Beloved

Staring unflinchingly into the abyss of slavery, this spellbinding novel transforms history into a story as powerful as Exodus and as intimate as a lullaby.

Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. She has too many memories of Sweet Home, the beautiful farm where so many hideous things happened. Her new home is haunted by the ghost of her baby, who died nameless and whose tombstone is engraved with a single word: Beloved.

Filled with bitter poetry and suspense as taut as a rope, Beloved is a towering achievement by Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Wow. I seriously cannot believe I have never read this book before now. Though, I can honestly say that I know if I would have read it any more than three or five years ago, I don't think it would have had the same emotional impact as reading it now. However, I also think that if I ever read this book again, the emotional impact will increase with my age as I, as a woman, can connect more and more with Sethe. 

Though I am not African American, I think Sethe's story transcends the differences between her and the female reader. Her story is raw and ugly and heartbreaking and gut-wrenching and horrifying. However, it is also hopeful and mystical, even though it's a little frightening throughout. I felt connected to Sethe through her guilt, her experiences, and her scars as Morrison bares all for her reader. I also felt connected to Sethe through her hope for the future, even though the guilt she feels over her past mistakes nearly kills her in the end. 

What I most enjoyed about this book were the mystical elements that surround Beloved's return and the interesting dynamic her ghostly figure created between the characters. However, again, Beloved also made the book a little scary as the reader doesn't know if Beloved has returned from the other side to offer peace, cause suffering, or a little of both. 

For readers who like novels that show no fear in telling a story that will prompt change -- this book will exceed expectations. It also has a lot to offer in social, cultural, and historical contexts as it takes place in the late 1800s. Though it was not by any means a 'happy' book, I'm glad I read it and even through the darkness, Beloved offers a feeling of brightness. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Haunted on Bourbon Street

Jade loves her new apartment-until a ghost joins her in the shower.

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into an apartment above a strip bar on Bourbon Street, she expects life to get interesting. What she doesn't count on is making friends with an exotic dancer, attracting a powerful spirit, and developing feelings for Kane, her sexy landlord.

Being an empath has never been easy on Jade's relationships. It's no wonder she keeps her gift a secret. But when the ghost moves from spooking Jade, to terrorizing Pyper, the dancer, it's up to Jade to use her unique ability to save her. Except she'll need Kane's help-and he's betrayed her with a secret of his own-to do it. Can she find a way to trust him and herself before Pyper is lost?

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Deanna Chase gives off the essence of New Orleans in her novel, Haunted on Bourbon Street, the first in the Jade Calhoun Series. 

Moving to the French Quarter from Idaho, Jade is in for more than she believed when she heard her apartment was haunted. 

As an empath, Jade is more in tune with people's emotions. She has the ability to read them, use them, and even affect them. But when a ghost shows up and won't leave her alone, she's going to need more than just her own abilities to cleanse her apartment. 

Chase writes Jade's past in a way that readers can use that to connect with her. She's had a semi-difficult life living as an outsider because of her ability. Trust issues and past relationships also mold her to be a woman who guards her heart. But, overall, I wanted her to be a stronger character. 

When Jade receives, gives, or uses emotions of other people it wears her down, exhausting her body. Often times it causes her to black out. This is understandable but it also gives Jade a weak side. It's her kryptonite. This weakness forces her to rely on other people and ultimately pushes Jade through her fears of what others will think about her when they know her ability. 

Although Jade is headstrong woman, I wanted her to be stronger in her ability than she was. 

The other characters in the novel all have their quirks. Pyper is an insomniac coffee shop owner. Kat, Jade's best friend, is a little blind in the ways of love. Kane only wants to give love and be loved in return (since he has his own secret abilities). And Ian is a ghost hunting fanatic, emphasis on the fanatic part. Chase's cast of characters all add up to a very interesting plot. I wouldn't be surprised if certain readers connect with the other characters before connecting with Jade. 

The story line itself was a little slow at times, but when readers reach the halfway point, there's no turning back. Chase's plot is unpredictable, complete with mouth falling into an "O" more than once. The honest writing style and first hand look in to the mind of Jade Calhoun has me adding the second book to my TBR pile. 

Haunted on Bourbon Street

on Amazon

rating: 4/5 cups