7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun and touching...don't pass this one up., January 30, 2005
This review is from: That Devil Moon (Paperback)
Maddie Harris has had it with men. When she moves into her Grandmother's house in Beaver Cove, Arkansas, she is determined to lead an uneventful and orderly life as the local high school's assistant principal. Of course it's hard to consider your life normal when you not only talk to your dead grandmother, but can also see her. Oh, and let's not forget the one night of crazy sex, under the full moon, down by the lake with a late-night fisherman...
Ex-football star, Phil Wilcox, is working on redemption. He wasn't much of a husband in the old days and even less of a father, but he wants to re-connect with his 11 year-old daughter, Melissa. Three years sober, Phil is ready to jump through any hoop to have Melissa call him Daddy again. Even if that means being civil to his money-hungry, manipulative ex-wife AND building the first winning football season Beaver Cove has seen in many years.
Maddie and Phil...polar opposites. He knows nothing about fashion, while she color coordinates everything. She has a place for every single possession and his idea of `order' is getting takeout at the Taco Bueno. And if they could just stop picking at each other, maybe they'd find they have something in common...like a blissful night spent under that ol' devil moon.
Dana Taylor has crafted a witty ride for readers with That Devil Moon. You won't get away from this read without chuckling...whether it's from Phil's wicked sense of humor, his daughter's little, unknown facts or the crazy antics that happen in Beaver Cove. The momentum fell flat a few times and it felt as though there were two endings, but the need to find out if Phil and Maddie can make it as a couple, pushes you onward. While couched in humor, Ms. Taylor does explore the very serious subjects of redemption, pregnancy, drugs, staying in school, gays and stalkers and does an excellent job of not preaching to the reader or letting these subjects slip away in the humor. The secondary characters were absolutely outstanding. Randy Bailey, Maddie's gay best-friend and Melissa are hilarious, Grammy Harris tells it like it is and backwoods neighbor/student, Reba, is a quiet jewel. All-in-all, a delightful story and a one-sitting read. Pick this one up for an evening of fun.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved The Characters, July 18, 2011
Main characters Maddie and Phil were genuine and likable. All of the characters were well-drawn and interesting. Of course, Maddie and Phil clashed at first. She thought he was overbearing and he thought she was stuck up and this made for some funny moments. But despite themselves the two are drawn together. Maddie's gay friend Randy was an especially funny character and Phil's daughter Melissa was sweet and fun. She added a lot to the way Phil was pictured and father and daughter had some great scenes together.
I especially liked the southern flavor of this book and the supernatural elements, which were not overdone, but added so much to the story. The writing is fast-paced and witty. Devil Moon is a thoroughly enjoyable read from a talented author.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Suspends Reality, July 18, 2011
I like Dana Taylor's ability to create that alternate world we sometimes want to live in when our own requires a short escape. And it takes a suspension of reality to believe the premise upon which the story is based.
SPOILER ALERT: Don't read this paragraph if you want to be surprised. SPOILER ALERT
I can believe that a guy goes out in the middle of the night to let off steam. I can also believe that a woman, comfortable and secure on her isolated property, feels uninhibited enough to sleep outdoors--especially under the influence of wine. It's what takes place after that, that I can't believe.
That said, I enjoyed the characters, dialogue, and the setting. I would read more of Dana Taylor's books but, I'll know that sometimes, romance doesn't always give us reality. H-m-m, maybe reality isn't all it's cracked up to be...
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