Midnight Flame

Midnight Breed #15.6

by Lara Adrian, Christopher Rice

An original short story from iconic thriller collection Match Up, edited by Lee Child, featuring a never-before-seen pairing between bestsellers Lara Adrian and Christopher Rice.

In this extraordinary tale of paranormal suspense, Rice's Desire Exchange character Lillianne will encounter vampires for the first time when Adrian's character Lucan Thorne takes her under his wing.

For more exciting short story pairings, don't miss all eleven short stories in Match Up!

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Short Stories, Romance

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2018

About the author

LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).

Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Lara’s website and sign up for new release announcements at http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews

Reviews

[Sophia Triad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only wanted to read this for Adrian's character Lucan Thorne since I am a huge fan of Midnight Breeds. I wasn't that impressed with Lilliane, the other main character. I don't think these two could match in any case.
The whole short story to be honest felt more like a study and a experiment than a complete idea and execution.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this short story about Lucan Thorne which took us back to when he had not long been mated to Gabrielle. I want to read about Lillianne now!!!

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short story, but if you are going to stay true to your fandom you must read everything you can get your hands on. It's a law.
In this story we travel back in time to a pre-Gabrielle time with Lucan. He is in the Big Easy (New Orleans) when he discovers a woman being attacked. Of course he jumps in to rescue her only to discover she is an immortal being. (I'm ashamed to say I haven't read any of the books in her series, but will rectify that soon.) They two team up for a night of fun and searching for whoever sent the bad guys.
It's a cute story with more of a light hearted Lucan than we are used to in the Breed series.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanting to read this story, but I had to find it in a detective thriller anthology: Match Up. Which really surprised me. I would never in a thousand lifetimes consider The Midnight Breed guys or Lucan Thorne to be a Thriller detective story. They’re vampires. Is this a side job for them? The series is urban fantasy with paranormal romance in it.

Lucas Thorne from the ‘Breed’ series is in New Orleans when he meets Lillane, an immortal Radiant from the ‘Desire Exchange series’ and helps her discover who’s trying to kill her.

Fave Part: swimming ability.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you’d expect, this was super short, but a fun way to introduce readers to a new author. In my case, that author was Anne Rice’s son, Christopher. Of course I’ve heard of him but haven’t yet read any of his books. This crossover was a quick glance into one of the worlds he’s created about Radiants and the Desire Exchange. I may return to Lilliane’s story to explore it further in the future, but I read this one for more of Lucian’s.

[Scholar inArmor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this story as a part of MatchUp crossover collection edited by Lee Child.

This story features Lara Adrian's Lucan Thorne from the Midnight Breed series and Lilliane Williams from Christopher Rice novels. Even though I'm usually not a big fan of short stories, I loved Midnight Flame.

I might even consider adding some novels from Christopher Rice that feature Radiants and those lovely candles.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting this book to be just 32 pages but I suppose it has done what it was meant to do and get people interested in the authors other books as i already read everything lara adrian writes i have to admit I am now curious about christopher rice novels but the downside of this is i won't pay 99p again for a book with only 32 pages.

[Selenity Jade (Coffee Addicts Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little story! I have not read Christopher Rice before but as I love the Midnight Breed series, I picked this up. I was so freaking thrilled to be reading about Lucian again. Possibly my favorite Breed. So no way would this story suck.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story was sweet, weird, interesting, and maybe a tad bit strange. I liked it but it felt weird for Lucan to be out and about shopping. I am so used to reading Lucan with the other Breed Warrior fighting the good fight, that anything else is strange.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collaboration book

A quick gratifying read. I love the Midnight Breed series, and reading this has made me very interested in the series Lillianne belongs to written by Christopher Rice.

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook version.

It was okay. It felt more like a fanfic than an part of the Midnight Breed world. It may be because I hadn't read any of Christopher Rice's books (even though I was a fan of his mum's years ago.)

[Elizabeth du Fresne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Fun Romantic Paranormal Read

Taking Rice's vampire Lucan and Adrian's Radiant together for an adventure was a great idea! Both are unique, fascinating creatures and pairing them just increases the experience. I'll read more of the stories.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supernatural fun

Hadn’t expected a supernatural element. Unanticipated fun! At this writing, I intend to search out books from both authors. Nice way to become familiar with potential reads.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. My only problem is the usual “to short”. It’s a snap shot that is well written. Would really of liked a full length book.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing read.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really too short to be enjoyable, plus when you only know one half of the backgrounds....it feels lacking

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and exciting paranormal short 📘

[Neicy Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. I need to read some of Christopher Rice's books now!

[RavenT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paranormal romance rather than mystery, but fans of that would like this crossover.

[Margarita Rosado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series, I'm reading each one of them. I am not a fan of vampires and extrange creatures but in this case I made an exemption and I'm pretty glad I did.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing short story! Very interesting and funny! Loved how they even managed to mention an famous author who just happened to written a lot of vampire books!

[Melina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it. It was a quick little story that has made me very curious about Christopher Rice. I will definitely look into his books.

[CHud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good short read

This was a surprisingly complete story for such a short read. I would be interested in reading more installments of this story ljne.

[Si Clarke]

I think if you were a fan of both series, this would be solid gold. But without that, it’s a bit meh

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not read about vampires!!! Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Debra Campoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre!

Sorry to Lara Adrian , my Favorite Author...I was very disappointed in this very EASY AMATEUR STORY. I LOVE MIDNIGHT BREED but, this WAS NOT Lara's story. It was way too QUICK to be something your Adoring Fans should pay for! The Last scene with Lucas in bed with his Breedmate wasn't even get Typical LOVE ROMP! It was a Bore! I STOPPED buying James Patterson due to his Lousey stories HE DIDN'T WRITE AND HIGH PRICE for his lately Crappy quick stories that shouldnt be more than 1dollar! Get back Lara or you will end up on the "Can't waste my money" List!

[terry stallings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hteat Matchup

What a great matchup! Joining their two characters together in a quick read, the authors wrote a story that has thr anti-heroes out to find out who video tapes them using supernatural powers. Will they be exposed? Will they get the video back? Read it and find out. You'll be glad you did!