Romance Book Reviews
Page One of TwoDark Desire by Christine Feehan
Love Spell, 1999.Paperback, 320 pages.
ISBN: 050552354X.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Dr. Shea O'Halloran is a brilliant surgeon who
has overcome the neglect of her
heartbroken and suicidal mother after Shea's father died.
Shea has a rare blood disorder -- she requires frequent
blood transfusions -- but she hasn't let that stop
her in her devotion to her work. But for years
she has seen a dark and tortured man in her dreams
who seems to be calling to her. When two murderous
men show up to kill her, claiming she is a vampire,
Shea goes on the run, eventually ending up in
the ancient Carpathian mountains. There she
rescues Jacques, an immortal Carpathian who claims
that she is his life mate. Carpathians drink blood like
vampires, but are not evil -- they hunt vampires themselves
and protect humans from them. Shea is not ready to
admit that she herself is half-Carpathian, but Jacques
exerts an almost magical pull on her heart. Can she find
love with an immortal before the vampire hunters
kill them both?
Dark Desire is the second novel in Christine Feehan's outstanding Carpathian romance series. The Carpathian males are larger than life, and will do anything to protect their life mates and their dying species. Shea is a skilled doctor who is used to getting her own way, and her exchanges with the imperious Jacques are quite funny. The passion between the two leads is scorching, and is sure to have lovers of vampire romances swooning with desire. The other Carpathian males which make an appearance in the story -- Mikhail, Gregori and Byron are equally as mesmerizing as the powerful Jacques. Their stories should be equally intriguing.
Indiscretion by Jillian Hunter
Sonnet Books, April 2000.Paperback, 352 pages.
ISBN: 0671026836.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Seven years ago, the young Highland noblewoman
Anne Kerr was seduced by Patrick Sutherland, who then
left her to go into the military. Anne was quickly married off
to Patrick's cousin. Now a widow, Anne has never forgiven
Patrick (now the fifth Viscount Glengramach) for breaking
her heart. Despising the very sight of Patrick, Anne is horrified
when Queen Victoria herself orders Anne, Patrick and
eccentric Aunt Nellwyn to investigate the mysterious
and scandalous death of Anne's Uncle Edgar. Under the
guise of giving the annual hunting weekend and festivities,
Anne reopens the family hunting lodge with the hope
of finding out the truth. Patrick, who has always been in
love with Anne but didn't tell her in time, is determined
to win her back. He'll do anything, including masquerading
as her butler, just to be near her. And Anne delights in
torturing him. When a gypsy fortune teller's predictions
start coming true, it seems that Uncle Edgar's killer is
close at hand. Can the couple find the killer and
find happiness in each other's arms?
Jillian Hunter knows how to write romances which are both extremely funny and sensual at the same time. Anne and Patrick make a very entertaining couple, and the naughty Aunt Nellwyn is there at every turn to persuade the warring couple to admit their growing attraction for one another. The Viscount turned Butler for a day storyline is hilarious; Patrick the hardened soldier of many battles stoically endures housemaid's knee and other indignities. The mystery is secondary in this well-written romance -- Jillian Hunter does a great job of knitting the two storylines together. With some intrigue, a touch of magic and wonderful characters, this is a lovely romance you'll definitely not want to miss.
Romance Reviews
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