Where One Goes
B N Toler
I was never one to believe in spirits—until six years ago, when a bone-chilling accident changed my life…forever.
My name is Charlotte, but most people call me Char…and I have a special gift.
I talk to the dead.
Make no mistake, I can’t summon them. I’m only able to see and speak to the spirits that linger when they’re unable to crossover. They’re somehow weighted to the world with unfinished affairs. And for the last six years, I’ve relentlessly used my gift to help their lost souls.
But it’s come at a price. My life is dark. Feeling despondent, I’ve begun to give up. And in helping the dead, I’ve realized I haven’t allowed myself to live. With no money, no place to go, and most importantly… no hope, I’ve decided there is only one option—to end it all.
But fate is a funny thing. One minute, I’m about to leap to my death, and the next, I’m saved by Ike McDermott. The strong, striking soldier stopped me from putting an end to my despair. He’s the kind of man that smiles and brightens an entire room. Sweet and gentle.
He is my savior.
And he’s dead.
We’ve made an agreement. He’ll help me find a place to stay and a new job if I’ll help him with his unfinished business so that he may crossover.
Ike’s unfinished matter involves his twin brother, George. George has been falling apart since Ike’s death and Ike has not been able to compel himself to crossover in peace until he knows George will be okay.
When I agreed to help, little did I know that I’d fall in love with the charming folks of Bath County, and…Ike and George McDermott.
Now, as both brothers own equal parts of my heart, I am faced with a cruel and unfair predicament. In saving George, I must let go of Ike.
But how does one let go of half of their heart?
Ike and Charlotte
It’s nine in the morning and Charlotte is still sleeping. She looks different with dry hair in the light of day. Her dark hair is shiny and soft, fanned out over the pillows. Her lips are now pink, not blue as they were last night. She’s on her stomach, the blanket just barely covering her ass. Her skin looks so smooth and creamy, I’d give anything to touch it. I know I shouldn’t be staring at her like this, but I can’t help it. I may be dead, but I’m still a man—I like to look at beautiful women.
I have to get her up. She needs to get to her truck, and we need to get her a job immediately.
“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” I yell, and clap my hands in front of her face. She jolts up, her eyes frantic. I get a great shot of her breasts, and dear God, they are beautiful, I mean, call me an asshole, but I have no shame in staring at her before she jerks the blanket up, covering herself. Man, I miss the feel of a woman. Their softness, their warmness.
“I’m going to kill you!” she shouts.
“Little late for that, babe,” I reply and jerk my chin. She tosses a pillow at me. It goes right through me and lands on the floor.
I yawn. “Ouch.”
“Don’t wake me up like that ever again!” she shouts. “I don’t have any clothes on!”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed,” I mock confusion.
“Asshole!”
“My, my, we’re grumpy in the morning,” I chuckle as she stands, wrapping the blanket around her. The dead can still get hard-ons. I have to turn from her, so she doesn’t see mine as I mentally lick her long, lean body. Damn!
She grabs her bag and scurries into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Apparently, mornings are not her forte. When she exits the bathroom, she’s wearing worn jeans with holes all over and a black tank top. Her dark hair is down and she’s put on a little makeup. Although she still looks tired and frail, she looks refreshed, and that makes me happy. I don’t know her well, but I hope when all is said and done, I can help her find some happiness.
“How much did you see?” she asks as she zips her backpack up.
“Not much.” I shrug and she sighs with relief. “Just your breasts,” I add nonchalantly, and she throws a hair brush at me, which zips right through me and hits the wall.
“Thought we already established that won’t work.”
“You suck,” she huffs and flings her backpack over her shoulder.
“They were really nice, Charlotte.” I compliment her and she blushes, but she can’t help but smile.
“You’re lucky my gift is limited to seeing and hearing you. If I could touch you, you’d be talking in soprano right now.”
Buy Links
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1LOcK4F
Smashwords - http://bit.ly/1EQTKAW
Nook - http://bit.ly/1x6EZaM
Fresh, dynamic, funny, emotional, sad, at times dark but chalk full of romance and characters who jump off the page. This is a home run and too good to miss!
I've been a B.N. Toler fan from her first novel to this one. Each book gets better and better. What is unique to all her books is a fresh perspective of genre's that have become predictable. Her view of paranormal romance gives the genre a boost especially when she wraps it around a wonderful contemporary romance.
What made this novel reach my favourites shelf is the emotional connection I made with each characters. This connection brought me to tears pages after I was laughing out loud and wound it's way into my heart. The characters of Ike and George are fabulous...as each one has his strengths and weaknesses. Charlotte is a character with depth but doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve. Her "difference" makes her experience the world in different ways. The trauma that all three main characters and what ultimately brings them all together is dark and might touch a trigger to those who have experienced a recent death.
I have to talk about the sex...or lack there of in this book. There are no graphic sex scenes but it is one of the MOST romantic books I have read in years. I experienced the characters attraction and sexuality through the emotion the writer generated and I didn't miss the graphic sex at all. In fact is was a pleasant change since it seems every book is trying to out sex the next lately.
I must mention the secondary characters of Anna and Sniper. I hope B.N. will give us their story some day and I would love to revisit the Mercer's and Ike and George's parents again. The town where this story is set would make a wonderful backdrop to further novels.
Thanks B.N. for giving me this ARC for an honest review.
I have rated this novel a 5 star read and a do not miss.. Beat those winter blahs with this fantastic romance that will make you "feel" again. This for me is my number one Spring pick for 2015.
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B N Toler lives in Virginia. When she's not reading or writing, she's thinking about reading or writing. Before she became a self-proclaimed writer, she worked as a real estate agent and as an orthodontic technician. **She will notice your teeth before your eyes or hair or anything.**
She enjoys shopping (way too much) and is on a first name basis with several employees at the local Target in her town.
She loves music,(bluegrass, country, 80's, actually she loves most music ~her favorite song is American Pie by Don McLean and she worships anything that is Elvis and Johnny Cash and Eric Church) dancing, (even though she sucks at it)reading, writing, eating (too much) sleeping late, (which she rarely gets to do) and laughing. If you can make her laugh, she will love you forever.
Stalker Links
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BNTOLER
Website - http://www.bntoler.com/
Very nice, T! Any news on a new BNT book is music to my ears. Thanks for the blurb and great review!
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