"Ghost of A Chance"

This book by Yasmine Galenorn (who also writes under the pseudonym of India Ink) is the first in a paranormal mystery series called Chintz 'n China. The heroine of the series, Emerald O'Brien, is the owner of the Chintz 'n China Tea Room and lives in the small fictional town of Chiqetaw, WA. (All other cities mentioned in the book are real Washington cities.) Emerald is also a psychic and a tarot-reader who has been divorced a couple of years and has a teenage daughter and a young son (her son has inherited her psychic ability). She also has a couple of best friends who play an important part in helping her solve her mystery --Harlow, an ex-supermodel -- and Murray, a policewoman.

The book begins with a recently deceased local woman making an appearance to Emerald and her son asking for their help in solving her murder -- a murder that the police have deemed accidental. What follows is exciting and frightening with a little romance thrown in for good measure. I'll be reading more of Galenorn's books but hope the next one doesn't throw in a detailed sex scene. I thought the story could have added romance without that and I felt the one major scene itself in the midst of the book was out of place. That was my only criticism, though, so, if you like paranormal mysteries, check this out.

pazt