Blue Moon

Rating:
Summary: Funny and great characters but poor romance and mystery
Review: I enjoyed most of this book. I am a fan of paranormal romances so this is right up my alley. I really enjoyed the humor and quirks of the characters... smart mouthed cop, foul mouthed octegenarian, Clint Eastwood spouting sheriff etc. BUT I must say the romance was a little unbelievable to me and I solved the mystery early on. On the whole I enjoyed the book. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: A story that comes along once in a "Blue Moon"
Review: "Blue Moon" by Lori Handeland is one of those books that really do come along once in a "blue moon". The story is captivating, as are the characters. There are no simpering wimps in this book. The lead character, Jessie McQuade, is a sheriff's deputy who depends on no one to "take care of" her. She is independent and smart. Although the book alludes to the fact that Jessie is not a petite or small woman, it never comes right out and calls her a BBW (Big Beautiful Woman). I think she must be what is American average - just not one of those tiny model thin women the fashion magazines and fashionistas say we should all aspire to be like. So what if she's a bit larger than the average size 8, 10 or 12 - she is, as I said before, smart, talented and independent.

Now, let's talk about the lead male of the story, Will Cadotte (that's Professor Cadotte). He is also a strong character with very definite opinions - especially about Jessie. I loved the fact that although he is one hunky, sexy man, he still has some vulnerability and uncertainty about why Jessie would be attracted to him - its nice not to read about a man who is conceited about his looks and expects every woman to fall at his feet in adoration. Both have a wicked sense of humor / sarcastic wit that I found wonderfully refreshing and perfect for the story. If this were simply a love story, it would be a good book - the fact that it has the paranormal, werewolf story makes it a terrific book. The secondary characters are great additions, especially Edward Mandenaur, the hunter, and Zee, the dispatcher. Zee has an attitude and a half and she runs the sheriff's department with an iron will - no, she's not the sheriff, as I said before, she's just a dispatcher, but oh what power she wields from that position.

If you love a good paranormal story, are a fan of werewolves, or simply a fan of a good romance, pick this one up - it's good reading!! I didn't want to put it down once I started and stayed up late on a work night just to finish. Now, I can't wait for the next installment, "Hunters Moon". There are 3 chapters of it in the back of "Blue Moon" and it's a good way to whet your appetite for more of these fascinating characters as well as the new ones. Keep up the good work Ms. Handleland!


Rating:
Summary: A new spin
Review: First let me say that I love paranormal romance. That being said I am very particular about what I read. There are some people that couldn't come up with an original idea to save their lives. Ms. Handeland is NOT one of those people. This book gives so much in the way of plot and character developement. The pacing was steady. Everything was in the right place at the right time and the climax is outstanding. Please read this book. It is one of a few new paranormals that is really worth the effort and the price. I am looking forward to reading more about this new breed of werewolves that Ms. Handeland has created.

Rating:
Summary: Best Werewolf Novel In A Very Long Time!
Review: I read a lot of werewolf fiction and I was so impressed with this book. If you don't read another werewolf book this year, then check this one out. The werewolves here are not portrayed as victims or sexy creatures like a lot of other novels out there of this type. They are very real and very scary. It's suspenseful, well written, and has a surprise ending.

Rating:
Summary: Even If You Are Not A Fan of "Paranormal Romances"....
Review: It really was a fluke ordering "Blue Moon" by Lori Handeland. I don't usually read "paranormal romances;" don't read "horror" stories or books; Stephen King movies (on the rare occasions that I have watched one) scare me to death and generally I have found the realism sorely wanting in these subjects.

That said, I absolutely loved this book. I urge readers who don't normally read this type of book to give this one a try.

"Blue Moon" introduces Miniwa, Wisconsin cop, Jessie McQuade, who thrives at her job in this small town that is overrun with tourists each summer. A rather plain loner, Jessie is smart, witty, and great at her job, and...lonely. Life is going along at its same somewhat boring pace when a teacher hits a wolf and is attacked. Suddenly the town seems to have a vicious pack of wolves within their midst.

Jessie discovers a wolf totem at the scene of the accident and wears it for safekeeping when she realizes that she can no longer trust those around her. Mandenauer,an old German Jager-Sucher is brought in to kill the wolves and a mutual respect develops between them. Accompanying him, Jessie becomes a hunter of these wolves as she tries to protect the town and prevent the impending ritual set to occur during the next blue moon.

Jessie encounters Prof. Will Cadotte - a Native American activist while tracking the first wolf from the car accident and later discovers that he is an authority on the subject. Their romance not only brings passion, but lends itself to realism when the issues of prejudice from both of their ethnic groups are confronted.

Credibility; realism - that is what worked for me with this book with both the supernatural and the romance. Lori Handeland does not ask the reader to simply accept the rationale of werewolves. Her storyline provides a completely plausible and believable scenario for the mutation of these wolves.

"Blue Moon" is suspenseful, romantic, and BELIEVABLE. I couldn't put it down. It was THAT good and I have just ordered Handeland's next novel, "Hunter's Moon." Great writer; great concept. I have become a fan.

Rating:
Summary: An entertaining read...
Review: Jessie McQuade, is a straightforward 'shoot-first, ask questions later' kind of personality. Self-depreciating, she doesn't feel she's the best looking gal but knows in heart that in other ways she's definitely the best for the job.

I hadn't planned on picking up this book considering I haven't read 'just for fun' in quite some time but since this one had attracted my attention when it first debuted I thought I'd go ahead and grab it - and I'm glad I did.

While tracking an assumed injured wolf after a collision on the highway, Jessie is shocked to find instead of her quarry a gorgeous naked man hidden within the moonlit trees. Drawing forth sensations she long believed couldn't exist within her, she returns to the accident scene where she stumbles across a small wolf shaped totem.

The web unravels from that point on, making the reader wonder who or what could be the reason behind the rash of missing persons and random killings in the area. Could it be the hot professor, William Cadotte, who keeps her mind filled with lustful images? The strange Jager-Sucher from the DNR who forces her to confront her own beliefs? Or, could it be something much more sinister?

Blue Moon is an interesting work that puts a new spin on a old myth. By pitting a professed skeptic against a 'woo-woo' believer and further supporting it by a clever secondary cast, it makes the reader want to believe in the unbelievable. Overall, it was an entertaining read.

Nice job, Lori!

Review by Author, Dehanna Bailee

Rating:
Summary: Paranormal Police Procedural that keeps you turning pages...
Review: Miniwa, WI cop, Jessie McQuade is a tough pragmatic woman who only believes what she sees. That is, until a schoolteacher who was bitten by a wolf goes rabid in her schoolroom the next day.

Miniwa is under seige. Are these wolves infected by a new strain of rabies, as she is first led to believe, or something even less acceptable? Can Jessie trust the man she's come to love and who appears to be helping her--or, is he part of the plot?

The ending surprised me--and that doesn't often happen!

This book is a fast-paced first-person narrative that actually works comfortably. I like Handeland's 'voice' for Jessie. What's more---this is not one of those romance novels where the heroine starts strong and loses all sense when she falls in love. Jessie stays Jessie throughout. I like that. I'll be looking for more of Handeland's books!

Rating:
Summary: Love at first bite
Review: Officer Jessie McQuade is on the trail of a wolf that bit a good Samaritan. She doesn't find the wolf, but does stumble onto an incredibly handsome, stark naked man. Playing off her attraction for the man isn't the easiest, but she makes it back to her precinct with her dignity in tact.

The next day the woman who was bitten by the wolf attacks and kills the principal of the school where she works. She is about to murder one of her students when Jessie and the chief of police intervene. More incidents happen, and after investigation, Jessie determines that the bitten victims begin to drastically change within twenty-four hours. The change is caused by one of three things, each one more bizarre than the next: there is a super-strain of rabies that creates mutant wolves, one of Hitler's scientists' experiments has come to bite the world some fifty-some odd years later, or the Indian legend about the werewolf god is real.

Jessie finds a totem at the scene where the first victim was bitten. She's told that a professor at the local college is an expert on totems and Indian rituals. She heads over to speak with him and is stunned to find out that Professor Will Cadotte is non-other than the incredibly handsome, stark naked man who sent her heart to racing. He agrees to help her, while he pursues her. She doesn't trust easily. And though everything in her heart is telling her Cadotte is the man for her, the evidence points to him being a werewolf.

Lori Handeland has woven a sensual, suspenseful tale that kept me intrigued throughout. At times, BLUE MOON had me laughing; other times, I was trying to solve the mystery; still other times, I was in need of a cold shower. The cast of characters Handeland created were a good mixture of everything from maturity's patient wisdom to youth's vibrant enthusiasm. BLUE MOON is a winner, and I look forward to Lori Handeland's future work. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers


Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable paranormal
Review: The reviews for this book intrigued me and finally got me to buy it. I am very glad I did. The heroine is a delight. Smart, good at her job with a wonderful
sarcastic wit that doesn't begin to grate on me by the halfway point of the book
(as so many of these types of characters end up doing). I also like that the hero falls in love with her just as she is instead of after the Extreme Makeover session. As for the obligatory personal baggage which our hero and heroine must carry, well his I can understand. Her's is mentioned a few times but there ends up being a reason for it.

I kind of guessed who might be the ultimate villain but the suspense and clues were such that it really was just a guess. The secondary characters were well done
especially the 80 year old werewolf hunter. Loved his deadpan sense of humor.
The woo woo stuff is there but then you know that from the beginning and it doesn't take over the story until right at the end. I also like that the heroine doesn't immediately believe in it nor does she continue to stubbornly refuse to believe it
even as she watches the woo woo stuff happen. Handeland already has another book planned for the series (which has an excerpt at the back) and I can't wait for it.
This one is a strong B/B+ from me.


Rating:
Summary: has revived my interest in paranormal romance...
Review: This is the first book I've read by this author-I have since bought many-to be added to my already collapsing TBR stack:) I thoughly enjoyed this book.
What I liked about it-"average jane" gutsy female police heroine, sexy, but sometimes disheveled hero, great mystery (the end suprised me!), quirky and interesting supporting characters, mild on the romance, but understandable in the context of the story, neat-o native American sub-plot, etc, etc....

If your looking for the usual "I'll die if I can't have you" romance-find another book. If you like romances that you may even get hubby to read, then pick this book up!