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Burning Through
When Jennifer and Robert Stinson buy a beautifully restored Victorian house, the last thing they expect is to share their home with a ghost -- especially one with a penchant for setting fires. Unfortunately the ghostly arson only creates more tension in their already strained marriage. Jen launches her own investigation into the history of her house and discovers a surprising ally in a sympathetic fire captain. But can she unravel the mystery of the fires before they consume her home, her marriage … and her life?
- GenresGhosts
216 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2014
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Bowersock
133 books127 followersMelissa Bowersock is an eclectic, award-winning author who writes in a variety of fiction and non-fiction genres: paranormal, biography, western, action, romance, fantasy, spiritual, and satire. She has been both traditionally and independently published and is the author of the popular Lacey Fitzpatrick and Sam Firecloud Mystery Series. She has a tattoo on the inside of her left wrist that says IMAGINE. In her next life, she plans to be an astronaut. She also writes under the pen name Amber Flame. You can visit her website, www.newmoonrising.net. Follow her blog at http://mjb-wordlovers.blogspot.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 6, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
Here, Jennifer and Robert, a couple whose marriage is on shaky ground, move to a new town after Robert is transferred. Robert is angry about the whole situation and not so subtly belittles Jennifer that he is the bread winner while she tinkers with an antique restoration hobby. As they live in the house, Robert grows angrier and angrier about his job and takes it out on Jennifer. Suddenly, fires begin to occur with no clear indication how the fire started but, each time an older woman is seen by the fire. Jennifer, with the help of the handsome Fire Dept. Captain, begins to look into the history of the house and learns some disturbing facts about the original owners.
This book has a bit of everything - drama, mystery, humor, romance and an interesting story. This is not a creepy haunted house horror story. It is a well-written book with a paranormal element. I really liked Jennifer - from her positivity to her resiliency to her ingenuity.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a very nice job.
Here, Jennifer and Robert, a couple whose marriage is on shaky ground, move to a new town after Robert is transferred. Robert is angry about the whole situation and not so subtly belittles Jennifer that he is the bread winner while she tinkers with an antique restoration hobby. As they live in the house, Robert grows angrier and angrier about his job and takes it out on Jennifer. Suddenly, fires begin to occur with no clear indication how the fire started but, each time an older woman is seen by the fire. Jennifer, with the help of the handsome Fire Dept. Captain, begins to look into the history of the house and learns some disturbing facts about the original owners.
This book has a bit of everything - drama, mystery, humor, romance and an interesting story. This is not a creepy haunted house horror story. It is a well-written book with a paranormal element. I really liked Jennifer - from her positivity to her resiliency to her ingenuity.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a very nice job.
February 28, 2014
When Jennifer and Robert Stinson bought the restored Victorian home in their new town, they had no idea about its troubled past. But the house is a perfect fit for them, as it becomes apparent in a hurry that their marriage is in trouble, too. Robert, who's in sales, is angry that he's been transferred to this podunk route in the middle of nowhere. Jen, for her part, loves the house, and seems happiest when Robert's out of town and she can concentrate on her online antiques business.
And then the fires start.
Things in the house seem to catch fire spontaneously, with no apparent cause. Each time, Jen sees a mysterious older woman near the scene of the fire, but she always disappears before Jen can catch her. She begins looking into the house's history -- and she also finds herself looking forward to seeing a particular fire captain who shows up with his crew each time they have a fire. With his help, she begins to get to the bottom of the house's mystery. But she runs the risk of seeing her whole life go up in smoke.
Bowersock does a great job of portraying the Stinsons' unraveling marriage. The unexplained fires often seem to be sparked by Robert's explosions of rage, and it's clear -- to this reader, anyway -- that the paranormal energy in the home is feeding off of his anger. I also liked the way Bowersock handled the budding relationship between Jen and Chris, the fire captain.
There's a twist at the very end that I didn't expect, but Bowersock makes it work. She's a wonderful writer, and I very much enjoyed this book.
***
Originally published at hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blogspot.com. I received an advance copy in return for an honest review.
And then the fires start.
Things in the house seem to catch fire spontaneously, with no apparent cause. Each time, Jen sees a mysterious older woman near the scene of the fire, but she always disappears before Jen can catch her. She begins looking into the house's history -- and she also finds herself looking forward to seeing a particular fire captain who shows up with his crew each time they have a fire. With his help, she begins to get to the bottom of the house's mystery. But she runs the risk of seeing her whole life go up in smoke.
Bowersock does a great job of portraying the Stinsons' unraveling marriage. The unexplained fires often seem to be sparked by Robert's explosions of rage, and it's clear -- to this reader, anyway -- that the paranormal energy in the home is feeding off of his anger. I also liked the way Bowersock handled the budding relationship between Jen and Chris, the fire captain.
There's a twist at the very end that I didn't expect, but Bowersock makes it work. She's a wonderful writer, and I very much enjoyed this book.
***
Originally published at hearth-myth-rursday-reads.blogspot.com. I received an advance copy in return for an honest review.
May 26, 2015
I love Melissa’s books. Her stories tiptoe into the paranormal; they don't burst in with a fanfare. There you are, ambling along, happily engrossed in her solid, credible characters and all of sudden you’ve stepped seamlessly into a tale of the unexpected. Brilliant.
Jennifer and her husband, Robert, move to a Victorian house in a new town: an enforced relocation because of Robert’s ‘sideways’ shift by his employers, making him rather disgruntled. It’s the perfect house for Jennifer who has a passion for renovating old furniture. However, their promising new start is tainted by fires, which seem to start quite unexpectedly. And there’s this ghost… Robert, who is short-tempered, disillusioned by his new position and afraid of being burnt to death, has no desire to hang around and is adamant they have to move; but Jen is more tolerant and inquisitive. She’s much more interested in finding out who the ghost is and why it is starting fires. Their differing attitudes to their new situation is threatening their marriage. Thank goodness for that nice, understanding, fire captain…
Ms Bowersock draws you into her characters; so much so that I was rather gutted when the book came to an end. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly structured plot. I’m just greedy…I wanted more!
This is a gripping book that will have you planning a couple of sittings to finish it. Since this is the third MB book I've read, you can safely assume I’m a fan.
Jennifer and her husband, Robert, move to a Victorian house in a new town: an enforced relocation because of Robert’s ‘sideways’ shift by his employers, making him rather disgruntled. It’s the perfect house for Jennifer who has a passion for renovating old furniture. However, their promising new start is tainted by fires, which seem to start quite unexpectedly. And there’s this ghost… Robert, who is short-tempered, disillusioned by his new position and afraid of being burnt to death, has no desire to hang around and is adamant they have to move; but Jen is more tolerant and inquisitive. She’s much more interested in finding out who the ghost is and why it is starting fires. Their differing attitudes to their new situation is threatening their marriage. Thank goodness for that nice, understanding, fire captain…
Ms Bowersock draws you into her characters; so much so that I was rather gutted when the book came to an end. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly structured plot. I’m just greedy…I wanted more!
This is a gripping book that will have you planning a couple of sittings to finish it. Since this is the third MB book I've read, you can safely assume I’m a fan.
March 1, 2020
The scariest thing about the story is the damage caused by the emotional abuse the husband heaped on her. The ghost, unexplained fires, and history of the house are well done but not really threatening.
All of the characters are interesting and engaging, even the obnoxious husband. The story moves quickly and fluidly with clarity. It had me by the imagination until I finished it.
Narrator Susan J Iannucci gives the story even more depth.
All of the characters are interesting and engaging, even the obnoxious husband. The story moves quickly and fluidly with clarity. It had me by the imagination until I finished it.
Narrator Susan J Iannucci gives the story even more depth.
September 30, 2014
A ghost story with a realistic romance. I loved the merging of modern day and historical elements to link the heroine with the unsettled ghost. Dialog, details of antiques, small town fire department, and the town made the story believable and a fun to read.
August 1, 2019
A pyromaniac ghost? Jen and her husband, Robert, have just moved from Albany, NY to a small NE town for her husband’s job. Jen is embracing the change and moving forward with setting into their new home. Unfortunately, Robert isn’t embracing the change...he is still furious with his boss for reassigning him to a less lucrative sales area. When the couple begin to see the ghost of a former resident just before small fires begin blazing around the house, Jen decides to investigate the history of the house. What she finds will astound you. Meanwhile, Robert is becoming more dissatisfied with his job and wants to move back to Albany. Can this couple survive the ghostly attacks? Without giving spoilers, just know that this book will keep you wanting more to the very end!! Great job by this new-to-me author.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I voluntarily accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2021
I loved this story and was sorry it was so short. A man gets his work route changed and can't accept it.His wife loves the new place...even with ghosts setting fire! Susan J. Iannucci was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
June 29, 2025
burning Theough
Really a great story. Melissa does a great job of storytelling. I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.
Really a great story. Melissa does a great job of storytelling. I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.
January 28, 2015
Captivating from the get-go, Burning Through was difficult to put down — and I only put it down once. I read it in two days, as I was anxious to find out what was going to happen next!
Burning Through contains elements of mystery, romance, and suspense.
Jen and Robert move to a small town due to her husband’s recent job change. Although Jen falls in love with their newly-purchased home, she discovers their house is inhabited by a ghost… who starts fires!
But… there might be more than just one spirit involved…
In her quest to learn about the history of the house’s former occupants, Jen consults with two local men as well as old newspaper reports. A subtle romance develops between Jen and Chris, a fire captain, with whom she also teams up with to solve the mystery of the many instances of arson that have occurred over the years in her house, and are still occurring.
As the story unfolds, Robert constantly belittles his wife every chance he gets, especially when it comes to Jen’s budding entrepreneurial ventures. Fortunately for Jen, his new job is one of a travelling salesman, so he’s not home that much!
I don’t want to give too much of the story away by providing you with snippets of the plot twists, so just let me say that, in Burning Through, you’ll find strong character development, a simplistic yet descriptive style of writing, and a good plot, culminating in a climax satisfying to both the characters and the reader.
I have to give this book 5 stars. It’s an excellent read!
I’ve never said this about a self-published book before, but I also think it would make a great movie.
The author certainly cannot receive a higher compliment than that!
Burning Through contains elements of mystery, romance, and suspense.
Jen and Robert move to a small town due to her husband’s recent job change. Although Jen falls in love with their newly-purchased home, she discovers their house is inhabited by a ghost… who starts fires!
But… there might be more than just one spirit involved…
In her quest to learn about the history of the house’s former occupants, Jen consults with two local men as well as old newspaper reports. A subtle romance develops between Jen and Chris, a fire captain, with whom she also teams up with to solve the mystery of the many instances of arson that have occurred over the years in her house, and are still occurring.
As the story unfolds, Robert constantly belittles his wife every chance he gets, especially when it comes to Jen’s budding entrepreneurial ventures. Fortunately for Jen, his new job is one of a travelling salesman, so he’s not home that much!
I don’t want to give too much of the story away by providing you with snippets of the plot twists, so just let me say that, in Burning Through, you’ll find strong character development, a simplistic yet descriptive style of writing, and a good plot, culminating in a climax satisfying to both the characters and the reader.
I have to give this book 5 stars. It’s an excellent read!
I’ve never said this about a self-published book before, but I also think it would make a great movie.
The author certainly cannot receive a higher compliment than that!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews