Thursday, May 6, 2010

Review: Kiss of Moonlight by Stephanie Julian

Kiss of Moonlight
first in the Lucani Lovers series

Book Length: Novel
Book Type: eBook
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing

Plagued by nightmares. Stalked by kidnappers. Tamra McMillan needs a safe haven. When tattooed bad-ass Kyle Rossini steps into her life, the last thing she expects to find is a sanctuary from her demons or steaming hot sex. Everything about him screams danger. But appearances can be deceiving. The tender possessiveness of his touch, the hunger in his eyes, the scorching sensuality of his kiss—all of it sears him into her soul and brands her as his for life.
But otherworldly forces are afoot and death hovers…
Etruscan werewolf Kyle is a loner. The king’s assassin with a killer’s instincts. The last thing he needs is a mate who could be placed in danger because of him. Until he meets the one woman who needs him more than he needs his solitude. When Tamra, battered but not broken, stumbles into his world and tumbles into his bed, she captures his heart. And nothing—not kidnappers or visions of his possible death—will keep him from her.
The above information was obtained from Ms. Julian's site and Ellora's Cave.
I was asked to review this book by the author ~ all thoughts expressed here are my own.

I do not judge short stories on the rush of their relationships, because they are just that - short stories. So, yes the relationships always could have been drawn out more, yea it seems like they fall in love to fast and of course the story could have been made longer... but it is a short story. So with that said....

This book is roughly under 130 pages and let me tell you... Ms. Julian makes use of all of them. This was the first book I had ever read by Ms. Julian and it will not be my last. She is a new to me author, so I am very excited to introduce to her here at the Lair!

Tamara is a very strong willed woman. Having survive an attack and putting her attacker in the hospital with a coma, I would say she is a very determined woman. Afraid her attacker will come out of the coma and come after her... she hits the pavement running. She founds a piece of family property no one knows about (hopefully) and she seeks refuge there.
Kyle... oh man.. Let me just give you this quote that will give you a glimpse of Kyle. This is taken from a conversation between Kyle and his King... about Tam.... "“I’m relieving you of duty for the next twenty-four hours,” Cole called to him just as he stepped into the hall. “Go, make sure she’s safe. Bring her back ’cause I want to meet the woman who brought down the mighty Kyle Rossini.”  Kyle is a lucani versipellis, born from a long line of Etruscan wolf skin-shifters. 

When Tam moved out to her family's property, she was merely trying to run away from her demons; she never expecting to run into more. She was seeking peace and quiet, a place to hide and not be noticed. Instead what she got was anything and everything other than that.
Kyle was fine with the way his life was going. His position in the "army" was just fine with him. He has a daughter who he absolutely adores, a best friend who he could count on day or night and the mother of his child and wife/mate to his best friend. What more could a man ask for, or so that is what he thought until he encountered Tamara.

Kyle and Tamara's story take us on a wild ride... One you will not soon forget. Tamara's world gets turned upside down and inside out within the blink of an eye. Her world of just the plain jane turns into so much more. Tamara witnesses firsthand at what a magical world is like. She is not one to believe in a HEA, does she want one.. sure what woman does not want one. But after her attack, she considers herself to be broken, no good. What I admired about Tam is her spirit. Even though she was dealt some crappy cards in life, she did not try to play the victim card.
Kyle never thought love was meant for him - the assassin for the King. He is a supreme bad-ass, except around his daughter. Thanks to her and her pushness, Kyle met Tam. And even though she is only a human, something called to him - the man and wolf. He wanted her, to have, to hold, to mate, to everything. But he could not figure out why. He never had these feelings before - so why now, why with a human.

Is Tamara the one that will get through to his lonely heart and make him give up everything for? Is Kyle the one that will save her from her demons? How strong does love really have to be to over come all? 

This book is an explosive start to an amazing series. The characters come alive with every line that is written. You can feel the emotions (all of them, the love, the hate, the violence, the devotion...)  flowing though the pages. You could also feel the steam coming off the pages when you read the love scenes (be warned you may singe your fingertips). The action scenes were not spared any details either. There is never a dull moment in the book. I can thoroughly say that I truly enjoyed Ms. Julian' writing style and I am very excited to be starting book two... Cuz let me just tell you now.... You get the biggest tease of your life... This woman is good!!!! **evil laughter**

And fyi.... Yea... Kyle is a Sex on a Stick man!!!!!

I do have to say against my own rule, I wish I had more of Tam and Kyle's relationship! They remind me of Charles and Anna from Ms. Patricia Briggs's Alpha & Omega series! Yes, that is how awesome this book is and these two characters are.

To read and excerpt of this book, please go -->> here.... But be warned: By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, you must stop here.

To visit Ms. Julian's website, please go --->> here and make sure to check out everything she has!
And leave her a note, letting her know that you passed through!

To visit her blog, please go -->> here and see what delightful things are there!!!


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16 comments:

  1. I got this one here and I so have to start it. I read book 2 accidentally before this one and I can't wait to read how these 2 got together. Graet review hon!

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  2. Geat review Cecile.Stephanie Julian is a new author to me too.This sounds like a great book that I hope to read soon.

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  3. OMG Susi... I just finished with two and can you say hotter than hot. This woman must simply just get hotter and hotter with each book. But I do have to say that this is the best short story paranormal I have read in a long while! Thanks for coming over!!!!

    Elaing8!! Morning honey!!! Thank you! You have to read this book! You will love it! Starts and ends with a bang, lol!! Just the way you like it! =)

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  4. Cecile,
    I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed Kiss of Moonlight! Thanks so much for a great review.

    I love writing this series. It's absolutely the most fun I've ever had and to hear that others enjoy it too is icing on the cake.

    Any questions for me, please, ask away.

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  5. Ms Stephanie!! Oh gosh, thank you for coming over today! It is a pleasure to have you here!
    Oh honey... I loved KM. It was an awesome read. I will state it again, this has to be one of the best short story series (in paranormal) that I have read in a very long time.

    My question would be did you think they could have been longer ~ the story line? I do not like to judge the books because of the length... but I really wanted more of Kyle and Tam. Yeah, I am being selfish, lol. But I am just wondering if you wanted them to be longer...

    And I just finished Moonlight Menage last night... and OMG... woman you get hotter and hotter...
    Again, thanks for stopping by!!!
    I hope you enjoy your time at the Lair!

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  6. Hey Cecile,

    Good question. I can honestly say when I write my EC stories, I try not to think about length. I try to write the story I see in my head.

    That said, I see the Lucani Lovers series as one continuing story so all of the characters will continue to appear in the next stories.

    Kyle will probably show up a little more often than anyone else because I adore Kyle. And Cat has a major role in the story I'm writing now.

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  7. Stephanie ~ you are such a tease!!! But I love ya!

    Oh gosh, I have to agree with you, I adore Kyle!!! But I sooo loved Duke and of course Nic (cuz they come together - oh gosh... pun not intended, but now it is, lol)!!! But I loved Duke. I would also like more on Dan too.

    I do love stories that entwine their characters throughout all the stories. Because I mean after all, this is all family to some extend. They are all there for each other. That is the part I love most about it.

    And I must know... Tiara's mom and Daniel.. do we get more of them ~ to know what happens to them???

    Oh you have opened me up full of questions, lol!!!

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  8. My series really are all about family. The Etruscans are a dwindling race but they're holding themselves together and that's what counts.

    I actually have a story arc in mind for Dan and Margie but that won't be for a little while yet.

    And you will be hearing more about Tira's mom and dad, Su and Mark, somewhere down the line.

    Next up, I'm writing Evie's story, and I'm just getting to know her now. Evie's got some baggage but don't we all.

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  9. In those type of stories, where the pack is ultimately family, it is hard to exclude any of the characters out and when you do... it is like a missing piece is not there. So that is one thing I do like about your series... they all come in and out. All of them!

    And yes, I am glad to see all my hot men come back and forth, lol! Okay, hussy I am! =)

    Ohhhh I cannot wait to see Evie's story. Yes, we all have baggage. And I am hoping that at least some knocks the crap out of this "woman" eventually, lol. At least even if she escapes again... someone needs to put the smack down on her and hurt her just a bit, lol.
    And yes... she is a b*tch! She is a real villain! ~So peeps get ready, you will hate her with a passion~

    Another thing I noticed is that this is a series, and short story... but your stories would not leave someone confused if read out of order either. And for a short story that is important!

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  10. Great review! Sounds like another author I need to add to my list!

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  11. Oh I have all 3 of the books in this series to read and review and now I can't wait to get to them! Thanks for the great review!

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  12. Hell Kat!! Hey honey! Thanks for coming over! This is a great series! You have to add this author to you list! I promise you will not be disappointed ~ especially with the paranormal world!!!!

    Tracy! Hey honey! Thanks for coming over today! Oh girl... you MUST read these books and let me know when you do. I am hoping to get the review for two up and read three by this weekend! This is an awesome series. I know we always say we will get there... Tracy, I promise you if I could have started earlier in the day... It would have only taken me one night to read the books!!! Yes, that good!!!

    Wendy! Hey honey! It is so sweet of you to come on over! Girl, hot does not begin with this series!!!`

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  13. Cecile, I can't thank you enough for all the Lucani love!

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  14. Great review hon! Another new author to me may have to check this one out! :) Hope you are having a great one honey! BIG HUGS

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  15. Hey JennJ!!! Thanks for coming over honey!!! I know things are a little rough over there... know that my prayers are going to you honey!!!!!!
    You have to check her our!!!!
    Hope all is well!!!!

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I want to thank you for stopping by my place... I hope to see you again!!
I hope you enjoy my little bloggie home as much as I do!
With hugs, love and smiles... Cecile

My Fictional Smutty Boyfriend.... =)

"Quotes"