Emerald O'Brien is the owner of the Chintz 'n China Tea Room where guests are served the perfect blend of teas and tarot readings. She never set out to be a detective, but once word gets out that she can communicate with the dead, there's no turning back... When the ghost of Susan Mitchell asks for Emerald's help in convicting her own murderer, Emerald can't refuse. Along with her friends-an ex-supermodel and a cop-and her new love interest, Emerald must search for clues to put the killer behind bars, and Susan's tortured soul to rest.
New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and is the author of over 80 books & numerous series, including the Wild Hunt Series, the Moonshadow Bay Series, the Fury Unbound Series, the Otherworld Series, the Bewitching Bedlam Series, and more. She wrote for trad publishers for 20 years until she went indie in 2016.
She’s also written nonfiction metaphysical books. She is the 2011 Career Achievement Award Winner in Urban Fantasy, given by RT Magazine. Yasmine has been in the Craft since 1980, is a shamanic witch and High Priestess. She describes her life as a blend of teacups and tattoos. She lives in Kirkland, WA, with her husband Samwise and their cats. Yasmine can be reached via her web site at Galenorn.com. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://galenorn.com/newsletter/
NOTE: ALWAYS check the website and blog, and please sign up for her newsletter there to keep current with new and upcoming releases. Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter are NOT viable places to find out all this information.
Meh, hopefully I enjoy the future books more since I bought the first five at once.
I like the paranormal aspect - the protagonist is already familiar and comfortable with her abilities. She has a successful tea shop in a small town, which isn't as interesting as you'd think - she mainly sells china pieces and sets, but it's fun to see her randomly drink tea throughout the book, make it an important ritual with what pieces she chooses for the tea, but besides that it's in the background.
I think my main issue is this character got on my nerves. She spends a lot of the book being a 'good mom' by disciplining her kids and trying to teach them lessons. She grounds her son for a serious mistake, but she takes it too far by removing from him the one friend he has. He committed the crime to look impressive in front of his friend, but it wasn't the friends fault. Taking away a friend should never be a punishment. Then she turns around and tells her daughter her next punishment will be sending her away to live with her father, pointing out the father doesn't want her there, if she argues with her brother again. Who the hell does that? It's just weird.
Also her and her friends keep calling each other 'babe'. That's another small thing that didn't sit right with me either. Seems unnatural.
Small irritations aside, I just found the protagonist too high on her horse with lecturing a man who losing his temper slightly, going over board with not giving her kids tea with caffeine but then turning around and being ridiculous with punishment all the time - it felt like the author was on a soapbox with lectures on parenting and it became the main focus of the book. She also jumped in bed way too quickly for my tastes with the love interest so I didn't care at all about the relationship. There is a clumsy attempt at a weird love triangle at the end that didn't come across well.
The mystery itself is good. I didn't see it coming, the villains worked well, the ghost stuff was awesome, and there was definite tension when it should have been there. Stakes were high, pacing strong enough, the and theme intriguing.
I hesitate to call this is a cozy - instead let's say a regular mystery series. Cozies usually shy from language and detailed sex - this one wasn't vulgar but it wasn't cozy material (which is not a flaw at all, of course, but something important to point out.)
First novels in series can be rocky, so I'll be continuing with the second and hope it works better at winning me over.
I can't decide if I enjoy this or not. This is mostly because the book is full of contradictions, almost like the author couldn't make up her mind about anything. Such as:
The main character, Emerald, keeps saying she wishes she knew more about how to deal with ghosts, but she hasn't bothered to read through her grandmother's diary that's essentially a how-to guide.
Her children are the most important thing in the world to her ("Take care of my babies!") but she spends the whole book yelling at them, being disappointed in them, or pawning them off on other people.
Emerald doesn't want to get into a relationship too quickly, but on the first pseudo-date she brings the guy home to meet her kids. And after the third date, she dumps her four cats on him. And then rather than visit the kids she just loves so very much (and dumped on somebody else) she instead spends time gettin' it on with the guy. But as it turns out, sex makes the ghosts stay away...so it's ok?
She is warned not to trust anything the ghosts say, but all of her actions are based on trusting what the ghosts are telling her.
Emerald has a tea shop, owns umpteen numbers of tea pots, but just drinks standard bagged herbal teas. And she keeps stopping at Starbucks for coffee.
Don't break the bottle! It will be a huge disaster! But let's leave the bottle where it's just so easy to knock to the floor and shatter. Ugh.
These, and many other contradictions, have prevented me from really enjoying the story.
Emerald O'Brien is a psychic/witch who runs the Chitz N China Tea Room. One night a ghost of a woman awakens her stating her husband murdered her and no one knows and she needs her help. So begins the story. I loved this book. The characters are wonderful, charming, and likeable. The plot was clever and so fast paced. I adored the atmosphere. It felt like I was there in the story. A silent character helping Emerald solve the mystery. This book was so cozy and everything I wanted and needed in a book. Warning you will crave tea and scones throughout this whole book. If not scones then cake. The food in this book good Lord...delightful, this book was just delightful. Highly recommend.
Story couldn't hold my attention. The diaglogue seemed too over the top for the story and didn't hold relevance to the plot. I mean, really, when you have a ghost of a murdered woman showing up in your house with an evil spirit tagging along, who gives a flying crap about decorating a Christmas tree????
★★★★☆ I liked this one quite a bit, but maybe that is because I’ve always wanted to own a tea shop. And live in a small town. Or perhaps I rated this higher than other readers because I didn’t buy it but borrowed it from the library. I also like a little romance with my mystery, so this was just my cuppa tea (forgive the pun). Told in the first person POV, divorcée Emerald, and her two children, are likable characters. (Perchance too likeable for some?) So are her friends. There are a few neat twists.
My library has the rest in the series, though I’ll have to order them though inter-library transfers well in advance to fit the “Y” from the author’s first name into any challenges. I’ll still continue to read them; they are worth driving to the library to pick them up, even with the price of gas.
I must be weird. I can deal with the ghost, the tarot readings, the seance, but I have to draw the line when her son became possessed by the evil entity. (No spoiler, this happened in the first 50 or so pages.) After that, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes.
Sorry to say this was a DNF, and I'm not interested in continuing this series.
It took me a little while to get into this book. I even thought about putting it on hold, and picking it up at a later date. I'm glad I stuck with it, because the story was well worth it. I loved the fact that the heroine- Emerald O'brien was an almost 40 yr old, single mother of 2 children, who owned her own business. Sometimes its nice to read about a heroine who's a little more mature. I like the setting that Galenorn created too. I think fans of paranormal cozy mysteries would really enjoy this one.
First in the Chintz 'n China cozy paranormal mystery series and revolving around Emerald O'Brien in Chiqetaw, Washington, where Christmas is approaching.
This eBook was sent to me by Nightqueen Enterprises, LLC for an honest review.
My Take Definitely a cozy tale with a family you'll love. Well, except for their "ex"-dad. What a jerk?!!
The story is told in first person protagonist point-of-view from Em's perspective. She is a stern mom, insisting on manners and consideration for others...while she is also lenient in what she hopes for, for her children.
It's an introduction to the concept of the series, that of a single mom doing her best to raise her children well and cope with her own psychic abilities. Love interests are introduced, creating slight conflicts. More conflict is the information Emerald imparts about her jerk of an ex.
I do love the kids. They're smart, snarky, helpful...and kids with all their lack of thought.
I enjoyed the pace and the easygoing prose...although there were a few bits where I had to track back and/or re-read to figure out who was what. Of course all those red herrings Galenorn spread throughout the story made that twist at the end a pip.
It's a fun tale that is both character- and action-driven that I couldn't help but enjoy.
The Story That ghost that appeared in Em's bedroom may be inspiring a new business for Emerald: Spooks-R-Us. It's a cryptic message Susan Mitchell passes, and the reputation Walter has only cements its truth for Emerald.
Now if she can prove it to the cops...
The Characters The two-years divorced Emerald "Em" O'Brien runs a tea shop and gives readings to her clients. Miranda, a.k.a., Randa, her daughter, is a computer whiz and loves astronomy and is desperate to go to Space Camp. Mr Sanders is her teddy bear. Eight-year-old Kipling "Kip", her son, has the gift as well. Sly is his best friend and a little con artist. Samantha and and her kittens — Nebula, Nöel, and Nigel — have been recently acquired. Nanna is her grandmother who taught her how to use her psychic abilities. Nappa is the grandfather who died in the old country. Rose is Emerald's baby sister. Grandma McGrady is Em's critical paternal grandmother.
Roy O'Brien is her jerk of an ex-husband who refused to give up the family cat, Fluto. His parents aren't that interested in their grandchildren.
The Chintz 'n China Tea Room is... ...Emerald's place where she sells and sources fine china; serves tea, cookies, and lunch; and, reads the tarot. One of her waitresses, Cinnamon, has three kids and lives with her mother since her boyfriend is in jail. A friend of Cinnamon's, Lana, is a new hire. Nancy Reynolds, the sisters Farrah Warnoff and Sheila Smythe, Frieda Halston, and Bette Thompson are some of Emerald's customers.
Harlow Rainmark, a former model, is Em's best friend who runs Harlow's Gym and is a primary sponsor of the town's theater group. James, a photographer, is the childhood sweetheart whom Harlow married.
Detective Anna Murray is another friend and the niece of a medicine woman, White Deer — yep, Murray accepts the supernatural. Sid, a seven-foot red-tailed boa, and Nancy, a three-foot, nasty-tempered emerald tree boa, are Murray's pets.
Andrew Martinez is a local writer who wrote a play, Obsidian, to be performed by the Chiqetaw Players. He also writes romances under the name Andrea Martin. Jenny Dillon's mom is one of the players, and Ned Cantrell plays the lead. Liam is tutoring Randa in English. Joni is a friend of Randa's. Karri Banks, a librarian, was one of Susan's closest friends. Cathy Sutton is an overly bright reporter. Western State Hospital is a nuthouse. Mrs Gardner likes making spaghetti. Another ghost is the regretful Fiona Lynch.
Captain Joe Files, Lopez, and Whitman are paramedics. Joe has an Aunt Margaret, a retired county clerk, who is another of Em's tea room clients. Officers Nelson and Leary are investigating a death. Officer Dowling is at the jail.
Emerald's neighbors include the retired Ida Trask who pinch hits as a babysitter and Horvald Ledbetter who keeps up the gardens his wife planted. The Schroeder boy may shovel Em's walkway.
Susan Mitchell had been a romance writer living in Chiqetaw and is now a ghost. That scumbag Walter is her husband, and there's Susan's estranged daughter, Diana Mitchell, who lives in Seattle and works in a bookstore. Bernard Addison had been Walter's stepfather, married to Eunice, Walter's mother, and the dangerous Joshua Addison his stepbrother. Mae Tailor is the Mitchell housekeeper. Dr Johansen was the family physician. Toby Gilmore is Walter's assistant.
The Cover and Title The cover is clever with its seemingly steaming teapot on which Susan Mitchell's face is imposed, golden ectoplasm swirling around the royal blue teapot. Blue glass ornaments studded with golden snowflakes snug in on the left of the teapot. Behind it is Samantha, a calico cat wearing a collar with mistletoe and her name tag. To Sam's left is a much-used gold candle, a blue smoke twirling in the air. In the background is a gorgeous winter scene as viewed through the muntin'd window. The author's name is in royal blue at the very top with an info blurb between first and last name. The title is at the very bottom in white. Below that is a narrow band of pale yellow fading off at the sides and providing the series information in black.
The title is what Susan Mitchell is asking for, a Ghost of a Chance.
When a ghost shows up at the foot of Emerald's bed claiming that her husband killed her, she is not extremely worried and thinks she may help her - until a violent and evil spirit shows up with the ghost, causes havoc, and takes over Emerald's young son, Kip, who can also see ghosts. Emerald has to try to find out what exactly is happening, including whether or not the wealthy man who was the ghost's husband, did really kill her. In the meantime, there are things going on with Emerald's daughter Miranda that are scary and frustrating as well, so Emerald has her hands full with everything. She enlists the help of two friends who believe in her and believe that they can help, as well as the support of a new man in her life. When both her friends are hurt by the evil spirit, Emerald realizes she has to get rid of him on her own, especially after she finds out what her son did. This is a good ghost story and will satisfy those who like paranormal stories with lots of ghostly activity.
Dieses Buch erhielt ich als Dankeschön dafür, dass ich mich für Yasmine Galenorns Newsletter angemeldet habe. Gratis E-Books sind ja so eine Sache und oft eine Enttäuschung (deswegen sind sie ja oft gratis).
Aber ich hätte mir denken können, dass Galenorn nicht einfach Schund produziert und verteilt. Nicht Yasmine Galenorn.
Kaum hatte ich die ersten Sätze gelesen, schon war ich mittendrin in der Geschichte. Ich hatte unterschwellig erwartet, dass es wie die "Schwestern des Mondes"-Reihe sein wird und tatsächlich gibt es ein paar klitzekleine Anleihen. Aber die sind so minim, dass ich danach suchen musste. Also zu ignorieren.
Galenorn kann schreiben und vor allem kann sie erzählen. Sie kann Figuren schaffen, die sich materialisieren und zu echten Freunden und Begleitern werden. So war es in meiner erwähnten Lieblingsreihe, so ist es auch hier.
Der Mix aus Mystery, Übernatürlichem und Weihnachtsgeschichte ist hervorragend gelungen - das Buch passt perfekt in die Vorweihnachtszeit.
Vom Schreibstil her hätte ich das Buch in eine ähnliche zeitliche Epoche gestuft wie die Schwestern, aber tatsächlich steht im Nachwort, dass dies Galenorns erste Veröffentlichung im Bereich Roman war. Entstanden zu einer Zeit, als man noch nicht mit Mail und Handys verkehrte. Da war ich doch ziemlich baff.
Fans empfehle ich übrigens, auch das Nachwort der Autorin zu lesen. Man erfährt einiges über ihren Werdegang und ihren Hintergrund. All dies ist wichtig für das Verständnis ihrer Bücher und ihrer Figuren. Ich fand es sehr aufschlussreich zu lesen.
Oh dear. I had high hopes that this would be a fun book, but alas. The main character is a single mom with 2 kids, and the plot looked interesting from the cover. However, I had trouble with the writing style in that there was no segue way into introducing new characters, they just immediately appeared without the reader developing any sort of feel for the character. I guess the author felt they were disposable, in that we didn't need to get to know them. That set the tone for the rest of the book. I intensely disliked scenes where the kids were written to be truly scared and in peril, but the mother's attitude was "get over it and your attitude". Hunh? I sold this to a second-hand book store, so that someone else wouldn't need to pay full price like I did.
7. ****Ghost of a Chance (Chintz n’ China No 1) by Yasmin Galenorn
Emerald O'Brien is the owner of the Chintz 'n China Tea Room, located in Chiqetaw, WA. She’s a recently-divorced mom to two brilliant adolescents, the “town witch,” and a reluctant detective. She can see dead people, and those who died unsettled come to her for help. She’s aided in the cause by her two bffs, a recovering anorexic former super model, and a Cherokee deputy sheriff. A ghost asks her for help in solving a murder, and the resolution is not as simple as it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a re-read for me (I read this back in the pre-e-book days, and didn’t realize it until midway through) and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first time. The paranormal elements do require a suspension of belief, but the author handles them in a plausible way, which I appreciate. The scenes are well set (so much so I wish Emerald’s shop really existed so I could go there). I also enjoyed the cultural diversity in the cast of characters, and the fact that all the characters are dimensional. I particularly liked the relationship Emerald has with her children. She lets them be kids, but she doesn’t sugar coat life for them either. I appreciate her bluntness, and that she doesn’t dither when it comes to the romance (or possible romances) in the book. She sets a boundary and sticks to it, even when it might displease the other party.
The ending was a complete surprise, which is nice in a re-read. I was hooked all the way through. I am glad there are a few more in the series I can catch up with. If you are a fan of paranormal mixed in with your mysteries, and characters with depth, I recommend the Chintz n’ China series.
Many years ago, while still hunting down "book-learning" in the Craft, I ran across a couple of Yasmine Galenorn's non-fiction books being published when I was still digging around for different viewpoints (101 books were - and are - smothering the market), and I found hers to be fresh, more meaningful and wider reaching to my, by then, somewhat starved for new information mind. I especially loved some of her "recipes"; oh my, the luscious scents she can evoke with her blends (and the results ain't bad either!). Her writing style while teaching was wonderfully personable, as if sitting with me and explaining her ideas; she's down to earth and fun. She was a "real person" talking to me and sharing not only information, but "secrets" worth taking to heart if I'd only listen closely.
Fortunately for her readers, her fiction treats us to that same style that draws the reader inexorably into her writing only this time she weaves a delightful spell of story around us in such a way that we're loathe to set it aside for the hum-drum of real life (honestly, MUST I make those phone calls and do that paperwork BEFORE I finish the book?!) I enjoy a wallow into a Cozy now and then as much as any other avid reader who needs a lighthearted break occasionally, but Ms. Galnorn's 1st Chintz' n China Book, "Ghost of a Chance" has a good deal more meat on its bones than is usual for the genre.
It's not my habit to give a rehash of the storyline; that's easily read in the book's description as well usually many other reviews. I only want to share whether the book is one I enjoyed enough to want to share. Or to definitely avoid, although it has to be awfully loathsome for me to actually offer a "bad review" .... I've learned to control my OCD issues about grammar and spelling, etc in this world of struggling self-publishing.
READ THIS BOOK. It's fun, it's interesting, it has fascinating points of view if the occult and the Craft are in your wheelhouse. Most importantly, it's just a darned good escape from reality for a few hours, and for that I offer my sincere gratitude to Ms. Galenorn! (and I am quite curious why my autocorrect keeps changing her name to Valentine! -laughter-)
Off to buy the next in this series .... What the heck; those phone calls and paperwork can wait a few MORE hours, right?
*My apologies for the many quotations, dashes and parentheses used. Unlike a talented/skilled writer, I find it difficult to communicate my voice as I'd like the reader to hear it so I fall back on whatever device I can to help. Hope it helps to convey how much I enjoy this author, however horribly unpolished my methods may be.
Emerald O'Brien is a single divorced mother of two who run a China and tea shop and also does tarot card readings. One night she is awakened by Susan Mitchell's ghost and asked to help prove that she was murdered by her husband. At the same time, Susan's family comes under attack from an evil spirit leaving her at a loss of how to identify the spirit, explain his fixation on her family, or even begin to figure out how to banish him. Stacked all that on top of normal life and a busy holiday season, she would have been completely overwhelmed if not for the help of friends both old and new.
Ghost of a Chance by Yasmine Galenorn was an entertaining cozy but not one I would read again. I felt like their were so many things going on that sometimes the mystery got lost in the shuffle, and it seemed like they made absolutely no progress for year-round of the novel until it wrapped up in a flurry in the final chapters. 3 stars.
In the mood for something light so I thought this would do. It was a fun read though the magic was darker than I expected. I guess it was kind of like Charmed (tv series) in a way; a murder mystery mixed in with supernatural things & magic.
Emerald O'Brien woke up, one night, to find a ghost of a woman by the foot of her bed. She left message with her name and that her husband had murdered her. Nothing to do but to help this ghost rest though how Em is going to solve this mystery when she didn't even know the woman when she's alive is another matter.
Ghost of a Chance was definitely an easy and fun read. The protagonist was easy to like and project a good witch & mother vibe which was a definite plus. The mystery, whilst not quite predictable, wasn't mind blowing but it's strung me along fine. The romance started quite well but not sure I'm keen on this but I think something is up on this end which just means I may have to read the next book to find out.
If a ghost sat on your bed and demanded you solve her murder, well, you'd do it wouldn't you? Emerald O'Brien has carved out a pleasant existence for herself and her children in a small Washington State town. Her teashop does a brisk business and she's making friends. And, as soon as she finds Susan Mitchell's murderer, life can get back to normal.
I loved the very essence of this story. The plot was outstanding. But the characters - I just couldn't get on with them. Additionally, there was a scene in the novel that was definitely not "cosy-ish". With those caveats in mind, I do recommend this story and at the same time say that it wasn't my cup of tea.
This was a quick, light read. I did enjoy it although the ending wasn't a surprise, especially that the main character has to make a stupid decision to go after the suspected double murderer on her own into his very lair and barely escapes a horrible death. Oh well, it wasn't bad...just predictable and a little weak.
The protagonist of this book uses her witchy skills to solve two murders. For my taste that was enough for one book, however she also must repair a spell gone wrong, complete recovery from her divorce and do a few other things as well - too much for one book - otherwise, I did enjoy it.
I enjoyed this book. Even though there were some serious baddies and bad stuff did happen it still managed not to be to heavy or dark. And I appreciate a lighter read that still has a good bit of paranormal mystery. I would say it's worth a read.
*spoilers* Since finally finished this book I have been trying to write a review for it for a few weeks with the question ‘Did I really not like it that much?’ at the forefront of my mind. The story features Emerald O’Brien, the owner of a china tea shop and town witch, who is also a single mother to two children Kip and Miranda. The story starts off with her being visited by the ghost of Susan Mitchell who asks her to help prove that her husband had murdered her, the following day Susan pays another visit with another astral nasty in tow bent on destroying Susan and her family. This makes up the psychic/mystery part of the story.
I really wished that I liked this book more than I did …it went on for ages, and not in a good way. Sometimes you start reading and the main character just bugs you. Emerald has had a hard life, but she is also very smug, spouting her rules and regulations (that she often doesn’t follow herself) to all and sundry. Her kids’ antics were probably supposed to show how understanding and kind she is, but instead it showed the weaknesses. Turns out that one of her kids had done a spell which had created a “Mr Big and Ugly” spirit that had set out to kill Susan, her family and friends and destroying her house at the same time. Getting rid of the spirit almost cost her her life as well as that of her friend too. The séance and cleansing ritual were covered in great detail, but what seemed really weird was that after all the injury, destruction and fear, the punishment for the kid was grounding and being banned from doing magic, I don’t know, I would have thought that if an entity had been conjured that wanted to kill everyone, that there would be more of a consequence…
The mystery part was totally underwhelming. There wasn’t really a lot of investigating going on and information just fell into her lap via her friend. The murderer was introduced in the final quarter of the book, and as soon as soon as he had appeared, there was no doubt who the killer was straight away. I’ve mentioned this before, but this is always such a disappointment and when there isn’t a strong story line, likable characters or a situation to redeem this, finishing off the book feels like a chore. The ‘showdown’ seemed rushed and quite clumsy, here’s the bad guy – coincidentally with ‘bad guy’ written over his forehead, and off she goes ferreting around his house looking for evidence. He finds her and he tries to kill her.
With the gaps in the details of the murder and mystery part, there were some really odd moments of highly detailed elements that at the time you think are odd, hoping that later on it will be a clue, but no, detailing how her kid smelt musty because she didn’t shower was just a peculiar detail for no reason. The final thing that got up my nose were that there were also a lot of ‘personal belief’ statements which again felt more patronising than anything else. After all of her talk about her ex husband and what she was looking for in a man, she didn’t waste any time in hopping into bed with the new bloke without getting to know him, then when he starts acting like an asshole she’s all surprised, and of course in the end his behaviour effects the kids.
So, on the whole, while this book seemed really promising – and I loved the author’s website, it just didn’t work for me. I think that sometimes when you read some truly brilliant books, the ones that are just OK often seem worse, would I read the next in the series? Sadly, no. http://murdersheread.wordpress.com
Emerald O'Brien is the owner of the Chintz 'n China Tea Room where guests are served the perfect blend of teas and tarot readings. She never set out to be a detective, but once word gets out that she can communicate with the dead, there's no turning back... When the ghost of Susan Mitchell asks for Emerald's help in convicting her own murderer, Emerald can't refuse. Along with her friends-an ex-supermodel and a cop-and her new love interest, Emerald must search for clues to put the killer behind bars, and Susan's tortured soul to rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m aware Yasmine Galenorn has numerous witch fans and I enjoy that fare too. Spirits and natural abilities are my top subject. When I encountered this ghost and medium series, I became excited to collect “Ghost Of A Chance” and its sequels in their entirety. This review will seem odd because it isn’t high but I feel certain of becoming a fan. I think it wise to cut a break for first volumes. I’ll explain what missed the mark for me, in concert with what I look forward to.
We delve inside covers for information about their wearers. However covers draw us. I hadn’t heard of Yasmine until I saw this gorgeous portrait of a cat. I always hope cats factor into cat-depicted stories more than by mere mention but that didn’t bear fruit. Teenagers were involved more than I’ve seen in adult mysteries. Anyplace but character fiction, they are background figures. That’s what I prefer, or I’d seek general fiction depicting teenagers! Not only did this pair appear in most chapters but I didn’t find them likeable and too many pages involved discipline. When that wasn’t occurring, there was an excess of parental noises, such as “Okay bud, get going.” to demonstrate the protagonist was a parent. I didn’t mind skipping the tea shop. The themes aren’t meant to overtake mysteries but I did wish to see medium clients.
I love a vibe bolder than a ‘cozy’ and Yasmine trod unabashedly with metaphysics and sex. There’s a shortage of adult hauntings. Of the few not churned into whimsy, the serious adventures for some reason involve demonology. I have long been yearning for a story plainly about ghosts. I found that involving a dark entity squashed what would have been a poignant mystery, about the spectre’s cry for help.
I liked this though I didn't love it. I liked Emerald O'Brien and her two kids, Miranda and Kipling. I even liked her best friend Harlow Rainmark. I did not, however, like the overly detailed running of the china shop or the placement of her many cats. It took quite a while to get into the story and a lot of superfluous elements were injected that distracted from the story. Emerald's sudden romance with Andrew was strange and seemed rushed and rather forced. I just didn't feel the connection between them. The mystery, when Emerald actually dealt with it was interesting and I liked the surprise twisted ending though I did see it coming. I own another in the series so will probably read it though it is number 5 not number 2. At this point, I'm not sure I will actually read the entire series.
It took me a little bit to get into this. I usually love ghost stories, cozy mysteries, and romance which are all elements of this story. I thought that even with the chaotic events at the start of the book that it still started slowly.
It ended up being a hook me into the light mystery and I found myself walking out the door 5 minutes late r than planned so that I could finish the book before class this morning. I definitely did not expect the murderer to be whom it is, this was a surprise.
I'm glad I read this. It is very different from the Otherworld books I've read also by this author. In fact, I didn't even recognize that they were written by the same author. Definitely a different style of story. I haven't made up my mind to search out the rest of this series. But if I were to stumble onto them I would not pass them up.
Oh, cheesy summer fun, with witches and ghosts, and also romance and family time thrown in for reality's sake! I gotta love it! Christina, thought of you the whole way through this book. It's a must read for you! Writing is far from excellent, but the plot is certainly fun and it takes place near Seattle to boot! Thanks for letting me borrow it, Erin.
I just couldn't get into this story. I found the protagonist kind of stupid. What on earth would possibly make you tell someone you just met you see ghosts. I skimmed some of this and then couldn't finish. Emerald (I hated her name, it's a jewel not a person) seem to argue a lot, with her kids and her boyfriend. I just didn't like her.