Title: Dark of the Moon
Series: Blackwater Falls, #1
Author: Shannon West & Susan E. Scott
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Novella (134 pages)
Publisher: Dark Hollows Press (September 30th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Census taker Jace Miller is sent to the remote town of Blackwater Falls to complete forms not returned by the local inhabitants. From the moment he sets foot in the small community, he realizes that something isn’t right, from the hostile reception he receives to the strange uneasiness of the residents.
Sheriff, Hawke Sutherland has told him in no uncertain terms to get out of town by nightfall and to come back at a more “convenient” time. Angrily, he complies, but on the way down the mountain, his old truck quits running. Walking back up the dark mountain road for help, he hears strange sounds in the woods around him. When he’s viciously attacked by a huge mountain lion, he thinks he’s facing certain death, but awakes the next morning to find that handsome sheriff Hawke has rescued him. The attraction grows between them over the next few days, but Hawke makes one excuse after another not to let Jace leave.
When Jace runs, the sheriff has him picked up and hauled back up the mountain. Why? Has Jace seen too much, and just what is going on in Blackwater Falls?
Product Link: http://www.darkhollowspress.com/#!dark-of-the-moon/cfae
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Handsome Hawke Sutherland, Sheriff and leader of the cougar clan in Blackwater Falls is preparing everyone for the dark moon or when everyone shifts into their cougar forms especially the ones who will shift for the first time. After the meeting, he meets Jace Miller who is his mate. But because of the dark moon, he rudely orders Jace out of town and to come back the next day.
Census taker Jace Miller has been asked to go to Blackwater Falls to get a census on several citizens. Upon meeting the handsome sheriff he’s instantly attracted to him until the sheriff pissed him off by being rude and ordering him out of town until another day. Unfortunately, Jace’s truck breaks down and he ends up trying to walk back to town only to be attacked by a cougar and knocked unconscious.
Very interesting take on the shifters in this story as it’s hard for them to hold on to their human minds while in their shifted form. I liked the story however, I didn’t understand why Hawke felt the need to continually lie to his mate, drug his mate, and then call Jace’s boss, landlady, and the motel telling them he was mentally ill if he was going to end up telling him everything that was going on.
That seemed strange to me. I did enjoy Jace getting furious with Hawke and telling him off though. The fight scenes were great. The passion between Jace and Hawke was intense and hot.
Great read.