Dark Moon [Paperback]

Maggie Tideswell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2011

A spellbinding novel of love, murder, and the supernatural. Chance meetings can have far-reaching effects. Loved ones may not be who they seem. The line between comprehension and confusion is thin ~ particularly when one's thoughts are being manipulated by another. In Dark Moon, the eternal triangle takes an innovative twist into the occult as dark magic fights against those who serve the Light. The prize? A woman's soul.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Nothing is as it seems... The story Dark Moon is based on one that started about twenty years ago. Every day we meet new people, but who is to say which of those meetings will impact our future and in what way. It is difficult to say how long it actually took me to write Dark Moon. I work in a very haphazard sort of way. I never have less than three stories going at the same time. I get bored easily so I'll work on story 1 until that happens, then I move on to story 2 until I get fed-up and go back to story 1 and then I'll skip to story 3 and so I carry on. And then I had a period of 3 years in which I didn't write a word - didn't even do editing or plotted new story lines. Nothing. Zip. Nada. But at a guess, I would say if I added the time together, it might have been about 2 years, maybe 2 and a half. And the incubation periods in between seem to do wonders for inspiration. It started out as a straight forward, sickeningly soppy, love tale, but it is amazing how a story tells itself. It soon became clear that this tale needed more oomph, and resist as I might, the witchcraft element would not be excluded. The Trevor character was also a weakling to start with, but the story demanded he become something else completely. This character, more than any other in the book, personifies the notion of 'nothing is as it seems'. We all wear different faces, pretend to be something other than we are, but in Trevor's case, his faces were like day and night. I loved writing the Trevor character. I had to be cautious when I incorporated the witchy bits to the story, though. I didn't want my wondrous tale to turn into something like Harry Potter, with people calling themselves witches and wafting wands about and sparks flying, nor did I want to turn it into a textbook on the craft. People are strange and there will always be somebody out there who will actually try out the rituals and stuff. So, for the sake of safety - and my sanity! - I couldn't describe anything fully. Less is more in my opinion. I wanted to draw the reader into the rites, without anybody being able to copy anything and causing themselves or anybody/thing around them any harm. A little knowledge is dangerous, you know. Thank you to Mark Knox for the wonderful cover art and splendid video trailer that completed the growth of Dark Moon. And a special thank you to All Things That Matters Press for publishing Dark Moon. Please follow me on twitter @lunamags and on facebook facebook.com/pages/Maggie-Tideswell/161954970541011

About the Author

Maggie Tideswell was born and raised in sunny South Africa, where she still resides. She has always been intrigued by finding "the purpose" and the dimensions of reality. She believes that actions have consequences, that if one shakes the web of existence in one place, the whole web moves. Maggie explores these themes in everything from her poetry and short stories to her novels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: All Things That Matter Press (September 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0984651764
• ISBN-13: 978-0984651764
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,036,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

South African born and bred, Maggie loves all things paranormal. She is married with 3 grown-up kids and 2 grandchildren. Maggie's first book, Dark Moon, was published by All Things That Matter Press in 2011 and the second, Moragh, Holly's Ghost will be published later this year. Her stories reflect her interest of things unexplained. Maggie loves books (the smell of paper), tea, wine, and her cat Felix is her constant companion.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PURE SOUTH AFRICAN BRILLIANCE! February 18, 2012

By Books4Tomorrow

Format:Paperback

Yet again I was pleasantly surprised, and suitably impressed, with the writing of another South African author. Maggie Tideswell has done what only a handful of others have been able to do before her - and that is to prove that South African authors can compete on an international level with the best out there.

"Dark Moon" is a splendidly written novel which takes the reader on an unforgettable journey full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the end. The author introduces all the characters at the start of the book and develops their stories throughout to tie together in an explosive ending that will surprise even the most hardcore of readers. In this novel she expertly blends romance, mystery, fantasy and the occult; and explanations are given out of every angle and for every situation the characters are faced with, so that the reader isn't left hanging at the conclusion of the story. It is clear that Ms Tideswell has thoroughly researched every element that is used to make this a great novel.

The book is written in a unique South African voice and the dialogue reflects this accordingly. I have to applaud this author for being one of few who successfully uses the more-showing-less-telling technique. Not many have mastered this.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern African landscape, any reader who hasn't visited the country before will feel like they are taken on an explorative journey to the spectacular sights, sounds and colors of this strikingly beautiful tip of the African continent. The author doesn't hold back on the descriptions of the characters' surroundings and thus lets readers immerse themselves into the real-life world the story is based on.

Even though I had reservations when I started reading this novel, I am now a dedicated reader of this author's work and am looking forward to what Maggie Tideswell will surprise us with next.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A WONDERFUL STORY July 17, 2012

By linda

Format:Kindle Edition

This is a story of love and the occult. At the beginning of the book was are introduced to the characters that are involved in the story. At first it is confusing but then we are taken on an interesting exploration of the characters and their eventual involvement with each other.

Storm Fenton is a Psychologist living with her best friend, Donna. Storm has been dating Trevor Heardt for almost a year and is hoping that he will propose marriage to her. But things change when Storm meets a man on the beach, Jarred Walters, a Navy Captain, and has a sexual encounter with him. The encounter results in Storm becoming pregnant, leading to her decision not to marry Trevor even if he asked. She is determined to raise her child on her own and doesn't even know the fathers name. Since she was a virgin when she met the stranger there is no doubt that the baby is not Trevor's.

But a pregnancy and a one time sexual tryst is just the beginning of the bad things about to happen to Storm. When Jarred finally finds Storm and realizes that she is pregnant with his child he is determined to marry her and raise his child. But Storm wants Trevor. Or does she? Why is she constantly thinking about Jarred if Trevor is the one she wants?

While all this is going on someone is raping and murdering women. There have been seven murders and no clues as to the culprit. Can the murderer be someone no one would expect? Trevor's actions become irrational. His mother is a witch and he finds out that he has a long lost sister. According to his mother there is something evil about Trevor and he has plans for Storm. What are those plans? If his mother is a witch does he also practice magic? Does he practice Black Magic? Who is Trevor really? Will Storm make the right decision in who she wants to be with? What about the baby?

All though I couldn't figure out what the characters had in common in the beginning, and it seemed a little confusing, it didn't take long for the author to clear everything up. The love story was beautifully written and I couldn't help hoping that Storm would pick the right man. Did she? This is also a story of good over evil and who eventually wins. I really enjoyed this book it had it all, great characters, love, romance and of course, magic. So many twists, turns and surprises. You never knew what was going to happen next. It held my interest throughout.

Reviewed By: Linda Tonis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you believe in witches? May 22, 2012

By Martha A. Cheves

Format:Paperback

"Well, my girl, I hope that boyfriend of yours is ready to make an honest woman of you. Congratulations. Everything looks fine so far." Though he smiled, there was hesitation in his voice. Biting her lip to save her cheek, Storm lost the battle with the tears that had been threatening all day and doubly so after Trevor's rebuff. Andrew pulled her head down to his shoulder, rocking her from side to side, as he had done many times before. He let her cry, and then, after what seemed like forever, he said, "There, there, it's not the end of the world. You're going to make yourself ill. Come on, chin up. Trevor seems a good sort. You've been dating him for long enough. Why aren't you on the pill?" "It makes me ill, and as there was no reason to suffer, I didn't bother." Calm washed over Storm. "Uncle Andrew, it isn't Trevor's," she mumbled hoarsely.

Storm Fenton has just had confirmed what she and her best friend Donna had suspected - she's pregnant. Problem is, she has been dating Trevor for almost a year and he isn't the father. Actually she didn't even know the name of the baby's father. Her pregnancy is the results of a `rape' that wasn't exactly a `rape.' Maybe it's best called `consented rape.' But to Storm's surprise, she will soon meet her mystery man and when he discovers her situation, she can't seem to shake him. When she finally tells Trevor that she's pregnant with another man's child his attitude splits. He assures her that she will never have the baby while assuring her that she belongs to him and he will have her through marriage. His motive as well as his actions come from deep within and he seems sincere when it comes to wanting Storm for himself and does all in his power to keep her away from Jarred, the baby's father?

Storm is a psychologist who tries to help Elle, an attorney, find a murdering/rapist who has killed 7 women already in a ritual fashion. Elle also turns out to be his 8th victim and the only one that was spared her life. But Elle's life is not only disrupted by the rape but by the appearance of her birth mother who inform her not only that she is a witch but that the murder is her own son, making him Elle's brother. The two must band together to destroy him before he kills again and before he performs his final ritual that will give him the powers he desires.

So, who is the killer - is it Trevor or is it Jarred? Or is it someone else entirely? Who is really looking out for Storm's best - Trevor or Jarred? And which will end up with her in the end - Trevor or Jarred? Dark Moon is one of the most unusual books I've read. It has everything - murder, rape, witchcraft, fear and even love. And it left me with a feeling that there just might be a book 2, I hope.