Moon Shadow

by Reggie Ridgway

When a new and potentially planet-killing contagion is discovered, Moon Shadow, an isolated resort town located in Alaska's primitive and rugged interior, becomes the focus of a military-style incursion. Major Pepper, who is in charge of the operation, has the local residents rounded up into a razor-wire inclosed quarantine. Because of the danger of a potential pandemic, they are to be transferred to a more prison-like underground quarantine. Two of the residents, Trevor, a young physician, and Jodie, an Earth Project environmentalist, are not having any of this obvious violation of human rights. They escape and are hunted down like fugitives with the full arsenal of the US Army at the Major's disposal. The two have to use a zip line to escape a three-story-burning lodge. When they seek refuge in an abandoned gold mine, the entrance is caved in by a missile strike. The two fugitives do manage to find a way out of the mine and try to make their way back to civilization and safety by floating down river on a rubber raft. While fighting for their lives against nature and the deranged Major Pepper, the two begin to fall in love with each other. They discover they have more to live for then exposing the Major for his treachery and his murder of innocent civilians for the greater good.

260 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2012

Reviews

[T.W. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mainstreaming horror can be tricky. It can be so watered down that it fails to deliver any jumps or jolts. Moon Shadow by Reggie Ridgeway is what I would consider "mainstream" horror. I was fortunate to receive an advance copy, however, if you check my review history, I don't let that cloud my opinion.

I will say that there were moments when Mr. Ridgeway gave medical terms that required me to go to Google. I would suggest simplifying, but that is my greatest critique/complaint. The story delivers a nice pace and has enough subtle twists that keep you engaged. The central protagonists--Trevor and Jodie-- are likable and have a very "normal person" quality about them that makes them people the reader can relate to easily enough. There is a sleazy corporate suit and a deranged Special Forces member to act as the minor and major foil to our potential hero and heroine. There is even enough of an opening at the end to offer up more adventures by some of the characters.

Overall this is a good story that delivers enough action while introducing a bit of bio-horror to keep things moving and interesting. Kudos to Little Acorns Publishing and Mr. Ridgeway.

[Jeannie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for sure a page turner. I could reflect on Mariah with her long dark hair pulled tightly away from her face, especially when gardening: a fruit of healing labor that feeds her soul. When the summer solstice arrives in June in Alaska - midnight does appear more like noon.
I especially liked the interactions in this noel with the wild animals and the alluring call of the wild. This author sure knows how to describe the characters and scenes so well that you feel as if you are actually there.
I hope you read this thrilling fight for survival to find out how a potential planet-killing contagion is discovered and what happens next.
Good job Reggie.

Jeannie Walker Award Winning Author - "Fighting the Devil" - A True Story of Consuming Passion, Deadly Poison, and Murder
"I Saw the Light" - A True Story of a Near-Death Experience
"Thomas, The Friendly Ghost" - A True Story of Ghostly Encounters
"The Rainsnake" - A True Story of Indian Legend Magic and Magic in Prayer

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rest, Relaxation...and Death

Living in a tiny cabin in the isolated small town of Moon Shadow, Alaska, may sound like the perfect place for rest and relaxation. Newspapers are always a week old, junk mail is not allowed to be delivered, and communication with the outside takes place via two-way radio. Sounds like heaven, especially no junk mail.

For Mariah, it's a nightmarish prison. After marrying an alcoholic manipulator, Mariah is abused and beaten. She feels trapped. When she finds what appears to be a green diamond, she believes it may be her ticket out of hell. Then she retaliates against her abusive husband after she pricks her finger on the green diamond by demolishing his head with a poker. Mariah is Patient Zero for an unknown infection.

Trevor is the town's physician, while Jodie is a biology professor who volunteers as an environmentalist with Project Earth. Trevor treats the townspeople as well as the Native Indian population, and volunteers with search and rescue missions in his spare time. Jodie is on a mission to stop the construction of a new oil and gas pipeline in Alaska.

Major Pepper and his soldiers show up to contain the infectious outbreak, even if they must use deadly force. Trevor and Jodie struggle to stay alive and uninfected as the novel rushes to its incredible conclusion.

Moon Shadow is an exciting and well-plotted book, and I recommend it.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my nightmare - being stuck in an isolated town when disaster strikes! The pace is good and there are enough twists to keep you going, but not overwhelm. Lots of survival scenes that will leave you breathless with vivid northern scenery and well written characters. The characters are not only being chased by a deranged madman who is trying to quarantine them with a biological horror, they are also on the run in the wilderness of Alaska - where bears, raging rivers and wolves abound! Basically, this books has everything - it's a multi-genre thrill/horror/romance novel that will keep you interested until the end!