Book Review: Echoes of Paradise by Deanna Kahler

Connor’s dead. But she can still feel him. Is it just her imagination or something more? Celeste wants to know. And she’ll stop at nothing to find out. 

A once-aspiring artist, Celeste is going through the motions of life. She’s stuck – in a job she doesn't love, with a man who isn't right for her, in a web of painful memories from the past. Adding to her despair is the sudden and unexpected death of Connor, her true love. As she struggles to make sense of the world around her, strange coincidences and mysterious events lead her to question her sanity. When the happenings persist, she wonders if Connor’s spirit is trying to tell her something. Her jealous husband Dave insists it’s all just her imagination. But when Celeste’s young son has an experience of his own, she is determined to uncover the truth.

Join Celeste as she risks her marriage, her career, and her own safety to escape the demons from her past and unravel the mysteries of life and death. With so much uncertainty, there’s only one thing Celeste knows: her world will never be the same.



My Review:

My first thought when I started reading this book was "wait...Connor, the one true love, is an ex-boyfriend?" I was thinking he was an affair, or a reeeeally close friend that was her "almost boyfriend". But not an ex. It wasn't a bad thing, but certainly surprised me. Kahler wrote in a way that kept e reading not because the book was necessarily action packed, but because she expertly used foreshadowing that is unfortunately missing in a lot of books I read. I think most authors could learn a thing or two from Kahler. 

Character review: 
Celeste, as the main character, was obviously well rounded and had a lot of depth. I would have been disappointed if she hadn't. She was flawed, she was relateable, she was fun to read about. 

Dave, on the other hand, felt like a plot device. Honestly he didn't really have any character development until nearly the end of the book. 

Connor is a special case. You get an idea of his feelings and ideas, but as a spirit, "where there is no hate, only love and God and forgiveness" he had no flaws! I would have liked more on Connor when he was still human.

Star: I couldn't have enough of her. I want a whole book on Star. Maybe Connor and Star met up at some point in Rome? huh? Anyone? I'd read it.

Overall:
 Kahler writes in a way that keeps you guessing about what will happen next--but your guesses are always wrong. She writes great characters in a voice that flows easily. Recommended for readers of romance, family tales, spiritual books, and friendly ghost stories.


My Rating: 4.5/5