Sara's Soul by Deanna Kahler is a paranormal romance about a woman plagued with visions of death. Sara constantly sees death all around her. The daughter of a psychic, Sara thought she would see beauty in her premonitions, but all she experiences is suffering. Misunderstood, Sara searches for a way to clear her mind of these troubling visions. Resolving that suicide is the only answer, she plans to kill herself, but is stopped by a visit from her dead mother in spirit form. Star tells her daughter she will soon encounter a man who will help her with her struggles. Pushing it aside as a dream, Sara is shocked when she meets Chip, a doctoral student in psychology at her college. Together, they find themselves embarking on a spiritual journey of love and loss. Will Chip be able to save Sara in time?

I found the concept of this novel to be very intriguing. I have long been fascinated with the concept of an afterlife and Deanna Kahler presents a very calming interpretation of interactions with the spirit world. I found it hard to connect to Sara though. She had a rather defeatist attitude when it came to letting Chip help her. I liked Chip much more than Sara. I felt some of the characters and plot lines could have used more development. I would have liked to see more of a build up to the climax of the story. I liked some of the subplots and the romance was very sweet and innocent. Sara's Soul is a well-written novel with paranormal influences, sure to make the reader think twice about past lives and encounters with lost loved ones.

Feeling empathy for others is an amazing gift but for Sara, that gift has become a curse. In Sara's Soul: The Afterlife Series Book 2 by Deanna Kahler, the title character experiences all the pain, fear and sorrow of the last moments of people’s lives, including their actual death. Unable to withstand the torment she feels, Sara has decided to take her own life. Sure that there is no afterlife since her deceased mother never seemed to contact her, Sara simply wants to put an end to the pain and despair she feels when these visions come. Her suicide attempts are thwarted by the mother who Sara feels has deserted her and a surprising new love in her life. Everyone meets for a reason and Chip understands that he and Sara have a greater purpose in life – the question is whether or not he can get Sara to realize it as well. Will he help open her heart to the truth of life after death or will she escape this life and his love?

Deanna Kahler has taken a very personal and difficult topic and created a wonderful story that brings hope and promise to those who are burdened. Sara’s Soul depicts deep despair quite realistically and is hard to read at times, but the amazing interventions that steer Sara away from her plan provide a glimpse of a guiding presence in her life. True love, understanding and a willingness to open her heart help Sara – and the reader - overcome the pain that has been a constant companion, and reinforce the will to live.

Sara’s Soul is a romantic adventure tale by Deanna Kahler which involves spiritual supernatural elements. The plot focuses on college student Sara, who has been haunted by a psychic gift since birth. Sara sees visions of death everywhere she goes, including painful reminders of her mother’s own cancerous demise just a few years ago. During her stressful life at college, Sara is convinced that Death wants her to join in the nothingness beyond her daily life. Whilst she struggles with suicidal thoughts and a condition no-one else will believe or understand, life sends Sara messages to try to help her start living again, including a man whose love could turn her world the right way round again.

For the most part, Sara’s Soul is a romantic drama, and the book only really plays on the supernatural elements of the tale when it’s necessary to further the plot. Readers of light romances will enjoy the well-written banter and growing connection between Sara and Chip, and fans of Christian fiction are in safe hands with Deanna Kahler, who bases her spiritual elements and other world on Christian values and biblical ideas. For me, the only reason I wouldn’t give the book five stars is because I feel that the mental illness involved with suicide and depression is treated a little too lightly, and Sara’s transformation back to normal life is unrealistic in that sense. But that’s only because the topic is something close to my heart, and readers who can take the subject more lightly will find an enjoyable read with a great romantic narrative.