You're the One that I Haunt (Nicki Styx, Book 3) [Mass Market Paperback]

Terri Garey (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 24, 2009

The devil went down to Georgia . . .

Nicki Styx has always known that the devil's in the details—but does he have to move in next door, too? Worse, he won't take no for an answer. Nicki would never leave her beloved boyfriend, ER doc Joe Bascombe, but hell hath no fury like a devil scorned. He's determined to make Nicki's life a living hell—even if it means exposing Nicki as an unwilling ghoulfriend to the dead.

Now, just when she was getting used to being able to see and hear—and help—spirits, Nicki's got a whole new set of problems. With ghosts descending from all sides, the bereaved knocking down her door, and Joe trying to take things to the next level, Nicki may finally be in over her head. It would be so easy to dance with the devil . . . but if Nicki crosses over to the dark side, she may never leave.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Terri Garey's Nicki Styx series is by far one of the most entertaining I've ever read. Wild and witty, and with enough sarcasm and good-natured paranormal ribbing to make even the most serious reader grin, it tells the story of a second-hand clothes shop owner, her openly gay assistant and the endless stream of dead people who come into their lives. Nikki helps ghosts take care of any unfinished business they have, sometimes in less-than-orthodox ways. The whole ghost-whispering thing was new to her a few books back but now she's got her feet under her and talking to spirits isn't nearly as off-putting as it was in the past.

YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT is incredible. From the first pages, where Nicki and Evan, her assistant, talk about his troubles with his boyfriend, I was hooked. I wanted to know why Evan's man had changed his email password. I couldn't wait to see who would make a ghostly entrance into Nicki's life. And I wondered if her boyfriend, Joe the doctor, would still be on the scene. Yes, I'm hooked on this series--but good. Fortunately I didn't have long to wait to find out what was in store for Nicki in this installment.

Possession, a ride with the Devil himself and an anorexic hurling accusations set the tone for what is a roller coaster ride. Nicki publicly accused Joe of killing Crystal, a woman whose diet-diminished medical condition made it impossible for Joe to save her. She blames him for her death and, with Satan's help, she plans to get revenge.

There isn't anything not to like about this book. Campy and well-written, with razor-sharp dialogue and a plot that speeds along, Terri Garey's YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT is another hit! I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

Kay James --TOP PICK - Romance Readers At Heart, March 2009

Review

Nicki Styx owns and runs Handbags and Gladrags, a shop selling vintage clothing and accessories, in partnership with her gay friend Evan. She just found out six months ago that she has a twin sister Kelly Charon, who is now staying with their grandfather Bijou Boudreaux, transvestite florist and southern belle extraordinaire. They never knew their mother Peaches Boudreaux, who made her living as a psychic before she died. Peaches gave them up for adoption and they were separated, not knowing the other twin existed. Both twins can see and hear the dead. Now Nicki has a big problem. Sammy or Samael as he is known to the legions of hell AKA the devil AKA Satan has opened up a business across the street from Handbags and Gladrags. He constantly pops up around Nicki, doing his best to tempt her into joining him as a lover, a partner and a soldier for his army, recruiting other souls for his army. Though he has tempted her, she has consistently told him no and since she has free will, he cannot force her. He also keeps trying to dissuade her from sending souls to the light. A case of heart failure in Nicki's past sent her to the afterlife. However, she was sent back and told to do to others, as she would have them do to her. It was at the hospital that she met her boyfriend Joe.

Joe Bascombe, a surgeon who runs the Emergency Room, is also Nicki's boyfriend. He met her when he saved her life. Though he has had problems coming to terms with the fact that his girlfriend sees and hears dead people, he is finally getting adjusted and is standing by her, no matter what. However, his love and devotion is put to the test when he comes close to losing his job and he could lose Nicki as well.

As Joe and Nicki have coffee at Moonbeams, she notices an extremely thin girl watching Joe with hatred in her eyes. The girl is a ghost named Crystal and she blames Joe for her death even though she was anorexic and too weak to be saved when she arrived at the hospital. It seems that the girl has made a deal with the devil. He has given her the power of possession. As Sammy does a TV commercial on the spot for his new business Divinyls, Crystal takes possession of Nicki's body. As Nicki, she accuses Joe of murder, claiming he killed Crystal Cowert. Crystal goes on to announce that dead people talk to Nicki, something Nicki does not usually let people know. She tells everyone that she will help them speak with their lost loved ones if they come on down to her business. This results in Joe's suspension from the hospital while the matter is investigated. People start showing up at Nicki's shop to speak with their loved ones or to find items they have lost, disrupting her workday. Then Lisa, the hospital attorney, offers to make Joe's problems go away if he will leave Nicki and stay with her. Will Joe take Lisa up on her offer? How can Nicki set everything right again?

YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I HAUNT, the third book of the NICKI STYX series, is a delightfully magical paranormal romance. Although this book has a satisfactory ending, you want to continue reading more. In this novel, Sammy keeps trying to tempt Nicki, but she does her best to use her abilities for good. It also seems as if Nicki may be starting to bond with her twin Kelly. Brimming with suspense, romance, paranormal, mystery, an irresistible plot, well developed characters and interspersed with ghosts, this book is a winner and sure to be a favorite for readers of many genres. The love and devotion between Joe and Nicki really adds appeal to this story. You will remember this tale long after you have read the last page. If you enjoy this book, you may want to read the first two books in this series, DEAD GIRLS ARE EASY and A MATCH MADE IN HELL. YOU'RE THE ONE I HAUNT is high on my `recommended read' list.

Dottie

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Avon (February 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061582034
• ISBN-13: 978-0061582035
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #954,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A Southern girl with an overactive imagination, Terri Garey is the RITA© award winning author of six novels, two series, and various novellas. Her devilishly delicious tales from the dark side have been described as "sweet yet smouldering" by Publishers Weekly, and "sultry and upbeat" by Library Journal. Despite her choice of spooky subject matter, Terri prefers to avoid graveyards, especially on Halloween.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There is mayhem, romance and suspense rollicking through this one. February 24, 2009

By Rachel P. Smith

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Georgia is known for its sultry summers and provides the perfect backdrop to Ms. Garey's newest addition to the Nicki Styx series. Garey is getting a reputation for smart plotting, fast pacing and sassy characterization, and this book delivers a powerful three punch combo.

Nicki's humorous take on life, and the afterlife, continues to mature in the third book in the series. She's facing the questions we all tackle as we grow into a relationship, and as with everything else, Nicki does a full body tackle once she's made up her mind. She's also dealing with a whole new kind of teenage angst and taunting temptations when Sammy Devine, The Devil in Disguise, moves in across the street from her vintage clothing store. Sammy is no Devil in a Blue Dress; he's all man, all sex and once you've danced with him, you understand why The Bad Boys are oh so tempting. On the side of Good, Nicki's boyfriend, Joe Bascombe, is making a case for commitment. Unfortunately, Joe's plans are getting derailed by a vengeful teenage spirit.

The supporting cast doesn't let the reader down in this book, either. Ms. Garey's tackles some heavy subject matter in a respectful, light-hearted manner, sneaking a few good messages into the story. Nicki's long time best friend and business partner, Evan, deals with issues surrounding maintaining a loving relationship with his boyfriend, Butch. Nicki also turns to her "grandmother" for help; grandma just happens to be a cross dresser, but when she's in full drag, no one is the wiser. Grandma Bijou is a member of a ladies afternoon coven, and they come to town in full regalia to come to Nicki's aid. Ms. Garey addresses the touchy subject of religion and personal views in a very savvy manner. She brings it to the common denominator level: there are good guys and bad guys on both side of the religious fence. She portrays the witches and the Christians, and everyone that falls somewhere in between, in a very realistic, respectful way.

In You're the One that I Haunt, Nicki and Joe come face to face with a teenage ghost named Crystal. Nicki also deals with the Devil, rolling the dice with high stakes. There is mayhem, romance and suspense rollicking through this one. Ms. Garey also plants the seeds for an interesting mythology that I hope to see more of in the next books. Her take on the original Bad Boy and his secrets makes for interesting reading and should provide readers with fodder for some wild speculation.

As in the past, this book leaves me very satisfied, and wanting more. Luckily, the next treat will arrive just in time for Samhain, better known as Halloween to most.Silent Night, Haunted Night hits bookstores October 27, 2009. Ms. Garey is following her own heroine's advice, much to my delight: "If you've got it, haunt it."

Reviewed at Bitten by Books Paranormal Fiction Review Site by Justine

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars ..Ghostly ride with all these fun twists and turns. October 18, 2009

By Wendy C.

Format:Mass Market Paperback

After almost dying, Nicki Styx' came back to life with a new talent: the ability to see ghosts. Just when she is getting used to having them around, and having also having a new boyfriend, the ER doctor Joe Bascome, who saved her life, things go to hell - literally! -when The Devil shows up, with more than a little neighborly interest in Nicki. He moves next door and is determined to make her life a living hell until she agrees to be with him.

To make things even more complicated, Nicki founds out she's got a new relative. Which might be closer than she thought. And her boyfriend, Joe, wants to take their relationship to the next level, but between dealing with ghosts, the Devil, and this new relative, Nicki's may finally be over in her head.

You're the One I Haunt is the third installment in the Nicki Styx Series. All the wonderful characters are back and better than ever. Nicki's still her quirky self, and her best friend/co-owner of her store, Evan, is still as super funny as ever. Ms. Garey's writing is lively and and she takes us on a ghostly ride with all these fun twists and turns. While at first, things were a little slow, it definitely didn't stay that way. I thoroughly enjoyed You're The One I Haunt, it's an entertaining, funny story and look forward to the next book in the series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has everything, you won't put it down September 3, 2012

By Think about this

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I love this series. It's fast paced, fun, witty , serious, mysterious, and romantic.
The characters are so much fun, that you never get bored. The wit between Nicki and Evan is a real hoot, and you're always worried for Nicki and Joe, as their relationship gets tested with every book. I tend not to like Sammy, the demon, very much, as some other readers do, but he has seemed to be essential to adding the suspense to the book, and there wouldn't be any story without him.
All in all, it is a quick and fun read, that you want to read from first to the last page in one sitting. Do start with the first in the series, though, and work you way up to this one, as each book adds more background to the next.