Blurb
Sometimes the only way to forget the ghosts of the past is to face the curse of love head-on.
Artist Vi Keller made a holy vow to never return to her quirky hometown of Devils Hollow. But when the sister she left behind pleads for help during the busy Halloween season, Vi can’t say no—even if it means a month of watching her ex-BFF Max loving someone new…and braving the darkness awaiting her return.
Max has fantasized about Vi every day since she disappeared. Some of those dreams revolve around revenge, but when Vi shows up at his historic bed and breakfast, his thoughts take a steamier turn. She may still own his heart, but he rebuilt life without her and doesn’t need a blonde bombshell with tempting artwork skin to wreck him again.
When Vi and Max are forced to partner up during the seasonal festivities, it’s just like old times, resurrecting a desire that never died. But happily-ever-afters in Devils Hollow are paid in blood and bones. Missing pets, tourist attractions turning sinister and shadows stalking the lake point to Vi’s worst fear—the spirit that failed to destroy her once has neither forgiven nor forgotten. If Max and Vi can’t untangle the tragic past of a local urban legend, they’ll lose more than a second chance at love.
Review
After five years away, Violet returns home to the small town of Devils Hollow to help her sister with the family café during the holiday rush. She has a lot to make amends for, but her sister, Dahlia, and the man she loved and left behind don’t intend to make things easy on her.
Max has never stopped loving Violet. Though he suffered much after she left him, he’s made a good life for himself by helping his gramps run the Ward House, the local inn.
Lake Forsaken—the large, dark, desolate pond on Max’s family’s property—is a character in itself. Reportedly haunted with the spirits of long-dead warring sisters, Violet, Max, and Dahlia may not survive its watery depth this Halloween season.
I adored Max! He was so in love and patient with Vi. He was a decent, honest, and good man.
My soft feelings, however, didn’t extend as much to Violet. I sympathized with her, but she allowed her intense guilt and her fear of never being good enough to harden her heart. I understand that was part of her character growth, but her stubbornness and the pedestal she put her sister on grew a little tiresome after a while.
The story is well-written with no typos from what I noticed.
Ms. Burright wove an entertaining paranormal romance complete with ghosts, curses, magic, and redemption. I really enjoyed it.
4 Stars
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