Customer Reviews

Blue Moon

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

No question. This tale of love between two lost souls is very sweet. Olivia Bond feels unworthy of love because of the year she spent as Darcy Lankanal's sex toy. Reclusive Noah LaCroix feels unworthy of love because of his severe facial scars. When Noah rescues Olivia after she gets lost in the swamp while on the run from Darcy, they begin to care for each other. Wonderful idea, yet two things bothered me. First, two such appealing characters in a romance novel deserve far more in the way of a sexual pay-off. More should have been made of Noah's loss of virginity. The build-up in tension between Olivia and Noah was never given a decent outlet. Second, and more serious, the last part of the book spent way too much time on Darcy and a shaky attempt to clean up his image in preparation for a novel of his own. I'm sorry, Jill, but Darcy is no hero.

Set in the 1820's when Illinois is on the frontier, Blue Moon has the potential to explore some new territory in the romance genre. For starters, the main characters are a refuge from a brothel and a man described as the "oldest living virgin in the territory." The obstacles to their love (because there must always be obstacles) are even fairly original. And certainly, Landis can write a terrific romance (Sunflower and Come Spring are permanent members of my keeper shelf). Somehow, it doesn't all quite come together in Blue Moon. I'd lay the blame on too much time spent on the threat posed by Darcy, the brothel owner. The time could have been better spent on more interaction between Olivia and Noah.

Also worth noting, this book is the sequel/spin-off to "Just Once." I went out of my way to read them in order but that probably isn't necessary to understanding and enjoying Blue Moon.

Colonel Sullivan and his river pirates force the father of teenager Oliva Bond to surrender his daughter to them. In turn, they sell Oliva to Darcy Lankanal, owner of a New Orleans house of gambling, liquor, and prostitution. As is his want with any new prostitute, Darcy uses them for two-three months before he turns them over to his customers. However, Oliva was still with him after a year. One month ago, she fled his boudoir.

By 1820, a desperate Oliva runs into an Illinois swamp, seeking asylum, but instead takes a nasty fall. Hermit Noah La Croix finds the unconscious teenager and carries her to his remote tree house. When she first awakens, Oliva seems frightened by the scarred visage of her host. However, as he shows her kindness and compassion, the duo falls in love with one another. Still both have deep rooted scars to overcome and the obsessed Darcy plans to have Oliva return to his house of ill repute no matter what it takes to get her there.

Anyone who has read a Jill Marie Landis historical romance knows they can count on authenticity, an exciting story line, and a haunting climax. BLUE MOON takes off from where its prequel, JUST ONCE, leaves readers. Noah remains the same recluse, but even lonelier as his only friend has just been married. Oliva has demons chasing her, but still can see the beauty inside her savior. The story line vividly paints to readers a different, more complete side to the Era of Good Feeling. Ms. Landis illustrates why she is a best selling, award winning author with this awesome Americana romance.

Harriet Klausner

Blue Moon is a sweet love story of two people who have scars inside and out but are determined to rise above their problems and live their lives the best they can. Olivia is a girl on the run who gets lost in a Southern Illinois swamp. Noah is the half-breed man who finds her and nurses her back to health. He also helps her find her way to her family who she has been separated from. In doing this he sets aside his own feelings for his love of Olivia.

This book is a fantastic read. The characters are real and the story wonderful. It doesn't take long for the reader to be engrossed in their story and wanting them to have their happily-ever-after. Blue Moon is a wonderfully written book with a great storyline and well-developed characters. Blue Moon is a book to keep on the shelf and revisit again and again.

Once in a blue moon there comes along a novel that really grabs your attention. You become immersed in the characters lives, and you never want the story to end. Jill Marie Landis' latest release, "Blue Moon," qualifies for this category. "Blue Moon" is the sequel to Landis' highly acclaimed "Just Once."

Landis' loyal readers just had to know what happened to the handsome half-breed Noah LeCroix who, in a tragic river-boating accident, lost an eye, leaving him both physically and emotionally scarred for life. There was just something about this fascinating character that left readers wanting more. Landis obliged by re-creating Noah in his own story, "Blue Moon."

When loner Noah LeCroix rescued a scraggly young girl from the swamps he had no idea that his serene, solitary world would be turned completely upside down. He only knew that this girl was hurt, scared and in need of his protection. He knew how it felt to be lost and alone. Something about the winsome creature touched his soul. Little did he know she would soon capture his heart as well.

Olivia Bond was desperate to find her family. After being kidnapped and enslaved for over a year in a New Orleans brothel, she had only a vague idea of where to start. But would they accept her after all she'd been through? Keeping her past a secret, she enlists Noah's help in finding her family. In the process she finds herself falling in love with the mysterious, gentle man. Could they both overcome tragic pasts to embrace the passionate love they feel for each other?

"Blue Moon" is an absorbing, fascinating, emotionally moving story of overcoming one's past and adversities to begin life anew. Jill Marie Landis again proves herself a master storyteller, enthralling her readers with a touch of humor, a dash of mystery and enough passion and romance to reach to the moon.

Oh, this was a good frontier romance. Jill Marie Landis did some wonderful things with BLUE MOON. She masterfully used a disfigured hero, a tarnished heroine, and a captivating villain. The results: a good story.

Mutilated by an accident, Noah LeCroix chose to spend most of his life alone. However, his solitary lifestyle changed the day he found the lovely unconscious Olivia Bond. Hesitantly, he brought her to his cabin, to care for her, to make her well again, but now desire fills him.

Experienced with the wiles of men, Olivia recognizes Noah's attraction, but thinks that her wantonness breeds his desire. To hinder his attraction, Olivia reveals her dishonorable past, a past spent under the control of whoremonger, Darcy Lankanal. Olivia Bond was Darcy Lankanal's personal toy. Now all she wants is to go home, but how will her family accept what she has done? Will they welcome her or ask her to leave?

Darcy Lankanal is angry that his bedtoy has run off. He is obsessed with his little student. She must be returned to his private quarters in New Orleans so they can continue with her instructions.

The story's favorable factors:
Jill Marie Landis' depiction of the harsh living conditions is first class. Landis' dialogue is top notch and the author cleverly nourishes the sexual tension between Olivia and Noah. But it is the portrayal of Darcy Lankanal that carries the book. Landis has created an enticing villain in Lankanal. His charming, scoundrel behavior is the story.

The story's non-favorable factors:
Olivia Bond's relentless struggle with her past becomes tedious. But it is the character of Noah LeCroix that is the big disappointment. Noah unfolds as a big mule - something akin to Li'l Abner or Jethro Bodine. His confusion and uncertainty are too much. Reality is good, but romance heros have to be divine beings. Grade: B

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

I was so happy to find out what happened to Noah LeCroix.
I don't know what else to say -- I fell in love with the characters of all of these books and will revisit them again.

That, to me, makes a good book and worth keeping.

I can sympathize with Noah and Olivia - sometimes there are just too many people around, too much noise and confusion. I do believe that they have learned the value of silence and contentment on Heron Pond.

The story that led them back to their home was so very fascinating. I don't see it as turning their backs on family so much as their need to just be together.

Definitely Recommended and another keeper. But form your own opinion.

I've always been a big fan of historical romances, it's about 95% of what I read, for some reason those times capture me and I can imagine being there myself. After reading this book I couldn't stop talking about it and nearly drove my husband crazy with my enthusiasm about the originality of this book. If you like historical romances and you're looking for something that's different from your typical characters (who in most other romances almost always seem to be the same people in my opinion) this is what you need. Jill Marie Landis did a great job. This was the first book of hers that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more of her works! An excellent read!!

I am usually a sucker for romances with men that are the outcasts in some way, so when I read the reviews for this book, I thought I would love it. However, I found it fairly predictable. I found the main female character rather dull actually, and I didn't find the obsessed pimp character all that believable either.

I stayed up late so I can get to the ending, I just couldn't sleep until I found out all the particulars. This book keeps you hopping. Very few writers write about the man being a virgin and the woman being experienced. I loved the change. I even felt sympathy for the villain! A must read!!