In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: for the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen—terrified, but intrigued—is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.
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"Whitcomb writes with a grace that befits Helen's more modulated world while depicting contemporary society with sharp insight. In the subgenre of dead-narrator tales, this book shows the engaging possibilities of immortality-complete with a twist at the end that wholly satisfies." --School Library Journal School Library Journal
"A highly senual, supernatural story of two spirits caught in purgatory. . . . Mesmerizing." --Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly
"Whitcomb is generous with atmospheric detail . . . and she creatively pulls together a dramatic and compelling plot that cleverly grants rebellious teen romance a timeless grandeur." --The Bulletin Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[An] original, opinionated, sexy, and romantic novel of the afterlife." --Horn Book Horn Book
"Whitcomb writes beautifully . . . this will be irresistible to teens." --Booklist Booklist, ALA
"A highly senual, supernatural story of two spirits caught in purgatory. . . . Mesmerizing." --Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly
"Whitcomb is generous with atmospheric detail . . . and she creatively pulls together a dramatic and compelling plot that cleverly grants rebellious teen romance a timeless grandeur." --The Bulletin Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[An] original, opinionated, sexy, and romantic novel of the afterlife." --Horn Book Horn Book
"Whitcomb writes beautifully . . . this will be irresistible to teens." --Booklist Booklist, ALA
About the Author
Laura Whitcomb grew up in Pasadena, California where she lived in a mildly haunted house for 12 years. She has taught English in California and Hawaii. The winner of three Kay Snow Writing Awards, she was once runner up in the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction contest for the best first sentence of the worst science fiction novel never written. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her dog Maximus.
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SOMEONE WAS LOOKING AT ME, a disturbing sensation if you're dead. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
SOMEONE WAS LOOKING AT ME, a disturbing sensation if you're dead. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
148 of 153 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book because it was recomended to people that read & loved "Twilight" by Steph. Meyer. I loved it from the first page, for a first novel L.W. does an absolute splendid job. Her style of arranging words are amazing, elegant and very very clever!
The story tells of the remarkable relationship that springs between two ghosts (or Light). One who inhabits a boy's body (protecting it untill the boy's own soul returns) and one that has been haunting people for over 130 years. Against all odds they fall in love and Helen, who is still just a ghost decides to save a body as well, to be with James. When she does so, she not only get to taste apples for the first time in 130 years, but she also gets to taste the sweet & intoxicating juices of passion and love. James & Helen spend every possible moment together in their new bodies. But their host's lifes are not perfect, and they struggle to cope with everyday life. On top of this they are both trying to find out why God has not let them into heaven yet. What terrible crime did they do to deserve centuries on earth as Light?
It's a passionate story, filled with the true love of eras long gone, but with the snap of life in 2006. I recomend this book for older teens. It does have sexual contet (allthough all *very* tastefully written, and leaves most to imagination). People from age 16 and above (to 100yrs) will love this book. A great great read!!!!
The story tells of the remarkable relationship that springs between two ghosts (or Light). One who inhabits a boy's body (protecting it untill the boy's own soul returns) and one that has been haunting people for over 130 years. Against all odds they fall in love and Helen, who is still just a ghost decides to save a body as well, to be with James. When she does so, she not only get to taste apples for the first time in 130 years, but she also gets to taste the sweet & intoxicating juices of passion and love. James & Helen spend every possible moment together in their new bodies. But their host's lifes are not perfect, and they struggle to cope with everyday life. On top of this they are both trying to find out why God has not let them into heaven yet. What terrible crime did they do to deserve centuries on earth as Light?
It's a passionate story, filled with the true love of eras long gone, but with the snap of life in 2006. I recomend this book for older teens. It does have sexual contet (allthough all *very* tastefully written, and leaves most to imagination). People from age 16 and above (to 100yrs) will love this book. A great great read!!!!
50 of 54 people found the following review helpful
By Shana Lawlor
Format:Paperback
Helen is a Light, a ghost. She haunts hosts, the living known as the Quick. She never strays too far away, for if she does, she feels the cold hand of her death coming to claim her. She does not know why she has not reached heaven, but feels that she has done something terrible. Because of her long love of literature Helen clings to poets, writers and playwrights, anyone who shares her love of literature. Helen's current host is Mr. Brown, a high school English teacher. Helen hovers over his shoulder whispering helpful hints in his ear and giving him inspiration.
One day, whilst in one of Mr. Brown's classes, something amazing happens. Someone sees her for the first time in 150 years. The Quick, is a boy, one of Mr. Browns students. Helen is terrified but intrigued. How did this young man see her? So begins her relationship with James. James is a Light, inhabiting the empty body of a Quick. Helen is the only other Light he has seen. Helen is so enthralled with James that she takes James as her new host. James tells her that the spirits of some of the Quick have left their bodies and the bodies are empty vessals waiting for someone to inhabit them. So Helen decides to take a body so that she can taste, feel, read, breathe and be alive again. And also to be with James.
Helen takes the body of a young girl in James' school. Finally after so long, Helen is alive again and with someone who cares about her, James. But Helen also sees flashes of her life, as does James. And they come to realise why their bodies spirits left. They both must face their deaths, and deal with the shambles of their bodies lives. But they have each other.
This was an enjoyable book. It had a unique story and heartwarming characters trying to find each other and themselves. For Laura Whitcombs' first novel this was a great success.
One day, whilst in one of Mr. Brown's classes, something amazing happens. Someone sees her for the first time in 150 years. The Quick, is a boy, one of Mr. Browns students. Helen is terrified but intrigued. How did this young man see her? So begins her relationship with James. James is a Light, inhabiting the empty body of a Quick. Helen is the only other Light he has seen. Helen is so enthralled with James that she takes James as her new host. James tells her that the spirits of some of the Quick have left their bodies and the bodies are empty vessals waiting for someone to inhabit them. So Helen decides to take a body so that she can taste, feel, read, breathe and be alive again. And also to be with James.
Helen takes the body of a young girl in James' school. Finally after so long, Helen is alive again and with someone who cares about her, James. But Helen also sees flashes of her life, as does James. And they come to realise why their bodies spirits left. They both must face their deaths, and deal with the shambles of their bodies lives. But they have each other.
This was an enjoyable book. It had a unique story and heartwarming characters trying to find each other and themselves. For Laura Whitcombs' first novel this was a great success.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I love this book. I loved it so much, I read it six times cover to cover! Then I kept quoting it and was forced to lend it to my friend, who immediately went out and bought her own copy. After a few weeks of us going "James! I love James!" or "Billy! I want Billy!" most of the school was alerted to the greatness of this debut novel. And now for an analysis of the text...
Helen is a ghost, Light, dead for over a century. Attatched to a schoolteacher, she happily haunts the world. Untill, that is, she is seen. Helen becomes fasinated by this child, his body called Billy, his soul James. James is akin to Helen. He too is dead. He borrowed Billy's body when Billy's spirit wandered too far from it. Helen becomes smitten with James and agrees to also 'save' a body. They start a search and stumble upon Jenny, a once creative girl who has had her aspirations crushed by her strictly religious family. Helen decides to occupy the body to be with James completly, but complications arise...
The first chapter is a little slow but bear with it and you will have a story you wll never forget.
Helen is a ghost, Light, dead for over a century. Attatched to a schoolteacher, she happily haunts the world. Untill, that is, she is seen. Helen becomes fasinated by this child, his body called Billy, his soul James. James is akin to Helen. He too is dead. He borrowed Billy's body when Billy's spirit wandered too far from it. Helen becomes smitten with James and agrees to also 'save' a body. They start a search and stumble upon Jenny, a once creative girl who has had her aspirations crushed by her strictly religious family. Helen decides to occupy the body to be with James completly, but complications arise...
The first chapter is a little slow but bear with it and you will have a story you wll never forget.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paranormal love story with a difference
After 130 years as a ghost Helen finds someone can actually see her. A love story ensues, but Helen needs to find an 'empty' body to live through. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Shirazee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent story
An enjoyable read for fans of the supernatural genre. The story was interesting and well developed. I was happy with the purchase and would recommend it.
Published 6 months ago by D Wolf
4.0 out of 5 stars
Original Ghost Story
I've been wanting to read this book for a while now and after waiting so long for the public library to obtain a copy and ignoring my requests, I bought a copy instead. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing! Couldn't put it down!
This book has to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. It is beautifully and cleverly written. Read more
Published on 6 Feb 2011 by L
4.0 out of 5 stars
emotional, sensitive and thoughtful read...not necessarily for teens
I bought this book as I am a lover of things creepy and slightly different. I was worried it may be a teen book, but decided to give it a go anyway. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2010 by Fickleama
5.0 out of 5 stars
A ghost story with a difference
This is one of the best ghost stories I have read. At first I found it hard to get into but then it dragged me in so fast I couldn't put the book down. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2010 by The Slowest Bookworm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review
I really enjoyed this book, however there were alot of metophors used and i think that masked the true feeling of the characters. That made it a bit confusing. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2010 by Ms. K. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great... but not without its flaws!
I thought this book was great; Im a bit used to the normal chick lit which tends to get a bit boring at times or repetitive. This is a very original book. Read more
Published on 15 May 2010 by leora
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful!
Whitcomb's writing is beautiful, rich, fluid and lyrical.The intense images she describes, become alive and full of colour as you read through the lines. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Giota V.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating
Synopsis:
In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years human eyes are looking at her. Read more
In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: For the first time in 130 years human eyes are looking at her. Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Book Angel Emma
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