Nocturne

Title: Nocturne
A Haunting Story of Forbidden Love

Author: Syrie James

Fiction (sci-fi/supernatural romance)

Pages: 281 (including Author Q&A and Reading Group Guide)

Like romance novels? Like vampires? Read Nocturne.

Nocturne includes the requisite romance novel elements—likable female protagonist in some way struggling, fate providing a male figure in her life, successes and setbacks as the two get to know one another, growing tension, eventual steamy love scenes.

Now add in the vampire element. A vampire is the quintessential “bad boy;” who, has long been established as irresistible to many a gal. I mean, he’s mysterious, super human strong, and literally hungers for your flesh.

Not to mention, with centuries of spare time on his hands, a vampire has had the time to pick up some interesting skills and hobbies through the years. In Nocturne, our protagonist Nicole Whitcomb marvels at Michael Tyler’s various pastimes―He writes, he plays the piano, he woodworks. At one point, the two bond over literature. (I thought it a fun touch that connections are revealed between Michael and literary greats Charles Dickens and Robert Burns.) It’s no surprise that Nicole quickly feels attracted to him. Besides, Michael has a British accent. Really, she didn’t stand a chance.

While uncovering secrets that stretch several lifetimes is an entertaining element of the storyline, it becomes clear to the reader that our vampire isn’t the only one hiding a distressing secret and a painful past. In the end, this is a story about the healing power of love. Sometimes it requires the eyes of another to truly see ourselves.

Character development unfolds mostly through dialogue. I think this highlights the challenge of a two-character, one-setting plot. There’s quite a bit of “telling” instead of “showing.” I felt this made Nicole seem inauthentic during the revelations of her past. She is sharing and sharing and sharing; it begins to feel forced.

I’m not sure why there’s an author Q&A or a Reading Group Guide. This is a cute romance novel with a supernatural element and clever literary references. I’m not sure who is putting in the time and effort to organize a book group to discuss it in-depth. Read it. Enjoy it. Done.

That being said, it was an entertaining enough story for me to consider reading some of Syrie James's other titles: Dracula, My Love, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte.