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Children of the Moon #3
Moon Burning
Lucy Monroe returns to her hugely popular paranormal world, where a woman falls under the spell of the beast who is her one true enemy...
Barr never asked to be made laird over the struggling Donegal clan or leader of its werewolf pack. But he'll do his duty, and although he hasn't yet found his mate, he hopes she will be among his people. He expects his new role to be difficult; he doesn't expect to discover a naked woman in the forest whose memory is as fragile as her human body—her delectable, all too appealing body. Could this woman be his true mate?
On a mission to save her people from extinction, Sabrine pretends she has no memory in order to gain access to her enemy: the Donegal clan. A raven shifter, she is determined to retrieve the sacred stone that rightfully belongs to her people. But soon she'll be engulfed in her burning desire and growing love for Barr—and the dangerous and inescapable secrets destined to keep them apart.
Barr never asked to be made laird over the struggling Donegal clan or leader of its werewolf pack. But he'll do his duty, and although he hasn't yet found his mate, he hopes she will be among his people. He expects his new role to be difficult; he doesn't expect to discover a naked woman in the forest whose memory is as fragile as her human body—her delectable, all too appealing body. Could this woman be his true mate?
On a mission to save her people from extinction, Sabrine pretends she has no memory in order to gain access to her enemy: the Donegal clan. A raven shifter, she is determined to retrieve the sacred stone that rightfully belongs to her people. But soon she'll be engulfed in her burning desire and growing love for Barr—and the dangerous and inescapable secrets destined to keep them apart.
295 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
82 people are currently reading
1029 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
608 books1,568 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 63 reviews
March 2, 2011
I was excited to read this book after I read the back cover summary. Ever since reading Julie Garwood as a teenager I have had a love affair with Highlanders. I also like paranormal romances so combining the two seemed like a win-win for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
There was a line on the back cover summary, “Could this woman be his true mate?” that I thought was just an expression. Wrong! I guess I should have paid more attention to the italics because this book was a ‘fated mate’ story. I am not a fan of those, and this book just validated why exactly they tend to irritate me.
There was absolutely no connection set up to convince me that the heroine and hero had anything in common (other than being shifters) with each other than the fact they were “true mates.” Apparently true mates have this smell compulsion thing going on that makes them want to get it on with their mate as soon as possible. Mere hours after Barr rescues Sabrine they are having sex. This happens by page 80 and seems odd considering the fact that she’s recovering from an arrow wound and everyone believes she has some kind of head injury causing memory loss. Midway through the second day Sabrine thinks:
Sabrine started out interesting for me. I was intrigued by the possibility of watching the hero and heroine navigate their attraction amidst the tensions between their clans and I liked that she was on a mission for her people and that she was her clan’s protector. Of course, the fact that she wouldn’t lie and practically drew the truth out in crayon for her “enemy” made me lose respect for her. With a protector that good at her job I’m surprised they haven’t died off already.
This book was frustrating, but very readable. The author has a simple style that makes the pages turn easily, even when you’re not really enjoying it. There were some amusing exchanges between characters here and there and although it didn’t feel very historical to me, that isn’t something that always bothers me.
I think I would have liked this book more if I could have gotten into the writing style more. I finished the book and I still don’t feel like I knew any of the characters very well. There was no depth to any of them which amazes me because they were completely unsubtle people. Everything they thought seemed to route to their mouth with very little filtering. And then they would talk and talk and talk about their actions and motivations. I like dialogue driven stories, but the author was killing me with it here.
I think this will garner its fair share of fans. It’s not a horrible book or anything and people who enjoy the fated mate trope will probably like this more than I did. I personally don’t enjoy this lighter, sillier book style, but if you do you might want to check it out.
Favorite Quote:
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
There was a line on the back cover summary, “Could this woman be his true mate?” that I thought was just an expression. Wrong! I guess I should have paid more attention to the italics because this book was a ‘fated mate’ story. I am not a fan of those, and this book just validated why exactly they tend to irritate me.
There was absolutely no connection set up to convince me that the heroine and hero had anything in common (other than being shifters) with each other than the fact they were “true mates.” Apparently true mates have this smell compulsion thing going on that makes them want to get it on with their mate as soon as possible. Mere hours after Barr rescues Sabrine they are having sex. This happens by page 80 and seems odd considering the fact that she’s recovering from an arrow wound and everyone believes she has some kind of head injury causing memory loss. Midway through the second day Sabrine thinks:
"In point of fact, she was well on her way to being irrevocably in love with him."This is day two still!
Sabrine started out interesting for me. I was intrigued by the possibility of watching the hero and heroine navigate their attraction amidst the tensions between their clans and I liked that she was on a mission for her people and that she was her clan’s protector. Of course, the fact that she wouldn’t lie and practically drew the truth out in crayon for her “enemy” made me lose respect for her. With a protector that good at her job I’m surprised they haven’t died off already.
This book was frustrating, but very readable. The author has a simple style that makes the pages turn easily, even when you’re not really enjoying it. There were some amusing exchanges between characters here and there and although it didn’t feel very historical to me, that isn’t something that always bothers me.
I think I would have liked this book more if I could have gotten into the writing style more. I finished the book and I still don’t feel like I knew any of the characters very well. There was no depth to any of them which amazes me because they were completely unsubtle people. Everything they thought seemed to route to their mouth with very little filtering. And then they would talk and talk and talk about their actions and motivations. I like dialogue driven stories, but the author was killing me with it here.
I think this will garner its fair share of fans. It’s not a horrible book or anything and people who enjoy the fated mate trope will probably like this more than I did. I personally don’t enjoy this lighter, sillier book style, but if you do you might want to check it out.
Favorite Quote:
He bowed his head toward Sorcha. "It was not my intention to offend."
She stared between him and Verica with wide eyes very much like her daughter's. "I'm not offended."
He nodded and gave Verica his most patient look. "You see? I did not offend Sorcha."
"You offended me."
"I won't win this argument, will I?"
"No."
Review originally posted on Fiction Vixen.
March 6, 2012
After complaining that Lucy Monroe's Moon Awakening featured too much bickering, I sound nit-picky griping that Moon Burning suffers the opposite problem, but it's true. Barr and Sabrine, the wolf and raven shifter stars of Burning, get on famously, and unfortunately, the novel offers little external tension in place of the typical Romancelandia friction between hero and heroine and bland delivery.
Normally, Sabrine and Barr's strong, healthy relationship, despite an otherworldly push to form that bond, would win a million points. Barr alone deserves a star or ten for his level-headed clan leadership, demonstrated repeatedly, in rectifying the wrongs of his predecessor, accepting counsel, and meting justice fairly and compassionately, and his unwavering support of Sabrine as a person. Though we never doubt he's surprised by the female warrior and he admits she's special, he is never threatened for a moment by her strength; he encourages her. 5000 points. Sabrine won the husband lottery.
However, since they resolve problems maturely, we see no conflict. Sabrine resists Barr half-heartedly because of their differences ("We cannot be!") and there's some vague question about a theft but little urgency, little danger. Monroe's skim-worthy prose also lacks much art, her on-the-nose dialogue even less. Though all character motivations and reactions make excellent sense, they also communicate their feelings as if professionally mediated ("I feel..."), all well-adjusted and well-spoken. Against a backdrop of violence, that might have relieved us, but alone, this feels like PNR on Valium, LOL.
I would recommend this calm read for a depressing day or after some really violent urban fantasy, LOL. Be prepared for some otherworldly rules and some nice people. Also, repetition! Three stars mostly for Barr and that good relationship.
Normally, Sabrine and Barr's strong, healthy relationship, despite an otherworldly push to form that bond, would win a million points. Barr alone deserves a star or ten for his level-headed clan leadership, demonstrated repeatedly, in rectifying the wrongs of his predecessor, accepting counsel, and meting justice fairly and compassionately, and his unwavering support of Sabrine as a person. Though we never doubt he's surprised by the female warrior and he admits she's special, he is never threatened for a moment by her strength; he encourages her. 5000 points. Sabrine won the husband lottery.
However, since they resolve problems maturely, we see no conflict. Sabrine resists Barr half-heartedly because of their differences ("We cannot be!") and there's some vague question about a theft but little urgency, little danger. Monroe's skim-worthy prose also lacks much art, her on-the-nose dialogue even less. Though all character motivations and reactions make excellent sense, they also communicate their feelings as if professionally mediated ("I feel..."), all well-adjusted and well-spoken. Against a backdrop of violence, that might have relieved us, but alone, this feels like PNR on Valium, LOL.
I would recommend this calm read for a depressing day or after some really violent urban fantasy, LOL. Be prepared for some otherworldly rules and some nice people. Also, repetition! Three stars mostly for Barr and that good relationship.
February 24, 2011
This was not as good as the other two in the series. I don't know, I guess I just couldn't get into the whole bird shifter thing. Weird.
There wasn't a great deal of relationship development between the H/h. Their story was kind of boring as was the secondary love story.
The back synopsis is a bit mis-leading as it really isn't as dramatic as the back seems to make the story. I think it could've been done a bit better. I was expecting a bit more angst and drama than was present in the story.
There wasn't a great deal of relationship development between the H/h. Their story was kind of boring as was the secondary love story.
The back synopsis is a bit mis-leading as it really isn't as dramatic as the back seems to make the story. I think it could've been done a bit better. I was expecting a bit more angst and drama than was present in the story.
March 17, 2011
I have mixed feelings on this book. I have really enjoyed this series, and this book had a ton of potential to be something fabulous, but it fell short. Here we have the raven/hawk/eagle shifters coming out of hiding to join the wolves, basically, and instead the book concentrated on the heroine's internal drama waaay too much.
I don't mind fated mates, or in this case, "true mates," and I've enjoyed this series, BUT there was just so much MORE that could have been done with this plot.
Sabrine is a Raven shifter. Her bird shifter kin have been hiding in the forests, keeping themselves secret from all of the wolf shifters, who make up the majority of the Chrechte (shifters). They believe that ALL of the wolf shifters hate them and will kill them on sight, so they have kept their location/existence secret.
Well, they are dying out and not receiving their gifts as they come of age. Anyone familiar to this series might recall that sex helps wolves control their change better, but they stay celibate til they meet their mates for the reason of avoiding a bad mating. It's really confusing as not all wolves stay celibate and not all are mated to the person they end up with...it gets tricky and confusing. But for the birds, they need a special stone to help receive their gifts. This stone was thought to have been stolen by a clan nearby, so Sabrine fakes amnesia and lets the Donegal laird "just happen" upon her during one of their hunts. She accidentally is shot by a boy who sees a raven in flight and says his grand da says all ravens are evil, and kill on sight.
The injury lends credence to her claims of injury/amnesia, and that boy's grand-da has some interesting views on the raven shifters.
So obviously, being a fated mate story, the laird smells his mate, finds her and takes her back to his people. His clan and most of the people never even knew Raven shifters existed...they thought they were myths. so no one suspected she's a raven.
I was okay with the book til about that point. Sabrine's amnesia was so obviously fake, it drove me nuts. Luckily the laird wasn't an idiot so she didn't get away with it for too long, but she continued claiming it up til the last 30 pages or so. Dumb.
The laird was not the one she'd been told about by her people, instead he was from the neighboring Sinclair clan. Barr had taken over because the other laird was a douchecanoe. Rowland had been forced to step down, allowing Barr to lead his clan until the young boy who was true laird was old enough to lead. And no one thought it was suspicious that such a power hungry asshat just stepped down with no problems? So Barr is acting laird for the next decade or so til the actual laird (who's like 16) can grow up.
Meanwhile, we have Sabrine looking for the stone, Barr growling "you're my mate," Sabrine screwing him that night, but then up til the last few pages disagreeing she's his mate-they can mindspeak, and all the other little true mate tricks, and yet she denies it to the end. And all the internal clan drama that made for a more interesting storyline than the love story.
Very frustrating story.
The whole thing had so much going on that could have been used instead of focusing so much on Sabrine and Barr.
So of course Barr finds out Sabrine's a raven (luckily early on),and he's okay with that. But then he also finds out she's been plotting to leave him once she gets that stone, he's NOT okay with that. But the biggie? Even Sabrine will say finding your true mate is a sacred thing and so rare no mate should ever leave the other. But this is exactly what she plans because she doesn't trust Barr (who has proved his worth above and beyond in my opinion). So this book was all over the place. I enjoyed parts of it, but really it was just a light read. And I wouldn't recommend reading it as a standalone. You'll be confused.
Likes:
-Barr's twin brother and his same sex mate were back
-the dragon image
-the clan dynamics and drama
-how the new laird and his second dealt with the elders of the clan
One thing I really liked was the ending. It was a way too neat and convenient ending, but I really liked the concept of Sabrine's brother and what could happen in the future with him.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
I don't mind fated mates, or in this case, "true mates," and I've enjoyed this series, BUT there was just so much MORE that could have been done with this plot.
Sabrine is a Raven shifter. Her bird shifter kin have been hiding in the forests, keeping themselves secret from all of the wolf shifters, who make up the majority of the Chrechte (shifters). They believe that ALL of the wolf shifters hate them and will kill them on sight, so they have kept their location/existence secret.
Well, they are dying out and not receiving their gifts as they come of age. Anyone familiar to this series might recall that sex helps wolves control their change better, but they stay celibate til they meet their mates for the reason of avoiding a bad mating. It's really confusing as not all wolves stay celibate and not all are mated to the person they end up with...it gets tricky and confusing. But for the birds, they need a special stone to help receive their gifts. This stone was thought to have been stolen by a clan nearby, so Sabrine fakes amnesia and lets the Donegal laird "just happen" upon her during one of their hunts. She accidentally is shot by a boy who sees a raven in flight and says his grand da says all ravens are evil, and kill on sight.
The injury lends credence to her claims of injury/amnesia, and that boy's grand-da has some interesting views on the raven shifters.
So obviously, being a fated mate story, the laird smells his mate, finds her and takes her back to his people. His clan and most of the people never even knew Raven shifters existed...they thought they were myths. so no one suspected she's a raven.
I was okay with the book til about that point. Sabrine's amnesia was so obviously fake, it drove me nuts. Luckily the laird wasn't an idiot so she didn't get away with it for too long, but she continued claiming it up til the last 30 pages or so. Dumb.
The laird was not the one she'd been told about by her people, instead he was from the neighboring Sinclair clan. Barr had taken over because the other laird was a douchecanoe. Rowland had been forced to step down, allowing Barr to lead his clan until the young boy who was true laird was old enough to lead. And no one thought it was suspicious that such a power hungry asshat just stepped down with no problems? So Barr is acting laird for the next decade or so til the actual laird (who's like 16) can grow up.
Meanwhile, we have Sabrine looking for the stone, Barr growling "you're my mate," Sabrine screwing him that night, but then up til the last few pages disagreeing she's his mate-they can mindspeak, and all the other little true mate tricks, and yet she denies it to the end. And all the internal clan drama that made for a more interesting storyline than the love story.
Very frustrating story.
The whole thing had so much going on that could have been used instead of focusing so much on Sabrine and Barr.
So of course Barr finds out Sabrine's a raven (luckily early on),and he's okay with that. But then he also finds out she's been plotting to leave him once she gets that stone, he's NOT okay with that. But the biggie? Even Sabrine will say finding your true mate is a sacred thing and so rare no mate should ever leave the other. But this is exactly what she plans because she doesn't trust Barr (who has proved his worth above and beyond in my opinion). So this book was all over the place. I enjoyed parts of it, but really it was just a light read. And I wouldn't recommend reading it as a standalone. You'll be confused.
Likes:
-Barr's twin brother and his same sex mate were back
-the dragon image
-the clan dynamics and drama
-how the new laird and his second dealt with the elders of the clan
One thing I really liked was the ending. It was a way too neat and convenient ending, but I really liked the concept of Sabrine's brother and what could happen in the future with him.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
February 20, 2015
Sabrine is a bird shifter - a race Barr's home clan of wolf shifters believes to be just a legend from the past. So when the Barr finds the strange woman naked and bleeding in the woods, he can sense her otherness and assumes she's wolf shifter. Though the injury was not part of the plan, it's worked to Sabine's advantage to gain her admittance to the enemy camp to search for a missing talisman which is vital to the survival of people. Because even though the Barr's people don't realize bird shifters exist - their are others among the dysfunctional clan over which Barr holds stewardship who are aware of their existence and who are actively working toward their extinction.
Book three in Monroe's medieval Scottish wolf shifter saga - fur and medieval highlanders in kilts *sigh* I really like this series and wish it weren't so long in between books. I liked the main romance. It is satisfying to see Sabrine go from hating the race who slaughtered her parents and friends to realizing that not all of the wolves are evil and that Barr is a noble man she just can resist. But though she accepts the physical part of there relationship, her duty blinds her to the true depth of their connection and there is an especially moving part late in the book when Barr anguishes of the impact her denial will have on his future.
And as an added bonus there is a nice little romance between secondary characters. Originally, Monroe had planned Moon Children stories in both the past and the present, hopefully we'll see more from her in the not too distant future.
Book three in Monroe's medieval Scottish wolf shifter saga - fur and medieval highlanders in kilts *sigh* I really like this series and wish it weren't so long in between books. I liked the main romance. It is satisfying to see Sabrine go from hating the race who slaughtered her parents and friends to realizing that not all of the wolves are evil and that Barr is a noble man she just can resist. But though she accepts the physical part of there relationship, her duty blinds her to the true depth of their connection and there is an especially moving part late in the book when Barr anguishes of the impact her denial will have on his future.
And as an added bonus there is a nice little romance between secondary characters. Originally, Monroe had planned Moon Children stories in both the past and the present, hopefully we'll see more from her in the not too distant future.
Read
April 14, 2011I give. Uncle. After almost a month, I cant seem to get into it, so either I'm done or I'll have to come back to it later... for now? DNF
Two syllablys sounds like bore and ring. You get the idea.
Two syllablys sounds like bore and ring. You get the idea.
July 25, 2011
Great book, wasn't sure how she was going to pull of a third book, but she did, it was as good as the first too, kept my attention all the way. Hope there are more to come...
September 29, 2012
This series is really coming into its own, opening up new shifter races previously unknown, as well as a grander story arc that I am excited to see play out. Really looking forward to the next book!
July 1, 2011
I lovelovelovelove this series by Lucy Monroe. And Moon Burning is my favorite so far. I’m totally intrigued with Barr - a wolf - and Sabrine - a raven - and their totally opposite personalities and beliefs. Barr is the confident laird with the responsibility of an entire clan, Sabrine his enemy, a warrior and spy with the responsibility to locate her people’s lost magical artifact to prevent their extinction. So much conflict between them, but also so much heat, emotion, respect, and admiration. They’re a mesmerizing couple.
Barr has been sent by the Sinclair laird to lead the Donegal people and to train their young heir to be the future laird of their rundown, fearful clan. He’s learning their previous laird led with a brutal hand, but he himself is a fair leader and knows he’ll get to the bottom of the underhandedness to give these people their peaceful and happy lives back. On a hunt he’s stunned to come upon a naked woman in the woods. Carrying her to the castle, he feels a connection to her, something he’s never had happen before. He knows she’s keeping secrets, but he’s determined to find out everything he needs to know about this fascinating woman.
Her people have kept their lives separate and secret from others like them. Sabrina has sacrificed everything in her life to be the warrior she now is to keep their world safe from those who would destroy them - Faol. Wolf. She goes a step further, decides to infiltrate the Donegal clan, knowing someone there has to be the one who stole the legacy that keeps her people from dying out. Her brother’s coming of age celebration is imminent, and Sabrine vows to have done her job before that time so that her brother, her people’s future leader, will mature into the man, with all of his magical powers, he’s meant to be. The roadblock she runs into is Barr. He’s Faol, but he’s also much more and Sabrine finds herself wanting to be with him more and more, despite the man’s arrogance.
I love reading about these two characters. They’re perfect together. Sabrine is right, Barr is arrogant but he wears it humbly. He knows his mind, he speaks his mind, and he goes for what he wants, which isn’t much as laird. But when Sabrine comes into his life, he knows she’s meant for him and he’s going to keep her. In doing so he’s alpha to the core but also very romantic about it. Sabrine, little by little, has to let go of her prejudices against wolves and also let go of her warrior self just a tad to give herself permission to love, to have a life of her own. And she has to trust. Especially her new-found wolf. She almost waits too late to do that totally. The scene where Barr realizes he doesn’t have her trust as he thought he did is one of the best of the book. Ms. Monroe does a wonderful job of showing his emotion in that scene.
There is also a side story with Earc, Barr’s right-hand man, and Verica, the clan’s healer. They’ve been dancing around one another for a while, and when things heat up concerning the former laird, Earc steps up to the plate and claims Verica. Their banter and interaction is just as much fun as Barr’s and Sabrine’s. And speaking of the former laird, what a piece of evil work he is. He’s the reason the clan is voracious in giving trust to Barr. At least those who are worth their salt. The others who still fear for their lives have to be wooed, and Barr is very good at that. There are beautiful little nuggets like these throughout the book - the that pull everything together for such an emotional, humorous, magical, and romantic read.
Though I know better than to ask an author, “How much longer till your next book in this series?” or “Can’t you write faster??”, Lucy Monroe is one who I’d trip over my tongue for, because those questions would be asked one on top of the other. I lovelovelovelove her work!
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
Barr has been sent by the Sinclair laird to lead the Donegal people and to train their young heir to be the future laird of their rundown, fearful clan. He’s learning their previous laird led with a brutal hand, but he himself is a fair leader and knows he’ll get to the bottom of the underhandedness to give these people their peaceful and happy lives back. On a hunt he’s stunned to come upon a naked woman in the woods. Carrying her to the castle, he feels a connection to her, something he’s never had happen before. He knows she’s keeping secrets, but he’s determined to find out everything he needs to know about this fascinating woman.
Her people have kept their lives separate and secret from others like them. Sabrina has sacrificed everything in her life to be the warrior she now is to keep their world safe from those who would destroy them - Faol. Wolf. She goes a step further, decides to infiltrate the Donegal clan, knowing someone there has to be the one who stole the legacy that keeps her people from dying out. Her brother’s coming of age celebration is imminent, and Sabrine vows to have done her job before that time so that her brother, her people’s future leader, will mature into the man, with all of his magical powers, he’s meant to be. The roadblock she runs into is Barr. He’s Faol, but he’s also much more and Sabrine finds herself wanting to be with him more and more, despite the man’s arrogance.
I love reading about these two characters. They’re perfect together. Sabrine is right, Barr is arrogant but he wears it humbly. He knows his mind, he speaks his mind, and he goes for what he wants, which isn’t much as laird. But when Sabrine comes into his life, he knows she’s meant for him and he’s going to keep her. In doing so he’s alpha to the core but also very romantic about it. Sabrine, little by little, has to let go of her prejudices against wolves and also let go of her warrior self just a tad to give herself permission to love, to have a life of her own. And she has to trust. Especially her new-found wolf. She almost waits too late to do that totally. The scene where Barr realizes he doesn’t have her trust as he thought he did is one of the best of the book. Ms. Monroe does a wonderful job of showing his emotion in that scene.
There is also a side story with Earc, Barr’s right-hand man, and Verica, the clan’s healer. They’ve been dancing around one another for a while, and when things heat up concerning the former laird, Earc steps up to the plate and claims Verica. Their banter and interaction is just as much fun as Barr’s and Sabrine’s. And speaking of the former laird, what a piece of evil work he is. He’s the reason the clan is voracious in giving trust to Barr. At least those who are worth their salt. The others who still fear for their lives have to be wooed, and Barr is very good at that. There are beautiful little nuggets like these throughout the book - the that pull everything together for such an emotional, humorous, magical, and romantic read.
Though I know better than to ask an author, “How much longer till your next book in this series?” or “Can’t you write faster??”, Lucy Monroe is one who I’d trip over my tongue for, because those questions would be asked one on top of the other. I lovelovelovelove her work!
See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com
January 31, 2011
Moon Burning by Lucy Monroe
Paranormal Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars
Moon Burning is the 3rd in the Children of the Moon series and Lucy Monroe’s best yet! In this book, two shifters from rival clans are attracted to each other and spark contention and deep secrets.
The Chrechte are powerful shifters but the prior books have only dealt with the most prosperous, the wolves. Now it is revealed that there are also bird shifters. But they have been hunted by the wolves of different clans who were jealous of their unique powers. The bird-shifters seems doomed as they are hunted to near-extinction and their sacred stone stolen.
A warrior and raven shifter, Sabrine keeps a look out for the dangerous wolves that seek to kill them. One day, she is shot down. She quickly changes into a beautiful woman to hide her identity and is found by the new clan Chief Barr, who is a wolf shifter. But Barr is different and wants Sabrine for his own. He knows she is magical but does not realize she is one of the mythical raven shifters. Sabrine grows to admire this new leader who is honorable and caring. But she knows someone from his clan has stolen the stone, and she must retrieve it and leave. Her clan needs the sacred stone, and she knows there is no future for their two opposing clans. However, Barr has finally found the woman who makes his heart race and he vows to never let her go.
These two main characters are a well matched pair, and it is fun reading about them working out their differences. Barr is a super sexy alpha male who wants to protect and care for Sabrine, but Sabrine is a proud warrior who wants her independence. I loved how Barr bends down to Sabrine’s will but still watches over her. Sometimes Barr is a bit bossy but that is because he cared for her so much and wanted to be a part of her life. He can’t stand that she is hiding something about herself. I really liked Sabrine because she could match Barr and maintains her own identity against such a strong and even larger than life personality. Her integrity and will to protect and care for her clan makes her a worthy character.
Strong, dynamic characters and a secret animosity between shifter clans make for an exciting 3rd book!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Paranormal Romance -Feb. 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars
Moon Burning is the 3rd in the Children of the Moon series and Lucy Monroe’s best yet! In this book, two shifters from rival clans are attracted to each other and spark contention and deep secrets.
The Chrechte are powerful shifters but the prior books have only dealt with the most prosperous, the wolves. Now it is revealed that there are also bird shifters. But they have been hunted by the wolves of different clans who were jealous of their unique powers. The bird-shifters seems doomed as they are hunted to near-extinction and their sacred stone stolen.
A warrior and raven shifter, Sabrine keeps a look out for the dangerous wolves that seek to kill them. One day, she is shot down. She quickly changes into a beautiful woman to hide her identity and is found by the new clan Chief Barr, who is a wolf shifter. But Barr is different and wants Sabrine for his own. He knows she is magical but does not realize she is one of the mythical raven shifters. Sabrine grows to admire this new leader who is honorable and caring. But she knows someone from his clan has stolen the stone, and she must retrieve it and leave. Her clan needs the sacred stone, and she knows there is no future for their two opposing clans. However, Barr has finally found the woman who makes his heart race and he vows to never let her go.
These two main characters are a well matched pair, and it is fun reading about them working out their differences. Barr is a super sexy alpha male who wants to protect and care for Sabrine, but Sabrine is a proud warrior who wants her independence. I loved how Barr bends down to Sabrine’s will but still watches over her. Sometimes Barr is a bit bossy but that is because he cared for her so much and wanted to be a part of her life. He can’t stand that she is hiding something about herself. I really liked Sabrine because she could match Barr and maintains her own identity against such a strong and even larger than life personality. Her integrity and will to protect and care for her clan makes her a worthy character.
Strong, dynamic characters and a secret animosity between shifter clans make for an exciting 3rd book!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
June 26, 2011
This was an awesome book! I was completely surprised. The author was reccomended by someone, so I bought the series. I lost book 2 somewhere. picked up #3 thinking it was 1, and I am now reading the series backwards. For all I know this could have been #1, but I looked it up and it was the 3rd. I did notice some slight things mentioned that really make no difference in reading order. She is now one of my favorites, so I hope this series continues. It is a more complicated twist on shifters, and has great true mate romace as well!
More than one love story is in this book. I loved them both. It was strange, but at one time a child was scared, and I could feel it for her (you'll see what I mean) anyway, as always everything ends for the good. All the bad and treachery is taken care of, and there are definitely enough characters for the series to continue on and on. I will be sooo sad if this ends as a trilogy!
More than one love story is in this book. I loved them both. It was strange, but at one time a child was scared, and I could feel it for her (you'll see what I mean) anyway, as always everything ends for the good. All the bad and treachery is taken care of, and there are definitely enough characters for the series to continue on and on. I will be sooo sad if this ends as a trilogy!
February 6, 2011
This was my least favorite book in the series. I was a little disappointed. In the first two books I loved the relationships in the books and how the h/h got to know one another. In Moon Burning, there was little getting to know you or even chemistry at first. It is too bad because I liked Barr a lot and I am glad we got to see Niall and Guaine again. Hopefully the next one in the series will have more chemistry. I will say that I love Monroe's writing and when she is on, she is one of my favorite writers.
January 28, 2012
I really love this series. Ms. Monroe is a wonderful author that brings her world to life with a richness that satisfies the senses and the soul. I enjoy this take on the shapeshifter legend. I am hoping that she is going to write more books in this series. I would love to see more of the characters from the first two books as well as the ones from this story. I was glad to see the evil ones get what they so richly deserved and the innocent protected and hope restored to the whole clan. I highly recommend this series of books.
November 6, 2013
I'm so sad because I thought the series was going crescendo, and bam, I found this one not even as good as the first. The hero is really really great, he is strong, understanding, he seems to have no flaw except arrogance (well-earned you might say, and not insufferable). But the heroine has too much prejudices against the wolves Chrechte, even after staying with them and seeing she's been wrong she keeps rejecting the wolf part of her mate. And the story is too slow!
April 16, 2011
I enjoyed the first two books in the series more. This one was more into the paranormal and I prefer it being a sub-genre. I like a contemporary or historical with paranormal elements. They can be strong but not the essence of the story.
August 31, 2011
First book in her series that I've read and I loved it! Great detail and steady pace kept me interested until the very end. It was a hard book to put down. A true shape-shifters delight!
~A.S. Johnson, author
~A.S. Johnson, author
March 8, 2011
I really liked this book! Barr is just so sweet, caring, arrogant, and hilarious...wish the story had more to it though, I just felt like it ended too soon.
November 25, 2010
I didn't love this book as much as I did the previous two in the series. It was good, just not as good as the others.
October 25, 2025
I Loved It!
March 23, 2011
I've loved all three books in this trilogy. I think I read somewhere that this was the last book, which is disappointing news because it's such a good series.
September 26, 2011
4-1/2 stars
April 29, 2012
Another great book in the series - this time featuring a reluctant Laird and a female shifter warrior. Great characters, looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 10, 2012
fast and fun
September 28, 2012
Barr was wonderful. Earc is funny. The heroines were boring.
October 4, 2012
I love a strong hero, but you throw in a strong heroine and you have book that is full of fun adventures! A fabulous story!
April 21, 2013
This laird is drool worthy:)
June 28, 2013
cant get enough of this series
August 6, 2013
i somehow found this book a little tiring...
don't get me wrong i liked it a lot but damn this girl is too damn insecure!
don't get me wrong i liked it a lot but damn this girl is too damn insecure!
April 22, 2015
3.5 stars.
Twas good but not as good as it's predecessors.
Twas good but not as good as it's predecessors.
July 14, 2013
I saw this book in the library and having read Lucy Monroe's books in the past and enjoying them I decided to pick this one up and give it a try. But I have to say I was slightly disappointed as I read through the book it pretty quickly even finding it at times a little dragging especially in the beginning. Now this book had a familiar set up to some of the books that I have read in the past and have enjoyed so you would think I would like this one, but I didn't and I just felt like I couldn't connect with the story and the characters. I even liked the minor characters Earc and Verica better than the main characters story to be honest, and enjoyed them a lot more and even rooting for them to get together.
I loved they got married and how once he claimed her that there was no way he was going back and was completely devoted to her. I loved the love scene between the pair in the cave with it being both of their first times as well as binding them to one another in a mating ceremony which was common for their people. During the mating ceremony was where they learned that they were true mates, which is like being soul mates, where they were meant to be with one another and would be unable to be with another physically, emotionally, and spiritually until one of the partners died and I thought that was great because as soon as the two came onto the page together I could tell they were meant for one another. Originally I thought that Earc and Verica would have their own book in the future and this was just the set up between the pair, but a part of me was glad that they got their story told here and made it more enjoyable for me. I don't know why I liked them so much, but I did.
Now I liked Barr just fine and I could feel for throughout the book and could tell that he really cared and loved Sabrine, who though had some valid points was stubborn half the time and kept repeating that they couldn't be together even though she loved him. I think this was one thing that I didn't like was that Sabrine was putting her people over her heart after spending years and years protecting them and thinking that they wouldn't accept Barr in her life, which was crazy. Granted I understand why she pushed him away and why she did what she did because she feared her people would kill Barr and that was the last thing she wanted because she loved him, but after awhile it just got to be too much and too much repeating it over and over again and not only to him, but to herself as well and I got a little sick of it. I just really didn't connect with her so much even though she was this strong, independent woman who could take care of herself, but on the flip side she never let anybody in or let her wall down until the very end of the book, and it was heartbreaking especially when Barr was so desperate to learn about her and get her to trust him and it would cause him pain when she didn't. Also when she wouldn't at first accept him as a wolf, which was a part of him and something he couldn't or wanted to change because that was who he was. And it was agony to watch as she rejected him as the wolf and my heart just broke for him and made me want to give him a hug knowing that the woman that he loved and considered to be his was rejecting apart of himself and not accepting of him. I could feel the hurt ooze off the page from just that alone and it made him a little cold to her, which she did deserve and she thought she deserved as well though it hurt her too.
Though that did change eventually and it was such a beautiful scene and probably one of the highlights of the book for me. Sabrine asked him to turn into the wolf, now realizing that she does love and accept everything about him even the wolf part of him which her people the shapeshifting birds considered to be their enemy, to show him how much she did change. She knelt down beside him not cowering in fear like she did before and embraced him as the wolf and stroke him and just showed her love for him. And it was so beautiful. She then rubbed her head on his head which in the raven shifting community, which she does turn into a crow that was her shapeshifting ability, was a sign of affection and what her raven craved for inside of her so she did just that. And he reciprocated back, rubbing his furry face over hers gently in his own show of affection, but he went further then that rubbing her entire body with his fur, which she happily allowed telling him to do what he needed to do. Which for him was great because not only did he feel her acceptance of him, but it was what the wolf craved and marked his scent on her. Then he turned back human and they make love sweetly after that, making it such a loving scene and utterly beautiful. This was my favorite scene between the pair bar none.
I just thought the beginning of their relationship just seemed so rushed with no real build up or anticipation to it like some books have. I was expecting more of a fight coming from Sabrine especially knowing he was her enemy and she set this whole thing up so he would take her into his keep thinking she was an innocent woman so she could look around his keep for this stone that was stolen from people that they needed back immediately in order to save their species. Of coarse she didn't count on their attraction to get in the way, but I just thought she would fight it more and not be so easily swayed. She gave up her virginity really without any coaxing from him at all and it just didn't quite feel right to me. I just wanted the anticipation to be built a little longer. Something just didn't mesh with me, and their relationship didn't really connect for me until the end when they admit their love and commit themselves to one another.
Also another thing was her looking for this stone that was so important and she kept looking and looking and knew she needed before she could leave, and then suddenly Verica had it all this time. I was like what? Where did that come from? I guess my point was it was too easy almost and I thought there would be a little more to the search then it was because after all that was the reason she was there in the first place, but that plot point seemed almost moot and more of an afterthought with more of the plot going on people trying to kill her or the other characters in the book, the hate people had of crow shifters, and just Sabrine's back and forth of why she couldn't be with Barr or trust him, and she had to think of her people only and also her hate of wolves. So, I just thought there would be a lot more too it then that plus I thought that maybe she would find it and Barr would catch or something like that, but it was just in Verica's possession and that was it. But maybe the point was that Sabrine didn't trust anyone besides herself and thought she had to do it on her own, but still.
So, the book was okay with most of the highlights coming at the end when Sabrine finally had her light bulb moment and accepted that he was her mate that she loved and was about to have a child with (which I just thought that was thrown in there too) and was happy about it. I think I finally like the fact that she let go and allowed someone else behind her wall finally after all this time being alone and being a warrior that protected her people. And there were a couple of suspense things too, but also they were almost too easily resolved as well, though I do like that Sabrine or Barr didn't get seriously hurt or killed by those people that were trying to do so, but again it was too easy with both of the villains of the story getting killed as their punishment. I just thought that the villains would be there throughout threatening not only their relationship, but both their people the wolves and the birds and would have this big confrontation at the end, but that didn't happen.
Also, though I was glad that this happened, Sabrine's family accepted Barr very quickly and easily without much of a fuss that he was a wolf at all so all of Sabrine's worrying was for nothing and all that angst she had. I just thought there would be some questions there, but there weren't. So, why did Sabrine think that her people would kill Barr again, making it agonizing between the two of them? Because I didn't see one bit of problem at all, no confrontation, nothing. So, they were more forgiving then Sabrine gave them credit for. Maybe it was her own prejudice she was projecting about the wolves and not what her people felt all along until she learned better and fell in love with Barr. Because her grandmother didn't have a complaint about him and even accepted him right away and even let them complete the mating ceremony that was common among their people.
Maybe the other books are better in this series and if I see them at the library I will give them a try, but I am not dying to read the next one in the series like I have for other series in the past. But with that being said I am curious and would give it a try if given a chance.
I loved they got married and how once he claimed her that there was no way he was going back and was completely devoted to her. I loved the love scene between the pair in the cave with it being both of their first times as well as binding them to one another in a mating ceremony which was common for their people. During the mating ceremony was where they learned that they were true mates, which is like being soul mates, where they were meant to be with one another and would be unable to be with another physically, emotionally, and spiritually until one of the partners died and I thought that was great because as soon as the two came onto the page together I could tell they were meant for one another. Originally I thought that Earc and Verica would have their own book in the future and this was just the set up between the pair, but a part of me was glad that they got their story told here and made it more enjoyable for me. I don't know why I liked them so much, but I did.
Now I liked Barr just fine and I could feel for throughout the book and could tell that he really cared and loved Sabrine, who though had some valid points was stubborn half the time and kept repeating that they couldn't be together even though she loved him. I think this was one thing that I didn't like was that Sabrine was putting her people over her heart after spending years and years protecting them and thinking that they wouldn't accept Barr in her life, which was crazy. Granted I understand why she pushed him away and why she did what she did because she feared her people would kill Barr and that was the last thing she wanted because she loved him, but after awhile it just got to be too much and too much repeating it over and over again and not only to him, but to herself as well and I got a little sick of it. I just really didn't connect with her so much even though she was this strong, independent woman who could take care of herself, but on the flip side she never let anybody in or let her wall down until the very end of the book, and it was heartbreaking especially when Barr was so desperate to learn about her and get her to trust him and it would cause him pain when she didn't. Also when she wouldn't at first accept him as a wolf, which was a part of him and something he couldn't or wanted to change because that was who he was. And it was agony to watch as she rejected him as the wolf and my heart just broke for him and made me want to give him a hug knowing that the woman that he loved and considered to be his was rejecting apart of himself and not accepting of him. I could feel the hurt ooze off the page from just that alone and it made him a little cold to her, which she did deserve and she thought she deserved as well though it hurt her too.
Though that did change eventually and it was such a beautiful scene and probably one of the highlights of the book for me. Sabrine asked him to turn into the wolf, now realizing that she does love and accept everything about him even the wolf part of him which her people the shapeshifting birds considered to be their enemy, to show him how much she did change. She knelt down beside him not cowering in fear like she did before and embraced him as the wolf and stroke him and just showed her love for him. And it was so beautiful. She then rubbed her head on his head which in the raven shifting community, which she does turn into a crow that was her shapeshifting ability, was a sign of affection and what her raven craved for inside of her so she did just that. And he reciprocated back, rubbing his furry face over hers gently in his own show of affection, but he went further then that rubbing her entire body with his fur, which she happily allowed telling him to do what he needed to do. Which for him was great because not only did he feel her acceptance of him, but it was what the wolf craved and marked his scent on her. Then he turned back human and they make love sweetly after that, making it such a loving scene and utterly beautiful. This was my favorite scene between the pair bar none.
I just thought the beginning of their relationship just seemed so rushed with no real build up or anticipation to it like some books have. I was expecting more of a fight coming from Sabrine especially knowing he was her enemy and she set this whole thing up so he would take her into his keep thinking she was an innocent woman so she could look around his keep for this stone that was stolen from people that they needed back immediately in order to save their species. Of coarse she didn't count on their attraction to get in the way, but I just thought she would fight it more and not be so easily swayed. She gave up her virginity really without any coaxing from him at all and it just didn't quite feel right to me. I just wanted the anticipation to be built a little longer. Something just didn't mesh with me, and their relationship didn't really connect for me until the end when they admit their love and commit themselves to one another.
Also another thing was her looking for this stone that was so important and she kept looking and looking and knew she needed before she could leave, and then suddenly Verica had it all this time. I was like what? Where did that come from? I guess my point was it was too easy almost and I thought there would be a little more to the search then it was because after all that was the reason she was there in the first place, but that plot point seemed almost moot and more of an afterthought with more of the plot going on people trying to kill her or the other characters in the book, the hate people had of crow shifters, and just Sabrine's back and forth of why she couldn't be with Barr or trust him, and she had to think of her people only and also her hate of wolves. So, I just thought there would be a lot more too it then that plus I thought that maybe she would find it and Barr would catch or something like that, but it was just in Verica's possession and that was it. But maybe the point was that Sabrine didn't trust anyone besides herself and thought she had to do it on her own, but still.
So, the book was okay with most of the highlights coming at the end when Sabrine finally had her light bulb moment and accepted that he was her mate that she loved and was about to have a child with (which I just thought that was thrown in there too) and was happy about it. I think I finally like the fact that she let go and allowed someone else behind her wall finally after all this time being alone and being a warrior that protected her people. And there were a couple of suspense things too, but also they were almost too easily resolved as well, though I do like that Sabrine or Barr didn't get seriously hurt or killed by those people that were trying to do so, but again it was too easy with both of the villains of the story getting killed as their punishment. I just thought that the villains would be there throughout threatening not only their relationship, but both their people the wolves and the birds and would have this big confrontation at the end, but that didn't happen.
Also, though I was glad that this happened, Sabrine's family accepted Barr very quickly and easily without much of a fuss that he was a wolf at all so all of Sabrine's worrying was for nothing and all that angst she had. I just thought there would be some questions there, but there weren't. So, why did Sabrine think that her people would kill Barr again, making it agonizing between the two of them? Because I didn't see one bit of problem at all, no confrontation, nothing. So, they were more forgiving then Sabrine gave them credit for. Maybe it was her own prejudice she was projecting about the wolves and not what her people felt all along until she learned better and fell in love with Barr. Because her grandmother didn't have a complaint about him and even accepted him right away and even let them complete the mating ceremony that was common among their people.
Maybe the other books are better in this series and if I see them at the library I will give them a try, but I am not dying to read the next one in the series like I have for other series in the past. But with that being said I am curious and would give it a try if given a chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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