Book Review: Murder Under a Mystic Moon

Title:  Murder Under a Mystic Moon
Author:  Yasmine Galenorn
Pages:  271
Publication Date:  2005
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Medium Emerald O'Brien looks into the disappearance of a missing biker-only to stumble upon his dead body in the woods. The police believe a wild animal killed him, but Emerald is convinced the killer is one of human nature."

My Review:
Once again, Emerald finds herself drawn into a murder mystery.  Her friend, Jimbo, has come to her for help and when a rough and tough biker comes to you for help you best help in any way you can.  Jimbo's friend, Scar, has disappeared and he is thinking the worst, but wants Emerald's help to see if she can reach out with her special abilities to find him whether he is alive or dead.  Emerald finds Scar all right, but not alive like Jimbo hoped.  He is dead, and Emerald is leaning toward murdered and not mauled by an animal like the police say.  Later another biker is found, this time murder is the ruling and Emerald is on the hunt for the murderer.  Will she find the murderer before he attacks another biker?  Will she stay alive long enough to prove it if she does find the murderer?  Emerald's personal life is a bit on edge too.  Her ex husband, who is not a great Dad in any way shape or form, just announced their two kids that his new wife is pregnant.  Her daughter is super smart and wants nothing more than skipping ahead a grade or two in school.  Her son is getting into more and more trouble, thanks to a bad friend.  She has a shop to run, employees to keep happy, customers to keep happy, and her love life to sort through.  Her new boyfriend is nothing but patient and great to her and her children, but can she open her heart up to another man and trust him after her ex husband?  Add to all of this her constant oil and water relationship with a local reporter.  Will Emerald ever have a dull life?  Would she want it even if she could?

This book had it all, mystery, adventure, action, paranormal, and love.  I enjoyed this first book in this series and was just as happy when reading this one.  I didn't read the second book because I didn't have it, but I was super glad to see that Galenorn is a writer that makes her books great no matter what order you read them in.  She did great with re-capping things, but not overdoing them either for those that did read all the books before this one.  I was able to follow everything with no problems at all.  That takes real talent in writing if you ask me.  So many series you feel lost if you don't read from start of the series to end and in order, but this one is great together OR as stand alone reads.  I particularly like watching Emerald and Joe's relationship grow.  She had a rough past in relationships and is just trying to do right by her kids and herself.  Once again, all the characters in this book have my heartstrings, even the not so nice ones.  They just are greatly developed and seem real.  As a reader I couldn't help but relate to some and feel sorry for others.  The plot was great and was very fast paced and flowed really well.  I read this book in a short time and can't wait to read on in this series.  I found myself reading late into the night just to keep watching the mystery develop and unravel into a great conclusion   I love the supernatural twists to this book and elements.  I just loved everything about it!

5/5 Stars!!!