TGTBTU Spotlight: Harlequin’s Silhouette Nocturne
By Devon
Werewolves and Vampires and Demons…Oh my!
Paranormal romance is everywhere these days, and it seems like you either love it or hate it. I lurve it. Paranormals got me back into reading romance back in late 2003. Over the next year or so the number of titles featuring broody, leather-clad supernatural heroes (and the ladies who love them) seemed to grow exponentially. We were inundated with vampires, in particular, and suddenly it seemed as though every author was dipping their toes into the supernatural waters. It was only a matter of time before Harlequin entered the fray, and so they did with the launch of the Silhouette Nocturne line in September 2006.
Paranormal romance seems as though it would be a particular challenge for a romance writer. Not only do you have to create likeable characers and a believable romance within 75,000 words, but also a compelling world or mythology to support the whole thing. And I’ve got to admit, the first Nocturne I read was a DNF. My first big success with a Nocturne was Blood Secrets by Vivi Anna. I found myself checking out the new releases each month, and more often than not, trying them out.
The reason I like the Nocturne line is the same reason I like category romance in general: sometimes you just want something short and sweet. Plotlines can play out over three or four books, but that way they don’t get bogged down under the weight of the worldbuilding, the way I think some prominent paranormal series have. And there’s a nice range of the subgenre represented: plenty of vamps and furries, but also witches, demons, sorcerors and fairies. A little bit of everything. There are also a lot of powerful heroines, which I like. For example, the heroine of Michele Hauf‘s Familiar Stranger knew a lot more about the supernatural world than the hero.
They’ve got an interesting line up of authors. There are authors who have been writing for Harlequin for years. Linda Howard made her return to category romance with Raintree: Inferno, causing a stir. I didn’t read it, but I quite liked Raintree: Sanctuary by Beverly Barton. Other familiar authors include Caridad Piniero, Lindsay McKenna, Bonnie Vanak and, in April, Merline Lovelace.
In addition, recent debuts were made by authors previously published by Ellora’s Cave. I enjoyed Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle and Last Wolf Standing (Bloodrunners, Book 1) by Rhyannon Byrd. (You can read Nocturne reviews here.)
The line will also be expanding to include short stories, according to our Insider, to be called Nocturne BITES. I also recently found The Harlequin Paranormal Romance Blog, which has topics of interest and many author links.
Ok, now you. Have you read any Nocturnes? What did you think? Any authors I should try out? Let’s hear the good, the bad, and the unread of it.
Hi Devon,
I can recommend Lori Devoti’s Hellhound series. Very unusual paranormal or Linda Winstead Jones as well as Vivi Ana’s books
I know Rhyannon and Patrice previous books and I am really looking forward to read their Nocturne books.
I have several more Nocturne authors in my tbr pile
I agree that Vivi Anna’s Blood Secrets was pretty good– like a paranormal CSI episode, if Gill Grissom was tall, dark, and vampy.
I LOVED Michele Hauf’s Familiar Stranger— a definite recommend from me. Such memorable, likable characters.
As for the Raintree Trilogy, well, I made the mistake of listening to the audio books. One of the worst narrator/story matches I’ve come across. Nonetheless, I do rec the books themselves for an original look at sorcerers, witches, wizards, etc. in our modern society.
I think of the Nocturnes as a lighter, less sexy read than many single titles out in the paranormal genre. So, I have to admit that they aren’t the first titles I pick up because I know that I won’t get the three dimensional world building I enjoy and none of the erotic scenes that I REALLY enjoy [waggles eyebrows].
But for the right author/story, some of these are more than worth the reading time because they DO try to develop their characters as fully as possible withing the short word count form.
The are too short for a huge world building, which I especially choose to read the Nocturne series books.
Michele Hauf’s book is in my tbr pile. I had a few problems with the Raintree books, which is strange because normally I like the authors.
yes, the raintree trilogy and rhyannon byrd’s bloodrunner titles. also heard good things about vivi anna and lisa renee jones. nocturnes have got me buying harlequin more again. it’s a “meatier” read/line that i’m willing to put money down for/with potential for re-read instead of ubs/recycle!
I have one of Vivi Anna’s titles, as well as the Raintree trilogy in my TBR mountain, but I’m reading Last Wolf Standing right now, and liking it very much indeed.
I have read a few Nocturne titles and Vivi Anna’s books are pretty good. Glad Harlequin has this type of line.
I have read both of Vivi’s and I can honestly say that she’s great at building worlds despite the “short” form. When I read Blood Secrets I was completely invested in the characters and was in the world she’d created. I like that there’s that sense of depth and also a fast paced read. Dark Lies was great and I can’t wait for the third to be out.
WOOT
did that work?
I’ve only read one Nocturne title. It was Lindsay McKenna’s “Unforgiven.” I’ve got to check out the entire line of books.
Vivi Anna and Michelle Hauf seem to get high marks. I’m going to try the Lori Devoti series. It looked good and I know one of the other Duckies likes them as well. I enjoyed the Rhyannon Byrd and look forward to the next ones. I also want the Merline Lovelace in April. It deals with psychics.
How was the Lindsay McKenna? I have a book or two by her on the pile. I was at her website and she claims to have invented the subgenre “military romance.” I found that fascinating. Could it be true?
I agree with Allison that they are a bit meatier. Right now my favorite lines are SSE, HSR and this one for that reason.