HUNTER'S MOON

Author: Lori Handeland ISBN: 0312991355 2/2005 PARANORMAL Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S PRESS

Under a hunter's moon, blood turns from crimson to black— Leigh Tyler was once a kindergarten teacher with starry-eyed dreams—dreams that turned into nightmares when the biggest mistake she ever made came back to tear her world apart. Now, Leigh lives only for the hunt. Werewolves are her prey, and love is no longer an option. and passion turns deadly... Leigh has been called to Wisconsin for something big. As long as it means killing fanged and furry demons, she's up for it. But the worst is yet to come, because something stronger and smarter than the average beast is on the prowl...and it's doing Leigh's work for her. Intoxicating and intriguing, Damien Fitzgerald is making Leigh question her vow never to let another man into her bed, or her heart. Every moment with him brings forth familiar—and dangerous—urges. Urges that may prove too strong to resist. Leigh's job is a dance with death, and she has no intention of letting Damien become involved and get hurt. Especially not that she knows her enemy is watching from the forest. Waiting for her first wrong step...

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

HUNTER'S MOON , by Lori Handeland, is simply a continuation of the perfection that is a fascinating series the author started in her novel, BLUE MOON. I sincerely hope that fur keeps flying in the third book, DARK MOON, because I just love Handeland's first person writing style. Something I never thought I would say.

I also love her complex and out-of-the-ordinary characters. With a new Jager-Sucher, Leigh, and not-what-he-seems hottie, Damien, added to the cast and crew from BLUE MOON, HUNTER'S MOON comes out swinging. There is an "obvious" plot, a "something is still suspicious" plot, and the "Whew, where did that come from!" plot, making a lot of action and mystery between the pages.

As much as I love the new main characters, Damien and Leigh, I was so glad to visit Jessie and Will from BLUE MOON. True to form, Leigh is just like Jessie in a heroine, anti-heroine kind of way. The term doesn't fit her image. Sporting a crew cut on her five-foot frame, she is more like the tiny Xena Warrior Princess kicking Werewolf butt. And Damien, *sigh* Ah, Damien. Handeland sure does know how to make a hero into some serious beefcake. With a side of brains, of course. After all, her hero in BLUE MOON, Will Cadotte, turned my top three favorite heroes list into a top four.

This is one of the most impressive series I have had the pleasure to read. Even if you don't like supernatural stories, you have to admire the writing style and unique approach these books contain. They aren't frilly or fussy, and they most certainly are not for the faint of heart. What they are is fantastic, and way too hard to put down. Truly, you hate to leave these people behind. Good thing I can always read them again!

Shannon Johnson