One Hex of a Wedding

Emerald and Joe are set to get married, things couldn't be better, the two of them are so wildly happy together. But while enjoying an engagement party throw by her friend Harlow, her ex-husband Roy, shows up (thanks to an invite from their son Kip) and rains on their parade. The man can't hold his liquor and reminds Emerald of why they aren't together anymore. After picking a fight with Joe, Roy leaves and the party continues. The next day while setting up for a barbecue, Joe is shot and rushed hospital. Roy looks to be the only suspect but Emerald knows he wouldn't stoop to murder, attempted or otherwise. During all of this, someone is stalking her maid of honor, Muray, and making sure to shake her up by leaving signs of his "affection" inside her home. It started with flowers and escalated to shattering her pet snakes cages and ripping apart her bedroom and clothing. Is this a match made in heaven or is it doomed to failure?

I can't wait until the next book in the series! It is a page turner.

I am pleased to write that this offering in the C 'n C series completely exceeded my expectations...and more importantly, made me anxious for more. Ms. Galenorn has allowed the main character, Emerald, to grow into a more realistic 21st century powerful pagan. The previous novels had left me just a bit annoyed with Emerald's somewhat self-centered personality. "One Hex of a Wedding", though, offered some credible glimpses of vulnerability and willingness to reexamine long-held opinions -- just like a real woman as she grows older and, hopefully, wiser. The cast of supporting characters is becoming more fascinating to me, and they seem to have more dimension now. Heck, I even cried at some of the truly poignant moments in the book! If you've not read any of the previous books, this could definitely stand alone. But do yourself a favor and read the earlier four anyway. If you find yourself, like me, vaguely annoyed with Emerald O'Brien by book three, don't worry -- you'll grow to love her again in "One Hex of a Wedding", a wonderful treat of a novel.

Another great book in the Chintz & China Mystery Series. Emerald learns more about her ex-husband (and why their marriage ultimately ended) while trying to get through the wedding planner's worst nighmare that leads up to her wedding to Joe. Her maid of honor is cursed and stalked, her other bridesmaid is juggling a job and a new baby while her husband is headed off for an extended job on the road, and her daughter struggles with first love. That doesn't even include the family dynamics brought about by the wedding. Even Nanna makes an appearance. Emerald's reactions are real (why does this have to happen when I'm getting married) and fun (when a photographer tries to pair a swimsuit model with Joe for a calendar shoot). Can't wait for the next book!

I have benn a long time fan of Yasmine Galenorn's books, both fiction and non-fiction. This instalment into the lives of Emerald and friends was fast and furious! Right out of chapter one she had me hooked on the fast plot and tight twists and turns of Em's wedding and Murry's freaky stalker! I love this series! The characters are well written and have developed over time. I hope this isn't the last in the series as a previous reviewer hinted at! Please write more! Well Done!