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Running Haunted: A Greek romantic comedy with a ghost set in Nafplio Greece Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 91 ratings


Kelly ran a marathon... and wound up running a house. With a ghost in it.


Kelly Mellios is a stunning, athletic woman, who has learned--the hard way--to value herself. Having just finished her first marathon in the alluring Greek town of Nafplio, she bumps into Alex, a gorgeous widower with three children, who is desperately looking for a housekeeper.

The timing seems perfect, seeing that Kelly aches to start a new life, and Nafplio seems like the ideal place to settle down. She accepts the position on the spot, but little does she know that Alex's house has an extra inhabitant that not even the family knows about...

The house is haunted by Alex's late wife, who has unfinished business to tend to. By using the family pet, a quirky pug named Charlie, the ghost is able to communicate with Kelly and asks her for help. She claims she wants to ensure her loved ones are happy before she departs, but offers very little information about her plans.

Kelly freaks out at first, but gradually finds herself itching to help. It is evident there's room for improvement in this family... Plus, her growing attraction towards Alex is overpowering...

Will Kelly do the ghost's bidding? How will it affect her? And just how strange is this pug?


"I have read all of Effrosyni's books, the characters become your friends. Running Haunted is the perfect summer read set in Greece." ~Just Kay, Amazon UK reviewer

"Another charming book from Effrosyni. Read it, and you'll be transported to Greece & never look a dog the same way again!" ~Just Me.Mo, Amazon UK reviewer

"A fast-paced original story with attention to detail and engaging dialog. A heartfelt emotional read, with family love, romance and a lovable ghost. I highly recommend it." ~Sheri Wilkinson, Amazon US reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0853CMP1V
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 18, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 373 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 91 ratings

About the author

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Effrosyni Moschoudi
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Effrosyni Moschoudi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. As a child, she loved to sit alone in her garden scribbling rhymes about flowers, butterflies and ants. Today, she writes books for the romantic at heart. She lives in a quaint seaside town near Athens with a British husband, two naughty cats, and a staggering amount of books and DVDs. Her little town is heavenly enough, yet her mind forever drifts to her beloved island of Corfu.

The Ebb, her new adult romance that was inspired from her summers in Corfu in the 1980s, is an ABNA Q-Finalist. Her debut novel, The Necklace of Goddess Athena, won a silver medal in the 2017 book awards of Readers' Favorite. Her ghost romance novella, The Boy on the Bridge, was a Top 10 winner in the “50 Best Indie Books” awards of Readfree.ly in 2021.

Effrosyni’s books are sweet romances (low heat and no sex scenes). Running Haunted, My Corfu Love Story, and The Necklace of Goddess Athena are clean & wholesome. All the books are Amazon bestsellers, having hit #1 several times, and are available in kindle and paperback format.

What others say about Effrosyni's books:

"Effrosyni layers her words on the page like music." ~Jackie Weger, author of The House on Persimmon Road

"Very few writers have such a gift for realism." ~Kelly Smith Reviews

"I was glued to the pages by the author’s vivid descriptions and her beautiful, almost poetic way of writing." ~Angel Sefer, author of The Greek Isles series

"Moschoudi's writing is impressive; sweet and delicate yet powerful, like a punch rolled up in silk." ~Nicholas Rossis, author of The Pearseus sci-fi series

Go here to download FREE books by this author: http://effrosyniwrites.com/free-stuff/

Visit her website for her travel guide to Corfu, delicious Greek recipes, and a plethora of blog posts about her life in Greece: http://www.effrosyniwrites.com

**Like her on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/authoreffrosyni

**Follow her on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/frostiemoss

**Find her on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7362780.Effrosyni_Moschoudi

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
91 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's romance and found it enjoyable. They described it as a fun, romantic second chance story with an expected love match.

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4 customers mention "Romance"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in the book. They describe it as a fun, romantic second chance story with an expected love match and happy family together.

"...Running Haunted is full of suspense, romance, social issues and the paranormal relationship between Kelly and Lauren...." Read more

"A fun romantic second chance story. Kelly is looking to start over after a bad romance and losing her job...." Read more

"...The ending was stereotypical, with the expected love match made and the family happy together...." Read more

"This is the second book I have read and it is very romantic. I will definitely read more. Thank you." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it delightful and enchanting, and say it's the best book ever.

"A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but quick shaping..." Read more

"...Thank you for this. God blessed us with Greek Moms. Xoxo. Best Book Ever!!!" Read more

"...piece of work from Effrosyni - a great storyteller who can easily delight the readers and keep them enchanted by the masterfully weaved words!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
    Once again I was up until early morning hours reading a novel by Effrosyni Moschoudi . I am a huge fan of her books. Running Haunted does not disappoint from the first page until the end. Kelly is in Naphlio running a marathon with her friend when they overhear two well dressed handsome men discussing the need of a housekeeper /nanny for Alex. Kelly, who is coming out of a bad relationship is nudged by her friend to seek out the position. She moves in and changes the life of Alex and his three boys, who are all grieving the loss of their mom, Lauren. Running Haunted is full of suspense, romance, social issues and the paranormal relationship between Kelly and Lauren. As always, I highly recommend another novel by this gifted writer.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2022
    A fun romantic second chance story. Kelly is looking to start over after a bad romance and losing her job. Alex is in need of a housekeeper after losing his wife. The two don't know it, but they have been setup to meet. I look forward to reading more by this author.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
    Reading Running Haunted was something I came to look forward to during the lockdown. Nothing better to end your day with a light, funny rom-com full of feels and the unique light of Greece. The author leaves no emotion unaddressed--from the heroine's apprehension-tyrn-empathy in dealing with three kids who lost their mother and her growing attachment to them while dealing with their personal issues to a slow-burn romance with the kids' dad/her boss. And then there's the resident ghost with her special agenda. This was a story full of heart that has stayed with me long after I finished reading the book. Highly recommended!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2020
    I purchased a copy of this novel, which I also review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team.
    I had read and reviewed a novella by this author before and enjoyed it. It perfectly combined a lightness of touch, humour, a paranormal element (not in a heavy-handed manner but rather whimsically), and a lovely setting in Greece, with plenty of gorgeous locations and pretty tasty-sounding food. The ideal read for a holiday or for those occasions when we need a holiday but are not in a position to take one (and also perfect for the winter months, when we need a bit of sun, even if it is just coming from a page). I was therefore well-predisposed toward the writer’s offerings, and when I came across an interview where she explained how personal this novel had become for her, I had to buy it and add it to my list to read. I can confirm that it shares many characteristics with the novella I had read before, down to the wonderful settings, the food, the paranormal element (that becomes quite poignant here, in places), and the light and humorous touches.
    The description of the book provides a good summary of the plot. There are some surprises along the way (that I won’t go into), and the book fits in well within the romance genre, down to the gorgeous protagonists (both), some difficulties and hindrances along the way (including old lovers and others), plenty of wish fulfilment, and a great ending which will make readers see things in a new light (and will leave them smiling). I have mentioned the paranormal element, and as the blurb explains, we have a ghost who becomes an important protagonist of the book, as well as quite a few unexplained things (and I’m going to avoid spoilers as usual).
    All the characters are easy to like (well, almost all, but I won’t get into that). They are far from perfect, though. We have Kelly, who has transformed her life after an abusive relationship (no physical violence, but her ex-boyfriend always put her down and made her feel insecure) and has turned into a woman who won’t let anybody tell her what she can or can’t do, who will fight to become the person she wants and will help others do the same. On the other hand, she can rush into things without thinking about the consequence; she can be pushy and too direct; and the way she approaches some topics might be one-sided and simplistic (her approach to bullying and to the excess weight of one of the kids, for example), but it’s difficult not to be won over by her enthusiasm and goodwill. Alex is still grieving his wife and finds it difficult to know how best to deal with his children, but he is (as usual in romances) pretty perfect otherwise. The children all have their problems but are good kids and loveable, and what can I say about Charlie, the dog. I adored it! None of the characters are very complex, and this is even more so if we talk about their friends and other secondary characters we see little of. On the other hand, the connection between the members of the family, once the problems have been solved, feels real, and readers are likely to enjoy becoming an ersatz member of the household as much as Kelly does. I really liked Lauren, though, and she is perhaps the one aspect of the novel that feels a little less traditional, as we tend to see women mostly in domestic roles, and there are no particular challenges to the status quo. Lauren’s love for her family is inspiring, and it’s easy to understand why they have all struggled so much to cope without her. She and Kelly seem to have much in common, and I loved her resourcefulness and her wicked sense of humour.
    The novel touches upon the different ways people deal with grief, and I found particularly interesting the examples of young children trying to come to terms with the death of their mother. There are very touching moments in the book, and although there is a great deal of humour, the subject is sensitively approached, and I think many people who have suffered losses will feel inspired and comforted by this story.
    The writing is fluid and the story is told in the third-person, mostly from the point of view of Kelly, the main protagonist, although there are a few snippets from other characters’ viewpoints, which help readers be a step ahead sometimes but not always (the author keeps a few tricks up her sleeve). There are lovely descriptions of locations and mentions of Greek food, but those do not interfere with the action of the rhythm of the story but rather enhance the enjoyment and help readers immerse themselves in the narrative.
    I have mentioned the ending before, and it is a joy. Not only will most readers be left with a smile, but I suspect a few will laugh out loud as well. Well done!
    If you are looking for a book that challenges genre and gender conventions, whose characters are diverse, and/or want to avoid triggers related to fat-shaming and bullying, this is not your book. On the other hand, this is a great read for those looking for a sweet romance (no sex or erotica here), in a gorgeous setting, who love the inclusion of humour and paranormal elements. I particularly recommend it to readers who love dogs, Greece, and who can’t go on a real holiday. I enjoyed my time with Kelly and Alex’s family, and I’m sure you’ll do too.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
    A good read for people who are in to the series recommend highly can't wait for the next one of the series a really enjoyable read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    I have to be honest and say that I started to read this without reading the entire blurb. Therefore, I didn't know it was a romance. My fault. I don't really care for romance too much, as there's always too much "lusting" for the male on the part of the female, and it really doesn't add to the story. But oh, well. Anyway, this book had that quality in it, so it took me a while to finish, which I try to do with all books I read (yet don't always succeed).

    First off, I wondered about her giving the dog chocolate treats since chocolate can kill dogs. That bothered me. Then I wondered how quickly everyone bent to Kelly's will (a matter of a couple of days). She had changed their diet and no one seemed to care. Kids like sugar. It's a given. Yet not one peep, not even from the six-year-old. I get that she wants everyone to eat healthy (I do). But I can't even imagine what would happen if I wanted kids to go cold turkey on sugar instead of gradually moving it away from them. Again, just my opinion.

    I was disappointed in the ghost part, especially since most of it seemed to be in Kelly's head, and not an apparition at all until toward the end of the book. I suppose romance lovers will enjoy this book, for myself, not so much. I found the writing to be a bit simplistic, with everything coming together too easily for my taste. I found it a bit on the boring side. But again, that's just me.

    The ending was stereotypical, with the expected love match made and the family happy together. That's as it should be, and I don't think it's any spoiler to say so, as I won't give away any of the "ghostly" aspects of the book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2020
    a tear jerker!! have the tissues ready. A beautiful book. I also recently lost my mother like the author and I just want to hug you. Thank you for this. God blessed us with Greek Moms. Xoxo. Best Book Ever!!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
    Another beautiful piece of work from Effrosyni - a great storyteller who can easily delight the readers and keep them enchanted by the masterfully weaved words!
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Marjory McGinn
    5.0 out of 5 stars You'll be sweetly haunted by this romance
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2020
    The author of this new paranormal romance is someone who has a great talent for coming up with original, vibrant stories full of imagination and memorable, sympathetic characters.
    I enjoyed this latest novel by Effrosyni Moschoudi because, although it’s an easy romantic story at heart, the character of Kelly Mellios, who has just left a difficult relationship and is looking for a new direction in life, is feisty and independent. When she takes a job as a housekeeper for dashing Greek businessman Alex and his three young children, although it’s not an easy gig for a single woman, Kelly's not one to buckle under pressure. With the children still grieving after the premature loss of their mother Lauren, and with typical childhood anxieties and issues, she sets about changing their unhealthy lifestyle, and their lives, to great effect. But will she change the father’s life as well and charm him in the process? Wait and see!
    There’s also a pug called Charlie who has certain charms of his own, the least of which is his ability to sense one of the main ‘characters’ in the story, the ghost of Lauren whose presence in the house is unsettling and a block to the family moving on. Charlie becomes an unusual conduit to the ghost's curious demands, with comical outcomes.
    I like the way the author handles the paranormal elements with lots of humour and sensitivity without it becoming too sentimental or even spooky. And the ending of the story is a delight and very uplifting.
    Running Haunted is the perfect feel-good book to conclude the difficult year of 2020.
  • OlgaNM
    4.0 out of 5 stars Ghosts, a cute dog, wonderful locations and plenty of love
    Reviewed in Spain on August 16, 2020
    I purchased a copy of this novel, which I also review as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team.
    I had read and reviewed a novella by this author before and enjoyed it. It perfectly combined a lightness of touch, humour, a paranormal element (not in a heavy-handed manner but rather whimsically), and a lovely setting in Greece, with plenty of gorgeous locations and pretty tasty-sounding food. The ideal read for a holiday or for those occasions when we need a holiday but are not in a position to take one (and also perfect for the winter months, when we need a bit of sun, even if it is just coming from a page). I was therefore well-predisposed toward the writer’s offerings, and when I came across an interview where she explained how personal this novel had become for her, I had to buy it and add it to my list to read. I can confirm that it shares many characteristics with the novella I had read before, down to the wonderful settings, the food, the paranormal element (that becomes quite poignant here, in places), and the light and humorous touches.
    The description of the book provides a good summary of the plot. There are some surprises along the way (that I won’t go into), and the book fits in well within the romance genre, down to the gorgeous protagonists (both), some difficulties and hindrances along the way (including old lovers and others), plenty of wish fulfilment, and a great ending which will make readers see things in a new light (and will leave them smiling). I have mentioned the paranormal element, and as the blurb explains, we have a ghost who becomes an important protagonist of the book, as well as quite a few unexplained things (and I’m going to avoid spoilers as usual).
    All the characters are easy to like (well, almost all, but I won’t get into that). They are far from perfect, though. We have Kelly, who has transformed her life after an abusive relationship (no physical violence, but her ex-boyfriend always put her down and made her feel insecure) and has turned into a woman who won’t let anybody tell her what she can or can’t do, who will fight to become the person she wants and will help others do the same. On the other hand, she can rush into things without thinking about the consequence; she can be pushy and too direct; and the way she approaches some topics might be one-sided and simplistic (her approach to bullying and to the excess weight of one of the kids, for example), but it’s difficult not to be won over by her enthusiasm and goodwill. Alex is still grieving his wife and finds it difficult to know how best to deal with his children, but he is (as usual in romances) pretty perfect otherwise. The children all have their problems but are good kids and loveable, and what can I say about Charlie, the dog. I adored it! None of the characters are very complex, and this is even more so if we talk about their friends and other secondary characters we see little of. On the other hand, the connection between the members of the family, once the problems have been solved, feels real, and readers are likely to enjoy becoming an ersatz member of the household as much as Kelly does. I really liked Lauren, though, and she is perhaps the one aspect of the novel that feels a little less traditional, as we tend to see women mostly in domestic roles, and there are no particular challenges to the status quo. Lauren’s love for her family is inspiring, and it’s easy to understand why they have all struggled so much to cope without her. She and Kelly seem to have much in common, and I loved her resourcefulness and her wicked sense of humour.
    The novel touches upon the different ways people deal with grief, and I found particularly interesting the examples of young children trying to come to terms with the death of their mother. There are very touching moments in the book, and although there is a great deal of humour, the subject is sensitively approached, and I think many people who have suffered losses will feel inspired and comforted by this story.
    The writing is fluid and the story is told in the third-person, mostly from the point of view of Kelly, the main protagonist, although there are a few snippets from other characters’ viewpoints, which help readers be a step ahead sometimes but not always (the author keeps a few tricks up her sleeve). There are lovely descriptions of locations and mentions of Greek food, but those do not interfere with the action of the rhythm of the story but rather enhance the enjoyment and help readers immerse themselves in the narrative.
    I have mentioned the ending before, and it is a joy. Not only will most readers be left with a smile, but I suspect a few will laugh out loud as well. Well done!
    If you are looking for a book that challenges genre and gender conventions, whose characters are diverse, and/or want to avoid triggers related to fat-shaming and bullying, this is not your book. On the other hand, this is a great read for those looking for a sweet romance (no sex or erotica here), in a gorgeous setting, who love the inclusion of humour and paranormal elements. I particularly recommend it to readers who love dogs, Greece, and who can’t go on a real holiday. I enjoyed my time with Kelly and Alex’s family, and I’m sure you’ll do too.
  • Mrs. Jean A. Symonds
    5.0 out of 5 stars Effrosyni’s books keep you guessing as there’s always an unusual twist in them.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2020
    I have read and enjoyed all of Effrosyni Moschoudi’s books. Running Haunted is a poignant, thought provoking story. Did Kelly do right in deciding to be Alex’s housekeeper and care for his young sons when she had no experience? Kelly’s strength of character helps the boys overcomes the difficulties arising from the loss of their mother. There are a few strange happenings in the house that Kelly can’t explain, it’s a real mystery. This story kept me wondering what was going on, it was a very good read bringing forth a mixed bag of emotions like sadness, happiness, and incredibility. Well done Effrosyni and thank you for keeping us entertained with your books
  • sally acott
    4.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2024
    Loved the story and the ghost!!!
    Also enjoyed The Amulet and The Raven Witch of Corfu.
    Couldn't have olives not picked lol !!!
  • Lesley Willsher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 4, 2020
    Well, what can I say. Another great book which kept me enthralled from start to finish. I nearly checkout it down to move from beach to hotel.
    I loved the characters in this book and how it all panned out and ended perfectly.
    Looking forward to another one Effrosini, please be busy writing so I have a new one for Corfu I May, just love all your books x

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