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Moon #1
Killing Moon
In the woods, a killer waits, surrounded by the graves of his victims, anticipating his next kill. In the woods, a wolf stalks its prey, surrendering only to the laws of nature, not of man...
Private investigator Ross Marshall has a special talent for tracking—a talent that has helped him locate missing persons when the police's trail has gone cold. Now his current case has led him to a body buried in an isolated rural area—and a serial killer who is looking for a new victim. But while he gathers evidence for the police, something goes very wrong.
The last thing genetic researcher Megan Sheridan expected was to discover her client shot and unconscious. Ross Marshall had requested her lab to run genetic tests on him, but instead of taking a blood sample, Megan found herself tending his wounds. Although frightened by the secrets she knows he is hiding, Megan is compelled to him by a force she can't explain—or resist.
Ross tries to deny the ancient instincts clamoring for him to take Megan as his mate, for to do so would sentence her to a lifetime of sorrow. But now Ross has an even more urgent reason to stay away from Megan: The killer that he'd been hunting has turned the tables—and is now hunting him.
Private investigator Ross Marshall has a special talent for tracking—a talent that has helped him locate missing persons when the police's trail has gone cold. Now his current case has led him to a body buried in an isolated rural area—and a serial killer who is looking for a new victim. But while he gathers evidence for the police, something goes very wrong.
The last thing genetic researcher Megan Sheridan expected was to discover her client shot and unconscious. Ross Marshall had requested her lab to run genetic tests on him, but instead of taking a blood sample, Megan found herself tending his wounds. Although frightened by the secrets she knows he is hiding, Megan is compelled to him by a force she can't explain—or resist.
Ross tries to deny the ancient instincts clamoring for him to take Megan as his mate, for to do so would sentence her to a lifetime of sorrow. But now Ross has an even more urgent reason to stay away from Megan: The killer that he'd been hunting has turned the tables—and is now hunting him.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 3, 2003
35 people are currently reading
1868 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca York
320 books449 followersRuth Glick (born 1942) is a best-selling author of healthy cookbooks and has also written dozens of romantic suspense romance novels under the pen name Rebecca York.
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
Ruth earned a B.A. in American Thought and Civilization from George Washington University and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Maryland. Although she always wanted to become a writer, Glick was convinced that her lack of spelling skills meant that her goal was unattainable. As a stay-at-home mother, she took a community college course to help her choose a career. The course made it very clear that writing was her primary interest. Glick began writing articles for newspapers and magazines, but after several years decided to try writing fiction. Her first book, a kids' science fiction book, was finally purchased by Scholastic Inc..
Since then, Glick has become a highly successful author of over 50 romantic suspense and paranormal novels. Many of her novels are published under the Harlequin Intrigue line, and in June 2003, she became one of the first authors published under Berkley's new Sensation imprint. Before 1997, she often collaborated with Eileen Buckholtz and Kathryn Jenson.
Glick also is a highly regarded author of cookbooks focusing on healthy eating. She sometimes hires trained chefs to test the recipes that she creates, and makes sure that every recipe is tested at least three times before it appears in one of her cookbooks.
Glick is the head of the Columbia Writers Workshop. She and her husband, Norman Glick, live in Columbia, Maryland, where Ruth collects rocks, and enjoys cooking, walking, reading, gardening, travel, and Mozart operas. They have two grown children, Elissa and Ethan, and two grandsons (Jesse and Leo).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 19, 2011
The Moon series by Rebecca York is a fantastic shape-shifting paranormal romance series.
Killing Moon is the first book in this series and is different from other shape-shifters I have read.
Ross Marshall, Private Investigator and werewolf, assists the police force in locating missing persons and more importantly ... serial killers involved in those cases.
Doctor Megan Sheridan is a research doctor working for Bio Gen Labs doing mostly genetic testing for clients. Losing the coin toss, she makes a house call to the one and only Ross Marshall who claims to have a genetic problem and needs her help.
Coming from a pretty brutal family, all female children die at birth as well as some males. Those males that live will have to face the change during puberty. Unfortunately, it seems most of them die during that stage. So there is a high child mortality rate.
Unlike most wolf packs, all of the males in his face are alphas. There is no one alpha to rule them all so as he calls his father, The Big Bad Wolf, growing up was not easy for him or his brothers.
I'm going to write a passage here from the book, but I don't want you to think the entire book is this crude. There are only two very small parts that come across this way and that is ONLY when he remembers his father. I am only putting it in this review to give you an idea on the earth shattering and needful attraction between the male and his mate. It also gives you an example of how harsh his father was to his children when they blamed him for the treatment of their mother, her life and all of children she loses.
(For goodreads purposes, I will add *** to make this review appropriate. Please see my blog for all uncut reviews.)
"You dare to blame me, you sh*t-head moron? Wait till it happens to you. They call it chemistry." His father gave a harsh laugh. "They hardly understand the meaning of the word. They don't know the burning need. The lust. The pain. Wait until you're old enough to start searching for a mate. When you meet her, you'll know. Fu**ing her once won't get her out of your system. Because a wolf mates for life, sonny."
"The good part is she'll want to fu** you as much as you want to fu** her. When you catch her scent, when you touch her, you'll understand what it's like for one of us, you sanctimonious bastard. So if you want to have some fun with the gals, do it now. 'Cause when you meet your mate, your co** just won't go in any other hole."
This is a wonderful shape-shifter series. I have always loved werewolf novels ever since my sister thrust me head first into the romance world :)
I recommend this book to mature adults only as there is moderate but tasteful sexual content. I am going to make the violence as moderate due to the serial killer and his toys. I advise you do not allow your teenager to read this book. It's inappropriate. :p
Now I'm on to Edge of the Moon!
~Happy reading!
Killing Moon is the first book in this series and is different from other shape-shifters I have read.
Ross Marshall, Private Investigator and werewolf, assists the police force in locating missing persons and more importantly ... serial killers involved in those cases.
Doctor Megan Sheridan is a research doctor working for Bio Gen Labs doing mostly genetic testing for clients. Losing the coin toss, she makes a house call to the one and only Ross Marshall who claims to have a genetic problem and needs her help.
Coming from a pretty brutal family, all female children die at birth as well as some males. Those males that live will have to face the change during puberty. Unfortunately, it seems most of them die during that stage. So there is a high child mortality rate.
Unlike most wolf packs, all of the males in his face are alphas. There is no one alpha to rule them all so as he calls his father, The Big Bad Wolf, growing up was not easy for him or his brothers.
I'm going to write a passage here from the book, but I don't want you to think the entire book is this crude. There are only two very small parts that come across this way and that is ONLY when he remembers his father. I am only putting it in this review to give you an idea on the earth shattering and needful attraction between the male and his mate. It also gives you an example of how harsh his father was to his children when they blamed him for the treatment of their mother, her life and all of children she loses.
(For goodreads purposes, I will add *** to make this review appropriate. Please see my blog for all uncut reviews.)
"You dare to blame me, you sh*t-head moron? Wait till it happens to you. They call it chemistry." His father gave a harsh laugh. "They hardly understand the meaning of the word. They don't know the burning need. The lust. The pain. Wait until you're old enough to start searching for a mate. When you meet her, you'll know. Fu**ing her once won't get her out of your system. Because a wolf mates for life, sonny."
"The good part is she'll want to fu** you as much as you want to fu** her. When you catch her scent, when you touch her, you'll understand what it's like for one of us, you sanctimonious bastard. So if you want to have some fun with the gals, do it now. 'Cause when you meet your mate, your co** just won't go in any other hole."
This is a wonderful shape-shifter series. I have always loved werewolf novels ever since my sister thrust me head first into the romance world :)
I recommend this book to mature adults only as there is moderate but tasteful sexual content. I am going to make the violence as moderate due to the serial killer and his toys. I advise you do not allow your teenager to read this book. It's inappropriate. :p
Now I'm on to Edge of the Moon!
~Happy reading!
February 24, 2009
I really enjoyed this book - well written, good character development. I liked the whole werewolf myth in the story. Good one - I'll definitely read more from the series :)
December 28, 2009
Well written, great characters with a good deal of depth, and excellent pacing. And come on, a werewolf and a serial killer make an excellent book that straddles the urban fantasy and paranormal romance genres, which I absolutely love. Must find the next book in the series. Thanks for the rec Shanon. :)
May 12, 2009
PI Ross Marshall has a talent for tracking. Local police detective Jack Thornton has found Ross unusually helpful at solving homicide cases gone cold. Thornton can't figure out how Ross gets his info, but he's happy to have his help. Ross knows that his talent is genetic hires BioGen labs to run some tests. Genetiic researcher Megan Sheridan finds him unconscious when she drives to his home to get the blood sample for testing. As she nurses him she finds herself strangely attracted to him. Ross tries to discourage her in order to prevent the heartache he knows his genetics will impose on her.
My thoughts: I liked this tale of the werewolf. It was fast paced and kept me interested. I'm definitely going to put others in this series on my wish list. This is the first in the series and piqued my interest. I liked the characters both Ross and Jack are strong male characters that I'd like to read more about. I'm anxious to find out if Megan can help 'solve' the genetic problems.
My thoughts: I liked this tale of the werewolf. It was fast paced and kept me interested. I'm definitely going to put others in this series on my wish list. This is the first in the series and piqued my interest. I liked the characters both Ross and Jack are strong male characters that I'd like to read more about. I'm anxious to find out if Megan can help 'solve' the genetic problems.
November 14, 2007
1st in the series, is about Megan, a research dr. that is asked to take a sample of a new client, Ross, who is a werewolf and wants to figure out how to prevent children from dying in his family. But when the case he is working on catches up to he and Megan, he would do anything to protect his mate.
December 14, 2009
Just indulged in a re-read. Comfort food. Definitely want to find more of hers.
July 15, 2008
i loved it it's steamy and erotic
March 8, 2014
I love used book stores. Not only can I find books that are on my 'need to get' list but by browsing the shelves I find unexpected treasures. When searching the paranormal section several months ago, I came across Killing Moon, the first in a series by Rebecca York. The synopsis on the back was intriguing - private investigator who is a wolf, genetic researcher female lead, serial killer, secrets, forces beyond their control. It all sounded like it was made for me. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
The high level story is fine. Standard but fine. One of my biggest issues was that it felt so dated. I believe it was originally published in 2003. But it read like it was from the 1980s. Our female lead, Megan, wears stockings on a day-to-day basis. Early on she mentions cell phones and it's a big deal that she has one that isn't part of the car itself but is actually a mobile. Huh? In 2003, most of the people I knew had personal cell phones. Some of the phrase-ology also felt out of touch - "ample breasts"? I'm sorry but that sounds like the old school Harlequins and not a modern paranormal romance.
I also had a problem with the world building and some of the explanations of the mating process. Ross, our male lead and Megan's love interest, is a werewolf. Members of his family have an extra chromosome which causes all female babies to die (don't get me started on the number of times the phrase 'girl child' was used by almost everyone in this book). Male children survive into adolescence and then, during their first shift around the age of 15-16, only about half survive the process. All of this is told and not shown to the reader. And, there's so little information given about the specifics of the transformation that we cannot easily picture the man turning into the wolf. Ross is worried when he meets Megan and she begins to tend to his wounds. Apparently once he reaches 30-years old, his wolf wants a mate and any female who takes care of him will do. Ok...she's a doctor! So, he can only see male physicians?
Once they are 'bonded' by her touching him (oh, the horror), he aches for her and she aches for him. All the aching and wanting are leading to....some pretty vanilla sex if you ask me. Poor Ross tries to engage Megan in some phone sex when he becomes lonely after sending her away. She believes that only perverts (and, read between the lines, sluts) would do that. Oh, Ross, you lucky, lucky man.
Lastly, I cannot enjoy a book where the female author writes the female lead as an idiot. Megan is a doctor. Great. But, she is pretty stupid when it comes to making common sense decisions. After being told by Ross where the serial killer works, she goes there (without thinking, but still!!!) She also shares secrets about Ross when they aren't hers to give away. When explaining this flub to Ross, she says that she was tricked into it. No, I'm sorry, Megan, you just need to learn to keep your trap shut. Ross just grimaces and then in the next breath forgives her. No way.
My hopes were high that I had found another paranormal series to add to my must-read list. Sorry to say, I won't be reading the rest of this one. 2/5 stars.
The high level story is fine. Standard but fine. One of my biggest issues was that it felt so dated. I believe it was originally published in 2003. But it read like it was from the 1980s. Our female lead, Megan, wears stockings on a day-to-day basis. Early on she mentions cell phones and it's a big deal that she has one that isn't part of the car itself but is actually a mobile. Huh? In 2003, most of the people I knew had personal cell phones. Some of the phrase-ology also felt out of touch - "ample breasts"? I'm sorry but that sounds like the old school Harlequins and not a modern paranormal romance.
I also had a problem with the world building and some of the explanations of the mating process. Ross, our male lead and Megan's love interest, is a werewolf. Members of his family have an extra chromosome which causes all female babies to die (don't get me started on the number of times the phrase 'girl child' was used by almost everyone in this book). Male children survive into adolescence and then, during their first shift around the age of 15-16, only about half survive the process. All of this is told and not shown to the reader. And, there's so little information given about the specifics of the transformation that we cannot easily picture the man turning into the wolf. Ross is worried when he meets Megan and she begins to tend to his wounds. Apparently once he reaches 30-years old, his wolf wants a mate and any female who takes care of him will do. Ok...she's a doctor! So, he can only see male physicians?
Once they are 'bonded' by her touching him (oh, the horror), he aches for her and she aches for him. All the aching and wanting are leading to....some pretty vanilla sex if you ask me. Poor Ross tries to engage Megan in some phone sex when he becomes lonely after sending her away. She believes that only perverts (and, read between the lines, sluts) would do that. Oh, Ross, you lucky, lucky man.
Lastly, I cannot enjoy a book where the female author writes the female lead as an idiot. Megan is a doctor. Great. But, she is pretty stupid when it comes to making common sense decisions. After being told by Ross where the serial killer works, she goes there (without thinking, but still!!!) She also shares secrets about Ross when they aren't hers to give away. When explaining this flub to Ross, she says that she was tricked into it. No, I'm sorry, Megan, you just need to learn to keep your trap shut. Ross just grimaces and then in the next breath forgives her. No way.
My hopes were high that I had found another paranormal series to add to my must-read list. Sorry to say, I won't be reading the rest of this one. 2/5 stars.
July 6, 2012
Well what can I say about this book....I really enjoyed it!
I downloaded a file of Kindle books online and this series was included. I have had them for well over a year and have been working my way through the 2,000 books that were there. I am sorry I waited so long to read it!
The story is about a PI Ross Marshall who has a talent from tracking criminals, he is currently tracking a man who is responsible for the torture and murder of numerous women. He is so talented at tracking them down because he is a Werewolf. After a close call tracking the cold blooded killer Marshall is shot in the leg and makes his way home to recover.
Genetic researcher Megan Sheridan pays a house call to Ross Marshall after he has called BioGen labs to have blood tests taking, when she enters the house she find him naked and unconscious with an infected gun wound and decided to stay and take care of him. She knows there is something different about him but she can't deny that she has a strange attractions to him. He tries to warn her off blaming his genetic family condition.
Things take a turn for the worse when Megan is kidnapped by the serial killer and Ross has to try and save her. But as usual love conquers all!
All in all I really enjoyed this book and am sorry it took me so long to read it! I must admit there were scenes in the book that were pretty horrific with regards to the serial killer, that could have put me off the book if it wasn't for the connection between Ross and Mega.
I downloaded a file of Kindle books online and this series was included. I have had them for well over a year and have been working my way through the 2,000 books that were there. I am sorry I waited so long to read it!
The story is about a PI Ross Marshall who has a talent from tracking criminals, he is currently tracking a man who is responsible for the torture and murder of numerous women. He is so talented at tracking them down because he is a Werewolf. After a close call tracking the cold blooded killer Marshall is shot in the leg and makes his way home to recover.
Genetic researcher Megan Sheridan pays a house call to Ross Marshall after he has called BioGen labs to have blood tests taking, when she enters the house she find him naked and unconscious with an infected gun wound and decided to stay and take care of him. She knows there is something different about him but she can't deny that she has a strange attractions to him. He tries to warn her off blaming his genetic family condition.
Things take a turn for the worse when Megan is kidnapped by the serial killer and Ross has to try and save her. But as usual love conquers all!
All in all I really enjoyed this book and am sorry it took me so long to read it! I must admit there were scenes in the book that were pretty horrific with regards to the serial killer, that could have put me off the book if it wasn't for the connection between Ross and Mega.
July 25, 2008
*BIO*
January 24, 2026
Twenty-three years ago, I read a lot more paranormal tropes than I do now. I still enjoy them, but you know how it is. Life’s responsibilities take over, other books beckon louder and before you know it, a book you intended to read over two decades ago gets buried in the gigantic to be read pile. As part of my alphabet challenge this year, I needed a book written by an author whose last name began with ‘Y’ and this one popped right up. Thank goodness for websites, such as Goodreads, that give me the opportunity to see all the books I own and see which ones I have been sitting on the longest.
Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of paranormal tropes, Killing Moon proved to be quite interesting as well delivering an edge of the seat experience. I found Ross Marshall to be an intriguing character. As a private investigator, he has been hired by the parents of a missing girl to find out what happened to her. As a werewolf, he has the ability to hunt clues in a way no mere human can. Ross meets Dr. Megan Sheridan when his werewolf sleuthing brings him a little too close to a serial killer’s bullet.
Megan Sheridan is a genetics researcher. She goes to meet Ross after he calls her lab requesting genetic testing to see if something can be done about a genetic abnormality in his family that prevents female children surviving past birth and male children rarely surviving past age fifteen or sixteen. She doesn’t know about Ross’s lycanthropy but when she arrives at his home, she finds him with a leg wound that is infected.
I loved that this story is not your run of the mill werewolf story. Ross is able to transform at will by reciting a Gaelic verse and as wolf he looks like a standard wolf, not the horrifying monsters you see in films, slobbering and foaming at the mouth attacking and killing here, there and everywhere. As a wolf, Ross has full awareness of his mental, physical and emotional faculties and he has total recall of the events that transpire while in wolf form. Rather than the evil Romanian Gypsy curse, Ross’s lycanthropy is attributed to hereditary genetics.
This story had a lot of suspense for me with some very intense moments involving the serial killer Ross is hunting as well as an unknown person targeting Megan at the lab.
I thought the story was well written and the characters easy to like and relate to. There are currently ten books in the series and I recommend reading the series in order.
My Final Verdict: Overall, this was an enjoyable story with an interesting theory on lycanthropy that will feed a reader’s love of romance and suspense.
Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of paranormal tropes, Killing Moon proved to be quite interesting as well delivering an edge of the seat experience. I found Ross Marshall to be an intriguing character. As a private investigator, he has been hired by the parents of a missing girl to find out what happened to her. As a werewolf, he has the ability to hunt clues in a way no mere human can. Ross meets Dr. Megan Sheridan when his werewolf sleuthing brings him a little too close to a serial killer’s bullet.
Megan Sheridan is a genetics researcher. She goes to meet Ross after he calls her lab requesting genetic testing to see if something can be done about a genetic abnormality in his family that prevents female children surviving past birth and male children rarely surviving past age fifteen or sixteen. She doesn’t know about Ross’s lycanthropy but when she arrives at his home, she finds him with a leg wound that is infected.
I loved that this story is not your run of the mill werewolf story. Ross is able to transform at will by reciting a Gaelic verse and as wolf he looks like a standard wolf, not the horrifying monsters you see in films, slobbering and foaming at the mouth attacking and killing here, there and everywhere. As a wolf, Ross has full awareness of his mental, physical and emotional faculties and he has total recall of the events that transpire while in wolf form. Rather than the evil Romanian Gypsy curse, Ross’s lycanthropy is attributed to hereditary genetics.
This story had a lot of suspense for me with some very intense moments involving the serial killer Ross is hunting as well as an unknown person targeting Megan at the lab.
I thought the story was well written and the characters easy to like and relate to. There are currently ten books in the series and I recommend reading the series in order.
My Final Verdict: Overall, this was an enjoyable story with an interesting theory on lycanthropy that will feed a reader’s love of romance and suspense.
October 17, 2024
This book was verrry dated- the attitudes, characters, and references all seemed much more suited to the 1980s than the early 2000s- but I was interested to see where the plot went nonetheless. I'm planning on reading more of the series, but I think it might lose me if it doesn't get less anachronistic in the following books!
June 12, 2009
This is about a werewolf named Ross and Megan who works for Bio Gen a research facility for DNA type testing. The premise of the story was good, Megan goes to Ross' house to do a blood test and get his genetic line. She finds him naked on the floor bleeding and out of his mind. She being a former physician decides to stay and help him. He has been shot. She nurses him for days and he comes around. The story really takes off from there with a serial murderer Ross is trying to catch and Megan getting caught up in all the action. The problem I had with the story was the character building or lack of it. We really don't see too much about Ross and he seems almost distant like the author didn't want to give to much of his personality away. He seemed a bit bland to me. Megan on the other hand had a little more depth to her. I would have liked to have seen the author build Ross' character a bit better and make him more interesting.
January 17, 2015
OK so this book was a different take into the world of werewolves, of course as in a lot of books based on werewolves, the werewolves are born. And that they have on mate in life. Nothing new in this book. Though the way that the author made it, is that the living child ratio is pretty slim, and that it really tears families apart rather than bring the ever lasting love other books bring. However, this book was a very enjoyable read because besides the fact that there is only one sex scene, and that they didn't just dive into bed together immediately was refreshing, but there was intrigue and danger lurking around the corner, as well as a little mystery as well. It's an interesting start to a series, and I do plan on continuing this series.
June 11, 2020
Well, persistent characters are good, I guess, but when it comes to history romance and h like this one I’m in a loss - is there an ounce of pride in a woman? Or this modern “I’m strong independent woman” eliminates even the smallest pretense that she really is and is capable of finding the exit, not bedroom?
Anyway, she was lusting after him for about 40% of the book, than she was terrified (though I know a lot of people who hate the fact that h accepts paranormal world too easy, still her thinking here was annoying like hell), than she suddenly accepts (cause he got her knocked up?) they fuck, last page.
Meh
Anyway, she was lusting after him for about 40% of the book, than she was terrified (though I know a lot of people who hate the fact that h accepts paranormal world too easy, still her thinking here was annoying like hell), than she suddenly accepts (cause he got her knocked up?) they fuck, last page.
Meh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2008
This is a great escapist read. It reminds me a lot of Meyer's Twilight. A woman attracted to a man by his supernatural powers and the man trying to resist her because he recognizes that he isn't good for a mortal woman, but trapped also.
November 3, 2016
Introduction to York's Moon Series... we get her werewolf mythology explained... it is based on Celtic/Gaelic gods, where a man asked them to be given the power to change shapes - and given the prayer to say in Gaelic, and he passed the power onto his sons... unfortunately, there are some components that detract from this power - all daughters born die, the sons are fine until sexual maturity, and then at the age of 16ish they must change - and about half of them die, unable to change, all who survive are alpha wolves, and cannot be with other alpha wolves - so they become isolated from family, and then around the age of 30, they are complelled to mate - and once mated they cannot be with any one else (but the woman they mate with wants them just as much)...
bad guy, Donald Arnott - serial kidnapper, rapist, torturer & murderer of young women (who, of course, remind him of his whore mother)... he moves around after killing a few women, gets jobs as security at malls (good hunting ground), invests in isolated home, builds his torture chamber, buries the women on his property, sells for a profit, and so on...
good guy Ross Marshall - his father is violent, selfish, moody- he thinks of his dad as the Big Bad Wolf - his mother ineffective, seemingly powerless to change her husband or to break away... lost 3 daughters at birth, one son to the change, and has 2 wolf sons... Ross, fearing to be like his dad, endeavors to be the opposite - he learned construction to put himself through school, fell into Private Investigator by accident (his first boss had lumber being stolen - Ross, using enhanced smell, locates the lumber - and then is referred to a man who wants his wife tracked... and so on... when he comes across illegal activity, he tries to inform the police, though the police don't always take him seriously... 5 years earlier, he tracked a killer - and for the first time, his wolf took over when he caught the guy with the woman, and he killed him, tearing out his throat - something he still has nightmares about... he is hired to locate a young woman, and he has tracked her to Donald Arnott... he has built his haven in the woods - a beautiful home that fits right into nature...
good gal Dr. Megan Sheridan - her father was verbally abusive - pushing her sister into bad relationships and perpetual money problems, and pushed her to prove him wrong, she put herself through college and became a doctor... but found she did not have the ability to separate from her patients, so she changed to genetic research, now working on gene therapy to counter a genetic eye disease... she works at a lab, but recently the lab owner had become too money conscious, and she and her lab partner are doing more routine paternity, family genetic workups than her working on her research - she's unsure what to do about this....she came into an inheritance, and has saved most of the money...
Jack Thornton, detective... over the last 7 years he has learned to trust the tips Ross gives him - not questioning him too closely on how he gets the information, assuming it crosses some legal boundaries.. 5 years ago he was working on the murder case when the suspect disappeared, and recently his bones showed up, washed up in a ravine after a storm - with no apparent cause of death... and Jack turns to thinking about Ross - so he starts to investigate Ross...
The story begins with Ross approaching Donald's property, cutting a hole in the fence, changing to wolf, and using his nose to locate the bodies.. he finds one shallow grave, and as he pushes away some of the dirt with his paw, Donald comes along (had trouble sleeping)... he shoots at the animal, 3rd shot catching Ross in his thigh... Ross makes it back to his truck (leaving his equipment), and gets home- he cuts out the bullet, passes out - and the next day infection has set in & he is burning with fever - trying to get to the antibiotics, he makes it out into the living room and passes out again... and then comes Megan - he had contacted the lab to do a genetic makeup of himself - trying to understand scientifically what is going on in his body... she is there to take his blood, sees him passed out on the floor, goes in and doctor's him for 2 days... there is attraction between them, but Ross does his best to scare her off - even letting her see the wolf in the yard... but she doesn't leave until she gives him a full body hug - both finding comfort, rightness, and sexual buzz - but without kissing, he sends her on her way.
Ross had told Megan that he was tracking a killer, and had to go back to retrieve his cell phone.. she insists he call her when he returns so she knows he is okay... he almost gets caught again, as Donald put animal traps & silent sensor near the fence... he makes it home, and calls her at 2am... she was waiting for his call... and he talks her through some phone sex hmmmm... But Megan realizes that though he has strong feelings for her, he does not want to...
When she finds a 24th chromosone, she calls him to have him come talk with her - he wants to come after the office closes... it starts to rain, and she goes to close her car windows when she is attacked and she scratches her assailant's neck (ends up by her boss, who is going over the edge)... Ross hears her scream, changes to wolf without thinking, pulls the assailant off her, and as he goes in for the kill, he hears Megan groan and realizes she is his first responsibility, so he changes back... he'd met Jack earlier that day for lunch, and realized Jack has some suspicions about him... and Jack responds to the call about Megan's assault... Jack is surprised to see how Megan is being sheltered by Ross.
Ross goes home with Megan, but sleeps on the couch - after some intense kissing...
Donald is putting together some clues, and is close to finding who Ross is... Jack just knows there are questions...
Ross & Megan finally have some intense sex - over and over - and in the morning, he goes into her yard and changes to wolf - and she sees the wolf, finally realizes the truth - and is shocked... Ross leaves her,
Megan realizes her boss is the one who attacked her - she leaves messages for Jack and for Ross... then rushes to her car, where Donald is waiting for her - he kidnaps her ... and when Ross gets there, he smells Donald - so he calls Jack, tells him to get to Donald's house , because he has Megan, and he rushes there... Donald cuts Megan's thigh - and she is stoic - and then she manages to get out of his torture chamber, running through the woods with Donald following... Ross gets there first, but Jack right after - Jack hears Megan scream and goes towards the barn/torture chamber - and sees Ross change to wolf, and kill Donald just as Donald is about to stab Megan...
Ross goes back to his sanctuary... jack & Megan talk, knowing they just have each other who will believe this...
and 3 months later, Megan goes to Ross - he is in wolf form, and she kneels down to him with open arms, inviting him... he comes to her and tentatively licks her face... and she watches him change back to human... and as they kiss, he feels the hardness of her abdomen... and she tells him that is why it took her 3 months... she finished her research, making a lot of money - and she was opening her own lab - to study his 24th gene - and how to have healthy girls, and boys that grow to men... and she waited to find out she was having a boy, though they would have dealt with either...
ahhhhh
bad guy, Donald Arnott - serial kidnapper, rapist, torturer & murderer of young women (who, of course, remind him of his whore mother)... he moves around after killing a few women, gets jobs as security at malls (good hunting ground), invests in isolated home, builds his torture chamber, buries the women on his property, sells for a profit, and so on...
good guy Ross Marshall - his father is violent, selfish, moody- he thinks of his dad as the Big Bad Wolf - his mother ineffective, seemingly powerless to change her husband or to break away... lost 3 daughters at birth, one son to the change, and has 2 wolf sons... Ross, fearing to be like his dad, endeavors to be the opposite - he learned construction to put himself through school, fell into Private Investigator by accident (his first boss had lumber being stolen - Ross, using enhanced smell, locates the lumber - and then is referred to a man who wants his wife tracked... and so on... when he comes across illegal activity, he tries to inform the police, though the police don't always take him seriously... 5 years earlier, he tracked a killer - and for the first time, his wolf took over when he caught the guy with the woman, and he killed him, tearing out his throat - something he still has nightmares about... he is hired to locate a young woman, and he has tracked her to Donald Arnott... he has built his haven in the woods - a beautiful home that fits right into nature...
good gal Dr. Megan Sheridan - her father was verbally abusive - pushing her sister into bad relationships and perpetual money problems, and pushed her to prove him wrong, she put herself through college and became a doctor... but found she did not have the ability to separate from her patients, so she changed to genetic research, now working on gene therapy to counter a genetic eye disease... she works at a lab, but recently the lab owner had become too money conscious, and she and her lab partner are doing more routine paternity, family genetic workups than her working on her research - she's unsure what to do about this....she came into an inheritance, and has saved most of the money...
Jack Thornton, detective... over the last 7 years he has learned to trust the tips Ross gives him - not questioning him too closely on how he gets the information, assuming it crosses some legal boundaries.. 5 years ago he was working on the murder case when the suspect disappeared, and recently his bones showed up, washed up in a ravine after a storm - with no apparent cause of death... and Jack turns to thinking about Ross - so he starts to investigate Ross...
The story begins with Ross approaching Donald's property, cutting a hole in the fence, changing to wolf, and using his nose to locate the bodies.. he finds one shallow grave, and as he pushes away some of the dirt with his paw, Donald comes along (had trouble sleeping)... he shoots at the animal, 3rd shot catching Ross in his thigh... Ross makes it back to his truck (leaving his equipment), and gets home- he cuts out the bullet, passes out - and the next day infection has set in & he is burning with fever - trying to get to the antibiotics, he makes it out into the living room and passes out again... and then comes Megan - he had contacted the lab to do a genetic makeup of himself - trying to understand scientifically what is going on in his body... she is there to take his blood, sees him passed out on the floor, goes in and doctor's him for 2 days... there is attraction between them, but Ross does his best to scare her off - even letting her see the wolf in the yard... but she doesn't leave until she gives him a full body hug - both finding comfort, rightness, and sexual buzz - but without kissing, he sends her on her way.
Ross had told Megan that he was tracking a killer, and had to go back to retrieve his cell phone.. she insists he call her when he returns so she knows he is okay... he almost gets caught again, as Donald put animal traps & silent sensor near the fence... he makes it home, and calls her at 2am... she was waiting for his call... and he talks her through some phone sex hmmmm... But Megan realizes that though he has strong feelings for her, he does not want to...
When she finds a 24th chromosone, she calls him to have him come talk with her - he wants to come after the office closes... it starts to rain, and she goes to close her car windows when she is attacked and she scratches her assailant's neck (ends up by her boss, who is going over the edge)... Ross hears her scream, changes to wolf without thinking, pulls the assailant off her, and as he goes in for the kill, he hears Megan groan and realizes she is his first responsibility, so he changes back... he'd met Jack earlier that day for lunch, and realized Jack has some suspicions about him... and Jack responds to the call about Megan's assault... Jack is surprised to see how Megan is being sheltered by Ross.
Ross goes home with Megan, but sleeps on the couch - after some intense kissing...
Donald is putting together some clues, and is close to finding who Ross is... Jack just knows there are questions...
Ross & Megan finally have some intense sex - over and over - and in the morning, he goes into her yard and changes to wolf - and she sees the wolf, finally realizes the truth - and is shocked... Ross leaves her,
Megan realizes her boss is the one who attacked her - she leaves messages for Jack and for Ross... then rushes to her car, where Donald is waiting for her - he kidnaps her ... and when Ross gets there, he smells Donald - so he calls Jack, tells him to get to Donald's house , because he has Megan, and he rushes there... Donald cuts Megan's thigh - and she is stoic - and then she manages to get out of his torture chamber, running through the woods with Donald following... Ross gets there first, but Jack right after - Jack hears Megan scream and goes towards the barn/torture chamber - and sees Ross change to wolf, and kill Donald just as Donald is about to stab Megan...
Ross goes back to his sanctuary... jack & Megan talk, knowing they just have each other who will believe this...
and 3 months later, Megan goes to Ross - he is in wolf form, and she kneels down to him with open arms, inviting him... he comes to her and tentatively licks her face... and she watches him change back to human... and as they kiss, he feels the hardness of her abdomen... and she tells him that is why it took her 3 months... she finished her research, making a lot of money - and she was opening her own lab - to study his 24th gene - and how to have healthy girls, and boys that grow to men... and she waited to find out she was having a boy, though they would have dealt with either...
ahhhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2024
Another fun and unexpected book!
I discovered this series randomly after reading what turned out to be book 2. The unusual otherworldly aspects added a unique touch to the book that I hadn't been expecting. In that book we also got more of the characters in this book, and tied them into the new story in book two which was about the police detective Jack.
Anyway, I enjoyed that book enough to seek out book one and see what it was about. The modern setting and fantasy touches continue this time with Ross Marshall, the werewolf.
Now, unlike a lot of fantasy readers, this was my first foray into anything "werewolf" related. The author had an unusual spin on the classic lore we all know about them and made it an interesting part of the character.
One of my favorite tropes in the series is the instant connection between the couples. Here Megan finds our hero Ross injured and ends up caring for him at his residence as he refuses to call the hospital. I like how the author creates a bond between the two that Ross fights against because of his werewolf condition. And both Ross and Megan were written with a lot of depth.
There's also a serial killer thread running throughout the story, which is how Ross got hurt as he's been trying to catch the guy. I will say though that if you're reading this for a "who-done-it" mystery, you'll be in for disappointment. The identity of the killer in both books in the series so far has been known right from the start. What that aspect of the book offers is an underlying tension and a bad guy to try and outsmart.
In any case, I found this book very enjoyable and one I was eager to go back to for more every time I had to stop reading.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series or not, or if I'll pick a select few to read. It doesn't seem as though we keep coming back to these characters. Although book 3 seems like it might be about Ross's brother, I'm confused about all the other werewolf stories also being about Marshalls, as this book goes over all Ross's brothers, and only Adam was still alive. But I've been enjoying the stories and the writing so I'll call this a pleasant win ♥
I discovered this series randomly after reading what turned out to be book 2. The unusual otherworldly aspects added a unique touch to the book that I hadn't been expecting. In that book we also got more of the characters in this book, and tied them into the new story in book two which was about the police detective Jack.
Anyway, I enjoyed that book enough to seek out book one and see what it was about. The modern setting and fantasy touches continue this time with Ross Marshall, the werewolf.
Now, unlike a lot of fantasy readers, this was my first foray into anything "werewolf" related. The author had an unusual spin on the classic lore we all know about them and made it an interesting part of the character.
One of my favorite tropes in the series is the instant connection between the couples. Here Megan finds our hero Ross injured and ends up caring for him at his residence as he refuses to call the hospital. I like how the author creates a bond between the two that Ross fights against because of his werewolf condition. And both Ross and Megan were written with a lot of depth.
There's also a serial killer thread running throughout the story, which is how Ross got hurt as he's been trying to catch the guy. I will say though that if you're reading this for a "who-done-it" mystery, you'll be in for disappointment. The identity of the killer in both books in the series so far has been known right from the start. What that aspect of the book offers is an underlying tension and a bad guy to try and outsmart.
In any case, I found this book very enjoyable and one I was eager to go back to for more every time I had to stop reading.
I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series or not, or if I'll pick a select few to read. It doesn't seem as though we keep coming back to these characters. Although book 3 seems like it might be about Ross's brother, I'm confused about all the other werewolf stories also being about Marshalls, as this book goes over all Ross's brothers, and only Adam was still alive. But I've been enjoying the stories and the writing so I'll call this a pleasant win ♥
June 24, 2020
Another thrift store book find. I got this one and several others in the series with only the book jacket blurb to go on. Billed as a paranormal romance featuring a sexy private investigator and his love interest, a genetic research scientist. Unfortunately, this PNR is more of a crime thriller meets cheesy romance with a werewolf thrown in for good measure. PI Ross Marshall is on the trail of a serial rapist and killer and gets himself shot. Megan Sheridan works for a genetics testing lab and is sent to his home to get a blood sample for what he calls a 'genetic condition'. Dr Sheridan finds Ross badly injured and nearly dead from infection. She fixes him up and notices how super sexy and handsome he is. Natch, he feels the same way but he has sworn off women. Long story. Add in a convenient plot twist that puts Dr Sheridan in the path of our resident pervert and killer, Donald Arnott. Blah Blah Blah, predictable plot twists, and clever explaining on the part of Ross to cover his (wolf) tracks when things come to a head. Speaking of head, the sex scenes between Ross and Megan are about as vanilla as you can get. On the opposite end of the scale, the skeevy and horrifying scenes with Donald Arnott are vulgar, violent and exceptionally disturbing. Character development was fairly stereotypical, particularly Arnott. Tired old tropes were used for his backstory and they do not make us at all feel anything but disgust and contempt for him. To be fair the werewolf theme is different in that its a genetic trait, rather than a viral infection, but it's not really built upon too deeply. I suppose that will work itself out as the series progresses. I'm giving this one a generous 2/5 stars. At least the ending was ok.
November 28, 2019
This book was amazing! Which I kind of thought it would be, since I enjoyed the novella in this series so much… what I wasn’t expecting was to walk around for a few days feeling like I just had to get my nose back into this book. That there was no way I could pause and not read it because I really, really wanted to know what happened next. I did exercise self-control and spread this over a few days… just so I could actually pretend to be an adult.
I have my bookshelves sorted into genre… and I’m still not sure where to sit this book. It is currently in paranormal romance, but I feel like it could sit in the romantic suspense section. I’ll probably just have to read the next few books in this series to determine where to put it… not a difficult thing to do at all.
Megan and Ross are a fantastic couple to feature in a romance. They both fight the pull (and who hasn’t?), and then, when they finally do decide to give in… they end up constantly putting themselves into horrible positions just so that the other one can be happy. Or, at least, they tend to stupidly make decisions which then lead to more upset and discord, just because they think that they’re doing the “right thing”. Stupid, annoying and, ultimately, made it incredibly fun to read.
I don’t have the pleasure of often reading books which feature a scientist. But, since I’m within that field, it’s something that I love. Especially when it’s the woman who is the scientist, not the man. There was something fun about the intersection between genetics, murder and mystery that plays against the romance in this story. Definitely one that I will keep reaching for again and again and again.
I have my bookshelves sorted into genre… and I’m still not sure where to sit this book. It is currently in paranormal romance, but I feel like it could sit in the romantic suspense section. I’ll probably just have to read the next few books in this series to determine where to put it… not a difficult thing to do at all.
Megan and Ross are a fantastic couple to feature in a romance. They both fight the pull (and who hasn’t?), and then, when they finally do decide to give in… they end up constantly putting themselves into horrible positions just so that the other one can be happy. Or, at least, they tend to stupidly make decisions which then lead to more upset and discord, just because they think that they’re doing the “right thing”. Stupid, annoying and, ultimately, made it incredibly fun to read.
I don’t have the pleasure of often reading books which feature a scientist. But, since I’m within that field, it’s something that I love. Especially when it’s the woman who is the scientist, not the man. There was something fun about the intersection between genetics, murder and mystery that plays against the romance in this story. Definitely one that I will keep reaching for again and again and again.
January 18, 2022
Let’s start with the obvious – this is a werewolf novel.
Written by Rebecca York, Killing Moon follows Ross, a werewolf PI, Jack, a detective whom he has worked with for years, and Megan, a medical researcher. Plus, a Killer. This is a romance and suspense and deals with a lot of adult content. As far as romance goes, this really only has two, two, and a half scenes that could be easily skipped, and honestly the rest of the novel and the suspense is so fantastic I think I’m going to be recommending Killing Moon to a number of friends.
This book is beautifully written, the kind of writing that I love to take my time and savor. Megan and Ross were compelling characters (I’m a bit sad that the series seems like it possibly follows Jack instead), and the suspense was very well done.
If you enjoy suspense, if you enjoy romance, if you enjoy catching murderers, and if you enjoy non-cuddly werewolves, give this book a shot!
Written by Rebecca York, Killing Moon follows Ross, a werewolf PI, Jack, a detective whom he has worked with for years, and Megan, a medical researcher. Plus, a Killer. This is a romance and suspense and deals with a lot of adult content. As far as romance goes, this really only has two, two, and a half scenes that could be easily skipped, and honestly the rest of the novel and the suspense is so fantastic I think I’m going to be recommending Killing Moon to a number of friends.
This book is beautifully written, the kind of writing that I love to take my time and savor. Megan and Ross were compelling characters (I’m a bit sad that the series seems like it possibly follows Jack instead), and the suspense was very well done.
If you enjoy suspense, if you enjoy romance, if you enjoy catching murderers, and if you enjoy non-cuddly werewolves, give this book a shot!
November 23, 2022
I haven't read many books about shifters--either in paranormal romance or horror, for whatever reason--but I really liked the way this author handled that element of the work. Without having it totally take over the story, it also wasn't simply taken for granted, whereas it often seems like the paranormal really is taken for granted in this genre. This was also a pretty balanced book with just enough twists to keep it from quite being predictable from moment to moment, and the characters weren't just engaging and likeable, but smart.
I'd certainly recommend this to readers of paranormal romance or folks who want to dip their toe into shifter romance, and I imagine I'll be keeping an eye out for more of York's books since this was a relaxing escape.
I'd certainly recommend this to readers of paranormal romance or folks who want to dip their toe into shifter romance, and I imagine I'll be keeping an eye out for more of York's books since this was a relaxing escape.
June 5, 2021
This book was a slog to get through. Ross was an interesting main character, but also a stubborn asshole to everyone. Megan was billed as an intelligent researcher, but in reality was just a "beautiful," timid ditz who acted like a strong wind would knock her over. I love a good PNR, but I couldn't get behind the immediate magnetic attraction between Ross and Megan, because there was no real substance to it.
My only big kudos of the book is about the serial killer (lol): one of the creepier villains I've read about lately.
My only big kudos of the book is about the serial killer (lol): one of the creepier villains I've read about lately.
June 12, 2020
Looking for a no-think, heavy-on-sex, low-on-plausible, low-on-common-sense read? This is it.
It has a rather cliched approach to a paranormal romance story, but is entertaining (if you can get past the dated tech references and save-me female actions) and very steamy.
There is a rather long build-up to a short conclusion.
Overall, good for a quick and easy read.
It has a rather cliched approach to a paranormal romance story, but is entertaining (if you can get past the dated tech references and save-me female actions) and very steamy.
There is a rather long build-up to a short conclusion.
Overall, good for a quick and easy read.
June 24, 2015
I've been reading and enjoying Rebecca York for the best part of a decade now, although I'm most familiar with her 43 Light Street series for Silhouette Intrigue. In this series (Moon books), we're introduced to three brothers - and a couple of friends and cousins, in related books - who happen to be werewolves. Ms York brings an interesting new take on the traditional werewolf novel: these are not supernatural creatures who change into half-man-half-wolf at the full moon and possess superpowers and a silver allergy, rather they are men who can change into wolves at will due to a genetic gift / curse passed down from a Druid ancestor who long ago petitioned the gods for the ability to change shape. The fact that they can shapeshift is the only supernatural thing about them, and these books focus on them making lives, careers and loves for themselves in the everyday world.
In Killing Moon, we are introduced to Ross Marshall, the eldest surviving brother. Ross is quite a lonely character, in part due to his tempestuous relationship with his father and estrangement from his brothers, and in part due to his career as a PI. Ross has sworn off women, as he is at the age when his Mate (read: one and only) will come along, and knows that the werewolf magnetism will draw her in and bind her to him whether she's truly willing or not. In addition, all girl babies born to werewolves die at birth, and half of the boys die during puberty, and Ross doesn't want to condemn a woman to this sort of cursed lifestyle to suffer the way his mother suffered.
Fate intervenes, of course, in the shape of Dr Megan Sheridan, a genetic researcher who comes by Ross' house in reponse to a request for an investigation into his "genetic legacy" (i.e. the werewolf thing). Megan finds Ross bleeding and unconscious from an infected bullet wound that he sustained whilst investigating a serial killer, and stays with him to nurse him back to health, falling in love with him while she does so. Naturally, the course of true love never runs smooth - Ross' reticence when it comes to relationships, Megan's shock at discovering that her beloved turns into a wolf, and the serial killer Ross is investigating all provide roadblocks on their road to happiness.
I did quite enjoy this book, although it didn't capture me emotionally the way some of Ms York's Light Street books have done. The plotline was pretty solid, and Ross' family backstory provided enough emotional material to justify the extra length of the book without feeling like a Silhouette book that had been fleshed out with unimportant details.
Our hero and heroine are nice enough people, if a bit forgettable, and although I wasn't holding my breath and praying for a happy ending for them (the way I was during Nowhere Man or Shattered Lullaby, two of Ms York's best - IMO - works) I was still hoping they'd find a way to make it work.
The parts of the book written from the killer's POV can be quite stomach-churning (then again, I have never liked crime novels unless they're comic, so YMMV here) and we are treated to a sex scene involving the killer, presumably to illutrate the difference between his filth and the honest passion between Ross and Megan. Nothing gratuitous, but frankly any kind of sex scene that involves a serial killer is a bit icky for me, so I feel the need to warn anyone who might share my squicks.
My main bug-a-boo about this book is that Ross doesn't really seem like a very good PI. Now, I'm quite happy to have a hero who bumbles things at times, but I think that it needs to be clear within in the book that that's what you're getting. There are no indications here that Ross is supposed to be anything but brilliant at his job - indeed, Detective Jack Thornton, a secondary character who occasionally works with Ross (seen later as the protagonist in Edge of the Moon) repeatedly mentions how good Ross is at what he does. Yet he makes several glaring errors - doing recon on the killer's home and dropping a cell phone that can be traced back to him (why on earth does he not have a cheap, pre-paid cell with no data stored on it, that he only uses for this purpose? I know they were available when the book was written), driving away in a vehicle with the license plates visible so the killer can (and does) then use the beginning of the number to track him, and later buying a pricey, rare item with a credit card from a shop in the mall where the killer works (jeez, go to a different mall or buy online, it's not hard) - that even I wouldn't make. And I'm not a PI. Although I do work with teenagers, so I suppose I've soaked up a certain amount of sneakiness. But still, these seem like such rookie mistakes and I can't buy that a seasoned PI would make them. I suppose they were necessary to the plotline, because they provided a way for the killer to track Ross to his home in the inevitable confrontation, but they felt contrived.
That aside, though, this was a perfectly readable book, even if it didn't enthrall me. It was a good summer sunbathing read, which is really all I wanted, and interesting enough for me to buy the next three books in the series.
In Killing Moon, we are introduced to Ross Marshall, the eldest surviving brother. Ross is quite a lonely character, in part due to his tempestuous relationship with his father and estrangement from his brothers, and in part due to his career as a PI. Ross has sworn off women, as he is at the age when his Mate (read: one and only) will come along, and knows that the werewolf magnetism will draw her in and bind her to him whether she's truly willing or not. In addition, all girl babies born to werewolves die at birth, and half of the boys die during puberty, and Ross doesn't want to condemn a woman to this sort of cursed lifestyle to suffer the way his mother suffered.
Fate intervenes, of course, in the shape of Dr Megan Sheridan, a genetic researcher who comes by Ross' house in reponse to a request for an investigation into his "genetic legacy" (i.e. the werewolf thing). Megan finds Ross bleeding and unconscious from an infected bullet wound that he sustained whilst investigating a serial killer, and stays with him to nurse him back to health, falling in love with him while she does so. Naturally, the course of true love never runs smooth - Ross' reticence when it comes to relationships, Megan's shock at discovering that her beloved turns into a wolf, and the serial killer Ross is investigating all provide roadblocks on their road to happiness.
I did quite enjoy this book, although it didn't capture me emotionally the way some of Ms York's Light Street books have done. The plotline was pretty solid, and Ross' family backstory provided enough emotional material to justify the extra length of the book without feeling like a Silhouette book that had been fleshed out with unimportant details.
Our hero and heroine are nice enough people, if a bit forgettable, and although I wasn't holding my breath and praying for a happy ending for them (the way I was during Nowhere Man or Shattered Lullaby, two of Ms York's best - IMO - works) I was still hoping they'd find a way to make it work.
The parts of the book written from the killer's POV can be quite stomach-churning (then again, I have never liked crime novels unless they're comic, so YMMV here) and we are treated to a sex scene involving the killer, presumably to illutrate the difference between his filth and the honest passion between Ross and Megan. Nothing gratuitous, but frankly any kind of sex scene that involves a serial killer is a bit icky for me, so I feel the need to warn anyone who might share my squicks.
My main bug-a-boo about this book is that Ross doesn't really seem like a very good PI. Now, I'm quite happy to have a hero who bumbles things at times, but I think that it needs to be clear within in the book that that's what you're getting. There are no indications here that Ross is supposed to be anything but brilliant at his job - indeed, Detective Jack Thornton, a secondary character who occasionally works with Ross (seen later as the protagonist in Edge of the Moon) repeatedly mentions how good Ross is at what he does. Yet he makes several glaring errors - doing recon on the killer's home and dropping a cell phone that can be traced back to him (why on earth does he not have a cheap, pre-paid cell with no data stored on it, that he only uses for this purpose? I know they were available when the book was written), driving away in a vehicle with the license plates visible so the killer can (and does) then use the beginning of the number to track him, and later buying a pricey, rare item with a credit card from a shop in the mall where the killer works (jeez, go to a different mall or buy online, it's not hard) - that even I wouldn't make. And I'm not a PI. Although I do work with teenagers, so I suppose I've soaked up a certain amount of sneakiness. But still, these seem like such rookie mistakes and I can't buy that a seasoned PI would make them. I suppose they were necessary to the plotline, because they provided a way for the killer to track Ross to his home in the inevitable confrontation, but they felt contrived.
That aside, though, this was a perfectly readable book, even if it didn't enthrall me. It was a good summer sunbathing read, which is really all I wanted, and interesting enough for me to buy the next three books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2018
4.5 stars
April 5, 2019
Loved this book!
March 23, 2019
What an exciting new series
November 3, 2020
Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/9...
April 16, 2024
Reckless driving isn't sexy.
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