Customer Reviews

Dark of the Moon

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4 star:		(4)
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Matt Hunter was the youngest son on the Half-Moon Ranch in Diablo, Texas. He traveled to England and purchased Dark Champion, a thoroughbred racer with the reputation of being a killer. When Matt arrived home he learned that his siblings were all wed and his father was home, having finished his ten year prison sentence. Being known as the wildest of the bunch, Matt wanted to prove himself to everyone by racing DC and earning enough money to help pay the mortgage.

Juliana Rains was a lovely widow who returned to Diablo for answers to how her mother, Iona, died. Juliana believed her stepfather, Edmund Montgomery, somehow put Iona in an early grave, but could not prove it. But Juliana never expected to run into Matt again.

***** Once again, Evelyn Rogers has proven that when it comes to writing Historical Romance, she is one of the best! When you begin reading you will not want to stop. It is overflowing in action and romance. Oh, and of course the story comes complete with a greedy villain that is so well written you just want to throttle the life out of him! Fantastic!

This book concludes the HALF-MOON RANCH series that began in July 2003. The others in this series are "Hunter's Moon" by Bobbi Smith (July), "Renegade Moon" by Elaine Barbieri (July), and "Moon Racer" by Constance O'Banyon (Aug). *****

DARK OF THE MOON is the fourth book of the Half-Moon Ranch series. It is a full length Texas historical of the last and youngest of the Hunter children, Matthew -- the wildest, the youngest and also the most troubled. It begins with Matthew coming home with a champion race horse with killer instincts, he bought in England. He feels that if he can curb the killer instinct, this horse, Dark Champion, can save the siblings ranch. When Matt returns home he finds that his father Jack has been released from a 10-year prison sentence for killing the children's beloved mother. Also coming home is the widow, Juliana Rains. She left home at the age of eight to be brought up by her grandparents when her mother re-married a man who didn't want her around. She has come home when the last letter from her deceased mother didn't jive with the communication she had received from her step-father reporting her mothers brief(?) illness and death.

Hearing a stallion, assaulting the precious blood mare that Juliana brought back with her to Texas, Juliana does her best to shoo him away but Dark Champion turns her precious `pet' mare into a harlot - or so she thought. Matt, chasing after his stallion and coming upon the scene was actually quite pleased. First that his horse could prove himself a stud and also that he recognized and remembered Juliana. On the other hand, Juliana remembered Matt quite well ---- as the wild, gangly troublemaker from her youth but secretly admired the way he'd filled out over the years. The sparks and the attraction began from that moment but subsequent events would have their paths crossing again and again as accidents began to plague the ranch and they both came to face their troubled pasts to realize that there was a common villain in their lives.

This was a fast-page turner with plenty of action, good and vivid descriptive detail, snappy dialog, and a very good supporting cast of secondary characters. I particularly loved the male housekeeper! The sexual encounters were written so vividly that I even enjoyed the horse breeding! This was hot and deliciously done with the right amount of action to keep you up all night long!

Matt Hunter leaves his family's Half-Moon Ranch to journey to England to buy a thoroughbred racehorse known as a killer, Dark Champion. By the time he returns to Diablo, Texas, his three siblings are married (see HUNTER'S MOON by Bobbi Smith, RENEGADE MOON by Elaine Barbieri and MOON RACER by Constance O'Banyon) and his father freed from prison, having completed a ten year prison sentence for murdering his wife.

Widow Juliana Rains returns to her hometown of Diablo seeking to learn how her mother died. In her gut she believes that her stepfather killed her mother, but lacks evidence. Besides finding the proof, she sees Matt. Juliana has never forgotten Matt nor he her. As they fall in love, her inquires may prove deadly. Besides which love may not be enough for these two individuals with plenty to demonstrate to others without the trouble of a relationship to impinge on their respective efforts.

This reviewer could not wait for the final story in a strong quartet of novels to learn the truth of ten years ago (clever writing by three authors hooked me to wait for the finale). Following up with the climax on three well-written western romances released over the last couple of months by other authors is not easy. However, Evelyn Rogers makes it look effortless. The author succeeds because of two superb lead characters, the personality consistency of the repeat support cast especially Matt's siblings and father, and the clever close-out of what happened a decade ago. Though the villain lacks anything redeeming, readers will appreciate the final the HALF-MOON RANCH tale that completes a wonderful foursome.

Harriet Klausner

DARK OF THE MOON is the story of Matt Hunter, the prodigal son. Matt returns from England with Dark Champion, a race horse that has had more than his share of controversy. Upon his arrival to Diablo, Dark Champion, or DC as Matt calls him, smell the horse of Juliana Haines. Juliana is the step-daughter of Edward Montgomery and the daughter of Iona Montgomery, who died early in the series. Juliana has returned to solve the mystery of her mother's death. She suspects foul-play due to a letter sent by her mother just before she passed on.

Throughout this story, we get what finally happened to Elizabeth Hunter, the mother of the clan. Also, we find out why Jack Hunter went to prison. I thought that the ulitmate demise of Kane, the hired killer of Edmond Montgomery's, was too easy. However, the conclusion with Edmond was exciting.

The story of Matt and Juliana is good, although I would have liked to have known Matt a little better. We find out why he has stayed away from the ranch, but we do not really know about his travels, outside of the England trip. I thought Juliana was a very well written heroine. She was tireless in finding out about her mother's death. However, I do not understand why she did not see out Abby Hunter with more aggressiveness.

Overall, this was an exciting end to a great series. I hope these four authors get together again. Also, I would like to see a story for the Marshall, who played out in three of the books. The only complete disappointment in this book was the lack of Abby, when she was the most logical to be sought after by Juliana.

Favorite scene with Juliana-
Threatening Edmund.

Favorite scene with Matt-
Going after Kane after finding Dr. Gibbs' body.

Together-
Going after Edmund.

What did you like about Juliana-
Her strength and her determination to discover the truth about her
mother. Not being afraid to threaten Edmund. Hiring Mugg.

What didn't you like about Juliana-
Taking risks, going off by herself to discover the truth. Willing to be
with Matt in bed, but not in home and marriage.

What did you like about Matt-
Great sense of humor and how easily he could be hurt. Sensitive, yet
strong and manly. Learning to dance with Mugg for Juliana. Not giving
up on his father.

What didn't you like about Matt-
Almost giving Juliana up, thinking he's not good enough for her.

I never get tired of reading Evelyn Rogers' books. She can always be counted on for a great read. I really miss that she's not putting out any new books anymore! Wish she would publish more.

It was an excellent book. One of a quad series. Sadly I haven't been able to get two of the series. I would recommend it to all readers who like family and romance novels. As well as the Half Moon.

Kane was one hombre you loved to hate! Glad he got his comupence <g>.

There was definitely some rancor between the brothers. Brent and Quince thought Matt should have been with their mother. And not being there was a reason she got killed.

Matt was a loner and very imbedded with the idea he was responsible for his mother's death.

Then we learn from Jack another side to the story. And a reason why he will not accept help from Matt. Yet when Matt proves that the thoroughbred he brought back from England, Dark Champion, was very good Jack almost ruins Moon Racer.

I really liked the fact that Matt realized why DC was labeled a "killer" and got the stallion past the quirk. I also had to chuckle when Jack threw Matt off Half-Moon Ranch that he ended up on Juliana Rains' ranch - a ranch that he could see needed a lot of work.

Oh boy, did Juliana make a mistake in useing Sam Larkin as her lawyer and legal advisor for her ranch and inheritance. Sam hired Kane to work on her ranch.

He!He! There didn't appear to be any difference between Dark Champion mating with Pepper than Juliana going after Matt. At least the horses knew what they were doing, but Juliana's pride wouldn't let her admit to her emotions.

Mugg was a great secondary character - Brent and Quince and their wives show up to complete the family saga - dear ol' Edmund was up to his old tricks and more than angry that Abby had married and taken off with Major Jonah Tremain.

This whole saga has taken place within nine months of papa, Jack Hunter's return to the Half-Moon Ranch. One bull-headed, stubborn man not willing to give up his drinking and gambling ways.

Opps! I had forgotten about the Countess, Lady Charlotte Kingbridge, who was intrigued enough by Matt that she decided to check out her deceased husband's holdings in the far west. Of course, she pouted because she hadn't been able to lure Matt into her bed.
She did eventually latch onto Edmund - which turned out to be to Juliana and Matt's benefit.

This set [4] is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as a keeper for many.

Description from the back of the book:

Half-Moon Ranch

Somewhere in the lush grasslands of East Texas was a place where the sun had once shone on love and prosperity, while the night hid murder and mistrust. There, three brothers and a sister fought to hold their family together, struggled to keep their ranch solvent, while thy awaited the return of the one person who could shed light on the secrets of the past.

Matt

From the moment his rogue stallion mounted her virgin mare, Matt acknowledged a reality lovely widow Juliana Rains refused to admit: Some drives were too fierce, too powerful, to deny. Like Matt's need to prove himself to his father and brothers by racing Dark Champion. Like his burning desire for revenge against the low-down snake who was trying to destroy his family. Like his love for the genteel widow whose sweet lips and delicious curves made him as uncontrollable as any wild stud.

* This book was a great ending to this wonderful series. I truly thought I had everything figured throughout these 4 books about the death of the mother but it was nice to see that there was still a bit to the puzzle that I didn't see coming. These 4 authors in this 4 book series did an excellent job at not giving away the important details. This book wasn't my favorite in this series but I still enjoyed the story & I think the series was wrapped up very nicely. I HIGHLY recommend this 4 book series.

#1 Hunter's Moon by Bobbi Smith
#2 Renegade Moon by Elaine Barbieri
#3 Moon Racer by Constance O'Banyon
#4 Dark of the Moon by Evelyn Rogers