After Moonrise

by P.C. Cast, Gena Showalter

Join two of the biggest names in paranormal romance on a breathtaking journey to a world where ghosts live on and love never dies… 

Possessed  

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author P.C. Cast 

Being a psychic detective who can channel only negative emotions makes Kent Raef good at catching murderers, but bad at maintaining relationships. Then Lauren Wilcox arrives with a most intriguing case: her twin sister has been murdered and is communing with Lauren's spirit—and sharing her body. Raef's the only one who can track the killer and free the spirit. But soon he begins to wonder just which twin he wants to save…and why. 

Haunted  

New York Times Bestselling Author Gena Showalter 

Artist Aurora Harper is convinced she's witnessed a crime—a murder so brutal she's repressed the memories, only to paint the scene by the light of the moon. Now she needs her new neighbor, Detective Levi Reid, to help her track down the victim—and the killer. Levi's dealing with his own memory issues, but one thing he knows for sure: Harper is meant to be his, and nothing can take her away from him—not in this life…and not in death.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Anthologies, Adult, Fiction

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2012

About the author

PC was born in the Midwest, and grew up being shuttled back-and-forth between Illinois and Oklahoma, which is where she fell in love with Quarter Horses and mythology (at about the same time). After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and began public speaking and writing. After her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today Best-Selling author and a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the Prism, Holt Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Booksellers’ Best, and the Laurel Wreath. PC is an experienced teacher and talented speaker. Ms. Cast lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her eccentric Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. House of Night Other World, book 4, FOUND, releases July 7th, 2020. More info to come soon about the HoN TV series!

Reviews

[Penny Well Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both stories are a waste of time. You are better off not reading this book.

[Carey Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Moonrise is basically two stories in one, sort of an anthology but with only two stories and both have characters that are from the After Moonrise detective agency, thus the title of the book. I'll review each story individually to make it easier.


*see the blurb for more descriptions on the stories*


Possessed by P.C. Cast
I really enjoyed Kent as the hero but found the twin thing a bit unsettling (as a woman) to read. It almost read like what a Male's twin fantasy would be. Kent as a character is cold in the beginning due to all the death he's seen both in real life and psychically (being a psychic detective) but the twins definitely find a way to warm him up. The whole story is about an unconventional love story between the 3 main characters and of course there's a baddy that Kent must vanquish in order to save his ladies. All in all it was a good short story. On its own, I'd give it a 3 1/2 rating. I liked it but didn't fall in love with it. The writing and concept were good but the twin thing was a bit much for me to swallow.


Haunted by Gena Showalter
I definitely loved this story more than the other one. Not just because I love, love, love Gena Showalter but because this is a wonderful love story with murder and mayhem mixed in and the story itself will keep you guessing with all the possibilities till the end. It has so many twists and turns that it will make your head spin. It is so worth the ride. Levi is to die for! He's a wonderful down-to-earth detective who is approached by his neighbor, Harper, who wants to report a possible crime. Harper is having weird black outs and when she comes to, she has mysteriously painted a possible murder scene but the painting is unfinished. She and her roommate are being tormented by the whole situation and they want Levi's help. Levi decides to see what he can do and so the adventure begins. I won't spoil anymore for you, seeing these are such short stories but I totally would give this story 5 out of 5 on its own.

[Annalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

IL LADRO DI ANIME di P.C. Cast
3 stelline
Questo libro me lo ricorderò principalmente per Raef, la nuovissima Sailor Death: quando ha pensato la frase Morte vieni a me mi sono immaginata che tirasse fuori la sua falcetta portatile e si trasformasse con gonnellino nero, top con cappuccio da tristo mietitore, stivaletti neri fino al ginocchio e ovviamente falce gigante XD
Oltre a questo, l'altro punto che mi ricorderò è questo ambiguo mènage a trois che c'è tra Raef e le due gemelle, di cui una è un fantasma... e sì che ho una mente aperta ma... a lui piace Aubrey (quella morta) e anche se fisicamente è attratto anche da Lauren è l'altra che vuole, la seconda alla fine si riduce solo ad un contenitore per la sorella... non so ma mi pare brutto nei confronti di Lauren anche se è consenziente.
Per il resto la storia non mi ha presa molto, il caso è stato troppo facile da risolvere, c'è stata poca azione.

OMICIDIO AL CHIAR DI LUNA di Gena Showalter
3 stelline e mezzo
Mi è piaciuto di più rispetto al primo, molto più originale.
Questa volta i protagonisti sono dei fantasmi che non sanno di essere morti, che cercano di risolvere un omicidio e di fermare un serial killer.
Levi era tenerissimo, il tipico cane che abbaia ma non morde, scontroso e burbero ma davvero dolcissimo.
E Harper nonostante tutto quello che ha passato, cose davvero orribili, è stata una vera forza della natura. L'ho adorata.

[Donnelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I'm a huge fan of Gena Showalter and was eager to read her contribution to this book. I had never read anything by P.C. Cast prior to this, but I began with her story.

I won't go into specific plot points, as other reviewers have covered those so well. What I will say about Cast's story is that it wasn't bad; it was very short, so there wasn't all that much in the way of character or plot development, but what there was was interesting and well-written. However, the ending was. . . not one that I can say that I enjoyed. I applaud Cast for doing something different and creative in an attempt to resolve that trope of romance novels that is so utterly cliche at this point, i.e. the dreaded love triangle. The manner in which it was resolved - if it can be even be described as being "resolved" - was done in such a way that it made me uncomfortable, as a reader, and I found myself really feeling bad for the twin who was among the living. I just didn't feel that it ended in such a way as to be fair to her in any way, shape, or form, so my overriding feeling as I finished the story was that she, her life, and her feelings really got the short end of the stick in that situation, and in the whole story, actually. So, the story was unique and well-written, but it's not something that I'd want to read again.

As for Ms. Showalter's story, I felt that it was very well-done. As always, her main female character was strong and pretty kick-butt, in nature, and the male protagonist was the requisite hot, alpha male. I liked their relationship, because they had a lot of chemistry and heat between them, and I think that it was well-developed. Then there was that twist that most of the other reviewers have mentioned. Again, it was well-written, and it was typical Showalter in that it was complicated and dark. Very, very dark. And did I mention that it was dark? It did not leave readers with a typical happily ever after, but that is not to say that there wasn't an HEA; it was just. . . different than the norm. That wasn't a bad thing, by any means, but for any readers who expect things to end on an uplifting note - one that's filled with a lot of hope for the future - you won't find that here. Given what they'd been through, Showalter did right by the characters in terms of their love for one another, but I would not recommend going into this story expecting a happy happy, joy joy kind of resolution.

Looking back over what I've written, it may not seem like I would recommend this book, but I actually do. While these stories (particularly Cast's) are not ones that will join the ranks of those that I enjoy rereading with some frequency, I think that Cast and Showalter both displayed a great deal of talent and imagination in their stories, and I think it's great that they were so willing to take some chances and do things a bit differently than some other writers in this genre likely would have. What they have created are two well-written, creative stories that are, above all else, incredibly interesting. These are not run-of-the-mill offerings with pat endings; these are truly different, and I mean that in a good way. So, I'd recommend reading this one, but would again caution readers to not begin their reading experience by expecting a lot of happiness and endings where everything is all tied up with a bright, pretty bow.

[**Sognatrice di libri** · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle scarse
Un libro con due storia intrecciate tra loro ma ben distinte: la prima carina ma scritta, secondo me, un po' troppo superficialmente se fosse stata approfondita meglio la storia sarebbe risultata più avvincente.
Nella seconda parte ho trovato la storia davvero molto più intrigante, cosa che mi ha catturato al punto di arrivare alla fine per scoprire come sarebbe finita; decisamente migliore tra le due.
Nel complesso comunque un bel libro, molto scorrevole e per nulla noioso.

[Jessie Potts · Rating 3 out of 5]

What it's about: After Moonrise is about a paranormal agency called After Moonrise or A.M. P.C. Cast and Gena Showalter each write a story involving the agency in some way. Cast's novella, Possessed, is about twins (one is dead and one is seeking help) and a psychic who can "sense" and track negative emotions. Haunted, by Showalter, is about an artist and a detective who both experience "blackouts" related to a serial killer.

Why you should read it: Gena Showalter is one of the authors on my must-read list, so of course I jumped at the chance to read Haunted. It's very mysterious and exciting. She doesn't skimp on the blood, gore or action. Her heroes are always hot, and her heroines are either butt-kickers or have a core of strength beneath the surface. I really enjoyed reading Haunted! Possessed was a bit harder for me. I love Cast's writing style; I've enjoyed her Goddess by Mistake series as well as most of the House of Night series. What was hard for me in this one was the twin concept. One twin is dead and haunts the other twin. The living twin "takes one for the team" and allows her dead sister to "drive" her to have relations with the hero. I won't spoil the ending but … it was uncomfortable for me. Having said that, I still liked the writing, and the plot was appealing.


To see what Gena says about working with Cast check out the HEA Blog
http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyev...

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped at the chance to read this book as it was something a little different from my usual paranormal picks. I have read a couple of Gena Showalter books before but this was my first foray into the writing of P.C. Cast.

Possessed was an interesting story that I read in one sitting. I liked Kent's character and enjoyed the storyline, despite a few misgivings about the odd romance angle. It was a quick and easy read that really sucked me in.

Haunted took a little longer to get into, but once I finally succumbed, I quickly became invested in the story and characters and hoped everything would work out for them. Again, I read this story in one session. The romance angle was a lot clearer in this piece and, being slightly longer than Possessed, the author had time to flesh out the story and characters a little more.

Overall, this book was an entertaining and fun read and I would recommend it to readers of paranormal romance and those who enjoy ghost-based tales.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.

[Olimpia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading After Moonrise and I have to agree with some of the readers. I enjoyed Possessed, BUT REALLY loved Haunted.

In Possessed, I did like the concept of a murderer who steals souls. It was definitely interesting. This story involved twins and one who was murdered. The concept of a possession of a twin is definitely believable and interesting because of the bond and link between twins. I am unsure of how I felt about how the living twin in this story, as some readers have said, “takes one for the team”. I have mixed emotions for it. All though I did like the romance in it. Otherwise it was well written and enjoyable.

Now in Haunted, I have to say it was intense. A lot of shocks and twists and turns, and fast paced. This was well written and very hard to put down. Please note, a warning to readers that Haunted was a lot darker and explicit than Possessed.

I highly recommend this to everyone. I am an avid fan of both PC Cast and Gena Showalter. So I did enjoy it and it was hard to put down.

[Marinella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mi aspettavo molto di più. Non solo da P.C. Cast, che non conoscevo, ma su cui avevo sentito molti pareri positivi, ma anche dalla Showalter che è godibilissima quando è in forma. Qui non lo era.
Entrambe storie confuse, poco coinvolgenti, con personaggi che si dimenticano subito. L'ambientazione di indagini, serial-killer e fantasmi non fa per me, e questo è sicuramente un limite mio, ma neanche gli altri elementi delle due storie mi hanno minimamente coinvolta. Sono riuscita a finirlo, ma con grande noia.
E' sempre pericoloso comprare libri perché la copertina è bella...e ora che ne faccio di questo libro? Se qualcuno lo vuole, me lo dica.

[Olga Zelenova · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three-star rating is carried entirely by Gena Showalter's Haunted. Reading Possessed was a bit like pulling my hair out...one follicle at a time. I could not get past the twin thing to even find out if I liked the story. Twincest is just...not my jam.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was shocked when I turned the last page and realised I had finished it.

[R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is two short stories written by two different authors that focus on characters from two different branches of After Moonrise, an agency of psychics that works for the public, sometimes with authorities, to solve strange cases involving the supernatural (ie dead people).

Possessed by P.C. Cast
Kent talks easy and is obviously determined to do his job, but his relationship with the twins and whole possession bit leave a lot to be desired. If that line of possession hadn't taken over the whole story and turned things so weird, I might have enjoyed it more.

Haunted by Gena Showalter
Levi is sweet under his gruff persona and Harper's no-nonsense approach is a good fit with him. I wondered exactly how the early preview would tie in with Harper's painting. After Possessed, I was thinking more along the lines of dream visions or second lives. This took on another approach to the whole after life thing. We even very briefly see Kent again and hear him reference his "ladies." Lana, while appearing to belong with Harper as a friend, seems the most in limbo with her afterlife. She can't really work with After Moonrise in her previous capacity as a ghost, and apparently she was good if Kent called on her to potentially help "his ladies" in the first segment.

Then there's this preview of Alice in Zombieland that I first thought was part of this book and not a teaser. That alone is rather confusing and disturbing in it's own sense. Can't say it exactly made me want to pick up that book to finish the tale.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spirits. Romance. Vapid females.

Story: This book contains two novellas from two different authors both set in the same city and about the same detective agency. The first story is about a male detective with psychic powers trying to help a set of female twins. The second story is about a male detective and a blond female artist trying to catch a killer.

Characters : Curtis Raef is an older attractive detective, cold hearted, sarcastic and talks down to women. Lauren Wilcox and her twin are young, attractive and despite how he treats them, they both find Raef irresistible and throw themselves at him. Levi Reid is a rough and tough detective, quick to leap to his gun and other forms of violence. He is sarcastic and treats women like they are objects. This doesn't bother Aurora Harper, who has just moved in down the hall. Named after a Disney Princess, she is blond, waif like, and throws her full trust and body to Levi without any hesitation. Both males are misogynistic and all three females are vapid.

Language: This book contains Harlequin level sexual content and it's cast is made up of adults who all think and speak like 12 year old girls. The plot of the first book is extraordinary flimsy and whole the plot in the second book is more original, it's horrible characters drag the novella down.

This is my first reading experience of both authors and I have zero interest in pursuing any of their books in the future.

[Chrisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from my bookshelf on a whim, and I admit I had pretty low expectations even though I love the two authors. I was actually very pleased by the stories. The first one (by PC Cast) had me very hooked and I didn't put the book down until it was well past my bedtime and I was into the second book.

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the first story and it was alright. I think the conclusion was too abrupt. It could have been a better conclusion. The second story I couldn't get passed the beginning it was too gruesome in its suggestions. Couldn't read it.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the writing style of both authors. Both of the stories are not what I typically read. Possessed was an ok story, didn't like the ending. Haunted made me love both main characters, the realization in the middle broke my heart. Definitely not a light reading book.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solving a murder and saving Lauren and her sister's ghost from a soul sucker, while getting it on with them both. Ghosts really aren't my thing and I'm not sure how comfortable I was with the possession sex thing.

[Andreia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would I read again? No. Did I enjoyed it? Yes. 🤣 sums it up. Compelling stories and characters which makes it an easy read, especially as quite short. Not much depth but has fun twists which were interesting. Good book for a chill read.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both of these stories showed promise but if each had been their own books and had been more fleshed out, I think they would’ve been more successful.

[Ashley Beatty Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the best

[Monica Etter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was the first I have read P.C. Cast and I must say I am hooked. And as always, Gena managed to deliver another amazing paranormal romance.

[Stephanie Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book is two novellas put together. I liked the first one. It was an interesting and quick read. I started the second one and just wasn't a fan.

[blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting but I kinda expected more, it ended too quickly.

[BobbySue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both stories were good and they went hand and hand. There was some intense scenes.

[Andrew Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read....interesting paranormal stories.

[Dhaverma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, well written, great plot, loved characters.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Danielle Bergeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book containing stories done by 2 of my favourite authors, Wuts not to love?! And the amount of twists and turns that took place in Haunted were INSANE! So incredibly awesome

[Anne-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a signed copy. Its quite good