Thursday, December 30, 2010

Review - Nocturne by Syrie James


"From international bestselling author Syrie James comes a haunting and deeply romantic story of forbidden love that will steal your heart and never let you go.

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. But there are things about him that mystify her, 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?

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—a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change their lives forever.

As the sexual tension between them builds, however, 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."
(from the publisher)

my thoughts:


If you're looking for the perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter's night, look no further than Nocturne by Syrie James. It is a wonderful love story with paranormal elements that is sure to entertain those who enjoy passionate romance, literature, and music.

Nicole Whitecomb's accident on a lonely Colorado road during a blizzard is witnessed by Michael Tyler, a reclusive man who resides in a moutaintop home. Left with no alternative but to go down and rescue the injured woman, he reluctantly brings her into his home to tend to her injuries.

The worsening road conditions and the wrecked condition of her car eliminates any possibility of leaving Michael's home any time soon. While Nicole is grateful for his help in rescuing her, his behavior is brusque and rude which makes her feel like a huge imposition. Indeed, he tells her quite bluntly that he rarely has visitors and demands his privacy. He leaves Nicole to fend for for herself and reminds her that certain areas of the house are off-limits. Even more strange, she finds only a very meager amount of food available in a kitchen that looks as if it's never been used.

Nicole thinks all of this, and the secretive nature of Michael, is very odd...yet he is an extremely good looking guy, intelligent,and cultured. She discovers he has a love of literature and they share an interest in classical music. Intrigued but well aware that all is not as it seems, Nicole makes a discovery about his true identity.....and little by little, the reasons for Michael's strange behavior and secretive nature are revealed. Each has inner wounds that they begin to share with one another, and their relationship develops into a very intense but forbidden love. Michael's passion for Nicole and his secret may well cost her her life....is it a risk she is willing to take?

Syrie James has written a very compelling contemporary thriller with a bittersweet romance; I was left feeling hopeful that somehow, Michael and Nicole's love was meant to be.

4/5 stars


**Disclosure: Thank you to Elena Stokes @ Wunderkind PR and Vanguard Press for providing me with an advance copy of Nocturne for review.

Available January 4, 2011.

Title: Nocturne
Author: Syrie James
2011
Published by Vanguard Press
281 pages
Hardcover
genre: fiction/contemporary romance/thriller

5 comments:

Julie at Outlandish Dreaming said...

Joanne, this sounds good, but does it have a happy ending? It doesn't sound like it.

Happy New Year to you and your family!

P.S. I may have already posted this message, if so just delete this one.

Joanne said...

Hi, Julie! And Happy New Year to you and yours, too!

Hmmmm....without giving too much away -- do Michael and Nicole hold hands and walk into the sunset for their HEA? No.....but, they bring so much to each other to help them move forward, so that is very hopeful and positive. Also, in the author's discussion at the end, she hints at visiting them again; maybe she's leaving the door open for a possible continuation? Hope this helps!

Julie at Outlandish Dreaming said...

Yes, this helps! I'm adding to my TBR list, thanks for the review!

Melissa @ Confessions of an Avid Reader said...

This one is definitely going on my wish list!

Joanne said...

Avid Reader - I hope you enjoy it. It's very rare for me to read a contemporary story, but there were enough references to literature and classical music that gave it an "old world" feel within the present day. I've read everything by Syrie James and I've never been disappointed.

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