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Wild Magick #1
The Lycan Moon
Rescued from the streets of Seattle by her adoptive mother, a witch and a seer, Dana Pierce learned early on about her talent as a witch. Now a successful news columnist, she not only embraces her craft, but has spent the last five years of her life in search of a man she believes she’s destined to help, a man cursed to immortality by an unfortunate ancestor.
Calen Meer has carved out a quiet life in the port town of Astoria, Oregon, and though immortality has made him a wealthy man, he lives simply, running a charter fishing business, where only a very few know he is a werewolf. That is until the infinitely curious, albeit irresistible, Dana Pierce enters his life.
As Ms. Pierce blithely goes about unearthing a past best left forgotten, Calen is torn between his anger at her intrusion into his life and the profound effect she has on him. But when several women are found brutally murdered, Calen must face the fact that a creature, not unlike himself, is not only escalating in its rabid need, but Dana may be his next victim.
As their volatile attraction to each other heats up, a devastating secret from the past threatens to destroy them both unless Calen can set his prejudices aside, and let Dana offer the help she’s been born for.
Calen Meer has carved out a quiet life in the port town of Astoria, Oregon, and though immortality has made him a wealthy man, he lives simply, running a charter fishing business, where only a very few know he is a werewolf. That is until the infinitely curious, albeit irresistible, Dana Pierce enters his life.
As Ms. Pierce blithely goes about unearthing a past best left forgotten, Calen is torn between his anger at her intrusion into his life and the profound effect she has on him. But when several women are found brutally murdered, Calen must face the fact that a creature, not unlike himself, is not only escalating in its rabid need, but Dana may be his next victim.
As their volatile attraction to each other heats up, a devastating secret from the past threatens to destroy them both unless Calen can set his prejudices aside, and let Dana offer the help she’s been born for.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2011
270 people want to read
About the author
Sara Durham
5 books13 followersSara Durham wasn’t born with a set of marketable pipes, so she had to put her rock star career (think Grace Slick or Pink) on hold and pursue a more traditional career in healthcare. She is, however, cursed with an overactive imagination and loves the written word, especially romance fiction with a good dose of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. She puts her leading men through hell, and the women they love have to be strong in their own right to put up with these males.
When she’s not writing or reading, Sara loves to cook and has been accused of hoarding recipes and cookbooks. Little do they know she cranks up her music dock (when no one is around) and dances around the kitchen while chopping, stirring, sautéing, blending, searing, and whipping. Quad americanos, pizza, red wine, and chocolate are her staples, and she has a secret love of British humor, dark Jamaican rum, and historical romances (yep those bodice rippers).
Sara lives in the Portland, Metropolitan Area with her busy family and Lucy, an independent feline. Ocean beaches, mountain forests, and every other facet of the beautiful Pacific Northwest provide a rich mine of inspiration that feeds her fertile imagination. She has written five novels and a short story. Currently she is revising the first two books in her Wild Magic Series, with the third one in final edits to be rereleased, and released respectively in 2016.
Her paranormal romance/urban fantasy novel full of angels and demons, THE POWERS, is available in ebook, from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Muse It Up Publishing.
You can find Sara Durham at:
http://saradurhamwriter.com
http://sdurhamrockinthefodder.blogspo...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SDurham...-
http://twitter.com/sdurhamauthor
When she’s not writing or reading, Sara loves to cook and has been accused of hoarding recipes and cookbooks. Little do they know she cranks up her music dock (when no one is around) and dances around the kitchen while chopping, stirring, sautéing, blending, searing, and whipping. Quad americanos, pizza, red wine, and chocolate are her staples, and she has a secret love of British humor, dark Jamaican rum, and historical romances (yep those bodice rippers).
Sara lives in the Portland, Metropolitan Area with her busy family and Lucy, an independent feline. Ocean beaches, mountain forests, and every other facet of the beautiful Pacific Northwest provide a rich mine of inspiration that feeds her fertile imagination. She has written five novels and a short story. Currently she is revising the first two books in her Wild Magic Series, with the third one in final edits to be rereleased, and released respectively in 2016.
Her paranormal romance/urban fantasy novel full of angels and demons, THE POWERS, is available in ebook, from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Muse It Up Publishing.
You can find Sara Durham at:
http://saradurhamwriter.com
http://sdurhamrockinthefodder.blogspo...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/SDurham...-
http://twitter.com/sdurhamauthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 14, 2011
Dana Pierce is an unusual young woman on a quest to find and help free a man from a terrible, inherited curse. Meticulous research has led her to the small coastal community in Oregon. Regrettably, her single-minded dedication to her mission has aroused the attention of a vicious, unbalanced killer.
His acute senses are in overload; her tantalizing scent bewitches him. Calen Meer thought his old persona was truly buried until the nosy reporter comes poking around. She arouses his lust and his anger simultaneously. He finds the intolerable situation confusing and irritating.
A killer is on a rampage, and several young women have been brutally slain; their throats ripped out, bodies slashed. At first, there is speculation that a rampaging bear may be the culprit. Calen tracks the beast and tries to warn Dana to leave the area, but he is only partially successful. Meanwhile, Aiden, Dana’s adopted brother, begins having frightening visions, also. A prophecy is set in motion.
This debut novel is rich in imagery. The emotional connection between the leading characters is wrought with clarity, attention to fine detail, and an abundance of believability. I also like that the secondary characters seemed real to me, too. At times, my attention wandered, though, especially during the first half. I think a tighter story structure would have been helpful, as there were a few instances in which I felt the story was not being propelled along quite fast enough. Still, the sense of place, the feeling of impending doom, the hopeful optimism consistently embraced by the heroine, are remarkably well-portrayed throughout and, especially for a first novel, made this story interesting. Ms. Durham is certainly a writer to watch and I look forward to reading more stories from this new talent.
Laurie
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
His acute senses are in overload; her tantalizing scent bewitches him. Calen Meer thought his old persona was truly buried until the nosy reporter comes poking around. She arouses his lust and his anger simultaneously. He finds the intolerable situation confusing and irritating.
A killer is on a rampage, and several young women have been brutally slain; their throats ripped out, bodies slashed. At first, there is speculation that a rampaging bear may be the culprit. Calen tracks the beast and tries to warn Dana to leave the area, but he is only partially successful. Meanwhile, Aiden, Dana’s adopted brother, begins having frightening visions, also. A prophecy is set in motion.
This debut novel is rich in imagery. The emotional connection between the leading characters is wrought with clarity, attention to fine detail, and an abundance of believability. I also like that the secondary characters seemed real to me, too. At times, my attention wandered, though, especially during the first half. I think a tighter story structure would have been helpful, as there were a few instances in which I felt the story was not being propelled along quite fast enough. Still, the sense of place, the feeling of impending doom, the hopeful optimism consistently embraced by the heroine, are remarkably well-portrayed throughout and, especially for a first novel, made this story interesting. Ms. Durham is certainly a writer to watch and I look forward to reading more stories from this new talent.
Laurie
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
June 12, 2012
Werewolves, witches, romance, and suspense this book has many great things to recommend it. The Lycan Moon is a great story all the way around. I am hoping that some of the secondary characters come back in future titles of their own. It took me a few chapters to get into it because I have been reading a lot of erotica lately and this has a completely different focus. Once I got into it though I enjoyed the story a lot. It was a refreshing change of pace for me. The romance is interwoven into the story. The Lycan Moon has substance; it is not a case of a romance novel where the book is a bunch of mating scenes with filler.
The back story for The Lycan Moon has a nice little twist. I enjoyed the mix of witchcraft and werewolf mythology. Having the additional interaction added another level to the legend. Calen is definitely a character I was pulling for throughout the book. Long tortured heroes get me all the time. Dana has a tenacity that just makes you love her. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them. I also think that there is potential for this author to go forward if she chose to make this book part of a series. I will be looking for more books by S. Durham and hopefully she will take me on some other fun journeys.
The back story for The Lycan Moon has a nice little twist. I enjoyed the mix of witchcraft and werewolf mythology. Having the additional interaction added another level to the legend. Calen is definitely a character I was pulling for throughout the book. Long tortured heroes get me all the time. Dana has a tenacity that just makes you love her. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them. I also think that there is potential for this author to go forward if she chose to make this book part of a series. I will be looking for more books by S. Durham and hopefully she will take me on some other fun journeys.
June 23, 2013
Reading this story made me think about all the times I have said..."oh if only we could go back to the good old days." Well the good old days in this story weren't all that good after all.
Imagine living in a time when witchcraft had the power to curse you into immortality?
Immortality really IS a long time, and in that long time you learn to accept what cannot be changed and adjust to the minor things that can.
The word '"CONTENTMENT" pops into my mind. If you are a long suffering immortal with a curse entwined within your DNA, finding contentment I think is much more valuable than all the gold in the universe...but then I am a great fan of contentment.
Years spread out and you accept each one with a stoicism until...
And that is the basis of S. Durham's gripping tale.
Now I could sit here and give away what the "UNTIL" brings, but I don't want to be one of those reviewers that SPOILS the story.
Let's just look at it this way...the title is THE LYCAN MOON, so we must assume, and rightly so, this is going to be a story about werewolves, or to use its more scientific distinction lycanthropy.
If you look carefully at the cover you're going to notice there's a witch's hat...
Even before I read the back cover or turn to the beginning of S. Durham's tale, I am now contemplating this story is going to involve werewolves AND witches.
The question for me was, can S. Durham bring anything NEW to this paranormal table?
With that question in my mind, I tapped the side arrows on my Kindle advancing page by page through this suspense filled para-normal adventure...and not once was I disappointed.
Therefore I take great pleasure in awarding THE LYCAN MOON, FIVE Palpitating Stars and urge her to keep them coming.
Can't wait to see what delights of paranormal or OTHER fancy S. Durham brings my way.
Imagine living in a time when witchcraft had the power to curse you into immortality?
Immortality really IS a long time, and in that long time you learn to accept what cannot be changed and adjust to the minor things that can.
The word '"CONTENTMENT" pops into my mind. If you are a long suffering immortal with a curse entwined within your DNA, finding contentment I think is much more valuable than all the gold in the universe...but then I am a great fan of contentment.
Years spread out and you accept each one with a stoicism until...
And that is the basis of S. Durham's gripping tale.
Now I could sit here and give away what the "UNTIL" brings, but I don't want to be one of those reviewers that SPOILS the story.
Let's just look at it this way...the title is THE LYCAN MOON, so we must assume, and rightly so, this is going to be a story about werewolves, or to use its more scientific distinction lycanthropy.
If you look carefully at the cover you're going to notice there's a witch's hat...
Even before I read the back cover or turn to the beginning of S. Durham's tale, I am now contemplating this story is going to involve werewolves AND witches.
The question for me was, can S. Durham bring anything NEW to this paranormal table?
With that question in my mind, I tapped the side arrows on my Kindle advancing page by page through this suspense filled para-normal adventure...and not once was I disappointed.
Therefore I take great pleasure in awarding THE LYCAN MOON, FIVE Palpitating Stars and urge her to keep them coming.
Can't wait to see what delights of paranormal or OTHER fancy S. Durham brings my way.
July 22, 2012
“The Lycan Moon” By Sara Durham
Dana Pierce was born a witch. She is destined to use the powers that she's had since young to reverse a centuries old werewolf curse that one of her ancestors enacted on one of her ex-lovers future male children. Dana was told by her adoptive mother, Natasha, that Dana needs to research a man named Konrad Nachtman. Through Natasha's visions, Dana's adoptive Mother informs Dana that she must assist Konrad to reverse the werewolf curse that has plagued him his entire life. If only that was so easy for Dana, she must now try and find Konrad, and he may not even be alive. If Konrad is still alive, Dana must try and convince Konrad that she has the power within herself to help rid him of the curse. Will Dana find Konrad Nachtman alive? Will Konrad accept Dana's help, and finally be free of the werewolf curse that has destroyed his life?
Sara Durham's writes a wonderful novel filled with surprises, secrets, and strange destinies to be fulfilled in this fast paced book called “The Lycan Moon.” You will be surprised near the end of the book, just when you think you have it all figured out, trust me, you don't. I really loved how the novel went from the present to the past, and how it drew you into Dana's and Konrad's past lives. This novel was Very well written, and I hope I have the opportunity to read another of Sara Durham's novels soon!
4 Lips out of 5
Reviewed by: Raven Kelly- ParanormalRomance.ca
Click Here to Visit ParanormalRomance.ca
Dana Pierce was born a witch. She is destined to use the powers that she's had since young to reverse a centuries old werewolf curse that one of her ancestors enacted on one of her ex-lovers future male children. Dana was told by her adoptive mother, Natasha, that Dana needs to research a man named Konrad Nachtman. Through Natasha's visions, Dana's adoptive Mother informs Dana that she must assist Konrad to reverse the werewolf curse that has plagued him his entire life. If only that was so easy for Dana, she must now try and find Konrad, and he may not even be alive. If Konrad is still alive, Dana must try and convince Konrad that she has the power within herself to help rid him of the curse. Will Dana find Konrad Nachtman alive? Will Konrad accept Dana's help, and finally be free of the werewolf curse that has destroyed his life?
Sara Durham's writes a wonderful novel filled with surprises, secrets, and strange destinies to be fulfilled in this fast paced book called “The Lycan Moon.” You will be surprised near the end of the book, just when you think you have it all figured out, trust me, you don't. I really loved how the novel went from the present to the past, and how it drew you into Dana's and Konrad's past lives. This novel was Very well written, and I hope I have the opportunity to read another of Sara Durham's novels soon!
4 Lips out of 5
Reviewed by: Raven Kelly- ParanormalRomance.ca
Click Here to Visit ParanormalRomance.ca
June 22, 2012
A First-reads, Goodreads Giveaway Book
Seductive, Adventurous, Mysterious, and Enchanting!
Dana is in search of a nearly 400-year-old werewolf in the northwestern forests of Washington in hopes of breaking his painful and dangerous curse. Though she is known for her articles on medicinal herbs and natural healing in the Seattle Times, Dana is really a witch who is well versed in the magik of her ancestors. As she searches for the enigmatic wolf, she comes across several new friends, and becomes ensnared in a tantalizingly passionate relationship with a local fisherman named Calen. The story is not only told from Dana's perspective, but goes back and forth between the main leads, some smaller secondary characters, and a dark entity only known as "Him", who, until he lets himself be known as a dangerous killer, is always on the periphery, watching and waiting for his nest target.
Can Dana break a 17th century curse and keep her feelings for Calen in check, all while she avoids the evil presence she feels is constantly watching her?
"The Lycan Moon" is the best summer read I've come across in a long while. A quick read which I couldn't put down until the very last page, this book is packed full of vivid scenery and heart pounding moments of both fear and lust, but also gives the reader a view into the magical world of witchcraft and the spirit of the mother of the earth, which few authors ever include. A true gem in my library, I am sure I will re-read it over and over.
Seductive, Adventurous, Mysterious, and Enchanting!
Dana is in search of a nearly 400-year-old werewolf in the northwestern forests of Washington in hopes of breaking his painful and dangerous curse. Though she is known for her articles on medicinal herbs and natural healing in the Seattle Times, Dana is really a witch who is well versed in the magik of her ancestors. As she searches for the enigmatic wolf, she comes across several new friends, and becomes ensnared in a tantalizingly passionate relationship with a local fisherman named Calen. The story is not only told from Dana's perspective, but goes back and forth between the main leads, some smaller secondary characters, and a dark entity only known as "Him", who, until he lets himself be known as a dangerous killer, is always on the periphery, watching and waiting for his nest target.
Can Dana break a 17th century curse and keep her feelings for Calen in check, all while she avoids the evil presence she feels is constantly watching her?
"The Lycan Moon" is the best summer read I've come across in a long while. A quick read which I couldn't put down until the very last page, this book is packed full of vivid scenery and heart pounding moments of both fear and lust, but also gives the reader a view into the magical world of witchcraft and the spirit of the mother of the earth, which few authors ever include. A true gem in my library, I am sure I will re-read it over and over.
January 13, 2014
Reviewed by Patti
Book provided by a contest at The Romance Reviews
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Werewolves, witches, romance, and suspense this book has many great things to recommend it. The Lycan Moon is a great story all the way around. I am hoping that some of the secondary characters come back in future titles of their own. It took me a few chapters to get into it because I have been reading a lot of erotica lately and this has a completely different focus. Once I got into it though I enjoyed the story a lot. It was a refreshing change of pace for me. The romance is interwoven into the story. The Lycan Moon has substance; it is not a case of a romance novel where the book is a bunch of mating scenes with filler.
The back story for The Lycan Moon has a nice little twist. I enjoyed the mix of witchcraft and werewolf mythology. Having the additional interaction added another level to the legend. Calen is definitely a character I was pulling for throughout the book. Long tortured heroes get me all the time. Dana has a tenacity that just makes you love her. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them. I also think that there is potential for this author to go forward if she chose to make this book part of a series. I will be looking for more books by S. Durham and hopefully she will take me on some other fun journeys.
Book provided by a contest at The Romance Reviews
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Werewolves, witches, romance, and suspense this book has many great things to recommend it. The Lycan Moon is a great story all the way around. I am hoping that some of the secondary characters come back in future titles of their own. It took me a few chapters to get into it because I have been reading a lot of erotica lately and this has a completely different focus. Once I got into it though I enjoyed the story a lot. It was a refreshing change of pace for me. The romance is interwoven into the story. The Lycan Moon has substance; it is not a case of a romance novel where the book is a bunch of mating scenes with filler.
The back story for The Lycan Moon has a nice little twist. I enjoyed the mix of witchcraft and werewolf mythology. Having the additional interaction added another level to the legend. Calen is definitely a character I was pulling for throughout the book. Long tortured heroes get me all the time. Dana has a tenacity that just makes you love her. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them. I also think that there is potential for this author to go forward if she chose to make this book part of a series. I will be looking for more books by S. Durham and hopefully she will take me on some other fun journeys.
June 14, 2012
I enjoyed the concept of this book, that generations of witches prepared for Dana to be able to cure a werewolf. I liked how Durham wove the past into the present via visions for both Aiden and Calen. Dana is a strong, passionate woman, and she makes a great heroine. Aiden is a wonderful big brother, but I definitely could have gone without the whole incest scene. That was way out of left field and unnecessary for the book. Knowing Natasha was 60 when she found Dana put a whole new twist on her character. Instantly, she was much more worldly than I imagined and was more infused in her search for Dana that she would have been at 30.
I didn't realize that there would be so much sex in the book. The synopsis did not indicate any sex at all, so it took me by surprise, to say the least.
As far as technical criticism, there were several grammatical errors in the book ("your" instead of "you're" and "it's" instead of "its", to name a few) and the flowery language didn't do much for the plot. More straight-forward writing would have pressed on the urgency of some of the scenes.
Like the others who have reviewed this, I would love to read more about Aiden. It sounds like he has a fascinating story to tell. Noah would be fun to learn more about as well.
I didn't realize that there would be so much sex in the book. The synopsis did not indicate any sex at all, so it took me by surprise, to say the least.
As far as technical criticism, there were several grammatical errors in the book ("your" instead of "you're" and "it's" instead of "its", to name a few) and the flowery language didn't do much for the plot. More straight-forward writing would have pressed on the urgency of some of the scenes.
Like the others who have reviewed this, I would love to read more about Aiden. It sounds like he has a fascinating story to tell. Noah would be fun to learn more about as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2011
A wonderful romance. Combining witchcraft, shifters and an immortal werewolf, along with a monstrous villian kept me flipping the pages. A few distractions with adjectives and hesitations, but that's thanks to the internal editor in me that won't shut up and the story kept me engrossed, regardless.
I appreciate a conflicted hero, and the seductive and brooding Calen didn't disappoint. I bonded with Dana, the heroine, first chapter. I'd love to read more of Aiden, a fascinating brother to Dana.
I can't wait to find the time to read, The Powers, another novel by this author.
I appreciate a conflicted hero, and the seductive and brooding Calen didn't disappoint. I bonded with Dana, the heroine, first chapter. I'd love to read more of Aiden, a fascinating brother to Dana.
I can't wait to find the time to read, The Powers, another novel by this author.
January 5, 2013
This is a strong, solid paranormal thriller with some romance elements. For me, it earned four stars because of the excellent way Durham handles and creates her setting. I know quite a bit about the area, and it was represented well and used quite well.
And even though the book overall was somewhat "standard" for the genre, with no true surprises, the main character was a good "pull through" for the book.
Enjoyable and I'll read more by Durham.
And even though the book overall was somewhat "standard" for the genre, with no true surprises, the main character was a good "pull through" for the book.
Enjoyable and I'll read more by Durham.
June 27, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The author's descriptive words and use of action verbs pulled me into the scenes and accomplished the one thing I always hope for when reading a book...to lose myself in the story. Great job.
November 18, 2011
Witch meets werewolf, werewolf loves witch, witch loves werewolf, werewolf is a moody bastard, doesn't deter witch (though feelings are hurt), and a surprise ending, maybe too surprising.
What's not to like? There was nothing spectacular with this book, but it's a good solid read in the urban paranormal genre. Big plus on bringing together two usually separate paranormals.
I thought Dana was far more likable than Calen. He keeps blowing hot and cold with her. If I were Dana, I would have told him to go howl at the moon on his own.
Other characters got only minor roles, but I'd love to see more of Noah and Rick. I can just see them teaming up to go were hunting. They've got the skills. I'd like to see Aiden (Dana's brother) develop his skills. Certainly, there's plenty here which warrants a sequel to fill out the supporting cast.
Remember that 3 stars are Liked It. Not a condemnation at all. I would have liked to give it 3-1/2 stars, but we can't do that.
What's not to like? There was nothing spectacular with this book, but it's a good solid read in the urban paranormal genre. Big plus on bringing together two usually separate paranormals.
I thought Dana was far more likable than Calen. He keeps blowing hot and cold with her. If I were Dana, I would have told him to go howl at the moon on his own.
Other characters got only minor roles, but I'd love to see more of Noah and Rick. I can just see them teaming up to go were hunting. They've got the skills. I'd like to see Aiden (Dana's brother) develop his skills. Certainly, there's plenty here which warrants a sequel to fill out the supporting cast.
Remember that 3 stars are Liked It. Not a condemnation at all. I would have liked to give it 3-1/2 stars, but we can't do that.
September 6, 2013
pretty good for a first novel
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews