From NY Times Bestselling Author, Angie Fox, a hauntingly fun holiday addition to the USA TODAY bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter seriesShe needs a Christmas miracle…Verity Long is ready to deck the halls, jingle some bells, and maybe, just maybe have a merry Christmas with her boyfriend’s stuffy family. Truly, if she doesn’t extend the proverbial olive branch to the overbearing Wydells, she’s … she’s afraid she’ll hit them over the head with it.But when her boyfriend’s mother pulls a shocking stunt, Verity finds herself with a big decision to make. And if that’s not enough, there’s an unexpected guest at her door. It’s the ghost of the woman who helped rescue Verity’s pet skunk three years ago that very night. And now she’s there to change Verity’s life as well.*A “between the books” stand-alone holiday story you don’t want to miss!
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Such a fun trip to Sugarland – especially at Christmas. When Verity wonders if the pain of dealing with a certain mother of the boyfriend, she finds out she’s important in the family for a variety of reasons.
A warm and uplifting story to remind us all that our lives may touch more people than we realize.
Loved it! I really enjoyed reading this Christmas story with Verity, Frankie, and Lucy. There was a lesson to learn, but it wasn’t preachy and it enhanced the story. As always I wish it was longer.
No Christmas could be complete without a happy/sad story that makes you cry and yet feel joyful. The Ghost of Christmas Past by Angie Fox (Part of the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries Series) is that story.
It’s Christmas Eve and time for the Wydell Family Christmas Party. As Verity Long (Ghost Hunter extraordinaire) gets ready for the party her almost Mother in Law does her usual and performs a nasty deed. Nothing new, but Verity has had enough and tells her what she really thinks. Long story short, she ends up spending Christmas Eve with the dead instead of the living.
The story is full of Holiday Hope, good feelings and just enough schmaltz to make it a new Christmas Classic story.
This is a new-to-me author and I will definitely be reading more of her stories. Animals in need of rescuing, unexpected ghosts, an evening journey to the future, a change of heart, new beginnings and hope for a better future for Verity’s boyfriend’s family. A future she can help with, in spite of his mother. When life gives you pears, make Pear Pandowdy!
A quick read for the holidays. I’m new to the series but that wasn’t a problem
I enjoyed this short story as I have the whole series so far. Verity has a clash with her boyfriend’s mother which in turn leads to an interesting twist of “A Christmas Carol”.
This was a fun and interesting read, with characters I love. I will continue on with this series.
I love the Southern Ghost Hunters stories! This one, a short holiday novella doesn’t disappoint. Verity Long is preparing to celebrate Christmas with her boyfriend’s family, the Wydells. They are difficult at best, but Verity knows she has to make an effort to get along.
Verity can see ghosts since she accidentally dumped an urn of ashes into her rosebushes. The remains belonged to Frankie, a gangster ghost from the 20’s. Since then, Verity taps into his energy to be able to see folks on the other side. This is a short story, number 8.5 in the Ghost Hunters series. Although most of the novels in the series are easily read as standalone, I think someone would have a greater appreciation for the story and Verity’s history with her boyfriend’s mother if even a few previous stories were read.
I thought this was a great story full of heart and an overwhelming feel good ending.
a cozy baby thriller without all the gore!!!
Virginia Wydell really hates Verity (whose pet skunk, Lucy, is only one of many reasons). Mostly, the snobbish Virginia hates Verity dating Ellis Wydell, who is the deputy sheriff and Virginia’s son. Virginia would despise Verity even more if she ever found out about Frankie — the ghost of a Roaring Twenties gangster, who haunts Verity’s house.
In this entertaining novella, Verity and Frankie set out to complete a ghostly task on the Wydell property the same night Virginia gives her annual Christmas gala for the whole town. What could possibly go wrong?
Angie Fox never fails to deliver tons of fun and laughs as well as a mystery that keeps readers turning the pages eagerly. Parents, have no worries about tween and teen readers; Fox’s ghost stories are not “horror” stories; they contain no gratuitous violence, gore, or graphic sex.
Great read as usual, I thoroughly enjoy her books. Always a delightful experience…
A twist on Christmas Carol. Well worth your time.
This novella, like many Christmas stories, borrows from A Christmas Carol. I have to say I’m tired of it, this is also the second book today (Hollyberry Homicide) that I’ve reviewed today that used it. It fits in well though especially with Verity actually being able to see ghosts.
It is a quick holiday read that confirms the most important thing about holidays is family. I also think this book is supposed to be an important transition piece for the series. It remains to be seen if that is the case. I hope so. I don’t expect life in the real world or books to be all sun shine and roses, but Verity being a door mat was getting to me.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
If you like a Christmas Carole. The is a Christmas Carol with a twist
Verity and Frankie are back with a new ghostly adventure, but this time there is a lot more riding on her figuring out how to help the ghosts than she could have imagined. Her very happiness is riding on this one. With a drop of Dickens and the author’s own charming Southern Ghost Hunter world, I was dazzled as usual.
The Ghost of Christmas Past is a novella and is #8.5 in the series. It is standalone, but has more meaning and makes more sense when gotten in order.
Virginia Wydell, her boyfriend’s mother has gone her length. Verity always knew that Virginia detested her, but this latest snobby stun right on the eve of Christmas has Verity deciding enough is enough. Ellis does not disagree that his mother is out of line and has verbally challenged her before, but he is also stuck in a hard place between love and loyalty that is complicated because family is involved.
Verity’s anger is mixed with her vulnerability of feeling not good enough and lonely for her own scattered family so she pushes Ellis to go to his family party and she mopes alone feeding her bitterness and anger.
Fortunately, this is when gangster Frankie’s antics and the sweet love of her pet skunk keep her from going full on depression. A ghost of one of her past friends comes along with a request for Verity’s help and Verity can’t resist a plea for her help so she drags a reluctant Frankie with her out to a spooky cider mill and the ghosts take her on three fateful visionary journeys so she can do her part to save a family.
I knew in the last book that things were coming to a head when Verity’s feckless way of charging into danger would get to Ellis who is a natural protector and a trained responder to danger since he’s former military and a sheriff’s deputy, but he’s helpless against the ghostly danger. Verity knows they need to have that conversation and now, Ellis’ mother does a spiteful act that Verity just can’t smile away and won’t. I was startled by her vehemence at first and then it made sense as the story unfolded. The age old trouble with the cliched mother in law is a cliche for a reason. I do love how Verity, and Ellis, eventually handled Virginia.
The personal storyline and the romance running through the series along with the colorful and sparkling characters on their ghostly adventures make this an outstanding series that I can heartily recommend.
This remake of The Scrooge’s night of ghosts was superb. It was down only on Angie Fox/Verity Long style and in my mind more excellent than the original tale. Kudos to Angie Fox.
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST is the twelfth release in the Southern Ghost Hunter series. Each is a stand-alone, clean, cozy mystery.
This one is set at Christmas with a strong vibe of Dicken’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL – a personal Christmas favorite. This is every bit as sentimental and meaningful as the Dicken’s tale, only this one includes a skunk, a mama bear and her cubs, and pear pandowdy, along with the ghosts.
This is a wonderful Christmas read, whether you’ve read the series or not.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST
Series: Southern Ghost Hunter #8.5
Category /Genre: Cozy Mystery, Christmas
Recommended for: 12+ due to vocabulary
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Angie Fox
It was great!
I love Angie Fox and everything she has written. If you want to have fun and relax, read this and all her books!
When I was a kid, this was my fave book to read on Christmas with my mom. Now, I read this at Christmas at the orphanage to bring Christmas joy! They also love it! This is what they always BEG me to read. (I was planning to anyway lol)
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
This time Verity is spending the Christmas with the in-laws.
How long will Verity last with the Wydells.
It is a good thing that she is super in love with Ellis.
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.