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Midnight Bay #1
Moonlight Warrior
Can a powerful highland warrior tame the only woman he can't resist?
Eve Anderson is darned tired of Kenzie Gregor meddling in her business. She might be struggling to keep herself and her ailing mother financially afloat, but she's no princess in need of a strong, capable knight in a black SUV to rescue her -- even if he is easy on the eyes. Besides, there's something very odd about him...and she's sure the strange events occurring in their small coastal Maine town are linked to his recent arrival.
Once an immortal warrior cursed to live as a panther, Kenzie is finally free to live and die as a man, and his destiny is to help other displaced souls. Of course, if he can get tiny, blue-eyed, curly blond Eve out of the deal, well...life doesn't get any better. But she's as stubborn and fierce as a lioness, and in order to win her love, he must tempt her with forbidden desires....
Note: This is a spin-off from this author's Highlander series. It features Kenzie and Father Daar--both from the Highlander series.
Eve Anderson is darned tired of Kenzie Gregor meddling in her business. She might be struggling to keep herself and her ailing mother financially afloat, but she's no princess in need of a strong, capable knight in a black SUV to rescue her -- even if he is easy on the eyes. Besides, there's something very odd about him...and she's sure the strange events occurring in their small coastal Maine town are linked to his recent arrival.
Once an immortal warrior cursed to live as a panther, Kenzie is finally free to live and die as a man, and his destiny is to help other displaced souls. Of course, if he can get tiny, blue-eyed, curly blond Eve out of the deal, well...life doesn't get any better. But she's as stubborn and fierce as a lioness, and in order to win her love, he must tempt her with forbidden desires....
Note: This is a spin-off from this author's Highlander series. It features Kenzie and Father Daar--both from the Highlander series.
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
178 people are currently reading
2326 people want to read
About the author
Janet Chapman
28 books1,114 followersJanuary 22, 1956 – October 28, 2017
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
Hey guys its Jessica. Sorry I’ve been MIA for so long. I apologize for the long overdue wait for Janet’s next book. You’ve all been very patient and loyal fans that she loves. She has been working on this book over the last year and a half while dealing with her battle with cancer. It saddens me to say that she peacefully lost this battle this past weekend while her family was by her side. I apologize if this feels sudden, she was a very private person even to her family. And she truly thought of all of you as her family. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Janet Chapman is the author of twenty-two contemporary and magical romance novels, all of which are set in her beautiful state of Maine. She lives in a cozy log home on a beautiful lake with her husband, surrounded by an eclectic assortment of wildlife that she finds both entertaining and inspiring. Probably best known for her Highlander Series (a saga of twelfth century warriors rebuilding their clans in modern-day Maine that now spans three generations), Janet also has two spin-off magical series (Midnight Bay & Spellbound Falls) and several contemporary family series set on the coast and in the mountains. With over three million books printed in six languages, her stories regularly appear on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller’s lists.
When she’s not writing (well, when she should to be writing but isn’t), Janet and her husband are traveling the state in their camper throughout all four seasons; hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and generally rubbing elbows with Mother Nature while always keeping an eye out for colorful new characters—human and beast—to put in her stories.
author's obituary
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
January 9, 2011
Nothing says romantic like a guy stating, "You need to go to bed with me or the other men will think I can't control my woman." And the woman just accepts it. The guy who said that to me would spend the night icing his nuts. Way to set women's lib back 200 years.
April 26, 2009
Yes, I'm a sucker for Janet Chapman's time-traveling, magical, highlander heroes. Her brand new release is "Moonlight Warrior" and I enjoyed it very much despite a sometimes irritating heroine.
Kenzie has been a man for six months now. He's also accepted his mission to be a 'soul warrior', helping others who have time-traveled or are trapped in other forms by witchcraft. On his first day in his new town, he meets Eve and her mother Mabel, and he's powerfully attracted to Eve. He struggles to do what's right and tries to avoid acting on his attraction to Eve since his 'soul warrior' job will mean danger. But he's a highlander who was born in 1048 and he's used to taking what he wants...so he's pretty much toast--although smoking hot toast!
Eve is recently divorced from a weasel who left her for a nineteen-year old--and cleaned her out financially at the same time. So she's fled home to her mother Mabel, only to realize that Mabel's age-related, dementia-like illness is worsening quickly, and her parent's business is almost bankrupt. She certainly doesn't have time for a man...not even a delicious, rich, nice, mouth-watering, protective hunk like Kenzie. Riiiggghht!!
I laugh a lot when I read Janet Chapman's books. Her characters are such...characters! There's something very endearing (in print only, I'm sure) about such protective, outdated men and their earnest efforts to adapt to modern society and modern women. The fact that some of them have access to magic is just icing on my cupcake :)
The only drawback for me with this story was the irritating heroine. She spent so much time and energy fighting her attraction to Kenzie that I was about ready to jump into the book and bean her a good one! Then, she suddenly jumps him...and then goes right back to being stand-offish. She drove me nuts!
I also enjoyed the touching story of Mabel and her illness. Chapman explains in an afterword that she did model Mabel somewhat on her mother and her mother's slow decline. Although the stages of grief regarding an incurable illness were necessarily shortened due to the book's plot, I still found my breath hitching a few times and I think anyone who has suffered with a loved one in such a way would react likewise.
All in all, a VERY pleasant few hours read with a scrumptious hero I'd like to kidnap.
Kenzie has been a man for six months now. He's also accepted his mission to be a 'soul warrior', helping others who have time-traveled or are trapped in other forms by witchcraft. On his first day in his new town, he meets Eve and her mother Mabel, and he's powerfully attracted to Eve. He struggles to do what's right and tries to avoid acting on his attraction to Eve since his 'soul warrior' job will mean danger. But he's a highlander who was born in 1048 and he's used to taking what he wants...so he's pretty much toast--although smoking hot toast!
Eve is recently divorced from a weasel who left her for a nineteen-year old--and cleaned her out financially at the same time. So she's fled home to her mother Mabel, only to realize that Mabel's age-related, dementia-like illness is worsening quickly, and her parent's business is almost bankrupt. She certainly doesn't have time for a man...not even a delicious, rich, nice, mouth-watering, protective hunk like Kenzie. Riiiggghht!!
I laugh a lot when I read Janet Chapman's books. Her characters are such...characters! There's something very endearing (in print only, I'm sure) about such protective, outdated men and their earnest efforts to adapt to modern society and modern women. The fact that some of them have access to magic is just icing on my cupcake :)
The only drawback for me with this story was the irritating heroine. She spent so much time and energy fighting her attraction to Kenzie that I was about ready to jump into the book and bean her a good one! Then, she suddenly jumps him...and then goes right back to being stand-offish. She drove me nuts!
I also enjoyed the touching story of Mabel and her illness. Chapman explains in an afterword that she did model Mabel somewhat on her mother and her mother's slow decline. Although the stages of grief regarding an incurable illness were necessarily shortened due to the book's plot, I still found my breath hitching a few times and I think anyone who has suffered with a loved one in such a way would react likewise.
All in all, a VERY pleasant few hours read with a scrumptious hero I'd like to kidnap.
February 24, 2010
this is a good story, but I feel like although it is #1 in the series, that perhaps it is a cross-over from another Janet Chapman series? It seemed a lot of the couples were supposed to be familiar to us, and that there were things I was supposed to know. update: it crosses over from her "Highlander" series.
Other than that, it was a great book. Kenzie is a 9th century Highlander who is now a Soul Guardian who helps trouble souls. He was a panther up til recently (must have been in a previous book). But he meets Eve, and wants to be with her more than anything, but doesn't want her drawn into his life. But fate throws them together. They even go on a date! It's cute.
But the best part is when Eve and her best friend Maddy are startled by a (they don't know it's real) dragon, Maddy drives headlong into a ditch! Well, their solution is rum...lots of rum. And the girls remind me of me and my friends, really! They convince themselves that they saw a moose, but with wings? they ignore that part and go into denial...then the rum hits, and their flying moose becomes the boogeyman. Well the dragon is a soul named William who is trying to end a curse and become a man again...so he runs and tells Kenzie the girls are lying in a ditch. But what Kenzie sees are a couple of drunks giggling about a flying moose and the boogeyman. Kenzie convinced Maddy to blow kisses to the Boogeyman (william the dragon) and he'll be in love with her.so cute!
(grabbing an empty rum bottle) "It's empty!Now what are we gonna do? The flying moose is gonna get us!"
"Hey Kenzie! Ya got any spiced rum in your truck? We gotta keep away the flying moose!" --Maddy
It was hysterical! The rest of the story was great too, but that was the best part. Oh wait, no at the end, William lifts his curse by caring for someone more than he cares for himself, and then he walks (bare ass naked) up to Maddy and kisses her full on the mouth whispering "Boo." I Have to read the next book about William.
Other than that, it was a great book. Kenzie is a 9th century Highlander who is now a Soul Guardian who helps trouble souls. He was a panther up til recently (must have been in a previous book). But he meets Eve, and wants to be with her more than anything, but doesn't want her drawn into his life. But fate throws them together. They even go on a date! It's cute.
But the best part is when Eve and her best friend Maddy are startled by a (they don't know it's real) dragon, Maddy drives headlong into a ditch! Well, their solution is rum...lots of rum. And the girls remind me of me and my friends, really! They convince themselves that they saw a moose, but with wings? they ignore that part and go into denial...then the rum hits, and their flying moose becomes the boogeyman. Well the dragon is a soul named William who is trying to end a curse and become a man again...so he runs and tells Kenzie the girls are lying in a ditch. But what Kenzie sees are a couple of drunks giggling about a flying moose and the boogeyman. Kenzie convinced Maddy to blow kisses to the Boogeyman (william the dragon) and he'll be in love with her.so cute!
(grabbing an empty rum bottle) "It's empty!Now what are we gonna do? The flying moose is gonna get us!"
"Hey Kenzie! Ya got any spiced rum in your truck? We gotta keep away the flying moose!" --Maddy
It was hysterical! The rest of the story was great too, but that was the best part. Oh wait, no at the end, William lifts his curse by caring for someone more than he cares for himself, and then he walks (bare ass naked) up to Maddy and kisses her full on the mouth whispering "Boo." I Have to read the next book about William.
February 22, 2011
The rating is more of 3.5. I enjoyed the premise, seriously who wouldn't like sexy Gaelic men and dragons. The plot is entertaining enough and the writing is good. My main gripes with the story are the somewhat immature behavior of several females, unbelievable cluelessness, and disjointed leaps or inconsistency in character. Also, I have a pet peeve about romance books that reference romance books in any manner; nothing yanks me out of a story quicker than that. It's not funny or clever and while I know several authors do it-- I wish they didn't.
My favorite part of the story was the relationship between Mabel and Eve. It is perfect and all alone is a good reason to read the book.
My favorite part of the story was the relationship between Mabel and Eve. It is perfect and all alone is a good reason to read the book.
January 17, 2023
I've managed to have some quiet time to dedicate myself to this PNR, published years ago at a time I was devoted to the genre, and that quietness helped me to pay attention.
I actually liked some things, and after reading the author's note at the end, and how she based one character in her mother, it was even more special.
However, this is also a fictional story and I wish the characters had been more complex. It was positive for me that the external conflicts weren't an endless drama, and the focus was on the characters and the small things about their days and connections. But they weren't very balanced to me, one moment serious and acting in a believable way, the next dealing with paranormal stuff in a very silly manner... I get the idea this is more along the lines of "cutesy" but I wanted more.
I actually liked some things, and after reading the author's note at the end, and how she based one character in her mother, it was even more special.
However, this is also a fictional story and I wish the characters had been more complex. It was positive for me that the external conflicts weren't an endless drama, and the focus was on the characters and the small things about their days and connections. But they weren't very balanced to me, one moment serious and acting in a believable way, the next dealing with paranormal stuff in a very silly manner... I get the idea this is more along the lines of "cutesy" but I wanted more.
December 5, 2010
Scottish warrior Kenzie Gregor has seen centuries pass, but after spending so many years as one animal or another, he's now back in full...and fabulous...human male form. Along with his ancient friend, the Druidic priest Father Daar, Kenzie has moved to Midnight Bay to provide a safe shelter for his charge, William. William is a man cursed by a witch and stuck in dragon form. He's passed through time for Kenzie's help, desperate to regain his humanity.
As Kenzie is settling in Midnight Bay, he purchases a homestead he intends to turn into a working farm, accidentally displacing the beautiful Eve Anderson and her mother Mabel, a charming woman suffering from a progressing dementia. Kenzie is disturbed to find out he's bought the house out from under Eve and Mabel. He's drawn to Eve, friends with Mabel, and intent on making things right. He offers the women shelter and work, befriending them even as his attraction to Eve grows. His duty, though, and the risk of danger, keeps him from claiming her as his, until a magical attack by a vindictive witch stirs up a storm that alters the course of all their lives.
This is my first experience with Janet Chapman's writing, and there were good things about it. I was especially touched by the very genuine emotions and situations surrounding Mabel's dementia and all its implications. My grandmother suffered from non-Alzheimer's dementia in the last years of her life, and I found Mabel's condition and Eve's reactions and emotions instantly familiar and hauntingly bittersweet.
Kenzie was an anachronistic charmer. His character was well drawn and consistent, and I enjoyed the mix of confident warrior and befuddled man stuck in a time he can hardly understand. I wasn't quite as enamored of Eve, for while I understood her motivations and the varying stages of despair, hope, and acceptance she went through in relation to her mother, and the reasons behind her resistance to Kenzie, I didn't find her character to my preferences for a female lead in a paranormal romance. She was a little too closed off and bitter about men and a bit too smothering and close minded about her mother for me to enjoy her as a main character. Unfortunately, liking both characters is necessary for me to really enjoy a romance novel.
On a brighter note, this novel is richly populated by very appealing secondary and ancillary characters and I enjoyed them all very much, from the always hungry Daar to the man/dragon William, to Eve's best friend Maddy and all the rest. Especially Mabel. I loved her. Chapman creates quirky but real characters with individualism and depth.
I had some serious issues with the plot and mythos of the book, though. Moonlight Warrior is the first book in a series that is spun off from Janet Chapman's Highlander series and there was nowhere near enough exposition or world building for new readers such as myself. I spent most of the book completely lost as to what Kenzie is, why he's still alive, and what he's supposed to do as the soul warrior. Nor do I have a clue as to how he does it. Kenzie's past, as well as his family and friends, are introduced or referenced with just as little explanation.
While I was reading I felt like I got dropped into the middle of an existing series after missing the first few books instead of starting a new one. That's a significant problem. On top of the lack of exposition, Kenzie's current acts as a soul warrior were never explained and the scenes in which he battled the forces of evil were dealt with very perfunctorily and most were neither explained nor written out. Because of that, this book read more like a contemporary romance featuring a historical character with a paranormal life in the background than a true paranormal romance.
The strongest and most appealing aspects of this book were the varied and endearing characters. I have a sneaking suspicion that had I read Chapman's Highlander series, I would have thoroughly enjoyed this book, with only my issues with the character Eve as a detriment. As it stands, I'm unsure whether I'll continue with this series or go back and start the Highlander series first and hope it provides some answers and a more comprehensive world building. I enjoyed the characters and what I could grasp of the mythos enough to at least give one or the other a try.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
As Kenzie is settling in Midnight Bay, he purchases a homestead he intends to turn into a working farm, accidentally displacing the beautiful Eve Anderson and her mother Mabel, a charming woman suffering from a progressing dementia. Kenzie is disturbed to find out he's bought the house out from under Eve and Mabel. He's drawn to Eve, friends with Mabel, and intent on making things right. He offers the women shelter and work, befriending them even as his attraction to Eve grows. His duty, though, and the risk of danger, keeps him from claiming her as his, until a magical attack by a vindictive witch stirs up a storm that alters the course of all their lives.
This is my first experience with Janet Chapman's writing, and there were good things about it. I was especially touched by the very genuine emotions and situations surrounding Mabel's dementia and all its implications. My grandmother suffered from non-Alzheimer's dementia in the last years of her life, and I found Mabel's condition and Eve's reactions and emotions instantly familiar and hauntingly bittersweet.
Kenzie was an anachronistic charmer. His character was well drawn and consistent, and I enjoyed the mix of confident warrior and befuddled man stuck in a time he can hardly understand. I wasn't quite as enamored of Eve, for while I understood her motivations and the varying stages of despair, hope, and acceptance she went through in relation to her mother, and the reasons behind her resistance to Kenzie, I didn't find her character to my preferences for a female lead in a paranormal romance. She was a little too closed off and bitter about men and a bit too smothering and close minded about her mother for me to enjoy her as a main character. Unfortunately, liking both characters is necessary for me to really enjoy a romance novel.
On a brighter note, this novel is richly populated by very appealing secondary and ancillary characters and I enjoyed them all very much, from the always hungry Daar to the man/dragon William, to Eve's best friend Maddy and all the rest. Especially Mabel. I loved her. Chapman creates quirky but real characters with individualism and depth.
I had some serious issues with the plot and mythos of the book, though. Moonlight Warrior is the first book in a series that is spun off from Janet Chapman's Highlander series and there was nowhere near enough exposition or world building for new readers such as myself. I spent most of the book completely lost as to what Kenzie is, why he's still alive, and what he's supposed to do as the soul warrior. Nor do I have a clue as to how he does it. Kenzie's past, as well as his family and friends, are introduced or referenced with just as little explanation.
While I was reading I felt like I got dropped into the middle of an existing series after missing the first few books instead of starting a new one. That's a significant problem. On top of the lack of exposition, Kenzie's current acts as a soul warrior were never explained and the scenes in which he battled the forces of evil were dealt with very perfunctorily and most were neither explained nor written out. Because of that, this book read more like a contemporary romance featuring a historical character with a paranormal life in the background than a true paranormal romance.
The strongest and most appealing aspects of this book were the varied and endearing characters. I have a sneaking suspicion that had I read Chapman's Highlander series, I would have thoroughly enjoyed this book, with only my issues with the character Eve as a detriment. As it stands, I'm unsure whether I'll continue with this series or go back and start the Highlander series first and hope it provides some answers and a more comprehensive world building. I enjoyed the characters and what I could grasp of the mythos enough to at least give one or the other a try.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
March 25, 2011
2.5 stars
*sigh* I think I should have left well enough alone when I finished Janet Chapman’s Highlander series. That series is a sentimental favourite of mine, always able to be relied upon to deliver a warm, engaging and enjoyable read. I was delighted to discover that she had started a spin-off series called Midnight Bay, with this being the first book.
I think readers have been done a disservice in that it is not indicated anywhere on this book that it is connected to her Highlander series. It is, in fact, so strongly connected that it could have seamlessly been part in that series. Most of the characters have come straight from that series, along with references to events that occurred in that series. In fact, the events of this book take place directly between the 6th & 7th Highlander books.
There is minimal explanation provided, so I imagine a reader starting with this series would be quite lost. The back cover stating this is “The sexy first book in a sizzling new paranormal romance series” is quite misleading. But then again, if you’re reading this without having read her Highlander series, you might not realise that this book is lacking in other ways.
I experienced none of the warmth and pleasure that I usually get from her books. This one was decidedly lacking in feeling. While Kenzie was nicely written as one of her displaced Highland warriors, Eve (a new character) was not particularly appealing and her whole ‘one man hurt me so all men are bastards’ attitude put me off as well.
If that’s not bad enough, the fricken dragon that irritated me so much in Secrets of the Highlander played a starring role in this one. Ugh. He hasn’t improved much. The magic, which has always felt a fairly natural inclusion in the other series, also felt out of place in this one, and it just seemed that everything was a little all over the place.
The author did do a wonderful job with Mabel’s character, depicting her symptoms of dementia/Alzheimer’s and the effect this was having on both Mabel and her daughter Eve; and her “Letter from Lake Watch” at the end of the book was a moving conclusion to the story.
I’m not sure if I will read the next one, or whether I should wipe this one from my memory and be content with just looking back fondly on her Highlander series. If you’re interested in giving this author a try, don’t start with this series – you won’t be seeing her at her best.
*sigh* I think I should have left well enough alone when I finished Janet Chapman’s Highlander series. That series is a sentimental favourite of mine, always able to be relied upon to deliver a warm, engaging and enjoyable read. I was delighted to discover that she had started a spin-off series called Midnight Bay, with this being the first book.
I think readers have been done a disservice in that it is not indicated anywhere on this book that it is connected to her Highlander series. It is, in fact, so strongly connected that it could have seamlessly been part in that series. Most of the characters have come straight from that series, along with references to events that occurred in that series. In fact, the events of this book take place directly between the 6th & 7th Highlander books.
There is minimal explanation provided, so I imagine a reader starting with this series would be quite lost. The back cover stating this is “The sexy first book in a sizzling new paranormal romance series” is quite misleading. But then again, if you’re reading this without having read her Highlander series, you might not realise that this book is lacking in other ways.
I experienced none of the warmth and pleasure that I usually get from her books. This one was decidedly lacking in feeling. While Kenzie was nicely written as one of her displaced Highland warriors, Eve (a new character) was not particularly appealing and her whole ‘one man hurt me so all men are bastards’ attitude put me off as well.
If that’s not bad enough, the fricken dragon that irritated me so much in Secrets of the Highlander played a starring role in this one. Ugh. He hasn’t improved much. The magic, which has always felt a fairly natural inclusion in the other series, also felt out of place in this one, and it just seemed that everything was a little all over the place.
The author did do a wonderful job with Mabel’s character, depicting her symptoms of dementia/Alzheimer’s and the effect this was having on both Mabel and her daughter Eve; and her “Letter from Lake Watch” at the end of the book was a moving conclusion to the story.
I’m not sure if I will read the next one, or whether I should wipe this one from my memory and be content with just looking back fondly on her Highlander series. If you’re interested in giving this author a try, don’t start with this series – you won’t be seeing her at her best.
February 8, 2011
I really didn't like this one that much. I liked the heroine, liked her family and friends, but I HATED the hero. He was like some holier than thou dipstick who acted like he knew better than the heroine and FORCED her to do things his way. I'm sorry, but if my mom had dementia (or Alzheimer's or w/e it was, it wasn't made clear) and she went on a walk down to the ocean and had been gone a long time I would want to make sure she was OK, but the hero acted like it was foolish of her to want to go check on her mother and forcibly stopped her from doing it. Than, later on in the story he acted all concerned about the mother "Oh I think she's getting worse" that kind of thing. I just wanted to grab him and shake him and tell Eve to move out and find someone else because almost ANYONE would be better.
April 1, 2025
Why would you set a paranormal romance after the hero becomes human and is nothing paranormal?? I don't understand. The only thing remotely interesting would be the hero being an immortal. Without that, it just a boring contemporary romance with a pet dragon. It would have been nice to see Maddy and William be the main story as they were much more engaging then the main characters. Too bad, it would have made the book more bearable.
June 14, 2009
I liked this one especially Eve and Maddy and a bottle of spiced rum and blowing kisses to the boogeyman. Really good story with a lot of funny mixed in. Father Daar is a hoot also
February 23, 2025
A fun paranormal with an added, sentimental B-plot involving the heroine's journey to accepting her mother's dementia.
This is book 1 in a spin-off series related to Janet Chapman's Highlander series and contains cameos by multiple characters from previous books. Even so, I was able to still enjoy this as a stand-alone.
The hero Kenzie is an atypical alpha highlander. He's strong and fearsome but with a soft spot for animals and a genuine caring nature especially toward Eve and her mother.
There was plenty of excitement, but the enemy was kept as a fairly vague and nebulous sort of threat with the majority of the story focusing on the relationships between Kenzie, Eve, Eve's mother and William (Kenzie's cursed dragon friend).
I would like to read the next book - Dragon Warrior to find out what happens to William.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
This is book 1 in a spin-off series related to Janet Chapman's Highlander series and contains cameos by multiple characters from previous books. Even so, I was able to still enjoy this as a stand-alone.
The hero Kenzie is an atypical alpha highlander. He's strong and fearsome but with a soft spot for animals and a genuine caring nature especially toward Eve and her mother.
There was plenty of excitement, but the enemy was kept as a fairly vague and nebulous sort of threat with the majority of the story focusing on the relationships between Kenzie, Eve, Eve's mother and William (Kenzie's cursed dragon friend).
I would like to read the next book - Dragon Warrior to find out what happens to William.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
September 20, 2010
Moonlight Warrior is a direct spin-off from this author's Highlander series. Kenzie, the hero, was first introduced in the previous series and many of the supporting characters that appeared in Moonlight Warrior came directly from the Highlander books. So, the big question is, should this book be a new series or a continuation? I think it is more of a continuation and the Highlander series should be read first.
Kenzie Gregor was born in Ireland around 1048. He was cursed and lived as a panther when he was transformed back into his human form in one of the Highlander books. This story starts with Kenzie moving to the coast of Maine with Father Daar (also from the Highlander books) to start a sanctuary of sorts for other cursed critters. He meets damsel-in-distress, Eve Anderson, two months out of a divorce, pennyless and living with her aged mother who has moments of dementia. There isn't an actual time-travel event in this book, but references of it. Mainly, how "manly" the men from the past are in size and attitude. I was disgusted with how the women fawned over these big men based on their wealth and "he-man" qualities.
For the most part, I liked Kenzie Gregor. A few times, Eve's personality got on my nerves, though. There wasn't much suspense or drama to the story and toward the ending there was a lot of recapping what already happened, which I found very annoying since I just read it. The characters for the next book got set up, William and Maddy. Also, the characters all head back to the main castle of the original characters and we got updates on their daughters and other characters from the Highlander series.
It was annoying that Maddy and Mabel were used as character names. They were too similar and, at first, took awhile to sort them out in the storyline.
Frustrated that the suspense portion built up and fizzled to next to nothing. What the heck? The entire ending seemed dorky and felt like the fly in the coke bottle to me. What is the fly in the coke bottle, you ask? Picture a hot summer day, working in the yard and craving a nice cold coke to quench your thirst. Oh, how good it tastes as you savor the cool liquid spilling down your throat. Yum! Your toes curl. But at the bottom of the glass there is a dead fly and the entire coke now taste different.
3 1/2 Stars from This Reader.
Kenzie Gregor was born in Ireland around 1048. He was cursed and lived as a panther when he was transformed back into his human form in one of the Highlander books. This story starts with Kenzie moving to the coast of Maine with Father Daar (also from the Highlander books) to start a sanctuary of sorts for other cursed critters. He meets damsel-in-distress, Eve Anderson, two months out of a divorce, pennyless and living with her aged mother who has moments of dementia. There isn't an actual time-travel event in this book, but references of it. Mainly, how "manly" the men from the past are in size and attitude. I was disgusted with how the women fawned over these big men based on their wealth and "he-man" qualities.
For the most part, I liked Kenzie Gregor. A few times, Eve's personality got on my nerves, though. There wasn't much suspense or drama to the story and toward the ending there was a lot of recapping what already happened, which I found very annoying since I just read it. The characters for the next book got set up, William and Maddy. Also, the characters all head back to the main castle of the original characters and we got updates on their daughters and other characters from the Highlander series.
It was annoying that Maddy and Mabel were used as character names. They were too similar and, at first, took awhile to sort them out in the storyline.
Frustrated that the suspense portion built up and fizzled to next to nothing. What the heck? The entire ending seemed dorky and felt like the fly in the coke bottle to me. What is the fly in the coke bottle, you ask? Picture a hot summer day, working in the yard and craving a nice cold coke to quench your thirst. Oh, how good it tastes as you savor the cool liquid spilling down your throat. Yum! Your toes curl. But at the bottom of the glass there is a dead fly and the entire coke now taste different.
3 1/2 Stars from This Reader.
April 4, 2014
Kenzie was a beast for the most part of his very long life. After his brother, a druid, chose for him to live like an animal in order to avoid death, he spent a very very long time living life after life as an animal.
Only recently he reverted back to humanity and he fell in love at his very first sight with Eve, a great woman, with a divorce in her past with a husband who run away with her money and her neighbor.
Eve came back from the city after the divorce to take care of her mother, who has a sort of senility disease and she's falling apart, forgetting where she is and living in and out of her past.
I lived Eve very much (and her plump friend Maddy, I can't wait to read the next book with her as main character). Kenzie was a bit too much old-mannered for my tastes but he was good.
William the dragon was there too and he's the main character of the next book with Maddy, so I'm already onto it.
Only recently he reverted back to humanity and he fell in love at his very first sight with Eve, a great woman, with a divorce in her past with a husband who run away with her money and her neighbor.
Eve came back from the city after the divorce to take care of her mother, who has a sort of senility disease and she's falling apart, forgetting where she is and living in and out of her past.
I lived Eve very much (and her plump friend Maddy, I can't wait to read the next book with her as main character). Kenzie was a bit too much old-mannered for my tastes but he was good.
William the dragon was there too and he's the main character of the next book with Maddy, so I'm already onto it.
October 4, 2013
Finally got a copy of this to read and enjoyed every word of it. I just love the way she writes these books with her storylines filled with highlanders, magic, and best of all love. I love reading how the magic brings each warrior through to our time and why they are here and usually here to stay and what happens now combined with the characters from previous books and newly ones introduced. In this one Kenzie and Eve are the center and good ole Father Daar has settled with Kenzie to help him get a farm stared. He also helps displaced souls the reason for the farm for a place to do it and in this venture meets his love someone he feels is forbidden because of the danger that would at times enter their life. The weaving of the story filled with magic and love facing down danger is the best in reading of a highlander story.
February 7, 2012
Super! I haven't read a story where everyone but the heroine is clued in to what's going on in a long time. Or maybe I have. Regardless, Moonlight Warrior stands out because of it's humour and the subtlely of having our heroine, Eve, finally accept what's going on in front of her.
And, why, oh why, does it seem fate when Eve and Kenzie meet.. almost magically, it seems. I haven't read many paranormal romances and I enjoyed Moonlight Warrior because the paranormal elements remained secondary to the romance and that's just fine with me.
Mabel, Maddy, and William were terrific as secondary characters. I am looking forward to Book 2 and 3 and 4 and so on. I may become a paranormal romance reader yet.
And, why, oh why, does it seem fate when Eve and Kenzie meet.. almost magically, it seems. I haven't read many paranormal romances and I enjoyed Moonlight Warrior because the paranormal elements remained secondary to the romance and that's just fine with me.
Mabel, Maddy, and William were terrific as secondary characters. I am looking forward to Book 2 and 3 and 4 and so on. I may become a paranormal romance reader yet.
May 5, 2011
Couldn't resist it after reading a little about Kenzie in 'Wedding the Highlander'.... I had my fingers crossed that it would be a goody and I was not disappointed. Admittedly Kenzie was very 11th Century, a bit of a 'clonk her over the head and drag her off by the hair' in terms of romancing style, at least at first, but I forgive him for it because in theory / print he just sounds Yummy!
May 14, 2009
While her last book left me cold...this one was back on track with rich characters, an interesting story line...a few twists and turns which generated enough interest to keep me reading. I liked it much better than the last few and am now looking forward to Camy's story
June 19, 2009
Heralded as a "new" paranormal series, this actually ties in to her previous series set in Maine. This was a great feel good romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing William's story.
December 5, 2009
Janet Chapman's books just get better and better! I absolutely loved this story. Although the heroine Eve was a bit annoying, most female characters who try to show they are independant usually are. Kenzie is one hunk of chocolate cake though!
October 28, 2023
Sooo Enjoyable
What a wonderful story and it makes awesome start for the series which will easily steal your heart. It's a powerful combination of secrets and excitement that's full humor and romance plus fun. I know this will be a unique series! With stories that will bring a smile to your face with lots of emotions. The characters are awesome and their emotions burns up the pages with it's chemistry. There are plenty feisty women who is so independent and some who are not but it makes you cheer them on anyway. Reading this story was a pleasurable experience that you will keep you on the edge of your seat with this family its so amazing and they makes you want to read the other stories in the series.The stories are about family and this is what makes them binge worthy that will be amazing to read. If each one is like this they will make you turn every page until the end. I really enjoyed these characters they are so amazing and great together. When you add in the drama along with tons of emotions plus some intriguing twists and turns then you have a story that's full of feelings and so awesome. The couples aren't searching for forever, but the chemistry is so fantastic that it turns into a great love that's strong with each other. These relationships are loads of romance and heartache that all works out for good! Even the secondary characters are so extraordinary that it takes such imagination to make this book a beautiful story to read. This story is truly delightful and amazing with it's being humorous and exciting in nature I Highly Recommend Reading it. This is a five stars story that I know I will read more than once!
What a wonderful story and it makes awesome start for the series which will easily steal your heart. It's a powerful combination of secrets and excitement that's full humor and romance plus fun. I know this will be a unique series! With stories that will bring a smile to your face with lots of emotions. The characters are awesome and their emotions burns up the pages with it's chemistry. There are plenty feisty women who is so independent and some who are not but it makes you cheer them on anyway. Reading this story was a pleasurable experience that you will keep you on the edge of your seat with this family its so amazing and they makes you want to read the other stories in the series.The stories are about family and this is what makes them binge worthy that will be amazing to read. If each one is like this they will make you turn every page until the end. I really enjoyed these characters they are so amazing and great together. When you add in the drama along with tons of emotions plus some intriguing twists and turns then you have a story that's full of feelings and so awesome. The couples aren't searching for forever, but the chemistry is so fantastic that it turns into a great love that's strong with each other. These relationships are loads of romance and heartache that all works out for good! Even the secondary characters are so extraordinary that it takes such imagination to make this book a beautiful story to read. This story is truly delightful and amazing with it's being humorous and exciting in nature I Highly Recommend Reading it. This is a five stars story that I know I will read more than once!
September 14, 2021
I enjoyed the love story of Kenzie and Eve. They both were intriguing, well-developed characters. Kenzie had to win Eve's love. Eve was already falling in love with Kenzie, but she wasn't going to marry him just because she was pregnant with his child. I also liked the secondary characters -- Maddy, William and Mabel. William is a dragon who is falling in love with Maddy, Eve's best friend. When William cares more for Mabel's life then he does his own, he magically turns back into a man. Eve's mother, Mabel, is slowly losing her grasp on reality due to leakages in her brain. I don't understand the ins and outs of Mabel's illness. I just realize she sometimes reverts to her earlier memories of life and she switches to French, her native language, when it happens. At the end of the novel, Janet Chapman pays tribute to her mother, who suffered from a similar illness. The romance plot blended with William's subplot, which provided the action scenes in the novel. The descriptions felt real and the dialogue sounded authentic. I felt at times the secondary characters out-shown the protagonists. Sometimes William and Maddy's story was more interesting than Kenzie and Eve's; but overshadowed over all of it was Mabel's illness. It wasn't a sad story. It just had a touch of raw emotion and reality. Also, as I read the novel, I kept feeling like some of the characters were from another series. It turned out to be true. I now want to revisit those other books and, furthermore, obtain the next two books in this trilogy.
September 9, 2018
2.5 Stars, really. It was only okay, yet I liked it.
Like most/all of Chapman's books, this is about as formulaic romance as you get. It's the kind of book you give a token effort to, figuring you'll get 25 pages in, then toss it on the "meh, no thanks" pile, only to find yourself still reading. All the way to the end. Huh. When did that happen? And why? Ladies and gents, I can't really tell you why. I can only tell you that it was somehow an enjoyable read, despite the fact that it seemed to have little substance and a heroine who needed to get over herself for pretty much the entire book. Her best friend was a fun character, though - never underestimate the appeal of a plucky best galpal. And guess what else? I happen to own the sequel. I'm going to read it. Because I want to. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
This is the mysterious gift Janet Chapmen shared with the readers of the romance genre.
Note: Despite the claim that this is the first book in a new series, everyone who's ever picked up a Janet Chapman romance knows there's only one original book, and countless spin-offs. I've given up trying to read them in order, and I've gotten used to vaguely recalling some characters, or just plain accepting I don't know them. There are always cameos and mentions, but not knowing them already doesn't really hinder the reading experience. Apparently. Because as I mentioned, I'm going to read another one.
Like most/all of Chapman's books, this is about as formulaic romance as you get. It's the kind of book you give a token effort to, figuring you'll get 25 pages in, then toss it on the "meh, no thanks" pile, only to find yourself still reading. All the way to the end. Huh. When did that happen? And why? Ladies and gents, I can't really tell you why. I can only tell you that it was somehow an enjoyable read, despite the fact that it seemed to have little substance and a heroine who needed to get over herself for pretty much the entire book. Her best friend was a fun character, though - never underestimate the appeal of a plucky best galpal. And guess what else? I happen to own the sequel. I'm going to read it. Because I want to. I DON'T KNOW WHY.
This is the mysterious gift Janet Chapmen shared with the readers of the romance genre.
Note: Despite the claim that this is the first book in a new series, everyone who's ever picked up a Janet Chapman romance knows there's only one original book, and countless spin-offs. I've given up trying to read them in order, and I've gotten used to vaguely recalling some characters, or just plain accepting I don't know them. There are always cameos and mentions, but not knowing them already doesn't really hinder the reading experience. Apparently. Because as I mentioned, I'm going to read another one.
February 5, 2024
not my cup of tea
In a word: bleagh. Let me explain. This is not the type of book I usually read, it was a bodice-ripper. If that is your thing, more power to you. But not me. It was pitched as a paranormal romance, where the dude is a soul warrior who is an immortal Highlander from 1108 (yeah the year)and he want to open up an animal sanctuary. He also helps lost souls find their way. Wasn’t real clear about all that.
For those who like the sex there’s only two scenes in the whole book, the rest of it you will spend dealing with drama. Drama from an ex, drama from the chick. Determined to catch a man. Drama of I saw him first! No I did!!! Poor plot that doesn’t really get it together enough to make sense.family drama where we got to get all these men’s married off to a goood lady. Family drama completely overshadowed any paranormal aspects of this book and took it right back to the bodice ripping state.
We barely knew why our hero and heroine were there, much less why they ended up together other than family drama. It was supposed to be some kind of deal where he saves a soul and then tells her about his magic but that ain’t what happened .
Plot could have been so much more fleshed out and organized better. Like I said if you like these more power to you. I DO NOT. To each his own.
In a word: bleagh. Let me explain. This is not the type of book I usually read, it was a bodice-ripper. If that is your thing, more power to you. But not me. It was pitched as a paranormal romance, where the dude is a soul warrior who is an immortal Highlander from 1108 (yeah the year)and he want to open up an animal sanctuary. He also helps lost souls find their way. Wasn’t real clear about all that.
For those who like the sex there’s only two scenes in the whole book, the rest of it you will spend dealing with drama. Drama from an ex, drama from the chick. Determined to catch a man. Drama of I saw him first! No I did!!! Poor plot that doesn’t really get it together enough to make sense.family drama where we got to get all these men’s married off to a goood lady. Family drama completely overshadowed any paranormal aspects of this book and took it right back to the bodice ripping state.
We barely knew why our hero and heroine were there, much less why they ended up together other than family drama. It was supposed to be some kind of deal where he saves a soul and then tells her about his magic but that ain’t what happened .
Plot could have been so much more fleshed out and organized better. Like I said if you like these more power to you. I DO NOT. To each his own.
November 18, 2019
Kenzie is a Soul Warrior and decides to move with Father Daar to Midnight Bay along with William (I won't spoil previous books by explaining who William is). They purchase a farmhouse which is outside of a small town with enough land and surrounded by sea with some small islands.
Eve has returned home to Midnight Bay after her marriage failed and is taking care of her Mother who has medical issues affecting her memory but a relative who owns their home has sold it to Kenzie.
Kenzie doesn't think he should 'take a wife' because of his calling. Eve doesn't plan on getting involved with another man after what happened with her ex. Seems Providence has other ideas.
Eve has returned home to Midnight Bay after her marriage failed and is taking care of her Mother who has medical issues affecting her memory but a relative who owns their home has sold it to Kenzie.
Kenzie doesn't think he should 'take a wife' because of his calling. Eve doesn't plan on getting involved with another man after what happened with her ex. Seems Providence has other ideas.
July 20, 2021
Moonlight Warrior
This is the first book in this trio of warriors who moved to Moonlight Bay. They are far from home and in need of a new beginning. Kenzie moved away from his family to protect them from the up coming battle. His focus was to move to a place where he could have enough land to hid the creatures that have started showing up asking for help. Eve has found out that the home her mother thought was hers was sold to a Scotsman who is too rich and mysterious for her to like. What happens when the past meets the present day? Will Kenzie be able to help those who have needs to hide their past? Will love between them bridge the time gap? Can she accept who he is?
This is the first book in this trio of warriors who moved to Moonlight Bay. They are far from home and in need of a new beginning. Kenzie moved away from his family to protect them from the up coming battle. His focus was to move to a place where he could have enough land to hid the creatures that have started showing up asking for help. Eve has found out that the home her mother thought was hers was sold to a Scotsman who is too rich and mysterious for her to like. What happens when the past meets the present day? Will Kenzie be able to help those who have needs to hide their past? Will love between them bridge the time gap? Can she accept who he is?
March 28, 2022
Several characters have interesting backstories that are glossed over - it turns out they were introduced in other books. So readers starting here are at a disadvantage. Still an entertaining story, with the paranormal aspects well-integrated into the romance plot without overshadowing it, but the best character growth arc is a secondary character. The hero seems to get everything he wants, and the heroine seems to sacrifice whatever ambitions she may have to become literally barefoot, pregnant, and working in the kitchen, subservient to an "old-fashioned" man. That she wryly observes this doesn't make it any less troubling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2023
It takes a strong woman to handle an immortal warrior. Kenzie may be rich and good looking, but Eve is not impressed. Been there, done that. Newly divorced, Eve is not looking at being with anyone. She and her mother are losing their home, and her mother has memory problems. She has enough on her plate. But Kenzie is such a great guy and is slowly wearing her down. Kenzie feels that something bad is coming their way and he doesn't want to put Eve and her mother in danger, but he can't stay away from her. Then there is the magic. How will she handle that? Add in a dragon and things are just crazy. Will she ever want to be with him and all the craziness?
August 11, 2019
I related to author Janet Chapman and her book Moonlight Warrior, and a deeply personal level. I enjoyed the story, characters, and the entire experience of this amazing work. A work of fiction yes,but to me and my ancestors the heart of this story rings true, and breathes the sprit back into my soul. Receiving this book on what could have been the worst day of my life was a gentle acknowledgement from my spirit guides/ancestors that I am ok, and I am on the right path.
Thank you so much for sharing your gift.
Thank you so much for sharing your gift.
October 7, 2021
A fun, easy read that continues the theme of the Highlander series. This is romantic fantasy in every sense of the words which means a predictable theme and ending. Likewise the characters are exactly what readers of Chapman have come to expect.
I did enjoy the bits of humour in this one and there was some exploration of ways of how to live with a person suffering from dementia. This was done in a sensitive way and helped to add some much needed depth to the story.
Overall, great entertainment with a satisfying ending (and no surprises).
I did enjoy the bits of humour in this one and there was some exploration of ways of how to live with a person suffering from dementia. This was done in a sensitive way and helped to add some much needed depth to the story.
Overall, great entertainment with a satisfying ending (and no surprises).
September 1, 2024
I started to read the book after I found it in our house, I have no idea how it came to be here, but I decided to start reading it and see what is about, specially that is supposed to take care here in Maine.
I have read about 40 + pages and even though it’s the first book in a series, I have no idea who are the characters as it talks about being known by the reader. Other books may be a bit repetitious giving a background of characters, this books jump into the story as we the reader know them, sorry I can’t finish the book
I have read about 40 + pages and even though it’s the first book in a series, I have no idea who are the characters as it talks about being known by the reader. Other books may be a bit repetitious giving a background of characters, this books jump into the story as we the reader know them, sorry I can’t finish the book
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