Come To Me

Night World #1

by Lisa Cach

When Samira, the scourge of the Night World, is called to the mortal realm by Nicolae, a ruined prince bent on vengeance against the men who destroyed him, uncontrollable desire rages between them, forever changing their lives. Original.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Historical, Historical Romance, Fantasy, Demons

326 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2004

About the author

Lisa Cach grew up in a farm near Portland, Oregon, a place she loves although she'd always trying to leave it. Wanderlust has led her to sail the Sargasso Sea, teach English in Japan, and trek the leech-infested jungles of Borneo. She has degrees in both English and psychology, two subjects that were fun to learn about but that guaranteed her low-paying jobs. Her father, she admits, may have been right about the MBA.

Lisa started to writing romances in her parents' basement during snatched moments from work. Since her writing career began her free time has become less and less as her novels become more and more popular. She's loved romance novels since Junior High School, and at least now she doesn't have to worry about getting caught reading one. Lisa married, and bought with her husband a home in Seattle, Washington. She describes her personal paradise as "...a pile of books, a plate of brownies, and the free time in which to enjoy them".

Reviews

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was wild in both good and bad ways. The bad ways are basically anything to do with sex that isn't the principals' big PIV scene.

Samira was great, I loved her, but Nicolae can take a hike. The last two chapters are about the only time he's decent, so, you know.

I didn't enjoy the twaddle about how humans are better than the creatures of the Night World, but whatever.

Theron sucks but FINE now I have to read his book I guess.

[EuroHackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The January 2025 #TBRChallenge is “New Year, Who Dis?” I went for a triple crown to start this year’s challenge: new series, new author, new subgenre – and this book does not disappoint!

The year is 1423. In the heart of Transylvania, 3 families are warring for supremacy: Dragosh of Maramures, Bogdan of Moldavia, and Vlad of Wallachia. Samira is a succubus (a female dream demon), known not only for her expertise in giving men pleasurable dreams, but also well-regarded for her ability to induce sexual nightmares. An incubus (male dream demon), Theron, has requested that Samira give an especially horrible dream to Dragosh. Samira doesn’t know why Theron has requested this, but she goes along with it, even though by dabbling in the dreams of princes, they are breaking all of the rules of the Night World which they inhabit. She doesn’t realize it at the time, but Samira gives Dragosh an especially cruel nightmare about his beautiful young sister, one that inadvertently changes the course of history.

Six years pass, during which Samira is wary of her status in the Night World. Succubi and incubi are children of Sleep, and grandchildren of Nyx, the Queen of Chaos. They are lowly demons, soulless beings with humanoid bodies and black leathery wings who serve mortals by giving them sexually pleasurable dreams to help slake repressed or rejected lust. Succubi and incubi have no feelings, no hearts, no real notions of morals; they reflect what their humans are thinking and dreaming about; they can see into the mind and pick out greatest wishes or worst nightmares, depending on what that person deserves to experience. Samira knows that she crossed the line with her dream to Dragosh, not only because of his royal status but because she sensed that he didn’t deserve what she gave him. If she’s caught by Nyx, she will be destroyed.

One night, she spies an especially strong strand of lust emanating from a small island in the middle of nowhere. She descends, curious, and finds a brutally scarred man asleep over a heap of books. She dives into his unconscious and tries to give him a pleasurable dream, but he seems to know that she’s there and that she’s a succubus, and thus he resists with all of his might. Samira is concerned; humans are not supposed to know that they are visited in their dreams by her kind. She notices a crude drawing of a succubus in one of the books and her concern trebles.

She leaves, but can’t quite leave it alone, mild curiosity about the man with such strong repression and dark thoughts. The next night, she is actually summoned by the man and trapped by a spell. The man tells her that he wants to use her to wreak revenge on his enemy: Dragosh of Maramures, who six years ago abruptly severed the betrothal between his sister and himself. The man who has captured Samira is Nicolae of Moldavia. He has been banished to a crumbling monastery on a remote island with a mere five men by his father, Bogdan. Nicolae is desperate not only for revenge, but also to return to his father’s good graces and assist with the war against Maramures and Wallachia. Apparently Dragosh has formed a new alliance with Vlad – now called Vlad Draco, or Vlad the Dragon – and has promised his sister, Lucia, to Vlad as part of the deal.

Samira listens with growing horror as Nicolae tells her all this. She’s the one who induced the nightmare that made Dragosh break the betrothal between Nicolae and Lucia. She holds herself responsible for everything that has happened to Nicolae in the meantime, and becomes desperate to find a way to assist him. He’s holding onto her too long, however; daylight will immediately destroy her, and Nicolae doesn’t believe her until its almost too late.

Samira disappears from the mortal realm, only to find herself still intact in the palace of Nyx, Queen of the Night World. Nyx demands to know who requested that Samira meddle in the dreams of Dragosh, a prince, but Samira refuses to name Theron. She’s ready to accept her fate of immediate death, but pleads with Nyx to give her the chance to assist Niholae and make right what she inadvertently made wrong to begin with. Nyx eventually agrees, and drops Samira back onto Nicolae’s island as a full-blown mortal woman, warning her that she only has 30 days to successfully assist Nicolae and to learn why mortals are so precious to the demons of the Night World who serve them.

It's a lot of setup for the story, but it’s weaved together quite seamlessly. Nicolae has turned away from violence, at which he failed (and for which he has been so brutally disfigured), and towards dark magic in his quest against Dragosh. He grudgingly accepts Samira’s help once she appears to him as a mortal human woman. After all, what could it hurt?

Samira spends her time discovering (and complaining about) her human body, and trying to find a way to help Nicolae, to whom she increasingly becomes attached. She even tells him of the part she played at the start, which leads Nicolae to confess to her why and how he was disfigured. Their bond grows stronger as the story progresses, and she assists Nicolae in discovering his latent abilities as a wizard. Theron shows up again to cause trouble, but ultimately gives them a piece of information which is key in turning the tides of war against their enemies. Samira then has to face Nyx and her destiny – will she be allowed to live, or be destroyed by the all-knowing Queen of Chaos?

I really enjoyed this story, especially when Samira is turned into a human. She has no idea what it’s like to be human – her only knowledge is sexual, and the thoughts and fantasies that humans only dream about. She doesn’t know how to read, or eat, or even dress herself. She’s an interesting contrast to the human characters, and to Nicolae, who is mired in deep depression for the mess he’s made of his life. Samira’s child-like joy at the smallest things, like a sunrise, remind Nicolae that there’s more to life than darkness and heartache. They do fall in love with each other, even though neither can quite believe it (and Nicolae’s men frequently remind Samira that she is a demon); the third act breakup is an interesting twist on the usual misunderstanding.

This is also a very spicy book. Succubi and incubi are dream demons who work in the realm of sex, so there are a lot of explicit scenes, some of them pretty grim (see: Dragosh’s nightmare). But there is also some great emotion, especially when Nicolae acknowledges and grieves his own past, and when he realizes that he doesn’t want anyone to touch Samira except himself.

As for the historical background, it appears to line up fairly well with the actual history of the Transylvania region of present-day Romania. Vlad Draco referred to in the text is likely not the one we immediately think of, but his father, Vlad II Dracul. The human superstitions around religion and demonology also play a role here, especially in the climax of this story.

I enjoyed this immensely. It has both serious and lighthearted moments, spice, sex, and death, all wrapped up into an engrossing fantasy world. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this duology, which stars Theron, who is a complete asshole in this one. He has his own ambitions and is ready to defy Queen Nyx, and has also made a dastardly deal with Vlad Draco. I am curious to see how he will be redeemed!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great book for when you are sick or need just a quick light read. You arent going to get anything great from this book. It is pure entertainment. And more so of the sexual kind. It is a paranormal romance so it is filled with plenty of the sex.
The setting is eastern medieval Europe, and there is warfare among the factions of Wallachia, Moldavia, Transylvania. Samira is a succubus who gives sex dreams to men. When she is convinced by an incubbus to give one to a prince, which is forbidden, to help the incubbus achieve his means of becoming mortal. She changes the course of history and leads Mr. Vlad Draco, Dracula, the Impaler to become the evil threat to Nicolae's country. Samira is punished by Nyx the Queen of the night by changing her into a human to help right the wrongs that have come to Nicolae because of her involvment in human affairs.
Samira has to go through the woes of becoming human and having human needs and feelings. She begins to care of Nicolae and they must find away together to defeat there foes to save themselves.
Just a fun fast read! It isnt going to leave you in any sort of aw.

[Oleander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an odd book. At its heart is a sweet romance, but there is some odd ball stuff here too. First off, there is a disgusting dream sequence in the prologue. It's important so you really can't skip it, but you wish you could. There are some humorous scenes. A big battle scene had me giggling. There is some sexual stuff that makes you roll your eyes, like a naked girl bending over for slippery soap and flashing her whohaa at a sexually repressed man. Still, I thought it all came together pretty well. 3 1/2 stars

[Naz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had me laughing to myself and close to crying on public transport. The author has a brilliant way of describing feelings and scenery. I didn't think I would be getting much out of it when I found it for 99p but I'm really glad I laid my hands on it now. It's an easy read.

[Susan (the other Susan) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succubus: it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it... I enjoyed the hell out of this, despite the fact that I have little patience for paranormal romance. Bravo, Lisa Cach, who writes paranormal romance for those of us who don't like paranormal romance.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

 Loved reading it. Lisa thoroughly researched the folklore of a succubus. Come to Me bring in a point of view of the succubus transform to a human as punishment to understand how fragile humanity really is and the impact of the demon careless actions. I can read this again and definitely recommend this book.

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought the heroine may be a demon, a creature incapable of love or any true feelings, she has always yearned for something more. She's not longer satisfied with being a creature of darkness, never knowing what a true human woman would. When she seeks out the hero, called to him by his desperate lust, she is captivated by him. Not just his beauty, though he is handsome despite the scars and burns on his body and face, but his loneliness and isolation. He has the best chance of understanding her and though she risks much by connecting with him, she enters him dreams to seduce him. She is not a monster, she will not kill the men she targets, so when he refuses to accept her gift of pleasure she is stunned. But what's more shocking is the fact that he can see her. Worse, he speaks to her. She flees into the night before she can comprehend his powers.

The hero is a harsh man whose loss and pain has dedicated his whole life to learning the magic needed to kill his enemy. Scarred badly all over his body and shunned by his father to live in a abandoned monastery, he has spent countless hours honing his craft of magic. When he discovers a succubus has targeted him, he turns the tables and instead traps her under his command. He means to use her to drive his enemy crazy and he's willing to steel his heart and ignore any pleas of mercy from this dangerous creature. But in the morning, she is gone. Only, she returns a time later but now in mortal form.

The heroine, punished for his interference in a king's dreams, is cursed to take mortal form for 30 days until she can right the wrongs she has caused. And while she may have secretly longed to feel like a human, the reality is something completely horrible. She hurts, she's wet and cold and she knows fear for the first time in her long life. At first, she's dismisses by the hero, whom she's sought out for aid and feels lost and alone. Then, she's welcomed into his tower and goes about learning of all the strange and confusing senses and feelings that have now taken over her body and mind. She feels desire for the first time, not just for sex but for companionship. She wants to be loved and give love in return but the hero resists any such notions in favor of revenge. It's slowly that she starts to break down his defenses, making him laugh or leave his tower on occasion. Only, how can a demon love and human? Worse, how can a human man love a demon woman? She fears she'll never feel that elusive love as she's doomed to return to the darkness.

This was an interesting book. It is what I'd call erotic and considering the fact that the heroine was a succubus demon, I'd be disappointed if it wasn't. No, the author didn't shy away from the sexually explicit subject matter, which I admired but it was much more than a Fifty Shades of Grey disaster. There was a far bit of humor as the heroine discovers about hunger and clothing and everything a human must deal with. But there was also a great deal of heart. She was so horribly lonely and desperate to be more than just a demon. She wanted to feel the love of man but when everyone told her it was impossible the loss nearly broke my heart. She was so mistreated throughout the book, but the hero at first, then by her incubi rival. She was such a damaged soul in need to affection not harsh words of unkind treatment. The hero wasn't a nice man to begin with though he did show a spark of humanity at times. He was so focused on his revenge that he was willing to use any tool at his disposal, the demon heroine included. But as time passed, he showed mercy. He would find amusement with her antics and give in when she wanted to sleep by his side because she feared the dark. I found they had great chemistry and though the plot was a little off, I enjoyed the novel. It was not historically arcuate as the dialect was sometimes modern with a lot of 'hey's and such but I liked it all the same.

[Ivonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

esta autora nos plantea a las Succubus de otra forma, son demonios sexuales pero de sueños y pesadillas, no tienen sexo con las personas solo le transmiten el sueño a los hombres o mujeres y pues le hacen lo que ellos quieren ver, la fantasia que tienen.
Samira es una succubus que ha rompido algunas reglas por ayudar a su "amigo" incubus pero eso no la lleva a nada bueno, por esa razon se desata una guerra y muchas personas sufren, en eso conoce a Nicolae un hombre que ha sufrido mucho pero que busca venganza y de que forma, convocandola a ella para que lo ayude y cobre todo lo que sufrio y perdio pero las cosas no salen como es de esperarse y la Reina Nyx se entera de todo y convierte a Samira en humana.
Aqui ella me da mucha risa, ya que no conoce nada de lo que le pasa a los humanos, hambre, sed, sueño, cansancio y demas, ella siempre ha vivido en las sombras pero esto le lleva a una nueva perspectiva, empieza a conocer a los humanos y todo lo que les rodea.
Nicolae piensa que lo primordial es la venganza pero que pasa cuando algo mas importante llega, cuando la magia que utiliza se vuelve contra nosotros, cuando lo que pensabas que es importante ya no lo es y te empiezas a preocupar por otras cosas que jamas pensaste preocuparte.
Al final el libro te deja un bonito mensaje y te hace pensar en lo que cada uno de nosotros tiene y lo que sacrificarias por esa felicidad, lo que entregarias por esa persona amada hay muchos que no ven eso y se dejan llevar por otros sentimientos que no son tan importantes como el Amor.

[Netanella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book - I really did. What started as a great premise - a creature of the night, a dream demon named Samira, thrown into a mortal form as punishment for misdeeds - turned as sour as the mortal breath the author was so apt to describe. What began as the promise of a steamy Tanith Lee-type novel turned into a quick page-turner where I flipped pages quickly just to get to the end.

The setting is eastern medieval Europe, and there is warfare among the factions of the standard gothic settings of Wallachia, Moldavia, Transylvania. Unfortunately, the author felt the need to tell us not once, but twice, that the evil Vlad was that Vlad, you know - hint, hint, nudge, nudge - Vlad Draco, Dracula, the Impaler. Puh-lease. The writing itself was surprising well done, but unfortunately, I cared not one whit what happened to Samira and Nicolae. And that, my dearies, is a shame.

[Sandra Dagg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was well-written, and the storyline held my interest, I had several chuckles out of it, so why only 3 stars? I think I'd give it 3½ if I could, and others who read it may enjoy it more. This was my first 'succubus' story...I had never read one before, so perhaps it's not my cup of tea, I'm not really sure. This is not the author's fault, and unlike some other reviewers on Goodreads, I refuse to criticize an author just because I wasn't really 100% into the book. I do plan to read more books on this subject, just to see if it's me, or really was that I simply couldn't get into THIS particular book, but I seriously think it's due to my own lack of enthusiasm for this particular subject that has me holding back on a higher rating. If you like this particular type of paranormal story, then give it a try, you'll probably like it.

[Consuela Rossetto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pubblicato in Italia nei romanzi mondadori dark passion con il titolo "Ti sto aspettando ..."

Samira è un demone succubo. La notte si insinua nei sogni degli uomini per avverare i desideri più carnali. Conosce ogni segreta fantasia erotica nascosta nei loro cuori, eppure non è mai stata toccata dalla mano di un amante. E nemmeno lo ha mai desiderato… finora. Nicolae, principe della Moldavia, è stato sconfitto in guerra ed è ora esiliato su un’isola in un monastero diroccato. In cerca di riscatto, si vota alle arti oscure e progetta di ricorrere ai poteri di Samira. Ma quando la bellissima succubo si presenta a lui con sembianze umane, tutti i pensieri di vendetta svaniscono. E quello che accadrà cambierà per sempre il loro mondo e i loro cuori…

[Veronica Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow it so good could not wait for book 2. Made me wand my own dream demon LOL, it was so hot couldn't get enough loved Nicolae and Samira he was so blind at first but in the end they found love. Their were times the way he treated her made me want to cry, he was abusive verbally and spoke to her like she was a thing instead of a person with a heart. It was sad to read that she wanted any kind of interaction with him because she loved him and he was to caught up revenge.

[Arsnoctis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volevo leggere un libro che avesse come protagonista una succubus e ho trovato questo. È stata una lettura leggera adatta ad un pomeriggio ozioso, ma nulla di più.

Ne ho parlato anche in uno dei video dedicati alle letture mensili su Youtube QUI da 9:21.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the ventures into the paranormal/fantasy genre of romance. This book didn't work for me. It had an interesting synopsis and made me curious but the style and story itself didn't grab me.

[Nymn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest romance books ever! I read it eons ago and I'll always remember all the comic scenes! I recommend it anyone looking for a light and hilarious read!

[Durinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful mix of supernatural and history

Loved it, have read this book many times over. Definitely a page turner, if you don't have it, get it

[Monica Autry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. I read a LOT and I remember it well from almost two years ago.