"Can a ghost hunter help solve a Civil War mystery?"

For Sensual Romance by A. Black

The Chestnut Mansion Hotel, a historical piece of New York real estate that once hosted presidential balls, is rumored to be haunted. Claudia Mackenzie's boss assigns her the task of ensuring that the hotel is quickly sold. Claudia hires Martin Grey, an Englishman who has earned a reputation as a ghost hunter, to get rid of the ghosts.

Martin has an unusual gift. He can see ghosts as the people they once were and walk unobserved in their realm. Claudia has always had a fascination for the occult, earning her the title "Creepy Claudia" from her classmates. They bond immediately over their common interest, and Claudia works along with Martin to discover why the hotel is haunted. But when they take a ride in the hotel elevator they emerge into the world of 19th-century Civil War America, when tensions are high between the blue and gray. Claudia and Martin find themselves sharing the experiences of two brothers on opposite sides of the war, and solve a century-old murder mystery.

A. J. Matthews has written a fascinating and enjoyable story. I love the way the characters are immersed in the past as observers while the story unfolds for the reader. Instead of the usual time-travel, it has time-travel elements with a bit of a mystery thrown in. The plot is well developed and the dialogue and period details are well done. This is the first book I've read by Matthews, but it won't be the last.

Reviewed by Sensual Romance
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted March 10, 2006

Summary

When she has to sell a haunted hotel in New York City, Claudia Mackenzie hires the best advisor around -- British ghost hunter Martin Grey. Expecting a super-nerd, what she gets is a tall, handsome guy with a sexy accent who plucks all the right heartstrings!

Together they tackle the mystery of the Chestnut Mansion Hotel, a mystery that leads them back in time to witness a bitter family feud, murder, and the theft of an heirloom. As events unfold it soon seems it's not only ghosts they have to worry about! A real-life enemy is on their trail. Can their growing closeness give them the strength to face the danger?