Rising Darkness by Cynthia Cooke ... QC #102

4 Stars! ~~~ This is a great combination of gypsy curses, wolf guardians, blood thirsty vampires, and the battle of good over evil.

Rising Darkness by Cynthia Cooke

Silhouette Nocturne # 23 ~ September 2007

Dark Enchantments Book # 2 of 4

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For 200 years now, the McGovern family has been held by the curse of a gypsy girl. Betrayed by a McGovern ancestor, the gypsy had called upon the demon Asmos to curse any McGovern to a brutal death should they ever fall in love and have that love consummated. The curse could only be lifted with the death of Asmos or the end of the McGovern bloodline. Damien Hancock remembered that night vividly; that was the night the vampires came to the woods and attacked his family, brutalizing his sisters and turning him and his brother, Nicholai. All this time Damien has denied the dark side and kept his blood pure by refusing to feast on a human. The Cadre, a group that captured those from the dark realm, took Damien in and helped him develop his new powers. Emma McGovern has kept herself a recluse in the Wolvesrain mansion. Her mother succumbed to the family curse 20 years before, on the eve of the Equinox and every anniversary since, the wolves come to Wolvesrain to tempt Emma from safety. Damien’s been recruited to go to Wolvesrain to protect Emma and to capture the demon Asmos. One look at Emma and the pull between them is incredibly strong. Is the pull a result of the curse, or is there truth to their attraction?

This is my first real vampire book, so I can’t rate the paranormal aspect in comparison to other books. Ms Cooke drew me in to the dark world that is Damien’s and Emma’s. Damien is tortured by what he has become and battles constantly with his natural urges that seem to be growing stronger. Emma discovers a hidden strength that even surprises herself. Nice twist in Emma’s memories and theirs is a hard won HEA, but one that you can’t help routing for. This is a great combination of gypsy curses, wolf guardians, bloodthirsty vampires, and the battle of good over evil. Well done!

Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Yummy

My Totals = 38 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 38 ~ Other Publisher = 0

March Mini-Challenge ~~ “New-to-Me” ~ #12

• Cynthia Cooke - This is the second in a four-part Nocturne mini-series. I’ve wanted to read some Nocturnes for some time now, and I thought the best introduction to the paranormal genre is a series of books rather than one book. Ms. Cooke is a new-to-me author, and I understand this is her first paranormal book. I really liked Damien and Emma, and the strengths and weaknesses that Ms. Cooke gave them. She made this pair believable. I loved the romantic pasts she had created for them. Ms. Cooke also writes for Intrigue and Love Inspired. I’m very happy to say that I have her Intrigue in my TBR. I’m sure it is a nice treat to look forward to.

~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog