Customer Reviews

HAUNTED LILY: The Nightmare Ball (Ghost Memoirs)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I saw the overwhelming number of positive reviews for Haunted Lily, and was attracted by the visually arresting cover art enough to look up the artist who creates these fearsome "dolls". She's very talented!

This said, I'm giving the book two stars for the author's pluck to self publish and the amount of effort and money that it must have taken to launch this series. The story itself just wasn't gripping or convincing in this published form,in my opinion. The characters were caricatures and the attempt at setting this story, originally in Britain, floundered because it didn't ring true of an author who knew much beyond the superficial or stereotypical of the country,the architecture or the people of the UK.

Page after page I kept asking myself where the editor's head was to miss some of the most obvious missteps like the author having written Australian rather than Austrian crystal chandelier. There were many other equally obvious mistakes and some further examples of just plain clumsy writing. These things were jarring, like false notes, and very definitely interrupted the eerie mood Fox was attempting to create and the narrative flow throughout the book. All were entirely fixable, too.

The story itself was certainly salvageable, and I believe a great editor could have taken Ms. Fox's story in hand and helped elevate and polish the book to a much higher level of interest to the reader and overall degree of professionalism. I hope her future work has the benefit of more rigorous editorial assistance, because Ms. Fox certainly has many more interesting, spine tingling stories to tell. I wish her well.

I did not go into reading this book with any expectations... I love good ghost/paranormal/horror story. Honestly, I bought the book because I loved the cover! So I was so surprised at how good it turned out to be.

The story revolves around a British, documentary film-maker, named Darby, who's personal tragedy forces him to confront demons, both inner and other-worldly. As he questions his sanity...fate brings him across the Atlantic to an enchanted young woman named Lily.

I literally could not put this book down. I loved the characters, who were likable; you care about what happens to them. And the ghosts were both frightening and believable, very well done. The descriptions were so imaginative, the author made you feel like you were there in the story with these people and the adventure they were on... without overdoing it. There is a tremendous, unexpected, ending that I am still reeling from.

When I finished the book I looked on the cover to verify that another book would follow-up in the series called "The Ghost Memoirs". I am a voracious reader and highly recommend this book.

Haunted Lily: The Nightmare Ball

Why this book has not been made into a movie baffles me. Reading this book was like watching a film. The book mentions the author is a screenwriter and it shows in the story development. I was always surprised to where the story went. It was like Alice in Wonderland. I was "curiouser and curiouser."
Looking forward to more from the same author...

Sidney Fox kept me floating on my toes during this read. If you like short stories of adventure, this book is for you! Lily is a fantastic freak of nature who is in touch with her ability to communicate with the afterlife. (JEALOUS!) With this gift, Lily is able to solve mysteries, clear up trouble and escape from danger. The beauty of Haunted Lily is there is a new adventure right around the page. I loved the references to Savannah and Athens, GA! I can't wait to learn more about Lily and where she goes before SHE reaches the afterlife!

Favorite Quote: "What kind of psycho likes clowns?"

There are a few tiny spoilers in here.

Documentary film maker Darby McGregor had ia charmed life until his fiancée is killed on their wedding day. When ghosts, real and imagined, threaten his sanity he finds himself searching for an answer to his problems. He finds Lily Dufrene. Lily has been interacting with ghosts since she was a small child. Circumstances forced her to lie low and not advertise her talents. Now older, she and her family help others who are being plagued by the supernatural. A young woman who is fighting demons of her own, Lily represents all that could be for Darby. As Darby enters into Lily's world, he finds he's not only fighting for his sanity, he's also fighting for Lily's life.

I was intrigued by this book after hearing all the wonderful things being tweeted about it by Nat of Wicked Lil Pixie blog. So I hailed my partner in crime Mandi and whined, "Pleeeeeeze let me review this." Mandi being the awesome-licious person she is said, "Go for it." So I did. And I'm glad I did.

First off let me say the cover art is to die for. After you finish this book you see just how right this cover is for it. Haunted Lily grabbed me from page one and I could not put it down till I turned the last page. Touted as a scary ghost story; I felt it was more of a psychological horror. Often enough it's our mind and emotions that holds the key to what frightens us most. The story line's mesmerizing characters and deeply twisting arc creates a whirlwind journey of thrills, chills, love humor, and lost. While there is no doubt you'll be more then a little scared by this book, there is also a strong feeling of love, hope, and redemption built into to the story that shines through. Ms. Fox seems to have a very active imagination and it is readily apparent in this book.

I feel instantly in love with Lily and Darby. Both victims of tragedies; they rise above their circumstances rather then drowning in despair. Ms. Fox gives us real protagonists to connect with; not imbibing them with over blown skills or talents. As we are submerged into their lives, we see the strength and courage of these two characters. Once they meet, you see the connection they make and you can't NOT see them together. The romance between them is very slow building; playing second fiddle to the main plot. They become friends first and I appreciated that.

The suspense and tension of the story ratchets up in a series of events that layers the chills and thrills on you till your practically screaming, "what's NEXT!?!" The writing is smooth and the story flows gracefully between the different aspects of the arc. I found the underlying theme-scary clown villain-to be terribly creepy due to his absolute need for Lily. You are assured that no matter what, he will never give up and will destroy whatever blocks his path.

The secondary characters provided humor, personality, and a wonderful base to play Lily and Darby off of. Dave and Nigel had to be my favorites. With snarky comments flying, these two show an abundance of love and loyalty for Lily and Darby. I hope they remain an integral part of the story in future books. The use of real life places and events adds excitement to the story. That feeling you get when you read thinking, "Hey, I've been there," or, "I've heard that story."

The ending was surprising and comes at you fast. At first it had me flipping back thinking I missed a page or two. Then as I read it again, I understood what was happening but still felt abit abrupt. It's a unique way to end this story and pave the way to the next one. She leaves us with some intriguing questions and I for one look forward the next in the series.

[...]
Had a load of rave reviews, so being always on the look out for new authors and "something a bit different"

I was not let down, great spooky read that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.. You really get to care about the all the people in the book, and not just the main ones they are all pretty well fleshed out.

Get it and read for yourself

Haunted Lily was hard to put down, the book gives an intimate look into the mind of a woman haunted for a life time. With the perfect combination of suspense, love, ghosts, and inspiration; Haunted Lily should be on everyone's wish list this year, as it is sure to be a hit!

The end of the first book left me not wanting the book to end, I found my self feeling that there was more to the story, and I can not wait until the next book comes out!
This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes a good scary ghost story. It is written so beautifully that it is easy to see why Sidney Fox is a repeat author, and hopefully will continue to write for years to come! She is sure to become one of my favorite authors very quickly! I would like to see this book be turned into a movie at some point also!

I will be sitting on Pins and Needles waiting for the next installment of her book, Haunted Lily!

Kristy Hinkle
Haunting Existence Radio

After so many great reviews I was very excited about this book. I am disappointed now as I am nearly at the end. The prose is not all that great, but I could forgive that if it weren't for the other problems. They are:

- The quotation marks are all wrong throughout the entire book and italics way over used! This is just gross negligence on the part of the editor and makes it feel very low quality.

- If you were to combine the format of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventurers and / or Paranormal State with the Ghost Whisperer, this is how it would read. It really seems like several episodes of Ghost Whisperer but if the main character were to do something like Ghost Hunters or Paranormal State. There are some threads that weave between the seperate episodes, or chapters in Haunted Lily but it's not enough.

The cover is great though, I really like that and I think it's a great idea for a book. It's just not for me I guess.

This is by far one of the best books I have read this year. I have not read a better start to a series EVER!

I fell in love with Haunted Lily and its characters and ghosts from page one, the story captured me immediately and drew me into the plot. The cover was so stunning, I was expecting a true horror story, which I usually don't read (I`m more a Jane Austen gal), but after reading all the wonderful reviews on Goodreads, I gave the book a try. At certain times I felt nervous when the characters were nervous, I felt for many of the ghosts and their situations, and found myself, many times, laughing out loud, which I didn't expect.

The main character is Darby McGregor, a young Englishman who has lost his beloved girlfriend, and during his grieving encounters a truly frightening spirit in his home. This leads him to seek out Lily, a totally endearing young woman whom he sees on a "supernatural" television program and is immediately drawn to. Lily agrees to meet Darby and their adventure really begins.

The author seamlessly weaves back and forth through different time periods, bringing to life the stories of the ghosts through Lily's eyes. These passages are written with a clear and utterly believable voice that truly resonated with me, and at times sent chills through me. They were authentic in that you feel like you are right there with the characters. And the author sneaks in romance that made my heart melt.

The book is chock full of interesting locales, and even more interesting ghosts. The ghosts aren't just the quick fright; they are/were real people who have lived and died, and want to be heard. Lily listens. The villain of the story, a sadistic clown named Varton Muntz "part devil, part serial-killer", seemed to be plucked directly from one of the writers' nightmares and inserted directly into mine. Muntz was a character so believable and creepy he stayed in my subconscious long after I finished the book. The reoccurring themes of love and loss, life and death were well played out. There are not many books that I have felt this passionately about. Haunted Lily was charming, funny and at times frightening.

With every ghostly encounter the suspense of the story builds into a series of events that lead up to an amazing confrontation with, "A ghastly gathering of the damned and the banished, those caught in a bizarre otherworldly limbo". This whole scenario playing out in an old hotel pool really frightened me (in a good way). It was so cool, creepy and well written, I felt like I was right there in the thick of it.

The end of the story was very fast paced, it totally caught me off-guard, but it was thrilling. I was sad when I finished reading, I just didn't want t it to end!!! Can't wait for the next book in the series.
I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

Haunted Lily (The Nightmare Ball) by Sidney Fox
Urban Fantasy

I was intrigued by this book after hearing all the wonderful things being tweeted about it by Natalie of Wicked Lil Pixie blog.

A few tiny spoilers - take note

Documentary film maker Darby McGregor had a charmed life until his fiancée is killed on their wedding day. When ghosts, real and imagined, threaten his sanity he finds himself searching for an answer to his problems. He finds Lily Dufrene. Lily has been interacting with ghosts since she was a small child. Circumstances forced her to lie low and not advertise her talents. Now older, she and her family help others who are being plagued by the supernatural. A young woman who is fighting demons of her own, Lily represents all that could be for Darby. As Darby enters into Lily's world, he finds he's not only fighting for his sanity, he's also fighting for Lily's life.


First off let me say the cover art is to die for. After you finish this book you see just how right this cover is for it. Haunted Lily grabbed me from page one and I could not put it down till I turned the last page. Touted as a scary ghost story; I felt it was more of a psychological horror. Often enough it's our mind and emotions that holds the key to what frightens us most. The story line's mesmerizing characters and deeply twisting arc creates a whirlwind journey of thrills, chills, love, humor, and loss. While there is no doubt you'll be more then a little scared by this book, there is also a strong feeling of love, hope, and redemption built into to the story that shines through.

Ms. Fox seems to have a very active imagination and it is readily apparent in this book.

I feel instantly in love with Lily and Darby. Both victims of tragedies; they rise above their circumstances rather then drowning in despair. Ms. Fox gives us real protagonists to connect with; not imbibing them with over blown skills or talents. As we are submerged into their lives, we see the strength and courage of these two characters. Once they meet, you see the connection they make and you can't NOT see them together. The romance between them is slow building; playing second fiddle to the main plot. They become friends first and I appreciated that.

The suspense and tension of the story ratchets up in a series of events that layers the chills and thrills on you until your practically screaming, "what's NEXT!?!" The writing is smooth and the story flows gracefully between the different aspects of the arc. I found the underlying theme-scary clown villain-to be terribly creepy due to his absolute need for Lily. You are assured that no matter what, he will never give up and will destroy whatever blocks his path.

The secondary characters provided humor, personality, and a wonderful base to play Lily and Darby off of. Dave and Nigel had to be my favorites. With snarky comments flying, these two show an abundance of love and loyalty for Lily and Darby. I hope they remain an integral part of the story in future books. The use of real life places and events adds excitement to the story. That feeling you get when you read thinking, "Hey, I've been there," or, "I've heard that story."

The ending was surprising and comes at you fast. At first it had me flipping back thinking I missed a page or two. Then as I read it again, I understood what was happening. It's a unique way to end this story and pave the way to the next one. She leaves us with some intriguing questions and I for one look forward the next in the series. Highly recommend!


Haunted Lily (The Nightmare Ball) by Sidney Fox
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 284 Pages
Reviewed by SmexyBooks