Customer Reviews

Courting Midnight

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A warning is needed here. Readers be prepared to be ENTHRALLED by the fascinating and outright sensual laden world that Emma Holly creates with her exciting series of shape-changing upyrs. More importantly, die-hard fans of Ms. Holly and her upyrs will be delighted to discover the unusual background of Lucius the White - the oldest living vampire and his `out of this world' origins!

A chance encounter along the road brought Lucius and his close companion and friend Edmund to meet Lucas Delavert. Delavert's resemblance to Lucius was uncanny, and the chance to assume a mortal identity was a powerful and tempting opportunity - one that seemed beneficial both to the powerful upyr while granting the dying man his last wish and some semblance of peace.

In assuming the guise of Lucas, the prosperous local squire, Lucius was the target of the local matchmaking mamas all wishing to capture the elusive squire. It wasn't until he came upon poor and unsuitable Theodora Beckett, on one of his nightly forays, that his natural predator instincts became aroused. Using his powers to thrall, he was treated to an ecstasy with Theo that was unmatched in the centuries that he'd existed. It was hard for him to believe that as the oldest and most powerful living vampire - he had fallen in love. It also became apparent that Theo, seemingly under his thrall, was also in love - but if she discovered `what' he was, without any mind thralling by Lucius - would she be able to accept what he was or reject him in horror?

--- OUCH! This one will positively scorch you! I have absolutely loved Holly's entire compelling upyr series from CATCHING MIDNIGHT to HUNTING MIDNIGHT. Now Ms. Holly is keeping those sensual fires of passion rolling in another totally stand alone entry to the Midnight series with both her trademark steamy erotic sensuality, coupled with an amazing and touching love story of a soul mate who has journeyed the eons of time to recapture an all-consuming love. Additionally, the reader is also treated to a couple of other extremely stimulating romances -- Theo's sister Caroline and the gardener Sheffield; the upyr Edmund and his conquests; and be delighted with the young and precocious five year old Fitz Clare Baron, Percy. This was an awesome and totally satisfying non-stop read from first page to the last. Ms. Holly - you rock! --- Marilyn, for (...) ---

I love the upyr. Emma Holly has managed to make an extremely appealing and unique race of bloodrinkers. They are sexy, sensitive and intelligent. The only problem for them is exactly how long they really live. The sad truth of their lives is that so few beings have the stamina for immortality.
The upyr were worried about Lucious. The world seemed to mean nothing to him. He was merely existing with no attachment to the world other than his companion Edmund, a younger upyr. A chance encounter with a dying man on the road leads Lucious to an important turning point. He assumes the identity of this man, and is thrust back into the world of the living where he meets Theo Beckett.
Theo was a wonderful female character. She was supporting her family and being a good sister and all the time not really understanding what was missing in her life until she meets Lucious. She has lived her whole life in the shadow of her older, but very loving and supportive sister, Caroline. Theo and Lucious have a series of intimate encounters that force Lucious, out of guilt, to wipe them from her mind. He then resolves to try to win her love like a human man. She ends up thinking that she dreamed the intimacies with him, and is very confused by her feelings about a man that she initially wanted for her sister. There is never any doubt though who he really wants.
This was a truly satisfying story. I have said this before, but I really like a story where the two main characters can at least admit to themselves that they want each other. You know there will be difficulties, but the strength of their bond is true.

Emma Holly has given us yet another wonderful story about the Upyr.She manages to give you the feeling that you are reading a Regency and a paranormal all in one,with some very hot sex scenes.This is very skillfully done,and one of the reasons I find Emma's writing so unique-she has great balance throughout the story while giving you the best of both genres.Good secondary characters that interest you,yet don't steal the show are included as well.

There are quite a few laughs to be had as Lucius settles into his new life.Lady Morris,a scheming,vain thing who wishes to see Lucius married to her daughter Lily,is prepared to compete with any rivals,by sly remarks or underhanded tactics.She was amusing and obnoxious,all in one.

Theo and Lucius are a wonderful couple,and have enough sizzle to carry the book without seeming like oversexed animals.

Overall,this book is a wonderful,well-balanced mix of paranormal and Regency,with enough humor and sex to make it a keeper.If you haven't read Catching Midnight and Hunting Midnight,I recommend those as well-the Upyr series are all wonderful books on their own,but complement each other beautifully.

Emma Holly can do no wrong! I just discovered the author recently, and I am glad that I did. Courting Midnight is sensual and entertaining--perfect escape.

This was my first Emma Holly book. I was intrigued by the premise of a vampire masquerading as the prodigal heir, but felt the human characters were not developed enough. The emphasis remained on the two male leads and I was more interested in Theo, her embroidery enterprise, and her family dynamics. The secondary romance between Caroline and the gardener was completely unbelievable as there was no background on how they had met and what attracted them to each other, especially considering that Caroline's character was one of utmost propriety and docility. The entire segment surrounding the ball and the gown Caroline was wearing was a letdown rather than a climactic moment. The sex scenes were actually pretty well written--I usually skip those as I get bored with the same old same old. I've read a lot of books set in the Regency period and this one is adequate but doesn't quite hit the mark in enacting the historical setting. There was very little tension and the pace was too plodding--it needed either more levity and humor or a lot more suspense. All in all, the book did not hold my interest, though I'm willing to try another of her titles.

Wow, this was one of the best books I've ever read. Emma Holly is as gripping as an old Linda Howard novel.

Lucius is an intense and uniquely vulnerable hero with untold powers. His seduction of Theo is erotic and sweet. Don't miss this one, but you may want to read the other uypr novels first.

All I can say is, I've been waiting for Lucius White's story for a long time and Ms. Holly did not disappoint me. The third intallment of Ms. Holly's paranormal eromatica tells the tale of the oldest upyr, Lucius, as well as the history of the upyr. And we get an update on our old friends - Gillian and Aimery! That's the only teaser I'm giving folks, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens...

I'd recommend the other "Midnight" books before you read this to give you background. It can be read as a stand alone, but the series builds to this point. The entire Upr ("Midnight" series) has just the right amount of well-developed storylines combined with sensuality to make these books a thoroughly enjoyable escapist read.

I am a historical romance reader myself. I first read Emma Holly in Beyond Innocence and Desire books. I loved them! So I picked this book up thinking that I couldn't go wrong. I was definitely right. It was wonderful. I could not put the book down until I was finished. I know that I read the book out of order now, but that took nothing away from the story. It was very sensual in a paranormal way. I have just bought all of her books that are available. Wonderful author. A definite buy!!

But I was disappointed after the third chapter. The premise of a very old vamp taking on the identity of a dying human that he happens to resemble had some promise. I enjoyed the fantasy of the connection to the animals and the vamps powers...but then it takes on a Feehan-like quality with the human heroine our vamp connects to. She's slightly unusual, I'll give the author credit but I felt like the time and place didn't really come together in this one. It was surface level. Emma Holly writes well and I know I've enjoyed other books of hers more than this one. Ah well, on to the next one!