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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Great holiday book. Uplifting and entertaining. Great for anyone interested in reading romance, mystery, and paranormal. Verity Long is a smart and quirky heroine that you can’t help but enjoy. She has a way of finding trouble every where she goes, if she doesn’t, Frankie will. She has the ability to make the best of every situation, even when dealing with Virginia Wydell. Can Verity find her Christmas cheer and save the holiday?
Angie Fox has done it again with this fun and feel good novella! With a familiar nod to a Christmas Carol, Verity enlists the help of her ghostly sidekick, Frankie, to accompany her on what should be a quick rescue mission. Well, the mission ends up turning into a lot more! Family, friends, ghosts and animal rescues make this a wonderful Christmas story. Enjoy!!
With a nod to A Christmas Carol, The Ghost of Christmas Past delivers complete satisfaction two times! First, Verity tells off Ellis’s mother! Haven’t you been waiting for that since the first book. Not to be miss. Then, well that is about how the tales ends and you will have to read the whole book to appreciate it. Christmas Eve doesn’t turn out anything like what Verity expects which isn’t surprising but as all of the books in the Southern Ghost Hunter series, it is brings so much more than anyone could expect.
When the ghost of the friend who brought Lucy into Verity’s life drops by kindly ghost needs a little favor. Naturally Verity can’t refuse. Frankie as usual is not pleased but before life returns to normal, even he is glad he took part in this adventure.
Pears can be useful.
I love all of Angie’s books but the Christmas ones always have that magical touch that pulls my heart strings. This was was so good and I read it straight through and wished it could have lasted longer lol. It is a wonderful story that you shouldn’t miss. Merry Christmas to Angie and everyone who made this book happen.
Another winner by Angie Fox! I love Verity and always enjoy seeing what trouble she and Frankie can get into. Although this one is a short one, I definitely recommend picking it up for a quick, fun read. You will not be disappointed.
Things to know before you start, if you haven’t read the amazing series that is Southern Ghost Hunters, well… you don’t actually need to do it to understand this story, but you totally should because it is amazing.
Verity is excited to have a merry Christmas with her boyfriend’s family, stuffy as it is, is still Ellis’ and she wants to be with him. She is more than ready to extend the proverbial olive branch, but when Virginia pulls another of her stunts Verity decides that she has had enough. When the ghost of the woman who helped rescue Verity’s pet skunk three years ago that very night appears at her doorstep, she starts to see things differently.
This is a cute kind of retelling of A Christmas Carol. Personally loved it, it was refreshing to see Verity put Ellis’ mom to her place considering how big of a pain in the ass she was being, but at the same time, it’s important that we don’t let other people change us for the worst. I love reading about her adventures and ADORE her relationship with Ellis, they are so beautiful together and love how much he adores her. It was a nice pause from the main story to remind us of what is important in the holidays.
I really hope you enjoy this story as much as I did.
I have never gone wrong with an Angie Fox book. This is a short Christmas story and is essentially a modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol as only Angie Fox can do with her ghost hunting heroine Verity. Virginia and Verity are still at it, and Ellis and the rest of the Wydells are all caught in the middle. Verity finally stands up to Virginia, after an extremely outrageous encounter, and refuses to go to the Wydell family Christmas Eve party. She essentially wants Ellis to choose her over his family. After Ellis leaves Verity learns the hard way what hatred in your heart can do to your soul. This is was a great quick read. I love Christmas stories, especially when there is a happy or at least an acceptable ending.
A SUGARLAND CHRISTMAS CAROL – SOUTHERN GHOST HUNTER STYLE!!!
Title: The Ghost of Christmas Past
Series: Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries
Designation: Book 8.5 of Series, Novella Length, Standalone, NO Cliffhanger #cozymystery #sweetromance #humor #holidaytheme
Author: Angie Fox
My Rating: FIVE DELIGHTFULLY ENTERTAINING STARS*****
It’s time to trim the tree, jingle a few bells, and deck Virginia Wydell. Oops, I meant to say deck the halls in Sugarland! As much as Verity only wants to canoodle with her man under the mistletoe this Christmas Eve, she and Ellis have been invited to the annual Wydell family Christmas party, but not everything is merry and bright in Sugarland. Unfortunately, there’s a hitch in the couple’s holiday plans when Virginia Wydell strikes again and aims her special brand of venom at Verity. And if that isn’t enough to ruin her plans for Christmas Eve, Verity’s night quickly spirals from bad to worse when a ghost from the past appears at her door in need of a favor. But that’s par for the course in the life of a Southern Ghost Hunter and her ghostly gangster housemate/partner, Frankie, and as usual, Verity’s deeply engrained southern belle etiquette dictates never turning away anyone in need, even if that someone is a ghost. But Verity’s good deed for an old friend turns out to be much more than she anticipated, sending her on a life-altering journey. With a little magic and a whole lot of forgiveness, Verity just may be able to save a whole lot more than this disastrous Christmas.
I adore cozy mysteries, love gripping suspense, and completely addicted to anything supernatural, but throw in a little sweet romance, and I’m totally smitten! Unfortunately, it’s often difficult to find all four elements in one book but, fortunately for me, I’ve found an author who brilliantly combines them all into one exceptional story. Angie Fox has delighted her readers yet again with a special spin on an old classic entitled The Ghost of Christmas Past, a novella-length story in the Southern Ghost Hunters Mysteries Series. Fox did an outstanding job of giving readers backstory for the series as well as the characters, and this book can certainly be read as a standalone, but if you enjoy cozy mysteries with a supernatural twist, I highly recommend reading the first book, Southern Spirits, which will introduce you to the Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries world and most definitely enrich your reading experience.. I became a diehard Angie Fox fan five years ago after reading The Accidental Demon Slayer, the outrageously funny first release in Fox’s best-selling Biker Witches Mystery Series, another fabulous collection I highly recommend, especially if you love your mystery generously laced with paranormal elements, side-splitting humor, and dreamy romance. But I digress, so let’s talk about this book. The Ghost of Christmas Past is imaginative, cute, laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and so heartwarming. The narrative is beautifully written in the first-person with a single perspective from the heroine, Verity Long. The dialogue is smart, snappy, well-executed, at times hilarious, and flows effortlessly. There’s so much I truly enjoyed about this book, but it’s the cast of instantly engaging characters who completely steal the show. They literally grab your attention, engage your imagination, and completely capture your heart! Verity Long and her cast of endearing cohorts carry this entire series and have become my favorites in the cozy mystery genre. Fox skillfully combines every single one of these elements to craft a deliciously cute and delightfully entertaining whodunit adventure filled to the brim with danger, drama, humor, ghosts, suspense, mystery, and plot twists, with even a little heartbreaking angst and heartwarming romance.
Did I like this book? No, I LOVED it! It’s my new favorite! Yeah, yeah, I know I say the same thing after every book in this series but only because it’s true; I just can’t help myself. lol… Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and never seem to get enough holiday theme stories. I adore the Southern Ghost Hunters World and the fictional town of Sugarland, Tennessee as well as the endearing cast of characters Fox has created for this series. Southern Belle Verity Long is an absolute delight and Ellis Wydell is one hunk of burning love! lol… And never fear, Verity’s gangster ghost housemate, Frankie Winkelmann aka Frankie the German, from the flapper era is around to cause all kinds of trouble and Lucy, the pet skunk, is ever present for a little heartwarming comic relief. And the supporting characters in this cozy mystery completely stole my heart! I giggled, snorted, snuffled and sniffed through the entire story. Would I recommend it? You bet and I am, for ages twelve to a hundred and twelve! Angie Fox is a master of her craft and never fails to deliver a wonderfully layered whodunit of thrills, chills, and kills, expertly infusing events from both past and present to create a mystery within a mystery. This story really struck a chord with me because it’s a spin on my favorite holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, which was also my dad’s favorite Christmas story. Will I read this author again? Absolutely! Just as soon as she releases her next book! Was I entertained? Completely and totally entertained! Fabulous entertainment and an awesome read!
Premise for the entire series: Although the last couple of years have been difficult for Verity Long, it’s also been surprisingly busy for the beautiful former aspiring graphic designer from Sugarland Tennessee. Unfortunately, the one thing it hasn’t been is profitable – until recently. After successfully solving several murders, Verity has gained some recognition, or I should say notoriety, as Sugarland’s resident ghosthunter expert and is finally earning a little cash with her new job skills. Verity isn’t rolling in money – yet – but she’s managed to hang on to the home she inherited from her grandmother. She lost absolutely everything after breaking off her engagement last year with her lying, cheating, now ex-fiance Beau Wydell, youngest and favorite son of wealthy, influential town aristocrat Virginia Wydell. Verity’s graphic design services had been in demand until her almost mother-in-law used her influence to ruin her good name and her business. Had it been left up to the vengeful Virginia Wydell, Verity would have been tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail. Now it seems no one in Sugarland needs her services, so she’s embarked on a new career and a whole new business…as a ghost hunter. Yup, she’s officially out of the closet and has been for months, or rather since her interview with Ovis Dupree, the geriatric guest investigative reporter from the local newspaper, The Sugarland Gazette. And that’s not the only change in her life. Her kinda-sorta-maybe, once hush-hush, and on-the-sly boyfriend Deputy Sheriff Ellis Wydell is now her very public main squeeze! And yes, Ellis and Beau are related – they’re brothers! Huh? Oh yes, brothers! As you can imagine, the news was not well received by Virginia or Beau Wydell. And let’s not forget her sweet little pet skunk Lucy and her very dead, black and white gangster ghost housemate, Franklin Rudolph Winkelmann aka Frankie the German. Yup, I said ghost. Frankie became trapped on Verity’s property when she unknowingly dumped the ashes from his urn onto the roots of her rose bush. Oh no! But in her defense, she had no idea what they were and what would happen. So until she can figure out a way to free Frankie, she’s stuck with the not-so-nice wise guy criminal from the flapper era who has turned her backyard shed into a speakeasy and hideout for him and his ghost gang cronies. Verity’s life isn’t perfect, but on the bright side, she does still have her pet skunk, Lucy, a hot hunky boyfriend, her grandmother’s house, and on occasion, Frankie does actually lend her, albeit begrudgingly, some of his power so she can see all those otherworldly things that go bump in the night. But things have really been looking up lately. At least, she’s managed to solve a few cases. It seems Verity is well on her way to accomplishing her goals, but be careful what you wish for, Verity! Being a ghost hunter can be quite dangerous! Now, if she could just convince everyone to accept her new abilities and recent career change, she may be able to win over all the citizens of Sugarland, maybe even Virginia Wydell, and make a real go of her ghost-hunting business. But then again, maybe not. Virginia Wydell’s latest stunt to sabotage Verity may prove to be the straw that broke Santa’s back!
Christmas Eve, and Verity has had it with Virginia! There is no holding her back! Leaving Ellis to go to the family Christmas Eve party alone. A friend, who has passed, comes to ask Verity, to ask for her help. It’s a life or death situation.
Frankie is not impressed as it involves a very haunted mill.
The Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future meet up with Verity
A short story with significant meaning. Loved it!
A modernized portrayal of the Dickens’ classic gone sideways. This novella details the importance of Verity to the wellbeing of Ellis and his family through a series of ghostly visions. A fine balance exists between the happiness of individuals and the group. Verity gains knowledge thru her interactions with the ghosts. Frankie provides a much needed balance of character to the novella as the reader sees a more mature development with the addition of a steady girlfriend ghost. This Christmas novella depicts past, present, and future scenes linked to Verity and her character. The lightness of the writing style and vibrancy of the characters make the scenes jump off the page as the reader rushes to see how the plot twists resolve. This is definitely a novella to read while relaxing when wanting a break from the everyday. I received an ARC for review. I would highly recommend this novella.
This was an absolutely fantastic installment in the Southern Ghost Hunter series. Verity, Frankie, Lucy and the crew are back for quite the last minute adventure. The world building is always top notch, but this one in particular comes alive into a wonderful Christmas themed world. I love how it goes from quite intense to the most heartwarming story I’ve read in a long time. I love everything about it, and am already looking forward to re-reading it again! Thank you for a stellar story!
A Christmas Carol goes ghost hunting with Verity Long and her eclectic cast of regulars, and its shorter length is just right for a rest from the hustling bustling season. The Ghost of Christmas Past, book 8.5 in the Southern Ghost Hunter series, opens with Verity preparing for holiday festivities with boyfriend Ellis’ family. The problem is, that includes his pretentious mother, Virginia, who never misses an opportunity to embarrass demean and cause trouble for her son’s girlfriend. When a perceived thoughtful gesture turns out to be an expensive jab, Verity has finally had enough and tells Virginia off in no uncertain terms, prompting a series of events straight out of a beloved Dickens’ novel.
With Frankie, Ellis, and Verity’s pet skunk, Lucy, on hand, this is a poignant tale about how life and choices affect everyone around you in ways you never even consider, reflecting the lessons of the original seasonal staple. Fox’s writing is on point, as usual, and if you love stories with descriptive details as I do, this will not disappoint. Lucy features prominently in this installment, and we get a softer side of the usually grumpy gangster, Frankie, both of which make it particularly enjoyable.
This is a quick read, just right for relaxing, recouping, and clearing your head during this time of year. I love holiday themed entertainment, music, movies, television shows, and books. They help me to get in the spirit of the season and provide a way to enjoy a little ‘me’ time. If that sounds like you, grab a copy of this latest work in the series, a hot beverage, a warm, cozy throw, curl up for a couple of hours and escape with Verity and company in a lovely Christmas novelette that will put you in just the right frame of mind to tackle the busy holidays.
What a wonderful, and heartwarming tale. Verity learns somethings that apply to us all, no matter what your situation. We usually have to draw the line somewhere, or make a choice, but we really need to be conscious of how it affects us personally as well. Some things happen in this book that have needed to be done, but the impact goes further than Verity realizes. I’m so proud of Verity, and how she deals with some issues. And Ellis – talk about caught between a rock and a hard place. This is a definite ‘GOTTA READ” book. Merry Christmas Angie Fox!
I have been a fan of this author since the first time I read her Demon Slayer series. This series is one I love just as well. I do have to admit that short, and holiday, stories aren’t exactly a favorite, but of course I had to read it because of the above. Verity, Ellis, and Lucy are just adorable, and this author’s remake of A Christmas Story is a nice novella to read to tide her readers over until the next full-length novel comes out. Something happens between Verity and Virginia that sends Verity on the wrong path, and she must turn back before it’s too late. I don’t agree that that would actually have happened because of who Verity is, but it was a great story nonetheless (sorry, have to be vague because of spoilers). Great story and those who love this author and series are sure to love it. You can read it never having read the series before, but you will get much more out of the story if you read the series from the beginning. Recommend!
Enjoyable Holiday novella
What’s Christmas without juggling family dynamics along with a Southern twist to a Christmas Carol? Verity’s Christmas Eve starts with good intentions until Virginia‘s interfering ways leaves Verity alone for the night. Verity is visited by a ghost from her past and with Frankie’s help on an adventure on Christmas Eve. I loved the way Verity handles Ellis’ family dynamics through the ghosts of Christmas past and coming to the rescue of the latest crisis.
The Ghost of Christmas Past is a wonderful addition to the series. Verity and Ellis are planning to spend Christmas Eve with the Wydells. While things don’t go as planned we get to learn more about Lucy and how she came to live with Verity. Frankie and Verity also have quite an adventure trying to save a family of bears. I loved Frankie’s interaction with the cubs. We also get to see how the Wydell family celebrate Christmas. It is a good rewrite of A Christmas Carol. I would love to see the location this story takes place in be restored in a future story. The only issue I really had with this story was Ellis. I really wish Ellis would have done a better job standing up for Verity to his mother. That portion of the story disappointed me. Overall the book is a great addition to the series and I think anyone would find this an enjoyable read.
This is a holiday novella with a little Dickens thrown in, part of the Southern Ghost Hunters series. After a disastrous change in her holiday plans, Verity finds herself helping some animals at the request of a ghostly friend. There she learns what may happen in her future and she doesn’t like what she sees. Does she have the strength to change it? A fun heartwarming read for the holidays.
Angie Fox has given us another excellent read in Ghost of Christmas Past. Of course, it’s about Verity, who sees ghosts and has become a ghost hunter. She helps both the living and the dead in very interesting and suspenseful situations. This surprising and exciting twist on A Christmas Carol is another winner.
For fans of Lucy, the skunk, this one really is a great Christmas gift as we get to see how Lucy came to be Verity’s sweet buddy. We also see a different side to Frankie, Verity’s ghost sidekick, and Ellis, her boyfriend. Her somewhat nemesis and Ellis’s mother, Virginia, also plays a very important part in this story.
Angie pulls it all together to make a story that’s surprising at every turn. The Southern Ghost Hunter series just keeps getting better.
The Ghost of Christmas Past by Angie Fox is a lovely and magical Christmas short story. It’s Christmas Eve and Verity is ready to join Ellis at a Wydell family gathering to celebrate. As usual Ellis’ mother, Virginia, acts obnoxious and Verity has had enough. Thanks to a ghost that was a dear friend of hers that pays her a visit, Verity is on a ghostly journey through the Wydells Christmas past, present and future that will allow Verity to think about what really matters to her. It’s a sweet short story that reflects the best of the season.
The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Ghost Of Christmas Past
Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book #8.5
Angie Fox
5 Stars
Synopsis:
From NY Times Bestselling Author, Angie Fox, a hauntingly fun holiday addition to the USA TODAY bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter series
She 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 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” holiday story you don’t want to miss!
Rating: Clean and Wholesome
Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance
Review:
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. There was a lot of action contained within the pages and that was great.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I like getting to spend time with Verity and Ellis, they make a great couple. Ellis’s mom, Virginia, is a real pain and will always be a real pain. But maybe Verity will be able to live with that after learning a magical lesson. Frankie is as tough as ever, but we see he has a soft spot in his heart. Lucy, Verity’s pet skunk, is one of my favorite pets in the cozy world.
I really like the premise of this book and how it paralleled A Christmas Carol, I thought that was so clever. There were lessons to be learned, but in a fun way.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you are looking for a book to get you in the Christmas spirit (pun intended), check this book out.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.