Thunder Moon

Nightcreature #8

by Lori Handeland

Practical, skeptical Grace McDaniel was not looking for romance. The Sheriff of Lake Bluff, Georgia, and the granddaughter of a Cherokee doctor, Grace’s hands are full with the daily trouble of small-town life. Arriving in the wake of a freak storm is Ian Walker, a mysterious stranger who blends modern medicine and traditional Native American cures. Even though she is wary of his ideas, Grace cannot resist what his touch awakens in her. But Ian is hiding a terrifying secret. And only he knows the truth about a creature stalking the citizens of Lake Bluff. A creature who preys on the dying…and then on the young, the living, the vibrant…Now, to save her people, Grace must put her faith in Ian’s haunting power and succumb to her wildest passions—before the rumble of thunder fills the air, and a relentless evil strikes again…

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 2, 2008

About the author

Lori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance and historical fantasy.

After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.

Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.

Reviews

[Buggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening line: A storm beneath the Thunder Moon is both rare and powerful."

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. Cheers

[♛ Garima ♛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story let me bit down. I've given 4 stars to all the novels in the series but I don't like this as much as I like others.

The main issue was



All the talks of Raven Mocker unimpressed me. I really liked Grace in previous novel but when it comes to her story alone, I am not sure. See Grace reminded me of Jesse a lot. A small town tough cop routine I like. If Jesse and Bill ever has child, it is going to be Grace - cop and practicing her local folklore. So nothing original about Grace's character.



Ian Walker - again Indian with Eagle feather in hair. I really liked him except the quirk with hairstyle (like beads and feathers in hair) it bit overused by now.



As I said I liked both Grace and Ian, I didn't feel any chemistry between them! Strange...

Let's see what next one holds....

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Grace! Snarkie as ever! I have a sign on the wall of my kitchen that says "Sarcasm is a service we offer here"! She had my humor & she was strong! To explain her strength, I would spoil it. sorry.

Ian was as sexy as all the great men in the "Moon" books. This one was my favorite, but it was resolved in 2 pages. Pretty fast.

I always go into this series thinking that I won't like "this" story, but I always do. This Author was a surprise to me. I bought a book out of order a long time ago, looked it up, and set it aside. I collected more of her books, and decided I would start. They were great!

[jj wechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Panthers, Eagles, and Raven Witches, Oh My

If I could have given this book another half star, I would have because it's well thought out, well researched, well written, and very entertaining. However I'm choosing to reserve my 5 stars for those in the caliber of JK Rowling, Diana Gabaldon, etc. Lori Handel and has created a very enjoyable series that should be experienced by readers. In this story, Grace McDaniel is the sheriff of Lake Bluff, Ga. Grace has spent most of her life rejecting the things her Great Grandmother taught her about her Cherokee heritage and medicine inheritance. But when she falls for Dr. Ian Walker, who is a member of a secret society sent to rid the town of a Raven Witch, she must come to accept it or lose the man she's fallen for. Will Grace overcome her past and her fears to help save her town? That's likely a good reason to read this book to find out and learn her entire story. Enjoy!!

[Jenni Mesa-Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I started reading it thinking it was just a romance involving werewolves, sort of in the style of Twilight. Nope! These are mysteries that keep me guessing until all is revealed in the final pages. Romance included. This book is my favorite so far. I fell in love with so many characters. And seriously, I had no idea what the outcome would be until I was almost done with the book. This book hit all the things I love-paranormal romance, mystery, Native American history, handsome/nerdy/rugged men, and strong women who take no crap.

[Shanoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace ist eine meiner Lieblingsprotagonistinnen aus der Gestaltwandler-Reihe von Lori Handeland. Ich mochte die indianischen Einflüsse, die Chemie zwischen den beiden Protagonisten hat auch gepasst und der Verlauf der Handlung mit der entsprechenden Auflösung hat mir auch gut gefallen. Schön war auch, noch mal einen Blick auf Claire und Malachi werfen zu können.

[Nona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Handeland rocks it

Just a normal book for this author-god, filled with shape shifters, Native ancestry & legends, and steamy steamy sexy time. It's always a win-win to grab anything she writes. Her prose is fluid and smart, and her understanding and portrayal of people is seamless.

[Erin Book Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I’ve been reading the Night Creatures books in order fairly quickly. I like tomboys/tough girls and independent women but this Grace, while competent, was obnoxious. I liked the new plot with its supernatural surprises but I did feel the story went on too long and then too quickly wrapped up.

[Amanda Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book

I really enjoy this author and I think you will, too. Her books are well-written and the stories flow nicely. This particular book was a little more predictable than others but still a good read.

[Amelia Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Tranquillus · Rating 1 out of 5]

That's trash like most every fantasy novel.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace McDaniel, Sheriff of Bluff Lake, knows all about werewolves because of what happened in the previous, Hidden Moon. She's not as skeptical as she once was. Suddenly, strange things are falling from the sky and shrieking, old people are dying left and right, a ghost wolf is following her around and all of this on the heels of a new doctor arriving in town. Ian Walker shares Grace's Cherokee heritage, but knows a bit more about it than she does. He uses Cherokee healing remedies alongside modern medical practice and is eager to talk to Grace about her medicine woman great grandmother. But he's clearly hiding something as well. But that doesn't matter to Grace so much, because she won't let anyone get close enough to leave her again.

This started out pretty great. But it disappointed pretty soon after. I LOVED that this took a completely different approach to the supernatural, with no werewolves and more of the Native supernatural legends. Grace was also a pretty fantastic character. She was a good kind of snarky. The Chuck Norris jokes made me laugh every time. Nearly busted a gut with a couple of them.

I'd pretty much figured out who the villain was pretty early, so there wasn't much mystery here for me...and I even guessed this person's motivations correctly too. Standard share of suspense also, with lives being lost, chases in the woods, show downs and what not. The romance is where I was most disappointed. This started out super sexy with a celibate hero who is nervous about getting back into things. But it kind of felt like he never resolved his feelings about his wife. It also seemed ridiculous to me that Grace spent so much time pushing him away because of his long-gone wife and the technical possibility that he was still married and felt absolutely no anger whatsoever that she'd been used as a means to an end. That pissed me off quite a bit. And the way he just goes, "Oh no, I've gone and fallen in love with you." was completely unromantic and a bit of a let down. And then to end the story with The two agreeing that Ian had to go away a lot for work and that he'd be gone a while, but that he'd be back eventually. This is especially disappointing given that Grace has major abandonment issues. Not promising. And what was with the epilogue?

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child the heroine's father decided that she was to never be involved in the native American culture of her ancestors. When she would visit her great grandmother high in the mountains and the old medicine woman would attempt to pass on the knowledge of their people the heroine would turn her away. She now regrets that decision more than ever not only because her great grandmother is dead but also because her small town is now being plagued by supernatural creatures from Indian legends.

At the heart of the mystery is the contradictive hero. He's a light skinned Indian with long hair and an eagle feather in his braids but he wears a formal suit. She's instantly attracted to the calm smoothly confident doctor and it doesn't take them long to start a hot and steamy sexual affair. The heroine is very sexual and though she was no idea how to be in a relationship she knows how to cure her loneliness with the physical connection with a man. The hero is mourning his wife, whom he had to kill when she became possessed but he's defiantly more open to his feelings. I loved his character. He had such a calm demeanor about him and he was always ready with a reply or response to the heroine's rather prickly comments. And she had a lot of them. She was an expert at pushing people away because he whole life-people she loved left her. It took a certain type of man to stand up to her cold attitude but the hero fit the bill.

You could tell from that first meeting he was hooked. Nothing she could do or say could succeed in changing his feelings for her- and she did say certain things that were intended to wound-especially when it came to his missing wife. I enjoyed the story and the Indian folklore. It was unique and exciting and it certainly made me wish I was a part of that world. I really enjoy this series because its suspenseful enough but it's also goes deeper into the characters personality and what made them tick.

[ᗰ.ᑕ. ❄️ O͎L͎D͎E͎R͎ ͎&͎ ͎W͎I͎S͎E͎R͎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2017 & 2019 = 3 stars
2022 = DNF / review written

It was a pretty good read years ago, but not anymore. I remember the paranormal mystery, but nothing about the MCs' romantic relationship. That makes this book just like all the others in the series—focused on the paranormal, with a shallow romance on the side. Once again, it's insta-love with little realism.

A lot of dull info. is shared about:
Native American history / clans / legends / folktales / traditions / rituals and more.

ⓂⒸⓢ:
Grace, the sheriff of Lake Bluff, Georgia. (She's similar to Jesse in book 1.)

Ian, a Cherokee doctor who uses traditional and native practices. Also, a member of the Nighthawk Keetowahs, a Cherokee society dedicated to preserving their traditions. The members are sworn to track down and eliminate supernatural creatures.

Plot: Ian is hunting the Raven Mocker, a Cherokee witch who robs the dying of their life force by eating their heart. She steals their remaining days and grows younger the more she takes. Ian and Grace figure out who she is—though it’s not hard to guess—and work together to stop her evil killing spree. Along the way, they find love.

I found it a bit sad that Grace was searching for someone who wouldn’t leave her, only to end up with someone who has to leave her regularly. That’s irony for you. 🫤

[Jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that I ended up sucked into this book. The heroine is a small town sheriff, with Cherokee blood. Grace McDaniel is capable and independent, and I liked her. She's tired and overworked but also irreverent and snappy. This is a supernatural romance, but instead of werewolves which I was expecting because of the world "Moon" in the title, the night-creature in this instance was one I'd never heard of before, so there were elements of Cherokee folklore that was new to me. The book looks to be part of a series, with references to Claire, who is the mayor, Grace's best friend, and probably the heroine of her own book, but I had no problems following it. A pretty decent read and while I sort of guessed the identity of the creature terrorizing the town, I wasn't completely sure about it till the end, which I liked. The only thing I found jarring was the sudden sex scenes in this book, which seemed to be incongruent with Grace's wary nature regarding men. I found myself saying out loud: what the hell, you're the sheriff, what are you doing?!! which brought down things a notch for me. Still, couldn't really stop reading.

slightly longer review here - http://janicu.livejournal.com/34667.html

[Viccy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace McDaniel is the sheriff in Lake Bluff GA. Last summer she became aware of the supernatural world when werewolves showed up in Lake Bluff and started killing people. The Jacher-Suchers followed and assisted in the eradication of the problem. Now Grace calls them to say people are dying again in Lake Bluff and she needs their help. But the J-S are too busy to come to Lake Bluff, so Grace is left to her own resources and the help of Ian Walker, a mysterious new doctor, a Cherokee, like Grace. Grace's grandmother had tried to teach her the ways of her people, but Grace's father wanted nothing to do with that mumbo-jumbo so Grace never learned her grandmother's heritage, let alone the Cherokee language. Grace wishes she had paid more attention. Grace and Ian must work together to defeat the Raven Mocker, a horror out of the Cherokee tradition.

[Nytetyger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Native American mythology, male and female leads that are strong and yet needing to find Twu Wuv, nasty evil doings of a paranormal nature and yes, sex. Yep, we’re back here in the Night Creatures universe for the final time as the publisher pulled the plug. Probably a publisher with a low sex drive, I’m thinking. Or perhaps one, like me, who wanted to shake the person that told this author to forgo plot and a good story for the kama sutra. Whatever. The series is over, the man and woman have sex everywhere—EVEN IN AN ICE COLD RIVER and in the end, the female lead saves the day along with the help of her now devoted and loving male better half. And I no longer have to write these snarky commentaries so everyone is happy.

[July · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Lori Handeland. This is book #8 in this series. It actually takes a different play this time around which makes it very interesting.
You can say maybe a different creature this time? But you are left guessing so far into the book as to what the heck is doing the killing? It is a great mystery on top of a paranormal this time.
I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I will not say much about the killings.

Grace McDaniel is the Sherriff of Lake Bluff Georgia and Ian Walker an Native American Doctor comes to town and while the romance between these to sizzle, danger lurks in the town. Killings are happening and it is up to Grace to find out what is going on.

[Gerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but I am not impressed.
The fact that this is the second book in the series not to feature werewolves was a welcome diversion (and who could've known that I would one day say that?), but in the end I've got this suspicion that all that kept me reading and enjoying it was a feeling of familiarity.
This typical "Yes, this is a work by..." you get from authors you read for a long time.

Formally the characters and messages in the book are less questionable than in the last one (though not really anymore likable because of that), but plotting wise the story seemed not as well constructed with a far too short cut climax. *giggle*

[Fallon Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book The story was perfect. The two main characters Grace and Ian were amazing. I love the way that Lori Handeland had written about the different heritages and there back grounds. Her books always have that. Thunder Moon was set in a small town where everyone knows everything, and then a new comer comes in and all these weird things start happening. The bad person in this book is none that I have ever read about before and that is another thing that I love about it. So many things that I have never read about are in this book and it really sucks you into reading it. Everything seemed so real to me. Definitely a 5 star book!! Warning mature content.

[Lyndi W.]

Practical, skeptical Grace is freaking annoying. She's suspicious of things that aren't suspicious and entirely ambivalent towards things that are crazy suspicious. She seems to have "police instincts" sporadically. I would not feel safe with her sitting Sheriff of my town. Not one bit.

In addition to Grace being a shitty cop and a worthless medicine woman, the info dumping is atrocious. I don't give two fucks about Joe's cousin's boyfriend's uncle getting a job two towns over. Save the filler for a few chapters in, when you've already got the reader hooked. Not at the very beginning.

This could be a decent story, but I'm not wasting the time with Grace to find out.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Grace and Ian’s story and the Native American storyline. We first met Grace in the book Hidden Moon. Ian is a doctor new to their small town in Georgia. Elderly residents soon begin dying in large numbers, and they realize something strange is going on. When the suspicion is on everyone you know how do you learn who you can trust? Ian’s past was tragic, but will he be able to get past it and move on to a HEA with Grace? This is another great read in the Nightcreature series.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected from a romance novel. It features a tough sherriff named Grace (who's "a whole lotta woman!") with a Cherokee background & experience hunting evil werewolves. In this novel she has to deal with a new MD/medicine man and an entirely different type of supernatural menace. Not being of Cherokee descent, I know nothing of their ways & the authenticity of those depicted in this novel. But myths & legends of all cultures fascinate me. Moreso if they can be incorporated into a modern day mystery. I look forward to reading other books by the same author.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the sarcastic sheriff, Grace McDaniel and the enigmatic Ian Walker, Native American doctor. I liked the way they worked together...eventually...for the good of the town. There is a supernatural creature killing the elderly but leaving no marks. The Cherokee traditions and folklore was interesting and tied smartly into the plot. All in all another wonderful addition to the Nightcreature series.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in the series. I really like Grace it was nice to get to know her a little better. I loved the use of Native American Indian legends to bring another creature to life. I do enjoy it when authors loosely base their baddies in recognisable mythology.

I did get a little confused at the end, it reads like it could be the end of the series but I know I have the next 3 waiting to be read :)

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy and steamy paranormal novel drawing on Cherokee traditions and folklore. A super natural creature is stealing lives and making it look like a heart attack or natural death instead of murder. A mysterious sexy stranger is in town, and sets up shop as a new doctor. And the sheriff of this small town wonders if the werewolves are back or if she's dealing with something completely different.

[Tasneem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and this series too. I liked how she blends Cherokee myths and Native American myths with the paranormal to write really good romance. Grace is a strong character and Ian is both sexy and mysterious which is always a good combination in my book. I enjoyed the mystery and the suspence of who the killer in town was. And no, you won't really guess who it is until the very end.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the good natured ribbing going on between Grace and her friend Claire Cartwright, the town Mayor. Also,we are treated to a bit more of Malachi Cartwright, the former Gypsy horse trainer turned husband and Daddy to little Noah. Through Ian Walker,the towns new doctor, Grace gets more in touch with her Native American heritage, her inner panther and killed the Raven Mocker, who'd been the cause of the deaths and missing hearts.

[MrsB. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great fin of the series - witty writing, a sexy couple and a good story. I'm downright sad the series ended with that book.
The only thing I wished for was a conflation of the loose ends and an reencounter of the former protagonist at the end of this book. Like the Jäger-Sucher have the final showdown with the werewolves^^

[Ruth Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace and Ian. She is a small town Sheriff and he is a medical doctor. Both are Native American of the Cherokee. Grace get suspicious when lots of people start dying after the Thunder Moon. She sees a wolf and thinks the strangeness is do to werewolves but it is closer to home. Read and see what or who is causing the deaths.