Gatekeeper's Realm
by Elena Dorothy Bowman
Reviews
Title: Legacy Series: Gatekeeper’s Realm
Category: Paranormal
Reviewer Website: MySpace
Reviewer Email: RJchrissydionne@yahoo.com
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: Write Words, Inc.
Release Date: November 2006
ISBN Numbers: eBook: 1-59431-481-0 / pbBook: 1-59431-451-9
Author Homepage: http://elenadb.home.comcast.net/
Author Email: elenadb@comcast.net
Format: EBOOK/PRINT
Rating: 4.5 blue ribbons
An ancient relic granted by Divine Decree to a Noble Knight who had
been mortally wounded is buried beneath the foundation of a home - this
home had once been named Pierce House but now is known as THE HOUSE ON
THE BLUFF. Only a direct descendant of the Noble Knight may take possession
of the house - and even he or she will be tested by the house to deem if
he or she is worthy.
Abigail and her consort, Ethan, have fulfilled the prophecy surrounding
their current dwelling which they’ve converted into an Inn. It’s a beautiful
house steeped in mystery and ghostly wonders - who cling to the old ways.
There’s no electricity, no running water, no central heating system, no
phone and no television. Abigail’s a bit apprehensive about their first
guests. There’s a possibility they’ll get spooked and want to leave especially
once the ghosts make themselves known. There’s no way of telling how the
ghosts will react to guests at the Inn and Jacob, the apparitions’ "Ambassador,"
knows it will just depend. Many of the ghosts have been living there for
centuries and may not like having visitors in their house.
As soon as the first guests arrives a shapeless apparition appears over
the Inn. Abigail, Ethan, and Tony (town sheriff and sometime permanent
resident of the Inn when he’s not working) quickly realize that this apparition
is not one of the ‘Others’ and they question who it is and what it wants.
The ghostly appearance doesn’t scare off the guests though and is just
the beginning of the bizarre appearances which will be taking place over
the next couple of days. What will happen when the guests unexplainably
begin to start disappearing - one or two at a time? Is the house holding
them hostage?
I don’t normally read ghost stories but I have to tell you I was fascinated
by this one! Elena Dorothy Bowmen’s GATEKEEPER’S REALM takes an ancient
prophecy and brings it into a modern day setting with results that will
steal your breath. I was enthralled by the ghost scenes and the guests
reactions to each of them and couldn’t wait to find out what would happen
next or to whom it would happen. The storyline moved along at a quick pace
but it never lacked enough descriptive information that I was easily able
to imagine each of the scenes.
I would highly recommend reading HOUSE ON THE BLUFF first simply because I believe it goes into more of the details of what Abigail had to endure in order to claim the house. Of course, I’m also going to recommend the third book, ADAM’S POINT, because there are questions that are left unanswered in this story and I’m dying to find out the answers. HOUSE ON THE BLUFF, GATEKEEPER’S REALM and ADAM’S POINT are all available now.
SNIPPET:
The HOUSE ON THE BLUFF has been converted into an Inn and the ghostly
spirits who inhabit the house seem to have taken offense at the guests
presence amongst them. Are any of them safe from the ghostly wrath? What
will happen when the guests start mysteriously disappearing?
Romance Junkies Review of Gaterkeeper's Realm
by: Janet Davies
Once Upon
A Romance
Title: Gatekeeper's Realm - Book 2 of The Legacy Series
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: Write Words Inc
ISBN: 1-59431-481-0
Release Date: November 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Paranormal/Suspense Romance
Year/Setting: Present day
Overall Rating: 3.75
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
The House On The Bluff is a house with history. The house overlooks the Bay of Death. It has seen great battles and characters. It has no modern conveniences but it is full of characters and old world charm. It’s also full of ghostly apparitions called "the Others".
Abigail and Ethan are the present owners of the house. They plan to run it as an Inn for guests to come and experience the history and the beauty of the area. They are well aware that what they do is purely dependant on the will of "the others". Jacob, the spirit that oversees "the others", has been silent on their plans for the Inn. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
When there first lot of guests arrive, Abigail and Ethan hold their breaths waiting on their ghostly inhabitants reaction. The guests at the Inn are charmed, amazed and spooked by the apparitions - knights of old, British Redcoats and pirates - that appear and disappear before their eyes. However when guests start to go missing, it is no longer as charming as they first believed. Do they stay or go? And will the House actually let them go?
I am a sucker for a good prologue and Gatekeeper's Realm certainly had one. I was thinking what is going on here and let me read more. It’s an interesting thought that so much history in one house can determine the fate of many and the destiny of what happens in the house.
I like the characters of Abigail and Ethan as they try and make a go at running a business in the most difficult of circumstances. The fact the "the others" technically allow them to live in the house is an interesting premise. I like how Abigail and Ethan are pretty laid back to having ghosts wandering in and out and having to deal with Jacob the liaison offer, if you like, between the living and the dead. The secondary characters, the guests, are all well written and believable. I would like to think I would coolly handle all the things that happened to them as well as they did.
I was a little confused at the ending. I am hoping there is a sequel to answer all the questions I still wanted answered. Also, I was kind of disappointed that ghostly go-between Jacob did not have much of a part in the book. I kept waiting for him to appear and lead the characters to discover whatever it was they were to know or find or be.
Gatekeeper's Realm is an interesting read. It’s spooky and it makes you wonder abut people and their individual reactions to different situations. If there is a book 3 I’d like to read it.
Janet
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and
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