HAUNTED LILY is a new supernatural chiller, combining frightening imagery, paranormal study and "otherworldly" delights.
Reality is shattered for British filmmaker, Darby McGregor, when his beautiful fiancée is tragically killed on their wedding day. After a dark time of mourning, Darby is tormented by a horrifying “phantom bride” in the eighteenth-century church he recently renovated. Is this the spirit of his beloved fiancée or something more sinister? Darby’s sanity is in question, when fate steps in.
Her name is Lily, an enchanted young woman, who vibrantly shines through the darkness like a beacon of light for lost souls. Lily has been surrounded by the dearly departed since she was born and has the gift/curse to penetrate the shadowy veil separating the living and the dead. Feeling an immediate connection, Lily agrees to be the subject of Darby’s new documentary. However, Darby and his unsuspecting crew are not prepared for this chilling journey through the “spirit world”.
As they spend time together, their bond grows. And when Darby learns of Lily’s tragic upbringing and dealings with dangerous apparitions; he wants nothing more than to protect her. But it turns out he is the one needing protection, when Lily’s frightening childhood nemesis returns from the “afterworld” to claim her.
Ghosts, thrills, and chills drive the story in HAUNTED LILY, a tale sure to scare.
HAUNTED LILY TRIBUTE VIDEO
HAUNTED LILY – THE NIGHTMARE BALL
Review by: Gabby Goff, Managing Editor “PRETTY-SCARY.NET”
I have seen snippets of reviews that say things like, “Riveting!”, “Truly creepy moments!”, “Once I started, I couldn’t put it down!” and finally, “Excellent…A natural story-teller.” This all applies to Sidney Fox and her book, Haunted Lily: The Nightmare Ball. Haunted Lily is an entertaining and fantastic read! I could not put this book down and I looked forward to reading it every single day until I was finished with it. Of course, reading it every single day wasn’t always feasible but man, on the days that I couldn’t I absolutely looked forward to reading more of it!
A synopsis: Darby McGregor—-an award winning documentary film-maker—-is a sharp, sexy Englishman who lost the love of his life on their wedding day. A year later, a spirit haunts him: a phantom bride. Everyone else believes him to be still grieving; Darby thinks he may be losing his mind. Then he comes across footage of a ten-year-old child surrounded by glowing lights that everyone claims to be spirits of the dead. After a few more run-ins with the tormented spirit that keeps weeping outside his bedroom door in the eighteenth century church that he has renovated, Darby decides to seek out Lily Dufrene—the ten year old girl from the footage, and prove or disprove her gifts as well as his sanity. What he finds is something beyond cheap parlor tricks or a bunch of hocus-pocus.
He finds that Lily is no longer that small child in the footage, but a grown woman who is as wounded, as talented, and as loving as she is beautiful. However, something other than a tormented childhood looms over Lily. Something twisted from a circus in Hell…and it loves Lily enough to go so far as to kill the competition, if that’s what it takes. It has already chased off other prospects and has sent Lily into a time of deep reclusiveness and exclusivity.
But something about Darby makes Lily allow him into her world as well as her life, cameras included. What enchants and ensnares Darby, however, is not Lily’s ability to charm the spirit realm into the light, her ability to brighten a room just by entering it, nor her simple beauty—it is something more. Destiny? Maybe the hopeful whisperings of a bride-to-be wishing for nothing but happiness for her lost love? You decide!
A little aside: I am a closet romance reader, and it is not very often that I do partake of romance stories. It takes a lot of talent and skill to keep me interested in your storybook romance. More talent still does it take to have me so hooked that I’ll buy ANOTHER one of your romance stories. Sidney snuck romance in on me without my realizing it and before I knew it I was sighing, laughing and crying alongside the characters. This book was definitely an indulgence for the woman, as well as the little girl, in me. I am definitely buying a second book, a third book and any other book that Sidney puts out. As I stated in my opener she is a natural story-teller.
I was glad to read a story that wasn’t about A.) Zombies. B.) A homicidal Maniac. C.) A damsel in distress. or even D.) Teenagers in any situation. Absolutely nothing was “dumbed-down”. No baby talk, no teen-talk-- this is definitely a mature novel. Don’t confuse the word mature for the content rating of violence, gore, and sex. This is mature in thought, delivery, and is a book that I would pass on to my mom. Trust me, she wouldn’t read just any ol’ thing. Especially if the word horror was anywhere near it. I would also pass it down to my sons, my daughters, and my friends as well to read.
Haunted Lily carries a strong underlying theme of hope and renewal. It is adventurous, not at all pretentious, mature and well-developed. Sidney is descriptive, imaginative, polished, and mature. She takes her readers on a literal joyride of fear, romance, happiness, and sorrow. I am a Fox-Fan! Trust me, if you enjoy a little romance, some supernatural happenings, a fairly good feeling of suspense and haunting creepiness—and characters that become so real it is as if you know them personally—then you’ll become a Fox-Fan too. This book is sincerely pure-entertainment.
Something that I personally noticed that I thought was cool; Sidney gives a thank you list to a list of songs, bands, singers, and songwriters. The titles of the chapters are song titles and I love how the story's mood fit the song. I could flick on my playlist, play the selected songs of Sidney's choice (on repeat most times) and the mood of the chapter fit the song sometimes! I suggest listening to the list of songs that Sidney has listed. It brings a whole new level to the reading experience. BUT I will state for the record, after a second reading--the story just gets better. And it can be read without the playlist suggestion and you will still feel the mood of chapter just fine. I thought that was very clever, myself.
Anyway, don’t be sad when the story “Haunted Lily” ends (as I was), there is more coming from this author. Though the hope of more works coming from Sidney does little to ease the fact that all good stories still have to come to an end. Sigh.
A Very Different Kind of Love Story –
Haunted Lily The Nightmare Ball by Sidney Fox
Kindle
Haunted Lily is not your usual run of the mill paranormal/urban fantasy romance. I’m not sure what my expectations were other than I read Wicked Lil Pixie’s review and thought ‘what a coincidence, I was asked to review this.’. Book fate? I think so.
Darby is a successful film documenter who is on cloud nine, as he has fallen in love with a gorgeous young woman. On his wedding day, tragedy strikes and she dies in a fatal car accident in her wedding dress. (Hold’s hands together in a vertical and horizontal T) Now, normally I’d be calling a time-out as usually when tragedy strikes this early on in the book I’m a bit skeptical on how the main hero/heroine can find love so quickly. This is also irrefutable proof that I am a stage five clinger, and have problems with ‘change’. However, I give this author kudos for not allowing you to become too attached to the couple so that it opens your book heart to other possibilities.
Reality is shattered for British filmmaker, Darby McGregor, when his beautiful fiancée is tragically killed on their wedding day. After a dark time of mourning, Darby is tormented by a horrifying phantom bride in the eighteenth-century church he recently renovated. Is this the spirit of his beloved fiancée or something more sinister? Darby’s sanity is in question, when fate steps in. Her name is Lily, an enchanted young woman, who vibrantly shines through the darkness like a beacon of light for lost souls. Lily has been surrounded by the dearly departed since she was born, and has the gift/curse to penetrate the shadowy veil separating the living and the dead. Feeling an immediate connection, Lily agrees to be the subject of Darby’s new documentary. However, Darby and his unsuspecting crew are not prepared for this chilling journey through the “spirit world”.
As they spend time together, their bond grows. And when Darby learns of Lily’s tragic upbringing and dealings with dangerous apparitions; he wants nothing more than to protect her. But it turns out he is the one in need of protection, when Lily’s horrifying childhood nemesis returns from the afterworld to claim her. Ghosts, thrills, and chills drive the action in Haunted Lily, a tale sure to scare.
The suspense of the story really starts to unfold during the hauntings, which fondly reminded me of the TV show Ghost Adventures (minus the main stud Zack, aka. The Ghost Douche as my hubs likes to call him). One of the creepier and suspenseful aspects of the story revolves around Lily’s past with a ghost who has been haunting her since she was a child. This phantom’s relentless hauntings not only traumatize young Lily, but ultimately lead to her stay in an insane asylum. Lily and Darby’s tragic pasts lends a richness and vibrancy to the story that appeals to the sentimentalist in us all. This book is jammed packed with thrilling ghost experiences, and violent paranormal encounters, but it by no means detracts from the character’s love story.
My only ‘Say What!!!” moment happened at the end of the book. I was a bit perplexed as the story jumped from Darby being in danger and almost turning into… (HA! And you’d thought I would tell! ) to the end and now we are reading the epilogue. I would have liked the scene to unfold a bit more but other than this teensy oddity I felt that this story was a refreshing break from the typical book I tend to read and offered a chilling spookiness and tension that has been absent in reading repertoire. Haunting Lily is your after Halloween delight and is a perfect blend of the preternatural and the phenomenal.
Smexy Books Review: Haunted Lily by Sidney Fox
Urban Fantasy
Paperback, 284 Pages
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “What kind of psycho likes clowns?”
There are a few tiny spoilers in here.
Documentary film maker Darby McGregor had ia charmed life until his fiancée is killed on their wedding day. When ghosts, real and imagined, threaten his sanity he finds himself searching for an answer to his problems. He finds Lily Dufrene. Lily has been interacting with ghosts since she was a small child. Circumstances forced her to lie low and not advertise her talents. Now older, she and her family help others who are being plagued by the supernatural. A young woman who is fighting demons of her own, Lily represents all that could be for Darby. As Darby enters into Lily’s world, he finds he’s not only fighting for his sanity, he’s also fighting for Lily’s life.
I was intrigued by this book after hearing all the wonderful things being tweeted about it by Nat of Wicked Lil Pixie blog. So I hailed my partner in crime Mandi and whined, “Pleeeeeeze let me review this.” Mandi being the awesome-licious person she is said, “Go for it.” So I did. And I’m glad I did.
First off let me say the cover art is to die for. After you finish this book you see just how right this cover is for it. Haunted Lily grabbed me from page one and I could not put it down till I turned the last page. Touted as a scary ghost story; I felt it was more of a psychological horror. Often enough it’s our mind and emotions that holds the key to what frightens us most. The story line's mesmerizing characters and deeply twisting arc creates a whirlwind journey of thrills, chills, love humor, and lost. While there is no doubt you’ll be more then a little scared by this book, there is also a strong feeling of love, hope, and redemption built into to the story that shines through.
Ms. Fox seems to have a very active imagination and it is readily apparent in this book.
I feel instantly in love with Lily and Darby. Both victims of tragedies; they rise above their circumstances rather then drowning in despair. Ms. Fox gives us real protagonists to connect with; not imbibing them with over blown skills or talents. As we are submerged into their lives, we see the strength and courage of these two characters. Once they meet, you see the connection they make and you can’t NOT see them together. The romance between them is very slow building; playing second fiddle to the main plot. They become friends first and I appreciated that.
The suspense and tension of the story ratchets up in a series of events that layers the chills and thrills on you till your practically screaming, “what’s NEXT!?!” The writing is smooth and the story flows gracefully between the different aspects of the arc. I found the underlying theme-scary clown villain-to be terribly creepy due to his absolute need for Lily. You are assured that no matter what, he will never give up and will destroy whatever blocks his path.
The secondary characters provided humor, personality, and a wonderful base to play Lily and Darby off of. Dave and Nigel had to be my favorites. With snarky comments flying, these two show an abundance of love and loyalty for Lily and Darby. I hope they remain an integral part of the story in future books. The use of real life places and events adds excitement to the story. That feeling you get when you read thinking, “Hey, I’ve been there,” or, “I’ve heard that story.”
The ending was surprising and comes at you fast. At first it had me flipping back thinking I missed a page or two. Then as I read it again, I understood what was happening but still felt albeit abrupt. It’s a unique way to end this story and pave the way to the next one. She leaves us with some intriguing questions and I for one look forward the next in the series.
Haunted Lily – Paranormal Book Club Review
Haunted Lily is a rip-roaring ghost story, chock full of hauntings, spooks, ghoulies, clowns (yes, I said clowns), and gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of full-time paranormal investigators. The way Sidney Fox incorporated real-life reports of actual paranormal occurrences is clever, and the characters are all complete people, which is so rare in your average novel. They are like the people you know and talk to every day - flawed.
You will find yourself transported to an alternate reality as you flip the pages and get more and more involved in the lives of Darby and Lily. It’s a fun, entertaining, thought provoking, and heartbreaking. I cannot recommend Haunted Lily strongly enough, and am eagerly anticipating the sequel!
Annette Jones
Host of the Paranormal Book Club and Paranormal Talk Radio
Haunted Lily – Sidney Fox
Lily was born with an ability few have, she can communicate with ghosts. When she was a child, Lily’s mother called her evil & tried to kill her, but Lily survived. On the day of his wedding, Darby’s wife is killed in a tragic car accident. Shortly afterwards, terrifying things start happening and he isn’t sure if it’s his deceased bride or if he’s lost his mind.
In a series of coincidences, Darby meets up with Lily after viewing a TV show featuring her as a child. He believes she is the one who can help him understand the things that are happening to him and asks if he can do a documentary about her. Lily agrees, but she must have final approval on the release of the documentary. Little does Darby know, he’s going to see things he never thought existed.
I don’t even know where to begin discussing Haunted Lily. I’m in a state of bliss after finishing it! I haven’t read a better start to a series EVER. It was the most amazing journey, one I am glad to have gotten the chance to take. It was nothing like I thought it would be, nothing at all. It was truly brilliant, the characters were amazingly written, the scenes intense…just wow. I’ve never been this “whoa” after reading a book.
You’ll fall in love with Lily right from the get go, but the more you get to “know” her, the more you love her. She’s been through so much but she keeps fighting & trying to see the good in everyone. Hell she even tried to befriend a dead clown. Let me tell you, THAT scared the hell out of me. I am not a fan of clowns at all, not since seeing the movie version of IT. The clown that Sidney Fox has created, Varton Muntz, is even more horrifying then Pennywise. But I don’t want to spill anything about Varton, you have to read about him yourself to truly understand how terrifying he is.
Many of the places featured in the book, are based on real places…even scarier, some of the events are as well. Once you finish reading Haunted Lily, take a peek at Spook Palace, Sidney Fox’s website to read more about the places and events featured in the novel.
I can’t tell you enough, you MUST read Haunted Lily. It’s one of those books you’ll want to discuss with someone else & make you check under your bed before you go to sleep.
A must read for everyone!
Haunting Existence Radio
Haunted Lily was hard to put down, the book gives an intimate look into the mind of a woman haunted for a life time. With the perfect combination of suspense, love, ghosts, and inspiration; Haunted Lily should be on everyone's wish list this year, as it is sure to be a hit!
The end of the first book left me not wanting the book to end, I found my self feeling that there was more to the story, and I can not wait until the next book comes out!
This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes a good scary ghost story. It is written so beautifully that it is easy to see why Sidney Fox is a repeat author, and hopefully will continue to write for years to come! She is sure to become one of my favorite authors very quickly! I would like to see this book be turned into a movie at some point also!
I will be sitting on Pins and Needles waiting for the next installment of her book, Haunted Lily!
Kristy Hinkle
Haunting Existence Radio
Fantastic! What else would you call it!it!It's just your imagination, some would say! Sidney Fox a young writer, talented in so many ways can now add one more accomplishment to her resume Haunted Lily: The Nightmare Ball. The story is thrilling, her characters believable, she writes with her voice as if you could hear her read her story. |
“It is quite difficult to find a good ghost story, and Sidney,
you have done the genre proud!”
Darren Mann - The Paranormal Database