Dark Gold

Book Review of Dark Gold (Carpathian Series)

Title:  Dark Gold

Series: Carpathian Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published:   April 1st 2000

Date Read: June 19th  2012

The Blurb:

Was he a man...or a miracle?

Alexandria Houton would sacrifice anything - ever her life - to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encountered unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex could only cry to heaven for their deliverance...

And out of the darkness swooped Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatched them from a hideous fate. But was Aidan a miracle...or a monster? Alex's salvation...or her sin? If she surrendered to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction - gave him the color, the light, the family he craved - would Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life?

My Review

3.5 Savage Stars

First read June 2012 re-read January 12,2016

Spoilers

"You had a bad dream, something about vampires, but you do not really remember it. It is all very hazy. You talked to me about it, and if it ever returns to haunt you, you will come to me, and we will discuss it. You always feel free to talk with me about things that sometimes do not make sense. You want me to be with your sister always. We talk about it together and plot together to make her want to stay with me as my wife, as family. You and I are the best of friends. We always look out for Alexandria. You know she belongs with me, that no one can care for her and protect the two of you as I can. This is very important to you, to both of us."-Aidan's compulsion to Joshua

Dark Gold, the 3rd book in the Dark Series by Christine Feehan was a pretty good read for me. It would have been perfect, but it had one of my main pet peeves in it. Cowards and cowardly behavior just seem to tap dance all over my nerves. And the heroine Alex(Alexandria) drove me crazy with her over the top cowardly, live in denial behavior! I totally could understand most of her fear, but it was the way she handled it and the stupid ass stunts she pulled all the way up til the 65% mark. I just couldn't believe the things she did.

"You betrayed me. You betrayed Joshua. I told you what would happen if you went out into the sun. You pretended to yourself that you would see if I was telling the truth. But you already knew it was the truth. You took a chance on destroying yourself, leaving Joshua to strangers, to an uncertain future without protection."-Aidan

"I swear, if you keep using that calm, cool, Alexandria, you-are-hysterical tone on me, I will not be responsible for what I do." -Alex

I get it you went though some bad things and everything is changing and scary but you don't

1. When your lifemate tells you the sun will kill you, run out into said sun just because you refuse to believe you are not human anymore.

2. Go on a date with another man just to prove you are not lifemates and you are still human!

And finally you don't

3. After not feeling a thing for said human date decide, it's not because you are not human anymore and you only want your lifemate. Nope! It must be because you was not attracted to that human so, you go out dancing with multiple men, while knowing the whole time you're forcing your lifemate to watch you date and dance with other men!

I just wanted to yell at my kindle. I mean come on... the 65% mark and you still ain't dealing with this shit. Pull up your big girl panties and get the fuck over it! Alex acted like such a child I just wanted to shake her!

"Aidan says you only think you're in charge but that we have to let you think that because women like to think they're in control, but men have to protect them." Her blue eyes met golden ones over the blond curls. "He said all that, did he? That's a lot of thinks, Joshua. I am in charge, not Aidan." Joshua smiled conspiratorially at Aidan. Aidan mouthed, "I told you so." Both looked at her in complete innocence, their expressions so similar, it unexpectedly turned her heart over.-Joshua, Alex, and Aidan

"How could I ever leave you, Aidan? Do you really think I could? I thought you knew everything. Even I knew better. Almost from the very start, I knew better." -Alex
Alex did have some good qualities that kept me from hating her. She was playful and sweet to Joshua her little brother. And when she let her guard down around Aidan she was funny, and Smart. It was really at odds with the stupid crap she would all of a sudden pull. But I could see why Aidan loved her. And all of the stuff happened within a few days and not weeks but still! Aidan was great. He was sexy, playful, understanding, and God the man had the patience of a saint. He had so much charm it poured off the pages. It was so sweet the way Aidan gave everything he had, never thinking of himself. He gave her time, space and independence even if it was hell on him.

"Oh, I see how it's going to be." Alexandria glared at the two of them, but her dimple appeared despite her best effort at ferocity. "You guys are planning to gang up on me." They looked at each other, exchanging a smile. "Yes,"-Alex, Aidan and Joshua

"You have heard the word compromise before, haven't you? You do comprehend its meaning?" He looked thoughtful, taking his time before replying. "As I understand it, compromise means you do what I say as soon as I command it. Is that about right?" Alexandria pushed at the solid wall of his chest. "You wish, Mr. Savage. It's never going to happen."-Alex and Aidan
Aidan and Alex's relationship was a push/ pull but there was some sweet, playful moments. When Alex finally committed to Aidan as a lifemate, they had a great relationship. Alex became supportive, and caring. She also felt bad for the way she acted. Joshua, Alex's little brother was so adorable, he stole every scene he was in. The way Aidan and Josh ganged up on Alex like a team was too cute and made for some laughs. One of the things I loved about this book was it was really funny, it help take some of the sting out of the Alex crap. Gregori was in this book too and he just broke my heart. I know his book is next and since I have read the whole series 4 times now I know he gets his HEA but I still wanted to hug him in this book. God I love Gregori!! Over all even with the stupid things Alex did I still liked this book. Just not as much as the first two.

"Sometimes adults can't live together. I'm used to doing things my way, and Aidan is set in his medieval ways." "What's medieval ?" Joshua wanted to know. "Ask Aidan. He's good with answers," she replied resentfully." Medieval refers to the days of knights and ladies, Joshua. Alexandria thinks I would have made a great knight. They were men who served their homeland with honor and always rescued and took care of fair maidens." Aidan drained the contents of a third glass of ruby liquid. "A fitting description, and quite a compliment. Thank you, Alexandria." Stefan coughed behind his hand, and Marie hastily turned to look out the window. Alexandria found a reluctant smile curving her soft mouth. "That's not all I could call you, but for now, we'll leave it at medieval."-Alex, Joshua, and Aidan

Dark Desire

Book Review of Dark Desire (Carpathian Series)

Title:  Dark Desire

Series: Carpathian Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published:  December 1st 2005

Date Read: June 13th  2012

The Blurb:

The stranger silently summons her from across the continents, across the seas. He whispers of eternal torment, of endless hunger...of dark, dangerous desires. And somehow American surgeon Shea O'Halloran can feel his anguish, sense his haunting aloneness, and she aches to heal him, to heal herself.

Drawn to the far Carpathian mountains, Shea finds a ravaged, raging man, a being like no other. And her soul trembles. For in his burning eyes, his icy heart, she recognizes the beloved stranger who's already become part of her. This imperious Carpathian male compels Shea to his side. But is she to be his healer...or his prey? His victim...or his mate? Is he luring her into madness...or will his dark desire make her whole?

My Review

5 Wild Man Stars

First read June 2012 Reread January 10, 2016
Reread January 22, 2017

Some Spoilers

"You aren't getting ready to bite me again, are you? I've got to tell you, there isn't a place on my body that isn't sore." She flashed him a wan smile. "Just out of curiosity, your rabies shots are up to date, aren't they?" -Shea

Dark Desire the 2nd book in the Dark Series was better then the first book. This book was darker, but I loved Jacques and Shea more than I did Raven and Mikhail which is saying a lot. I connected more to them as a couple. This is my 4th time reading this book/series and it still manages to captivate me. I feel like I learn something new each time. It never gets stale or boring. That is the beauty of this entertaining series, it seems to suck me into a world that is so compelling that it never gets old to me.

I know little of my past, but almost from the beginning of my imprisonment I have known of you. I waited. I called you to my side. I hated you for allowing my suffering to continue. She caught his face in her hands, suddenly anxious that he believe her. "I didn't know. I swear to you, I didn't know. I never would have left you there." -Jacques and Shea

My Jacques:

"I was just thinking what a vulnerable, boyish look you have in your sleep. Now I think you're a spoiled brat."-Shea
My poor Jacques. In this book he got captured, tortured, and then buried alive for 7 years. Jacques is no longer the sexy, charming, carefree, laid-back character from book 1. He was a dark, damaged, and broken man. Barely a shadow of his former self. No memories of his past life. His mind was fragmented and he was barely hanging on to his grip on reality. I loved Jacques in book 1 and I fell more in love with him in this book. He had such courage as he tried to fight his way back from the brink, and figure out who he use to be. And even though he was different in this book he still felt like Jacques. I love that he wasn't afraid to show his vulnerable side to Shea. To tell her how much he loved and needed her. Of course even though he was darker, he was still sweet, sexy, playful, and charming!

I want you with every cell in my body, with my mind and my heart. Your soul is the other half of mine. When you are with me, I feel. Joy, desire, anger, even laughter. You are my lifemate. I have waited over eight hundred years to find you. I could not see color until you came into my life.-Jacques

My Shea:

"Want me enough, Shea. Want me with more than just your body. Let me into your heart." His mouth fastened on hers, not gently but wildly, hungrily. The hunger was in his eyes when he raised his head to look down at her. "Open your mind to me. Want me there, as you want me in your body. Want me coming to you wild with a need only you can satisfy. Take me into your soul and let me live there." -Jacques

I loved Shea. Shea has had a hard life and no parents to depend on. Her mom was like a shell of a person, Shea raised herself. Shea has a photographic memory and was very smart. She worked hard and became a Doctor(surgeon) at a very young age. Shea was a thinker, she doesn't do well with emotions. I love that she had a playful sense of humour. Brave and caring she did everything she could to help Jacques, even after he attacked her when she first found him and he was out of his mind. There was just something special about Shea that I can't put my finger on. I just found her endearing.

"Sometimes, wild man, you break my heart," -Shea

"I was not aware that you were not Carpathian. I was not capable of knowing much at all at that time. I inadvertently converted you. I would like to say I am sorry, but in truth, I am not. I did not know what I was doing, and I hope I would have done it differently had I known better, but you are my life, Shea. There is no existence for me without you. I would have nothing to live for except revenge, and I would become the undead. I do not want to be vampire, preying on humans and Carpathians alike. You are my salvation." She pushed him away from her. The rain swept over her face as she lifted emerald eyes filled with laughter to his. "That's it? That's your big apology? I can see you're not going to be a candy-and-flowers man."-Jacques and Shea

Jacques and Shea together were enthralling and sweet. The way they need and heal each other was beautiful. They had a very strong connection. My heart just ached for Jacques and all the pain he went through. I felt that Shea was a great and supportive lifemate for him. They had a rough start in their relationship. They were both blind to what was happening, Jacques not remembering and Shea just not knowing, but they found their way together. I loved getting to see Mikhail and Raven again and getting caught up on their life since this book takes place 25 years after the first book. I love the news that we find out about Raven! We get to meet Julian(Aidan's twin) in this book. Gregori of course was the show-stealer for me, but he is my all time favorite of the whole series so really no shocker there. Gregori is just so hard and arrogant, that I just can't help but love him and want to see him get taking down a peg or two. A great read in a magical series. The Dark series is one of my top 5 favorites and will always hold a special place in my heart.

You, are my lifemate. I claim you as my lifemate. I belong to you. I offer my life for you. I give you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul, and my body. I take into my keeping the same that is yours. Your life, happiness, and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time. You are my lifemate, bound to me for all eternity and always in my care.