MIDNIGHT’S KISS (Elder Races #8) by Thea Harrison-Dual Review and Giveaway

MIDNIGHT’S KISS
Elder Races #8
by Thea Harrison
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 5, 2015

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two souls who have long buried their passions are about to be consumed…

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…

Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?

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Sandy’s Review

REVIEW: MIDNIGHT’S KISS is the eighth full length installment in Thea Harrison’s adult Elder Races paranormal romance series. This is vampire and Nightkind King Julian, and heir to the Light Fae dynasty Princess Melisande’s storyline. MIDNIGHT’S KISS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but for cohesion and backstory history, it is best to read the series in order. MIDNIGHT’S KISS focuses on the continuing battle for control of the Nightkind Council and in this, Melly becomes the pawn in a game to take down King Julian.

Told from dual third person perspectives, MIDNIGHT’S KISS focuses on the search and rescue of Melisande. When Melly goes missing, Light Fae Queen Tatiana calls an emergency meeting with the hopes of uncovering the whereabouts of her eldest daughter. Enter Nightkind King Julian-Melisande’s ex lover- and the man who is willing to sacrifice his freedom to save the woman he loves. What ensues is a battle for their lives as they face a known adversary who is willing to kill and destroy everyone in the way.

The prior relationship between Melly and Julian has already been established. Twenty years earlier our leading couple were destroyed by a betrayal-a betrayal known to only Julian but one that has affected their friendship for over two decades. Imprisoned together, Melly and Julian will discover their love for one another has never died, but trusting one another will take something more. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and exploratory.

The ensemble cast of characters include several powerful Djinns and vampires; vampire Xavier and his lover Tess (Night’s Honor #7) as well as Melisande’s extended family of Light Fae –Queen Tatiana and Princess Bailey-and an assortment of Fae warriors. Thea Harrison reunites the reader with former Wyr Sentinal Rune and his mate, the ancient vampire Carling. Carling is Julian’s sire and he is the reason Carling has been exiled from the Nightkind Council; Light Fae Warrior Shane is present; as well as gryphon and the current First Sentinel of the Wyr Graydon whose storyline will be told in Shadow’s Edge (Elder Races #9). The requisite evil comes in the form of female vampire Justine who has targeted Julian and Melisande for destruction.

With the release of MIDNIGHT’S KISS, as well as Night’s Honor, Thea Harrison has returned to her fantastic paranormal storytelling. When the author ventured into the Tarot Novellas, the series felt lost; the characters underdeveloped, and their storylines disconnected from the main series. Graydon’s storyline will mark the return to the original Wyr members from the earlier installment in the series. MIDNIGHT’S KISS has passion, romance, betrayal and retribution without the feeling of being rushed or pushed. There are several battle scenes with intense action and nail biting anxiety. MIDNIGHT’S KISS is a welcome addition to Elder Races Series.

 

 
Barb’s Review

Midnights’s Kiss by Thea Harrison is the 8^th book in her fantastic Elder Races series. I am a big fan of this series, and I love the Sentinels, which are lead by Dragos. In the last book, the hero was Xavier of the Nightkind, who is Julian’s right hand.To my surprise I loved the book. In Midnight’s Kiss, we continue with the Nightkind, as Julian, their King is our hero. I was not a fan of Julian, especially during the days of Carling and Rune, but, Thea Harrison has done it again. I really enjoyed this story of Julian and Melisandra (Melly), who is the heir to the Light Fae.

Julian and Melly have been at odds for years, since their affair ended with Melly cheating on Julian. Both of them cannot stay in a room together, without them jumping at each others throats. But when push comes to shove, the fire still burns, even if it’s buried deep. At the end of the last book, Justine tried to kill Xavier, and now Julian is hunting her. But in a short time, he discovers that Melly has been kidnapped, and only Julian offering himself as bait can save Melly.

Without giving any spoilers, both end up prisoners of the evil Justine. With Julian suffering loss of blood from feral vampyres, it is Melly who will find a way to pick locks with her hair pins to try and save Julian. They will work together to try and escape the underground maze they are in, as well as survive the dangerous and hungry vamps, who are desperate for their blood.

What follows is a beautiful story of Melly and Julian slowly rekindling their feelings for each other. The last half of the book was very tense and exciting, as they race to the climax trying to stop Justine from her attempt to  gain control of the Nightkind, and killing all of his people. There are some twists, and betrayals that will change the game. Best of all was the wonderful romance between Melly and Julian that also had some steamy sex scenes. They both had to overcome the past, and the truth as to why they broke up all those years ago.

Midnight’s Kiss is a great read from start to finish. We also got a glimpse of some of our regulars, such as Graydon, Carling, Rune, Soren, and Tatiana. Despite my concern about Julian, he turned out to be a great hero, as did Melly. Once again, Thea Harrison gives another great addition to her Elder Races series. The next book will return to the Sentinels and Graydon’s turn.

 

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

 

The Reading Cafe and Thea’s publisher are offering a papercopy of MIDNIGHT’S KISS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

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9. Giveaway runs from May 5-9, 2015