That Devil Moon

Madeleine Woodbridge Harris was feeling lonely one night and went to sit down by the lake. She never expected a man to show up, nor did she expect to make love with him under the gleaming moonlight. Phil Wilcox was having a bad night when he wandered down to the water to do some fishing. He never expected to encounter a moon goddess, or to share an experience so sensual, so erotic that she seemed like a figment of his imagination. When he awoke though, she was gone, and their sensual encounter was just part of his memory, neither knowing the other’s identity.

One week later, Phil and Maddie collide in a traffic accident; neither recognizes the other as their moonlight lover. Instead, the new head football coach and the Assistant Principle of Beaver Cove High clash horns from the get go. Not only do they get in an accident, but Phil takes money from the theater department for his football team, something that steams Maddie. Despite the friction between them, there’s also an undeniable attraction. Before they both quite realize what they are feeling, they are spending the weekend away together, where Phil unfortunately runs through some poison ivy while trying to rescue Maddie from a black dog. Though Maddie wants to help Phil recover, she discovers she is pregnant and is in shock. She’s afraid of losing her job so her best friend Randy convinces her it would be best if they got married. He’s gay and doesn’t have much of a chance of forming a family of his own.

Phil is stunned when he learns that Maddie married. He’s angry and very hurt because he believed that they were falling in love. The only thing he can think is that she’s like his ex-wife Pam, a tease who only wants what is best for her. Phil decides to concentrate on getting to know his eleven-year-old daughter Melissa better, the reason he moved to Beaver Cove to begin with. But the more he thinks about Maddie, the more her strange marriage bothers him. When he figures out she is pregnant, he’s more shocked, but when he finally figures out the truth, will he put his anger at Maddie aside and do what’s best for the baby?

That Devil Moon is a romantic and sweet love story that will have you cheering the hero and heroine on towards happiness. Dana Taylor creates a quirky and fun world in the town of Beaver Cove, a town that has problems just like any other town. She doesn’t hide that from the reader, but she also stresses the sense of community and happiness that most of the residents of Beaver Cove feel.

What really kept me hooked on this story though was Maddie and Phil’s story. This is not an erotic story by any means. It is, plain and simple, a sweet romance centering on two characters that are looking for love and are afraid to trust their heart. If you like Debbie Macomber, you’re going to fall in love with Dana Taylor’s romantic setting and interesting plot. Besides the main storyline, there are several subplots involving the citizens of Beaver Cove that all help to enhance the main plot line. The writing is easy to follow and filled with humor. Watching these two totally different characters fall in love kept me turning the pages in order to find out how they finally get to their happy ending. For a sweet natured romance centering on an old-fashioned community in Arkansas, That Devil Moon is the perfect story to read.

Reviewed by: Sarah