Dark of the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Deliciously sexy page turner
Review: DARK OF THE MOON is the fourth book of the Half-Moon Ranch series. It is a full length Texas historical of the last and youngest of the Hunter children, Matthew -- the wildest, the youngest and also the most troubled. It begins with Matthew coming home with a champion race horse with killer instincts, he bought in England. He feels that if he can curb the killer instinct, this horse, Dark Champion, can save the siblings ranch. When Matt returns home he finds that his father Jack has been released from a 10-year prison sentence for killing the children's beloved mother. Also coming home is the widow, Juliana Rains. She left home at the age of eight to be brought up by her grandparents when her mother re-married a man who didn't want her around. She has come home when the last letter from her deceased mother didn't jive with the communication she had received from her step-father reporting her mothers brief(?) illness and death.

Hearing a stallion, assaulting the precious blood mare that Juliana brought back with her to Texas, Juliana does her best to shoo him away but Dark Champion turns her precious 'pet' mare into a harlot - or so she thought. Matt, chasing after his stallion and coming upon the scene was actually quite pleased. First that his horse could prove himself a stud and also that he recognized and remembered Juliana. On the other hand, Juliana remembered Matt quite well ---- as the wild, gangly troublemaker from her youth but secretly admired the way he'd filled out over the years. The sparks and the attraction began from that moment but subsequent events would have their paths crossing again and again as accidents began to plague the ranch and they both came to face their troubled pasts to realize that there was a common villain in their lives.

This was a fast-page turner with plenty of action, good and vivid descriptive detail, snappy dialog, and a very good supporting cast of secondary characters. I particularly loved the male housekeeper! The sexual encounters were written so vividly that I even enjoyed the horse breeding! This was hot and deliciously done with the right amount of action to keep you up all night long!

Rating:
Summary: Nice End to an Interesting Series
Review: DARK OF THE MOON is the story of Matt Hunter, the prodigal son. Matt returns from England with Dark Champion, a race horse that has had more than his share of controversy. Upon his arrival to Diablo, Dark Champion, or DC as Matt calls him, smell the horse of Juliana Haines. Juliana is the step-daughter of Edward Montgomery and the daughter of Iona Montgomery, who died early in the series. Juliana has returned to solve the mystery of her mother's death. She suspects foul-play due to a letter sent by her mother just before she passed on.

Throughout this story, we get what finally happened to Elizabeth Hunter, the mother of the clan. Also, we find out why Jack Hunter went to prison. I thought that the ulitmate demise of Kane, the hired killer of Edmond Montgomery's, was too easy. However, the conclusion with Edmond was exciting.

The story of Matt and Juliana is good, although I would have liked to have known Matt a little better. We find out why he has stayed away from the ranch, but we do not really know about his travels, outside of the England trip. I thought Juliana was a very well written heroine. She was tireless in finding out about her mother's death. However, I do not understand why she did not see out Abby Hunter with more aggressiveness.

Overall, this was an exciting end to a great series. I hope these four authors get together again. Also, I would like to see a story for the Marshall, who played out in three of the books. The only complete disappointment in this book was the lack of Abby, when she was the most logical to be sought after by Juliana.

Rating:
Summary: Matt and Juliana-SPOILERS
Review: Favorite scene with Juliana-
Threatening Edmund.

Favorite scene with Matt-
Going after Kane after finding Dr. Gibbs' body.

Together-
Going after Edmund.

What did you like about Juliana-
Her strength and her determination to discover the truth about her
mother. Not being afraid to threaten Edmund. Hiring Mugg.

What didn't you like about Juliana-
Taking risks, going off by herself to discover the truth. Willing to be
with Matt in bed, but not in home and marriage.

What did you like about Matt-
Great sense of humor and how easily he could be hurt. Sensitive, yet
strong and manly. Learning to dance with Mugg for Juliana. Not giving
up on his father.

What didn't you like about Matt-
Almost giving Juliana up, thinking he's not good enough for her.

Rating:
Summary: strong conclusion to the HALF-MOON RANCH tales
Review: Matt Hunter leaves his family's Half-Moon Ranch to journey to England to buy a thoroughbred racehorse known as a killer, Dark Champion. By the time he returns to Diablo, Texas, his three siblings are married (see HUNTER'S MOON by Bobbi Smith, RENEGADE MOON by Elaine Barbieri and MOON RACER by Constance O'Banyon) and his father freed from prison, having completed a ten year prison sentence for murdering his wife.

Widow Juliana Rains returns to her hometown of Diablo seeking to learn how her mother died. In her gut she believes that her stepfather killed her mother, but lacks evidence. Besides finding the proof, she sees Matt. Juliana has never forgotten Matt nor he her. As they fall in love, her inquires may prove deadly. Besides which love may not be enough for these two individuals with plenty to demonstrate to others without the trouble of a relationship to impinge on their respective efforts.

This reviewer could not wait for the final story in a strong quartet of novels to learn the truth of ten years ago (clever writing by three authors hooked me to wait for the finale). Following up with the climax on three well-written western romances released over the last couple of months by other authors is not easy. However, Evelyn Rogers makes it look effortless. The author succeeds because of two superb lead characters, the personality consistency of the repeat support cast especially Matt's siblings and father, and the clever close-out of what happened a decade ago. Though the villain lacks anything redeeming, readers will appreciate the final the HALF-MOON RANCH tale that completes a wonderful foursome.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: strong conclusion to the HALF-MOON RANCH tales
Review: Matt Hunter leaves his family's Half-Moon Ranch to journey to England to buy a thoroughbred racehorse known as a killer, Dark Champion. By the time he returns to Diablo, Texas, his three siblings are married (see HUNTER'S MOON by Bobbi Smith, RENEGADE MOON by Elaine Barbieri and MOON RACER by Constance O'Banyon) and his father freed from prison, having completed a ten year prison sentence for murdering his wife.

Widow Juliana Rains returns to her hometown of Diablo seeking to learn how her mother died. In her gut she believes that her stepfather killed her mother, but lacks evidence. Besides finding the proof, she sees Matt. Juliana has never forgotten Matt nor he her. As they fall in love, her inquires may prove deadly. Besides which love may not be enough for these two individuals with plenty to demonstrate to others without the trouble of a relationship to impinge on their respective efforts.

This reviewer could not wait for the final story in a strong quartet of novels to learn the truth of ten years ago (clever writing by three authors hooked me to wait for the finale). Following up with the climax on three well-written western romances released over the last couple of months by other authors is not easy. However, Evelyn Rogers makes it look effortless. The author succeeds because of two superb lead characters, the personality consistency of the repeat support cast especially Matt's siblings and father, and the clever close-out of what happened a decade ago. Though the villain lacks anything redeeming, readers will appreciate the final the HALF-MOON RANCH tale that completes a wonderful foursome.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Evelyn Rogers has proven that she is one of the best!
Review: Matt Hunter was the youngest son on the Half-Moon Ranch in Diablo, Texas. He traveled to England and purchased Dark Champion, a thoroughbred racer with the reputation of being a killer. When Matt arrived home he learned that his siblings were all wed and his father was home, having finished his ten year prison sentence. Being known as the wildest of the bunch, Matt wanted to prove himself to everyone by racing DC and earning enough money to help pay the mortgage.

Juliana Rains was a lovely widow who returned to Diablo for answers to how her mother, Iona, died. Juliana believed her stepfather, Edmund Montgomery, somehow put Iona in an early grave, but could not prove it. But Juliana never expected to run into Matt again.

***** Once again, Evelyn Rogers has proven that when it comes to writing Historical Romance, she is one of the best! When you begin reading you will not want to stop. It is overflowing in action and romance. Oh, and of course the story comes complete with a greedy villain that is so well written you just want to throttle the life out of him! Fantastic!

This book concludes the HALF-MOON RANCH series that began in July 2003. The others in this series are "Hunter's Moon" by Bobbi Smith (July), "Renegade Moon" by Elaine Barbieri (July), and "Moon Racer" by Constance O'Banyon (Aug). *****