Saturday 6 February 2016

Review: A Hold on Me by Pat Esden


Annie Freemont grew up on the road, immersed in the romance of rare things, cultivating an eye for artifacts and a spirit for bargaining. It's a freewheeling life she loves and plans to continue--until her dad is diagnosed with dementia. His illness forces them to return to Moonhill, their ancestral home on the coast of Maine--and to the family they left behind fifteen years ago, after Annie's mother died in a suspicious accident.

Once at Moonhill, Annie is shocked when her aunt separates her from her father. The next time Annie sees him, he's a bizarre, violent shadow of his former self. Confused, she turns to an unlikely ally for support--Chase, the dangerously seductive young groundskeeper. With his dark good looks and powerful presence, Chase has an air of mystery that Annie is irresistibly drawn to. But she also senses that behind his penetrating eyes are secrets she can't even begin to imagine. Secrets that hold the key to the past, to Annie's own longings--and to all of their futures. Now, to unlock them, she'll have to face her greatest fears and embrace her legacy…

ebook, 320 pages
Expected publication: February 23rd 2016 by Kensington

Terri's Thoughts

** I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is February 23rd 2016**

This story was not what I expected at all.  The synopsis is a little vague.  If you are not a fan of paranormal, this will not be the choice for you.  If you are, then this may be of interest.  Luckily I don't mind the genre however I was just a little surprised to find out what was in store for me.  While it did no impact the enjoyment factor for me, it just caught me off-guard, perhaps I should have researched more.

This was an original concept (for me anyway) in the fact that it dealt with genie's and their evil ways.  With the theme of good vs. evil it was a matter of figuring out who the good guys were and who were not.  While it seemed pretty clear to me, it did not for our main character which is part of what moved the story along.

I did get frustrated with Annie on occasion as she never seemed to listen to others even when they appeared to be trying to help.  On the other hand she was being told half truths throughout the story.

The chemistry between Annie and Chase was evident from the beginning of the story.  Again we have the theme of good vs. evil...or do we?  You would have to read to find out, no spoilers here!  As always it adds an element when there is a love interest in these type of stories

I felt throughout the story that it was laying a solid framework of the Freemont family story which was fascinating.  With this I felt that there was multiple options and possibilities for the story to expand beyond just this book.  Upon conclusion I saw that I was correct as there will be a second story to this.  I am really interested in what direction it will take as the story left some openings with some good potential.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this story.  This is for fans of stories that have a slight dark side and paranormal tendencies.





About the Author




      PAT ESDEN would love to say she spent her childhood in intellectual pursuits. The truth is she was fonder of exploring abandoned houses and old cemeteries. When not out on her own adventures, she can be found in her northern Vermont home writing stories about brave, smart women and the men who capture their hearts. An antique-dealing florist by trade, she’s also a member of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and the League of Vermont Writers. Her short stories have appeared in a number of publications, including Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, the Mythopoeic Society’s Mythic Circle literary magazine, and George H. Scither’s anthology Cat Tale


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