Customer Reviews

Moon Racer

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

Abby

Growing up without a mother in a family of rowdy males, Abby had learned to ride and rope and wrangle as well as any of her brothers. But she had never learned to be a lady. And a lady was what Major Jonah Tremain was looking for in a wife. Abby told herself she didn't care that the major was engaged to a proper Eastern-bred miss, that he preferred his women wearing petticoats instead of chaps. But when she looked into his searing blue eyes ad felt the power of his lips against hers, she decided to teach him the error of his ways-only a Texas wildcat could do justice to passion such as his, and she planned to match him kiss for kiss.

* This is book #3 in the 3 book/3 author Half-Moon Ranch series. I absolutely loved this book. I loved it just as much if not better than the first in the series. Book #2 was still good (I gave it 4 stars) but book #1 & #3 are going to be really hard to beat. The storyline was great & we finally got to see little Abby grow up. Brent & Quince were in this book quite a bit & I just love how this family is there for one another. I highly recommend this series.

Book #1 - Hunter's Moon
Book #2 - Renegade Moon
Book #3 - Moon Racer
Book #4 - Dark of the Moon

Constance O'Banyon never fails to amaze me. She just keeps getting better and better. Abby and Jonah's story is a strong one, well plotted and well written. I always feel like I am there with them. Jonah is a Major who has trouble of his own, but he has even more when spunky Abby gets tangled in his life. I did not want this book to end. I would like to see a second book on Abby and Jonah. Is that possible, Mrs. O'Banyon?

I loved it, loved it!

In 1870, eight-year-old Abigail Hunter feels her life is over as they bury her mother who apparently killed by her father and is incarcerated for murder. Her three older brothers try to help her cope, but the tragedy seem too much for them as it is for her. One by-product of no longer having a mom is Abby was raised as a rancher on the Hill Country, Texas Half-Moon Ranch rather than as a lady.

Ten years later, Abby still struggles with the pivotal tragedies as her father is released from prison. When she meets Major Jonah Tremain when he seeks a horse tamer, she falls in love. However, he wants a real lady as a wife and not a tomboy who happens to be the trainer of the horses he needs. Jonah never reckoned with a Texas tornado like Abby who goes after him with a vengeance.

The key to MOON RACER, book three of the Half-Moon Ranch romances (see HUNTER'S MOON by Bobbi Smith and RENEGADE MOON by Elaine Barbieri) is Constance O'Banyon's skill to further the mystery of ten years ago without giving away the secret. The lead couple is a solid pair as Abby goes out of her way to prove to the obstinate cavalry officer that it is not petticoats it is the heart. The strong story line adds depth to the Hunters while entertaining readers with a fine Texas romance. Anyone who reads this novel and its predecessors (sequential order is the best approach, but each tale can stand-alone) will die waiting for the finale DARK MOON by Evelyn Rogers to learn what really happened a decade ago).

Harriet Klausner

I agree with the review above this is the best one in the series. I love Abby and Jonah, they have such an amazing chemistry together, and Edmund is such a jerk that you are happy when Jonah gets a hold of him. I love Constance O'Banyon's books and without a doubt this is my fav.

This book was the best in this four book series about a family torn apart by the murder of their mother. Abby and Jonah produce sparks from the moment they meet. Abby, the lone daughter in a family of ranchers, is an ace horse trainer. Jonah is the cavalry officer who takes pride in his honor. When he falls in love with Abby, Jonah almost lets her go because he promised to marry another woman. I really liked this book, but it was a good thing I read this one first instead of the others in the series. They did not quite reach the standard set here.

Favorite scene with Abby-
Her final battle with Edmund.

Favorite scene with Jonah-
Patricia showing him that Abby was meant for him.

Together-
Their first meeting, Abby making him fall from his horse. :)

What did you like about Abby-
Her stubborness and feistiness. Her love for everyone around her. Her toughness.

What didn't you like about Abby-
She was going to do whatever she wanted. And when it came to crucial things, like
Edmund's threats, she was going to keep them to herself.

What did you like about Jonah-
His strength, thinking he had to do the right thing where Patricia and Abby were
concerned and his dedication to his work.

What didn't you like about Jonah-
That he was still willing to marry Patricia, even after being with Abby. He didn't
realize that that would hurt both women. Also, the bitterness towards his dad. He
wasn't such a bad dude. And being jealous of any man around Abby.

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was part of four book series. I could hardly wait to receive to find out what was happening the person it was about.

I have never read a book where I was motivated to find the sequels. The books are kind of old and I had to look for them in half-priced book stores. I finally got all of the copies and was amazed at the detail of the story lines. Highly recommened!

I liked Sergeant MacDougal as he shows up riding with Major Jonah Trmain on their way to Diablo. They and Private Davie [poor guy] are coming from Fort Fannin to Diablo in search of information about the payroll robberies.
Major Tremain sends his two companions off to Diablo while he seeks out Half-Moon Ranch and Quince Hunter. Tremain has been in some major set-tos with the Indians since Quince left him 5 years ago.

It seems like spring is in the air or at least the mating urge. Abby does not know how to handle her unsettled emotions. She is not happy or at least she is wary of her father being home from prison.

Now Jack Hunter is putting Half-Moon back deeper in debt. And the banker, Edmund Montgomery is egging Jack on.

Abby continues to snarl at Jonah while her brothers are trying to get enough mustangs together to supply the army with moderately trained horses. The Major needs a nicely trained mount for a lady.

We learn that a lot of hopes are place on the colt, Moon Racer that Abby had raised. Abby just wishes that Matt would come home.

Instead of being able to go out mustanging with her brothers she must help Iona Montgomery because Iona had been there for her for so many years. The trouble is that Edmund is in the house of an evening and he tries to get Abby to spend some time with him.
He is of the opinion that she wants him just as much as he wants her.

Quince has told Abby that Jonah is engage to Patricia Van Dere and she and Jonah's father are coming to Diablo.
Don't lose track of the payroll robberies and Jonah's determination to find the accomplices of Captain Gregory. He also has the Indian agent under watch.

There are so many interesting scenes going on with Abby cutting her hair - Abby giving Jack a mongrel pup as a birthday present - Edmund and Kane still plotting together - Jonah buying Taylor's ranch, thereby saving Taylor from Edmund forclosing - Jonah not being able to keep his hands off Abby - Abby sending off a letter to Julianna Rains for Iona.
Oh yes, and Edmund trying to force himself on Abby.
Jonah found Edmund, yikes!

Patricia turns out to be a sweet young lady [if 30 is young in those days]
You already know that Crystal is pregnant. And all of these stories take place through-out her 9 months.
Patricia just can't see herself living in the West - it terrifies her.

Definitely Recommended --m -- there is so much more to enjoy to the story. Happy reading.

I have been reading O'banyon's books for years and i love them. all of them. O'banyon understands what reader's want.

Abby and Jonah touched my heart in the way they came together in the novel. It was as though something stronger compelled them to one another.

My only complaint is when am i going to see the next book O'banyon writes?