Customer Reviews

When Night Falls

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For Anthropologist Dr. Tessa Bergin, getting to interact with an advanced civilization is a dream come true. However, halfway through their two-year space flight to PIM9162 the scientists discover that something happened to the vastly populated planet and upon arrival, it appears to be a crumbling civilization devoid of life.

While not part of the first landing party, Tessa has formed a friendship with Dr. Layleh Lehman, who is. So, when the first landing party doesn't report, and the captain is threatening to just leave them dead or worse, stranded on the planet Tessa takes a shuttlecraft to try and rescue them. Instead she finds out that the planet isn't devoid of life and her life is in danger!

There are many things that I really like about WHEN NIGHT FALLS. While the story is a little longer than one you would find in an anthology, I think it's well thought out, so it doesn't feel disjointed, something I find very common with short stories. I also really like the fact that our hero, Lucien, is very much an alien. I got a moment of laughter over the fact that he resembles a demon and Tessa is fairly certain that his people had visited Earth starting the Christian concept of the devil.

Because there is time travel involved in Tessa's journey to Lucien's home world, in actuality twenty or so years have passed since a plague destroyed his people. Meaning, Lucien has been living alone. When he comes to the rescue of Tessa, Lucien does explain that the strongest male will keep her. He therefore takes certain efforts to protect her and keep her hidden by chaining her to the wall, so she can't reach the window. WHEN NIGHT FALLS is very sensuous, and quite a turn on! As a note for other readers, there is mild bondage, because Tessa tries to escape and Lucien is trying to teach her a "lesson".

While I would have liked to have known more about the planet, Lucien, Tessa or had more information provided, time is elapsing during the story. For some reason, knowing time is passing and not just two days makes reading short stories easier for me because it doesn't seem like they meet and then are in love. But I think what makes this story for me is Lucian takes her back to Earth. This event really has Tessa thinking and having to make the decision: Go back home to the known, or jump into the unknown where there might be love.

My only real complaint is that the grammatical errors need to get fixed. I read the electronic version, so I don't know if things were fixed in the paperback version. Regardless, I enjoyed WHEN NIGHT FALLS very much and can only hope that Layleh has her own story because she was rescued by Lucien's enemies the Anjels.

reviewed for: pnr.thebestreviews.com

When Night Falls:
From the back.......By the time the scientific expedition from Earth reaches Nardyl, they find devastation instead of the advanced civilization they had expected--a world where the survivors now live, or die by the sword. Tessa becomes the spoils of war--the female taken captive by the strongest male. From the moment she sees them, Tessa is certain this race of beings has visited Earth in the distant past. Not only do they bear an unnerving resemblance to Satan--but Lucien possesses the power to bend her completely to his will and "possess" her with the carnal pleasure only he can give her- or withhold from her.

Great Plot and Story...The book only revolves around two characters. Lucien and Tessa. Not so very steamy scenes..This is a sci-fi with a little vanilla nookie at best. No cold showers needed after this one. I did enjoy the book for it's originality.
There is mention of a second female Lehla who is also lost to the spoils of war, I am sure we will see that Lehla will get a story of her own.

By the time the scientific expedition from Earth reaches Nardyl, they find devastation instead of the advanced civilization they had expected-a world where the survivors now live, or die, by the sword. Tessa becomes the spoils of war-the female taken captive by the strongest male. From the moment she sees them, Tessa is certain this race of beings has visited Earth in the distant past. Not only do they bear an unnerving resemblance to ancient man's concept of evil in fleshly form-Satan-but Lucien possesses the power to bend her completely to his will and `possess' her with the carnal pleasure only he can give her-or withhold from her.
Rating: Contains violence, graphic sex and explicit language, mild BDSM and profanity.

The sci-fi story line was fasinating and the romance & sex between Tessa and Lucien was intense, I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys erotic sci-fi romances.

i liked both of the man characters. story was entertaining, too... get tired of governmental bad guys acting stupidly (cliched and overused). parts i skipped over as the differences between the two species was a little too freaky...but overall an excellent read.

I enjoyed the story. The punishment she received for running away would make the best of us runaway at least monthly. Good story I would recommend this book.

....................................................(- .That is me trying to sum up what I want to say about this book. I am open to reading anything new with a different kind of concept. After saying that I really did like the book Lucien was a likable character and Tess what a sweet heart she was just trying to do the right thing by looking for her friend and that's how she is captured by Lucien. My faith is strong enough where I can read this I will try other books by the author though but not the ones that clash with my belief granted this book is fiction I have read supernatural books but this one was different for me . PLEASE note that is my opinion everyone is entitle to their own. As I have said though the author has good writing skills and I really enjoyed the book. If I could get 5 minutes with the author I would like to ask a question or two maybe four or five. How did she manage to come up with the concept of the book and when she gave the finish product in what did the individual think after reading it.

While it is the usual premise of alien rescues woman and initially just wants her for sex and then the relationship deepens and the heroine of course resists the attraction - it doesn't come across as the usual hackneyed theme. The author's considerable talents with world building and creating unique heroes really comes to the forefront here. I am somewhat an addict to this genre and O'Connor is definitely one of the more reliable ones. In this story she again delivers but in a way that is distinct from her other books such as the Cyborg series. "When Night Falls" has a haunting, fairy tale like feeling. I liked it so much that I don't have a desire to read the prequel for fear of being let down. I would interested if she writes another about what happened to the other female crew member with the Anjels though.

I think I liked this particular story so much more than her others because the heroine's thoughts weren't overly drawn out. Often O'Connor spends waaaay, too much time in the heroine's head and thus the main character comes across as too needy, whiny, and you just want to say "get over yourself." This doesn't happen in this story.

The only reason why I don't give this 5 stars is that the heroine is supposed to be an anthropologist and yet has minimal curiosity of trying to discover more about the planet's civilization. I understand that the heroine tampers her curiosity somewhat as she doesn't want to dredge up bad memories for the hero, but come on, when she's in his mansion, she should have been all over the place looking at stuff and trying to theorize. Also, it seems like she should have been having more discussions with the hero to try to understand him - sometimes the story came across that they just ate, slept, bathed and had sex - no talking ever occurs.

To end on a positive note, I did think the heroine's attempts at escape made total sense. I liked that the pregnancy at the end was planned and not the usual "oh does he just want me for the baby" angle.

This is a very erotic, absolutely great page turning, Sci-fi love story. The world building is creative, unique and creditable. The plot is original and flows smoothing with drama and twists. The author did a wonderful job of creating believable characters that the reader is able to connect to and come to care for. This is not just an erotic novel - it is a love story with "HOT" erotic scenes. It does take the reader on a emotional roller coaster because you become so involved in the characters and their plight.

The only problem that I had was that I could not stop reading the book until I finished it. Then I turned around and immediately purchased the next related book - When Dawn Breaks.

If you like:
Sci-fi
A high heat factor
Originality
Well developed characterization
Extremely well laid out plot line and movement

Then do yourself a favor - read this book and then it's sequel. But, beware - could result in lack of sleep, wanting to be taken by space aliens, and unable to respond to those pesty people around you because you just can't be bother to stop reading.

I really liked this novel! I fell in love with Lucien the moment he was introduced into the story, and though Tessa is mean to him--- it's justified! It's great to finally read about a heroine who didn't instantly fall in love with her captor, and want to get married and have children before you're even half way through the book. I do however wish the ending was extended a bit... You get the 'happily ever after' but it came and went so quickly that it was kinda disappointing. Reminded me of "Demon's Captive". This is something I'd actually re-read!