11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A pretty howling good time (Spoilers), August 1, 2007
This review is from: Hidden Moon (Nightcreature, Book 7) (Mass Market Paperback)
Lori Handeland has broken through a million stereotypes that are common in romance novel heroines, and she has definitely done so again with "Hidden Moon," her seventh novel in her Nightcreature series. For that, I applaud her.
Claire Kennedy is the daughter of Lake Bluff, Georgia's, former mayor. She had been in Atlanta trying to make a living as a journalist, until she was raped by a man she was dating. In order to turn her life back around and escape her fear, she goes back home to take up the mantle her father had and become mayor herself (this isn't really logical but it's explained as a normal thing in a small town).
When the Full Moon Festival, an annual celebration in Lake Bluff, approaches, strange things begin to happen. Claire's assistant has hired a group of Gypsies to entertain the townspeople and tourists for the celebration and Claire finds herself attracted to the group's leader, Malachi Cartwright. However, a tourist disappears and wolves are being heard in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, which is uncommon since no wolves roam around in the area. Claire's job is constantly being thwarted and she has to deal with the skeptical people who don't think she can handle the job. Also, she's trying to overcome the rockiness of her relationship with her best friend and the town's sheriff, Grace.
"Hidden Moon" is chalk full of mystery, myth, and a little spookiness. When I say that Claire isn't a typical heroine, I mean it. She's able to stand on her own two feet when confronted with her rapist, and she seriously knows how look out for her survival (I won't say how, but trust me, it's a doozy). Her relationship with Malachi is also very sweet-- he knows she's been hurt and actually helps her overcome her pain with gentleness and understanding, even physically defending her honor. What a guy! Even though I don't approve of his constant disappearing (something all of Handeland's heroes tend to do) he's still really sweet.
The bad guys are similiar to those in B-rated movies and when the baddies are revealed it's a little Scooby Doo-ish (I can actually hear Fred saying "Why it's so and so from the old amusement park!"); there is also a "big misunderstanding" thrown in as well, but "Hidden Moon" has some wonderful surprises. And the cover's beautiful.
Can't wait for Grace's book, which comes out next year.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior "Spooky" Read with a Dark Knight, August 17, 2007
This review is from: Hidden Moon (Nightcreature, Book 7) (Mass Market Paperback)
Not every author can adeptly tread the fine line between tense suspense and just a deliciously spooky, slightly creepy read. This author has it done perfectly. Lovely, caring but mysterious lead male is a Gypsy king in a traveling carnival show. The lead female characters--one being the major romantic interest of the Gypsy king--are smart, have real jobs and good friends acting as a large cast of secondary characters. But so many characters seem--somehow-- secretive and maybe even more than they appear at the town's annual Lunar Festival. The novel keeps you guessing in a fun way, the sensuality is loving and not too explicit. Just the perfect read when the winds blow outside and the branches scrape against the the windows and the full moon glows......
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Handeland has done it again!, October 9, 2007
This review is from: Hidden Moon (Nightcreature, Book 7) (Mass Market Paperback)
Claire has returned to her hometown of Lake Bluff, Georgia following the death of her father, who was the town's Mayor. Running from a secret in her past, she sets out to dedicate herself to fulfilling the Mayoral duties of her late father, a position she never dreamed she would have taken considering her past position of Anchor Woman. Among her new duties is to welcome a caravan of gypsy's that have been hired to entertain the community during the Full Moon Festival. With her childhood friend/Sheriff, Grace, she eventually finds that the traveling Gypsies are not what they appear, especially the ruggedly sexy Malachi Cartwright, who excites her beyond words. Just who and what is this mysterious traveler is why you have to read the book and find out.
Hidden Moon is typical Handeland, and full of interesting characters and plot twists. It is easy to read and proves to be a wonderful paranormal romance that you will enjoy reading.
The only minor criticism that I had is although we get to see our favorites, Elise and Monster Hunter Extraordinaire Edward, there were several characters that appear to be unusual that I wanted to know more about, but I am assuming that they will appear in future books. For example, there was something mysterious about Joyce, the Mayor's right hand and about Grace, who was constantly running around, under the moon naked, with no other explanation that....."I like to worship nature". But, because I know that that may be foreshadowing of future storylines to come, I will not hold that against Handeland.
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