Review: Nocturne by Syrie James

Nocturne: A Novel
Author: Syrie James
Publication: Vanguard Press (January 4, 2011)


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.


My Thoughts: This was a very touching romance. Nicole and Michael were thrown together because of the weather but soon find that they have a multitude of things in common. Of course, they have quite a few differences too. Michael is a 260 year old vampire. He has given up drinking blood from humans and is used to living a life isolated from temptation. He spends his time taking care of his horses, playing the piano, doing fancy woodworking and writing novels that are a great success. Nicole is a big fan of his writing. His first revelation to her is that he is her favorite author. 


Nicole is a young woman who is working in a job that doesn't excite her passion. She was a pediatric nurse who worked with oncology patients until a mistake made by another nurse caused her to quit her job and punish herself by leaving her family and friends. She worked with blood in her job and now she can't stand the sight of it. When she first finds out that Michael is a vampire, she panics and tries to run away. He saves her life for the second time then. Gradually she begins to trust and love him. She trusts him much more than he trusts himself.


This isn't a "happily ever after" type of romance. They are too different and have needs that are too different. But the romance is still hopeful and positive for both characters. I recommend the book to people who like romances and to those who want to read about "good" vampires. 


Favorite Quote:

Nicole was incredulous. "What I would give for that kind of free time."


Michael look away, frowning. "There's such a thing as too much free time. I'd give anything to taste a strawberry again. To drink a glass of wine. To stroll down a beach on a hot, sunny day. To be able to--" He broke off, heaving a rueful sigh. Then, a small smile resuming, he nodded toward the pond up ahead. "Would you like to feed the fish?"