Introduction

When Nicole Whitcomb's car runs off a Colorado mountain road during a blinding snowstorm, she is saved from death by a handsome, fascinating, and enigmatic stranger.

Snowbound with him for days in his beautiful home high in the Rockies, she finds herself powerfully attracted to him. But there are things about him that mystify her, filling her with apprehension.

Who is Michael Tyler? Why does he live alone in such a secluded spot and guard his private life so carefully? What secret--or secrets--is he hiding?

Nicole has secrets of her own and a past she is running from--but Michael understands her better than anyone she has ever known. Soon, she is falling as deeply in love with him as he is with her--a profoundly meaningful experience that is destined to change their lives forever.

As the sexual tension between them builds, however, the clues mount up. When Nicole learns her host's terrifying secret, there is nowhere for her to run but into the blizzard raging outside, and Michael may be the only one who can save her life.

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Excerpt

Nicole looked up at the man's face for the first time. An unexpected fluttering began in her stomach. He had lovely blue eyes and was extremely handsome—so good-looking, in fact, that she couldn't help but stare. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties and was about five feet ten, a couple of inches taller than she was, with a lean, athletic build. His light brown hair was of medium length and combed back loosely from his forehead. The silver buckle that adorned his leather belt looked like an antique or something a cowboy might wear. But cowboys didn't have British accents—did they? And they were always deeply tanned. This man's complexion was fair.

"How long was I out?" Nicole asked.

"A couple of hours."

"Oh my God, really?" She glanced at her watch and saw that it was after three. There was no way she'd make her flight now, unless she could teleport to Denver. "Is this your house?"

"Yes. What's your name?"

"Nicole Whitcomb." She touched her left cheek. It was tender but clean. Had he washed her face and bandaged her? The thought brought another flutter to her stomach. "Where are we, exactly? How did I get here?"

"Do you remember what happened to you?"

"Yes. One minute, I was in complete control of my car, and the next I was sliding off the road and flipping over. It was terrifying."

He nodded. "Four-wheel drive doesn't mean four-wheel stop. The accident happened on the highway just below my house. I saw it when I was out clearing my road."

There was a captivating elegance to his speech and mannerisms that felt a little old-fashioned for a man so young. At the same time he seemed tense and aloof, as if for some reason he was deliberately holding himself in check, forcing himself to be polite.

"Clearing your road?" she asked. "How far is it down to the highway?"

"About a half mile."

"Wow. That must take a pretty big shovel."

He darted a glance at her, as if trying to decide whether or not she was kidding. "I hang a blade on the front of my truck. Otherwise, I'd be snowed in all winter. Anyway, I found you. You'd passed out. I dug you out, brought you up here, and cleaned you up a little." He stepped away with unhurried grace and lowered himself into an easy chair across the room—as far off, she noticed, as it was humanly possible to sit, although there were plenty of closer chairs.

"Thank you." Nicole felt a jumble of contradictory emotions: a rush of gratitude to this total stranger who had saved her life; the light tingle of her attraction to him; and an overwhelming feeling of awkwardness. Although his words seemed to convey an interest in her well-being, his voice and body language implied otherwise. Whoever he was, despite all he'd done for her, she felt instinctively that he didn't want her here, that she was imposing on his privacy, that he'd rescued her against his will.

She wished she could leave immediately. But how? Her car was buried in a snowbank and it was blizzarding outside. "Thank you again for rescuing me and everything you've done to take care of me. I'm really sorry to be in your way, but—" She paused, hoping he would contradict her, but he didn't. "I'm very grateful. What kind of injury do I have? As I recall, my head was a bloody mess."

Her statement brought a brief, dark glimmer to his eyes that sent an unexpected chill up Nicole's spine. What's that about? she wondered. She had no reason to be afraid of this man. Did she?

"A small cut on your temple—nothing severe," he answered, his features resuming their prior complacency as he glanced away.

Nicole's heart began to beat erratically. She'd heard scary things about mountain men who'd lived too long in isolated places. Who was this guy? He seemed cultured and spoke very formally, as if he belonged in the Queen's court or in a palace surrounded by servants. What was an Englishman doing in this remote corner of the Colorado mountains, unless he was hiding from something? But if he was a killer, surely he would have murdered her already, instead of carefully tending to her wounds. Wouldn't he?

"You haven't told me your name," she said, straining to keep her voice even.

"Haven't I? I beg your pardon. Michael Tyler."

"How is it that you live up here? I thought this was national forest land."

"It is. But there are pockets of private land scattered throughout."

"Do you live here all year long?"

"I do."

"By yourself, or …"

"I live alone."

Her questions seemed to annoy him. He stood up and Nicole sensed that he was about to leave the room. In an effort to lighten the mood—or maybe just to put herself more at ease—she glanced at the grand piano and said with a forced smile, "So I take it it's either you who plays that piano, or the resident ghost?"

A surprised twinkle lit his blue eyes. He sat back down in his chair with the first hint of a smile. "Definitely the ghost. Watch out for her. She plays at the oddest hours and has been known to leave candles burning in the most unlikely places."

"She?"

"A raven-haired beauty. From her clothing and hairstyle, I deduce that she's from the previous century. Which is strange when you consider that I only built the house ten years ago."

Nicole laughed. His smile was charming and only enhanced his good looks. His accent was so lovely, she could listen to it all day long. Maybe there was nothing to be afraid of after all...

Nicole stood, crossed to the picture windows, and looked outside. From what she could see, the house was a modern chalet style with stained wood siding and a wide wraparound wooden deck, the front of which was sheltered by an extension of the high, peaked roof. They were nestled in a pine forest. The air was so alive with swirling snow that she couldn't see more than fifty feet or so in any direction.

"How long do you think this storm will last?"

"A good long while. The weather report said it won't blow itself out until tomorrow night or perhaps the day after. And I'd guess it'll take a good two days after that before the county clears the roads."

Nicole stared at him, stunned. "Are you kidding? Is there any other way out? Do you have a snowmobile?"

"I'm afraid not."

"What am I going to do?" Nicole said, distraught. "I have to get home and back to my job. And my cat—"

"I'm sorry. You seem to be stuck here." His tone and expression made it crystal clear that he wasn't any happier about the prospect than she was.

"But four days! I can't expect you to put me up all that time."

"It seems that we have no alternative, Miss Whitcomb."

Miss Whitcomb? Nicole couldn't remember anyone ever calling her that in her entire life. Before she could comment, he went on:

"It's awkward, I admit. You don't know me and I don't know you—and I'm not accustomed to having guests. But I'll do my best to stay out of your way. And don't worry," he added, with a dark glimmer in his eyes and a surprisingly playful smile, "I promise I won't bite." view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

1. In Nocturne, the two main characters are actually the only two characters in the novel. Why do you think the author chose not to include any other characters in the story? Have you ever read a novel like this before?



2. Discuss the many things that Michael and Nicole have in common as well as their differences. What draws them together? How do they complement each other? Do you think that Michael and Nicole are the love of each other's life?



3. Why do Nicole and Michael argue so much at the beginning of the novel? Have you ever felt attracted to someone and yet felt the need to disguise it? If so, why did you make this decision?



4. Do you believe in true love? Why or why not?



5. Both Michael and Nicole are accomplished pianists. Why do you think the author chose to make music such an important part of the novel? And what do you think it is about the nocturne in particular (a short, lyrical piece of music of a dreamy or pensive character especially for the piano) that is so important to the characters' love story?



6. Did you like Michael and Nicole, and find them sympathetic? Have you ever been attracted to a person that your friends or family thought was wrong for you? How did you handle that situation?



7. Nicole and Michael fall in love very quickly. Have you ever had a romance like this where you fell in love so quickly and intensely? Was it short-lived or did it turn into an enduring relationship?



8. Discuss the clues that mount up in the first half of the book before Nicole realizes Michael's dark secret. How would you feel if you had been in Nicole's shoes?



9. Discuss the scenes that explore Michael's back story. How do all the parts of his history contribute to the man he is today? Did any of the revelations surprise you? What does Michael's back story say about him as a person?



10. Describe all the aspects of the property that Michael has built for himself in the Colorado mountains. Why does he call it his "sanctuary"? Did you find it appealing? Do you think you could live in isolation the way Michael does, when the surroundings are so spectacular? Or are you too social?



11. What was your reaction to the secret building on Michael's property?



12. Forbidden love is one of the most enduring themes in great literature. What other great love stories have you read? Compare and contrast them with Nocturne.



13. Have you ever experienced the kind of loneliness Michael has? How did you deal with it? Has there ever been a time in your life you wished you could just pick up and move away from everyone you know?



14. Discuss Nicole's emotional growth throughout the novel. How would you describe the crisis at the heart of Nicole's character?



15. The two lovers spend four magical days together and are both utterly transformed by the experience. In what ways do they each grow and change? Have you ever had a transformative experience? What was it? Discuss what you learned.

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Author Syrie James' web site

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