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.
Industry Reviews
"Publishers Weekly" Beyond Her Book Blog
"Fans of Nicholas Sparks won't be disappointed ... What's not to love about being snowbound in a perfect isolated place with your soul mate?"
Young Adult Fantasy Guide
"Wow, what a read! 5 stars. Another page turner by a talented and established writer. If you like urban fantasy then you MUST give this one a read. Syrie James is one of the best out there!"
All Things Urban Fantasy
"Excellent--loved it! "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."
A Simple Love of Reading
"A once-in-a-lifetime kind of love ... there is a lot of mystery concerning each of the characters in the beginning of the book, and they both hold their secrets closely... Each incredible revelation kept me turning pages long into the night."
Merry Genre Go Round Reviews
"An engaging star-crossed romance ... Readers will relish this strong, romantic suspense thriller, wondering how this relationship will end."
Fresh Fiction
"Nicole and Michael are haunting characters, each with a past that makes it difficult for them to embrace the future. In each other they find a kindred spirit, and their journey is a well written page-turner ... that will stick with the reader."
Romance Reviews Today
"The characters come alive in "Nocturne."..lyrical imagery of scenery and eloquent dialogue ...The main players are wonderfully real, making you want to step into their world... an emotionally heartfelt love story with an unexpected ending that will bring tears to your eyes. Be sure to get this one today!"
Enduring Romance
"Think "Nights in Rodanthe" with snow instead of hurricane and Edward Cullen instead of Richard Gere, but like those fabled books by the one we call The Spork, this is a love story, not a romance novel... It was the most realistic vampire love story I've ever read."
Good Choice Reading
"5 stars! Immediately from the first page I knew I was going to love "Nocturne." Everything moves at a fast pace... you quickly fall in love with the characters ... From their first meeting to the end, you'll have butterflies in your stomach ... A beautiful story. I loved it!"
Barnes and Noble Heart to Heart Blog
"What could be more romantic than getting snowbound with a dark and mysterious stranger? .... Nicole's entire survival rests in the hands of one inscrutable man. His name is Michael Tyler and he's an unbelievably sexy - and British - recluse, living alone in a mountain hideaway that's got as many secrets as it does rooms.... "Nocturne" is the kind of book that makes you want to turn off the phone and the television so you can do nothing but read. "
BookChickCity
"Brilliant, couldn't put it down.... A gorgeous read, a true romance with a delicious bittersweet ending that brought tears to my eyes .... Syrie James has a wonderful way with words .... I settled down in my soft cozy chair, with the fire on and just melted into the story .... A must read for any romance fan."
Bookalicious
"A masterful piece of paranormal romance ... Syrie James is such a fantastic plot weaver... Michael has an amazing depth of character... Teens Will Love It ... Why Adults Will Love It: Who doesn't want to be trapped in the snow with a hot vampire writer with a soul? ... You will never see vampires the same again."
"I'm Not Hannah""
""A sweet, passionate, heart-wrenching, magical love story that was a pleasure to read.... I found myself wrapped up in the romance of this novel--and enjoying every minute of it.... You feel such a sense of PLACE while you're reading this story.... The connection between the main characters is intense. From the very beginning, the conversation and physical contact is natural and warm, and it progresses to intense sexual tension and emotional connection in a way that makes you want to keep reading.... The chemistry between them is perfect and when they do give in to their physical desires, it's ... "well, it's hot, y'all. I'm just saying. Ahem."... I finished it with a little sigh that was part satisfaction and part sadness; I was left hoping that I would see these characters again."
"Library Journal"
"Beautifully descriptive, well written, lyrical, lush, and intensely romantic, this infinitely touching, bittersweet story from James ("Dracula, My Love") will weave its way into readers' hearts, with its complex characters and compelling emotions sure to linger long after the last page has been turned. While not a romance in the truest sense, this novel will have a poignant appeal for romance as well as paranormal fans and provides a slim glimmer of hope for the optimists among us."
"The Authors Speak"
"Syrie James (bestselling author of such runaway hits as "Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen" and "Dracula, My Love") jumps into the urban fantasy game with her latest read... Once I read "Nocturne," I realized that this was a story that she was supposed to tell. My wish is that the urban fantasy crowd will discover this one first and then reflect on James' entire body-of-work and see what a talented writer they've discovered... The writer really honed the craft and perfected the game... this is one of those books that is hard to tear away from...
Final Verdict? 4.5 out of 5. An upturn in the urban fantasy game and worthy of your embrace."
"Austenprose"
"As the sexual tension increases and [Nicole's] imagination runs rampant in this mountain seclusion, she readily makes excuses, only to discover that her wildest dreams, or nightmares, are now her reality... Like the iconic vampires of Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, and even Stephenie Meyer, Michael has his impossible strengths and weaknesses... But it's his unlikely humanity, as well as his love for her that allowed him to hold his carnal instincts in check that endeared me most... Tauntingly compelling, the ending left me spent... The haunting "Nocturne" is the perfect escape book for romance readers with some pretty steamy love scenes sure to warm you to your toes these cold, winter months."
"Monsters and Critics
""Reminiscent of an old gothic romance... this bittersweet love story involves the deepest secrets, dreams and passion of two beautifully developed characters."
"Night Owl Reviews"
"From the first time I saw the cover to the first time Nicole meets Michael I was hooked... It was all very seductive."
"BSC Reviews"
"It feels like the first movement of a symphony; you know there is more to the story. The novel is a reminder par excellence that a story doesn't end just because the book does."
"Library Journal," January 14, 2011
Unconscious and stranded in the Colorado Rockies after her car skids off an icy road during a blizzard, Nicole Whitcomb awakes in the magnificent, isolated mountain home of the astonishingly good-looking man who rescued her. Michael Tyler is brilliant, reclusive, enigmatic, and a potentially deadly, centuries-old vampire. Now, snowbound together until the storm ends and the roads can be cleared, they begin a wary, star-crossed journey from attraction to passion as Nicole's fears and Michael's bloodlust war with their love for each other. Beautifully descriptive, well written, and simply plotted, this story spans only four days and features just two characters, but as the story progresses they grow individually, as well as in their relationship, and are profoundly changed as a result.
Verdict Lyrical, lush, and intensely romantic, this infinitely touching, bittersweet story from James ("Dracula, My Love") will weave its way into readers' hearts, with its complex characters and compelling emotions sure to linger long after the last page has been turned. While not a romance in the truest sense, this novel will have a poignant appeal for romance as well as paranormal fans and provides a slim glimmer of hope for the optimists among us. [Reading group guide.]--Kristin Ramsdell, California State Univ. Lib., East Bay
