Dark Secret

They did not send me the book and will not respond to me when I message them for a refund

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques This latest in the Dark saga by Christine Feehan opens new doors on her world that will intrigue and entice. Colby Jansen loved her step father, Armando Chevez, dearly. When he died she was crushed, but swore to keep their ranch going strong for her brother and sister as it was to be their legacy. Strange accidents keep happening at the ranch that have her worried since she is already struggling to keep it alive. The final straw comes though, in the form of a visit from the Chevez brothers, Paul and Ginny's uncles, saying they want custody of the children to take them back to Brazil. Rafael De La Cruz is of an ancient race, sent to South America centuries ago with his four brothers, to protect their Carpathian people, and their prince, safe from the evil vampire. He is extremely close to turning vampire himself, when he journeys to the US with Juan and Julio Chevez, loyal human servants of his family, to aid them in bringing back their niece and nephew. He never expected to find his lifemate, the one woman who can prevent him from turning vampire on this journey. Colby and Rafael are attracted immediately, though she despises him for his role in trying to take away her beloved siblings. He realizes she is his lifemate immediately and can do nothing but protect her by trying to help her get to the bottom of the strange happenings at her ranch. Sparks fly and mutual respect grows, but when a very powerful vampire turns up and tries to claim Colby for himself, can the two of them come together in time to protect Colby's family and their ranch? This reviewer feels this story is back up to par with Ms. Feehan's other books in the saga, after having been disappointed in the previous full-length book in the series. The action is intense and never ending, sucking readers under its spell, keeping them reading long into the night, eager to see what will happen next. There are also some new plot threads woven into the world of the Carpathians, which sound fascinating and are sure to come into play in later books in the series. The romance between Colby and Rafael is extremely hot and passionate, luring readers into seduction right along with Colby. Colby is quite the heroine, strong willed, with a fiery temper to match her red hair. Her life is her family and she will stand for no one stepping in and trying to take them away from her, or telling her how to run her ranch and her own life. She is stubborn and determined... more then an equal match for the domineering Rafael. He has lived centuries, defending his family, his people, his prince from evil and he knows nothing of tenderness and patience. Finding his lifemate when he is on the brink of turning evil himself, makes him darker and more dangerous then previous heroes in the Dark saga. He has no time to cater to Colby's need for space to come to terms with what will be her new life, yet he holds out converting her as long as he can, knowing that each day he do

If you don't like hot steamy sex, paranormal action characters, strong heroines with dominating alpha heroes, then this is not the book or the series for you. However, if those things don't bother you or you even relish them, then boy are you in for a treat with Feehan's latest Carpathian release. I an addict to her vampire series, but this book is her best since my favorite, DARK FIRE. Rafael De La Cruz is another Carpathian warrior who has once again captured my heart. He is indeed once of the most dominating characters since Gregory, but he is definitely aware of his shortcomings. Him and his brothers were sent out by the original prince hundreds of years ago to fight the vampires in South America. However, their nature has always been more wild and less disciplined than the average Carpathian male. They were as we say "the bad boys" of the Carpathian clans. This explains the extra wild & even dangerous nature of the De La Cruz boys, they are truly on the brink of their dark/beast side. The love of a lifemate, Colby, however, brings emotion & even compassion into Rafael's life finally after all these hundreds of years of being without feelings or hope. He cannot help but latch on to her for dear life no matter what the cost and how she feels. There are times, however, when Rafael realizes his mistake in his arrogance in forcing his decisions upon her and his regret & confusion so moved me. It reminded me of a little boy who had broken his favorite toy and he is desperate to fix it. Luckily his lifemate, though angry as hell at him, realizes in the end that his love is true and his intentions are good. This book brings back some old characters (telepathically), but it also introduces a brand new long lost bloodline of Carpathian warriors, The Dragon Seeker Clan. The heroine, Colby turns out to be a descendent of that line and her mating to Rafael will produce strong & powerful & most likely female children. I've basically neglected all my house chores in order to finish this book, it is so exciting that new bloodlines & characters will be coming soon. I can't wait!

Rafael De La Cruz and his brother Nicolas have come to America to get the 3 children left by one of their protected families. Only recently have they found out about the 2 children and the adopted daughter of Armando Chevez. Colby Jensen the adopted daughter has refused to let them take her brother and sister back to Brazil. She has no trouble refusing Nicolas but Rafael enthralls her as well as frightens her. Nicolas seems so cold. But Rafael fires her blood. He refuses to accept her denials of any connection between them. As accidents and injuries mount on the ranch she at first thinks it is the De La Cruz brothers. After a ranch hand is found dead and she and Rafael are attacked, she has to accept that they are not responsible and take the help they offer. Rafael knows she is his lifemate, but after 1700 years he has trouble earning her trust before he claims her. Knowing only the harsh reality of the hunter, he must learn tenderness or loose the only thing that will make his life worth living. Colby seems determined not to do as he orders, maybe he should ask. Only the greatest peril can open a closed heart and mind to the truth. A wonderful addition to the Dark series.

Rafael and Colby were very strong characters although somewhat more violent and strong-minded than usual (but with good reason!). Colby's dislike of Raphael went for a long time. I wished she had admitted things to herself a bit earlier. It made for terrible/great tension, though. While I'd prefer the Dark books with a touch less sex/anger in them, these are all keepers and worth rereading. Christine Feehan's vampires are the best.