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When Nicole Whitcomb’s car runs off a Colorado mountain road during a blinding snowstorm, she is saved from death by a handsome, fascinating, and enigmatic stranger. Snowbound with him for days in his beautiful home high in the Rockies, she finds herself powerfully attracted yet mystified by him, filling her with apprehension.
Who is Michael Tyler? Why does he live alone in such a secluded spot and guard his private life so carefully? What secret—or secrets—is he hiding? With her own secrets and a past she is running from, Michael understands Nicole better than anyone she has ever known. Soon, they are falling deeply in love—a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change their lives forever. However, as the sexual tension between them builds, the clues mount up. When Nicole learns her host’s terrifying secret, there is nowhere for her to run but into the blizzard raging outside, and Michael may be the only one who can save her life.
Syrie James is the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Dracula, My Love and The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë, which was selected by the Women’s National Book Association as a Great Group Read of 2009. Her first book, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, became an international bestseller, and was named a Best First Novel of 2008 by Library Journal. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages. She lives in Los Angeles and is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America.
The cover of Nocturne is a beautiful and dramatic cover. There are trees, snow, darkness is implied (scenery) and one single rosebud with some blood scatters in the snow. Dramatic. Good cover.
Nocturne has just been released January 4th (2011), in hardcover by Syrie James. The story reminds me a bit of the old gothic stories I used to read when I was young in the 1970's. They were the precurser to the romantic suspense that is popular today. There was a bit of a formula to them...a dark mysterious hero- is he dangerous? a killer? A woman, sometimes rather naiive, usually smart who ends up having to spend a lot of time with a mysterious man who is at times pleasant and other times unpleasant; who makes her feel safe and yet at the same time makes her feel like she's in danger. She's attracted to him and yet afraid of him...
In Nocturne, a woman who has just spent a ski weekend with her friends is trying to drive to the airport through a Colorado snowstorm...not a good thing to do. She ends up going off the road, crashes, injured and bleeding, getting colder and colder she loses consciousness.
A man, who lives by himself and has some distrust and self-loathing for some of his past actions sees the crash and even though he doesn't want the complications, (or to be exposed to her) saves her from freezing to death.
The snowstorm turns into a blizzard, and lasts for some time, so Nicole and Michael then spend some time stuck with only each other, going from one end of the trust/mistrust spectrum to the other. At times funny, other times dramatic, Nocturne is an interesting book. On the whole, I enjoyed it. There were a few things that had me chuckling...the dramatic tone to Michael's few rages....the reaction of Nicole to Michael's rather extreme changes of mood. Nicole herself is hiding something from her past; there are memories - quick memories when all that's mentioned is blood - blood everywhere, but it's not til later that you find out what happened, and it wasn't what I expected.
The ending of the book is bittersweet - definitely not a happily ever after, but rather two adults who make decisions and follow through. This was different from your average paranormal novel, mainly because the characters do not always do what you might want them to. This isn't what I would call a paranormal romance, although there is a bit of romance - or an urban fantasy, although there is some supernatural goings on. Rather it's a work of fiction with fantasy, romance and suspense elements all blending together.
Most of the dialog was believable (dialog is a thing with me) and yet there were a few instances where I found myself rolling my eyes at Michael's behavior; and yet, who hasn't rolled their eyes at an especially dramatic scene from their man?
I would recommend this to those who enjoy the unexpected. There isn't a lot of gore, or raging fights....there is a very different pace to it, and it felt like a good old-fashioned gothic romance,and yet it wasn't. Confused? It was a good read. Try it for a change of pace from the blood, gore and fighting of horror or urban fantasy books, and a change of pace from straight up fi
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2012
This book is amazing!! I will have to warn you that it wil make you cry. I really hope there will be another one!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 28, 2012
Excellent writing! Wonderful story that is far from over. Hope there is a sequel!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 8, 2012
I could not put this book down. I laughed, cried (more like sobbed), had feelings of hope and despair. I didn't want this story to end and I'm hoping Ms. James continues to write about Nicole & Michael.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BeautyBriteReviews
Posted November 19, 2011
After I read the synopsis, I knew I wanted to read Nocturne. Nocturne is a paranormal romance and I am starting to like the genre. I find paranormal relationships to be unique and imaginative, and they aren't the cookie cutter couple which makes the book interesting to read. The reader should be able to figure out Michael¿s secret by page 33 or 34, however, Nicole doesn¿t figure it out until page 160 or so! She is so stuck in her own thoughts that she doesn¿t even think about Michael¿s reasons for living the way he does. Nocturne takes place over just under a week. Nicole is on her way home from her friend¿s wedding when she is caught in a snow storm.
Michael see¿s her car run off the road and takes her into his home. At the time he finds her, she is unconscious and Nicole ends up waking up in his home. Michael bandages up her wounds and cares for her while she is recovering. Nicole seems instantly attracted to her. He is quiet, mysterious, and good looking.
As Nicole spends more time with Michael, she learns a little bit more about him. He doesn¿t talk much but slowly opens up to her. Even though they are from very different worlds, they have a lot in common. Nicole and Michael¿s relationship turns romantic and their love story is a sexy read. Michael is sweet and gentle towards her and Nicole is caring and loving with him. The ending will make you cry right along with the characters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Nicole Whitcomb came from the San Jose area to attend the wedding of her friend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Since the meteorologists said the weather would remain fine, she decides to stay for an extra day of skiing. When she leaves for the Denver Airport, the weather remains okay, but soon snow begins to fall. The precipitation turns heavy and her rental fishtails out of control. She cuts her head and honks her horn hoping someone will rescue her.
Michael Tyler was cleaning off his driveway when he saw the idiot crash. He has never let anyone into his home so considers leaving the driver to die, but cannot. He reluctantly brings Nicole into his isolated house. They are attracted to each other from the first meeting. However, she senses something wrong about her host as she knows in her gut he thought he made the wrong choice bringing her into his home. Nicole also wonders why a hunk like Michael resides alone. Other signs seem to make no sense, but she ignores their warnings as Nicole quickly falls in love with a man who seems to know her better than she knows herself. He knows he cannot love anyone and never has; yet this is different as he falls hard for Nicole, a new undesirable feeling for him. However, he struggles to control the beast inside while also needing her to want him with all her soul.
This is an engaging star-crossed romance as the Rocky Mountains' blizzard isolates the pair in his home. Nicole finds clues to as who her host is and why he chose to live as a hermit, but her logical mind rejects her conclusion until perhaps it is too late. Readers will relish this strong romantic suspense thriller wondering how this relationship will end.
Harriet Klausner
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2013
I am very disappointed this is not the Syrie James I fell in love with. This was smut and I could not finish it.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I was so looking forward to this one and I had no trouble finishing it within a few days. It was indeed a story filled with love, vampires (well maybe just the one), dark secrets and lots of chemistry. What I wasn't expecting was the ending James threw into the mix. If it's possible to take a plot revolving around a vampire a make it realistic, James has done it.
When our main character Nicole is stranded in a blizzard and saved by a stranger the tension is off and running. The two spend a lot of time trying to figure the other our, while at the same time fighting the growing attraction that continues to build between them. I enjoyed the details James threw in that filled in some of the puzzle pieces. I'm not sure what the reason is but this story or more accurately the ending of this story left me disappointed. I understand why it was written the way it was and I may have even done the same if I was the author, but it wasn't the ending I was hoping for.
But despite all that, I really enjoyed James' writing style. It was easy to follow, filled with just the right amount of detail and description, and flowed effortlessly from one chapter to the next. I think sometimes I want or am in the mood for a certain type of read and when I get something outside of that criteria at the time, it's difficult for me to get a judgement for how I really felt about the book. So even though it wasn't what I was expecting I think readers are going to enjoy James' story.
Review by Stephanie O: I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I was sitting here thinking . . that over the past year (almost) I can only count 2 books that didn¿t ¿tickle¿ my fancy. Does that mean I¿m easy? Hmmmm. Well, on to THIS book!!!
The story that was told here, is one filled with mystery and a good ole dash of romance. We start the book and we get a good idea of who Nicole is . . but we don¿t understand just what her secret is. We can feel the tension and we understand that there is something in her past that she is trying so hard to keep there, but we have no clue what it is. We then meet Michael, her knight in shining amour, there to rescue her from the bitter blizzard that is pounding her now wrecked rental car. Waking up in a strangers home, and getting mixed signals from this stranger; Nicole plans to just try her best to stay out of his way for the time she must remain in his home.
Michael fighting a battle within himself, life for him was fine . . just himself and his barn friends to keep him company. Now he has to deal with feelings he hasn¿t felt in a very long time. Bouncing between wanting to keep his distance and wanting to feel that connection again, Michael finds that he is having the hardest time keeping his distance.
No longer able to stay away, Michael and Nicole start to talk . . learning more and more about each other, until both put the pieces together in one way or another about the others past. Unable to fight their attraction for one another they give in, but each has their own ending in mind. Nicole falling fast would love to find a way to stick around longer. Michael frightened that he wouldn¿t be unable to control himself forever with her, wants her far away and safe. Who will win?
Warning: You may want to have a tissue handy when you come to the end. No matter how you want it to end, the end it has will make you tear up.
Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2011
I thought this novel was beautiful and emotional. I cried reading it and I can't wait to read it again!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2011
In my opinion there was no depth to this book. It was truly immature writing.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 16, 2011
This is one of the best books I've read all year.
I absolutly loved it. I defently recommend it to
Any one into vampire love.
3226023
Posted August 21, 2011
I love this book very heartbreaking i cried for days i truly hope she will write another book to continue this story it just cant end like that
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was very well written, but so boring because of its predictability. Wish I hadn't wasted my money. Oh well, lesson learned.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Mands23
Posted August 4, 2011
ok so for everyone who thinks its going to be another twilight...its not. I read this book in two days i couldn't put it down. if u like dark, kind of mysterious love stories i highly recommend this book.
There are only two characters which most people would probably think to be hard to read through but somehow syrie james does a fantastic job in keeping the reader interested and guessing. This book had me flipping each page franticly wanted to know more. The end is very different than any other vampire/human love story. I was saddened a little bit but thought long and hard. Life is a struggle for everyone and doesn't always have happy endings. This book is made up of fiction but entails real life decisions in between the lines.
It is a beautiful story of two people coming together due to certain circumstances, doing their best to live with it and end up not wanting to leave. It teaches us that sometimes the best moments in life are those unexpected stolen days away from every day life.
azalea15
Posted June 16, 2011
i thought this would be something like twilight but it was semi different. it does have to do with a human/vampire relationship but the way their relationship is made and the passion between the two is amazing!! i finished this book in a day, i couldn't put it down there was so much detail and though put into the book it was like watching a movie!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ChambersGirl
Posted April 25, 2011
Trudging her way down a blizzard stricken Colorado mountain pass, Nicole suddenly loses control of her rental car and careens off the road and into an embankment. Cold air is gusting through her car from the shattered driver's side window and Nicole asks one fear filled question before losing consciousness - "Is this the end for me?"
Trying to stay ahead of the massive snow storm, Michael is plowing his private road when he sees a vehicle spin and crash violently. Instinct sets him in motion toward the wreckage and instinct is what has his pulling the driver from her car and saving her life by removing her from the below freezing weather.
And so begins Nicole and Michael's relationship. There are secrets, there are revelations, there is a strong sexual tension, and some juicy love scenes. Ah, the beginning of a beautiful friendship, right? Well. Maybe.
Nocturne held moments of sheer poetic beauty, moments of stalled story, and ended with a thud. Ms. James definitely has a way with words and a highly detailed style of narrative. The description that comes first and foremost to mind when recalling her poetic touch with words: "weeping wound". Those two words paint such a vivid picture in my mind. weeping wound. It's words such as those that really had me applauding the writing. It's also words and overindulging descriptions that hindered the story telling, resulting in me skimming paragraphs or passages, wondering if her portrayals of activities or scenery were still being told or if the story had finally picked up again. At times, I felt as though I was lost in a blizzard of words, trying to catch my breath through the thick and overly thorough paragraphs, and losing sight of the plot.
Can two people realize they are deeply in love within two days? For a fictional work of art? Sure, we'll say it's possible, just not plausible. How about that for compromise? And, really, in this case, it might be dead-on since Nicole and Michael were nearly the same person (same likes, interests, passions, talents, etc). For all the beauty and all the appreciation for the deep-level connection Nicole and Michael discovered in Nocturne, I was really surprised and very disappointed by the ending.
(Oh, and I believe I can say this since Twilight came out before Nocturne: there were definitely some STRONG similarities between the characters, actions, and conversations from Twilight. Intentional? I don't think so. Was I purposely looking for a link between the two? Nope, I sure wasn't... They just happened to pop up here and there.)
Overall 2.5 stars
If you loved the Twilight series, this is for you. If you hated Twilight, skip this book and read Dracula, My Love (also by Syrie James) instead. It's more passionate and romantic, and is a good retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula from Mina's point of view.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.NocturneWraith
Posted April 17, 2011
The concept of arrogant vampires is a tradition in romance, which makes this above the rest. The characters are adorable and fated the moment they get together. It's a soul searching road towards one getting over fears from the past and the other dealing with the limitations of what he is. I enjoyed this book until the end. I felt it was a let down. Both had realized their dreams come true yet, because he's vampire there could be no happy ending. Very few romance stories end up this way so I find it difficult to accept it as one. The writer hints at the end that she would like to believe these two got back together a week or a month or somewhere down the road. I would like to have had an epilogue to that end too. Oh, well.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Nocture was a dark but still sweet book. It's plot was unique in that there are only two characters and it spans over four days. This is a unique challenge and James does it well. I still cared for the characters, and in fact, I was able to learn so much more about them.
I really enjoyed the little details that made Michael's character believable and likable. He is a complex character with a history and hobbies and interests.
Even though Nicole is not a teen, I was still able to connect with her. She had a great voice, and believable reactions. I like that she acts in fear and questioning like I probably would if I happened to be in that situation.
The ending is bittersweet. I appreciate what they did and why they did it. It is unique and has stayed with me.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a paranormal romance with vampires, with a bit of a new twist.
Overview
When Nicole Whitcomb’s car runs off a Colorado mountain road during a blinding snowstorm, she is saved from death by a handsome, fascinating, and enigmatic stranger. Snowbound with him for days in his beautiful home high in the Rockies, she finds herself powerfully attracted yet mystified by him, filling her with apprehension.
Who is Michael Tyler? Why does he live alone in such a secluded spot and guard his private life so carefully? What secret—or secrets—is he hiding? With ...