JACLYN'S GHOST

Author: Dorlana Vann ISBN: 9781934678527 2/2008 PARANORMAL Publisher: TEASE

After Jaclyn Jade died, she didn't go straight to Heaven or back to Hell. She found herself in the middle and with a choice. If she searches and ultimately discovers the inaccuracy that caused her to fall short of grace, she will be able to redeem herself and go to Heaven. Since she was murdered, she hopes her killer will lead to the truth behind her fate. In the meantime, she must live in the unfamiliar spirit world, learning its rules, boundaries and skills. Unfortunately, the only one there to teach her is an arrogant ghost named Logan. Logan Smith is an old soul. His existence has been mundane until the murder of Jaclyn Jade, a beautiful yet insufferable woman. While helping Jaclyn, he is reminded of his own demise and is haunted by a past that is resurrected when a psychic, Morgan, overhears him and Jaclyn talking. Even though he is worried that his world will come crumbling down around him, he believes Jaclyn's future justifies every sacrifice. Ever since Morgan Reed could remember she could hear the voices of the dead. Not until Jaclyn and Logan had a ghost ever spoken to her, much less ask for her help. What she doesn't know is that being invited into the spirit world may expose her psychic abilities and destroy her way of life. Personalities, eras and worlds collide as this mismatched paranormal trio set out to solve the mystery of Jaclyn's murder.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Dorlana Vann sets her paranormal romance, JACLYN'S GHOST—DEATH CARD, in and around New York City where model Jaclyn Jade is among the recently dead. She faces a choice (actually three choices): she can return to hell immediately—which means another life in a traditional family; find out what she's been doing wrong in her last 235 lives and finally make it into heaven; or try to figure it out and fail, which would leave her stuck somewhere in-between. Before the Devil's messenger delivers this news, Jaclyn is encouraged by Logan, a ghost who has been haunting her apartment building and the property for 80 years, to keep her options open and not sign on Charles Charles' dotted line sending her to Hell. Does Logan have an ulterior motive?

Vann creates a whole world for her ghosts with things they can and can't do. Chief among the can'ts—they can't leave the property where they died. Thankfully for Jaclyn and Logan, the crime scene photographer, Morgan, has been hearing ghosts talk to her since she was a little girl and decides to help Jaclyn and Logan find out who murdered the lovely ghost. Along the way, Jaclyn finds out a lot of not-so-pretty facts about who she was and how she lived. With each revelation, she gets closer to her murderer as well as Heaven. If Jaclyn didn't fall in love with Logan, I was ready to take her place. He is gracious, helpful, considerate, strong and a real gentleman.

Although JACLYN'S GHOST—DEATH CARD is short at just 102 pages, it is long on suspense, humor and romance. The funniest parts are when Logan and Jaclyn take over an elderly couple to get out of the building for their investigation. There are a few inconsistencies and (if you read my reviews, you'll know it's my personal pet peeve) grammatical errors. I was even caught up short by the ending, which wasn't exactly happily-ever-after. This is a fun read for folks who can't let go when death comes a calling.

Susan Barton