Raised to be a lady, Aslyn has some training in healing. She hopes for a cure for her affliction. As she moves from place to place she tries to help the poor with her skills, and they repay her with food or occasional shelter. On this day, when she hears a child crying she goes to the mother to see if she can help. The little girl has a bump on her head, but is more frightened than anything. A wolf attacked the family's ox and wrecked their cart. His father as gone to try to kill the wolf. Enid, the mother, offers Aslyn some tea for helping. Aslyn refuses, saying she has done nothing but look at the child. The Kings Horsemen come by, making the road dangerous for women. Because she is traveling alone, Enid offers to let Aslyn ride along with them to the little town where they live. Jim, Enid's husband returns, badly wounded by the beast. When they get to town, Aslyn treats Jim of his wounds. The town's healer has recently died; perhaps Aslyn could replace her.

Aslyn settles into the healer's decrepit cottage. The soldiers are camped in town. One man who is in command of the soldiers is dressed as a Huntsman. Aslyn has only been in town for an hour when a knight comes to the door with a wounded man. Aslyn finds the man is dead, having been left untreated for hours. The knight seems to find the dead man of no matter which disgusts Aslyn. The knight orders the dead man carried away, and begins to move close to Aslyn, his intentions obvious when she learns she is alone. He is interrupted by the Huntsman, whom he calls Kale. Kale calls the knight Algar. Aslyn can tell they are from two different groups of soldiers. She asks them both to leave and they do, but Algar's behavior has become courtly. Shortly a soldier arrived with two candlesticks, a gift from Algar. Kale brings Aslyn some much-needed chopped wood. Enid comes by, and hints to Kale that Aslyn needs food.

Aslyn tries to help the poor people of the village. Kale continues to bring her wood and food. He asks many questions about her, and she must keep lying. She likes this strong, handsome man, but cannot let him become too close. Who would want her, cursed as she is? As the soldiers hunt for the wolves, rumors began to spread. Were the wolves truly wolves, or were they something more? Then Algar comes to visit, and she learns that he is a werewolf who has just killed a child she is treating. He says that he knows that she is like him, evil. She fights him off. The Blood Moon comes on her again, and Aslyn runs. But this time Kale follows her. What she learns when he catches her is more wonderful a thing than she ever believed possible.

Blood moon is a good story, well-written, and I would recommend it as an excellent switch from vampire tales. Aslyn is a warm caring woman, with a horrible problem she doesn't understand. Her reluctance to associate with people, especially to fall in love, is entirely understandable. Kale is a strong hero, but I found myself annoyed with him and what he did long ago. I don't dare say more, or I will spoil the story.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Judy Cook
September 21, 2003