Midnight's Kiss: Elder Races, Book 8

I've read all the books by this author and have to say some of them are just ok. And then some really knock it out of the park. This is one that hits a home run with me. If you're curious, in my opinion the first Dragon book and Kinked are the ones at the top of the heap.Like those two stories, this one is action packed and filled with really strong-willed well written characters. I really liked that we started this story with a broken relationship and lots of history and baggage. These two had already really lived and loved and hurt each other. The know each other, or at least think they do. And then they surprise each other.It was wonderful watching such a strong heroine in Melly. She has to be one of my favorites and is adept at using humor without falling into snark territory. So many books these days have the heroine just throw Crack after Crack until it's tedious. Not Melly. She holds her own. And more importantly, she's not invincible. She allows herself to lean on Julian. She trusts his strength and knows when to get the heck out of the way.And Julian finds his way to the same place. Not a good story without that being tough for him and watching his journey is part of the fun.I like how this story was all about mending bridges. A lot of relationships were matured and we saw several of our favorites in play in this one.Just a great read and I highly recommend it.

It's another installment in the Elder Races series by Thea Harrison. I love Thea's books, but I can't say that this one lives up to some of her other books in the series. This one is about Julian, the King of the Nightkind and Mellie (Melisandre), heir to the Light Fae. This book picks right up where Night's Honor left off. The majority of this book Julian and Mellie must work together to survive. My only criticism about this book is that they have "sex on the run" which is too far fetched for me and kinda funny. Who does that? No one. Considering the villain could come upon them any time, it's kind of a weird time to want to do that. On the floor or a prison. Awkward. A good story is a good story, you don't have to slap a sexy scene because it's romance. The payoff at the end was good, with battles and a happy ever after.

I hadn't had particularly strong feelings about these characters when they'd shown up in previous books of the Elder Races series but it didn't take long for both Julian and Melisande to win me over. Their (re)developing relationship and dialogue reminded me a bit of Dragos and Pia in Lord's Fall but was completely fresh and unique to these two characters. Thea Harrison has an uncanny knack for writing the books in this series so that they are just interconnected enough without being completely dependent on "what's gone before" or cliffhanger-y. Her female lead characters are wonderful women of intelligence, resource, humor, and a very healthy sense of their own selves and sexuality. Her male characters are alphas, to be sure, but honest enough to recognize when they're being boneheaded, needing or ready to change their ways of thinking &/or living, and open enough to Fall In Love in a big way when they do. One of the most appealing features of Harrison's characters is when they each recognize their relationship as their real, true love (or mate) - they're all in, completely committed (whether they actually know what the hell they're doing or not) there is no second guessing, no lies, no backtracking, they're All In and I love it.

"He was two thousand years of mean streets rolled into a rough, foul-mouthed package."THE STORY: The vampyre and Nightkind King Julian is involved in a battle for power amongst the Nightkind. In an attempt to control him, his enemy kidnaps Melisande, the daughter of the Light Fae Queen. Julian and Melisande had an affair two decades ago that ended badly. Julian and Melisande have only barely tolerated each other in the ensuing years. When she is kidnapped, Melisande doesn't believe for one moment that Julian will surrender himself to his enemy in order to save her. She is shocked when Julian does so and it starts her wondering whether she knows Julian as well as she thought.OPINION: Lovers to enemies to lovers story that is deep and complex. Julian and Melisande were meant for one another until lack of trust tears them apart. This story is about finding the love and trust that they lost.Julian is a warrior and a vampyre who has no intention of showing weakness to anyone. Yet he surrenders himself for the possibility to save Melisande. HIs totally selfless act shocks Melisande into thinking about Julian differently. These two are fighting one another and recognizing their love at the same time. Their dialogue is sparkling and fun even as there are serious dangers involved.The plot of this book is really good and could make a great summer blockbuster because there are bands of starving rogue vampyres, motorcycle gangs, daring escapes and sex in a dungeon.There is also an element of opposites attract as the rough warrior vamprye matches up with the beautiful actress Fae. I loved how these two end up the perfect match for one another and are willing to change the world to be together.WORTH MENTIONING: There are some appearances by past heroes and heroines in this one.FINAL DECISION: The complex nature of the relationship between Melisande and Julian is really good. I loved how these two navigate the threats against them and find one another again.CONNECTED BOOKS: MIDNIGHT'S KISS is the eighth book in the Elder Races series. It can be read apart from others in the series but is better read after SERPENT'S KISS and NIGHT'S HONOR.STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

In Midnight's Kiss, Justine is still intent on taking over the Nightkind realm. This is the story of Julian, the Nightkind king and Melisande (Melly), the heir to the Light Faes.Julian and Melly have been a couple in the past but they can no longer be in the same room without arguing. Julian has what he thinks are the right reasons for breaking up with Melly.Julian is in the middle of a crisis with Justine being on the loose and not knowing what she might do next. When he receives a call from Melly's mother, he drops everything, fearing that something might have happened to Melly. On learning the reasons why he has been summoned with such urgency, he is livid and fears the worse. His fears become reality upon receiving a text concerning Melly from Justine.Melly is an actress. She has just returned from a skiing holiday when one of her so called "friends" pays her an impromptu visit. She finds herself being taken captive by the most vicious and heartless vampyre. She is taken to the most outrageous and dangerous location. Then she finds herself faced with Julian via Skype. Justine is hoping that despite their behaviour towards each other, Julian and Melly still have feelings for each other. Is Julian prepared to put his life on the line to save Melly?This situation gets from bad to worse. The physical torture is carried out with such vengeful feelings that it's sickening. The unexpected keeps surfacing. War is now inevitable. Will Julian and Melly reconcile and forget about their differences amongst all this chaos?This series keeps getting better and I would fully recommend to lovers of the paranormal. Although Midnight's Kiss can be read as a standalone it's advisable to read Night's Honor to get a good overview of some of the other characters.

I loved this book. I've liked the whole series and this book didn't disappoint. I liked Melly. She managed to be fairly tough while also being funny and sweet. I loved grumpy Julian too. We had plenty of action and actual story, as well as both sweet and steamy moments between the couple. The book was well-written, as always, and a pleasure to read. I've lost all track of how many books have been in this series, but I love them and I'm happy to continue reading them.

I have read all the Elder Races books to date this was explosive. I got to know the Night kind king. In a new light he could be cruel and vicious. Now I have seen his gentle side. The transformation was amazing. All the regular wonder full characters were there too. Got into the story to make it Brilliant. Really great. Loved every page. Just about to read the next one. Well done again Thea.

I was waiting for this one! All I can imagine after the ending is little Light Fae-Vampyre kiddies running riot through Evenfall. Please can there be some mini stories about their future families?

What is not to like. I find reading the elder races books very enjoyable, keeping me turning page after page - long after I've decided I've been reading enough for one day. Enjoy Thea Harrison's books whenever you need to relax and enjoy a good read.