Present Day

It’s well after midnight when a half-asleep Emma Rathburn spies the man standing outside her back door as she lets her dog out. Freaked and panicked, she dashes to the kitchen, grabs a knife, and calls the police. Then she remembers…her dog died months ago and the man outside is a ghost.

The paranormal activity around Emma has increased significantly in the last few months. It’s bad enough the number of times she’s had to move to give her neighbors a break, but she’s afraid the current plagues of rats and ghosts will start to alienate the few friends she has. Even worse, calling the police the previous night is sure to enrage her stepbrother Jock, an officer himself, who is embarrassed by Emma’s episodes. But the fact is the spooky appearances have been getting worse, and Emma is afraid that eventually someone is going to get hurt. Professional help is definitely called for, and not the kind that comes with a badge and gun, though Harley, the officer who answered her early morning call, seems determined to be her hero. It’s time to call the Bunny.

ERRATIC (written ErRatic on the cover) is an unexpected treat. Based on the write-up, the reader can expect the thrills and chills of crazy paranormal activities including stampedes of rats. But the absolute surprise is the lightness imbued by witty character dialogue, Choco the scene-stealing dog, and the Bunny about whom you’ll just have to read the story to learn more. Although this isn’t billed as a romance, two developing relationships will satisfy lovers of the genre.

Although the tale is more of an ensemble cast, a bit more stage time is given to Emma and Harley. Emma is a sweetheart who wants the best for her friends and family, and tries her best not to inflict her issues on everyone. But her sweetness is what attracts people to her, including Harley. Harley is a strong, alpha male on the fast track to detective in the police department. Associating with Emma is not the best thing for his career, especially since her brother Jock is one of the most hated men on the force. But love cares nothing for the small challenges of everyday life. Other characters include Emma’s friends and co-workers, Nicky, Dale, and Chang, who take her idiosyncrasies in stride, though it does give them pause every now and then. Throw in Renaldo and his paranormal team of mediums and mystics and you have all the makings of a fun ride. At one time or another, readers get to see through the eyes of one of the many characters. The constant jumping between characters can get confusing, but also conveys the ratcheting up of the suspense as the story heads to the showdown. The psychic phenomenon becomes a bit improbable, but not enough to detract from the story.

A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining tale that offers as much thrill as it does amusement, ERRATIC is not to be missed.

Kathy Samuels