Customer Reviews

Moon Shadow

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

 

 

I try not to write reviews unless I have read the book in question at least twice. And, it took me two readings to decide how I felt about Moon Shadow. Halfway through the second read, I realized that Lucinda Betts had created a world, a society, and a hero and heroine worthy of the keeper shelf.

The heroine, Esmenet Sokaris, is a highly ranked Wizard of Love spells, potions , etc. Yep, that's a good lead in. Her hero, Gage Feldspar, is a drunken loser, who has destroyed his marriage, home and life.

Easy to see how this goes, right? But, several things take this from the realm of 'been there, read that' into, whoa, a 'keeper here'! Now we get into a real mystery plot. One that combines wizardry, police work and a horrible mis-use of sex. So the author ties us into several genres, all done very well.

I loved the fact that the author, or her editorial staff, have usually known how to handle English grammar. Especially, personal pronouns and verbs. No one says, for example "she is smarter than me" (correctly, it is "she is smarter than I (am).) (Yes, the misuse of "like" for "as" happens, but that's the fault of cigarette commericals and public schools). Anyway, the story is great. Ms. Betts, in a very few descriptive sentences and a well-described plot line, shows us a society in which Wizards (male and female) are used as medical personnel, police, etc. In other words, the foundation of a working and workable society.

You can read the plot from other reviewers (or better still, buy the book), but the overall high quality of writing skills for this genre and a really imaginative study of people and, surprisingly enough, endocrinology, is fantastic. The whole concept of medical science and study as the basis of wizardry is new and really refreshing. I don't know what Ms. Betts' background is, but she certainly scores well on science and, thank goodness,the SEX. (And, has a handsome hunk who does the dishes! And, cooks!!!) I hope more stories are set in this world, with equally engaging characters, plot and sexual behavior.

Buy this new. The author should be rewarded.

I'm a big reader, devouring 2-3 books a week, and I'd thought I'd seen it all--but Lucinda Betts is a world-builder extraordinaire. From the very first page--when Esmenet tells us she needs a man--Lucinda nabs my attention and doesn't let up until the very satisfying end. Her stories are earthy, sexy, fun, and completely original. I can't wait to see what she's got in store for me next!

I checked this book out of the library with a small hope that it would be good, not because of the book itself but because with erotica you never know what you're going to get. Too many times the sex lacks eroticism, the dialogue is crude and trashy and the story is weak. But I keep hoping because sometimes I stumble on a real winner.

This story is one of those. The plot is intriguing. The main character, Wizard Sokaris, brews "love potions." It isn't as trite as it sounds because these potions heal wounded hearts. They give courage and healing to rape victims, they inspire couples to try new things sexually and help men recommit to staying faithful. The magic was much less frou-frou than it often is in fiction stories. I don't know a lot about science so maybe she made it all up but it sounded good!

The story also deals with serious issues like rape, adultery and alcoholism with a human touch. There aren't a lot of graphic details of the rape scenes, for example, but the pain the women feel who are attacked and Sokaris' desire to help them, keeps the interest and reader investment. The hero stumbles several times in his fight with alcoholism and I cared enough to wince when he did. The characters are likable - flawed and imperfect and interesting. (Sokaris' totem is a chicken!) They grow during the story.

The only real flaw in the book, IMO, is the erotica portion of the book. It's fine, it's decently written, but not what I'd consider HOT. It almost felt like she wrote this great romantic story and then added the raunchy talk later. It's not enough to drop it to 4 stars though because it really is a fun story to read.

I would be interested in reading more adventures in this world.

Sorceress Esmenet Sokaris provides love spells for her abused female clients; many of whom are rape victims. To perform her work better, she needs thee right assistant, but has failed to find an apprentice who would work smoothly with her especially in the arcane erotic rites that is the prime element to her success.

That is she has been unsuccessful until now. She finds the perfect helper in hunk Gage Feldspar. However, he wants more than just a professional relationship with his mentor and does everything to foster more with the woman he loves. However, the reluctant Esmenet has legitimate personal reasons to keep her personal life apart from her work because she knows full well what will happen to her skills if she falls in love.

The key to this erotic romantic fantasy is the belief that the Betts universe is plausible. Placing two likable individuals struggling between their sorcery work that requires intimacy and keeping their personal feelings inside is what makes Betts environs steamy and it also makes for a fun tale for readers. The personal issue of choice confronting the lead female protagonist adds to a fine tale as the author's fans know that this is one writer who is a sure bet to entertain with a torrid paranormal enchanting tale of love.

Harriet Klausner