Wednesday Reads: Nightfall

I started this book sometime in the middle of the day a couple weekends ago, got through a good portion, read some more in bed and... stayed up till four in the morning to finish it. Nightfall: A Dark Age Dawning novel by Ellen Conner. Adult Post-Apocalyptic Paranormal Romance.

Synoctopus:

Their instincts will save them.
Their passion will transform them.

Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought, in her wildest nightmares, that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her-one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna's father. Skilled and steadfast, he's ready for the Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and the mutant dogs attack-vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.

When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion-a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age. 

First Line:
From Prologue: "In the mid-twenty-first century, the power grid collapsed." Begins with a brief history of the world. Somewhat necessary, not too thrilling.
From First Chapter:
""Don't move."
The hot rush of breath against her nape made Jenna juggle her keys and then drop them."
Starts off right away with Jenna, wily, calculating, endearing, sarcastic, and Mason, her for-her-own-good kidnapper. There really isn't a better way to start a ParaRom, is there? Kidnapping? Duct tape? End of the world?

Brownie Points: One of my favorite of all time romance story lines: woman tames man, teaches him how to get in touch with his softer side, man heals woman's soul. With demon dogs, hilarious spare characters, and a main character who ends up being more badass than the guy (in my opinion).

Beefs: Have I ever mentioned that I hate epilogues? I might have only just realized that. Not that this one ruined the book or anything, it was actually a very nice epilogue. But I can do without them.

Recommendation: If you're getting sick of vampire romance, or contemporary paranormal romance, try this on for size. It'll have you at the edge of your seat (their lives are in danger every single moment).

Would I represent it? Yes! Creative. Sexy. Great character growth. Great spare character personalities (you can always tell the strength of your characters by the weakest link). It's exactly the kind of ParaRom I'd love to work with.

Happy reading!