Haunt: A Novel

by Christina Maraziotis

Overview

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.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940185630112
Publisher:	Existential Publishing
Publication date:	07/22/2024
Series:	Loveletting , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Christina was twenty-seven years old at the time she began writing Loveletting. Born and raised in Greece, she has always had an affinity for language; fluently speaking Greek, German, and English. After years of experimenting with different professions, suddenly it dawned on her: writing was the only thing that actually made sense. It all started with a simple prologue in the notes of her phone, and since then, she hasn’t missed a single day of writing and working on her very first novel series — breathing life into it, as it breathes life back into her. The primary goal as a writer is to strike certain melancholic chords in the heart while reading, pulling from deeply haunting personal experiences to create books that linger in the mind long after the story is finished. Her stories combine gothic romance, intense adventure with nerve-wracking suspense, entwined with vague and unsettling horror subplots — and a myriad of controversial subjects to challenge any reader’s views — all taking place in the historical setting of late 19th century Victorian west. Focus lays heavily on character development, as it is crucial to her and her story; for the reader to bond with the characters, and feel like they’re reading about an old friend. Her purpose is for the reader to be transported to another world, escaping from reality, and finding an eerie comfort within a haunting experience.

Editorial 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 - N/A

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...

Independent Book Review - Joelene Pynnonen

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.

Readers' Favorite - Emma Megan