Blue Moon

Rating:
Summary: You'll never want this story to end!
Review: Once in a blue moon there comes along a novel that really grabs your attention. You become immersed in the characters lives, and you never want the story to end. Jill Marie Landis' latest release, "Blue Moon," qualifies for this category. "Blue Moon" is the sequel to Landis' highly acclaimed "Just Once."

Landis' loyal readers just had to know what happened to the handsome half-breed Noah LeCroix who, in a tragic river-boating accident, lost an eye, leaving him both physically and emotionally scarred for life. There was just something about this fascinating character that left readers wanting more. Landis obliged by re-creating Noah in his own story, "Blue Moon."

When loner Noah LeCroix rescued a scraggly young girl from the swamps he had no idea that his serene, solitary world would be turned completely upside down. He only knew that this girl was hurt, scared and in need of his protection. He knew how it felt to be lost and alone. Something about the winsome creature touched his soul. Little did he know she would soon capture his heart as well.

Olivia Bond was desperate to find her family. After being kidnapped and enslaved for over a year in a New Orleans brothel, she had only a vague idea of where to start. But would they accept her after all she'd been through? Keeping her past a secret, she enlists Noah's help in finding her family. In the process she finds herself falling in love with the mysterious, gentle man. Could they both overcome tragic pasts to embrace the passionate love they feel for each other?

"Blue Moon" is an absorbing, fascinating, emotionally moving story of overcoming one's past and adversities to begin life anew. Jill Marie Landis again proves herself a master storyteller, enthralling her readers with a touch of humor, a dash of mystery and enough passion and romance to reach to the moon.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters and setting but...
Review: Set in the 1820's when Illinois is on the frontier, Blue Moon has the potential to explore some new territory in the romance genre. For starters, the main characters are a refuge from a brothel and a man described as the "oldest living virgin in the territory." The obstacles to their love (because there must always be obstacles) are even fairly original. And certainly, Landis can write a terrific romance (Sunflower and Come Spring are permanent members of my keeper shelf). Somehow, it doesn't all quite come together in Blue Moon. I'd lay the blame on too much time spent on the threat posed by Darcy, the brothel owner. The time could have been better spent on more interaction between Olivia and Noah.

Also worth noting, this book is the sequel/spin-off to "Just Once." I went out of my way to read them in order but that probably isn't necessary to understanding and enjoying Blue Moon.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting characters and setting but...
Review: Set in the 1820's when Illinois is on the frontier, Blue Moon has the potential to explore some new territory in the romance genre. For starters, the main characters are a refuge from a brothel and a man described as the "oldest living virgin in the territory." The obstacles to their love (because there must always be obstacles) are even fairly original. And certainly, Landis can write a terrific romance (Sunflower and Come Spring are permanent members of my keeper shelf). Somehow, it doesn't all quite come together in Blue Moon. I'd lay the blame on too much time spent on the threat posed by Darcy, the brothel owner. The time could have been better spent on more interaction between Olivia and Noah.

Also worth noting, this book is the sequel/spin-off to "Just Once." I went out of my way to read them in order but that probably isn't necessary to understanding and enjoying Blue Moon.

Rating:
Summary: Not my favorite
Review: This book seemed to have so much potential but it just didn't come through for me. I'm just not sure if it was the writing style or the characters but I was left with the feeling, that was it? Then at the very end he takes Livvey away from her family that REALLY needs her, to live in a swamp and have lots of babies?? Come on! What was wrong with building their own little cabin over by the woods and stream? Why not live near the people that love her? It's not like he had anything actually waiting for him in the swamp, Noah was very selfish and self centered. I just hope all those babies sprout wings or they are in for more heartbreak.

Rating:
Summary: DEEEEPRESSING!
Review: This is the first book I have ever read by Ms.Landis and if all her other books are as depressing as this one, it will probably be the last one I ever read! I felt that Olivia and Noah's relationship had so much potential but the writer let them wallow in SO MUCH SELF-PITY that one just could not really see where the love came in. And if it wasn't bad enough that the two main protagonists were punishing themselves throughout the entire book, the peripheral characters were, too! In that sense, Darcy was perhaps the most normal person in this book and he was supposed to be a pervert! This book had so much promise, and Noah being a virgin was really sweet, but really there is just too much pain and angst running through it. Depressing.