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Chintz 'n China Mystery #4
A Harvest of Bones
It's harvest time in Chiqetaw, Washington; Emerald O'Brien's favorite season. But this year, nature yields a most supernatural bounty. When Em and her sweetie, Joe, stumble over a bramble-covered foundation that has remained hidden for fifty years in the lot next door, strange events begin to occur. The cat vanishes. Will o' the Wisps threaten to harm Emerald and her loved ones. And the ghost of a woman named Brigit and her beloved calico make themselves at home in the backyard. Now it's up to Em and her friends to delve into the past, reveal the secrets of the dead and lay them to rest as they ring in the autumn with a harvest of bones.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2005
882 people are currently reading
1445 people want to read
About the author
Yasmine Galenorn
251 books3,472 followersNOTE: I SELDOM visit Goodreads and do very little here. Please see my website for more information on my work: https://galenorn.com
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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 20, 2019
A really good entry to this series. Heartrending and quite a ride. 4.5*
February 15, 2021
This is a beautiful ghost story, and I enjoyed it very much. Not that original, but well written and with great characters. I am really enjoying myself with this series. Hopefully the next book is as entertaining as this one. I will find out soon, because I am going to get a cup of tea (Earl Grey, Hot!), get in my comfy chair and start reading it.
January 5, 2018
5 🌟
Nice to see Emerald and the gang again. Also nice to learn more about Irena Finch and her family. RIP Brigit, Brent, and Mab. Congratulations to Emerald and Joe. Hope Sammy will be okay.
Can't wait to read One Hex of a Wedding!!!!
Nice to see Emerald and the gang again. Also nice to learn more about Irena Finch and her family. RIP Brigit, Brent, and Mab. Congratulations to Emerald and Joe. Hope Sammy will be okay.
Can't wait to read One Hex of a Wedding!!!!
November 28, 2023
Fourth in the Chintz 'n China cozy paranormal mystery series and revolving around Emerald O’Brien. The focus is on a Brigit O’Reilly’s ghost and that of her cat. It’s been three years since Em moved to Chiqetaw in Washington state.
My Take
It’s a sad tale of valuing appearance over heart, which I adored. It's that coziness with Em's assortment of friends and her family.
There’s plenty of action and it’s equally paced with the characters with Galenorn using first person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective so we know everything that she experiences, thinks, and feels.
I do appreciate the script font Galenorn uses to distinguish Brigit’s journal entries from the main story, and she’s quite sneaky with her allusions to what’s happening in the house with the Brunswick family — and Brigit’s “condition”. You know what her problem is, but you don’t know the who. And it drove me mad. Hmmm, the issues Brigit had with secrets was also maddening!
I am so jealous that Joe bought the empty lot next door to Em! And what a sweetheart. That Joe, he’s definitely a keeper, willing to fit in with the family and so supportive. Sounds like he’s good in bed too, ahem. No, no, Galenorn is quite discreet about sex; there’s nothing overt. He does worry though about all the dead bodies, curses, and nasty legends Em encounters.
Em’s kids are definitely their own characters. Miranda is a cold child who’s a genius fascinated with astronomy and starting to enjoy cooking while Kip is warmer, fascinated by the magic his mother performs, but too quick to act before he thinks. Yep, they’ve got their character arcs going on *grin*.
Both Randa and Kip have some of their mother’s magical abilities, but Randa prefers science and is fearful of the magic while Kip loves it. As for Roy, Em’s ex and the children’s sperm donor, oh lordy, he is SUCH a jerk! Thank god Em is standing up to him.
I do love that Em is not perfect and willing to admit it — that “far-from-spotless kitchen", lol. She’s also lucky in her friends. They’re supportive and willing to challenge her. She’s also a, um, regular at the hospital.
I don’t get it. How can Cinnamon’s boyfriend not afford to live with her (at her mother’s)? As for Gunner’s new life issues . . . it feels more like filler. Sad, but was it really needed? That Murray is a hard one — she expects the men under her to pass their physicals, lol.
The ending is cathartic, a lesson and a sad, sad story that never had to happen. A “love lost to fear and hatred and social mores”.
The Story
Excited about the potential, Emerald and Joe are busy clearing the lot next door . . . until they come across an unexpected hole in the ground and will-o’-the-wisps surround them.
Dangerous beings from Faerie, Em will have to solve the mystery as to why the will-o’-the-wisps are threatening Em and her family . . . and who the ghosts are. And why Samantha is missing.
The Characters
Emerald “Em” O’Brien, the divorced mother of two: Miranda “Randa” and Kipling “Kip”, owns a tea shop and has finally accepted that she’s the town witch. The ten years younger Joseph “Joe” Files is in love with Em and the captain of the town’s medical rescue unit. He loves to cook! The O’Briens rescued Samantha and her three kittens, Nigel, Noël, and Nebula. Nanna is her grandmother who taught her how to use her psychic abilities. Although she’s dead, she still visits and advises Em.
Chiqetaw, Washington, is . . .
. . . a small town where Em opened Chintz ’n China to great success. Her employees include Cinnamon Juarez (David is her jerk of a boyfriend and they have three kids), Lana, and Larry. Customers include Maeve, who knows a lot about the fae and magic; Purdy Anderson, who is an influential matron and a notorious gossip; the questioning Amanda Withers; and, Farrah Warnoff with a niece, Mandy.
Chiqetaw PD
Anna “Mur” Murray, Em’s best and oldest friend from the University of Washington, is the head of detectives with a couple of pet boas: Sid and Nancy. The usually supportive police chief is Tad Bonner. Other cops include Deacon Wilson, Greg Douglas, and Sandy Whitmeyer. Rusty Jones is a clerk in the office. Judge Chambers. Nerisa Johansen is the new medical examiner who replaced the corrupt Bob Stryker ( Murder Under a Mystic Moon , 3).
The sometimes psychic James “Jimbo” Warren, a.k.a. Jimmie, Anna’s sweetie, is with a motorcycle gang and lives off the land by Miner’s Lake. His grandma had been a hoodoo woman. Roos is his three-legged dog while Snidely and Whiplash are his cats. White Deer is Murray’s Native American aunt and a medicine woman who lives on the Quinault reservation.
Other members of the medical rescue unit include Roger and Robert Kindle. Gunner Lindemeyer is tutoring Miranda in English. (Gunner’s aunt is a nutter who thinks Em is evil.) Mrs García de Lopez is a school advisor. Sly is Kip’s banned best friend. Tommy and Tony are more of Kip’s friends. The chubby Lori Thomas is Randa’s only real girlfriend; her mother is constantly criticizing her. Dexter, a compulsive gambler, had been Maggie’s half-brother and Joe’s irresponsible father. Terri had been Joe’s mother with a series of boyfriends. Nathan is Joe’s equally irresponsible brother.
Harlow Rainmark, a former supermodel, fabulous researcher, and new mother, is another of Em’s best friends and is married to James, a famous photographer. The two-month-old baby is Eileen Eugenia Rainmark. Lily is Harl’s nanny. When not tending the baby, Harlow works for Professor Abrams. Two of the O'Briens' neighbors, Horvald Ledbetter, a retired security guard with a green thumb, is dating Ida Trask, a regular babysitter; both treat the children as if they were their grandchildren. Dr Lanford “Lanny” Willis, retired, is dating the strong-willed Maggie.
Roy O’Brien is Em’s jerk of an ex, handy with his fists and his mouth, who treats his children badly. Tyra is his second wife. Cathy Sutton is the star reporter at KLIK-TV. The Bread & Butter House is a combination food pantry and meal site. The Delta Mae is an apartment building where the Lindemeyers lived. Davida’s Choco-hol Bakery does great desserts. Daniel had been in Legend of the Jade Dragon , 2. Beatrice MacAlvy is a local candy maker. Forest’s End Diner is an upscale bistro. Andrew is Em’s stalker ex-boyfriend ( Murder Under a Mystic Moon , 3).
Fifty-some years ago
Brigit O’Reilly from Glengarriff, Ireland, is a disappointed housekeeper with a cat, Mab, working for the Brunswicks: the hoitytoity (and brutal) Edward and his wife, the abused Lauren. The nasty Irena Brunswick Finch had been their daughter who married Thomas Finch, a man with status and old money. Brent Brunswick, Irena’s twin brother, had run off to Europe. William appears to have been Brigit’s fiancé back in Ireland. Jonathon had been Brigit’s great-grandfather who caused the family to be blessed by the Sidhe. Mary Kathryn O’Reilly is a cousin. Margaret “Maggie” Files, Joe’s great-aunt and a retired county clerk, and Angela are friends of Brigit’s. Patricia Jones had known the parents. George Williams is Irena’s lawyer today.
Will-o’-the-wisps, a.k.a. corpse candles or Ignis Fatuus, are faeries who lead humans into danger. Bean Sidhe, a.k.a. banshee, warn of death. Fairhaven Psychiatric Hospital has been around for decades and is run by Dr Ziegler. Nurse Martin works there as well. The remains of Kennewick Man was contested over by Native Americans and archeologists. A yew is a tree often found in graveyards.
The Cover and Title
The cover s dark with a ghostly black and white cat crouched in front of a window that looks onto a night sky with a silhouetted tree and bush and balls of light. Pumpkins are piled up behind a burning candle which is behind a scary skull teapot framed by purple and pink flowers. At the top is the author’s name in white framing an info blurb and the publisher’s colophon in the upper right corner. Another info blurb is below the name on the left. The title is in a script below the graphic and a fading banner of coral provides a background for the series info that’s in black.
No kidding! It truly is A Harvest of Bones as Em solves a 50+ year-old murder.
My Take
It’s a sad tale of valuing appearance over heart, which I adored. It's that coziness with Em's assortment of friends and her family.
There’s plenty of action and it’s equally paced with the characters with Galenorn using first person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective so we know everything that she experiences, thinks, and feels.
I do appreciate the script font Galenorn uses to distinguish Brigit’s journal entries from the main story, and she’s quite sneaky with her allusions to what’s happening in the house with the Brunswick family — and Brigit’s “condition”. You know what her problem is, but you don’t know the who. And it drove me mad. Hmmm, the issues Brigit had with secrets was also maddening!
I am so jealous that Joe bought the empty lot next door to Em! And what a sweetheart. That Joe, he’s definitely a keeper, willing to fit in with the family and so supportive. Sounds like he’s good in bed too, ahem. No, no, Galenorn is quite discreet about sex; there’s nothing overt. He does worry though about all the dead bodies, curses, and nasty legends Em encounters.
Em’s kids are definitely their own characters. Miranda is a cold child who’s a genius fascinated with astronomy and starting to enjoy cooking while Kip is warmer, fascinated by the magic his mother performs, but too quick to act before he thinks. Yep, they’ve got their character arcs going on *grin*.
Both Randa and Kip have some of their mother’s magical abilities, but Randa prefers science and is fearful of the magic while Kip loves it. As for Roy, Em’s ex and the children’s sperm donor, oh lordy, he is SUCH a jerk! Thank god Em is standing up to him.
I do love that Em is not perfect and willing to admit it — that “far-from-spotless kitchen", lol. She’s also lucky in her friends. They’re supportive and willing to challenge her. She’s also a, um, regular at the hospital.
I don’t get it. How can Cinnamon’s boyfriend not afford to live with her (at her mother’s)? As for Gunner’s new life issues . . . it feels more like filler. Sad, but was it really needed? That Murray is a hard one — she expects the men under her to pass their physicals, lol.
The ending is cathartic, a lesson and a sad, sad story that never had to happen. A “love lost to fear and hatred and social mores”.
The Story
Excited about the potential, Emerald and Joe are busy clearing the lot next door . . . until they come across an unexpected hole in the ground and will-o’-the-wisps surround them.
Dangerous beings from Faerie, Em will have to solve the mystery as to why the will-o’-the-wisps are threatening Em and her family . . . and who the ghosts are. And why Samantha is missing.
The Characters
Emerald “Em” O’Brien, the divorced mother of two: Miranda “Randa” and Kipling “Kip”, owns a tea shop and has finally accepted that she’s the town witch. The ten years younger Joseph “Joe” Files is in love with Em and the captain of the town’s medical rescue unit. He loves to cook! The O’Briens rescued Samantha and her three kittens, Nigel, Noël, and Nebula. Nanna is her grandmother who taught her how to use her psychic abilities. Although she’s dead, she still visits and advises Em.
Chiqetaw, Washington, is . . .
. . . a small town where Em opened Chintz ’n China to great success. Her employees include Cinnamon Juarez (David is her jerk of a boyfriend and they have three kids), Lana, and Larry. Customers include Maeve, who knows a lot about the fae and magic; Purdy Anderson, who is an influential matron and a notorious gossip; the questioning Amanda Withers; and, Farrah Warnoff with a niece, Mandy.
Chiqetaw PD
Anna “Mur” Murray, Em’s best and oldest friend from the University of Washington, is the head of detectives with a couple of pet boas: Sid and Nancy. The usually supportive police chief is Tad Bonner. Other cops include Deacon Wilson, Greg Douglas, and Sandy Whitmeyer. Rusty Jones is a clerk in the office. Judge Chambers. Nerisa Johansen is the new medical examiner who replaced the corrupt Bob Stryker ( Murder Under a Mystic Moon , 3).
The sometimes psychic James “Jimbo” Warren, a.k.a. Jimmie, Anna’s sweetie, is with a motorcycle gang and lives off the land by Miner’s Lake. His grandma had been a hoodoo woman. Roos is his three-legged dog while Snidely and Whiplash are his cats. White Deer is Murray’s Native American aunt and a medicine woman who lives on the Quinault reservation.
Other members of the medical rescue unit include Roger and Robert Kindle. Gunner Lindemeyer is tutoring Miranda in English. (Gunner’s aunt is a nutter who thinks Em is evil.) Mrs García de Lopez is a school advisor. Sly is Kip’s banned best friend. Tommy and Tony are more of Kip’s friends. The chubby Lori Thomas is Randa’s only real girlfriend; her mother is constantly criticizing her. Dexter, a compulsive gambler, had been Maggie’s half-brother and Joe’s irresponsible father. Terri had been Joe’s mother with a series of boyfriends. Nathan is Joe’s equally irresponsible brother.
Harlow Rainmark, a former supermodel, fabulous researcher, and new mother, is another of Em’s best friends and is married to James, a famous photographer. The two-month-old baby is Eileen Eugenia Rainmark. Lily is Harl’s nanny. When not tending the baby, Harlow works for Professor Abrams. Two of the O'Briens' neighbors, Horvald Ledbetter, a retired security guard with a green thumb, is dating Ida Trask, a regular babysitter; both treat the children as if they were their grandchildren. Dr Lanford “Lanny” Willis, retired, is dating the strong-willed Maggie.
Roy O’Brien is Em’s jerk of an ex, handy with his fists and his mouth, who treats his children badly. Tyra is his second wife. Cathy Sutton is the star reporter at KLIK-TV. The Bread & Butter House is a combination food pantry and meal site. The Delta Mae is an apartment building where the Lindemeyers lived. Davida’s Choco-hol Bakery does great desserts. Daniel had been in Legend of the Jade Dragon , 2. Beatrice MacAlvy is a local candy maker. Forest’s End Diner is an upscale bistro. Andrew is Em’s stalker ex-boyfriend ( Murder Under a Mystic Moon , 3).
Fifty-some years ago
Brigit O’Reilly from Glengarriff, Ireland, is a disappointed housekeeper with a cat, Mab, working for the Brunswicks: the hoitytoity (and brutal) Edward and his wife, the abused Lauren. The nasty Irena Brunswick Finch had been their daughter who married Thomas Finch, a man with status and old money. Brent Brunswick, Irena’s twin brother, had run off to Europe. William appears to have been Brigit’s fiancé back in Ireland. Jonathon had been Brigit’s great-grandfather who caused the family to be blessed by the Sidhe. Mary Kathryn O’Reilly is a cousin. Margaret “Maggie” Files, Joe’s great-aunt and a retired county clerk, and Angela are friends of Brigit’s. Patricia Jones had known the parents. George Williams is Irena’s lawyer today.
Will-o’-the-wisps, a.k.a. corpse candles or Ignis Fatuus, are faeries who lead humans into danger. Bean Sidhe, a.k.a. banshee, warn of death. Fairhaven Psychiatric Hospital has been around for decades and is run by Dr Ziegler. Nurse Martin works there as well. The remains of Kennewick Man was contested over by Native Americans and archeologists. A yew is a tree often found in graveyards.
The Cover and Title
The cover s dark with a ghostly black and white cat crouched in front of a window that looks onto a night sky with a silhouetted tree and bush and balls of light. Pumpkins are piled up behind a burning candle which is behind a scary skull teapot framed by purple and pink flowers. At the top is the author’s name in white framing an info blurb and the publisher’s colophon in the upper right corner. Another info blurb is below the name on the left. The title is in a script below the graphic and a fading banner of coral provides a background for the series info that’s in black.
No kidding! It truly is A Harvest of Bones as Em solves a 50+ year-old murder.
August 4, 2023
Ghost again
Emerald O'Brien is a beacon for ghosts. She also seems to stumble on the bodies that the ghosts belong to. As usual its always fun to drop in on Emerald and Joe's family.
Emerald O'Brien is a beacon for ghosts. She also seems to stumble on the bodies that the ghosts belong to. As usual its always fun to drop in on Emerald and Joe's family.
August 19, 2019
A Harvest of Bones (A Chintz 'n China Mystery, Book #4)
by Yasmine Galenorn
Reading this novel was a fun ride. The world of Emerald O'Brien is complicated. Divorced mother of two teen/preteen children, business woman, and witch, who is involved in a long-term love affair with a decade younger man, her life is a juggling act that is not always perfect. In this episode, Joe contracts to purchase the lot next door to Emerald's, and Emerald's cat, Samantha, goes missing. While clearing the lot of years of brambles, weeds, and overall neglect, they uncover the basement and foundation of a house. Unfortunately, they uncover not only the foundation, but a 50 year old mystery that needs solving, and no one but Emerald and her friends, Murray, White Deer, Joe, Jimbo, and Harlow can ferret out what happened, who it happened to, and why. And they need to do it before the end of her birthday, Halloween, which is just a couple of days away.
I rated this 4 star, rather than 5 star, because there were some things that I thought needed to be cleared up that weren't. In the course of the story, unfortunate events happen to two people close to Emerald and her children. Miranda's first teen crush and his parents are injured in a fire; his parents are critically injured. And Roy's new wife, takes their baby and leaves Roy. Also, Cinnamon's boyfriend and baby daddy, newly released from jail, has taken up with another woman and left Cinnamon and their children bereft. None of these really impact the storyline, unless, because of the paranormal things Emerald & company awaken in the empty lot, bad things are happening not so much to any of them, but to the people on the periphery of their lives. That was hinted at, but other than Kip falling out of a tree and breaking his arm searching for Samantha, nothing really bad happens to Emerald, her children, or the people closest to her. If it was because of what was uncovered, then that should have been more clearly explained. If not, and just another complication in Emerald's life, that wasn't clear, either.
The plotting and pacing was good. The action was interesting and exciting. The mystery was also interesting and exciting. The characters are all believable and relatable. There were a couple of proofing errors (one on page 1 for goodness sake), but otherwise the proofing was fine. The main issue was completed at the end of the story, so no cliffhanger ending.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more in this series.
by Yasmine Galenorn
Reading this novel was a fun ride. The world of Emerald O'Brien is complicated. Divorced mother of two teen/preteen children, business woman, and witch, who is involved in a long-term love affair with a decade younger man, her life is a juggling act that is not always perfect. In this episode, Joe contracts to purchase the lot next door to Emerald's, and Emerald's cat, Samantha, goes missing. While clearing the lot of years of brambles, weeds, and overall neglect, they uncover the basement and foundation of a house. Unfortunately, they uncover not only the foundation, but a 50 year old mystery that needs solving, and no one but Emerald and her friends, Murray, White Deer, Joe, Jimbo, and Harlow can ferret out what happened, who it happened to, and why. And they need to do it before the end of her birthday, Halloween, which is just a couple of days away.
I rated this 4 star, rather than 5 star, because there were some things that I thought needed to be cleared up that weren't. In the course of the story, unfortunate events happen to two people close to Emerald and her children. Miranda's first teen crush and his parents are injured in a fire; his parents are critically injured. And Roy's new wife, takes their baby and leaves Roy. Also, Cinnamon's boyfriend and baby daddy, newly released from jail, has taken up with another woman and left Cinnamon and their children bereft. None of these really impact the storyline, unless, because of the paranormal things Emerald & company awaken in the empty lot, bad things are happening not so much to any of them, but to the people on the periphery of their lives. That was hinted at, but other than Kip falling out of a tree and breaking his arm searching for Samantha, nothing really bad happens to Emerald, her children, or the people closest to her. If it was because of what was uncovered, then that should have been more clearly explained. If not, and just another complication in Emerald's life, that wasn't clear, either.
The plotting and pacing was good. The action was interesting and exciting. The mystery was also interesting and exciting. The characters are all believable and relatable. There were a couple of proofing errors (one on page 1 for goodness sake), but otherwise the proofing was fine. The main issue was completed at the end of the story, so no cliffhanger ending.
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to reading more in this series.
February 25, 2017
A Harvest of Bones by Yasmine Galenorn is book 4 in her Chintz 'n China Mystery series. In this book we are reunited with Emerald, Kip, Miranada, Joe and all Emerald's friends. Things are going well with Emerald since her last dance with the supernatural and it's coming up on her birthday. Things are going well and everyone is happy. Joe has bought the lot next door to hers and they've been working hard to clear the land of all the brambles that have been growing there for years. What they don't expect is to come across a ring of bricks that identifies a foundation of the house that once stood there and the basement that still exists but now covered with brambles that have had 50 years to take over. No one thinks much of it until their beloved cat Samantha disappears then a ghost cat that looks a lot like her starts to appear and a young woman's spirit is spotted quite often as well. But that's not all...will o the wisps begin to appear at night as well and they are not anything to play with. There's a lot going on and these spirits want and need Emerald's help to put them to rest.
I absolutely love that even though this book is part of a series that it can be read as a standalone novel as well. Emerald is on vacation when we start but she soon gets tired of not being busy when for some reason the sale is halted on the plot next door by the woman who jointly owns it with her brother. Joe is frustrated because he was really looking forward to having it and making future plans with Emerald with it but now those dreams are put on hold and they don't understand why. With Samantha missing the whole family is frustrated and upset behind it but Emerald does her best to keep them hopeful and together. But with the will 'o wisps hovering about and known to be dangerous, Joe experiencing it first hand, Emerald is seeing that there is some danger at afoot and it needs her to step in and help before someone really gets hurt. On exploring the property they find a diary written by a young woman named Brigit who disappeared only to discover her body buried on the property. Now Emerald and her friends and family must come together to discover what really happened and put these haunting souls to rest.
For me this is by far my favorite book out of the series so far. You get to see how well each character is written and I really loved that we get some background history on Joe as well from his Aunt. I love Joe and Emerald's chemistry, they just flow together so well and you can tell that they are meant to be together. We even get to see some Karma come back in this story as well which is definitely a bonus but honestly I would have liked to know more concerning the circumstances of what lead to it but maybe we will in the next book.
In this book it appears that more than one character is dealing with drama and issues that needs facing and they all do so in good form. The characters are so life like and believable that you honestly just want to travel there to the town and be able to interact with them and live with them. For me this was yet another book that I had a hard time putting down. I am a huge fan of Yasmine Galenorn's and I do love a good mystery and this book definitely fits the bill.
Whether you're looking for a good mystery novel, something with a bit of the supernatural or just a huge fan of Yasmine Galenorn this is a book to add to your collection and pick up. You'll most definitely enjoy it. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and two thumbs up. I, myself, will be adding this book to my own collection and rereading it again and again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary review.
I absolutely love that even though this book is part of a series that it can be read as a standalone novel as well. Emerald is on vacation when we start but she soon gets tired of not being busy when for some reason the sale is halted on the plot next door by the woman who jointly owns it with her brother. Joe is frustrated because he was really looking forward to having it and making future plans with Emerald with it but now those dreams are put on hold and they don't understand why. With Samantha missing the whole family is frustrated and upset behind it but Emerald does her best to keep them hopeful and together. But with the will 'o wisps hovering about and known to be dangerous, Joe experiencing it first hand, Emerald is seeing that there is some danger at afoot and it needs her to step in and help before someone really gets hurt. On exploring the property they find a diary written by a young woman named Brigit who disappeared only to discover her body buried on the property. Now Emerald and her friends and family must come together to discover what really happened and put these haunting souls to rest.
For me this is by far my favorite book out of the series so far. You get to see how well each character is written and I really loved that we get some background history on Joe as well from his Aunt. I love Joe and Emerald's chemistry, they just flow together so well and you can tell that they are meant to be together. We even get to see some Karma come back in this story as well which is definitely a bonus but honestly I would have liked to know more concerning the circumstances of what lead to it but maybe we will in the next book.
In this book it appears that more than one character is dealing with drama and issues that needs facing and they all do so in good form. The characters are so life like and believable that you honestly just want to travel there to the town and be able to interact with them and live with them. For me this was yet another book that I had a hard time putting down. I am a huge fan of Yasmine Galenorn's and I do love a good mystery and this book definitely fits the bill.
Whether you're looking for a good mystery novel, something with a bit of the supernatural or just a huge fan of Yasmine Galenorn this is a book to add to your collection and pick up. You'll most definitely enjoy it. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and two thumbs up. I, myself, will be adding this book to my own collection and rereading it again and again.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary review.
September 20, 2019
This one was my favorite of the series so far.
I am a fan of this Author's various Otherworld series. Up until now, I wasn't much of a fan of this series. The writing wasn't up to her later works,, and I wasn't very fond of these main characters.
This book was a turning point for me. While I only have the previous books "OK" 3-star ratings, this one gets 4 stars. The characters interacted with each other easier. The paranormal mystery was good (as usual). The romance has steadied and gotten more believable. The kids were not as obnoxious as they were in previous books. And hey....having the cats play a role in the story didn't hurt.
I do plan on finishing this series, because this book was finally a good read for me.
I am a fan of this Author's various Otherworld series. Up until now, I wasn't much of a fan of this series. The writing wasn't up to her later works,, and I wasn't very fond of these main characters.
This book was a turning point for me. While I only have the previous books "OK" 3-star ratings, this one gets 4 stars. The characters interacted with each other easier. The paranormal mystery was good (as usual). The romance has steadied and gotten more believable. The kids were not as obnoxious as they were in previous books. And hey....having the cats play a role in the story didn't hurt.
I do plan on finishing this series, because this book was finally a good read for me.
November 30, 2020
I received this free eBook through The Fussy Librarian in exchange for a fair review.
If you prefer cozy mysteries with a touch of the supernatural without anything scary, you may like this book, the fourth book in Chintz ‘n China mysteries. Like the previous books I read in this series, I liked the storytelling and the flow, quirky characters, and the intimate feeling of the book narrated by the main character. Although I could guess the secret of the ghost from the beginning, I enjoyed reading this book, especially the parts about the close-knit relationships and the warm feeling throughout the book. I wish there were some background information about each character in the book since I didn’t read all the previous books in the series and I didn’t know who they were.
If you prefer cozy mysteries with a touch of the supernatural without anything scary, you may like this book, the fourth book in Chintz ‘n China mysteries. Like the previous books I read in this series, I liked the storytelling and the flow, quirky characters, and the intimate feeling of the book narrated by the main character. Although I could guess the secret of the ghost from the beginning, I enjoyed reading this book, especially the parts about the close-knit relationships and the warm feeling throughout the book. I wish there were some background information about each character in the book since I didn’t read all the previous books in the series and I didn’t know who they were.
December 15, 2020
A haunted lot, some hocus pocus, and a tale of long lost love. This book was a pleasant read. The writing was very vivid and I could see the characters moving throughout the story, almost like a made-for-television movie.
The lead character, a single mother of two, can communicate with ghosts and similar spirits. Her boyfriend buys the abandoned lot next door and as they clean it up she sees strange things. They come across of mystery of who is the woman whose room they found in the basement of the old house that burned down decades ago. Then, they find her skeletal remains in the hollow of a tree on the property. They search the past to find out what happen and invoke the spirits to help them solve the mystery.
The lead character, a single mother of two, can communicate with ghosts and similar spirits. Her boyfriend buys the abandoned lot next door and as they clean it up she sees strange things. They come across of mystery of who is the woman whose room they found in the basement of the old house that burned down decades ago. Then, they find her skeletal remains in the hollow of a tree on the property. They search the past to find out what happen and invoke the spirits to help them solve the mystery.
July 26, 2022
Fabulous!
Yasmine Galenorn has a deft, almost Gothic touch with this series! An empty, next-door lot is somehow imbued with an air of foreboding, two seemingly disparate events combine for double the emotion and imagination, the mystical aspects are utilized masterfully, and even the happy ending has a slightly melancholic cast. And this author definitely knows how to create strong female characters: Em, Murray, Harlow, White Deer, and Joe's Aunt Margaret are prime examples. Even the backstory of how "A Harvest of Bones" came to be fully realized is an interesting peek into an artistic process. I immediately purchased Book Five!
Yasmine Galenorn has a deft, almost Gothic touch with this series! An empty, next-door lot is somehow imbued with an air of foreboding, two seemingly disparate events combine for double the emotion and imagination, the mystical aspects are utilized masterfully, and even the happy ending has a slightly melancholic cast. And this author definitely knows how to create strong female characters: Em, Murray, Harlow, White Deer, and Joe's Aunt Margaret are prime examples. Even the backstory of how "A Harvest of Bones" came to be fully realized is an interesting peek into an artistic process. I immediately purchased Book Five!
January 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book for review. This is the 4th book in the series. This book had a slightly different feel to it than the other books. Perhaps that is due to the action literally being in Emeralds back yard, the family cat going missing, and the growth of the main character, Emerald. Minor parts of the plot were a little predictable, but that is probably because I am very familiar with the authors work. The plot was very intriguing in this book. I loved the addition of Irish folklore, and Yasmine's spin on it. I am sad that the series is almost over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2018
This should be rated 3.5, I found the mix of mystery, romance, historical links, mystic info and general family life to be very pleasing. Emerald's experiences with tuning into other worldly spirits and all make for a very intriguing tale. The addition of the other characters, friends, family, neighbors, and those at her tea, china and more shop, make the stoy more full-bodied. My only disappointment in this one was I guessed who did what before the ending-and thought Emerald though strongly gifted in the sight was not as logical as I am in putting clues together.
April 11, 2018
I've now read the first four in the Chintz 'n China series and I think this one is my favorite so far. This book encompasses a 50 year old mystery and a lost cat. But all ends well.
I adore the characters and have totally bought into the spirit world of Emerald as I've come to love her mundane daily life with her two kids Miranda and Kipling, her love Joe and her friends Murray and Harlowe. I have the next two and can't wait to continue the story.
I adore the characters and have totally bought into the spirit world of Emerald as I've come to love her mundane daily life with her two kids Miranda and Kipling, her love Joe and her friends Murray and Harlowe. I have the next two and can't wait to continue the story.
September 24, 2019
Lots of Genres Rolled Into One
There is mystery, romance, the occult and a woman coming of age all in this novel. The book was well written enough, however, there were a few awkward sentences. There were not enough to ruin the fluency of the story.
I do wish there was more back story on Jimbo and Murray. Read the previous book they were in, but couldn't remember their story. Could have easily used another paragraph on their "romance".
There is mystery, romance, the occult and a woman coming of age all in this novel. The book was well written enough, however, there were a few awkward sentences. There were not enough to ruin the fluency of the story.
I do wish there was more back story on Jimbo and Murray. Read the previous book they were in, but couldn't remember their story. Could have easily used another paragraph on their "romance".
June 11, 2018
A hauntingly good book
The characters in this series keep getting better. This story was wonderfully poignant and had me reading until way past bedtime! I love that the author throws in little tidbits about the ex getting his just rewards! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
The characters in this series keep getting better. This story was wonderfully poignant and had me reading until way past bedtime! I love that the author throws in little tidbits about the ex getting his just rewards! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
August 3, 2019
Sometimes what is shattered takes lifetimes to find resolution or repair.
This heart rending tale tells a story of a loyal calico and an unfulfilled and broken love.
Murray faces more than one kind of prejudice at work- misguided affection turns harmful and dangerous.
Powerful storytelling!
This heart rending tale tells a story of a loyal calico and an unfulfilled and broken love.
Murray faces more than one kind of prejudice at work- misguided affection turns harmful and dangerous.
Powerful storytelling!
August 13, 2019
Spellbinding with plenty of heart. What starts out as a reclamation project for an empty lot turn into a search for answers to a fifty year old mystery. I liked the parallels between Emerald and Brigit with Samantha and Mab adding to the mystery. Joe is the guy who grounds her world and is her HEA. I can’t wait to continue this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2019
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I found it really tugged at the heartstrings at the end.
I still find the books in this series overly detailed, but by now I am able to know what portions I can skim and which I need to pay more attention to. That has allowed me to enjoy the book more as a whole, with less frustration.
I still find the books in this series overly detailed, but by now I am able to know what portions I can skim and which I need to pay more attention to. That has allowed me to enjoy the book more as a whole, with less frustration.
October 18, 2019
A fast paced magical cozy mystery. I really like this whole series which this is the fourth book. You like the characters and seeing them develop. Each book has its own magical mystery. This book starts out clearing the lot next door and BAM we have missing cats, Will o the wisps, and ghost OH MY. A keeper.
February 9, 2017
Other than Emerald being a little slow on the uptake (the diary gave away the secret but she totally missed it), I really liked this one. I'm a cat person and I love the paranormal so this one hit all my buttons.
June 21, 2017
A Ghost of a tale!!
This was by far my favorite of the entire series! Each just got better and better, with details richer and more vibrant. This novel will make you yearn for autumn and all the beauty of the season!
This was by far my favorite of the entire series! Each just got better and better, with details richer and more vibrant. This novel will make you yearn for autumn and all the beauty of the season!
June 23, 2017
This was the first book I read from Yasmine, after that I was Hooked. I truly love her talent and creativity for writing I surely miss her bath and body series. And this one as well . I kept both series I can't get rid of them because I always go back to reading them....
October 26, 2017
You are in for a real spooky read with this one, of all the books so far I have loved this one the most. Emerald has so much going on in her life already, and when you add secret basement, will o wisps, a ghostly cat, and a long lost love, you have the makings of a once again amazing book.
October 27, 2018
Happy Halloween
Halloween being my favorite holiday, this book is awesome!! Everything about this book hit on just a bunch of my own experience! I enjoyed it immense and I think you will too. Get this one!!
Halloween being my favorite holiday, this book is awesome!! Everything about this book hit on just a bunch of my own experience! I enjoyed it immense and I think you will too. Get this one!!
August 17, 2019
Good
This is a fun storyline that is a little different. Mid thirty mom with two kids and a boyfriend that is the years younger. Owns tea shop and reads cards along with other magic. The plot and subplots move quickly. The book is hard to put down. I recommend the series.
This is a fun storyline that is a little different. Mid thirty mom with two kids and a boyfriend that is the years younger. Owns tea shop and reads cards along with other magic. The plot and subplots move quickly. The book is hard to put down. I recommend the series.
September 10, 2019
Excellent
One in a series and I have read at least one other, maybe two. I thoroughly enjoy this author's writings. The reader can picture the characters and feel the happenings. I loved the book.
One in a series and I have read at least one other, maybe two. I thoroughly enjoy this author's writings. The reader can picture the characters and feel the happenings. I loved the book.
October 3, 2019
Enjoyable
I have not read all the prior books in this series but still was able to follow as though I had. Now my biggest decision is do I continue the series from here or go back and read what I missed?
I have not read all the prior books in this series but still was able to follow as though I had. Now my biggest decision is do I continue the series from here or go back and read what I missed?
April 20, 2020
Pulls you in
Once started i could not put the book down. A mix of paranormal, ghosts, kitties, New beginnings for emerald and her kids. The love of a good man, and a fifty year old mystery to be solved.
Once started i could not put the book down. A mix of paranormal, ghosts, kitties, New beginnings for emerald and her kids. The love of a good man, and a fifty year old mystery to be solved.
December 26, 2022
review of the book A Harvest of bones
It was a great read. I loved the cats part in it. Hope you write more with a cat in it. Love your books. Hope you write another wonderful books with the cat.
It was a great read. I loved the cats part in it. Hope you write more with a cat in it. Love your books. Hope you write another wonderful books with the cat.
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