Review: Beyond the Moon by Michele Hauf

Beyond the Moon (In the Company of Vampires #3)
Michele Hauf
Published: Sept. 1, 2014 (Harlequin Nocturne)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Reviewed by: Jannelle

Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars

Verity Von Velde is a centuries-old witch living in modern-day Paris. After just falling out of a somewhat abusive relationship with a vampire, she runs into some trouble with one of her ex-lover’s lackeys when he bites her and steals her necklace. This is when she ends up face to face with Rook, a centuries-old vampire hunter whose soul—believe it or not—resides in that necklace.

Sensing their connection to each other from the start, they work together to find the missing necklace and make sure Verity isn’t transformed into a vampire from the bite. All the while, of course, trying to work between the heavy sexual tension present and letting their guards down enough to even consider a new relationship after what they have both suffered through.

Beyond the Moon shifts between both Verity and Rook’s point of view. I will say that I did find myself enjoying Rook’s point of view better than Verity’s. Rook is a vampire hunter and is in search of a rebellious gang of vampires that are terrorizing Paris. I enjoyed Rook’s complicated back story and all of the action and faster pace that his perspective brings to the novel since the pace was a bit slow for my liking while in Verity’s point of view. I will say, however, that her quirky personality did create a light humor for the story that may not have been there otherwise. My favorite personality trait of Verity’s is her ability to compare men to French Macaron flavors at specific Parisian bakeries—never had a paranormal romance novel made me hungry before.

I also found myself curious about Rook’s best friend, King, and his character’s background. I don’t think I could say more about him without creating spoilers but I will say that he has left me curious enough to read another installment in the Company of Vampires series. Also, though Beyond the Moon is part of the series, it reads great as a standalone; you don’t need to read the rest of the books in the series to enjoy the story in this one.

If you’re into paranormal romances with vampires, witches and a couple who seems to be fated to come together, Beyond the Moon is the book for you.

Sexual content: graphic sex, (warning: reference to a stillbirth)