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The Daughter Of Night
Was there noting Hester could do?
Where could a hairdresser find twenty thousand pounds to provide medical treatment for her beloved foster mother? At wits' end, Hester traced her real mother and threatened to reveal her existence to Vilma's wealthy husband! She could easily afford it, Hester reasoned, and swallowing her moral qualms, she decided the end justified the means...
However, Demetrios Thalassis didn't agree. It was blackmail, pure and simple, he declared flatly. But to Hester's surprise, he agreed to pay her--provided she submit to a little blackmail of his own...
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 7, 2015
RE The Daughter of Night - definitely one of my favorite HP's - JM introduces us to her h who is a twenty five year old snarky hairdresser who happens to be blackmailing her birth mother for £ 20,000 in order to pay for her foster mum's medical care in a Swiss clinic. The h was abandoned by the bm as a newborn when the woman did not want to marry her lover (the h's dad) and wouldn't turn her baby over to the h's dad's mum because she was looking for a wealthy husband and did not want anybody to be able connect her to the abandoned baby.
Twenty six years on the h was able to trace her mother as she was obliged to leave her name when she dumped her and the h finds out that her biomother has made a career of wealthy husband's. She tells the bm that she either gives her the money or the h will tell the gossip columns about how she abandoned her child. The h's bm sends her husband's nephew (the H who runs the Greek family's hotel and resort chain) to stop the h.
The H takes one look at the h, hears her story, calls her Nemesis (the daughter of Nyx who is also know as Night) and decides he is going to help her out, but she has to marry him and be a stepmother to his daughter and give him a son. She responds by asking for small denomination notes in a paper bag. (He admits later he had more of a mistress situation in mind, but he did not think she would go for that, so marriage it was.)
They marry and between the H's dry sense of humor (no H pov again) and the h's sarcasm and funny comments, they seem to burble along pretty nicely. All the love scenes are off page, but it is fairly obvious from the h's thoughts that things in that department are going well. After the wedding the wanna be OW is introduced and but the h is pretty much unfazed by the woman's hostility. They go to pick the H's daughter up, she is currently living in an old mountain monastery on an isolated Greek island to deflect kidnapping attempts, and the h has some hilarious comments about having to get to the top of the mountain on a tiny little donkey.
The h and new stepdaughter get along pretty well and her foster mum has been sent off for treatment, they buy a house and get a dog who makes a lot of messes. Then the bio mom returns with a plan from the OW to force the h to leave while the H is out of town on business. The bm tells the h that the H is shacked up with the OW and she and the OW will tell the H that the h tried to blackmail the bm for more money unless the h leaves. The bm also claims that the stepdaughter's mum is really the OW and she wants her child back. The h doesn't run off hysterically, she does decide to leave the H tho, as she feels parents ought to be raising their child together.
When the H returns they have a battle, but the H explains that his daughter's mum was a girl he met working in one of the family's hotels while he was learning and they had a brief affair. He had to leave when his dad died and when he came back he found the girl dead and there was a baby with no one to care for her. He took his daughter and did the best he could to raise her but he was pretty obviously ashamed of himself. He has never slept with the OW, they flirted as teens. He also tells the h he is madly in love with her and she confides she loves him back. She doesn't tell the H about the threats or what she wanted the money for, but prepares to see if he really does love her when the bm and OW set up a meeting.
The OW and the bio tell their story but the H totally blows them off, he then banishes the biomum to her husband's isolated villa and tells her not to threaten his wife again. The H and h have big HEA that ends with the H speculating she is pregnant with the first of his 14 childreen ( a running joke between them, you can tell by the end he isn't serious,) the h telling him off and then having to run off with morning sickness.
This one is a very lighthearted story, there really isn't a lot of tension despite the h's worryings, because it is fairly obvious early on that the H is really into her. He isn't abusive or cruel except when he destroys a necklace that her foster mum gave her because he thought it was from another man. He doesn't really apologize much either, but he does get the necklace repaired and he gets angry with her when she won't spend his money - so to get around it, he takes her shopping himself.
This is a relaxing read with JM's trademark off kilter commenting but still very resilient h and her different from the normal writing style. Don't expect raging roller coasters but grab a comfortable seat and prepare to have a funny entertaining trip to HPlandia.
Twenty six years on the h was able to trace her mother as she was obliged to leave her name when she dumped her and the h finds out that her biomother has made a career of wealthy husband's. She tells the bm that she either gives her the money or the h will tell the gossip columns about how she abandoned her child. The h's bm sends her husband's nephew (the H who runs the Greek family's hotel and resort chain) to stop the h.
The H takes one look at the h, hears her story, calls her Nemesis (the daughter of Nyx who is also know as Night) and decides he is going to help her out, but she has to marry him and be a stepmother to his daughter and give him a son. She responds by asking for small denomination notes in a paper bag. (He admits later he had more of a mistress situation in mind, but he did not think she would go for that, so marriage it was.)
They marry and between the H's dry sense of humor (no H pov again) and the h's sarcasm and funny comments, they seem to burble along pretty nicely. All the love scenes are off page, but it is fairly obvious from the h's thoughts that things in that department are going well. After the wedding the wanna be OW is introduced and but the h is pretty much unfazed by the woman's hostility. They go to pick the H's daughter up, she is currently living in an old mountain monastery on an isolated Greek island to deflect kidnapping attempts, and the h has some hilarious comments about having to get to the top of the mountain on a tiny little donkey.
The h and new stepdaughter get along pretty well and her foster mum has been sent off for treatment, they buy a house and get a dog who makes a lot of messes. Then the bio mom returns with a plan from the OW to force the h to leave while the H is out of town on business. The bm tells the h that the H is shacked up with the OW and she and the OW will tell the H that the h tried to blackmail the bm for more money unless the h leaves. The bm also claims that the stepdaughter's mum is really the OW and she wants her child back. The h doesn't run off hysterically, she does decide to leave the H tho, as she feels parents ought to be raising their child together.
When the H returns they have a battle, but the H explains that his daughter's mum was a girl he met working in one of the family's hotels while he was learning and they had a brief affair. He had to leave when his dad died and when he came back he found the girl dead and there was a baby with no one to care for her. He took his daughter and did the best he could to raise her but he was pretty obviously ashamed of himself. He has never slept with the OW, they flirted as teens. He also tells the h he is madly in love with her and she confides she loves him back. She doesn't tell the H about the threats or what she wanted the money for, but prepares to see if he really does love her when the bm and OW set up a meeting.
The OW and the bio tell their story but the H totally blows them off, he then banishes the biomum to her husband's isolated villa and tells her not to threaten his wife again. The H and h have big HEA that ends with the H speculating she is pregnant with the first of his 14 childreen ( a running joke between them, you can tell by the end he isn't serious,) the h telling him off and then having to run off with morning sickness.
This one is a very lighthearted story, there really isn't a lot of tension despite the h's worryings, because it is fairly obvious early on that the H is really into her. He isn't abusive or cruel except when he destroys a necklace that her foster mum gave her because he thought it was from another man. He doesn't really apologize much either, but he does get the necklace repaired and he gets angry with her when she won't spend his money - so to get around it, he takes her shopping himself.
This is a relaxing read with JM's trademark off kilter commenting but still very resilient h and her different from the normal writing style. Don't expect raging roller coasters but grab a comfortable seat and prepare to have a funny entertaining trip to HPlandia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
I skimmed this before and didn't give it the proper attention it deserved. I am SO GLAD I gave it another chance.
The heroine in this one was STELLAR. Loyal, outspoken, take-no-prisoners, not letting herself be intimidated by either the hero when he was being high-handed with her or by her demon succubus of a mother who tried to blackmail her or the pathetic OW who vanished like a little grey ghost, in a rage at not being able to manipulate hero or heroine. Although there were many great, big, terrible misunderstandings, and a lot of outlandish plot twists and turns including blackmail, revenge, and jealousy over OM/OW, the reason why this story worked for me is because the hero and heroine communicated with each other. Their love was palpable and their connection was hot but it was the trust they had with each other which became the highlight of the story.
Not going to spoil this one any further, because I think you readers should enjoy the story the way the author intended. Happy reading!
The heroine in this one was STELLAR. Loyal, outspoken, take-no-prisoners, not letting herself be intimidated by either the hero when he was being high-handed with her or by her demon succubus of a mother who tried to blackmail her or the pathetic OW who vanished like a little grey ghost, in a rage at not being able to manipulate hero or heroine. Although there were many great, big, terrible misunderstandings, and a lot of outlandish plot twists and turns including blackmail, revenge, and jealousy over OM/OW, the reason why this story worked for me is because the hero and heroine communicated with each other. Their love was palpable and their connection was hot but it was the trust they had with each other which became the highlight of the story.
Not going to spoil this one any further, because I think you readers should enjoy the story the way the author intended. Happy reading!
August 8, 2021
Knocking a star off of this one as well. The writing is extremely awkward and the author overuses bantering even when it isn't appropriate. If I wanted comedy, I would read comedy.
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I have to agree with Jacqueline's assessment that the writing style is a bit awkward and may not work for some readers, but I did enjoy this. I suspect I noticed it more given I had just finished reading an HP by Charlotte Lamb, whose writing style is as smooth as glass.
The heroine was quirky and loaded with spirit. The hero was quite lovable even with his alpha ways. I loved the very realistic reveal
It's a fun, engaging, entertaining read and if you can get your hands on a copy, I don't think you will regret the investment of your time.
_____________________________
I have to agree with Jacqueline's assessment that the writing style is a bit awkward and may not work for some readers, but I did enjoy this. I suspect I noticed it more given I had just finished reading an HP by Charlotte Lamb, whose writing style is as smooth as glass.
The heroine was quirky and loaded with spirit. The hero was quite lovable even with his alpha ways. I loved the very realistic reveal
It's a fun, engaging, entertaining read and if you can get your hands on a copy, I don't think you will regret the investment of your time.
August 15, 2016
This was an unusual book that I enjoyed very much. Heroine needs twenty thousand pounds for her foster mother's medical treatment, so she blackmails her rich bio mother into giving her money. Hero is a relative of the bio mother's husband he is the one who comes through with the money if she promises to marry him and take care of his daughter.
The heroine spends most of her time trying not to fall for her husband. Refreshingly, the hero is amazingly patient with her and there are a lot of fun sparring scenes. The heroine is wonderful with the daughter and sticks up for her when necessary. Just some nice characterizations all the way around.
The heroine spends most of her time trying not to fall for her husband. Refreshingly, the hero is amazingly patient with her and there are a lot of fun sparring scenes. The heroine is wonderful with the daughter and sticks up for her when necessary. Just some nice characterizations all the way around.
March 27, 2021
Trusting vintage hero. :)
April 16, 2022
A good read. It’s different because the h is the blackmailer. The H is also a nice H. He’s not an alpha male.
What I didn’t like was, that she felt she needed to keep it a secret from him as to where the money has gone to. Even after his love declaration, she still doesn’t tell him.
She thinks to herself that she wants him to trust her just like that, without him knowing anything.
But she has never given him reason to trust her. And by keeping secrets from him and testing his loyalty and trust, she doesn’t trust him either.
This is a story where I think that the H loves the h far more than she loves him. He will give her everything and anything and be open. And she will always hold back and keep secrets. That’s why I give it only 3 stars. I feel sorry for him.
What I didn’t like was, that she felt she needed to keep it a secret from him as to where the money has gone to. Even after his love declaration, she still doesn’t tell him.
She thinks to herself that she wants him to trust her just like that, without him knowing anything.
But she has never given him reason to trust her. And by keeping secrets from him and testing his loyalty and trust, she doesn’t trust him either.
This is a story where I think that the H loves the h far more than she loves him. He will give her everything and anything and be open. And she will always hold back and keep secrets. That’s why I give it only 3 stars. I feel sorry for him.
July 27, 2011
decent enough book. The writing style was quite different. Very flippant writing, sort of all on the surface. The heroine was sarcastic and snarky and did things to be contrary on a whim. I kind of liked the hero. Even though none of it was written in his POV and many times he had that 'I'm indulging the little woman' condescension thing going on, you could still see that he loved her pretty immediately and he never distrusted her or got mad at her over her snits. So I'm not necessarily recommending it because the writing style will definitely not be for everyone but it wasn't bad.
April 3, 2021
4 ⭐
For some unknown reason, my dad owned this book but in a translated version from 1985. I don't think he ever read because if he did, then he wouldn't have let me read it, but I remember one day in 2011, he handed me this book with some other stuff to spark my interest in reading bc no one in my family liked books except him. Nothing about the cover or the title in the version that I hold in my hand right now state that it's from Harlequin. I didn't even know Harlequin existed till 2015. I remember loving this book and I think it's the reason why I love Greek Heroes till this day. So, here I'm, after a decade, searching the English title to check who's the author. And when I did, I had a strong desire to reread this book again, so I did. Once in Arabic which took me two hours to finish and second in English which took me about two days. I still love this book but my only complaint is about the lack of s*x scenes in both versions which is something l though I will find in the English one, so I'm kinda disappointed.
For some unknown reason, my dad owned this book but in a translated version from 1985. I don't think he ever read because if he did, then he wouldn't have let me read it, but I remember one day in 2011, he handed me this book with some other stuff to spark my interest in reading bc no one in my family liked books except him. Nothing about the cover or the title in the version that I hold in my hand right now state that it's from Harlequin. I didn't even know Harlequin existed till 2015. I remember loving this book and I think it's the reason why I love Greek Heroes till this day. So, here I'm, after a decade, searching the English title to check who's the author. And when I did, I had a strong desire to reread this book again, so I did. Once in Arabic which took me two hours to finish and second in English which took me about two days. I still love this book but my only complaint is about the lack of s*x scenes in both versions which is something l though I will find in the English one, so I'm kinda disappointed.
May 6, 2024
This had rave reviews so I was a bit disappointed that I struggled to get into it. One of those maybe it's me not you things. I think it was because the h, hairdresser Hester, had a bit of a hard-faced cockney sparrowness about her which I didn't find appealing. The h, Demos, was a high handed Greek, albeit with some "black sheepy" Turk in him and not yet a billionaire type. I guess the dynamic of their relationship grew on me as the story progressed. He had a nice daughter from a youthful indiscretion. They end up loved up in a greenbelt house. Not impressed with his remarks about sending the daughter to boarding school next year because she'll be busy with their own babies (absolute yikes) and the h was utterly feckless at puppy dog care and training. Yeah. On second thoughts, not really keen on these two but they're definitely a match.
March 8, 2012
This was a pretty good read. I liked that the hero swooped right and snatched her up (although it was never explained all that well -- who in their right mind decides to marry someone so quickly?). I also liked that the hero was amused by her and seemed immediately to doubt that she truly was as money-grubbing as she encouraged him to believe she was.
May 14, 2021
Nemesis
Was there noting Hester could do?
Where could a hairdresser find twenty thousand pounds to provide medical treatment for her beloved foster mother? At wits' end, Hester traced her real mother and threatened to reveal her existence to Vilma's wealthy husband! She could easily afford it, Hester reasoned, and swallowing her moral qualms, she decided the end justified the means...
However, Demetrios Thalassis didn't agree. It was blackmail, pure and simple, he declared flatly. But to Hester's surprise, he agreed to pay her--provided she submit to a little blackmail of his own...
Was there noting Hester could do?
Where could a hairdresser find twenty thousand pounds to provide medical treatment for her beloved foster mother? At wits' end, Hester traced her real mother and threatened to reveal her existence to Vilma's wealthy husband! She could easily afford it, Hester reasoned, and swallowing her moral qualms, she decided the end justified the means...
However, Demetrios Thalassis didn't agree. It was blackmail, pure and simple, he declared flatly. But to Hester's surprise, he agreed to pay her--provided she submit to a little blackmail of his own...
January 25, 2016
The characters of the biological mother, Hes and Demetrios all surprised me at one point or other. I didn't expect the biological mother to come clean at the end.
Hes and Demetrios were both likable characters. I expected him to be a Greek/Turk alpha male but he wasn't. He had more sense than I gave him credit for in earlier chapters. Hes's frame of mind and logical reasoning and how she played the game with her biological mom and the OW was intriguing.
Hes and Demetrios were both likable characters. I expected him to be a Greek/Turk alpha male but he wasn't. He had more sense than I gave him credit for in earlier chapters. Hes's frame of mind and logical reasoning and how she played the game with her biological mom and the OW was intriguing.
May 20, 2016
Quite an amusing read.
August 18, 2021
Another one that I really enjoyed by this author and again I can't add much more to Boogenhagens review she has all the details.
I will have to track down some other books by this author.
I will have to track down some other books by this author.
August 31, 2022
This will catch me up on my reviews, and since I read this a few days ago, I decided to read the reviews to refresh my brain. This was excellent, because once again there were so many great reviews that I really do not need to say a thing(I will, but not much).
This is my 3rd Jeneth Murray book so I was prepared for a mean, cruel hero, but actually this guy wasn’t so bad. He was an alpha and yes he still did some questionable things, but overall you knew he was team heroine pretty quickly.
The thing about this book is that the story is somewhat unique. The h actually is a blackmailer
I know!!!, but her intentions are honorable 
Anyhoo, these people all give very fine reviews some with and without spoilers. Naksed, Boogenhagen, Stmargarets, and more….
Final feelings: I think if you are looking for a different take on some of the same old tropes this would be a good one. A great palate cleanser if you have been reading too many KU insta love books!
The biological mom in this story is truly awful. My original thought was that she would probably undergo some miraculous change….she doesn’t! There is also an ow wannabe, and a male hair stylist that the H is jealous of. The h’s foster mom and sister are great. And the child in the story is sweet.
This is my 3rd Jeneth Murray book so I was prepared for a mean, cruel hero, but actually this guy wasn’t so bad. He was an alpha and yes he still did some questionable things, but overall you knew he was team heroine pretty quickly.
The thing about this book is that the story is somewhat unique. The h actually is a blackmailer
I know!!!, but her intentions are honorable Anyhoo, these people all give very fine reviews some with and without spoilers. Naksed, Boogenhagen, Stmargarets, and more….
Final feelings: I think if you are looking for a different take on some of the same old tropes this would be a good one. A great palate cleanser if you have been reading too many KU insta love books!
The biological mom in this story is truly awful. My original thought was that she would probably undergo some miraculous change….she doesn’t! There is also an ow wannabe, and a male hair stylist that the H is jealous of. The h’s foster mom and sister are great. And the child in the story is sweet.
May 2, 2024
2 and a half but it probably deserves more.
September 14, 2021
Horrible title - sounds like a horror movie - but the excellent characters, both likeable make it up. Good dialague and so refreshing to see couples that talk to each other, and even when there are secrets trust the other.
Excellent introduction to an author that is new to me.
Excellent introduction to an author that is new to me.
February 22, 2014
Girl meets guy, they like each other, things are going well until something or someone comes into the picture to derail them, they work through it and live happily ever after.
April 4, 2021
This was different! Not enough angst for me. The H was pretty emotionless! They did have some good banter and I liked Katy, she was sweet.
March 24, 2018
ابنة الليل - جنيث موري
ترجمة: رسول ابو خضير
******************
من عرفت الكاتبة أمرأة توقعت نهاية الرواية وطلع توقعي بمحله :\
ترجمة: رسول ابو خضير
******************
من عرفت الكاتبة أمرأة توقعت نهاية الرواية وطلع توقعي بمحله :\
January 27, 2020
The cover is great... the shoehorn to get them to marry was a bit weak.
September 6, 2022
Couldn't warm up to the heroine, ended up skim reading the last third.
December 15, 2024
Loved the heroine and the Hero in this book! Writing was quirky and witty and suited the charming sense of humour of both characters. These two truly loved each other!
March 10, 2025
Really liked this one. Hero was a good guy and the heroine was a sensible kind, not silly person who didn't run off making wild assumptions.
Read
September 3, 2025It's an entertaining story, but it's just that - a manufactured story.
Everyone is so loquacious, and honestly, nobody talks like this IRL.
Everyone is so loquacious, and honestly, nobody talks like this IRL.
Read
March 2, 2016interesting
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews