Blood Moon

Ella Wood #2

by Michelle Isenhoff

Charleston lies in ruins and so, it seems, does Emily’s future. She has sacrificed everything for a chance to attend university—her family, her home, even her relationship with Thaddeus Black. But without her father’s blessing, how will she afford tuition? With hostilities raging between North and South, how will she gain acceptance at a school in the Union? She’s lost so much already. What will the war claim next? In the midst of such uncertainty, Emily finds that hope can rise from ashes, determination grows with adversity, and love can take root in even the most stubborn of hearts.

Genres: Historical Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2016

About the author

MICHELLE ISENHOFF writes for women, teens, and tweens. Her work has been reader-nominated for a Cybils Award, the Great Michigan Read, and the Maine Student Book Award. She's also placed as a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Review Book Awards, a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, and earned multiple Readers' Favorite 5 Star seals of approval. A former teacher and longtime homeschooler, Michelle has written extensively in the children's genre and been lauded by the education community for the literary quality of her work. More recently, she has enjoyed writing historical romance for older teens and women. Currently, she is relishing the creative freedom of branching out into adult speculative fiction.


**Visit her blog at www.michelleisenhoff.com.

**Sign up for her new release newsletter at http://bit.ly/1bHFqaw.

**Follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michelle.isenhoff.au....

Reviews

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second book in the series. Book three beckons.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is a wonderfully ambitious yet big-hearted protagonist. I admire the lengths to which she is willing to go to attend the art institute, even against her father's wishes, as well as her constant desire to help others. Though still a teen, Emily has matured since the beginning of the first book, and she continues to grow in this one.

Blood Moon is an excellent continuation of Emily's story, and if possible, I like it even more than book 1. The characters - and even the love triangle - build in complexity, and a few details sprinkled throughout don't quite fit . . . until they all come together with overwhelming clarity in one of Isenhoff's signature surprises. I love it.

I also appreciate the careful research and attentiveness to historical accuracy in this series. Many recognizable events, places, and names add a realistic context to the story, and in turn, the books add color to these long-ago occurrences. It's fun to read the author's note at the end and learn that even some of the people and places I didn't recognize were real.

*I received a free ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Janene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation to this series

I will not summarize this story because it is already given in the description of this book. The purpose of this review is to give potential readers information to make an informed decision about reading this book.

What I liked:

*The setting, which took place in Charleston and Baltimore.
*The interesting historical facts about photography.
*All of the books characters were well defined and interesting. They brought to life the story.
*Emily's independence and her desire to be trained as an artist. Sometimes I wanted to shake Emily for her stubborn single mindedness.
*Emily's selfless concern for her Aunt Margaret.
*The vivid pictures that the artist painted with her words.
*The editing was well done, especially hard for an indy author.
*This was a clean read, which I really appreciated.
*A lot of historical background is given, which seamlessly blends in.

I will be reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book to historical fiction readers.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily's story continues in book two of this three-book series. This book has Emily in Baltimore at the Art Institute and all the trials she faced as a woman and in the north during the war. She has heartache to deal with as well as surprises but she meets them all with determination to survive. There are many things going on in this book and I won't spoil them for you so I will just say I am loving this series and this book was great. Lots of surprises and I was eager to turn the page to see what was going to happen next. There are also three novellas that go with this series and each is to be read after each book. With Blood Moon the novella that follows is Jack and I am eager to start it to see what his story is. I highly recommend this book but make sure you start with book one.

[Stephen Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great chapter in the Ella Wood series. This one follows Emily as she follows her dream of going to art school in Baltimore. And life during the civil war continues to be a major factor in her life. The author does a great job again of weaving a multi-faceted storyline that pulls you in wanting to find out what happens next. A combination of historically accurate facts and filling in a great story line. Emily, her family, relatives, friends and who she meets and interacts with along the way make for a very good story that evokes visuals as you read.

[Robin Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this story!!

This series is so moving. It so aptly describes and depicts life during the civil war in such a way, that I can honestly barely put it down. Michelle is a wonderfully talented writer. I really enjoy her books and am finding this series is no less captivating than her other works.

[Kendra Chubbuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished book 1 and started book 2 immediately because I wanted to know what happened! So far so good. I'm 30% done and I've only been one day into it. A quick read. Emily is a determined young lady for sure and a very hard worker. She doesn't care what people say or think about her. Great book. Loved it. Quick read. Amazing young lady. A lot happened in this book! She is growing up fast for sure. . . I can't wait to start the third book.

[Kathy Cowperthwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Can t wait to read the next book only already before I start i don't want it to end as it's the last in this series. Such a good historical author will definitely read more of her books!

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincingly penned from beginning to end, Blood Moon is skillfully presented, establishing Michelle Isenhoff as an exceptionally talented YA novelist. Readers who have invested themselves in Isenhoff’s Ella Wood series, will be thrilled with the second volume in her latest sequel, Blood Moon, which continues Emily Preston’s transformation from Southern Belle to a determined young women who will stop at nothing to chase her educational dreams.

Blood Moon is richly textured and impeccably researched as it offers a vivid portrayal of the emotional landscape that bring Emily’s story to life. It also sheds light on the penetrating truths of South Carolina’s role in the civil war, customs and culture, the suppression of women’s rights and the unforgivable treatment of slaves.

Her main characters, Emily, Thad, Jovie, Jack and Uncle Timothy are memorable and real. I could feel the pain of loss, betrayal and hopelessness when Emily’s dreams are shattered and, yet through it all there remains a true bond of friendship and selfless acts of love.

Blood Moon is stunning, wrenching, and inspiring. Isenhoff’s has written a multi-layered, compelling, harrowing, and realistic plot. Her deliberate pacing and tension keep readers fully engaged and invested in Blood Moon. There are many surprises for readers. It is truly an exceptional story and the characters will stay with you long after you finish Blood Moon. I highly recommend this exceptional piece of historical fiction to both teens and adults. The third volume in the series, Ebb Tide, will be available in the Spring of 2017.

[Gina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Ella Wood series. This is the continuing story about a young lady named Emily growing up in the time period of the Civil War. Emily is a very strong young woman determined to pursue her dream of going to art school and is disowned by her father. At the same time she is coming to realize she feels differently about the way slaves are treated. In this book she starts her first year of art school, is pursued by both Thad and Jovie and experiences the horrors of war. This can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend reading the first book too. The story is that good and I always learn something from this author's books.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Deann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked this one more than the first! I was really drawn into the differences between the North and the South during the Civil War. I enjoy reading historical fiction and appreciate the research the author puts into her books. A good, clean read that touches on adult topics again in a very respectful way. Good for young adults and up.