#BookReview – “Moonglow” by Kristen Callihan

Blurb

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

Review 

In book two in the Darkest London series, Daisy Ellis Craigmore is now a widow, finally free from her abusive, elderly husband. All she wants to do is have fun and experience sexual freedom, but then a werewolf attacks her in a shadowy alley. A handsome man comes to her rescue, and her life will never be the same.

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, lives in exile from his lycan pack, and he’s suffered much loneliness and pain after losing his wife and son. Then he meets Daisy, a damaged woman with her own problems. As the mad werewolf stalks across London and targets Daisy, it’s up to Ian to hunt him down and save the woman he’s falling in love with.

I really enjoyed this book. Unlike Archer and Miranda from book one, Ian and Daisy actually communicated and often shared their feelings with each other. Both of them are damaged characters, each letting the past affect their lives and future. Ian treated Daisy with respect, like a partner, and not a woman meant to be coddled and put on a shelf. That was very refreshing.

In most historical romances, the heroines are virgins before marriage, but not so for Daisy or her younger sister Miranda. I find that wonderful because I like the idea of giving the heroines the right to explore their sexuality just as the heroes do.

There were two big twists at the end, one in regards to the villain and the other in regards to the H/h’s HEA. I love being surprised and didn’t see either of those twists coming.

I found the GIMs (ghosts in the machines) very interesting, but I didn’t really understand exactly what they were and what they did. That, of course, should be explained in future books.

I’m dying to read book three and learn more about Poppy and Winston, Daisy’s elder sister and brother-in-law. Talent and Mary are interesting characters, too, and I’m looking forward to reading their book. Archer and Miranda returned from book one, and it was great seeing Archer act more comfortable in his own skin.

The story is fast paced and kept my attention. It’s well written, without typos. I definitely recommend it.

5 Stars

Disclaimer – I borrowed this book from the library. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.