Fire at Midnight

Brilliant Debut Novel**********

Ms Wilkinson skillfully blends history, intrigue, romance, suspense, and a happy ending for the hero, the dashingly handsome Sebastien, and our plucky, beautiful, brave and loyal heroine, Rachael. One of the most interesting reads to date, this novel includes a brief history in the back of the book of the Eddystone Light, a famous lighthouse that was built and rebuilt by the architecht, Henry Winstanley, who was not only the buildings designer, but also in inventor of some repute. All the characters are totally believable, from Rachael's friend, Tarry and his father, to Sebastien's loyal friend, the Dane. Add the frighteningly souless, lapdog of evil, Emerald, and Victor, Rachael's uncle, intent to replace the heirs, and you have the perfect recipe for everything to keep you turning the pages. This was a delightful read, and I can't wait for the next book,Stolen Promise to come out in March 2010. Good luck to this excellent new voice.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

will enjoy this fine early eighteenth century historical thanks to deep characterizations that hopefully include sequels.

In 1703, her odious Uncle Victor Brightmore with the help of Dr. Elliot Macgulay places his eighteen year old niece Rachael Penrose in Bedlam Insane Asylum to keep her out of the way of his stealing her younger brother¿s inheritance. To insure his plan goes without a hitch Victor has abducted his nephew James and has spread rumors that Rachel told the authorities about smugglers like Frenchman Sebastien Falconer. Victor leads a more vicious smuggling crew than that of Sebastian.<BR/><BR/>Whereas Sebastien searches for Rachel, John Wyatt, a pal of her friend Tarry Morgan, breaks her out of asylum. However nine days and drugs have taken their toll so when he realizes they are followed, he places her in another carriage so that he can divert Victor¿s<BR/>thugs from her. Sebastien takes the woman to his isolated home only to learn his ailing guest is Rachel. She escapes to London where Tarry sent James after rescuing him. There she meets Sebastien¿s English customs officer estranged twin Jacques while Victor has John killed and the house belonging to Tarry¿s father burned to the ground. Soon all will converge in danger and love.<BR/><BR/>FIRE AT MIDNIGHT is an exciting Georgian romantic suspense starring a strong lead couple and a solid support cast. Though he has no redeeming quality in some ways the ultra villain Victor steals the show as his plots and actions are diabolical and deadly even when he is off the page. The rest of the secondary characters are also developed enough to either enhance the story line or the understanding of the two stars; especially Tarry who wants to be a hero to his beloved friend and to his larger than life father, but though he tries he lacks the skills. Fans will enjoy this fine early eighteenth century historical thanks to deep characterizations that hopefully include sequels.<BR/><BR/>Harriet Klausner

7 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Not my cuppa tea.

I know that others have enjoyed this title, which is how I came to read it. However, I was unable to fully engage in the story. It never became real, the characters lacked quircky elements of humanity, and Rachel, the heroine, wasn't compelling to me.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Thoroughly entertaining

Some of the things I love in a good story are interesting characters, a good love story, adventure, and interesting settings. Lisa Wilkinson's Fire at Midnight delivers all of the above in abundance with a gift for descriptive prose that pulls you right into the story and sweeps you along from the cells of Bedlam to the storm of the century without ever slighting characterization. The main protagonists were likeable and believable for their time period, and at least one of the secondary characters deserves a story of his own. I was left wondering what adventures what befall them next. Fire at Midnight was a real page turner that gripped me from the beginning, kept me engrossed until the end, and left me wanting more, thus earning a 5 stars from me and a place on my keeper shelf.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Truely Captivating

What a wonderful novel, it is just amazing that it was free! It is a must read!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

John Burnit

Excellent book, well worth reading

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Great read!

It was intresting since the begining. Kept me wanting moore. This is good if you want a lite read. I will check out more of her books

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Meh

Shallow plotline and characters.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Enjoyable

The story line is good, but sometimes hard to follow. Enjoyed the characters in the story and the end ties up all the loose ends.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My first book by Lisa Marie Wilkenson

Enjoyed this book. A little romance, a little mystery, and a few surprise twists kept me reading! It's a short novel, only 230 pages, but a very enjoyable read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

good read

Not real happy with ending, story did a little dragging, then it went to the end really fast and I felt like I missed something.

Enjoyed

Quick read

Skip it

The premise sounded so interesting, I was kinda hoping it would be along the lines of Three Musketeers. However, that storyline just drags on, intent on being just an excuse for all the whiny romance drivel. The hero and heroin have no reason to like each other. Even Harlequin can put out a better development than this.

Good read

Well written for sort story

Simply okay

As another reviewer mentioned, the characters in this story were not engagingly fleshed out. The story arc was confusing, although the description of the Great Storm during that period in history was quite interesting. The plot seemed somewhat rushed with slightly immature characters. However, I would read another book by this author. I feel she might just be finding her rythm.

Tangled Webs? YES!

If you like a book with a tangled plot, then thisbook will be a great read!

good read

Enjoyable read

Beautiful

Loved this book. Would be nice to see it continue

Good for a light read. Full length novel

I am not much of a fan of romance novels, but I found this to be enjoyable for a light read in which I didn't need to "think" about plot lines or stories. It is a nice distraction.

I would not recommend if you are looking to get overly involved or escape in a book. But for light reading, this hits the mark.

Historical Romance I guess?

I thought this book was decent around 3/4 of the way through. After that point, it was like wading through mud to try and read - everything was very bogged down. This book starts out fairly interesting, then just becomes predictable and kinda boring.