Hourglass by Myra McEntire

One hour to rewrite the past . . .

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.
So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past.
Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should have happened?

Full of atmosphere, mystery, and romance, Hourglass merges the very best of the paranormal and science-fiction genres in a seductive, remarkable young adult debut.

Goodreads Summary

This book was terrific, readers will find a winner in this one.  The main character, Emerson, has recently lost her parents in a terrible accident.  She is forced to move in with her older brother and his wife, both of whom do love her. 

Emerson isn't your average character...she can see ghosts from different time periods.  She was even placed in a mental institution due to her "illness."  She has very few friends...only one loyal friend who has a unique special "insight" herself.  Emerson's brother takes care of her after she is sent home from the boarding school she previously attended.  Emerson was booted from the school due to an incident where she jumped up and yelled at a specter that wasn't actually there in the middle of a bustling lunch room. 

Emerson begins the novel by walking smack into a fancy ghost; the reader will not be confused in the slightest by Emerson's skill.  The author shrouds the background behind Emerson's skill and several major plot points in the book until the very end, even then some are not entirely resolved. 

Michael, another character who can see ghosts, is sent to help Emerson by Emerson's earnest brother.  Michael quickly becomes the love interest.  He is hunky, mysterious, and charismatic.  The romance flares up several times during the course of the book and comes to its climax at the very end.  Michael isn't the most forthcoming character; he will frustrate both the reader and Emerson with his avoidance of imperative questions "until time permits or Emerson is ready." 

Emerson, however, is very inquisitive; she figures out a lot by herself and soon discovers much of what Michael is trying to hide.  She finds out about the Hourglass association, an association dedicated to helping people with paranormal powers and furthering research in that area.  Within the organization, the reader will meet several very interesting secondary characters-some who are hot, some who are dorky, one who is seemingly Emerson's rival for Michael's attention, one who appears to have a crush on Emerson, and two who will betray them all (one unintentionally and one intentionally). 

The plot of this novel is amazing; the characters all have depth and make the book even more interesting to read, and the novel is a surprisingly fast-read despite its thickness.  This book is recommended to young adults/teens/adults who enjoy the paranormal with a bit of romance and intrigue. 

5 Stars