Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

Christine Feehan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1999

Seven years ago, Dr Shea O'Halloran experienced an unexpected and horrendous pain unlike anything she had ever known. It felt as if she were being tortured. Eventually the pain disappeared, but Shea never forgot. She has since devoted her life to trying to understand the cause of the rare genetic blood disorder that is slowly killing her. The answers to some of Shea's questions start to reveal themselves when she is approached by two men, who accuse her of being a vampire. Shea runs for her life and - following a feeling she can't explain - her desperate wanderings lead her to Romania. The ancient one known as Jacques Dubrinsky can explain. Seven years ago, Jacques was captured, tortured and buried alive by several humans and a Carpathian betrayer. The years of extreme pain and lack of sustenance that followed have nearly driven Jacques insane. He has been using what is left of his powers to psychically draw Shea to the region. But is Shea to be his healer or his prey?

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'Feehan has a knack for bringing vampiric Carpathians to vivid, virile life in her Dark Carpathian novels...Feehan creat [es] a romance that feels both destined and believable.' Publishers Weekly" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has received numerous honours including being a nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA and receiving a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times. For more about Christine Feehan visit www.christinefeehan.com --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 315 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 050552354X
• ISBN-13: 978-0505523549
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (150 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I come from a large family with 13 brothers and sisters. My husband and I have 11 kids, 5 dogs, and lots of grandchildren. They keep me busy.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I've been published since 1999 & have over 30 books in print in multiple languages & formats. I usually write 3 books a year.

I have been fortunate to have wonderful readers who have helped me to make many bestseller lists and honors. I'm very grateful to them for their support of my writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

144 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! A must read!, December 8, 1999

By 

Jankben (Sacramento, Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Fighting to survive unendurable torment, Jacques Dubrinsky's shattered mind manages to establish a connection with a stranger. A woman who might be able to save him, or who may be the cause of his agony. American surgeon Shea O'Halloran feels compelled to travel the thousands of miles to the Carpathian mountains, where she discovers a being like none she has ever known. In her desperate race to save Jacques, Shea must face the truth about what he is and about herself. Christine Feehan has given us another can't- put- it -down page turner with Dark Desire, the second book in her series about a race of people who face extinction and are hunted as vampires. I was pulled deep into the emotional impact of Jacques' destructive madness from page one. The relationship between Jacques and Shea reminded me of the Beauty and the Beast story. He desperately needs her but at the same time is dangerous to her, and she is drawn to him in spite of the fact that she knows it may lead to her destruction. Not for the faint of heart, this book does contain some graphic violence and some pretty hot romance. A very well written, entertaining story that I highly recommend.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific 2nd Novel In The Carpathian Series - A Must Read!, August 30, 2004

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

"Dark Desire" is the second book in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series. This novel stands alone and it is not necessary to read the first book to appreciate this one - although I think you will enjoy it more if you do. Carpathians are a unique race of beings, originating in Romania's Carpathian Mountains, who have existed since humans first inhabited the earth. They are definitely not vampires. They are, however, a different race than man, gifted with the ability to change shape, fly, and move faster than the eye can see - and also able to communicate through both telepathy and language. Acquiring sustenance from human and/or animal blood, they do not kill or turn people into vampires. Carpathians mate for life but since the females rarely live to adulthood, and their childrens' mortality rate is high, not many males are able to find a female suitable for a lifemate....or any female at all. The women provide the light to the males' darker side. After 200 years, the Carpathian male loses all human feelings, unless he has a mate. The race is dying out and many males, having lived for centuries without wives, often choose to end their existence or turn rogue, (vampire), in despair.

Jacques Dubrinsky, a brooding and once powerful Carpathian, was betrayed to vampire hunters who tortured and imprisoned him in chains where he has remained for seven years. His memory gone, Jacques' shattered mind reaches out in agony and finally manages to establish a connection with dedicated American surgeon Shea O'Halloran. His voice haunts her dreams and finally she feels compelled to find his place of imprisonment and try to save his life. Her compassion, courage and ability to love will return Jacques to sanity and restore his memory if anything or anyone is able. Shea has a rare blood disease and needs constant blood transfusions to remain alive.

Shea does find Jacques but they are both in terrible danger. They must deal with Jacques' past and also Shea's - which is much more unusual than she knows. Also, the evil men, and vampire, who originally tried to take Jacques' life are hot on their trail, as are his Carpathian family. They believed he was dead and now want to help both Jacque and Shea.

This is an extremely exciting and imaginative novel. The romance is sensual and scorchingly hot, but violent at times - remember, Jacques is not quite sane at first - also the descriptions of his torture are graphic. Ms. Feehan brings back characters from her first Carpathian novel and introduces others. These creatures, (beings?), are wonderful - certainly enough so that most women would offer up their necks without a qualm. Highly recommended. I can't wait to read the next Carpathian novel.

JANA

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating, emotionally intense and satisfying read, January 13, 2000

By 

C Wilson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Desire (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

My sister introduced me to the first book in the series, Dark Prince. I was the one to find Dark Desire on the shelves, and I bought two copies and rushed directly to my sister's house to give her one of them.

Jacques is a man teetering on the brink of insanity after years of torment. Shea is a brilliant surgeon with an endless supply of compassion and a lifetime of loneliness, struggling to find the cure for a blood disorder that will eventually claim her life. She is the one person who can keep him from madness, the other half of his soul. He is the one person who can end her loneliness and provide her the unswerving, unconditional love she both needs and fears.

Christine Feehan has created a fascinating world, filled with drama, passion, and characters that grab your interest and hang on. The Carpathian life mate bond is an intense merging of souls, wonderfully depicted by Ms. Feehan's talented pen. What woman could resist the idea of a gorgeous man who will love her unconditionally, for all eternity, putting her life and happiness before his own?

Whether you're a fan of vampire romance or not, this series is not to be missed for romance readers who love intense, passionate, emotional reads. I can't wait for the next installment.

Good job, Ms. Feehan!