Genre: Paranormal, Horror
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
After their daughter was bullied at school, Kyle and Alejandro decided to make a fresh start and move into a beautiful new cul-de-sac development. As they take up residence, the family enjoys seeing the community come to life.
But when lights flicker, shadows lurk, and small objects disappear, they begin to doubt their sanity. When Alejandro and many of their neighbors are struck down by a strange sickness that defies explanation, the family starts to question their recent life change. Feeling trapped they speak with their new neighbors, learning they aren’t alone in the haunted neighborhood.
Who do you turn to when the authorities can’t offer any assistance or protection? How do you fight against a sinister force that is older than time? Can Kyle, Alejandro and the rest of the occupants of Golden Hills Court survive or will this nightmarish ordeal destroy them?
The Review
Kyle and Alejandro Del Rosario found a deal of a lifetime – a place in San Jose selling and building new homes that were going fast. The price was right and there were incentives, bonuses and a fifteen year warranty contract. Most of all, this would benefit their Afro-American daughter, Chloe, whom they had adopted at the age of five. She’d been terribly abused by her mother. Now at twelve, she’s being bullied at school. She is also in therapy. This move will be worth every penny, to give them all peace of mind.
The Golden Hills Court was a beautiful spot. About eight homes and families had already moved in, the Johnsons, Martins, Gills, Patils, Hernandez’s, Harris, Chens and Walkers. There was a small park with many children that Chloe could befriend. Everything seemed to be going well.
When the first strange incident occurres, Kyle knows what he and Alejandro saw, but it’s unbelievable. They even contact the police and meet with Officer Danielle “Dannie” Lancey. As the paranormal events increase, becoming very dark, they lead to anger and danger. But the residents have few alternatives.
Kyle looks into the history of the property, and finds that the wishes of the previous owner were not followed. Dannie brings in various people who deal in the paranormal, as well as local priest Fr. Flynn.
Everyone’s lives will be turned upside down. Will Kyle, Alejandro and Chloe find the peace and happiness that they sought?
Neu has crafted a dark and haunting novel. It’s a story of two men who want only the best for their daughter, and hope for a brighter future to build their family together. Kyle and Alejandro will have to fight to strengthen the bond between them and what they have with Chloe. It’s also about acceptance of a religion that has denied Kyle and Alejandro’s relationship, and of those that may not agree with religions. And for Kyle and Chloe, it’s an acceptance of the abilities they discover they have. The frightening events will be a test for their neighbors, too – can join together and fight for their existence?
Another recent novel I read also addressed the historical facts about Native Americans. When the Spanish explorers and missionaries arrived in California, the peaceful Indigenous people became devastated. With the Spanish colonization, there came death, destruction, disease, and enslavement. Golden Hills Haunting takes on this history with a paranormal spin.
I highly recommend Golden Hills Haunting – a spine-tingling scary novel that takes on religion, different cultures and races, demons and angels, and love of a family. Very entertaining!
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.