BOOK TOUR + REVIEW: Moon Scorned (Raven Moon Wolves #1) by Marty Mayberry

I'm so pleased to be part of the book tour for Moon Scorned by Marty Mayberry! Read on for more info and a chance to enter a giveaway where you could win the prequel novella in the in the series called Moon Hunted!

Moon Scorned (Raven Moon Wolves #1)

Expected Publication Date: January 5th, 2022

Genre: Upper YA/ Shifter/ Paranormal Romance

I fell hard and fast for the alpha of an elite pack.

Then he rejected me.

Everly

Asher took off when I needed him most, rejecting me and my inner wolf. Then my half-sister is murdered at an exclusive college that’s enshrouded in magic and secrets. When the school offers me a scholarship, I accept and move onto campus. I’m going to find out who killed her, then rip them apart. And if I run into Asher while I’m there? He’ll learn I’m no longer his sweet little thing. He’s about to taste the fury of a wolf shifter scorned.

Asher

Everly’s everything to me, but to protect her, I had to shove her away. If I go near her, the Drudge Pack will discover who she truly is. My father—their enforcer—will kill her. But when she shows up at Ravenmire College, my inner wolf hungers. I’ll do anything to keep her safe—even if that means sacrificing myself and betraying my dangerous family.

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REVIEW OF Moon Scorned (Raven Moon Wolves Book 1) by Marty Mayberry
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: January 5, 2022
Format: Physical ARC

Moon Scorned by Marty Mayberry is a young adult paranormal shifter romance story, and it's a great choice for those looking for a bit of fantasy mixed with mystery and suspense. If you like the fated mate and magical academy tropes, then this book would be great for you! A fated mate who rejects their other half to protect them is both sweet and infuriating. On one hand, it's easy to see where they are coming from and you can empathize with their desire to keep their loved ones safe. On the other hand, you want to shake them and ask why they won't explain what's going on to their other half. Communication is key, people! It helps save relationships. Asher invoked a lot of emotions in me. I get that his dad has made his life hell, but like his wolf says he should have trusted Everly to be part of the decisions he was making. One of my favorite parts of the book was the shifter’s interactions with their wolf. It was super cool how they could talk to their wolf spirit and how it seemed to be a separate entity in the same body. I was also very intrigued with the concept of how some people get older more experienced wolves while others get relative newbies. I've never read about something like that before, and I like when a book is unique and can surprise me. The suspense and the mystery was also a highlight of the book. It was really hard to determine who the “bad guy” was. Almost everyone at Ravenmire College seemed to have an agenda and be looking out for their own self-interests. Just when I thought I figured something out, the author ended up throwing out a curveball. So many twists and turns and I loved it. The ending was a big cliffhanger, and at this point I really need to read the next book so I can figure out whether or not Asher and Everly get their happily ever after ending. I’ve already marked my calendar to make sure I don’t miss the release of the next book, Moon Stolen, which comes out in April 2022. Overall, a strong start to a new series. I would place the audience level at somewhere between young adult and new adult. There are some subtle intimate scenes, but nothing is described in detail and for the most part they would be considered “fade to black”. Thank you to the author and Shannon at Reads and Reels Book Tours for my complimentary ARC (provided as part of my participation in the tour). I appreciate the opportunity immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Moon Scorned. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

Excerpt

Asher was waiting for me outside work, standing in the darkness below a burst of evergreens. When he saw me, he strode forward and cupped my face with his warm hands.

Likes him, my wolf sighed within me.

“Missed you,” he whispered.

“You, too.” My heart rate picked up to double time.

His lips captured mine, softly at first, then harder and with growing need.

I wasn’t sure where this was going between us, but I did know one thing. Cats might rule and wolves might drool, but Asher was my catnip. Whenever he touched me, I purred.

Pulling away, he took my hand and guided me across the sidewalk and out onto the beach.

During the day, crowds of humans mobbed Old Orchard Beach. Once the sun had set and the tourists headed to their rented condos and hotels, the locals could breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the quiet. And late at night, especially when the moon bathed the sky with her milky gaze, wolves like me and Ash could run.

I kicked off my shoes and shimmied out of my jeans and long-sleeve shirt—I wisely wore thin shorts and a tank underneath.

Asher watched, his smoldering eyes tracing my every curve as I moved. We’d come close to going all the way but hadn’t done it yet. I wasn’t sure why I resisted. He made it clear he wanted to. The heat simmering in my veins told me I did too. I guess I wanted to wait. We’d only known each other for a few months.

He had to leave for college soon, but he said he’d come back for each of his breaks. We had plenty of time to do things then.

We strode down to where the water licked at the shore and stood, staring out at the shimmering sea.

“You ever gone skinny dipping?” The grin Ash shot me was full of mischief.

“Umm…”

He lifted his shirt and ripped it over his head, tossing it aside. Moonlight teased across his muscular shoulders and defined abs. He told me he played soccer in college. Worked out now and then in the gym at his dad’s estate.

This was pure Asher. His amazing body was the alpha wolf in him shining through.

He reached for the button at the top of his jeans.

My breath jerked out of me. “I haven’t skinny dipped yet.” I nibbled on my lower lip.

With his jeans gaping open, he took my hands and squeezed them. His voice softened, something he did only with me. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

“The water’s cold. It barely gets above sixty this time of year.”

“It’s not that bad. I promise I won’t touch…too much.” He shucked his jeans. “I’ll even leave my boxers on.”

“It’s not quite skinny dipping if we’re not naked.” My swallow got caught in my throat. I couldn’t drag my attention away from the corded muscles standing out in his thighs. The bulge in his shorts.

“Ev?” he said, his voice calling to everything inside me like a siren from deep beneath the sea. He lifted my chin, and our eyes met. His freakin’ smoldered.

“Okay, I will,” I said.

His fingers caressed my bare arms, and my skin tingled.

He splashed into the sea and turned when he was in waist-deep water. A wave crashed against his back, trying to thrust him back to me, but he maintained his position, watching.

I wanted to tease him, to shimmy my hips and dance while I did it, but I wanted to be close to him even more. I tugged off my shorts and tank. They fell from my limp fingers to the sand with a soft rustle.

Asher groaned. “You’re gorgeous.” His fingers swirled through the water at his sides.

Holding his gaze, I ran down into the water, dressed only in my underwear.

Asher reached for my hand and tugged me right up against him. He ran his palms up and down my arms. As if that would warm me up?

Actually, his touch did. It warmed me up too much. Maybe tonight, we’d…

Likes, my wolf said. More kisses.

I jumped up and he caught me. He’d always catch me. My legs went around his waist, my arms, his shoulders.

His lips sought mine, searing through me. His tongue stroked the seam of my lips, and I opened my mouth, letting him inside. I didn’t need to build a rocket ship to take us to the moon or the stars. Asher’s kiss took me there already.

“You…” he said when he lifted his head. “Have I told you yet how much you mean to me?”

“You can always tell me again.”

“Ev.” His fingers teased my spine, and I quivered, wishing now I’d taken off all my clothes. He kissed the nape of my neck. I melted, my knees pure mush.

Frigid water might bathe my skin, but Asher was the fire keeping me warm

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About the Author

Marty lives in New England, where you’ll find her plotting and writing while walking in the park–yes, at the same time! Otherwise, you might find her sitting in the shade with her feet up, reading everything she can get her hands on.

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Book Tour Schedule

December 20th

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://readsandreels.com

I Smell Sheep (Review) http://www.ismellsheep.com/

Didi Oviatt (Spotlight) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com

December 21st

@my_books_and_coffee (Review) https://www.instagram.com/my_books_and_coffee/

@atrailofpages (Review) https://www.instagram.com/atrailofpages/

@ofmoviesandbooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/ofmoviesandbooks/

Balancing Books and Beauty (Review) https://balancingbooksandbeauties.wordpress.com/blog/