Welcome to my blog tour stop celebrating the paperback release of Karen White’s The Guests on South Battery now available from Berkley Publishing! I am a huge fan of the Tradd Street Series, and I cannot wait to share my thoughts on the latest book with you!
My Thoughts:
I once lived within a short driving distance of Charleston, South Carolina. I never tired of my time there, the people, food, history, and architecture. The Tradd Street series by Karen White gives me the opportunity to visit those historic streets again.
If you have followed the Tradd Street series, you’ll be familiar with Melanie, one of the two main characters. She is a real estate agent in Charleston whose main sales are of the old, stately homes in the Battery. She is not thrilled to be working with these homes and for good reason. She sees and can communicate with spirits, and these historic homes have more than their share of spirits. That’s just a taste of the backstory. Melanie is now married to Jack, and the two have twins.
At the start of the story, Melanie is returning to work after her maternity leave, and it has been over a year since she has heard from any spirits; however, that quickly changes with an eerie phone all she receives.
Nonetheless, Melanie goes back to work with a bang as a home on South Battery is offered to her for a quick sale. The owner, Jayne, wants to be rid of the house as soon as possible, but whenever she is near Melanie, a spirit is as well.
The past is explored, and secrets are squandered, while Karen White’s signature storytelling is at its finest. I believe this book could be read as a standalone because in and of itself it’s a complete and fulfilling story. That said, there is a richness to reading the full series that cannot be beat. Melanie’s story is engaging and delightful, and the spirits add their usual … levity. I know some are not fans of paranormal in books, and I definitely understand that; however, here it’s done with a light hand and manages to add to the charm of the storytelling. A reader can tell when the author loves the characters as much she does, and that is certainly the case here with Karen White and Tradd Street.
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to join the blog tour and for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Karen White invites you to explore the brick-walked streets of Charleston in her fifth Tradd Street novel, where historic mansions house the memories of years gone by, and restless spirits refuse to fade away…
With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.
But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.
Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.
Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried…. (less)
Have you read The Guests on South Battery, the Tradd Street Series, or any other books by Karen White? Do you have any favorites? Happy Reading and thanks for visiting my blog tour stop! ~ Jennifer THR
Lovely review Jen! I think I started this series but I’m not really sure. Have a beautiful Thursday!!😊💕
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Thanks so much, Sus! ♥️ I am not good with series – really, I’m the worst, but this one is easy to stick with and keep up with the characters after years of reading it. I hope you have a lovely Thursday, too! I almost typed Saturday?! I would not be up yet if it were Saturday! 😂 ♥️ xo
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I love Charleston. Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island are my fav. places in SC. 🙂 I would love to move there one of these days…..away from all the chaos and pollution of the big cities….
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So true— all beautiful places and I love the history! I hope you get your wish and can move there!
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Pretty picture. Karen White is a favorite of mine. I have not read this one. Happy Thursday.
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Thank you, Virginia! Isn’t she a lovely author?! I hope you’ve had a wonderful Thursday, too! 💗
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I’ve been interested in the tradd series i really need to read them lol…I love paranormal books!
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Heather, you would LOVE these! I am not the best with keeping up with series, but with these I can because there’s not too many characters to remember, and it’s always the same historic setting. ♥️
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Great review 💖Jen
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Thank you, Priyasha! 💗
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Oooh. I love the cover and the setting is very appealing. Thanks for this review, Jennifer. Best to Karen. Hugs.
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Thank you so much, Teagan! It is such a lovely setting, and I love the cover, too. Thanks for stopping in to see me today. Xo ♥️
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Looks like your pulled the greenery in the presentation right out of the Tradd Street cover! Such a beautiful presentation.
I have this series on my shelf and am looking forward to starting. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thank you, Jonetta! You make me smile every day with your comments! ♥️ The greenery is from my yard, and I was surprised how it came together in that antique pitcher. I can’t wait for you to read this series. I hope it’s one you love, too!
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Great review!
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Thanks, Darinda!
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I did read The Night the Lights Went Out. Lovely review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I’ll have to check out your review for that one!
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This sounds like fun, though I have to be in the right mood before I can cope with paranormal stuff in contemporary books, which is odd since I love Gothic horror! Somehow I find it easier to believe in Victorian ghosts… 😉
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I’m not the best paranormal fan, but it somehow works with these. Just a taste! too funny about Victorian ghosts!
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Love this post!💕
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Thanks, Holls! ♥️
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Oh this looks fantastic! Go old huge houses love it💕!
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It’s a lovely series, Berit! One you would love the charm of!
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I’m really intrigued now! Great review!!
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Thanks so much, Dee! It’s a lovely series! ♥️
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Karen White has a really strong fan base. When I met her the other day at the book fest, not only her book-signing queue was long, her books they had with them…omg…they filled an entire backpack!
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She really does, Jee! And this series is at the center of all that love! There’s a charm and warmth to her writing, and it makes you feel like your friend is telling you a story I think. That is fun to hear about you meeting her!
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It was! You know how it is for us book lovers meeting authors 😁
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Phenomenal review Jennifer! Charleston alongside New Orleans, is one of my favorite settings. I’m going over to Amazon right now and add it to my wishlist.
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Thanks, Kim! I love a NOLA setting, too! I really hope you enjoy this one if you are able to work it in! ♥️
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Oh, I love this book,…the entire series really! Melanie is just so funny but smart, and I love her mother too. But the Charleston atmosphere and setting is really what drew me into reading the first book since it’s my favorite city! It just makes these books what they are. Karen White is just superb writing about the Carolinas…can’t wait for the next book in the series! Fantastic review! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Stephanie! Yes, the city is just… ahhh! Charleston! I can’t wait for the next one, too! Stay safe and dry these next few days! My dad is having to evacuate, and I’m so anxious. I am waiting to hear from him that he’s made it inland safely. ♥️ xo
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I do love it there! ❤ You too! The last I heard we’re expecting 10 inches of rain and extensive flooding…what about you? Oh, I hope your dad made it inland safely!! Let me know! ❤❤
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We are getting the backside of the storm, so we can get up to 20 inches! 😮 Dad made it safely, but traffic was a nightmare. Now my husband is headed near Wilmington to check on my MIL! (Not the actual beach since they have closed 40 access). Stay safe and dry! ♥️ (reminds me a bit of Hurricane Fran!)
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I hope you don’t get that much! Has that changed with the storm shifting to the south? Glad your dad made it safely! I can imagine it was. Hope your husband is back home and safe…and your MIL is too! I’m so glad my husband took care of getting the house at Pawleys hurricane ready back in August after I came home! Usually we don’t until after Labor Day because we spend the weekend their, but we had other plans this year, whew! You too! ❤🤗 Yes, it does; Fran was my 1st NC hurricane experience, and I was ready to move back to TN after that! Or Floyd…that was AWFUL! Please, take care!!
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