The Moonshadow Bay Series in Order

About the Moonshadow Bay series

Series Premise

January Jaxson, a 40-something witch and former investigative journalist, returns to her childhood home in Moonshadow Bay, a small, magical coastal town in the Pacific Northwest after a painful divorce. She inherits her grandmother's Victorian house and a family legacy as a powerful witch. January quickly becomes entangled in supernatural mysteries—murders, disappearances, hauntings, curses, and threats from dark magical forces—that often involve the town's hidden paranormal underbelly (witches, shifters, vampires, Fae, cryptids, and ancient spirits). With the help of her best friend Ari (a fellow witch), her growing circle of magical allies, and her slow-burn romantic interest Killian O'Connell (a leopard-shifter and local handyman), January uses her psychic gifts, spellcraft, and investigative skills to solve cases while protecting the town from supernatural dangers. Each book features a standalone mystery (a murder or supernatural threat) tied to Moonshadow Bay's magical history, seasonal events, or family secrets, but recurring arcs follow January's personal growth—reclaiming her power, healing from betrayal, building new relationships, and embracing her role as a guardian of the town's magical balance.

Main Characters

> January Jaxson: Protagonist—mid-40s, powerful witch, former journalist. Divorced, resilient, sarcastic, and deeply intuitive. Returns to Moonshadow Bay to heal and reclaim her magic. Uses psychic visions, spellwork, and investigative skills to solve mysteries. Grows from guarded loner to community protector and romantic partner.
> Killian O'Connell: January's love interest—handsome, protective leopard-shifter, local handyman/contractor. Kind, steady, and deeply loyal; their relationship is slow-burn, passionate, and supportive.
> Ariana (Ari): January's best friend—fellow witch, quirky, loyal, and magically gifted. Provides humor, magical backup, and emotional support.
> Talia: January's grandmother (deceased but appears in flashbacks/spirit)—wise, powerful witch whose legacy January inherits.
> The Coven / Magical Community: Recurring allies—local witches, shifters, and other paranormals who help January (and occasionally create complications).
> Sheriff (or local law enforcement): Friendly but often out of his depth with supernatural cases; tolerates January's involvement.
> Supporting ensemble: Town residents (coffee shop owners, bookstore clerks, festival organizers) and recurring villains (dark witches, rogue shifters, ancient entities) who drive plots.

Setting

The fictional coastal town of Moonshadow Bay, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State (inspired by real towns like Port Townsend or Sequim). Moonshadow Bay is a small, picturesque community nestled between dense evergreen forests, rugged coastline, and misty fjords. The town features:
> Victorian houses (January's inherited home is a central, magical anchor)
> A bustling downtown with coffee shops, bookstores, a witchy apothecary, restaurants, and a marina
> Surrounding wilderness—old-growth forests, hidden coves, sacred sites, and hiking trails
> A strong magical undercurrent—ley lines, ancient spirits, seasonal festivals (Solstice, Samhain, Beltane), and a mix of human and paranormal residents (witches, shifters, Fae, cryptids)

The Pacific Northwest setting is vivid and atmospheric—foggy mornings, salty air, towering cedars, rainy days by the fire, and the ever-present ocean that mirrors emotional tides. The town is both cozy and mysterious—beautiful yet hiding secrets, a safe haven for paranormals who blend into human society.

Tone & Themes

Warm, atmospheric, and empowering—cozy paranormal mystery with a touch of romance and dark magic. Galenorn's tone is inviting and immersive: mysteries are suspenseful but not overly grim (violence is present but not graphic), investigations are clever and magical, and the focus is on friendship, found family, self-discovery, and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Humor is gentle and witty (January's sarcasm, Ari's sass, quirky town characters), while romance is tender, slow-burn, and passionate (steamy but not erotica-level). The series is uplifting and hopeful—January faces darkness but always finds light, love, and strength. It's comforting "hygge" reading with a witchy edge—perfect for fans who want cozy mysteries, strong female leads, magical realism, and emotional healing wrapped in small-town charm.

The Moonshadow Bay series is a captivating, witchy cozy mystery gem—rich with magic, romance, and the healing power of community. Through January Jaxson's journey of rediscovery and her partnership with Killian and her found family, Yasmine Galenorn crafts enchanting, atmospheric stories that blend gentle whodunits with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. With 10+ books of immersive settings, strong female leads, slow-burn love, and satisfying resolutions, the series is perfect comfort reading for fans of paranormal cozies (like Charlaine Harris or Heather Graham)—a warm, magical escape to a town where love, friendship, and a touch of witchcraft can mend any heart. A delightful, bingeable favorite that feels like a warm hug wrapped in fog and evergreens.