It took me a little bit to get into this one but once I did I was pretty hooked. The Royal Artifactual Guild was a super cool and the story was pretty heavy on the fantasy aspect. Aspeth is a royal woman, set out to fix her family's debt before anyone finds out. She is quite determined and a bit spunky. I enjoyed her character but enjoyed Hawk's so much more. I wish we got more of his POV. I mean who doesn't love a minotaur daddy (sorry, Taurian). The side characters are quite fun as well, I'm hoping to see more of Gwenna in the future, Kipp too! The spice was spicin' and Aspeth sure loves spending time with Hawk *cough cough*. It is more of a "happy for now" kind of ending. What you can expect from Bull Moon Rising: low angst, rutting, size difference, 30 year old virgin royalty FMC, teacher/student (assistant/chaperone, but power balance), a little bit of breeding kink, slow start but strong finish.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. The thoughts expressed in the review below are my honest opinion.

Bull Moon Rising is the first in a new series by Ruby Dixon. It reminded me of Mortal Engines and Castle in the Sky (the movies). The worldbuilding was interesting and engaging but mostly I was here for all the Ruby Dixon hallmarks. A sweet, somewhat naïve heroine with a big dream meets a protective alpha male with a marshmallow heart. I really enjoyed both Aspeth and Hawk and the way their relationship naturally developed throughout the book. Although, this one is not quite as insta-love as Ice Planet Barbarians (which I genuinely appreciate). We also have the found family trope which is one of my faves! I so enjoyed getting to know all the characters. Overall, this is a sweet, fast read. I’m looking forward to more in this series.

1/5 -Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the free ebook ARC.

This book was, unfortunately, not for me. And it wasn't any one particular thing that put me off. It was just the overall writing/execution of the story. Though I liked the premise, I found a lot of issues with the basics, like development and pacing. A lot of things seemed abrupt, like there was no preamble. The character interactions and decisions made by the characters didn't seem natural or intelligent. There were times when the same line or piece of info would be repeated over and over again in the space of a couple pages. I didn't feel real chemistry between the MC's, so the relationship didn't work for me. The spice wasn't spicing. I didn't find any of the characters to be particularly memorable. Anyone who wasn't part of the immediate group of characters shared one personality of snooty, stick my nose up at you. The antagonists were more so annoying and unlikable as opposed to posing any real threat. I'm not going to go on and on about it, especially as I know Ruby Dixon to be a very good and capable writer. I do enjoy the overwhelming majority of her work!! This one just missed the mark for me, unfortunately.

Another fun speculative romance from Queen Ruby that delivered what I want from her - low angst, high camp, high fun. I wasn't expecting this to be in a full on fantasy world (I thought it would be more paranormal or monster romance set in a version of our world), but I am intrigued by the setting and politics established in this book & hope we get more stories here. I liked our MCs and their relationship progression, except that I am not sure I bought that they were full on in love by the end. Seemed more like a HFN rather than a HEA, but I'll take it either way :). Can't wait for my snazzy edition to arrive when this releases!

This a delightful romantasy about a ragtag group of guild apprentices trying to change their circumstances. There's a lovely found family element, fascinating politics and court intrigue, and a horny (in both senses of the word) minotaur love interest. It's pretty spicy, but if you didn't think you needed minotaur smut in your life, I promise you do.

Aspeth has always been intrigued by artifacts and has spent her life reading about the history and discovery of them. When her father gambles away the last of their most valuable artifacts, she decides that it's up to her to save their hold. Along with her best friend and maid, Gwenna, she travels to the guild to become a fledgling, hoping to grab a few artifacts for herself.

What she didn't count on was the immediate dismissal from the members of the guild. It was definitely a men's club and I loved how Aspeth didn't take any of their crap. She was there and she wasn't leaving without the chance to prove herself able. Booksmart and courageous, she was easy to root for.

My favorite character was Hawk, for many reasons. He was someone who lived with the guild without really being a part of it. His race was used and abused and discriminated against and still Hawk acted with honor and respect and devotion. He was such a wonderful male and I lived for his irritable attitude and movements, his self-reflections, and his growing feelings for Aspeth.

I thought this story would be absolutely filthy, but it wasn't. It had its moments, but this was a story about discovery—of self and of wonders.

Summary:
In order to save her families home and to obtain her dream job, Aspeth goes on an epic adventure to join the Royal Artifactual Guild. The only problem is that they typically do not accept women, especially without a mentor or chaperone. When Aspeth see an opportunity to marry to solve both problems, she makes a deal with a minotaur - he teaches and chaperones her, and she takes care of his needs during the Conquest Moon, which just so happens to be a mating ritual.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 3/5

Tropes:
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
He Falls First
Virgin FMC (but it works)

Triggers:
Broken engagement
Misogyny
Alcoholism

My Thoughts:
This book is just so much fun. Aspeth, the FMC may seem like a spoiled noble girl upon first glance, but she is a take no shit, take charge woman who is trying to save her family. She leaves her life of luxury to take a job to dig artifacts out of caves, and marries to be able to join the team. I love her views on sex, her loyalty to her team, and her loyalty to her marriage of convenience. Yes, you will think the minotaur in this book is sexy. Ruby Dixon already convinced us to love blue aliens, so why not this?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars

I absolutely loved this book! I love a good monster romance, and I did not want to put this one down! I loved the strong female main character and the cinnamon roll “I hate everyone but you” main male character! I also really enjoyed the friendships/found family between the characters. I can’t wait to hand sell this book at my store!

I love Ruby Dixon, and I read nearly everything she writes, but Bull Moon Rising didn't grab me the way some of her other series have.

I'm going to start with the negatives (tis my way). I think Ruby Dixon was trying to have some "hooks" like the Ice Planet Barbarian series, and they didn't quite pan out. The fact that the male MC was a minotaur didn't really play the role I was expecting, and seemed like an afterthought. The "rut" where he had to have sex with someone ("wink, wink"), was a fun concept, but I didn't love how it played out. It felt forced, instead of something natural and sexy. I feel like the author could have done more with it.

Also, I love a size difference and an interspecies romance (something Ruby Dixon always does so well), but it didn't even seem necessary here. There was just a bunch of details that felt mismatched. The romance itself was also suuuper underdeveloped. The chemistry didn't strike the right note for me. It went nowhere.

I'm a paranormal/sci-fi romance addict, and I can't help compare this book's world building to other series. I don't think Ruby Dixon needed to re-invent the wheel, but I think the world building was a bit shaky. I liked the artifacts and the holders, but it didn't feel fleshed out. I always compare these types of books to my royalty authors, Ilona Andrews, and this one felt lacking in that department.

What did I like? Well, the side characters were actually immensely charming. I really enjoyed them all, for good and for bad, and I thought they added a lot of fun to the story. I also thought it had a lot of potential to really develop in future books, especially with some of the other side characters as MCs. I hope the author works with her pacing (this one dragged), and some of the finer details going forward.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

This was such a fun read. I loved the characters and the unique storyline. It was a breath of fresh air that the main female character, Aspeth, was not described a tiny and petite woman in her early 20s; but rather a tall and curvy 30 year old woman.

This book has everything: romance, adventure, magic, and characters facing adversity. It takes place in a time when women were heavily discriminated against. Did that stop Aspeth and her friends from trying to join the Royal Artifactual Guild? Of course not. She brought her cat too, obviously.

This was the first Minotaur romance I’ve read, and I was a bit apprehensive before I started reading. However, I’ve read dozens of other books by Ruby Dixon so I knew she would nail it. She didn’t disappoint, and I can happily say this is the best book I’ve read from Ruby Dixon. 5 stars.

Funny and Quirky and just plain sweet!

Aspeth needs artifacts to protect her family since her father has gambled all theirs away. Unfortunately, the guild isn’t a friend to women, and she needs a chaperone. She’s strikes up a deal with Hawk, a Taurian and her teacher, who needs help getting through his rut during the Conquest Moon. Things don’t go quite to plan, and they find themselves in a bit of a pickle!

This is a perfect Grumpy/Sunshine book! Aspeth has been through the wringer with her family and all she left behind but she’s such a ray of sunshine to Hawks dourness. Though he is such a grump, he is exceedingly sweet to Aspeth, which she is very much not used to. I always love the “What is this weird ache in my chest when I see her/him?” Trope. It’s truly one of my favs and makes me giggle to no end. The side characters are also wonderful. With a large cast of found family, this book just makes your heart swell in so many ways. If you are a fan of funny and monsters romance, this is the perfect intersection!

*bur ba burr burrr* Another one! DJ Dixon! *bur ba burr burrr*

Came for Dixon's reputation for steamy monster romance scenes and stayed for the awesome world building, relatable and loveable characters, and the intriguing plot that pulls you in.

Dixon is going to conquer all the romance tropes before she's done. You know and love her ice planet barbarians, well come meet her newest set of characters, who are mostly human, but also "taurian" (half man, half bull), and slitherkin (small, lizard-like people), in this paranormal romantasy.

With any first novel in a new series it takes a lot to set the stage with world building, back stories, etc., and I really struggled with connecting to Aspeth, the main character and also the most sheltered, naive, and clueless person any realm. Once she gets more settled into her role in the guild and we get more from Hawk's perspective I really dove into this book and didn't come up for air until the really dramatic ending.

Highly recommend to anyone that loves a dose of mystery and adventure with their spicy, monster romance.

Review written in exchange for an ARC.

This was weird but it wasn't entirely horrible to read. The concept was weird from the start but I did read the whole thing so there's that.

Loved this. Great unique fantasy story with lots of good story elements. Great world building, unique world, easy to understand, and then added spice. So much spice. The spicey spice you'd expect from Ruby Dixon. This had a little more depth than the Ice Barbarians. I loved that both Aspeth and Hawk had other life goals that to just make a family. Surviving the "rut" was just part of what they had to deal with. I can't wait to see the beautiful book when it comes out!

Read this if you like the following tropes:

Fake Marriage
Knotting
Slow burn
Sweet HEA

Omg! When I tell you I could not put this book down what is it about Ruby Dixon and her wild mind that makes me keep reading honestly the answer is everything. Just like her blue aliens she has me hooked with this plot and this characters please.
I know my review isn’t the most serious but in reality when it comes to books like this the fun review is the best review that will get you wanting those readers with open minds

Fans of Ruby Dixon will enjoy her newest outing, and readers of Romantic Fantasy will want to run, not walk, to grab this title!
Aspeth Honori finds herself in an impossible situation - marry a man who will likely kill her after the wedding tonight as he makes a power grab for her families' estate or go undercover in the Artifactual Guild to try to uncover magical items to secure her family's position among the wealthy holders. With the help of her former maid, Gwenna, Aspeth ventures to the dark and dangerous city of Vastwarren, home of the Guild and anyone looking to get lost in the crowds. But two young ladies draw attention and a deal is brokered between Aspeth and her guild instructor, Hawk - he'll serve as their appointed chaperone if Aspeth agrees to a marriage of convenience and willing bed partner for the upcoming Conquest Moon. The Conquest Moon happens every five years, and Hawk's people, the Taurians, go into a sexual rutting season, where no one is safe! Can Aspeth survive hiding from her families' enemies, trying to secure her people's safety, and the Conquest Moon? Grab "Bull Moon Rising" by the horns and find out!
I just reviewed Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon. #BullMoonRising #NetGalley

In Bull Moon Rising, Ruby Dixon sets up a world full of magical artifacts buried deep in the confines of an ancient civilization. Our main character, Aspeth, had the luxury of studying Old Prellian growing up, so when she finds out that her family is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy—or the nobility equivalent—she lets it push her into seeking her fortune in the mines. But as she tries to join the Royal Artifactual Guild, she learns that women must have a chaperone’s permission—an issue for someone who’s run away from home.

Luckily, Aspeth is an enterprising woman who won’t let that stand in her way! She proposes a—well, actually, she just proposes—to Hawk, a guild trainer and Taurian (half-bull). She gets a chaperone and a chance to train for the mines, and he gets a convenient wife to help him through the Conquest Moon, a time where all Taurians go mad with lust.

Bull Moon Rising has a solid premise, and it meets its potential well. Aspeth and Hawk are a great couple, and there’s a lot of fun in their different priorities. Aspeth really wants to get to the mines, focusing on her training and concealing her identity from Hawk, completely oblivious to the tension of attraction between her husband and herself. Hawk notices their attraction, and when he finds out Aspeth is a virgin, he’s determined to prepare her for the Conquest Moon. (Unfortunately, the first time he tries to talk to her she passes out from exhaustion.)

The secondary characters are fun, too, with great diversity in their stations (and in the case of Kitt, their species).

Overall, Bull Moon Rising is a great inter-species romance and the best Ruby Dixon book I’ve read.

Aspeth is trying to save her father and her ancestral home by following in the footsteps of her idols of the Royal Artifactual Guild. Aspeth loves ancient Prell and has spent her entire life learning anything she can. In order to do the saving she has keep secret who she is and join the Guild to find something that can give power back to the Honori name. Due to some hiccups by way of dumb men and desperate measures, she finds herself married to a very grumpy Taurian. Hawk has been with the Guild for a while and cannot believe his nest leader is still taking on new fledglings. He's tired and coming up on a very stressful situation of the upcoming Conquest Moon. The marriage of Aspeth and Hawk cannot come at a better time but boy howdy does it cause some growing pains on both ends. Between Aspeth's secrets and Hawk trying to hold his nest together and himself, mayhem and adventures unfurl around them.

This book was so good. The world building was perfect for a first book in what will be a series. The development of the side characters is not just to advance the main characters and they all have their own things that make them important to the book and subsequent series. There are definitely some standout characters that I am so excited and hopeful will be in future books.

Dual POV
Vigin
size difference & some very light breeding kink
Marriage of convenience
grumpy man / trying to stay positive and make the best of things sunshine
She's an absolute scholar and he loves her type of nerd
She knows she's smart and no one will make her feel bad about that or tell her she's wrong or lying

This was my first “Monster Romance” and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I figured it would be mostly romance, but it had a fantastic story. I loved the characters, the world building, and the fact that I wasn’t inundated with the to MC’s constant boning. Not to say that it’s not choc full of spicy scenes, but it was a good balance. Can’t wait to see where this series goes in the future.

Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars.

In a shocking turn of events, this is my #1 Ruby Dixon book!

While I was surprised at the amount of plot and world-building in this book when I began, I really loved this entire thing. The world was interesting, and the whole "tomb-excavating" aspect was really interesting and something I haven't seen before. I had a blast reading it, and will be interested to see where the series goes from here.

And the romance aspect was incredible, but that's to be expected from Ruby Dixon! She always manages to keep a book romantic and hot at the same time, and knows how to pepper in the smutty scenes to keep us reading.