Firelight (Darkest London, #1) in Turning Pages At Midnight

Apr 07, 2014 Kate rated it really liked it

Shelves: suspense-crime, 4-stars, best-book-boyfriends, the-tingles, all-things-supernatural, wounded-broody-and-handsome-alphas, ebooks, funny-as-fcuk, kick-ass-heroine

Released the beginning of 2012.

1st read 8th April 2014. 4****

Reread finished 2th May 2016. 4ish****

I love unique stories and this has everything that I want a book to have. A PNR series that takes place in Victorian London. Not quite Steampunk. Unique, original, breath taking and a pleasure to read.

This book sucks you in right from the beginning, the heroine Miranda Ellis & Sir Benjamin Archer have an unconventional meeting.

“Slowly, her slim hand smoothed over the swell of

Released the beginning of 2012.

1st read 8th April 2014. 4****

Reread finished 2th May 2016. 4ish****

I love unique stories and this has everything that I want a book to have. A PNR series that takes place in Victorian London. Not quite Steampunk. Unique, original, breath taking and a pleasure to read.

This book sucks you in right from the beginning, the heroine Miranda Ellis & Sir Benjamin Archer have an unconventional meeting.

“Slowly, her slim hand smoothed over the swell of his buttock, lingering there. A shocked laugh choked his throat, the sound muddled by a stifled groan that her intrigued touch elicited. The saucy little sneak thief was copping a feel. He felt inclined to turn around and let her get a handful.”
Since that moment Archer is smitten. So he lets her father live as there is something more that he wants. Miranda. But he is also a very patient man.

We all have secrets, skeletons in the closet. Some more and some else.
Archer was looking to prolonging life unfortunately it went somewhat wrong and he was cursed. He left England for a while but came back to get his bride.

Miranda has a special gift which is a curse rather than a blessing. Her father has literally sold her to Archer and in the end they do end up marrying.

This is action packed and there is never a dull moment in this book. There is the right amount of love, suspense and the paranormal. They have great chemistry and banter.
Archer is adorable and I would like me on Archer.

“Know this, there is only one truth left to me." His trembling fingertips caressed her jaw. "That I love you." He said it again, his voice broken, his arms pulling her tightly against him. "I love you. The rest is darkness."

Her fingers curled around the smooth swells of his biceps. "Then let me be your light.”

Miranda accepted him more than he ever expected.

“Because we know he was simply a man, with weakness and frailties.
Who yearned for the same things all of us do--to love and be loved”

Great secondary characters that get books as well. I’ve decided to continue this series as it is nearing an end with book 7 so by the time the book is released I should have finished the others. Watch this space for my reviews.
...more

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Feb 14, 2013 Cherise rated it really liked it

Shelves: marriage-of-inconvenience, paranormal, besotted-hero, kick-arse-heroine, loved-you-for-years, victorian

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Like a fellow reader here, it is the cover that first got my notice, then I also find the storyline of beauty and the beast (where the beast usually is totally not beastly but a cutiepie) intriguing and though paranormal is not much my cup of tea, the historical setting got me started (as it reminds me a bit of amanda quick's latter series, which I adore). One important thing to enjoy the book in full though, is not to be exposed to spoilers I think.

This is a close 5 stars for me, being so orig Like a fellow reader here, it is the cover that first got my notice, then I also find the storyline of beauty and the beast (where the beast usually is totally not beastly but a cutiepie) intriguing and though paranormal is not much my cup of tea, the historical setting got me started (as it reminds me a bit of amanda quick's latter series, which I adore). One important thing to enjoy the book in full though, is not to be exposed to spoilers I think.

This is a close 5 stars for me, being so original in setting to me (though found out just now and am so sad that there actually is no more books set in historical times with a touch of paranormal from reader's comments). The plot is totally engaging, the romance is poignant, heavy with tension and sizzling.

Both characters are absolute darlings, h is not a silly and helpless female but a force to be reckoned with, is brave and sweet. H is not disappointingly so vulnerable and loving that you just want to hug him and assure him everything will work out well, despite having all the alpha male attributes. In fact, one complaint I have is that the h usually gets out of sticky situations on her own or with other's help, while the H was off somewhere else (leaving me ranting argh, why are you not there to help her man!)

The mystery part spurs me on and on to finish the book (though the romance also left you hanging, waiting with abated breathe just to see them kiss is certainly refreshingly delightful). I do adore this book and am going to jump right into the second one, though must say am a bit leery about the H...still looking forward to the author's excellent story telling and plot twisting. Brava for a first novel!

*20 May 16 second read comment: oh, this is a lousy review, not doing much justice to the book :T. Still loving it the second time around. Besides the storyline (which still got me hooked even though I do remember most of it), what I found really enjoyable about this book is even though this is insta-love, because of the circumstances, the 2 took a long time to get to know each other, making their relationship one of the most solid ones I've read in years. The fact that the h ended up saving the day probably got me all happy feely too (it just occurred to me that this has to be the only book I read that the h more or less singlehandedly save the day). ...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Trisha rated it really liked it

Really interesting book. I liked how it was set as a historical with a paranormal twist. The book keep you guessing the whole time and with the sexual tension between the H/h......wow what a good read. I will defiantly be reading the second book

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