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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….
Christine Feehan: In every book I've ever read, or movie I've ever watched, the characters had to really matter to me. Whether the story was suspense, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, whatever, I wanted the characters to be happy, to find someone to love them and to share their life. When I started writing, it was just natural to write romance into my stories. I think what appeals most is finding the right woman for the hero -- seeing them mesh, watching the magic unfold between them.
What makes a story romantic, for me personally, is the hero knowing that he and the heroine belong together. Belonging is important to all of us -- belonging to a family, belonging to a mate. In Dark Fire, I think that the hero's willingness to sacrifice everything he is -- all his power -- for the heroine is what makes the story romantic. I love him for that: He melts my heart.
B&N.com: What do you enjoy most about paranormal romances?
CF: I love both reading and writing paranormal romances, because they offer such a wide scope for creativity and imagination. Paranormals allow writers to bring in everything, from elements of magic, shape-shifters, and witches, to the creepy, edgy things that go bump in the dark. The books can be humorous, adventurous, mysterious, suspenseful, or even totally fantastical.
Personally, I love anything dark and dangerous --anything out of the ordinary. I love the use of dark and light and evil versus good in a story. Vampire legends abound throughout the world. It wasn't too much of a leap to envision the other side of those legends -- creatures bound to the elements of the earth and nature, endowed with wonderful gifts, but also fighting against impossible odds to survive. I believe powers such as psychic ability, shape-shifting, and healing all add to the power of the romance as well. A magical connection between hero and heroine as they strive to overcome their differences makes for a powerful, emotional love story.
When I first had the idea of writing the Dark series I didn't envision a typical series, but the creation of a world within our world. I wanted each book to stand alone, to be a wonderful love story and a grand adventure; yet I also wanted to be able to put the books together and weave a large tapestry of the Carpathian race. I enjoy expanding that world with each new book.
B&N.com: What do you think Tempest's very human background of abandonment and abuse adds to the story?
CF: We all have tremendous strengths, and we all have special ways of coping with, and compensating for our weaknesses. All our backgrounds -- what we've seen, what we've lived through -- shape our characters. Tempest's background allows her to be much more accepting of who and what Darius is. She needs a family, a home; she needs acceptance of her own differences. She is able to find humor where another might not, in Darius's dominating ways. She sees his accomplishments, his soul. Tempest's past shaped her very real strengths -- the strengths that make her a true complement for Darius.
The tragedies Darius faced in his childhood shaped him as well. People sometimes do extraordinary things under dire circumstances -- they can step up to greatness as Darius certainly does. Facing the possibility of becoming a vampire added to Darius's strength. You can't help but root for a man who perseveres through sheer force of will. I always love my hero when I's writing my book, but Darius has something extra. I think it is the combination of his power and emotional vulnerability. And more than that, I admire loyalty, a trait he has in abundance!
B&N.com: Could you tell readers a little about the Carpathian concept of lifemates that you created for this series?
CF: Again, light and dark come into play here. Carpathian lifemates are two halves of the same whole. The man is darkness, he is a natural predator -- simultaneously aggressive, loyal, dominant, and protective. As he journeys through his life, he loses his ability to see in color and to feel emotion, unless he finds the one woman who is his other half. She is the light to his darkness and can restore his emotions and bring him back into a world of feelings and color. I believe that only when we know ourselves -- how we think, what we feel, and what we want -- are we capable of finding a true partner in life.
Readers can get the latest news on my upcoming releases at my website at www.christinefeehan.com, and I can be reached through that site,or at crisfee@yahoo.com, or through letters sent c/o my publisher.
The Carpathian leader Darius has understood all his life his responsibility to protect his family at all costs even if others must die. Thus, he has no comprehension about a soul mate just for him. Tempest Trine is an independent person so when she joins his traveling troupe as a mechanic, he is stunned when she refuses to accept his protection. Though she thirsts to belong, she feels that the cost of allowing him to control her is too high to pay even if his kisses scorch her soul. <P>The vampire hunters return with a vengeance to destroy Darius and his beloved family. They may have the Achilles¿ Heel in Tempest who has gotten inside Darius¿ blood. <P> In her latest Carpathian tale, Christine Feehan paints an intriguing novel due to the interaction between the brooding hero and the self-reliant heroine. DARK FIRE refreshes the basic theme of the series due to Darius¿ deviant behavior when compared with previous lead males. Tempest also adds a new element with her ability to ignore efforts to erase her knowledge of the Carpathian blood sustenance. Ms. Feehan has written a strong entry in her popular series. <P>Harriet Klausner
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Just when I think I am going to give this series up because it seems the same, the next book comes along and grips me again! I loved this story. It was different and added to the series. Darius is every bit as lethal as his brother Gregori. Tempest, Darius's lifemate is human and they have to overcome a lot of different challenges. I love that Darius is willing to keep her human and live with her as humanly as possible and die with her when she passes. He is every bit the male dominating Carpathian, but has a very soft spot for her can put her needs above his own and sacrifice his immortality for her mortality. I liked that Julian and Desari were in the book, and there were a lot of funny parts, I found myself laughing out loud! On to book 7!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Another Dark Troubadour's book. This time, it is Darius, the leader of their small group, the strongest one of them.
Darius had proven his strength and determination when he had brought up two females, females that are so precious to the Carpathian race to bring more children. Also having two other males to help keep them safe, he was the rock that everyone leaned on. Yet when a slip of a red-haired woman, Tempest, comes into their lives, Darius is put to the test.
Tempest is indeed a spitfire. She has her own rules, just like her lifemate, and her own ideals. Tempest fights Darius, unable to take in what he offers her as a new life. She still has a human mind and runs from him, turning the book into a thriller as Darius tries to soothe his lifemate, wanting her to trust him with her life.
Not only does Darius finds himself protecting his lifemate, but now he has new enemies that threaten his family. The two encounter in a twist of fate that leaves them in a fiery and passionate ride of love together.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Jul 08 00:00:00 EDT 2003
well actually...Dark Fire was the first book out of the series that i read. I loved every bit of it! i do agree with the others that the Tempest character could have been just a bit less annoying and the whole pet names were a bit repetative...but compared to the other books, the explanation of the Carpathian race was explained more thourally than the other books. If i had started the series with something else...i would of been lost. Although i should of started at the beginning, im glad i started at Dark Fire. I just hope that every book doesnt have the whole two pet names...has anyone noticed with the other books little one...cara...honey...blah blah...There needs to be more...but other than that..keep up the good work Christine!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2001
If you enjoy unusual love stories this is the book for you. I do not like sappy romance books. With some hunk with a baby in his arms on the cover. Ms. Feehan's books are always interesting, dark and actually erotic. No mush here. Ms. Feehan knows just how to manipulate the female mind. Where you end up reading a book till 3 am just so you can finish it. And then your left eagerly awaiting her next release. The world she creates is so vivid it's a wonderful place to escape to and dream about. The only problem with her books is that the Carpathian men are too fascinating. You'll find yourself very disappointed with human males in your own life. Dark Fire continues the excellent Dark series can't wait till the next one thank you Christine!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon May 22 00:00:00 EDT 2006
I have to admit that I had grown weary of the Dark Series' predictable storyline. While this story offers no real surprises, I have to say this book was still a breath of fresh air for the Dark Series. Although Tempest and Darius can't be separated, I didn't find this book as cloying as Julian and Desari's relationship in 'Dark Challenge'. In fact, unlike the last book in the series, I actually read this book over the course of days rather than getting disgusted and reading it over the course of weeks. Although both Tempest and Darius fall into the author's well developed clichés, the book is still very enjoyable. In fact, Darius actually showed some promising character development toward the end of the book. I guess my biggest gripe was how Darius could kill so many people in his efforts to protect Tempest yet never draw suspicion to himself by the police. It seems to me if all these dead bodies were piling up with no real explanation as to how it happened someone would be asking questions. But I remind myself this is fiction and I try to push those thoughts out of my head. After all, if you're reading about Carpathians, vampires, etc then you obviously have an ability to move beyond the easily explained. :)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Aug 10 00:00:00 EDT 2005
I think that Christine rights wonderful love stories about two people who really fall for each other and just know in their hearts that this is for life. I also love the physical parts of the book. It shows just how a man sould really charish a woman. Every one loves to be loved and wanted. I recommend all the Dark series they are wonderful but make sure that you do not have any pressing duties that need taken care of because I guarantee that the time will fly by while you get caught up in her books. It is fun to go to never land in her books.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Oct 02 00:00:00 EDT 2002
I have been following the series since the very beginning with the first printing of Dark Prince. Though I love all of them, this has got to be my favorite. It has funny scenes between Syndil and Barack as well as the love story between Darius and Tempestt. This is one series that after 8 books I am still waiting for the next one. Christine always leaves you wondering what happens next. Each book is written to stand alone, causing some phrases to be repeated, but each has its own unique story. You must read them in order starting with Dark Prince to really appreciate the series. Each starts almost where the other left off.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 2002
Close to becoming a vampire, Darius is granted a reprieve. His one and only soul mate has arrived in the form of Tempest, the nomadic music groups new mechanic. However, Tempest is human. How can this work out? Especially since Tempest has a problem believing Darius loves her as much as he does. Plus she has a little problem with claustrophobia; not to good when her boyfriend takes her into an underground cave. Danger from human vampire hunters threatens the music group along with Darius' and Tempest's budding relationship. What happens? read and find out.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Aug 06 00:00:00 EDT 2001
After a much anticipated release, Ms. Feehan does not disappoint her readers with her new release, Dark Fire. Dark Fire, the sixth in her Dark Series, tells the story of Darius, the guardian of the traveling Dark Troubadours, a group of Carpathians thought to have been dead. It is wonderfully told, with the vivid details that Ms. Feehan's novels are known for. As one of Ms. Feehans devoted readers, I was one of many who pre-ordered this book. It was well worth the wait though! Ms. Feehan introduces her readers to the wonderful world of the Carpathians--writing a creative twist to the vampire genre. But the thing that I like the most (other than the amazing male characters) is she writes of heroines who are strong, courageous and yet at the same time compassionate--making them sound 'real'--a feat not many romance authors do. All I can say is I couldn't put the book down--reading it in one day!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2001
This book again superseeded all my previous expectations of her talent. She has brought an ethereal combination of sensuality and emotional vulnerability to a dark and forboding character, Darius. Her heroine, Tempest, is a fiesty combination of street smarts and hidden passions. Thank you Christine for another wonderful addition to your Literary Stables.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Aug 19 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I posted at neba res three please read
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Posted Wed Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Didnt know he liked you thought he was with Walker but ok.
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Posted Wed Apr 16 00:00:00 EDT 2014
"Awesome Sauce." She managed, the words sounding ridiculous in her mouth.
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Posted Fri Apr 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Flew over to the scene. "What happened?"
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Posted Sat Apr 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The black dragon flew in. "Did I hear that the king pis open?Well if it is, please tell me if i made it.
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Posted Thu Apr 17 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Passes out
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Posted Sat Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Walked in with two dragonets by her side.
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Posted Mon Apr 21 00:00:00 EDT 2014
"Oh geez!" He whoofed, flying to the dragoet cove
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Posted Sun Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 2014
I loved reading this, Christines series continues.
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Overview
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 ...