I’m a big fan of Z. A. Maxfield and have read a number of her books including St. Nachos, Drawn Together, The Long Way Home and others. Her books generally fall right into my favorite genre, m/m contemporary, and she’s a wonderful writer with what i’ve heard appropriately described as a “lyrical” style. (Plus, we share a locale, both being from behind the Orange curtain.) A few months ago, i bought an unusual book from Maxfield called Notturno, a paranormal, m/m erotic romance. I was kind of swamped with vampires at the time (see Charlaine Harris and J. R. Ward), so i didn’t read the book until last week. I was floored. What a wonderful book.
Notturno, published in 2009 (I told you my recommendations wouldn’t be up to date) tells the story of the relationship between an ancient Italian vampire and a contemporary collector and expert in antique erotica. The plot revolves around an erotic journal that the modern man, Adin, wants to collect and the vampire, Donte, who actually wrote the journal, wants to get back. The journal is important in the story since the reader gets to see pages of it describing the love of Donte and his beloved, Auselmo, during the Renaissance era. While these extractions from the journal slow down the story the reader really doesn’t care because Maxfield’s very lyrical style is so perfectly suited to the period.
The real success of the book is that the author brings to life two great loves — that of the Renaissance lovers and that of Donte and Adin. While Donte is a terrific character, the most perfectly drawn creation of the book is, unexpectedly, the human, Adin. He has such a clear voice — irreverant, courageous, deep-thinking and a plain old wise-ass. You love Adin and consequently understand why Donte does too (unlike so many vampire stories where it’s hard to figure what the hell the vampire ever sees in the human.)
Even in a body of very enjoyable work, Notturno stands out as one of Maxfield’s very best efforts. Give it a try if you haven’t already.
http://www.zamaxfield.com