The Mayfair Moon

As an avid (bordering on voracious) reader, I have a few simple requirements for a book to be successful: 1) a strong, well-developed plot with great potential for growth and; 2) strong, believable, well-developed characters with great potential for growth. Not only did J.A. Redmerski’s first novel, The Mayfair Moon satisfy my requirements, it went well beyond what I would have expected from a first-in-a-series novel. To be completely frank, I had a hard time putting this book down!

Redmerski opens her novel with Adria and Alex, two sisters from Athens, Georgia who, despite their awful home life have always managed to support one another and remain optimistic about their respective futures. That is, until the night the girls find show more themselves caught up in a violent and terrifying attack that leaves them reeling, battered, and bruised. Enter Social Services. Alex and Adria are removed from their home and re-located to Maine into the home of their uncle and his new wife. For Alex, the move marks the end of her life as she knows it. For Adria, the move becomes a sort of second-chance, a way for her to live in a safe environment, finish school, make new friends, and even snag herself a totally delectable boyfriend in the form of Isaac Mayfair. Unfortunately for the girls, the trouble they thought they left behind has followed them across the country and what happens next in the girl’s lives is where all the fun begins . . .

Adria quickly overshadows Alex as the novel’s primary character; Adria is a tough girl with a fighter’s sprit. Despite all the drama and trauma she has experienced, Adria doesn’t let her circumstances define her, she accepts and soldier’s on. Adria is by far the strongest of the novel’s characters but she doesn’t do all the heavy lifting. Adria is surrounded by a cast of minor characters who not only support her but provide insight into the series’ future. Of note among the cast of minor character’s is Adria’s delightful and fiercely loyal best friend Harry and the mysterious Zia who lives with, among many, many others, Isaac Mayfair. Redmerski has done what a good author should do; she has created a myriad of characters that are intriguing, solid, believable, and appropriate to the overall plot line. Every character in this novel knows their place and fills it well while still leaving room for growth as the series itself grows.

The Mayfair Moon is a steady read with the major plot line unfolding at a comfortable pace for the reader. Redmerski has a ton of ground to cover in this novel and does so expertly. She establishes both short- and long-term plot lines; ties up the appropriate loose ends for this installment; introduces and develops a large cast of characters; keeps the reader entertained with quick and often witty dialogue; and adds in an absolutely appropriate amount of action and romance. There is a little bit of everything to be found in this novel and never a dull moment. The writing style is smooth and easy to read and the plot line is one that will appeal to adults and young adults alike.

The bottom line: I am very much looking forward to the next installment of the Praverian Chronicles; I want to know what happens to these characters and how their lives are going to change. I do however have one reservation and would be remiss if I failed to mention it: this series has the potential to become overly angsty (Morganville Vampires, anyone?). The angst trap can easily be avoided as long as Redmerski keeps her characters moving forward and not wallowing in the past. show less

Now this, ladies and gentlemen is one heck of a book! I wasn't even half way through and I sent it down to write to the author asking for the second book!

What I loved most about this story is the plot. It's HOTT! It's puts the A in WESOME. It's everything I wanted in a plot. Fast-paced, action-packed and loaded with secrets! I enjoyed that the move moved with every chapter. The reader is entranced from start to finish in every way possible. I just can't believe how I could have missed the book! I so wished I could have read it sooner.

Let's talk about the characters. First off, HOT GUYS! That's what we want ladies. Some hot, dark, mysterious guys that catches their every movement. I loved their eyes, their alpha-male tendencies as well show more as their love. It so freaking awesome. Once in Adria shoes, I admit, I be drawn to these guys too. There is no way I wouldn't be!

Now, the love interest for me is good, but I wanted a bit more. I felt like the love interest moved fast with no really good dialogue between them. You know what I mean? One minute their drawn to each to other and the next, their in love. For me, it would have been better had their been more flirting and less avoiding. Still, I enjoyed the love interest.

The Mayfair Moon is an dynamic story! Built around a dark history with a brewing war, there is no way you can't be drawn to this. The plot is what makes this book. Gripping and amazing, The Mayfair Moon delivers awesomeness on a silver platter! show less

This story definitely filled my need for werewolves in my life. And it brought werewolves to me in a new aspect. JA Redmerski’s wolves are big, I mean, huge. They are snarly big mean looking monsters.

First thing I noticed about this book is that it read very easily. It felt like I was talking with an old friend, and I really liked that. I didn’t feel like I was being told a story, so much as I was there for it.

Adria and Alex are sisters living in Georgia with their mother and her boyfriend. Life isn’t perfect, its downright abusive on some levels. But Adria isn’t old enough to get out, and Alex is staying for her sister. On top of that, Adria feels like she needs to stay for her mother. Then one night while they are out walking show more they witness something terrifying and crazy, and they are attacked. It gave me the creeps, and I loved it!

After that, life is not the same. And CPS steps in to remove Adria; they send her north to Maine to live with family. Alex follows because that’s her sister, and they stick together. But Alex hasn’t recovered to the same extent that Adria has. She’s quiet and withdrawn, and just…different.

Adria is quick to make friends in Hallowell, Maine, and I loved them! Ok, not all, but Harry. Harry is a fantastic friend, the kind of friend that everyone should have at some time in their life. He is honest and brave, and loyal to the core. I loved Harry, and I would love to see more of him in the future!

Gratuitous Hot Truck
I have to admit, when Adria met the “bad guys” I was a bit excited. Tattooed, tall, badass…. Lifted trucks. I mean seriously, they were my dream guys. Well, except for the whole bad part. But even that was a bit exciting. But in dealing with them we learn a bit about Adria, and I thought that was fantastic. Adria might be young, but she isn’t some child. She is older than her years, and I just thought her whole personality was really something beautiful.

In fact, the whole cast was fascinating. They were colorful and vibrant, and each new character (and there were many!) brought a whole new facet to the story. But its time. It’s time for the namesake of this book, Isaac Mayfair.

Isaac is an enigmatic young man, who lives with just a ton of people. There is instant chemistry between Adria and Isaac. The first time they lay eyes on eachother you know there is something there.

“I think I had been in love with Isaac Mayfair all along, but now was the moment in time in which I knew it.”

Isaac and Adria are so obviously made for each other. I love each of them separately, but together they are absolutely wonderful. Sweet kisses and long embraces, that feeling that you are loved, wanted, needed… that’s the gift of Isaac. But just why is he such a she-wolf magnet?? Geez, I just wanted him to push them all off of him! It was making me jealous!! Otherwise Isaac is everything you could hope for in a man, a wolf, and a mate. I love him! I think I’ve said that….

This book has a ton of information in it, but you don’t feel like you are just reading facts. JA Redmerski did a superb job of weaving history and facts in with the story. I was super excited to see that the expected publication date is July 20. Don’t quote me if that has changed, but either way I believe it is coming up real soon. And I will definitely be on that auto-buy list.

So whether you are a fan of Zia, Sebastian, Harry, Nathan, Beverlee, Alex, Adria or Alex…. Or any number of the others, this book has something to offer everyone. There are some fight scenes that are awesome, that really show the brute strength of these wolves. There are elders in this book, and their story is also one to really dig into. Honestly, I just couldn’t have asked for more. If you like werewolves, I think you will love this story! show less

I don't review a lot of Self-Published books and those I do review usually come from blog tours I sign up for but when Jessica contacted me about THE MAYFAIR MOON I was on a bit of a werewolf kick and decided I would give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised and glad I gave it a chance. In the beginning of THE MAYFAIR MOON Adria and her sister Alex are very close and are living with their very needy and abused mom who refuses to leave her alcoholic husband. While out one night they are stuck between two fighting creatures they later learn are werewolf's. Because of the trauma that the event caused DFS shows up and Adria is taken out of the home and sent to live with her Uncle and Aunt. Alex goes with but she is no longer the loving show more close sister Adria has always known.

I really enjoyed the book. Adria was very easy to follow and like. She is pretty much left to deal with everything that is happening on her own and her strength through everything was incredible. There is a great romance/love story, Adria finds support from a great cast of characters and the action was present throughout the entire book. I fell into the story very easily and once I was there I had no want to dig myself out until it was over. The ending wrapped things up nicely but also left enough questions and open connections so that you will be excited to see what comes next. My only complaint is how the werewolves are portrayed. I like my werewolves all gorgeous and powerful wolf like but Jessica's werewolves make me think of the werewolves from the UNDERWORLD movies. I can easily overlook that though since I enjoyed everything else.

I think there was some pretty heavy hinting going on at the end of THE MAYFAIR MOON on what will come next for Adria and her friends and if I'm correct in my assumption it will be one heck of a second book for the series. Either way I'm looking forward to reading book 2 KINDRED to continue the story. show less

I was very pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. I knew it sounded good from the description but I didn't expect to not want to put it down. As the beginning chapters started playing out I had several mental flashbacks to the movie GingerSnaps. Two close sisters, a wolf like creature and them getting attacked and one of them relying on the boy to help her. But this story went in a different direction pretty quick. I just didn't want to stop reading.
There were several different layers to the story and the plot unraveled well with twists I didn't see coming. Especially when it came to the end of the book and we got to see the "young man" parents and the, I guess it would be the politics of how the group was run. The show more romance factor was not overwhelming or to angsty for me.
This story had a lot more depth to it that I thought it would initially going in. It was darker and more sexual as well. The writing really had a way of drawing me in and after finishing it became really happy that it's part of a trilogy

Sexual scenes and language. show less

Adria and Alex are sisters who are bonded closely together. Their mother is more concerned with her drunkard husband and is too needy to be a mother. She is more of the child, and the girls are protective and take care of her.

One evening Adria and Alex are out for a walk when they happen upon werewolves fighting. This event drastically alters their lives. They are both banged up by the incident, and it is in this condition that DFS shows up at their door.

They are uprooted and shipped off to live with their uncle in Main. While family life is better, Alex is struggling and shuts herself off. She ends up leaving for a lifestyle that is less than ideal.

Adria is left to deal with everything. There are some things going on that are show more inexplicable. Teens disappearing and assumed dead, rampant sickness, etc. One of her friends live with a bunch of people that make her uncomfortable, but there is a really good looking guy in the group. Yup, here comes the love interest.

I liked the book. It kept me reading and anxiously turning the pages. At midnight I had to remind myself that I did have to get up in the morning and that it was really time to put the book down and turn out the light.

While the book is a fast and furious read, there are many parts that are predictable and follow the patterns of some of the paranormal books that have been previously published. J.A. Redmerski is able to keep her story unique though.

The book has resolution at the end, but it is not all pretty and tied up with a bow. She leaves room for the books that are to come in this trilogy, without the feeling of being left hanging. I personally really like that. show less

The Mayfair Moon is not your typical werewolf story. Adria Dawson’s story is dark and terrifying journey that just happens to offer a hint of sweet romance. This was a fresh breath into the raving paranormal genre that spotlights werewolves as beastly and gruesome characters. I was instantly attracted to the storyline after Alex and Adria stumble across what appears to the be a wolf fight. From this point on the story offers a series of events that will laid both Adria and Alex in Hallowell Maine. This seemed to be where the story slows down. Everything about Hallowell is a mystery; as the occurrences seems to continue mounting Alex and Adria find themselves at odds, and eventually siding with opposing families. This entire build up show more was a very long and tedious section of the story. Just as slowly as the building occurs the answers will slowly be revealed. Once it appears that everything is has unfolded the story seems to rev up and quickly race through the remainder of the story. For a story based on a romance I was shocked that this relationship was lacking for much of this story. Adria and Isaac seem to be side stepping one another through the majority of this novel, and I did not feel that I really was able to grasp their love for one another till the very end. By the conclusion of this book I was in love with their characters, and it has left me anxious to see what Kindred will have to offer. I am hoping that book two will carry a slightly quicker pace than that of this debuting novel. The potential in this novel is palpable, and after this successfully talented display I look for book two to blow me away. show less