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Wings in the Night #3
Twilight Illusions
Twilight Illusions by Maggie Shayne released on Oct 1, 2007 is available now for purchase.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
92 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Shayne
258 books2,575 followersI live in the teeny, tiny town of Taylor, NY, (Alliteration Alert!) though my mailing address is Cincinnatus, my telephone exchange is Truxton and I pay taxes and vote in Cuyler. All of these are at least in the same rural county in the southern hills of New York State; Cortland County. There are more cattle than people here. The nearest “big” cities are Syracuse and Binghamton and they are an hour away, in different directions, and not really all that big by most standards, though they both seem humongous to me. I look out my window to see rolling, green, thickly forested hills, wildflower laden meadows and wide open blue, blue skies. My road is barely paved. The nearest neighboring place is a 700 acre dairy farm.
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
My house is a big, century old farmhouse. I moved in here after my divorce in 2006. Just a little over a year later, the house, which I had named, SERENITY, burned. It was 99% gutted, and I lost my two dogs, Sally, an 11-year-old great Dane, and Wrinkles, my 14-year-old, blind bulldog. This was the culmination of my Dark Night of the soul, which had seemed to hit me all at once in 2006-2007. My mother died that year, after a 14 month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was only 60. The youngest of my five daughters had left home that same year, and while that’s not a tragedy at all, it felt like one to me. Then came the divorce. And finally there was the fire--it seemed my darkest night wasn’t quite finished with me after all. I had lost almost everything before that point, and as I poked through the wet ashes and soot the next day, I realized that I had now been stripped all the way to the bone.
No better time to start over. (And no, I didn’t come to that realization that day--there were a few days of wallowing in pity first, particularly the day after the fire, when I hit a deer and smashed up my car, which I was practically living in!)
That’s when I started to laugh. Just sat on the side of the road as the deer bounded, uninjured and carefree, out of sight, and laughed. It was just too ridiculous at that point, to do anything else!
And from there, I picked myself up, and brushed myself off, and said, okay, there’s only one way to go from here. Forward. And that’s what I did. There I was at the age of harrurmphemmph, living in my one, mostly undamaged remaining room, with a dorm-sized mini-fridge, a futon, a TV, my cat (nine lives!) and a laptop. And not much else. (Though thank goodness the room that survived the fire, was a room that had its own attached bathroom!)
Since then I have rebuilt my beloved home, which really has become my haven, my “Serenity.” I share it now with my fiancé, Lance, and we have accumulated quite the little family together. “Little” being a relative term. We have a pair of English Mastiffs, Dozer and Daisy, who weigh 203 pounds and 208 pounds respectively, and a little pudgy English Bulldog named Niblet, who is bigger than both of them, inside her mind. We also have the aforementioned cat, Glorificus (“Glory” for short,) who adores her canine pups and keeps them firmly in line. And we've acquired a pair of stray cats as well, a mother and son, Luna (Lulu for short) and Butters aka Buddy. Lulu showed up pregnant during a lunar eclipse, had a litter, and vanished again. We found homes for all the kittens except one. Butters. We got him fixed and kept him. A few months later, Lulu returned, again expecting. This litter was born on the "Monster Moon." Again, all the kittens were spayed and neutered and placed in homes, and this time we got Lulu to the vet in time to spay her before the cycle could repeat.
Glory is not amused.
She has a story of her own, my old Glory cat, having been with me before the Dark Times descended, she went through it all with me, moved with me, survived the fire, and remains with me still. She's tolerating the newcomers. Barely.
My partner is an artist, a mechanic, a welder and an inventor, and the rumors are true, he is much younger than I
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 4, 2019
I was enthralled with this one almost immediately! It's a nice change of pace to revisit old vampire romances and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Damien did lack some... oomph as the main character as old as he is. I think Rhiannon had more knowledge than one as old as he did. I felt that was the only bit lacking in this novel was Damien was almost acting... new, despite his powers.
Still, amazing and engaging storyline with off-the-charts sexual tension and heat. Great read!
Still, amazing and engaging storyline with off-the-charts sexual tension and heat. Great read!
October 5, 2011
Before there was Twilight, there was Maggie Shayne. Maggie is one of the best writers of paranormal romance from the 90s. Twilight Illusions is part of her Wings Of Night series for Silhouette Shadows. These were some of the best vampire romances around at the time.
I found this one at Goodwill and snatched it up. It was definitely worth the 99 cents!
Damien is an ancient vampire and a recluse he's also 6000 years old, oh and he's a magician on the side!
Wowzas!
Shannon is a tough girl, looking to solve the murder of her best friend. She's street smart and not the typical Harlequin/Silhouette heroine...except that she's sworn off men because of an abusive foster parent. That in itself is deep for a Harlequin, and I think that's what makes this book so good, and let's it stand up many years after its initial release
Each character has a lot to deal with. Damien is trying to deal with loving someone after thousands of years as well as getting to know another of his kind, Eric Marchand who comes into play fully more than halfway through the story. Shannon is dealing with the death of her best friend, by someone that may just be a vampire. They both have to deal with the DPI investigator that would be more than happy to see them both dead, along with the real killer, of 3 of Damien's assistants.
This story is heavier on the mystery and lighter on the romance. It is a definite must read for vampire fans.
I found this one at Goodwill and snatched it up. It was definitely worth the 99 cents!
Damien is an ancient vampire and a recluse he's also 6000 years old, oh and he's a magician on the side!
Wowzas!
Shannon is a tough girl, looking to solve the murder of her best friend. She's street smart and not the typical Harlequin/Silhouette heroine...except that she's sworn off men because of an abusive foster parent. That in itself is deep for a Harlequin, and I think that's what makes this book so good, and let's it stand up many years after its initial release
Each character has a lot to deal with. Damien is trying to deal with loving someone after thousands of years as well as getting to know another of his kind, Eric Marchand who comes into play fully more than halfway through the story. Shannon is dealing with the death of her best friend, by someone that may just be a vampire. They both have to deal with the DPI investigator that would be more than happy to see them both dead, along with the real killer, of 3 of Damien's assistants.
This story is heavier on the mystery and lighter on the romance. It is a definite must read for vampire fans.
January 8, 2016
about a girl who learns that because of a rare agent in her blood she is one of the chosen, one of the few who can become a vampire, and becomes a member of a vampire family, after she is brought accross by her lover, and her experiences as she learns to adjust to her new world
March 18, 2012
This is my favorite so far in the series. I really like Damian and his inner turmoil. I like how Maggie Shayne interpreted the legend of Gilgamesh and wove it in her story. Shannon is a strong protagonist and my heart went out to her.
August 26, 2012
Tredje boken i serien Vinslag i Natten, som denna gång handlar om Shannon och Damien, ännu en härlig kärlekshistoria skriven av Maggie Shayne
July 16, 2020
Vamp datato 6.000 a.c. !
Ecco il primo vampiro o non-morto che abbia mai trovato fino ad ora e che abbia un'età tanto veneranda chissà che torta fargli per il complemorto ghghgh: Damien!
Libro comunque piacevole. Da tre stellette tonde tonde e graziose. Il bello sta non nell'approfondire per ogni libro l'intreccio da un lui e una lei avvinghiati al fine dalla passione e dall'amore eterno ma dal fatto che comunque non ci sia un distacco con le trame passate, il ritorno delle vecchie conoscenze che perdura e che trascina l'arco temporale d'azione fino al limite. La vicenda è accattivante, il tormento di lui per Enkidu, e quello di lei per il proprio attaccamento alla vita. Ma sopra ogni cosa continua il lato scientifico della ricerca dell'essere vampiri di Eric e chi si va incontrando pagina dopo pagina arricchendo le proprie conoscenze sempre più.
Non è un must ma è piacevole come un bicchiere d'acqua. Certo se avere 6.000 ti rende anche un po' sociopatico ed ottusarello per le proprie doti naturali allora c'è di che preoccuparcisi ma almeno si puo' tirare avanti anche nei secoli dei secoli trovando un oggetto raro qua e la splendente come l'oro.
Ecco il primo vampiro o non-morto che abbia mai trovato fino ad ora e che abbia un'età tanto veneranda chissà che torta fargli per il complemorto ghghgh: Damien!
Libro comunque piacevole. Da tre stellette tonde tonde e graziose. Il bello sta non nell'approfondire per ogni libro l'intreccio da un lui e una lei avvinghiati al fine dalla passione e dall'amore eterno ma dal fatto che comunque non ci sia un distacco con le trame passate, il ritorno delle vecchie conoscenze che perdura e che trascina l'arco temporale d'azione fino al limite. La vicenda è accattivante, il tormento di lui per Enkidu, e quello di lei per il proprio attaccamento alla vita. Ma sopra ogni cosa continua il lato scientifico della ricerca dell'essere vampiri di Eric e chi si va incontrando pagina dopo pagina arricchendo le proprie conoscenze sempre più.
Non è un must ma è piacevole come un bicchiere d'acqua. Certo se avere 6.000 ti rende anche un po' sociopatico ed ottusarello per le proprie doti naturali allora c'è di che preoccuparcisi ma almeno si puo' tirare avanti anche nei secoli dei secoli trovando un oggetto raro qua e la splendente come l'oro.
June 10, 2023
Better than the Twilight Fantasies. This one introduces new characters that enrich the story and Shannon is actually interesting and not as bland as Tamara or Eric.
June 26, 2012
Actual Rating: 3.5
I read a review that someone wrote who had read the books in the series out of order and actually read the later books first. They said that if they had started with the earlier books they are not sure if they would have continued with the series.
I agree with this. I found the first two books a little bland (ok..a lot bland) and would have probably given up if they were not recommended to me by someone I trust. But I really enjoyed this book - number 3. Damien is by far my favourite male character to date and Shannon is more on par with how I like my female leads (physically and mentally strong and incredibly loyal).
Also, there are cameo roles by characters from the first 2 books, so even though they are no longer the lead of the book - their stories still continue as back characters in a very convoluted vampire family tree.
The books are so easy to read - but they are romance books. That is not a bad thing (come on people - they are the highest selling genre in the world!). The books are not going to win any prizes and are not going to change the world - but they do provide much needed escapism. Thanks T for keeping me reading the series...it is getting better and better with every book XXX
I read a review that someone wrote who had read the books in the series out of order and actually read the later books first. They said that if they had started with the earlier books they are not sure if they would have continued with the series.
I agree with this. I found the first two books a little bland (ok..a lot bland) and would have probably given up if they were not recommended to me by someone I trust. But I really enjoyed this book - number 3. Damien is by far my favourite male character to date and Shannon is more on par with how I like my female leads (physically and mentally strong and incredibly loyal).
Also, there are cameo roles by characters from the first 2 books, so even though they are no longer the lead of the book - their stories still continue as back characters in a very convoluted vampire family tree.
The books are so easy to read - but they are romance books. That is not a bad thing (come on people - they are the highest selling genre in the world!). The books are not going to win any prizes and are not going to change the world - but they do provide much needed escapism. Thanks T for keeping me reading the series...it is getting better and better with every book XXX
November 15, 2010
Shannon, a private detective, are hunting her best friends murderer. The trail leads her to the great magician Damien. He is famous for his vampire act on stage. He is so thorough that he is never seen in daylight.
Damien has chosen to live alone since he asked, and received, the dark blessing but still couldn´t help his best friend. The only good thing in his life are the audiences love. When he was looking for a participant from the audience that special night, he felt her presence at once. He couldn´t resist to chose her, just to feel her presence.
Now when he finds her outside his door, accusing him of murder. He wonders what he has gotten him self into.
Twilight Illusions is a paint-by-number romance. They meet, they fight, they miss each other, they make up and live happily ever after. But misunderstand me correctly, I actually like the way Maggie Shayne writes. Nothing is to violent one way or another and some times that is as nice as a stroll in the sun (at least for us poor Swedes).
Damien has chosen to live alone since he asked, and received, the dark blessing but still couldn´t help his best friend. The only good thing in his life are the audiences love. When he was looking for a participant from the audience that special night, he felt her presence at once. He couldn´t resist to chose her, just to feel her presence.
Now when he finds her outside his door, accusing him of murder. He wonders what he has gotten him self into.
Twilight Illusions is a paint-by-number romance. They meet, they fight, they miss each other, they make up and live happily ever after. But misunderstand me correctly, I actually like the way Maggie Shayne writes. Nothing is to violent one way or another and some times that is as nice as a stroll in the sun (at least for us poor Swedes).
January 11, 2016
This is my favorite installment in my favorite vampire series. So often when I pick up these stories, I find myself getting caught up in the implications of what the longer lived characters went through before becoming the romantic hero or heroine (what did Eric and Roland do all through the 1800s? How did Rhiannon get out of Egypt?), and Damien, who arguably answers the question of where vampires came from, raises more questions than anyone. I love combing through references to his past and trying to put together what lead him to becoming a stage magician in the 1990s, and how vampirism would have spread throughout the world from either him, his maker, or Anthar. This last rereading came about as preparation for his return in Prince of Twilight, for here's to hoping for a satisfying read to come!
And of course, I've arranged my thoughts on this book into a haiku:
"Death's cold haunting grip,
Out of reach for a gift shared,
Never meant to spread. "
And of course, I've arranged my thoughts on this book into a haiku:
"Death's cold haunting grip,
Out of reach for a gift shared,
Never meant to spread. "
July 24, 2010
This book was a good fast read. I started it then quit to read two other series; but when I got back to it, I enjoyed it. It is the story of Damian, a vampire over 6,000 years old and the dying woman he falls for. Shayne's novels are more old school vampire, can't see their reflections in mirrors, sleeps during the day, extraordinary senses and strength. Her novels are more romance with paranormal thrown in, but I still enjoyed the book.
August 14, 2009
Book 3 in "Wings in the Night" vampire series. Original novel. "Wings in the Night" is a re-issue which contains the first 3 books in this series.
Twilight Illusions focuses on Shannon Mallory (a Chosen) and Damien Namatar (oldest living vampire). My all time favorite of any and all of the Wings in the Night series. Tamara, Eric, Rhiannan, and Roland all make appearances in this story
Twilight Illusions focuses on Shannon Mallory (a Chosen) and Damien Namatar (oldest living vampire). My all time favorite of any and all of the Wings in the Night series. Tamara, Eric, Rhiannan, and Roland all make appearances in this story
August 15, 2011
This is the 3rd book in the Wings of the Night Series I've read. After a minor bump in the road with book 2, this books returns to a likeable position. I like Damien probably the best out of the 3 heros. He's a tortured soul which gets me everytime. His heroine is more along the lines of what I prefer as well: spunky and loyal. Hopefully the 4th book will be just as good as this one.
May 30, 2012
Rispetto agli altri due, decisamente il migliore.
La storia è già più "vera", reale. Insomma la trama è più completa.
I personaggi, poi, sono finalmente vividi.
Non sono tutto un "pucci pucci, tesorino!".
Cosa che, sopratutto nel primo, si sentiva un pò troppo facendone risentire ovviamente tutta la storia.
Speriamo che anche il prossimo mantenga questi miglioramenti.
La storia è già più "vera", reale. Insomma la trama è più completa.
I personaggi, poi, sono finalmente vividi.
Non sono tutto un "pucci pucci, tesorino!".
Cosa che, sopratutto nel primo, si sentiva un pò troppo facendone risentire ovviamente tutta la storia.
Speriamo che anche il prossimo mantenga questi miglioramenti.
August 10, 2010
I love Maggie's books. Have only read 4 of them but will most certainly be keeping my eyes out for the rest. Please please please re-release more.
Sexual, lots of action and just love her vampires. True vampires. No sparklies. LOL
Sexual, lots of action and just love her vampires. True vampires. No sparklies. LOL
February 8, 2011
Giving it a thumbs up!!
August 2, 2011
My favourite Maggie Shayne book so far. Great story, magic and a woman who doesn't want protection getting it anyway. Loved it!
December 28, 2011
Sad this is really the only thing with Damien and Shannon until he loses Shannon......
March 8, 2013
Damien is so mysterious and sexy. Trying to protect his secret and not show how much Shannon mean to him pulls him in two different directions. Really enjoyed story. Great HEA
April 25, 2012
Very enjoyable older Vampire romance!
July 22, 2012
Briliant!!!
January 28, 2013
Reading now in Wings in the Night
August 3, 2012
I read this yrs ago, but I still remember it and recommend it to people when I see it in used bookstores!
August 3, 2012
Breathtaking !
April 18, 2012
absolutely loved. its a must read everyone
February 28, 2023
3.8/5
En esta ocasión conoceremos a Damien y Shanon.
Él es un poderoso vampiro que se ha hecho su reputación como mago reconocido y que ha rehuido al contacto con la humanidad hasta que conoce a Shanon uno de los humanos con el antígeno belladona. Ella es una detective que busca esclarecer el homicidio de su mejor amiga, y todo apunta a Damien ya que la última vez que se vio fue como participante en su show.
Las cosas se van dando, nos enteramos también de la verdad sobre la identidad de Damien – Me encanta esta leyenda y me hubiera gustado un poco más de profundidad.
También sabemos que los elegidos en consecuencia de este antígeno fallecen tempranamente - En ella las cosas están llegando a un punto de no retorno, así que él se verá obligado a convertirla si no quiere verla morir porque ya tienen fuertes sentimientos por ella. No obstante ella no lo toma muy bien lo que causa que se distancien temporalmente.
Finalmente conocemos la identidad del vampiro que ha causado las muertes; es alguien del pasado de él, al final todo se resolverá de la mejor manera.
Así mismo aparecen algunos personajes de los libros anteriores. No recordaba la longitud de las historias, me hubiera gustado un poco de profundidad en algunos temas – Pero estuvo bien, fue entretenido.
Seguiré con lo demás…
En esta ocasión conoceremos a Damien y Shanon.
Él es un poderoso vampiro que se ha hecho su reputación como mago reconocido y que ha rehuido al contacto con la humanidad hasta que conoce a Shanon uno de los humanos con el antígeno belladona. Ella es una detective que busca esclarecer el homicidio de su mejor amiga, y todo apunta a Damien ya que la última vez que se vio fue como participante en su show.
Las cosas se van dando, nos enteramos también de la verdad sobre la identidad de Damien – Me encanta esta leyenda y me hubiera gustado un poco más de profundidad.
También sabemos que los elegidos en consecuencia de este antígeno fallecen tempranamente - En ella las cosas están llegando a un punto de no retorno, así que él se verá obligado a convertirla si no quiere verla morir porque ya tienen fuertes sentimientos por ella. No obstante ella no lo toma muy bien lo que causa que se distancien temporalmente.
Finalmente conocemos la identidad del vampiro que ha causado las muertes; es alguien del pasado de él, al final todo se resolverá de la mejor manera.
Así mismo aparecen algunos personajes de los libros anteriores. No recordaba la longitud de las historias, me hubiera gustado un poco de profundidad en algunos temas – Pero estuvo bien, fue entretenido.
Seguiré con lo demás…
March 25, 2019
Third book in the series is better than the first two. You really can tell how old the book is by some of the quaint phrasings. Too bad Shayne is using stereotypes dor the vampires. Mirrors, bleeding and what not. Thats not very original to be frank. However, she does give Gilgamesh a new ending. One with friends and love. I doubt the history's real Gilgamesh ended as fair.
September 17, 2019
Only one word to describe the heroine- Prickly. Yes she's independent, yes she's been through a lot, yes she does not like to depend on anyone. But does she have to be bitch about it?
Also her reaction to turning into a vampire did not impress me at all.
Also her reaction to turning into a vampire did not impress me at all.
July 23, 2020
Damien was almost as annoying as Roland in the back and forth. I liked shannon okay. Buy not a stand out female character.
What made this a 3star was the return of eric n tamara and roland n rhiannon.
What made this a 3star was the return of eric n tamara and roland n rhiannon.
July 9, 2024
I loved this one!
Wonderful storytelling! Each one gets better. Fantasy, romance, murder, mystery, magic, and even humanity in a very inhuman world are just some of the characteristics of this enjoyable ride.
Thank you Maggie Shayne for sharing your talent with us.
Wonderful storytelling! Each one gets better. Fantasy, romance, murder, mystery, magic, and even humanity in a very inhuman world are just some of the characteristics of this enjoyable ride.
Thank you Maggie Shayne for sharing your talent with us.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews