The Twilight Before Christmas - Drake Sisters Book 2)

This is a great series, but unfortunately the narrator did no justice to the book. It was like listening to a female robot reading with little to no voice inflection, and absolutely no fluidity in the narration from character to character.

I always love anything Christine Feehan writes. Too bad I can read faster that she can write. I love how the characters are not complete until they find each other and then they become stronger together.

Based on Christine Feehan's other books, this one fell right into step. It's a great read, but predictable and usual. Read this one if you are a Feehan fan. If you are new to Feehan read one of the later Drake Sister novels.

Someimes the plot in this book gets a little hokey, but I fell head over heels for the two main characters in this book. I love their characters, and how they fit together. The love scenes aren't just steamy, they are romantic and beautiful. Definately worth the read!

I thought this book was stupid, to put it bluntly. The mist that takes material form so that it can throw things because it hates Christmas? The relationship between Matt and Kate? Two people who have lived years apart on different continents and did not even attend school together? They were never friends that I could detect from the storyline. Yet, each KNEW the other was the only one for them. What utter tripe. Maybe the man in the mist is more believable than the love story, now that I consider it farther. A stinker of a book.

For the record, I read and enjoyed the Hannah story! That made this all the more disappointing to me.

I started reading gothic romance as a young child and this book took me to that gothic world of romance. The magic of the Drake Sister's along with the loyalty if the men in their lives makes for a strong storyline add in a touch of mystery and danger and you find a haven to escape to. I look forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommended from this avid reader.

I started reading gothic romance as a young child and this book took me to that gothic world of romance. The magic of the Drake Sister's along with the loyalty if the men in their lives makes for a strong storyline add in a touch of mystery and danger and you find a haven to escape to. I look forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommended from this avid reader.

This book is also part of the Feehan Christmas Stories, the second book, but I decided not to put that in the title because I don’t like having my titles that long.

Now it wasn’t quite the mystery that After the Music was but it was way more supernatural, of course it is the second book of the Drake Sisters so it’s expected to be quite different.

Even though it’s a rather short book it does run a little long for me and I just want to smack some sense into Kate every once in a while.

The mystery here isn’t as deep as the other Christmas Stories in this little series but a mystery nonetheless, I just didn’t get a chill down my spine. I really love the poem at the beginning and I also love the fact that parts of it start off the chapters so that the reader kind of knows what’s going to happen. Maybe that’s why the mystery isn’t as deep as the other mysteries.

Not one of my favorites of the Drake sisters but still a good one. The writing hooks me when it introduces Matt and I just love the awkwardness, it’s too cute and I’m still loving the fact that the stories are introduced with the love interests, it really helps to build a connection with the men before the readers get to the sister.

There’s really no mystery as to who will be Hannah and Elle’s love interest, although Elle’s isn’t nearly as obvious as Hannah’s.

The pace just seemed a little slow to me, the chapters taking a little longer than they needed to be. I still really enjoy the Drake sisters getting together and the hard time they give Jonas, although they really need to pay more attention to Hannah.

This is a sweet, yet creepy tale that would be a nice read around Christmas time

This story is all descriptive prose and not much 'story.'

Every time Matt was mentioned, we're reminded how tall, huge, enormous, overwhelming and powerful he is. His shoulders were huge, they were massive, they took up more than half of the room in the car! His hands were big. He had big hands. His hands were rough, capable and callused. Even his house was custom built "for a man his size!" Who is this guy... Paul Bunyon??? Geesh!!!

But, ok... He's a big, beautiful guy... we get it! We don't need to be reminded every-other page!!

Yes, she's perfect! All of her sisters are perfect! She's beautiful, petite, brilliant -- again, we get it and don't need constant reminders!

He's perfect; She's perfect! They're both perfect - so, of course, each feels strongly that the other couldn't possibly be interested in them. How very high school!

Everything he does sends sparks through her. I could imagine...
"He sneezed and electricity ran through my entire body and made my hair stand on end. I looked like the Bride of Frankenstein. But not to worry, his large, masculine palm which was large and masculine caught all of the sneeze except for one, small spittle which landed on my tiny arm and burned through my soft, smooth feminine skin and ate at my bone. He wiped the remnants of the powerful sneeze from his large, masculine palm onto the tight jeans that covered his muscular, manly thigh. His actions made me so weak, I barely had the strength to cross my legs, squeeze them tightly together and utter a breathless... "gesundheit."

Simple acts call for as many words as possible. I didn't have to add much here:
"He commanded the winding, mountainous road like a professional driver.
He made a hard, powerful left and drove up the long, winding driveway.
He parked the car with one, bold move!
He masterfully switched the car off. He removed the keys from the ignition with commanding force!
He unfolded his long, tall, huge, enormous, massive body from the car.
He sauntered confidently around to the passenger side.
He helped her out, taking her small, petite, teeny-tiny body in his massive, powerful, muscular arms! He smooshed her about a bit just so he could feel the creamy swell of her breasts against his taut muscles!
She heaved! He heaved! They heaved as electricity surged thru their bodies!"

Calling each other by name every time they speak to each other. There's no one else around, who else could you be talking to? And, she always calls him Matthew. She's very avant-garde! A brilliant author, you know!

All in all, I think I have to give up on this one before I get to the musings of what's going on below his belt. Imagine...
"His long, thick, enormous, powerful, mighty, robust erection reminded me of a bulging salami hanging proudly from the butcher's hook, its heavy weight swinging ever so slightly, waiting for me grab it with my tiny hands and claim it as my own. And, as sparks traveled from my pretty little head to my teeny-tiny toes, pausing at the round-about of my very tight lady-part... I knew I must claim it as my own and take it home and ravish it, and be ravished by it again and again!"

I also imagine there's a "will he fit?" question in there somewhere... but that's just a given these days!

Oh, and there's something about the Smoke Monster from 'Lost' pitching a hissie-fit for some reason or another; maybe he's just now finding out how the series ended!

As for me, I'm giving up on this one and heading off to Hickory Farms... I have a sudden hankering for salami... or maybe a juicy summer sausage!

OMG! OMG! I was very bored today and went back in this story and was determined to finish it! Got to the part where they were actually going to have sex and she seemed tired of his himmy-hawing around because, yes, he thought he was such a big manly-man (what a surprise!!!), that he needed to go slow so she could adjust to all that power! She begged him to just get on with it, and he actually yelled out... ready??? "Katie, you're too inexperienced!!!" Can you believe that?? OMG!!!

Then once Her Tightness had accepted all he had to offer, he immediately started pounding into her while outside his patio door, "the ocean pounded on the shore"!! I actually laughed out loud at that. I mean... really?? How antiquated and juvenile is that... camera slowly pans from the couple entangled in passion to the waves crashing upon the shore??? Couldn't take another word... I went straight for the 'Delete' button!! OMG!!! That is sooo bad!!!

Summary: Matt Granite has had a crush on Kate Drake for years. This crush has cause him to crash vehicles, have people laughing at him and years of deep unresolved feelings for someone he thinks is out of his league. Kate Drake is a bestselling novelist that comes from a family of powerful witches. She and Matt get caught up in an evil spirit that hates Christmas and all it stands for. Kate and Matt must work together to save the town and along the way the feelings they have for each other will show. But will they be able to save the town in time?

Review: I LOVE MATT GRANITE!!!!! The scene when he wrecks his car is not only hilarious but so endearing. Plus Kate is so sweet, but so hard on herself and she needs someone like Matt to show her how amazing she really is. I love the mystery behind the "Christmas" ghost and the whole time I read it I wanted to know who was controlling it and why. This writing was amazing and definitely makes you want to read the next book!

For more books and reviews check out my blog http://whenireadilive.blogspot.com/

I love Christine Feehan’s stories, and I strongly disagree with the critics of her writing style in this book I am posting this review to warn readers to avoid the Audible version. From the supernatural scenes to the love-making, this narrator reads with all the drama and passion of a technical report. She reminds me of high school when students read their book report in front of the class, in a sing song voice with no expression. Her voice characterizations are snarky and not believable. Equally annoying, she pronounces the name of one of the characters, Inez, as EE-nez. Thankfully, as far as I can tell, this is the only Feehan book she performed.

Content: Paranormal romantic suspense.

3.5 stars, possibly 4.

This is the second Freehan book I have read, both from the Drake Sisters series, set in Sea Haven, California.

A pleasant way to pass the time, if you like sex and suspense in your romance. It's nice. Enjoyable. Pleasant.

However, I felt little psychological tension, little fear, even when I should have been afraid, when the whole town was under attack by some evil influence.

Why not? Hmmm...maybe because it's a romance with a HEA. Or maybe it's because the 7 Drake sisters--witches all--are so good, so united, so fair, so wise. We have a best selling novelist, a blockbuster singer, an award winning physicist, a world famous doctor, etc. Superachievers with superpowers. So, how could tension develop, even when a creepy grudge from the grave comes calling?

Then, the heroes --Matt, Jonas, and Jackson-- all attended Stanford, MIT or Columbia, eventually becoming Army Rangers.

Don't get me wrong --- I actually LIKED all these beautiful people. But I didn't LOVE anyone. My heart didn't go out to any of them. How can I watch their character develop when they are all already THERE, winners one and all?

The writing itself seemed a bit schoolgirlish at times and often repetitive (lots of scenes with cookies and tea, and over-exhausted witches, and how many times do we need to be told that Elle is on her way and that the parents are still so in love, canoodling in Venice?). In addition, the dialogue seemed disconnected at times.

But a pleasant read. If you want a sleepy time bit of brain candy, with several sexy scenes --Matt is a hot one-- this is for you.

Christine Feehan is a terrific Author I have read this book before it's being re-done what a terrific read, Lots of spooky stuff exciting and Kate and Matt are a match made in heaven, A must read you won't be disappointed. I have read all the Drake Sister series books best to read in order that way you get all there history they are magic. Don't wait get the book as soon as you can it is well worth the read. If I could give this book and this author a 10 star review it still wouldn't be enough all her series books are great and definitely well worth the money.

Awesome! Being a writer was her dream as well as finding the man that makes her heartbeat faster. Too bad she always froze around him. Renovating a new home should have been easy but not when you awaken an old evil. Can she deal with this? Will she be able to set it free and gain what she most desires. Loved the characters and the interaction between the sisters. Great characters! I have a hard copy and have read this too many times to count.

What a complete rush. Feehan combines reality with the supernatural so seamlessly that you cannot help but picture this happening right next door to you. Feehan’s storytelling shines through and kept me captivated, even if the narrator’s voice seemed a bit disjointed from the story at times. Feehan’s remarkable descriptions and fantastic storyline kept me captivated and coming back for more.

Feehan’s character development was phenomenal. I appreciate the unique ways that she goes about providing details about the characters and their personalities. I also enjoyed the fact that multiple characters were developed into strong individuals, rather than simply the main characters.

Overall, I loved how this story could stand alone yet be part of a series. Feehan sets herself apart in a world dominated by the supernatural. I cannot wait to read more by this talented author.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Ms. Feehan's enchanting new Magical Sisters series continues in this story, and is sure to delight one and all.

Kate Drake is one of seven sisters, gifted with incredible magical gifts. Her gift is in her voice - the ability to soothe the souls of people in distress with only her words. She has returned to her home town, just in time to celebrate Christmas, and enjoy the annual Christmas pageant, with her family and friends. Little does she know what fate has in store for her this holiday season.

Matt Granite is a retired Army Ranger who has recently returned home to take part in the family business. He has loved Kate for years, but figured she was too "perfect" to ever be interested in a man like him, especially since he had a tendency to act clumsy in her presence, much to the amusement of his brothers. When Kate asks him to do some work for her in a run-down mill she intends to turn into a bookstore, he jumps at the chance to spend more time with her. What he doesn't know is she has always felt the same way for him.

While they are inspecting the building, they find an old crypt in the basement, which seems to have been opened by a recent earthquake, allowing something better kept imprisoned to escape. Suddenly Kate feels that an old evil has been freed, something dreadful with plans to ruin Christmas. Its first desire seems to be to destroy Kate, and her family. Matt wants nothing more then to protect his love from the entity set on destruction. Now all seven sisters must join their powers to stop this being once and for all, before it destroys Christmas, her town and family, and her new-found love.

Is there nothing the incomparable Ms. Feehan can't write? Once again she has proven herself a master of the paranormal romance genre. She is always pushing the envelope with new stories bound to become keepers for all of her fans, as well as to bring in new ones. Her voice is as fresh as ever, proving her imagination is far from tapped out. This book is very different from most of her other works, while still showing strong her trademark voice.

Matt and Kate are meant to be together, if only they can get past their doubts. Sparks are evident from their first meeting in the story, igniting rapidly into the 5-alarm blaze their passion develops into. Both are amazed by this, never having believed anything could come of their love for each other. Plenty of humor still can be found, even in the midst of such a dark tale. It is provided by the antics of Mike's brothers, and a couple of Kate's sisters, as they harass the couple, and other family friends. There is also evidence of a couple blossoming relationships between some of the other characters, possibly to be developed in future books in the series.

The action is well-developed and perfectly paced to keep the reader waiting with baited breath. The anticipation builds, with Kate and her sisters' victory becomes more imperative as the malevolent entity grows in strength, all the while wearing their own strengths down. Events spiral up and around, leading into the ultimate confrontation, which is not quite what the reader is expecting, but guaranteed to please.

This book has it all, with a fiery romance, abundant humor, plenty of action, and a satisfying ending, leaving the reader begging for more. One will be happy to know, the story does not end here... it is only beginning.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2003. All rights reserved.

I read the Drake sisters novels out of order (Oceans of Fire was my first) and they were also my first Christine Feehan books. She is an incredible writer with a true gift!!

Kate Drake, a best-selling mytery author, is the second eldest of the 7 sisters and has decided to setup a bookstore/cafe in an old mill near the Drake cliff house. She runs into Matt Granite literally and sparks fly! I love how he thinks he is a klutz around her and she thinks the same thing!! Matt is already half in love with Kate as being about 4 or 5 years older he admired her when she was a budding young teenager and is even more awed now that she is a famous author and full grown beautiful woman. Kate has also yearned for Matt for years. In fact, most (all?) of the heroes in her novels contain parts of how she sees Matt.

But even as they meet and make a business appointment for the next day for Matt to look at the old mill and the renovation work required, a minor earthquake appears that makes both of them feel very uneasy. As Matt and Kate and her sisters and Jonas, the sheriff, and Jackson, his deputy, investigate what evil has been unleashed, romance and danger lurk everywhere for Matt and Kate.

This is enjoyable story with a really well thought out plot and conclusion. I enjoyed it and look forward to her new Drake sisters' novel!

It's the holiday season once again, and Kate Drake, a well-known author has returned home permanently. She has bought the old mill, and wants to renovate the building to convert it into a bookstore/coffee stand. It is while out horseback riding that she encounters Matt Granite, who she has had a crush on since a teenager.
Matt Granite has had a crush on Kate since she was a teenager and he was in college. He has been waiting for her to visit home, so he is ecstatic when he finds out she has returned to Sea Haven permanently. Then, while encountering her on the roadside, there is a violent earthquake. Because he works in construction, Matt quickly agrees to help Kate remodel her mill and even volunteers to make sure there wasn't any structural damage.
What the couple finds is an unknown evil force that has been buried beneath the mill, sealed in a tomb by a Drake ancestor. With little time to spare as the evil is attacking everything to do with holiday cheer the seven Drake sisters and Matt join together. But will their combined strength be enough to stop it from growing?
Like other reviewers, I am a big fan of Ms Feehan and her Carpathians. With THE TWLIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, she has another hit series in the making. What I didn't know (and after reading this story now makes sense) is that this is the second story in the series. This story is SO different from her Carpathian series. I would classify this story as a romantic suspense, because I was scared witless! I had creepy horror music playing through my head during half of the story. So I suppose this is a good thing if you like that sort of thing.
I really appreciate the fact that when the sisters weren't fighting the mist they had a light and playful humor. But I think there were too many characters all at one time for me. It wasn't until the end of the story when I finally felt like I knew who was who. Because of all the characters vying for time in the story, I felt cheated of getting to know Kate and Matt. I feel that more time could have been involved with them discussing renovation plans or what they had been doing with their own lives (and made the book longer) rather than some of the snippets of time spent with the family. I like both of the characters from what I know of them, but I didn't feel like I've gotten to KNOW Kate and Matt. I really felt this was a let down, because in other novels Ms Feehan has written, I felt like I knew the characters as people rather than just being a reader; so I felt a little cheated in this aspect.
However, I am proud of myself for finishing the story because the mist really freaked me out. I have to say that this was a really well written story and I really like the idea and concept of a family of witches. I would be very interested in reading Jacksons' story, but I think I'm gonna stick with the Carpathian series because I don't ever remember ever being so scared over a book! So I have to say I'm neither for, nor against THE TWILIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

After seeing the world, Kate Drake returns to her hometown of Sea Haven, which makes resident Matthew Granite elated as he has loved her forever. However, one thing that has not changed is Matthew's inability to speak a phrase in her presence as whenever he sees her he is tongue twisted. Though a former Army Ranger who faced danger with confidence, he has never been able to tell Kate that he loves her. He prays for a Yuletide miracle
On the other hand Kate shares the same feelings as Matt. Though she can actually say an entire sentence in his presence, she believes an adventurer like he is will never stay with a couch potato. She hopes for a Christmas miracle.
An earthquake releases a malevolent essence from its underground interment. This evil threatens the town with a debilitating fog and nightmares making day and night frightening beyond reason. Kate and her sisters must use the magic they possess to battle this wickedness if the people of Sea Haven are to survive. Matt shows his love for Kate by joining her in the fray.
Christine Feehan shows why she is one of the best at creating suspenseful paranormal romances with this powerful supernatural romantic thriller. The couple lead couple provides quite a contrast between their uncertainties about love vs. their bravery in war. The rest of the Drakes are as charming, weaving a spell on readers that will echo at a best seller rate back to Ms. Feehan with one reiterative word: sequel.
Harriet Klausner

I actually read this story in The Wicked and the Wondrous (The Twilight Before Christmas / After the Music) which contained two stories by Christine Feehan. This is the story of the 2nd Drake sister, Kate. As with all the Drake sisters, she has a supernatural power, although hers seems the least noticeable. She can bring peace to those around her.

Kate has had a crush on Matt Granite since she was a child. He's always been crazy about her. But they never were honest about their feelings. Matt is back from his service as an Army Ranger and he finally makes a move on Kate, just as an evil entity makes its way into Sea Haven.

The spirit seems bent on destroying Christmas and those who would celebrate it. Kate must use her gift and band together with her sisters to defeat the evil.

And still find time to get it on with Matt.

SPOILER: She manages to do both. (Go Kate!) 4 stars.

There's a malevolent presence in Sea Haven and the Drake sisters need all of their collective power to combat it. Matt Granite, a former Army Ranger and a native of Safe Haven, fell for Kate Drake long ago but has never expressed his feelings. Now in the face of evil, the two are thrown together.

While I enjoyed the premise of the story, the dialogue was weak and the writing often repetitious. The offered conflict between Kate and Matt didn't make sense but their romantic scenes were more interesting.

I'm hoping the next book in the series improves. There is tremendous potential in the sisters' gifts for storylines but so far it hasn't materialized. There should be more than them all being spent after each use of their talents and the subsequent mindless banter.

I really enjoyed this romance. It has it all-romance, HOT love scenes, intrigue, interesting side characters, fun and a suspenseful mystery for the seven Drake sisters to solve.

It was refreshing that Feehan wrote the story, against the grain, like the fact that most of the town where they live readily accept that the sisters are witches, as well as ask for their help, that the sisters accept their gifts, that the hero/heroine quickly accept that they're meant to be together so we see loving, as well as sexy, scenes between them instead of the usual "I hate you til the last ten pages then I realize I love you"-that kind of story gets tiresome.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes sexy paranormal romance. PS-even though it's abouyt Christmas, it can be enjoyed anytime. Looking forward to the other sisters stories.

5 stars!

2nd oldest of the seven Drake Sisters, Kate Drake, famous mystery novelist, has returned home to Sea Haven in time for the Christmas season, as well as the local pageant. Feeling nostalgic, Kate decides to settle back into Sea Haven and buys a local property to fix up and open as a bookstore. She hires an old high school friend, now part of the family contracting business, to help her, Kate and Matt finally manage to overcome their mutual shyness to the attraction that simmers at the surface. But when an earthquake causes a malevolent spirit to be released from the foundation of Kate's new purchase, Kate and her sisters must use their magical abilities to stop and contain it, while Matt has decided that Kate is too important to him to leave unprotected.