REVIEW OF DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON

I thought it impossible, but Keta Diablo has surpassed HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN with the sequel, DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON. What a story!


Lauren McCain Gatlin is married to Brand Gatlin, but in love with his brother Creed. She married Brand when she learned she was pregnant with Creed’s child after Creed had left to fight in the Civil War. Through a terrifying ordeal in the first book, Lauren found her twin after being separated at birth. The midwife who delivered the twin girls told the McCain parents that only one twin lived, and kidnapped Sage McCain.

Winapaya may have
resembled Winnebego
Chief Ha-Zah-Zach-Kah

In the meantime, Sage married to Winapaya, from the peaceful Winnebago tribe associated with the more ferocious Sioux. Sage and Winapaya have two children and another on the way.


Lauren, her father, and her son Finn live with her Aunt Estelle and their servants. Sage and Winapaya live not too far away with the man Sage thought of as her Norwegian grandfather, Peter Pa. Lauren’s mother-in-law Polly Gatlin lives nearby also. No, no, don't be confused; when you read the book it all falls into place

The initial problem is that Brand is missing and presumed dead in the Sioux uprising that killed so many of Lauren's family and friends near New Ulm months ago. But Brand’s body has not been found. Lauren and her mother-in-law cannot give up hope that Brand is alive. I dare not reveal more to you for fear of spoiling your pleasure when you read this book. Let me assure you there are many surprises in store for readers.

Set in Minnesota in 1862, this riveting story is filled with beautiful imagery and vivid descriptions. Ms Diablo obviously immersed herself deeply into research for her work, and it rings true to the reader. I loved the characterizations, which ranged from humorous, stiff-necked, and honorable to evil. I also cheered for the mystical wolf. One of the characters is Crooked Back, a Winnebago woman healer who helps Sage. To show she has no fear of death, she chants:

I am part of the earth and stars
And the gusts of far and near
Of lush valleys and snow-crested mountains
Of flora, and fauna, and deer.


Not being a student of the Sioux, I don’t know if that is an authentic chant or not, but it certainly seems so in context of the book. In fact, everything regarding pioneer life, the Sioux, and the era rings authentic.


Although you will enjoy this stand alone book without reading the first book, the flow is so beautiful if you have begun with HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN and follow with DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON.


They are available from Amazon here:


HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN:
http://www.amazon.com/Holding-on-to-Heaven-ebook/dp/B0073TYAKC/ref=sr_1_7?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332889207&sr=1-7


DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON:

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-NIght-Moon-ebook/dp/B006ZRZ5FM/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332889165&sr=1-4


If you missed Monday’s post, please scroll down and read about author Keta Diablo.

Please return Friday or this weekend for a visit with another fine author, Maggie Toussaint.

I'm Slinging Words with Joan Reeves at http://slingwords.blogspot.com/ Come by if you can.

Thanks for stopping by!

WELCOME KETA DIABLO!

Why I wrote HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN . . .


Hi everyone, and thank you so much for stopping by Caroline’s wonderful site.

Some readers have asked me why I wrote HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN so I thought I’d speak to that here. I’ve always loved history about the Civil War – the battles, the thousands of lives lost and the boundaries that were often crossed when family members choose sides. It wasn’t uncommon to find cousin fighting against cousin or neighbor against neighbor. The Civil War was a deeply personal war for many, and yet in the end, many didn’t know why they were fighting. I can’t think of anything more horrible than to have our country divided over ideals, beliefs or principles to the point we take up arms against our brethren.

Imagine drawing a line across the United States – the top half of the states fight for one side and the bottom for the other. And suppose you had family down in Texas when you live in Wisconsin? I’m sure you can see what the Civil War was one of our darkest times in history.

HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN is, in essence, about a woman named Lauren McCain who was raised in the deep South and moves to the North just before the war broke out. Her loyalties are divided. She’s fallen in love with a Northerner, carries his child, and yet her father and family hail from North Carolina. Now, toss in the Dakota Sioux uprising in Minnesota at the same time and the entire country is ablaze with fire and terror.

HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN is an emotional story about betrayal, grief, fate and abiding passion. If you like reading about the Civil War, I think you’ll love the story of brothers who love the same woman and yet, love each other too. Oh, yes, and there’s a few twists and turns in the story. There is a happily-for-now ending, but here’s the good news: DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON, the sequel to HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN was released! And I promise there will be a happily-ever-after for all.

May you all have a blessed week and many intriguing reads.

Buy link for HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN: http://amzn.to/v03tFa

Buy link for DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON:


http://www.amazon.com/ketadiablo/e/B002BODURI

About DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON, the sequel to HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN.

Creed Gatlin flees to Arizona intent on eradicating the haunting memories of his brother’s wife. His brother Brand, presumed dead, resurfaces after a long absence and with his re-emergence, the destinies of those he loves is altered forever.

In a land rife with war and danger, Sage must travel to the village of her husband’s People. There, she is reunited with Crooked Back, the ancient healer. One the long trek back to Full Circle, devious plots are underfoot and peril lurks around every corner for Sage, Lauren and Peter Pa.


DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON will take you on an unforgettable journey of war, violence, overwhelming grief, and finally, compassion and love.


~ ~ ~ ~


About Keta Diablo:

Keta Diablo, Author

Keta is a multi-published author of paranormal, historical and occasionally gay fiction (paranormal). In 2009, her erotic romance DECADENT DECEPTIONS was a finalist in the RWA Molly contest. In 2010, Keta's entry Phoenix Rising finaled in the Scarlet Boa contest and in 2011 Keta's acclaimed paranormal shifter, WHERE THE RAIN IS MADE, was nominated by Authors After Dark for a BOOKIE AWARD AND by Deep In The Heart of Romance for BEST ROMANCE OF THE YEAR. Many of her books have won numerous awards: Top Reviewer's Pick, Recommended Read and Best Book of the Month.

If you'd like to know more about Keta and her latest releases, she haunts the Net here:

Keta's Keep Blog, http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com


Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo


Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author

Keta, thanks for sharing with us today! Readers, on Wednesday, I'll post my review of DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON. Beware! Aftert I read it, I had to also get HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN.

Thanks for stopping by!