Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle Reviews

Special thanks to Sherry for the below reviews!

This review of Lancaster House is from Sherry at Fundinmental:


4 – Would Highly Recommend To Others

This was definitely a different twist on a vampire (?), ghost (?) or madwoman (?) story. I got about halfway through and thought WT. Never saw that coming. Now I get it, or do I?

A psychological thriller that will keep you guessing. The minute you think you have the answer, you better think again.

The plot had me guessing if HE was real or not, but I’m a reader, not Zoe, so it is totally feasible to me. The book was well written and I liked that it took a twist here and there. Not your typical vampire or ghost story. Or even that of a locked up mad woman. As soon as I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen and I would be wondering, what now? Definitely messed with my mind, had my head spinning. And still does.

What would you do if you had an uninvited guest in your house? Would you believe it was supernatural or would you think your mind was playing tricks on you? Even though you felt him, touched him, kissed him, would you be able to hold to your belief while everyone is telling you that you are wrong? That is Zoe’s situation.

Zoe was confident in her knowledge of Andre, no matter what anyone else tried to tell her. All she cared about was being with Andre. He tried to make her see they couldn’t have a relationship, that they lived in different worlds – his was supernatural and she couldn’t join him there, or could she?

I felt the doctor was arrogant and controlling, and I really didn’t like him. He became obsessed with Zoe and lost his perspective. Maybe he’s the one who needs help. lol

Shortly into the book, I thought, this will be a three. It quickly turned into a four, for the simple reason I began to read faster and faster. I had to know what was going to happen next. The writing was captivating and took me deeper into the story as it built to its suspenseful ending.

The end will take you away. Just hope you don’t end up in Serenity Hills with Zoe.

Next is Sherry's amazing five-star review of The Middle Aisle, again from her blog, Fundinmental:

 5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

Was he a ghost? A vampire? Was he even real? The story will have you so engrossed, that it won’t matter what Andre really is. He will win you over.

I felt it was such a tragic love story, that I wanted to cry with Zoe, as she strived to create a real life with Andre. Their love was so great, I could only hope that it would break all the barriers that the supernatural had imposed on them. I loved the characters, and even Dr. Channing won me over in the end.

The psychological thrill ride had me questioning everything. The plot was so unique and unforeseen, that I was constantly surprised.

The ending left me stunned, I smiled as the tears ran down my face.  It was one of the best endings of any book I have read and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that lingered long after I had finished the book.

Reviews of The Middle Aisle

Review by Shelly of House of a la Mode: (formerly of Dive Under the Cover)

My Thoughts....

This is the conclusion to the Lancaster House series and if you have followed me long you know how 

much I loved that book.  You can read my review of Lancaster House here.  Because of the nature of this

book and the fact that I can't reveal too much without posting spoilers this is going to be a pretty
short review.

In this story we have all the characters back in Lancaster House.  As the synopsis states, Zoe is back in

the house on bed rest because she is going through a difficult pregnancy.  Dr. Channing has become so

involved in her story that he's taken it upon himself to move into the house to take care of her.

She doesn't want to go back to Serenity Hills and he wants continue to treat her since he still believes that

she has created this whole world in her head.

Basically, this story follows the same line as the first one.  Zoe is relating the things that happened to her

when she escaped Serenity Hills and up to the present time.  She is on bed rest telling her story to Dr.

Channing as he is taking care of her.  He still believes that Andre is a figment of her imagination, but she

knows that he is real, at least he is to her.

I will say that the ending was a HUGE surprise to me and one that I didn't see coming at all!  Since I don't

want to give anything away this is all I am going to say!

You know that I adore Taylor's writing and she didn't disappoint with the conclusion of this story. 

It's beautifully written and this one had me on the edge of my seat.  I was so nervous for Zoe and while

Dr. Channing does seem to have a valid point, I believed in Andre just as much as Zoe did.  I also have to

say that if she is in a dream world of her own making, it's not a bad one to live in!

If you read Lancaster House then you MUST read The Middle Aisle.  If you still haven't read Lancaster

House then you need to read it, especially if you like a good Paranormal Romance.  I loved both of these

books and they are ones that I will definitely read again.

Review by Brandy of Book Worm Brandy:

You all know that I love Taylor Dean so much! She is one of my favorite authors and The Middle Aisle is my 4th book of hers to read. She is amazingly talented and did not disappoint me with this sequel to Lancaster House. (Review HERE)

Zoe and Andre have a love story that could rival anyone's. You can tell how much they love each other and after Zoe's situation in the first book, you are happy to see them reunited. But this isn't all that happens in The Middle Aisle (which BTW is 1920s slang for getting married. So cool, right??)

There are some unexpected twists and turns and the ending is the most surprising I have ever read. I loved how Taylor sewed everything up in the end and you are left feeling very satisfied. And a little envious because Zoe found her true soul mate, even if he's a ghost vampire.

**I was given this book by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.**

RATING:

A Goodreads message left by Kesha after reading The Middle Aisle: (I LOVE this comment!)

Oh My!!!!!!! I have finally read The Middle Aisle. WHAT A READ! Such a beautiful ending and so much unexpected twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. I was on the emotional rollercoaster with Zoe, every step of the way and the reveal of Dr Channing.......incredible! These are without a doubt my favourite books and I will tell everyone who will listen about how amazing an Author you are! I thank you for giving us Andre and Zoe Lancaster xXx

Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle Review

I enjoyed these reviews of Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle because Carly is an author also, and it's always great to hear another author's viewpoint. Thanks, Carly!

This review is from Carly Fall's blog:

MY REVIEW – 4.5 STARS

The first thing about this book is that it needs a new cover. The cover as it stands now (with the hand) simply doesn’t do this book justice.

Now, on to the content of the book.

Zoe is a 25 year old who has had a rough few months. I felt her pain, and can’t image two major life-altering events such as the ones she went through at that age. She’s an interior designer that has come into some money, and when she finds the Lancaster House with its oddities and the need for some TLC, she is sold.

Andre is the original builder and owner of Lancaster House, which makes him the resident “ghost.” As Zoe starts to rehab the house, he can’t help but join her, and needless to say, this freaks her out. Eventually, they meet and the attraction is immediate.

I loved the way this story was told, which was from Zoe’s perspective as she talks to her psychiatrist. She’s intelligent and well-spoken, but sometimes her defiance came across as a little childish to me, but it was easy to forgive her for it because I’d act a little childish as well in her position.

Andre…I was immediately in love with Andre…like I couldn’t put the book down in love with him… and my only regret was that we never got a true glimpse into his head. And when it was revealed what he was, it felt a little like a “jump the shark” moment, yet as the story came together, I became more accepting of it, and understood why the author did it. But honestly, the story would have been wonderful without that detail being added.

There were a few things I didn’t understand about the book, but I can’t go into it without revealing spoilers, and obviously they didn’t bother me enough to lower my rating of the book.

This book is well written, and the author was descriptive enough to make me feel like I really, really want to visit Lancaster House for…real. Unlike other reviews I read of this book, I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the ending. Maybe one more scene could have been added, but I closed my Kindle with a big smile on my face and felt like the story was finished. And that I wanted to read it again.

There are very few books I read anymore that stay with me, but Lancaster House did. I absolutely adored this book, the writing, and the characters. I am looking forward to reading the sequel to see where Andre and Zoe go from here.

Here's Carly's review of The Middle Aisle, taken from Goodreads:

4.5 STARS

Because I loved Lancaster House so much, I was nervous about the second book. I liked the way Lancaster House ended, and I felt as though the story was complete. I was worried that this would just be dragging the story out, but thankfully I was wrong. The Middle Aisle is told in the same way as the Lancaster House, and the whole cast of characters is there. There are twists and turns throughout the book, and one especially took me totally by surprise. It was a great book, and I am glad that the author continued the story. Loved it!

I Have People Reviews have been AMAZING!

Before I ever published my books, my hubby and I used to talk about which book of mine would be the one to see the most success. To be honest, we never thought it would be I Have People!! Not because we didn't like this book, we just figured Lancaster House would be more popular, being that it was paranormal. So far, I Have People has the highest rating on Goodreads and I'm thrilled!

Both reviewers below mention that I'm their new favorite author! WOW! Are they talking about ME? This is totally surreal, but I LOVE it! When TammyAnn posted her review, my author bio looked like this:

The Wonderful and Fabulous Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up. 

Wonderful and fabulous? I don't think anyone has ever called me wonderful and fabulous. I mean, my hubby and children often tell me they love me, etc. But they don't often say, "Mom, you are wonderful and fabulous!" So, to have someone post this is AMAZING! When I'm feeling down, I'll read this post to give myself a little pick-me-up! Publishing is not an easy business. Some days are good, some days are bad. When the good comes my way, I have to take it, embrace it, wrap it up in a cute little package and give it to myself. (You get the idea!) What a thrill!

To all of my readers: I think YOU are WONDERFUL AND FABULOUS!

Review of I Have People from TammyAnn at Oh, The Books You'll Read:

MY REVIEW OF I HAVE PEOPLE

Holly Noel Sinclair wakes from an eight month coma to find out that a lot has changed. She can't remember how she wound up in the coma. The doctor urges her to remember on her own with no help from her wonderful husband Gabriel or her best friend Angela.

Her husband sets out to recreate past events in her life in hopes that her memory will return. She can remember her childhood and her wedding day but the past two years are gone. When someone from her past returns will she finally remember what she has kept deeply hidden? What are here husband and best friend hiding from her? Was the past as wonderful as she remembers or is something more sinister lurking in the background?

Where to start with this amazing book? I have found a wonderful new author. Taylor Dean is officially on my favorite author list! I have never read her novels before and I have missed out. This is one of those books you can't put down. I lost many hours of sleep until I finished it. I can't stop gushing about it! It is hard to review and talk about without giving so much away. You find out bits and pieces of Holly's life as she does. You fall in love with the character. The flow is perfect with the flashbacks of her life. I would recommend this book to anyone.

~A special thank you to Taylor Dean for gifting this book to me for a fair and honest review.~

This next review is from Laurie at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews:

5 Stars

The suspense never lets up; I was hooked from the beginning and never once felt bored or lost interest. This book deals with a difficult subject – spousal abuse – but the way in which the story is delivered is just spellbinding. Holly Noel is a strong-minded, independent person who suffers a horrible ordeal and wakes up with amnesia. Her circumstance is unusual but she has some friends who stand by her, trying their best to help her make a new future and keep the past troubles from interfering in her new life.

I read Sierra a few months ago by this same author and found it mesmerizing, so I jumped at the chance to read this book. I am so glad I did because I Have People is another winner. It is wonderfully constructed so that the story flows smoothly from start to finish, but it is also an exceptionally emotional tale. I became so caught up in Holly’s troubles and triumphs that I pretty much hung on every word.

For all that transpired, these characters lived and breathed for me. They were recognizable individuals who were also unique. I became frustrated a few times when decisions were made that I feel showed poor judgment…but those choices were still, in almost every instance understandable. Ms. Dean is a new favorite author of mine. Pick up a copy of Sierra or I Have People and I bet she will become one of your favorites, too.

REMEMBERING JERAD

JERAD

On December 20, 2011, I received a phone call from my daughter. She sounded happy, as happy as she could be under the circumstances. She was on her way to a doctor appointment, the appointment wherein the inducement date for her unborn child would be scheduled so that we could all plan to be there. We were all desirous to meet her precious son, Jerad.


We knew even then it would be a short greeting. We hoped for five minutes.

Not too much to ask for, right?

Let me backtrack.

I promised myself I would write a blog post on the anniversary of losing our precious Jerad. I asked my daughter for permission to share her story. She agreed, knowing it would be therapeutic. Not sure why, but I've felt hesitant to write this. The memories are painful--and yet precious all at the same time.

Here it goes . . .

My daughter and her husband joyfully received the news that they were expecting a baby. Only one short month later, they received the news that their baby had a condition known as Trisomy 18. I'd never heard of it before. The 18th chromosome triples upon conception. The resulting birth defects are described as "incompatible with life."  Trisomy 18 babies rarely survive birth--and if they do, they don't live for very long. Yet, by some sort of twisted fate, they tend to thrive inside the womb.

What?

My daughter was told the pregnancy would proceed somewhat normally but, more than likely, the baby would not survive birth.

I can't imagine a more heart-breaking scenario.

My daughter decided to see the pregnancy through. What if the doctors were wrong? It's been known to happen. Maybe the baby would be fine and if there was any chance whatsoever to have her precious son, she would do it. I told her I was very proud of her for her decision. She said, "There was never another option, Mom."

That's why I was proud of her.

It wasn't easy, though. Weekly ultrasound appointments revealed a thriving, active--albeit small--baby boy. Clearly, he had some developmental issues--and some severe heart defects. Still, our hopes soared.

When adversity strikes in our lives, our perspective often changes. Ours did. We hoped for five minutes with Jerad. Just a few moments to look into his eyes and tell him we loved him. Just a few moments to see his spirit shining out through his eyes, a moment to say goodbye.

It wasn't meant to be.

Our little Jerad lost his fight to live at eight months gestation.

On December 20, 2011 I received a second phone call from my daughter. This time she was crying. Sobbing. The weekly ultrasound had revealed that Jerad no longer had a heartbeat. It was one of those moments where you remember exactly what you were doing at the time. I was making Christmas cookies, the cookie cutter kind. Christmas music was playing. The presents were wrapped. The cards had been sent out. It was finally time to relax and enjoy Christmas.

Everything changed in that moment.

My daughter would be induced to deliver the baby. In the meantime, she was told to go home and rest.

Her baby had passed inside of her and they wanted her to rest? She had to go through  labor and delivery? Somehow everything seemed so incredibly unfair.

We knew all along she could lose the baby at any time. And it didn't matter one iota. We never gave up hope that Jerad would be a miracle and defy medical science.

We dropped everything and rushed to my daughter's house. She lives seven hours away. Due to travel constraints, we left all of the presents under the tree. They'd still be there when we returned home.

On December 22, 2011, one year ago today, Jerad was born. In spite of everything, he was beautiful. I was able to hold him in my arms and it was truly one of the most precious moments of my life. Only three months earlier I'd held my first grandson in my arms. (my oldest daughter's son) The difference was marked. Jerad was lifeless in my arms.

The amazing picture up above is Jerad's hand, his mother and father's wedding rings within his grasp. We have the Now I Lay me Down to Sleep foundation to thank for the picture. These guys are amazing. They are a group of photographers that donate their services to families who have or will lose a baby. They rush to the hospital and thoughtfully embark upon a photo session. The families are allowed to do what they will with the photos, free of charge.

I spent Christmas at my daughter's side, helping her through the recovery process. My parents traveled from a great distance to join us. There were no presents and none of the usual trappings. At the time, I missed the Christmas celebration desperately and I thought it was a horrible Christmas. Our only happiness was in being together.

But then, isn't that all that really matters?

Now as we embark upon another Christmas, the memories of last Christmas are so very strong. And it's only now that I realize just how tender and humble a Christmas it really was. This year we will have the presents, the cookies, the music, the laughter. Yet, I'll never forget last Christmas and taking care of my daughter who had unselfishly done all that she could to give life to a precious child.

So, these are my thoughts on this day, December 22, 2012 as I remember my grandson, Jerad.

It was a few months later that I was able to put my raw emotions onto paper. I couldn't do it at the time. It was just too much. Here it is:

Precious little one, you were loved from the moment of conception.

By your parents, by your grandparents, by great grandparents, by aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

We’re here, Jerad, and we want you, we love you.

We rejoiced in the news of your creation, of a new life, a new member of our family.

We loved you, we looked forward to meeting you.

We’re here, Jerad, and we want you, we love you.

But sometimes things go wrong from the very beginning.

And when the doctors told us the dreaded words, Trisomy 18, we said, what?

Who knew such a thing existed? Who knew you could carry a baby inside of you, a thriving baby, a beautiful baby, only to lose him upon birth? What kind of cruel act of fate was this?

We’re here, Jerad, and we want you, we love you.

Life is tender, life is precious, life is sacred.

And you were alive, little Jerad.

You lived, you fought for life.

Your mother and father refused to give up on you. They loved you, they wanted you.

Desperately.

Even if they only saw you for five minutes. Even two minutes with you would’ve been the fulfillment of a dream.

We waited, we hoped, we prayed.

We’re here, Jerad, and we want you, we love you.

You lived, you flourished, you wiggled, you kicked.

But it wasn’t meant to be.

Your short life was lived inside the safety of your mother’s womb, cosseted and sheltered in her love.

We’re here, Jerad, and we want you, we love you.

Eight months of precious life. Your earth life. All the life you needed.

A  spirit so special, so righteous, so valiant—the perils of this life were not for you.

An heir to the kingdom of God, having proven yourself long ago.

This is our comfort, this is our peace.

But, we’re still here, Jerad. Why aren’t you?


There is an AMAZING song dedicated to the families of Trisomy 18 and 13 babies. It is BEAUTIFUL. Be prepared, it's a tear jerker.  To view it, click here.

I love you, Jerad. I miss you.

Winner of the End of the World Giveaway Hop!

Congrats to the winner of the End of the World Giveaway Hop,

Soy Rhomy!

Soy, please contact me asap at taylordeanbooks[at]gmail[dot]com. The provided email bounced back saying it was undeliverable. 

I hope to hear from you soon, or I will have to choose another winner! (and I don't want to do that!)

Even more reviews of I Have People!

Yes, more reviews. Bear with me! I LOVE to post all my reviews. It's more for me than anyone else, but good reviews make me happy! A special thank you to all the reviewers who took the time to read and review I Have People!

This five-star review is from Andrea of A Chick who Reads:

Review: I think I might have mentioned that Taylor Dean is one of the best discoveries I've made this year as far as authors go. I've read 3 of her books so far, Lancaster House, Sierra and now I Have People. There's one element that binds them together, suspense.

I'm so glad that my copy of I Have People was an ebook, because the suspense in this book would have been to tempting for me otherwise. I know if this had been a physical copy I would have been flipping the pages to find out what happens.

Like all of Taylor's other books, I find it hard to review the story without giving away things that you really shouldn't know unless you've read the book.

Here are some things I can tell you.

1. This book deals with domestic violence.

2. Holly is at times the stereotypical battered wife as well as a head strong female. You will love her and be frustrated with her all at the same time.

3. Gabe is the man you absolutely want to have in your life.

4. Ange is the bff we all need and want.

I really liked how Taylor built the suspense around Holly's accident and the other characters in the book. She gave you just enough information to keep you turning the pages, but not enough to make you go "A ha!'

If you haven't read one of Taylor's books yet, you really should pick one up. They are all emotionally charged and full of wonderful characters that you can't help but love and root for.

Rating: 5 flowers

This review is from AJ Marshall of The Book Mark Blog:

Review

I was pretty excited to read this one. I only knew the basics and was okay about that going into this one, which for me is pretty odd!

This book was a real head scratcher for me! I kept thinking I was figuring things out, then Dean would throw something else in and off I would go trying to figure that out!

The story was well written and the plot was well thought out. The characters were enjoyable and easy to like. Overall I enjoyed it and didn’t want to put the book down until I made it to the end.

Not a love, but a solid like!
Rating

4/5

The next review is from Vibina of Books for Me: (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Review:
My earlier experience with Dean's was good which prompted me to sign up for this tour and I am glad at my choice..From page one I was deeply into the story..It has an element of suspense, thrill engrossed with deep and passionate true love , temporary amnesia only took the story to another level..

The book opens up with Holly Noel eagerly awaiting someone followed by a traumatic accident, creating much needed curiosity to go on...She wakes up in the hospital from eight months coma surprising everyone with her miraculous recovery..Why wouldn't she?? she had a blissful life awaiting her with her doting husband Gabriel Sinclair, also nicknamed as true boy scout by Angela , Holly's best friend..But things are not what they seem to me with her amnesia wiping away the vital thread of her past life that threatens to devastate her wonderful life...

I am in awe of this book, just loved the way Dean has weaved a dream love between Hol and Gab..Their love for each other only made me curious to know about the secrets Gab was holding away from Hol...I wanted rush through the book while not wanting to miss the wonderful moments between them... Affection, love , friendship , trust, fear, loss, pain and hope are clearly portrayed through Holly, Gabriel and Angela which completes the circle with Cal...One instantly feels attached to Holly and feel sorry about her frustration at her faded memories time and again..But Gabriel was the absolute show stealer for me with his warmth and love...Moments between Angela and Holly are absolute girly moments..Being that said, I felt the epilogue to be bit overdone, on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed my read..This is definitely a wonderful girly pick for me..

This review is from Susan at My Cozie Corner:

Review:

Taylor pens "I Have People" with realistic and relateable characters. The plot deals with love, domestic abuse and the characters healing process. A very well written story with a roller coaster of emotions in a difficult read, but totally well worth it. Highly recommended for all readers.

I give "I Have People" a 5 star rating.

This five-star review is from Dani of Paulette's Papers:

Review:

I Have People is an emotional journey of a young woman named Holly Sinclair. She was in foster care all her life because her mother couldn’t stay clean long enough to take care of her and she never knew her father. As soon as she turned 18 she was released from foster care with no family or friends to go to. Because she doesn’t have anyone, she becomes the perfect target for domestic abuse.

I don’t really want to say too much more about this wonderful story because I don’t want to give anything away. What I will say is that I totally admire Holly’s character. While I have personally never dealt with the types of situations she went through, I can completely see how and why she does the things she does.

I recommend this book to any woman. I think it might even help some who find themselves in a dangerous relationship with someone. I smiled and cried and I will defiantly re-read this book one day!

FABULOUS Review of I Have People!

This FABULOUS review of I Have People is from Kathleen of Jersey Girl Book Reviews:

Thank you, Kathleen!

My Book Review:

Every once in a while a book comes along that tugs at the heart strings, for me that book is I Have People.

Holly Sinclair has awaken from eight months in a coma after a traumatic accident that caused her extensive injuries, in fact the doctors considered her recovery a miracle of modern science. She has amnesia and the only memories she has is that of her loving husband Gabriel. Frustrated with the missing pieces of her memory and her inability to recall what happened to her, Gabe recreates their dates in an effort to make new memories and a fresh start for their relationship. But things aren't always what they seem: an attentive Gabe and best friend Angela are holding back information on the traumatic accident which causes Holly to become suspicious .... and when she does regain her memory of the accident, the shocking revelations changes everything.

I Have People is a poignant story of love, hope, domestic abuse and redemption. Author Taylor Dean weaves an emotionally charged tale about one woman's life story and how she recovers from a traumatic experience to discover the warmth of being loved and having people who really care about her. Written in the third person narrative, the author draws the reader into the life of Holly Sinclair as she recovers from a traumatic experience of domestic abuse. I was fascinated with the progression of Holly's growth: from her naivete when she awakens from the coma, to her frustration at her memory loss, to the recovery of her memory and strength to stand up for herself. You can't help but feel for Holly and what she's been through, her story will take you on a roller coaster ride leaving you emotionally spent.

Author Taylor Dean does a wonderful job of thoughtfully writing about a very serious and sensitive issue that unfortunately does occur in some domestic relationships. The storyline is told in the present day with a flashback to two years prior, and the intriguing twists and turns keeps the reader engaged as Holly's story unfolds. With realistic and complex characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; and various settings and a multi-layered storyline that is rich in detail and vivid descriptions, I Have People is a powerful and compelling read.

I Have People is an amazing story that will bring out all the emotions, and will stay with you long after the words have been read.


RATING: 5 STARS *****

Reviews of I Have People

My most recent reviews of I Have People:

This five star review is from Shelly, formerly of Dive Under the Cover, but is now at House of A la Mode.

My thoughts on I Have People

Most of you know how big of a Taylor Dean fan I am and this book was no exception and it's totally not because I have a quote on the back of the printed copy! I loved this book, but not quite as much as Lancaster House. This is one of those books that I can't really talk about too much for fear of spoiling so I am going to keep this review brief.

At the beginning of the book I had a little trouble with how Holly spoke to everyone. I felt like she came across as really artificial, but as the story unfolds you realize that there is a reason why she is acting this way. Holly is so naive in the beginning, but she grows tremendously during the course of the story. There were times that I was so frustrated with her for the choices that she was making, but her situation is so real and as you are reading it you can't help but hurt for her.

This was a hard book to read because of the subject matter, but Ms. Dean does a wonderful job handling these scenes. Readers should be aware that this book does deal with domestic abuse. This isn't an issue that I have dealt with on a personal level, but I believe that the issue is handled well in this story. You feel for Holly deeply and you will root for her to make better choices. At it's heart this is a love story and has a great element of hope. It's wonderful to see that moment when Holly realizes that even though she started out alone she really does "have people".

I can never say enough about how great a storyteller Taylor Dean is. She writes stories that tug at your heart and make you feel no matter what genre. I highly recommend all of her books if you like wonderful, heartfelt stories with great characters and clean romance.

Thanks, Shelly!

The next review is from Cami of My Reading Addiction. Thanks, Cami!

My Rating:


My Review:
This is one of those books that in my review I can say I loved it and that Taylor really does a great job of connecting you to the characters so that you feel for what is happening to them. That being said, I dont want to spoil the story for anyone. Let's just say this deals with a subject that some may find hard to read about.

It really reminded me a lot of a movie I have seen on Lifetime. Having to piece yourself back together after a trauma is one thing, but having to second guess yourself on who to trust would make the whole situation that much more difficult.

What Holly goes through in this story will hit home for some people and pull on your emotions, but, you wont be sorry you read it!

The next review is from Dalene of A Date with a Book. Thanks, Dalene!

My Review:
This book is definitely a love story that is not without its difficult times. I really enjoyed how the author has woven the various parts of the story together to provide such reading enjoyment. I could not read it fast enough. It’s like she has written many cliffhangers throughout the book.

This is my first book by this author and I can tell you it definitely will not be my last. As soon as I finished reading this book, I purchased Sierra by Taylor Dean. I just hope I can find time to read it soon. There are very few authors that can write such a dramatic story, but Taylor Dean has just proven that she can. 

I don’t even know what else to say without giving anything away. I liked all of the characters, but not really. If that makes sense. The author has created some remarkable characters and their lives that intertwine amongst one another. She has also been able to take such a sensitive and upsetting topic and write a wonderful love story. This story is definitely not for the faint of heart, but is also for the hopeless romantics. 

My favorite line from the book: 
Listen to me, you can take a precious jewel worth millions, dip it in mud, leave it dirty and stained, its beauty spoiled, and underneath it all it will still be worth millions.
Taylor Dean. I Have People (Kindle Locations 6902-6903).

I would definitely recommend this book to all readers of romance and women’s fiction. If you love Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult, or A.L. Jackson, this book is for you.

Promo Blitz

DECEMBER 17th PROMO BLITZ

 for 

Lancaster House and its sequel, The Middle Aisle! 

Lancaster House and The Middle Aisle will be featured at 50 blogs in ONE day!

END OF THE WORLD GIVEAWAY HOP

The Mayan Calendar Ends!

Does it mean the end of the World? 

Probably not but just in case...

Which books would you save if the world was coming to an end? 

That's an easy question for me! I'd absolutely grab my four published books that sit proudly on a shelf in my living room! Next, I'd grab my flashdrive that holds my two other books that are soon to be published. After all that work, I wouldn't want to lose them! If I survive, then I'd at least have one copy of each of my books!

But, hopefully that won't happen! So assuming the world is still intact, here's what the lucky winner will receive . . .

Due to the fabulous response during my last giveaway,
I am once again offering 
The Taylor Dean Collection!
All four of my books!
Lancaster House and its sequel, The Middle Aisle (paranormal romance), Sierra, (romantic suspense), and I Have People (contemporary romance).
 US winner has the choice of paperbacks or ebooks.
International winner will receive ebooks.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Good luck on the giveaway!

Enter to win using the below rafflecopter. Then keep on hopping!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Middle Aisle Giveaway on Goodreads!

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY!

I'm giving away TWO copies of The Middle Aisle. The winners will also receive a copy of LANCASTER HOUSE! 

You can't read The Middle Aisle without first reading LANCASTER HOUSE!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Middle Aisle

by Taylor Dean

Giveaway ends December 17, 2012.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The Middle Aisle: The Sequel to Lancaster House

Copies of The Middle Aisle, the sequel to Lancaster House, arrived today! Always an exciting moment!

Here's where you can find The Middle Aisle:


Amazon paperback

Amazon Kindle (Only $2.99!)

Smashwords

Create Space estore

Enjoy the conclusion to Andre and Zoe's story!

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

 Welcome to the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop! Thanks so much for stopping by!

In honor of the Christmas spirit, I'm giving away "The Taylor Dean Collection!" (to include a cute little tote bag!) A US winner has the choice of signed paperbacks (and tote bag) or ebooks. An International winner will receive ebooks. (Sorry, postage is expensive, but I don't want to leave out my international fans!) My giveaway includes: Lancaster House and its sequel, The Middle Aisle (paranormal romance), I Have People (contemporary romance), and Sierra (romantic suspense). Merry Christmas!!

Enter using the rafflecopter below, after the linky list. All I ask is that you follow me via GFC OR LIKE Taylor Dean Books on facebook! Then keep on hopping!

Don't forget to leave your email--and let me know if you are US or International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOW AVAILABLE: The Middle Aisle

The sequel to Lancaster House, The Middle Aisle, is now available!

Just click on one of the following links!

Amazon paperback

Amazon Kindle (Only $2.99!)

Smashwords

Create Space estore

Enjoy the conclusion to Andre and Zoe's story!

Review of Lancaster House

A wonderful review of Lancaster House by Simone of Bookworm Babblings: (Thanks, Simone!)

My Review

I received a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.  This book really took me by surprise.  You know the saying “don’t  judge a book by it’s cover”?  Well this is that book!  Zoe  moves to California for a fresh start.  She uses her inheritance to purchase a rundown 1920’s Victorian mansion.  Taylor Dean describes this house so meticulously that you can see it in your mind’s eye.  Strange things begin happening in the house, the stove shuts itself off, the half wallpapered walls are suddenly complete, the list goes on and on.  Zoe refuses to believe in ghosts, and thinks her ex or someone else has found a secret passage into the house and is playing mind games on her…The truth will shock you, it certainly did me as I never expected the answer I received.  I loved the author’s writing style, jumping from past to present, it helped to know where Zoe was coming from and how she got into the predicament she was in.  I wasn’t thrilled with the way this book ended (we’re left hanging in anticipation of book 2).  But I must say, Taylor Dean is now one of my favorite authors!

And to think . . . I never planned on writing a sequel to Lancaster House! Seriously!

If you use your imagination, you know exactly what happens next at the end of Lancaster House. But, too many people demanded a sequel, and I can understand why. Writing the sequel was very satisfying for me. Everything I wanted to happen in the first book finally gets to happen--without ruining the suspense of the first novel. It would seem that most readers would agree with me. We all want to see that happy ending come to fruition!

In the end, I'm glad I wrote the sequel before I ever released Lancaster House. Otherwise, my readers would be very disappointed! I END the story with The Middle Aisle. To be honest, I didn't want to drag it out any further with a book 3 and book 4, etc, etc. You CAN have too much of a good thing, and I felt it would ruin the story.

At any rate, the rest of Andre and Zoe's story is about to be told--the way I always pictured it in my mind from the very beginning. Enjoy!

The Middle Aisle's official release date is Dec. 1!

I Have People Blog Tour

Virtual Book Tour November 29 - December 27

November 29 -  Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet

November 30 - Anatea's Bookshelf - Guest Post/PROMO

December 1 - Book Nerd - Review/Guest Post

December 2 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit - Interview/PROMO

December 4 -Dive Under the Cover - Review

December 5 -

December 6 -

December 7 -

December 8 -

December 9 - My Reading Addiction - Review

December 10 - 

December 12 - Fiction Addiction - Guest Post/PROMO

December 13 - Jen McConnel - Guest Post/PROMO

December 14 - A Date With a Book - Review

December 15 - Up All Night Reviews - Guest Post/PROMO

December 16 -Jersey Girl Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post

December 18 - Books For Me - Review

December 19 - My Cozie Corner - Review

December 20 - Paulettes Papers - Review/Guest Post

December 21 - 5 Girls Book Reviews - Review/Guest Post

December 22 - Oh, The Books That You'll Read - Review

December 23 - Lov Liv Life Reviews - Guest Post/PROMO

December 26 - Kaisy Daisy's Blog - Review

December 27 -Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews - Review/Interview

SNEAK PEEK OF THE MIDDLE AISLE

SNEAK PEEK OF THE MIDDLE AISLE:

Andre was a figment of her imagination. A fabrication of a desperate dumped woman—a fantasy, an illusion. Her creation of the perfect man.

She really was crazy. She just hadn’t realized it. She was a raving lunatic, walking around Monterey, California, acting as though she was with the man of her dreams, thinking she was making love with him and kissing him. When really she was as alone as a man in solitary confinement—a lost hopeless soul. Pathetic.

It was no use, she couldn’t fool herself any longer. Now that the seed of doubt had taken hold, she had to recognize it and grab onto it. It was the only way back to sanity.

“The realization of our delusions is the hardest step, Zoe. I know this is difficult. I can help you through it, I’m here for you. You’re not alone,” Doctor Channing said with so much sympathy, it made her cry even more.

“I don’t understand, he seems so real,” Zoe blurted.

“The mind is an amazing thing. It has the ability to believe what it wants to believe. If it couldn’t function in this manner, I’d be out of business.”

Zoe looked up at Doctor Channing, for once thankful for his presence. He hadn’t given up on her even though she’d been pretty awful to him. “I’m sorry I almost hit you with the garden trowel.”

“I’ve already forgotten about it.”

Zoe knew she must be a sight. She hadn’t showered in two days, she was wearing rumpled pajamas, and her hair was all over the place. Plus, her face must be red and swollen from crying. To top it all off, she probably smelled like throw up too.

“I think I’ll take a hot shower and freshen up,” she told him.

“I’ll get you some breakfast.”

Before they parted, she said, “Doctor Channing?”

“Yes, Zoe?”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and left. As she stripped off her clothing, a few more tears drizzled down her cheeks. The loss of Andre from her life wasn’t going to be easy. He was everything to her and now that she knew he wasn’t real, she didn’t know how to start over . . .

 IS ANDRE REAL OR NOT? 

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK! (OR HOPE!)

THE MIDDLE AISLE

THE MIDDLE AISLE, the sequel to Lancaster House, coming your way . . .
DECEMBER FIRST!!!

Review of Lancaster House

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I promise! I'm just busy taking care of this cute little guy . . .

He's my one year old grandson. My daughter (his mother) is very, very morning sick with her second child. So, not only am I taking care of my grandson, I'm taking care of her too. This leaves very little time for much else! But, The Middle Aisle (the sequel to Lancaster House) is on it's way! I haven't dropped everything!

Meanwhile, I've received another wonderful review of Lancaster House from Andrea of A Chick Who Reads! Here it is:

Review: Can I just say WOW!

I was totally enamored of Taylor's Sierra, when I read it awhile back, but Lancaster House is even better.

Taylor weaves a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

Zoe is an interior decorator who wants to restore Lancaster House and resell it, but once she starts working on it, strange things start to happen. Strange things that make her question her sanity, and then she meets Andre.

Andre is a new twist on a paranormal creature, part vampire and part ghost. There's a lot more to him then meets the eye.

The two fall in love as they restore his old home. Yes, Andre is Andre Lancaster the man who built Lancaster House.

Sound exciting?

Well it gets better, this story is told by Zoe as she's recounting it to a psychiatrist after a suicide attempt.

Yeah!

This is really a gripping read and one I recommend highly! Taylor Dean is on my list of must read authors now.

Rating: 5 flowers