Book Review: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan

I enjoy this author's strong plots, unique paranormal elements and warm romance.

Moonglow (Darkest London)

by Kristen Callihan

• File Size: 600 KB
• Print Length: 417 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1455508586
• Publisher: Forever (July 31, 2012)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006FLRDPS

Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2012 | Series: Darkest London (Book 2)

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Review:

Daisy seems a bit skitter-brained but she is really a delightful and frank character.  She is a widow emerging from the ‘proper’ mourning period into freedom from a man who abused her verbally and mentally as well as physically.   She is exited to be free of repression and in a position to enjoy her exuberance and passion for life. Unfortunately her first attempt to step on the wild side results in her turning away from the man pressing kisses on her and seeing her good friend staring glassy eyed from a pool of blood with some creature sniffing about her face!

Lord Ian Ranulf, Marquis of Northrup, is the rightful Apha leader of the Ranulf pack. But he exiled himself from the pack decades before when he refused to challenge his younger brother who killed their father for the royal position of power.  Ian agonized through the lose of those he loved and decided he would shut himself off so he couldn’t be devastated by such lose again. Yet Ian has a great capacity for caring and he quickly comes to the rescue of a panicked Daisy when a sick werewolf turns to attack her.

It appears that the crazed werewolf is attacking women with a sent that matches Daisy’s rather unique fragrance, one she blends herself.  Daisy insists on being part of the investigation and Ian determines the best way to protect her is to keep her by his side. As Daisy faces danger she discovers a few secrets of her own background.

Ian's brother should control the problem of a sick werewolf in the territory, but he is failing to do so. Does the threat go deeper than Ian suspects?  Can he maintain his exile and still save the woman he is falling in love with?

This story includes strong action and a plot full of misunderstandings, intrigue, secrets, manipulation and deliberate deceit.  Ms. Callihan does an exceptional job of twining details of cultural and political circumstances into the paranormal world she has created in this series. 

Daisy and Ian are strong, passionate characters and I enjoyed the fun bantering between them. Although the intimate relationship turns pretty steamy, the emotional aspects of the romance are warm and tender.  Ms. Callihan’s portrayal of the love that blooms in Ian is enough to have any romance fan sighing in pleasure. The warm romance combined with a solid suspenseful plot made this a winner for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daisy hears Lord Ian’s voice:

His voice was at once lilting and light, yet rough. Silk over gravel. Location 287.

Daisy’s mouth runs on in a humorous fashion:

“Pay no mind to me, sir. There are times my mouth and brain forget to hold a conversation.”  Location 300.

A great description during the police investigation:

Step, turn, guide, release, one danced through an interrogation. Location 946.

Ian’s reaction to his growing feelings for Daisy:

Ah, but she killed him. She had cut out his heart and taken it for her own.  Location 3359.

I received this book from Hachette through NetGalley.

Book Review: Firelight by Kristen Callihan

This is wonderfully Gothic with dark elements that last to the very end!

Firelight (Darkest London)

by Kristen Callihan

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Forever; Import edition (February 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455508594
• ISBN-13: 978-1455508594

Genre: Paranormal Romance

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Series: Darkest London | Publication Date: January 31, 2012

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . .

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . .

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Review:
Miranda’s strange ability brought destruction and ruin to her family. Her father taught her the ways of thievery on the streets to make up for the lose of his business.  She had resigned herself to being alone but then a dark nobleman chooses her as his bride.  She doesn’t understand but she is intrigued by the adventure and mystery of her new husband. Who is the man behind the mask that he wears?

Lord Archer is whispered about all around the ton. He had been away for years but returned to London a few years before. Then he first met Miranda on a dark night in an alley. He protected the young girl from some ruffians but she acted as though she didn’t need his protection. He has been searching for a cure to his curse but decides he must have Miranda as his own even though he shouldn’t drag her into his dark world. But he cannot resist the light and passion she brings to his lonely life. He doesn’t know why, but she seems to be willing to look beyond the mask to try to find the man.

As they dance around their secrets men connected with Archer are being murdered in a gruesome way. The clues point to him although it becomes clear that there is an enemy trying to frame him and the enemy is also seeking to hurt Miranda.

As there comraderie grows Miranda wants to know Archer’s true secrets. They both struggle to control their secrets when they really long to let them free. Will Miranda be willing to reveal her own to get Archer to reveal his?  Once their secrets are revealed can Miranda find a way to stop the curse before Archer meets his nemesis?

This reads very quickly and you are pulled into the characters dark world of loneliness seeking to be loved for who they really are.  The relationship is warm and sensual leading up to a loving and fairly detailed sexual encounter. The mystery of Archer’s curse and the hidden enemy remains - and there is only a hint at how Miranda might save him - but you don’t know until the end.  This is an excellent debut novel which I really enjoyed.  I will definitely look forward to more from this author.

One phrase I particularly liked:
"Her strangled request drove the air from his lungs. He struggled to find more, his heart a panicked rabbit in the cage of his ribs." p199.

Thank you to Forever Romance for this book to read and review.
This takes place in London, England.
I will add this to my ARC and New Author challenges.

Check the Giveaway post for a chance to win this book with another good paranormal romance, Midnight Reckoning.