*Spoiler Alert*
Title: Between the Shadow and the Soul
Series: This is part of the Risky Business AmberPax
Author: Jamie Craig
Genre: Paranormal/ Ghosts/ Haunting/ The Arts/ Suspense / Thriller
Length: Novella (103 pages)
Publisher: Amber Allure, Amber Quill Press (July 20th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Ryan Jackson doesn’t expect too much from his weekend at the Shadows and Souls fan convention in Tahoe—he wants to meet his online friends, engage in a few heated debates about the plot for the upcoming season, and maybe shake the hand of the TV show’s star, Johnny Marlowe. But his weekend goes off course almost immediately after his arrival. First, the hotel loses his booking. Then Johnny Marlowe talks to him as if they’re actual friends. And while his head is still spinning, a ghost attacks him in the elevator.
Despite fighting ghosts every week on television, Johnny Marlowe does not believe in the spirit world. He does, however, believe he should get to know Ryan better. Fan or not, the man is not only gorgeous, he’s down-to-earth, fun, and makes Johnny forget about the fake life he’s forced to lead and the ex-boyfriend who refused to participate in the charade. Unfortunately, every time Johnny tries to get close to the handsome ginger, something explodes or the earth shakes or lights blink out—and none of that is as sexy as it sounds.
Johnny doesn’t believe in ghosts, but he knows he has to get to the bottom of this haunting if he ever wants to get close to his biggest fan.
Product Link: http://www.amberquill.com/store/p/1997-Between-The-Shadow-And-The-Soul.aspx
ISBN: 978-1-61124-633-9
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Handsome, shy Ryan Jackson is disappointed that the hotel has lost the reservation for ShadowCon 2014 he made months in advance. While looking at the beautiful view of the lake outside the hotel his idol, Johnny Marlowe the sexy star of a paranormal show, walks in the door heads for the front desk to acquire his keys to his room. Upon overhearing that, Johnny has two rooms reserved but only wants one of them Ryan tells Johnny of his predicament. Johnny immediately offers the second room to Ryan since he won’t be using it.
Following Johnny into the elevator they small talk until all of a sudden the elevator completely stops between floors 3 and 4. The lights go out. Ryan searches for his cell phone and turns it on only to wish he hadn’t. There is a man standing right next to him when all of a sudden he moves in front of him. The man has one eye swollen and the other missing. Flesh is hanging off his lips and nose. The lights start flashing on and off. After the figure looks down at where Johnny is he disappears. Johnny and Ryan are both freaked out at what they saw and exit the elevator as fast as they can. Once in the room they both try to calm down and have a few lagers. Johnny asks Ryan to be his PA while at the ShadowCon. Ryan agrees.
Just as Johnny stands up the bottles on the dresser begin to rattle and the floor shakes suddenly everything stops. At the meet and greet Ryan keeps an eye out in case Johnny needs anything. One of the hotel staff informs him that Johnny can’t stay in his room because it’s not safe but doesn’t elaborate any further. After rescuing Johnny from fans and consuming any more alcohol, he tells him he’ll have to stay in his room because of what one of the hotel staff told him. They go inspect Johnny’s room and find nothing amiss until Ryan spots a ghostly figure hanging by the window. They can see his ghastly face, the rope looped around his neck, hands balled into fists and legs twitching.
Both Ryan and Johnny get out of there as fast as possible and go to Ryan’s room. Wanting to get to bottom of what’s going on they do a Google search on the hotel and find out that on Labor Day weekend 1962 actor Benson Watts was last seen at a party stumbling down toward the docks. His body was recovered a week later and ruled an accidental but the man’s family never accepted that due to the numerous bruises and marks found on the body after it was recovered. The family’s concern was written off due to how much time the body was in the water, post mortem. Albert Herzog, a Los Angeles lawyer, hung himself out a fourth story window of the hotel, there was no note left, and the family couldn’t be contacted for comment.
There were no more parties hosted at Lakeview Manor after that until it reopened in the 80’s as a hotel. Upon further investigation Ryan and Johnny discover via Google that Albert and Benson knew each other and were often seen in the others company, they even had an apartment together. Ryan finds a picture of Johnny and Christian, Johnny’s ex. No name as to who took the photo. Johnny is upset, as no one knows he’s gay but he realizes someone was watching that day as the couple was walked hand in hand on the beach during Christmas.
After getting some rest the next morning they attend the breakfast meet and greet, while on their way to the next event they kiss under a light bulb that explodes. Stewards Ryan suggests that they do a séance or use an Ouija board to determine what the ghosts wants since it seems it may have unfinished business and that’s why it’s still around. Ryan knows that Rachel, who is at the convention, is into the occult and may be able to help them. Ryan tells Rachel about the things that have happened.
While waiting for Johnny to finish the Q&A Rachel takes it upon herself to test a theory and kisses Ryan just as Johnny finishes and comes through the door. The glass shatters, exposing a hose moving toward Rachel trying to hit her. Ryan intervenes and gets hit several times until they all crawl out of the room away from it. They set up a time to do the séance as soon as possible. During the séance, both Albert and Benson show up.
Benson tells them all what happened. Steven hated Benson and killed him then Albert killed Steven for killing Benson. Revealing that Steven Snowe still torments him in death unleashes Steven’s wrath as the incense burner shatters. Rachel screams and yanks her hand away breaking the circle. In the aftermath, Ryan sees that Rachel has been cut by glass and that Johnny is putting out sparks made by the flying incense burner pieces.
This was an intense, edge of your seat read. Filled with drama, suspense, ghosts, and secrets. The details of the manifestations were downright scary at times. The séance was interesting and dangerous. I really enjoyed this book however, I found one scene that wasn’t accurate when compared to the description of the book. The ghost in the elevator manifested itself by drawing energy from the elevator and the lights, then stood in front of Ryan, and never touched him or Johnny. But other than that, it was a fascinating read.