"An intense read, with a dark hero and a feisty heroine."

The latest of Christine Feehan's Carpathians is sure to be a winner with fans of the series. Darius, the dark brother of Desari, whom we first met in DARK CHALLENGE, is about to meet his match. Darius is your typical Carpathian male-- dark, with a huge responsibility and control complex. And because he was responsible for his sister and the other children that he saved, and raised by himself, he is used to being in complete control. Darius is almost scarier than his brother Gregori, the dark one, simply because no one opposes him.

Growing up, Darius was responsible for the lives of the others, and he created his own code. He has accepted that people had to die while he was trying to keep his family alive. He does not shy away from killing if he believes it to be necessary to keep the people that he loves and feels responsible for safe. And perhaps the part that readers will find most amusing, he knows nothing about lifemates. All those great rules that were taken for granted in the past few books are unknown to Darius--and part of his personal code is that you don't use a human for both sex and blood. So from the start our hero is a bit, shall we say, confused.

Enter the unaware Tempest Trine, known as Rusti to her friends. Used to being on her own, Tempest is not at all willing to put up with Darius controlling her, and tries to leave a number of times at her own peril. Tempest's independent attitude mixed with Darius's complete ignorance of what is happening make this new twist on Carpathian relationships an amusing, intriguing read.

Of course, as with all the Carpathian books, the vampire hunters have made another appearance. Their unsuccessful attempt to take Desari has only made them more suspicious, and they are back in all of their ruthless force, determined to take out Darius and his family.

DARK FIRE is an intense read, with a dark hero and a feisty heroine. Christine Feehan delivers once again, taking what some might call the same old story, and giving it a new, highly amusing twist. And because of his separation from the rest of the Carpathians, Darius doesn't quite react like any other Carpathian male we've seen before.

Reviewed by Bonnie Rock
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted August 6, 2001

Summary

There is always a price to pay

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.

2001 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award Winner - Best Vampire Romance

Winner of the P.E.A.R.L. Award 2001 - Best Shapeshifter
Best Overall Paranormal Romance