NOCTURNE

SYRIE JAMES

NOCTURNE

JANUARY 4, 2011

Syrie James brings a haunting and deeply romantic story of forbidden love that will steal your heart and never let go.  When choosing “Nocturne” as the next read of which as always the summary is never part of the decision making process to review a book it was unknown until the fourth or fifth chapter that no other characters would be introduced.  This book would rely completely on the two characters from start to finish.

James weaves what could have been a very short story into something deeply moving story of hidden treasures and monstrous undertones.  The twists are minimal but when they are needed James provides.  

The always elusive Michael Tyler comes to the rescue of Nicole Whitcomb when her car runs off the road in a blizzard snowstorm on a Colorado mountain.  Nicole is thankful to the stranger for coming to her safeguard and tries to pay him back by doing what she can with the little food they have and preparing a nice meal.  Michael responds sternly and refuses her gift and shuts the door to his study in her face.

They find piano playing is something they have in common and begin to explore the sounds which bring them closer.  Every time Nicole lets down her guard to let her feelings for Michael surface she is met with a wall of cold hard brick.  This continues until Tyler’s well kept secrets begin to reveal themselves and he can no longer explain things away as if she were a child.

The sexual tension builds between the two characters as they try to find a way to live with Michael's differences.  When you think happiness is in the cards for their destiny, ugliness rears its head and decisions have to be made for the future.

Syrie James has done what very few writers can do.  She breaks down a relationship by allowing it to flourish and fall on its own merit.  No outside influences come into play between the two characters.  what becomes of their relationship is of their own choosing.