The Deepest Cut (a MacKinnon Curse novel, Book 1) [Kindle Edition]

J.A. Templeton (Author)

Book Description

(MATURE YA)
***Due to strong language, mention of cutting, alcohol and drug use, and sexual situations, THE DEEPEST CUT is not intended for younger teens.***

Sixteen-year-old Riley Williams has been able to see ghosts since the car crash that took her mother's life and shattered her family. Guilt-ridden over the belief that she's somehow responsible for her mom's death, Riley is desperate to see her mother's elusive spirit to gain her forgiveness.

When her father moves the family to Scotland so they can all start over, Riley believes her life couldn't get worse--that is until the ghost of nineteen-year-old Ian MacKinnon catches her purposely cutting herself. An uneasy truce quickly turns into friendship, and soon Riley's falling hard for Ian.

Riley believes her gift could help Ian end the curse that has kept him tied to the land for centuries, but that would mean letting him go forever and she's not sure she is strong enough to do that. As if her life wasn't complicated enough, the malevolent spirit of the woman who killed Ian returns and she'll stop at nothing to keep Riley from helping Ian find eternal peace.

*****************

THE MACKINNON CURSE SERIES:

The Deepest Cut

The Haunted

The Departed

The MacKinnon Curse (The Beginning) novella

******************

Excerpt:

I stared at him, and I don't know what came over me, but I took the steps that separated us and I kissed him. I had meant for it only to be a chaste kiss, a you-make-me-so-happy kind of kiss, but it ended up being something completely altogether different.

I sensed his surprise, but only for an instant. The next thing I knew, his arms came around me, crushing me to him. I sighed into his mouth and he smiled against my lips before he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine, silky soft.

Exhilaration and need rushed through me as my hands flattened against his back. I could feel the play of muscle and sinew beneath my fingers. What I felt for Ian was real, and ironically he made me feel alive in a way I hadn't been since my mom's death.

Ian pulled away the slightest bit, looking down at me, his blue eyes intense. "We're playing with fire, Riley Williams."

"I don't care." And I didn't care. I wanted Ian MacKinnon more than I'd ever wanted anything in my life.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J.A. Templeton likes writing about characters who don't exactly fit inside any specific box. Aside from writing and reading, she enjoys research, traveling, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family and friends.

Product Details

• File Size: 257 KB
• Print Length: 306 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0983736707
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Julia Templeton (June 27, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0058HTU0G
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,611 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #5 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Horror
  • #43 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Teens > Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great blend of paranormal and contemporary aspects May 23, 2012

By brandileigh2003

Format:Paperback

I was honored when Julia Templeton asked me to review The Deepest Cut, it combines the factors of contemp that I love, the tough issues (Riley's mom dying and her guilt at being in the car with her, and the cutting) right with the paranormal aspects that I love. The paranormal, the ghosts one woven into a love story and the other downright evil and creepy are very well written.
I flew through this book. The characters grabbed and held my interest, the plot is fast moving always having me wonder what would happen next while still processing what just happened, and the emotions are so well written.
Riley is easy to relate to, and her pain jumps off the page. I also really admire her love for her dad and her brother. Her brother Shane is balanced between a good friend and awesome brother with just enough annoying to make it believable.
Ian really is swoon worthy and I love how dogged he was at first with her to get and keep her attention. He got mine too. The backstory with Laria is good, and I was always wondering what it was just below the surface and what it would finally take to deal with her.
And I totally wasn't expecting the ending, I can't wait to get my hands on the next one to find out how this all ties together and what happens with Riley.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING! Should be a movie!!! July 5, 2011

By J. Kammolongie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Deepest Cut is an amazing tale with characters that I feel I know in real life! J.A. Templeton has a real edge of knowing what a true teenager will go through and I can't get enough or wait until the next book comes out!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Ghost Without Much Spirit November 6, 2012

By Krisi Keley

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't really like to give negative reviews, but this book kind of made me feel like I was tricked into reading what's little more than someone's fantasy of having sex with a two hundred year old "hot" Scottish guy, by calling the novel a ghost story. In fact, the ghost in question isn't very ghostly, as he's seemingly completely corporeal - that is, he can touch and be touched back, and experiences lust for the teen girl lusting after him, despite that he can also materialize and flicker out of existence at will. This anomaly of why a ghost (usually synonymous with spirit), who is also described as needing to absorb the energy in his surroundings to appear at all, can be physically identical to and act on the desires of a living man is never explained, nor is much else of the paranormal in the story, including why a cross can protect against an evil, jealous spirit witch, even though God (who would seemingly be the power behind that protection) doesn't mind that a two hundred year old Scottish man-ghost is seriously contemplating having sex with and is definitely touching in a sexual way a sixteen year old girl - and one he knows he shouldn't be having a relationship with to boot, as his whole reason for being in contact with her is that she is supposed to help him cross over. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to enjoy the story as the simple teen romance it obviously truly is because said romance consisted of the teen girl claiming love for and trust in her Scottish ghost after "knowing" him about two days, having minimal conversation, and based predominantly on his hottie status - his gorgeous dark hair and blue eyes and the way she can feel his smile down to her toes mentioned almost every few pages, while anything that would actually inspire real love and trust is notably missing. In addition, the cutting aspect of the story, from which the title presumably comes, seems added only to show the main character is traumatized and suffering, whereas all of her other behavior, too much of which comes across as a bit selfish and shallow, portrays a rather immature, but otherwise normal, teenager. I guess the story might be appealing to readers looking for a "love" at first sight teen romance, but I doubt it would be for someone who is, like I was, looking for a ghost story, as there isn't much explanation of or logic to what little supernatural element it contains.