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The Moon and the Stars

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Caroline Richmond started running on her wedding day--the same day her husband died. Her malicious brother-in-law had kept his vow to make her a widow, but she knew he wouldn't stop at that, and her solitary life was filled with fear of him always one step behind her. She thought she'd found a shred of peace in Texas, and at least a glimmer of the life she deserved. But when a mysterious bounty hunter came to town, she knew the wrath in his amber eyes was meant only for her. He found a way to be everywhere she was, speaking words with double meaning in his smooth French accent and making her nerves hum in a way she thought she'd conquered.

Wade Renault came out of retirement for one reason: to see a deceptive murderess brought to justice. But when he menthe woman pictured in the tintype he'd carried for months, he sensed more panic than treachery. She lived too simply, she seemed too honest and scared. Someone had deceived him, but he would wait it out and get her right where he wanted her, beneath...THE MOON AND THE STARS

353 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

69 people are currently reading
197 people want to read

About the author

Constance O'Banyon

54 books199 followers
Evelyn Gee was born on 1939 in Texas, USA. She makes her home in San Antonio with her husband, Jim and their son, Jason.

She signed her novels as Constance O'Banyon. She also wrote as Micah Leigh with Texan writer Emma Merritt. Her books range from historical to contemporary and include several novellas. Many of her books have been published in trade paperback.Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the 1996 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. There are eight million copies of her books in print.

She says: "I have always loved history, and I loved storytelling — it was only natural that I would one day put them both together. I must have lived in another life and time, because when I write, I can almost feel I was there. My favorite part of writing is the research. Whenever possible, I will go to the place I am writing about to walk the land and smell the air."

https://www.facebook.com/Constanceobanyon/

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5 stars
185 (43%)
4 stars
148 (34%)
3 stars
66 (15%)
2 stars
23 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Diana.
11 reviews
March 9, 2017
Not a romance reader, but...

Samsung offers a choice of 4 books every month and this one sounded the most interesting to me. I rarely read romance. They're so predictable. And I suppose this one was too, but I enjoyed how we got there. For me, the characters were believable. And while I'm not a prude, I'm not fond of books with explicit sex. O'Banyon wasn't explicit, but she did get the point across what was happening. I made note of her name and will check out her other books.
Profile Image for Heathy.
146 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2013
I thought this book was ridiculous. The beginning jumped around too much... hopping from one location to the next. I thought it was unbelievable how the hero & heroine fell in love, considering that she hated him for taking her prisoner (he is a bounty hunter).

I finished the book just a week ago & I don't even remember the characters' names anymore.... that's how little I cared about this book.
Profile Image for Cindy C..
1,142 reviews13 followers
March 14, 2021
One Fantastic Adventure


I Loved It! Suspenseful and Gripping! Right from the start The Moon and the Stars takes off in this rollercoaster ride full of twist and turns that swirling to down into a vortex of murder, obsession and revenge as a depraved, malicious brother-in-law spins a web of secrets, deciet and deception to make Caroline his. After Caroline finds her new husband dead fear seizes her and she runs for her life, she never stops running or looking over her shoulder. As a former bounty hunter Wade decides to take one last case. As he looks at the tintype of the girl he is paid to bring in Wade feels a strong pull towards this Caroline. Caroline has sworn to escape if given a chance but Wade is also bound and determined to bring this little lady back. Constance O'Banyon has outdone herself with this novel, she has given readers a western that is well-written, filled it with superb cast of characters, a strong plot that bring this read together perfectly! Her characters come to life as you find yourself drawn into their story, the scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story which will keep you reading to the very end.
Profile Image for Susan Ross.
Author 8 books7 followers
December 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book. Wade is a retired bounty hunter. He comes out of retirement to catch a supposed killer. The "killer" happens to be a woman whose picture intrigues him.

Caroline is on the run from her psychopathic, murderous brother-in-law, Brace.

Wade captures Caroline and treats her roughly during the first part of their journey. Eventually Wade realizes Brace lied about Caroline.

I would have given this book 4 stars but I found the writing a little stilted. It also bothered me that an experienced bounty hunter would not investigate the allegations against Caroline further before setting out to capture her.
Profile Image for Christina Lane.
841 reviews28 followers
June 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! French retired bounty hunter is on the hunt for the southern girl who’s on the run!
The beginning had me questioning things but it progressively got better once Caroline was settled (or as settles as one on the run can be) in Texas. In comes the creole former bounty hunter who everyone fears and things get interesting! This was my first western and I assumed I wouldn’t love it but I did!
Profile Image for Books&Brews.
123 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2024
I’m a sucker for this trope in historical romance, but something about the execution was just a little bit off. I think he turned soft a little too soon or something of that nature. They just woke up and were madly in love out of nowhere and so I missed that build up. Aside from that I loved the characters!
Profile Image for Snow.
272 reviews2 followers
December 5, 2024
I first read this when I was 15/16 years old and I absolutely loved it, but it doesn't really hold up now that I'm older. The dialogue is bad, the characters are flat, a lot of the story details don't make sense (moving a couple hours away is not sufficient) and the romance is pretty meh. I'm glad I re-read it, but I probably won't be picking this one up again.
Profile Image for Amber.
1,693 reviews1 follower
September 24, 2025
Caroline's husband is killed by his evil stepbrother the day of their wedding. Her brother in law will have her no matter what so she runs and spends the next couple of years in hiding but just when her life is getting back on track a bounty hunter rides into town. Wade has been retired from bounty hunting for years but as soon as he saw the tin type of the woman he new he wanted to be the one to find her. Wade soon finds that all is not as he has been told though...
This was fun, Caroline was a bit naïve for my personal tastes but the men in her life not letting her make her own decisions has a lot to do with that.
Profile Image for Lois Mezo.
175 reviews
April 22, 2020
Bounty Hunter and the lady

I liked the book started out a mmyst.A woman on the run.Someone trying to kill her.The Bountry hunter comes a long.He fell in love with her picture.She is afraid of this man.It is good reading.Well written.
Profile Image for Marsha Lessig.
159 reviews
January 28, 2019
What a journey

From Charlestown to Texas to New Orleans .. this book has it all .. a gunfighter, a damsel in distress and an evil villain .. a good time read!
Profile Image for Natalie T.
1,059 reviews5 followers
June 8, 2019
Wade was a dark character but meeting Caroline had soften his heart. I loved both of these characters and their journey together.
Profile Image for Mary Smith.
1,163 reviews5 followers
August 29, 2022
I found this book very disjointed so I didn't really enjoy it not like some other books by this author
91 reviews
May 19, 2024
Beautiful Story

Every book I have read by Constance O’Banyon has been amazing. Caroline and Wade’s story is filled with danger, loss, and love. I highly recommend this book!
10 reviews
June 13, 2025
j'adore

I've read a few of Ms. O'Banyon's titles now. This one may just be at the top of my favourites. 'Course I have always been a sucker for a Creole hero.
Profile Image for pat cann.
7 reviews
March 10, 2017
Fast paced read.

Quite interesting. Good to read if you just want to pick a book up without having to concentrate on the story too much.
Profile Image for Meera.
Author 8 books136 followers
March 7, 2017
Story of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress

Interesting story. Loved that Caroline and Wade adopted little Johnathan and opened orphanages. Disappointed because Brace died fast and easy.
145 reviews
March 5, 2017
Great Book

I am so glad I decided to read this book. It was a perfect choice. It captured my attention from the beginning and held it until the very end.
Profile Image for April Brookshire.
Author 11 books789 followers
November 20, 2014
I like the cover. It's a scene that really happens in the book involving the heroine almost drowning in the river while she's bathing in her shift and him going in and saving her. But when he carries her out, I don't remember them looking at each other all passionately. More like he was really annoyed with her and the fact that he can't do her and she was embarrassed because she was wet and most likely nipping out.

Anyways, the book was good, but not great. I've read better O'Banyon. The heroine was pretty cool, on the run and all, but I felt like she built crazy Brace up in her mind too much. Sure, the guy was a cold-blooded killer with zero conscience, but a bullet to the brain would kill him just as well as the next guy.

As for the hero, well he could've been better written. On the surface he's hot, with a French accent and lots of sex skills. But there could have been more to him than an Oliver Twist childhood and him being afraid to love.
Profile Image for Annette K Hernandez.
355 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2014
I liked the story

I liked the story

Gunfighter is tamed by his hostage. That is basically what the story was about. The heroine was running for her life, because a mad man was after her. She was basically saved by the bounty hunter who was after her based on a lie by the mad man that hired him.
535 reviews
February 21, 2016
Great characters

I took a break from paranormal romance and chose a book that would be gentler. Well cannot say it was, just more polished. At times I know my blood pressures rose in anger. At times I swooned and had misty eyes. All in all I loved it and recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Cyndi.
2,452 reviews122 followers
April 30, 2015
This book had good potential, but, dropped the ball. I guess i just wanted a stronger heroine.
31 reviews
June 26, 2016
Great Book

You will thoroughly enjoy reading this story. It will leave a smile on your face. I hated for it to end.
Profile Image for Linda Rowland.
4 reviews
March 25, 2017
A decent read

A little inconsistent and sometimes repetitive but I did enjoy it. I recommend it to those who enjoy historical romance.
6 reviews
April 8, 2017
Great read

Great story awesome writing. I enjoyed the book from the start to the end. I wanted to continue reading more.
Profile Image for Samyuktha Ell.
543 reviews25 followers
April 24, 2017
I felt like it took forever for me to finish this book....The characters are mediocre. The male lead gets bouts of "French" when he is overwhelmed by emotions (which is too often) and our female lead is too fragile and predictable. Ugh!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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