Strange Neighbors

I read Strange Neighbors and loved it. All the characters are very believable and you get attached to them. I learned there is a sequel and I am looking forward to reading it, also.

This is another para-normal romance book. Although it is in a different category then Larissa Ione's, Gena Showalter's or JR Ward's. And I'll explain why. As I see it, there are a few different ways to approach this genre. You can have the big-bad evil "institution" of a bad guy, with the minions and overall story arch that never really gets you any closer to things being all ok in that universe - the story of each particular book only inching along the overall fight against the institutional bad guy and never really resolving anything much more then hooking up the lead guy and his gal. That's the Showalter/Ione/Ward category for me. (The biggest problem with them are evidenced by J. Frank's series with Noah/Gideon/Damien/etc... we got to the last character, but the overall story arch wasn't solved; what a let down!) Then, there are the ones like the Vegas Vamps and to some extent the Queen Betsy ones where there is a crisis but the overall story is much more resolved when the book is done. The relationship between the primary and secondary characters is really what drives the next book, not the need to beat some big evil. And the latter is where I place Strange Neighbors. And then there are the ones where I can't really figure out what is driving the series - but I won't comment on those (and I have read a few of them!) Don't get me wrong, I love both types of the PNR but to me there is a clear line between the two. And the latter, tend to be a little more comedic then the former. So.... that said, this fits wonderfully into that latter category. The main characters, Merry and Jason are great. I love the little tidbits we get about each one of the wonderful strange neighbors who live in the building. The romance between Merry and Jason, I thought, was well done. There could have been a little more of the time they spent together, but what we did get was great. I loved that Merry didn't really need to be "rescued" (well, except for the attack that first night, but even that was awesome in that it wasn't Jason who saved her). The reveals associated with each of the characters felt right and timely and wasn't over done. Dottie... well, she was written well enough that I found myself from time to time audibly growling at her I was so annoyed with her. The side plots of the reporter and Chad, for some might take away from the book. For me, I thought it gave it depth. This was just as much about setting up a series (I think it's the start of one anyway) as it was the romance between Jason and Merry. The note from the author at the beginning set my expectations with respect to Chad - and here was where I felt let down. I expected to be laughing hysterically as Chad's antics. He's a ghost who believes he can get away with it after all (that's a summary of the author's note about Chad) - but he was only moderately amusing and from time to time quite annoying. But the story does get the PI involved and brings the residents together so we can get

Former Rhode Island resident Merry Mackenzie works as a nurse at Boston General Hospital. She rents an apartment from baseball superstar pitcher Jason Falco; whom she never heard of but her brother and dad think he is great with his blazing fastball. She is attracted to her new landlord almost as much as she is euphoric that Chad the ghost allegedly resides in the historic Back Bay home since the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. Jason calls his mom back in Minnesota to lament that he has struck out on his first at bat with beautiful Merry Merry soon finds her unconventional borders are not just eccentric. They include two witches running a phone sex business; several shape-shifters, and a vampire. However, the most frightening paranormal is reporter Lila Crum, who plans on Jason being her double play partner. Jason's kind snooping aunt has chosen his partner for him, but he and his new renter go on a merry chase of love. This is an amusing at times heated but always heartfelt paranormal romance. Jason's baseball asides and Merry's caring for others while knowing noting about sports are enhanced by Chad's "colorful" commentary. The support cast is solid especially her family and Chad's neighbors. Fans will enjoy this humorous lighthearted romp as the baseball pitcher swings the bat and hits a home run with a woman who never knew his strike zone until they met. Harriet Klausner

Merry's living situation is exciting to say the least. She moves into a home that is owned by a baseball player names Jason. Merry's got a major crush on her new landlord. She had never heard of him before, but she must admit that she is now a fan of this yummy pitcher. The most intriguing part about Merry's new living space is the Chad, a ghost. Surrounded by vampires and witches is a bit of a new experience for Merry. Who said change had to be bad, especially when it includes a romantic partnership with an unbelievably handsome man? The romance in this book kept me sweating. I love how the characters interacted with each other and how the plot built up perfectly. If you are into the whole paranormal romance genre, then you need this book.

Originally Posted at: [...]. Strange Neighbors is a clever, witty, and laugh-out-loud funny story that will rev you up, keep you guessing, and ensure you flip through the pages with nary a glance at the clock. Ashlyn Chase has taken a memorable cast of characters, a unique and intriguing plot, and woven them together. The result is a book that is not like any other, which is saying something in the paranormal genre. The story begins by introducing you to the cheery and ready-to-live-on-her-own-two-feet Merry. She's finally getting out on her own, a feat she's been dreaming of for years, and her excitement at the prospect is obvious. As she moves into her new apartment building, she meets her oh-so-luscious neighbor (and the building's owner) Jason. Sparks fly, chemistry ignites, and it's only a matter of time before they are on their way to bliss. Their romance, however, is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this story. An eclectic group of residents consisting of Jason's nosey aunt and ever-patient uncle, a pair of witch phone sex operators, a morgue attendant, a vampire, and a ghost ensure life is anything but normal. As things become stranger and stranger, each will band together to uncover the mystery surrounding the ghost - Chad's - murder, and in the process will uncover a few secrets of their own. As someone that has read her fair share of paranormal romances, this one was a delightful shock to the senses. The humor kept things from becoming too dark, while the tension was a continual slow build. I loved Merry and Jason and couldn't wait for his "big-reveal". Their banter is both adorable and sexy, and their intimate scenes positively sizzle. The other residents ensure there is so much more to the story, and it's as if you are opening a shiny present, piece by piece, until you're standing in front of the masterpiece you've been in front of the entire time, yet have been unable to see. A definite must read if you enjoy books that stand apart from the rest, be sure not to miss Strange Neighbors. The writing is fantastic, the interwoven plots are expertly plotted, and the surprises only get better and better.