Moon Flower: Vampires of Los Angeles

by Heather Ewen-Foster

Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire, thought she had found peace in the quiet neighborhood of Whitley Heights, Hollywood. But when a mysterious creature starts slaughtering young vampires, Sonia is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse.With her friend Sunny targeted by an ancient monster, Sonia must uncover the truth behind these brutal attacks. Desperate to save her friend and end the bloodshed, Sonia navigates the treacherous politics of the vampire world. Along the way, she finds herself torn between her irresistible attraction to Alex, the enigmatic human journalist helping in her investigation, and her deep bond with sexy and charismatic Sunny, Alpha Vampire extraordinaire.
As the sinister plot unravels, Sonia's race against time becomes a pulse-pounding battle against an impossibly powerful foe. Will she uncover the truth before more lives are lost? And what sacrifices will she have to make to protect those she loves?
Moon Flower is a spellbinding urban fantasy that will leave you breathless. Heather Ewen-Foster's suspenseful tale immerses you in a world of danger, romance, and mythical creatures. Get ready for an electrifying adventure that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Supernatural, Fiction

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2024

Reviews

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.'Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire, thought she had found peace in the quiet neighborhood of Whitley Heights, Hollywood.' But when a mysterious creature starts slaughtering young vampires, Sonia is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse

It was the above paragraph that led to my journey into the world created by Heather Ewen- Foster in Moon Flower. This book provides readers of urban fantasy with an introduction to the author's work.


Moon Flower introduces readers to Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire. Interestingly,  Sonia was born a human in England but got turned in Australia. She now resides in Los Angeles. She's enjoying the peace and quiet of her neighborhood along with her vampire friend and roommate Sunny.  Then she meets Alex, a human, photo journalist and a possible romantic interest. So her life couldn't be better.   However, something nefarious is brewing, and it's about to threaten her peaceful and quiet life.

Someone or something is killing young vampires, and Sonia went looking for answers. However, an attack on Sunny made the situation personal. Sonia now finds herself in a dangerous situation which may just cost her life and that of Sunny and Alex.

Moon Flower turned out to be quite an intriguing read. It's a fairly good start to what appears to be an exciting series.  It had drama, political intrigue, suspense, action and an inkling of romance.

The story began on an exciting note. However, at around the ten percent mark, the pacing decelerated on account of the details provided in relation to Sonia's past. Also, details about the vampire hierarchy contributed to the deceleration. It wasn't until around the fifty percent mark that the pacing picked up some speed. In between the action, drama and suspense, more details were still being provided. This led to a fluctuation in the pacing. Thankfully, this did not detract from my enjoyment.

The series of events flowed smoothly, and it all came together with a desirable ending. Now, while the events surrounding the death of the young vampires ended on a solid note, it's clear there is more brewing under the surface. So now I look forward to seeing what awaits Sonia, Sunny and Alex.

Surprisingly, with all the details that were provided, background information on Sunny and Alex were severely lacking. This book had a major pet peeve of mine in reading, delivering dialogue in a foreign language with the corresponding translation. I shouldn't have to  go searching the internet for the translation, which I was forced to do. Luckily, the dialogue  delivered in this manner represented a small percentage of the story.

Issues aside, I thought this was a fairly good start to the series. Perfect for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon Flower is one of those engaging urban fantasy vampire novels that you’re not going to want to miss out on. Once you start reading this book it’s quickly going to turn into a gripping page-turner that keeps you coming back for more.
Moon Flower details Sonia’s story as she enjoys life in L.A. with her friends and living her life. Yes, she’s a vampire, but she’s found her niche in this place. There is no true power structure like there was back in Australia, but despite that there is peace. However, that peace is about to be shattered. It all starts with the death of one of their own to the disappearance of others mysteriously. Things are further escalated when this danger targets her friend, Sunny.
This novel is packed with drama, intrigue, and a hint of romance. Sonia is in for quite the chaos as she is made to step into the dangerous elements of politics that swirl in the vampire world. Brace yourself for some surprises that will absolutely keep you on your toes as this author weaves this engaging tale together.
Even when this book ends, know this...it is just the beginning.
5 out of 5 stars

[Jamiesreadingspace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This book starts off very fast past, it quickly brings you into the story and makes you wonder what is going to happen next. .
However, my biggest complaint is I would have appreciated a little more background on the world, and the characters.
The author portrays some sort of bad history on the part of the main character “Sonia” but never finishes the thought. Leaving me wondering her origin story. I would have loved more. Additionally, I’d love more details on Alex, and his former lover.
However I really appreciated the mystery, and the romance. It’s pretty basic, good guys win, bad guys loose, but it’s a fun twist throughout.
I’m not sure if the author plans to write another book to follow this, but i hope she does because I feel as if a lot of questions were left unanswered.

[C. D'Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This vampire story drips with cool sexiness, from the Hollywood setting to the vintage feel in modern time. It had me on the edge of my seat, wondering how all could be saved and who would end up together. Oh yes, there’s romance in this page-turner with Stranger Things vibes. Even though I don’t read much fantasy, I’ll need to read every book this author publishes from now on because it’s that good! You will get sucked in immediately (pun intended!).

[Joy Avery Lovesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶

Angst: 💔💔💔

Cliffhanger? ❌️

Do I recommend it? ✔️

Tropes: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, reverse age gap

Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire, thought she had found peace in the quiet neighborhood of Whitley Heights, Hollywood. But when a mysterious creature starts slaughtering young vampires, Sonia is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse. With her friend Sunny targeted by an ancient monster, Sonia must uncover the truth behind these brutal attacks. Desperate to save her friend and end the bloodshed, Sonia navigates the treacherous politics of the vampire world. Along the way, she finds herself torn between her irresistible attraction to Alex, the enigmatic human journalist helping in her investigation, and her deep bond with sexy and charismatic Sunny, Alpha Vampire extraordinaire. As the sinister plot unravels, Sonia’s race against time becomes a pulse-pounding battle against an impossibly powerful foe. Will she uncover the truth before more lives are lost? And what sacrifices will she have to make to protect those she loves?

This was an entertaining ride back into urban fantasy. I enjoyed this story even though it led down a much different road than I anticipated. There were parts that had my heart beating hard as I read parts that made it impossible to put down. Then there were times I was confused because I needed more information, like more of Sonia’s background. I won't give anything else away, but I am definitely going to recommend giving this book a try. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

[MC · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 15%.

This starts off quickly and presents a look at modern life for a vampire. Conveniently easy to hide in humanity and yet consciously inconspicuous if you know what to look for. Nothing like having a flamboyant vampire roommate who’s so young their human parents are still alive while the main character suffers from long term withdrawal from their former life with a human.

The eARC I read had some electronic translation issues making it almost impossible to read. Even in the gamely program it had formatting issues and text display errors. If the story had been better, I’d have overcome the technical difficulties, but it’s not.

From what I read, I’d say this is for the cozy vampire life reader… it opens with interesting action, slows way down, picks up again, stumbles to a near halt, has some, flashbacks, and then begins the cycle again.

Until Next Time,
MC

Thank you to NetGalley for access to the eARC for my review.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Moonflower,” by Heather Ewen-Foster

Sonia is a 250-year-old vampire just trying to live her life. When her obsession with smelling this one human in the coffee shop turns into an attack, her secret is in danger of being exposed to humans. Alex, the human she likes, knows who she is, and they can’t help but be attracted to each other. Murders of vampires start happening in L.A. is a mystery that needs to be solved, and Sonia is the only one willing to do it, with Alex beside her.

I thought it was a pretty good book. It has good relationships between friends and the love interest. There is action and mystery. All in all, it was a entertaining read. 3 out of 5 stars.

-Vampire
-Vampire Hunter
-Mystery

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this sounded really interesting, so I requested it. I must admit that the first few chapters weren’t exceptionally riveting, but I stuck with it because first books in a series can be more difficult to set up. I’m glad I did. Once everyone was on the page, and we learn more about the world, the plot got more interesting and engaging. The writing was excellent, but there was maybe a little too much description…more of a preference than a problem. I was invested enough that it kept me reading until the end. 3 ½ starts rounded up to 4. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Anne (eggcatsreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book drew me in from the concept - vampires operating in Los Angeles? Color me intrigued. And to be honest, I was hooked the entire novel. I really enjoyed our main character Sonia, and I appreciated how this was definitely more of a plot-related story than simply a “sexy vampire” story. (Not that there’s anything wrong with those! They just tend to not be my cup of tea.)

I’m unsure how to describe this book, but honestly reading this felt like I was almost playing Vampire: The Masquerade - and I mean that in a complimentary way. I really liked how as we (as Sonia) were investigating the disappearances of other vampires, we traveled around to learn more about the world of the vampires living in Los Angeles, as well as the rest of the world. I also liked how as she was investigating, she kept running into more and more issues - as well as danger - trying to force her away from the answers she’s finding.

The storylines in this novel were complex, and while they were “solved” by the end, you can tell there is a lot going on beneath the surface of this world to be explored further. I personally hate when books don’t solve the problem they have just to force sequels, but I really like it when the problem is “solved” but you can tell it will cause more issues down the line.

I was also surprised how much I enjoyed the relationships in this novel. Generally, I’m not the biggest fan of any kind of love triangles, but I believe this book does the one it has well. (To the point it’s not even a love triangle, but each character has a different relationship dynamic with each other.) I will admit to not being that interested or liking Sunny that much at the beginning of this novel, and was almost dreading him becoming more of a player character - but he surprised me, and he wound up being one of my favorites.

Overall, I would really recommend this book if the idea of modern-day vampires interests you, but you wanted them to focus on living their lives, as well as fighting with the main establishment that they operate under. If you prefer your vampire stories focused more on the political aspect, with some romance and relationships thrown in, then this would be a good book to grab.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonflower is an interesting one - it is absolutely brimming with potential and I do think the author shows promise but Moonflower just didn’t pack a punch for me.

I was expecting an action packed urban fantasy with a murder mystery twist and while that does seem to be what the author was angling for, in reality Moonflower dragged and left me bored with a very predictable plot and unengaging characters. For me there were 3 big areas where Moonflower fell flat; plot, character development, and pacing. If there are issues with just one or two of these then it’s not the end of the world e.g. poor characters can be overlooked if the plot is engaging and it’s a fast paced page turner. But when all three are weak it turns the read into a bit of a slog.

Plot: I kept expecting a twist, an unexpected development, some shocking turn of events but everything played out almost exactly as I would have predicted and honestly some of the explanations were just plain boring. I wanted more complex vampire political intrigue or some earth shattering reveals and I just didn’t get that.

Characters: I did like our FMC and I actually think the whispers of her background was well done. Characters really fell down when it came to the side characters who all just felt very one dimensional. Even our love interest - he just seemed so bland I couldn’t get myself to care about him (which then made Sonia’s interest in him less believable and interesting)

Pacing: This was slow and the action scenes were honestly a bit boring. I will be the first one to say I rarely find action scenes interesting so that’s very much a personal preference point. The overall pacing of the book was slow though and while it did amp up a little in the last quarter even then it was still on the slower side. I think for a novel with this sort of premise you’re expecting fast paced so for me this slower read really didn’t fit.

Overall, I honestly think Ewen-Foster has potential as I loved the concept of this novel and I think the world she’s created is really interesting. I also think that with a bit more finessing and thought Moonflower could have been a really gripping novel but it just didn’t feel polished up. I will be keeping an eye on anything else she puts out in the future though as Moonflower showed a lot of promise.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC

[Rocka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book as an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Moonflower: Vampires of Los Angeles follows 200+ year old Australian Vampire Sonia in her time in LA navigating the vampire scene and adapting to the modernity of the times.
One evening, after a date gone awry, she runs into her best friend, Sunny, who is attacked out in public, risking the lives and secrecy of the vampire community. Sonia finds herself tracking the beast that attacked Sunny, trying to get answers and to make sure it doesn't happen again. Only to discover that there is so much more behind the attack on Sunny than was initially thought and it is the beginning of a much bigger issue.

This was a really enjoyable read. It's very much an urban paranormal fantasy. There are tones of romance in this book between Sonia and Alex, a human that has garnered Sonia's fascination, but if you are looking for vampire spice, there is none. The way that Heather has built the lore around her vampires feels really clever and different, explaining away the thoughts about how vampires would integrate with modern society whilst remaining hidden in a way that is in my opinion rather plausible.
I really did enjoy and find it rather cheeky all the nods to vampires in pop culture, particularly the nods to Anita Blake which had me all "I know that one!".
As far as I am aware this is just a stand-alone novel. However, the world-building and how Heather has set up the society around her vampires has left much room to create further stories within this world, which I for one would be really excited to read. I would love to learn more about the vampires, particularly learning more in-depth about how their politics, hierarchies and their histories work.
I feel this book progressed at a really good pace and it was easy to read. Part of me really wants to find a fan Wiki and read all the backstories and histories of the vampires that we encounter like Sonia, Sunny and more. I think hearing their histories and how that shaped them as people and subsequently vampires would just be utterly fascinating.

Overall really fun read, with great world-building and intriguing characters, I do hope that we get more stories in this world from Heather Ewen-Foster.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonia has been a vampire for 250 years.  She has come from her home in Australia to Los Angeles and is trying to fit in with both the human and complex vampire population.  Sonia's good vampire friend, Sunny keeps her in line with Vampire happenings.  Now, Sonia has attracted the attention of human, Alex, who seems to know more about her kind than expected.  Soon, Sonia hears of vampires disappearing, even being killed. When the vampire hunting monster targets Sunny, Sonia jumps into action with Alex not far behind.  Sonia learns of a sophisticated vampire political plot to overtake the rule of the Los Angeles vampires.  Now, to save her friends and the life she has built, Sonia must decide where her loyalties lie.

Moon Flower is a suspenseful, contemporary, paranormal fantasy that gives a look into the humanity of vampires.  I liked learning about the vampires as individuals as well as their social and political structures to help them in the human world.  Through Sonia's character, there is a deep look at her past and life before she was changed and how it affected her as a vampire and the choices she makes.  I enjoyed seeing Sonia's relationship with Sunny as well as Alex.  Through the writing, I could see her caring and nurturing nature as well as Sonia's hesitance at entering into a meaningful relationship again.  The writing also increased in suspense as vampires went from missing to dead to actively being eliminated in mid-day.  It was nice seeing Sonia and Alex work together to unravel the mystery and one of my favorite parts was Alex's relationship with his dog, Fluffy.  It was great to see the inclusion of different vampire lore as well as making light of other vampire myths. With a huge upset in the vampire hierarchy and a cliffhanger ending, I'll look forward to reading more about the Vampires of Los Angeles in the future. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I started my New Year's with this bang up job of a book called Moon Flower. It started off real strong introducing us to the main heroine Sonia. She is 250 years old and has settled into a quiet neighborhood of Los Angeles. She just wants to live out her days in peace till the next great move. But there is an unrest beginning in her town and vampires are disappearing at an alarming rate. Sonia finds herself sucked into the middle of a mess and it may just cost her her life.

The book started off real quick and full of action. The book continues this pace with non-stop action throughout. But as I read this book I found that it would cut off a scene too sharply leaving the readers to use their imagination to finish the scenes. This is ok for most scenes, but when it comes to the final epic ending it cuts off again and this time it felt like you were robbed of something in the end. This is why I took a star away from my review.

The story itself was interesting and entertaining. It has unique and fun characters. Especially Sunny. He was an exciting character who brought life to the story. Alex on the other hand has a history that the author did not divulge into enough. I can tell there is another story to be told there.

Overall the book was a good and entertaining read. It has a lot of action and a bit of emotion to it as well. It is full of danger and adventure. Lots of blood and gore so I hope you are not squeamish. An adventure story of a power play struggle that is full of deception and jealousy.

[Megan O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would call this book The Californians (SNL sketch) meets vampires! With a rich political world of vampires and a consistent description of locations/roads/neighborhoods in LA, Moon Flower brings to life an interesting picture of what a modern vampire's life might look like on the day to day (with a bit of action thrown in).

Our main character, Sonia, is a 250 year old vampire originally from England, turned in Australia, and "recent" Angelino (in vampire terms at least) whose world gets turned upside down when a handsome human comes into her life and triggers a series of climactic events in the lives of Sonia and her two best vampire friends, Sunny (a music producer in love with Sonia, but needs more groupie orgies before he's ready to settle down) and Neichia (a cool as heck vampire doctor who may have some secrets of her own).

I mostly enjoyed this story, as it was a quick and easy read and I was genuinely intrigued by the vampire politics going on in Los Angeles, and through learning more about each of the vampire's backstories! I could have done with a little more fleshing out of the relationships between Sonia and Sunny and Sonia and Alex, and maybe less about the roads as a non-Angelino, but this story worked for me! If a second book were to come out, I would definitely be interested in checking it out!

Thanks to Heather Ewen-Foster and Netgalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Moon Flower” by Heather Ewen-Foster takes readers into the shadowed streets of Whitley Heights, Hollywood, through the eyes of Sonia, a 250-year-old vampire. The book starts off with a vibe that might strike some as a bit cheesy, but as the pages turn, the world of LA vampires unveils itself in a more compelling light.

Sonia, as the protagonist, stands out with a well-crafted balance of strength and vulnerability, making her journey through the treacherous vampire politics and her personal relationships equally gripping. Her dynamic with Sunny, the Alpha Vampire, adds layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the story, leaving readers curious about the future of their bond.

The narrative doesn’t shy away from the complexities of relationships, especially highlighted in the imperfect and rather unclean conclusion with Alex, the human journalist. This choice adds a refreshing dose of realism to the otherwise fantastical setting.

While “Moon Flower” might not revolutionize the genre, it’s a solid pick for those looking to lose themselves in the nocturnal world of urban fantasy, complete with all the danger, romance, and mythical creatures one would expect. A 3 out of 5 stars for an enjoyable, if not earth-shattering, addition to the paranormal library.

[Tonya Ulynn Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and deep. The lore is well thought out and Heather's attention to detail and artful storytelling once again shine through.

Moon Flower's characters are sexy. Sonia is smart, gorgeous, and controlled, her best friend Sunny--artsy, eccentric and a little out of control. And then there's the human in the mix, Alex, who knows what Sonia is, but chooses to love her anyway. He is sweetness personified and oozing with appeal. Sonia has her pick of two of the best-looking men in L.A., but she has bigger problems on her plate than choosing which man she wants. There is a danger lurking in Los Angeles, and she has to find the truth of it before her or one of her friends end up dead. With a vampiric hierarchy that she is not sure she can trust, Sonia must use her intelligence and 200 years of experience to protect those she loves and keep herself alive.

This is the first book in the series so there is a bit of a cliffhanger. It left me wanting more of Sonia, Sunny, and Alex, and I couldn't decide which choice I wanted Sonia to make. I'm anxious to see what's next for the Vampires of Los Angeles.

[MsV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moon Flower brings a fresh spin to the vampire genre with its urban Los Angeles setting, but it didn’t completely draw me in. The idea of vampires in the modern city is intriguing, and the author did a good job of creating a moody, atmospheric backdrop for the story. There were definitely moments where the world-building felt solid and immersive.

That being said, the characters fell a bit short for me. While the protagonist had some interesting moments, I didn’t feel a strong connection to them, and the supporting characters lacked depth. The romantic aspect of the story seemed rushed, and I found myself wanting more time for the relationships to develop naturally.

The pacing was a bit uneven, with certain sections feeling slow while others seemed hurried. The plot had its moments, but overall, it was a little predictable and didn’t deliver the twists I was hoping for. It’s not a bad read—it’s just missing the complexity that could’ve made it stand out more.

In the end, Moon Flower is a decent option for those who enjoy vampire stories with a contemporary twist. While it didn’t completely captivate me, it’s still an entertaining read for fans of the genre.

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, yes. Give me a female vampire. One with superhuman strength, super-sonic sensory perception, lightning speed. Talk about a visceral reading experience! In MOON FLOWER, the world building Ewen-Foster has created for a vampire community living today in Los Angeles is delicious. By introducing the novel with a vocabulary list of Greek terms for the vampire empire, we know the power structure, the position and roles of our main vampire characters—Sonia and (besotted) friend Sunny—and the ancient legacy that should control these predatory creatures. But add a human, Alex, to the plot plus a series of strange vampire murders (it is very hard to kill a vampire), and the thriller is off and running. How I loved lines like “the last time I tasted human blood was in the 1960’s” — like it’s normal! (Sonia drinks animal blood). Within this wonderful world, the characters are complex. We see glimpses of backstory before they were turned into vampires. This is a fast-moving, super fun read and the fight scenes are epic!

[Gina ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this novel felt like a love letter to LA. I'm originally from California but live elsewhere and reading about the beauty of my home was a great experience. Outside of that, this is a very noir-styled urban fantasy that didn't pack as much of a punch as I thought it would. I felt a lot of the world-building and magic system was rushed through so you were like "oh, okay" at the end. I wasn't invested in other characters outside of the FMC and the dog.

Also, I sincerely apologize for the delay in posting my review, life got a bit hectic, but I wanted to make sure I provided a thoughtful and honest assessment. 

My thanks to the author (and NetGalley) for the opportunity to read and review their work. 

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the new twists on vampires in Moon Flower: Vampires of Los Angeles. I love the world that was created for the vampires to live in with the humans. I loved that humans and vampires live together and got along for the most part even though humans don’t know that vampires exist or most of them don’t that is. But of course, some humans knew that vampires existed.

In Moon Flower, lots of vampires are missing. Something or someone is going around attacking vampires. What is strong enough to attack a vampire and kill it? What is going on? Who or what is behind the disappearance of the missing vampires?

Moon Flower is one of the best books about vampires to come along in a long time. I can’t wait to read more about the vampires of Los Angeles. The world-building for this one is out of this world amazingly good. I love the political side of the story. I love that there is a council of sorts that kind of rules the vampires. It makes them seem a little more human I guess.

I liked that Moon Flower: Vampires of Los Angeles was more than a romantic or vampire novel. I like that it was more like a suspenseful type of story. That it had a plot so to speak. There was a story to be read and not just vampires making out.

I would highly recommend Moon Flower: Vampires of Los Angeles to all vampire fans and anyone looking for a little bit more from their vampire books! Grab a copy of Moon Flower: Vampires of Los Angeles today!

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terror. Pain. Then darkness. This is how it starts.

This, my dear readers, is what we call The Birth.

My name is Sonia. I am vampire.

There are some vampires who have not adapted as the years go by. You know, keep up with fashion, technology, politics…Sonia is not one of them. Even though she intermingles with humans, she does not date them. She knows about death and loss.

Some in government, the FBI and the CIA know about them. Humans pose a danger to vampires, so it is best to be low key. But…someone is out there slaughtering young vampires.

Sonia meets a human, Alex. She doesn’t know why, but she ends up spending time with him. She has a roommate, Sunny, who is a hunkalicious vampire with a wonderful sense of humor. I quickly grew to love him. He donates half his money to charity and snuggles babies in the NICU. I’ve never heard of a vampire, let alone a male vampire, doing such a thing.

I am loving the story, but at times, the author buried me with too many details. But, I did like when Sonia was talking about having interests in mines in Australia. I have watched TV shows about mining for opals in Cooby Pedy. It’s fun when I am familiar with a location.

I was about 40% into the story before it really got going for me. Have you ever heard of a zombie vampire? Well, we have one here. I smell more than the dead. I smell a rat. Sonia will get to the bottom of it or die, again, trying. But, what about Alex?

The details interrupted the pace at times, but sticking with the story paid off with some fabulous battles. A little vampire, human, vampire triangle was intriguing. I am sure Sunny would have loved to part of a menage a trois with Sonia and Alex. LOL

I believe Moon Flower: Vampires Of Los Angeles by is Heather Ewen Foster’s debut novel. Well done. I look forward to reading more of your work and I have my eye on you now.

[P.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I didn’t know what to expect when I began to read this book. The story started out, what I felt, extremely slow, but like a seasoned angler the author out of nowhere sets the hook and the reader is reeled in to the plot. With every chapter came more adventure as the engaging characters did what they could to survive. The fight scene was well written and had my attention glued until the end, a far cry from the way I felt when the story began. To some it all up, the fact that this is the beginning of a series makes me all the more eager to recommend this book.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already tapping my finger, waiting on the sequel! Loved this book. Ewen-Foster delivers an action packed mystery with a sexy LA-noir vamp vibe. Lead, Sonia, is a badass Aussie with a complicated past but it's her present that needs sorting out. Complex characters and clever world-building leave Ewan-Foster open for more globe-trotting adventures following each of the Stoichiea and their political machinations. Personally, I want more of Sonia, Alex and Sunny.

[Victoria B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Moonflower is an excellent urban fantasy with vampires and action galore. Honestly, a pretty flawless hook if I've ever seen one. The book follows Sonia as she navigates LA as a vampire. She's 250 years old and just trying to exist among humans. The book sets off at a fast pace, but does suffer from pacing issues throughout. I did really enjoy the action and political intrigue though.

[stephanie cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon Flower captivated me from start to finish with its blend of drama, intrigue, and a touch of romance. Sonia finds herself thrust into the perilous world of vampire politics, where chaos and danger lurk at every turn. Prepare for unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat as the author masterfully weaves this engrossing narrative. And remember, though the book concludes, it marks only the beginning of an even greater story to come.

[Janet Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the research to the prose to the exciting, fast-moving plot, this book is a can’t-put-it-down page-turner! Although the vampires don’t lose their ability to be frightening and powerful, the magical realism and character building are so good I was invested in Sonia and Sonny. They felt like they could be my slightly odd neighbors who I really like. The fight scenes are amazing and the integration of vampires and humans is realistic and interesting, rather than the straight gory “Dracula” type writing we’ve come to expect. This book is engaging, refreshing, interesting, and charged with emotion! I cannot wait for a sequel!

[Debbie Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading the exciting and engaging paranormal story. When Sonia's friend, Sunny, is attacked by a monster, she rushes to save Sunny's life, didn't think anything could do this much damage to a vampire, and wants her human friend, Alex, to be safe. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and riveting story full of mystery and intrigue. Can't wait to read the next story in the series!

[L.A. Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters are wonderfully developed and engaging. I stayed up way past my bedtime on several occasions, too caught up in the story to put the book down. I look forward to the next book and finding out what the future holds for Sonia, Alex and Sunny. I received a free copy of this book for a voluntary and honest review.

[CR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one I thought was going to be right up my ally. But sadly it was not. It was actually to fast paced and failed to really give the reader the full picture of the world and characters. I wish I could have enjoyed this one but it was just not for me.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars