New Moon Rising By L.M. Pruitt

New Moon Rising
L.M. Pruitt
Urban Fantasy

Nothing ever happens in Selene, Georgia. The biggest events in the past ten years have been a wedding, a funeral and a bar fight. It's slow, sleepy, a little narrow-minded--but for Cari Gravier, it's home. Now things are starting to happen that nobody's seen before. Strange things in the woods, dead animals--and dead people. Cari's about to discover a whole new side to Selene. And a past that may come back to bite her....

First line

"Saying this was a dark and stormy night wasn't a cliche."


A Quick Tease

"Mike--"
"Quiet, Cari. I've spent five years waiting for a chance to say things to you. If I've only got a week, I'm gonna need every minute of it I can take." His hands fisted in my hair, one sliding down to trace over my jaw line, much like I'd done to him earlier.
"You said we were always flash and burn and you were right.You're like fire, the way it just clears everything out, opens everything up, makes way for new things......
...."You burned though me so fast I never had a chance. I don't know who I would have been or what I might have done if I'd never met you but I know I'd be missing something, I know I'd spend my whole life waiting for you." His eyes were green now, just Mike. "And if you'd ran, no matter how long you ran for, I would have been here waiting for you."


My Review

One thing I’m guaranteed when reading a book by L.M. Pruitt is that I’ll get something dark, something juicy, and something completely engrossing. I loved her Jude Magdalyn series so when I was asked to review her new book, NEW MOON RISING, I jumped at the chance. This author has an amazing way with words for me, telling a story that pulls me in deep and by the end I was left wanting.. craving more.

Driving home one night, Cari is surprised by the sudden appearance of her friend Will, who is wide eyed and terrified, pounding on her car door to let him in. Repeating over and over “they’re coming”, the appearance of eyes in the dark completely freaks Cari out and sets the stage for a suspenseful and emotion packed story. Dead animals appear on her porch and her relentless ex-husband Mike seems to be everywhere she turns. People are turning up dead, mauled by what looks like animals and when it happens to her beloved parents, Cari demands answers. Something is happening in her town and regardless of past pain, she is adamant about getting to the bottom of it. What she doesn’t expect is the answer she’s given and how tightly the town’s secrets wrap around her. Dealing with the death of her parents and coming to grips with a legacy she was unaware of, Cari finds herself once again in the company of Mike, who wants her back and grudgingly she admits to loving him still. Chemistry flames between them as she works through the painful reason for the divorce and begins opening her heart again. Problem is – are some betrayals too hard to forgive? Can love overcome any obstacle? And will the frightening menace and its supernatural nature destroy any hope of a future? Seriously, this is one heck of a story.

One of the things I love most about reading stories by this author is the depth of emotion I find. It’s like it’s not enough for you to feel what the characters are experiencing, she needs to reach in and rip out your heart in the process. Nothing excites me move than reading a book that pushes me and that moves me so intensely that I’m sobbing in parts because I can identify so well with what’s happening. The author shared that she put a piece of her soul in this story and I believe it. The plot itself was addicting as I tried to figure out what was going on and how Cari would be able to work things out. But as I got deeper into the story, the stronger it went past mere reading and I couldn’t help sit in wonder. It takes a great author to be able to capture some of the scenes so perfectly – to have the reader fully believe they are there. When Cari shared the horror and pain of miscarrying, I want to die alongside her. I wanted to shake my fist at everyone involved as anguish and pain coursed through me. It ceased to be words on a page and became personal. LOL I don’t think I can gush enough about the impact.

I really liked the characters in NEW MOON RISING. Each one was well fleshed out and believable. When it was over, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see them walk into my house and sit down like we were all best friends. Cari was this strong, opinionated woman who didn’t take crap from anyone. Her past had forged her into this feisty character and I really enjoyed watching her as she embraced the events unfolding around her. The thing I liked most was that when she finally confronted those that had hurt her, it wasn’t with a “Oh it’s ok you ripped out my heart and decimated me” - it was with a “You really hurt me and I don’t know if I can work through BUT I’ll try” It was much more realistic and it kept her true to her character. I loved the dynamics between her and Mike and that despite it all, sparks FLEW between those two. Mike was this sexy man who knew he’d screwed up but was bound tightly by the town secret. It killed him that he hurt Cari and vowed to make it right with her. I loved the things he said to her, that he was always there for her and he made me MELT into a gooey mess. He was strong and oh so protective – but what really set him apart was his willingness to admit he was wrong. He wasn’t caught up in macho pride. He loved Cari and would move Heaven and Earth for her. I loved watching them reconnect.

This is definitely a book to read for those who love an urban fantasy with a beautiful dose of romance. True to her style, L.M Pruitt delivers another gritty story that is both entertaining and addicting. It completely seduced me and left me wanting more and more. Keep your eye out for this author. Happy reading!

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