Dearborn by Jenni Moen

February 5th, 2016 Kimberly Review 48 Comments

5th Feb
Dearborn by Jenni Moen
Dearborn
by Jenni Moen
Series: Woodland Creek
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

I feel his emotions in living color. As if they are my own. If he’s angry, I rage with him. If he’s grieving, I do too. When he thinks about the past, I’m right there, walking beside him. I am the window to his soul, and yet, in spite of that, he’s a riddle with no solution. A puzzle with too many missing pieces. We always want what we can’t have. All I wanted was some peace and quiet. To fall in love with someone untouched by the magic of Woodland Creek. I craved normalcy. But not as much as I craved him. When he returns to town a broken hero, there’s no choice to be made. I will reach him when no one else can. Together, we will face a future he doesn’t want. Why? Because our love is pure magic

paranormal magical ROMANCE

I have read and enjoyed Jenni Moen’s contemporary romances and was eager to try her latest a paranormal romance. Dearborn is a standalone paranormal romance set in the world of Woodland Creek, Indiana. Woodland Creek is a town where the ley-lines attract all types of shifters and supernatural folks. Dearborn drew me in with its magical elements, secrets, romance and unique characters.

First, I have to tell you I am in trouble. I loved the world of Woodland Creek, and there are thirty books by thirty different authors where I can visit again! (Click link below for more information.)

Woodland Creek World

Woodland Creek, Indiana is a quaint college town full of old-world charm – with plenty to tantalize shifter, wizard, and human residents alike. Your days will be filled with the indulgent pleasures of our popular downtown, with your nights rejuvenated by the sporadic screams of the damned. Here in woodland creek, the supernatural townsfolk protect their secrets with firepower, claws, or spells. And the humans live mostly oblivious (unless they’re eaten). An innovative and collaborative collection of fictional shifter stories set in one town, each with a guaranteed happily ever after. Find out more about the other books in Woodland Creek

Willow our heroine is an empathy. She owns and runs a diner in Woodland Creek. I adored Willow from the start, and we quickly learn that despite her ability she is often lonely and craves normalcy.

Quinn Dearborn is a lifetime resident of Woodland Creek, who despite a chance at a promising football college career ended up joining the service. He has returned home a broken fragment of the confident young man he was. Quinn is struggling with PTSD and after months of promises, he finally joins his old high school friends for breakfast at the diner. His emotional state has a physical effect on Willow and she in turn calms him just with her presence.

Moen did a wonderful job of introducing us to the characters. I adored Willow’s friends and the banter between them. A grumpy old man who dines at the diner and hates small talk offered clues to helping Willow and Quinn. Quinn was sexy and adorkable all at the same time. The two of then experienced some bumps, but none of the drama was drawn out making their relationship feel genuine.

The tale that unfolds offered a wonderful, slow-building romance wrapped in a mystery surrounding Quinn. Woodland Creek is a fascinating town, as are the supernatural families who reside there. Once I slipped into the story, I never wanted to leave. The climactic reveal and final scenes had me twisted in a knot, holding my breath and crossing my fingers. It was brilliant and while foreshadowing gave us subtle clues the how and why came together effortlessly. The ending left me with a smile and wanting more stories set in this world.

Dearborn offered a delightful tale in a world I would love to visit repeatedly.

Read an Excerpt

He chuckled, low and throaty. “Yeah.”

When I forced my eyes back to his face, I found him carefully watching me as if he was trying to gauge what I was thinking. A small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“Let me help.” My voice was breathless. I needed to get a grip. He was just a man.

A very wet, very handsome, very sexy man. But still just a man. It wasn’t as if I’d never been around a man before.

I blotted at his face with the dry towel, taking care to get the water out of the fuzzies of his beard. The towel slipped from my fingers, but they remained on his face, brushing lightly against the coarse bristly hair. The feel of them against my fingertips was as if someone defibrillated my already racing heart.

I stared at the lips he’d denied me the night before.

They twitched as desire coiled around us, begging one of us to make the first move.

It would have to be him. After last night, I wouldn’t make the first move.

Kiss me, Quinn. Kiss me so I’ll know. Don’t turn away again.

He sat still as a tree, and I held my breath, waiting for him to bend. My hand slipped from his beard and trailed down his neck. Apparently, it hadn’t gotten the memo that we were waiting for Quinn to make the first move.

“Willow?” he muttered.

It was only my name, but it held every question I didn’t want him to ask, every doubt I didn’t want him to acknowledge.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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48 Responses to “Dearborn by Jenni Moen”

  1. Mary

    Well, this is one I haven’t heard of before but I’m thinking I need to put it on my radar!

  2. Laurie C

    I’m reading paranormal romances for February, but didn’t want to start too many more series, so this one sounds great to try. The excerpt is quite steamy!

  3. Lexxie

    I love it when there is an explanation to why there are so many paranormals living in one place, Kim, and the ley-lines can definitely provide that. Of course, a broken hero, one who can maybe be helped to put himself back together, is someone I enjoy, too, so I’ll make sure to pick up Dearborn fairly soon.
    Thanks for the great review.

  4. Lorna

    How have I not heard of this series? This is right up my ally. Funny thing, I once spent a weekend at a small town in Indiana near Anderson, called Chesterfield. It was all psychics and things like that. So fun. Anyway made me wonder if this town is modeled after that one. I will more than likely be buying this one. Thanks!

  6. Sophia Rose

    I didn’t know about this series of books- wow, that’s a lot. But good to know this one can standalone. I like the sound of it.

  9. Ksenia

    It’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal romance; probably it’s time to finally break this dry spell. Jenni Moen is a new to me author. I love slow-building romance; and you made this mystery sound so good. Great review, Kim!

  12. Heidi

    Now that is an interesting idea. Thirty different books by different authors in the same town. I will be curious to see what you think of some of the others.

  13. Quinn's Book Nook

    You know, in general I am not really into paranormal romance, but something about this book is really grabbing my attention. I definitely need to give it a try. Although it’s so weird when the hero’s name is “Quinn”

  15. Jenny

    It’s like the In Death series Kim! There were 30+ books out when I started that one and I knew I was in trouble too:) It’s comforting to know there are that many though, especially when you end up loving a story, then you can go back and visit the world whenever you want and it feels like you’ll never run out of books!

  17. Bookworm Brandee

    First of all, I love the cover! 😉 And that led me to reading the synopsis, which I don’t usually do. I was hooked there. And then, I read your review. *sigh* I love the sound of this, Kimberly. The small town, close friends, location of many supes. 😉 And I’m very curious about what’s going on with Quinn but even more so about the slow-burn romance smoldering between him and Willow. I’ve already added it to my tbr. (yep, couldn’t wait to comment first. *haha*)

  18. Wattle

    That excerpt just made me put this on my TBR lol I don’t think I’ve ever come across a series that has so many authors (and books!) before, goodness me, there must be a bit of something for everyone in there!

  20. Nick

    I’ve read your reviews for her books, but I haven’t had a chance to read any. I need to change that since it seems she’s talented and versatile as an author. Slow burn romance and supernatural families sounds like a great combination to me! I’m glad this was a good read, Kim!
    Lovely review!

  21. Silvia

    Sounds really good! And may I say I like the fact it’s a stand-alone? Although there are thirty other books but they’re from different authors, so they all should make for quite a pleasurable stand-alone reads! 🙂