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Meet three people with a little something special whose love lives are about to turn wild, crazy, sensual, and oh-so-hot. Blame it on the moon? Sure. But who's complaining, anyway...
Lori Foster "Once in a Blue Moon"
It's all because of that stupid blue moon. That's what Stan Tucker thinks as he walks through Delicious, Ohio, suddenly privy to everyone's innermost thoughts, a gift courtesy of a rare blue moon. What most people have on their minds is boring-grocery lists, work woes, appointments. But not Jenna Rowan's super-private thoughts. The pretty, shy bookstore owner is having decidedly hot thoughts about Stan...naked, sweaty, not-for-primetime thoughts. Stan's lusted after Jenna for ages, but he never thought the proper lady was interested. Now that he knows, he intends to do something about it, and this time, he won't be the only one howling at the moon...
Lucy Monroe "Moon Magnetism"
Ivy Kendall dreads the full moon. For generations, women in her family have been extremely magnetic on that day-which was fine fifty years ago but not in the age of hard drives and cell phones. That's why the hotel manager has resisted the technological improvements her boss wants her to implement. Now, the sexy, dynamic Blake Hawthorne is coming to insist on the upgrades in person. Shoot, he'll probably fire her. Being around Blake makes her body go as haywire as a full moon, maybe even more. And as long as she's going to be out of a job soon, there's no reason not to use a little of that magnetism to her advantage, luring him into an elevator where the only electricity that will work is the kind they generate themselves...
Dianne Castell "Moonstruck"
For years, Julia Simon has had the worst luck, married to a man who cheated on her left, right, and center. Now, the pretty divorcee is ready for her luck to change, and it is...big time. Ever since she unknowingly performed a Blue Moon ritual, Julia's wishes seem to be coming true. So why not wish for wild, unbridled passionate sex with hunky P.I. Marc Adams? Well, because when it happens, it's so amazingly good, that's why. Now, with the blue moon due to end in three days' time, Julia can only wonder if it's just a spell or the start of a whole new life...
Be careful of wishful thinking. It just might get you everything.
Lori Foster "Once in a Blue Moon"
It's all because of that stupid blue moon. That's what Stan Tucker thinks as he walks through Delicious, Ohio, suddenly privy to everyone's innermost thoughts, a gift courtesy of a rare blue moon. What most people have on their minds is boring-grocery lists, work woes, appointments. But not Jenna Rowan's super-private thoughts. The pretty, shy bookstore owner is having decidedly hot thoughts about Stan...naked, sweaty, not-for-primetime thoughts. Stan's lusted after Jenna for ages, but he never thought the proper lady was interested. Now that he knows, he intends to do something about it, and this time, he won't be the only one howling at the moon...
Lucy Monroe "Moon Magnetism"
Ivy Kendall dreads the full moon. For generations, women in her family have been extremely magnetic on that day-which was fine fifty years ago but not in the age of hard drives and cell phones. That's why the hotel manager has resisted the technological improvements her boss wants her to implement. Now, the sexy, dynamic Blake Hawthorne is coming to insist on the upgrades in person. Shoot, he'll probably fire her. Being around Blake makes her body go as haywire as a full moon, maybe even more. And as long as she's going to be out of a job soon, there's no reason not to use a little of that magnetism to her advantage, luring him into an elevator where the only electricity that will work is the kind they generate themselves...
Dianne Castell "Moonstruck"
For years, Julia Simon has had the worst luck, married to a man who cheated on her left, right, and center. Now, the pretty divorcee is ready for her luck to change, and it is...big time. Ever since she unknowingly performed a Blue Moon ritual, Julia's wishes seem to be coming true. So why not wish for wild, unbridled passionate sex with hunky P.I. Marc Adams? Well, because when it happens, it's so amazingly good, that's why. Now, with the blue moon due to end in three days' time, Julia can only wonder if it's just a spell or the start of a whole new life...
Be careful of wishful thinking. It just might get you everything.
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2005
20 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Lori Foster
425 books11.7k followersSince first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.
•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.
•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.
•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.
•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.
•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.
•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.
•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.
•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.
•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.
•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.
•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.
Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester, Ohio. Proceeds from the event have benefited many worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, and The One Way Farm, Children’s Home.
Each year Lori donates all proceeds from one book to charity. You can see the benefit romance books here: http://lorifoster.com/benefit-books/
Career Highlights
•In 2001, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy.
•In 2002, Lori’s book Too Much Temptation was the top-selling romance title for Amazon books.
•In 2003, Say No To Joe was the second “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for Waldenbooks.
•In 2004, Lori Foster was a clue in the New York Times crossword puzzle.
•In 2004, The Secret Life of Bryan was the “Bestselling Original Contemporary” romance title for the BGI group.
•In 2005, Lori received the prestigious Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Contemporary Romance.
•In 2006, Jude’s Law was the “Bestselling Romantic Comedy” romance title for the BGI group.
•In 2007, Lori launched a new “urban fantasy” series under the name L.L. Foster. See more on her “dark side” at www.llfoster.com.
•In 2007, Causing Havoc was among Amazon’s Top Ten Editor’s picks in Romance.
•In 2008, Hard to Handle made #2 on The New York Times.
•In 2009, Servant: The Acceptance was Amazon’s #1 Editors’ Pick in Romance.
•In 2010, Lori was a clue in the USA Today Quick Cross puzzle.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 4, 2013
I did my usual breakdown of each novella in this anthology, but on the whole, I have to say that this book reads as dated. It's primarily the technology level. Monroe's hero carries a 'Palm Pilot' and the hero in Castell's uses a camera with real film. I know I'm probably more tech-y than most, but it threw me out of the story a bit.
"Once in a Blue Moon" by Lori Foster: I really liked the premise and the emotional currents running through the novella, but I didn't think the execution was quite right. It got repetitive at times, I was briefly confused as to whether the hero was telepathic at all full moons or just the blue ones, and there was minimal world-building. 3 stars.
"Moon Magnetism" by Lucy Monroe: This was really sweet. The premise had the potential to be ridiculous (a magnetic heroine), but Monroe made it believable. I think everyone knows somebody that technology hates. My boss is one such person. The emotional development between the two happens fast, but it is a novella and Monroe tells the reader that they've encountered each other previously. The sex is d/s play and if that's what you enjoyed about Fifty Shades of Grey, you'll like this novella. 4 stars.
"Moonstruck" by Dianne Castell: I think this story, on its own, is not bad, but it suffers in comparison to the other two. Foster and Monroe sorta rooted their characters' 'moon afflictions' in science and Castell's is more mystical. Also, the plot is lacking compared to "Once in a Blue Moon," and while the sex scenes were comparable to "Moon Magnetism," I liked Monroe's characters better. I feel like Castell may have been going for more of a humorous take on things, but she didn't hit the mark. 2.5 stars.
"Once in a Blue Moon" by Lori Foster: I really liked the premise and the emotional currents running through the novella, but I didn't think the execution was quite right. It got repetitive at times, I was briefly confused as to whether the hero was telepathic at all full moons or just the blue ones, and there was minimal world-building. 3 stars.
"Moon Magnetism" by Lucy Monroe: This was really sweet. The premise had the potential to be ridiculous (a magnetic heroine), but Monroe made it believable. I think everyone knows somebody that technology hates. My boss is one such person. The emotional development between the two happens fast, but it is a novella and Monroe tells the reader that they've encountered each other previously. The sex is d/s play and if that's what you enjoyed about Fifty Shades of Grey, you'll like this novella. 4 stars.
"Moonstruck" by Dianne Castell: I think this story, on its own, is not bad, but it suffers in comparison to the other two. Foster and Monroe sorta rooted their characters' 'moon afflictions' in science and Castell's is more mystical. Also, the plot is lacking compared to "Once in a Blue Moon," and while the sex scenes were comparable to "Moon Magnetism," I liked Monroe's characters better. I feel like Castell may have been going for more of a humorous take on things, but she didn't hit the mark. 2.5 stars.
October 15, 2015
Once in a Blue Moon by Lori Foster
★★★★ (3.5 Stars)
Moon Magnetism by Lucy Monroe ★★★★
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell ★★
Moon Magnetism by Lucy Monroe ★★★★
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell ★★
September 5, 2013
A 3 story paranormal anthology about a blue moon event in Delicious, Ohio. A town that plays up it's apple trees.
Lori Foster - 4 stars. Protected sex. A good LF story. Stan can read other people's thoughts every full moon, but when it's a BLUE moon they come through with a vengeance! Good thing, because Jenna wasn't ever planning on letting him know she has the hots for him. The end was the typical, I love you - marry me. It would have made the story better if they got to know each other for a while.
Lucy Monroe - 3 stars. Protected sex. I can't believe I was disappointed in a LM! This one started out good, but descended into sexual overload. Again, I love you - marry me. They don't even know each other (other then sexually). They've been boss/employee for 3 years & Blake refused to date her. Yet, by the end of the story we're supposed to believe he loved her at first sight! Again, let's date for a while.
Leap of logic : the premise of this story is that every full moon, Ivy's magnetic field becomes so strong, she stops anything electronic. After a bout of sex, they take a shower & Ivy dries her hair with a hair dryer.
Dianne Castell - 2 stars. Protected sex. OK, sorry Lucy Monroe. Your sex was great. The sex in this one was HORRIBLE! They first do it in the coatroom of a busy restaurant. 2 thrusts & they're both done. Then, it's a boathouse where they take a slightly longer time. Then he gropes her on her friend's front porch. The one with the light on. Jeez!
Leaps of logic : The premise of this one is the heroine, after kissing her wedding ring & throwing into a fountain can make wishes that come true. There is a longer explanation for this in the story. She then makes dumb wishes & a lot of slapstick hilarity ensues. The thing is - you can make any wish come true. So wish a couple more times & your problems are solved. Without the slapstick hilarity of course, so then I guess what's the point of the story?
The "hero" wants to see the heroine, but she's on the roof of her building & won't see him. So, he climbs up a rickety old fire escape & almost falls. The next morning, the heroine wakes up to him climbing up the fire escape AGAIN! He has flowers in his teeth. HELLO! Why didn't he just use the stairs!!! With chocolate doughnuts in his hand instead :)
Lori Foster - 4 stars. Protected sex. A good LF story. Stan can read other people's thoughts every full moon, but when it's a BLUE moon they come through with a vengeance! Good thing, because Jenna wasn't ever planning on letting him know she has the hots for him. The end was the typical, I love you - marry me. It would have made the story better if they got to know each other for a while.
Lucy Monroe - 3 stars. Protected sex. I can't believe I was disappointed in a LM! This one started out good, but descended into sexual overload. Again, I love you - marry me. They don't even know each other (other then sexually). They've been boss/employee for 3 years & Blake refused to date her. Yet, by the end of the story we're supposed to believe he loved her at first sight! Again, let's date for a while.
Leap of logic : the premise of this story is that every full moon, Ivy's magnetic field becomes so strong, she stops anything electronic. After a bout of sex, they take a shower & Ivy dries her hair with a hair dryer.
Dianne Castell - 2 stars. Protected sex. OK, sorry Lucy Monroe. Your sex was great. The sex in this one was HORRIBLE! They first do it in the coatroom of a busy restaurant. 2 thrusts & they're both done. Then, it's a boathouse where they take a slightly longer time. Then he gropes her on her friend's front porch. The one with the light on. Jeez!
Leaps of logic : The premise of this one is the heroine, after kissing her wedding ring & throwing into a fountain can make wishes that come true. There is a longer explanation for this in the story. She then makes dumb wishes & a lot of slapstick hilarity ensues. The thing is - you can make any wish come true. So wish a couple more times & your problems are solved. Without the slapstick hilarity of course, so then I guess what's the point of the story?
The "hero" wants to see the heroine, but she's on the roof of her building & won't see him. So, he climbs up a rickety old fire escape & almost falls. The next morning, the heroine wakes up to him climbing up the fire escape AGAIN! He has flowers in his teeth. HELLO! Why didn't he just use the stairs!!! With chocolate doughnuts in his hand instead :)
July 2, 2021
Once In a Blue Moon by Lori Foster Jenna is a widow who owns the local bookstore. Stan is a somewhat-famous, divorced, gardener whom Jenna has had a crush on forever. Due to the rare Blue Moon, Stan becomes aware of her feelings, finds they mirror his own and sets out to woo her.
Moon Magnetism: Lucy Monroe When 'the boss' Blake comes down to evaluate The Old Orchard Inn and find out why his extremely competent office manager Ivy is so opposed to modernizing he gets way more than he bargained. Intensely attracted to the vivacious redhead, he tries to explain the need for the changes proposed. And...she quits her job! Now he's even more determined to understand what makes her tick. After his watch, phone, palm pilot, and hard drive malfunction, Ivy tells him about her family's moon magnetism and what breaks 'the curse'.
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell To celebrate divorcing her swine of a husband, Julia kisses her wedding band and tosses it in the fountain outside of the courthouse. Then she wishes for several events to occur. Promptly, they do! Culminating in the hot PI asking her out to dinner. Astonished, and gently nudged by her BFF, she accepts. Then she finds out her wishes are coming true....
This anthology has all the stories set in Delicious, OH and involve characters that spill over a bit. I found the aspect of the Blue Moon and how each author wove it into their story to be delightful, something different from what I've read before, and its' own vivid character. The short length of the stories kept them perfect for before-bed reading binges and the unique takes keep you interested. I really found myself rooting for each of the couples.
Moon Magnetism: Lucy Monroe When 'the boss' Blake comes down to evaluate The Old Orchard Inn and find out why his extremely competent office manager Ivy is so opposed to modernizing he gets way more than he bargained. Intensely attracted to the vivacious redhead, he tries to explain the need for the changes proposed. And...she quits her job! Now he's even more determined to understand what makes her tick. After his watch, phone, palm pilot, and hard drive malfunction, Ivy tells him about her family's moon magnetism and what breaks 'the curse'.
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell To celebrate divorcing her swine of a husband, Julia kisses her wedding band and tosses it in the fountain outside of the courthouse. Then she wishes for several events to occur. Promptly, they do! Culminating in the hot PI asking her out to dinner. Astonished, and gently nudged by her BFF, she accepts. Then she finds out her wishes are coming true....
This anthology has all the stories set in Delicious, OH and involve characters that spill over a bit. I found the aspect of the Blue Moon and how each author wove it into their story to be delightful, something different from what I've read before, and its' own vivid character. The short length of the stories kept them perfect for before-bed reading binges and the unique takes keep you interested. I really found myself rooting for each of the couples.
October 8, 2021
Lori Foster is one of my favorite authors so any chance I get to read her work...She frequently participates in themed short story compilations. These compilations are a great opportunity to try out new to you writers.
The theme of this was the effects of the moon, specifically the power of a blue moon. Foster, Lucy Monroe and Dianne Castell all had fun stories and I'd try a full length novel of all these writers.
The theme of this was the effects of the moon, specifically the power of a blue moon. Foster, Lucy Monroe and Dianne Castell all had fun stories and I'd try a full length novel of all these writers.
January 22, 2019
Lori Foster - Once in a blue moon 5 stars: Great story
Lucy Monroe - Moon magnetism 5 stars: Great story (now I know where E.L. James got her inspiration for her trilogy LOL)
Dianne Castell - Moonstruck 1 star: couldn't finish this one. Boring and completely ridiculous story. If the heroine's wishes could come true and some of them were not good, she just has had to wish the opposite.
Lucy Monroe - Moon magnetism 5 stars: Great story (now I know where E.L. James got her inspiration for her trilogy LOL)
Dianne Castell - Moonstruck 1 star: couldn't finish this one. Boring and completely ridiculous story. If the heroine's wishes could come true and some of them were not good, she just has had to wish the opposite.
March 1, 2019
These stories are perfect for when you are working a lot and don't have the energy to think real hard. You can finish each in an hour or so. Story 1 was the best. Lots of sex in story 2. Story 3 was really corny but it fit the theme. All in all, not a bad way to relax for a while. I will read Lori Foster again.
February 23, 2020
All 3 stories were good but my favourite was once upon a blue moon by Lori Foster. Had a few moments where I felt embarrassed by what Stan could hear but funny at the same time, poor Jenna😄 control was out the door.
September 26, 2020
I did like this book. It consists of several short stories by several authors. So it was fast reading. It is definitely an adult book! And yes, all the couples have a Happy endings regardless of the effects of the blue moon!
September 22, 2019
Three really good short stories by Lori Foster, Lucy Monroe and Dianne Casteel. First time reading the last two authors. Will look for other books by them for future reading.
April 25, 2012
Once in a Blue Moon - 4 stars
Another fun Lori Foster read. Too short but great. I liked Stan and liked that he was the one reading her mind and making all the moves. Older characters and some hot sexual tension.
Moon Magnetism - 3 stars
Cute, interesting concept, but actually glad it was a short story cause it would have gotten too confusing otherwise. I liked Blake - sounded yummy!
Moonstruck - 2 stars
This one was so-so...could have been an interesting concept but it went too far... wishes could have been so cool but the Bridget character was annoying and although she was only a secondary character she just sucked the fun out of the concept.
Another fun Lori Foster read. Too short but great. I liked Stan and liked that he was the one reading her mind and making all the moves. Older characters and some hot sexual tension.
Moon Magnetism - 3 stars
Cute, interesting concept, but actually glad it was a short story cause it would have gotten too confusing otherwise. I liked Blake - sounded yummy!
Moonstruck - 2 stars
This one was so-so...could have been an interesting concept but it went too far... wishes could have been so cool but the Bridget character was annoying and although she was only a secondary character she just sucked the fun out of the concept.
September 8, 2014
Hmmmm. Three stories about a lunar event and the title focuses on stars?!? So many allusions to the moon would have been better.
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON by Lori Foster
I understand that the blue moon contributes to the uniqueness of this novella but too much time was spent focusing on it and sex which detracted from any romance in the story.
MOON MAGNETISM by Lucy Monroe
An interesting idea of mind reading in conjunction with lunar cycles but entirely too much debate on the morality of it rather than cute romantic scenes using it.
MOONSTRUCK by Dianne Castell
Just couldn't attempt a third horrible moon themed story.
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON by Lori Foster
I understand that the blue moon contributes to the uniqueness of this novella but too much time was spent focusing on it and sex which detracted from any romance in the story.
MOON MAGNETISM by Lucy Monroe
An interesting idea of mind reading in conjunction with lunar cycles but entirely too much debate on the morality of it rather than cute romantic scenes using it.
MOONSTRUCK by Dianne Castell
Just couldn't attempt a third horrible moon themed story.
March 11, 2011
I mostly liked these stories, but they were just too short. It had a little bit of fun stuff...blame it on the blue moon...but still gave you plenty of male/female interaction. I know these were short stores, but it seemed like they jumped into everything so soon and left you wanting a little more. While I enjoyed this set, I think I might stick to the longer stories just to get more bang for my buck. Ha! I really didn't not mean to make that play on words, but I guess it works either way. If your looking for a quick paced read that gets you right into the fun, then these are for you.
June 26, 2011
Basically everybody has said what i'm feeling about this book it was a good book i love all 3 but i really really like the first one...
great book to keep for your collection you will not be disappointed
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great book to keep for your collection you will not be disappointed
Join my book group on Facebook (Romance Novel Junkies) and fan page (Romance Novel Junkies Book Reviews). We have over 500 members, which includes well known and indie authors and avid readers as members, who are apart of this group. We would love to hear about new books and thoughts. Also check out our kindle and ebook lending library.Twitter@romanceJUNKIES.
May 21, 2013
I love romances set in small towns, especially anthologies where the characters are connected. In this one three different couples in Delicious, Ohio are struck by the blue moon. All three stories are great romances with interesting characters. My favorite was Lori Foster's Once in a Blue Moon.
My only real complaint is the heroine in Dianne Castell's Moonstruck. She made a couple of boneheaded decisions but everything turned out well in the end.
My only real complaint is the heroine in Dianne Castell's Moonstruck. She made a couple of boneheaded decisions but everything turned out well in the end.
April 14, 2008
This book was pretty meh. I've really liked what Lori Foster that I've read, but this one was a bit too sentimental and sappy. I know, it's a romance novel, but it lacked the zest of her earlier ones. I usually really like anything that deals with the moon and it's powers and magic and whatnot, but this wasn't that great.
April 30, 2012
Star Quality
Once in a Blue Moon by Lori Foster
3 Stars-I enjoyed this short story.
Moon Magnetism by Lucy Monroe
3 Stars-I enjoyed this short story.
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell
It was okay.
Once in a Blue Moon by Lori Foster
3 Stars-I enjoyed this short story.
Moon Magnetism by Lucy Monroe
3 Stars-I enjoyed this short story.
Moonstruck by Dianne Castell
It was okay.
October 7, 2014
Usually Lori Foster and Lucy Monroe are fantastic, but these stories were just ...eh. Unfortunately, the last story was full of flaws for me - from the dialogue being disjointed and hard to attribute to which character was speaking to just unlikely insta-love, it was more annoying than cute.
November 14, 2007
read 01.21.07
June 28, 2009
Too brief; I would prefer full-length novels but you get what you buy/borrow. Not much to say because of the briefness. I don't think the stories were fully developed because of this. 2/5 stars.
October 30, 2009
It was a good book but I dont really have much to say about it
September 11, 2010
Wonderful stories! Short,sassy and sexy!!
January 27, 2016
good short reads
I liked all the characters and the fact that they were a little older.
I liked all the characters and the fact that they were a little older.
May 3, 2013
Some really cool LOVE fantasy stories.
June 15, 2013
story 1 & 2 were ok, but number 3, was utter crap.
July 19, 2013
Really enjoyed all three stories! Would definitely read this book again : )
September 10, 2015
Fun stories about the full moon.
April 25, 2019
Once in a Blue Moon - Lori Foster
Moon Magnetism - Lucy Monroe
Moonstruck - Dianne Castell
Moon Magnetism - Lucy Monroe
Moonstruck - Dianne Castell
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews