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 (...) ---