an ice cream store that he doesn't love.

M.J. has been, for the most part, estranged from her father since the death of her mother, but with this story she is able to come to terms with her father.

Definitely will be looking forward to the next book in this exciting series. ( )

In Laurie’s paranormal novel, M.J. and her father have been estranged since the death of her mother years ago. Now her father is ready to wed again and M.J., Health, and Gilley take a break from their cable TV show and head home for the nuptials in Valdosta, Georgia. M.J. is thrilled to find her father much more like he was before his wife’s death and his new bride-to-be is a gem.

The newlyweds-to-be have a problem—a mansion currently under renovations appears to be haunted. In the spirit of the gathering, M.J. and Heath agree to investigate only to find themselves up against something stronger and more sinister than anything they have faced. Determined to keep people safe, they reluctantly commit to clearing the house of all evil before the wedding—regardless of the danger.

A delightful addition to the A Ghost Hunter Mystery series. ( )

Still think this series would make a great TV series or series of movies. Very action packed about a medium, her best friend, and her boyfriend. ( )

I just finished reading No Ghouls Allowed! I loved it! No Ghouls Allowed serves up a very scary story of ghosts, ouija boards, demons and possession with some wonderful bits of humor. I love the relationships between the characters. We get to learn more about MJ and Gilley and how they became best friends and we get a glimpse into MJ's family dynamic and learn how she became the character we love. The craziness begins as early as chapter one and from that point it was difficult to put the book down. All of the books in the Ghost Hunter series are fast paced and fun, while giving a good fright along the ride! I highly recommend!! *I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review! Thank you VL ( )