Review: Interesting Mix of Historical Romance and Paranormal Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 31, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 3.5 out of 5 Stars.A cross mixture of paranormal mystery and historical romance, Sunrise Over Brasov, the third book in the Moldavian Moon series by Stephanie Burkhart, has interesting characters and a solid mystery. Set during the mid-1850’s, after the Gypsy people of Romania had been set free, Ms. Burkhart’s story deals with the rise of a new breed of werewolf, one who can control the change instead of being forced into it by either witchcraft or the moon, and the struggle to determine who will control them. . While I have not read the previous two books in the series, I was able to read this book on its own.Unaware of her own history, Rosa Getzi has been living at Poiana Brasov and assisting Clement, a werewolf, and Cassandra, a witch, with their studies of the supernatural. When a man breaks into her room at night and demands she accompany him into the woods, she’s reluctant to follow him until he begins to tell her about her past and of how her family has been trying to locate her. While she’s not comfortable trusting a stranger, he seems very familiar to her and his kisses ignite her passions.Breaking into Poina Brasov to free the woman he loves, Prince Michael Sigmarigen is disheartened when she doesn’t recognize him and doesn’t know her real identity. Determined to reunite her with her family, and improve on their previous relationship, Michael is able to convince Rosa into escaping the castle with him. Rejoining Caroline, his sister in law, and Darius, a Vampire prince, they are able to make their escape. They are also unknowingly being followed by Rickard, a friend of Rosa’s also imprisoned at Poiana Brasov, who has some startling paranormal abilities and who refuses to be left behind.While Michael and Rosa have to work through the issues of her past, they also find themselves drawn into solving the mystery of how Rickard is able to control his shape shifting abilities; he’s the first werewolf they’ve encountered who is not tied to the moon’s phases. Something that Clement and Cassandra were determined to discover before he escaped with Michael and Rosa. Ms. Burkhart’s world building is very interesting and I liked how she deals with all of the characters who make an appearance.Will Michael and Rosa be able to forge a true and strong relationship once Rosa’s memories are recovered? Will Rickard be able to help them get rid of the curse that affects their families? You’ll have to read Sunrise Over Brasov to find out. While I was able to read this book by itself, I do recommend that you read the rest of the series to get a better understanding of the history of the characters and the mystery they end up working to resolve. I’m pretty sure I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the previous books first.