#BookReview – “Dark Fire” by Christine Feehan

Blurb

"There is always a price to pay."

So Darius warned her when she accepted a position with his traveling troupe. And gazing mesmerized at the merciless slash of his mouth, the implacable resolve on his face, the soulless emptiness of his black eyes, Tempest was afraid to ask what it was.

She had always been different, apart from others. From the moment his arms closed around her, enveloping her in a sorcerer's spell, Darius seemed to understand her unique gifts. But did his kiss offer the love and belonging she sought, or a danger more potent than his own panthers?

Somewhere deep inside herself, Tempest, realized she knew the answer. She had no choice but to accept the velvet stroke of his tongue, 'submit to the white-hot heat piercing her skin, welcome an erotic pleasure like no other. . . 

Review

In the sixth book of the Dark/Carpathian series, Tempest (Rusti) Trine has lived a hard life. From living in foster homes and on the street, she grew up fast and learned how to take care of herself. She’s always been alone, just trying to survive, and she’s hiding a secret gift. (She’s psychic and can speak with animals.) Desperately needing a job, she finds a want ad for a mechanic and seeks out the Dark Troubadours, a popular singing group.

Darius is the leader of his small family and will do anything to protect them. Even though all of them are Carpathians, who can fly and shape-shift into animals to travel, they need to keep up the appearances of being human, so they travel in vehicles when going on tour. Though he didn’t want to hire a human mechanic, he soon realizes Rusti is his lifemate.

I like Darius and Rusti a lot. Since he’s both a Carpathian male and the head of the family, he’s highly possessive and jealous, but very protective of the ones he cares for. Rusti doesn’t trust easily and fought her strange connection to Darius, but she needed to keep the man on his toes and prove she wouldn’t bow to his command. She’s strong and capable, a perfect for Darius and his stubborn ways.

Julian, Desari, Barack, Syndil, and Dayan return from the previous book. The society of human vampire hunters is again after the group. Cullen is a new human character and proves a good ally to the Carpathians.

Though Darius and Rusti’s romance is the main story, there’s a secondary romance between Barack and Syndil. I’ve always liked Syndil and was happy to see her growing stronger and more self-assured as this book progressed. I’m not very fond of Barack. Unlike Darius and Dayan, he didn’t lose his emotions centuries earlier, so he slept with various women over the years since he felt sexual desire. Syndil also felt desire, but in pure Feehan fashion, stayed a virgin (because most heroines are in this series). Only after their friendship takes a hit, do they realize they’re actually lifemates.

Despite the head hopping and passive voice, the plot and characters are strong. This book is one of my favorites in the series.

5 Stars