Orphaned as a child, Mona Lisa always knew she was different, just not how different. Then one night a patient in the ER where she is working shows her exactly how different she is and introduces her into the world where she really belongs. The world of Monère, the children of the moon, may live on the same planet as everyone else but their lifes and rules are very unusual.

Not only does Mona Lisa have alot of questions about her life answered but she also has new questions to ask. Also she finds out that she is a Queen, maybe even the only mixed-blood one ever. Getting to know everything will of course take time but not all of the other Queens are happy to hear about her and Mona Lisa finds herself pulled into a power struggle laced with cruelty she has never seen before.

With so many new powers and alot of enemies, Mona Lisa does what she must to survive her introduction into this strange new world. Finding her feet, finding her family and battling with all who cross her. She is determined and her power is growing by the day.

This is the first book in Monère series and I feel stupid for not reading this earlier. Everyone had told me how great this series is but the books were always out of my price range. Thanks to a friend I have the first two books in the series and I am seriously contemplating reading the second part straight away. My only look into this world was reading the short story in the anthology Over the Moon but that offering did not do this book justice.

First I have to say that Mona Lisa Awakening was very brutal, sexual and hard hitting in places. However the story, characters and writing style was so addictive that the vulgar parts of the story didn't annoy me much but I could see it upsetting some readers.

Secondly I have to also mention how quickly Mona Lisa just accepted all she was told about herself and the Monère. In most books it takes the main character half the novel to finally trust and believe the paranormal ways they are being suddenly introduced to. At first this bugged me but after a while I found it nice to not subjected to the normal whining and denial.

Lastly I have to say I admire this new paranormal look at things. While some of the ways of the Monère are similar to those I have come across in other books there was also alot of uniqueness. I can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series and hope that Mona Lisa Awakening wasn't a fluke.

Labels: Books Read, Sunny

Orphaned as a child, Mona Lisa always knew she was different. After finding out exactly how different she really is her life changed. She is of mixed blood, a monère, a child of the moon and a queen. Now she is in charge of her own territory and as she embarks on this new challenge she has even more new customs to get used to.

Accompanied by her loyal warriors, servants and brother, Mona Lisa is in Louisiana for the first time. It isn't long before her reign is threatened by not only new enemies but some she has been up against before. With more power than she knew she had in her, Mona Lisa will have to fight and suffer to keep her territory under her control.

Mona Lisa Blossoming is the second part in the Children of the Moon series. After enjoying the first book in the series so much I couldn't wait to read this second part and finally gave in, regardless of the other books that await me, and read this this morning. Yes this was so good that I only needed a few hours to get through this amazing second part.

Very dramatic, action filled and dark this is an unique series in the paranormal genre. A tad more erotic than I like but the heat works well in the story and doesn't bother me. Mona Lisa is a strong character who has been through alot and is taking on her role as queen very well. I can't wait to see what happens next and what trials she will be against and how she will fight them.

Labels: Guest Blog, Sunny

Dante is the warrior son of a healer and was cursed by the high priestess to endure a never-ending cycle of life and death, born and reborn into an ever-diminishing bloodline. But he is not alone. Someone else shares his past lives. Her name was Mona Lyria and back then she was his victim. It was another moon and another world but they are always connected and now they are back together again.

Now Mona Lyria is here again but this time she is Mona Lisa. Dante's wish is to die by her hands to end his cursed existence, but she feels fate has given them both a second chance. Her craving for blood is not as much as her craving for life. She needs to give in to her female desires. Now she has found her mate-but with this blessing could come a new curse under the shadow of a new moon.

The third book in this series is as wonderful as the previous books. I am really enjoying this series and that has taken me by surprise. I am not usually one for stories that are so sexually motivated or erotic but these books are something different and exciting.

I am in awe of Mona Lisa and the way she is building up her domain. I love the characters, the story and the uniqueness of this series. Always an inspiring plot and beautifully written I can't wait to read Mona Lisa Darkening when I get a copy.

Labels: Books Read, Sunny

Well this was a mixed bunch! I can't believe I finally found an Angela Knight story that I liked. Her contribution to this book 'Moon Dance' was really good and a great opener for the book. I wonder if this was a one off story of if she will or has written anything else about 'Direwolves'.

The second story in this book by Virgina Kantra started off promising but lost me about halfway through. I sped read the rest of the story and it didn't grab me in anyway. Will look up the author though to see what else she has written.

The 3rd story was the story I had been waiting for. Maryjanice Davidson is one of my favourite authors but I have to say that I was disappointed in this story. It seemed rushed and the storyline wasn't brilliant. She can write alot better and it is a shame that this story wasn't IMHO up to her usual standards.

The last story by Sunny has left me intrigued. I haven't read any of the Mona Lisa books but have had them on my wishlist for some time. Getting halfway through the story I realised I wasn't really following everything because I haven't been introduced to the characters and story before. I finished reading this short story but I really feel I need to read 'Mona Lisa Awakening' and then go back and read this story again.

Labels: Books Read

Another group of authors get together and put together a book filled with short stories. There are always good and bad stories in this kind of collection and this one was no exception.

Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs

This story was set in the 'Mercy Thompson' world but didn't mention the lovable gal.

This was the best of the stories in this book and I enjoyed every chapter and can't wait for the next book in the series!

Inhuman by Eileen Wilks

This wasn't too bad. It started off really good and I didn't want to stop reading. However the last few chapters were different in style and the story got a little hard to keep track of. All in all a good story but I won't be rushing out to read anything else by this author.

Buying Trouble by Karen Chance

This was ok but I found it a little too fast paced for my liking. It was also hard to keep track of so much information. Not bad but not good either...I think anyone reading this author's books would enjoy this one though.

Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny

This was the shortest of the stories but by far the sexiest! A little over the top for my liking but I am sure there are alot of fans out there who will enjoy this short story.

I hope to read at least the first book in the series at some point. I am intrigued and hope that when I have read a whole novel by this author that the short stories I have read by her will make more sense to me.

In conclusion : Not a bad book. Could have been better but a good taste of what is to come.

Labels: Books Read