Haunt
A Novel
by Christina Maraziotis
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Pub Date 31 Oct 2022 | Archive Date 15 Nov 2024
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Description
Darkly romantic and wickedly twisted; a young woman who learns to become strong in the face of impossible circumstances, and a man who finds light in the midst of overwhelming darkness. Prepare yourself for the first book in a haunting new series...Loveletting.
✦ GOLD WINNER FOR GENERAL FICTION IN THE 2023 NEXT GENERATION INDIES AWARDS ✦
✦ GOLD WINNER FOR ROMANCE IN THE 2023 FEATHERED QUILL BOOK AWARDS ✦
✦ GOLD WINNER FOR WESTERN IN THE 2023 READER'S FAVORITE BOOK AWARDS ✦
✦ GOLD WINNER FOR ROMANCE IN THE 2023 BESTSELLERS WORLD AWARDS ✦
✦ GOLD WINNER FOR ADULT FICTION IN THE 2023 LITERARY TITAN BOOK AWARDS ✦
✦ ADULT FICTION FINALIST IN THE 2023 FEATHERED QUILL BOOK AWARDS ✦
✦ CATEGORY FINALIST IN THE 2023 ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARDS ✦
Fleeing from her home after escaping the murder of her mother, inexperienced and petrified by reality with her horse as her only companion - Charlotte is met by the most notorious serial killer of the nation. His dark past and her dark future collide, in a world filled with dangers far greater than him.
Set in the rugged Victorian west at the end of the 19th century with a myriad of complex characters, all intertwined in a brutal environment that examines the conflicting nature and morality of humanity. Charlotte may be innocent at heart, but the world she lives in is not. Filled with dangers from gangs to cults and a mysterious horror element that persists throughout - the overarching gothic love story fills this thrilling, dark adventure up until the haunting end…leaving the reader with an existential dread so deep that it must be read to be understood, yet craving for more.
This novel is definitely for an adult audience, as the content is very heavy and challenging. It will appeal to those interested in a gothic romance with undertones of psychological horror. Most importantly, this book is a form of literary fiction; as character development is the most crucial factor in telling this story and it does not follow the typical tropes of a genre book. Subtle hints to the dark machinations behind the scenes, and interweaving characters who gradually change and grow over time, all work together to create a living world - filled with the unexpected - in which to lose yourself within.
If you want something to read on autopilot, and wish for the plot to follow a certain expected pattern, this is not the book for you. This experience will challenge you; a gripping story that will invade you, heart and mind, long after reading.
A Note From the Publisher
Much more information about the author, her process, and behind the scenes of the series can be found on her personal @christina.maraziotis Instagram:
instagram.com/christina.maraziotis
Advance Praise
"A sumptuous epic of dark romance...Haunt both challenges and rewards in its uncompromising ambition, its lyric prose and surging emotions, its slowly teased secrets, wrenching violence...too original to settle into any genre, as Maraziotis spices the tale with adventure, romance, tragedy, and even horror...the epic scope, darkness, and refusal to stick to familiar beats will please readers who relish immersive, provocative romance-tinged storytelling. — BookLife by Publisher's Weekly
"The writing in this novel is eye-catching [with] brilliant literary elements that add to the haunting and intricate storyline...nothing less than a page-turner, and readers will most definitely feel themselves eagerly turning the page to see what will happen next—good or bad. Haunt is truly a thrilling western story with characters readers will yearn for, feel for, and never forget." ★★★★★ — Literary Titan
"[Maraziotis] masterfully establishes her voice immediately on page one [of] the incredible journey that unfolds across the pages of this epic tale...one that resonated with me was when she described Charlotte's feeling toward character Will: '...Will's was the tourniquet around her wounded soul. A fine layer of cloth covering it softly with the most tender fabric ever created, and yet, it was feeble enough to blow away...' I am haunted with the memory that lives on having read this historical and monumental saga. I look forward to the next book in this series!" — Diane Lunsford for Feathered Quill Book Reviews
There's a lot to love here. The characters are all insightfully portrayed; the writing is darkly lyrical and tonally perfect; the emotional intensity is palpable, and even the novel's massiveness doesn't detract as the story is tight and momentum brisk throughout. The sex scenes are also noteworthy: masterfully written to convey complex emotional intensity as well as erotic lust. — BlueInk Review
"A sweeping, slow-burn gothic romance set on the American Frontier. The play on genres is dynamic, building an interesting and unique atmosphere that's filled with action and romance but is not for the faint of heart. The bones of Haunt are strong..." — Joelene Pynnonen for Independent Book Review
"There are many genres offering their considerable influence on this intriguing and engrossing novel, and author Christina Maraziotis takes the best of them all...a testament to Maraziotis's compelling gift for character and plot." ★★★★★ — K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
"There are no cheap thrills here and that, along with pacing that glides evenly like the rivers, is what makes the novel so engrossing. The romance is delicious and made even more impressive by the sizzle [which] can be downright cinematic. The grit extends to some surprises and two specifically that bowled me over, leaving me wanting book two in the Loveletting series. Very highly recommended." ★★★★★ — Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
"The slow burn pace is balanced by a tension that weaves through each scene...the ending is intense and dangles on a cliffhanger, and I look forward to seeing what Maraziotis has in store for us next." ★★★★★ — Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
"Maraziotis is a brilliant storyteller...she skillfully mixes captivating romantic longing and sexual tension [with] malevolent twists that send shivers down your spine. This historical romance and horror blend is an absolute page-turner!" ★★★★★ — Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
"A haunting, sinister, unexpected, and highly addictive story...a mesmerizing world filled with complex and morally grey characters living in a brutal environment that constantly challenges their flawed human nature and ability to survive. Haunt has the right amount of adventure, tragedy, angst, suspense, love, and peril to please even the most fastidious reader. It's one of the best gothic romances with undertones of psychological horror I've read in years." ★★★★★ — Emma Megan for Readers' Favorite
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781959776017 |
| PRICE | US$24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 722 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kathryn M, Reviewer
This was a strong start to the Loveletting series, it worked with what I wanted and thought the overall story worked in this. The characters were what I was looking for in this type of book and thought the world worked well. Christina Maraziotis has a great writing style and the characters were wonderfully done.
Lauren H, Reviewer
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
Phenomenal job by the author on this book for the first of this series. She is a great writer and I loved the book, the characters and the story itself. I know there are more books in this series that she is doing and I cannot wait to read them as well.
