Mona Lisa Craving

Monère: Children of the Moon #3

by Sunny

In the sequel to Mona Lisa Awakening and Mona Lisa Blossoming, Mona Lisa, a Monère woman, is drawn to Dante, the warrior son of a healer, who had been cursed by a high priestess to endure a never-ending cycle of life and death and who wants nothing more than to die at Mona Lisa's hands. Original.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Erotica, Urban Fantasy, Demons

273 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2008

About the author

A family practice physician and Vassar graduate, Sunny was finally pushed into picking up her pen by the success of the rest of her family. Much to her amazement, she found that, by golly, she actually could write a book, and that it was much more fun than being a doctor.

As an author, Sunny has been featured on Geraldo at Large and CNBC, and has won many awards including the prestigious PRISM Award. When she is not busy reading and writing, Sunny is editing her husband’s books, literary novelist Da Chen, and being a happy stage mom for her young actor son.

Reviews

[Darien · Rating 3 out of 5]

^^MONA LISA, SEEMS TO BE GIVING OUT MORE THAN HER SMILE!^^

3.5

When I started this series, I freaking loved it. It was a different kind of PNR, and the writing was so fresh and clean. Now, I think this book has taken on a completely new theme. How many men can Mona Lisa sleep with in each book? I am saying this woman is open like a 7/11, coming from the same woman who preached humanity with “I was raised human soooooo… I can only have one lover”. Girl you preaching to the wrong church.

A quick run down, this series is about the Monere children. A world filled with inhuman beings who gather strength from the light of the moon, and they are very matriarchal society. The female run things in this series. So Mona Lisa aka (Mona Loose Legs) was raised human only to later find out she is a queen of the monere and one of the strongest of her people. She gets two lovers, has some run in with an evil bitch and the beat goes on.

In this book, our Mona Lisa has come a long way, her life is still in upheaval and she mourning the death of a lover and my fave character. She has brand new beau who she desires and fears. It seems that they share a past, a very scary one. So that makes it guy number 175 (not the actual amount just my exaggerated estimate). She is mated to the Prince of hell, a man I personally want to get naked with. Just a whole bunch of things, which I hardly cared about. Yet, I did enjoy reading the book; maybe it’s my morbid fascination to see who will next enter the Mona Lisa passage of love.

Where as I loved the first book, this one just seemed like half the unique essence that was book one flew away. I really do think that this book offers up a unique concept in the PNR genre, it’s erotic and sexy. Just seems Mona needs to close those legs up a bit, its getting somewhat old. I have the next book in the series, and I hope it brings back the excitement that the two previous books offered.

[Sammy Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pulled to this series because it was dark and erotic. But I feel that it has become too much. The darkness has taken over and there is no joy. Just one sex scene followed by more violence, then another sex scene. Or another kidnapping. I have lost count of how many time Mona Lisa has been takken against her will. I was so sad after Mona Lisa's lover was killed in Mona Lisa Blossoming, that I took a break from the series. I read some sweet loving HEA style books to pull me out of the dark work Sunny developed. Well Mona Lisa Craving ended on a sadder note that left me just short of depression. I understand the series is dark, but there is only so much I can take. I have the next 2 books in hand and am not interested in reading them. I feel it is wrong to complain about the one thing that I was compelled by in book one. But you know what they say about too much of the same thing. I hope that Mona Lisa can find some happiness, but I'm not sure if Sunny is capable of giving it to her.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona Lisa returns to her people from her high council meeting with new discoveries of herself and what she is becoming. After finally starting to come to terms with that, she, in true Mona Lisa form, finds more trouble...or, should I say, trouble finds her. This is where Dante is introduced into the story. Apparently, they have a past that she isn't able to remember. But it's a disturbing one that leads to more drama, and love, and pain, and hope.

Mona Lisa Craving is my unexpected shocker of the year. It took me completely by surprise. I picked it up thinking that it was going to be the final straw in this series, where I finally give up on it and move on. WRONG! This one seems to be Sunny's redemption in my eyes. Even though I was already addicted to this series, I was beginning to doubt the reasoning behind my addiction. Until this book. I never thought that I would give 5 stars to one of the books in this series.

I absolutely ADORE Dante! At some parts I hated him, but it only added to the multiple facets of his character. Stand back Halcyon! There's a new warrior in town! And he's amazing!

Also, she added a little more dimension to the story. Yes, it had the Sunny trademark "pearl- sheath- budding flower-and-turgic stalk" sex scenes. But it went beyond just the sex this time. I actually cared what happened, which is a rapid turn-around from the last book.

Mona Lisa Darkening is sitting on my bookshelf. And I'm hoping, beyond all hope, that she can keep this up. Because it's been bumped up on my TBR pile.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third book was much more exciting than the previous two, because of one thing: Dante. Once he came on the scene (which was early on, thankfully), things really heated up and got interesting. Mona Lisa was a bit annoying in this one, because I cared about her decisions more and she wasn't making good ones. Her character got sidelined, in a way - with a strong, Alpha male (as Laura would say) around, she seemed to become a bit more vulnerable and less resourceful. But I still really enjoyed it and it's made me want to read the fourth one, out in 2009.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series that I've read and I liked it. I don't usually start series in the middle but this is the only one I had on hand when the mood struck me to read them. I think the writing is good and I like Mona Lisa and the majority of the characters. The character I didn't like was Dante. Not because of what he did in his other lifetime but because of what he did to Lisa in this book and how blood thirsty he was. I can't get past his actions. I also don't find him a believable character. He's just to effortlessly better than everyone else.

[M.E. Aster · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)

This was another great read in the Monère series! Fast paced and filled with lots of spice and excitement, this book was hard to put down.

The only reason I took off half a star is because I’m really not a big fan of Dante. He’s definitely my least favorite of Mona Lisa’s lovers.

[Cindyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another winner in the Novel of the Monere series. We are introduced to another character, Dante, and I wasn't sure about him but...can't say more...Mona Lisa is just as remarkable as in the previous books...this one won't disappoint...go for it...I know you'll it. I love this series so much that I go to bed thinking about Mona Lisa and waking up thinking about her and men. Highly recommend.

[Lisa Lap · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read but still drew me in immediately and I was sad to see how fast it was all over. I wanted more immediately. This series, while different, is definitely a fun raunchy read that keeps you interested in not just the sex but the story.

[KenziTheRagin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt a bit like drudging through most of the book because the protagonist and her main conflict's personalities began to annoy me. The end managed to catch me off guard though, so it was redeemed somewhat.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Que bueno después de todo lo que acaba de pasar y ese revuelo de emociones cuando por fin se aclaran las cosas, "sabes lo que es un condón?" Jsjsjjjsjs
Acaba de empezar el libro y otra vez secuestrada que raro.
Epa, bueno a lo tonto, buena transacción y sales ganando, 2x1 sanas a su hijo, consigues un nuevo guardia/amante y encima sanadora, que chollo.
Perfecto no puedo tener sexo con tu hijo, pues con su hermano.
A ver si que está muy bien que protejan al hermano de Mona Lisa y todo pero todo esto de la esperanza para los hombres monere ya que tiene el poder de llamar a la luna, pero me toca un poco los cojones, porque es como tío, es tu reina porque narices estás preocupado más por su hermano que por tu reina sabes, Chami es un amor odio.

Puedo llegar a entender ese pensamiento arcaico y primitivo que tiene en cuanto fue dejar a su descendencia porque normalmente no suelen ser muy fértiles las mujeres Monere pero la verdad es que me toca un poco los huevos que la haya secuestrado y obligado a que tenga a su hijo cuando ella no quería tenerlo, es como déjala decidir sabes?.

Dante no me gusta, me está entristeciendo toda esta historia que me dan ganas de llorar, se ha desviado mucho de la original. No solo Griphon ha muerto entre comillas, Amber no esta, Dontaine ni siquiera a tenido su oportunidad ya que está con todos los demás menos con él, el Príncipe demonio tampoco está nunca y ahora aparece este gilipollas. No puedo más 😭. De verdad, siento una impotencia te lo juro, es como si todo se estuviera desmoronando. Encima el bebé que engendra es del pesado este, y no solo la desautoriza sino que la secuestra para proteger la bebe sin tener en cuenta sus deseos, y luego seguro acabará quedándose con el (Dante), esq no lo puedo odiar más.

Esque te lo juro como se debe estar sintiendo Dontaine, reniega de su tacto y le rechaza por la posibilidad de quedarse embarazada y luego aparecer otro hombre de la nada y la deja embarazada esq que asco. Ya me da hasta asco el leer sus actos íntimos, prefiero saltarmelos.

Estoy flipando este es el final?, solamente ha estado con Dante y encima pierden al bebé y el desaparece. Todos está yendo a la mierda, con el final feliz que me podrían haber dado y solo me están generando angustia.

[Paolita Arce · Rating 4 out of 5]

La historia de Mona Lisa es buena en general, tiene algunos momentos en los que me saca de quicio, pero pocos comparados con otros personajes. Lo del embarazo me tomó por sorpresa, no lo esperaba, aunque de cierto modo el resultado no es algo que me haya sorprendido del todo. Digo, sentía que algo así iba a pasar. Me quedé con ganas de saber de Gryphon y la aparición de Dante no fue de mis favoritas. Me cuesta creer que los personajes tengan entre 20 y 21 años, en mi mente son personas adultas, y los hombres son todos tipo Arnold Schwarzenegger. Es una lástima para mí que tenga que acabar esta historia aquí, ya que no pude conseguir los libros siguientes de la saga, por lo que toca iniciar con otra.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book bored me. I've had the same problem with other series. It's a problem with the constant leveling up of the main character until finally she's too powerful to be believed so she becomes boring because only her own stupidity is a challenge.

I also don't like the constant theme of rape turning sexy.

I have one more book to read (I paid for it already!) but I'm really not holding out much hope.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

TBH I don’t expect an amazing storyline for this series (as I’m reading for the smut value), but I was really not a fan of the main plot points. I liked all of the new characters and thought it could’ve gone in a much better direction. This one had a pregnancy twist in it but it just turned out rapey and controlling at one point, but the main character is terrified but also turned on. And then later on they’re a fairytale couple. I give this a big dose of NOPE.

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was unexpected. First of all I must have missed some reading material cause I totally missed the backstage with Dontaine at the beginning. I really like the Prince. Dante on the other hand has absolutely no reason to behave like the caveman he is. I get his rage at the end, but before that, history or not, past lives or not, at the moment he's just a 20year old kid.

[Elisa Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona Lyra

Mona Lisa Craving is book three in the series Monere: Children of the Moon/ A Novel of the Monere by author Sunny. This story will touch your heart like no other- the bittersweet moments combined with the fire of characters chemistry will ensure that this is a book you’ll love to read over and over.
Enjoy!!

[Rapid Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this series! It's just too bad that the author has discontinued being a writer, so the series was left hanging. I was rather upset that one of the male love interest got killed. Good thing he didn't stay dead for long, though! The last arch of the series was fantastic! Note: I read all 5 books in one go.

[Diane Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I read this book overnight. I couldn't stop until I found out what happened next to Mona Lisa. Sunny is an astonishing writer who relentlessly kept me wanting more. I'm hooked!!

[Kewpified · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why does Mona Lisa seem so brainless in this one? I like the idea behind this series but it leaves me feeling disappointed in the heroine.

[Montesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uneven story & writing.

[Kat Crumb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow you have a fan for life. LOL It's amazing I got so absorbed in to the fantasy & characters I lost track of time. Thank you

[Bent Letters · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series less as I continue.

[Celine · Rating 2 out of 5]

What kind of a shitshow was this? I hated Dante immensely. the pregnancy plotline was such a mess and so disappointing.

[Lisarenee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I wasn't going to read anymore of this series *lowers head in shame*, but kept wondering what happened and curiosity got the better of me. This is actually my favorite book of this series. Mona Lisa did get captured again but at least she wasn't chained naked anywhere. I still don't recommend this for someone who loves a true romance. This lady has multiple partners, although not all at the same time(but has several at any given period of time). Was worried where the story line was going with her brother, but luckily everything was pretty tame there. Hardly mentioned him. So this deals with the Monere's which are a race originally from another planet that was destroyed. Mona Lisa is 1/4 human and a Queen, hence the Mona part of her name. All queens prefix their given name with Mona. In this society woman, I should clarify, Queens rule. Power is passed between Queens and their consorts when coupling takes place. Hence, when Mona Lisa's brother looks to be the first man in the history of the race to hold the same Power as a Queen (Queens somehow convert the moon's power to their people at certain phases of the Moon's cycle and they are the only ones who can exchange powers between themselves and their consorts) I got a little nervous about what the author had planned for him. Some of the powers include walking out in the sun, which the race usually can't, healing, summoning weapons to oneself, etc. Also, some of the people have the ability to transform into animals (tigers, eagles, etc). There is a plot and story line to this series, but I think the main thought on this series was "Wouldn't it be fun if a woman truly had to have more than one partner to further her race and help people and no one would think less of her? It would be considered her duty and she would be highly esteemed for doing so." The story sort of centers around that main idea. If that doesn't sound like your kind of story line then definitely stay away from this series otherwise have at it.

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Children of the Moon series by Sunny. It was okay, nothing special. In fact I think I liked the second book a bit more.

In this book Mona Lisa continues the mindless wandering of the second book. She ends up kidnapped and this circumstance winds up leading to a number of interesting consequences. That is really all I can say without giving away some major plot points of the book.

Initially it appears that Halcyon is going to feature prominently in this book, which made me very excited. Unfortunately he is quickly dropped to the background. Amber is also scarce in this book. The man who dominates this book is called Dante, he is a rogue whom Mona Lisa meets when she is kidnapped. Having the characters past lives affect their actions was interesting. Unfortunately given the path of events in this book I am not really sure what the point of this book was. I thought things were being set up for some very interesting events to occur in future books, then all of that setup was dashed to bits at the end of the book.

There was a lot of sex again, although I do feel that this book had more action than some of the previous books. Normally I would like the additional action scenes, but for some reason they didn't add much to the story. I didn't really like any of the new character additions either. I did like the inclusion of demon nature into Mona Lisa's character. Hopefully that will be expanded on in the next book. As I said, this wasn't a horrible book, just not great. Once again it was a very quick read, only took me a few hours to read it. Hopefully the next book will have a more cohesive plot and delve into some more interesting things about Mona Lisa's demon part.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble finishing this book. The first four books of the series were solid - the main character is thrown into a role of leadership in a sexualized society. With human conceptions she has two lovers but is totally devoted to them and sees all others as family. In the last book one of her lovers dies but is replaced with a character you thought may take his place. Each of her relationships are built on respect which supports her challenge as being considered second rate citizen and strong belief that women should not be forced into subservence and rape by men.

This book take a strong turn in another direction. Suddenly she takes on two more men as "lovers." One could be understood as someone who is totally devoted to her and life is getting complicated. The second lover has too many layers that I have issues with: first there is no respect between them to the point that he killed her in another life yet she has no fear of him. Then they have sex and she instantly knows she is pregnant - which is just weird. Then - as a person who is worked in reproductive health - I was screaming when the author confuses Plan B with a medication abortion. The irritation takes an extreme turn when she is kidnapped and arguably raped by this man that thinks he owns her and the baby - and somehow she just gives in. Finally, on the run this man hurts the people trying to save her - which are arguably her family. At this point, she is literally going on picnics with him and her guards are leaving them alone...I think the only thing that would explain this is if someone she is the opposite twin of the original character otherwise she seems just a bastardized version of herself...ugh

[Trang Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hard one to rate. I was going back between a 3 and 4, so I am going to say it was a 3.5

The story continues on with Mona Lisa still lingering over the loss of her first love Grphyon. However, it seems if you do not read the anthologies in between the books there are some gaps. However, the one constant that Sunny has in her writing is reiteration. (And boy does she reiterate, sometimes I feel the book is more remembering what happen in the first few books versus the storyline.) Once again Mona Lisa is faced as being held captive, a lot of action packed scenes take place in this story and of course the hot love making of a new lover that she acquires. In this story we meet Dante, a man who was in pain, misery and agony when he first meets Mona Lisa. Of course there is an instant attraction from his side and he has the fierce need to protect the Queen. However, as much as Mona Lisa wants to be compelled by Dante and his rough, masculinity she isn't. She just cant ignore the feeling that she knows him and that she should be deathly afraid of him. Later, the two find out they share a past, a evil past that could effect their future. Mona Lisa is faced to choose a path of trying to love Dante or run in fear of him.

Another great story line from Sunny. The only downsides are that she reiterates in DETAIL (which I am having a hard time with because I am reading these books back to back) and her writing style seems to be choppy and confusing at times. But otherwise another enjoyable read.

[Tara Dawn (Colourful WordWench) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this....FINALLY! I was to the point of saying thank god this series is almost over when Mr Dante walked on the scene. Ty Sunny for that breath of fresh air. After too many let downs (especially halcyon), horrible wrapping up of books and short stories that were less than savory u have finally delivered! had it not been for dante this book would have warrented 3 stars as well and only because I have a read far worse books but not by much. I was so hoping this series would turn around and I may have gotten my wish with craving. I still am not a fan of mona lisa whose first pov sounds third persony. thats a real turn off for me. not only that but in the few months she's been queen there has been more than enough unoriginal sex, plots that dont take off till half way or 3/4 the way thru and enough rape and kidnap and captivity that I feel like I should be adding these books to my caotive kidnapped shelves of another genre. its been an absolutely migraine of a ride hoping these books end up at the potential that I hoped for when I started them. I dout I will ever like mona lisa especially when dante comes back and she does this I want u dont want u tears and fighting crap again. I have never seen a woman who morns the fact that she has SEVERAL hot awesome men who want to be with her. she makes horrible decisions and im tired of reading 5 page long sex scenes that ive read 100 times already. dante dante dante....this book should have been called mona lisa awakens cause this is where the series takes off. hoping the last couple of books continue in this direction.

[Ivonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

me gusto bastante ya que conocimos un poco mas de historia y explicaron mejor lo que le estaba pasando a Mona Lisa y en lo que se estaba convirtiendo y el por que.
en el libro pasado vimos que solo faltaba uno para convertirse realmente en su amante El Principe del Infierno y este lo hizo con creces pero no hablo del sexo sino que se anunciaron publicamente como compañeros, los Monére son una raza anticelos, jajajaja bueno al principio puede ser cuando no son tomados en cuenta pero ya cuando se dice todos lo aceptan como si nada, despues de haber 3 personas en la cama de ella por que no uno mas? aqui es donde aparece Dante un poderoso guerrero que esconde un pasado pero no un pasado cualquiera sino una vida pasada en donde hubo muchas muertes y mucho dolor poco a poco Mona Lisa va recordando pero no antes de acostarse con el (no por placer, bueno no al principio, sino para salvarlo) y despues pierde el control y que pasa bueno llega un embarazo, ciertamente no le veia mucho futuro a ese embaraza, con todo lo que le pasa a ella, la luchas y demas no era muy buena idea y sobre todo porque no conoce a Dante, pero asi son las cosas, una cosa que me llamo la atencion fue que despues que un Monére esta embarazada solo quiere tener sexo con el padre del bebe, mientras que los otros amantes nada.
pero bueno oficialmente por ahora son 3 amantes, el otro el odio y la ira lo cego marchandose lejos quien sabe si regresara y que pasara si lo hace.
ya veremos que mas sigue en esta saga