BLUE MOON

Author: Lori Handeland ISBN: 0312991347 10/2004 PARANORMAL Publisher: St. Martin's Press

By the light of a blue moon, dangers prowls... Miniwa, Wisconsin is under siege, but not by the usual summer tourists. The area's normally shy wolf population has begun stalking human prey, and their victims have been disappearing...or worse. Something is happening in the woods. Something brutal and primitive... And desire is unleashed... Officer Jessie McQuade has seen plenty in her years on the force-but nothing as intriguing as the gorgeous, naked man she encounters while tracking a rogue wolf. Professor Will Cadotte is a Native American activist. He's also the only man capable of distracting Jessie from her work. And for a cop, distraction-no matter how pleasurable-can be deadly. It's against Jessie's better judgment to accept Will's help in her investigation, yet she soon finds herself doing exactly that-and more. Will's dark, penetrating eyes see into a part of Jessie's soul she never knew existed. It's exhilarating...and terrifying. Now, as a town's deepest secrets come to light, no one is safe: not friends, lovers, or strangers. And as Jessie follows a bloody trail to the shocking truth, she'll have to decide who she can trust when the moon is full... ?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Yay, me! I found a new author to love. Lori Handeland and her October release, BLUE MOON, are just excellent! I was up reading until the wee hours of the morning because I just couldn't put it down. Lots of intrigue, suspense, wry humor, and some of the hottest sex (Man, the hero is soooooo yummy!) I have ever read about. Oh, I cannot forget to mention the Indian folklore and werewolves running amok.

I was taken aback a bit when I started this story, because of the no-nonsense attitude of the heroine police officer, Jessie McQuade. She knows what she is and what she isn't, and has to be one of the most original characters I have seen developed. I wish her story was longer or that I could call her up on the phone when I need a new and frank perspective (ha!ha!). Jessie isn't beautiful and has some serious self-esteem issues, but that doesn't stop her from going after the hunkiest Ojibwe Indian man ever described on paper.

I love the story and all its secrets, but mostly I love the hero, professor and Native American activist, Will Cadotte. I actually added him as my number four guy on my "Heroes I Love" list, which technically is a top three list. He defines sexy, plain and simple. (Think Antonio Saboto Jr. looks, only way better with my imagination.) He is smart, a bit cocky, and can see the diamond in the rough that is Jessie. There is also a bit of vulnerability peeking through his cool exterior, making him quite a perfect guy. Which, as we all know, only exists in these books and our dreams.

And my, oh my, what dreams you will have, after reading this one! I can't wait for the sequel, HUNTERS MOON.

Shannon Johnson