Avon Books, 1987
Sourcebooks, 2008, 2010
ISBN-10: 1402213972
ISBN-13: 978-1402213977
The Prince of Midnight
He was once a legendary highwayman. Now he’s a recluse, living out his life in a ruined hideaway. When Lady Leigh Strachan comes looking for a man who can teach her how to wreak revenge on her enemy, she’s disgusted and disillusioned to find that the famed Prince of Midnight can hardly stand steady on his own two feet. S.T. Maitland wants nothing to do with his former criminal career, or with this fierce, beautiful, unhappy woman, until the old thrill of living on the cutting edge of danger begins to rise in his blood again.
Look for this beautiful NEW cover from Sourcebooks in 2010!
Discuss this bookSetting:
England and France, late 18th Century
Mascot Animal:
Nemo the wolf
Laura's Comment:
My sister is quite proud that the original idea for S.T.‘s rather unusual problems with balance came directly from her bout with a similar condition, which temporarily affected her inner ear. Watching her get up from bed and fall in a heap was quite inspiring to a writer. Aren’t we a heartless bunch? Oh, and I did spend a good bit of time spinning myself in a circle (remember doing that when you were a kid?) to get the feel of it for myself.
Recognition:
Romance Writers of America Golden Choice Award - WINNER, Best Romance Novel of 1990
Laura's Fave Review:
“A true storyteller, Laura Kinsale has managed to break all the rules of standard romance writing and come away shining. There is not a virgin to be found, and certainly no flawless hero to be worshipped. What a refreshing change.” San Diego Tribune, March 8, 1991
Old Covers:
Here it is, the ORIGINAL Fabio cover, the first one he appeared on by himself! It’s as legendary as S.T. Maitland.
[1] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.08.2010
Please feel welcome to discuss this book. All opinions are welcome, positive or negative, but civility and polite language are required for comments to remain. Political or religious references are not allowed, unless directly related to the book under discussion. I do answer questions but I seldom give interpretations about my books or characters, because I enjoy hearing what readers see in them. These comments and discussions replace my old forum at The Terrace. (Note that the spam captcha is an english word interspersed with a number—this may help you tell a letter from a number. If it’s still too hard to see, reload the page for another one.) WARNING: Book discussions may contain spoilers.
[2] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 01.15.2010
This was the first Laura Kinsale book I read—a shipping mishap from a DoubleDay book order. I am so glad the company made that mistake. I have not been able to find a better historical romance author ever since.
This book is amazing. Fantastic, and yet believable, as Mrs. Kinsale has a way of fashioning a tragic, scarred, cursed hero in a way that makes your heart break for him. The woman in this book is bitter and courageous and strong, and the slow turning of her heart toward the man she thought was a hero—only to be disillusioned—is fascinating to watch. Or rather, experience. You can’t pick up this book and readily put it down without feeling as though a piece of your heart has been chipped away, only to have it remade by the last page. By far, one of her best novels!
[3] Posted by laura kinsale on 01.15.2010
Thank you Vikki. I’m sure glad Doubleday made that mistake!
[4] Posted by Susan on 01.16.2010
Silly me! I badgered a book store to give me the “book dump” stand-up of Fabio off the cover and then years later gave it away when I made a long distance move. I hope someone, somewhere is enjoying it still.
[5] Posted by Amanda Silva on 01.17.2010
I still read this book cover to cover. Thank you, Ms. Kinsale for writing this story and making fall in love with romance and reading.
[6] Posted by Amanda Silva on 01.17.2010
I still read this book cover to cover. Thank you, Ms. Kinsale for writing this story and making ->me fall in love with romance and reading.
[7] Posted by SandyO on 02.02.2010
You got to admit, when the book first came out, that cover was stunningly spectacular.
[8] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 02.03.2010
It was great, I agree. In fact, between you and me, that’s really what made me crack the cover open for the first time! Of course, had I not been completely spellbound after the first page, I wouldn’t have kept reading, Fabio or no Fabio. By the end of the second page, I was so hooked, it was ridiculous. That was the defining moment: when Laura Kinsale became my Elvis.
[9] Posted by laura kinsale on 02.07.2010
Haha, now that’s got to be a pinnacle of something, reaching Elvis status for a reader. Thank you. *g* ;)
[10] Posted by Vikki Johnson on 02.08.2010
Yeah, when I requested your newsletter, you wrote back that I had a cute email address (inkspeckle), and when I told my son, he said, “Wow, Mom. She actually wrote you back? Isn’t she, like, your Elvis?”
It’s no secret in my house who my favorite author is!
[11] Posted by Trisha Williams on 03.03.2010
I read this book once a long time ago. the story was one of my favorite romances of all time and I still remember the way it pulled you in and took you on a ride.
[12] Posted by laura kinsale on 03.03.2010
Thank you Trisha! I think that’s always one of the best compliments, when a reader remembers a book after many years.
