Title: Spirit Talk – Book One of The Fiona Series
Author: Colleen McManus Hein
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Occult Fiction
Book Blurb:
In 1985, Fiona is a young woman from the suburbs of Chicago on the doorstep of the tidy life her parents planned for her: college, career, then hopefully marriage and children. Never mind the dead relatives who speak in Fiona’s ear. Never mind Fiona’s vivid dreams which then play out in real life. They are not part of the plan.
When a series of misfortunes interrupts Fiona’s fate, she finds herself living with her grandmother in a remote town in northern Minnesota. Grandma Mary has been shunned by Fiona’s parents due to her profession: fortune-teller and medium. As Fiona begins to learn her grandmother’s trade, she is finally allowed to embrace and explore the beautiful gift her parents tried to deny her.
And speaking of denial, Fiona falls for the one man in town who is off-limits. As her psychic abilities unfold, so does her heart. But is it safe for Fiona to open metaphysical and emotional doors? Probably not, but Fiona discovers she has more courage than she knew.
My Review:
Fiona’s senior year in high school was going according to her parents’ plan when the rug is pulled out from under her. Her father passes away and life is no longer the same. She struggles to appear normal yet hides a secret. She can hear the spirits and can predict certain events. When a flood wipes out her childhood home, she feels a calling to go live with her maternal grandmother in a small town in Minnesota. She says good-bye to her family and heads north.
Her grandmother is an estranged relative but from the moment they hug, peace and harmony infuses Fiona. The more she gets to know Grandma Mary, the more she learns about her special psychic gift. She learns how to read palms, listen and relay messages from the beyond, read fortunes and even help find things/people who are lost.
But all is not rosy when you’re dealing with the occult. There are some people who want to study her while others are just afraid of what they don’t understand. When a strange man offers her more money than she’s ever earned to “study” her and her abilities, will she accept? Can she leave the town who’s taken her in and made her feel welcome, including the man who’s stolen her heart?
Spirit Talk is a beautiful coming of age story dealing not only with grief but discovering who you are and what life has in store. It’s about spreading your wings and embracing your secret gifts and abilities. It’s about falling in love and letting go of the past. Emotional, vibrant narration with homespun characters makes this a must read.
What really drew me into the story had to be the description of life in northern Minnesota. I closed my eyes on many occasions and was back in Cloquet, MN (where I have family). Her description of the layout of Duluth was spot-on and I wonder if the author has visited or lived there at one time.
The paranormal/occult theme is well researched and realistic. Not scary in the least, the reader is drawn into the positive-charged side of it rather than the dark magick. Fiona and Grandma Mary aren’t evil but conduits of the spiritual realm, sharing messages of hope with people.
If you’re looking for a heart-warming story with sweet characters and a young woman finding her way in the world, pick this up today. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Favorite Character/Quote: Nicole must have picked up on Fiona’s discomfort because she caught Fiona’s eye. “I know it seems like I’m upset, but I’m really happy about what you told me. It’s nice to know there are spirits looking out for me.”
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it now:
Author Biography:
Colleen McManus Hein is an avid reader and book-lover who aspired all her life to write a novel, and finally did. She has always been attracted to books with a paranormal theme. A mother of three grown children, Colleen lives north of Chicago with her husband.
Colleen McManus Hein posts short stories and poems on her Instagram page:
Her website is coming soon. Stay tuned.
Reviewed by: Mrs. N