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Light of the Moon
New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice transports readers across the sea in this moving, magical tale of a lonely woman with a promise to keep. Set in a landscape of stunning natural beauty, Light of the Moon is a chronicle of mothers and daughters, friendship and family, and an electrifying love that illuminates a path through heartbreak and loss…and will shine in your memory long after the final page.
Spurred by her mother’s dying wish, Susannah Connolly has traveled from her lifelong home on the Connecticut shoreline to the fabled French Camargue, to see its famous white horses and find a mysterious saint linked to her family’s history. An accomplished anthropologist, Susannah has always been confident of her ability to navigate anywhere on the globe. But in the wake of a failed love affair and grieving the loss of her mother, she is adrift and uncertain, seeking only time alone to dig deeply into the personal archaeology of her own life.
American-born Grey Dempsey had come to the Camargue as a journalist, fell in love with a celebrated Romany rider, and suffered a devastating loss of his own. Now he operates a ranch as he struggles to raise his spirited but troubled young daughter who, after a terrible night years ago, fears the horses she once loved.
Within their bittersweet private orbit, in the midst of the endless silvered marshlands, Susannah Connolly will find a part of herself she hadn’t known she had lost. And here she will find herself embraced by a circle of strong and passionate women bound together by their abiding faith in the legendary slave-saint Susannah seeks and in the miracles she is said to still perform for those who believe. Yet old secrets swirl within the fog-shrouded landscape, betrayals that may be beyond the power of any saint, or supplicant, to repair.
Singular, lyrical, Light of the Moon is Luanne Rice at her most spell-binding, as she explores—as only she can—how sometimes to find your way home you must travel far away.
Spurred by her mother’s dying wish, Susannah Connolly has traveled from her lifelong home on the Connecticut shoreline to the fabled French Camargue, to see its famous white horses and find a mysterious saint linked to her family’s history. An accomplished anthropologist, Susannah has always been confident of her ability to navigate anywhere on the globe. But in the wake of a failed love affair and grieving the loss of her mother, she is adrift and uncertain, seeking only time alone to dig deeply into the personal archaeology of her own life.
American-born Grey Dempsey had come to the Camargue as a journalist, fell in love with a celebrated Romany rider, and suffered a devastating loss of his own. Now he operates a ranch as he struggles to raise his spirited but troubled young daughter who, after a terrible night years ago, fears the horses she once loved.
Within their bittersweet private orbit, in the midst of the endless silvered marshlands, Susannah Connolly will find a part of herself she hadn’t known she had lost. And here she will find herself embraced by a circle of strong and passionate women bound together by their abiding faith in the legendary slave-saint Susannah seeks and in the miracles she is said to still perform for those who believe. Yet old secrets swirl within the fog-shrouded landscape, betrayals that may be beyond the power of any saint, or supplicant, to repair.
Singular, lyrical, Light of the Moon is Luanne Rice at her most spell-binding, as she explores—as only she can—how sometimes to find your way home you must travel far away.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
218 people are currently reading
1579 people want to read
About the author
Luanne Rice
112 books3,162 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
October 8, 2012
I’m a horse lover. It’s a passion that flows into just about everything I do. So when I was handed Luanne Rice’s Light of the Moon, a glimpse at the cover was all the motivation I needed to start reading.
The majority of this story is set in France in a place called Camargue. Rich with history, gypsy folklore and ancient herds of wild white horses, it held a magical feel to it. This wasn’t a fantasy story, but it felt like a fairytale.
The main character is an anthropologist named Susannah Connolly. She arrives in this beautiful marshland under the guise of doing research. However, her true intention for visiting the Camargue is to fulfill a promise made to her recently deceased mother. Her mother, once barren, gave the Romany’s saint, Sarah-la-Kali, credit for the Susannah’s birth and bid her to go visit the saint’s statue in Camargue. What Susannah found was that her blessing didn’t end with her birth. She gets thrown into a two-week wild adventure filled with horses, romance, tragedy and redemption.
The highlight of Rice’s novel lies in the vivacity of Camargue’s setting and culture. However, her story takes a cheesy turn as romance begins to unfold. The repetitious illustration of emotions likened to a juvenile crush runs rampant once Susannah meets Grey. It dims the story’s allure, but not enough to make you want to give up entirely.
Ironically, it’s the running theme of redemption that saves this novel from its iffy romantic plot. A quick and pleasant one-time read, I would recommend giving it a chance.
At the very least, it will make you want to visit France.
The majority of this story is set in France in a place called Camargue. Rich with history, gypsy folklore and ancient herds of wild white horses, it held a magical feel to it. This wasn’t a fantasy story, but it felt like a fairytale.
The main character is an anthropologist named Susannah Connolly. She arrives in this beautiful marshland under the guise of doing research. However, her true intention for visiting the Camargue is to fulfill a promise made to her recently deceased mother. Her mother, once barren, gave the Romany’s saint, Sarah-la-Kali, credit for the Susannah’s birth and bid her to go visit the saint’s statue in Camargue. What Susannah found was that her blessing didn’t end with her birth. She gets thrown into a two-week wild adventure filled with horses, romance, tragedy and redemption.
The highlight of Rice’s novel lies in the vivacity of Camargue’s setting and culture. However, her story takes a cheesy turn as romance begins to unfold. The repetitious illustration of emotions likened to a juvenile crush runs rampant once Susannah meets Grey. It dims the story’s allure, but not enough to make you want to give up entirely.
Ironically, it’s the running theme of redemption that saves this novel from its iffy romantic plot. A quick and pleasant one-time read, I would recommend giving it a chance.
At the very least, it will make you want to visit France.
February 11, 2009
How did I get tricked into reading a romance novel? I'll tell you - the author lured me in with a main character who is (supposedly) an anthropologist. Unfortunately the best word to describe this book is "hokey."
First of all, no anthropologist worth her salt would use the word "exotic" as much as the main character Susannah does. I didn't believe for a second that she was actually a cultural anthropologist. The post-modern world of anthropological academia has no time for self-absorbed mysticism. Susannah had no sense of current anthropological theories. It was like Rice read a few journal articles, browsed a few university websites, and felt like she knew quite enough to make it convincing. Only she didn't.
The relationship that developed between Susannah and her love interest was melodramatic and unmoving. I laughed many times during what I'm sure were supposed to be romantic, thrilling scenes. I finished the book to see if it ended as ridiculously as I thought it would (it did). Also to write a scathing review here. Ha ha
The book's one saving grace was some sincerely moving passages about the love between mothers and daughters.
First of all, no anthropologist worth her salt would use the word "exotic" as much as the main character Susannah does. I didn't believe for a second that she was actually a cultural anthropologist. The post-modern world of anthropological academia has no time for self-absorbed mysticism. Susannah had no sense of current anthropological theories. It was like Rice read a few journal articles, browsed a few university websites, and felt like she knew quite enough to make it convincing. Only she didn't.
The relationship that developed between Susannah and her love interest was melodramatic and unmoving. I laughed many times during what I'm sure were supposed to be romantic, thrilling scenes. I finished the book to see if it ended as ridiculously as I thought it would (it did). Also to write a scathing review here. Ha ha
The book's one saving grace was some sincerely moving passages about the love between mothers and daughters.
April 13, 2018
This book was just okay for me, but there were parts that I really liked. However, as a whole, it didn't really work for me. I liked that it this takes place in France and that it includes gypsy culture mixed with a little anthropology and some beautiful horses. I also liked that the MCs were more than just pretty faces.
The story line could have used some tension. Everything was just so shiny and pretty. The characters also had been kissed by perfection. The blip on the cover sounded promising, but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.
The story line could have used some tension. Everything was just so shiny and pretty. The characters also had been kissed by perfection. The blip on the cover sounded promising, but I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.
January 15, 2012
I read this book over New Years weekend. It is what it is... a predictable warm and fuzzy book and sometimes that's all I want. What I admire about Luanne Rice is that she's a great story teller who does a great job of bring her stories together in the end... which is a real talent.
February 10, 2011
This is a fairly sentimental romance, a modern drama interwoven with Gypsy folklore. Late one night a woman leaves her daughter and husband (though the marriage was never valid) to pursue her dreams with someone else, but her daughter hears her leaving and chases after them on horseback. A terrible fall leaves her permanently scarred, both physically and emotionally. Her continued suffering is a heavy burden for her father.
A woman travels to France to follow her mother’s dying wish by visiting the shrine of a young saint. It was with the help of her intercession that her previously childless mother managed to have her. She meets the man and they fall in love, but the daughter cannot cope with someone replacing her mother in her father’s affections.
The local Romany gypsies must intervene to remove a ‘curse’ placed on the young girl’s mother for marrying outside their clan. The mother returns with her new husband to be reunited with her daughter, and the other woman is free to marry the girl’s father.
A sentimental story of love and healing; while the new love is good (they want the good of each other and sacrifices are made generously for what is best), it is primarily described in highly emotional terms, so there is not much depth.
For chick lit it is a relatively decent read, along the lines of the more respectable Nicholas Sparks’ books like A Walk to Remember.
A woman travels to France to follow her mother’s dying wish by visiting the shrine of a young saint. It was with the help of her intercession that her previously childless mother managed to have her. She meets the man and they fall in love, but the daughter cannot cope with someone replacing her mother in her father’s affections.
The local Romany gypsies must intervene to remove a ‘curse’ placed on the young girl’s mother for marrying outside their clan. The mother returns with her new husband to be reunited with her daughter, and the other woman is free to marry the girl’s father.
A sentimental story of love and healing; while the new love is good (they want the good of each other and sacrifices are made generously for what is best), it is primarily described in highly emotional terms, so there is not much depth.
For chick lit it is a relatively decent read, along the lines of the more respectable Nicholas Sparks’ books like A Walk to Remember.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2018
Once I got over being upset with the comment in the book that explained how the three Mary' and Sarah were set afloat in the Sea of Galilee and floated their way to France, I really liked the story. BTW, the Sea of Galilee is a large freshwater lake and there is no connection between it and the Mediterranean.
The story was set mostly in the area of Camargue, France (southern) and included the history of the white horses as well as the Romany who live here. Grey Dempsey, an American expat who owns/operates a horse ranch, is the father of Sari, a 13-year-old who was involved in a serious accident the night that her mother, Maria, left them literally in the dark. Susannah Connolly is an American anthropologist who finds her way to Camargue in search of herself as well as Sarah, the local patron saint.
I enjoyed the story mostly because I love stories set in France. This was a new French location so I spent quite a bit of time on Google so that I could understand the area, horses, Romany, as well as the uncanonized Sarah. This was a good read!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
The story was set mostly in the area of Camargue, France (southern) and included the history of the white horses as well as the Romany who live here. Grey Dempsey, an American expat who owns/operates a horse ranch, is the father of Sari, a 13-year-old who was involved in a serious accident the night that her mother, Maria, left them literally in the dark. Susannah Connolly is an American anthropologist who finds her way to Camargue in search of herself as well as Sarah, the local patron saint.
I enjoyed the story mostly because I love stories set in France. This was a new French location so I spent quite a bit of time on Google so that I could understand the area, horses, Romany, as well as the uncanonized Sarah. This was a good read!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
March 29, 2008
A romantic novel, I guess I have to admit. I had a hard time putting it down as the story involves many things I can identify with: a young girl who feels abandoned by her mother, beautiful, magnificent horses, gypsies, an anthropology professor, and a journalist. Located in the south of France, where people know about and worship the Black Madonna. Many different threads and underlying stories and conflicts. Fascinating how simple acts are healing.
February 15, 2020
Honestly, despite the glowing community reviews and the many elements to interest me (neolithic cave art, Cosquer Cave, the horses and cattle of the Camargue, Romany culture, family conflicts) this book barely held my attention. Chaqu'un a son gout.
July 11, 2016
I enjoy Luanne Rice novels and I enjoyed this one, but it felt contrived and forced, saved only by the unusual setting and unique backstory.
The main character, Susannah, is an archeologist who flees to southern France after the death of her mother to pursue the dream they had together - to visit the church where her mother prayed for children to an unofficial saint. Susannah was the result. She is also fleeing an annoying boyfriend.
And, in this interesting location, she meets another American, a man who married a local gypsy. He carries lots of baggage as well as does his daughter who was damaged many years earlier and still acts like she is five-years-old.
This novel frustrated me with a father who enabled his daughter to behave badly and would not leave a home which brought him and his daughter nothing but grief and a main character who would not stand up for herself.
It was okay, but is not certainly a novel I would have read had it not been 25 cents at a library book sale.
The main character, Susannah, is an archeologist who flees to southern France after the death of her mother to pursue the dream they had together - to visit the church where her mother prayed for children to an unofficial saint. Susannah was the result. She is also fleeing an annoying boyfriend.
And, in this interesting location, she meets another American, a man who married a local gypsy. He carries lots of baggage as well as does his daughter who was damaged many years earlier and still acts like she is five-years-old.
This novel frustrated me with a father who enabled his daughter to behave badly and would not leave a home which brought him and his daughter nothing but grief and a main character who would not stand up for herself.
It was okay, but is not certainly a novel I would have read had it not been 25 cents at a library book sale.
March 15, 2011
I was captivated by this sad, emotional, gripping tale of past hurts and finding love even in the depth of despair. Grey, Sari, and Susannah each faced their own uphill battles, but in finding each other, they discovered healing and hope. I couldn't feel much sympathy for Maria, but I tried to find understanding and at least respect for her willingness to overcome the past and start again with Sari. I would love to read a future book with Sari and Laurant as the focus. I believe theirs will be a wonderful love story.
October 8, 2014
LUANNE RICE THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF THE LAST KISS LIGHT OF THE MOON BANTOM BOOKS FICTION SOFT COVER GREAT BOOK TO READ I LOVE THIS BOOK TO ALL WELCOME TO GOODREADS READERS AND AUTHORS AROUND THE WORLD WIDE. READ BOOK ON 1O:45 AM SEPTEMBER 12 2011. THIS BOOK WAS READ BY TIMOTHYOXLEY, TIMOTHY. I BEEN READING THIS BOOK SOFT COVER BOOK FOR ONE YEAR READING BOOK IN ONE MORNING I JUST READ THE BOOK . A NOTE TO STEPHENIE MEYER PLEASE READ THIS BOOK THANK YOU ''LOVE'' YOUR FRIEND TIMOTHYOXLEY ''LOVE'' TIM.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2010
This is a fluffy story that takes a tragedy that occurs to an eight year-old girl and wraps it up into a nice, tidy, happy fairy-tale ending. I don't mind a happy ending; this ending was just too pat and perfect and took very little energy or effort on any character's part to bring about. From beginning to inevitable end, the path flowed smooth and sure with no true bumps or obstacles to impede the progress. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a light fluffy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2010
Gypsies came from India to Egypt and gypsy is a dirivative of Egypt. Rom (Romany) means "human". Patron saint is Sarah (Sara-la-Kali) the black servant girl from Egypt who came to Stes.Maries-de-la-Mer (on the Gulf of Lions, the Camargue in Provence, France) with the three Marys,(Mary Magdalene, Mary Jacoby, Mary Salome) Martha and Lazarus in 45 AD. Bones of two old women found in 1449, possible Christ's aunts, Mary J and Mary S.
July 6, 2010
Romance abounds in this beautifully written story as does a bit of suspense and misunderstanding.
Susannah travels to France shortly after the death of her mother in fulfillment of a promise she made to her earlier. The area of France that Susannah travels to is rich with gypsy culture, magical white horses, and a very traumatized 13 year old girl. While Susannah is trying to find her bearings once again she falls in love with Sari's father and tries to help her get past her trauma.
Susannah travels to France shortly after the death of her mother in fulfillment of a promise she made to her earlier. The area of France that Susannah travels to is rich with gypsy culture, magical white horses, and a very traumatized 13 year old girl. While Susannah is trying to find her bearings once again she falls in love with Sari's father and tries to help her get past her trauma.
July 31, 2012
If you love Nicholas Sparks, you'll love this book. If you believe that Nicholas Sparks is nauseating and can only be read during a moment of literary-choice weakness every few years, you will tolerate this book. Of course you know the entire plot during the first twenty pages. I'd never read Luanne Rice before, so now I can say I have. It was, as expected, a sappy romance novel trying to be literature. It's okay, as long as you know that going in.
August 18, 2012
I love reading fiction because it can open up your world and your dreams. In this book Luanne Rice paints a picture of the French Camargue and its famous white horses that is truly magical. I'd never known about this part of France, the horses and the legends of Mary Magdelene. Since reading this story i've become fascinated with all of these things - and I'm GOING TO GO to visit this part of France! Thanks Luanne.
February 23, 2009
I don't normally read romance... that being said the themes, obvious and underlying spoke to me and where I am at in my life. I had the hardest time putting this book down, and read it with lightening speed. It's not one I'm likely to re-read ever... but it was an entertaining read.
December 30, 2021
Between four and five. Camargue, white horses, black bulls, flamingos and Gypsies or Romas.
Good escapist literature. Forgiveness and going on with life, regrets, so much pain and heartache. Could have, should have, would have, but didn't. Gypsy curses.
The book begins in the Camargue. A lady runs away from her husband and young daughter, pushing the eight year old child, Sari, away. It is dark at night, the girl chases after her on her beautiful horse, Mystere, the horse spooks, the child falls off and is badly injured.
Anthropologist, Susannah Connolly, comes to the Camargue. She is interested in this beautiful place, the three Marys, Lazarus, Martha and Sarah, a young black girl who came away with them from Israel, escaping their homeland, then coming here. Martha who tamed the dragon with love and Sarah, though not a saint in the Catholic Church, is the Roma's saint. On May 24, 25th, Gypsies from all over the world come to honor their saint. The writing about Roma life and ways is so interesting.
Susannah Connolly comes to honor Sarah. Her parents, now dead, came to Stes Marie-de-la-Mer because they had been hoping for a child for a long time and felt praying to Sarah would help. It did. Susannah came into being. Susannah and Margaret Connolly planned to come here together, but Mom died. She always wanted Susannah to come here. She came alone and rented a small house from Topez, a Gypsy, who owned several properties. She also worked at Sarah's church, keeping, cleaning and beautifying it up as did several other lady Gypsies.
The Gypsies have a group of houses with wheels, beautifully colored, each a different shade. Again, this is such a beautiful part of the world
This book is definitely a romance read. Susannah and Grey Dempsey meet when he saves her life when she is wandering around alone on the land. She comes upon a group of black bulls which could kill her. He pulls her up on his horse. The two become friends, then more than friends, more like two teenagers, thinking constantly about each other when they are apart. Susannah meets his thirteen year old daughter, Sari, who is still angry and hates her mother. Maria is a Roma who had to go away from the Camargue, move to the United States. She has been disowned by the Gypsies who can never marry outsiders. Gypsies hate Grey for what he did, Sari is nothing to them. Grey moved to the Camargue, bought a ranch trains horses, takes tourists on trail rides. He had been a journalist, but he loved Maria. Maria is an artist on horses, way about other riders. She loves horses, working with them, she and the horse becomes one. The Gypsies have put a curse on all of them. Maria's friends still love and miss her. She and her best friend, Rosalie, write and call each other. ZinZin, the lady who raised her after her parents died, loves and misses her. Sari tells Rosalie she hates her mother, making the lady angry.
The Gypsies must put an end to the curse.
I really enjoyed reading about the Camargue, a fantastic, beautiful part of the world. A trip to somewhere I have never been but would love to go. I liked the part where Grey and Susannah swim down into an underwater cave that contains hand prints and pictures of prehistoric animals. Sari and Laurent, who were brought up together, become another romantic pair. Laurent acts so mature for his age. These two are growing up and in love.
Good escapist literature. Forgiveness and going on with life, regrets, so much pain and heartache. Could have, should have, would have, but didn't. Gypsy curses.
The book begins in the Camargue. A lady runs away from her husband and young daughter, pushing the eight year old child, Sari, away. It is dark at night, the girl chases after her on her beautiful horse, Mystere, the horse spooks, the child falls off and is badly injured.
Anthropologist, Susannah Connolly, comes to the Camargue. She is interested in this beautiful place, the three Marys, Lazarus, Martha and Sarah, a young black girl who came away with them from Israel, escaping their homeland, then coming here. Martha who tamed the dragon with love and Sarah, though not a saint in the Catholic Church, is the Roma's saint. On May 24, 25th, Gypsies from all over the world come to honor their saint. The writing about Roma life and ways is so interesting.
Susannah Connolly comes to honor Sarah. Her parents, now dead, came to Stes Marie-de-la-Mer because they had been hoping for a child for a long time and felt praying to Sarah would help. It did. Susannah came into being. Susannah and Margaret Connolly planned to come here together, but Mom died. She always wanted Susannah to come here. She came alone and rented a small house from Topez, a Gypsy, who owned several properties. She also worked at Sarah's church, keeping, cleaning and beautifying it up as did several other lady Gypsies.
The Gypsies have a group of houses with wheels, beautifully colored, each a different shade. Again, this is such a beautiful part of the world
This book is definitely a romance read. Susannah and Grey Dempsey meet when he saves her life when she is wandering around alone on the land. She comes upon a group of black bulls which could kill her. He pulls her up on his horse. The two become friends, then more than friends, more like two teenagers, thinking constantly about each other when they are apart. Susannah meets his thirteen year old daughter, Sari, who is still angry and hates her mother. Maria is a Roma who had to go away from the Camargue, move to the United States. She has been disowned by the Gypsies who can never marry outsiders. Gypsies hate Grey for what he did, Sari is nothing to them. Grey moved to the Camargue, bought a ranch trains horses, takes tourists on trail rides. He had been a journalist, but he loved Maria. Maria is an artist on horses, way about other riders. She loves horses, working with them, she and the horse becomes one. The Gypsies have put a curse on all of them. Maria's friends still love and miss her. She and her best friend, Rosalie, write and call each other. ZinZin, the lady who raised her after her parents died, loves and misses her. Sari tells Rosalie she hates her mother, making the lady angry.
The Gypsies must put an end to the curse.
I really enjoyed reading about the Camargue, a fantastic, beautiful part of the world. A trip to somewhere I have never been but would love to go. I liked the part where Grey and Susannah swim down into an underwater cave that contains hand prints and pictures of prehistoric animals. Sari and Laurent, who were brought up together, become another romantic pair. Laurent acts so mature for his age. These two are growing up and in love.
December 28, 2020
This is an interesting novel with information about white horses, the Romanies (gypsies), saints, a patron saint, and the legend of a dragon. It takes place in Camargue in Southern France. The stories of the gypsies reminded me of the gypsy caravan that used to come close to my home town, and my mother's warning to hold her hand because gypsies would sometimes kidnap children. I enjoyed looking at their bright clothing but stayed close to Mom. Sister love, teenage love, love between a man and a woman, and mother/daughter love are central to this book. One of my favorite quotes: No matter how old one is, one never stops needing her mother." Wish you were here, Mom, to share this book with me.
July 3, 2023
Not my favorite. I’m not into horses, gypsies, or cults so it was not interesting to me. I pushed through even if it was painful.
June 7, 2020
The beautiful cover featuring horses in moonlight drew my interest. The setting is in the salt marshes of Carmague, France populated by the white horses and wild bulls. As expected , this is a comforting story of the heart's struggle in relationships between daughters and mothers, lovers and spouses, tradition and free will. And throughout, a horse gallops by.
July 4, 2022
I skipped ahead. Too much of a romance. But okay.🤷🏼♀️
November 30, 2024
A bit too cheesy for me. I wanted much more substance, more info about the Romany culture and less swooning.
July 30, 2008
CIP: Spurred by her mother’s dying wish, Susannah Connolly has traveled from her lifelong home on the Connecticut shoreline to the fabled French Camargue, to see its famous white horses and find a mysterious saint linked to her family’s history. An accomplished anthropologist, Susannah has always been confident of her ability to navigate anywhere on the globe. But in the wake of a failed love affair and grieving the loss of her mother, she is adrift and uncertain, seeking only time alone to dig deeply into the personal archaeology of her own life.
American-born Grey Dempsey had come to the Camargue as a journalist, fell in love with a celebrated Romany rider, and suffered a devastating loss of his own. Now he operates a ranch as he struggles to raise his spirited but troubled young daughter who, after a terrible night years ago, fears the horses she once loved.
Within their bittersweet private orbit, in the midst of the endless silvered marshlands, Susannah Connolly will find a part of herself she hadn’t known she had lost. And here she will find herself embraced by a circle of strong and passionate women bound together by their abiding faith in the legendary slave-saint Susannah seeks and in the miracles she is said to still perform for those who believe. Yet old secrets swirl within the fog-shrouded landscape, betrayals that may be beyond the power of any saint, or supplicant, to repair
American-born Grey Dempsey had come to the Camargue as a journalist, fell in love with a celebrated Romany rider, and suffered a devastating loss of his own. Now he operates a ranch as he struggles to raise his spirited but troubled young daughter who, after a terrible night years ago, fears the horses she once loved.
Within their bittersweet private orbit, in the midst of the endless silvered marshlands, Susannah Connolly will find a part of herself she hadn’t known she had lost. And here she will find herself embraced by a circle of strong and passionate women bound together by their abiding faith in the legendary slave-saint Susannah seeks and in the miracles she is said to still perform for those who believe. Yet old secrets swirl within the fog-shrouded landscape, betrayals that may be beyond the power of any saint, or supplicant, to repair
April 15, 2012
One of my all time favorite books. I might even read it again some time, which I don't do much. I listened to the audio version, which had an outstanding reader, who was just right for all the parts. I loved the romance, the problem solving, the relationships, the story. Also, something that really adds to the depth of a book for me, is the additional "side learning", which is one reason I love historical novels. Luanne Rice seems to include that in her books--although I have just begun reading her books, the first one I read told all about the habits of sea turtles, and the places on the beaches where people actually guard the eggs until they hatch. Fascinating. In this book, I learned about the white horses of Southern France, the gypsies and their way of life, studying ancient cave paintings, diving into a cave, and the terrain in Southern France marshes. Besides, Rice describes scenery, expressions on faces, etc. in such descriptive detail, that I felt like I could actually picture the countryside, the colors, the gypsy caravans, etc. I hated for it to end on one hand, but on the other hand, I wanted to see the outcome for all those involved. Way to go, Ms. Rice!
October 12, 2011
I tried really hard to like this story and by the end I did... but it took the touching end to really like it. The characters were pretty realistic and I cared about them, but I didn't feel like I got to know the main guy, even with part of the novel written in his POV. I really liked Susannah (hate the name and the "Oh, Susannah" that was thrown in there - not sure if Rice noticed that one!). She was kind and independent and real. I cared what happened to the poor, damaged teenager and was happy for her to have a happy ending, although I would have liked her to have been able to heal from within instead of from an outside source, but I get it.
The hardest part for me to enjoy was the romance, which is sad since this is a romance novel. I don't get what Rice has with middle-aged, weather-beaten cowboys, but it doesn't do it for me and I was annoyed to find that my third attempt with a Rice novel included yet another one. I'm glad I finished it, but I think I'm more glad that I'm done with it.
Sorry Misty! I tried. I really did try! Is there one WITHOUT a cowboy lover?
The hardest part for me to enjoy was the romance, which is sad since this is a romance novel. I don't get what Rice has with middle-aged, weather-beaten cowboys, but it doesn't do it for me and I was annoyed to find that my third attempt with a Rice novel included yet another one. I'm glad I finished it, but I think I'm more glad that I'm done with it.
Sorry Misty! I tried. I really did try! Is there one WITHOUT a cowboy lover?
September 14, 2010
I listened to this book on tape awhile back and was completely taken by it -- unfortunately I had to return it before it was done so was delighted when I received it as a gift -- it brought the characters to life and I felt more empathy to those who worked through their situations and came out on the other side stronger and more blessed. I wished that the author would have made the story surround the Gypsy culture more rather than the 'perfect' love story of Grey and Susannah. It bothered me that they didn't get Sari the counseling that she needed -- trying to keep a distressed person from situations that they have a hard time coping with is not helping them heal; mental distress just doesn't go away.
September 1, 2016
This just isn't my type of story. It's too sweet and too heartwarming and too gentle.
And I mean, really. Really.
I'm also not sure about the repeated use of "Gypsy". In France, I'm pretty sure the group of people Rice is discussing prefer to be referred to as Romani, Roma, or Manush, but Rice only used "Manush" to refer to the language they spoke. I might be wrong, but "Gypsy" made me uncomfortable and I don't know about the authenticity of this portrayal.
I appreciate that this may be a book for others, but not for me.
And I mean, really. Really.
I'm also not sure about the repeated use of "Gypsy". In France, I'm pretty sure the group of people Rice is discussing prefer to be referred to as Romani, Roma, or Manush, but Rice only used "Manush" to refer to the language they spoke. I might be wrong, but "Gypsy" made me uncomfortable and I don't know about the authenticity of this portrayal.
I appreciate that this may be a book for others, but not for me.
September 12, 2009
I loved listening to this book. The story is about a woman who loses her mother and goes to the Camargue in the south of France to find the saint (Sarah La Kali) who helped her mother get pregnant with her. I loved the beauty of the Camargue. Luanne Rice describes it so well with the white horses and wet marshes. I loved the spirituality of the gypsies, the Romanies, who worship Sarah and have a woman's circle to honor her.
Reading the story made me want to get on a plane and fly to the south of France. I would love to go the end of May when they have a ceremony and all the gypsies come from miles around and march with their beloved saint Sarah down to the sea.
Reading the story made me want to get on a plane and fly to the south of France. I would love to go the end of May when they have a ceremony and all the gypsies come from miles around and march with their beloved saint Sarah down to the sea.
January 2, 2010
Light of the Moon was a great book. I was impressed that I appreciated the story even though there was no physical romantic description, which until reading Light of The Moon, I’d never encountered before. I also liked that it wasn’t a typical romance in the way that there was so much plausible trauma that the characters had to overcome; the daughter’s mental illness from being not only abandoned by her mother, but by also being brutally injured as well. I’m rarely actually angry at characters in the books I read, however I just could not get over how selfish of a mother the gypsy/horse riding lady was.
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