Underneath the light of the Winter Moon, the mothers,
maidens and wise women sit and tell their tales. For the
moon is many things to many people, and this collection of
lunar-inspired stories is no exception. Three fine tales
wax and wane in vastly different worlds and times, shining
examples of storytelling at it's finest.
MOONTIDE by Mercedes Lackey - Home is where the
heart is, but what happens when your home is without a
heart? For Moira na Ferson, home has been with Countess
Vrenable, who's taught her well. Her father thought to rid
himself of an unwanted girl child until such time as he'd
need to use her as a bargaining chip for a possibly
traitorous treaty. Moira, however, is keen and brave and
daring enough to be made a Grey Lady, those who with the
countess serve the king no matter what the cost to life or
limb. Taught to be more than a spy, she appears to be the
perfect shy lady her father needs to cement his deal.
Locked within Sea Keep with no thought of help from the
outside, can this chain-mail chameleon thwart the nefarious
plans of men without a conscience and win the man of her
dreams?
THE HEART OF THE MOON by Tanith Lee - To live your
life under a curse is a hardship indeed. However, when one
is cursed by someone they once called friend, it becomes
even more disturbing. Clirando, Warrior Priestess of Amnos,
has fallen victim to such a curse. Betrayed by her best
friend, Araitha, and her lover, Clirando sets out to have
them banished from Amnos in a trial of battle. But Araitha
will have her satisfaction in another way and therefore
curses Clirando to wander the rest of her nights sleepless
and alone. When Clirando undertakes to lead her band as
chosen for the mysterious rites on Moon Isle, will she
continue to suffer from the malicious curse and be
defeated? Or will she accept the wisdom the isle has to
offer and the companionship of Zemetrios, a mysterious
warrior from another land, in order to break through the
barriers in her mind and discover depths and gifts she
never knew she possessed?
BANSHEE CRIES by C.E. Murphy - Full moons and wild
magic inspire lunatics and murderers alike. Jo Walker knows
all too well just what a deadly combination this is when
she's called on to help figure out the machinations of an
evilly gifted serial killer. Jo would rather be a cop than
a Shaman, for her unusual powers make her uncomfortable.
However, when ritual homicides, innocent people and Captain
Michael Morrison are the fare of the day, Jo has no other
choice but to get in touch with her inner powers from her
Celtic and Indian heritage. Unfortunately, it's not all
that easy when someone from your past wants to mother you
and Coyote's on the team. Still, there's something to be
said for the powers of persuasion of a good man and a good
cause.
La Luna has indeed inspired these three authors in this
anthology full of their enchanting stories. Like the
different phases of the moon, these three wonderful writers
have heroines who are enchantingly strong in their own
ways. Ms. Murphy's snappy, sardonic heroine will keep you
grinning from ear to ear, even as the suspense mounts. Ms.
Lee's Clirando is as proud and beautiful as Xena and will
keep you cheering for her as she moves to solve her demons
and win the day. Lastly, Ms. Lackey's Moira has the clear
cool intelligence to combat a deadly evil and save not only
a kingdom, but the man she loves. Three phases of fun for
the fantasy Lunatic in all of us.
In an isolated land where the lure of the "Moontide" leads
to shipwrecks, a woman is torn between obeying her father or
her king. When she chooses to follow a Fool, she discovers
magic she'd never expected... at a price that might be too
high...
The Heart of the Moon by Tanith Lee
Struggling under the curse of a dead comrade, Clirando, a
warrior priestess unready to face the powers trapped within
her, must face "The Heart of the Moon" to reveal what has
been hidden...
Banshee Cries by C.E. Murphy
In "Banshee Cries" ritual murders under a full moon lead Jo
Walker to confront a Harbinger of Death. Maybe this "gift"
she has is one she shouldn't ignore--because the next life
she has to save might be her own!
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