by Jacqueline E. Smith
Series: Cemetery Tours #1
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Some secrets are best kept laid to rest. At least, that's as far as Michael Sinclair is concerned. At twenty-seven, he has spent his entire life pretending that the ghosts he encounters on a daily basis do not exist. Now, if only the dead would let him rest in peace.
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem likely, especially after Kate Avery and her ailing brother, Gavin, move in next door. Kate and Gavin are haunted, and not by a dearly departed loved one. This spirit is aggressive, menacing, and harboring a dark resentment toward Gavin. In spite of every instinct advising him to walk away, Michael finds himself seeking to uncover the mysteries of Gavin's past and falling for the bright and lovely Kate. Yet competing for her affection is Luke Rainer, television's hottest celebrity ghost hunter and the only (living) person to know Michael's secret. But the dead have secrets, too. Some will go to any length to withhold what should have gone with them to the grave, while others will risk everything to make their voices heard, even if that means putting another's life at stake. Now, for the sake of friends and strangers alike, Michael must choose between preserving his cherished anonymity and lending his aid to those for whom all hope seems lost.
When Jacqueline E. Smith approached me for a review of her novel Cemetery Tours the first in her paranormal romance series Cemetery Tours, I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis. Ghosts, a haunting involving a menacing spirit and celebrity ghost hunter? A side dish of romance? Hello summer read! Cemetery Tours delivered suspense, giggles, mystery, heart and a sweet romance. Cemetery Tours is a perfect read for a rainy summer afternoon.
The story takes place in a reportedly haunted apartment complex. Michael Sinclair, a librarian lives on the most haunted floor. Since childhood, he has been able to see ghosts, and his roommate just happens to be dead. He meets ghosts on a daily basis, but is sure never to make eye contact due to some bad experiences. When siblings Kate and Gavin move in next door, Michael helps unload their boxes. Gavin looks ill and Kate, well she looks hot. However, in their apartment he encounters a menacing entity who seems furious with Gavin. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful, cute and captivating as Michael breaks his own rules to help Kate.
Cemetery Tours had several story threads and Smith did an excellent job of giving them each weight and balancing the story. All of which resulted in a compelling read from the characters to the mysteries. Fans of Ghost Hunter shows will delight in the introduction of Luke Rainer a celebrity ghost hunter who has been trying for years to get Michael to join his crew. Kate was complex, and both Gavin and her parents are very protective of her. Her backstory was well done, and I love how the author added twists that kept me guessing as to why this entity was haunting Gavin. Micheal is shy, inexperienced with woman and an introvert due to his secret. I felt for him, and found him to be adorable. Woot for a good guy story. The paranormal woo-woo was fantastic from ghost-busting-gadgets to murdered brides haunting old barns. Despite the creep factor, the tale was light enough that even the biggest scaredy cat will enjoy the tale. The last part of the book notched up the suspense as the characters find themselves in danger. The romance while secondary developed slowly with Kate taking the lead. It was cute, clean and refreshing. While Cemetery Tours is adult fiction, it is one easily enjoyed by older young adult readers.
Cemetery Tours was a well-rounded engaging paranormal with fleshed out characters that I quickly consumed. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Carrie
I’m in… I’m going to go download this one. LOL ~ It sounds like too much fun!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet Carrie. Book two will be out soon 🙂
April
Absolutely LOVED this book!
kimbacaffeinate
So glad to hear you liked it too April 🙂
Liz
Oh, this sounds good. I’ve not read a good ghost story in a bit. I’m off to look it up further. Terrific review!
kimbacaffeinate
I love mixing ghosts in once in a while, enjoy Liz
Tyler H Jolley
THis sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review, Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
welcome 🙂 have a great week Tyler
Ginny
This sounds awesome and I am trying so hard to be good since I just cleaned up my TBR list but I really am intrigued by this story. Especially since I just recently had a ghost encounter of my own. Okay….you convinced me this one is getting added to my Amazon wish list/future buy list. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Add it to your wishlist, but buy it when you plan to read it 🙂
Paij Slater
Looks like another must read I have to add to my list :). It’s growing too fast 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. Just call me your book pusher 🙂
Diana Leigh
Oh, yay! More ghosties.
kimbacaffeinate
Ghosties are cool!
Lily B
with a name like that I wasn’t sure what to think, but oh ghosts! I love me some haunting, sounds like a great hit!
kimbacaffeinate
Right, but the synopsis drew me in and I am so glad I read it
Wendy Darling
Ooo, this sounds intriguing! I love ghost stories, and this one sounds complex and interesting. I will have to add it to my teetering TBR list. Thanks for the review, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, we all have teetering tbr piles, but I hope this one finds its way on to yours Wendy
Lupdilup
How interesting! I think I’ve only read one other ghost story, The Grevayard Queen by Amanda Steven. Have you read that? I really enjoyed that, so I’m adding this to my TBR. Who says reviews are not important? I would have never guessed this was a romance by looking at that cover. I like that it has other stories going on too.
Thank you Kimba 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
More ghost stories and I love the gadgetry. Is it like ghost busters?
Cyn
Ghost hunting librarian? This sounds like a fun read! Fleshed out characters are a definitely must too! Thanks for the review, Kim!
ShootingStarsMag
Thanks for sharing! This sounds like a lot of fun. I think ghosts are quite fascinating.
Angela Adams
I’m not a big paranormal reader. But, after reading this post, I find “Cemetery Tours” appealing. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
Ya know Angela, this is a good one to try, since it is a blend of genres with different threads.
Sophia
Ghosts stories are always a joy to read – lately I’ve been after them like a moth to a light! LOL.
Great review Kimba! ^o^
kimbacaffeinate
I have just moved into a mystery/paranormal/UF/suspense reading mood myself Sophia!
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m a huge scaredy cat but for some reason I can handle it better in books. Still, glad to know that it is light enough. I’ve been enjoying these kind of stories and you found me another book! Darn you! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
This is perrrrfect for you, I promise you will still be able to sleep 🙂
Candace
I think I might like this one! I love books with ghosts when they aren’t too scary and you add in mystery and even better! Thanks for bringing this one to my attention!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Candace, this is safe for you. The ghostly part has more of a mystery/solve the case kind of a feel.
Christy
I love when there are several story threads. It seems to keep me more interested. This sounds really good.
kimbacaffeinate
I liked that too Christy, it was well balanced
Tanja
I haven’t heard of this one but it does sound really interesting. Only thing is that I somehow cannot connect with ghost stories. I have no idea why. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one and great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was clever, and the haunting made sense. I think you just need to find the right one Tanja 🙂
laura thomas
I’m so glad you liked this one and felt something for the characters. It’s on my wish list!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Laura, this was a fun one
Heidi
I think I would really like this one. I find ghosts and ghost hunting fascinating. I will have to check it out.
kimbacaffeinate
This was well balanced and light enough to make a great summer read Heidi.
Mary
I do love when there’s good paranormal woo-woo.
kimbacaffeinate
my thoughts exactly Mary!
Katherine
You had me at haunted apartment complex and librarian. This one sounds like it’s definitely got potential. I’ll have to check it out.
kimbacaffeinate
This was a fun one Katherine and I quickly consumed it
Silvia
The synopsis is intriguing for sure, and so is your review, Kimberly! I haven’t heard of this one before, but since ghost stories are right up my alley and you sold it so well, I promptly noted down this title 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Silvia, I would love to hear your thoughts after you read it.
Lori
This sounds awesome! I love reading and watching anything to do with hauntings and if you throw in a little romance in the book I’m sold! I will definitely be adding this one to my TBR, thanks for sharing another winner Kimberly! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
The romance balanced out the mystery/suspense perfectly Lori
Rita
This sounds really good to me! My husband and son enjoy those ghost hunter shows and we once visited a supposedly haunted Southern cemetery that was the resting place for African Americans from a long time ago (when they had to have a segregated place) and it had been vandalized– therefore the reason for the unrest. It was an interesting trip, for sure.
Thanks for showcasing a new to me title and author.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh that sounds like a fun trip, I have always wanted to stay at a haunted B&B 🙂
kindlemom1
I would have picked this up because of the cover and synopsis alone but to read your review, you definitely sold it. I really want to read this one now. Great summer/fall read!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I was drawn in by both too Ali.
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, GREAT review! You’ve convinced me girlfriend! 😉
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Wahoo, my job is done 🙂
Christa
I love a good ghost story! I’ll have to check this one out.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad to hear you enjoy them too Christa!
Trish
I love ghost stories and when you add in well fleshed out characters then it sounds like this one is a winner. Good to know it won’t overly scare me too! I am a bit of a wimp 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Nope even wimps will be able to sleep with the lights off 🙂
Nick
This sounds like a well-written paranormal story, Kim. I’m personally not a fan of ghosts stories, but I’m glad that this worked so well for you.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Nick, I liked how this blended elements
Jenea
I love a good ghost story, and Michael sounds like a great guy too. Wonderful review.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, thanks Jenea!
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
Ooh so this sounds a little creepy but the looks of the title but actually reading the synopsis, sounds really promising. GLad that it worked fr you!
Lovely review, Kimba! <33
kimbacaffeinate
It had elements of creep, but was more mysterious and suspenseful with fun and romance woven in
blodeuedd
I just do not know about this one
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, not in the mood for paranormal woo-woo?
Siiri
There’s something about cemeteries that just creeps me out. For obvious reasons lol. Ha! The synopsis totally seems like it could be up your alley and I’m glad it was 🙂 The romance looks so freakin’ cute! And yay for a good suspense 🙂
Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
Faye D'Social Potato
This sounds pretty awesome! I really like reading about ghosts and horror, and I have a feeling this book and I will get along pretty well 🙂 Also helps the fact that there is some sweet romance thrown into the mix!
kimbacaffeinate
I like ghosts too Faye 🙂
Melliane
I’m always curious about ghosts stories and I didn’t know this one but you’re right the synopsis is really intriguing, and your review even more. Thanks lady!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane, it was a fun read 🙂