WeWriWa: A Date with Darkness . . . MIDNIGHT SURRENDER

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Sunday, July 23, 2023

WeWriWa: A Date with Darkness . . . MIDNIGHT SURRENDER


I’m visiting one of my critique partners for a couple of weeks of reading, TV binging, and front porch rock-and-relaxing. Ahhhh! And while I’m here with just my laptop and my Kindle, I’ve decided to revisit my Touched by Midnight vampire romance series (yeah, what a time to have severe thunder and lightning! Talk about atmosphere!). There’s something about a moody, broody historically-set paranormal and a dangerously magnetic love match that I can’t resist. Help! I’m lost in the pages of MIDNIGHT SURRENDER and I can’t get out! Here’s a taste . . .

Midnight Surrender (Touched by Midnight - Book 3)

Published: October 1, 2015
Length: 236 Pages

Hunt or be hunted . . . A centuries old obsession stalks a noble family fighting to hide their dark secret from an ever-changing world. Sink your teeth into Nancy Gideon's Touched by Midnight series.

A Reckless Quest . . .
A savage killer stalks the dark streets of turn-of-the-century New York. To keep her father’s newspaper afloat, publisher Cassie Alexander chases the story. But what she catches is a madman’s attention.

A Dark Deception . . .
When her reclusive neighbor Louis Radcliffe rescues her from an attack, Cassie finds her vow of independence shaken by the strong attraction between them. It’s an attraction Louis denies, even as the invalid grandmother he cares for pushes to bring them together—for reasons that will break both their hearts.

An Inevitable Sacrifice . . . .
Determined to hide his secrets from her, Louis soon becomes the cornerstone of Cassie’s investigation. He can’t allow her stubbornness to place her life—and his immortal soul—in danger. But as much as he tries to keep her safe in his arms, it soon becomes evident that Cassie’s become a target. And Louis has no choice but to find out if their love is strong enough to withstand the truth . . . .

“Gripping! Readers are pulled into a whirlwind while surrendering their souls!”— Gothic Journal

“Darkly sensual and suspenseful Midnight Surrender is nothing short of special! Lovers of vampire romances take notice!”—The Literary Times

“Gideon mesmerizes with this chilling tale. You’ll read it and read it again. Superb!”— Rendezvous


 The Excerpt 

“What binds us is stronger than vows and deeper than eternity.”

She trembled, her gaze dancing nervously away. “You speak in riddles.”

“No, in truths. Look at me, Cassie.”

She couldn’t, suddenly afraid—of what he might say, of what he might see in her unguarded gaze.

“Look at me.”

His command as hard to resist as a physical force, Cassie turned toward him, painfully aware of her flushed cheeks, but he didn’t notice them. His attention fixed upon her eyes, drawing her in with a mesmerizing power, relaxing her denying tension, calming her anxious fears. 

Looking into his compelling stare was like falling into her soul.

(. . . and a nibbly bit more . . .)

“We are one, Cassie. You are mine now. Can you deny it?”

She sucked in a fragile breath and whispered, “No,” because she could feel it even if she couldn’t explain it. “I-I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to understand. You only have to believe.”

The swirl of his power engulfed her senses, teasing her with strange prickles of awareness—of him as a man, of him as more than just a man. That was where confusion arose. What else was he? What could give him that kind of control over her sensibilities? Because she lived the life of a journalist, asking questions and seeking answers, it went against her grain to blindly accept what was before her—even when under a smothering pressure to do just that. She blinked hard and struggled against his spell.

“W-what are you doing to me?” 

I can credit my abundance of creativity this week to these lovely ladies from my 30-year strong PotL critique group.


It seems like it’s been ages since we’ve spontaneously gathered together (minus one member from the other side of the state) for plotting, revising, and just plain visiting in a small-town diner and comfortable living room. What a wonderful way to refuel the creative engine. Now, I have no excuse not to finish my edits! So . . . what have you been writing – no excuses!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their #8sunday posts.

Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.


Nancy on the Web



8 comments

  1. He is mezmerizing! He drew me in so I didn't want to look away. She's doing good to be able to focus at all. Excellent, engaging characters! Tweeted. Just finished a short story for a Dragonblade anthology, and am working on finishing book 3 in my Welwyn Marriage Wager series. Never a dull moment--two novellas due October 1, so my August and September are full. Enjoy your retreat with your pals!

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    1. It's a tightrope to walk making truly dark characters still appealing. But it's my favorite kind of job!

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  2. I'm a teeny weeny bit envious of your next few weeks. Sounds delicious.
    And your snippet was great. intense. intriguing. strong ... just a pleasure to read.

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    1. Thank you, Iris!! Yes, I am a lucky writer to have found such a loyal and supportive group of friends!

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  3. An excellent scene! This is the kind of compelling vampire I want to read more about. Tweeted.

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    1. I hadn't reread it in like forever so I was pleasantly surprised to find it still rocked!

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  4. Love how atmosphere can be so conducive to writing. Great snippet.

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