That's What I'm Talking About...: Review: Onyx Moon

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Review: Onyx Moon

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Onyx Moon

Author: Ann Mayburn

Release Date: Nov. 21, 2011

Publisher: Decadent

Prides of the Moon #4

ISBN: #978-1613331644

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Novella, GLBT

Format(s): e-book

Book Source: Publisher

About the book:

Marcus Galin has searched the world for a very special kind of werepuma, a Beta who has also been blessed by the Goddess as a shaman. His prayers are finally answered when Madame Eve of the 1 Night Stand matchmaking service arranges for him to meet a man in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica that fits his requirements. Only problem is that Marcus is terrified of magic and doesn't know if he can overcome his fear enough to open his heart to a stranger that his pride and his heart desperately need.

Vashan Dulphin has spent all of his life as an outcast among his people. By a twist of fate and gentics at puberty he became a werejaguar much to his family and pride's disgust. Since then he has lived in solitude among his people, barely tolerated only because of his power as both a Beta and a shaman. Desperate for a chance to find a home where he will be loved, he calls on the aid of Madame Eve who sends him Marcus.

Together the men will have to overcome their fear and self-doubt for a one in a million chance at love.

What B is talking about:

As the alpha werepuma destined to take over his pack, Onyx Moon, Marcus is already shouldering much of the responsibility he owes his people. We first met Marcus at the end of Turquoise Moon, the third story in the series, while he was under the spell of the magically-aided, but crazed, Stephen, who was pursuing Kara as she tried to bond with her true mates. Marcus’ own pack has been without a shaman for too long, and it’s his duty to find one young and strong enough to protect the pride. The new shaman must also be a beta who will bond with Marcus, so that there can be no doubt as to the spiritual guide’s motives and loyalty. That alone is no small task, but combine it with Marcus’ fear of magic, and it seems impossible.

Vashan has his share of problems, too. Being the only werejaguar in his insular pack has been a burden; one that’s nearly become too much to carry. If it weren’t for his powers as a shaman, his pride would have killed him long ago. Now, he wants to find a new home where he’ll be welcome, and someone who’ll love him for who he is. Luckily, and at the urging of Madame Eve from the 1 Night Stand dating service, he decides to give Marcus a chance. While I enjoyed reading each male’s perspective throughout the story, it is Vashan’s that tugged most strongly at my heart.

Mayburn gives Marcus and Vashan a lot of obstacles and poor odds on the path to becoming mates, as she’s done with most of her characters that I’ve read to date, but it’s a contrivance that works well in the Prides of the Moon series. Thanks to their inner animals, these shifters recognize a potential mate on sight, and the reaction is instantaneous and thoroughly sexual.

These two shifters are a very good fit for one another, even from their erotically charged initial meeting. Marcus’ puma is immediately drawn to Vashan, his need to claim and mark the shaman a jolt of pure, sexy goodness that grows quickly as they begin the “mating games” that will bond them to one another forever. The bonding process is an incredibly sensual one; each man’s perspective melding with the other’s as they give themselves fully to their mating.

The Prides of the Moon stories are satisfying reads on their own, but I recommend reading the series in order. Each chronicle leads directly to the next by either a single character or a pair, and having all the details from the previous tale increased my sense of familiarity and overall enjoyment as the story progressed. Marcus and Vashan are generous and loving, and utterly sexy as they work their way towards the love and happiness they crave; and I have no doubt that whatever Mayburn has in store for her cats next will be just as satisfying.

B’s Rating:

Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)

Purchase Info:

Amber Moon, Book 1
Emerald Moon, Book 2
Turquoise Moon, Book 3
Onyx Moon, Book 4

Labels: 1 Night Stand series, 4 stars, Ann Mayburn, Bs-review, Decadent Publishing, erotic romance, GLBT, novella, paranormal romance, Prides of the Moon Series

2 comments:

paperbackdaydreamer.com said...: This sounds so good! Ok, I'm putting book one on my TBR list. I'm so glad that you enjoyed it and I like the fact that the books look at several different types of relationships and I love the paranormal twist to them. :-D Great review B and I hope you continue enjoying the series as they come out...if there are suppose to be more released. :-); January 24, 2012 11:59 AM
B. said...: It really is a fun series. These werecats are all just gorgeous, and the stories are quick and hot. I hope you enjoyed them, too! Thank you!; January 25, 2012 12:58 PM

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