Nocturne

Hours of the Night #2

by Irene Preston, Liv Rancourt

⚜ It's Mardi Gras, cher, but this year le bon temps kick off with murder...

For generations, the White Monks have treated the vampire Thaddeus Dupont as a weapon in their battle against demons. However, when a prominent matron drops dead at a party, Thaddeus and his lover Sarasija are asked to find her killer. Their investigation leads them to an old southern family with connections Louisiana politics, big business, the Church, and an organization just as secret as the White Monks.

Meanwhile, an esoteric text containing spells for demon-summoning has disappeared, Thaddeus is losing control of le monstre, and Sara is troubled by disturbing dreams. These nightmares could be a side-effect of dating a vampire, or they could be a remnant of his brush with evil. As the nights wear on, Sara fears they are a manifestation of something darker - a secret that could destroy his relationship with Thaddeus.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, M M Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, LGBT

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2017

About the author

Irene Preston has to write romances, after all she is living one. As a starving college student, she met her dream man who whisked her away on a romantic honeymoon across Europe. Today they live in the beautiful hill country outside of Austin, Texas where Dream Man is still working hard to make sure she never has to take off her rose-colored glasses.

Reviews

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the Big Easy again and it never felt so good!

And confusing...

Seriously, like, WHAT IS HE????

Never mind that now. No sense dwelling. But it seems fairly obvious the series will continue since we're left with a whole mess of dangling threads or should I say beads since NAWLINS, Y'ALL!



Nocturne picks up where Vespers left off, so this should not be read as a standalone. They are almost immediately thrust into a murder mystery complete with witches, warlocks and demons and all smack dab in the middle of Mardi Gras!

These authors capture that whole anything can happen/sorta spooky/there are things that go bump in the night thing that surrounds New Orleans superbly. The essence and mystique of not just the city but of Louisiana as a whole is almost a character entirely in and of itself. It addS a certain je ne sais quoi to the whole series that I like. Plus, y'know, French. *eyebrows*



I mentioned it in my review of Vespers but it bears repeating that these authors do a sensational job with these characters in all ways but particularly their voices. The story jumps between them frequently and not once was I ever confused about whose head I was in.



Thad's manner of speaking and being speaks to his age, wisdom and the church, which he's devoted most of his life to. I love all the pomp and circumstance of Catholicism and the authors know of Catholic guilt and they know it well. It permeates Thad. Persistently he grapples with his faith and his feelings for Sara.

Sara, on the other hand, oozes millennial from his speech to his attitude to his outlook. He persistently challenges Thad's beliefs with logic and he keeps him on his toes. Their interplay continues to be a source of amusement for me.

The authors have integrated relevant issues into the story that added authenticity without seeming preachy. This is a fairly diverse cast of characters who have entanglements with law enforcement, because they find themselves in pickle after pickle. Those run ins with the law added credibility and relevancy to the narrative, not to mention some discomfiture.

I'm not sure if there were just a million things going on for me personally, but it seemed like this started slower then gained more and more traction as it progressed. The last 40-50% I was on the edge of my seat and trying desperately to keep up with all the developments, which is my bread and butter. I like being challenged because it keeps me engaged and engaged I was. It was fun. Nohea kicks ass all over the place. Thad vamps out. Something freaky's happening with Sara. Eccentric twins. Explosions. Weird witchy things. FUN with a capital FUN!



Sara and Thad are an established couple at this point. Though they're still working the kinks out, so to speak. Their bond and connection is unwavering, but if you're interested in lots of sex, this isn't that book. Also, those that struggle with communication issues may lose patience. As a general rule, I don't have trouble when it comes to lies of omission between couples and for the most part I didn't here either. The pink elephant between Sara and Thad is burdensome and weighs heavily on Sara. As much as I wanted him to trust in Thad, I understood his fears and why he just couldn't.

As I mentioned at the start, there are so many questions left unanswered that I don't even know what to do with myself. I guess just wait like schlub for the next one to come out. Hopefully soon. *pleading eyes*

Recommend to UF and PNR romance fans.




A review copy was provided.

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is such an emotional intensity, a darker shade, to the second book in the Hours of the Night series. Thaddeus continues to be my wonderful vampire, still full of Catholic guilt, in need of punishment for being gay. Still judging himself as lesser, yet continuing his kinder thoughts toward others. Sara is still a nice guy, although his joie de vivre is tempered by factors from Vespers. There is no mistaking the beauty of Thaddeus and Sara together. I do love them. The way they feel about the other. Their thoughts....

There is plenty of action, it's full pelt once it gets past the initial build. There is the backdrop of New Orleans during Mardi Gras within private parties and wealth. There's a demonic presence again, and they continue to shift shape in the way they present. Magic, suspense and some important individual arcs for Thaddeus, Sara and Nohea, Thaddeus' business manager, all make for a strong story. Current social commentary also has some page time. New characters and continuing ones add to the storyline as well - like them or hate them.
Blog review -

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book from the authors. This has not influenced my review.*

Even though this was only Book 2 in the series, it was already a comfort kind of read for me and one I was really excited for. And let me tell you, this book jumped right into the good stuff: relationship problems, murder, and sex, all within the first 10%.

One of the things I love most about this series though is all the tension that Thad's religiousness brings to the story. I didn't fully explain the premise in my review of Book 1, and it's not that clear in the blurbs, so I'll explain it here. Thad is devoutly Catholic. He's working for a special group of monks, helping them kill demons, in order to repent for his vampirism so that he can get into Heaven. He is (or was going to be?) a monk himself even. So obviously he wants to do what the monks tell him to, avoid sinning, etc. That's why he always had female blood donors in the past (so he wouldn't be tempted to have sex with them) until a man was hired by mistake. Now he's in love with and sleeping with Sara, thus having sex with a man, which is a definite sin in his mind, and that causes him a whole bunch of inner turmoil. Then you have Sara's side of things---imagine what it would be like if every time you had sex with the person you loved you knew they were considering it a sin, basically considering their and your sexual orientation a sin. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine that would feel good. It's a kind of inner turmoil and relationship struggle I've never seen in any other book. But, despite all of that...

I love Thad and Sara's relationship. I love the emotion in it. I love that it's not perfect. I love the respect they have for each other despite their vast differences. I love how, when something happens, when there's an issue, they talk, even if talking is hard. (There was one thing Sara didn't talk about, but I could actually understand why, so that's excusable.) Their relationship is beautiful. And I would say healthy as well. Yes, Thad's jealousy was a big part of this book, but not in a jealousy-is-sexy sort of way. Thad was ashamed of his jealousy and the way he acted sometimes. And more importantly, he apologized to Sara for it and the other things he did wrong, he reminded himself that Sara didn't belong to him, and he never tried to manipulate him or force him to stay. Sara apologized too when he did things wrong since he wasn't perfect either. The authors have managed to make their relationship just angsty and emotional enough to be engrossing without being frustrating. Thad and Sara love each other, and I love their love, and there is so much love in this paragraph lol.

I also, yet again, just really liked Thad's POV in general. He has such a different way of thinking, of feeling, of coping with those feelings than I do and than any other character I've read about does because of his vampirism combined with his Catholicism combined with his homosexuality. It's a chance to understand a completely new perspective filled with guilt, humility, faith, judgment, self-punishment, shame, forgiveness, love, and so many other emotions. He was also a lot more vampire in this one, so that was fun. Well, it was fun for me, not so much for poor Thad who kept feeling ashamed of himself because he hates the fact that he's a vampire.

Of course Sara was great too. Still realistic and relatable as a 20-something, but he seemed more serious and mature this time, which makes sense with the experiences he's been having. And Nohea was there to help as well, despite still being angry with Thad. There were also some new characters who weren't very likeable but were well-written.

The New Orleans setting also played a big part in this one since parts of the plot involved Mardi Gras. And of course there was also magic and paranormalness and a mystery for the characters to figure out.

Overall, another great book in the series with an adorable romance and characters who continue to shine!

Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Irene Preston and Liv Rancourt's Hours of the Night series. Anyone who likes M/M, vampires (and in this case, a Catholic one), sweet romantic relationships, and lovable characters.

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight

--------------------

Initial Thoughts:
I love these guys so much, and their relationship is so sweet and beautiful, even when they have struggles <3 <3 <3 Full review soon!

[Jewel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy Nocturne nearly as much as the previous installments. There was far too much discord for my liking. Discord between Thaddeus and Sara, between Sara and Nohea, between Nohea and Thaddeus... It was a bit much. I felt especially that Thaddeus and Sara were long overdue for a solid conversation about their future, but each of them kept assuming what the other felt and thought rather than asking or talking things out. Plus, Sara is keeping secrets, even if he isn't certain what the secrets really are or what they mean. Also, I didn't like the pushy, obnoxious twins.

The main story arc does get some progression, and we do learn a couple things, but it definitely doesn't feel finished, or anywhere near resolved, really. At the end of tNocturne it said that the next book was supposed to be out in 2018, but it doesn't look like it's out, so I'm not holding out hope we'll get more.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm horrible at reviewing books I love because I basically become a mess of *I loved the characters, l loved the story, I loved, loved, loved ...*
But, yes, I love Sara, I love his personality and the way he takes care of Thad. I cannot wait to see what is going on with his powers, and Marcus, and, well, everything. I adore Thad, I love the way he loves Sara, I love the way he protects and cares for those he loves, I love that he's starting to realize that he can have more than just being the Monk's assassin. I love the world that the authors have created and the way it fits New Orleans, and vampires, and magic.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this series, I definitely didn't expect to fall in love as completely as I have. So, yeah, another review that is pretty much just a gushing, fan girling mess of love. 😶
The next book isn't out until 2018, I don't want to wait!

[Jennifer Oliveira · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received through the authors*

Actual rating: 3.5/5

I must admit I was very excited for the comeback of one of my favorite vampires in literature. One of my favorite vampires and his lover, fighting monsters in what was one of my favorite POC mxm fantasy books of perhaps... ever? By this I mean the first book in the series, where these characters are introduced to us, plus Thaddeus' badass female assistant, and they solve mysteries and fight demons while being faithful to a bunch of monks.

On this book, they're still the same characters. They still solve mysteries. They like the monks a little less, thank goodness, and demons take on a whole new meaning. My problem with the plot was the huge amount of information inside such an average sized book, and how things might have been exaggerated in the fantasy department. Kind of reminds me of when Pullman started adding all those other creatured to his His Dark Materials series. Sometimes less is more, guys.

Apart from that, I really appreciated the new characters, especially the twins. I continue to love the alternating point of view from first person to third person every other chapter, gives Thaddeus and Sara their separate personalities. I just wished the plot had been steered in a different way, and made a bit less complicated.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

As I did with Vespers and the Christmas novella Bonfire, I loved this book! It was exciting, atmospheric, unconventional, and sexy. It has a sort of Southern Gothic feel to it, and that makes it all seem eerie, from the description of Thad’s houses, to the shops on Bourbon Street. I chose this series because I have a love of vampires…all kinds of vampires. If you’ve ever watched True Blood, you’ll understand the ambience and world building given to us by Preston and Rancourt. It’s equal parts dark and beautiful and it’s fun. Basically, you just open the book and hold on because you’re going for a ride.

Now, I don’t want to give away the whole plot, so I have to be careful of what I say. I’m going to start with Thad and Sara. They have a chemistry that will grab you and suck you in (no vampire/blood pun intended). What started out as a convenience became something different. I love their dialogue, their silent looks, and the way they both alter their lifestyles to accommodate each other. Along with that, there is a fair amount of angst, especially on the part of Thad. Sara is all in, though. He loves Thad passionately, and is willing to go so far as jumping in and taking on violent demons if it means being with his man. I admire dedication like that, and I’m a sucker for a deep, forever sort of love.

Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are you?

It's funny, but I went into this book with such a clear idea of what the lingering 'problem' would be. After all, even with Bonfire, there was still a degree of festering within Thad and Sara's relationship. Thad continued to see it as a sin, something that needed confessing, keeping distance between the two. Now with Mardi Gras and parties and Sara being hit on Thad would get jealous and that inability to truly acknowledge the relationship would be The Big Problem. Hoo boy was I wrong about that and the places this book brought us instead were nothing short of astounding.

Ever since Vespers the bond between Thad and Sara has been a mystery. Even when they were nothing more than employer and employee and Sara was just learning about vampires, a few drops of blood bound them in a way it had no other person. Sara could feel location, emotion, state of being.....so many things from Thad and nothing anyone before had felt. That bond wasn't explained, but then no one had any idea what it was and it was barely talked about. It was assumed that it was because of Thad, some sort of vampire thing, but what if Sara was the key and something even more? This is was Nocturne explores.

I love the way supernatural things pop up in this book. More often than not we are in Sara's shoes, our knowledge only as much as others are able to tell us. As such we never really know what supernatural beasties are real. Say that a werewolf ate that victim? How are we supposed to know that isn't true! It's like when you're reading a fantasy book that scoffs at another fantastical being - if one exists why can't the other? Well, sometimes it is lack of knowledge. It appears that there is more to this world than even the monks know and Thad, Sara, and Nohea are getting a crash course as they crash right into it.

With magic and demons and compulsions, this book becomes far less clear than the first. It used to be obvious; demons were evil, deserving of death. Now we are introduced to witches, family gifts, and lines of power. Sometimes this power is tainted but the person's soul is not. Where does that leave them? It is bringing up all new questions as suddenly Thad's strong faith is tested, and Sara is having to revise what little he has come to know.

The biggest thread through all of this is love. After all love is a bit of faith. You have faith in your lover to hold your heart and keep it true, and in return you will do the same. When challenges come that is a challenge of your faith in your love. Sara's life is changing and he doesn't have faith that his lover will be okay with that. Meanwhile, Thad must decide which love is more true; his faith for the Catholic God, or his faith in his new lover. This book was that decision, and it was amazing what it came too.

There are some answers in this book, and but others are left open. Interestingly, the very question I had from the first book, about the bond, is still unanswered. But it is not done in an unsatisfying drag out way. No answers are forthcoming because no one knows them. Life for Sara and Thad is changing presenting more questions, and I look forward to the next book to see what we learn!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back with Thad and Sata and its Mardi Gras. They are asked by the Monks to investigate a death.
We meet lots of new people and witches and Sara's personal demon.
A nice story that kept me involved throughout.
We learn that Sara isnt wholly human. I can't wait to see what the next books brings.

[The Novel Approach · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ 4.5 Stars ~

Nocturne, book two in Irene Preston and Liv Rancourt’s Hours of the Night series, is next level entertaining and suspenseful. As much as I liked the heck out of Vespers and the introduction to their alternate New Orleans, this new full-length installment in the series not only advances its overall arc but gives a whole new dimension to Sarasija Mishra—vampire Thaddeus Beaumont’s human lover—and adds more than a bit of moral conflict for our pious demon hunting vampire, and I loved it.

If you’re already into the series, then you know that Thad straddles two worlds. He is man and le monstre. He is righteous and sinner. He is spiritual and secular. He is in love with Sara and punishes himself for it. He’s a 115-year-old man in a contemporary world, and self-flagellation, both physical and psychological, is the price he pays for existing in direct contradiction to his faith. Parts of the series are told from Thad’s first-person point of view, and in those passages, we see his internal struggle as that of a man who believes with all he is that his very existence is a sin, an abomination, and yet, for him to do anything as drastic as to choose to end his life would be a violation of his Catholic faith. There’s a point in the story where Thad says, “I didn’t dare countermand his invitation, though for the life of me, I had no idea how I’d entertain a houseful of strangers,” and I loved what I’m going to call a slip of the tongue here, even if the authors intended it as tongue-in-cheek. Or, meant nothing by it at all. “For the life of me” is something Thad struggles with in every fiber of his being, in addition to the external conflicts he faces.

Sara’s evolution in this novel is fabulous. It would have been rather obtuse of me not to expect his association with a vampire to alter his life in unimaginable ways. Add demons and witches to the equation, and those alterations put Sara up against a few serious problems, not the least of which is his relationship with Thad and Thad’s contrary need to have Sara near and the belief that Sara would be better off running as far away from Louisiana as fast as he can. I grew to love Sara even more in this book. His loyalty to Thad comes not from a place of duty but from a place of love. His strength comes not from a place of religious faith but from a place of personal conviction that Thad is honorable and good. I couldn’t help but feel their relationship, while dealt an unexpected twist, is now on more solid ground.

The mission in this novel provides the danger, both worldly and otherworldly, needed to keep readers on the edge of our proverbial seat. A missing grimoire in the wrong hands is all it takes for hell to break loose during Mardi Gras, which leads to another thing I love about the series: its setting. New Orleans and the Louisiana bayou are characters unto themselves—why else would authors choose it as a place to tell stories of the supernatural? It is a place steeped in the history of voodoo inspired spiritualism, ghost stories and haunted cemeteries, so of course it should be rife with all manner of the metaphysical as well. It lives and breathes to inspire the story in and around it, and the authors handle it with aplomb.

The secondary characters, most notably Thad’s paladin, Nohea, along with twins Jo-Jo, aptly combined and hyphenated, add yet another layer of dimension to the story. I wasn’t at all sure about the twins at first, but I ended up liking them in the end. I think… Trust? No. But like, sure. There is a secondary conflict still playing out involving Nohea, a missing child, and the part Thad played in all of that provides for a mounting tension between Nohea and Thad, one that’s somewhat detrimental to their working relationship, so it’s going to be interesting to watch that play out in future books. Or, at least the next book, depending upon how many are planned for the series.

A murder mystery adds another layer to the Southern Gothic feel of the story. The investigation and the subsequent revelation of the mastermind behind the chaos, inspired by dark magic and steeped in tradition and in-fighting, is suspenseful and leaves an ellipsis at its end… There are still strange things afoot for Thad, Sara, and Nohea to confront. The more the better, as far as I’m concerned. Who doesn’t need an occasional departure into the extreme and unusual?

Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach

[Magnolia · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Magnolia Reviews: Four Petals

This book provided yet another wonderful setting to ground the vampires and magic in the real world. I had some issue with the characters not communicating with each other properly, but overall I really liked this book and definitely recommend it.

Read the full review on Maggie's website: http://magnoliareviews.weebly.com/rev...

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thaddeus and Sara go to a party where a murder occurs and there is a missing grimoire that has already caused problems with demons and spells that put them into the line of fire. Murder, possessions, demons, violence, running away and broken hearts and stretched bonds. Was the story good. Yes! As were the first one of the series. Book ended on a cliffhanger. Hopefully it doesn't take the authors as long this time to write the next in the series. Would recommend this book for anyone to read.

[Mak · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I had to take off half a star (and considered taking off a full one) due to the MCs being down right stupid/blind at times. I know it was done to drive the plot but it was frustrating and seemed like lazy writing to me. I kept thinking, no way people with their previous experiences would not even pose the right questions! But Thad did experience quite a break through in this installment, and I very much want the next book to happen, so rounding up.

[Ulysses Dietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nocturne (Hours of the Night, 2) by Liv Rancourt and Irene Preston
Published by the authors, 2017
Four stars

Let me make it clear: I loved this book. I love the writing, I love the characters, who are nuanced and interesting. I love the setting, and the use of New Orleans and the bayous of Louisiana as an evocative, emotion-packed backdrop for the story of Sarasija and Thaddeus. This series (with two novels and a novella so far) has brought the idea launched by Anne Rice 40-some years ago full circle.

Thaddeus Dupont is a modern vampire, in a modern relationship, in the twenty-first century. On the other hand, he is almost as bogged down in the past as Lestat and Louis are in Anne Rice’s novels. It is in Thad’s seemingly unbreakable ties to his past that the emotional power of this story lies, rather than with the intertwining of vampire and witch lore (shades of Rice’s Mayfair Witches). Thad has only left the monastic solitude of his bayou home because of his love for Sara. It is because of Sara that he has decided to live in the heart of the city, in a mansion on First Street that he won a century earlier in a card game. I’ll just note in passing that Thaddeus’s house is on First Street in the Garden District, as was the house of the Mayfair witches, and Anne Rice’s own house.

Thad also realizes that the 23-year-old Sara might actually NEED a little human social interaction other than with his devout employer and Thad’s grumpy business manager (and ninja-like assistant) Nohea. So, he takes Sara to the first of the high-society events marking the start of Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans. Now, I have family in NOLA and have been to Mardi Gras, and have even attended a party at Anne Rice’s house, (where I only met her adorable, then-21, gay son, not the writer herself). So, of course, I’m a complete expert.

Things get weird(er) when somebody important in Garden District society dies mysteriously during this party, and both Thad and Sara get dragged into the death because, to Thad, something feels off. As a professional demon-killer for the secretive order of the White Monks, Thad knows what he’s talking about. While he and Sara are still on the trail of a potentially deadly grimoire (from the first book in the series, “Vespers”), they begin to discover that the cases have potential interconnections.

Our gilt-ridden blood-drinker and his sometimes feckless Indian-American secretary/boyfriend find themselves discovering aspects of Louisiana subculture that surprises even them. As they move, often at high speed, from Thad’s austere town house to the elegant Robicheau plantation Sugar Run, an inexplicable danger seems to draw closer. Sara’s new friends, the beautiful, spoiled Valcour twins, known collectively as Jo-Jo, are somehow at the center of things, but neither Sara nor Thad can figure out how.

The last part of the book builds into a heart-pounding explosion of paranormal action, revealing truths that neither Thad nor Sara want to face The problem is, that’s ALL that happens. This is not a short book, and while it is action-packed, richly filled with visual detail and emotion, it ends on a note of profound uncertainty and without any satisfying conclusions. It is not exactly a cliffhanger, but it is nearly so.

Given that the Preston/Rancourt fans were promised the next chapter in this story in 2018, this is incredibly frustrating. I know, I know, it’s hard to write these books and it can take time. So, if that is the case, then you give your reader more when you end a book, before leaving them hanging for three years. Just a suggestion.

The most important line in the entire book, to my mind, is this:
“The monks are human and may be mistaken,” Thad said. “Our Father has given us intellect. We must use it to expand our understanding.”

This is why I’ll try to be patient until the next story arrives. I don’t care as much about the Valcour family and the oversexed twins, or even the creepy White Monks and their shadowy influence in Louisiana’s occult society. I care about Thaddeus Dupont and his soul. I am concerned with his struggle to accept that his love for the young, brown-skinned Sara Mishra is a gift of God and not a symptom of damnation.

So, I’m withholding the fifth star until I get the rest of the story.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nocturne, (Hours of the Night 2), Irene Preston, Liv Rancourt

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: LGBTQIA, Romance

Vampires, supernatural suspense, M/M romance - what's not to love? This is a great series but don't start here, read books 1 and 1.5 or you'll be lost. 

Even though I've done that there are times when i needed to do a mental backtrack just to recall who fits where and how...There are some great characters here but the cast gets larger, with each book building on both short and long term story arcs, and that makes the whole thing pretty complex. 

Sara: I love him, open, cheerful, confident in his sexuality and very much in love with Thad. He's 23 and has a wonderful joy about him that makes him feel young, but not immature. He's on the fence about the Monks, but respects Thad's devotion to them, his quest for redemption.
I'm with him about them, not so sure they are the good guys they appear to be, and irritated at the way they use Thad's guilt over what he is for their own ends. They withhold information to suit themselves and don't worry about danger to Thad, seem to see him as dispensable.
There's one bit where they are meeting with Brother Michael - I think it was him - and Sara remarks on the surrounds, very luxurious and Michael says that the monks give up all material wealth when they join. As Sara thinks you'd imagine that would mean they live frugally, but somehow they make it so they're living in the lap of luxury. Pretty much like real life religion for many.....
Thad: He's young in age, about 30ish I think but actually 115, and he's got that historical mindset in many ways.
He was going to become a monk- or was one - when he was changed, and carries such guilt about what he is, calls the vampire part Le Monstre, and his work with the Monks is to atone for that. Like Sara, I think they use his guilt for their own ends.
It must be hard when so long has been spent suppressing his sexuality, thinking it a sin, and then finding Sara and falling in love. I love the way we get the closeness, the tenderness between them without need for overt sexuality. Some books it fits to read about characters sex lives in detail, in this one it would just feel wrong, the way its handled discreetly is exactly the way Thad would be. Anything more just wouldn't fit his personality.  

There are new and old characters here, Mardi Gras festival celebrations, Demons and Witches and lots of supernatural issues. They still need to track down the missing book, and Michael also tasks them with finding out who killed a relative of his and protecting his young twin relatives, Jo and Sep.
Its a tangled tale, and of course Nohea, Thad's awesome kick - a$$ assistant is still angry about her missing baby niece, and they're trying to track her down. 

A busy book for the trio, full of the usual suspense, dangers, twisted clues and the Monks machinations. another great read. 

Stars: four and a half, it didn't quite rivet me as the first two, I found parts a little confusing, but still an excellent read. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by authors.

[Mari Cardenas · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!

Nocturne is book 2 in The Hours of the Night series and I think to be on the safe side, you do need to read it in order, Vespers, Bonfire and then Nocturne. It's such a great series, that you won't regret it.

After a wealthy matron from a prominent Louisiana family dies at a party Sara and Thaddeus attend just before Mardi Gras, they rally trying to find the killer that leads them to discover an organization that is just as secret as the White Monks to whom Thaddeus responds to.

Thaddeus and Sara are their lovable selves, although now the authors delve a little deeper into them. We see more of Thaddeus as a vampire, we see him losing control and being more forceful. And of course, there's the matter of Sara and the fact that there's more to him than what meets the eye. The chemistry between them is electric and I just love how being so different they complement the other.

I adored Nohea and the twins and I'm quite scared of what Missy's disappearance might mean for them in the future.

The story was filled with enough twists and turns to make my head spin and kept me at the edge of my seat. It was intriguing and enjoyable and I am really looking forward to more books in this series, especially with the development regarding Sara and Thaddeus realization at the end. Liv Rancourt and Irene Preston did an outstanding job with their writing collaboration, the prose is elegant and seamless and it has this timeless quality that I love. Very recommendable for fans of this series and lovers of paranormal mysteries!

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a prominent society lady (and, as it turns out, essentially the head of a powerful coven) mysteriously dies at her own party, the only thing anyone knows for certain is that foul play is more than suspected. So it's also no surprise that Thaddeus and Sarasija find themselves working to track down the murderer. And if it's not enough to be on the trail of someone (or something) nefarious, they still need to track down the missing grimoire (a.k.a. guide to demon summoning) while Thaddeus is struggling to keep himself in control and Sara is having strange dreams that he is keeping to himself. Recipe for disaster? Probably. But these two just might be up to the challenge.

I was excited to see another installment in this series. There was something about Thaddeus and Sara that drew me in when I read Vespers, and that something is definitely still here. These two have experiences that are so different--they're even from different eras, really--and through those differences they have managed to find something that works for them. Now, sometimes it doesn't work as well as others, but I think it's safe to say that is true of nearly any relationship. There are some unexpected twists to rush down in reading this story, and--I'll just put it out there now--there are some unanswered questions that remain at the end. But that's what book three is for, right?

[Disclaimer: This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the authors.]

[Debbie Christiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nocturne (Hours of the Night, Book II) shows us how perfectly this series is coming along. In this installment it's nearing Mardi Gras and the parties are in full swing, as are our favorite characters, the vampire Thaddeus and his assistant/lover Sarasija and who can forget the sassy whip wielding, Nohea?

Brother Michael invites Thad and Sara to a party at his home only to have the matriarch of the family, Aunt Roberta, drop dead. Throw in Brother Michael's wild niece and nephew, Sef and JoJo, who have taken a liking to Sara, and you'll need to buckle up. The adventure shifts into fast gear driving us into a world of magic, murder, demons and revenge. As always, the White Monks are involved from a close distance. It adds to the enigma that they may not be at all what they seem.

With Ms. Rancourt and Ms. Preston's strong writing, I'm always happy to tag along with her characters to where they end up and Nocturne is no exception. It's a great read, solving the mystery at hand, while leaving some secrets and questions to linger, which guarantees us to come back for more.

[Patdbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

That and Sara are back in New Orleans and the fun is about to start and confusion reigns not only in the story but for the reader. So many questions are raised Jo-Jo who are they, good or bad. Noreh will she forgive thad. Who are the baddies and who are the goodies. Will those two men ever just stop over thinking and talk to each other. Confusing and frustrating and brilliant. The ending great as it means there is more to come. The two authors really weave great stories, ,mystery, intrigue, MM love and sex and religion and theology together. Oops can the last four go together. ..... Keep it coming. We'll done you two.

[K.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the ARC of this book from the authors for an honest review.

For me, this second book in the Hours of the Night series was even better than Vespers and that's saying a lot. I loved Vespers. I loved the characters, the setting, the premise of the series - everything. For the first time in more years than I can keep track of, there was finally an intelligent approach to writing a vampire character that hearkened back to the struggle between good and evil, not just a broader, exterior conflict, but a battle raging inside the character himself, between the Super-ego (the faith and religious devotion of the monk) and the Id (the baser instincts of the vampire) which results in an Ego (Thaddeus himself) who is an empathetic, identifiable anti-hero one can't help but love and cheer for. Add to that the incredibly modern and lovable, agnostic Indian-American assistant, Sarasija Mishra, as well as the story-weaving skill of these two authors, and the series is nothing short of addictive and enthralling.

Nocturne was everything I love in a story combined: mystery, suspense, romance, and the paranormal, all set in and around New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. The characters are compelling, the tension and suspense builds gradually but steadily and never stalls, the mysteries are not easily solved by either the characters or the reader (very huge plus for me, who usually figures everything out in the first 1/4 of a book and grow bored), and it's filled with well-researched ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity. This book was excellent on every level. I can hardly wait for the next installment.

[Verdant · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY

It is a new author for me. I haven't read book 1. So I think you should read those first as the story is somewhat connected even if there were backstory.

It has a nice plot and interesting twisting story. Thaddeus is not like any vampire I have read. Which just made this story a refreshing read.

Other than that I just wish there was a glossary for foreign terms that were used. Like the chants. Some Latin? Phrases i don't understand.

I'm gonna reread it next time when I have book 1.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really think this was my favorite so far in the series. I liked seeing a bit more of Thad's "le monstre." I liked that there wasn't so much angst about his perceived sins and I liked that Sara had struggles of his own, outside of getting Thad to accept his love. Plus, they were sweet together and I thought the writing was just really good.

I did think it dragged just a little and I was disappointed to end the book not knowing what's up with Sara's situation. I assume this is the next book, but it was a pretty big issue to go not only unresolved, but undiscussed even.

All in all, I can't wait for the next one.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book and series. Haunted was the first book I read by these talented authors and it catapulted me into the whole series. Having finished the last book they have written I'm more than ready right to see what else happens to this fabulous couple. They have my heart in their hands!
Highly recommend the series.

You have to really start with the first book to understand what's happening in the following books. Pick them up and enjoy the thrill of reading about vampires, demons, witches and whatever else comes their way.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn't like it as much as the first one and probably won't continue with the series. I find the action scenes very confusing, and all the characters seem to be held at a distance. Perhaps the fact that there are two co-authors explains some of this. The series has its fans, so it clearly works for some readers...

[1tigerlily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these books

Great characters and plot. Different from other vampire tales. Loved Sara's realism, attitude and reactions. Can't wait for the next book.
Good editing, world building and character development, something that makes a good story great.

[ConM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the series!

[Helen M. Whitchurch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catholic vampire

Vampire must choose between Catholic indoctrination and Saraji, his love and freedom of thought when rogue witch sparks conflict between New Orleans factions.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nocturne takes place a few months after the events of Bonfire moving from the Christmas holidays to Mardi Gras. A familiar friend re-appears in Thad and Sara's lives again along with some new faces. Thad and Sara have a new mystery to uncover when Father Michael's relative dies at a Mardi Gras party in a mysterious manner.

What once was clear in Vespers about good and evil isn't so clear cut and easily defined in Nocturne. I absolutely love that about this book. The lines are blurred between good and evil. Everything once so simply defined is not so simple anymore. They used to believe that demons are evil and deserve death. Now, Thad and Sara encounter a family of witches, legacies of power, and gifts that are passed through the generations. What happens when that power is tainted but the person's soul isn't? Everything they encounter in Nocturne leaves them with more questions as Thad's faith is tested and Sara has to figure out that everything he thought he know isn't necessarily true.

Along the way, Sara and Thad's relationship is tested when they find out that Sara is turning into something more than human. Their relationship finally reaches a new point of understanding and love when Thad realizes that he has faith in Sara's love and not in a Catholic god. Life for Thad and Sara is changing and the ending leaves everything open for the next book in the series. I'm excited for more books to discover what new adventures await Thad and Sara!

[Jessica Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read the second book in this series. I really like Thaddeus and Sara together and Nohea is just badass.

The one thing I liked less about this book compared to the first is it was confusing and seemed to drag towards the middle. I'm still not sure what Sara has become/is meant to be...and maybe that will be addressed more fully in the next book "Benedictus" which I definitely plan to read. Whenever it comes out, that is. As it stands, it seems to be 2 years late...and that makes me sad.

All in all, 4 out of 5 stars.

[Shima11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking good, culturally interesting, tender but hella creepy paranormal series. Absorbing from the first chapter of Vol 1 (Vespers) thru last chapter of Vol 2 (Nocturne). Alas, third installment (Benedictus) delayed; expected release "2019". Here's hoping. Volumes end satisfactorily, with no cliffhanger, but the loose ends tantalize.
Seductive x 4: Characters, Premise, Ambiance & Writing Style.