⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Sherri L. Dodd returns with another gripping installment in Arista Kelly’s story. Arista is a very likable and relatable heroine, strong, determined, and resilient, which makes readers instantly care about what happens to her. Moonset on Desert Sands blends witchcraft, suspense, and family drama against the vivid backdrop of the Arizona desert, exploring Arista’s growing supernatural abilities as she uses them for good to combat evil and protect those she loves.
About the Book: Moonset on Desert Sands
After a traumatic year surviving a serial killer, Arista Kelly has settled into a quieter life with her Auntie in Sedona, Arizona. Working at a metaphysical shop and navigating a budding romance with local security guard Dakota, she begins to feel like life is finally returning to normal.
But fainting spells and memory lapses start to disrupt her life, prompting a return to her hometown of Boulder Creek to uncover answers. There, Arista must face past heartbreak and the dangerous machinations of her Uncle Fergus, who has now formed an even more sinister alliance. Deaths, stalkers, and supernatural threats test her courage, while the bonds of friendship and family are pushed to their limits. Her likability, courage, and use of witchcraft for good invests readers in her journey, eager to see how she overcomes these challenges.
BookHookup Review: Moonset on Desert Sands
Dodd masterfully intertwines suspense, paranormal intrigue, and family drama, keeping readers on edge as Arista navigates both external threats and her own growing powers. The desert setting adds a rich sense of place, heightening tension and immersing the reader in the story.
Arista’s determination and resilience are impressive, and her use of witchcraft to fight evil adds an empowering and morally positive element to the story. While her handling of personal loss sometimes feels understated, the plot is full of twists, mysterious deaths, and unpredictable threats that keep the pages turning. Her likability, relatability, and ethical use of magic make her a compelling heroine that readers will cheer for, deepening the suspense and emotional investment.
This book can be read as a standalone, though readers will get a richer experience if they start with the first installment in the series, Murder Under RedwoodMoon. I've already read, Hummingbird Moonrise (Book 3). The review coming soon!
⚠ BookHookup Note: PG 13. A word of caution to my readers who want to avoid profanity. It's not heavily laced with profanity, but does include occasional profanity (including the F word), mild sexual content and witchcraft themes integral to the story’s mystery.
***
As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Black Tide Tours and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.
About the Author: Sherri L. Dodd
Sherri was raised in southeast Texas. Walking barefoot most days and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds, she had a love for all things free and natural. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore. This inspired her first short story for sale about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto children as they smelled it. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. It was not long after that her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has ping-ponged throughout the area ever since.
Her first real step into writing was the non-fiction fitness book, Mom Looks Great – The Fitness Program for Moms published in 2005, and maintaining its accompanying blog. Now, transmuting the grief of her father's passing, she has branched into Fiction, specifically the genre of Paranormal Thriller with generous dashes of Magick Realism! Her Murder, Tea & Crystals Trilogy released book one - Murder Under Redwood Moon - in March 2024. Book two - Moonset on Desert Sands - released in March 2025, and the final book in the series will release October 2025!
https://www.sherridodd.com
https://www.instagram.com/SolisRedhead
Enjoyed this review? Let’s connect!
I focus on clean fiction across genres—historical romance, suspense, crime, children’s, and more. When books include content that may not be suitable for all readers, I provide clear disclaimers so you can choose wisely.
- 📖 Read more book reviews on BookHookup
- ⭐ Follow me on Goodreads for updates and reviews across all genres - Goodreads Books I've read
- 📸 Join me on Instagram for quotes, bookish highlights, and behind-the-scenes posts My Instagram
- 🐦 Follow me on X (Twitter) for quick book insights and discussion as well as news about my own books. On X I'm known as Birdiesquill
- 👍 Share this review with readers who enjoy thoughtful, clean, and engaging fiction!
Let’s explore great books together—one page at a time!