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Aspen in Moonlight

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When art historian Melissa Warren inherits three of her grandmother’s paintings that have captivated her since childhood, she sets out to discover more about the little known artist and the locations of the mysterious landscapes. Her search takes her to the Colorado Bear Conservancy and the artist’s great-granddaughter, Sula Johansen.

Sula is reluctant to help Melissa, but their instant chemistry is impossible to ignore. Sula is torn between falling in love and hiding the truth about who and what she really is. Of course, if Melissa paid closer attention to minor details—like the fact that Sula enjoys nibbling berries off the vine, is unusually strong, and consumes way too much honey—Melissa might not be in for the shock of her life.

Cover Artist: Tammy Seidick
Genres: Paranormal & Urban Fantasy / Romance

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2019

21 people are currently reading
97 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Wacker

4 books12 followers
Kelly Wacker is a Western native currently residing in the Deep South where she teaches art history and environmental studies at a liberal arts university. Stories have been quietly spinning around in her head for years and she recently decided to craft one into a proper narrative. The resulting novella is a historical romance set in France during the First World War. Deeply connected to the natural world, she can often be found observing, thinking, and daydreaming while walking with her canine companion in the fields and along the creeks near her home. She is also inspired by good conversation, music, and coffee. The latter she is keeping fresh, hot, and near at hand while she works on a full-length novel.

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5 stars
27 (23%)
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52 (44%)
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35 (29%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,856 followers
November 1, 2019
3.75 Stars. I enjoyed this romance more than I expected to. I wanted to read/review this book because I thought this was a paranormal-romance which is one of my favorite genres. After reading some of the early reviews, I realized this wasn’t a paranormal-romance but instead a romance with a light paranormal twist. Since it wasn’t what I was hoping for, I could feel that my expectations where lowering quickly. I was hoping for something more paranormal-ish to read on Halloween. I’m happy to report I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Once I knew I was getting paranormal light, I was able to enjoy this really sweet romance.

This is the story about an art historian professor Melissa, who is spending her summertime in Colorado hoping to find out about the history of the artist of some paintings that has been in her family for generations. Melissa meets Sula, the director of a bear conservancy that might just have the answers she needs. The more time they spend together the more an attraction builds. Do they have a chance at a relationship when one of them is keeping a life changing secret?

Wacker’s name wasn’t familiar to me so I wasn’t surprised to see that this was her full-length book debut. I was however pleasantly surprised how nicely written it was. This doesn’t feel like a debut and that makes me excited to want to read future books by Wacker. She has a nice smooth writing style and while this is more of a slower-paced book, I was hooked into the story instantly. I can sometimes get a little bored by more traditional romances, but this story had me from beginning to end.

As I mentioned before the romance is more on the feel good side. There is some relationship angst but not a lot, the book’s conflict is mostly drive by the paranormal twist which was enough to keep things interesting. Both main characters are extremely likeable so it’s easily to root for them and hope for a HEA.

If you are interested in a feel good romance, this book would be a good choice. The setting in Colorado also shined so if you are a nature/wildlife fan especially for bears, I would also recommend this. The paranormal part is very small and only gives the book some added conflict and a teeny bit of excitement. I’m intrigued now by Wacker and I will definitely be reading her next book.

An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
Profile Image for AnnMaree Of Oz.
1,510 reviews131 followers
February 25, 2022
A good average, bear shifter romance read, between two women around 40.

There was a few needless details here and there that bogged down the storytelling, but it was a nice enough and different from the norm story. My one complaint was the black moment, I just struggle to understand people that supposedly love each other would not talk for weeks, especially in the aftermath of such drama and hurt.

Ultimately the story ended with a feeling of 'unfinished business'. No real epilogue, and no wrap-up on the antagonist and their nefarious agenda. And even the relationship just feels barely restarted, without much plan for the future, other than long-distance. I just wanted more.

It felt let down. But I did enjoy the snowy and bear themes with the wild animals and conservation conversations.
Profile Image for C.
737 reviews77 followers
October 19, 2019
This is the first book I have read from this author and I am honestly on the fence on if she and I are a reading match. While the book was edited well for grammatical issues and such, I felt it was a bit wordy. The prologue itself seemed unnecessary to me and actually set the pace of a good amount of the book. Maybe it was my fault for reading this one after reading an action/adventure romance. The pace of this one seemed too slow for me. I enjoy description but I found it too much and a lot of unneeded explanation of things or situations.

As far as the story goes, it's not really about shape-shifting. It really is a romance between two people with the idea of a bear-shifter. The focus was not at all on that issue which I think hurt the story more and made the confrontations with Kerry just seem bland. Don't get me wrong, the romance between the two was cute but it wasn't earth shattering to me and that might be because I was looking for a shifter book more like some of the other ones written (LLRand, Helen West, Zoe Reed, etc).

I give this one 3 stars. It's not a bad book by any means. And I think romance if you go into not forgetting it has anything to do with a bear-shifter you will enjoy the story. For me, it didn't do it. So 3 stars because while it wasn't for me, it wasn't a terrible read.

***Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review from me***
Profile Image for Joc.
770 reviews198 followers
January 8, 2020
There is so much about this story that I enjoyed but I also found it a little slow at times. Professor and art historian, Melissa, takes a trip to Colorado to find out more about three paintings she inherited. She loved them as a child and wants to know about the artist who created them. She meets the artist’s great-granddaughter, Sula, and the connection is one of the strongest she’s ever felt. But she’s in for a surprise.

I love art and bears so when much of the dialogue centred on those two subjects it was an immediate bonus for me. Melissa and Sula’s relationship is mature and well-paced. There was a lovely balance of humour and seriousness. Often shifter novels are about primal instincts, alphas and chest-thumping and I appreciated that this was not like that at all (although both types have their place in fiction). With its gentle pace and educational content, it’s a standout in this genre.

I did find that there were parts I skimmed because not quite enough was happening for me. It’s a good read nonetheless.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tere.
261 reviews57 followers
November 24, 2019
Art history professor Melissa Warren inherits three paintings from her grandmother that have captivated her since childhood. Her research oriented mind takes her from Georgia to her native Colorado, looking to write a paper about the elusive artist. Sula Johansen is the Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy and the great great-granddaughter of the artist. They connect and the chemistry is undeniable, making usually reserved Sula, open to love for the first time in her life. As the summer passes, the two women discover a few things about their past and for Melissa, the one thing that makes Sula who she is.

This one picked my interest from the little of the blurb that I read, and I’m glad I picked it up. It was well written with amazing descriptions of the beautiful Colorado mountains. The setting was no doubt a great character in this story and definitely fun to read about. The author is an art historian who also teaches environmental studies, and it showed in this book. Melissa in professor mode was interesting, and the passion for conservation came through strongly through Sula. The rest of the characters were endearing and great support to the story. The parents shined in this one!

Sula is a shape shifter, but that was almost not the point of the story. This will appeal to light paranormal fans that do not want to get entangled in fantasy, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I enjoyed the little bits of foreshadowing thrown by the author about who Sula was.

On the down side, I was hoping for more of a resolution to the long distance relationship conflict and did not get it. Also, some descriptions/explanations, although interesting and elegantly put, seemed a little long. I think some of that is due to my current state of mind and I will definitely look for this author’s next book.

In a public safety service, raccoon and rabies. Yes! Exactly! Thank you Ms Wacker!

Overall a good romance with a sprinkle of fantasy. 4 stars.

ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
522 reviews53 followers
January 22, 2020
I enjoyed this book. From other reviews I understood that this is the first book this winter has published. I really love her writing style. It flows and is very descriptive. I made me able to see the landscape and pictures she described in my mind. That said, I think the book would have been even better if there were a little less descriptions of the landscape and surroundings. Now the book was a touch too slow sometimes for me. I am still very pleased that I bought and read this book and will read the next book this writer publishes.
I am not going to say anything about the story in this book, others have done that already and I certainly can’t do that any better. Suffice to say that it was a sweet and warm-hearted story with really no or very little angst. Nice main characters that I could feel enough of a connection to.

4 stars.
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews89 followers
February 16, 2022
I liked it. Can't say I was surprised by any of the "twists", I knew Kerry is going to shoot bear-Sula ever since the author mentioned that Ursula was shot by a hunter who confused her with a bear. Nevertheless it was a solid read and delivered exactly what it promised, so I give four stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mildred Gail Digby.
Author 8 books58 followers
October 25, 2019
If you’re looking for a typical shifter book with lots of action, pack hierarchy, and forbidden love, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this book delivers a slow, sensitive journey from wariness to trust set against the beautiful wilderness of Colorado.

The one thing that stood out for me at first is how real the setting is. Ms. Wacker really knows the area, down to the smallest detail from the scent of the forest after rain to the species of native plants and animals. This attention to detail really lent the story an authentic, truly real feeling which ironically made the leap to having a bear-shifter in the mix actually very easy to believe. The entire book is filled with accurately described passages, it is obvious Ms. Wacker is very well-researched about everything she writes about.

The chemistry between Melissa and Sula is sweet and unconventional for a lot of lesfic couples. Neither of them fit into a neat role and that makes their interplay and ultimate joining more fitting and meaningful. I really like how understanding and mature Melissa is (at first anyway) and how Sula is both fearless in the face of danger and as shy as a newborn fawn when she’s out of her comfort zone. This isn’t a fast-paced story, but the lingering details lend depth and warmth to the story.

The story is told from both of their POV, so the big reveal isn’t a surprise, but how Melissa reacts to it is the turning point.

Which is where this read lost points with me. When she is faced with the truth, which is arguably extremely difficult to accept, Melissa runs off and ignores all attempts at communication for several weeks like the typical 80% breakup trope demands. I do understand the news, especially the traumatic way it was delivered to her, is something that can’t be easily accepted, but I hoped she would display the maturity she has for the rest of the book until that point and not do the disappearing/ignore the phone act until a dramatic event brings the silent treatment to an end and communication happens.

However, this is a HEA and love proves itself stronger than adversity. The end, while sudden, left me with a sense of wonder and peace. Recommended to anyone who wants to connect with nature in a slow, respectful, and ultimately satisfying read.


Rating: four point five stars

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher in return for
an honest review.
617 reviews21 followers
October 22, 2019
This was a way cute romance and I enjoyed reading it. Melissa Warren is a art history Professor who has inherited 3 painting from her grandmother. She knows the name of the artist, but no details about her. During her summer break, she decides to travel to Colorado (her native state) to research the author. Sula Johansen is the director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy. Their paths cross because Sula's grandmother is the painter of the 3 paintings.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Aspen in Moonlight because I tend to stay away from romances or books involving the supernatural. I picked this one out because I just need a change. I liked how Wacker gave just enough to keep me interested in reading this one and revealed Sula's secret at the right time along with some other surprises. Sure, the synopsis hints at the theme and so does the cover but there are a few twist and turns that you can expect to see and may even guess. It was still interesting to me. There were certain aspects of the romance that I found slow and I would skim a little to get through those parts. I have always had a problem reading too much detail in a book. I liked the chemistry and the overall interaction between the mains. I just thought this was a nice romance with a nice twist.

I can't help but rate this one 4 stars.

This arc was provided by Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Profile Image for Ameliah Faith.
859 reviews43 followers
October 26, 2019
Bear-y Good (Yeah Groan)

Melissa is an art historian/professor who is researching the painter of some pictures of her grandmother’s that have fascinated her since childhood. She goes to Colorado in her quest for answers and meets Sula who is the great granddaughter of the painter. Sula is a unique woman who runs the Colorado Bear Conservancy and, like most of the members of her family, has a great affinity for and a special kinship with the creatures…

What a great book! This clever tale is so well written. It’s fascinating and entertaining and draws you right in. I liked the mystery and adventure aspects this story has too. The descriptions are amazing and so realistic that I had no trouble picturing it all. The settings are wonderful as well. From the college town to the resort Melissa stays at to the forest Sula lives in and everywhere else, it’s all beautiful. I loved the relationship that Melissa and Sula have as well, not just the romance, although it is delightful, but the whole getting to know you process. It is very heartfelt and sweet. I really liked most of the book a great deal but was a tad bit disappointed that the decision on where to live was left up in the air… Other than that I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Dani.
402 reviews14 followers
December 16, 2019
I love the new take on bear shape-shifter. It goes back to the legend of berserkers. I also enjoyed the new species of shifter. I’ve read of wolf and big cats but yet to have the experience of bear. I couldn’t get enough of the visualization of Sula and her talented lips. I kept pulling up images of bears eating berries and even the way their lips move as the roar. I couldn’t get enough of Melissa and Sula. I wouldn’t mind another book to see where they are. Are they still trying to do long distance or did Melissa finally realize where her home and heart is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tristan Young.
125 reviews5 followers
December 6, 2021
I’ve read a lot of romances, from basic Hallmark-esque-straight-Christmas-Tales to smutty-gay-alien-stories, and I got to say that this is not your standard romance. Aspen in Moonlight is a slow burn sapphic love story, fueled by an academia inspired adventure to answer the questions of art historian Melissa’s favorite art pieces that she inherited from her grandmother. I felt apart of Melissa’s idyllic vacation with vivid sceneries, and I enjoyed the many facts on conservation and art history intertwined into the story. I don’t suggest this if you’re not into slower paced/ very descriptive stories. The overall plot of the story is cute and I’m happy to have read it.

Note: I know the author so I wanted to mention the potential bias of my review. I can see a lot of the author’s passion for art and the environment in this book which warms my heart.
Profile Image for MEC.
390 reviews41 followers
November 5, 2019
I'm a big fan of paranormal romances and I'm also pretty hard on them  if they disappoint. When I saw this book on the upcoming releases I was totally stoked.  A shifter/paranormal romance without wolves?  Yes please.  I love a good wolf shifter book, but it's nice to switch stuff up and a bear shifter sounded like a great twist.   Once I started reading, I began to realize that this is more of romance than paranormal so I had to reset my expectations and read the book on its own merits rather than what my pre-conceptions.

Aspen in Moonlight is a well written novel that is more romance than paranormal.  That's not a bad thing.   Professor Melissa Warren travels to Colorado to research a three paintings she has inherited - paintings that have fascinated her since she was a child and are largely responsible for her pursuing a career in art history.  As part of her research she reaches out to Sula Johansen, the Executive Director of the Colorado Bear Conservancy who turns out to be the great-granddaughter of the artist.  The romance is a nice slow burn as the relationship builds -  both characters are obviously intelligent, passionate about heir careers and mature in their actions and reactions.  Their own personal passions about conservancy and art are woven into the story as is the absolutely beautiful setting in Colorado.  The paranormal aspects are hinted at and pretty much in the background for the majority of the book with the big reveal (and after-effects) as part of the climax and denouement.

There's no question that Ms. Wacker writes well; but, at times the book was a bit too heavy on the narrative - lengthy descriptions and explanations tended to bog down the pacing and made the book seem to be longer than it actually was.  You can tell that Wacker herself is passionate about art and conservation  -  she conveys this through a narrative that is well researched and obviously important but sometimes it verges into the professorial realm (which she seems to recognize when one character teases the other about being in professor mode).  I don't mind  a book that provides insight and makes me think - but sometimes the information was a bit clunky.

Thank you to Netgalley and BSB for providing an advance copy for review
Profile Image for Rosi.
402 reviews112 followers
December 19, 2022
This has been a strange story and really difficult to value for me, because I didn't known beforehand that it was fantasy type. And that somehow has taken me by surprise. And as fantasy is not a subject that I especially like, I do not know how to rate it. In addition to my surprise on the subject, the author's narration is very dense and too detailed, which has made me lose the central thread on many occasions and this has bothered me more than anything.

I do not deny that the story is interesting, the relationship between the two women today, practically the same that their ancestors had more than a century ago, discovering the coincidences between before and now, is original. All the beauty of nature sorrounding the characters, also both women beeing very likable and well defined, intelligent and pasionate. But I've been bored in some of the extended descriptions.

From the fantasy point of view I can't value its accuracy, really not my thing. Other readers will do it better for sure. All in all, in the end, for me it has been a passable read.

An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review
Profile Image for Aleana.
721 reviews20 followers
October 17, 2019
Melissa has inherited paintings from her grandmother that belong to her great-grandmother she has always been mesmerized by them since she was a child. She decide to found out more about the paintings and it leads her to Colorado Bear Conservancy.

With the help of Betty the owner of the cabin where she staying at she meets Sula the Director of Colorado Bear Conservancy and when they meet they are instantly drawn to each other. When Melissa learned that Sula is the great-granddaughter of the woman who painted the paintings it leads them to discover a deeper connection between their great-grandmother's and they feel it was destiny playing a part for them to meet.

I like their love story and how they gave each other a nickname Sula calling Melissa Goldie and Melissa calling Sula bear and she doesn't know how close she is to that truth.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Reads & Roots.
53 reviews
January 26, 2022
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! This was wonderfully romantic. It had great timing and comedy. The romantic and fantastical parts were believable and heart wrenching. An absolutely fabulous book!
Profile Image for Dide.
1,489 reviews53 followers
August 7, 2024
3.6 star rating
It is common to come across stories of werewolves and of course vamps but this story brings a different (although not so rare) kind of extra-beings. A lot of the story though centers on wildlife and romance as plus
Profile Image for Grendaycita Segovia.
795 reviews18 followers
March 16, 2020
3,7

Fue curioso, en especial el ambiente de la montaña, igual me hubiera gustado saber más de los cambiantes.
Profile Image for Velvet Lounger.
391 reviews72 followers
December 10, 2019
4.5

Excellent and unusual story weaving a traditional romance with a paranormal twist.. but without it feeling like a paranormal tale.. hopefully will appeal to romance readers who don’t ‘do’ paranormal.

Excellent story and wonderful characters set against the glorious backdrop of the Rockies.. the baddie is nasty, the wider cast are well drawn and the whole is an excellent read.

Have to admit I was left worrying that a trap had been left out or Notch would get in trouble from something Kerry had done to the bait trap while Sula was out of the picture.. we could definitely do with a follow up about their lives together.
Profile Image for Women Using Words.
481 reviews67 followers
October 23, 2020
I was very surprised to learn that this was Wacker’s first full length novel. This book doesn’t read like it was written by someone with a short list of published fiction. It reads like it it was penned by an author with a well cultivated resume. The storytelling is imaginative and engaging. The descriptions are splendid. The language is fluid and magnificent. Wacker is impressive; she knows how to bring the words to life in 3D technicolor.

The story involves something I typically don’t gravitate toward or read—shapeshifting. The concept seems, for lack of a better word, strange. It’s a subject and sub-genre that’s never really caught my attention or held my interest. This book, however, despite talk of hamask and she-bears, engaged me from the start. I wasn’t familiar with any of it and it didn’t matter. Wacker pulled me in and held me there with her lovely storytelling; I was captivated. She writes with such grace and intelligence. Her word building is finessed marvelously, giving the story depth and dimension. It truly highlights her talent as an imaginative and descriptive writer.

Both of the leading ladies are compelling, interesting and completely likable. They stand on their own, yet compliment each other quite nicely. The romance between them is tender, sweet, and yes, believable. My favorite scene underscores Wacker’s ability to sell this love story and make it not only believable, but charming. It’s when Sula realizes she can trust Melissa and their love for one another. She shapeshifts into her bear form and Melissa embraces who she is without judgement. She sees her and accepts her with complete love and tenderness. She is in awe of her beauty and magnificence as a she-bear. It is really a very lovely and touching scene.

This book was a wonderful surprise for me. I would absolutely encourage readers to pick this book up and indulge in its well written and imaginative prose. Wacker is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more from her.

Strengths…

Well written
Imaginative
Compelling
Descriptive
Beautiful use of language
Profile Image for Mx Phoebe.
1,446 reviews
January 10, 2021
Aspen in Moonlight is an explicitly detailed paranormal romance. Kelly Wacker gives you history from everything from the type of cameras used to take the photos that the characters are looking at to the different types of paints used on a canvas. I could probably look at the same maps that Sula and Melissa had and tell you their hiking route (smile).

Beyond the details is a romance that might have been fated to be as the characters walk a similar path as an ancestor has before. There are some secrets, but the story has to have some twist to cause despair (laugh).

I loved the information of bears and conservancy throughout history and in the present. I also now know to plant clover in with my grass to promote growth and they are connected to bees. Long story...you have to read Aspen to get further details (laugh).

The only area that there really isn’t any detail are the love scenes. I would have labeled this story PG-13 if not for one line which might come across as Rated R so I went with the higher rating. Sula and Melissa have plenty of chemistry and Wacker focuses on their repartee versus the physical intimacy.

If you want to take a trip to the beautiful wilderness of Colorado, Aspen in Moonlight is for you. Wacker makes you feel as you are hiking in the woods, riding a horse, or even fly-fishing. Snuggle down this winter with this warm and fuzzy romance.

I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #ebooksforall
Profile Image for Kay.
6 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2020
There have always been werewolves, werecats...now there’s a werebear, and she’s living in Colorado.
If you’re the outdoorsy type you’ll enjoy hitching a ride with Dr. Melissa Warren, an art history professor, as she drives from Georgia to the Rocky Mountains to investigate a little-known female artist whose paintings have been in her family for three generations. The Buckhorn Ranch in Aspen becomes the backdrop for this adventurous shape-shifter romance as Melissa settles into her summer residence and becomes acquainted with an interesting bunch of locals: Betty, the wise ranch owner who keeps both bees and secrets; an unruly mountain lion named Notch; Kerry, the narcissistic horse-trail guide who likes seducing summer tourists and has her eye on Melissa; and best of all, Sula, the director of a Bear Conservancy who is very private, consumes way too much honey, and who may in fact have personal ties to the mysterious artist Melissa is researching.
Novels should entertain, and this one certainly does, but I also enjoy intelligent stories that teach and inform. This one didn’t disappoint. I walked away with newfound knowledge – about bear behavior, the flora and fauna of Colorado; the “berserkers” and Scandinavian bear-shifter legends; the not-so-nice truth about the USDA Wildlife Services…and the wonderful truth of how, in the end, love conquers all.
A must-read for nature enthusiasts with a romantic side.
Profile Image for soph.
375 reviews43 followers
November 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Sula and Melissa was the best of the book, but other aspects such as lots of nature (flora and fauna), interesting characters (art historian Melissa who was kind and fascinated by everything which make me like her very much since the beginning, and Sula (aka mountain woman) who can shift into a bear), and all the research about the paintings and their history behind made me feel like I was into the story myself.

Like I said, Melissa and Sula's relationship was my favourite part of this book, they're just so great together, they fit and I was not bored one moment with them. I wish there would have been more time for the Big Reveal at the end, I was waiting for it since the beginning and how it happened did not disappoint me but I would have prefered more time talking about it, and especially more time of Sula in bear form.

While I really liked this book, there's one thing that just didn't sit well with me and it's how Melissa, after learning two women were lovers immediately said they were lesbians even though one of them had a husband after. What she said about it could be right, I don't know, she doesn't really either, but the fact that is was either straight or gay like there's no inbetween really left me that big bad impression.
Profile Image for Karen.
887 reviews11 followers
May 24, 2020
This was cute. The romance was pleasant. Both women were mature, responsible and intelligent. I liked the resolution, but then I prefer a happy ending to the alternative. I also liked that Melissa used her skills and intellect to resolve her issues with Sula’s dual nature. It’s about time education played a role in accepting the unusual, instead of it being used to deny inexplicable events.

The book was a pleasant story with various scenes that developed the women’s characters from dealing with colleagues, employees, friends and family to handling adversity and strange situations. I enjoyed learning more about bears and art; both main characters are experts in their respective fields. We’re introduced to others who come and go. One is developed in such a way that I kept expecting her to come up in various scenes which she finally did.

This novel was a fun diversion for the weekend.
Profile Image for Laure.
282 reviews2 followers
December 25, 2019
🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤‍👩📚⚢👩‍🏫🎨🖼⛰🐻🍯🍓🏔👩‍❤‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈

That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « Aspen in Moonlight » by Kelly Wacker from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!

It’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of Kelly Wacker’s books (this one being, as a matter of fact, her first full-length novel) and even if everything is not perfect, it’s a good discovery !! I really appreciated the trip in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

My rating : 4 ⭐️

The story mainly sets in Buckhorn, Colorado and focuses on art historian Melissa Warren & Colorado Bear Conservancy’s Director Sula Johansen … Melissa has inherited three of her grandmother’s paintings that have captivated her since childhood. She craves to discover more about the little known and quite puzzling artist and the locations of the mysterious landscapes. So she make some research which leads her to the Colorado Bear Conservancy and to Sula Johansen, the artist’s great-granddaughter… There’s an instant & impossible to ignore chemistry between Sula and Melissa. So, at first reluctant to help Melissa, Sula is now is torn between falling in love and hiding the truth about who and what she really is. Together they’ll make some important discoveries about the paintings, about their great-grandmothers and … about themselves !!!


The Pros :
° the cover … it illustrates well the novel’s contents (it would have been better to have a more painting-like imagery, though)
° the settings : the description of the landscapes is so vivid and beautifully done that it was easy to picture them in my mind’s eye … And, now, I have even more the desire to visit Colorado and the Rocky Mountains to discover them and the wildlife …
° the fascinating light paranormal twist of this romance novel … which, paradoxically, seems more natural than some of the romances I’ve read.
° the originality of considering that the immediate great chemistery between the MC’s is due to the « genetic predisposition » running in their families and that it sealed their fate …It made me able to bear 😜 the « insta love » side of the story that, like more and more people know, I’m, usually, not a fan of …
° the good dialogues
° the funny banters between the MCs
° the depth the dual story line gives to the novel. (I confess that I would have loved knowing a bit more about Evelyn and Ursula)
° the author's first hand knowledge of art history and environmental studies, allows her to tell the story with a particular style adding to the realism of this unsual story’s story line. (yeah in spite of the paranormal twist there's a lot of realism it this book… ) 😊😊
° great description of the paints so it was easy to picture them too in my mind’s eye
° some very good touches of humor.
° even if they aren’t all likeable, the good and strong secondary characters …


The Cons :
° because of the crual lack of time markers it’s often very difficult to follow the time line and know how much time really passes between events, so, it makes it even more difficult appreciate the building of the MCs’ relationship …
° the lack of real action when it comes to Sula’s nemesis’ illegal and several weeks long « government work » … It would have been interesting to develop more the hunter / poacher angle, it would have allowed to increase the tension, the angst … a good tool to allow the MCs to become closer to one another (or not …)
° the lack of a real epilogue which prevent some of the reader’s questions to be answered properly. => Personally I would have loved to know how Sula and Melissa make they long-distance relationship work in time and what, too, happened to all the secondary characters …
° a couple of typos & mistakes … that’s almost nothing compared to the length of the book. Nonetheless, it’d be good if they were corrected before, for example, a re-release
° in chapter 5, this horrendous ornithological detail (extented to all the wildlife here) that most people don’t care about : feeding any kind of birds or wild animal BTW) with bread (even some whole-wheat one …) For God (and the birds & animals)’s sake : Stop doing this people !!! => Giving bread to them is the best way to poison ( = kill) them !!! (so smeared with peanut butter & honey … I don’t even want to think about the damages !!!)  Do I really need to say that it would have been great to see Melissa, the « highly educated professor », feed the jay with the appropriate food ?? Knowing that feeding wildlife is not allowed, of course, it would have been even better that she did … nothing at all other than recalling the mistakes she has done when she was a child.


If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Yes, it’s a very enjoyable novel
- Did I find the characters believable? => Surprisingly, despite the light paranormal twist, yes !! + They are funny and touching too 😊 …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Hmm, yes, but it’ll be a while before I re-read it
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Hmm, yes, but it’ll be a while before I purchase it
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes …
- Would I recommend this book => Yes … to everyone !!

Hey guys and gals, you know that now it’s your turn to visit the Rocky Mountains and observe the bears … So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …
Enjoy (or not) your reading … 😉

🏳️‍🌈👩‍❤‍👩📚⚢👩‍🏫🎨🖼⛰🐻🍯🍓🏔👩‍❤‍💋‍👩📖👭🏳️‍🌈
Profile Image for Gail.
990 reviews58 followers
November 26, 2019
Detailed descriptions of Colorado wilderness are woven into a slow burn shape shifter mystery romance. Melissa and Sula interact beautifully and slow dance (with some hiccups) to happy ending dragging you along for the ride. An easy, slow read worthy of 4 stars.
I rec'd a ARC from NetGalley/Bold Strokes Books for review.
Profile Image for Amounah  Works.
96 reviews
May 13, 2025
This book was lovely in many ways. With all the animal diversity, there was no expressed cultural diversity. It lost a star for that implied homogeneity. I enjoyed the multigenerational plotlines handled well. The paranormal undertones were gently under the surface until the final moments. The love expressed was so powerful. I enjoyed that very much.
53 reviews2 followers
January 15, 2020
Awesome read!

Well written, awesome story! Super cute, fun, and oddly informative. There were a couple spot where the author was a little over descriptive, for me, but definitely painted a vivid picture of the characters and environments.
432 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2020
Aspen in Moonlight

This was a story you cannot put down. Two different women women on a professor of artt. history whose always been fascinated by some pictures her grandmother leaves her after her death. She wants to know more about the artist and she decided to innvesytigate
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