Sandy M’s review of Moon Craving (Children of the Moon, Book 2) by Lucy Monroe
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 2 Feb 10

I’ve waited three years for this book.  Long years. The first book in the series, Moon Awakening, was terrific and I wanted more of these characters from that moment on. So much time had gone by, I actually stopped checking on a regular basis for when the next edition would be released. Seems like the time went much faster that way, because finally here it is. And I am not disappointed one bit.

I love Ms. Monroe’s werewolves. Strong alphas who expect to be obeyed at every turn, who protect what’s theirs with an iron hand, and who take advantage of a good thing when the opportunity presents itself. Talorc is no exception. He hates the English with a passion, and for good reason. When he’s directed by his king to marry an Englishwoman, the sister of the woman he narrowly escaped wedding before, he will only do so if he doesn’t find her too distasteful, as he did the first sibling.

Abigail has come to want marriage to the Highland laird her sister refused to have. Since her hearing was taken after suffering a childhood fever, Abigail’s mother has scorned her, treated her abominably. Hoping for a better life with a stranger, she goes to Scotland willingly, and, if nothing else, perhaps she will end up with her sister and her husband if Talorc chooses not to keep Abigail.

But from the moment these two meet, on a moonlit night just days before they’re to wed, there is a subtle attraction between them that surprises them both. On the journey to Talorc’s home, Abigail begins to fall in love with her new husband and ideas of living with her sister no longer have any appeal for her. Wanting nothing more than to make Abigail his own, he hurries his entourage to Scotland to consummate their vows. He refuses to take his wife on English soil.

Talorc and Abigail begin a beautiful new relationship, learning each other inside and out, the joys of loving and being loved. But they each have secrets they’ve yet to share with one another. Talorc has to make sure Abigail will not betray him as his father’s English wife did. He has to be very sure of his new wife before trusting her with his pack’s secrets. Abigail has not told Talorc of her deafness, believing he would not want her either, just as everyone else in her life hasn’t due to her disability.

Betrayal is eventually felt by them both, and thus begins the task of finding their way back to one another, all the while fighting members of the clan who are divided when it comes to Abigail and her English-ness. These characters are charismatic in their own way and you find yourself as lost in them as they are in each other. I also enjoyed several of the secondary characters who befriend Abigail. Betrayal is not solely for the hero and heroine in this story.

I am glad to see on Ms. Monroe’s website that the next book in this series will not be so long in coming this time around. It’s due out either later this year or early next year. Thank goodness. Waiting for these stories is just too hard!

Grade: A+

Summary:

If it were up to him, Talorc—laird of the Sinclair clan and leader of his werewolf pack— would never marry. But when the king orders that Talorc wed an Englishwoman, the lone wolf is shocked to find his mate in the strong-willed Abigail. And after an intensely climactic wedding night, the two fiercely independent souls sense an unbreakable bond…

Deaf since childhood, Abigail hopes to keep her affliction from Talorc as long as possible. And for his part, he has no intention of telling her about being a werewolf. But when Abigail learns that the husband she’s begun to love has deceived her, it will take all of his warrior’s strength—and his wolf’s cunning—to win his wife back. And Talorc will have to face his biggest challenge yet: the vulnerability of a man in love…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: