Review and Giveaway: Celtic Moon

Celtic Moon (Celtic Wolves - Book 1) by Jan DeLima

Publication Date: 09/24/2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Ace Fantasy
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425266206
ISBN-13: 978-0425266205

(Received for an honest review from Ace Fantasy)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

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Excerpt from Celtic Moon, courtesy of the authors website.

Synopsis:

Like father, like son…
 
Sophie Thibodeau has been on the run from the father of her son for more than fifteen years. Now her son, Joshua, is changing, and her greatest fears are about to be realized. He’s going to end up being just like his father—a man who can change into a wolf.
 
Dylan Black has been hunting for Sophie since the night she ran from him—an obsession he cannot afford in the midst of an impending war. Dylan controls Rhuddin Village, an isolated town in Maine where he lives with an ancient Celtic tribe. One of the few of his clan who can still shift into a wolf, he must protect his people from the Guardians, vicious warriors who seek to destroy them.
 
When Sophie and Dylan come together for the sake of their son, their reunion reignites the fierce passion they once shared. For the first time in years, Dylan’s lost family is within his grasp. But will he lose them all over again? Are Joshua and Sophie strong enough to fight alongside Dylan in battle? Nothing less than the fate of his tribe depends on it…

Thoughts:

Debut author Jan DeLima brings readers the first book in the Celtic Wolves series, Celtic Moon. This story uses Celtic mythology and wolf shifter dynamics to give readers a unique and mystical adventure. DeLima's heroine, Sophie is anything but typical for the Urban Fantasy genre, and will quickly endear herself to readers. DeLima offers a fresh take on wolf shapeshifters and how they interact with the human equation. With an impending war, a wayward wife and a thousand years of history, our hero has a lot on his plate and DeLima will delight fans with this first in this new series.

I didn't have too many expectations when I picked up this book. The title of course interested me because I am of Celtic heritage myself and I always find it interesting to see how that aspect of the book is written. Wolf shifters happen to be my favorite paranormal characters and the cover is simply beautiful. Sophie looks fierce and protective. So there was definitely some interest going in. However, once I started reading, I was blown away by the authors voice and writing style. DeLima really catches the essence of Celtic mythology and brings it to life for readers. 

DeLima starts this book in the middle of the story, so to speak. There is a lot of history and things that have happened to Sophie and her son Joshua before the book actually begins. I liked that angle a lot. I gives readers a lot more to focus on than just the here and now. It allows the author to explore the past and the history between the characters and to develop a shared point of view. It was a good way to begin a novel and a series. The heroine, Sophie has a problem and there's only one way to fix it, she has to go back before she can go forward.

Sophie is definitely not your typical Urban Fantasy heroine. She is a bit older and a bit wiser. She is in her late thirties and has been on the run for fifteen years. She comes across as competent and fierce. She's protective and very realistic. She has gone through a lot and the experiences she has are much different than a young heroine who has never been in love or faced adversity. I liked the fact that DeLima makes Sophie a determined mother who sacrifice whatever she has to, to protect her son. That was a very compelling relationship and drove the story.

Sophie has been running from Joshua's father Dylan since she learned of his ability to shift into a wolf. Upon hearing the whole story she fled and has been hiding ever since. I liked the way DeLima revisits the past to show us Sophie's history with Dylan. We see a much different young woman than our heroine. She was a bit starry eyed and naive and now she is a force to be reckoned with. I liked the fact that she has grown up and matured and become the woman Dylan needs by his side instead of a frightened young girl.

Dylan is quite the hero. Alpha in every way. Dominant  bossy, arrogant, these are all words that can describe him. But he is also a leader, loyal and protective. He has his reasons for acting the way he does and that just makes him more appealing to the reader and to his wife. I loved the way the relationship between took a while to regain it's momentum. It's like they were sizing each other up. He has to relearn all about Sophie and decide what to do about her and Josh. I loved the way he has carried a torch for her all these years and now has a second chance to make things right, if he can figure out what went wrong in the first place.

The impending war with the guardians is definitely something weighing in the balance in this book. There is a battle coming and DeLima is quick to make the reader understand the significance of what's to come. I liked the fact that she leaves several threads open. Perhaps a prelude to future books in the series. I thought this was an amazing debut novel. It was gritty and full of surprises. It is certainly not your typical happy ever after and that made all the difference. Can't wait to see where DeLima takes us next.

Celtic Moon is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Jan DeLima lives in central Maine with her husband of twenty years and two English bulldogs. Unlike many authors, she didn’t pen stories at an early age, but she has always been a dedicated reader. She loves stories and storytelling. It wasn’t until after her children entered school that she began writing. Raised in a military family, she lived in different countries such as Thailand and Germany, but home base has always been Maine. She brings a mixture of all her experiences to Celtic Moon, her first published novel, blending castles and Celtic lore with the wild nature of her home.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Celtic Moon by Jan DeLima.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, October 18th.

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