After Midnight

Destiny #3

by Casi McLean

Sabrina Wentworth's life ran like a fine tuned clock, precise, calculated, and completely predictable. With shrewd instincts, gifted intellect and an inquisitive nature, she landed a prime position in the Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange, where the pulse of the stock market endlessly spins billions of dollars through cyberspace.
Her fast-paced profession left little time for superfluous relationships that would probably end in disaster anyway. Aside from occasional carnal trysts, she had written off men completely––until she received a bewildering gift, an antique clock that seemingly swept her into the sensuous arms of a dream lover. Every night, sometime after midnight, she slipped into a fantasy, an illusory world drenched with passion. Aidan aroused her deepest desire. His embrace, his kiss awakened something inside of her that she thought had vanished forever, but she knew he was just a dream.
So when the handsome, seductive Derek Mills snaked his way into her department, he had a little trouble luring Brie into his illicit web. It wasn't until she found her aunt's diary that she realized the power of the unusual clock, and time was running out. Can Brie find the key to Aidan's world before Derek's plot plays through? And in the final hour will she realize the sands of time run out after midnight?


If you like After Midnight, book three of Casi McLean's Destiny Series, you'll love the unique magical twist in every story in her series. Buy each romantic suspense saga separately or SAVE by purchasing all five together in "Destiny Series, Five Novelettes With A Twist."

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2014

About the author

USA Today & Amazon Best Selling Author, Casi McLean, pens novels to stir the soul with romance, suspense, and a sprinkle of magic. Her writing crosses genres from ethereal, captivating shorts with eerie twist endings to believable time slips, mystical plots, and sensual romantic suspense.

Known for enchanting stories with magical description, McLean entices readers with fascinating hooks to hold them captive in storylines they can't put down. Her romance entwines strong, believable heroines with delicious, hot heroes to tempt the deepest desires, then fans the flames, sweeping readers into their innermost romantic fantasies.

With suspenseful settings and lovable characters you'll devour, you'll see, hear, and feel the magical eeriness of one fateful night. You'll swear time travel could happen, be mystified by other worldly images, and feel the heat of romantic suspense, but most of all you'll want more.

Casi's latest series enters the realm of political thrillers with Reign Of Fire, exclusively found in the #1 bestselling, romantic suspense boxset, Love Under Fire. Watch the trailer exclusively on this page.

Her three-book, time slip, romantic suspense, Lake Lanier Mysteries, hit the stands running with book #1, Beneath The Lake, winner of the 2016 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for BEST Romantic Suspense. Watch the trailer on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvf0I...

Beyond The Mist, book #2 in her romantic time slip treasure chest, is a stunning tribute to the victims and first responders of the 911 World Trade Center terrorist attack. Here is the trailer link: https://youtu.be/Bj6ySTh_7xI

Between The Shadows brings the saga full circle with an amazing time slip to 1865 and a search for the Confederate gold. Don't miss this trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voa2q...

Uniquely qualified to write self-help and inspiration, Casi tops the scale with her powerful memoir, Wingless Butterfly: Healing The Broken Child Within, sharing an inspirational message of courage, tenacity, and hope, displaying her unique ability to excel in nonfiction and self-help as well as fiction.

Discover the magic, with Casi McLean books: http://CasiMclean.com

Ms. McLean weaves exceptional romantic mystery, with suspenseful settings and lovable characters you'll devour. You'll see, hear, and feel the magical eeriness of one fateful night. You'll swear her time travel could happen, be mystified by her other worldly images, and feel heat of romantic suspense, but most of all you'll want more.

Find me:
Website: casimclean.com
Twitter: @casimclean
Facebook: Casi McLean
FB Author Page: Casi McLean-Author
Goodreads: Casi McLean

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven]

This review is for the audiobook.

Summary –

When the clock strikes midnight, everything Brie has ever wanted will disappear unless she finds the key to unlock Aiden’s world. Brie lives a very predictable life. Everything is structured accordingly, and she likes it like that. She doesn’t have time for romance due to her fast-paced career. When she receives a strange gift of an antique clock, she doesn’t know what to make of it. Every night after midnight, Brie is swept up in the magic of the clock and into the arms of a handsome man named Aiden. He awakens her deepest desires and she doesn’t want to awaken from the dream. This goes on night after night, almost like Cinderella, and Brie is caught up in the fantasy with Aiden. When Brie discovers her missing aunt’s diary, she reads about the power of the clock. She’s running out of time and needs to find the key to Aiden’s world before disaster strikes. Can she survive to be reunited with Aiden forever or will time run out?

Narrator’s overall voice –

She has clear command over her voice and uses intonation to express emotion, action, different characters, and more.

Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, Amanda Stribling fits the characters and creates apparent distinctions between the characters.

Narrator’s reading style –

I quite savored Amanda Stribling’s reading style. Partnering with Casi McLean, Amanda Stribling gives the story new life.

Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Amanda Stribling has a staggering talent for narration. I closed my eyes on more than one occasion and let her whisk me away. Listening to her narrate is like going to the theater without leaving your home, office, or vehicle.

Narrator’s pacing –

Amanda Stribling’s pacing is brilliant, with just the right amount of tension without going too far.

Audiobook flow –

The flow is smooth. It was a delight to listen to.

What makes this audiobook unique –

I think what makes this exceptional is that Amanda Stribling creates a unique listening experience, all through her voice.

Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! It’s an intoxicating listen. Perfect for fans of fairy tales.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Sierra]

I'm not sure I followed everything in this short story, but the concept was magical. I loved the idea of having dreams about a mystery man. Sabrina was very lonely and submerged herself in work... Until after midnight when her dreams pulled her into a perfect relationship. It was unfortunate that she played out her needs with her coworker, who had nefarious plans.

"But the cold, drizzly day still slunk around her like a shroud reminding her of how utterly alone she was."

Sabrina didn't seem to really care for Derek, which made their relationship sad and weird. He never seemed to be "right" for her, and I'm assuming she thought she was just comparing him to her dream time boyfriend. There was a couple places where Derek's dialogue was clunky, and his point of view made him sound more like a Disney villain. But I loved the mystery and the story of the clock. It was nice to see workaholic Sabrina get her love in the end, no matter how crazy it sounded.

[Norma]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Accept what you know and let go of the rest."
Third in the series of shorts under the collective title of Destiny, After Midnight must truly date as the least successful to date. A broken clock; a long missing aunt; a woman of 28 who immerses herself totally in the world of finance, has no time or inclination for love. Yet at night, she abandons herself to her perfect lover. Predictable fairy story, not for me. The narrator, Amanda Stribling, reads well but her little girl voice is annoying to this listener's ear: a good choice, though, to read this story.

I received this book as a free download upon request. Thank you

[Teri]

She existed. Content but lonely. Work was her driving force. Then she received a gift. Things just got a little interesting. This author plays out her plot in a way that has you wondering thru every page how she will turn this. And turn this she does. Awesome short story and yeah while I do love that it's a great read I hate that it's done so fast. Completely loved the twist and the journey.

[Julie Sherman]

Great read

This is a great read. Sabrina keeps having dreams about Aiden it's seems totally real. Derek is Sabrina's boyfriend is he?
Can't wait to read the next short read.
Julie with ARC Annonymous.

[Annie]

The story made me think one thing was happening but it was something else that was far more unique (you'll have to read to know what I mean). Loved it!

[Lori Hammons]

What an intriguing story. Sabrina delves into her dreams at night and discovers a better life, and gets her HEA.

[Ann]

Marvellous ❣️

7🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Nikki]

Sabrina is married to her job. Any thoughts of a romance are firmly turned off. Until one day, she receives a delivery. The delivery is of a clock that her aunt, who has been missing for a decade once had. The clock hasn't worked in over 10 years. On that day it begins to work. Sabrina begins to have interesting dreams and in these dreams she meets Aiden. She can only meet Aiden in her dreams, night after night. She begins to fall in love with her dream. In the day time, she begins to date Derek. Derek has persisted until she could no longer deny him. He is interested in a little bit more than a romantic connection. Will Sabrina figure out what is really going on? Will she ever figure out which man is really for her? Will the dreams ever become reality? - I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Nadine]

Mrs. McLean created suspensfule settings with loveable characters. The romantic aspects combined with the supernatural twists kept me hooked and I was left wanting more.

Fans of romantic suspense and the paranormal will love her.