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Moonlight #4
Cassandra in Moonlight
Accused of witchcraft, Cassandra and her family escape to Morgan's Creek, Virginia and set up a cabinetry shop at the same time the new American country is setting up its own new government. The rakish editor of the local paper, Riley O'Roarke is the last man she should fall for, but his passion and courage make the choice inevitable. Now, while fate and desire entwine their destinies, a menacing danger once again stalks Cassandra--a threat so dire, so brutal, it could destroy all she holds dear. From the halls of Monticello and the brilliance of Thomas Jefferson to the passionate furor of a country finally at liberty, Cassandra and Riley will have to fight for a love that cannot be bound by old rules.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1998
3 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Marie Ferrarella
1,230 books276 followersMarie Rydzynski-Ferrarella
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
aka Marie Charles, Marie Michael, Marie Nicole, Marie Ferrarella
Marie Rydzynski was born on March 28 in West Germany to Polish parents. She moved to America at the age of four. For an entire year, Marie and her family explored the eastern half of the country before finally settling in New York.
Marie swears she was born writing, "which must have made the delivery especially hard for my mother." From an early age, Marie's parents would find her watching television or tucked away in some private place, writing at a furious pace. "Initially, I began writing myself into my favourite shows. I was a detective on '77 Sunset Strip,' the missing Cartwright sibling they never talked about on 'Bonanza' and the 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.' before there was a 'Girl from U.N.C.L.E.,' not to mention an active participant in the serialized stories of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'" Marie began to write her first romance novel when she was 11 years old, although she claims that, at the time, she didn't even realize it was a romance! She scribbled off and on, while dreaming of a career as an actress.
Marie was only 14 when she first laid eyes on the man she would marry, truly her first love, Charles Ferrarella. During her days at Queens College, New York, acting started to lose its glamour as Marie spent more and more time writing. After receiving her English degree, specialising in Shakespearean comedy, Marie and her family moved to Southern California, where she still resides today.
After an interminable seven weeks apart, Charles decided he couldn't live without her and came out to California to marry his childhood sweetheart. Ever practical, Marie was married in a wash-and-wear wedding dress that she sewed herself, appliqués and all. "'Be prepared' has always been my motto,"the author jokes. This motto has been stretched considerably by her two children, Nikky and Jessi, "but basically, it still applies," she says.
In November of 1981, she sold her first novel for Harlequin. Marie, who now has written over 150 novels, has one goal: to entertain, to make people laugh and feel good. "That's what makes me happy," she confesses. "That, and a really good romantic evening with my husband." She's keeping her fingers crossed that her reader's enjoy reading her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 1, 2016
Good book. I really enjoyed the setting of a brand new United States. Cassandra, her sisters and her father have come to Morgan's Creek, fleeing from a man who would do anything to have Cassandra as his own, even accuse her of witchcraft. Cassandra is a healer, but she is also a seer, someone who has visions of the past or the future. This got her into trouble in New York, and she hopes to start a new life in Virginia.
Shortly after arriving, she meets Riley O'Rourke, owner and editor of the town newspaper. She knows immediately that he will play a large role in her new life, but she isn't sure how, I loved that first meeting and the interaction between them. She is attracted, but wary, and determined to keep him at a distance. But Riley is fascinated and intrigued and determined to pursue the connection he feels between them.
I really liked Riley. He is a smart, self-made man, who got his start in the newspaper business under the tutelage of Ben Franklin. As an Irishman, he supported the colonies in their quest for independence, and is now a part of the fledgling country. He takes his job as a newspaperman seriously and works hard to make it a success. He is also determined to make sure his new country doesn't repeat the mistakes of the old, and gets involved in local government issues. I loved his fascination with Cassandra and how he sensed that there was more to her than appeared on the surface. When she came to him with the warning about the imminent attack on his office, I loved how he didn't laugh at her, but actually believed what she said. With his new knowledge of what she is and how it affects her, Riley becomes even more protective of her. He also falls deeper in love with her, but can't seem to get past the barriers she has put up against him.
Cassandra has been badly frightened by what happened in New York, and the threats made against her and her family. She is determined to keep her abilities secret and thus prevent it from happening again. But she has no control over when the visions happen or who they are about. She is attracted to Riley, but fears his reaction if he were to find out about her abilities, so she tries to keep a distance between them. She knows that she could fall in love with him, but doesn't want to bring trouble to him.
I loved the development of the relationship between them. They can't stay away from each other. I loved the scene in the woods when Riley had followed her because he was worried about her being out alone. He is totally blown away when he finds her swimming, to the point where he doesn't notice what's around him. It was great seeing him have to trust her when he ended up in the water (he can't swim) and the sparks that flared when they were close. Riley continues to fall fast and hard for her, and is frustrated by her resistance to him. Cassandra comes to realize that she loves him, but protecting him and her family has her top priority. Her fears come to pass when the man from her past arrives in town and tries to pursue her again. Standing up to him brings the trouble she feared and she ends up in grave danger. I loved seeing Riley come to the rescue and finally put her fears to rest. The ending was terrific as Cassandra is able to believe that she and Riley can now have a future together.
There is excitement and tension as the men of the town work to set up a new town government. I loved the discussion between the older, more traditional men and the insistence of the younger ones that they can't repeat the past. Riley's power of the press brings trouble to his door, but with Cassandra's help they overcome it. His follow-up at the tavern was intense and I wondered for a bit how it was going to turn out.
The secondary characters were all fantastic too. Cassandra's two sisters each play important parts. Rose is kind of the peacemaker of the three sisters, quiet and a homebody. Brianne is just the opposite. She is young and impatient, and also rather self-centered. She believes that she deserves the finer things in life and has a plan to get them. I got a bit frustrated with her brazen attitude around Riley at the beginning and wanted either Cassandra or Riley to set her straight. I ached for Cassandra's father and the intense grief he still suffered from. His actions (inactions?) put his family at risk, but he couldn't seem to pull himself out of it.
I also loved Riley's connection to Ben Franklin and the story of how they met. It's obvious that the connection also had its effect on Riley's views and beliefs. I also loved the inclusion of Thomas Jefferson and his family. His love for his wife and his despair over her death were real. I liked how Cassandra helped move him forward. Now I want to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
Shortly after arriving, she meets Riley O'Rourke, owner and editor of the town newspaper. She knows immediately that he will play a large role in her new life, but she isn't sure how, I loved that first meeting and the interaction between them. She is attracted, but wary, and determined to keep him at a distance. But Riley is fascinated and intrigued and determined to pursue the connection he feels between them.
I really liked Riley. He is a smart, self-made man, who got his start in the newspaper business under the tutelage of Ben Franklin. As an Irishman, he supported the colonies in their quest for independence, and is now a part of the fledgling country. He takes his job as a newspaperman seriously and works hard to make it a success. He is also determined to make sure his new country doesn't repeat the mistakes of the old, and gets involved in local government issues. I loved his fascination with Cassandra and how he sensed that there was more to her than appeared on the surface. When she came to him with the warning about the imminent attack on his office, I loved how he didn't laugh at her, but actually believed what she said. With his new knowledge of what she is and how it affects her, Riley becomes even more protective of her. He also falls deeper in love with her, but can't seem to get past the barriers she has put up against him.
Cassandra has been badly frightened by what happened in New York, and the threats made against her and her family. She is determined to keep her abilities secret and thus prevent it from happening again. But she has no control over when the visions happen or who they are about. She is attracted to Riley, but fears his reaction if he were to find out about her abilities, so she tries to keep a distance between them. She knows that she could fall in love with him, but doesn't want to bring trouble to him.
I loved the development of the relationship between them. They can't stay away from each other. I loved the scene in the woods when Riley had followed her because he was worried about her being out alone. He is totally blown away when he finds her swimming, to the point where he doesn't notice what's around him. It was great seeing him have to trust her when he ended up in the water (he can't swim) and the sparks that flared when they were close. Riley continues to fall fast and hard for her, and is frustrated by her resistance to him. Cassandra comes to realize that she loves him, but protecting him and her family has her top priority. Her fears come to pass when the man from her past arrives in town and tries to pursue her again. Standing up to him brings the trouble she feared and she ends up in grave danger. I loved seeing Riley come to the rescue and finally put her fears to rest. The ending was terrific as Cassandra is able to believe that she and Riley can now have a future together.
There is excitement and tension as the men of the town work to set up a new town government. I loved the discussion between the older, more traditional men and the insistence of the younger ones that they can't repeat the past. Riley's power of the press brings trouble to his door, but with Cassandra's help they overcome it. His follow-up at the tavern was intense and I wondered for a bit how it was going to turn out.
The secondary characters were all fantastic too. Cassandra's two sisters each play important parts. Rose is kind of the peacemaker of the three sisters, quiet and a homebody. Brianne is just the opposite. She is young and impatient, and also rather self-centered. She believes that she deserves the finer things in life and has a plan to get them. I got a bit frustrated with her brazen attitude around Riley at the beginning and wanted either Cassandra or Riley to set her straight. I ached for Cassandra's father and the intense grief he still suffered from. His actions (inactions?) put his family at risk, but he couldn't seem to pull himself out of it.
I also loved Riley's connection to Ben Franklin and the story of how they met. It's obvious that the connection also had its effect on Riley's views and beliefs. I also loved the inclusion of Thomas Jefferson and his family. His love for his wife and his despair over her death were real. I liked how Cassandra helped move him forward. Now I want to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
Displaying 1 of 1 review