Accepted Readers,
I am so proud to announce that By the Light of the Moon by the beautiful Laila Blake is finally available for purchase again! I had the chance to read this amazing book the first time it was released and it blew me away! This new edition has a few changes and cover image but is still the same addictive story! If you enjoy fantasy and paranormal romances, you need to read this book NOW! This book turned me into the paranormal romance junkie I am today! I am including all kinds of goodies for you guys to enjoy... my review, a giveaway, and an excerpt. (Which happens to be one of my favorite scenes in the book!)
About the Book
Title: By the Light of the Moon
Author: Laila Blake
Series: The Lakeside Series (#1)
Length: 93,000 words
Genre: Romantic Fantasy/Paranormal
Age Group: Mature audience (adult content)
Source Of Copy/Format: author/ e-book
My Rating: 5/5
To hear Laila Blake reading the prologue: click here
Still craving more By the Light of the Moon?
Be sure to check out the book trailer and pinterest board inspired by the book!
Still craving more By the Light of the Moon?
Be sure to check out the book trailer and pinterest board inspired by the book!
Withdrawn and with a reputation for her
strange, eccentric ways, young Lady Moira Rochmond is old to be unwed.
Rumors say, she has been seen barefoot in the orchard, is awake all
night in moon-struck rambles and sleeps all day. Some will even claim
her ghostly pallor and aloof manner are signs of illness, of a curse or
insanity.
The hopes of the peaceful succession to her
father’s fief lie in an advantageous marriage. When a suitor does show
interest, her family pushes for a decision. Almost resigned to the fact
that she has no choice but to play the part she has been given in life,
Moira is faced with Owain. A member of the mysterious Blaidyn creatures
and a new guard in her father’s castle, he is specifically tasked to
keep her safe. He is different from other people she knows and when one
night under the full moon, she makes the acquaintance of the wolf who
shares Owain’s soul, her life starts to change and to unravel.
My Review
Writing Style:
Addictive is the easiest way for me to define the writing
style of Laila Blake! I was shocked to learn that this was her first novel
because it is just so finely written. She has a way of making you plunge into
the story so deep that you will curse yourself for not being able to read
faster. Blake also has a knack for writing sensual mature scenes that will make
you swoon and blush profusely. The character development in this novel gets a
double A+ from me. The only writing issue I had with this book was a slight
confusion dealing with some of the character dialogue. I had to re-read some of
the dialogue twice to fully understand what exactly was going on, but this
problem only appeared in two scenes.
My Opinion:
I absolutely loved this book for
so many reasons including:
The setting. Most of the novels I read
that are set in present time; this one is set in medieval times that include
castles and royalty. (Double win!)
The paranormal creatures. Werewolves and Fae in one novel? = Instant Excitement.
The steamy love scenes. Sexuality in books can be a hit or miss for me… in this case it is a complete hit. The mature segments went along with the plot and were written in a tasteful, yet truthful manner.
By the Light of the Moon had my attention the moment I read
the first sentence. I can honestly say I enjoyed everything about this book. The
story focuses mainly on Moira, a young maiden. Her father is a highly regarded
Lord and expects her be regal. However, Moira is everything but. She is strange,
loves the moon light, enjoys being outside at night, and is extremely antisocial.
People think she is crazy, at times she thinks she is too. When her father
hires Owain, a blaidyn (a werewolf), to be her personal bodyguard, her whole
world is turned upside down. She discovers that the only time she feels normal
is when she is alone with Owain. The truth about her is revealed, partially
because of him actually. (Trust me when I say, it will shock you!)
I felt an instant connection to Moira and Owain. The romance
that develops between them is breathtaking. It is in no means an instant love,
which is always refreshing. It reminded me of young teenager love… sweet, passionate,
and yearning. They truly complement each other in every way. A perfect pair
that is meant to be together, but everyone frowns upon it. I am rooting for
them to stride through all the troubles and strengthen their love. I cannot
wait to see what their future will be! (I’m hoping for wolf babies!)
Needless to say, I am looking forward to the rest of the
books in the Lakeside series. I vote you go pick up By the Light of the Moon and be wowed like I was. This is one book
I can see myself reading over and over again… and I know if you give it the chance
you will feel the same way!
Some of my favorite quotes:
"There is only one way to see other people Moira; through the filter of our own experiences, beliefs, expectations.What they see, isn't you. It's their fears, their experiences, their prejudice." --- Owain
"I want you aching for me tomorrow... I know I shouldn't, but I do." --- Owain
Bonus Excerpt
The stairs were trickier, but she knew the ones that squeaked and how to squeeze herself against the wall and walk so close to where the boards where fixed in the stone that they had no place to bend and creak. Even Blaidyn had to sleep; they were alive, weren’t they? Every creature alive slept and all she had to do was creep quietly enough not to rouse him.
She clung to the wall, fingertips hooked into the narrow gaps between the stones, carefully setting one foot onto the landing. She wouldn’t make it past the portcullis but there were other ways, smaller, secret ways in and out of the castle and the wolf wasn’t likely to know any of them. She just had to reach the closest one, down by the kitchens. It wasn’t that far, just a little further and she would be able to breathe deeply, to run, to scream if she felt like it.
“My lady.” The voice suddenly came out of the darkness and Moira uttered an involuntary squeak. She slapped her hand over her mouth, then furtively looked into the direction it had come from. For a moment, she was sure she saw two eyes glowing eerily silver in the dark. She shrunk back against the wall, her heart hammering rapidly in her chest.
Then she heard the soft rasp of a match and a moment later, a tiny flame erupted at the end of a sliver of wood held in large hands, which brought it to a candle.
“There’s no need to be alarmed, milady,” the voice said again and now that he lifted the candle to his face, she recognized the Blaidyn. She should have known. She wanted to scold herself, scaring like a little girl; of course it was the wolf, her own personal prison guard.
“How long have you been standing there?” she demanded, trying to sound like his social superior ought to sound. Her voice was croaky and still shaking, though, and she wrapped her arms protectively around her torso. He didn’t look cruel, but the candlelight cast a strange glow on his features that wasn’t inspiring trust or safety, either.
“A few minutes, milady,” he answered truthfully. “Since you entered the corridor.”
Her mouth opened and then she closed it again. She wanted to be angry and indignant but in grasping for that emotion through the fog of fright, she came up with embarrassment, of all things. He had heard her slowly, carefully creeping down the long carpeted hallway, holding her breath almost the entire time, taking minutes for a distance usually crossed in less than one. And he had stood there, waiting, knowing exactly what she was up to. The very idea made her neck itch enough to press her hand against it as she tried to make out his features again from lowered lashes.
“Are you going to stop me?” she finally asked into the silence.
“That depends, milady.”
She looked at him again. He was too tall to easily remember her social status when he eyed her from so far above, but she composed herself and pushed up her chin in shy defiance. She turned around and then made to cross the hall. Each step, she pushed herself a little faster, fearing he’d grab her and pull her back and she didn’t know how she’d cope with another person touching her that day, least of all that stranger: Owain, the man with no family name, the man who wasn’t even human.
It didn’t come. No word, no hand out of the dark to yank back her shoulder. She didn’t try the large entry door. It was heavily bolted and there was little else behind it but the empty square where the guards trained, and around which their barracks and servant’s quarters were arranged. It led to the main gatehouse, the portcullis and the drawbridge and none of those places were any good for a fast escape.
The next corridor was even darker and she blinked heavily, slowing down as she paused to look around.
“Would you like my candle, milady?” The voice was suddenly next to her again and Moira jumped once more.
She didn’t reply and kept walking until she reached the door at the end, then she opened it and stepped into the circular garden. At the other end, there was a small door that led down into the kitchens and to that side, the earth yielded herbs and aromatic flowers, but most of the garden was filled with neatly trimmed and shaped bushes and flowerbeds, and a low gnarly tree built as the focal point, just off the center. It blossomed pink in spring but now, at the very end of summer, its leaves were beginning to yellow.
The moon, a slim crescent as it was, offered only just enough illumination to outline the bright stone path that wound through the flowerbeds. Moira followed it slowly, shivering and soaking up the air and the moonlight and the freshness of the plants around her: no stale curtains, no wood long cut and dead, no lifeless cotton long ripped from its stems.
About The Author
A GIVEAWAY
Prize:
$15.00 Amazon Gift Certificate
Direct Link to entry form:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9a4c935/
*note this giveaway has been provided by the author*
*note this giveaway has been provided by the author*
Aww thank you Helena! :D And I hope you're starting to feel better!
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