Review: Loved it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 11, 2012
This is another one of those reviews that I won't give a lot of detail about because I don't want to ruin it for future readers. This is a must read book for anyone who loves an eclectic mix in their paranormal reading. Ms. Dubrinsky did an outstanding job merging legend, myth, history, magic, vampires, weres, druids, witches, and an interracial couple. Taken by Moonlight was a heavy mixture of elements that were expertly woven together in a story that was both complex and absolutely engaging.Vivienne has been roped into celebrating her twenty-third birthday camping with her twin sister and a few friends. Vivienne is not the outdoorsy type but she goes along for her sister's benefit. The twins are very close and she doesn't want to disappoint her sister. While on a "nature calls" run Vivienne is chased down by a lone wolf. Fearing for her life, Vivienne runs away from the wolf and into the arms of the most handsome man that she has ever encountered but facing Conall for the first time causes Vivienne to scream aaaaaand faint.  Thrown off by Vivienne actions, he quickly picks her up and takes her back to the cave where his pack is running from that evening. Conall discovers his nephew Eli, in wolf form, was the wolf that chased Vivienne down in his attempt at a bit of fun. Conall chastises his nephew and leaves him to watch over Vivienne while he leads the pack on the evening run. While he is out, Vivienne comes around and encounters a smiling Eli. She is immediately on alter and fearful because she was taken away from her campsite. Eli's smiling face and easy going nature sets her at ease...it also doesn't hurt that he offers her something warm to drink and chocolate. Her ease with Eli instantly evaporates when Conall returns. Conall is big and imposing and Vivienne is afraid of (but mildly attracted to) him. Conall agrees to take Vivienne back to her sister's campsite and ends up carrying her because of her utterly exhausted. In his arms, Vivienne finds rest and Conall finds that he has developed an attraction for a human. A human. Weak! Frail! Taboo among their kind! In an attempt to purge Vivienne from his mind he goes to the camp where the wolves are and aggressively copulates with the alpha female. Unfortunately for Conall, it doesn't work as well as he hoped because he falls asleep with Vivienne on his mind.The next day brings Vivienne back to civilization and to her friends and roommates Drew and Max. The three go to a nice dinner and have plans to go to a new club, Fangs, that Max suggested. When the trio arrive at the club they are immediately engulfed into an atmosphere of scantily clad women and sex in the air. The girls do not adjust well and are very uncomfortable but Max sets off to find his woman-du-jour. As Vivienne and Drew are standing near the bar, Vivienne encounters a man that instantly gains her attention. She can't see his face but there is something around him from this back that enraptures her. Following him like a beacon, Vivienne makes her way to where he is....HE being Conall. Fate has brought them together again. The are taken on a fast paced journey of attraction, lust, love....and more.I love the multidimensionality of this story. This wasn't just a man-meets-woman-and-they-fall-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after story. This story was complex in that in mixed a bit of history and myth together and compelling because it drew the reader into a world of magic, legends, and secrets. Both the primary and secondary characters were interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next with Cassie and Alexander and Drew and Max.