Lynn Viehl returns us to the lush and visceral the world of her Darkyn in Twilight Fall, and I was glad to take the trip. The Darkyn novels are one of my all-time favorite vampire romance series. Superbly written with a dark, gritty edge and sharp wit, they are a feast for readers hungry for passion, romance, danger and intrigue.

In Twilight Fall, the suzerain of Chicago, Valentin Jaus, is still nursing a wounded heart (and arm) over the loss of the lovely Jema to Thierry Durand. The memory of her haunts him, as does the uselessness of his surgically reattached limb. He doesn’t complain, but his pain is obvious to the quiet gardener, Liling Harper, at the Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center, a private nursing facility.

Liling and Valentin’s paths cross at the bedside of Luisa, the young burn victim who was once under the care of Dr. Alexandra Keller, wife of Michael Cyprien, leader of the Darkyn. Liling has befriended the girl, helping her with her English, while Valentin keeps watch over the girl. 

The blond-haired, blue-eyed Valentin’s commanding aura intrigues Liling to the point she finds her daydreams and fantasies filled with images of him as a powerful lover, dominating her in ways that compel her surrender without question. Valentine is equally intrigued by Liling, though he knows not why.

But Liling has a secret, abilities she must hide because there are those who will stop at nothing to find her and use her. And when her hunters discover she’s alive, Valentin is drawn into the fray, and soon finds himself willing to do anything for the lovely Liling, who has touched his heart in a way no woman ever has.

Liling and Valentin’s story plays out across plot threads continued from previous books in the series, telling me that Ms. Viehl is indeed taking us somewhere deliberately. More is revealed about the Brethren, mortal enemy of the Darkyn, and some of it is downright chilling.

As always, I was thrilled to see Alex fairly prominently in this book. She is absolutely one of the most delightful characters I’ve ever read in a vampire romance — brilliant, sassy and cynical with fangs, and she’s bedding the hottest vampire around. Other familiar faces also make an appearance, and I’m sure we’re going to see them again as the Darkyn’s tale continues in Stay The Night (1/2009).

Have you read Twilight Fall? If so, post a comment and let others know what you thought!

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(21 votes, average: 4.57 out of 5)

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Alexandra Ivy turns in yet another page-turner with the latest in her Guardians of Eternity series, Darkness Everlasting, a sizzling tale of romance, danger and intrigue of the paranormal variety.

In Darkness Everlasting, the vampire king, Styx, takes it upon himself to protect the lovely Darcy Smith (by kidnapping her) when he learns that a werewolf leader, Salvatore Guiliani, is after her for some unknown purpose. Styx gets more than he bargains for, however, as the tenderhearted Darcy, who’s always known she was different than those around her without knowing why, proves a danger to the 2,000-year-old warrior’s solitary existence, threatening to melt his heart and free his soul in ways he never imagined. 

I found Darkness Everlasting a truly delightful read, well written, well plotted and difficult to put down. The dance between Styx and Darcy is both sweet and devastatingly passionate, their lonely souls connecting in spite of the odds being stacked against them, and the designs of the were leader to have Darcy for his own. It was great fun to see the return of familiar faces from the previous books in the series, including the deliciously amusing gargoyle Levet, along with Viper, Dante, and their mates Shay and Abby, as well. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in Ms. Ivy’s series.

Have you read Darkness Everlasting? If so, feel free to post a comment and let others know what you thought of the book!

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(25 votes, average: 4.80 out of 5)

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Kathryn Smith’s latest addition to the Brotherhood of Blood series, Let the Night Begin, is a perfectly paced, snappily and hotly written vampire romance tale that I found impossible to put down once I started.

In Let the Night Begin, Smith tells us the story of another member of the Brotherhood, Reign. Unlike many other romance book heroes/heroines, however, Reign isn’t meeting his love for the first time but finds a familiar face returning to his life, that of his estranged wife, Olivia.

Some 30 years after she walked away because Reign made her a vampire, Olivia seeks him out to help save her nephew, whom she’s raised since he was an infant. Problem is, she has to trade Reign for him, and soon finds her loyalties tested as they unite in an uneasy truce. And even though neither really trusts one another, their hearts and bodies still feel the pull that drew them together so many years before — and Olivia is having a devil of a time resisting, but does she even want to?

Kathryn’s books are always real pleasers, and Let the Night Begin continues that trend. There’s plenty of danger and intrigue afoot as well, and some seriously erotic moments between Reign and Olivia … enough to steam up a pair of reading glasses! I honestly think this may be my favorite of this series to day. 

Have you read Let the Night Begin? If so post a comment to this review and let others know what you thought.

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(24 votes, average: 4.92 out of 5)

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