“Lisa Marie Wilkinson weaves deep emotion, tenderness, and sensuality into a rich historical tapestry in this sweeping romance of adventure and intrigue.”
~ Christine Wells, author of The Dangerous Duke
“A stunning historical debut by Lisa Marie Wilkinson, Fire At Midnight is a fast-paced read filled with mystery, intrigue, and passionate characters who will captivate readers until the last page.”
~ Stacey Kane, Author of Gunslinger’s Untamed Bride
“. . . a well researched and entertaining historical filled with unforeseen twists and turns . . .”
~ Robin Lee, Romance Reviews Today (March 2009)
“Full of twists and turns, it will definitely keep you turning the pages . . .”
~Debbie Meredith, NovelSpot
“Fans will enjoy this fine early eighteenth-century historical. . . .”
~ Harriet Klausner, Midwest Book Review (January 2009)
5 Ribbons
“ . . . full of suspense, passion, characters you’ll either love (or love to hate), and a plot so thick that you’ll feel like you’re part of it . . .”
~ Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies (March 2009)
“A masterful storyteller, Wilkinson has created a fast-paced tale with superbly drawn characters. . . . Fire At Midnight is a must read.”
~ Madison, RomanceRoundTable (February 2009)
“. . . a fast, enjoyable read set in an atypical era for historical romance.”
~ Nanette Donohue, Historical Novels Review (February 2009)
“Wilkinson is a new voice in historical romance that I look forward to reading more of.”
~ Leslie’s Psyche (April 2009)
9 out of 10
“This is the perfect book for reading when seated all cozy by a lit fire on a cold winter's night and with a box of chocolates nearby.”
~ Rob Shelsky, Novelspot (April 2009)
“Fire At Midnight has all the right ingredients: treachery, sexual tension, maniacal plotting, intensely passionate love scenes, and a clever story line. Ms. Wilkinson has spun a tale of mystery that will keep the reader holding their breath from the first page to the last sentence.”
~ Barbara, IRecommendGreatReads.blogspot.com (July 2009)
“The nonstop action, the fascinating plotline, and the intriguing characters are sure to keep the readers glued to the pages until the book is finished. Ms. Wilkinson has earned her place on the keeper shelf.”
~ Melissa Kammer, Fresh Fiction (July 22, 2009)
“Fire At Midnight contains a number of bits and pieces that had me chomping at the bit at another time, but that just made me chuckle or widen my eyes in fascinated disbelief as I read. The novel reminded me quite a bit of some written in the 1980s, and all in all this was a roller-coaster ride of a reading experience.”
~ Rike Horstmann, LikesBooks.com (July 2009)
“Fire At Midnight is a perfect historical romance that gives the readers suspense, mystery, passion and so much more. Lisa Marie Wilkinson has a thrilling love story on her hands with Fire At Midnight. Ms. Wilkinson gives us a vivid, memorable love story like no other.”
~Sonya, FallenAngelReviews.com (August 2009)
“Lisa Marie’s book shows up on my doorstep and what results is so well plotted, none of the conventions matter . . . You’re one author who’s won me over on the merits of how you write . . .”
~Susan, Rockread.westofmars.com (November 2009)
Saint Mary’s of Bethlehem Hospital (“Bedlam”), London, England, 1703 I am sane.” Th e sound of her own voice anchored her. It kept her from going mad. “I am eight and ten. I am called Rachael Penrose. I have been here nine days. My brother was called James—” She stifl ed a sob. “My brother is called James.” Even the tinctures they fed her did not dull the pain of not knowing the fate of her baby brother. She froze when she heard the scratch of claws on stone. A rat, attracted by crumbs of moldy bread, began a stealthy approach. She shared her meager rations with the rats because they displayed less interest in her when their bellies were full. Th ere had been no hearing and no formal declaration of insanity. An exchange of gold from one greedy LISA MARIE WILKINSON 2 hand to another had sealed her in this place. With no blanket, she shivered in the bitter cold. Beneath the thin shift she wore, faint and fresh bruises mottled her skin. Her stomach rumbled, the sound loud in the quiet of the small chamber. She tensed as metal creaked. Th e door to her cell swung open. Freezing air rushed in, and she trembled as the strong scent of citrus cologne, a harbinger of her uncle, mingled with the foul, musty odor of the cell. Victor Brightmore handed a gold coin to the guard accompanying him. “Her doctor and I require privacy.” Victor lifted the hem of his cloak to prevent it from sweeping the fl oor of the fi lthy cell as he entered. Th e attendant checked the chain securing her right leg to the straw-fi lled pallet upon which she lay. He tested the iron ring riveted around her neck and the circular iron waist bar holding her arms pinioned to her sides. She suppressed a shudder when his hands lingered over her breasts and followed the double link to its point of origin at the wall. Powerless against the intimacy, she gritted her teeth and stared at the gray stone ceiling above her. Apparently satisfi ed with the security of her restraints, the attendant withdrew, leaving Victor and the doctor alone with her. Rachael remained silent while Victor angled the shaft of the candle he held until the fl ickering yellow light illuminated her face then leaned toward her, his blue-gray eyes glittering with malice. She looked into the face of pure evil. Tall, with burnished gold hair and FIRE AT MIDNIGHT 3 even features, his pleasing exterior concealed his twisted nature. As he watched her, shadows played over the upward cast of his lips. “You cling to life with such tenacity, Rachael.” He moved the fl ame along the length of her jaw inch by agonizing inch, stopping near her eye. Th e light from the candle was painfully bright, and her breath quickened as she struggled to hide her terror. Oh, God, is he going to blind me? Gasping, she shrank from him, but the linkage of chain held fast. She was at the mercy of a man who had none. How she despised him! “Victor!” Th e candle wobbled on its perch as his companion jerked it away from her face. “How would I account for burns on her body?” “Her eyes mock me, Elliot.” He peered down at her, scowling. “She is feverish,” Elliot said. “She is in the grip of the drug. We can speak freely.” “It appears I have need of your help once again, good doctor. Keeping my niece isolated is not the permanent solution I seek.” It did not bode well that he spoke so openly in front of her. With both her parents dead, once Victor succeeded in his plan to dispose of her, there would be no one left to protect James. Victor was desperate to inherit, but he was also crafty and cautious. He would not risk the hangman. Elliot peered down at her. “Perhaps her food might LISA MARIE WILKINSON 4 be—” “Th e attendant told me she tests her food on the rats. Besides, we dare not risk poison now.” “I can keep her indefi nitely,” Elliot said. “Her whereabouts are unknown. No one here will believe anything she says.” “Tarry Morgan knows the truth.” Victor searched within the folds of his cloak. His hand shook as he withdrew a letter. Th e edges of the parchment gaped where the wax seal had been broken. Her heart sank at the sight, and she felt light-headed with despair. “Th is letter details her discovery of my plan to poison James. She sent it to Morgan, one of the few allies she has left. She must have dashed it off before we brought her here.” Victor glowered in Rachael’s direction. “Th e fact that James must die before I will inherit is clear motive to anyone who would investigate.” “So, is Morgan dead?” Rachael stopped breathing while she waited for Victor’s response. “No. His servants were rousing; I barely escaped with the letter. I was only able to wound him.” “Can you buy his silence?” “Morgan cannot be bought.”
Winner of the Fiction and Literature-Romance category of the USA Book News 2009 Best Book Awards
