Book Review + Giveaway: Night Thief by Lisa Kessler

Title: Night Thief
Series: Night Series Prequel
Author: Lisa Kessler
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: September 28, 2012
Buy Link: Amazon (Kindle)

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blurb:

After the fall of the Mayan civilization, Kane, an immortal Night Walker, has taken refuge in France for over 800 years. The modern world holds little interest for him until the night he meets the Golden Thief and is robbed of much more than his pocket watch.

Marguerite Rousseau is living a double life. By day she is the assistant to an eccentric French artist, Antoine Berjon, and by night she dons elegant evening gowns to woo French dignitaries before lifting their wallets.

Sparks ignite when Kane captures the thief, but Marguerite harbors a dark secret that could ruin them both.
Review
I couldn't stop reading!!!

This is Lisa's first attempt at a historical novella. As a historical romance buff, I think it was okay. It had the same feel as Night Walker, and that book wasn't supposed to be historical. As with Night Walker, however, I very much appreciated the "ancient-ness" of the male characters. They are simply irresistible :)

He had no time for French fashions.

Kane settled in France after the attack on his people and almost being killed protecting them. In the book, he claimed that he fit better with the French because of his skin color compared to the Mayan civilization that he came from. That didn't mean that he liked the French fashion, however. In fact, he rebelled against it any chance he got, resulting in open shirts and sexy chest and abs exposure. #Yum.

He handed her a pair of breeches. "You can wear these." She glanced at the riding pants. "And what will I wear for a blouse?"

"He gestured to her dress. "You wear something underneath that. Some sort of under clothes?" She nodded. "Yes, but..."

"That will do. How many layers of fabric must you bury your skin beneath?"

Her eyes wandered over his bare chest. "Are you going to button your shirt?"

"Does it bother you if I do not?"

She would embarrass herself if she answered truthfully. "You have no love for clothing."
Making his way up from his daylight sanctuary, he found his black pants and jacket already awaiting him, laid out on his feather bed. Gerard also left a tie with the white shirt. Kane shook his head with a smirk. Gerard never lost hope that he would turn his master into a proper gentleman. 

Marguerite was a thief that caught Kane's attention. I liked her strong will to survive and save her cousin from the claws of the vampire. She was the kind of woman who was stubborn and wouldn't take any orders from Kane. When Kane told her to stay put, she did the exact opposite, and that's exactly the reason why Kane loved her.

"Do not forget to button your shirt. You will have the fine ladies of Paris fainting in the streets."

"I am grateful you can bear the sight of my body without wilting away."

Some of my favorite parts in the book was the first bedroom scene and Kane talking to his horse. The first bedroom scene was vivid, sweet, and romantic! As I've said before, the bedroom scenes are one of the reasons why I love historical period so much - they are so much sweeter! On the other hand, the scene with Kane confiding in his horse Kukulkan was so adorable!

Her gaze ran up his tanned muscular legs. She'd lain with more than one man, but never one so comfortable in his body.
The memory of that night brought a smile. "She worried that worthless vampire might hurt me." He leaned against the stall door. The horse nickered, encouraging Kane as if he understood every word. "No one, other than my immortal brothers, ever showed concern for my welfare.

The stallion nudged him with his muzzle.

"You are a good listener, my friend. Kukulkan answered by sneezing on him. Kane laughed in spite of himself, grateful for the respite from his thoughts.

Another thing I liked in this book. Vampires and Night Walkers were differentiated. Vampires were bad and considered as monsters, Night Walkers were protectors of society. That's very unique and I love it. I also loved that Kane was not the demanding kind. He was very respectful and invited instead of ordered Marguerite except maybe once or twice for her own safety.

She ran her finger along the deep red velvet trim of one of the gowns, picturing herself wearing it inside the newly rebuilt Salle Favart Opera House. "He expects me to attend?"

She glanced over her shoulder to see Gerard raise a brow. "My Master hoped you might wish to accompany him. He is not one to force his will upon a lady."

Giveaway

If you like this book, I suggest reading the first book, Night Walker, where Calisto gave up his soul for a second chance to love a woman.