Title: Moonglow (Darkest London, Book Two)
Author: Kristen Callihan
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: July 31, 2012
ARC provided by Net Galley
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. Links to purchase book: Amazon / B&N Links for author: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook
Book Review
Although Moonglow is book two in a series (Darkest London), you can read this without really any confusion pertaining to the backstory. However, I love to read in order and I loved Firelight--book one--and was excited about this newest release. So, I'll give you just a taste of what occurred in book one, Firelight.
Ian Ranulf is introduced in the first book and he only whetted my appetite. He's a bit of a bad boy with a mysterious background. One that is only hinted at in Firelight. He is a player. A user of women's bodies--seeking only his pleasure and wanting no commitments.
Although he maintains his distance, he can't help but have feelings for Miranda Ellis, the heroine in Firelight. It's not really explained what exactly intrigues him. But it does lend to some great jealousy scenes between Ian and Miranda's love, Lord Benjamin Archer. It also leads to Ian Ranulf kidnapping the fiery red head and that act leads to some animosity when Miranda is returned.
Moonglow starts out with Daisy Ellis Craigmore, sister to Miranda, is attacked by some wolfish creature and rescued by the handsome Marquis of Northrup--Ian Ranulf. He knows the creature is a rogue wolf and the deadly creature has set his sights on Daisy. Ian swears to protect her and takes her to his home to tend to her injuries.
What starts out very slowly at the beginning of Callihan's story, soon blooms and develops into a sizzling story between our hero and heroine. Callihan has a gift for painting such a realistic scene, the reader can experience the sights and sounds of historical London. So great are her skills, you can practically smell the rank air from the Thames, feel the dampness of the fog seep into your bones, and ride along in an unforgettable carriage ride:
The delicate fabric tore to her waist with a renting sound that shot through the tense silence. "Sweet Jesus." It was more a prayer than anything. She was gorgeous. Full, creamy, teardrop-shaped breasts that thrust upward. Perfect tawny nipples the size of sovereigns that invited a man to linger. His hands covered the curve of her waist where her tender flesh had been abused by the binding corset. He smoothed his palms over the red marks, and she hissed as though his touch burned.
The historical genre is not my favorite one to read, but Callihan captures my attention with her vivid descriptions and sucker punches me in the solar plexus with an emotional read. I cannot wait for Winterblaze, book three of the Darkest London series.
