Tag: Jan-DeLima • BookLikes

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review 2015-10-04 18:57

Good one. With some tension and a TGTBT heroine...

Tami

Autumn Moon (Celtic Wolves Novel, A) - Jan DeLima

I didn't dig her so much, as she was a little too good.

Which made her kind of boring. Also her emotional vulnerability clashed with her bad-assery power-wise.

And her mate?

I didn't really take away much about him except that he was unearthly beautiful.

And strong. And graceful. And loyal.

Very much cardboard hero.

So, I overall enjoyed it a lot, but this couple won't make my list for favourite main couples any time soon...

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review 2015-09-23 15:11

Review: Autumn Moon by Jan DeLima

That's What I'm Talking About

Autumn Moon is another exciting tale in the Celtic Wolves series. Ms. DeLima has found a way to make shifters and paranormal romance exciting and engrossing again. I love her mix of mythology, even if I get confused by the terms from time to time. What I’ve learned is that I don’t have to remember every single detail to enjoy the story.

Cormack and Elen have a romance that is a few hundred years in the making. Long-time friends, hampered by the fact that he was born in his wolf form and unable to shift, the pair spent countless hours together. The fact that he was wolf wasn’t weird because it never was sexual; however a deep bond did form. Once Cormack became human, each realized that bond equated to love and desire. I admire how Cormack wanted to learn to be a human - a man - without Elen’s assistance, and I like that Elen, while frustrated by his distance, understands his logic.

While the story could have been bogged down by misunderstandings, keeping the pair apart, the author did a good job minimizing the impacts of communication breakdowns. And while the couple didn’t come to terms with their true feelings after the midpoint of the book, the coupling didn’t feel prolonged because of silly issues between the pair. Both sweet and innocent, yet passion and flames, the pair’s chemistry was perfect, and they made up for any inexperiences with enthusiasm.

The overall story involving the Guardians and a pending war moved forward over the course of Autumn Moon. There were some great twists within the book, especially one that I didn’t piece together until it was “too late.” It was evident by the conclusion of the book that all the pieces are falling into place to create a maelstrom of violence against the “lesser” wolf packs. I worry that things are going to get worse before it gets better, but I look forward to the journey. What I love about the Celtic Wolves series is that the overall plot has an urban fantasy vibe to it, yet every book has a stand alone romance, therefore, the reader gets a happy ending with each title.

Overall, I enjoyed Autumn Moon and look forward to finding out what’s going to happen next for Dylan, his family and friends, and his pack.

My Rating: B+ Liked It A Lot

Review copy provided by Publisher

Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About

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text 2015-07-30 22:56

Reading progress update: I've read 100%.

Rabid Reads

Ooh, I LOVED this one! It was definitely my favourite installment to date. Elen & Cormack's story was just... *happy sigh* Full review to follow.

fantasy paranormal romance

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text 2015-07-29 01:54

Reading progress update: I've read 66%.

Rabid Reads

fantasy paranormal romance

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review 2015-03-13 01:18

Review: Summer Moon by Jan DeLima

That's What I'm Talking About

Summer Moon is the follow up title to Jan DeLima's delightful debut, Celtic Moon. Set in northern New England, the series follows a werewolf pack/community who views its Celtic roots and the Guardians of its race with unease. Summer Moon picks up the story of these wolves and their families shortly after the conclusion of the first title. I do recommend reading Celtic Moon first, as the story provides a great deal of world building for the series and setting. Also note, this review has spoilers from the first book.

When Dylan exacted his revenge by killing Math, a Guardian married to Rosa, he unknowingly sped up Rosa's secret plans to take over Avon, her home, and protect its citizens. Seeking out Dylan's help in protecting her home from the Guardians, Rosa proposes an arrangement of marriage with Dylan's brother, Luc, in an effort to thwart the Guardian's plans to use Rosa to produce werewolf offspring. Soon, Rosa and Luc find themselves torn between duty, history, and the desires of their wolves.

Summer Moon is an enjoyable story and excellent addition to the Celtic Wolves series. I really liked how the author brings Luc and Rosa together though an arranged marriage of convenience rather than having them long for one another for days and weeks. However, preventing the couple from a simple romance is both Rosa's history of mental and emotional abuse from her first husband and the memory of Luc's only love and long-decesed wife, Koko. Their romance had both emotional and physical fulfillment. I found myself even tearing up once or twice.

"'I want her,' he whispered to the woman who'd taught him how to love. 'I'm sorry, Koko... I'll never forget you. Never. But I ache for another and I don't know how much longer I'll last.'"

While I found their romance both sweet and steamy, and I enjoyed it immensely, I do wish that more time was spent on the pair's relationship during the course of the book. It's not that their story was lacking, but I felt that at times their scenes were spread out and sparse, taking a back seat to the larger plot.

As for the story arc, it was both tense and exciting. Up against a deadline and unsure of the repercussions from their marriage, Luc and Rosa, along with family and friends, tentatively begin to enjoy new found freedoms while preparing for war. I especially enjoyed learning more about Merin and Taliesin; both I believe, will have larger rolls in future books (and each had a few pivotal moments in Summer Moon). Several factors come into play and weave in and out of the plot, some of which confused me. One thing I would have liked was a more comprehensive glossary that included ALL of the italicized Celtic words and names because I couldn't keep everything straight. (Note: I did just discover that the author provided a more extensive glossary on her website, which may have helped while reading the book.) Another thing that bothered me a little is the inclusion of Koko's journal entries. Luc read one at the beginning of the book, noting it was the final time he'd read it. Yet, the entries continued to appear throughout the book - and not in chronological order. It was confusing - who was reading them? Or were they just there for the reader's FYI?

Overall, I really enjoyed Summer Moon. Rosa and Luc's story is both sexy and sweet. Getting a deeper look at the world and mythology was exciting. While the storyline ended in a good place, readers discover how certain events will have a major impact on the future. I really liked this twist, and it creates both excitement and trepidation in anticipation of reading the next book.

My Rating: B+