"Tall, Dark and Tortured"

Jacques Dubrinsky has been tortured and suffering for seven years. Half-mad, he calls out to the lifemate he has never met, a human woman who lives halfway across the world, and draws her to his side. Shea O'Halloran is an American surgeon, a woman who has lived her entire life under the shadow of a mysterious disease. Her life is growing short, but when men come to her practice to confront her about the man she sees only in her dreams, she knows that she must run. She heads to the Carpathian mountains -- and to her destiny. How can a confused, animalistic man be the one calling her across the miles -- and how can he command her heart so? Will her love be enough to save him and pull his mind from the insanity that he has fallen to?

The second book in Feehan's "Dark" series digs into the romance of the Carpathian culture, the intensity of the bond between mates, and the horror that those who hunt them wish to visit upon them all. Torture, madness, and exquisite sensuality are hallmarks for this volume, though as a bonus to those who have read and enjoyed the first volume in the series, readers are treated to the continuing lives of Mikhail and Raven as well. Overall, however, DARK DESIRE is a very intense book. The read is almost painful, especially at the beginning, but it makes for a rewarding emotional end. As with the heroine in DARK PRINCE, Shea gets almost lost beneath Jacques' sheer maleness, but she is an interesting and strong character regardless. Building on the blocks originally set in place in Feehan's first Carpathian novel (but not dependant upon DARK PRINCE for comprehension!) DARK DESIRE weaves an intriguing new fantasy for fans of vampire romance.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted April 15, 2003