Angel at Dawn: A Novel of the Upyr (Upyr Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

Let me start by saying: I'm not a "reviewer"-if that's actually a label-by any means. I don't want to tell other people how to spend their own money because I don't think anyone else has the right to tell me how to spend mine. Now that that's out of the way... I notice that the first two reviewers did not stress this, but even if you read the rest of this author's upyr series out of order, you ABSOLUTLY want to read Devil at Midnight before this one. You will only be doing yourself and EH's work a serious disservice if you don't. I would still recommend reading them all in order because many of the characters appear repeatedly, and to truly, TRULY get an idea of Nim Wei, you MUST read the entire series leading up to this story. An understanding of her involvement in the others' stories is critical to the overall story line, as she appears in them repeatedly.
Next, while I'd give DaM 5 stars without a doubt, I totally agree with one of the other reviewers about AaD lacking remotely the amount of angst displayed in the first book (Devil had me on the edge of my seat). *Not a spoiler* That scene on the bridge near the end of DaM actually brought tears to my eyes (And I'm by no means a squirter). I pre-ordered this book on my kindle as SOON as I finished the first one (in less than a day-I just couldn't put it down, and this was over my Thanksgiving weekend, so the fam didn't receive their usual attention from me). As a matter of fact, I had to literally force myself to slow down with this one because who knows when the next EH book will be published and I really didn't want the story to end. So it took me a full day and a half to finish it.
Again, I won't give a summary of the book since there are already a couple of good ones, in addition to the one offered by the publisher. I do want to say this before the rating gets butchered by EH's critics because they don't care for her style. First, while this book is labeled as a PNR, anyone even thinking about picking up ANY books of Holly's should know that regardless of the genre, she is unquestionably a ROMANTICA author. Romantica equals romance plus erotica, and in her case it is extremely romantic and ALWAYS extremely erotic, so if you don't like sex with your plot then put whatever book of hers you're holding down or hit the back button on your browser. She never fails to bring the heat in her stories. So be prepared! Hopefully you won't dilute her ratings because you didn't understand this.
Now, I must say again that I am probably not her intended audience when she creates her kooky worlds- Black, lesbian, Afrocentric. Unfortunately, there is a SERIOUS deficiency in fiction for my subculture (short stories aside, because I'm just not a short story kinda girl-I like something that absorbs me), but I have learned to appreciate a great story and damn, does she bring them. Yes, most of her books have some type of m-m homosexual element to them, whether it involves just a mention or a full-fledged relationship (Yes, there are homosexual male couples in Angel and Devil, but no scenes involving them). It's not my cup of tea, although I LOVED Strange Attractions. Maybe it intrigued me because of my science background, but even the m-m scenes were arousing. I'm not sure, but it really resonated with me, as did Personal Assets, which was the very first story I read by EH. That story definitely sucked me in quicker than I expected considering I picked it up at my local public library. She blew me away. I had never read any books like hers before. After I finished PA, I tried to find anything else of hers I could. Catching Midnight was the only other EH book my library offered. By the time I finished it, Holly had earned a fan for life. I eventually went out and bought her entire catalog. To me, and this is MY opinion, her ability to paint an intimate picture and her attention such tiny sensual details is unparalleled for the subject matter.
So yes, there is sex. Ooooooooh. I said it. SEX, SEX and tons of it! So be prepared, be VERY prepared. If that isn't your thing, then she is not the author for you. If you can't stand a very heavy m-m plotline, then make sure you read several reviews or skim through the book (if possible) before you make a final purchase.
A couple of recommendations, if I may: If you want an outstanding story with lots of sensuality but not nearly as much sex, try Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. I recently discovered this superbly talented author, and in the past couple of months, I have read her entire series with more gusto than I care to admit. She has a much slower build to her sex scenes, but she NEVER lets any of the tension lag in the story. Be ready though, she's like EH in that once you pick it up the action doesn't stop and you won't put the book down until you flip that last page. Even then, you still want to go back and revisit a few sections *wink, wink*. If you're like me and want to enjoy some f-f action maybe with a little f-m-f action thrown in, AND you don't mind sacrificing much of the plot (in other words, you want something that's going to take you right there), try Selena Kitt (another one of my recent discoveries). Her girl-girl action is SMOKIN'. However, if EH's stuff is offensive or unappealing to you because of its level of sexuality, then completely ignore the previous sentence. Kitt's stories will singe your fingers they're so on fire.
My thoughts: if those three authors could merge styles, I don't think I'd EVER leave the house or get anything done because I wouldn't be able to separate my kindle from my hand or unglue my eyes from the screen!!
On a final note... Ms. Holly, idk if you actually visit these sites to read the reviews, but just in case, as a die-hard fan I have a few requests. First, will you SERIOUSLY consider varying your characters a bit? Add some color. I know I can't be THE only person out here wishing it. (I hope this next statement offends NO ONE, because that is by no means my goal.) That whole "pale-skin", "creamy-skin", "porcelain-skin" is soooooooo done. Just about every vampire, historical, paranormal, and half the contemporary novel world idolizes how "pearly" perfect some woman's skin is. Maybe it's because I live in Texas, and we don't see a lot pale-skins here, regardless of race or ethnicity. We, women of color (and I mean of all colors), read too (obviously :-). It'd be nice to pick up a book outside the "urban" genre (I truly hate that label because Black seems to equate to "urban" often in fiction-and surprise, surprise we didn't ALL grow up in "urban" environments) and have our beautiful bronze skin, copper tone, dark chocolate, caramel colored, etc. admired and appreciated in prose. Just saying. Again, I hope that doesn't come off as offensive to anyone, because that is so not my ilk. ***SPOILER ALERT*** Second, I'm not saying you have to create an entire lesbian novel, but might you consider doing a story on Viv becoming upyr or even getting involved with one? Even if she isn't the main heroine. Btw, I loved that twist you threw on her story line (the reincarnation) and Christian's and Grace's reactions to it, but I won't say anymore on that except that I wished you had explored that dynamic more. Also, and sort of on that point, can you do more female upyr/human lover (male or female ;-) stories. You only did the first one (CM) and that short story in Fantasy in that manner. Finally, and again, I know I'm not the only fan wishing this, but can we get Nim Wei's story, please? I know she's the infamous, hated evil vampire queen, but I liked how she softened up a bit by the end of Angel. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOOOVE to finally find out how she was created and grew to become the formidable power she is. I also want to see her finally find the love she clearly wants. I'm not saying you have to make her good, but just maybe not soooo bad (Maybe she could finally find a man with a very strong hand who adores her and knows how to handle her). With that said, if you keep them coming I'll keep buying them up!!
I hope this helps and great readings to everyone!

Angel at Dawn by Emma Holly
Paranormal Romance - Jan 4th, 2010
4 stars

Emma Holly's much anticipated conclusion to the star crossed romance between Christian and the ghost Grace from Devil at Midnight is concluded in this 1950's era, paranormal romance.

What I loved about the 1st book, Devil at Midnight, is the fantastic tension when Grace becomes a ghost and could not be materialize when Christian is human. So although their love bloomed, they cannot physically touch each other, which made it very intense since they were so attracted to each other.

In this story, we discover that Grace was dead for 6 minutes. During those 6 minutes, she traveled back in time to the 1400's and met Christian as a ghost and they fell in love. When she was brought back alive she returned to her own body in the future (1950s). But she left Christian when needed her and he thought she deserted him every since. Now it is hundreds of years later and Christian is an immortal vampire turned by the evil Nim Wei, and he just wants to be left alone.

Christian lives on an isolated farm in the 1950s when Nim Wei, the vampire queen who turned him, visits with an unexpected guest. Her fresh faced assistant is named Grace Gladwell, and she looks exactly like the love he lost 500 years ago except a little older. Nim Wei is producing a film and she wants Christian as the main lead. With his handsome looks, Nim Wei knows the movie will be a hit. Christian doesn't want to do anything with the film or Nim Wei but her assistant, Grace is another matter. Grace is sweet, innocent and full of life.

He soon realizes she must be the Grace who left him when he needed her many years ago. But then Grace was a ghost and this human Grace is not the same woman who pledged her love to him. This Grace has no memory of their past. Christian is troubled and frustrated when she doesn't remember him! Can he get over his sense of betrayal and convince Grace of their past love?

There isn't as much tension in this story as the 1st. The sexual tension between the 2 main characters is scorching but it doesn't have the angst and longing of the prior book. Mainly because Grace doesn't remember Christian which is a little frustrating and slightly anti-climatic. Also Nim Wei has a soft spot for Grace and is unaware of their past together so she isn't as evil as the 1st book, which makes it less tense, too.

This is a solid romance and a satisfying conclusion to their romance but I didn't not get as emotionally involved as I did with the prior book.

Scenes between the main characters are blazing but the story lacks the sweet wonder of 1st love from the prior book since Christian is now hardened and much older. Still, his undying love for Grace is touching and poignant as Christian tries to help Grace remember him.

A worthy and satisfying conclusion to Devil at Midnight.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Book Club

So. I read the first book and anxiously waited for the sequel. What happened to Durand? He went from being an alpha male in the other books to a whiny boy child in the last book, to an Elvis/Dean wanna be in this sequel. It seemed like she completely changed the characters from the first book. The whole ghost, second life thing - really was this a necessary addition to the upyr mythology? I was really disappointed in this book. I could only really enjoy it if I had never been introduced to Durand.