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Nightcreature #7
Hidden Moon
He’s got a secret . . . Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia, for the bright lights of Atlanta and a promising career in journalism. Now, recovering from a cruel betrayal, she’s back in the one place she always felt safe, starting over as Lake Bluff’s new mayor. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Malachi Cartwright, a man whose past is as mysterious as his present – a man who awakens something dangerous in sensible, realistic Claire. . . . that leaves her hungry for more. When a tourist claims to have been mauled by a vicious wolf, and when the attacks turn deadly, Malachi’s strange behaviour rouses Claire’s suspicions. Could he have a secret agenda and a sinister reason for coming to Lake Bluff? Malachi is the only man who could tempt Claire to succumb to her desires – but he’s the last person she can trust. And as an eclipse approaches, the secrets of the hidden moon will come to light and a deadly enemy will be revealed at last . . . ‘No one delivers better thrills than Handeland’ Romantic Times Book Reviews
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1998
22 people are currently reading
894 people want to read
About the author
Lori Handeland
124 books1,347 followersLori 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 31, 2016
Reading these novels - reminds me of Good old days!
Remember when Internet was just come into our life and we used pay ‘cyber cafes’ in order to use it, on hourly basis! I was in college then and it was such a blast….
I don’t know why I remember old days, maybe because small town tales, mature and aged hero or quite and simple life….mebe…
This is story of small town, its residents and their mayor Clair Kennedy. Of course, you have to throw Gypsies, werewolf and other paranormal elements into mix to get your superhit PNR.
I agree with other reader that ending seems bit abrupt but knowing Handeland, Clair and Malachi will bound to show up in other novel and I wasn't disappointed when I started with next in the series Thunder Moon.
April 2, 2009
Gypsies show up at the Full Moon festival in a small town in Georgia--real gypsies complete with horse-drawn wagons, fortune telling and an unparalleled wild animal show. Unfortunately, people start dying at the same time--dying with their throats torn out as by some wild animal. Claire was a journalist in Atlanta before her world fell apart and she returned to her home town for her father's funeral and then took up his job as mayor. Now she has to figure out what's going on before there are more deaths--not exactly the job duties she had expected.
August 18, 2025
3 good reads = 5 stars
(2018, 2019, 2022)
2025 = another good read!
More info. added to review.
★ This is my favorite book in the series, surpassing Book One, now in second place. The intriguing PNR mystery, the MCs' sexy relationship, the small town atmosphere, and the h's story—which includes her BFF's close sisterly bond—made this a better read.
After reading books 1-7, I’ve noticed a pattern:
✓ The MCs' insta-relationship is based on attraction and sex. Forever love happens in a week, barely any meaningful interactions are needed.
✓ The h’s insecurities usually stem from her appearance and past relationships.
✓ The H remains mysterious with unclear motives, keeping readers in suspense. He’s incredibly sexy, and the h often feels he's out of her league.
Although this book lacks depth, it’s a fun, fast read. The characters are likable, and the romance is sensual without being overly smutty.
📕 More About the Plot & Characters:
The Full Moon Festival is about to begin, and it's Lake Bluff's biggest tourist event and source of income. This year is special because there will be a rare eclipse, a "Hidden Moon." An unusual gypsy caravan has been hired as the main attraction.
Wolf howls are heard in the nearby mountains, where no wolves should be. People are attacked and start disappearing. What is going on? The mystery of who the Roms are and their true purpose begins.
Claire Kennedy (26) recently returned to Lake Bluff for her father's funeral. She agreed to finish his mayoral term, having left Atlanta b/c the big city wasn't for her. Her journalism career didn't go well and she's lonely. She feels safer and more content in her hometown.
Malachi Cartwright is the leader of the Rom in the gypsy caravan. His pure Rom blood gives him magic. He's originally from Ireland, with an Irish accent. For some reason, Claire feels drawn to him, surprising given her fear of men.
Grace McDaniel is the town sheriff, who also followed in her father's footsteps after his passing. Her book is next. While she is a great friend and sidekick to Claire in this story, I didn't care much for her book.
What I liked best was the setting: If I could live anywhere, it would be near the mountains. The town's close-knit atmosphere was warm and cozy. 🤗
Claire and Grace are close friends once again, joking and sharing like sisters. Claire makes peace with herself, releasing old hurts—including resentment toward her workaholic father. She discovers that being mayor of a small town is something she's good at and truly enjoys. In the process, she finds the healing, friendship and family she needs.
🥳 Another curse is broken, this time by true love, and the evil is vanquished. Plus, there are a few laughs. Overall, a satisfactory read.
☹️ My Biggest Complaint: the info-dumps about wolves, shape-shifter legends, talismans, Hitler, etc... The same info. is repeated throughout the series.
1️⃣ This can be read as a standalone. Two previous characters only make a brief appearance.
🏵️ How Malachi Smells and Tastes: 🌼
🔸smelled like water beneath the summer sun, like rain-soaked earth and moon-drenched night.
🔸tasted of both summer and winter
🔸tasted like the mist—a cool, damp rain.
🔸smelled like summer rain, new grass, the night
🔸the water and earth scent of him
🔸He tasted of cinnamon and sunshine; he smelled like the ocean at dawn.
Bad Guys:
The Truth About Malachi and the Rom:
At the end,
(2018, 2019, 2022)
2025 = another good read!
More info. added to review.
★ This is my favorite book in the series, surpassing Book One, now in second place. The intriguing PNR mystery, the MCs' sexy relationship, the small town atmosphere, and the h's story—which includes her BFF's close sisterly bond—made this a better read.
After reading books 1-7, I’ve noticed a pattern:
✓ The MCs' insta-relationship is based on attraction and sex. Forever love happens in a week, barely any meaningful interactions are needed.
✓ The h’s insecurities usually stem from her appearance and past relationships.
✓ The H remains mysterious with unclear motives, keeping readers in suspense. He’s incredibly sexy, and the h often feels he's out of her league.
Although this book lacks depth, it’s a fun, fast read. The characters are likable, and the romance is sensual without being overly smutty.
📕 More About the Plot & Characters:
The Full Moon Festival is about to begin, and it's Lake Bluff's biggest tourist event and source of income. This year is special because there will be a rare eclipse, a "Hidden Moon." An unusual gypsy caravan has been hired as the main attraction.
Wolf howls are heard in the nearby mountains, where no wolves should be. People are attacked and start disappearing. What is going on? The mystery of who the Roms are and their true purpose begins.
Claire Kennedy (26) recently returned to Lake Bluff for her father's funeral. She agreed to finish his mayoral term, having left Atlanta b/c the big city wasn't for her. Her journalism career didn't go well and she's lonely. She feels safer and more content in her hometown.
Malachi Cartwright is the leader of the Rom in the gypsy caravan. His pure Rom blood gives him magic. He's originally from Ireland, with an Irish accent. For some reason, Claire feels drawn to him, surprising given her fear of men.
Grace McDaniel is the town sheriff, who also followed in her father's footsteps after his passing. Her book is next. While she is a great friend and sidekick to Claire in this story, I didn't care much for her book.
What I liked best was the setting: If I could live anywhere, it would be near the mountains. The town's close-knit atmosphere was warm and cozy. 🤗
Claire and Grace are close friends once again, joking and sharing like sisters. Claire makes peace with herself, releasing old hurts—including resentment toward her workaholic father. She discovers that being mayor of a small town is something she's good at and truly enjoys. In the process, she finds the healing, friendship and family she needs.
🥳 Another curse is broken, this time by true love, and the evil is vanquished. Plus, there are a few laughs. Overall, a satisfactory read.
☹️ My Biggest Complaint: the info-dumps about wolves, shape-shifter legends, talismans, Hitler, etc... The same info. is repeated throughout the series.
1️⃣ This can be read as a standalone. Two previous characters only make a brief appearance.
🏵️ How Malachi Smells and Tastes: 🌼
🔸smelled like water beneath the summer sun, like rain-soaked earth and moon-drenched night.
🔸tasted of both summer and winter
🔸tasted like the mist—a cool, damp rain.
🔸smelled like summer rain, new grass, the night
🔸the water and earth scent of him
🔸He tasted of cinnamon and sunshine; he smelled like the ocean at dawn.
Bad Guys:
The Truth About Malachi and the Rom:
At the end,
February 4, 2018
Lake Buff als Handlungsort mag ich wieder mehr - und auch die Charaktere sprechen mich mehr an. Ich verstehe nur nicht, was die Autorin mit Männern mit Ohrringen hat, das nervt langsam ein bisschen ;) Ich freu mich jetzt schon auf den nächsten Band, weil ich Grace lieber mag als Claire.
August 15, 2025
It took a horrible experience to make Claire come back home to the place she wanted to put behind
her. But now she's home and she's taken over the job as Mayor to the small mountain town like her
father before her. She may dress the part but she's never really felt comfortable in her new role.
She can tell the people don't respect her like they did her father and the local Newspapers CEO
is already gunning for her job and he'll use everything he has against her to kick her out.
Claire didn't accept the Gypsy traveling circus as the entertainment for the yearly celebration,
and if it was us to her, she would send them packing. Not because of any prejudice towards the
Gypsy but because their leader is a most intense and unnerving individual. Handsome with long
dark hair, a golden skin tone and bottomless smoldering eyes, there's nothing she wants more
than to keep far away from that temptation. Except maybe get much closer to temptation.
But her small mountain town has become the target of a series of unnerving and dangerous occurrences and at the heart of them all seems to be Malachi and his tribe. But how can she believe that the man that's come to mean so much to her could behind behind all this violence?
I liked this book for what it was. It seems like this author definitely has a pattern to her stories
and though they may vary slightly from book to book, the general idea is the same. If the hero
a werewolf or not? This time, they played a game to trick the reader off the scent but in the end,
sadly the result was predictable. I can't say there was anything especially remarkable about the story or Claire or Malachi but I can't say it was a bad book at the end of the day. Just predictable
and a bit cookie cutter.
her. But now she's home and she's taken over the job as Mayor to the small mountain town like her
father before her. She may dress the part but she's never really felt comfortable in her new role.
She can tell the people don't respect her like they did her father and the local Newspapers CEO
is already gunning for her job and he'll use everything he has against her to kick her out.
Claire didn't accept the Gypsy traveling circus as the entertainment for the yearly celebration,
and if it was us to her, she would send them packing. Not because of any prejudice towards the
Gypsy but because their leader is a most intense and unnerving individual. Handsome with long
dark hair, a golden skin tone and bottomless smoldering eyes, there's nothing she wants more
than to keep far away from that temptation. Except maybe get much closer to temptation.
But her small mountain town has become the target of a series of unnerving and dangerous occurrences and at the heart of them all seems to be Malachi and his tribe. But how can she believe that the man that's come to mean so much to her could behind behind all this violence?
I liked this book for what it was. It seems like this author definitely has a pattern to her stories
and though they may vary slightly from book to book, the general idea is the same. If the hero
a werewolf or not? This time, they played a game to trick the reader off the scent but in the end,
sadly the result was predictable. I can't say there was anything especially remarkable about the story or Claire or Malachi but I can't say it was a bad book at the end of the day. Just predictable
and a bit cookie cutter.
November 11, 2009
I think I may have enjoyed this one the best. I really liked Mal and Claire. I thought the Gypsies were neat and Claire's story was compelling. I kind of wish there had been more detail and conflict with Logan - not that I liked him, I totally hated him - but more of the story could have made me feel more for Claire. Good story though. I liked it a lot.
January 13, 2011
My favorite book of her series!
March 19, 2011
From one of my favorite series.
December 9, 2018
A DNF for me. I couldn't get a handle on Claire and her relationships with other people. They always just seemed...off? Confusing? I don't know, I just struggled with understanding the dynamics.
Also, the writing of the Native Americans and the Rom made me cringe sometimes. And the cringing was not always intentional.
Just a nope for me.
Also, the writing of the Native Americans and the Rom made me cringe sometimes. And the cringing was not always intentional.
Just a nope for me.
August 31, 2023
So I like paranormal things, vampires, witches, werewolves, etc. But I am not really a fan of romance. I picked this up at a local bookstore, not seeing the romance part. The section was split between paranormal and paranormal romance. It wasn't bad....but not my favorite. If you like romance, I guess you would like it.
August 24, 2025
good book
If it’s written by Lori Handeland, you should read the book. Her stories are well-written, the characters are vivid and the storyline not wholly implausible. I’ve been enjoying her books for years and love them. You will, too.
If it’s written by Lori Handeland, you should read the book. Her stories are well-written, the characters are vivid and the storyline not wholly implausible. I’ve been enjoying her books for years and love them. You will, too.
September 26, 2017
Romani magic
Always a page turner. Lori never disappoints. Mel and Claire's journey was great fun to read. The sheriff rates a book of her own.
Always a page turner. Lori never disappoints. Mel and Claire's journey was great fun to read. The sheriff rates a book of her own.
May 24, 2021
Just as good as the others
March 4, 2017
As is typical for me with this author and this series, the first person narrative and the storyline itself sucked me in. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Mal, the mysterious Irish Rom and Claire, the mayor of a small town on the verge of a Full Moon Festival which is suddenly riddled with werewolves and other magical things. Claire came back to her home town from Atlanta after she was assaulted and raped and took up her father's position as mayor when he died. Mal arrived in town as a gypsy performer hired to entertain townsfolk for the festival. Lots of sexual chemistry and plenty of wondering who the werewolves are.
Claire was likeable on the whole. She wasn't quite a doormat, but she had doormat moments. I for one think she should have been a whole lot more pissed about Mal's deceit, but I can understand why she let it go given her predicament and the importance of getting over it just then. Mal was pretty sexy and I liked him a lot. He's a good hero. My problems with the story were not with the characters or even teh storyline at all. I loved them actually. I'd really give this 3.5 stars instead of 4, mostly having to do with the hastily wrapped up ending and the insta-pregnancy. I was very disappointed that we didn't get to see the "villains" being caught or even confronted. I would have loved to see Mal face down his people after they'd betrayed him. But we're simply told its being taken care of. It was just a disappointing ending overall.
I was also disappointed in the insta-pregnancy...I think I would have preferred a psychic vision or something than for him to suddenly sense that she was pregnant. I struggled to believe given that ejaculation had only taken place 15 minutes prior - quickest conception in the world and very difficult to accept. (I know, funny saying that in a book about werewolves, but there you have it. Some things can push the realm of reality and some things can't.)
Claire was likeable on the whole. She wasn't quite a doormat, but she had doormat moments. I for one think she should have been a whole lot more pissed about Mal's deceit, but I can understand why she let it go given her predicament and the importance of getting over it just then. Mal was pretty sexy and I liked him a lot. He's a good hero. My problems with the story were not with the characters or even teh storyline at all. I loved them actually. I'd really give this 3.5 stars instead of 4, mostly having to do with the hastily wrapped up ending and the insta-pregnancy. I was very disappointed that we didn't get to see the "villains" being caught or even confronted. I would have loved to see Mal face down his people after they'd betrayed him. But we're simply told its being taken care of. It was just a disappointing ending overall.
I was also disappointed in the insta-pregnancy...I think I would have preferred a psychic vision or something than for him to suddenly sense that she was pregnant. I struggled to believe given that ejaculation had only taken place 15 minutes prior - quickest conception in the world and very difficult to accept. (I know, funny saying that in a book about werewolves, but there you have it. Some things can push the realm of reality and some things can't.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2010
Maybe it wasn't the best idea to buy a book right in the middle of a series but it was a werewolf story and I couldn't resist. I also haven't read a Lori Handeland story before so I thought I'd give it ago.
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia, for the bright lights of Atlanta and a promising career in journalism. Now, recovering from a cruel betrayal, she’s back in the one place she always felt safe, starting over as Lake Bluff’s new mayor. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Malachi Cartwright, a man whose past is as mysterious as his present a man who awakens something dangerous in sensible, realistic Claire. When a tourist claims to have been mauled by a vicious wolf, and when the attacks turn deadly, Malachi’s strange behavior rouses Claire’s suspicions. Could he have a secret agenda and a sinister reason for coming to Lake Bluff? Malachi is the only man who could tempt Claire to succumb to her desires but he’s the last person she can trust. And as an eclipse approaches, the secrets of the hidden moon will come to light, and a deadly enemy will be revealed at last.
I felt a little let down by Hidden Moon I thought it would be much better than it really was. The overall story was really great, including curses, a back story relating to the Nazi's and Hitler but what really let Hidden Moon down was it was written in first person narrative all the way through which started to bug me after a while because I felt you were really left out about the 'hero' you never really knew what he thought or felt, in relation to, well anything unless he mentioned it to the heroine. For this reason I only give Hidden Moon 3 stars.
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia, for the bright lights of Atlanta and a promising career in journalism. Now, recovering from a cruel betrayal, she’s back in the one place she always felt safe, starting over as Lake Bluff’s new mayor. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Malachi Cartwright, a man whose past is as mysterious as his present a man who awakens something dangerous in sensible, realistic Claire. When a tourist claims to have been mauled by a vicious wolf, and when the attacks turn deadly, Malachi’s strange behavior rouses Claire’s suspicions. Could he have a secret agenda and a sinister reason for coming to Lake Bluff? Malachi is the only man who could tempt Claire to succumb to her desires but he’s the last person she can trust. And as an eclipse approaches, the secrets of the hidden moon will come to light, and a deadly enemy will be revealed at last.
I felt a little let down by Hidden Moon I thought it would be much better than it really was. The overall story was really great, including curses, a back story relating to the Nazi's and Hitler but what really let Hidden Moon down was it was written in first person narrative all the way through which started to bug me after a while because I felt you were really left out about the 'hero' you never really knew what he thought or felt, in relation to, well anything unless he mentioned it to the heroine. For this reason I only give Hidden Moon 3 stars.
September 15, 2010
I really enjoyed this book a lot, the characters are likeable, apart from the bad guys who are not, and personally I didn't see the end coming. Originally I gave it 4 stars because I think it's easily up to the first book in the series "Blue Moon".
What led me knock off one more star from the rating is Lori's use of a particularly unsavoury romance trope; i.e. the "Healing Penis."
In short Claire overcomes her rape trauma through having fantastic sex with Malachi. That is one bitter tasting, hard to swallow bite there in the book and it’s only owned to Lori’s otherwise easy flowing writing and her charismatic lead characters that the book hit the wall at that point, literally.
Another stopper was the vastly underdeveloped conflict between the leads.
As Claire so correctly points out it’s not sex if it’s not freely given, it’s rape. And yet after having been betrayed once before by a man she thought to love her, she simply takes the fact that Malachi manipulated her into falling for him and having sex with him in stride; Shrugging it off with a “Ah well, but now he does love me” attitude.
Claire is not quite as passive a character as Crescent Moon’s Diane, but by the end of the book she’s still too caught up in her victim act, showing still to much co-dependency, for a believable happy end.
Bottom line, it’s a fine story in my opinion, but wrought around a too weak, rather anti-feminist lead character.
What led me knock off one more star from the rating is Lori's use of a particularly unsavoury romance trope; i.e. the "Healing Penis."
In short Claire overcomes her rape trauma through having fantastic sex with Malachi. That is one bitter tasting, hard to swallow bite there in the book and it’s only owned to Lori’s otherwise easy flowing writing and her charismatic lead characters that the book hit the wall at that point, literally.
Another stopper was the vastly underdeveloped conflict between the leads.
As Claire so correctly points out it’s not sex if it’s not freely given, it’s rape. And yet after having been betrayed once before by a man she thought to love her, she simply takes the fact that Malachi manipulated her into falling for him and having sex with him in stride; Shrugging it off with a “Ah well, but now he does love me” attitude.
Claire is not quite as passive a character as Crescent Moon’s Diane, but by the end of the book she’s still too caught up in her victim act, showing still to much co-dependency, for a believable happy end.
Bottom line, it’s a fine story in my opinion, but wrought around a too weak, rather anti-feminist lead character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2010
Parts of the story were good, especially the end, but not enough to recommend it.
The middle section was too drawn out with too much vague and unsuccessful investigation going on. I felt the ending was creative and different and it felt good. However, I wish the author would have added more at the end, telling what was going to happen to Sabina. Sabina did something evil, and I felt the story was unfinished by not having justice for her. I also would have liked to see the conversations and actions between Mal and his gypsy people at the end concerning their betrayal and separation.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
Some other areas I had problems with follow. Grace's strange nocturnal journeys into the woods at night were never explained well enough for me. It was hard for me to understand how Claire could date someone for several months, invite him to her home and then be so traumatized by sex that she quits her dream job and returns to her small home town. Yes, a rape might do that, but from someone she had been dating for so long? I would have preferred a stronger reason for leaving her city job. I think she was wrong to be mad at Mal because he didn't tell her he was a werewolf earlier in their relationship.
Sexual language: mild to moderate. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: present day Lake Bluff, Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Copyright: 2007. Genre: paranormal romance.
The middle section was too drawn out with too much vague and unsuccessful investigation going on. I felt the ending was creative and different and it felt good. However, I wish the author would have added more at the end, telling what was going to happen to Sabina. Sabina did something evil, and I felt the story was unfinished by not having justice for her. I also would have liked to see the conversations and actions between Mal and his gypsy people at the end concerning their betrayal and separation.
CAUTION SPOILERS:
Some other areas I had problems with follow. Grace's strange nocturnal journeys into the woods at night were never explained well enough for me. It was hard for me to understand how Claire could date someone for several months, invite him to her home and then be so traumatized by sex that she quits her dream job and returns to her small home town. Yes, a rape might do that, but from someone she had been dating for so long? I would have preferred a stronger reason for leaving her city job. I think she was wrong to be mad at Mal because he didn't tell her he was a werewolf earlier in their relationship.
Sexual language: mild to moderate. Number of sex scenes: four. Setting: present day Lake Bluff, Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Copyright: 2007. Genre: paranormal romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2015
Claire returns home for her father’s funeral and takes over his job a mayor of a tiny town in the mountains of Georgia. Then a band of gypsies arrive as entertainment at the town’s yearly Full Moon festival and things get complicated.
There must be a lack or males in Lake Bluff since both the mayor and sheriff are female. Not that they can’t be but they usually aren’t, especially in a small town. But a guess Claire and Grace are perfect for it because they fight like siblings and politicians.
Though both the action story and the couple are interesting, the wolf legend story is a little too weird and confusing to be considered plausible.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I wish these books had more connection to each other than wolves and Edward showing up once in a while. In this one he almost missed being in the story since he doesn’t appear until the last few pages.
2)What’s with these instant pregnancies? It seems that in supernatural stories either the female gets pregnant and they are aware of it immediately or it takes a long time or special time or they never can. The last three are normal, but the first is pure fantasy.
Fave Scenes: the town council meeting, the misty lake, running over the wolf and Grace’s hidden room.
There must be a lack or males in Lake Bluff since both the mayor and sheriff are female. Not that they can’t be but they usually aren’t, especially in a small town. But a guess Claire and Grace are perfect for it because they fight like siblings and politicians.
Though both the action story and the couple are interesting, the wolf legend story is a little too weird and confusing to be considered plausible.
Quick Thoughts: 1)I wish these books had more connection to each other than wolves and Edward showing up once in a while. In this one he almost missed being in the story since he doesn’t appear until the last few pages.
2)What’s with these instant pregnancies? It seems that in supernatural stories either the female gets pregnant and they are aware of it immediately or it takes a long time or special time or they never can. The last three are normal, but the first is pure fantasy.
Fave Scenes: the town council meeting, the misty lake, running over the wolf and Grace’s hidden room.
November 2, 2009
Sometimes I wonder why I need to read the entirety of a series; in this case I know it was in the hopes it would return to the well written series it was before it became the sex series it is now. This one is with an immortal gypsy and his magical band of rom, people who die in nasty throat-ripped-out ways, a corrupt politician who forced sex on his girlfriend who is now a mayor of a small southern town, a snarky powerful female Sheriff who was once the new mayors bff. And yes, before you wonder, there is sex. Steamy, lusty, tension filled sexy moments where a woman overcomes being raped by a guy she loved and trusted by simply the sight of a stunning shirtless soaking wet gypsy studmuffin who is not just gentle and kind and loving, but is powerful in body and spirit too… and has magic! No, really, do not disbelieve in the sexy magic or tinkerbell will… err… um, ignore that. The book was not too long, there were some neat ideas that went nowhere, the characters were actually kinda neat, but mostly, there was sexual tension, gore and sex.
January 24, 2016
He 19s got a secret...
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia, for the bright lights of Atlanta and a promising career in journalism. Now, recovering from a cruel betrayal, she 19s back in the one place she always felt safe, starting over as Lake Bluff 19s new mayor. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Malachi Cartwright, a man whose past is as mysterious as his present 14a man who awakens something dangerous in sensible, realistic Claire.
That leaves her hungry for more
When a tourist claims to have been mauled by a vicious wolf, and when the attacks turn deadly, Malachi 19s strange behavior rouses Claire 19s suspicions. Could he have a secret agenda and a sinister reason for coming to Lake Bluff? Malachi is the only man who could tempt Claire to succumb to her desires 14but he 19s the last person she can trust. And as an eclipse approaches, the secrets of the hidden moon will come to light, and a deadly enemy will be revealed at last 26
I just love this series..
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia, for the bright lights of Atlanta and a promising career in journalism. Now, recovering from a cruel betrayal, she 19s back in the one place she always felt safe, starting over as Lake Bluff 19s new mayor. But then trouble comes to town in the form of Malachi Cartwright, a man whose past is as mysterious as his present 14a man who awakens something dangerous in sensible, realistic Claire.
That leaves her hungry for more
When a tourist claims to have been mauled by a vicious wolf, and when the attacks turn deadly, Malachi 19s strange behavior rouses Claire 19s suspicions. Could he have a secret agenda and a sinister reason for coming to Lake Bluff? Malachi is the only man who could tempt Claire to succumb to her desires 14but he 19s the last person she can trust. And as an eclipse approaches, the secrets of the hidden moon will come to light, and a deadly enemy will be revealed at last 26
I just love this series..
April 19, 2012
I was surprised by this book. My friend has been telling me to read it since January, and I kept putting it off because I’m not a werewolf fan.
The book did start off a little slow for me, but I chalk that up to not being a werewolf fan. I wasn’t giving it my full attention.
Even though the book had werewolves, that wasn’t a predominant aspect, which I loved. The book flowed nicely and had a little mystery of who the werewolf was.
I have a lot of respect for Claire for what she went through with her past, and Malachi was instantly yummy just because he was Irish. He was an interesting character. He was very protective of Claire but remained mysterious throughout the book.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book (for me) was the history the author pulled into it; the mythology. That alone makes me want to check out the other books in the series.
This was a really decent read and I’m glad I finally listened to my friend and read it.
The book did start off a little slow for me, but I chalk that up to not being a werewolf fan. I wasn’t giving it my full attention.
Even though the book had werewolves, that wasn’t a predominant aspect, which I loved. The book flowed nicely and had a little mystery of who the werewolf was.
I have a lot of respect for Claire for what she went through with her past, and Malachi was instantly yummy just because he was Irish. He was an interesting character. He was very protective of Claire but remained mysterious throughout the book.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book (for me) was the history the author pulled into it; the mythology. That alone makes me want to check out the other books in the series.
This was a really decent read and I’m glad I finally listened to my friend and read it.
December 9, 2010
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff GA for a career in journalism in Atlanta. After being raped, she returns to Lake Bluff to hide out and recover. She ends up as mayor by default because her father died in office and the Town Council asks her to fill out his term. Her former best friend is the police chief, so Claire and Grace McDaniel are buy trying to organize and run the annual Lake Bluff Hidden Moon Festival. Claire's assistant, Joyce, has hired a troop of gypsies to entertain the festival but there is much more to these gypsies than meeets the eye. Their leader is Malachi Cartwright and he makes Claire think of the spring rain. But who is killing tourists in Lake Bluff? As an eclipse nears, the hidden moon may reveal more secrets than the town wants to know.
December 14, 2009
Claire Kennedy left Lake Bluff, Georgia for Atlanta, now, she's moved back, a little older and a lot wiser, and determined not to let another person break her heart. She's also determined to make a success of the job of Mayor, stepping into her fathers footsteps isn't the easiest of tasks.
Malachi Cartwright is a gipsy, part of a troupe brought in for an annual festival, and she's quite attracted to him, as he appears to be to her.
Then there's a tourist found mauled by, he claims, a wolf, something not seen for years in the area. Malachi has secrets, things that he doesn't want to reveal and Claire's past comes to haunt her.
It's pretty predictable but quite readable.
Malachi Cartwright is a gipsy, part of a troupe brought in for an annual festival, and she's quite attracted to him, as he appears to be to her.
Then there's a tourist found mauled by, he claims, a wolf, something not seen for years in the area. Malachi has secrets, things that he doesn't want to reveal and Claire's past comes to haunt her.
It's pretty predictable but quite readable.
June 11, 2011
Well this trilogy is in Georgia. I thought that it might focus on Cherokee folklore, but to my surprise it centered around the Rom (better known as Gypsies). I'm not sure about the accuracy of the cultural references but I believe that Handeland does research the books she writes. The heroine was a bit different. Normally she starts with a strong and determined main character, but this one grows into a bit. I didn't really take as much of an interest in these characters plight, although the resolution was a bit of surprise, although I had my suspicions about where it was going. If she keeps to her trilogy pattern, I suspect Grace will star in the next book or two.
June 27, 2022
Claire has recently returned to her small hometown after years away. She has inherited her fathers job of mayor and is still trying to fit into her new life. Claire meets Malachi when he comes to town for their local full moon festival which culminates on the night of the full moon eclipse. With suspicions high surrounding Mal and his people will Claire be able to trust him with her heart? Wolves and disappearances where none have been before lead to more questions than answers. As the hidden moon rises all will be revealed, but will everyone survive the night? I have read this book several times and still enjoy it every time.
October 7, 2011
Very Good!! This was another of those "can't put down" books for me. I read it in less than 3 days. I only gave it 4 stars since the beginning was a bit confusing because of some errors in the writing. After the shifty start, I just couldn't get enough of this book. I couldn't figure out who the werewolf was either. I had many suspicions ... but definitely didn't expect the end result.
p.s. the guy on the cover looks NOTHING like the main character ... why do they even bother? The book cover artist should just leave it up to the readers imagination, get rid of the head.
p.s. the guy on the cover looks NOTHING like the main character ... why do they even bother? The book cover artist should just leave it up to the readers imagination, get rid of the head.
January 7, 2013
3.5 stars
I do like Lori's series. (Having said that, I'm rather pleased the 'cranky, old man' only rears his head in the final chapter!)
This is a fun story. I don't know why, the characters just don't seem to have been as thoroughly developed as they usually are.
Having said that, I did still enjoy the story - I just don't think it will make my re-read list. The book definitely adds to the 'Handeland mythology', without being an intregal part of the overall arc.
Gotta add - Mal is HOT!
I do like Lori's series. (Having said that, I'm rather pleased the 'cranky, old man' only rears his head in the final chapter!)
This is a fun story. I don't know why, the characters just don't seem to have been as thoroughly developed as they usually are.
Having said that, I did still enjoy the story - I just don't think it will make my re-read list. The book definitely adds to the 'Handeland mythology', without being an intregal part of the overall arc.
Gotta add - Mal is HOT!
September 3, 2009
Not a bad novel. Good love scenes. Not the best I've read in this genre, but entertaining and not a bad story line. The hero is charismatic, but I couldn't get very interested in the main character. I will read more from this author, paricularly from the Phoenix series to see if she's worth the reading.
December 2, 2011
This was definitely your typical Paranormal Romance! Human woman falls for Unknown Species man, they encounter trials and tribulations, they work through it together while having hot sex to overcome all the difficulties and they live happily ever after. Well written but nothing new here. I like Lori's other series about Liz Phoenix.
September 12, 2007
This was my first from Ms. Handeland. Once again, I wasn't aware it was a series book, so I am going to be looking for the past books. I really enjoyed it. It was full of action like most I read, but it was good. I really enjoyed it.
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