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Midnight Madness #1
Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
They say a mother will do anything for her child . . . I’m living proof
This nightmare began when I got the call every parent dreads. My daughter, Jenna, was missing from her college campus. Of course, my mind went to the worst place. After all, my late husband was a powerful senator. Was this some political payback?
I call in a favor and soon I’m partnered with an FBI sex trafficking agent. He tells me local girls have been disappearing for some time now, and he finally has a lead. But what we find at that abandoned warehouse is something out of a horror movie.
Werewolves! Two rival packs, their alphas fighting, winner take all––the pack and the trafficked girls. The werewolves must replenish their breeders, recently decimated by a virus that killed only the females.
But Jenna’s been keeping a secret, which only makes two of us. Though I should be angry, I know the lies I’ve told play a huge role in why we’re here. I’ll do anything to make it right. No way is my girl going to become a sacrificial mate for the greater good––even if she is the ‘chosen one.’ So, I do what any mother would do, I take her place, offering myself to Gideon, the winning alpha, as his mate.
Gideon’s goal is to live in harmony with the human world, but there are others who exist for the power, for the violence, and they don’t plan to let peace prevail.
There’s a civil werewolf war brewing and I am right in the middle of it.
From the voice of New York Times bestselling author Lori Handeland, a new volume in her Nightcreature world, complete with the humor, depth of characterization and fast-paced plot lines she is known for while showcasing the author’s incredible range.
This nightmare began when I got the call every parent dreads. My daughter, Jenna, was missing from her college campus. Of course, my mind went to the worst place. After all, my late husband was a powerful senator. Was this some political payback?
I call in a favor and soon I’m partnered with an FBI sex trafficking agent. He tells me local girls have been disappearing for some time now, and he finally has a lead. But what we find at that abandoned warehouse is something out of a horror movie.
Werewolves! Two rival packs, their alphas fighting, winner take all––the pack and the trafficked girls. The werewolves must replenish their breeders, recently decimated by a virus that killed only the females.
But Jenna’s been keeping a secret, which only makes two of us. Though I should be angry, I know the lies I’ve told play a huge role in why we’re here. I’ll do anything to make it right. No way is my girl going to become a sacrificial mate for the greater good––even if she is the ‘chosen one.’ So, I do what any mother would do, I take her place, offering myself to Gideon, the winning alpha, as his mate.
Gideon’s goal is to live in harmony with the human world, but there are others who exist for the power, for the violence, and they don’t plan to let peace prevail.
There’s a civil werewolf war brewing and I am right in the middle of it.
From the voice of New York Times bestselling author Lori Handeland, a new volume in her Nightcreature world, complete with the humor, depth of characterization and fast-paced plot lines she is known for while showcasing the author’s incredible range.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
15 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Lori Handeland
122 books1,346 followersLori Handeland is a five-time nominee and two-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty novels spanning the genres of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, contemporary romance, historical romance and historical fantasy.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career with her women’s fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019), which received a coveted, starred review from Library Journal and was optioned as a feature film by Catalyst Global Media.
Lori lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband of over thirty-five years. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and visits from her two grown sons, awesome daughter-in-law and perfectly adorable grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 27, 2023
"Promise me nothing will ever keep us apart. Nothing. Ever."
Holy cheese whiz on a cracker 😳 No flipping way!!!
One of the biggest OMG, I never saw that coming twists I've ever read And let me just say if that moment had played out like "mr. I'm a horse's backside" wanted ...ewwwww
This was my reaction at about a little over a third through the book and to say I was highly invested in the characters would be an understatement
What's it about?
Her daughter goes missing from college and she is determined to find her, even if it means entering the world of the Nightcreatures, a race of vampires and werewolves who live in secret among humans.
About all I can say without spoiling it - I am serious, and be careful reading reviews little things will ruin some pretty good didn't see that coming moments
This was fast-paced with lots of action and so many twists and Holy Shitake moments. This is the first in a series and there was a bit of foundation building but the author did a great job of interweaving the details into the story.
The characters are also well-developed, and Sarah is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist.
Then there was the romance...
The heartbreak
The choices
Holy cheese whiz on a cracker 😳 No flipping way!!!
One of the biggest OMG, I never saw that coming twists I've ever read And let me just say if that moment had played out like "mr. I'm a horse's backside" wanted ...ewwwww
This was my reaction at about a little over a third through the book and to say I was highly invested in the characters would be an understatement
What's it about?
Her daughter goes missing from college and she is determined to find her, even if it means entering the world of the Nightcreatures, a race of vampires and werewolves who live in secret among humans.
About all I can say without spoiling it - I am serious, and be careful reading reviews little things will ruin some pretty good didn't see that coming moments
This was fast-paced with lots of action and so many twists and Holy Shitake moments. This is the first in a series and there was a bit of foundation building but the author did a great job of interweaving the details into the story.
The characters are also well-developed, and Sarah is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist.
Then there was the romance...
The heartbreak
The choices
June 3, 2023
Well I generally hate book #1 of anything. I am a binge reader (watcher). That all being said I have been waiting so long for a new night creature book…….
So book one - I totally love the dichotomy of a truly human protagonist (warts and all) in a supernatural novel. I love the ambiguity of is she just open to moving on…… or not? This story works on the personal , suspense and relational level and I am actually anticipating the drops of the next couple of books.
I don’t want to give to many spoilers and what I can say it was an easy enjoyable read - if you liked the night creature books this one does not disappoint. Just do it dive in!
My one critique- you kinda need to get cantered to the series with the bridge short story Stalking after midnight. You can do it without but with is awesome.
I did get a complimentary free advanced novel and this did not affect my enjoyment or review of the novel.
So book one - I totally love the dichotomy of a truly human protagonist (warts and all) in a supernatural novel. I love the ambiguity of is she just open to moving on…… or not? This story works on the personal , suspense and relational level and I am actually anticipating the drops of the next couple of books.
I don’t want to give to many spoilers and what I can say it was an easy enjoyable read - if you liked the night creature books this one does not disappoint. Just do it dive in!
My one critique- you kinda need to get cantered to the series with the bridge short story Stalking after midnight. You can do it without but with is awesome.
I did get a complimentary free advanced novel and this did not affect my enjoyment or review of the novel.
June 3, 2023
It’s been a long time since I started the Nightcreature series, so I was excited to see that the author is expanding it with a trilogy. Reading this brought back memories of my time working at Waldenbooks (wow, so long ago), and how excited I was reading the first book by this author. This novel was just what I hoped it would be. Sarah is a very strong character, who is thrown so many curveballs in this series starter. I was too as there were a few surprises I didn’t see coming…although there were a couple I did. This book is filled with laughter, tears, and above all great writing, and I can’t wait to see where we’re going in the next book as the ending was very interesting; that’s one of the things I didn’t see coming, and the one character at the end…well, read this and find out. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
July 4, 2023
Not nearly as good of a story as her other original "Nightcreatures" novels; which were a lot more in depth, dramatic, and seriously romantic/sexy, with characters who were unforgettable. This new series is very light, and humorous, with characters that are not very riveting or interesting in comparison. She also deviates a lot in her depiction of werewolves, as this story seems to take place many years after her original series, with the supernatural creature hunters/hunter being the grandson of the original Jager-Sucher founder, Edward. I will continue with the series, as I am interested enough to see how the story spins out in the next two books...
June 14, 2023
I loved this story! The heroine was strong and relatable, with two leading men! Not sure which one I preferred, I liked them both, will have to wait for the next book to determine that. I also enjoyed the link to Ms. Handeland’s Nightcreature Novels. I have been wanting an update to that series for years! Unable to put it down, kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! So looking forward to the next book in the series!
July 2, 2023
Lori Handeland has done it again!
It’s been awhile but oh how I’ve missed her paranormal series! I started reading her Nightcreature Novels since 2004 - when they started. She introduced me to the genre of paranormal romance. I’ve haven’t stopped reading it since. A mother will definitely do nearly anything for her children. And Sarah is no different. I’ll be on pins and needles until the next book.
It’s been awhile but oh how I’ve missed her paranormal series! I started reading her Nightcreature Novels since 2004 - when they started. She introduced me to the genre of paranormal romance. I’ve haven’t stopped reading it since. A mother will definitely do nearly anything for her children. And Sarah is no different. I’ll be on pins and needles until the next book.
September 8, 2023
I really looked forward to this book and just didn’t enjoy it as much as other books by this author. Maybe I’m just salty about the mention of a previous character dying, but this book just wasn’t for me. This story is about a forty something woman who finds her life at a crossroads as she is shoved into a world she didn’t know existed. Will she be able to navigate this new life or meet her end because of it?
July 21, 2025
Sarah is the widow of a senator. When her daughter, Jenna, disappears so calls on her husbands former employee Frankie for help, as well as her brother in law who was a sheriff. Frankie sends an FBI agent who deals with sex trafficking. He tells her that is why the girls are being taken, but her doesn't tell her about the werewolves taking them.
This is the beginning of a thrilling story that leads Sarah where she never thought she'd be.
This is the beginning of a thrilling story that leads Sarah where she never thought she'd be.
June 8, 2023
Finally, a story with a real woman heroine! I was drawn in from the very beginning and couldn't put it down! I loved the pace and world building (even though it's a spin-off, it could be read alone). The main character, Sarah, was a relatable, likeable, loveable character! I can't recommend this book - or this author - enough!
July 22, 2023
Fantastic
Wow, great read and can't wait to read the next book. I'm sure that Will be great also. Just like all her book. Loved every one I read 😍
Wow, great read and can't wait to read the next book. I'm sure that Will be great also. Just like all her book. Loved every one I read 😍
July 22, 2024
It took me a minute to get into this one. Seemed a little disjointed at first but the characters won me over.
August 21, 2025
Loved this book! I enjoy all the books Lori writes but this series is my new favorite.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews