Hunter's Moon

Alliana Campbell is used to running at night on the road skirting her property. In spite of warnings from the local sheriff about the dangers from hunters and stray shots, she hasn’t had any problems – and it is her own property, after all. On this night, however, she hears shots in the woods as she’s finishing her run, and then a scream as if an animal is injured. Alli decides to look for the animal to find out if the hunters left it wounded. What she finds instead turns out to be a wounded, six-foot-tall alien, with skin that looks like a black panther’s, including the short plush fur. In spite of the fact that he cannot know her language, he seems to understand that she is trying to help him when she takes him back to her house. Watching him miraculously heal himself from the bullet wound, Alli can’t help but wonder why he is here on Earth – and how she’s going to protect him from other humans.

This is a very interesting take on the theme of the alien on Earth. The plotting was impressive – very straightforward and simple, but with plenty of drama. The writing style was straightforward and clear, which also pleased me. I liked the characterization of Alli, who seemed so matter-of-fact about finding an alien in her woods. The love scenes between the man and woman are very hot, and quite explicit – in fact, they are among some of the best love scenes I’ve read this year. I enjoyed this short story, and recommend it to the futuristic romance fans among us.

Reviewed by: Jean