SHADOW OF THE MOON by Rachel Hawthorne

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SHADOW OF THE MOON
A Dark Guardian Novel #4
Source: Library
  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (March 23, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061962902
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061962905
SYNOPSIS:
I can feel every Shifter’s emotions except Daniel’s—the only one whose heart I long to know. 
Hayden was born a werewolf, a Dark Guardian. But her ability to sense the feelings of fellow werewolves has made her life unbearable. She runs away, only to be tracked by charming, mysterious Daniel, a newcomer to the pack and the one Shifter immune to her powers. As she reluctantly follows him home, Hayden finds herself falling dangerously in love. . . . 
But even as her feelings for Daniel deepen, Hayden begins to wonder if he is who he claims to be. Where did he come from and why has no one ever seen him transform? When they stumble upon the body of a Shifter still in wolf form, her worries grow. Someone is killing her kind. Is her handsome tracker really a hunter? And is Hayden now his prey? 
MY THOUGHTS:
This series has been hit and miss for me.  While I enjoyed a couple of books from this series, there was certain parts of each book that annoyed me.
With Shadow of the Moon, the author has grown with her writing skills.  It flowed better and made more sense with the plot and characters. I loved the story of Hayden and Daniel.  Both loners of the pack, but with a special skill in each one.  The only frustrating thing about this series is the women of the pack. Can they please get over the sacraficial lamb part of their personality already? Can they just fall in love with their mate as quickly as their male counterparts and quit trying to sacrafice their feelings and emotions for others?  Kick butt already and claim those hunky men the author is trying to pair you up with already!  It is very annoying!
Overall, this book was my favorite of the series I think.  The story of Hayden and Daniel was written so much better than the others.  One I would read again.
MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

Dark of the Moon by Rachel Hawthorne

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DARK OF THE MOON
DARK GUARDIAN #3
Author: Rachel Hawthorne
Source: Library

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (August 25, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061709573
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061709579

SYNOPSIS:

I’ve loved him forever, but he can never be mine.

Brittany is determined to prove herself to the Dark Guardians. And yet she’s been keeping a devastating secret: She hasn’t experienced any of the intense, early signs of change that mark a Dark Guardian’s transformation. The only intense feelings she has are for Connor—and she’s kept that a secret, too. But she knows she’ll never truly have Connor’s love if she’s not a Shifter like him.

At the first full moon after her birthday, her greatest fear is realized: She doesn’t transform. Brittany is so desperate to become a wolf that she’ll go to extremes she never thought possible . . . and put all the Dark Guardians in incredible danger.

MY TAKE:

After reading the last book in this series, I was hoping this series would make a comeback with Dark of the Moon. Boy, did it! I loved this book! Brittany is the tough girl of the group. The smart ass, tough as nails, hates pink kind of girl. She has been in love with Connor for a long time. When it comes time for her full moon for shifting, Brittany doesn’t change. She doesn’t know why, but is devastated since she has been waiting for this forever. She doesn’t know how to tell anyone as well, since she has never really had a close bond with any of the other girls. I found the slow romance between Connor and Brittany wonderful and the writing flowed smoothly. I am so glad the author came back from the last book with lots of juicy writing. There were suppose to only be three in this series, but her site now states that there will be another one. I cannot wait to see what more she has in store for her readers!

MY RATING:


Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

FULL MOON by Rachel Hawthorne

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FULL MOON
Author: Rachel Hawthorne
Source: Library

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (June 30, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061709565
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061709562

SYNOPSIS:

Lindsey has always known that Connor was her destined mate, but this summer as her full moon approaches, she finds herself dreaming about darkly handsome and silent Rafe. When the others are captured by their enemies, she and Rafe must work together to save them. As they spend time together, Lindsey will come to realize that some dangers come from within as she is forced to face her true feelings for Connor and Rafe. One is a friend. The other is her true love. But listening to her heart could cost her everything.

MY TAKE:

After reading the first book in this series, I was excited to finally receive this book from the library! I couldn’t wait to jump into the world that Rachel Hawthorne creates. This one though, didn’t capture my interest as much as the first. I still enjoyed th quick read, but Lindsey’s character just annoyed me. She keeps going back and forth between Rafe and Conner that near the end I was hoping both men would walk away from her. Lindsey seemed more like a little girl than a 17 year old in love. Overall though, it was a good enough book to check out from the library for those rainy days and quick reads. I liked how the end left us waiting for Brittany’s story in the next book. Even though I wasn’t blown away by this book, Ms. Hawthorne is still one of my favorite authors.

MY RATING:


A Good Book and Read! Perfect For Rainy Days
From the Library!

Dark Guardian #1: Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

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Dark Gaurdian #1: Moonlight
Author: Rachel Hawthorne

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (March 3, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061709557
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061709555

Synopsis:

I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He’s the one. My forever.

kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can’t understand why she’s so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she’s inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm’s way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

MY TAKE:
WOW! A young adult novel that I actually couldn’t put down. This book started slow, mainly introducing the different characters that will be coming into the mix during the book. Once you get past the first chapter though, it takes off on a wonderful ride of young love and suspense. You can’t help but fall for the quiet and intimidating Lucas. You just know he is the Alpha in the wolf world and human group. He is protective and a character that commands attention in the book. This was such a delightful young adult book that has plenty of intrigue and action throughout the story. Just when you think it is slowing down, the author throws in another action scene or love scene. A true teen soul mate kind of book. Aahh, young love. Girl meets boy, boy shape shifts, girl shape shifts, they mate for life. A great read for all adults as well. This was suppose to be the first in a three part series, but the author has noted on her web site that there will indeed be a fourth.

MY RATING:
I am giving the following only four flames only due to the slow start.


Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!