by Syrie James
Vanguard Press (January 4, 2011)
The complete story takes place over four days with only two characters.
Nicole Whitcomb is racing against a snow storm on her way to the Denver airport. The storm comes quickly. While driving through treacherous mountain roads Nicole skids into a ravine. Desperately hurt she loses consciousness. Fortunately there is a witness, albeit an unwilling one.
Michael Tyler lives in splendid isolation at his beautiful home in the Rockies. While plowing snow on his private road he watches as Nicole's car spins out of control. With the brutal storm no 911 help will be available for several days. Reluctantly he checks things out only to discover that the attractive female driver is still alive. Michael has had no face to face contact with anyone for an extraordinarily long time and wants to keep it that way. Now, however, he has no choice. This beautiful lady will be his guest until the snowplows make it to this area.
I loved this story. This charming, beautiful romance convinced me that love will always find a way. Both Nicole and Michael are very accomplished, especially Michael whose vampiric life has given him many centuries to develop his various artistic talents. Both individuals are wounded souls and each can understand the other's pain in a way someone else might not.
What struck me was the spiritual - and I don't mean religious - aspect of the story. Michael shows through his character and actions the power of redemption. How that comes about is told to Nicole one night when his affection for her, which is deeply reciprocated, becomes almost overwhelming.
Nicole has her own demons to deal with. Michael gently prods her to unburden herself, which she does. These two remarkable people help each other to heal and feel hope.
Understand that this theme of healing and redemption while strong does not make for a sappy, sentimental story. Two vibrant, believable characters who have suffered severely find refuge from a storm literally and figuratively.
For those who want a bit of zest the author includes a couple a deliciously steamy love scenes.
James is the gifted author who also wrote Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker
Read a review[A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher. Thank you!]
5 comments:
After reading James' DRACULA, I can't wait to get my hands on this book.
Did you feel like the story line fit the dark title?
~ Tami
http://VampireReview.blogspot.com
Hi Dot
Hope you like the story. Let me know!
Hi Tami
To me the word nocturne evokes night time darkness and contemplation, and in that regard I believe the title fits. A raging snow storms keeps out the light while 2 people inside learn trust and healing. Not to mention that both are accomplished pianists. I've searched thru the book to see if either or both plays a nocturne. Can't find the info quickly, but it would be neat if at least one of them did.
Have you read the novel yet? Have an opinion? I know from your blog that you don't shy away from saying what you think :)
Patricia ~
LOL. You're right. I don't pretend to like a book when the author LIED about its genre. That last review I wrote was like ordering a copy of the Holy Bible and ending up with a Satanist Manual. I felt horrified by my purchase. I had read all the sample chapters and the book really looked interesting. I frigging HATE erotica! (Romance is okay for me because then the people having sex actually care for one another. But reading about human genitalia coupled with violence just incited me to write that scathing review. That author is lucky he received any stars in his rating at all.
I agree with you that Nocturne can represent night ... yet the title has been used SO MANY TIMES (and often it's been a very dark fantasy tale).
~ Tami
http://VampireReview.blogspot.com
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