Ghost of the Gaelic Moon


Fiction - Paranormal
298 Pages
Reviewed on 04/05/2022
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Carol Maschke has a BA in English from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She began writing stories as a child. It was a way to fuel her imagination and channel her creative energies into something tangible. She blames her love of paranormal fiction on Dark Shadows, a show she watched as a young girl. She lives with her cairn terrier dogs in Minnesota and competes with her furry friends in conformation, agility, obedience and barnhunt.

For more information on upcoming books and other projects, please visit www.cairnmoon.com.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

A unique blend of romance and the paranormal, Ghost of the Gaelic Moon by Carol Maschke is a spellbinding story that will awaken a sense of mystery and the supernatural in readers. Meet two memorable characters in a love journey linked to an ancient druid power. Mary Kelley is from Minnesota, an IT director, but she has unusual dreams. When she is sent to Ireland on a mission, she experiences a feeling of strange familiarity that makes her feel as though she’s finally come home. Her visions of a handsome man finally become a reality when she meets Sean Calhoun, who rekindles her dormant psychic powers.

The two are pulled towards each other in a magnetic kind of way. Mary doesn’t know that Sean has his dark past and that he’s vowed a long time ago to never fall in love again because of a tragedy in an affair in his youth. When his past catches up with him, can they find help with the power of the Gaelic moon and save a relationship that could be doomed by the manipulations of an ex-lover who practices the dark arts?

This is a powerful romance with a great twist, a story that fits neatly into different genres. The intricate plot and the sophisticated characters will keep readers spellbound as they read on and it is evident from the great storytelling that Carol Maschke has the gift of sustaining the reader’s interest throughout the narrative. This story is written in crisp and tight prose, with lively dialogues and vivid descriptions. Ghost of the Gaelic Moon is one of those books that readers will find hard to put down. It's a real page-turner.

Romuald Dzemo

Ghost of the Gaelic Moon by Carol Maschke is a paranormal romance with a plot that has incredible twists. IT director Mary Kelley is also a paranormal investigator. When she goes on a business trip to Ireland, she feels very comfortable, as though she’s just come home. Her dreams are haunted by a mysterious, handsome Irishman, Sean, and she feels irresistibly drawn to him. But Sean isn’t looking for a lover. Once a successful businessman, he’d sworn never to be involved with a woman when the affair of his early life turned into a tragedy. But now he can’t resist Mary. But what about his dark secrets and what about his ex-lover who is into the dark arts? Sean and Mary seem to be meant for each other, but something is about to break them apart. Can the power of the Gaelic moon save their relationship? It’s for the reader to find out.

This is an interesting story with a terrific concept, an exciting setting, and characters that are well-developed. I was hooked from the very first paragraph, thanks to Carol Maschke’s great storytelling skills and the awesome prose. The prose is very descriptive and filled with colorful images of both the setting and the characters. The plot in Ghost of the Gaelic Moon is sophisticated and imagined to create and sustain the reader’s curiosity, the kind of story that makes the reader ask questions about what could possibly happen next. The tight writing is mixed with excellent formatting to make for an enjoyable read. You won’t put this book down until you turn the last page, and even then the characters will haunt your thoughts.

Susan Sewell

An American woman on a business trip to Dublin, Ireland falls in love with one of the local residents and finds herself enmeshed in the backlash of dark magick in the paranormal romance, Ghost of the Gaelic Moon by Carol Maschke. After a failed relationship, Mary arrives in Dublin with her co-workers, expecting to do nothing more than work and explore the mystical side of Ireland. Unexpectedly, she meets Sean, an exciting and handsome Irishman who sweeps her off her feet. Deciding a romantic fling is harmless, Mary begins dating him, but soon discovers she feels more than friendship for him. Although Sean feels the same, he is hiding a secret that haunts him and threatens the possibility of any happiness of a future together with Mary. Feeling betrayed after being confronted with Sean's hidden past, Mary returns home to Minnesota in anger and disillusionment. Before Sean can follow Mary and prove his love and faithfulness to her, a fire at an ancient pub in his village adds more complications to their already tricky relationship. Can Sean remove the obstacles that have been placed between them, or will he and Mary be separated forever?

Ghost of the Gaelic Moon by Carol Maschke is an intriguing paranormal romance. With a hint of ancient sorcery being woven throughout the plot, this is a story that holds the reader breathless until the final page. Not only is dark magick encircling the main characters, but there are also a few ghostly visitations, giving the reader goosebumps and enhancing the tale with a chilling aura. This is a spine-tingling story enriched with a supernatural flavor and will thrill those who love a romance novel with a paranormal twist.

Tammy Ruggles

Ghost of the Gaelic Moon: Book One of the Gaelic Moon Series, by Carol Maschke, is an alluring, imaginative work of paranormal fiction with the promise of a sequel. Magic and romance intertwine in this dramatic and thought-provoking story of a Minnesotan caught up in a romance with an Irish ghost. The premise alone is enticing, and the story doesn't let you down, thanks to the careful and engaging writing of Maschke. The novel begins with romantic feelings and lets you know right away that you're in for an emotional ride. The author builds romantic tension and mystery slowly so that you get to know the characters, setting, and plot situations. This brings the reader deep into the story so that you care about the characters and the possibility of romance and their future.

Ancient mystical powers is a theme that the author threads through the narrative, making this a strong attraction for those into the fantasy side of dramatic romance. Enter the ghost's ex-paramour, who uses dark powers to try to come between the couple. I love how the author builds romantic tension in Mary's dreams, and how they manifest as time goes on. She's an interesting combination of a paranormal investigator and IT director. Her dreams of a certain Irishman draw her in ways she doesn't quite understand, and readers will enjoy the mystery as it unfolds, as well as the dread and frustration of obstacles that present themselves. Their romance is haunting and mysterious and is overshadowed by his former lover's mystic abilities. Sean and Mary are characters you can get to know and appreciate, and the Irish pub known as The Gaelic Moon becomes a character too, in a way. If you are into Irish-themed folk legends, the paranormal, obsession, fresh dialogue, and unique romances, don't pass up Ghost of the Gaelic Moon: Book One of the Gaelic Moon Series, by Carol Maschke.