Customer Reviews

Nightshine: A Novel of the Kyndred (KYNDRED NOVEL)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nightshine by Lynn Viehl
Paranormal Romance - Nov 1st, 2011
4 stars

Thrilling action and intrigue will draw new and returning readers into this wonderful paranormal series about humans whose genetic DNA was altered and try to hide their special abilities.

When paramedic Charlie Marena finds herself trapped on a bridge with a gunman, it seems like a normal day. But when a wealthy and mysterious man named Samuel Taske tries to save her instead of letting her save others, she is grateful if annoyed. However, when both of them are targeted and kidnapped, they find themselves forming an uneasy alliance. They must trust each other with their deepest secrets, which include their special powers. However, their captors are aware of their talents and intend to breed them with a host of other unfortunates who also possess special abilities on an isolated island. Can they escape or will they be held captive by a madman?

This was an interesting story because it delves into Charlie's past. Charlie is gutsy and likeable. I loved the glimpses that the author reveals about her past, how it defined her and her motivations to help others and not be a victim. The hero, Samuel is strong and self- sacrificing. He is the sort of tragic figure that is very intriguing to read about. He realizes he is going to die, and yet he risks his life to save a woman that he does not know because he was told that she would be in danger. He is very noble and it made me happy that he was able to find someone who complemented him and finally loved him in turn. I also enjoyed how many of the characters all secretly knew each other through their aliases, and they were finally able to meet in person. Besides the characters, the mystery behind who the master of the island was suspenseful. My favorite character was actually Samuel's friend Drew who also has special powers and tries to save Samuel with mixed results.

For those who like a more complex plot and very engaging characters, this solid book will definitely keep your interest. Nightshine is a satisfying addition to the Kyndred series and one fans will not want to miss.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

Another quality read from Viehl. I think she's one of the better 'lessor known' PNR authors out there.

As always, there are several storylines going on at once that converge near the end of the book into one major storyline. Viehl always manages to keep the readers interest in the different story arcs, and in the end, they merge into a vastly entertaining finale. I really like the way she has fused the Darkyn and Kyndred into this series.

There were two major couples in this one, Andrew (from previous books) and Gracie; and Kyndred leader Sam and Charlie (Charlotte). The plan in this book is not to create more Kyndred, but to breed more Kyndred. I enjoyed all the different storylines, but liked the major plot surrounding Samuel and Charlie the best. By the time the story had moved to the private island, I couldn't put the book down until I finished.

Good story, good series. I'm already looking with anticipation to where Viehl takes this series next; and looking forward to the new Darkyn novel Nightborn in March, featuring Korvel this time.

Nightshine (2011) is the fourth Fantasy novel in the Kyndred subseries, following Frostfire. The initial work in this sequence is If Angels Burn.

In the previous volume, sixteen year old Lillian disappeared while riding. Her horse was found in a neighboring property, but the young girl was not found by searchers. Her mother left the estate twelve hours after the disappearance.

Lilah was fired by her boss for having a flat tire. Lilah was puzzled by the termination, but didn't fight the order. She cleaned out her desk and left to a standing ovation by fellow workers.

She dreamed that two men came into her house and injected something into her. They put her into the back of their truck and drove away. Some other man was also in the back of the truck.

In this novel, Charlotte Marena is a Hispanic EMT on a San Francisco County Fire Department ambulance. She is studying to become a midwife.

Vincent O'Hara is Charlotte's partner in the ambulance. Vince often picks the wrong type of women for his dates. He has asked Charlotte to go out with him, but she always refuses.

Samuel Taske is a Kyndred. His Takyn name is Paracelsus. His limo is driven by Jimmy Findley.

In this story, Charlotte and Vince are ready for a little coffee. When she calls in to the dispatcher, she is asked for their location. She tells the dispatcher that she is near the entrance to the Golden Gate bridge and they are sent to care for victims of a shooting on the bridge.

Charlotte hates to cross the Golden Gate. When she was much younger, her father had jumped off that bridge with her in his arms. She survived, but her father had not.

The traffic on the ramp is very heavy. Charlotte calls the dispatcher about the highway patrolman who is supposed to close the bridge. The dispatcher says that the CHP has not responded to calls.

Once they get on the bridge, Charlotte finds the CHP dead behind the wheel from a bullet wound. Vince and Charlotte pull two victims off the road toward safety and started tending them. Vince pops up his head to look for the sniper and is grazed by a bullet.

Samuel calls from his limo to ask Charlotte if she was hurt. She wonders how he knows her name. She tells him that she is not hurt and asks whether he is injured. Samuel says that he is fine, but that Findley was shot in the chest.

Charlotte goes to tend Findley and realizes that she needs to tell the police about the shooter. She doesn't have her cellphone, so she asks Samuel if there are any phones in the limo. He tells her that there are two, but that he can't leave Findley to find them.

Charlotte tends Findley's collapsed lung and then sends Samuel for a phone. Then she calls the dispatcher and is told that the SWAT team will be sent. Charlotte and Samuel watch the tower where the shooter is located while they wait.

They see a body fall off the tower. They assume that the shooter has jumped. But then the shooter shows up at the limo with his rifle.

This tale has the shooter throwing a gas canister into the limo. Charlotte and Samuel lose consciousness. When they awake, they are on an island off the Mexican coast. They are alone within a luxurious house.

Samuel had been on the Golden Gate waiting for Charlotte to appear. His precognitive sense had indicated that she would be faced with a great danger. But he was not aware that he also would be endangered.

Charlotte is also a Taken like Samuel. The next installment in this sequence is Nightborn, a Darkyn novel.

Recommended for Viehl fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of preternatural creatures, political intrigue, and skeptical romance. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

I won a copy of this book. I had never read a paranormal romance book before and this was a fantastic way to begin. The characters grabbed me and I was worried what would happen to them. I plan to read more paranormal romances in the future.

This book just plain old kicked butt! It picks up right where the last book in the series ends and just grabs you from page one! The main characters were wonderful and just draw you right into their hearts. As for all of the secondary characters they are well developed and not perfect and wonderful all on their own. Regarding the bad guys, well the get their justly deserved punishments in the end. Speaking of the ending, BIG suprise there! I can't wait to see how this gets followed up on. Lynn Viehl rocks!

GenHance spliced normal human children with vampire DNA. That genetic mix led to the creation of the Kyndred. Now GenHance continues part two of their research. They want the Kyndred for study dead or alive.

Meanwhile someone else has a different methodology when it comes to studying the DNA of the Kyndred; this scientist kidnaps the Kyndred and takes his victims to a remote Mexican barrier island where he forces them to interbreed. San Francisco medic Charlotte Marena and Takyn protector Samuel Taske are snatched to this isle. They are attracted to one another though she distrusts him as he knows too much about her and she (and he) enjoys the sex between them, which frightens her. As they plot to escape, his power has vanished so she is their only hope to identify and safely flee from their sinister host.

The fourth Kyndred romantic urban fantasy (see Shadowlight, Dreamveil and Frostfire) is a terrific suspense thriller enhanced by the Aztec location. The story line is fast-paced whether it is a sexual interlude or a desperate escape attempt. Readers will appreciate this exciting tale as the overarching theme moves forward with death and life.

Harriet Klausner

This book was a great addition to the series. I liked both main characters, Samuel & Charlotte alot. I really enjoyed the tying together of the Kindred and the Darkyn. I think this will only strengthen both series.

*Please note that on items I have not reviewed yet - is because I haven't tried it or watched it yet, or read yet*
As far as Lynn Viehl Darkyn spinoff "The Kyndred Series", is good and does the series justice by placing the other characters in "The Darkyn Series", sporadically in the Kyndred which flip flops understandable with each other. That may sound confusing but when you have a spin-off like this in each book she places characters' from the Darkyn in it to enrich the story from which it derived adding depth to both series as well as keeping the reader understanding and on track with what's being read intertwining each SOMEWHAT. The book itself stands alone as a read in that particular series and flows and when it brings a character from the Darkyn in (not to mention the humor which I love) with the Kyndred Series. If your waiting for your favorite Author's to come out with a new one or just need a new series to get into I highly recommend this series, (BOTH), but PLEASE start with the very first book in the Darkyn Series first. It will practically lead you into it. I love each of these series and she still writes for both series and then one or the other new one will relate back. Lynn Viehl grabs you from the first book in series (The Darkyn) and carries you on an adventurous ride through one series into the Kyndred. Again, I love the fact that she stills writes books for each. No gaps, no "what", kinda feeling after reading. A very good read. Try them! I encourage you.
Rock On Amazon,
From yours truly,
Your faithful buyer - me. =0).

I have not been enjoying the Kyndred as much as the Darkyn books, but this book made me excited about the direction of the series again. New characters, new information meets familiar characters and previous information. Excited about the next installment to come!

This story was promising, opening with dynamic action and compelling relationships, but devolved tragically in the middle. There's heavy duty romance in circumstances that just don't add up; everyone is making the right moves but the characters seem like puppets of the author's determination. The secrets on the island unfolded so clumsily that I kept reading only with utmost determination. Ultimately, I could not force myself to finish. I gave it two stars because there's real energy and power in the beginning, and the strength of that beginning also means I will give this author another chance.