Customer Reviews

Awaiting the Night (Wolfram Family)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed Awaiting the Night as much as Awaiting the Moon. I loved the atmosphere and darkness surrounding the whole story. Plus it's set in the black forest which is unusual.

The story focuses on Melisande Daviodvich, a woman well-tuned to the way of herbal healing, who lives at Wolfram castle. Count Nikolas and his new wife Elizabeth have taken a trip to get care for his ailing sister ( as a wrap-up to the previous story), leaving Melisande, Christof, and Charlotte alone in the castle. Melisande is on the edge of her seat, having horrid dreams foreshadowing dreadful things involving wolves.

Melisande becomes a captivating character later on, but she seems a bit wishy-washy toward the beginning. She just didn't hold the same interest as Elizabeth, the same spunk and curiosity. Her story was a bit more boring, and I never cared as much about her. She seemed too innocent to where it was nearly forced, with wide eyed skepticism that irked me a bit. Every man in her life didn't hold a candle to the personality of Nikolas either, for they bored me at first as well. Fortunately the book picks up pace and people become more realistic later on, where the action sets forth and things start coming together.

Mystery wise it's a little confusing, as the reader is purposely kept in the dark along with the heroine. The end result is a fine mixture of intrigue and deception. As before there is a serious gothic shroud encasing the story and its inhabitants, holding them in a dark forest filled with lies and the supernatural. The atmosphere works well for this type of tale, making it stand out among of a sea of imitators.

The romance between Melisande and Kazimir is sweet, but still not holding a great amount of tenderness until later. Their first 'sex' scene was a bit surprising, as it certainly doesn't come about in the typical way. I fear that readers will not hold out to get to the good parts, instead put off by the too-slow buildup of story and character. I urge everyone to keep reading until everything picks up, for then it becomes worth it, even if nothing amazing. I will still read the sequels, as every series has an off-point. The original was wonderfully done, followed by a slightly mediocre offspring.

Awaiting the Night is a great romance for any paranormal fan. I've loved the whole series. It's what I call a "sexy read".

Frightened Melisande Daviodvich hid behind the walls of Wolfram Castle, a virtual prisoner of her fears. For two years she found sanctuary there, but now the howling has begun. Melisande knows this is an omen that her safety will soon be no more.

Count Kazimir Vasilov and Count Gavril Sevasjan arrive insisting her father the thief stole a legendary chalice that contains the elixir to cure an enigmatic illness. They demand she hand it over to her, but she believes her father when he insists he never took this priceless artifact. At least initially she accepts her dad's word, but as she finds herself attracted to the strange Kazimir and him to her, Melisande begins to doubt her relative as she starts to look deeper into Wolfram werewolf rumors. The danger towards her suddenly mounts, but she wonders by whom.

AWAITING THE NIGHT, the sequel to AWAITING THE MOON, uses paranormal elements to add a unique delightful flavor to a fabulous gothic romance. The action-packed story line is fast-paced, but the relationship between Kazimir and Melisande makes the tale as she is not sure whether he wants her dead or in his bed. Donna Lea Simmons provides her growing fandom with a wonderful historical that is a one sitting read.

Harriet Klausner

That's it. In a nutshell, this book was boring. I couldn't get into it. The characters were not that likable and the writing didn't flow. I read the previous book by this author and I recall that I didn't care for the heroine in that book. The heroine in this book was sort of wishy-washy. I admit, I started skimming and as I did, I ran across a scene where apparently the hero took the heroine's innocence--okay--with an audience--ugh!!! I may be wrong cause I was skimming, but that seemed too icky for me. That pretty much clinched the deal that this book was headed for the "get rid of" pile.
I won't try this author again.