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Moonglow
in eBook edition on July 31, 2012 and has 384 pages.
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Second in the Darkest London historical paranormal romance series revolving around the gifted Ellis sisters. The couple focus is on the newly widowed Daisy Margaret née Ellis Craigmore and Ian Ranulf, Marquis of Northrup.
My Take
Ach, it’s a sad thing for a man. When he can no longer get it up.
I do enjoy Callihan’s writing even if she does play fast and loose with the manners, dress, and society of the time period. Which is saying something. Normally, I’d be so disgusted that I’d toss it aside, but Callihan has created such an interesting story that it doesn’t bother me…I know, I know, I’m a bit of a snob!
I do wish Callihan had explained just why the ton were boycotting Daisy. I don’t understand this. I’d also like to know what happened to his father’s title, the Earl of Rossberry. I mean, if he’s dead…
It’s a fascinating story of detective work with the tension of a woman and a man neither of whom wants anything to do with the other. In spite of their mutual attraction. It’s also Daisy’s horrible experiences with Craigmore that make it so difficult for her to let go. While Ian has his own nightmares about love.
While the love story is the overlying theme, there are darker undercurrents related to Ian’s family and his relationship with his brother. Customs, morals, and legal expectations that The Ranulf is ignoring. The fear he engenders in the eyes of the werewolves at Ranulf House. It’s quite a tale that Lena tells and Callihan draws this out, teasing until I about went mad needing to know the background!
There are too many factions within London that want Conall out and Ian is dismayed at the price they all want if he wants their help.
Hmm, it does get a bit maudlin’ and cheesy at the end with the whole “I can’t stay because I love you” crap. It’s one thing when it makes sense, but too often it’s simply an easy-out for the author.
The Story
Daisy’s jerk of a husband has finally died. He thinks he’s left her destitute, but she saw this coming and developed her own income using her extremely sensitive nose. London society despises her and she is trying to find her own way when she stumbles, literally, across her murdered friend and the crazed werewolf who killed her.
It’s lucky for Daisy that Ian is out stalking the night when he becomes aware of the danger, bringing her to his home to care for her. Until Daisy realizes who he is. A fact that she ruefully realizes has no effect on how his presence can “send an unwelcome bolt of heat straight to her sex”.
It’s more than sex, however, that brings these two together. An appreciation of smells, a derring-do, bravery, acceptance. It’s one of these mutual appreciations that is causing the serial killer to hunt for Daisy. And it’s Ian’s family background that makes him the ideal protector even as it puts Daisy in greater danger.
The Characters
Daisy Margaret Ellis Craigmore is Miranda’s sister (see Firelight). Craigmore is no longer in her life and she is very pleased to know she’s had the last laugh.
Ian Alaisdar Ranulf is the new Marquis of Northrup, the former Viscount McKinnon and an exiled member of Clan Ranulf. He cultivates the impression of a dandy interested only in a fashionable, easy life. Una was his wife, angry about his other half. Maccon was his son. A son whom Una poisoned with her rage about Ian’s werewolf side. Jack Talent performs the services of a valet in his more visible role in the household while Ian would prefer to utilize his particular abilities as a shapeshifting crow to spy, Mrs. Tuttle is his housekeeper, Seamus his groom, and Diggs his butler in London.
Lady Archer, Miranda, worries about Ranulf’s intentions towards her sister. Lord Benjamin Archer is her husband and feeling quite unfriendly to Ian. Billy Finger is an old, crooked friend of Pan’s from the, um, less salubrious part of her past.
Inspector First Class Winston Lane of the Criminal Investigations Department is Poppy Ann Ellis Lane‘s husband and thus brother-in-law to Archer. None of which will get him a pass if Archer has committed a crime. Unfortunately, Winston doesn’t know about the supernatural side of London. Or his wife.
Henry Poole is a forensic consultant for the London Metropolitan Police, but owes favors to Ian and Archer. Clemens runs the Plough and Harrow, a pub that Daisy’s father used to frequent. Mr. Abernathy, the manager for Florin, has been a very naughty boy. Lena is a vampire, a “ranking captain in The Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals (SOS), and the conduit through whom Ian must go to reach Mother, the head of SOS.
Clan Ranulf is ruled by his younger brother, Conall, The Ranulf, ruler of the Lycans, and London is their territory. Lucy Montgomery is key. She rose from parlor maid to personal nurse within Ranulf House. Lyall is Conall’s beta and still angry over Ian’s defection.
Lucien Stone is a GIM, a Ghost in the Machine. A version of life in which a clockwork replaces the heart allowing the body to continue while the mind of its owner enjoys a longer “life”. There’s just that small matter of payment. On the installment plan. Mary Chase is another and agrees to spy for Ian, looking for where Conall is keeping the mad Lycan.
The Cover and Title
The cover is greens and gold. The green of the forest, of nature twining itself around Daisy, the deep green velvet of her gown as she carries a green lantern glowing in yellows as she traipses toward the warm light within the woods, her golden hair flowing down her back.
The title is Ian’s happiness, a Moonglow of joy for this werewolf. For the trials and heartbreak he has faced. The life that stretches before him.
