Not Quite Gone (A Lowcountry Mystery)

Lyla Payne

Aug 2015 · Lowcountry Mysteries Book 4 · Trisha Leigh Ziegenhorn

About this ebook

 Life in Heron Creek is looking up for Graciela Harper, despite the fact that every ghost within a fifty mile radius seems intent on sticking to her like glue - and not the weak Elmer's kind, either. But with a sexy boyfriend, her old friends back in her life, and a great job prospect at one of the oldest plantations in the country it's hard to complain...even if her new boss is said boyfriend's mother. 
Things don't stay uncomplicated for long as not one ghost, but two show up at Drayton Hall. One wants closure, which Gracie thinks she can handle, but the other seems to know more than she should about the centuries old voodoo curse on Gracie's own family. 

As she digs deeper into the past of not only the plantation grounds, but Beau's family tree, surprising secrets claw their way to the surface. With Mrs. Drayton breathing down her neck, a shift in her abilities, Amelia's custody case taking a turn for the worse, and the sudden appearance of her decidedly not dead father, Gracie has her hands full. 

She might be able to tackle all of those things with the help of a friend or two—some breathing, some not—but there’s one crossroads Gracie doesn’t see coming. It’s the choice between family and romance, and she’s not the only one being forced to make it.

Ratings and reviews

One More Reason to Love Lowcountry I can’t get enough Gracie and Lowcountry! The mere mention of an upcoming Lowcountry book has me impatiently anticipating until the day I flip that first page open on my iPad! Not Quite Gone is no exception, and I thoroughly enjoyed every turn of the page and every new chapter! It was so hard to put down, and I found myself thinking about the story even when I had to step away. Lyla has such a fantastic way of continuing this story with new storylines while letting you spend time with old favorites like Henry Woodward! Gracie’s newest ghost is anything but predictable, and the mystery surrounding her death is ANYTHING but predictable. I love the mix of historical details along with fiction that Lowcountry brings. I can’t help but fall in love with the Charleston area simply through the details that come with each book. Gracie’s work with Beau’s mother brings an entirely new set of problems, and Cordelia Drayton is no one to be trifled with. While she’s one of those characters you love to root against, you can’t help but wonder what makes her be so cold and driven. I was excited for the added element of learning more about Gracie’s origins and love watching Gracie grow as she learns to accept her role with the ghosts as part of who she is. Working with Daria is sure to continue expanding her abilities, and I can’t wait to see what trouble they get into together! Lyla’s books are always full of great quotes and phrases that make you stop and say, “HEY! ME TOO!” And Gracie, Beau, Leo, Amelia, Dylan, Henry, Dara … they can all relate to this quote: “People always have secrets, no matter how much they want to believe they don’t …” Gracie’s stories will ALWAYS be a favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see where Lyla takes us next!

I seriously cannot get enough of Graciela and her pals. I love how Lyla Payne can set the series and with the paranormal featuring so heavily but not so much it becomes unbelievable. I can't wait to read Low country no 5, can Gracie and Beau survive with their very different upbringing s always lurking in the background of their relationship. not forgetting the curse of the male line and finding out what Gracie will have to sacrifice in order to keep her nephew living past 13yrs. the introduction of her newly confirmed father is also not a coincidence especially as everyone seems to already know who he is! these are all enthralling threads I can't wait to see develop

My FAVORITE of the series so far!! I loved how Gracie is learning to accept her ghost seeing ability and wanting to use it to help. She is a strong woman who stands up for what she believes is right and those she loves and that is put to the test in this book. I loved how she handled everything in the end. This book encompases all emotions. There is drama, humor, love and suspense. Lyla is an excellent writer, who draws the reader in and makes you feel what the characters are going through. I want to know are her and Beau going to make it??? I can feel the love they have and I love how supportive Beau is about the whole ghost seeing thing. But there sure seems to be a lot of obstacles between them. I'll be impatiently waiting for the next book to find out. The cliffhanger ending had me gasping. I hope October gets here fast so I can find out what happens next. I highly recommend you read this series, you will not be disappointed.

About the author

Lyla Payne has been publishing New Adult romance novels for a little over a year, starting with Broken at Love and continuing with the rest of the Whitman University series. She loves telling stories, discovering the little reasons people fall in love, and uncovering hidden truths in the world around us - past and present. In her spare time she cuddles her two dogs, pretends to enjoy exercising so that she can eat as much Chipotle as she wants, and harbors a deep and abiding hope that Zac Efron likes older women. She loves reading, of course, along with movies, traveling, and Irish whiskey. Lyla's hard at work, ALWAYS, and hopes to bring you more Whitman University antics and at least one more Lowcountry ghost tale before the end of the year.

Lyla Payne is represented by Kathleen Rushall at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

If you want to know more, please visit her at http://lylapayne.com

If you're a fan of Young Adult fiction--science fiction or otherwise--please check out her work that's published under the name Trisha Leigh. http://trishaleigh.com.