The first in a new romantic suspense series by bestselling author Patricia Rice: A lawman haunted by his past . . . a scientist haunted by her future.Samantha Moon arrives in Hillvale— population 325 lives and countless ghosts—in a fog as thick as the one circling the aging mountain town. Bereft of friends and family, money and memory, all she has to her name is a stray cat . . . but that’s … a stray cat . . . but that’s apparently enough for the people of Hillvale to take her in.
L.A. investigator Chen Ling Walker’s problem is too many memories. He’s come to bury his tragic past in this remote California town, where his father vanished years before. Ever watchful, Walker sees how Sam’s arrival disturbs the deceptive peace of Hillvale. Old bones lead to new death, stirring ancient fears and feuds.
Sam will need Walker’s help to uncover the truth of who she is and face the burden that brings. But how can he accept a reality that stretches beyond the borders of what he knows — one that contains spirits, psychics, and imaginary voices—the weirdness that ruined his life before?
And if they survive what lies ahead, will they find any way to make a future together?
OTHER BOOKS IN THE CRYSTAL MAGIC SERIES:
Book 1: Sapphire Nights
Book 2: Topaz Dreams
Book 3: Crystal Vision
Book 4: Wedding Gems
Book 5: Azure Secrets
Book 6: Amber Affairs
more
I had the privilege of reading SAPPHIRE NIGHTS in draft form — and I couldn’t put it down! I love the world Rice has built in Hillvale, with its witchy women plying their magic to make the world a better place!
The writing is excellent with well-developed characters, a tight, well-written story, a complex and interesting mystery and a lovely romance. The mystery will keep you guessing right up until the end – it is filled with plots and sub-plots and so many twists and turns.
Samantha (Sam) Moon arrives in the small mountain town of Hillvale, California without an actual memory of who she is, where she comes from – nothing – it is all a total blank. The only reason she has any idea of her name is that she found it written on something in her car – well – she thinks it is her car – after all, she was driving it. How did she get here – there is an address programmed on the GPS – did she program it? Why is she here? She’s been in a bit of a befuddled state, but her mind is finally clearing a bit – at least she can think – but she still has absolutely no idea who she is or why she is in this place.
Hillvale is a mysterious, very small town populated with what the locals call Lucys and Nulls. The Nulls are pretty much just what the name says – plain, ordinary, logical with no belief in anything that is magical or mystical. The Lucys seem – and many actually are – looney. They often talk in jibberish and never, ever get directly to the point and say what they actually mean. They have various talents – some assist restless spirits to the other side, some tell futures by reading tarot cards, some create spells and sculptures that protect people and spaces – well, you name it and there is someone with that talent. Many of the people are hold-overs from the old hippie commune days. Days that are better forgotten, but can’t be. They were days filled with drugs, betrayals, fraud, and evil.
Chen Ling Walker is more than he seems. He’s the county deputy assigned to patrol and police the Hillvale area – but – that isn’t all he is. He’s here on a mission – he intends to find out what happened to his father when he was in this area nearly 20 years ago. Walker is sure his father was murdered here, but his body has never been found. Walker fully intends to find out what happened, but the locals are tight-lipped and will not speak to anyone – especially an outsider. Walker is still trying to recover from the murder/suicide of his wife and son, so he has taken a sabbatical from his job as CEO of his own company. He had to get away – and this is the perfect thing for him to do.
The descriptions are so vivid that you can feel the evil surrounding you. Your heartbeat will speed up and you can only wonder who or what is causing all of that evil. More and more is revealed as Sam remembers who she is and how she got here. Then, she learns more about her family background and her ties to this place. She is in danger here – the evil is stalking her.
Can she and Walker save her from that evil? Can they solve the mystery behind the disappearance of Walker’s father? Can two people from such different worlds find love and happiness? Well – you’ll just have to read the story to find out!
Now, I will say that I’d have liked MORE at the ending – an epilogue – an additional chapter – something. Perhaps we’ll learn more in additional books in the series, but I’d have liked to see how/if Sam and Walker work things out in this book. Will they end up living in his town or hers? Will they be together at all?
The book is interesting and filled with lovely, quirky characters that you’ll quickly come to like. I think it might be fun to live in a town like Hillvale.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Sapphire Nights got off to a slow start for me. If I hadn’t enjoyed some of Rice’s historical books, I might have set it aside. But once it caught me, I was truly hooked. I like Sam and Walker (who appears to be afflicted with “first name avoidance” as well as his limp). I liked most of the quirky characters. I will be tempted to return to Hillvale again sometime.
Never pulled me into the story line, could not connect with the characters.
I really enjoyed reading this book.
Our heroine has amnesia and arrives in a strange town aided by the pre-programmed GPS device. The local lawman is very skeptical of her and many of the members of the town. This is whimsical and brings in a belief in the other wordly, such as spirits, feelings with the earth, ghosts, etc. Some of it was a little far fetched, but what fun to meet and enjoy these kooky characters. It culminates with a fire, and earthquake and family love story. I enjoyed it!
Could not get into it. Did not hold my interest. I tried, but only got about a third in and gave up.
It was a little difficult getting into, but once you did it was definitely hard to put down. I was very confused in the beginning, took a while to get it together
Great world building with the characters and supernatural twist. Kept me entertained and wanting to read to the end.
Very good. Mystery, murder, spirits and magic.
Wonderful read.
Page turner
Not my type of book. I did like as much as one I have read before. Just me!
Had to buy the others in the series!
Actually unbelievable believable! Nice blend of normal and paranormal.
good read.
I enjoyed the book. The story was compelling.
This book has great potential and I loved the plot but the author seemed to write choppy. It was hard to keep the characters straight. It was also hard to understand if the characters had spiritual powers or if they were just crazy.
amnesia, occult, hippy dippy…what’s not to like?The down-to-earth scientist with amnesia finds herself in a quirky town in the middle of a generations old conflict beyween the Nulls & the Lucys. Add a handsome tormented deputy, land disputes, spirits, and a vortex make a fun read. Payricia Rice never disappoints. A romance with substance.
I don’t know how this book got the 4.5 stars it did? I keep hoping it would get better, it did not. Writing quirky characters is not enough. I won’t be buying anything else this author writes.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.