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Nocturne

by Syrie James (Goodreads Author)

3.37 of 5 stars 3.37 · rating details · 1,090 ratings · 297 reviews

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 Michae...more

Hardcover, 264 pages

Published January 4th 2011 by Vanguard Press

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Dec 24, 2012 Book Chick City rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-paranormal, book-list-2010

I began NOCTURNE on Christmas Day and finished it Boxing Day morning. It was a gorgeous read for the festive season, a true romance with a delicious bittersweet ending that brought tears to my eyes.

When Nicole gets caught in a dangerous snow blizzard and veers off the road, a man called Michael comes to her rescue and takes her back to his gorgeous house in the hills of Colorado. Bound by snow falling on all the surrounding roads, it becomes clear that leaving is not an option, which means Nicol...more I began NOCTURNE on Christmas Day and finished it Boxing Day morning. It was a gorgeous read for the festive season, a true romance with a delicious bittersweet ending that brought tears to my eyes.

When Nicole gets caught in a dangerous snow blizzard and veers off the road, a man called Michael comes to her rescue and takes her back to his gorgeous house in the hills of Colorado. Bound by snow falling on all the surrounding roads, it becomes clear that leaving is not an option, which means Nicole and Michael have to spend the next four days together...

Syrie James has a wonderful way with words and very cleverly writes Nicole's realisation about who (or what) Michael really is - skillfully done in my opinion because I believed it. I think it's very difficult for a writer to make the dawning of a mythical creature such as a vampire realistic, but I believed Nicole's thoughts and fears, her disbelief and then of course her acceptance of the truth.

Michael is a great tortured hero, he's also touching and sweet. The descriptions of him physically are subtle and not over the top but give you a sense that this man is handsome and physically scrumptious. His past is frightening and cruel, but it has taken him centuries to become the man that Nicole meets and falls in love with.

Nicole on the other hand irritated me at first with her inability to understand why a man who lives alone and chooses to be a hermit would not feel some resentment or be uncomfortable in her presence. Before her knowledge of who Michael is, Nicole snoops around his home knowing it would upset him but continues to do it anyway. However, after a while I began to warm towards her, she has a certain amount of strength, especially with regards to the ending.

The atmosphere of NOCTURNE is just wonderful. I could feel the bitter winter cold, smell the winter air, see the bright white landscape of newly fallen snow. Ms James does a fantastic job describing the world surrounding Nicole and Michael and I settled down in my soft cosy chair, with the fire on and just melted into the story.

When they both realise that they are falling in love it is very tender and sweet between them. Although there is only one real action scene in the entire book, this didn't bother me at all. The story between Michael and Nicole is enough to drive the story forward and kept me wanting to read the next chapter. There may be a few disappointed HEA fans, but I thought the ending was the only real outcome for these two characters and I liked it.

VERDICT:

NOCTURNE is a wonderful read with a beautiful romance that pulls at the heart strings. A must read for any romance fan.(less)

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May 24, 2013 ~*~Princess Nhya~*~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is the most touching, emotional, and bittersweet stories that I've read in a while. I started this in the morning and finished it the same day. I could not put it down. Ms. James did an excellent job of keeping the readers interest in a story where there are only two characters interacting with one another the entire time. The story and events are told from both Michael and Nicole's POV. Which I thought was great. Because these two people are stuck together for 4 days through no choice...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Joelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Nicole Walker runs off the road in a blinding snowstorm after attending a friend’s wedding at a Colorado ski resort, she wakes up to find herself stranded at the remote mountain house of a handsome, enigmatic stranger. She lives and works in a fast-paced, high tech world; he is cultured and modern yet lives a quiet life in self-imposed exile. They are both powerfully attracted to each other, but there are things about him that mystify her and fill her with apprehension—and Nicole can’t shak...more When Nicole Walker runs off the road in a blinding snowstorm after attending a friend’s wedding at a Colorado ski resort, she wakes up to find herself stranded at the remote mountain house of a handsome, enigmatic stranger. She lives and works in a fast-paced, high tech world; he is cultured and modern yet lives a quiet life in self-imposed exile. They are both powerfully attracted to each other, but there are things about him that mystify her and fill her with apprehension—and Nicole can’t shake the feeling that he really doesn’t want her there. She soon discovers that he’s a famous, reclusive author, renowned for his highly detailed and authentic historical fiction, and fiercely protective of his privacy. No wonder he was so reluctant to take her in, Nicole thinks. But he hides a far darker secret. As the sexual tension between them builds, the clues mount up. When Nicole realizes that her host is an ages-old vampire who thirsts for her blood, there’s nowhere for her to run but the blizzard raging outside, and he’s the only one who can save her life. By now there is no turning back; they have both fallen deeply in love, and share several passionate days together while waiting out the storm—a deep, meaningful, and dangerously seductive experience that will change them both forever.

My thoughts....

I loved it. Not your typical vampire story. I know there were a lot of mixed reviews with this one but this what not your typical story with a girl that falls in love with a vampire. I guess why i liked it so much it was different. Nicole being stranded ever she when off the road during a snow storm. Is spotted and take to shelter my a total stranger which saved her life. Not knowing where she is or with how she learns that her savior is a recluse of a man who keeps to himself and away from the limelight.But,since her savior is very private about his life she doesn't know that he was a doctor in a previous life. He is a vampire who writes books about his previous life during the war turning fact into fiction that was based on his life spinning them into tales that end up on the best sellers list. Even though he has little contact with his guest which peaks Nicole's interest. But gradually he begins inter grading himself with her and is enjoying it even though he knows that it is dangerous and he might give himself away.Besides writing he has a passion for craving things out of wood and writing and horses etc not your typical vampire he is full of surprises. What a budding romance develope's and to fall in love with a man you admired always wanted to meet and admired , what more could a girl ask for ?But, when you think there is going to be a happy ever after you might want to think again....hummmmm what a surprise ending!

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Jul 31, 2012 Vick rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: bitey-guys

i honestly got halfway through, then skimmed the rest. maybe i've read too many romances where the main characters fall in love after two conversations and BANG! its instant true love... but this was incredibly boring.

but it did however introduce me to my new favorite female naughty part euphemism... ladies and gentlemen, may i present PRIVATE SANCTUM.

i had a whole extra joke about that but it just wasn't coming out right.

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Feb 14, 2011 Julie F. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I won this book as a Goodreads First-Read. Thank you to Syrie James and GoodReads. :)

I am a sucker (no pun intended- ha) for a good romance and vampire story. So to find one that had both sounded like it would be fun. And it was.

The story starts out with a Misery-ish scenerio. Our heroine, Nicole, is rescued from a snowstorm car wreck by the handsome, mysterious and weird Michael. Of course there is the ususal "I love you, but I hate you" scenes. However the entire story involves just these two...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Morgan Walsh marked it as to-read

This book sounds like it will have a sad ending, where the two lovers will be parted but be okay with the decision (In case you have missed this fact, I have not yet read the book). I HATE it when the lovers don't end up together when their story has been told. Sometimes the romance is a bit skewed, but seriously. I have never thought, in fiction or reality, that the ends justify the means. And the end of this sounds like the love held in the story is just going to go poof at the end, never to b...more

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Mar 25, 2011 The Itzel Library rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, adult, cover-love, erotic, fantasy, fiction, forgettable, paranormal, romance, vampire, contemporary, explicit-sex, horror, mistery, reminds-me, signed, to-review, women

2.5/5

I had many problems with the novel. If there's something that I really liked is the author's writing, her prose is impeccable, the pace is fast, the sexual tension is great and when the time comes ... uff! How hot and how beautifully described it.

Now the problem is that it offers nothing new. In terms of vampires is more of the same and I think there isn't a background that sustains itself Michael. Who BTW, can leave home on cloudy days.

As the novel progressed I expected some action but d...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Pam Vlieg rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wish Goodreads had half stars. More tomorrow.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 12, 2013 Chelsie Metcalf rated it 4 of 5 stars

*WARNING! SPOLIERS!*

My first Under a Book Spell post - yay! Today, the book that has me Under a Spell is Nocturne by Syrie James, which has captured my heart and broke it as well, all at the same time!

We start out by being introduced to a woman named Nicole Whitcomb who is driving through a terrible snow storm/blizzard in the Colorado Rockies while trying to make her way to the airport for a plane trip back home after attending a wedding that one of her friends had.

So, this girl is driving and...more

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Dec 10, 2012 L.M. David rated it 3 of 5 stars

***SPOILER ALERT IN THIS REVIEW***
This is a story about two people stranded in a house following a blizzard where all avenues in and out are blocked. What felt nice about this book was Nicole's honest reaction to Michael being a vampire. What I disliked was their falling in love only to split up at the end, her leaving only with a hand carved momento of their week together as if that would make her disappointment all better. Why would this be consider a love story when Michael could so easily pu...more

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Nov 30, 2012 Allie Banks rated it 3 of 5 stars

I found this while I was shelving in the fiction section of the library. I have to admit, the bloody rose and snowy forest on the cover caught my eye for being very phantom-of-the-opera-esque. Unfortunately, I had one big problem...
(view spoiler)...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story is about two people stranded in a house following a blizzard where all avenues in and out are blocked. What felt nice about this book was Nichole's honest reaction to Michael being vampire. What I disliked was their falling in love only to split up at the end, her leaving with only a hand carved momento of their week together as if that would make her disappointment all better. Why would this be considered a love story when Michael could so easily push her out of his life? Granted thi...more

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Mar 16, 2012 Jessica(WonderlandReviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

I will be honest, I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book. Honestly I won it in a giveaway that I didn't even remember entering so I really had no clue what the book was even about.
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a vampire love story.
I really enjoyed the book even though I had a hard time getting into it. A fact I was going to blame partially on the fact that as of lately I have just had an urge to write on one/all of my ongoing projects. (I currently have three)
So...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Leslie Soule rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire

First of all, in writing this review, I must say that I LOVE THIS BOOK.
I was lucky enough to win Syrie James’s gift basket at April’s RT convention, and it contained a signed copy of this novel in it, along with the basket’s other goodies.
Interestingly, this novel follows the exact same premise as Twilight. A human and vampire meet up by accident and the male vampire saves the human female from certain death. The human female then tries to figure out more about the male vampire who has rescued...more

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Dec 07, 2011 SenoraG rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fiction

I am not a big romance reader and usually won't even pick one up but I had read and enjoyed Ms. James other book, Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker so I agreed to give this a read. I have to say, not many books read like a play or movie but this one does. When I say that I mean that as you read each chapter you can very easily visualize the scenes playing out like watching a movie or a play. They come to life that much.

I liked Michael from the first time he showed up on the sn...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Jenn rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is the first book that I’ve read by Syrie James. I’ve heard good things about her work and I was looking forward to reading Nocturne. I’m pleased to report that Nocturne is a satisfying slice of paranormal romance.

Oddly enough, what stands out most about Nocturne to me is the fact that there are really only two characters in the entire novel, if you don’t count animals (which I don’t here because they’re regular animals not super awesome sidekicks like Kevin Hearne’s Oberon). It didn’t real...more This is the first book that I’ve read by Syrie James. I’ve heard good things about her work and I was looking forward to reading Nocturne. I’m pleased to report that Nocturne is a satisfying slice of paranormal romance.

Oddly enough, what stands out most about Nocturne to me is the fact that there are really only two characters in the entire novel, if you don’t count animals (which I don’t here because they’re regular animals not super awesome sidekicks like Kevin Hearne’s Oberon). It didn’t really strike me until towards the end of the novel but the book really is all about Nicole and Michael and their interactions. Thankfully, Nicole and Michael are good characters, so I didn’t mind that there were no secondary folks in the story. Michael does the tortured thing well, striving to avoid temptation and hide the fact that he’s a vampire, while Nicole is a sweet but guarded young woman. I was particularly fond of Nicole because she’s bright (aside from driving out in a snow storm) and charming. I like that it didn’t take her forever to figure out that Michael was a vampire, because I was worried that that aspect of the story would take over the book. She’s also a bit mysterious since there are things in her past she doesn’t talk about, though she tries very hard to get to know Michael. Michael was a little bit harder to get to know, probably because most of the book is told from Nicole’s point of view. He’s very clever, and it shows in the fact that he’s devised so many different ways of hiding his vampirism.

What I didn’t like about them is the fact that they seemed a little too perfect for each other. Don’t get me wrong, I love romance stories and the fact that you’re typically on your way to a Happily Ever After when you pick up a book from the romance section. But I don’t think that the characters need to have the exact same set of interests. Some overlap is often necessary for the story to feel real but I didn’t like the fact that Nicole and Michael just happen to have the same hobbies: piano, gardening, reading. It made their story seem contrived, which was unfortunate since I really enjoyed watching them get to know one another.

It’s impossible to talk about Nocturne without wanting to talk about the ending. To avoid spoilers, I’m not going to be explicit but I will say that I was surprised by the ending. It grounded the novel in a way I didn’t expect and I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. So much of Nocturne fed into the romance formula that I was truly taken aback when things deviated, so much so that I kept flipping through thinking there had to be another chapter. But I do love that Syrie James took a chance and adding something less rote into the story, because it made the story so much stronger.

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Nov 06, 2011 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, adventure, book-reviews, fantasy, fiction, historical, mystery, paranormal, romance, romantic-fantasy, romantic-suspense, suspense

Posted First at the Romance Reviews

In Nocturne, Syrie James has given us a poignant yet searing tale of forbidden love. From the beginning you are haunted by the longing and mystery of this pair of strangers as they overcome their fears and allow their passions to ignite. Set in the beautiful snowy mountains of the Northwest, you fall in love with the characters as well as the beauty. The mystery gently pulls you into the depth of secrecy and desire that finally springs forth into a raging infer...more Posted First at the Romance Reviews

In Nocturne, Syrie James has given us a poignant yet searing tale of forbidden love. From the beginning you are haunted by the longing and mystery of this pair of strangers as they overcome their fears and allow their passions to ignite. Set in the beautiful snowy mountains of the Northwest, you fall in love with the characters as well as the beauty. The mystery gently pulls you into the depth of secrecy and desire that finally springs forth into a raging inferno.

Heading Home from a ski trip, Nicole Whitcomb is not ready to give up the beauty of the mountains and snow. Yet she must, but finds herself the last to leave as she absorbs the beauty and freshness to hold in her memory. Waiting until the last minute she believes she will outdrive the storm that appears to be building. As the curtain of snow thickens, Nicole begins to realize she may have made a terrible error in judgment. Rounding a curve and hearing a horrific sound behind her, she realizes she has no choice but to move forward as her retreat has been cut off by an avalanche that has covered the road. As she realizes her danger she feels her control slipping away as her car plows into a snow bank, knocking her unconscious.

Michael Tyler has moved into the quiet country to be alone. With the equipment to keep his own property free of snow, he clears his road of the heavy slush and snow that begins to pile up during this latest storm. Seeing headlights where there should be none, he is unsure what he wants to do. All too quickly the decision is no longer his as he see the vehicle leave the road and almost bury itself under a snow bank. Knowing the road has now been closed and with no chance of rescue from the authorities or road crews, he must react. His surprise and dismay are apparent as he finds Nicole unconscious and realizes he must take her into his home until the roads are clear and she is able to recover enough to move on.

This bringing together of two people in the middle of nowhere, with no other humans present for miles creates an initial tenseness, that soon becomes an attraction, difficult to ignore.

The tensions build, yet there are secrets that Michael is not willing to share. As the passion and begins to weave its way in even the mildest of conversations, Nicole does not understand why Michael ignores the signs. She can feel his interest, but she can also sense a strange and foreboding secret that nips at her internal alarms. The heat level is exciting but the mystery is intriguing and yet terrifying at some level.

James has given us an incredibly sexy story set in the beauty of an unspoiled frozen tundra. The weather forms a barrier that brings in a dream like quality to the story, making it both haunting and exciting. The interplay of the characters is playful and yet sometimes hurtful as they continue to fight the flames of love and lust that begin to bloom and grow.

You will love this beautiful and mysterious story, full of love and longing, but with a passion that sizzles through the pages. The characters are bold and imaginative and our hero Michael is everything a woman looks for in a man, but just a bit more. What is the Secrect he is hiding? Why is he so elusive and why does he never eat, and rarely sleep? Be prepared for an old fashioned, burning love story with up to the minute suspense.

This book was received free through the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material. (less)

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Nov 03, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance

Reviewed By- Steph O
Review Copy Provided By- Publisher
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 u...more

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Oct 15, 2011 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nicole Whitcomb was attending a ski themed wedding up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She decided to stay one extra day to hit the slopes, one last time. The radio reports that there is a huge storm approaching but Nicole should be at the airport before it is near her. Nicole is driving, when she hears a loud crack like the earth splitting and than a bunch of snow comes tumbling down the hill at Nicole. She runs off the road.

Michael Tyler is a hermit He was outside when he heard a car and than...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Jen Rothmeyer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Nocturne is the latest book out by author Syrie James. The novel focuses on the characters of Nicole Whitcomb and Michael Tyler. Nicole is on vacation and out of her element when she drives her car off of a Colorado road during a snow storm. Michael witnesses the aftermath of the accident and comes to her rescue. A lonely recluse, Michael is uncertain about allowing Nicole into his house and into his life for the several days they will be snowed into the home. Meanwhile, Nicole is finding hersel...more Nocturne is the latest book out by author Syrie James. The novel focuses on the characters of Nicole Whitcomb and Michael Tyler. Nicole is on vacation and out of her element when she drives her car off of a Colorado road during a snow storm. Michael witnesses the aftermath of the accident and comes to her rescue. A lonely recluse, Michael is uncertain about allowing Nicole into his house and into his life for the several days they will be snowed into the home. Meanwhile, Nicole is finding herself more and more attracted this mystery man and curious about him and some of his behaviors. Why isn't there food in the house? Why does she sometimes think his eyes glow red? Who is this man? This is a paranormal romance and as the cover remarks "a haunting story of forbidden love."

MILD SPOILERS BELOW

My favorite part of the book ended up being... well, the ending. It was spectacular, somewhat unexpected, and if it had ended any other way this novel would have been thrown against the wall and given a rating of one star. The rest of the novel was rather repetitive of the genre and spoke to a lot of cliches. Let's see. There's a woman unskilled at driving in snow storms and she has a horrible accident. Check. There's a mysterious man. Check. Could it be Gabriel's Angel? How about a vulnerable woman with a strong vampire lusting after her blood? Could it be Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)? Well, it wasn't actually quite as good as either.

The book wasn't horrible and the writing was fine, but what ended up being the problem was that this novel failed to bring something unique to the scene and as such it failed to launch itself into stardom. It is, however, a somewhat pleasant way to waste a few hours - well, as long as you aren't a fan of Kimberly Raye and already saturated by the genre.

Last, I'm over books that claim individuals fall in love at first sight. What kind of example is that setting for impressionable individuals reading these romance novels? Some people say we are what we eat (and I agree), but I also think we should take that a bit farther. We are what we do which includes what we read. Even though this is a fantasy romance novel, it is setting up impressionable individuals for failure. How often does "love at first sight" actually work? It's great for something to sigh over and daydream about, but it isn't something that should be as prevalant as it is. Lust at first sight? Sure. Like at first sight? Sure. But let's not define love as something that happens within a few days or even weeks.

I enjoyed the book on a very superficial level and am grateful I had the chance to read it. It wasn't horrible, but I truly did get greater enjoyment out of the more innocent but somewhat similar version in the young adult novel Companions of the Night.

Thank you Ms. James.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Nocturne by Syrie James free from Vanguard Press through the FSB Media review program. I was not required to write a positive review and did not receive any other compensation. The opinions I have expressed are my own and no one else's. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."(less)

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Sep 20, 2011 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-publicist, for-review

I think Nocturne is the first book I have read that only has two characters throughout the book. Not that that’s a bad thing. As I was thinking of my review I was just surprised by that fact. Syrie James does an amazing job of pacing in Nocturne. I sat down to read a few pages looked up and had read 100 pages, not even realizing I had done it.

As far as leading men go, I really liked Michael Tyler. Michael is a vampire that has reduced himself to a life of solitude so that he will never hurt anot...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Amy Lignor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Syrie James is a writer who has produced some of the most fascinating and well-written works of fiction that have appeared in the last several years. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, which was the first novel that came from this creative mind, was a complete homerun. Her follow-up – The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte was beyond fantastic; and Dracula, My Love was such a refreshing story in the midst of all this ‘vamp’ hoopla, because it told a wonderful love story that lived on in readers’ i...more Syrie James is a writer who has produced some of the most fascinating and well-written works of fiction that have appeared in the last several years. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, which was the first novel that came from this creative mind, was a complete homerun. Her follow-up – The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte was beyond fantastic; and Dracula, My Love was such a refreshing story in the midst of all this ‘vamp’ hoopla, because it told a wonderful love story that lived on in readers’ imaginations. Now, with Nocturne, Ms. James has once again offered a haunting, romantic tale that will leave readers wishing that HER characters were the ones on the big screen.

We begin this tale with Nicole Whitcomb, who is packing up her car and leaving for the airport to return home to her boring job. The weekend had been a blast, being part of her friend’s wedding ceremony that took place on the top of a ski slope was beyonf fun; Nicole had spent the last few days with a smile on her face enjoying the gorgeous snow-covered world with her friends. Although absolutely depressed that she has to leave, she still packs up quickly because the news announces that there’s a horrific storm about to blow through Colorado and Nicole needs to get over the mountain before its too late. As the blizzard arrives, Nicole struggles to see through the huge white flakes that are obscuring everything in her path. Suddenly, an avalanche happens behind her and her car slides off the road, quickly covered by the ice and snow…burying her alive.

A man stands at the top of his driveway watching the accident take place down below. Michael Tyler moved to this mountain specifically to be alone – far away from the outside world. But there’s nothing in him that can allow the driver to perish, so he rescues Nicole from her car and brings her into his normally safe haven. When Nicole wakes and sees the beauty that surrounds her she’s confused and slightly terrified, as her new handsome host offers her a very cold welcome; in fact, his angry eyes and standoffish demeanor are even more frigid than the icy winds beating against the luxurious home.

Nicole finds herself, over the next few days, trying desperately to “warm” Michael’s attitude, yet the more she finds out about him the stranger things become. Michael is a complete enigma. At times he is kind and talks to Nicole through the night about his passion for reading, his illustrious “surprise” career, and the generations of his family that have gone before. Then, almost in the blink of an eye, Michael turns on Nicole and races from the room into his den, slamming the door behind him and shutting her out of his private world. When Nicole stumbles across the truth about Michael, the desperate, passionate feelings that have grown between the couple turn somewhat deadly, and Nicole must fight against the intense fear and a love that’s growing deep inside her soul.

The historical facets of this book are truly interesting, and Michael’s character is beyond charming. He’s not one of those run-o-the-mill handsome men who all women will fall in love with. His emotions run extremely deep, and his past is electrifying to read about. Not to mention this man’s den filled with walls and walls of first editions will make die-hard readers drool. There is one particular scene that readers will always remember no matter how many books they devour from here on out. A lot like the romantic “pottery-making” scene in the movie Ghost, Michael teaches Nicole how to create intricate music boxes, and the love, drama, and beauty that flows between the two characters is almost breathtaking.

If you’ve never read a Syrie James novel you’re missing out. Whether you begin with her odes to Austen, Bronte, Dracula, or Nicole and Michael – you will most assuredly read every word she’s written and become a true fan for all time.
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Sep 14, 2011 Dalian rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nocturne by Syrie James is yet another vampire romance novel, but it's one that will draw you right in. I'll admit these types of books are a guilty pleasure and I wouldn't be caught dead reading it in public, but I'm so glad I picked it up.

Nicole is a 29 year old California woman returning home from a friend's ski resort wedding in Colorado. After having spent a couple of extra days to enjoy some skiing on her own, she finds herself racing to avoid the impending snowstorm, navigating mountain...more

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Sep 14, 2011 Amy Jacobs rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

I was really excited to get the chance to read this book by an author that I had not discovered yet. While the first few pages started out strong, by the end of the book I was not as thrilled as others might have been.

I liked Michael and thought the tortured vampire would be able to be enough to keep my interest moving along at a great pace throughout the book. Unfortunately, adding Nicole into the mix made it seem childish and naive with no sparks between the two for a romance. I also couldn't...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Ayla King rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

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...more

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Aug 15, 2011 ✿Michelle✿ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampire-romance

I actually came across this one while browsing the book section at Target for a differnt book. As I just love paranormal romance the title "Nocturne" really caught my attention. The synopsis sounded really interesting, and I could hardly wait to get home to start reading it. The author gives an excellent description of the setting where the story takes place. That said, there just wasn't enough back story provided on the main characters Michael and Nicole for me, so it was hard for me to feel an...more

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Jun 08, 2011 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: every romance lover

Oh.My.God!!!
I really don't know whether I liked it or not...
Scratch that. I LOVED IT!!!
It was so beautiful, so enthralling, so full of emotions, so breathtaking, so heartbreaking! Wow!

I liked both Nicole and Michael, but I adored particularly Michael's point of view in the book. And I've fallen in love with him from the moment he stepped in his house with her in his arms!
My God, but he's so amazing! He's adorable, sexy, sweeter than honey, smart, caring... And even though sometimes I felt bad fo...more

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May 14, 2011 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books

A very wise man (Albus Dumbledore) once said that it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. If I had to sum up the theme and the central thread of Nocturne, then that would definitely be it. While the book is definitely a paranormal romance with some definite Lifetime movie elements thrown in, ultimately, it's a story of building a life and a destiny for oneself and the sacrifices that might be needed to arrive at that destiny.

Nicole Whitcomb was in Steamboat Springs for a wedding, w...more A very wise man (Albus Dumbledore) once said that it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. If I had to sum up the theme and the central thread of Nocturne, then that would definitely be it. While the book is definitely a paranormal romance with some definite Lifetime movie elements thrown in, ultimately, it's a story of building a life and a destiny for oneself and the sacrifices that might be needed to arrive at that destiny.

Nicole Whitcomb was in Steamboat Springs for a wedding, where all of her Seattle friends would be gathered. She had a nice time and deftly avoided questions about when she would come back to Seattle, as at the time she was hiding from her past by living in California and working as a medical biller.

When she attempts to drive to the airport and finds herself in the middle of a blizzard, she doesn't expect to be rescued by Michael Tyler, hottie extraordinaire and resident mountain main and jack of all trades. He takes her in, patches her up, and offers her a place to stay until the storm blows past and the pass is clear. This is all against his better judgement, as Mister Michael is hiding a whopper of a secret. Actually, a couple of secrets, some much more devastating than others.

Watching Michael and Nicole slowly fall in love and discover all they have in common was a joy to read. It was like being able to tag along on a really, really successful series of dates, so you know how exciting the people involved are going to be when they call you to tell you all about it. Love is just what the doctor ordered to help these two people get back on their feet and back in life's saddle, and if that were all there was to it, this would be a fairly standard contemporary romance with nothing terribly remarkable about it.

Except for one thing. Michael is a vampire. He's a vampire with a conscience, having figured out that drinking directly from people is a bad idea, but he can't put the idea out of his head once Nicole is staying under the same roof as him. As they fall in love at the speed of light (the whole book takes place over the span of four days) he has to reconcile the fact that he eats critical parts of people to stay alive and that Nicole is most thoroughly a person. Talk about a conflict of interest!

As romantic as this book is, the ending is really not what I expected at all. Is there a happily ever after? Sure, but it's not the one that longtime fans of paranormal romance might expect. Professor Dumbledore himself would have approved of the ending, and of the results of the ending, but if you're having a sort of blue day then the end will make you bawl your eyes out. This is not a failing of the book, though! It's merely evidence that the author had a trajectory in mind for the story and stuck to it, and the characters were forced to grow and adapt as a result of it.

I don't think Nocturne would be a hit with all readers; it's not afraid to be different, not afraid to be a cup of tea in an espresso genre (there are no gunfights or chasing after superevilbadguys here, just two people snowed in and falling in love, thank you very much) and like I said, the ending might just tear your heart out. In that lies the strength of the book though- the fact that it's different.

Overall Grade: A

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Mar 02, 2011 Margay rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nocturne, by Syrie James:
A Review

From the author's website:

A Haunting Story of Forbidden Love

"Lyrical, lush, and intensely romantic."
—Library Journal

Nicole Whitcomb is snowbound for days and falls in love with a fascinating, mysterious stranger—a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change both of their lives forever. But who is Michael Tyler and what dark secrets is he hiding?

"Each incredible revelation kept me turning pages long into the night."
—A Simple Love of Reading

With pr...more Nocturne, by Syrie James:
A Review

From the author's website:

A Haunting Story of Forbidden Love

"Lyrical, lush, and intensely romantic."
—Library Journal

Nicole Whitcomb is snowbound for days and falls in love with a fascinating, mysterious stranger—a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change both of their lives forever. But who is Michael Tyler and what dark secrets is he hiding?

"Each incredible revelation kept me turning pages long into the night."
—A Simple Love of Reading

With praise like that, I delved into this book, eager to discover how a writer known for writing fictionalized biographies of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte would interpret the whole vampire trope. I must warn you that, if you're hoping to read more about vampires that sparkle or engage in life and death battles with werewolves and their own kind, then this is not the book for you. This is more of a psychological take on the vampire tale. It deals more with the life - or lives - of the vampire hero rather than any earth-shattering scenario that finds him fighting for his life and that of his love. Personally, I found that rather refreshing.

In many of the other entries in this genre, the pace is fast, the action non-stop, and the focus on the beast the hero has become - and how that affects the heroine. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's very easy to feel like you've read that story somewhere else. There's also the tendency to feel as though something is missing and for me, that something is the reminder that the hero used to be human. What I liked best about James' book was that she highlighted the fact that Michael was once human - and in a very eloquent way. I will not give it away here, but I really enjoyed how she chose to portray Michael's life before he met Nicole. Very clever. It made me want to know everything about him, just like Nicole.

I felt like the characters were real people and I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Michael wasn't obsessed with the idea of someone trying to drive a stake through his heart (no such characters in this book) and Nicole, except for one flight of fancy once she realized what he was, wasn't obsessed with the idea that he was going to kill her or turn her into a vampire. In fact, if you took away the fact that he was a vampire, you would still have what this book essentially is: A love story between two lost souls. And as love stories go, it was a beautiful tale told in a wonderfully uncomplicated manner. I really appreciated the way the author allowed the story to unfold, the way she weaved in Michael and Nicole's backstories, and allowed them to grow as characters.

So the bottom line is: If you're looking for a fix for your vampire love and you want to read a different take on the genre, definitely pick this book up and give it a try. Hopefully, like me, you won't be disappointed. You will be swept away.
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Jan 30, 2011 Dark Faerie Tales rated it 2 of 5 stars

Quick & Dirty: A nice romance with likable characters, but this story lacks depth and believable conflicts.

Opening Sentence: It began snowing at nine.

Excerpt: Here

The Review:

On her way to the airport, Nicole Whitcomb gets caught in a dangerous blizzard in Colorado and has a car accident. Bleeding and unconscious, Nicole is lucky enough to be rescued by the handsome and enigmatic Michael Tyler. Unfortunately, Nicole doesn’t know that Michael has a terrifying secret. Michael reluctantly decide...more

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About Syrie James

Syrie James is the bestselling author of eight critically acclaimed novels, including The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, Nocturne, Dracula My Love, Forbidden, and The Harrison Duet: Songbird and Propositions. Her books have been translated into eighteen foreign languages.

Syrie was named after a character in a radio show t...more Syrie James is the bestselling author of eight critically acclaimed novels, including The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, Nocturne, Dracula My Love, Forbidden, and The Harrison Duet: Songbird and Propositions. Her books have been translated into eighteen foreign languages.

Syrie was named after a character in a radio show that her mother listened to as a girl. Today, Syrie is thrilled that her name is pronounced exactly the same as Siri, the iPhone personal assistant--even if they spell the name incorrectly. :)

Syrie has long been a fan of British literature of the 19th century. She also enjoys reading in a variety of other genres, including historical fiction, paranormal fiction, women's fiction, biography, memoir, romance, mystery, and the classics.

Two of Syrie's favorite authors are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. Syrie's husband Bill, who has joined her in watching all the film versions of Miss Austen's novels several times over and every film version of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights ever made, has come to share her enthusiasm, if not her obsession. Syrie also enjoys writing about brilliant, sympathetic, charismatic vampires ... and the paranormal. It was a truly wonderful experience to co-author the novel Forbidden with her son Ryan.

Syrie lived in Paris when she was seven years old, and had visited more than two dozen countries by age eight, which instilled in her a lifelong love of traveling. Her other favorite pursuits include movies, theater, great food, playing games with family and friends, Scrabble, photography, sewing, and the out of doors. Syrie designed and maintains her website, syriejames.com, and she welcomes visitor and messages! Like Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Syrie is very fond of the countryside, and loves taking long walks.

Syrie lives with her family in Los Angeles, California. She is a member of the WGA, RWA, and a life member of JASNA (the Jane Austen Society of North America). She spent many years as a screenwriter and enjoys writing both novels and screenplays.

Syrie writes practically every weekday from 10 - 6. She says, "Many people can't wait for the weekend to arrive. It's the opposite for me. I truly love my jam-packed weekends, but from the time I turn off the computer on Friday evening to the moment I'm back in my chair on Monday morning, I'm anxious to get back to the characters I left in limbo, who are just waiting for me to continue their story."
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