Hello Friends,

As you may be aware, it is not often that I write a book review on this blog. Today, I am excited to share this book with you! I was fortunate to have the opportunity to read this wonderful story on the eve of NaNoWriMo 2019 – Better known as Halloween!

Title: Ravine Lereux: A Supernatural Short Story

Author: E. Denise Billups

Synopsis:

Olivia and Edward Lereux live a quiet life with their chocolate Border collie, Axel in a picturesque cottage flanked by Maine’s blustery cliffs, far from town and people. Outwardly, their lives appear normal, but they’re not ordinary people. The Lereux family is cursed with something that has claimed their ancestors many years.

When Ravine Lereux receives a distressing letter from her Uncle Edward, she must return to a place she swore never to return, a place that’s haunted by something, an abnormal presence she feared as a child. Now she must face it again. As she races to the aid of her aunt and uncle, she makes an unsettling discovery about herself and her family.

Personal Review by Joan Wiley:

I loved this intriguing short story filled with Gaelic Lore, an ancestral curse, mysterious birds, and edge of your seat suspense. Oh, and a dog!

The story is written with such beauty and mastery, an almost lyrical handling of prose, that I found myself re-reading portions because the flow was so lovely.

The characters were well developed, interesting and I felt that I cared about what happened to them as the mysteries dragged them deeper into the unknowns of the story.

Ms. E. Denise Billups has weaved an intelligent and enthralling tale with Ravine Lereux that kept me engaged and turning the pages! I am looking forward to reading more of her work in the near future!

Info About the Author:

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About Ms. E. Denise Billups

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been an avid reader- thrillers, magical realism, fantasy and more. At the age of nine, I moved from Monroeville, Alabama to New York City–a stark contrast to my natal roots. The Deep South remains firmly ingrained in my soul as I craft worlds from my city dwelling.

I received an MBA in Finance, and now a prospective Ph.D. candidate. For many years I’ve worked as a Portfolio Analysis at several Investment Banking firms. I abandoned Finance and bravely pursued a lifelong passion, writing.

My first novel, By Chance, was published in 2014. Since that effort, I’ve written two more novels, Chasing Victoria (2015), and Kalorama Road (2018), as well as several short stories. I’ve always had a fascination with paranormal and psychological thrillers. Many authors of this genre influenced my writing technique. I don’t pigeonhole my writing to one style. I’m a multi-genre author, although I’ve written several paranormal thrillers.

When I’m not writing or reading, I’m either working out or whipping up another crazy vegan recipe in the kitchen. I’ve been a vegetarian/vegan most of my life, not for any particular reason, other than the fact I abhor eating animals. I’m a fitness fanatic and can’t start my day without a run or a sweaty workout, and at least two cups of coffee–another addiction.
I’ve always loved endurance sports and have raced several domestic and international marathons (Dublin, Ireland, and Paris, France).

I live and work on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where I share my life with family and good friends. But every so often, a familiar aura of sultry breezes, dusk, pitch-black, and haunting Alabama spirits, unseen in the cloak of night, whisper their stories, a place that calls to me when I write. Hopefully, one day I’ll capture those experiences on paper.

Follow Ms. E. Denise Billups at:

https://edenisebillups.com

There is a cool video short that goes with this book, unfortunately I am technically challenged.

Live-Eat-Read!

ENJOY!

Joan