After Midnight

Book Description

"Our sister is marrying a vampire."

When the ever practical Caroline Cabot first hears those words from the lips of her fanciful youngest sister, she accuses Portia of having a wild imagination.

But when she discovers their sister Vivienne is actually being courted by Adrian Kane, the mysterious viscount rumored to be a vampire, she decides to accept his invitation to a midnight supper and do some sleuthing of her own. To both her delight and her dismay, she soon finds herself falling under Kane's bewitching spell.

After all, what's a proper young lady to do when her sister's suitor arouses more than just her suspicions?

Download Description

""Our sister is marrying a vampire.""

When the ever practical Caroline Cabot first hears those words from the lips of her fanciful youngest sister, she accuses Portia of having a wild imagination.

After all, what's a proper young lady to do when her sister's suitor arouses more than just her suspicions?"

Customer Reviews:

...A surprisingly good read.......2007-09-29

I have never written a review before but am a HUGE romance reader and I just had to say this book really surprised me!! I have read other books by this author and up until this one she really just hasn't grabbed my attention. But let me just tell you I could not put it down! The characterizations were just fantastic and this book was able to do what so many haven't....keep me guessing! Right up until the end I kept thinking "is he? Isn't he? Is it true or just ton gossip?" it was such a refreshing change! Whilst I'm not going to go through the plot, other reviews have done that much better than I could, I really just wanted recommend this book to others. It really is a surprisingly good read!

3.5 Vampire Story.......2007-04-29

Im not a fan of vampire stories. After reading several other books by this author, I did not expect this one to fit that category. The whole vampire idea is just so far fetched it overshadowed any believability of a story.

This book was just OK.

Teresa Medeiros blends the Regency era and the vampire world to create a thoroughly enjoyable story in After Midnight.......2007-01-23

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Teresa Medeiros blends the Regency era and the vampire world to create a thoroughly enjoyable story in After Midnight.

Caroline Cabot and her sisters can barely make ends meet on the small inheritance they got upon the death of their parents. The estate went to their closest male relative who has made it clear he'd only provide them with more resources if Caroline becomes his mistress. But their chance at a better life comes through Vivienne's, the middle sister, prospective suitor. Unfortunately, Adrian Kane is reputed to be a vampire, as youngest sister Portia loves to talk about.

When Caroline and Portia go to town with Vivienne to meet the mysterious Adrian, Caroline is instantly drawn to him as he is to her. But he is Vivienne's prospect and Caroline is torn between her loyalty to her sister and her attraction for Adrian. Adrian needs Vivienne all right, but not the way everyone thinks. He needs her for a mysterious reason of his own that only his brother Julian knows about. Before Adrian can reveal his true feelings to Caroline, he must conquer his own personal demons that have more hold on him than anyone imagines.

After Dark is not a traditional vampire romance and for much of the story, we are kept in the dark along with Caroline as to who or what Adrian really is. There also is not much "vampire action" throughout the book, with that part of the storyline being more supposition than anything until the end. The mystery of why Adrian needs Vivienne is hinted at, but we don't know the true extent of his plans until the last third or so of the book.

Caroline is a heroine women will identify with. In spite of her obvious attraction to Adrian and his to hers, she is afraid to act on it for fear of what it would do to her sister. We are privy to her internal struggles as she feels guilt over her feelings for Vivienne's suitor but is unable to let the attraction go. Her first loyalty is to her sisters and this is a key component of her personality. She would do just about anything to ensure the happiness of her sisters, even if it means she has to give up her own dreams of love and a family of her own.

The relationship between Adrian and Julian is very much like that of Caroline and her sisters. Adrian will not rest until he can ensure his brother's future, even when Julian often seems undeserving of that loyalty. The secondary storyline of Julian and Portia adds another level to the story and it is made apparent there is much more to their story than we are yet to know. Fortunately, we find there story is to be told in The Vampire Who Loved Me.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, January 2007. All rights reserved.

Teresa Medeiros rocks.......2006-12-15

She is one of several authors that i order in advance as soon as I hear she if having a new book out. I love paranormal stories, and she does an excellent job of bringing a book to life.

A Vampire Regency - but without enough bite.......2006-12-05

I am a keen reader of many genres of novel but particularly Regencies and vampire novels. Thus, when discovering "After Midnight" and its sequel "The Vampire Who Loved Me" by Teresa Medeiros I thought I was in for a really good read - the first Regency Vampire novels I had read.

Sadly I didn't get it. These books cross two very different genres and somehow it doesn't work - neither book sits well in either the Regency genre (not enough historical detail to set the scene properly, behaviour and thoughts that are far more 21st century than 19th) and in the Vampire (not enough information generally about vampires and not enough use made of this interesting option in the plot).

As a brief summary, Caroline Cabot is the eldest of three siblings and has pretty much raised her two younger sisters since the death of their parents. She learns that Adrian Kane, Viscount Trevelyan, is interested in her younger sister Vivienne - but rumour has it that he is a vampire. Certainly his behaviour suggests that is the case - he's never out in daylight, for example. In order to check him out properly she, along with her sisters, visits his home and she meets his brother Julian. What is the Viscount's motivation in courting her sister? Why, when he is apparently about to pop the question to Vivienne does he seem to be toying with Caroline? And is he really a vampire?

There isn't a great deal of plot in this book and the characters tend to all be painted rather indistinctly. There is also a lot of confusing changing of point of view mid-chapter with no clear demarcation - one minute you're hearing Caroline's voice, the next minute Adrian's, and you don't necessarily spot when it changes initially. I also found myself annoying confused between the two main male characters Adrian and Julian because their names were so similar. And I have significant doubts that "Adrian" is a name used in the Regency anyway.

The premise of this book was interesting and good but its execution left me unsatisfied. The romance proceeded, as so often, on the grounds of beauty rather than any soul-deep connection. The sequel is marginally better but still not brilliant. These books are OK but are unfortunately also a missed opportunity.

$Call After Midnight & Under The Knife: Call After Midnight\Under The Knife$
Average customer rating:

Call After Midnight & Under the Knife
Call after midnight & Unfer the knife
REPRINT!!!!!!! NOT NEW STORIES!!!!
Couldn't Finish
GREAT Stories selection!!

Call After Midnight & Under The Knife: Call After Midnight\Under The Knife
Tess Gerritsen
Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 037377172X

Customer Reviews:

Call After Midnight & Under the Knife.......2007-02-10

Two really good books in one. Very suspensful. I read everything
Tess Gerritsen writes, and they are all great.

Call after midnight & Unfer the knife.......2007-01-18

These books were great! Some of her early work ,it still had all the right things to get you hooked from the beginning. I strongly recommend.

REPRINT!!!!!!! NOT NEW STORIES!!!!.......2007-01-14

I am giving this book 1 star not because of the story content but because of the duplicity to the consumer!!! This is advertised as a new book by Gerritsen. Its NOT! These books were written in the late 80's. The publisher reprinted them, put 2 together and marketed it as a new book. That's DECEITFUL!!

Im sick and tired of publishers/authors who throw a new cover on an old book and trick the public into buying what they think is a new book. Thats why I refuse to pay for books. I request them at the library..for free!~

Couldn't Finish.......2007-01-12

These books must have been early-Gerritsen. They were nothing like her latest stories which have gripping plots and interesting people. These two seemed rather childish by comparison and I didn't finish either of them.

GREAT Stories selection!!.......2006-08-20

I love this ladies books, and I know that this book is going to be a great read the same as many others I have by her. It came like "NEW" and I bought it used, but whoever had it, respects books, like I do.

Average customer rating:

Excellent end
Very Suspenseful, Love The Characters So Much I Want More Of Them
Re Audio version of Long After Midnight
WHAT HAPPENED TO CLIMAX?
Beach Novel

Long After Midnight
Iris Johansen
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553571818
Release Date: 1997-11-03

Amazon.com

Kate Denby is on the run from a cold-blooded killer. A research scientist close to a breakthrough on a project that could revolutionize the health industry, she is unwillingly caught up in a web of danger, intrigue and murder. The stakes are high with her mother-in-law and son's life in jeopardy. Kate is forced to combine her scientific studies with Noah Smith, a scientist whose ideals match her own. But she must place her own safety and that of her son's in the hands of Seth Drakin, a man who incites her heart more than her trust. A suspenseful, well-crafted story.

Book Description

She wanted to save lives.  The killer wanted to end hers.

The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away.  The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood.  Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth:  She is somebody's target.

Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance.  And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her...where her innocent son is considered expendable...and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed.  Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms—and destroy him.

Download Description

She wanted to save lives. The killer wanted to end hers.

The first warning was triggered hundreds of miles away. The second warning exploded only yards from where she and her son stood. Now Kate Denby realizes the frightening truth: She is somebody's target.

Danger has arrived in Kate's backyard with a vengeance. And the gifted scientist is awakening to a nightmare world where a ruthless killer is stalking her... where her innocent son is considered expendable... and where the medical research to which she has devoted her life is the same research that could get her killed. Her only hope of protecting her family and making that medical breakthrough is to elude her enemy until she can face him on her own ground, on her own terms -- and destroy him.

"Intense, hold-your-breath suspense. Iris Johansen is incomparable."
    TAMI HOAG, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DARK HORSE AND A THIN DARK LINE

"Long After Midnight is one of the most thrilling, best-written books I have curled up with in a long time. Iris Johansen is clearly at the top of her craft."
   MICHAEL PALMER, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SILENT TREATMENT AND CRITICAL JUDGMENT

"You'll be racing through to the last page of Long After Midnight."
    CATHERINE COULTER, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE MAZE

Customer Reviews:

Excellent end.......2006-02-16

You'll get hooked since the first page and you wouldn't be able to put it down till you finish it. All the time you'll think that Kate is kind of ruthless. But at the unexpected end you'll see all the truth about her and her heart. Six stars for IJ.

Very Suspenseful, Love The Characters So Much I Want More Of Them.......2006-01-11

Long After Midnight is only the second novel by Iris Johansen I have gotten around to reading. I loved everything about this book. Kate was a very likeable character. She was strong but towards the end willing to admit she needed help. Seth was great. At first I thought I wouldn't like him but he turned out to be good guy. Kate ended up with the right guy. Noah was to like herself. Ishmaru was a very creepy bad guy. The whole Indian mysticism was kind of scary coming from him. Some people take things to far. The only thing that wasn't plausible was RU2, it seems kind of unbelieveable. But all and all it was a very suspenseful journey.

Re Audio version of Long After Midnight.......2005-11-06

I found the abridged reading of Long After Midnight to be a tense twisty thriller with plenty of action. The reading by Carolyn McCormick- best known as Dr. Olivet on Law and Order- is right on. She is able to capture the drama of this medical thriller without being over the top.
I liked the main character Kate Denton and found her reactions to be believable, Seth the mercenary who protects her is the typical romance alpha male with the soft spot for the woman he is protecting. I liked Seth - he does not take any guff and barrels along removing all obstacles that come at them.
The underlying storyline is that Kate is approached by a scientific genius who has developed the ultimate drug- RU2 can cure everything. Only problem- he needs a delivery system to make sure it can get to the cells in your body that are diseased. Kate has that system. When they team up the forces of big business, the mafia and the government all come after them. Nobody wants the ultimate cure all on the market- it would destroy the pharmaceutical industry, as an illegal substance it has potential for untold profits.
Great thriller- perfect for a good long car ride!

WHAT HAPPENED TO CLIMAX?.......2005-08-24

This book was really good. It had me considering ways in which the characters were going to "get rid of" the bad guy, but the ending really let me down. There was no swinging-up to a big climax. That's why I gave it only 3 stars. Most times the ending can either make or break a story. This one just shot it right down.

Beach Novel.......2005-08-13

A good book to read on in your spare time. Its one of those romantic thrillers. I started reading a few of her books when I realize they were really a series but I could never figure out which order they came in so I pick them up when I see them. Its a decent book to read and keep you occupied.

Average customer rating:

After Midnight
Axel Hutte
Manufacturer: Schirmer/Mosel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3829602618

Book Description

After midnight, as America's cities gradually fall asleep, Axel HÃ¼tte comes alive. From the window of his hotel room on the upper floors of high-rises, he surveys the nighttime cityscapes of Chicago, Las Vegas, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston: the black silhouettes of buildings in front of a dark sky, rows of street lights, dots of color from neon signs, here and there a bright window. Big cities never sleep, there is no such thing as utter darkness, and stars only rarely have a chance to gain the upper hand against neon and nightlife.

Book Description

The nude male body lay on the embalming table, battered beyond recognition. Gingerly, Summer McAfee, chairman, CEO, and sole employee of Daisy Fresh cleaning service, reached out to touch an arm to reassure herself that she hadn't just seen the corpse move. Suddenly, shockingly, her hand was in the viselike grip of a man very much alive and desperate enough to take her captive on a no-holds-barred run from cops, killers, and his own decidedly complicated past...

Summer's former life as a New York lingerie model had gone south with her marriage, leaving her, at thirty-six, single and back home in Tennessee, on her hands and knees scrubbing other people's bathrooms. But the drab present vanishes in a flash as she's forced to flee into the Tennessee wilds with the stranger she calls Frankenstein, first as his captive, then his companion, as they run from the enemies determined to destroy them both--straight into a raging passion that could only be the last laugh of fate...

Customer Reviews:

Really 4 1/2 stars.......2007-04-28

I've had this book for some time but kept putting it aside because the reviews were so lousy. Well, thanks to a weekend 'bug' I was homebound and bored and decided to pick up the book and read. I am SO glad I did. I kept all the negatives I read in the back of my mind and one by one, eliminated them. Yes, Steve (alias Frankenstein) was rude to our heroine but as the story develops and their love bloomed, their interaction greatly improved.

I'm not much for ghost stories and that's the only negative comment I'll make. It had a great ending and everyone got what they deserved.

Walking After Midnight vs. Wild Orchids.......2006-07-03

I loved both these books, and it's no wonder, because they're the same book!! The same plot lines, the same characters, the same story line, etc, etc. Both books keep you on the edge of your seat, you love the romance and the action, even though they're scene for scene the exact same thing. Buy them both, they're both worth the read!!!

This story should be a compelling romantic suspense to keep readers on the edges of their seats, but never quite delivers.......2006-04-20

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Summer is a divorced young woman, formerly a model, who now cleans toilets for a living to make ends meet. Her biggest contract is with a local funeral parlor. When her cleaning crew bails on her, she is left to do the job herself. As if a funeral parlor in the middle of the night isn't creepy enough, finding a dead man who isn't really dead, and who takes her prisoner, is a terrifying experience for the young woman.

Steve is local hero, fallen on hard times as a result of one bad decision that tears his life apart. Now he is on the run from drug lords, dirty cops, and then some when he is attacked and left for dead in the funeral home. Believing Summer to be an accomplice to his assailants, he takes her hostage to make his escape. On the run from more bad guys than one can count, they take to the woods where staying hidden until the case is solved can mean their lives. Neither Summer nor Steve expect that in the middle of it all, a passion would blossom between them that they are unable to fight.

Walking After Midnight is a dark tale, filled with violence and conflict, but tempered with softer moments. Muffy the dog steals the show on more than one occasion, as does a certain ghost who pops up frequently. The plot is strong, with multiple threads seemingly unrelated that when woven together provide a surprisingly complex story. The romance however, doesn't quite live up to the expectations of readers. There is not enough development of Steve and Summer's relationship to make their new love feel believable, when all they do is whine and snipe at each other

This story should be a compelling romantic suspense to keep readers on the edges of their seats, but never quite delivers. Perhaps that is due to the medium here in which it was presented, and the narrator of the tale. Ms. Williams' performance left something to be desired. Summer's role is much better portrayed, and the narrative portions are very well done. However, the narrator seemed unable to master the masculine portions of the dialogue, making Steve sound rude and domineering, and completely full of himself.

However, loyal fans of Karen Robards will be sure to snap this book up and enjoy adding it to their collection.

? Kelley A. Hartsell, February 2006. All rights reserved.

If I ha to read the lyrics to another song, I think I would have thrown the book out the window!.......2005-08-26

Okay, first of all, this was my first Karen Robards book and I have a hard time thinking I might read another one. I was so incrdibly disappointed with this story!

1. Why do we have to read the lyrics to songs over and over again? that was ridiculous! I don't need to read entire paragraphs of the lyrics to "Ghostbusters"!
2. I got really annoyed with the fact that she referred to him - even after they had slept together - as Frankenstein!!! What was up with that?
3. The ghost that kept appearing was a really silly side plot, especially the ending! (Although, I liked the part with the Mother and Aunt.)

This book took me days and days to read! I couldn't stay interested in it long enough!

Exciting, but not engrossing.......2004-09-10

Karen Robards was recommended highly and I have read two of her books. I am not sure whether to give her another chance. On the positive side I did read the whole book and cared about the main characters. The plot moves quickly. I liked the descriptions of the outdoors in the woods and mountains of Tennessee. The dog is great.

On the negative side I found myself annoyed with the writing style, possibly because there were too many times when we were told rather than shown how the characters felt. I had trouble believing in the romance, at least in the depth of the romance, developing so quickly, even given the incredible stress that they were undergoing together. The motivations for people being in/continuing relationships often made no sense to me.

Probably the predictability of bad guys appearing around every corner also got to me, but then I am not really a big fan of this type of suspense novel. Finally it bugged me that she had to put a homophobic twist regarding the main bad guy in at the end.

This book is great for folks who really like a sort of light hearted romantic suspense novel featuring a woman-next -door heroine, a semi-hunk alpha male type and a dog with a lot of character. I'm just not quite there.

After Midnight: The Life and Death of Brad Davis

Average customer rating:

A difficult book to get through...
One side of a harrowing story
What a pathetic waste of money...
Midnight Express
Midnight Express

After Midnight: The Life and Death of Brad Davis
Susan Bluestein Davis , Hilary De Vries , and Hilary De Vries
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671796720

Customer Reviews:

A difficult book to get through..........2006-07-23

This is a book that is interesting and compelling, even heartbreaking at times, and since the only people who would be buying this book are more than likely fans of Brad Davis or of Midnight Express, it's worth reading.

But the key words of that last sentence are "at times." Those who previously used the word "annoying" to describe this book are right. To get to the moving moments, one must bear with Susan Bluestein Davis, who is so self-absorbed and, well, annoying, that it's hard to get through the book. For example, the first three chapters are filled with her listing every famous person she or Brad has ever met or whom Brad has been compared to. It's frustrating. I expected to be reading about Brad Davis, but the book is more to be about Brad Davis in relation to her. What seems to have kept their relationship alive is the deep denial Bluestein was/is living with, which kept her so dedicated to him, while in return he gave her "the best sex [she] ever had in her life." And that's it. Davis treated Bluestein so badly-he treated everyone very badly, but especially her. Then again, she found ways to justify his behavior. She stood by him through everything, but only by avoiding as much of the truth as possible. It's hard to criticize someone who has been through so much.

I would have rather read a biography of Davis written by someone else. His widow may be the best source, and she did promise him to write the book, but her narrative takes away from what could have been a much more powerful book.

One side of a harrowing story.......2004-09-10

This week I picked up 'After Midnight' at the library, and read it in less than 24 hours. It was riveting, poignant, honest (from Susan's standpoint), sad, horrific, very darky comical, and ultimately redeeming. Irony of ironies, I finished it yesterday, September 8th, the 13th anniversary of Brad's death. I wasn't even aware of what day it was. As for what Susan wrote, she wrote it from her point of view, and she knew things about Brad and had experiences with him that others didn't know about. Just as others knew things about him and had experiences with him that she didn't know about and still doesn't. So, it isn't fair to judge her and say 'Oh, she was just in denial'; maybe she was/is, but that isn't the point. She was trying to write the history about a relationship of a man and a woman over a roughly 20 year time span. Hopefully, one of these days, more people will come forward, and we will be told their true stories about Brad as well, in order to better understand him.

What a pathetic waste of money..........2002-07-27

I was extremely disappointed with "After Midnight". The author, his widow, has written the book from her own life's perspective, and there is sadly little about the true Brad Davis. His homosexuality, or perhaps bisexuality, is mentioned only in passing, and anyone in New York or Hollywood that knew him will tell you that this was a huge part of his life. I guess a book written by his wife can't be expected to delve too deeply into this area, but even other interesting details - his drug addiction, his acting technique, etc. are only minimally suggested here. I wanted to put the book down after two chapters, but kept waiting for it to get interesting. I suggest the publishers retitle the book "My Life with Brad Davis - The Saga Of A Wife Kept In The Dark", or something similar, to indicate to readers that this book is about Susan Bluestein, and tells very little about Brad.

Midnight Express.......2001-12-01

I bought this book because I loved Midnight Express
One of the best movies I have seen. I had no idea what
hell Brad went through. I was shocked when I heard he
had AIDS. His wife Susan wrote a great book. Even if
you had not heard of him, its a great read. Yes, I did
have tears in my eyes at times. In the end AIDS killed
him but Hollywood killed him long before that.
May he be at peace, as well as his daughter and wife.

Midnight Express.......2001-12-01

I bought this book because I loved his movie Midnight
Express. Best movie I have ever seen. The book was
very real written, yes, it did bring tears to my eyes
The words Susan wrote flowed. The pain she went through
and the pain Brad went through. He was tough, but
reading the book you saw his soft spots. Hollywood
killed him...but in the end AIDS killed him. He is
now in a wonderful place....peace. May his daughter
know what a great actor he was and father. Even if you
did not see Midnight Express, read the book and learn
about AIDS.

Average customer rating:

Another good DP novel!
Just Love it
After Midnight
Ok book. But travel research needs to be done.
Don't bother

After Midnight (MIRA)
Diana Palmer
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1551667428

Book Description

On exclusive Seabrook Island, South Carolina, Nicole Seymour is simply Nikki -- not the glamorous political fund-raiser she is in Charleston. It's her spirited innocence and laughing green eyes that draw Kane Lombard to her from the moment they first meet on the beach.

Although he seems as casual and unassuming as any vacationer, Nikki knows who Kane really is a wealthy Houston oilman . . . And her brother's biggest political rival. When Kane discovers the truth about Nikki's identity, his desire turns instantly to distrust. Now Kane and Nikki find themselves pitted against each other in a battle that tests their loyalties and their desires. But even the most passionate enemies sometimes become lovers . . . after midnight.

Customer Reviews:

Another good DP novel!.......2005-07-27

I think this book was originally written under DP's other pen name, Susan Kyle. (SPOILER ALERT!!) Typical to DP's books, the heroine is a virgin (even though she has been married in the past) and the hero is older and more experienced. It is a great story about love overcoming some pretty big obstacles. I highly recommend this one as well.

Just Love it .......2005-05-31

Pakmer's books usaly don't have to much depth so I usaly don;t consider them among my favoirt books. But I do enjoy her plots and they are easy reads so I won't deny reading them. After Midnight though is just my kind of book, so despite there nt being that pull on my emotions I still can honestly say it is among my favoits. I am reffering though to the original, not the new reprint. And there is a huge difference.

Clayton Seymor's sister meets and falls for a man she met on her island get away and she is not all to excited about this because he happens to be her brothers biggest enemy.

Nicki Seymor knows that Kane Lambord is Clay's foe, the man who is funding his opponents bid for congress and whos father owners a tabloid that could expose the scandelous marriage between his sister and his political ally. But Kane does not know Niki is Clay's sister. Its the whole forbiden love thing, meets her brother is destroying him, and yet he still loves her and everyone thinks they should hate each othet but they don't.

But beware, the second version of the story is absolutly horrible. Clay and Niki and Cortez are pretty much the same charectors in both, but in the newer one Palmer turned Kane into a total jerk and so there realy is more reason to dislike him than anything. The relationship between he and Niki consistes of three enconters on the island before he decideds to try and seduce her and a realy creepy situation in his bed while she's sick. I read this first and because of the teaser in the begining of the book, which gives a scene that is not in the book, I decided that I had to read the origianl because as bad as the second book was I felt like there was obviously a lot a stuff changed, and in fact there was. If you've already read the second one and thought Kane was a jerk you'll think he's much better origialy, he does not push her to be his mistress and he legitamatly shows normal feelings for her, plus he doesn't go so far when she's sick, and she's also not as sick and weak. Of you can't find the now out pf print version try the newer one and pretend he's not so bad.

After Midnight.......2005-01-30

Back cover reads:
A POWERFUL MAN CAN MAKE A WOMAN STRONGER...
OR BREAK HER HEART.
Nicole Seymour had lost at love before--a first marriage that was such a fiasco she never even had a proper wedding night. The Kane Lombard strolled down a South Carolina beach and into her heart. Here their pasts seemed very far away, and all that mattered was discovering was how much they cared for each other. But both were keeping secrets. "Beach bum" Kane was actually a wealthy Houston oil man, whose family owned the tabloid newspaper that was digging up dirt of Nikki's U.S. Congressman brother. Nikki, the laughing, innocent woman of Kane's dreams, was really the elegant, glittering Charleston socialite sister of his bitterest enemy. All too soon lies and political intrigue made them angry opponents. Their passion would become a two edged sword-a hunger that brought them together and a searing pain that drove them apart. And Nikki Seymour would become a woman in love with the one man she should never trust.

Ok book. But travel research needs to be done........2004-07-11

The plot was ok but Ms. Palmer nees to look at a map if she's never been to the area she is writitng about. They were going to take the jet from Charleston to Seabrook Island? Ummmm you can drive to the island itself in about 15-20 minutes from downtown Charleston. It would take you 30 minutes to get to an airport that would be completely out of the way.

Don't bother.......2004-01-08

I can usually enjoy Diana Palmer's stories but why do they always have to include the innocent virgin and the arrogant male? This makes it a little too unrealistic. As the other reviewers stated, this book has way too much going on and not enough interaction with the main characters.

Average customer rating:

Call for help
not as advertised
good - BUT
Suspense!!!!

Call After Midnight (MIRA)
Tess Gerritsen
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1551668343

Book Description

A ringing phone in the middle of the night shakes newlywed Sarah Fontaine awake. Expecting her husband's call from Longdon she hears instead an unfamiliar voice. Nick O'Hara from the U.S. State Department is calling with devastating news: Geoffrey Fontaine, Sarah's husband of two months, died in a hotel fire . . . in Berlin.

Convinced her husband is still alive, Sarah forces a confrontation with Nick that finds them crisscrossing Europe on a desperate search for Geoffrey. Trying to stay one heartbeat ahead of a dangerous killer, the become quarry in the clandestine world of international espionage, risking everything for answers that may prove fatal.

Customer Reviews:

Call for help.......2005-12-12

I bought this novel expecting a thriller, instead the only value I got from it was a comedy one. The characters are incredibly shallow, the plot denies credibility and the style is Barbara Cartland. If you're looking for a thriller don't look here. Romantic comedy wold be a more accurate classification!

not as advertised.......2001-10-18

based on the writing, this book should be in the 'romance' section. while the plot is engaging, it is only superficially worked out and the characters have no depth. the writing is pure mass romance with men with hard bodies and fainting women being rescued, at the last minute of course.

good - BUT.......2001-08-19

This book is a good romantic adventure originally published as a Harlequin Intrigue. I wish that it had been orginally stated that this book was a Harlequin Intrigue published in 1987, it might stop someone from making a duplicate purchase.

Suspense!!!!.......2001-07-31

Synopsis: A ringing phone in the middle of the night shakes newlywed Sarah Fontaine awake. Expecting her husband's call from London she hears instead an unfamiliar voice. Nick O'Hara from the U.S. State Department is calling with devastating news: Geoffrey Fontaine, Sarah's husband of two months, died in a hotel fire...in Berlin. Convinced her husband is still alive, Sarah forces a confrontation with Nick that finds them crisscrossing Europe on a desperate search for Geoffrey. Trying to stay one heartbeat ahead of a dangerous killer, they become quarry in the clandestine world of international espionage, risking everything for answers that may prove fatal.

Nick and Sarah make a great combo! The suspense was awesome...I had to stay up all night to finish it. I just could not put the book down.

Book Description

FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS

The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her heart_s deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
SAMANTHA JAMES

A young woman_s reckless scheme to defy her father_s ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.

FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS

The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her hearts deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
SAMANTHA JAMES

A young womans reckless scheme to defy her fathers ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.

Customer Reviews:

Married at Midnight an Anthology.......2007-07-04

It is a very good book. It was shipped in a timely basis. I do most of my shopping here

No problems.......2007-05-27

No problems. Book arrived in good time. Book had slight imperfection with the cover having a slight tear halfway down. Otherwise, everything was fine.

On my KEEPER shelf.......2007-02-10

I don't agree with the other reviewers...I loved it and as you can see it is on my KEEPER shelf.

As anthologies go, terrible. Don't waste your money!.......2001-11-09

I knew there was a reason I tend to avoid anthologies; this one has reminded me of it with a vengeance. Basically, most anthologies aren't worth the paper they're printed on: you get a selection of authors, some of whom may not be very good, and shorter stories than usual, some of which - if they are at all good - don't benefit from being compressed into under 100 pages.

This book is very definitely a case in point. We have novellas from Jo Beverley (normally excellent), Tanya Anne Crosby, Samantha James and Kathleen Woodiwiss - three authors I'd never come across before and whose work therefore I know nothing about. After reading this anthology, I know to avoid their work in future.

The Beverley novella, The Determined Bride, was interesting, but I kept feeling that I'd come in halfway through the story. Told by her soldier husband that their marriage hadn't been genuine, Kate desperately wants her baby to be legitimate. Unfortunately, her 'husband' has just been killed in battle. His commanding officer offers to marry her to give the baby a name. Afterwards, Kate returns to England with her son - but what of Captain Charles Tennant, the man she's just married? Does she want him? Does he want her? How does he really feel about having a legal son who is not his biological child?

An intriguing premise, written with something close to Beverley's usual style; but too rushed. Perhaps three stars.

Next, there is Tanya Anne Crosby's A Kiss After Midnight. Two children brought up together are separated when Victoria's father, a duke, becomes concerned about her friendship with the gardener's son. Can their love survive? What happens when Victoria needs to marry to save her estates? To begin with, I thought her hero, Thomas, was American; his internal narrative in the first few pages is entirely American in dialect and vocabulary. Too many things didn't ring true in this story for me to take it seriously. For instance, apparently Thomas and Victoria drove to Gretna Green in under five hours. So where were they? North of the Lake District and in the middle of nowhere fifty miles south of the border? Unlikely. And did Victoria really not recognise Thomas??

Oh, and *what* is "a'tall" supposed to mean? That simply isn't a word. It's not an expression used anywhere in the UK (or in Ireland, in case Crosby thinks it is). If she means 'at all', then she should say so. Terrible. One star.

The next story is Samantha James' Scandal's Bride. It was readable, more or less, though Victoria seemed to me to behave like a spoilt brat. I can't understand what Miles saw in her; he should have refused to marry her and insisted that her father sent her back to the country until she grew up. Two stars, maybe.

And finally, Kathleen Woodiwiss's Beyond The Kiss. This, I gather, is the sequel to another book by Woodiwiss. She spends the first dozen pages summarising Raelynn and Jeff's story to date (tedious exposition of an overly melodramatic tale) before launching into this story. The language is extremely overblown -talk about purple prose! The dialogue is stilted: I couldn't believe some of Jeff's speeches. Take this:

"In my lengthy quest for the woman of my dreams, I cannot deny that I've tested my heart with others, but they never assuaged that unsettled feeling gnawing at my vitals. I tell you no lie, madam, when I say that of those maidens I've courted, I favoured none with a plea to be my wife. Whatever enticements inspired me to seek their company were ephemeral, as fleeting as the morning dew." Ewwwww!!!!! I couldn't take this guy seriously at all.

In fact, I couldn't even finish this story. After 30 pages of it I'd had enough, and it's definitely put me off reading any more by Woodiwiss. I can't believe she's considered to be a top historical fiction writer! Zero stars.

Don't waste your money on this one.

Married at midnight.......2001-06-25

It's not easy to rate four stories with one mark, so I do it one by one:

The determined bride" - I give it 3 stars. It's not a bad story, but I found something missing there.

A kiss after midnight" - nice, but just a little bit unbelievable. How Victoria couldn't recognize her best friend? I don't believe a man can change so much! And that marriage ceremony ... oh, it was sooo long, I became unpatient! 3 stars.

Scandal's bride" - a bit cliche. I read so many books about London high society of 19th century I became tired of them. Why always London and 19th century? Why not France during 100 years war for example? 3 stars.

Beyond the kiss" - out of question the best of Married at midnight". I just love Woodiwiss and Birminghams. 5 stars.

Customer Reviews:

OH ALICE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?!?!.......2007-08-12

The shock value in laymons After midnight is very high due to the behavior of it's main character....It's the story of a paranoid girl in her twentys named alice whos enjoying a friends house while there on vacation.......The whole story is being told as alice is writeing it but her real name isn't alice and she has alot more surprises for you too...Theres a situation at the house and alice ends up accidentally killing someone, but it wouldn't be the first time....This is a pretty complex story so it's a bit hard to try and tell you some of whats going on here, but it's definately worth picking up and finding out...I loved after midnight because it's just to wacky to be true. Laymon scores again!

Not for me.......2007-02-13

I tend to be amused by Laymon's female characters - I don't know any woman who acts or thinks the way these do, which makes for some entertaining reading. However, this one was over the top. I never made it past page 10 or so. I tried skipping ahead, but mostly I got frustrated with the main character and wanted to bop her over the head & tell her to shut up. The 1st person POV didn't help any. This is one I wish would just go away quietly.

Huge Disappointment.......2007-01-29

It's hard to explain exactly how horrible I think the female heroine was written in this book. I can not believe any female would ever act as she had in her position. This heroine had no brain in her head. She got turned on by a trespasser rubbing himself up against a window naked yet thinking about how he was such a disgusting pervert. Understanding that this girl only has a quarter of a brain in her head but to not call the police even though she thought about it was idiotic and that includes her thinking she was safer with her carrying the sword and then blaming someone else for her killing a person. This heroine had a mentality of a 12 year old. I'm normally a fan of Richard Laymon's books but this is one I definitely could have done with out. The two books I have read where he has female heroines have just been horrible.

Laymon's 'Secret' Message is in this book.............2006-12-13

The English language editions of this book (published by Leisure in the US and Headline in the UK) contain a secret message which is refered to in the body of the book. To discover the secret message, you simply need to read the first letter from each chapter (including the introduction chapter) to unearth 'Alice's message. So, to get the ball rolling from the Intro, the first letter is H, the 1st chapter = I, 2nd = M, 3rd = Y, 4th = N, 5th = A, 6th = M, 7th = E.... etc

so from the intro chapter and chapters 1-7 it reads HI MY NAME .... the rest of the message... I guess you'll have to read the book, but its a nice little extra that Laymon incorporated into this book, and this book alone! Its not his best novel, Alice, acts in a way which very few people would but its a fair read and definitely worthy of any Laymonite's attention. Grab a copy today!

2 AND 1/2 STARS.......2006-11-28

For me, this is Richard Laymon's weakest book. The unlikable main character, Alice, makes the reader not care about her dangerous situations. After a few chapters, you keep wondering how this much bad luck can happen to one person over the course of a couple days. It's too implausible. With all that being said, this book probably has more sex than any of his previous works, so it's definitely not for kids. Give IN THE DARK, ISLAND, or THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW a read first.

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