The Haven - Softcover

Webb, J W

Softcover

ISBN 10: 098635077X ISBN 13: 9780986350771

Publisher: J W Webb, 2016

Synopsis

She is waiting by the water's edge.
When Richard and Kate Harrison venture exhausted into The Haven (a quiet Cornish cove) they happen upon strange events. Richard - unhappy and lost - is haunted by the vision of a beautiful stranger. Fascinated and obsessed, he is soon ensnared in a very dangerous game. Nothing is as it seems, the past has returned to take hold over the present. Their marriage falling apart; Kate and Richard watch their world dissolve as spiralling events threaten their very existence.
The deeper Richard digs into the Haven's dark secret the more trapped he becomes. Only Kate can save him from this course of self destruction - but does she care, or is she just another player in the game? Meanwhile the Maid of Haven waits down on the beach alone - knowing that the time for her revenge draws nearer.
It is for you that she waits!

About this title

About the Author:

Linda Garland is known for her fantasy illustrations, which have appeared in calendars, on posters, book jackets, and cards.

Review:

Amazing ! I loved "The Haven"! Starting with the opening poem, "The Maid of Haven" I liked the authors' 'voice' and the whole setup with the couple (Richard and Kate) going to Haven and watching their relationship deteriorate. I read so much paranormal/fantasy/ sci-fi it all starts to seem sorta the same after a while. Not with this book! Author J.W. Webb creates a wholly original world and characters that felt refreshingly new. Although some elements felt familiar, it was in a good way. One thing I thought was cool was how there were basically two main storylines happening at the same time that we are reading, but it involves other people from 150 years ago, and the events then that are connected to the characters and circumstances today. This book has its dark and disturbing moments, but that is what made it so good! I was surprised by the ending and liked the epilogue. Makes me wish there was another chapter! Great read. Samantha Goodreads

Warning - when starting "The Haven" make sure you don't have anywhere you need to be or anything you need to do because you won't want to stop reading until you've finished it all!! Trust me on this! The book starts off with an enticing beginning and just keeps going. The characters of Richard, Kate, Sarah and Daniel (and the others) were genuine and believable, and I think what I liked the most about this book was just the overall feel the author managed to create where it felt intimate, like we are really there in their heads as this story unfolds, feeling the things they are feeling and seeing. Loved the unpredictableness, and the fact that this wasn't just a cliché ghost story. This went much deeper than that, and I was truly impressed with the author's literary skills. Although it's a fairly mild book in terms of content and language, it is probably most suitable for adults. Recommend.  Nicole Goodreads

Flawless. I don't give out effusive praise to just any book, and I usually try to point out the weaknesses as well as the strengths. As far as weaknesses goes, in my opinion the only one was that it was over too soon for my liking! I wish this book was about twice as long, but I know it wouldn't have worked that way, and it didn't need to be longer. For the strengths, well, the list is long. It's smartly and beautifully-written, yet not overdone. I thoroughly enjoyed the haunting scenery, and all the interesting characters (past and present) who came into the mix. That ending had my eyes popping open wide, ha! The author notes he is mostly a fantasy writer, however I feel he certainly has a strong talent in this genre as well. Great voice and I was impressed with the editing... I didn't see even one mistake and I usually always do. Great job. 5 Stars  Megan Goodreads

Amazing. Disturbing. Haunting. This is a book that I won't easily or soon forget. It and the author J.W. Webb has branded a part of my psyche with his dark and gripping and evocative tale unlike anything I've read. I admit I'm fond of reading about characters who are crazy or disturbed (they are just so interesting!) and Mr. Webb did a wonderful job of bringing the crazy. I liked that it wasn't like every other ghost story out there, and at times had a more surreal, literary bent that goes deeper than your ordinary "boo- I'm a ghost haunting and scaring you" type novel. I'd definitely be interested in reading more from this talented author to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve. Highly recommend. Jesse... Goodreads

Flawless. I don't give out effusive praise to just any book, and I usually try to point out the weaknesses as well as the strengths. As far as weaknesses goes, in my opinion the only one was that it was over too soon for my liking! I wish this book was about twice as long, but I know it wouldn't have worked that way, and it didn't need to be longer. For the strengths, well, the list is long. It's smartly and beautifully-written, yet not overdone. I thoroughly enjoyed the haunting scenery, and all the interesting characters (past and present) who came into the mix. That ending had my eyes popping open wide, ha! The author notes he is mostly a fantasy writer, however I feel he certainly has a strong talent in this genre as well. Great voice and I was impressed with the editing... I didn't see even one mistake and I usually always do. Great job. (5 stars) Megan King- Goodreads.

Wow, I really loved this book. I thought it was just beautifully written and kept my attention the whole way through. There is some setting up the stage of action on the beginning, and at first it is a bit confusing when we go to the past, but then it all starts to make sense and we are caught up with the bizarre, surreal blend of the past and the present. The characters are good, and there are some surprising turn of events I didn't see coming. It is a quick read, one I finished in the course of an evening. I was genuinely surprised at a few things that happened, and thought the tension and narrative was great. I will be looking forward to reading more books from J.W. Webb soon. Recommend reading for fans of literary novellas with a darker twist. (5 stars) Warning - when starting "The Haven" make sure you don't have anywhere you need to be or anything you need to do because you won't want to stop reading until you've finished it all!! Trust me on this! The book starts off with an enticing beginning and just keeps going. The characters of Richard, Kate, Sarah and Daniel (and the others) were genuine and believable, and I think what I liked the most about this book was just the overall feel the author managed to create where it felt intimate, like we are really there in their heads as this story unfolds, feeling the things they are feeling and seeing. Loved the unpredictableness, and the fact that this wasn't just a cliché ghost story. This went much deeper than that, and I was truly impressed with the author's literary skills. Although it's a fairly mild book in terms of content and language, it is probably most suitable for adults. Recommend. Goodreads This packs a whole lotta story for such a short book (it comes in at just under 100 pages), and is an intelligent, well-written story that held on to my attention. I was almost disappointed when it was over, but the ending was like, "whoa" and I wish there was more! It took me a bit to adjust to the different narrative tones when the author switched back and for the from the past (the 1860's) back to modern day Cornwall. I did very much enjoy the scenery and how the author writes and his gorgeous descriptions. Personally I wish there was more conversation or dialogue as sometimes it seemed a bit dense on the narrative, but the story wasn't going forward fast enough. It wasn't predictable, though, and I appreciated the originality, especially for being in a genre where so many books seem the same. Goodreads Flawless. I don't give out effusive praise to just any book, and I usually try to point out the weaknesses as well as the strengths. As far as weaknesses goes, in my opinion the only one was that it was over too soon for my liking! I wish this book was about twice as long, but I know it wouldn't have worked that way, and it didn't need to be longer. For the strengths, well, the list is long. It's smartly and beautifully-written, yet not overdone. I thoroughly enjoyed the haunting scenery, and all the interesting characters (past and present) who came into the mix. That ending had my eyes popping open wide, ha! The author notes he is mostly a fantasy writer, however I feel he certainly has a strong talent in this genre as well. Great voice and I was impressed with the editing -I didn't see even one mistake and I usually always do. Great job. (5 stars) Goodreads I've read a lot of paranormal, and I've read a lot of suspense novels. But I'm hard pressed to remember one that was not only crazy intense and gripping, but so beautifully written, some parts almost bordered on poetic. Goodreads

About this edition

• Publisher: J W Webb
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 098635077X
• ISBN 13: 9780986350771
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 110
• Illustrator: Garland Linda