Review: Shadow of the Moon (Dark Guardian, #4) by Rachel Hawthorne

I can feel every Shifter's emotions except Daniel's—
the only one whose heart I long to know.

HAYDEN was born a werewolf, a Dark Guardian. But her ability to sense the feelings of fellow werewolves has made her life unbearable. She runs away, only to be tracked by charming, mysterious Daniel, a newcomer to the pack and the one Shifter immune to her powers. As she reluctantly follows him home, Hayden finds herself falling dangerously in love. . . .

But even as her feelings for Daniel deepen, Hayden begins to wonder if he is who he claims to be. Where did he come from and why has no one ever seen him transform? When they stumble upon the body of a Shifter still in wolf form, her worries grow. Someone is killing her kind. Is her handsome tracker really a hunter? And is Hayden now his prey?

Rachel Hawthorne's Dark Guardian series had me entertained from the start of book one to the very end of book four. And now I'm wondering if and when she'll produce a book five.

Hayden and Daniel were just as much fun to get to know as the rest of the Dark Guardian gang. A tab bit more doom and gloom followed these two along the way when compared with the other couples, but it only had me rooting for them all the more. As always I was glad the old favorites were still a part of this story, but I also enjoyed the time when it was just the two of them.

I liked Daniel from the start when Hawthorne introduced him in Dark of the Moon, but Hayden was a new addition. An addition I loved. She was brave and strong and with her added ability, a unique character who fit in well with Hawthorne's world.

I can only hope Hawthorne has more installments planned for this series because I for one am not quite ready to say goodbye.

I gave Shadow of the Moon (Dark Guardians, #4) 3 shamrocks!!!

Author Interview: Rachel Hawthorne

Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times. (Taken from author's website)

I was so excited that Rachel agreed to come by the blog for an interview and can't wait to share, so check it out!

Katelyn:  With the paranormal genre being so popular at the moment and with so many different ways to take your work, why were you drawn to write about werewolves? Was there anything specific that you pulled your ideas and inspiration from?

Rachel:  I’ve always loved shapeshifters and wolves fit in well with the story idea that came to me. I’d watched a special on the Sherpa program in Glacier National Park (in the summer they hire college students to assist campers) and I began to play the what-if game: what if the sherpas were trying to protect something hidden in the park, what if they were really guardians of something, what if they could shift?

Katelyn:  I can only imagine how intense and chaotic the writing process and the promotion of the books must be, what's your favorite/ least favorite part of the process?

Rachel:  My favorite part is writing the story and hearing from readers. My least favorite part if trying to determine how to best promote the book.

Katelyn:  Do you have any favorite books/authors?

Rachel:  I’m a huge fan of Richelle Mead and her Vampire Academy series. I also enjoy Catherine Clark.

Katelyn:  If you were describing the Dark Guardian series in three words, what would they be?

Rachel:  Adventuresome, romantic, fun.

Katelyn:  Do you have a favorite character or characters in your series? Any reason?

Rachel:  You know, I loved them all. It’s really hard to pick a favorite. There was something about each of them to love.

Katelyn:  I've flown through the first two books in the Dark Guardian series, and I've just started the third book, Dark of the Moon and I know I'll be reading Shadow of the Moon immediately after, but can I cross my fingers that the series won't end there? How many books are you planning on for the series?

Rachel:  At this point, I’m sorry to say, but Shadow of the Moon is the final book in the series. That’s not to say that there won’t be more but at this time, my publisher isn’t planning to release anymore. However, I am working up some new ideas and do hope to have a new series in the works soon.

Katelyn:  Are you working on any other books at the moment for the Young Adult readers? Any clues you can give us?

Rachel:  Right now, everything is in the idea—what-if—stage. Wish I could give you some definite news.

Katelyn:  Thanks again Rachel for stopping by, anything else you want to add be my guest!

Rachel:  Thanks so much for asking me for the interview. The only thing to add is that I will be in Orlando in July to sign books and readers are welcome to join me at the Disney Swan & Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida:

“Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing

Here's a chance to meet your favorite authors and help promote literacy! Join 500 romance authors on Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. as they sign their latest releases. Proceeds from this event go to local and national literacy organizations. For more info go to www.rwanational.org

Happy Reading!

Review: Full Moon (Dark Guardian, #2) by Rachel Hawthorne

I may be promised to another...but thoughts of Rafe consume me. I don't know how much longer I can resist.
Lindsey is wild and reckless, a natural rebel—maybe because her entire life was laid out for her even before she was born. Her parents are among the most powerful members of the Dark Guardians, an ancient tribe of werewolves, and they arranged Lindsey's betrothal to Connor long ago. The next full moon is coming all too soon, and then her commitment to Connor will be final—no turning back. She should be happy...so why can't she stop thinking about gorgeous, brooding Rafe?


When a dangerous threat on the pack escalates, so do tensions between Connor and Rafe. A fight over Lindsey is imminent, but will it be to the death?


Can I just say....love triangle anyone? Wow, talk about being torn between two guys....poor Lindsey! Full Moon, the second installment in the Dark Guardian's series by Rachel Hawthorne picks up right where Moonlight left off and we're immediately thrown back into the action and romance that I came to love about this series. Lindsey's transformation is coming up and a girl needs a guy to get through it, but not just any guy...her one true mate, and wolves mate for life...no pressure on making the right choice huh? Yikes!

So is Lindsey going to go with her constant friend over the years and current boyfriend, Connor or will Rafe pique her interest with his bad boy ways? You guys have to read this book, it's just so good. I've seen and read stories with love triangles before and usually I've got no sympathy for the girl or guy who's in the middle, because who hasn't dreamed about having two people fighting for their attentions right? But not so much in this case, I actually felt for Lindsey and was feeling just awful for her, I mean this was not just about choosing a guy to go to a dance with or have a romantic dinner, we're talking FOREVER here and if you choose wrong, there's no turning back and nothing you can do about it, ouch!

Rachel Hawthorne's writing is compelling and you'll find yourself flying through the pages and having no trouble finishing this one in no time at all. I've read the first and now the second book of this series in two days, yep you heard me, it's been a book a day. It's a great read for a rainy day or one where you just want to be entertained by a book and nothing else. Full Moon will keep you guessing, make you miserable for the main characters and the struggles they're going through and at the same time you might just find your heart breaking over events that take place one minute and the next you could be overjoyed...I guess it all depends on who you're rooting for in the end.

Most of you know by now that I love a good series because I never have to say goodbye to the characters I've grown to love and can't get enough of, and the Dark Guardian's series is no exception. Hawthorne might move on to focus on other characters more fully with each new book, but she doesn't leave behind our old favorites. All the characters are brought back into this installment and I was glad.

This series has everything I'm usually looking for; romance, action and intrigue and enough suspense that I had to keep turning the pages in order to find out what happened next....and did I mention romance? There's no way to resist the characters Hawthorne's created and the story she's spinning, and to be honest you won't want to.

So if you haven't given this series a try I totally recommend it.

I gave Full Moon (Dark Guardian, #2) 3 shamrocks, lots of fun to be had with this read.

Review: Moonlight (Dark Guardian, #1) by Rachel Hawthorne

I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous...and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.


I can't remember how I came upon this series, but what I do know is that I'm so glad I did! Moonlight is the first in the Dark Guardian series and once again I've found myself a new series that I already can't get enough of.

As a fan of the paranormal genre, I'm always excited when I find a book within that genre that has a new twist to the old storyline. The Dark Guardians' series has taken the old tales of werewolves and produced a new and unique spin on the characters.

Rachel Hawthorne created a story out of her very realistic world and had me believing instantly! Her main characters, Kayla and Lucas were great. Brave and compelling Kayla meshed very well with the dark and brooding Lucas. Their story was romantic, yet frustrating, moving and yet so much fun. I loved it all!
With werewolves being a reality and some ill intent humans after them for their own nefarious purposes, readers will be on edge to see if Kayla and Lucas will be able to defeat them and remain safe or if their in deeper water than they thought. Will their romance and feelings be enough to keep them strong for the fight ahead, or will it all be just too much for Kayla to handle with the other revelations she's faced with?

I've always been a fast reader but I was able to really fly through this book, it took only one day for me to finish and after I was done I wanted to jump right into the next installment. There's a little bit of everything in this series; romance, adventure, action and suspense, plenty of description and depth to keep you interested and wanting to come back for more. I really had fun with this one and already ordered the second installment, Full Moon, because I just can't stand not knowing what will happen next, I'm hooked yet again! I'm really looking forward to see where Hawthorne and her Dark Guardians' series takes me next!

I gave Moonlight (Dark Guardian, #1) 3 shamrocks!!!