Beyond Stonebridge
Warning: If you haven't read Stonebridge, this description contains spoilers.
In this sequel to Stonebridge, it is 1959, and Rynna Wyatt's abusive husband Jason has fallen to his death after a fight with his bookish, disabled cousin Ted Demeray. The police would like to know exactly what happened, but Ted and Rynna can't tell the whole truth. Jason's death doesn't end his relationship with them either. Rynna is pregnant with his child and traumatized by his abuse. She and Ted leave Stonebridge Manor to start a new life in Brenford, where Ted teaches geology at the university, but Jason's restless spirit follows them and continues to haunt Rynna's dreams. He wants her back. He wants revenge. And he wants his son. Can Ted and Rynna find a way to oppose his claims and finally put him to rest?
Excerpt
The lights dimmed, flickered, and went out again.
I take what is mine.
The nursery was so dark without the night light and the luminous dial of the clock that the dim light of a quarter moon made a bright square of the window. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. It was so eerily dark, and the flashlight was in the kitchen. She made herself back slowly, carefully, toward the door. She mustn't trip or bump into anything. She mustn't wake Robert. She couldn't leave him here alone.
Reviews
"Linda Griffin's ongoing story of recovery, dilemmas, and transformation is especially highly recommended for prior readers of Stonebridge. This audience...will find this sequel thoroughly engrossing and hard to put down...Libraries and readers interested in ghostly paranormal backdrops that touch upon romance and center on issues of possession, recovery, and redemption will find Beyond Stonebridge an absorbing saga of sacrifice and promise. It is both uplifting and compelling." ~ D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
"This well-written and intricate story is delicately layered and nuanced. More than a ghost tale, Beyond Stonebridge delves into the skepticism of science about the spirit world...In her straightforward style, Griffin's writing gripped me from the beginning. She has cleverly transformed what could have been just a main element of the story—Jason's lingering evil presence—into a main character. And because of that, the story holds so much suspense. I confess, I read this book in a day. I couldn't put it down. With every chapter, I waited for what would happen next. How would Jason show himself this time? With Jason's death still under investigation, would the police find either Ted or Rynna responsible? Would their new marriage hold? And will they ever exorcise the presence?" ~ N.N. Light's Book Heaven
"That theme of two wounded souls stays center stage throughout, although the character-driven moments are interlaced with chilling supernatural angst that gives the novel some edge. Rynna's determination to protect her son adds much needed optimism, and, despite an abrupt ending, the epilogue is rewarding." ~ BookLife
"Completely devoured it! It has all the best vibes and a mystery to solve! Descriptive and compelling, it was like watching a movie!" ~ Novel News Network
"The story was awesome and kept me engaged from the beginning to the end. Difficult subject matter at times but it's made better by the healing throughout. The author really knows how to develop a plot that keeps you turning the page at the end of each chapter. Admirable characters, riveting plot and entertainment from start to finish." ~ On a Reading Bender
"It's at heart a story of healing and overcoming as we watch Rynna take back her life...This is a story that will stick with me for a long time." ~ The Indie Express
"Loved the world building and characters and a happy ending." ~ Trina Hawkins on Goodreads
"The romance was handled nicely. I enjoyed seeing how Rynna and Ted's relationship had blossomed since I first met them and how they both adjusted to the beginning of their life together. They were a good match who shared the same values and many of the same interests, too. I was glad to see them both finally find some happiness after all of the difficult things they'd previously endured...Beyond Stonebridge was a thoughtful read." ~ Long and Short Reviews