Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining and interesting cross between urban fantasy and romantic suspense, May 4, 2008
Dr. Emily Drake is a person who knows that everything is not as it seems. Known as the Monster Doctor, Emily's patients consist of vampires, shifters, charmers, and demons. As an empath, Emily has the ability to sense the emotions of those who are Other, and uses this talent to help them navigate the trials and tribulations of being Other in a society that views what is different as being dangerous. But when a blue-eyed Shifter turns up at her office, even do-gooder Emily is a little hesitant. Shifters are notoriously volatile and occasionally psychotic, and Emily knows from past experience how dangerous it can be to get involved with one. But when the shifter in question tells her he's a cop, and he's requesting her help with an investigation involving the Other, Emily agrees to play along.
Colin Gyth is a shifter who goes through great pains to hide who he is from those around him. As a cop, he knows how dangerous life is even without admitting to others the beast that he carries inside him. When victims start turning up with their throats ripped out and animal hairs on their bodies, Colin is angry that one of his own could be so cruel. But with the help of the Monster Doctor, he's determined to get to the bottom of things before anyone else turns up dead. Getting to hang out with the beautiful, green-eyed empath is just a perk that comes with the job...
Hotter After Midnight is my first story by Cynthia Eden. I'm always hesitant to try new authors because it's easy to get burned with so many new paranormals popping up every day. This one was a good venture. Hotter After Midnight was a cross between urban fantasy and romantic suspense with all the best elements of each. The mystery was at the forefront of the story, but not over the top or overbearing, and the romance was passionate and intriguing. Colin was an alpha hero just like I like them, all possessive and protective, he made sure that no one went near his lady without answering to him for it. And Emily was a sweet, interesting heroine who I both liked and admired--which is rare. This story is great for anyone who likes paranormals about all types of supernatural beings--vampires, werewolves, demons, etc--but also wants something entertaining and suspenseful to boot.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This Paranormal Romantic Suspense is Packing Heat!, May 23, 2008
Here's two people who lived their lives feeling like outsiders from the human race--Emily because she could sense The Others and Colin because he didn't know he WAS an Other (he was orphaned as a toddler).
At age seven, Emily discovers her father's body after he blows his head off, then her mother throws her into a mental institution because, being a child, she doesn't know to keep quiet whenever she sees or senses an Other. Now a successful psychologist with a patient roster of Others (fun concept, fun scenes), she finds that she STILL needs to keep her abilities hidden.
Raised in several foster homes after his parents' death, not knowing what he was, not even knowing The Others existed, Colin experiences his first shift at puberty and spends much of his life feeling like a freak, forced to hide and control his animal side. Even later, after he began to sense that he wasn't the only Shifter, he never knew about vampires, charmers, demons, etc. His own partner tried to kill him when he found out what he was!
Set up for some heavy, angsty, get-over-yourself, intense drama, right? They'll be healed by the Power of Lurve and live Happily Ever After, right? WRONG! They don't need to heal. They both have it together. THAT was the hand they were dealt and THIS is who they are now in their separate successful lives. What they find with each other is the chance to be themselves, to be loved and trusted because of, and in spite of, who and what they are. But they WORK toward that trust as they work together solving a series of preternatural murders.
Now, don't get me wrong, the book's not perfect. Eden fell back on the heap big macho wolf finds his mate in the teeny, tiny spitfire of a woman cliché. And the climactic scene confronting the villain was a bit of a let down--WHY'd he do it? Well, it kind of amounts to... "Because He Could.". Acceptable, yes, but I would have preferred something more.
Despite those two quibbles, the second I shut this book, I immediately could see Emily and Colin in a series of books solving preternatural crimes like Savich and Sherlock in Catherine Coulter's romantic suspense FBI series-- only this one's way hotter... and has The Others. Their sidekicks are even already in place-- McNeal, Colin's boss; Dr. Smith, the coroner; and Brooks, Colin's partner. Hell, I could even see this as a TV show.
We learn just enough about Colin and Emily in this book to want to see them work together again. But we aren't subjected to the angst of them working through an overabundance of personal drama. We know who they are and we LIKE them together. This kind of bottled lightning doesn't strike too often. I suspect it's the kind of magic that an author couldn't deliberately set out to catch.
So here's hoping that Ms. Eden (and Brava) will realize the characters are right there, already in place, just waiting for the call telling them they've got another Others mystery to solve.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best Paranormal I read this year!, May 4, 2008
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT by Cynthia Eden is a paranormal romance, one like the reader has never read before. Emily, a psychologist for 'Others', those of Vampires, Succubus, and other supernaturals. She also has the ability to read minds as well as distinguish between the different 'Others' with her talents. Upon being approached by Colin, who she sensed was a shifter, an 'Other' that she refrains from due to their dangers. As Colin is a detective, he brings Emily to a scene of crimes as she becomes involved in assisting to determine who is killing others which brings Emily and Colin to work together to solve the killings There will be a race for their lives and their love, that has scenes that are so captivating. Colin and Emily too have an instant reaction to one another that in intense with sexual tension as well as the growing love that shows throughout the story.
Full with different scenes that some make you chuckle, like when Emily is with her 'Other' clients, make you shiver when they both are fighting for their lives and each other, and sighing when their love grows through the story and their coming together being intense with tension and exhilaration. Definitely a keeper, this book won't be staying long on the shelf for a re-read. HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT is one that you've never read anything like it before! Totally unique with a writing voice that reads this story like a movie unfolding. The reader will be on the edge of their seats awaiting what will happen next because there's no time to pause when reading HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT.
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT is the most unique and creative read in paranormal romance this year. Both fighting a past, that's you can't help getting emotional with, that will swell you with tears, as you learn their past and go with them as they heal, trust and learn to love again. The beast in Colin comes out with his love for Emily, and that is exactly what Emily needed to move on in her life. HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT by Cynthia Eden, should be your next read as soon as you grab it from the stores, is a truly exceptional story that deserves even more praise. Read it and spread the word!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
