Full Moon Rising    by Keri Arthur Order:  USA  Can Spectra, 2006 (2006) Hardcover, CD Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Martina Bexte Riley Jenson and her twin brother Rhoan are dhampires, a rare genetic blend of werewolf and vampire. Both work for the Melbourne division of the Directorate of Other Races. Rhoan is a Guardian (aka an assassin) and Riley works as a paper pusher, although her boss Jack is convinced that she has all the instincts needed to make a superb Guardian. Despite this high praise, Riley refuses to take the test - until the day her brother fails to return from a mission. Riley is determined to track him down, but her plans are delayed as moon heat is only days away. She may be a dhampire, but once the moon heads toward full, her Were half takes over, compelling her to answer the all-consuming mating call. Once her urges are satisfied, Riley discovers that others are also looking for Rhoan, including a mysterious businessman (and ancient vampire) named Quinn, who seems to know more about what's going on than he initially lets on. He also stirs something within Riley that she's never felt before and she wonders if this man could be her soul mate. As she and Quinn follow a treacherous trail toward the truth, Riley finally begins to realize just how much danger she and her brother are in, for it's their special genome that rogue scientists want to harvest to create the perfect human. As the trend toward bolder and sexier heroines heats up, Australian author Keri Arthur tosses her hat into the burgeoning ring with the first book in her new supernatural series, Full Moon Rising. Arthur creates a shadowy and believable world where werewolves, vampires and other supernatural creatures co-exist with humans, and where Riley and her kind are held hostage by the monthly lunar cycles - like wolves, their mating practices are uninhibited and definitely not monogamous. Arthur also cooks up a nicely paced cloning plot that Riley has barely begun to unravel by story's end - leaving the door wide open for all kinds of possibilities. Full Moon Rising definitely grabs the attention and Keri Arthur is an author to watch. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews