Nocturne

I have read all of the books in the series, Blood Rites as well as all of Elaine's books. I have been waiting breathlessly for this sequel, and I was not disappointed. Elaine's words grab you in the first chapter and carry you through to the end of the last chapter. I could barely put the book down, and read it on my breaks and lunch hour at work. That is always my least favorite part, finishing the book. Because I know I have to wait impatiently for Elaine to release another. This is a book worth reading, enjoy.

I stayed up all night to finish "Nocturne." The first sentence of Chapter One hooked me and the rest of the book delivered. The story is romantic, suspenseful, and quickly immerses the reader into a seductive and fascinating world. Besides giving us vampires that we like and want to root for, Bergstrom has a wonderful way of blending old world feel into modern day times. Can't wait for the sequel.

Nocturne I all ways believed the next book in the Austra series would be about Patrick and how his ordeal as a toddler had affected his life. It isn't. Nor was I the least bit disappointed with story I read in Nocturne.This book is not to be skimmed every page is a treasure to the story it is and to the continuation of the Austra family.Nocturne is about Richard (Dickie), Patrick's brother, the woman he falls in love with Irena and their struggle to stay together. Along with a wonderful story line Ms. Bergstrom has captured the attitudes and suspicions of the fifties and sixties. She has presented us with the story of a unique young man and woman's and their coming of age. Richard and Irena deal not only with in comparisons modern Cleveland, Ohio but also with the splendor and despair that was Romania of the time and its archaic views of human (and woman's) rights and freedoms. Richard and Irena uncover a little known branch of the Austra family that is doing whatever needed to survive, even if their survival means the destruction of the core Austra family. This threat brings us to Francis Austra. We are given a taste once again of the enigmatic patriarch of the Austra family, Francis, whom I suspect if we mere mortals ever given more would choke on his vastness. In the closing of her book Ms. Bergstrom states, "This book begs a sequel." I disagree, Nocturne DEMANS a sequel.

I must say, this book is exciting, sexy & at times, funny. Bravo to Ms. Bergstrom on this masterpiece. I will not go into too much detail because I do not want to ruin for you but the story centers around Richard Austra, vampyr. He falls in love with Irena Sava, opera singer. Will their combined love be enough to overcome the many hardships that they are faced with? Buy the book & find out. You will not regret this one. Ms. Bergstrom left a note for her readers in the end & part of that note states that "This book begs for a sequel. Muse willing, there will be one." Ms. Berstrom if you read this, your book not only begs for a sequel, but your fans as well.

The Austras are a family of vampires who live among mortals yet stay true to their own heritage. They only number thirty because it is rare to find a mortal woman who can be turned and give birth to children that are vampires. Such women are cherished and when it comes to the family's attention that Irene is one such woman, the vampires keep a watch on her so that when conditions are favorable, a meeting can be arranged.Richard Austra attends the same college as Irene and since they are both studying music they eventually meet. They fall in love and Irene soon learns what she could mean to the Austra family. Uncertain of whether she wants to be turned, she puts some distance between herself and Richard by traveling on tour in Romania. Once there an enemy of the Austras' kidnaps her. Richard comes to rescue her, but he finds himself in danger as well.It has been a long time since an Austra novel has been published but it was well worth the very long wait. Elaine Bergstrom's vampires compare favorably to the ones in the Anne Rice universe. Readers will find themselves spellbound by these beings that are not evil, only different. NOCTURNE is such a compelling novel that the audience roots for the young lovers to triumph in the face of staggering adversity.Harriet Klausner