"Second story in Midnight trilogy is romantically erotic with dynamic characters."

Juliana Buxton is on the run from a marriage her father arranged for her. She can't tolerate the thought of marrying a man old enough to be her father, so she gathers her few belongings and leaves home. No one is willing to aid in her escape, until she comes upon Ulric, a shapeshifting immortal known as upyr.

Ulric has left his pack and been living among the humans since the immortal he loved left him for another. He's surprised to find himself drawn to Juliana, almost as much as she is to him. Even more amazing is that he doesn't have to work any upyr magic upon her. Juliana saves Ulric's life, and then blackmails him into helping her escape her intended.

On the run from humans who seek Juliana and the legendary powers of the upyr, Ulric decides the safest thing would be to take her to his pack. They survive an ambush, only to find the pack may no longer be a safe haven. Bastien, an upyr from France with more than one secret he's keeping, has joined Ulric's pack and threatens his leadership.

Ms. Holly's second story in the Midnight trilogy is more thrilling than the first. Juliana and Ulric are intriguing characters and the glimpse into the pack life of the upyr is fascinating. Add the romantically erotic passion between these two dynamic characters and you've got a story that's hard to put down. I'm looking forward to the third installment. I hope it's Bastien's story.

Reviewed by Paula Myers
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted October 29, 2003

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2004 RITA for Best Paranormal Romance Finalist

Summary

For centuries, Ulric's pack of shapeshifting immortals have hidden in the Scottish forest, far from the dangers of the human world. Only when his longtime lover betrays him does their leader venture out, recklessly roaming the streets of Bridesmere, singing for his supper . . . and whatever else he desires.

Ulric never expects to meet Juliana Buxton, dutiful daughter of a rich merchant, nor to be blackmailed into helping her escape her elderly betrothed. Juliana is everything he has learned to distrust in a woman: bright, bold, and endlessly curious. The smart course of action would be to ditch her, no matter how deliciously passionate she is.

Luckily, Ulric's heart has other ideas.