Haunting Violetby Alyxandra Harvey

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies? (goodreads.com)

Release date: June 21, 2011I'm always excited when I find out an author is Canadian. I feel all proud and patriotic and stuff. So of course when I was asked if I wanted to review Haunting Violet and I thought the summary was pretty cool AND I was told it was written by a Canadian author, I said YES! (I also then realized that I had read something by said author before, only she was using a different name - Alyxandra Harvey-Fitzhenry. Can't pull a fast one on me!)There was a distinct moment as I began the novel where I wasn't sure I was going to like this at all. Not that it was poorly written or annoying or boring, it was just something that wasn't clicking with me. But I pushed through because the book isn't that long at all and I thought, I'm giving this my full attention, dammit!I am happy I did because once Violet starts seeing spirits things get much more entertaining. I was completely caught up in the mystery of who killed Rowena and suspicious of almost everyone because they were all highly suspicious characters.Though the story is supposed to be set in Victorian England (I believe?) I didn't get the same historical feel as I have from other books set around this time, whether they be historical romance, paranormal or fantasy. It was a little hard to keep the setting and period in my mind as I read the book. I don't think the cover above helped much with that. I didn't get a gothic victorianish feel from the cover as from the other cover I see floating around. Still the cover is pretty eye catching, but it looks like it could very well be a present day story by it.As for the murder mystery - I was totally blindsided by the whodunnit. I was! I had my own theories and suspicions and it wasn't anything like I thought! Huh! Well done!Violet's mother was one of those mean/unable to cope with things parents that you often see in books, especially paranormal ones. However she was also very well written and I despised her immensely! Imagine! A mother who feels that her own child owes her for feeding and clothing them. Ugh! I was seriously hoping she'd die somewhere a long the story because I couldn't stand her with a passion.Of course there is romance - because what would a YA book be without it these days, right? I wasn't too annoyed by it, I sort of liked the relationship the two crazy kids had. It felt real and more believable than other romantic liaisons I have read about. I can't find too much fault with it and it wasn't so sweet that I felt like gagging. (I am just so old and cynical. Jeez.)Overall (ugh, I can't believe I just used that word, I hate it!) this was a fun read and if there happens to be another book planned with Violet I will certainly be picking it up!