Customer Reviews

Awaiting the Moon (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I very much enjoyed AWAITING THE MOON, a gothic paranormal romance by Donna Lea Simpson. This was the first book I've read by the author, and I was impressed by her characterization and plotting, as well as her easy-to-read writing style. The gist of the story is that young Elizabeth leaves her homeland of England, reputation in tatters, to become a tutor to a young countess in Germany in the year 1795. Once there, she discovers herself insatiably attracted to Count Nikolas von Wolfram, the head of a troubled family and a man of many secrets.

Elizabeth was a delightful heroine in that she was both self-conscious, yet courageous, with both a strong backbone and sharp intelligence. Plus, her forward nature and natural curiosity are both her biggest strengths and greatest weaknesses, as she well knows. She is not a character who needs a man to do everything for her, nor is she the type of heroine who stupidly stumbles into trouble every five seconds, needing saving. I liked reading about her, and I liked how she dealt with her feelings for Nikolas and his family.

Nikolas was also a good hero. He was dark and brooding, but he wasn't a jerk-off and the secrets he kept were good secrets, nothing to make me roll my eyes about. I also liked the way he handled Elizabeth in that he was straightforward (except for his secrets, of course) and respectful. He was also a very creative bed partner, and I thought the love scenes in this book much more sexy and refreshing than the same-ol', same-ol' you read about in other romances.

Germany as a setting was a great choice, too, for this was the first romance I ever read that had Germans in the lead and dealt with German issues and culture. I loved it.

That said, there were a few negatives about the book, but nothing major. One, the author's phrasing and diction were awkward at times, and I wondered if it was so formal because she was trying for a gothic effect. Also, there are a lot of characters in this book, and I found myself trying to remember who was who at a couple points. Oh well.

Regardless, I enjoyed the book immensely and read it in one setting, refusing to go to bed until I'd finished it. The storyline was intriguing and mysterious, and the supernatural part kicked in just when I started to wonder if I had tricked myself into thinking - just like Elizabeth - that there were logical (and not paranormal) reasons why things were happening the way they were.

I highly recommend this book. By the way, it has a sequel called AWAITING THE NIGHT. Also, if you are interested in other gothic paranormals, GENTLE FROM THE NIGHT and THE WOLF OF HASKELL HALL are also nice reads.

This book was a bit of a slow starter for me and I almost gave up. Wow am I glad I stuck it out through all the thick gothic
plot and character development! The romance was subtly, lovingly and erotically handled with such delicate sensuality--I'm definitely putting this book in my keeper stack. Seldom are characters in romance genre given such time to develop a complex, loving and erotic relationship and written in manner that allows an authentic building of feelings. Then the paranormal aspects are sprinkled over this deep sensual relationship just towards the end. I stayed up until 2 am to revel in this deeply romantic novel and reflecting on it the next day kept my energy up. Take a chance on this one!

Ms. Simpson has taken several sub genres and combined them into a very good read. "Awaiting the Moon" is a combination of historical, paranormal, and gothic romance. With a dark and interesting premise, Ms. Simpson will entertain.

Elizabeth Stanwyck has been forced to leave England. A scandal had rocked her situation and thanks to a good friend she has a chance to leave behind the pain. She is going to be the governess for an older girl in Germany. But the closer she gets to Wolfram Castle she begins to rethink her decision, especially after the bizarre encounter in the woods before her arrival. But, when she meets Count Nikolas Wolfram she's immediately drawn to her handsome but reclusive employer.

Elizabeth thinks she can handle the job but the dark secrets, odd tension between family members and the burning attraction between Nik and Elizabeth only adds to the feels of uncertainty that plagues Elizabeth. When she realizes the secrets Nikolas hides will she accept him or will she let doubt and fear keep her from the one man she will ever love?

Elizabeth and Nikolas are wonderful characters! The secondary characters that pepper the pages only add to the mystique and Ms. Simpson has penned a very sensual paranormal, historical, gothic read and it will entertain without loosing momentum. It appears the gothic romance is on the upswing and Ms. Simpson has created a story that is worthy for the genre.

All I can say is that if the first line of the book doesn't hook you, "I'VE HEARD that werewolves roam the woods of Germany," Elizabeth Stanwycke said, peering out of the carriage window into the dark wintry woods, the snow on the ground gleaming in the moonlight." Then you're obviously not a fan of paranormals and should definitely stop there, as the rest of this luscious well-written novel is a rare treat for werewolf paranormal genre lovers.

Elizabeth had made the heart wrenching decision to leave England after her scandalous affair had been exposed and the man she'd loved and given her innocence to turned into a cad. It wasn't as if being the poor relation and acting as governess for spoiled cosseted children was such a wonderful life, but at least it was familiar. Now in a strange land and barely speaking German, Elizabeth's introduction as she approached Wolfram Castle was to see a naked woman running across the frozen ground with a man on horseback pursuing her. Instinctively Elizabeth attempted to follow and help the woman but was hauled back into the carriage by the coachman under orders from her companion and mentor, Frau Katrina Liebner who warned that she must never go into the Wolfram forests alone at night. This was only the first of many warnings and directives she would face when introduced to the eclectic group of inhabitants at the castle, but it would be the master of the house, Nikolas von Wolfram who would prove to be the most enigmatic. Handsome beyond belief, his very presence raised not only the hairs along Elizabeth's back but melted the heart that had been frozen by a cruel betrayal.

*** Oh my, a return to the gothic romances I cut my reading teeth on! Only this one had the added bonus of giving a delicious paranormal twist and fabulous sensuality that was a pure delight. I thought the heroine a very brave and resourceful young woman who was ready to bend over backwards in trying to gather the good will of her recalcitrant young charge. Nikolas was the typical brooding dark and mysterious master of his domain, both frightening yet giving the aura of dark temptation to our intrepid heroine. Suffice it to say, that both leads were fashioned very well for one another and perfectly matched. A healthy abundance of secondary characters added even more depth to the story giving the reader a tremendous amount of choice as to who the villain in the story was. Historical aspects including the setting of Germany and the uneasy relations between France, Germany, Russia, and England added even more zest to robust the plot. The high level of sensuality was a boost in keeping the pace racing along as well as this reviewers blood pressure. With a definite feel of the old fashioned gothics but with a highly charged level of sensuality and a wonderful taste of the paranormal this is sure to please most fans of the genre.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

I absolutely loved this book and found the attraction and love between Nikolas and Elizabeth to be something truly beautiful to behold. A host of quirky characters added to the pot just made it a more delightful reading experience. Although I desperately wanted to find out the mystery of the plot, I regret that the book had to end.

This was great!

Certainly takes a chance by exploring dark themes along the lines of Edgar Allen Poe, and it feels nice not to be mollycoddled and spared from such disturbing ideas as it just intensifies the eroticism.

I find it good that the author uses cold language occasionally, it serves to keep you slightly distant from the action so you get drawn in even more to the scorching encounters between Nik and Elizabeth.

The undercurrents that lie between the family and friends are captivating. Surely, this book works so well because it is shaped by it's characters, not what happens to them. Far above many other paranormal romances, you shouldn't regret spending your well-earned bucks.

Awaiting the Moon is set in Germany, which is cool, but the misspellings/grammatical errors in the German are annoying. For example: sehen means 'to see', not 'to say'. Argh.

Still. It's more of a gothic, actually. But OMG, it's a delicious gothic. The castle, the woods, the mad aunt, the assortment of odd relatives, the heroine who's an outsider, the dark and brooding hero... I usually don't like brooding, but he makes up for it, and demonstrates that there's an exception to every rule. But most of all, there's the air of mystery.

I've loved gothics since long before I knew they were romances, and this is an excellent one. The excerpt at the back shows a sequel--I've never seen a gothic with a sequel. I can hardly wait.

The cover and title is a bit misleading. I was expecting a paranormal romance and there is little paranormal in this series. The book was predominately a mystery romance with a werewolf thrown in in the last couple of chapters. Overall, dispite the above mention fact, I thought the characters were very well drawn out and endearing. I loved reading the by-play between the two main characters and even laughed out loud at some of the more snide comments. I started the second book in this series but so far it has not drawn me into the story as well as or as much as this one.

I had this book for more than six months, and had just read it. Now I can't fathom why I hadn't read it sooner, as it is good.

The setting is 1795, at a remote castle in Germany. The tension and suspense start from page 5, while Elizabeth is on her way to Wolfram Castle - she sees a naked woman running into the forbidding forest, being pursued by a horseman - and this is just one of the four major mysteries that swirl in and around the castle. The author handled the secrecies well - plenty of the hints and red herrings - which put me right at the edge of my seat and keep me turning the pages, until the mysteries are unravelled in the end.

The castle's residents are a mysterious and unusual bunch. The head of the family is Count Nikolas - sexy, remote, burdened and tormented - he comes and goes often in the dead of night. Living with him are his immediate and extended family, friends and servants. Some of them, at one time or another, appear to be galvanized by some sinister motives and one is not quite sure who is to be believed.

There are wolves in the forest surrounding the castle. But what about werewolves? Nikolas' villagers sure believe in their existence and are set on killing some. Nikolas' adamant refusal to let them into his forest when the moon is full only adds to their fevered agitation. And this frenzied mob may be the catalyst to expose Nikolas' most closely-guarded secret.

Nikolas and Elizabeth's chemistry is clearly sensuous. From the first meeting, one can feel the magnetism that pulls them together. Even when Nikolas is at his most forbidding and aloof, one still feels his yearning for Elizabeth.

Nikolas is a classic gothic hero. Apart from his complimentary physical attributes (you know...tall, dark and handsome), what makes me care for him is his absolute honour in carrying all the burdens, and his care, for his family. His is a weary and tormented, but resolute, soul. He yearns for what he thinks he cannot have, a sacrifice for his commitment to his family. He wrenches my heart.

Elizabeth...beautiful, poor and orphaned, she gladly accepts the offer to tutor Nikolas' niece. She is a woman ahead of her time - too bold, too inquisitive and not afraid to speak her mind, and to contradict her employer. I have some problems with Elizabeth's character. Considering that she desperately needs this job to start a new life, she is wilful in her disregard of explicit warnings. I am torn between admiring her fierce bravery and wanting to smack some sense and circumspection into her.

As for the werewolves, there are merely hints in the first three-quarters of the book. The whole truth as to whether they actually exist or are just a folklore is only known toward the end.

This paranormal gothic tale is told using the third-person narration, with the point-of-view switching between the hero and heroine. It relies on the mysteries and human relationship tension to drive it forward. The gothic mood and atmosphere, while not strongly evocative, are adequate.

I've enjoyed this tale a lot, and think the author has done a marvellous job.

In 1795 Englishwoman Lady Elizabeth Stanwycke journeys to Wolfram Castle in Germany to become a tutor to Charlotte, niece to Count Nikolas von Wolfram, as she has nothing else. Near the estate she notices a man chasing a woman in the woods, but her escort, Katrina Leibren, insists they not stop and tells her to forget what she saw.

At the castle, she meets her new employer, his two sisters and an uncle as well as the visiting Count Delacroix. Elizabeth soon finds herself wondering what is going on as she hears strange noises and witnesses eerie events. The weirdest is her growing feeling for Nikolas, who at times is coldly aloof while on other occasions, is passionate as if he feels the heat between them. Still unable to resist the mystery of the occupants of Wolfram Castle and especially the wolf-like howling just outside, Elizabeth begins to investigate not realizing how dangerous that is to her well being including her heart.

AWAITING THE MOON is a fast-paced historical romantic suspense that will keep the audience wondering whether the sub-genre is gothic or supernatural. The key element to Donna Lea Simpson's clever prose is whether a werewolf is running loose in Germany and if so is that creature Nikolas? Elizabeth as she falls in love with her employer ponders which is worse; that he is a murderous shapeshifter or that he is a homicidal lunatic. Fans of either sub-genre will treasure this strong Regency era thriller.

Harriet Klausner