Before Midnight by Jennier Blackstream ...Review by Kathy

-Blurb-
Loupe always dreamed of getting married. She yearned for a caring husband who would take her away from her servant-like existence at home with her stepmother and two stepsisters, a man who would love her forever. Those dreams ended the day she was bitten by a werewolf. Now she’s a mindless beast on the night of the full moon—a condition that forever prevents her from sharing a marriage bed. Not even the attentions of a handsome and endearingly strong prince can convince her that the life she wants is still possible.

Etienne is a prince in need of a werewolf. A werewolf himself from birth, Etienne and his family have protected their kingdom with tooth and claw—literally—for thousands of years. Unfortunately, the spell of a well-meaning witch is slowly turning him human. Only the bite of a cursed werewolf, one who was not born with the beast inside, can save him from becoming human. He has no time for anything that will not lead him to a cure for the cure. Not even the beautiful maiden whose gentle nature soothes his soul can take his mind from his goal.

Love cares little for the best laid plans or the impossible. A grand ball. The stroke of twelve. A magic “slipper.” All kinds of things can happen when you don’t leave the ball…Before Midnight.

"The werewolf, the vampire,the demon, the angel, and the god. Oh, Blessed Goddess, I have my work cut out for me."
Sounds like the start of a joke right? Well it's not, it is a new 5 part series by Jennifer Blackstream. I read this book because the cover caught my attention and because with in the first 3 lines of the book my attention was peaked. What do those 5 have in common and why is Eurydice (Greek Mythology) and the world tree together. Yup, my attention was definitely grabbed. Yes, I like Greek mythology and that may have helped as well, but I was not disappointed at all. Plus there is the added bonus that this read similar to Cinderella but twisted.

A memory rose up in her mind. She could see the carcass now, the one that hadn't been as dead as her stepmother had claimed it was. In her mind's eye, Loupe saw her hand reaching for the skin,the knife ready to make the first cut. Flashing yellow eyes flew open and lips pulled back in a snarl. Loupe screamed, dropping the knife as the animal lunged at her. Its teeth dragging over her palm as the creature used its last bit of life to mark her....change her.
Yes, this first book is about the werewolf. Loupe is a shy girl who is beaten down by her Stepmother and Stepsisters. She cleans for them, cooks for them, and skins the wolfs for them after they have hunted. She is also a werewolf or Loup Garou, one bitten and turned to werewolf. The hero of the story is Prince Etienne. He is a lycanthrope, or born werewolf. He has been  blessed/cursed and is turning more human everyday. His kingdom survives because his family is lycanthrope. They can defend against the others of the world. He is told that he has little time left as a wolf and will need to find a werewolf to bite him so that he may return to his regular wolf. He is told to throw a ball (Cinderella style)......

"The trick will be remaining calm through the social niceties of knocking on the wrong door's first if I don't get lucky and guess Loupe's right away."
"Ah, yes." the witch mused. " I would imagine many mothers and daughters will try to get you to stay a little longer in the hopes of ...distracting you from your goal." She paused and tapped her chin."Bring me the toe."
"I beg your pardon?" Etienne stared at her. His father, who'd been silently observing their exchange, looked just as shocked.
"Bring me the toe," the witch repeated calmly. "I will glamour it to look like the dress shoe Loupe was wearing. We'll say the young lady heard the commotion outside, became frightened, and fled.The entire kingdom saw the way you looked at her, danced with her. Your love for her was plain for all to see. No one will question how devastated you are at her disappearance and they will find it only too natural when you vigorously pursue her. After I cast the glamour, you will have a herald announce that the prince will marry the girl who fits the slipper."
"Don't be daft,"Etienne gasped. "I'll do no such thing," His mind whiled with all the possible maidens who might fit the "slipper." He had no intentions of blindly announcing a marriage challenge.
"The "slipper" will only fit Loupe. It is her toe after all."
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the new spin on the story and am awaiting the rest in the series. I am not normally a paranormal fangirl, but this book was well written with just enough suspense and romance to make me forget that. I give this 4 clocks. It would have been more exciting for me if there had been some sex in the book however, this was romance not sex. So if you are looking for a HOT paranormal this is not for you, but if you are looking for romance then this book is it. The next book in the series will be about the Vampire Prince and is a twist on Snow White.