I can't stand people that with open eyes let themselves being exploited and pulled into their god damned shit. Grow some balls for heavens sake.

Just looking for something to read between chapters of Schindler’s list a light mystery. Enjoyed and there was a scene that even made me cry. ( )

Peri can see ghosts. She doesn't really speak with them and she's pretty scared of them, so it's not like she's the Ghost Whisperer or anything, but when her cousin is murdered and Peri starts looking for the killer, the spectral visitors come in pretty handy at times. The characters, especially Peri, are pretty well-developed and two dimensional. Although I had a pretty good idea who the eventual villain would be, the story was still suspenseful and engaging. Apparently, this is a series and I can't wait to read more about Peri. I'm hoping she decides to try to learn how to harness her gift instead of being afraid of and annoyed by it.

Peri Jean Mace sees ghosts. She knows things others cannot know. She is considered crazy by her small community and has learned to hide her ability from others as a result of things that happened in her childhood. At nearly 30 she is divorced, doing odd jobs and living with her grandmother. Her cousin Rae, just out of jail, also lives on her grandmother’s property and is not an easy person to get along with. When Rae is brutally killed and her ghost begins to follow Peri around, hoping to put her murderer behind bars, Peri’s life is turned upside down. Add into the mix a childhood girlfriend she doesn’t trust, a high school boyfriend who is her best friend though not her lover, a new cute deputy that sets her blood afire, a church minister with the hots for her and a crime to be solved that has more twists and turns than a switchback mountain road and you have a well written story that is definitely worth reading.

I liked the fact that the characters all have secrets and rather messy lives. There is a lot that is explored but a whole lot left to be uncovered in future books of this series. I have always found the idea of seeing ghosts intriguing and have heard there were aunts on my father’s side who saw ghosts and even talked to them around the dining room table. Not having had that experience personally I find reading about such things entertaining.

This is the first book I have read by Catie Rhodes and it is my hope to read more of her stories in the future. I was offered a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Peri Jean Mace lives in Gaslight City where...if the rumors are true...the Mace Treasure was hidden by Peri's ancestor. It's a small Texas town, where the folklore is rich, the gossip-grapevine never dies, and the locals never forget. For Peri, as long as she stays in Gaslight City, there will be no escape from the childhood that branded her as 'strange' and 'crazy'. She must be crazy. How else can the people explain Peri's childhood claim to see and talk to ghosts? Imagine how Peri feels. She didn't ask for this, or this so-called gift. She views her gift as a curse, but when her cousin Rae is cruelly and violently murdered, everything in Peri's life beings to change.

I absolutely loved this book. What stood out the most? The characters, specifically Peri. Her personality is very complex and I enjoyed putting the pieces of her life together as the story unfolded. The more I read, the more I understood her. Peri starts out as an angry, rebellious woman, heavy on the defensive side and quick to snap an insult before thinking. I have my reasons for why she is the way she is, but I'll allow you to draw your own conclusions. I will say that she does make a healthy turnaround during the course of the story. I enjoyed Middle-Of-The-Book-Peri so much more than the First-Few-Chapters-Peri. Kudos to the author! She has a real talent for character development. I found Peri to be very realistic when it came to leaving the past behind.

The plot held my attention from start to finish. Watching Peri work out her side of the clues was like watching a character work a complex puzzle. I liked that she kept going, even when she felt beaten down or hopeless. I liked that she wasn't afraid to enter dangerous territory, even though she probably should've taken more precautions on a few occasions. She learned and I liked her for that.

As for the other characters: I found Dean fascinating and I want to know more about him. I still think he might have a bit of the Seeing gift. As for Wade...hmm...I like him, too. A lot. There is a lot more to him than we know. I WANT to know! Then there is Memaw. I adore Memaw...tough as nails and Peri's strongest advocate. Chance and Peri grew up together and I loved their connection. It really moved me. His addiction was a problem, but his heart was solid gold.

The bad guys were definitely bad. *shudders* In fact, the last major action scene had me cringing in fear! I hated Rae. She was an awful, selfish person...until the author began to reframe her. My perspective slowly changed. No spoilers here...get the book. You'll be glad you did.

Reading Forever Road was effortless. It played out in my mind like a movie. I could see all the details the author slipped in without bogging down the story. Quick little visuals...like the peeling paint on Memaw's porch post, or the bottle tree in the yard, the brass on the carriage at the H & H Week street party, or Dean's frustrated half smile. It was surprisingly emotional. I smiled, I laughed, I cried, I gasped in horror, and it was all (again) effortless on my part. The writing flows easily, as if Peri were right beside me telling her story.

Overall a fantastic start to a promising series! Obviously I'm moving on to book two and highly recommend Forever Road to adult fans of paranormal mystery, suspense, or thrillers.

I was contacted by the publicist after being referred by a Goodread's friend (Thank you, Laura!) and a free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author for the opportunity. ( )