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Children of the Moon #1
Moon Awakening
When Emily Hamilton's family is ordered to send a woman to the Scottish highlands for marriage to the laird of the Sinclair, Emily volunteers in order to save her younger sister from such a fate. But at her new home, the only friend she finds is the laird's sister-especially after Emily's stubborn streak causes the laird to cancel the marriage. And though her plans have gone awry, she refuses to return home...
Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...
For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...
Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...
For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...
323 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 6, 2007
156 people are currently reading
2419 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
605 books1,567 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
August 23, 2015
RATING: 4 Sexy Highlanders Hearts!! =D <3
May 30, 2022
H was jerk enough to make me want to read the second book.
August 22, 2022
Moon Awakening is the first book in a paranormal shifter romance series. I saw this book being recommended on Instagram, and I was immediately drawn to it. In fact, I one clicked this beauty as it wasn't available with my library. I was sucked into the story pretty quickly, and I was so fascinated by the world building that was used. The pacing down slow down a bit through most of the book until the very end. Its always strange when that happens especially when I got sucked into the story so quickly. I really loved how the shifter and paranormal aspects were written into this one. I also liked the forbidden theme that was used within the story. The hero is a shifter but the heroine is human, and the hero's parents were mixed but it didn't go so well and he doesn't want the same thing to happen and he is the clan's laird, he felt more responsibility. There is a kidnapping situation involved that comes into play, so know that going into it. I had no issues with this at all, and I was so curious to see how they would find their way to their HEA. I really loved the connection that these two have together, and how our heroine just accepts the hero for who and what he is which his mother never did to his father. I actually ADORED the heroine. She is feisty and strong but also isn't afraid to show her vulnerabilities. And the way that Emily accepts Lachlan especially his wolf was beyond beautiful and poignant. I was so impressed with how the story and romance was written, I can't wait to jump into book 2!
January 11, 2010
Moon Awakening is a book with an interesting premise - Scottish werewolves in a medieval setting. The story wasn't quite a knock out for me but it was still a good read.
Emily Hamilton is an English woman sent to the Scottish Highlands to marry a laird upon the demand of the King. She volunteered to go in place of her younger half-sister who is deaf from an illness because she fears what the laird would do to her. Upon Emily's arrival at the Sinclair holding, she finds the Sinclair laird wants nothing to do with her because she is English and refuses to marry her despite the edict of the Scottish King. She also finds a friend in the laird's pregnant widowed sister Cait.
Emily and Cait are kidnapped by the neighboring Balmoral clan in retaliation for one of the Balmoral women being taken by a Sinclair man without permission. Emily is pretty confused and angry about these Highland men who think it's okay to kidnap women. Cait knows that the Balmoral men think they are justified. Cait is a Chrechte, a werewolf shapeshifter descended from Ancient Picts, as are a lot of people in both the Sinclair and Balmoral clans. Lachlan, the Balmoral laird, is also a Chrechte. He is very attracted to Emily right away but knows he can't touch her because she is human and at first he thinks she is the wife of the Sinclair laird.
Lachlan's first in command, Drustan, forces Cait to marry him because his sister was the woman who was kidnapped by the Sinclairs. Cait is attracted to Drustan despite herself and starts to fall quickly under his spell. Lachlan and Emily have a fierce attraction between each other that Lachlan fights very hard because he wants a Chrechte mate who will ensure children who can shift shape, unlike a human mate where the chances are even for the children being human and shifter. Other outside forces are in play during this time, from a devious traitor who causes trouble to Cait's brother who will surely want revenge for his sister being taken from him.
I was a little disappointed with this book because it could have been better and more exciting. The story was pretty good but the pace could have been faster and the story could have been more imaginative. The romance seemed short changed because the author tried to stuff two romances in almost equally which hurt the depth of both couples. I would have preferred the focus be on just Lachlan and Emily because they had so many differences to overcome. The whole "oh no they are werewolves" reveal was really ho hum when it could have been something dramatic. Lachlan was pretty mean to Emily a few times because he was so hung up on not having a human mate, I am used to werewolves who recognize their mate imediately and treat them really well. I thought he should have groveled a bit more for some really harsh things he said in front of people.
Overall, Moon Awakening was a good book but a little disappointing in the romance and storyline. If the thought of a Scottish historical with werewolves sounds like fun, then I would recommend giving it a try. The story did keep my interest and make me want to read the next book which is coming out soon. Moon Craving will feature Talorc, the Sinclair laird. Hopefully the romance will feature more heavily in this one and will flow better because the world was established in Moon Awakening.
Emily Hamilton is an English woman sent to the Scottish Highlands to marry a laird upon the demand of the King. She volunteered to go in place of her younger half-sister who is deaf from an illness because she fears what the laird would do to her. Upon Emily's arrival at the Sinclair holding, she finds the Sinclair laird wants nothing to do with her because she is English and refuses to marry her despite the edict of the Scottish King. She also finds a friend in the laird's pregnant widowed sister Cait.
Emily and Cait are kidnapped by the neighboring Balmoral clan in retaliation for one of the Balmoral women being taken by a Sinclair man without permission. Emily is pretty confused and angry about these Highland men who think it's okay to kidnap women. Cait knows that the Balmoral men think they are justified. Cait is a Chrechte, a werewolf shapeshifter descended from Ancient Picts, as are a lot of people in both the Sinclair and Balmoral clans. Lachlan, the Balmoral laird, is also a Chrechte. He is very attracted to Emily right away but knows he can't touch her because she is human and at first he thinks she is the wife of the Sinclair laird.
Lachlan's first in command, Drustan, forces Cait to marry him because his sister was the woman who was kidnapped by the Sinclairs. Cait is attracted to Drustan despite herself and starts to fall quickly under his spell. Lachlan and Emily have a fierce attraction between each other that Lachlan fights very hard because he wants a Chrechte mate who will ensure children who can shift shape, unlike a human mate where the chances are even for the children being human and shifter. Other outside forces are in play during this time, from a devious traitor who causes trouble to Cait's brother who will surely want revenge for his sister being taken from him.
I was a little disappointed with this book because it could have been better and more exciting. The story was pretty good but the pace could have been faster and the story could have been more imaginative. The romance seemed short changed because the author tried to stuff two romances in almost equally which hurt the depth of both couples. I would have preferred the focus be on just Lachlan and Emily because they had so many differences to overcome. The whole "oh no they are werewolves" reveal was really ho hum when it could have been something dramatic. Lachlan was pretty mean to Emily a few times because he was so hung up on not having a human mate, I am used to werewolves who recognize their mate imediately and treat them really well. I thought he should have groveled a bit more for some really harsh things he said in front of people.
Overall, Moon Awakening was a good book but a little disappointing in the romance and storyline. If the thought of a Scottish historical with werewolves sounds like fun, then I would recommend giving it a try. The story did keep my interest and make me want to read the next book which is coming out soon. Moon Craving will feature Talorc, the Sinclair laird. Hopefully the romance will feature more heavily in this one and will flow better because the world was established in Moon Awakening.
February 7, 2009
I've had this book on my to-read for a while. I haven't read many good historical paranormals, but Monroe's modern suspense titles came so highly recommended, I took a chance on a historical title.
Mostly, I liked it. Lachlan & co. are sexy, dangerous and charming when they initially meet and coerce/persuade the heroines away to their dread castle.
However, once the heroines hook up with the heroes, it seems like the author was reaching for a conflict and the couples descend into bickering, sometimes cruel and brutal, sometimes trivial, winding and so specific as to be lawyer-worthy.
It's also a little unbelievable the way these characters analyzed their own feelings so accurately and completely at the end of every argument. I've never seen that myself...
On the other hand, the author wrote the werewolves excellently. She really delved in depth into their history, lore, society and laws. Her explanation of their origins and long-standing place among the clans was also interesting. They're as I might expect of historical werewolves, a little harsh and loyal to the bone. I loved that their beasts are such an integral part of their lives, that they truly embrace them, and that we see glimpses of the characters as wolves. At one point, the heroine even encounters the hero as a wolf and her awe and wonder (as a human) are so convincing. That moment is beautiful. I wish more authors would write wolves like this.
I forgot that the characters were highlanders much of the time, except where their differences arose, like the wild terrain, etc.,-- which is good. It means they weren't corny. Neither does the historical aspect descend into encyclopedia, clinical or limp territory.
Her style is a little OCD when she's explaining about the wolves, rehashing and rewinding. I wish she would edit those points to be more concise. Otherwise, it's fluid and pretty.
All that said, I was between three stars and four. I gave it four mostly because when the heroes and heroines weren't fighting, they were very compelling, hot and sweet. I don't mind conflict, mind you, but this kind, where the hero and heroine never understand each other, just becomes a downer, LOL. I'll look for the second book in the series though and hope that the potential I saw in this book is realized in that one.
Mostly, I liked it. Lachlan & co. are sexy, dangerous and charming when they initially meet and coerce/persuade the heroines away to their dread castle.
However, once the heroines hook up with the heroes, it seems like the author was reaching for a conflict and the couples descend into bickering, sometimes cruel and brutal, sometimes trivial, winding and so specific as to be lawyer-worthy.
"But you said..."While I admire the heroine's grasp of logic, I began to lose patience, and to tell the truth, a lot of the character plot is moved by these tedious arguments. Even until the last chapters, the heroes were still making cruel accusations and flinging unforgivable -considering that I'm rather forgiving of these romance heroes, that's saying something- insults at the heroines. By this point in a novel, I expect the characters' relationships to have progressed past this stage. It's much too late to introduce disrespect and breach of trust like this, wrap it up in a few pages, and expect the relationship to come off as a success.
It's also a little unbelievable the way these characters analyzed their own feelings so accurately and completely at the end of every argument. I've never seen that myself...
On the other hand, the author wrote the werewolves excellently. She really delved in depth into their history, lore, society and laws. Her explanation of their origins and long-standing place among the clans was also interesting. They're as I might expect of historical werewolves, a little harsh and loyal to the bone. I loved that their beasts are such an integral part of their lives, that they truly embrace them, and that we see glimpses of the characters as wolves. At one point, the heroine even encounters the hero as a wolf and her awe and wonder (as a human) are so convincing. That moment is beautiful. I wish more authors would write wolves like this.
I forgot that the characters were highlanders much of the time, except where their differences arose, like the wild terrain, etc.,-- which is good. It means they weren't corny. Neither does the historical aspect descend into encyclopedia, clinical or limp territory.
Her style is a little OCD when she's explaining about the wolves, rehashing and rewinding. I wish she would edit those points to be more concise. Otherwise, it's fluid and pretty.
All that said, I was between three stars and four. I gave it four mostly because when the heroes and heroines weren't fighting, they were very compelling, hot and sweet. I don't mind conflict, mind you, but this kind, where the hero and heroine never understand each other, just becomes a downer, LOL. I'll look for the second book in the series though and hope that the potential I saw in this book is realized in that one.
December 6, 2021
I read this weeks ago and never wrote a review. I hate it when I do that. From what I remember, the story was an interesting shifter story, and I liked the MCs. The h was a strong woman who spoke her mind, sometimes to her detriment. The H was the leader of his clan and a wolf, and he was pretty blind to the villain (who was easy to pick out). The h has a great relationship with the other woman she was with when the H kidnapped them.
Overall, a nice shifter story with a historical highland twist. (I LOVED book 2 and read these out of order)
Safety
Overall, a nice shifter story with a historical highland twist. (I LOVED book 2 and read these out of order)
Safety
December 16, 2017
This was very...what's the word...anti-climactic.
I realize it's been 10 years since came out and that the book world has changed much in those years but this was just bland.
And if I were being honest, for a paranormal, it kinda sucked.
I've read the entire thing, finished it but I swear nothing happened. The entire time Lachlan and Emily only argued and I don't mean the flirty banter we all know and love. I mean the, I'm gonna smack these kids upside the head if they don't shut it already kind.
It was terribly annoying and not at all romantic, at least in my opinion which is clearly vastly different from all the other reviews.
I am so disappointed right now and quite upset too. Ever since Julie Garwood, I have loved Highlanders like none other, throw werewolves in the mix and I've landed my own slice of heaven.
You won't believe how hard it to find good Highland books, so I got my hopes all up cause Lucy Monroe's a great writer, which you'd know if you've read her HR works. S this reality check? Yeah, painful.
August 21, 2015
ok read, i was however rather bored at about 60% and had to push myself to finish the rest of the story. The problem is that there is no true affection between the lead characters. I get that they get hot with each other because they are "mates" and all but why? Other than strong sexual attraction, constant bickering and denial, there is no relationship.
Reading the first few chapters I thought Emily was supposed to be with this Talorc guy. Then she was adbucted by Lachlan, laird of an enemy clan, also a shape-shifter, like Talorc. Then the rest of the story is just how they are fiercely attracted to each other, Emily being fresh with Lachlan and Lachlan being in denial because he believed he had to marry another shape-shifter so it is a no go with Emily. BORING.
The secondary romance with Cait and Drustan does little for the story. It feels like Lucy Monroe did not have enough to fill the book so she wrote about the second couple to make the page count.
I wanted to like this book. It had an interesting premise and an ok start. But the story fell flat after the first 20% and I just wanted it to be over.
Reading the first few chapters I thought Emily was supposed to be with this Talorc guy. Then she was adbucted by Lachlan, laird of an enemy clan, also a shape-shifter, like Talorc. Then the rest of the story is just how they are fiercely attracted to each other, Emily being fresh with Lachlan and Lachlan being in denial because he believed he had to marry another shape-shifter so it is a no go with Emily. BORING.
The secondary romance with Cait and Drustan does little for the story. It feels like Lucy Monroe did not have enough to fill the book so she wrote about the second couple to make the page count.
I wanted to like this book. It had an interesting premise and an ok start. But the story fell flat after the first 20% and I just wanted it to be over.
March 18, 2010
Out spoken, tender hearted Emily Hamilton has never been understood by her step-mother. So when Emily volunteers to take the place of her deaf younger sister in an arranged marriage, her step-mother readily agrees- just to be rid of Emily once and for all.
Emily doesn't want to give up her freedom, especially not to a barbaric highland Scotsman living far from her home in England. But she will do anything to protect her sister. So she leaves her life behind to an uncertain future.
When she arrives at the home of her intended, she quickly befriends the laird's sister- and finds her to be the only friend she will make in the cold clan of the Sinclair's.
Unable to hide her true nature, she turns the Laird of the Sinclair's off from his admittedly reluctant path of marriage, each finding no attraction there.
Not long after arrival, a rival clan attempts to kidnap the Laird's sister and Emily finagles her way into the trap hoping to take her friend's place, only to find both of them on their way into the enemy's camp.
Surprisingly, the attraction missing between she and Sinclair is there in spades with Lachlan, Laird of the Balmorals and her kidnapper. Naturally, despite neither of them wanting it, they find themselves helpless to the heat generated whenever he touches her. Add to that the fact that the highlanders Emily finds herself entangled with have a secret previously thought to be the stuff of fairy tales, and you have a fine little story that engages and entertains.
What's interesting about this book, is the fact that the author unfolds the tale mostly through dialog. Oh, there is action, but the things that moved me the most came through the vulnerability that came across while the two main characters interacted with each other.
This is a paranormal- and my favorite kind, really. Yes, it's yet another changeling novel but somehow I'm still hooked. And though it lacks a certain quality to make it a truly great read, I'm looking forward to more in this series.
Emily doesn't want to give up her freedom, especially not to a barbaric highland Scotsman living far from her home in England. But she will do anything to protect her sister. So she leaves her life behind to an uncertain future.
When she arrives at the home of her intended, she quickly befriends the laird's sister- and finds her to be the only friend she will make in the cold clan of the Sinclair's.
Unable to hide her true nature, she turns the Laird of the Sinclair's off from his admittedly reluctant path of marriage, each finding no attraction there.
Not long after arrival, a rival clan attempts to kidnap the Laird's sister and Emily finagles her way into the trap hoping to take her friend's place, only to find both of them on their way into the enemy's camp.
Surprisingly, the attraction missing between she and Sinclair is there in spades with Lachlan, Laird of the Balmorals and her kidnapper. Naturally, despite neither of them wanting it, they find themselves helpless to the heat generated whenever he touches her. Add to that the fact that the highlanders Emily finds herself entangled with have a secret previously thought to be the stuff of fairy tales, and you have a fine little story that engages and entertains.
What's interesting about this book, is the fact that the author unfolds the tale mostly through dialog. Oh, there is action, but the things that moved me the most came through the vulnerability that came across while the two main characters interacted with each other.
This is a paranormal- and my favorite kind, really. Yes, it's yet another changeling novel but somehow I'm still hooked. And though it lacks a certain quality to make it a truly great read, I'm looking forward to more in this series.
February 15, 2018
Emily Hamilton's is ordered to a Scottish Highland for marriage to the laird Lachlan in order to save her younger sister from a terrible fate and embarrassment. She finds friendship with the laird’s sister at her new home, however her stubbornness wreaks havoc so much so that the laird wants nothing to do with the marriage. Emily refuses to go back home. Lachlan is laird of the Balmoral clan and is feared by other werewolves in the Highland. Lachlan is sexy, dangerous and charming.
What I liked…didn’t like:
I like how the author described the werewolves and their history and laws. I also like the “appearance” of the strong attraction between the H/H but was a bit confused because of the constant bickering. There could have been more development of some kind of relationship between them and building up of the sexual tension making it more of a satisfying read. Again, I did lose patience with the constant arguing and found myself flipping the pages and getting close to a DNF. I think it lack in the area of affection between the characters and waited way too late ..I think last chapter with them finally getting their groove on…bit too late.
Hmm…really thought this was going to be a good read as I do like paranormal novels. This one fell a bit short for me
2.5 Stars
What I liked…didn’t like:
I like how the author described the werewolves and their history and laws. I also like the “appearance” of the strong attraction between the H/H but was a bit confused because of the constant bickering. There could have been more development of some kind of relationship between them and building up of the sexual tension making it more of a satisfying read. Again, I did lose patience with the constant arguing and found myself flipping the pages and getting close to a DNF. I think it lack in the area of affection between the characters and waited way too late ..I think last chapter with them finally getting their groove on…bit too late.
Hmm…really thought this was going to be a good read as I do like paranormal novels. This one fell a bit short for me
2.5 Stars
April 22, 2015
I wanted to LOVE this book. But I only liked it.
Twas an enjoyable read but I felt it took to long for the Lachlan and Emily to get to the bedding
I liked Lachlan and Emily and the fact that he wanted to help conquer her fears. I also liked that Lachlan had his own vulnerabilities like thinking she wouldn't accept his wolf and when she did...*sigh* So sweet.
Thing is a *liked* this book...but I could have done without it(I WILL BE READING THE OTHERS SINCE I HAVE THEM and I want to know what's going to happen to Talorc because though he was a bit of an ass,I liked him.) I think the author should have left out the second romance plot as I didn't feel it added much to the story and it took readers away from the main romance when readers should have been watching their romance grow instead of reading about a couple that was sweet in it own right but not the main point. I have read books with second romances and liked it, just not in this book.
Twas an enjoyable read but I felt it took to long for the Lachlan and Emily to get to the bedding
I liked Lachlan and Emily and the fact that he wanted to help conquer her fears. I also liked that Lachlan had his own vulnerabilities like thinking she wouldn't accept his wolf and when she did...*sigh* So sweet.
Thing is a *liked* this book...but I could have done without it(I WILL BE READING THE OTHERS SINCE I HAVE THEM and I want to know what's going to happen to Talorc because though he was a bit of an ass,I liked him.) I think the author should have left out the second romance plot as I didn't feel it added much to the story and it took readers away from the main romance when readers should have been watching their romance grow instead of reading about a couple that was sweet in it own right but not the main point. I have read books with second romances and liked it, just not in this book.
November 21, 2020
Loved the story and the characters. A must-read
December 24, 2022
I don’t like books that have two romances. The MC’s and the secondary Mcs. This would have been better if it focused on one romance.
July 28, 2011
This is my first Lucy Monroe book and I was debating between a paranormal romance and a historical romance when I saw this in my TBR pile. It was a nice read and filled my need for both genres.
In this story, Emily Hamilton takes the place of her deaf sister, Abigail, when the king requests her father send a daughter to marry Talorc Sinclair, laird of a Scottish Highland clan. She treks from England to Scotland not knowing there is a special breed of shapeshifting people that live in the Highlands named the Chrechte. The Chrechte keep their existence a secret. Not only do these werewolves distrust humans, they also find they rarely produce offspring. They need Chrechte offspring for their race to survive. Talorc is Chrechte and refuses to take the human Emily as a wife, and then she is kidnapped by the bordering Highland werewolf laird, Lachlan Balmoral. Romance ensues between the heroine and Lachlan.
At first, Emily aggravated me with her impudence, and the bickering between the Lachlan and her didn't seem to serve a purpose, but then I went with the flow. She proves herself to be kind and trustworthy. She works with his clan and embraces a friendship with her fellow kidnap victim, Cait. (Cait, a pregnant widow, has a nice secondary romance in this book.) Lachlan, for the most part, conducted himself like a hero. As he struggled between choosing love over duty to his clan, he conducted himself with honor towards Emily. Werewolves blended seamlessly into this historical romance. Maybe because I'm used to the Scottish werewolves in Kresley Cole's Immortals after Dark series. LOL Anyway, I enjoyed reading Moon Awakening and give it a C. I now want to read the next book in this series, Moon Craving. The H/h are Talorc Sinclair and Abigail Hamilton.
In this story, Emily Hamilton takes the place of her deaf sister, Abigail, when the king requests her father send a daughter to marry Talorc Sinclair, laird of a Scottish Highland clan. She treks from England to Scotland not knowing there is a special breed of shapeshifting people that live in the Highlands named the Chrechte. The Chrechte keep their existence a secret. Not only do these werewolves distrust humans, they also find they rarely produce offspring. They need Chrechte offspring for their race to survive. Talorc is Chrechte and refuses to take the human Emily as a wife, and then she is kidnapped by the bordering Highland werewolf laird, Lachlan Balmoral. Romance ensues between the heroine and Lachlan.
At first, Emily aggravated me with her impudence, and the bickering between the Lachlan and her didn't seem to serve a purpose, but then I went with the flow. She proves herself to be kind and trustworthy. She works with his clan and embraces a friendship with her fellow kidnap victim, Cait. (Cait, a pregnant widow, has a nice secondary romance in this book.) Lachlan, for the most part, conducted himself like a hero. As he struggled between choosing love over duty to his clan, he conducted himself with honor towards Emily. Werewolves blended seamlessly into this historical romance. Maybe because I'm used to the Scottish werewolves in Kresley Cole's Immortals after Dark series. LOL Anyway, I enjoyed reading Moon Awakening and give it a C. I now want to read the next book in this series, Moon Craving. The H/h are Talorc Sinclair and Abigail Hamilton.
June 9, 2019
Scottish werewolves in kilts! Eh, maybe I would have liked this better had I read this when it was first published (2007). I was a different reader then and my tolerance for bullshit was better(?) or worse(?) then now. This has kidnapping (check), forced marriage (check), lavender eyes (check), and alpha males (check). I surprised Cait and Emily didn't have have to ask permission to go take a shit. Oh wait, they probably did. I despise men like this in real life and on the page.
But, this did fulfill some challenge requirements so I stuck with it.
Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: the Kilts square
But, this did fulfill some challenge requirements so I stuck with it.
Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: the Kilts square
May 2, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Good story just short of 4 stars. It took way too long for me to read it as I kept putting it down. Some of that might be my fault not the books fault. I do have the second book already and plan to read it.
This is, of course, historical romance and is also paranormal romance featuring Scottish clans with werewolf members. Human members rarely know they are living with werewolves. So I did enjoy the world building. Arranged marriages and kidnapping brides also are featured in this world.
I enjoyed the main characters for the most part although some of both their actions were questionable at times. Kidnapped the day before, the heroine is okay with being taught to swim by the laird that kidnapped her. In the nude. She’s young, a virgin and promised to another laird by the kings wishes. So that was pretty questionable and something I can’t see happening. Just an example.
Not a bad story or bad read and I mostly enjoyed it. Recommended to adult romance readers.
This is, of course, historical romance and is also paranormal romance featuring Scottish clans with werewolf members. Human members rarely know they are living with werewolves. So I did enjoy the world building. Arranged marriages and kidnapping brides also are featured in this world.
I enjoyed the main characters for the most part although some of both their actions were questionable at times. Kidnapped the day before, the heroine is okay with being taught to swim by the laird that kidnapped her. In the nude. She’s young, a virgin and promised to another laird by the kings wishes. So that was pretty questionable and something I can’t see happening. Just an example.
Not a bad story or bad read and I mostly enjoyed it. Recommended to adult romance readers.
October 22, 2023
Es como un 3.8 ⭐️, o sea casi 4 estrellas. Me gustó muchísimo más de lo que esperaba, al principio como que batallé para que me atrapara pero al final lo he disfrutado sobremanera.
Lachlan y Emily me encantan como pareja y de verdad que Talorc me ha dejado una muy buena impresión en este libro, espero que no lo arruine en su propia historia.
Lachlan y Emily me encantan como pareja y de verdad que Talorc me ha dejado una muy buena impresión en este libro, espero que no lo arruine en su propia historia.
January 18, 2010
I read a short story that is a free download and the pre-quel to this story on Lucy Monroe's website, and was completely unimpressed (it could have been the childish looking wolf drawings that distracted me, though, they were dumb!) But I really wasn't expecting much from this.
I was way off! this was a great story and I look forward to reading the next full-length book.
Emily is sent off to the Highlands to wed a laird who'd demanded reparations from her father, an English baron. She and Talorc Sinclair do not get along, but his sister Cait is a sweetie and they become best friends. Too bad they get kidnapped by the rival laird! Luckily Emily and the rival laird Lachlan Balmore have an instant attraction, but what do ya know? he and most of the clan are werewolves! (as well as the Sinclair clan) So Cait is promised to Drustan and Lachlan tries to not want Emily, but even they fall in love. But don't forget about Talorc! He wants his sister (if not his betrothed) back. Super fun and fast read, even though it's over 300 pages. I loved it
I fully recommend reading the short story on her website first, just ignore the pictures. :)
I was way off! this was a great story and I look forward to reading the next full-length book.
Emily is sent off to the Highlands to wed a laird who'd demanded reparations from her father, an English baron. She and Talorc Sinclair do not get along, but his sister Cait is a sweetie and they become best friends. Too bad they get kidnapped by the rival laird! Luckily Emily and the rival laird Lachlan Balmore have an instant attraction, but what do ya know? he and most of the clan are werewolves! (as well as the Sinclair clan) So Cait is promised to Drustan and Lachlan tries to not want Emily, but even they fall in love. But don't forget about Talorc! He wants his sister (if not his betrothed) back. Super fun and fast read, even though it's over 300 pages. I loved it
I fully recommend reading the short story on her website first, just ignore the pictures. :)
July 11, 2010
Moon Awakening was... okay. It was one of those romance novels where I feel like the characters aren't really developed much. The heroine is sent to Scotland to marry some lord to protect her deaf sister from having to go. She loves her sister and befriends the sister of the lord she supposed to marry but that's about all you can say for her. The hero is some alpha highlander man who kidnaps the heroine and her friend. He wears plaid and is kind of pretty but that's about all you can say for him. Well, besides he's a werewolf and his clan is too.
I felt like the idea of these clans of werewolves in medieval Scotland actually a pretty interesting premise. I just felt that the premise turned out to be the most interesting thing about it.
I felt like the idea of these clans of werewolves in medieval Scotland actually a pretty interesting premise. I just felt that the premise turned out to be the most interesting thing about it.
August 15, 2013
3.5 stars
I really liked the world-building, and even though I was surprised by the mixing between historical elements (highlanders in kilt) and the fantasy (werewolves) it was pleasant. I thought the heroine was much more at ease with nudity than she should be, considering the period (even though sometimes the author took care to say she was disturbed by the other characters' lack of modesty), but I liked her spunk. The hero was okay and logical in his choices (apart from when he accused her harshly near the end). Well done for a first book of a series.
I really liked the world-building, and even though I was surprised by the mixing between historical elements (highlanders in kilt) and the fantasy (werewolves) it was pleasant. I thought the heroine was much more at ease with nudity than she should be, considering the period (even though sometimes the author took care to say she was disturbed by the other characters' lack of modesty), but I liked her spunk. The hero was okay and logical in his choices (apart from when he accused her harshly near the end). Well done for a first book of a series.
February 2, 2019
Emily Hamilton is an English lady sent to marry a Scottish laird by order of their kings, but she has no idea when she arrives that she is among a clan of shape-shifters called the Crechte. She makes friends with her betrothed's sister, Cait, but her betrothed, Talorc despises her, nor does Emily feel anything for him. When Lachlan, an enemy clan's chieftain, kidnaps Emily and Cait and forces Cait to "mate" with his second-in-command, Emily is torn between her desire to escape and her attraction to the rugged highlander. She soon falls in love with him, but Lachlan and his clan keep the secret of the existence of the Crechte and Emily is still betrothed to Talorc.
Okay, so for sheer entertainment value, this story gets a lot of credit. I was interested and engaged throughout, it had plenty of action, drama and passion among the characters. There's actually two romances here - Lachlan and Emily, as well as Cait and Drustan (the second in command). Cait and Drustan have the whole true mates thing going and the fact that they're both shifters...so Cait doesn't really fight being forced into marriage with him, but she certainly resents the fact that it's not based on love...plenty of lust though. Lachlan and Emily have a bit more angst in their relationship since they can't really have a future together and Lachlan is pretty prejudiced about the idea of marrying humans. I think I might have liked a bit less focus on the secondary romance, just to give a bit more attention to Lachlan and Emily.
My primary problem with this story comes down to the fact that neither Lachlan nor Drustan actually listen to the women or learn anything from them...and Emily ends up being a bit of a doormat because of it. Lachlan kidnaps the two women as a form of revenge against their laird, which, as Emily points out is a pretty shitty thing to do...to wage war against innocent women (and force one of them into marriage). She rails against how they've had any choice taken away from them. Lachlan doesn't care to be insulted and offers no excuse or apology or his actions. There is the revelation that it was a better option to killing so many people in Cait's clan, but nobody pointed out that a diplomatic option existed and that was even better (and could have been tried first without any loss of life or freedom). I do respect the fact that Emily never apologizes or changes her opinion about her insults, but I would have hoped that Lachlan would understand what he'd done or at least come full circle with realizing that he needs to listen to Emily or give her choices. And it's obvious he didn't learn the lesson because he then more or less forces her into marriage at the end. I do note that she was only unwilling because she thought he didn't love her or still had prejudice, but he doesn't admit he loves her until after they're married...so he didn't listen, didn't learn the lesson. That irked me quite a bit. And I also feel like there wasn't really a resolution between Cait and Drustan. She resented that he treated her like a child, making her ask permission for everything, and there was no confirmation that he'd changed.
Good story and excellent storytelling. I will be going on to the next in the series (they're all in my library e-service, yay!) so I'm excited to read Abigail's story.
Okay, so for sheer entertainment value, this story gets a lot of credit. I was interested and engaged throughout, it had plenty of action, drama and passion among the characters. There's actually two romances here - Lachlan and Emily, as well as Cait and Drustan (the second in command). Cait and Drustan have the whole true mates thing going and the fact that they're both shifters...so Cait doesn't really fight being forced into marriage with him, but she certainly resents the fact that it's not based on love...plenty of lust though. Lachlan and Emily have a bit more angst in their relationship since they can't really have a future together and Lachlan is pretty prejudiced about the idea of marrying humans. I think I might have liked a bit less focus on the secondary romance, just to give a bit more attention to Lachlan and Emily.
My primary problem with this story comes down to the fact that neither Lachlan nor Drustan actually listen to the women or learn anything from them...and Emily ends up being a bit of a doormat because of it. Lachlan kidnaps the two women as a form of revenge against their laird, which, as Emily points out is a pretty shitty thing to do...to wage war against innocent women (and force one of them into marriage). She rails against how they've had any choice taken away from them. Lachlan doesn't care to be insulted and offers no excuse or apology or his actions. There is the revelation that it was a better option to killing so many people in Cait's clan, but nobody pointed out that a diplomatic option existed and that was even better (and could have been tried first without any loss of life or freedom). I do respect the fact that Emily never apologizes or changes her opinion about her insults, but I would have hoped that Lachlan would understand what he'd done or at least come full circle with realizing that he needs to listen to Emily or give her choices. And it's obvious he didn't learn the lesson because he then more or less forces her into marriage at the end. I do note that she was only unwilling because she thought he didn't love her or still had prejudice, but he doesn't admit he loves her until after they're married...so he didn't listen, didn't learn the lesson. That irked me quite a bit. And I also feel like there wasn't really a resolution between Cait and Drustan. She resented that he treated her like a child, making her ask permission for everything, and there was no confirmation that he'd changed.
Good story and excellent storytelling. I will be going on to the next in the series (they're all in my library e-service, yay!) so I'm excited to read Abigail's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2021
Já que não li o livro inteiro (fui até mais ou menos metade do capítulo 10) e larguei a leitura, decidi fazer um pequeno comentário sobre o porque disso, porém tenham em mente que não é uma opinião sobre a obra como um todo.
Até certo ponto eu estava gostando do livro. Apesar de já ter lido uma boa quantidade de livros com shifters, nunca havia lido um que misturasse esse tema com romance histórico, e estava bem curiosa. Achei a mocinha interessante, meio doidinha e corajosa ao mesmo tempo, e puritana de um jeito engraçado. Gostei muito da amizade dela com Cait e de como ela tenta proteger a irmã e a Cait durante as situações, no entanto o mocinho não me chamou muita atenção. Achei ele um pouco rude com ela, mas decidi continuar a leitura porque, afinal, é um romance de época. No entanto, ele continuou com esses comportamentos com ela, até que em dado momento ela diz que algumas das atitudes dele a machucaram, e tudo que o mocinho faz é manipular ela para que a culpa fique sobre suas próprias emoções e sentimentos. E a mocinha não somente é manipulada para acreditar que a culpa de estar magoada é dela mesma, como começa a se sentir mal por seus sentimentos. Parei de ler pouco depois disso. Eu entendo que seja um livro de época, e tenho o costume de relevar algumas situações nesse contexto, mas isso realmente me incomodou e por isso decidi largar o livro e postar esse comentário aqui. Sei que não é o tipo de coisa que vai realmente incomodar muitos leitores, no entanto não consigo torcer por um casal com um mocinho manipulador assim.
Até certo ponto eu estava gostando do livro. Apesar de já ter lido uma boa quantidade de livros com shifters, nunca havia lido um que misturasse esse tema com romance histórico, e estava bem curiosa. Achei a mocinha interessante, meio doidinha e corajosa ao mesmo tempo, e puritana de um jeito engraçado. Gostei muito da amizade dela com Cait e de como ela tenta proteger a irmã e a Cait durante as situações, no entanto o mocinho não me chamou muita atenção. Achei ele um pouco rude com ela, mas decidi continuar a leitura porque, afinal, é um romance de época. No entanto, ele continuou com esses comportamentos com ela, até que em dado momento ela diz que algumas das atitudes dele a machucaram, e tudo que o mocinho faz é manipular ela para que a culpa fique sobre suas próprias emoções e sentimentos. E a mocinha não somente é manipulada para acreditar que a culpa de estar magoada é dela mesma, como começa a se sentir mal por seus sentimentos. Parei de ler pouco depois disso. Eu entendo que seja um livro de época, e tenho o costume de relevar algumas situações nesse contexto, mas isso realmente me incomodou e por isso decidi largar o livro e postar esse comentário aqui. Sei que não é o tipo de coisa que vai realmente incomodar muitos leitores, no entanto não consigo torcer por um casal com um mocinho manipulador assim.
March 20, 2024
I knew nothing about this going in but I really enjoyed it! A good light hearted, alpha, Highlander, WEREWOLF (SAY WHAT?!), kidnapping, forced marriage book! So many great tropes. Hahaha I will say their romance could have used more emotion and I was little disappointed that he was a jerk to her but she forgave him way too fast. I was hoping she'd make him work for it! But it was still great! Something different!
April 28, 2017
I really love this series and how fiercely the highlanders love and protect their families and their clan and their true soul mate when they find them. I find myself getting lost in stories like these where I never want to come up for air and can't stop turning the pages.
February 16, 2021
A great beginning to a series.
I first read this book few years ago and I have to say it be aged well. Emily , the daughter of an English baron volunteers herself to go to the highlands of Scotland to be given in marriage to one of the Scottish lairds. Unfortunately when she arrives at the lairds castle she is not given a very warm welcome, in fact it's downright cold. Talorc, the Sinclair's laird does not wish to marry and English woman especially not one who is.not Crechtie ,a werewolf, as to do so would mean a childless marriage. Before the situation can be resolved Emily and Telorc's sister Cait are kidnapped by Lachalan laird of the Balmoral.clan ,in retaliation for a mating between one of his clans females and Talorcs men. So begins an enjoyable well.written read. The mythology of the Crechtie ------- the werewolves---------- is well thought out, the balance between supernatural and natural just right. But most of all Emily is a delight, after a difficult childhood with no affection Emily longs for a place to belong, and somebody to love her, but, she is not prepared to just go along to get along Emily will not give up or give in all she wAnts is to be happy.
I first read this book few years ago and I have to say it be aged well. Emily , the daughter of an English baron volunteers herself to go to the highlands of Scotland to be given in marriage to one of the Scottish lairds. Unfortunately when she arrives at the lairds castle she is not given a very warm welcome, in fact it's downright cold. Talorc, the Sinclair's laird does not wish to marry and English woman especially not one who is.not Crechtie ,a werewolf, as to do so would mean a childless marriage. Before the situation can be resolved Emily and Telorc's sister Cait are kidnapped by Lachalan laird of the Balmoral.clan ,in retaliation for a mating between one of his clans females and Talorcs men. So begins an enjoyable well.written read. The mythology of the Crechtie ------- the werewolves---------- is well thought out, the balance between supernatural and natural just right. But most of all Emily is a delight, after a difficult childhood with no affection Emily longs for a place to belong, and somebody to love her, but, she is not prepared to just go along to get along Emily will not give up or give in all she wAnts is to be happy.
January 30, 2022
I loved the book up until she was in the tower and then it reaaaaaallly started to annoy me. Everyones conversations were awfully written and I wanted to hit the heroine over the head multiple times. No one. And I mean NO ONE wants a woman who argues like a 5 year old. Hero had the patients of a saint and a heart of gold to love someone like her. Her speaking out and saying what she thinks was over the top and it really was disrespectful and emasculating. I didn’t even like Cait and Drustan, they were the exact same people as the MCs. The clan is supposed to be soooo tough but let little women manipulate them, talk back to them in front of their men and get zero repercussions. Ohhh no, Cait told her about the werewolves, the punishment is death😒 yaaaa these bunch of “men” didn’t so much as flinch when they realized she knew. Oh man, Emily didn’t listen to the hero and now she is locked in her room…FOR NOT EVEN A FULL DAY. So cruel. She’s taken by the enemy and can’t handle thinking that the people may not like her ?! A random soldier we dont know is dead and they weakly blame the women LOL And Drustan saying “please don’t leave me” ew. Idk so many odd things about this and it could have been SO GREAT.
August 12, 2016
1.5 stars
I really thought this was going to be better. It has an overall rating on GR of nearly 4 stars! I was severely disappointed. Not only was the heroine just.... so blah, but the sexual tension between them was not satisfying. I would have liked 1. more build up of some kind of relationship and 2. a heroine with more of some kind of personality that didnt resemble a worm.
I mean...
I dont mind a little cheesiness in romances, but this book was over the top. WTF was that? Manly desire? It was a lot little things like this that just ruined the overall feel of the book for me, besides my dislike of the main characters. There was also a ridiculous sex scene where Lachlan gives her release after touching her twice, but I wont go further into that disappointment. Here is to hoping my next book is better.
I really thought this was going to be better. It has an overall rating on GR of nearly 4 stars! I was severely disappointed. Not only was the heroine just.... so blah, but the sexual tension between them was not satisfying. I would have liked 1. more build up of some kind of relationship and 2. a heroine with more of some kind of personality that didnt resemble a worm.
I mean...
He was a fool for kissing her again, for tempting his beast as well as his manly desire.
I dont mind a little cheesiness in romances, but this book was over the top. WTF was that? Manly desire? It was a lot little things like this that just ruined the overall feel of the book for me, besides my dislike of the main characters. There was also a ridiculous sex scene where Lachlan gives her release after touching her twice, but I wont go further into that disappointment. Here is to hoping my next book is better.
July 7, 2021
You would think for this novel you'd have the two best things for the makings of a good book: highlanders and shifters. What could go wrong?
Apparently a lot.
Despite this being my first historical/highlander shifter combo novel and having such high hopes, all it takes is bad (cheesey) writing and a storyline the a 5 year old could predict to make it bad. It was just "meh". There was nothing memorable or impressive about this book. The characters were all shallow and forgettable, and the overall premise and story building was weak.
Granted, it wasn't the worst book I've read this year, but considering what you have to work with, I expected better. I've read books that are just historical novels that blows this book out of the water. I've read books that are just shifter romances that blows this book out of the water.
In the end, I believe my hopes were too high and that this books execution was severely lacking.
2 stars.
Apparently a lot.
Despite this being my first historical/highlander shifter combo novel and having such high hopes, all it takes is bad (cheesey) writing and a storyline the a 5 year old could predict to make it bad. It was just "meh". There was nothing memorable or impressive about this book. The characters were all shallow and forgettable, and the overall premise and story building was weak.
Granted, it wasn't the worst book I've read this year, but considering what you have to work with, I expected better. I've read books that are just historical novels that blows this book out of the water. I've read books that are just shifter romances that blows this book out of the water.
In the end, I believe my hopes were too high and that this books execution was severely lacking.
2 stars.
January 23, 2010
Moon Awakening is copyrighted 2007 and has probably been on my bookshelf since late 2007/early 2008 which is around the time that I was really getting into urban style PNR and was leaving other sub-genres behind.
Moon Awakening takes place in old Scotland in an indeterminate time in the past and is generally a werewolf story. It's currently the only book in the series, but Book #2, Moon Craving, is coming out in Feb 2010. There is also a precursor to the series, Run With the Moon, that is available as a .pdf download on Lucy's website.
I liked it a LOT! There aren't many PNRs that take place in the past (Victorian, Regency, etc) and I love the blending. I'll be picking up book #2 when it comes out.
Moon Awakening takes place in old Scotland in an indeterminate time in the past and is generally a werewolf story. It's currently the only book in the series, but Book #2, Moon Craving, is coming out in Feb 2010. There is also a precursor to the series, Run With the Moon, that is available as a .pdf download on Lucy's website.
I liked it a LOT! There aren't many PNRs that take place in the past (Victorian, Regency, etc) and I love the blending. I'll be picking up book #2 when it comes out.
February 14, 2018
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