Under a Confederate Moon Amber Quill Press

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Author: J.M. Snyder
Publisher: Amber Quill Press

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We all love werewolves and shape-shifters, right? Well, open your eyes to J.M. Snyder’s Under a Confederate Moon. Move over your usual shifter, and enter humans changing into bobcats. What an original and refreshing concept. Not only did I get a fresh shifter to read about, but a gripping plot.

A private in the Confederate Army, Caleb spends his time mainly on picket duty. His job is to watch out for the enemy. One particular night, pains wrack him, and he knows ‘the change’ is imminent. He only has a short time before his duty is over, but the change won’t wait. Another officer asks Caleb if he is ok. Sickness has pervaded the camp, so Caleb blames that and races into the woods…

As a bobcat, Caleb sees the other side of life. Men are his enemy, and he has to be careful to avoid being shot. Ironic, when he is at war and shooting his human enemy is something he has to do.

An amazing event occurs. Caleb meets an older, wounded bobcat, Brance, who is able to speak to Caleb in his mind. Caleb has to come to terms with the fact that there are other bobcats out there like him—a comfort to know he is not alone.

Brance is stand-offish and rude. Though churlish to begin with, Brance soon thaws towards Caleb. However, a twist in the tail—of course, I meant tale—puts more than a dampener on Caleb and Brance’s relationship. They discover that they fight for opposing sides in the war.

At times heart wrenching (or am I just a Nutty Nana?), Under a Confederate Moon is a fantastic read, in my opinion. I think its fresh approach to a new kind of shape-shifter, the emotions brought onto the page so well, and the historical aspect brings together such a charming—ooooh!—just wonderful story.

Finding Ms. Right Amber Quill Press

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Author: Lori Soard
Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Jenna McBay has been willed a huge old trunk by her Aunt Madge, as she lugs it into her storeroom, she fantasises that it contains jewels, jewels that she can sell to sort out her precarious financial circumstances.

When she opens the old trunk it is full of ancient books, the first one she picks up is entitled “How to wed a Man of Means” how appropriate…

Slade Walker is struggling to manage his seven month old baby daughter and his job, she is a difficult baby and he has been through a succession of Nannies, he finds himself without childcare yet again, and decides  that he needs to find himself a wife. He heads off to The Tome Home to buy a copy of “Find Ms Right”

Jenna had a huge crush on Slade when they were at high school, and nothing has changed, she still has a huge crush on him. When he is in her bookstore buying his book, it suddenly hits him that Jenna is all grown up.

He wants a wife so that his daughter will have a mother, and she wants a rich man to solve her financial problems. She is taking her advice from the How to Wed a Man of Means book, he is taking his from Find Ms Right, the two are totally at odds with each other.

A series of misunderstandings and periods of self doubt on both parts ensues.

This was a heart thuddingly real love story, there were some very real emotions laid bare and that had me tearing up and wanting to bang their silly heads together.

Just when you think all’s done and dusted, there’s a twist, and the roller coaster is off again.

A really lovely read.

4 flutes