Beneath a Rising Moon

Keri Arthur

Publisher: Dell Books
Publication Date: July 31, 2012 (Re-Published)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Netgalley

On the werewolf reservation of Ripple Creek, a killer is on the loose. Three women are dead, their bodies mutilated and faces slashed. A fourth, Neva Grant’s twin, lies in the hospital, fighting for her life. Psychically linked, Neva shared the horror of her twins attack and makes a silent vow by her sister’s hospital bed. She’ll hunt down the killer, if Savannah finds the strength to live.

The Rangers believe the killer is a member of the Sinclair pack, but Neva knows the Sinclairs will never talk to an outsider. To begin the hunt, she first has to seduce a Sinclair—and then she has to keep him interested long enough to find the killer. The only Sinclair not under suspicion is a wolf with a hard drinking, hard loving reputation. But has she got what it takes to attract a man with such experience? Neva doesn’t know, but for her sister’s sake, she has to try.

Duncan Sinclair has been called back home to find a killer, and he wants nothing more than to complete his task and get out of the town for which he has no love. Then he’s approached by a wolf who obviously has more than seduction on her mind, and he finds himself ensnared in a growing web of desire and deceit.As the murders continue and the killer’s shadow draws ever closer, Duncan and Neva find themselves having to trust each other in order to survive. But can they trust the emotions flaring between them? Or will the lies of the present, the deeds of the past, and a killer’s bloody intentions tear them apart?

Goodreads Summary

I’m convinced that every once in awhile everyone needs a good, old-fashioned wolfie love story. There’s something soothing about reading a book that’s straight up paranormal romance, where I don’t have to worry about cross tags or multiple genres or whatever. And it gives me just enough magic to let me escape for awhile without making my brain hurt. Keri Arthur has always been my go to author for werewolf books. Her Riley Jensen series is one of my favorites, and when I found out an older series was being re-published, I immediately jumped on the chance to review it.

For years there has been a moral battle between the Sinclair clan and the wolves of Ripple Creek. The Sinclairs are notorious for their complete lack of inhibitions during the week of the full moon, whereas the Ripple Creek wolves believe in saving their dance for their one and only. Neva has been raised under these strict ideals, but those principles fly out the window when her twin sister, and head ranger, is attacked by a mad serial killer targeting female wolves in the area. And not just any female wolves either, the victims previously had been mates (not soul mates, just temporary mates that get together to “dance” during the full moon) of the insanely attractive Sinclair brothers.

Neva, while not naturally devious, comes up with a plan to seduce the only Sinclair man not under suspicion for the murders, Duncan, and use the time at the mansion to investigate the murders. Duncan has reluctantly returned to the mansion after ten years away, but now a changed man. His youth was full of the kind of indiscretions that the Ripple Creek wolves abhor, but after a life altering experience in jail, Duncan decides that the traditional Sinclair way of living is not for him. He’s been searching for his soul mate ever since, and there’s something about Neva’s innocence that calls to him. A bunch of misunderstandings later, Neva and Duncan realize that they’re on the same side and begin to work together to find the killer. As they spend more time together, their relationship grows from pure physical desire to the kind of bond they’ve each been looking for their whole lives. Whether they want it or not.

I really enjoyed Beneath a Rising Moon. It was easy and relaxing, but it captured my attention enough that I read it in one sitting. It was also a quick read, only taking a few hours to get through. I came to care about the characters, but they didn’t wrench emotions out of me. This book was a lot softer and lighter than her Riley Jensen series. Whereas Riley was a kick-arse, loud talking kind of heroine, Neva was a waitress at her family’s diner and happy with her quiet life. Duncan was adorably alpha, and I loved that he was the first one to recognize the bond between him and Neva and wasn’t afraid of it. Even though he was a jerk to her in the beginning, he recognized he was in the wrong and tried to atone for it.

I’m really intrigued with the Sinclair brothers, and I wonder if Arthur will ever write stories for them. I love the idea of a promiscuous alpha hero brought low by a soul mate he secretly wants, but would never admit out loud. The next book in the series is Savannah’s story, but the hero in that one isn’t another Sinclair. So far it looks like they’re are only two books in the Ripple Creek series, so just Neva’s and Savannah’s. I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with their stories.

My Summary: This book was a good middle of the road type read. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I ever read it again? Probably not. The characters were memorable, but while the lack of emotional wrenchage was good for a break, it won’t be put on my to-read-over-and-over-again shelf anytime soon. Beneath a Rising Moon is like the pink stuff (ginger?) you eat between sushi rolls, it cleanses the pallet and gives you an opportunity to recuperate in between the more addicting reads.

My Rating: B+