*This title will be released on January 4, 2011*
 | Title: Nocturne
Author: Syrie James James
Series: N/A
Cover Art: Aleta Rafton
Genre: Paranormal Romance Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Vanguard Press
Date Published: January 4, 2011
ISBN-10: 1593156286
ISBN-13: 978-1593156282 
Review Copy Source:
Wunderkind PR
Reviewed by: Abigail
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Book Description
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 to him and soon comes to realize that the feeling is mutual. But there are things about him that mystify her, filling her with apprehension—and Nicole can’t shake the feeling that he doesn’t want her there.
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?
Nicole has secrets of her own and a past she is running from—but Michael understands her better than anyone she has ever known. Soon, she is falling as deeply in love with him as he is with her.
But as the sexual tension between them builds, the clues mount up. When Nicole learns the terrifying truth—that her host is an ages-old vampire who is torn between his love for her and his desire for her blood—there’s nowhere for her to run but into the blizzard raging outside, and he’s the only one who can save her life.
Filled with unexpected twists and surprises, Nocturne is a page-turning, haunting, and deeply romantic story of forbidden love that will grab your heart and not let go.
Review
If you’re a fan of the romance genre, you’re probably familiar with ‘Cabin Romances.’ That refers to stories where the couple is largely isolated from the rest of the world whether in an elevator, jungle, deserted island, or most commonly a cabin. Cabin Romances were always my favorite because they usually have the most deliciously intense buildups because the characters literally can’t escape each other. NOCTURNE is the perfect cabin romance because not only does it feature two strangers snowed in on a mountain, but one of them happens to be a vampire.
There is an initial Beauty and the Beast vibe that worked beautifully in NOCTURNE. Michael was understandably aloof and gruff with Nicole at first as she was a constant temptation to him. She would begin to draw him out only to meet his sudden temper when he was in danger of losing control. Nicole was of course confused and hurt by these rapid changes but very much still drawn to the kinder glimpse she saw.
NOCTURNE is very much a traditional romance with two characters who each have their own personal baggage that they help the other overcome: his a vicious early life as a vampire, hers a personal tragedy that she still blames herself for. There actually isn’t a single other character in the book (unless you count the animals), so that coupled with the intensity and isolation of their circumstances does advance the romance rather quickly, but the blossoming attraction turned affection turned love still feels very authentic and natural.
The ending was heartbreaking and very bittersweet. I imagine there will be quite a bit of controversy. I had to think about it for a long time before deciding that it was the right ending. I’m still hopeful for a sequel, but I think this was planned as a stand alone novel. Still, NOCTURNE is the perfect novel to read on a cold winter night, curled up in front of a roaring fire and let this impossible romance sink into your soul. Just beautiful.
Sexual Content: Several moderately graphic sex scenes
My Rating:
4/5
Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now & pre-order the sequel.
Click HERE to read an excerpt from NOCTURNE
Previous books in the series:
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N/A
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