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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A short, but detailed story that tells the horrors of dating after a zombie apocalypse. Our protagonist is searching for love in a world that is full of the lifeless, cold, and undead. Although the undead try their very best to cover up their imperfections through their clothing and by covering them up with makeup she sees right through them. Pushing her fears and paranoia aside, she goes on date after date in the hopes that Mr. Right is out there somewhere but that she just has yet to find him. The only real bright spot in her dreary world is the cat in the window across the street that she has formed a bond with.

The author does a great job of world building and drawing the reader into the story from the first page. She so accurately describes the very real horrors of dating while using zombies as a metaphor. Time and time again throughout this short story I found myself relating to the protagonist as I recall back to my own dating experience. How many times did I go on a date with a lifeless “zombie” who tried so hard to hide his imperfections behind his sweet talk and the clothes he wore? This short story was interesting, unique, creepy, and fun to read. Another great and unique story by this author!

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Amelia Stansell

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young woman’s journey in the dating world after a nasty virus breaks out. Leaving most people as Zombies. She goes out on date after date hoping to find the one but each time it’s another one trying to pretend they are still human, when in reality they just “want her for her body.” She vows to never go out again but something always tugs at her to try one more time. There is a cat across the way that she always sees, she wonders who is human enough to still own the cat. It is a great quick read.

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Nichole Chrisman

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When the dating world irl mimics that of the zombie world of this story! This was a short read but very deep. Our main character is just trying to find love in a zombie world but each of her dates, despite clever disguises, can’t hide their hunger. It isn’t until the end that our girl finds the comfort she was looking for, and it was what she already had. Quick and good read!

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Deb Robinson

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first short story I have read from this author. I was hooked by the very first page. The woman in the beginning is describing a dead man across from her at a dinner table. Why? How? When? Did she do it? As you continue to read you find out all these answers. The story is based on humans and hungries and what has made this phenomenon happen. The woman is lonely and trying to come to terms with the eventuality of her life. I love that she has an odd relationship with a cat across the way. Never give up hope.

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria Deblassie – Review by Tabitha Montero

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Quick short story about a woman post zombie apocalypse trying to romance. It follows a woman trying to date and find love/romance with a warm body, not a zombie. It was very quick but not where it left you feeling like you got nothing out of it. You were able to follow her while she went on a few dates trying to decipher between warm bodies and zombies

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Lorrene Huisman

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was a great and enjoyable read for me! First off I enjoyed the author’s writing style. I loved how they pin pointed details of such things in the world of how it was now, that often as readers we may have looked over or passed up.

I loved how the author made the dating world as it was, troublesome and agonizing at times. In this tale, the whole zombie thing had happened. I loved how companionship is till a must have, but to survive is also super valuable. I was pulled in deep as I read. I felt a lot, and reflected on things. The tale was full of intrigue and haunting in its own way. Loved it!

Great and interesting read Not one I would want to pass up for any reason. I really enjoyed it, as it was a short read, it was quick, but that doesn’t mean my enjoyment was short lived. As it was not! Highly recommend this must read book, as well as this author! Both are a must read for sure!

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Ayla Eddy

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A quick read that gets the gears turning in your noggin. Only fifteen pages long but the way in which the writer shares the tale it feels like you have read a much longer story. We don’t want to be alone as humans and we don’t want to be with any random person in the dating pool. Especially so when it is dating in the zombie apocalypse. At first you pick it up asking yourself what in the world are you reading about to find that very quickly you feel connected to the main character in an emotional way and that you fully understand the story. Then once it is over the concept sinks in while you digest it and most likely start to compare your experiences to it.

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Ashley Sugar

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a good short story! It’s my first time reading one and I enjoyed every page. I loved the gore and the mild violence! Keeps me on my toes and keeps it interesting! A good time to read this book too, because it’s close to spooky season! If you love a good zombie apocalypse and a quick read. Read this! Has a great concept!

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Shelly Kittell

Hungry BusinessHungry Business by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this short story to be a very interesting take on dating. It almost feels like you are the one going out on dates with the hungry undead. I do have to agree with her. I have been out on some dates that have felt like that. My favorite part of the story were the descriptions of the times watching the tabby cat and the apartment across the street. Yay, for seeing the living guy. There’s always 1 good guy out there. You just have to keep looking. I would love to see more develop from that angle. Maybe a book? I couldn’t really understand why she felt the chill or how she got the ick in her pinky? This author does have a way of leaving you with chills with her writing. The description of the date at her doorstep decaying and her chopping part of her little finger off gave me a case of the “ews.” Overall, a story to really give you the goosebumps. It will definitely make you rethink that perspective on dating. Hmmmm…. Go ahead, you know you want to read. I enjoyed it and you will too.

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Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie

♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~ ♦ ~
Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie
Genre- Gothic, Horror
Page Count – 20

From the award-winning author and bruja Maria DeBlassie comes a cozy Gothic short story about searching for connection in a world that’s forgotten the power of everyday magic. 

Looking for love can be deadly…  

You know how it goes.  You go out, hoping to meet someone.  You wade through your fair share of brainless automatons, lifeless bodies, and ravenous undead good at passing as human.    

The more you go out, the less hope you feel and the colder your body gets.  But you keep at it.  All you need is one beating heart to match your own before yours stops pumping altogether.  How hard can it be to find one living, breathing human in a city full of bodies?   

Dating.   

It’s hungry business.

~ AMAZON ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Hungry Business: A Gothic Story about the Horrors of Dating by Maria DeBlassie

Dr. Maria DeBlassie is a native New Mexican mestiza and award-winning writer and educator living in the Land of Enchantment. She writes about everyday magic, ordinary gothic, and all things witchy. When she is not practicing Brujeria, she’s teaching classes about bodice rippers, modern mystics, and things that go bump in the night. She is forever looking for magic in her life and somehow always finding more than she thought was there. Find out more about Maria and conjuring everyday magic at www.mariadeblassie.com.

Author Interview with Maria DeBlassie

WEBSITE ~ TWITTER ~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ YOUTUBE ~ AMAZON ~ PINTEREST ~ GOODREADS ~ TIKTOK ~ BOOKBUB ~

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAMFACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by S. Bittles

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a short review as to not give away too much of the story, a must read for sure!

This is a novel that has mystery, drama, friendship and hardships.

The Author has given us an intriguing story filled with relatable and lovable characters, a very interesting narrative and plot twists that will keep you guessing.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Katrina Jones

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Roxanne takes on a job caring for an elder author, Claudette.
Roxanne agrees to help Claudette finish her last book. In doing so, things start to get interesting and questionable.
This was a quick read, as it kept me questioning what was going on! I really enjoyed the twists this story had.

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Enchanted In Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Roxanne Ferris is a woman who writes a blog, but she has a tragedy burdening her shoulders and so is best selling author Claudette Grayson, although there are decades in age between them, all they want is to escape from the memories haunting them. This led them to meet when Claudette asked for someone to be her caregiver over her last summer, she is unwell and has not got long to live, whereas Roxanne is younger but weighed down by her world. Both women both write and find they in common, but as they spend more time together, other things come to the fore as well.

Claudette is determined to write one last story and she wants Roxanne to help her with it, so they discuss the setting, timeframe, characters and the storyline, in between these conversations, Claudette gives Roxanne her notes so that she can start the task of writing it and it being up to her expectations. As the women dive into this story, they bond over it, however when Claudette goes to bed, Roxanne starts to experience unusual things in the house and starts to think that it is all in her head, so she tries her best to ignore it.

As time goes on, Roxanne starts to hear and see one of the fictional characters in the house and at some point, the apparition starts to talk to her and it all begins to feel a bit too real. Who is the stranger, what is his story and is it just a coincidence that he resembles one of the characters in this story? Will this summer be the undoing of both women, or will their sanity come out of the other side unscathed, stronger and more resilient, bringing about the peace they both so desperately crave? This is an emotional rollercoaster as the supernatural and fictional combine to create a fantastical story of grief, life, love and loss which will ensnare you hook, line and sinker from start to finish.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Jerricka Brown

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book made me think of some good times in my life. It was a quick read yet entertaining. I was hooked from the beginning. I love how the author makes you want more and more while reading. The characters felt so relatable. There was so much emotion in this book. I highly recommend it.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Shannon Fowler

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story seems like a dream at first. Getting paid to take care of an aging author, a chance to pick that person’s brain and listens to an accomplished story-teller. See? Sounds like a dream. But wait…there’s a twist. The house seems to have a story to tell as well. And then there’s the vision? The ghost? The guy that Roxanne can see and hear and speak to! What’s his story?! Is he a figment of her imagination due to her personal trauma? Can Roxanne save him unlike the others she couldn’t save? Will her life always be one traumatic story after another?

Famous aging author Claudette Grayson needs help. Help getting out her very last story so everyone knows the truth. Claudette is draw to Roxanne, but is there enough time to find the truth?

This is not my first story by this author and I always enjoy reading her stories. Definitely recommend this author and this standalone.

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Reviewed by @shannonlovesbooks

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Ashley Lape

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Roxanne applied to work as a caregiver for Claudette she never thought it would be a life-changing opportunity. Claudette is best known as bestselling author Claudette Grayson. Roxanne does not have much time to get to know Claudette but they formed a bond that would not be broken even after Claudette passes. Shortly after Roxanne agrees to help finish Claudette’s latest book, strange things start to happen to make Roxanne question her sanity. When the “fictitious” world starts to collide with what Roxanne believes is the real world anything is bound to happen. Once Roxanne explains to Claudette what has been happening, Claudette asks Roxanne to help save Phillip. Little did Roxanne know that it would send her into a totally different universe.
This is my first book by the author and I am a new reader of time-travel/alternate universe. This book kept me engaged and eager to keep reading. I enjoyed the growth of all of the characters as well as the progression of the plot.

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Reviewed by @alape

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Heidi Sturgess

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Roxanne had experienced some deep heartache and Lisa so when the opportunity roses for her to be caretaker to one her of favourite authors , Claudette Grayson , she jumps at the opportunity, I mean hello who wouldn’t !?

Claudette is 93 and she has lived a good life but now with her age , damaged hip and the onset of dimensia , she needs care but won’t leave her home and it’s comforts and she recognises something in Roxanne and asks her to help finish a book before it’s too late ….

Roxanne cat turn the offer down and so starts a journey that has me in tears more often than not. Roxanne is riddled with guilt and my heart breaks for her with the “visits” she gets from Derek and Aiden and my heart really did feel like Humpty Dumpty 💔

This is one of those reads that haunts you long after you’ve read the last page ❣️📕

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Mary Espinoza

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is definitely one of a kind, it is everything in one! It has romance, mystery, time traveling, and a little bit of thrill. Characters in this novel deal with loss, and love. Some issues arise related to time travel, and a possible ghost. An unexpected twist occurs and despite the twists and turns, this novel ends beautifully!

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July 2022, Mary Espinoza

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Felicia Bates

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE the cover art of this book. Admittedly it was what attracted me to the book in the first place, the author was a close second.
I have read several books from this author and as usual, this didn’t disappoint. The storyline was unique and drew me in from the first few pages. The book itself is fairly short and reads quickly, so not once did my interest fade. What I’ve come to love from this author’s writing is the strong, lovable characters you become invested in.
If you’re interested in a well written, captivating storyline… give this book a go!

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Tanya Wall August 2022

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Roxanne takes a job as a caregiver to Claudette Grayson, an author who is on her deathbed. Claudette asks Roxanne to be a ghost writer and finish her final book. Prior to this, Roxanne was reeling from a loss so great, she was struggling to get past it. She is hoping this new job will help.

As Roxanne begins to read through notes and get things in order for writing, she finds strange things happening in the house. The music box plays music, a fresh rose is left behind…she hears voices. But whose? Could it be the character from the book she is helping to write? Is it someone else who has passed?

This is a book with quite a few twists and turns – ones you would never guess! The ending was not what I anticipated – good one, Nikki Barrett!

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Megan Watson

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an interesting read for me. I was just as confused as Roxanne a majority of the time with what was happening. It is like an episode of the Twilight Zone. I like the idea of this story, but I think the pacing of it fluctuated a little too much for it to remain believable for me throughout the entire read. The ending threw me for a loop though!! I definitely did not expect all that! This book is a quick read with a touch on grief and a happily ever after ending.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Christina Gran

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett

Excellent read….kept me guessing at every turn! Quick read, left me captivated long past my bed time. My first paranormal read, but definitely won’t be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed the book

Claudette Grayson, a well known author, needs some help getting around and is looking for a caregiver…Roxanne is perfect for the task, as she is healing from her own trauma. As the two ladies find common ground and develop a friendship, Claudette asks Roxanne to help her write her next novel. As the story develops, mysterious things start happening at the house & Roxanne struggles to identify what is real & what is fiction.
Amazing story filled with friendship, love & laughter, woven together with a captivating mystery that will leave the reader guessing until the last page! 5+ stars! Highly recommend.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Savannah Schwarz

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
This book is a quick read, but i found the interactions between two women, Roxanne and Claudette nostalgic as it quickly took me back to when I would sit on the porch with my grandma and talk about old times in the family while sipping coffee and eating cake. It immerses you into the life of Roxanne who becomes a ghostwriter for Claudette, an eclectic stubborn, famous writer who has dementia. As I read the pages I kept waiting and kept intrigued enough to keep going. I became so interested and anxious for the next page, the next line. I like that the author didn’t spend a great amount of time laying the foundation for the characters. Instead, you read it as is and learn as you go. It’s a quick read that is overall worth the read.

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Carisa Saenz-Videtto

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this story. It connects so much to real life and I loved, being able to put myself in that situation without feeling impossible. I also enjoyed how the author lets the story build up instead of throwing you into action. In a way, I could see myself as Roxanne because I enjoy writing stories, and maybe who knows I could find an author and join.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Christine Baranek

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enchanted in Time
By: Nikki Lynne Barrett
5*

I truly enjoyed this story. It kept me guessing throughout. I have to say that I normally shy away from books that include paranormal elements. However, I went out of my comfort zone with this one and it was an excellent choice. While some of these elements featured prominently in the story it did not feel forced or even farfetched. I really really found myself loving these characters and invested in their futures.

Roxanne has just faced a major tragedy. She carries around the blame and guilt for that day and it is manifesting itself in her life in different ways. To help distract herself she takes a job caring for the award winning author Claudette. Claudette is dying and refusing to go into a hospital or nursing home, rather she would prefer to stay in her house.

As the job begins, Roxanne is warned that Claudette is not amenable to having a caregiver. However, on Roxanne’s first day she discovers that is not necessarily the case. Claudette takes a quick liking to Roxanne and she asks her to help Claudette finish her final book. She also asks that Roxanne become her ghost writer after she passes away.

As Roxanne begins to read over the notes Claudette has for her, strange things begin happening to Roxanne. She is hearing music coming from a music box in the attic. Then she begins to hear voices. She believes at first that she is losing her mind and that what she is seeing and hearing is related to the tragedy she experienced. However, she quickly realizes that ghost writer has a completely different meaning to Claudette. Roxanne is seeing and hearing the main character in the book Claudette is asking her to help finish. As time goes on, Roxanne realizes that this book is far more personal than Claudette has ever let on and that Phillip, the main character in the book she is writing may not be as fictional as she once thought.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Toni Sellers

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a nice quick read full of all the feels. Romance, suspense and some time travel. I was hooked from page 1, Roxanne and Claudette create a bond and it is all so well written you won’t want to put it down.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Candida Hopper

Enchanted In TimeEnchanted In Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was definitely an enchanting read. There are some twists and turns in this story. I found myself unable to put it down once I started needing to find out what happens next. Roxanne moves in with Claudette to be her caregiver. Claudette wants Roxanne to finish writing the story that Claudette has started writing. There are many strange things happening in the house and Roxanne doesn’t know what to make of it. This author takes you on a journey with her writing. This book has friendship, emotion, romance, tragedy and more. I don’t want to give anything away. I will say that this was an original and enjoyable read that I think you will enjoy as well.

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable paranormal story that had definite twists and turns…

As Roxanne grieves from a family tragedy, she helps to be a caregiver to a best selling author, Claudette….and Claudette’s wish is to spend her last days in her home. As Roxanne and Claudette bond…strange things start to happen as Roxanne discovers …. Music…mystery… but then start to realize there is another being.. who is this person?

This story was very good, parts were heart breaking…love ..loss…mysterious…

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Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Enchanted in Time was a book I did not want to put down. The characters pulled me in straight away. Even though I knew the direction the book was going and had it figured out early, I still enjoyed reading it. There is a bit of a twist toward the end. I got really confused for a bit, along with the characters, but things were sorted out. I love the creativity of the story. Time travel books are usually pretty confusing to me, but this one was well written. I was happy with the ending, and it tied up all the loose ends. Not your average love story, highly recommend.

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Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy

Enchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett – Review by Betsy Melano

Enchanted in TimeEnchanted in Time by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A well written story of love, romance, new friendships, helping each other through grief, tragedy, and so much more! I enjoyed reading this story from the start. Roxanne is taking on the roll of caregiver to Claudette a well known author. Not only does Claudette need some help getting around her house, she asks Roxanne to ghost write her next story which is personally important to Claudette. What Roxanne didn’t expect was finding an attic room where she meets Philip (a ghost?) and realizes Claudette’s book is a story based on real life people Claudette knew.
The story is easy to read, the characters are wonderfully written, and it sucks you in so you want to keep reading until the end. I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to friends.

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