Author: JP Bowie
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Length: 103 Pages
Category: Paranormal, Contemporary
At a Glance: If you are in the mood for a little somethin’, a short but satisfying somethin’, then pick up this novella; it won’t disappoint.
Reviewed By: Carrie
Blurb: Callum Robertson has inherited his grandfather’s mansion in northern Scotland, but the house comes with a history he knew nothing about—should he be thrilled, or feel threatened as the house seems to lure him in?
When Callum Robertson first sees the old Scottish country mansion his grandfather bequeathed him, his first instinct is to sell the antiquated pile for whatever he can get for it—admittedly not much in a downturned market. Then he meets Craig MacPherson, a local farmer with auburn curls and sparkling gray eyes, and suddenly the gloomy old house doesn’t look quite the white elephant it first appeared to be.
Craig tells Callum that it’s rumored the house is haunted but by what or whom no one seems to know. Books flying off shelves then being mysteriously replaced give Callum pause to reconsider his rejection of the idea of an actual ghost haunting the place. When he finds a journal relating to the history of his family he is, by turn, intrigued then fascinated as the family saga unfolds through the writings of his ancestors.
An encounter with what he feels must be the spirit of his great-great-great uncle Alistair makes him change his mind about not only selling the house, but also about his future with Craig.
Review: Is there such thing as ghosts? Can a house want? Are you a lover of Scotland and old castles infused with history, and the souls of ones who have gone before? Then you will totally enjoy this novella by JP Bowie.
The plot was strong, the twists and turns believable and the pacing was well done. The story moves you forward, with the interesting plot points (especially the family journal created by Callum’s ancestors) and the multi-generational themes—if you are a believer of Scottish magic and old castles, then this book works. However, there was distance between the main characters at times that distracted from the chemistry the characters displayed at others. It is an insta-lust, if not insta-love, story, but then it needed to be as a novella. In the end, I had no doubt these men would make it work and get their HEA, and that’s what counts. JP Bowie managed to give us a surprisingly rich tale for one so short. I finished this story completely satisfied that I knew the past of these characters, I knew their present lives, and I knew what the future held for them. I thoroughly enjoyed this modern day fairytale book with a Scottish twist.
Callum Robertson inherits his Grandfather’s mansion in northern Scotland, not understanding why his grandfather gave it to him since Callum’s father was estranged from his family for many years. Callum is a successful businessman in Edinburgh, and he doesn’t have the desire to take on a project of the size of this house. That is, until he goes there. Walking through the front door, he is drawn to the history and the secrets of the mansion and what the house and its ghosts need to tell him. With books flying off shelves, creepy noises and ghostly presences, Callum is pulled into the history of the house by an old journal, and uncovering the family secrets creates a kinship between Callum and the house’s resident ghost, Alistair Robertson.
Craig MacPherson owns the farm that abuts the castle lands. He had great respect for the lonely old man who lived there, and looks after the property since it has gone empty. Finding a handsome man inside one day is a pleasant surprise in his ordered life, and the attraction the two feel is instant and strong. Craig suspects the house may be haunted—at least that’s the local legend used to scare neighborhood kids on Halloween, but he has never experienced the presence in the house until Callum comes home.
How Callum and Craig work to create peace within the walls of the old mansion as well as between themselves is what this book is all about. If you are in the mood for a little somethin’, a short but satisfying somethin’, then pick up this novella; it won’t disappoint.
You can buy Highland Hearts here:
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