Customer Reviews

Thunder Moon (Nightcreature, Book 8)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Despite her own magical heritage, part-Cherokee chief of police Grace was the no-nonsense skeptic in the previous Nightcreature novel, Hidden Moon (A Nightcreature Novel, Book 7). But having lived through encounters with killer werewolves and cursed gypsies, Grace found that `seeing is believing'. So when an unusually large number of elderly citizens in her Georgia town start passing away after a weird storm under the magical Thunder Moon, Grace's instincts tell her that there is something out of the ordinary behind the deaths.

I liked Grace in the last book and I like her even better here. Grace is not only a skilled modern warrior in her law enforcement roll, but she has powers associated with her Cherokee heritage that make her a force not be underestimated. Grace is a strong and believable heroine and she is not self-conscious about pursuing what she wants, when amidst her investigation, she finds herself drawn to the gorgeous newcomer to town, Ian Walker. Ian, also shares Grace's Cherokee heritage, but while Grace denied the more mystical portions of her heritage while growing up to appease her father, Ian embraced his. Ian is not only a conventional doctor but is also medicine-man using homeopathics and magic to treat his patients. Ian is also very intriguing and multilayered with his warrior's eagle feather and both a hidden power and the scars of his painful past visible in his soulful gaze. Using the first person narrative style, author Handeland, gives us an intimate view into Grace's intense attraction to Ian. Seeing Ian only from Grace's eyes preserves an element of mystery around him that only adds to his appeal. We have the pleasure of discovering Ian's secrets as Grace does.

In Thunder Moon, Handeland brings back old supporting characters, Medical examiner Doc, Grace's lifelong friend Mayor Claire, and former cursed gypsy Malachi from the last book are part of Grace's support system and help her brainstorm and research the supernatural and alien possibilities for the killer. There is also a brief off-screen appearance by Dr. Elise Hanover, a reoccurring character in many of the other books. While Handeland takes advantage of the cast from the last book, Thunder Moon works pretty well as a stand alone read, but it is definitely more fun if you've read the last book so that you know Doc, Grace, Claire and Malachi.

Thunder Moon is book eight in the series, but Handeland's books continue to explore more of the fascinating legends which bring her Nightcreature world to life and keep her books on my must read list. There is a video trailer for the book on Handeland's website by Circle of Seven the same production company that does Christine Feehan's. Check it out!

It has never been a secret that I love this series of books. The Native American legends which are cleverly used throughout and the strong female lead protagonists are but a few of the really great aspects of these books.

Thunder Moon delivers all that we have come to expect of a Lori Handeland book and leaves me hungry for the next installment in the series without short-changing the story in any way. Each book is an adventure of its own and I look forward to every one of them which I usually order before it is even available for sale.

Such a strong, well written series should not be forced to die by a publisher who clearly has no clue what this would mean to the fans and fanatics. If after reading this latest installment in the series, you feel as strongly as I do then please take the time to e-mail the publisher and tell them so.
IF we don't speak our minds now then it will be too late. Ms. Handeland's Nightcreature novels have been kicked to the curb.

I never know what to expect with Lori Handeland's books. She always keeps me guessing. I can never figure out if someone is a werewolf. Sometimes I think it will be the main male character but then it turns out not to be. Then I'll think it's not the main male character, and he will be. I just never know with her. That is why I lover her books. She always keeps me on my toes. From what I've read in another review, it sounds like this is the last of the Nightcreature series. I hope I read that wrong, because her books are wonderful and I always look forward to her next book in this series.

THUNDER MOON is the eighth and final book in the Nightcreature series. However I read this book as a stand alone and thanks to Lori Handelands returning cast of characters and generous back story I never felt confused. With a strong female lead, sexy but mysterious love interest, lots of entertaining secondary characters plus an intriguing paranormal mystery to solve this is a good read.

Grace McDaniel is the sheriff of Lake Bluff, Georgia she's a tough, sassy and independent woman with a small sarcasm problem. Written in the first person I found Grace's character and in particular her running internal dialogue to be hilarious, you just never what was going to come out of her mouth next. Although part Cherokee, Grace has never embraced her traditional side and when after a freak thunder storm the elderly residents in Lake Bluff start turning up dead and upon autopsy missing their hearts she is at first reluctant about excepting the supernatural.

Also arriving during the storm is Ian Walker, a Cherokee doctor who blends native with traditional medicine. The pair has immediate chemistry even though there's something about Ian that Grace doesn't fully trust. Ian character is intriguing from the start, he's gorgeous of course but also very secretive. Bearing the mark of a warrior on his back and an eagle feather in his long hair, Ian has hidden powers and a painful past he's trying to overcome.

As the creature preying on the town's residents gains strength it begins to kill not just the old but the young and healthy as well forcing Grace and Ian to team up in a race to find the Raven Mocker. Since this has been written in the first person we get the pleasure of discovering Ian and learning his secrets as Grace does. And although their love story is unconventional due in part to Grace's dominance this only makes for some very steamy love scenes. I don't think I've ever read a romance before where the heroine rescues the hero, so yippee if you like a strong female lead.

I also enjoyed the many other residents of Lake Bluff in particular Grace's partner and his Chuck Norris joke bandit and fans of the series will love hearing about the returning Doc as well as her best friend Claire and husband Malachi. There is also some mention of Dr Elsie Hanover and the Jager-Suchers.

THUNDER MOON has a heavy mystical presence which I loved. Combining Cherokee legends with the paranormal and with all the non-stop action you won't be able to guess `whodunit' until the very end.

If you are a fan of Lori Handeland's books, you will enjoy this one just as much as the others. She revisits the town of Lake Bluff, and although the Jagersuchers are not as prominent it is still a well told story with plenty of romance.

I've been reading this series from the beginning and have never regret it. Handeland has always been consistent in her writing. Her characters are unique and her mystery will always keep you guessing. The ending threw me. She mentioned in previous novels the attack that occurred at the institution, yet had alluded to it again in this novel. Is this a new attack or did the story happen during a parallel time as a previous book? Despite the answer, I'm anxious to find out.

Great read, lots of surprises and new ideas. I love Lori's books because you get things that you have never heard before. Great Author!

Lori Handeland has returned to the location of Hidden Moon to deal with the sheriff. There's some Indian mythology and mysticism and an interesting, good-looking Cherokee doctor. The part-Cherokee sheriff and the doctor get together to solve the mysterious deaths of some elderly residents of Lake Bluff, Georgia.

It's a great story that grabs your interest right off the bat and holds it all the way through. The Jager-Sucher don't actually get in on the act in this Moon but they're consulted and there seems to be something major going on keeping them all busy elsewhere. There's a hint of something changing but not enough to really let you know for sure what the changes might be. I guess we'll have to wait and see where Lori goes with them.

I really enjoyed this installment of the "Moon" series.

If you want some romance all tied up into the unknown factor this author can keep you tied up in the books for hours. A bit of vampire, a bit of the occult, and a bit of falling in love all tied together in a great novel by lori Handeland. 5 stars, she's great!!

I love Lori Handleland's Nightcreature novels. I especially enjoyed visiting Lake Bluff, Georgia (small human population, large paranormal population) again. In this installation, Grace (the sheriff) is trying to figure out who or what is killing the dying residents, and evetually the not-so-dying residents of the town. With her handy assistant, Cal (ex-Marine and Chuck Norris Fan), and Doc (who knows all about the paranormal), Grace sets out to discover what is amist in her small town. Of course, in comes a handsome Doctor Ian, who not only seems to know a little about her Cherokee heritage, but also knows about the paranormal. Grace can only turn to her friend Claire, the Mayor, who in the last installment fought werewolves and found love, for understanding as she both accepts her heritage and finds what she has always been searching for, LOVE. I loved this novel and can't wait for the next. It is easy to read (2 days tops) and filled with humor and a decent story. Enjoy.