Moonlight Ménage by Stephanie Julian (Lucani Lovers #2)
March 3rd, 2010
Paranormal Romance
E-Book, Novel Length
Ellora’s Cave
Reviewed by Mandi

Why I read: It was offered for review and I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Kiss of Moonlight.

Favorite Quote: “I want you to put your hands on the arms of the chair and not let go. Understand?”

Tira, Nic and Duke have been in love the past eight years. Well, let me rephrase, Duke and Nic love Tira, and the men, although not sexually attracted (darn it!) have a very close friendship. The three of them want to be together, but it is not possible. Tira is a witch and when she touches some people, she gets glimpses into their future. She sees nothing when she touches Duke, but when she touches Nic, she sees his violent death, which makes it impossible for her to be intimate with him. This also pushes Duke away, using anger as his defense mechanism.

It is not until an awful explosion, where Duke and Nic barely make it out alive, that the three of them realize they need to be pro-active. Duke thinks he is being pitied, whom Tira only turns to because she can’t touch Nic. Nic wants to be in Tira’s life, even if that means it will get cut short because of his foreseen death. Tira wants them both, but struggles with a mother, who battling psychosis, and two men who are right there, but so far away. Now she is needed to care for them as they recover. Together, they will try to find a way to overcome all obstacles in their way.

Moonlight Menage is the second book in Stephanie Julian’s Lucani Lovers series. Although this three-way relationship has been in the works for eight years, the three of them have much to overcome. Besides the actual problem of Tira and Nic not being able to touch, there is much miscommunication involving Duke. When she pushed both men away, after realizing she couldn’t touch Nic, Duke took it very personally. A very frosty relationship develops between them and Duke works his feelings up to being jealous that Tira wants Nic so bad.

I had a little bit of an issue with their current communications. Nic apparently has a big plan to solve all their problems, yet doesn’t tell anyone – even after Tira runs out upset. I understand there needs to be suspense, but why wouldn’t Nic sit them down right away and explain his plan.

I also could not get past the end, when the reveal occurs telling us the final designation for Nic. I didn’t want him killed off, but there needed to be something big and believable to get him out of this sticky situation. The reason for him not to die, killed the deal for me. In my opinion it is very weak, and made no sense. It is a very easy way out, and I was disappointed.

What I did like in this book is a believable three-way relationship. Nic and Duke have enough affection for each other that it makes it work when Tira comes into play. They don’t get jealous if one ends up with the other – they have known this relationship was meant to be for a long time, so when the time comes that they can actually explore each other, it is very fulfilling for them (and verra sexy for us! – go hot ménage!)

Moonlight Ménage is a very steamy addition to this series but unfortunately, one that leaves a lot to be desired.

Rating: 2/5

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