Moon Flower is an adult urban fantasy novel by Heather Ewen-Foster. Prepare to be swept away into an engaging vampire novel that details the lives of Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire, and her friend Sunny Michaels in Hollywood, California. Life is good until its not.
Sonia has lived in Hollywood for just over three decades now, and life has been quiet. She and other vampires have been living in L.A. in relative peace and quiet. However, all of that is about to take a turn when vampires start turning up missing, with the unfortunate and dark discovery of one in particular. At the time of the horrific discovery, Sonia has no idea that a power play is currently ongoing. All she knows is that something dark, sinister, and dangerous is hunting them and that more is yet to come.
Moon Flower, Vampires of Los Angeles, is one of those books that you dive into eagerly and that by the end of the book you’re looking around for more. Like a tasty treat that quickly becomes your new favorite, you’re going to be eagerly anticipating coming back to Sonia’s world when you reach the final page of this novel.
Sonia is the main character of this story as the author focuses on detailing her story. Sonia is an interesting character as she allows us glimpses into her past, back when she was still human. Sonia is showcased as typically being very careful and aware of her surroundings. She’s taken a touch of a shine to a particular human, Alex. She’s not engaged with him, yet, but all of that is about to change when an unwanted encounter with an addict pushes them towards their first interaction.
Of course, as you can imagine, for vampires staying out of the spotlight is preferable. The less attention that they draw to themselves the better. You can, of course, understand why. They tend to be striking in some form or another and are hard to forget. So when some situations begin to arise surrounding Sonia, she starts drawing unwanted attention. This in turn puts her in the eyes of someone whom she’d prefer to not be under the microscope with.
You’re probably wondering...when does the “gripping” aspect of this story kick in? Well, honestly, it kicks in pretty quickly. Sonia’s dealings with Alex will pique your interest in “What exactly is going to happen with them?” One element that you’re going to love about this book is the elegant layering of it and how everything gradually comes together.
The dynamics between Sonia and Alex are interesting and well crafted as they shift into developing further. There is definitely an attraction between the two of them, but it isn’t long before the author decides that things are going just a touch too smoothly and throws in a neat little wrench. You’re going to love it...and maybe hate it...just a little though. LOL! Of course, nothing would be complete without some fun antics from another vampire, Sunny Michaels. He’s gorgeous, famous, funny, and a touch unpredictable, but he’s definitely someone you want on your side. Sunny definitely brings some humor and unpredictability to the story that will keep you on your toes. Of course, the little surprises that Sunny himself has up his sleeve bring a breath of freshness to this story in a particular department.
Author Heather Ewen-Foster brings a nice amount of freshness to this story. She goes so far as to “debunk” some of the “myths” that surround vampires. One aspect that I truly like is how she writes her characters. Yes, they drink blood (some human, others bovine/animal) but she makes sure to emphasize key points. One in particular is that the blood vampires drinks helps them, but it’s not an immediate fix. It doesn’t go from the mouth to the vascular system like so many other stories portray vampires. Injured? Drink some blood and cue quick healing. This particular attention to detail absolutely captured our attention and definitely made an impression on us. So, we just know that it will be with you as well.
Now, where does the real threat come in? Well, it comes in subtle ways so make sure you pay attention to certain hints that the author drops in the story. One is going to come pretty early in the book. It will be easy to dismiss it and forget it, but we’re going to warn you now...don’t do it! Hold on to that tidbit of information and cling to it! Because more is coming!
The vampiric dynamic in this book is interesting as well. You’ll get a glimpse of some of the more powerful vampires that call L.A. home. You’ll also see that they really aren’t interested in the problems of the “lowers.” This point is only emphasized when vampires start going missing. While Sonia isn’t close to any of those missing, she still feels concerned as to what has happened to them and comes to the only plausible conclusion – that they are...no more. The author points out that, like with humans, vampires are known to take out each other, but this? This is something more...something darker.
The deeper Moon Flower goes the more engaging and interesting you will find this novel. It won’t be long before you find yourself halfway through the book, and looking around trying to find out what time it is. LOL! Yes, this book is that good. The deeper the story, the more intriguing it all becomes as power plays come into focus, and the true danger is unveiled.
Hoping for some romance to heat up these pages? Well, you’re going to have to wait on that. While Sunny is more than a lady’s man the author keeps his escapades off the pages beyond a bit of hinting here and there. Sonia has some sparks swirling around her, but nothing to give the sparks some tinder to cling to. Now, that doesn’t mean that nothing could happen in the future, because that is definitely possible! For us, that’s definitely something to look forward to. Especially to see where things go between not just Sonia and Alex, but Sonia and Sunny, too. He’s pretty irresistible, so...why not? LOL!
Are you hoping that there will be more of Sonia’s story to come in the future? Well, the author does say at the end that Sonia and the vampires of L.A. will be back so…that’s good news right there! You’ll be able to tell as you read this book that Sonia’s story can’t possibly end here! There has to be more to come! There just has to be!! Power struggles? Change coming? Sparks of romance? We have to return to L.A. to find out what happens next! So, for sure, we’re going to be looking forward to reuniting with Sonia and the other vampires (and humans) in the future! Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long!
Moon Flower is an engaging novel that readers who enjoy vampires, urban fantasies, drama, and a healthy dose of intrigue will surely not want to miss!
5 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author, Heather Ewen-Foster, and Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! We look forward to what comes next!
by Heather Ewen-Foster
Publication date: November 7th, 2023
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Sonia, a 250-year-old Australian vampire, thought she had found peace in the quiet neighborhood of Whitley Heights, Hollywood. But when a mysterious creature starts slaughtering young vampires, Sonia is thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
With her friend Sunny targeted by an ancient monster, Sonia must uncover the truth behind these brutal attacks. Desperate to save her friend and end the bloodshed, Sonia navigates the treacherous politics of the vampire world. Along the way, she finds herself torn between her irresistible attraction to Alex, the enigmatic human journalist helping in her investigation, and her deep bond with sexy and charismatic Sunny, Alpha Vampire extraordinaire.
As the sinister plot unravels, Sonia’s race against time becomes a pulse-pounding battle against an impossibly powerful foe. Will she uncover the truth before more lives are lost? And what sacrifices will she have to make to protect those she loves?
Moon Flower is a spellbinding urban fantasy that will leave you breathless. Heather Ewen-Foster’s suspenseful tale immerses you in a world of danger, romance, and mythical creatures. Get ready for an electrifying adventure that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.
- $25 giftcard and signed copy of Moon Flower
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