Tag Archives: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural

The Lost Word by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernaturalTitle: The Lost Word
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Logan?’

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Synopsis

An unwitting artist, a conspiracy that delves into secret societies, and a ghost that falls in love. The three intersect in brilliant ways as they try to discover the meaning and hiding place of the lost word.

Thoughts

There is something incredibly intriguing about secret societies – probably the fact that they are secret is what tends to fascinate us. A ghost story using a shady secret society was a perfect way to tell the last story in Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural. It was suspenseful, intriguing, with just the right dose of love, lust and betrayal.

For me, The Lost Word was the most potent of the stories in the Ghostwriting collection. It combined the elusive nature of secret societies, with a history steeped in murder, mayhem and mystery. And, then to complete it, there is the key to all knowledge – something that we can truly achieve on our own, but which many men (and possibly women) attempt to find a shortcut for. Harding’s reminder that mankind is selfish, and not ready for a universal truth hits a note. Although, this is balanced by the goodness in people – although there are those who are incredibly selfish, there are also those who are immensely selfless.

<- Curses Review The Immortal Bind Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

Curses by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernaturalTitle: Curses
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Quite possibly.’

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Synopsis

Rhea and Phillip might think that they’ve found the perfect home, but it soon turns out that it’s cursed.

Thoughts

In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have read this right before I went to sleep, it certainly gave me some very interesting and tripped out dreams. But, isn’t that a mark of a good story? Something that can affect both the conscious and the subconscious? The use of a curse and a building’s history to build this ghost story helped to add to the sense of mystery and suspense.

Rhea and Phillip’s ignorance at the past of their home, and the consequences of their actions lead them on a merry chase through the supernatural penalties of one man’s indiscretions. The increasingly violent confrontations of the spirit with Phillip and Rhea heighten the sense of speed and necessity within the story. You just know that if they don’t solve the problem (and soon), they will end up either dead or homeless.

The use of a priest in a supernatural tale about spirituality and ghosts was not one which I expected. Yet, somehow, Father Chuck’s influence and presence actually worked. As did his ability to accept the priesthood, and the idea of spiritual cleansing that doesn’t necessarily fall under the purvey of the Church. The balance of the two belief systems and acceptance of slightly different views of life is to me, exactly what religion and beliefs should be all about – and it made the Curse have a silver lining in my eyes.

<- In the Limbo of Luxury Review The Lost Word Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernaturalTitle: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook Collection
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: My agent, Selwa Anthony, gave me the title and asked me to write a tale, but the story itself had been brewing for a long time before Selwa gave me the reason to pen it.

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Synopsis

Enter a world of mystery and hauntings fair and foul .

the best ghost stories you will read for a long time … from the author of the bestselling Ancient Future. Featuring characters inspired by her closest friends and relations, traci delivers a series of spine-tingling stories alongside autobiographical snippets that give fascinating insights into her life and the real-life personalities who inspire the characters for her fiction (including the fiesty model for Ancient Future’s Tory Alexander!) Enter a world of mystery and hauntings fair and foul.

Thoughts

I’m not normally very interested in ghost stories. Even growing up, at sleep overs, I always found them a little boring. So it was a pleasant surprise to find a collection of short ghost stories which I actually enjoyed. Better yet to find a collection that makes me question my preconceptions about the world that I live in and how I am able to influence my reality.

Harding is always a purveyor of the power of thought weaves this through her tales so neatly that it is only after you read the last word that you realise the potency of her esoteric views. The happy endings and reminder of our own power to influence our lives gives a nice, complete feeling of power when you finish this collection. A welcome one that helps to highlight the supernatural aspects of the stories which are imparted throughout the collection.

One of the things that I loved the most about this collection of short stories was the introduction to each tale. All of the short stories were dedicated to one of the amazing women in Harding’s life and her explanation of how they have helped her on her own esoteric and writing journey. This made the stories feel immensely more personal, and the leads far more real.

<- Book of Dreams Review A Piece of Time Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

A Piece of Time by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting-tales-of-the-supernatural

Title: A Piece of Time
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: He shrugged off her praise.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Have you ever wondered what happens to a loved ones belongings once they pass on?

A fob watch holds a psychic imprint that takes the newest owner on a journey that leads her to her fate.

Thoughts

A Piece of Time was a very quaint short story – a tale of love, fate and the importance of family. The sweetness of this story shines from the pages left me smiling in contentment at the conclusion of this tale. Like all of Harding’s stories, there is an understanding of the spiritual world that I rarely find in good stories – instead of a bastardisation of such beliefs to suit the story, the story has been built up around the practices and beliefs themselves.

The idea that a fob watch is able to hold such a psychic imprint and love that it will always return to its owner is an enviable one. I can’t imagine owning a possession that is so connected to my being that it will always find its way back to me. The idea that it could also be used to bring two people together, when they are so obviously meant for each other just helps to build on this beautiful ideal that is displayed throughout A Piece of Time.

<- Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural Review Ghostwriting Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

In the Limbo of Luxury by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

in-the-limbo-of-luxury

Title: In the Limbo of Luxury
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Feminism, Ghosts
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘None of us do,’ Marion added, and all three women raised their skirts and then giggled at Riane’s shocked expression.

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Synopsis

Riane finds herself stuck in limbo one snowy, stormy night. And nothing goes as she expects.

Thoughts

The ending of this story was completely different to what I expected – and honestly, all the better for it. Riane’s strength and independence, her very place in the world is placed under strain and, like diamonds placed under pressure, the resulting heroine that is displayed is a gem beyond compare. The haunting ending also hints at many happy events in her future, even though, at the conclusion of the story, and following her final decision, there is no hints as to what this may be.

From the beginning, Riane’s romance with Marcus is both tantalisingly beautiful and eerily unsettling. It is impossible to quite put your finger on just why it doesn’t sit well and there is something that doesn’t quite add up. The storyline tears you in two directions – one part is embracing the luxury and romance of Marcus’ domain; yet another, quieter aspect of the story screams at you that not all is as it seems. This fine balance between the two conditions of Riane’s fast-burning flame makes the entire story impossible to put down. The haunting hints of the bridal waif compound this in a way that is so vivid and spine tingling that this is one of my favourite ghost stories thus far.

The theme of forgiveness followed the overarching idea of being oneself for oneself (rather than sacrificing everything for the sake of love). The very act of forgiveness helped to remove the lingering effects of limbo on the ghosts, and in doing so, allowed Riane to hope for her own future. The closure provided by this picturesque moment will remain splashed across my eyelids for a long time yet.

<- The Detox Factor Review Curses Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

Ghostwriting by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

ghostwriting

Title: Ghostwriting
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Amy kissed the pen that was her Holy Grail, a cool smile of satisfaction forming on her lips.

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Synopsis

Will Amy be able to find a way to become a ghost writer? What about the Holy Grail of writing?

Thoughts

This short story touched on a fear and worry that I myself, as a writer have – dying before I have finished telling the stories that are swirling around in my head. Harding’s grasp of this and her ability to twist this fear into a ghost story that had my spine tingling and left me internally cringing created a great short story which I am genuinely struggling to get out of my head. What better way to inspire a writer to actually write, than tell a story about one who is no longer able to put pen to paper?

As with all of the Traci Harding stories that I have had the pleasure of reading, Ghostwriting was heavy with symbolism, specifically the idea of the Holy Grail. I love that Harding is able to take esoteric ideals and themes, and present them within a more modern context. The manuscript about the Holy Grail, and Amy’s counterpart within her modern life and battle to find herself are compelling and intriguing – adding an extra layer of meaning and weight to the storyline.

I always love insecure heroines – they seem much more real and relatable to me. So, having Amy who is not only incredibly insecure, but immensely moody and prone to flashes of frustration made me love the story even more. Her constant desire to become a published writer (a dream that I too, share) hovers as she tries to not only find her literary voice, but also discover who she can truly be. The reminder throughout (often provided by Liam) to enjoy what she is doing and trust in herself is a lesson that I will take to heart. This tale for me was about more than I fear of never writing my stories, it was a reminder that sometimes you have to just sit down and write them.

 <- A Piece of Time Review The Detox Factor Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia

The Detox Factor by Traci Harding

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

detox-factor

Title: The Detox Factor
Author: Traci Harding
In: Ghostwriting: Tales of the Supernatural (Traci Harding)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Fantasy, Ghosts, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Voyager
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Billie appeared at the top of the stairs and halfway through her descent she stopped dead in her tracks, having spotted Katlin.

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Synopsis

Shannon and Billie might think that they’re on a weekend treat just to detox, but they’re soon going to have to get rid of a whole new poison from their systems…

Thoughts

Although this is a ghost story, and a phenomenal one at that, it also makes me want to do a health detox. After all, that was the instigating factor for the paranormal chaos that followed. Plus, the idea of removing toxins from the body is always an interesting one. Although, each and every person tends to have their own take on how this works, I mostly enjoyed the idea that the detox focused on removing things like alcohol and cigarettes. Yes, there were other aspects of the detox factor, but the idea to find a happier, healthier you was inherent within the characters’ motivations – something which I can appreciate. The fact that a happier, healthier body meant better access to the paranormal world and the girls’ spiritual understanding? Just a fantastic angle to the story!

There were two stories within The Detox Factor – that of Shannon and Billie, their detox, and their growing experiences of the paranormal; and Katlin’s life and death. It was Katlin’s life and death that I really enjoyed. Although her tale was tragic, and gained it’s happy ending almost a century after her death, her steadfastness and inherent goodness shone throughout. Her willingness to forgive he those who wronged her in life in the hopes that they can achieve peace in the afterlife really stuck with me after I finished this tale. That, and her ability to hold out for true love even when there seems to be no hope is a great reminder that true love does exist. The parallel discovery of true love in Shannon’s life just helps to drive this beautiful message home.

 <- Ghostwriting Review In the Limbo of Luxury Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Australia