Lillian Francis - Author: Release Blitz with ARC Review - Blue Moon Rising (Moonlight Prophecies Book 2) by Amanda Meuwissen

RELEASE BLITZ

Book Title: Blue Moon Rising (Moonlight Prophecies Book 2)

Author: Amanda Meuwissen

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Cover Artist: Kris Norris

Release Date: May 24, 2022

Genre: Shifter Paranormal M/M Romance

Tropes: Alpha with non-Alpha shifter (not A/B/O), reluctant hero, rebound relationship

Themes: Destiny, starting over, prejudice

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 76 000 words

This is book 2 in the Moonlight Prophecies series.

Goodreads

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Dreamspinner Press

Sometimes the right answer is the part of yourself you are afraid to face.

Blurb

Alpha Jay Russell’s broken engagement may just be the best thing that ever happened to him. His ex-fiancé’s twin, Bari, is much more his type and straightforward about his flirting and desire to unite their packs.

Jay returns home after his misadventures in Centrus City to a new prophecy, an unknown enemy, and tribal unrest over a series of racially-driven murders. Furious, Jay is determined to bring whoever’s responsible to justice… but the unrest upsets the fragile peace he’s been working to achieve, threatens his new lover’s life, and undermines his position as Alpha, which makes investigating a challenge.

Can Jay and Bari work together to fight their inner demons—and a strange adversary dead set on returning to the past—or will mistrust and political machinations tear them apart?

Blue Moon Rising is the second book in the Moonlight Prophecies series. Fans of shifters, soothsayers, and shadowy villains will fall under Amanda Meuwissen’s spell in this suspenseful, sexy urban fantasy romance.

My Two Pennies' Worth

This book can't really be read as a standalone. Book 1, By the Red Moonlight, provides a lot of world-building for this universe and the backstory of how Jay and Bari met. There is also an overarching plot that has not been resolved, unanswered questions that will continue into the next book in the series.

Because book 1 did the heavy lifting with the world-building this one was able to focus more heavily on the budding relationship, which was sweet and sexy, just like Jay himself. There was an immediate threat which was wrapped up in this story and some more information revealed for the plot holding this all together.

Disappointingly the secondary characters weren't as likeable as in the first book. Where Bash had surrounded himself with trusted, engaging and like-minded people, Jay's inner circle were nasty bigots.

Looking forward to the next book in the series. I wonder where the author will take us.

Excerpt

“I’m not texting or calling with what went on in Centrus City. Those events need to be explained in person. What’s Ursula asking?” Jay added as an aside, curious if she’d heard anything from the rumor mill.

“She knows you well.” Maximus scrolled through some of the messages. “Wondering if you’re bringing home any strays with your new husband.”

Jay cringed. He wasn’t even technically bringing home a fiancé anymore. It was better things hadn’t worked out between him and Bashir, but that didn’t mean what happened didn’t hurt. Instead of breaking things off between them from the start, Bashir had slept with Ethan—twice—before Jay backed out of the marriage himself. Jay just wanted to be someone’s first choice, but being a hopeless romantic didn’t mean he had luck in love.

“You’re not still poring over pack reports, I hope.” Bari appeared as if summoned, depositing himself gracefully in the seat next to Jay with a dramatic crossing of one leg over the other and leaning toward him. Bashir smelled like sandalwood, but Bari smelled like jasmine, another sign Bari was more Jay’s type, because that smell made his insides quiver, and scent was a common factor in choosing a mate. “Even an Alpha needs to take breaks, darling. And we’re nearly home! Well, home for you. Speaking of….” He batted impossibly long lashes, and his exaggerated nature reminded Jay like a slap to the face how different he was from Bashir in every way. “Foolish little ol’ me forgot to look into any hotels. I hope everything won’t be booked.”

Maximus scoffed at the obvious lead-in, but Jay had already intended this offer.

“No hotel necessary,” Jay said, enjoying Bari’s scent but trying to stay focused and hopefully not look as red in the face as he felt. “Only Max and our Magister are mated, so we have plenty of spare rooms at our den. We’ll head there once the train arrives so you can get settled and I can address my circle about what’s gone on the past few weeks.”

“You haven’t told them anything?”

“Not yet, but I’m sure they’ve heard whispers. While I intend to tell my circle everything, I’ll make sure it’s understood that talk of Seers, Focuses, and Nulls needs to be kept as only gossip for everyone else.”

“My pack thanks you for that,” Bari said with a gentle touch to Jay’s arm. He was very casually physical, another contrast to his brother. “I know you were gone much longer than planned. I hope everything ran smoothly without you.”

“Smooth enough,” Maximus growled, reminding Jay that they weren’t alone. “Are you an ambassador or a spy?”

“Max,” Jay chided him.

“It’s okay,” Bari dismissed. “I was prying. I won’t pretend like Bash didn’t ask me to keep him informed of the state of your city. But allies should be honest with each other.” He looked squarely at Maximus and grinned. “When I spy, I’ll warn you first.”

Maximus turned away with another scoff.

“But before any espionage, I’m looking forward to a better meal than the train food we had for lunch.” Bari returned his attention to Jay. “Would you like to get dinner later?”

In an instant, Jay was a flustered teenager again because he couldn’t think of a response. He wasn’t used to anyone being so forward with him, especially someone who’d almost sort of already proposed.

“He’s been gone for weeks,” Maximus broke in, “and you think he’s going to immediately start playing tour guide just because—”

“Max,” Jay chided again, which at least helped him find his voice. He knew his Second was only looking out for him, but being a good Alpha meant taking time for himself too, something he often forgot. “Pack business comes first, always,” he reassured Maximus, and then looked to Bari. “But I do have to eat. I’d love to take you to dinner tonight.”

There was that unique crinkle at the corners of Bari’s eyes that Jay had never seen on Bashir. “Marvelous. It’s a date. That is a very fetching shirt on you, by the way.” He lightly tugged Jay’s collar and stroked once more down his arm before getting up and heading back toward Theresa and William with a sly smirk.

It wasn’t that special of a shirt, Jay thought, just black with a few horizontal stripes in gray, but since he’d taken his jacket off during the ride, he supposed the short sleeves flattered his biceps well, which was where Bari had touched.

Jay realized he’d followed Bari’s retreat almost to the point of turning in his chair and quickly sat forward again.

Maximus stared at him deadpan.

“What? It’s just dinner.”

As soon as Maximus huffed and looked back out at the city, Jay couldn’t contain his smile. Just dinner—for now.

About the Author

Amanda Meuwissen is a bisexual author, with a primary focus on M/M romance. As author of the paranormal romance trilogy The Incubus Saga and several other titles with various publishers, Amanda regularly attends local comic conventions for fun and to meet with fans, where she will often be seen in costume as one of her favorite fictional characters. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, John, and their cat, Helga.