Customer Reviews

Moon Shadows

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

 

 

Nora Roberts and friends have writen another series of stories that you are sure to love!

Nora Roberts - Wolf Moon was a wonderful story of a werewolf (lycan) and mixed up with the strength of love. I have never read a story on werewolves and had never thought I would like it. But this was a pleasure to read.

Jill Gregory - Witch Moon was a story of a journey not only over evil filled lands, but also a journey of learning about hope and faith. A wonderful fairy tale ending that one loves to believe that they lived happily ever after.

Ruth Ryan Langan - Blood on the Moon was a wonderful story based on honor, strength of the heart, wits and love.

Marianna Willman - West of the Moon is a story based on fairytales and folklore that turn out to be more than tales. What a wonderful picture Marianna can paint in one's mind to picture the beauty! Fairies, magic, love, curses and not quite sure how it was going to spin to the end...it was great!

All four stories are a must read and I am thankful I read them!!!!!!

I wish that I had read the reviews before I purchased this book. I bought it on the basis of the Nora Roberts story and it turned out to be the only one worth reading in the collection. I totally applaud Ms. Roberts efforts to help new authors but surely the bar should be a bit more equal? I felt ripped-off, so I'll donate the book to the library so people can read it without buying it.

I have read the other review entries, and I have to disagree with some of them. I am an avid fan of Nora Roberts, and the other authors she coincides with. I have read all of their short story collections, and have loved every one of them! When I saw this book, I grabbed it off the shelf, and haven't thought twice about it. I do agree with the others that Nora's story was the best, but 'Moon Shadows' wouldn't be the same without the stories from Gregory, Ryan-Langan, and Willman. They are all great others in their own rite. I am looking forward for the next book in this short story series!

I must agree with one of the previous reviewers that if you are buying this book, know what you are getting in advance. The Nora Roberts story, Wolf Moon, is head and shoulders above the others both writing and plot twists. I really enjoy stories with a paranormal flare, and I knew Nora Roberts would deliver, I just didn't expect it to be the only really good offering.

While the three other tales are ok, they don't have the twists and turns and character development that Robert's story does. I admit I am fairly easily entertained, I don't like to work hard to understand a plot and I want the story to be an escape, but The Moon Witch and Blood on the Moon just seemed as though there was so much more that could have been done and very little angst or conflict thrown in that kept you guessing.Moon Witch was just plain boring but I will say the Blood on the Moon started out very promising, though the way the hero came about was predictable; I wasn't surprised who it was. The ending did make me tear a little so yes, I think it was better than The Moon Witch in making me care about the characters. The final offering, West of the Moon, was probably the best of the 3, as I found it had more conflict to it and better character development and the heroine was strong and intelligent throughout the entire story.

There wasn't much sensuality in the stories other than Robert's tale, so if you're looking for that, you may want to pass this over for a full length Roberts novel. This is not to say this isn't worth reading, but consider all your choices out there when buying and if its between this and something else, choose the other and get this at the library.

I am one of those people obsessed with magic and all things mystical so naturally when I came across this book I was extatic. Inside this book are four relatively short stories.

The first story was without doubt my favorite. A werewolf..excuse me,lycan..infected a woman in the Italian mountians between Italy and France and now the woman is trying to cure herself. First, Roberts describes her solitude in a heartbreakingly perfect way, a way in which it seems she is all alone with no one but her dog for comfort. She falls in love with a vet, how perfect, and together they try to cure her. It's a wonderful love story with just enough mystical forces to keep you wanting more.

The other stories were just as great though now I cannot remember the order. The one with the Dark Angel whose family was slayed in the begining, oh my heart. So sad yet sweepingly romantic and rugishly barbaric. The princess has such a big heart and her Dark Angel is the kind of man you want on a winters night...I loved it.
The land on Org sounds like a horrible place doesn't it...but white magic endures, as does love of course...His family was killed by the evil witch, then he was turned down by the queen...and when her beauty and life is stolen, her sister steals his heart...how cute. I love how one minute they hate each other and the next they are in love, even in that horrible place..it's great.
I didn't like the last one so much but it was kind of sweet...I won't go into it since I have more bad things than good to say...but hey, 3 out of 4 were good to me, that earns my stamp of approval.
BW~

If you plan on buying this book, know that you're getting one terrific short story and three others that are so-so at best. I recently read a review of a Nora Roberts' book in which the reviewer hypothesized that the reader gets more (and better) Nora as the price of the book goes up. If that's the case, her short story in this book should be bottom of the barrel -- but it's one of the best romance short stories I've read. As for the others...well, there's fantasy and then there's silly, and the three other stories (with the exception of the last) fall more on the silly side of the line.

After reading the previous reviews here...i decided to only read the NR story. I wasn't disappointed in the least. I loved Simone and Gabriel. The story was too short for my liking, it left me wanting more!

"Wolf Moon" by Nora Roberts. Simone hikes Italian mountains when a feral beast bites her. Eleven years later in Maine, recluse Simone takes her canine to her vet only to find out that his nephew Gabe has taken over the practice. She knows he is her mate, but retreats to her isolated home before he realizes the truth about her.

"Moon Winter" by Jill Gregory. Sorceress Ondrea the Terrible places an evil spell on Queen Lise. Her sister Princess Gwynna needs to travel to the Valley of Org where the sorceress lives to find a counter-spell. Only her family enemy Keir of Blackthorne has successfully ventured in and out of Org. She needs him as a guide, but would he risk his life for his enemy?

"Blood on the Moon" by Ruth Ryan Langan. Laird Rothwick's brutal warriors kill and rape Highlanders, leaving behind many orphaned children. Alana Lament provides a home to the orphans while only the Dark Angel defies Rothwick. In a final confrontation with Rothwick's minion, the Dark Angel needs special help against an invincible foe.

"West of the Moon" by Marianne Willman. Phoebe Sutton heads to Thorne Court when she reaches a fork. As the faerie know if she chooses the wrong path she will die. Arriving at her destination she meets her childhood companion Gordon Tremaine who she believes is the ugliest man on the planet. She is the only person who can save him, but free will can lead to danger and love.

These four romantic speculative fiction stories are prime tales from this talented quartet. They hook the audience from the first novella until the last.

Harriet Klausner

Wolf Moon - Nora Roberts
THE STORY - This is about a young ambitious girl, Simone, who is bitten by a werewolf. She then dedicates her life to finding a cure while making her special bath and home products. While in town she runs into a man she instantly recognizes as her mate. She doesn't allow anyone close for fear of being found out, but she can't deny the instinct to be near her mate. Gabe has the same pull to her, together they work on finding a cure.
THOUGHTS - I liked this quick story. Gabe and Simone are well written and belong together. This isn't my favorite of the bunch, but it was good.

MOON WITCH - Jill Gregory
THE STORY - Princess Gwynna wakes up to find that the health and beauty of her sister has been stolen by a witch. In order to save her sister she must go to the witches evil lands, but only one man has ever made it out alive. Keir never wishes to return to those evil lands, but he is unable to allow the proud beautiful Gwynna go by herself. Together they must help eachother to keep sane and accomplish their tasks for justice.
THOUGHTS - this is my favorite book of the bunch, but as usual I get disappointed in the length of the book. I wish it was longer. All the characters are well written. The connection between Keir and Gwynna is tangible. I wish there was more of them to read, but I am now going to investigate Jill Gregories other works.

BLOOD ON THE MOON - Ruth Ryan Langan
THE STORY - In the highlands of scottland there is a rebel clan burning down other clans, abusing their women and children and killing all the men. Brave little Royce watches his brave brother die, then is stabbed himself. By a miracle he is still alive and he teaches himself to take out the rebel clan members one by one. One of the last clans still standing is run by Lady Alanna, she has taken in all the women and children that escaped the evil clan. Royce is drawn to Alanna and is unable to leave her to fend for herself, together they protect her clan.
THOUGHTS - this is my second favorite story in this book. Royce's and Alanna's bravery and cunning help save themselves and their clan. This story is fast paced and intriguing, but again too short. Their love is innocent and just made me smile.

WEST OF THE MOON - Mariane Willman
THE STORY - Phoebe has always loved Gordon, who is her cousin - that part is weird.... They were supposed to marry but 7 years ago he cancelled on her. She is now broke and going to live with Gordons father - she thinks to be a servant. Upon arriving she finds Gordon horribly scarred. He flirts with her, but keeps his distance. Phoebe is drawn to different fae workings trying to draw her into their trap. Gordon trys desperately to save her from his fate that is his personal hell. He is almost free, but if they draw her in he will lose her forever.
THOUGHTS - This book was very creative and well written. I would have liked to see more of the fae world, but in this book it is written as something bad. How can the fae be bad? =)

This book was a surprise to me how entertaining it was. I have been a Nora Roberts fan for years and had never read this one before. Three out of the stories were very good . The last typically was lacking. Overall an excellent read.