Emma Holly, Courting Midnight

Courting Midnight

Emma Holly

Berkley, Oct 2005, $7.99, 336 pp.

ISBN: 0425206319

In 1813, shape shifting Lucius White believes he has no conscience as he never feels remorse when he dines on blood. During a deluge, he meets his spitting image, near death Squire Lucas Delavert, who just returned home. Lucius is shocked how at how alike they are, almost as if they were identical twins. Just before Delavert dies, he names White as his heir, as he hates his living family who he has not seen in years.

Lucius is stunned to find he is attracted to Theodora Becket, as he has never cared about anyone. He even lets her mother throw a ball at "his home" so that he can spend time with Theodora during the planning stages. They make love, but he erases the memories of that from his Theodora's mind. When they are caught in an uncompromising position, they are forced to marry, something neither of them regrets as they are in love, but Lucius fears that Theodora will disdain him once she learns the truth about what he is, and how he deceived her. He is also afraid that his species, the Upry, will come for his beloved.

COURTING MIDNIGHT is a wonderful Regency supernatural romance, starring an amoral individual who gains a soul when he falls in love. Lucius is a fabulous protagonist, having no concerns about society, as it interferes with his well being, until he meets the courageous Theodora. Their heated scenes augment a torrid paranormal historical tale that will thrill fans of several sub-genres.