Review and Giveaway: Texas Gothic - Rosemary Clement-Moore

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore, published by Corgi on 7th July 2011


Goodreads synopsis:
Amy Goodnight knows that the world isn't as simple as it seems—she grew up surrounded by household spells and benevolent ghosts. But she also understands that "normal" doesn't mix with magic, and she's worked hard to build a wall between the two worlds. Not only to protect any hope of ever having a normal life.

Ranch-sitting for her aunt in Texas should be exactly that. Good old ordinary, uneventful hard work. Only, Amy and her sister, Phin, aren't alone. There's someone in the house with them—and it's not the living, breathing, amazingly hot cowboy from the ranch next door.

It's a ghost, and it's more powerful than the Goodnights and all their protective spells combined. It wants something from Amy, and none of her carefully built defenses can hold it back.

This is the summer when the wall between Amy's worlds is going to come crashing down.

Review:
'Texas Gothic' is a book which has been on my radar for a while.  I really enjoyed 'Splendour Falls' by Rosemary Clement-Moore so I was intrigued to check out her new offering which I'd heard described as 'Scooby Doo meets Nancy Drew'. That description definitely piqued my interest and I picked this one up to read as soon as it arrived.

The Goodnights are a family of witches and psychics. Amy Goodnight has grown-up among them and so is able to embrace things that other people would never understand.  She and her sister Phin agree to look after their Aunt's ranch for the summer, not expecting to stumble across a ghostly mystery of their own.  Amy soon becomes embroiled in the ghost hunt but the danger facing her may not only be paranormal and she could be putting her life on the line in the process.

I absolutely loved Amy as a heroine.  She tries to keep her family life separate to her normal, everyday life but in 'Texas Gothic' the two just can't help colliding head on.  She's funny and slightly zany at times but she's also brave and courageous and an unstoppable force, determined to meet every challenge that comes her way.  I adored the romance between Amy and hot (or should that be super hot!) cowboy Ben, which was most definitely one of my favourite things about the book.  There are some incredibly funny moments between the two of them and I loved all the quips and wisecracks they share, as well as some sizzling kisses.

I also really liked the setting for the book which is small town Texas.  The closeness of the farming community works as a perfect backdrop for the story and the slightly claustrophobic feel of a small town in the middle of the outback adds to the sense of danger.   

This book is an interesting mix of anthropology, paranormal, supernatural and romance.  Although this makes for a unique read, I did find that it was almost trying to combine too many different elements, making it difficult at times for the reader to really become completely absorbed in the story.  I found it a little slow going at the beginning, although it picked up in the middle as the plot really began to unravel and the ending was extremely exciting.

Hot cowboys, a heroine called Amy Goodnight and a twisty mysterious tale of ghosts and other paranormal activities makes this an enjoyable read which will appeal to readers who like their books full of action and adventure of the supernatural kind.

To celebrate the release of 'Texas Gothic' I am personally giving away one copy of the book.  The giveaway is international as I wanted to give everyone a chance to enter but you must be a follower of my blog.  Just fill out the form below with the required details.  Good luck! 

Giveaway rules.

• There will be one winner.
• Open to International entrants.
• Please fill out the form completely - especially the required details.
• You must be a follower to enter.
• Deadline for entries will be on 25 July.
• Winner will be drawn by random.org
• Winner will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
• Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.