Spirited Away by Cindy Miles

BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES

When Tristan de Barre and his men were murdered in 1292, their souls were cursed to roam his estate for all eternity. It's been a long, dull, celibate ever after. But now Tristan's phantom heart is pounding again for the first time in more than seven hundred years because of the beautiful scientist who's digging up his castle's bailey. Can he make her notice him, or will she see straight through him?

The opportunity to excavate the remains at Dreadmoor Castle has forensic archaeologist Andi Monroe tingling with excitement. It's an incredible find and a chance to study the mysterious legend of Dragonhawk, a medieval knight who disappeared without a trace. Lately, though, rational Andi is having a hard time telling fact from fiction. She could just swear she met the vanished knight, and he's a fantasy come true. But until she finds a way to help Tristan lift the curse, their love doesn't stand a ghost of a chance....

Title: Spirited Away
Author: Cindy Miles
Year published: 2007
Why I picked up this book: HelenKay sent it, but it had been on my to-buy list.
Do I like the cover? Yes, it's cute.
Is this part of a series? I don't believe so. I think her next book is a similar ghost mystery romance, but doesn't look to be completely related.
What I enjoyed about the book: There are a lot of fun elements here. It's not a time-travel like it may look. The hero is actually a lord/knight who was cursed to roam his castle along with his fellow men. He can be seen, but can't touch anything in the real world. This actually works well in the story as Tristan and Andi fall in love without ever being able to touch each other. This involves actually talking. And Andi is a great character with a unique job as a forensic archaeologist. I thought her job was handled well and was worked into the story nicely.

This is a really sweet, cute story. And sometimes, that's just what the doctor ordered. And this one delivers. The paranormal elements are here, but they aren't overwhelming or dark. And I liked that for the story, they made sense. I didn't ever wonder why something was the way it was because it seemed that everything was explained in a way that made sense. Spirited Away reminded me of a fairy tale and I have to say I really enjoyed it.

I'm sure some people won't like it because it's a simple story, but if you want something cute, sweet, and romantic, I recommend this one. It's a nice summer afternoon read. There's a quote on the back from Julie Kenner that says it's reminiscent of The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and I have to rather agree.
What I didn’t like about the book? Well, it ended. That's about it.
Is this a new-to-me author and would I read something by this author again? This is her debut book, so definitely new to me. I'm definitely going to be looking for the next book she has out in November.
Am I keeping it or passing it on? For now, I'm keeping it.

Surf's Up by Nina Bangs, MaryJanice Davidson, and Janelle Denison

First story in this anthology is Janelle Denison's Hot and Bothered. It has recent-divorcee Reissing lusting after bar owner Shea O'Brien. She's now got a nice house on the beach as part of her divorce settlement and is a budding jewelry designer. Shea's been attracted to her ever since he saw her with her jackass husband when they used to visit his bar together. Now she's free, whoopie!

Bleh. This story was rather boring. Was more of a short Blaze than anything and the way you could see the conflict coming a mile away was highly annoying and rather silly. It was just a bland story and rather forgettable and unremarkable.

Second story is by MaryJanice Davidson and is called Paradise Bossed. It stars characters from a previous anthology, Cathy and Jack. Well, the main character is Nikki, who dies in a freak snorkeling accident when she is inadvertently scared a stingray and it stings her and she ends up drowning. Well, she's vacationing with Cathy and Jack and they feel awful about not knowing how she died or what and stay on the island, hoping her body will be found. So Jack knows a psychic (from his previous tale, apparently) and brings that psychic to the island. The psychic is Tom and basically Tom and Nikki (she's a ghost now) fall in love. Only he's supposed to be helping her pass on, not getting it on while spirit walking.

Fun story, rather humorous and much better than the Denison one. It's still nothing special, but after the first story....

Third story is Hot Summer Bites by Nina Bangs. And quite frankly, I don't feel like reading it. It's another Sparkle Stardust story and something about an investigative reporter getting together with a vampire. But, I'm not really in the mood for a Nina Bangs story. I need to be in the mood to read her brand of humor and tonight's not it. Oh well.