Monday, October 28, 2013

HAUNTING JOY

I'm thrilled to be part of the HAUNTING JOY blog tour today! I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of HAUNTING JOY, a novella by the amazing Lena Goldfinch. Not only did I know I loved Lena's writing already, I was excited about a good ghost story before Halloween.

First about the book:

Joy’s new dress has a secret – one with a little supernatural history, one that’s a little more than she expected.

It all starts one ordinary afternoon, as seventeen-year-old Joy tries on some thrift-store clothes her grandmother gave her. The little white dress fits perfectly. Trouble is, now it won’t leave her alone. Soon Joy is swept up in an extraordinary journey to help a ghost complete some unfinished business. If only that didn’t involve Joy driving through dangerous intersections...or calling up her high-school crush, Nick...or getting stuck at a cemetery after dark.

Will Joy accept this ghostly challenge to be "more"? And just how far will she go to uncover the truth?

Light Paranormal Novella


Now, before I tell you what I think I asked the most appropriate *person* I could think of to review the book as well. Please welcome Bertha the ghost.

Bertha: Thank you, Lisa. We prefer the term bodily challenged. Ahem.  Finally I have an opportunity to prove that I'm an intelligent being worth listening to. My opinion counts, people!!

Me: Um, yeah. Of course it does. That's why I asked you here.

Bertha: It's just that it can be difficult being bodily challenged. People seem to assume I'm there to scare them - as if I don't have anything better to do.

Me: Yes, well, Haunting Joy...

Bertha: Of course. I did enjoy the book. I appreciated that the bodily challenged individual wasn't simply a one dimensional stereotype. She had goals, feelings, you know all things that make us human.

Me: *silence* (I'm not going there)

Bertha: It's only too bad we had to hear it from the point of view of a girl blessed with a body. BORING.

Me: Hey! You had a body once too.

Bertha: *eyes turn black* *teeth sharpen into points* *hair floats around head*

Me: Sorry to interrupt. Please continue.

Bertha: That's all.

Me: Thank you, Bertha and good luck.

As for me? I loved it!! It was a fun story, nicely balanced and well written. I give it 5 stars even if it wasn't written from the ghost - er, bodily challenged individual's - point of view.


In honor of the release of Haunting Joy, Lena Goldfinch is giving away a few spooktacular prizes! The giveaway is open internationally, and there will be three winners (randomly drawn) – one winner for each of the prizes listed below:

·         glass heart necklace (like Joy’s!)
·      A signed copy of Haunting Joy (paperback)
·      An e-book copy of Haunting Joy
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:


Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.

You can find Lena at any of the following places:

9 comments:

  1. This sounds like a hilarious story. I'm not dressing up as a ghost for Halloween. I'm going as a bodily challenged. :D

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  2. SUCH a fun concept (and I love the cover!)~ reminds me a bit of Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl. Love the interview with Bertha as well :)

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  3. I saw this book the other day for the first time and fell in love with the cover and premise.

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  4. That premise sucks me right in! A haunted dress -- awesome!

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  5. LOL! Oh my goodness - I love this, Lisa! You are so creative. Very nice to meet Bertha and hear that she approves of Haunting Joy (for the most part). ;)

    ~Amber

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  6. Lisa, you're the best-est! :-) Thanks for the awesome review. Please tell Bertha I said hi. :)

    Thanks to all for all the lovely comments!

    Jess & SA: So glad you like the cover!

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  7. Bodily challenged!!! That's funny.

    Love the cover. Love the premise. Love the interview!

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  8. Love the cover and love the premise. Giggled at the interview.

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