Crave the Moon

Nightcreature #11

by Lori Handeland

Gina O'Neill will do anything to hold on to her beloved ranch that has been in her family for generations. Enter Mateo Mecate, an archeologist whose greatest wish is to dig there. Prepared to despise Matt—and to thwart his agenda—Gina cannot deny the shocking desire she feels for him.

Matt believes that the Nahua Springs Ranch holds an important key to Aztec history—one that will restore his standing in the archeological community. But he never expects to go head-to-head with the maddeningly sensuous owner, Gina. The ranch seems to have cast a spell on them both…

When Gina and Matt delve into the secrets of this ancient place, they awaken something unspeakably evil—a shapeshifter who is centuries old. A werewolf with vengeance on its mind. A sorcerer of incredible power. Can Gina and Matt defeat this enemy—even as their conflicts deepen…and their attraction grows more dangerous?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Werewolves, Urban Fantasy

351 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Lori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance and historical fantasy.

After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.

Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time buying into a bunch of things in this book. The biggest being that Aztecs went north as far as Colorado and left a secret place there. I also had a hard time believing how Matt/Teo was described, a built geeky guy with glasses. For sure the cover model doesn't fit.

So with my issues with the story I felt it was meh... Gina the same. She wasn't very interesting and seemed to let everyone walk all over her. Also not much happened for most of the book, things didn't really pick up until the last quarter of the book.

For a series I like to read this was one that would have been ok to skip.

[Meralia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Das Buch war okay aber hat mich nicht gefesselt. Die 2 Haupt-Charaktere waren an sich sympathisch, aber die Liebesgeschichte war viel zu übertrieben und unglaubwürdig für mich. Und die Nebencharaktere fand ich nur nervig. Auch der Story hat es an Substanz gefehlt. Schade, ich hab schon viel bessere Bücher der Autorin gelesen.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 2 out of 5]

werewolves vs. aztec godlings. liked the others in this series better.

[WildAboutBones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward and his daughter, Elise, are called in again to save the world from nasty werewolves who want to take over the world in Handeland's eleventh Nightcreature series novel where the werewolves aren't nice people who just happen to turn furry once a month.

Gina, the heroine, has been running her 'dude ranch' since she was a teenager when her parents died trying to rescue her from a cave-in on their property. She had been told over and over to never go there, that there was a curse on it. There are Native American tales of the Ute Angel of Death associated with the area. What 15 year old could resist? Not only did it cost her the lives of her parents, but her life was changed in ways she'd never imagined. She's finding out now that she's not been crazy all this time.

Jase, Gina's inseparable best friend since childhood, was with her in the cave in and they have been even closer since. He, his mom and grandfather have helped her run the ranch since her parents' deaths. He feels threatened by Teo's presence and warns him away from Gina.

Teo, the hero, is an Aztec expert and professor at the University of Arizona where the students have dubbed him the "Hispanic Indiana Jones". He's obsessed with proving his deceased mother's theory. He's given a few more months to prove it, move onto something else or leave the university. His mom believed the Aztecs never lost a battle because they had a "secret weapon ... a superwarrior" which she believed to be a sorcerer who "moved through the enemy like a ravenous wolf". Teo has just one last place to look for the tomb of this Aztec -- Gina's ranch.

Neither Gina nor Teo have time for nor are really interested in a relationship with anyone. When they meet, sparks fly. The chemistry is hot. Neither one understands why they drawn to each other but they each think the other is seriously hot.

This, like the rest of the Nightcreature series books, is a stand alone book meaning you can read it at any point of the series. There are just a few of the earlier books I would recommend reading in order, but this is not one of them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think fans of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and werewolves (not the cuddly ones) will enjoy this.

Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
Has a HEA ending.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Gina is just barely keeping her family ranch afloat by offering 'dude ranch' experiences to city slickers, she is completely unwilling to entertain a request from moldy old archaelogist Professor Mecate who wants to dig on her land - there are just some secrets there that need to stay buried. However the persistent - and not at all moldy - professor will not be foiled. The Colorado location offers Matteo (Teo) Mecate the last hope of proving his deceased mother's crazy theory that a special being associated with the Aztecs really existed, so Teo decides to make his plea in person - but Teo is so desperate that he ends up as presenting himself not as himself but as a guest looking for a Colorado ranch adventure.

I am a sucker for a hunky but geeky hero and Crave the Moon's leading man Teo is just the right mix of gorgeous, capable, and clueless (when it comes to dealing with people). I actually liked the instant connection that he forms with the heroine, Gina, who also a bit of a square peg and it helps that both have common ground of guilt and loss associated with their parent's deaths. And I thought that their chemistry together was really good. I also really liked the Aztec mythic elements that were the foundation for the creature part of the story - that part reminded me of a bit of Nightkeepers Mayan lore - and I also liked the way that they were tied into a Ute curse to give the story a home in Colorado. So, with all of this good stuff going on, I would have ended up loving Crave the Moon if I hadn't been a bit disappointed by the part of the story that followed the reveal of the 'nightcreature'. After reading Moon Cursed, I was all ready for Handleland to take on mythical creatures from all over the world and the creature in Crave the Moon - or at least its minions - felt too much like ones from earlier books in the series.

Despite my expectations, I still did end up liking Crave the Moon and I am happy that Handleland is still branching out and tackling new lore but haven't given up hoping that Handleland again takes her show on the road - there is a whole world of mythic creatures out there who need love too.

[Carien · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book.

Having read 'Blue Moon', the first book in this series, I expected a Paranormal Romance with werewolves, but instead this book is practically a contemporary romance with some werewolves thrown in as an afterthought.

I didn't particularly warm up to Gina and Matt as well, the attraction between them was too sudden and unbelievable and their personalities were a bit flat. The other characters were rather stereotypical and the one I liked the most turned out to be a bad guy (surprise, surprise, I do know how to pick them).

That I finished this book was because I kept hoping the story would pick up as soon as the werewolf was introduced, but when this finally happened it didn't manage to save the book for me, being a case of too little, too late.

I'm not sure if I will read more books in this series, because as much as I liked 'Blue Moon' I do not look forward to another flop like 'Crave the Moon'. This is probably a nice read if you're more into contemporary romance, but for me it didn't work.

[Sara Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Her heros are always positiviely dishy. Teo had a certain innocence that I adored and the story was different enough from her other Nightcreature novels to keep me engaged. I'll ready anything she writes!

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it. First half was fine - but then it got too weird (and I usually love paranormal romance). I think because it started off as a normal romance, then got a bit eerie, then got weird - it was too much. 1 and a half stars.

[Shanoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hat mir wieder ganz gut gefallen - ich mochte das Pairing und auch die Geschichte an und für sich. Prinzipiell finde ich es schade, dass Edward und die Jäger-Sucher immer mehr zum Randphänomen degradiert werden, aber das hat sich ja in den letzten Bänden auch schon abgezeichnet.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Matt goes to Colorado to convince Gina to let him dig for the tomb of an Aztec warrior he is unaware of what he is about to awaken. Gina has no intention of letting anyone near the site of the worst tragedy in her life. She knows the place is cursed, but Matt finds a way of coercing her into letting him try to prove his theory. When the ancient evil is released will they be able to put things right before they all lose their lives or worse their very souls? I really enjoyed this story and wish there would be more forthcoming in this series.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I had a signed copy of this book so read it without reading the rest of the series. I love Teo. We don't get enough adorable geeky guys. He was so refreshing & totally my kind of guy. Nice change where it's regular people vs the supernatural elements. Loved the Aztec twist and I definitely didn't think the book dwelled on that too much.

[Gina Lorax · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the majority of the plot, particularly the Aztec aspect and the origin story of the beast. The suspense had me on edge, which is great. There was just too much graphic sex for my tastes.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Crave the Moon by Lori Handeland

From goodreads.com:

Gina O'Neill will do anything to hold on to her beloved ranch that has been in her family for generations. Enter Mateo Mecate, an archeologist whose greatest wish is to dig there. Prepared to despise Matt--and to thwart his agenda--Gina cannot deny the shocking desire she feels for him.

Matt believes that the Nahua Springs Ranch holds an important key to Aztec history--one that will restore his standing in the archeological community. But he never expects to go head-to-head with the maddeningly sensuous owner, Gina. The ranch seems to have cast a spell on them both…

When Gina and Matt delve into the secrets of this ancient place, they awaken something unspeakably evil--a shapeshifter who is centuries old. A werewolf with vengeance on its mind. A sorcerer of incredible power. Can Gina and Matt defeat this enemy--even as their conflicts deepen…and their attraction grows more dangerous?
Paperback, 336 pages
Published June 28th 2011 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
original title Crave the Moon ISBN0312389361 (ISBN13: 9780312389369)


Leona's Review:
I have read a couple of Lori Handeland's books and do like them. This one has werewolves as do some of her books.

Crave the Moon is about archaeology and the Aztec, which is an interest for me and based in the Southwest.

Dr. Mateo Mecate wants to dig on a site at the ranch but has been turned down by Gina. His interests to find the site come from his mother, Nora, who was an archaeologist. His education was at archaeology sites.

The Nahua Springs Ranch is now a dude ranch that Gina O'Neill runs with the help of Jase McCord, a childhood friend and partner.

Matt joins the new group as a tourist under the name Teo Jones. Each member of the group has their own personality.

This is a quick moving book and will keep the reader interested. There is some bad language such as using the "f" word and also sexual content.

I will give it a 4 star rating. This was a book I had on my book shelf and is a re-read for me.

Lori Handeland may be found at www.lorihandeland.com
and
www.goodreads.com/author/show/17060.L...

Leona Olson
http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the stories are good the series has turned away from the original J-S theme. I know they went into hiding, but it would have been nice to have some of their adventures while in hiding, while avoiding the bad werewolves or something. Not just have Edward or another J-S show up once in a while. This book, as well as the previous one, are more stand-alone stories than part of the series.

That being said, I loved and enjoyed this book. The action/suspense, while a little expected was still interesting and I loved the humor. The little songs and ditty’s are cute. And there’s a lot of archeology used which always interests me.

Each character in themselves was interesting, but the feel of the relationship triangle between Teo-Gina- Jake was not quite there. The reactions of the campers to being introduced to the outdoors for the first time was hilarious. And for once, Edward had a substantial role in the actual storyline. I like the horses too. But even though the A’s were obnoxious, I felt sorry for them. I ended the story with a good feeling.

Quick Thoughts: 1)I can really relate to Derek. I understood the WOW Cataclysm reference perfectly, since my husband and I have been playing that for years. I hate the Worgen.

Fave Scenes: the A’s helping Gina dress, Gina running out in the rain, the post-attack confusion, the fight with Amberleigh and the circle of blood

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mateo (Teo or Matt as he's sometimes called) is a professor of archeology at a university who is trying to prove the theory that Aztec's buried their superwarrior in Colorado many years ago. His mother spent her life trying to prove it and now he's taken on the responsibility. He believes the proof is at the Nahua Springs ranch, owned by Gina O'Neill. She knows about the place that Mateo is looking for and knows that something evil dwells there because it calls to her.

This was probably the most action packed story in the series since the first and second books. There was actual danger and suspense in this story, particularly after the 50% mark. It had an apocalypse feel, with people waiting around for the bad guy to kill them. On top of this, the sexiest, geekiest hero I've read in a while. I love a geek hero!!! He's a professor, he's obsessed with linguistics and rather socially awkward and he has a tendency to talk like a stuck-up elderly man when he gets uncomfortable. It really is endearing. My only complaint was how the deception/miscommunication between the H/h in the beginning wasn't really talked out and settled. They moved past it rather than resolving it - it worked, but I think I still felt like I wanted some resolution of it. (But really, who has time when you're battling monsters?)

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Handeland's best book, but not her worst either. I enjoyed it. I especially like Handeland's knack for making a lot of her lead males attractive geeks. I like reading a book about a leather clad bad boy as much as the next girl, but if there is one thing I appreciate, it's a nice, handsome geek. Intelligence is sexy!

I liked the Aztec angle that Handeland went with with this book. If there is one thing I like about the Night Creature series, it's that they are always a bit different from usual paranormal romance fair. Handeland is also a pro at writing the steamiest sex scenes. Not one of her Night Creature novels has been disappointing in that respect. There is always chemistry between her charcters!

I also like that Handeland mixes up the monsters in her series. Some are good, and some a terribly terrifying baddies. I get awfully sick of romance novels where the monsters are always good. Sometimes I want a read where it's two people falling in love amongst fighting horrible creatures!

[Amelia in PDX · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a part of the Nightcreature's series. I found that this one has a lot of their inner memories of past events concerning their late parents placed some slowness on the movement of this story. Also the fact that two of the priciples of the 3, never questioned what happened 10 years previously where she lost her parents. The hero of the story also spends a lot of time questioning the death of his mother and never had asked her some questions that he should have. The story line is good, but I did find it slow. The connection to the other books in the story doesn't come into play until nearly the end of the book, so the the connection to the previous Nightcreature books is very slight. I found this one a bit hard to stay with, had a hard time not feeling a little impatient with it, but would go ahead and would have read it anyway knowing this, as I'm sure that it'll tie into some future books.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Handeland's paranormal novel, Gina O'Neill will do anything to keep her family's ranch. Archeologist Mateo Mecate is determined to dig on her ranch in search of an important key to Aztec history--one that will ensure his standing in the archeological community. But to accomplish that, he must go head-to-head with the owner. Teaming both romantically and professionally, Gina and Matt delve into the secrets of this ancient place, awakening an unspeakably evil shape shifter as old as time. Both werewolf and sorcerer, it will do anything to defeat Matt and make Gina his. Handeland's characters are wicked, sultry, and definitely strong enough to span the pages of a romantic suspense novel and hold the reader until the very last page. This is by far my favorite Nightcreature Novel.

[Michelle Tempted By Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the Aztec mythology addition to this one. I'm big on hieroglyphs and the like so this one was a lot of fun. Of course Edward eventually makes an appearance so that is another necessity. I can say that I felt that while the beginning hooked me in almost from the first sentence, it seemed to drag a bit. There seemed to be some VERY drug out secret keeping on Gina's end. While Teo (Matt) gets busted pretty quickly. Both characters really lack relationship skills and seemed to have no social cues but it was fun to watch them bumble into love. Once things started moving again, a lot of things happened at once and the ending seemed to rush up on me. In the overall though I can say that once again I really liked this book.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unless you love history ...you may find yourself totally bored by this trip into the Nightcreature world. I read for mere pleasure, If I wattled to 'learn' so much I would take a course at the community college!

While the world building was obviously excellent, the relationship building was less than stellar for this book. I really wanted to love this book as much as I loved some of the others, but unfortunately this is not going to be a keeper. There was no excitement, no anticipation just more lessons on history and mythos.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5 stars
☆☆☆ 1/2

Aus Books & Reading

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best. Dr. Matt Mecate wants to search Gina O'Neil's ranch for Aztec secrets. She runs a dude ranch & he pretends to be someone else, in a round about not quite lying way.

A demon is in this one & As usual a bunch of people were turned into werewolves. They're bad, not the good ones we all love. Again their secret organization wants to hire them. (No spoiler). Gina & Matt (Mateo) have to kill the werewolves.

[Visionary Druid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handeland never once disappointed me with this book. Again, she visited another aspect, totally different than what I've ever heard, of the were-wolf. This time she explored the Aztec angle. This is the reason why I absolutely adore this series. Handeland does not keep to "one" belief but explores all, incorporating it in the story.

She always has characters that I like. Matt has this shy blend. He's both smart and gullible. Gina is stand alone type, strong and not in the least whiny!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another WINNER for Handeland!

Lori Handeland was the 1st paramomal Author I read, and she,remains my favorite many years later! The stories she tells come alive in these pages, the charectors are well thought out and the writing style both unique and top quality. Crave the Moon is no exception! Lori Handeland remains a Word-Smith of the Finest Kind! I highly recommend this and all her books!

[Michelle the Romance Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

not a bad story but a little thin on all the things that make a Great Lori Handeland novel. The love sorta came outta nowhere with very little development or emotions, or so it seemed to me. It was a little far-fetched that the grandpa just happened to know Edward M. But i will say the story line for the nightcreature in this novel was extremely interesting.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms Handeland's books are standard pnr romance (and vanilla at that, meaning nothing dark, unusual. You might think the paranormal just a facet, something like corsets in a historical romance. Nothing "real"). They are nice to read, but rarely (if ever) mind blowing. This book is no exception.

It was a nice read for a day on the beach. Nothing more to me.

[Peggy Bechko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Lori Handeland's books. This one started out a bit slow, but picked up about 1/4 of the way in and was an excellent read from then on. If you enjoy paranormal romance you'll enjoy this contemporary 'western' set on a dude ranch complete with Aztec Sorcerer hunting, werewolves and, of course, that one true love.

[Lizzielvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a borderline 2 stars for me. Lori Handeland is one of my favorite authors and if it wasn’t for the last few chapters, I wouldn’t have finished it. I adore the Nightcreatures series and recommend it to any PNR/UF fan, but this book is not as good as the others.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 11 in the Nightcreature series and yet another take on mythology, this time Lori incorporates Aztec mythology into the story, exploring yet another possible theory on werewolf origins. Although it wasn't my favourite in the series, I did enjoy it.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while for parts of this book to get interesting. Once it got interesting, it stayed interesting. I did like it. I wish it would have touched a little more on the lore, but over all it was ok. I think in a year or so I may read it again.