Alicia Hope

This is a fairly short and light story about a daughter in Western Australia who takes on the responsibility of her parents’ homestead when they move to Perth for her mother’s health issues. Her lifelong friend and neighbor, MJ or Mitchell Johnson, has always had her back and she’s tried to help him in caring for his homestead too, to a lesser extent. However, Libby Barnes receives continuous and unwanted advice from her parents, which she pretty consistently ignores. Enter Cal, a good looking guy who moves in with her but just isn’t usually available when disaster, like lightening strikes, vandalism, attacking her prize bull which she was in the process of selling, strikes. Libby reports incidents to the local police but it’s usually MJ who steps up to help, lending a hand or an ear or a back, as he’s always done. Libby hears rumors about why Cal went to a mining camp to get out of helping her on the homestead and who all he’s becoming friendly with. Of course, she discounts all this and tries to blame MJ for trying to get her out of this disaster of a relationship with Cal. Libby didn’t seem to step up to handle her own mishaps and wasn’t really the self-reliant take-charge person I had envisioned. Not a strong romance but a friendship that has grown over time, especially from MJ’s perspective.… (más)

Whispers at the Wall is book two in the Brande Legacy Series. So if you haven't read The Brande Legacy book one then I suggest you go get and read it first and then read Whispers at the Wall.
The Brande Legacy left us with Claire-Rose and her mother the new owners of the castle. Byron has taken off to Australia to find his father and Dr Kris, Claire-Rose’s ex, has turned up on her doorstep to win her back and make her a doctor’s wife.
Claire-Rose has more and more troubled spirits calling on her to help them solve their problems and find peace. However in solving one ghosts problem is she upsetting others?
Is her power to see and hear those passed spiralling out of control?

The stories of the castle’s previous inhabitants gives the reader a glimpse into the past grandeur of the castle and also the hardships they endured. These stories and Claire-Rose’s own romantic problems blend well to make a perfect combination of paranormal and romance.
I enjoyed the development of Claire-Rose’s character. A woman who was usually so self assured and in control would just fall apart in front of Byron and not know what to say.
I am not generally a reader of ghost stories, being a bit of a scaredy cat. I didn't think I would be reading ghost stories, let alone enjoying them and eager to hear more of the spirits and their woes. So if you generally stay away from the paranormal genre I would recommend you try The Brande Legacy. It's not too scary.… (más)

As her mother was unable to go on their planned holiday after a last minute medical procedure, Claire-Rose ventures off on the holiday to Lorienne castle in New Zealand alone, promising her mother she will send her daily updates via email.
Claire-Rose was drawn to the castle when she had previously visited it on a day trip and was now looking forward to actually staying at the castle itself. On seeing the castle again she felt an overwhelming sensation of coming home. From the first night of her stay Claire-Rose started having vivid dreams. Someone was trying to connect with her, asking for her help. But how could she help them? Was Claire-Rose somehow connected to the castle’s history?

Rating this book was a little tough for me. How do I rate this? Is it how I didn’t at all like the main character, the selfish little rich girl Claire-Rose, and how my dislike for her grew and grew as the novel progressed? Or should it be on how I was compelled to keep reading long after I knew I should be doing other more mundane things? I’ve taken the second option with my 4 star rating. The story hooked me in. The mystery of the castle and how Claire-Rose was unknowingly connected and her dream like visions of past owners had me spellbound. All this mystery was equally balanced with the romance blossoming between Claire-Rose and Byron. Throw in a little paranormal activity. But not the type that’s going to make you too sacred to turn off the lights at night! Overall this was a nice, light and enjoyable read. I’d be happy to read more from this great Australian author.… (más)