Night Walker (Night Series, #1)

Jun 07, 2011 Lisa Kessler rated it 5 of 5 stars · (Review from the author)

Night Walker will be available August 2nd!!!

I can't wait to share this story with you...

Thanks for all your support!

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Jun 10, 2013 ~*~Princess Nhya~*~ rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Solid 2.5 Stars

I was really disappointed with this one. It started out strong, but from chap 6 on to the end it lost something. A lot of somethings'.

I did like how we are shown the history of Calisto in the midst of the present time. I thought that was incorporated nicely and what kept me intrigued with the story. Especially when I would grow frustrated with these two stuck in their heads for the majority of the story and not really allow for the intensity we are told is there, to shine through....more

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Aug 03, 2011 Lori {Romancing the Dark Side} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2011, paranormal-romance, vampires, my-ebooks, blog-tour-review, my-reviews

Romancing the Dark Side Review:

A beautiful story of a love that stands the test of time!

In his mortal life he was a priest named Father Gregorio, who fell in love with a native woman, Tala, which was murdered and lost to him in an act of the utmost betrayal by his Brotherhood. Forsaking his life and driven only by vengeance, Gregorio is given immortality as a Night Walker and a second chance at love. Now living as Calisto Terana, a wealthy collector of fine art and pieces, he patiently awaits t...more Romancing the Dark Side Review:

A beautiful story of a love that stands the test of time!

In his mortal life he was a priest named Father Gregorio, who fell in love with a native woman, Tala, which was murdered and lost to him in an act of the utmost betrayal by his Brotherhood. Forsaking his life and driven only by vengeance, Gregorio is given immortality as a Night Walker and a second chance at love. Now living as Calisto Terana, a wealthy collector of fine art and pieces, he patiently awaits the day he can once again be reunited with his long lost love. When he meets Kate Bradley in a chance business meeting, Calisto is certain destiny has brought Tala back into his life, but to attain his second chance at love he must face the Brotherhood who long ago betrayed him and whose mission is to see him six feet under, permanently.

It's been a while since I read a book whose author does a stellar job in vividly depicting every scene, allowing the reader a pristine view into their world, and Lisa Kessler does just that! This is a story of forbidden love, betrayal, reincarnation and forgiveness. The characters are quite dimensional and pull you in with their strong emotions and turbulent pasts. You become so invested in their lives you yearn for a happy ending at all costs.

Calisto is the perfect lead in a romance, he's chivalrous, sexy, protective, but with a little bit of a tortured hero in him as well. His story is masterfully woven into the plot without taking away from the romance. Kate is a heroine who's life is relatable, she's a professional, has been through heartbreak and is trying to find herself. Though she might come off as a little naive at first, she's anything but...Kate is quite independent and has no problem standing up for herself, love that! Their romance develops quickly due to their established relationship but never feels rushed...I guess that's what happens when you deal with reincarnation. I'm all for steamy scenes in my romance novels and the author knows just how to get you worked up without revealing every detail, that's a sign of great writing by my standards!

While the story shifts from the past to the present often, the writing is fluid and the main focus is never lost. One of my favorite elements in the story is the use of religion which is often times linked to the vampire myth, especially in gothic literature, which in my opinion it gives the story more depth. A forbidden romance filled with unexpected twists and evil villains make for an action packed suspense that is hard to put down. Night Walker is a paranormal romance that has it all and comes full circle for an unpredictable ending you won't see coming but will love!

{Courtesy of author/Bewitching Book Tours for review}
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Aug 01, 2011 Crystal ♥ RBtWBC rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: request-netgalley, reading-challenge-sizzling-summer, best-of-2011

Night Walker was a stellar read from new-to-me-author Lisa Kessler about a soul deep love that never dies.
Two hundred years ago Father Gregorio Salvador fell in love with one of the local tribeswomen, Tala. Secretly meeting under the veil of darkness they found each other’s soul mates in one another. When Tala discovers that she is with child, Gregorio decides to leave the church and start a new life with his love. Confessing his sins and asking for absolution, Gregorio rushes to join Tala – onl...more Night Walker was a stellar read from new-to-me-author Lisa Kessler about a soul deep love that never dies.
Two hundred years ago Father Gregorio Salvador fell in love with one of the local tribeswomen, Tala. Secretly meeting under the veil of darkness they found each other’s soul mates in one another. When Tala discovers that she is with child, Gregorio decides to leave the church and start a new life with his love. Confessing his sins and asking for absolution, Gregorio rushes to join Tala – only to find her brutally murdered. Now, betrayed by the ones he trusted most and grieving his lost love Gregorio is taken in by Tala’s tribe and brought before the Old One who grants him the gift of immortality so that he can one day meet up with his love once again…
Now going by the name of Calisto Terana, a wealthy philanthropist, he lives among mortals using his Night Walker abilities to hunt down corrupt humans and to search for his lost love. When a chance meeting introduces him to Kate Bradley, Calisto knows that it is fate and he has found his Tala once again. However, after catching her fiancé in the arms of another woman the last thing Kate wants to do is to jump into another relationship; though she can’t deny that there is something about Calisto that calls to her, like she has known him her whole life...
Knowing without a doubt that Kate is Tala reincarnated, he woes her into his arms. But just when it seems like Calisto is finally going to have the second chance he has dreamed centuries of his old brotherhood, the Del Fuego Santo, show up with dark plans to destroy them all. Can their new love overcome the many secrets that Calisto keeps and the danger that the Del Fuego Santo bring? Or will they not only destroy their second chance of love, but their lives as well?

Night Walker is an intensely emotional and riveting paranormal romance that I could not put down! Calisto’s depth and devotion captured my attention from the start; he was a true romance hero in every way! A well written, dimensional character with an elaborate background masterfully entwined in the plot. Kate was a good, strong heroine that dealt with the obstacles thrown in her way superbly. Though her quickness to run whenever she got uncomfortable or confused was a little annoying, she has a big heart and a strong will that more than made up for that little quirk. Together Calisto and Kate made a fantastic couple. Their relationship progressed quickly but because of their past it felt believable. This led to several erotic love scenes that were exciting without being vulgar, which is a fresh breath every now and then in romances.

The plot moves at a moderate pace- not too fast, not too slow, with the story switching from past to present at different intervals; these transitions were fluid and prefaced with a handy date. The world building was exceptional and just in case you think this is your same old same old vampire romance; a Night Walker is not the same as a vampire. Calisto makes that abundantly clear! LoL The end was the most perfect and sensual ending I have read in a while and the epilogue has me so curious and ready for more! I cannot wait for Night Demon to come out in December so that I can find out what that eagle is up too, he raised several intriguing questions for me!

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...(less)

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May 18, 2012 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! As you all know there is so many vampire books out there and really there is only so many ways you can spin a story line to make it different from all the other vampire books out there. Well, Lisa Kessler has done it......"Night Walkers".
This first book in which I hope will become a running series introduces us to Calisto. After the love of his life Tala is brutally murdered he seeks solace in her tribe and eventually becomes a "Night Walker". What is a Night Walker? You must r...more

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Aug 08, 2011 Kiki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lisa Kessler is a definite wordsmith. I enjoyed the language and descriptions in this story which added a strong, dark tone to the building of the suspense and the romance. The storyline captured the elements of romance right away, melding them perfectly with the dark paranormal elements to make the story crescendo at the end of each chapter while still leaving you wanting more.

The use of flashbacks was handled with skill, the transitions easy to follow making it like reading two books in one. A...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Saly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2nd-chance-at-love, psychic-special-ability

I loved Night Walker, I really did, there was never a dull moment and I especially loved the old flashbacks which made us see how Father Gregorio after losing the woman he loved Tala lost his faith in the church and how to see her again became an immortal, a Night Walker.

When the book starts Kate is leaving Reno where she teaches music after she catches her fiancee with another woman. She realizes that she hasn't faced her parents death which happened a few years before and maybe rushed into a r...more

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Aug 03, 2011 Tracy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, netgalley, arc

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
His love for a woman caused Father Gregorio Salvador to break his covenant to God and seek a gentler embrace. His noble intentions and a yearning for family motivated him to confess his plans to leave the brotherhood and take his lover Tala as his wife. And he was viciously betrayed for it.

Tala, pregnant with his child, was hunted down like a dog, run to ground, then brutally raped and murdered. The rage and grief at her loss broke his will and stole his spirit, str...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, pararnormal-romance

After a failed engagement, Kate has returned to her hometown to seek solace in her old friends and family-home. But it's only a few weeks before she meets Calisto - a sexy, mysterious stranger who sets her heart racing. Calisto is alluring and strangely familiar. But Kate hasn't healed from her broken heart and thinks it's too soon to try to love again.

Calisto can't believe it when he lays eyes on Kate. She is the reincarnation of Tala, his lost love... the reason he became an immortal. He has b...more

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May 25, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenges, blog-tour, paranormal

I always love when an author comes up with a new twist on an "old" character. In the case of Night Walker, it's putting a Native American spin on the vampire tale.

Calisto Terana is a Night Walker. He was given his powers by the Old One who vowed Calisto would live to see his love live in another life and be reunited with her. He willingly gave up the sun and accepted immortality for the hope that he would see is Tala again. He's lived hundreds of years waiting for that moment and not much else.

K...more I always love when an author comes up with a new twist on an "old" character. In the case of Night Walker, it's putting a Native American spin on the vampire tale.

Calisto Terana is a Night Walker. He was given his powers by the Old One who vowed Calisto would live to see his love live in another life and be reunited with her. He willingly gave up the sun and accepted immortality for the hope that he would see is Tala again. He's lived hundreds of years waiting for that moment and not much else.

Kate Bradley ran from San Diego and to be a teacher in Reno. After she catches her fiance, Tom, in the arms of a student. Desperate to get away from Tom and determined to stop running from the pain of her parents death she returns to San Diego. Once back home, she's meet Calisto. A man who calls to her very soul. She's skeptical at first, but she can't fight the draw to Calisto.

I like the idea that Calisto (or Gregorio since that was who is was as a human) would give up his humanity in the hope that he would eventually be reunited with his one true love. That is a testament to the phrase "I'll love you forever". Then there is Kate, who in her soul, knew that Calisto was the man she was meant to be with upon first sight. Did she question her sanity and why she was so drawn this this virtual stranger? Yes, she didn't fight it. Almost like she knew, at an elemental level, he was hers.

What good is a romance if there isn't some sort of evil to try and thwart it. In this story, it was the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo and their fight to stop Calisto from creating another Night Walker in Kate. Funny how those that deem themselves to be the righteous and right manage to look out instead of in when trying to ward of those they feel are evil. In the case of the Fraternidad, if they had looked in, they would have found a brother in their midst who was not on the same page as their agenda. Because they chose to point the finger of evil-doer at Calisto, the caused the very thing they were hoping to stop.

Night Walker is a story that will tug at your emotions for both what Kate and Calisto must endure in the name of God and the steps they must make to finally commit to one another.

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May 06, 2013 Erin Kyle rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't like vamp. lit. There. I said it. It seems that every Tom, Dick, and Harry that wants to be a writer tries out two different (trite) genres: highland romance and vampire romance and usually, neither is executed very well. BUT I gave this book a try and really liked it.

I liked it because it's a story about a romance where immortality -- not blood sucking -- seems to be the biggest secret. How can he tell Kate that he's been in love with her for 200 years? The vampire part is minimized in...more

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Dec 05, 2011 Vicky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Received as a free ARC from NetGalley

Night Walker is a book about love that never dies. Please note that it is a dark paranormal that contains two rape scenes and a graphic murder. It is not a pretty book, but it is a good book. One of the biggest problems I had with this book was the feeling I'd read the book before - not trying to be funny here - but I could swear I've read this book before, at least a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find anywhere that said it was a reprint.

(view spoiler)...more Received as a free ARC from NetGalley

Night Walker is a book about love that never dies. Please note that it is a dark paranormal that contains two rape scenes and a graphic murder. It is not a pretty book, but it is a good book. One of the biggest problems I had with this book was the feeling I'd read the book before - not trying to be funny here - but I could swear I've read this book before, at least a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find anywhere that said it was a reprint.

(view spoiler)

This is a powerful story about reincarnation that caught my interest from the start. There were problems - weak secondary characters (Betty) and a plot issue that seemed contrived, in addition to Kate being ready to run any time something got difficult, but beyond that, it was well written. The segues from past to present were smoothly done and the world building believable. The ending set up the series nicely without being overdone.

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Dec 17, 2011 Proserpine rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first chapters were really enthralling : to know about the two main characters was really interesting! I enjoy the history of Calisto and his past. How and why he became a Night Walker was something different, something I never read before. I was eager to see Kate and Calisto be together! But then I lost a bit of interest just before the middle of the book. I don’t know why but it’s seems to me that it takes a lot of time before they start a relation!

Kate is a humble women who has to go thr...more The first chapters were really enthralling : to know about the two main characters was really interesting! I enjoy the history of Calisto and his past. How and why he became a Night Walker was something different, something I never read before. I was eager to see Kate and Calisto be together! But then I lost a bit of interest just before the middle of the book. I don’t know why but it’s seems to me that it takes a lot of time before they start a relation!

Kate is a humble women who has to go thru a lot in her life: death of her parent, leaving a cheating to-be husband, she’s going back in her hometown to resource herself and stumble upon Calisto who will change her life forever!

All the reincarnation thing were very interesting, I love to read about long lost love that comes back at you, because you were meant to be together no matter what!

Then the second part of this book was much better! Lots of actions, news threats, sex scenes! The second half of this story was intense and a lot happen to both characters. The readers only have to let it go and they will enhoy the rest of the story! There was a lot of important characters and sometime I was lost between the past and the real time line.

Several factors add to the hectic life of each character and the two will face different problems and concerns before undertaking a normal life. In addition, the threat upon Calisto will be transfered on Kate head now that they are both together. Brilliant course, the second half of this story will make all fans addicted to vampires! I can not wait to have on hand the second book in the series Night Demon; expected publication: 2012 by Entangled Publishing.

Now look at that cover: There is nothing special, no bright light or mix of colorful images neither something that really draw the attention. But damn that guy looks super hot! I wanted to scratch my nails on these awesome abs and....It seems that Lisa Kessler opted for the same kind of cover for the second book and that's totally works for me! (less)

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May 28, 2012 Lissette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Love and heartache are two things Calisto Terana knows well. The love of his life was murdered in hopes of making him walk the righteous path he was meant to walk from the moment he joined the Brotherhood. Unfortunately, this only succeeded to alienate him further.

Determined to make those who took her from him pay, he unwittingly makes a choice that forever changes life as he knows it. Doomed to walk within the shadows, he learns to cultivate his gifts in order to set all wrongs to right while a...more Love and heartache are two things Calisto Terana knows well. The love of his life was murdered in hopes of making him walk the righteous path he was meant to walk from the moment he joined the Brotherhood. Unfortunately, this only succeeded to alienate him further.

Determined to make those who took her from him pay, he unwittingly makes a choice that forever changes life as he knows it. Doomed to walk within the shadows, he learns to cultivate his gifts in order to set all wrongs to right while also mourning the loss of the woman he's loved ever since he lay eyes on her. Every day, he remembers what she was like. Every day, he mourns her loss anew.

When Kate Bradley walks into his life, Calisto realizes she's the spitting image of the woman he lost so long ago. Everything about her draws her to him, her voice, her scent, even the crescent shape in the corner of her eye. His protective instincts kick into high gear and he vows to keep his enemies away from her, at all costs. That, unfortunately, is easier said than done.

Plagued by dreams she can't understand, Kate does her best to make sense of them as she goes about her every day life. Hurt and bereft after finding out her boyfriend cheated on her, she's vowed to stay away from men for as long as she needs to. Yet that all changes when she meets the elusive, and so very gorgeous, Calisto.

Deep inside, her heart and mind tell her that she knows who he is, while another part of her knows she never set eyes on him until recently. Something tells her she should stay away from him. He's too good true to be true. Yet she knows she can only be faithful to her own heart and its determined in telling her she belongs with Calisto no matter what comes their way.

I truly enjoyed this story so very much. It's premise was quite intriguing and I didn't put the Kindle Fire down until I got to the very end of the book. I think Lisa painted such a vivid image of the world her characters live in and the love Calisto and Kate share is very palpable. The only thing that bothered me was the lack of spaces between some of the sentences. But other than that, the book is a very good read.(less)

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Jun 19, 2012 Anna at Book Lovin' Mamas rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-12-reading-list, ebooks-i-own, vampires

What a stupendous start to this new series! From the very first page I was hooked! I had to know what was going to happen and I had to know now. Lisa's characters are so authentic and charming, I just fell in love with them right off. For the most part this is a new take on vampires and an interesting one at that. This secret world she's started has so much potential in future books, I'm really looking forward to where she takes these characters and the Night Walker world.

The story is well writt...more What a stupendous start to this new series! From the very first page I was hooked! I had to know what was going to happen and I had to know now. Lisa's characters are so authentic and charming, I just fell in love with them right off. For the most part this is a new take on vampires and an interesting one at that. This secret world she's started has so much potential in future books, I'm really looking forward to where she takes these characters and the Night Walker world.

The story is well written and the characters very well built and for a first book in the series it's very well done. I didn't feel bombarded with information like in some first books and it definitely wasn't lacking information either.

Callisto was really a great character, very mysterious and I totally dig a man of mystery. I love that he's totally anti-vampire, very insistent that he's a Night Walker and that there's a big difference. His devotion to his long lost love is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. To live so long without your other half, that's gotta hurt but he did it all for the chance at seeing her again. I love the thought of a man waiting so long just to see his soulmate again, so sweet! And Kate was a great character too, the perfect match for Callisto if you ask me. A little flakey at times, she tended to run if things got too hard for her but for what she's been through it didn't bother me too much. It was to be expected. Their chemistry made up for that anyways. The love scenes were scorching, very sexy! Loved it!

I'm curious about which characters will pop up in future books, especially after that ending. It really hooked me in for the next book because I just gotta know! :)

Overall I give this book 4.5 Moons, and I recommend all vampire lovers read it! I think it's definitely worth your time and money! I'd also recommend it to other paranormal romance lovers. It's always refreshing to find something new and different and this book is definitely that!

Reviewed by Anna @ Book Lovin' Mamas(less)

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Apr 25, 2012 Steph at Starry Night Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favortie-s

I can’t say enough good things about Night Walker by Lisa Kessler. I fell in love with the story, Lisa is a wonderful writer! You really get caught up in what the characters are feeling and going through; the different points of view really helped the story to come alive.

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her… Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana fallen in love with a women named Tala. But she was killed by a zealous priest.. Calisto’s heart was forever broken he lost the lo...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Meaghan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Night Walker is the first book of a new series from Lisa Kessler. The story is about a man, Calisto, who lost the love of his life when she was murdered and gave up his soul for another chance with her. He has waited centuries for her to return and he believes her soul is now in the body of Kate Bradley. Kate has recently had her heart broken and not really looking for a new relationship, but is drawn to Calisto and has a hard time resisting his charm.

This book does tell a story about Night Walk...more Night Walker is the first book of a new series from Lisa Kessler. The story is about a man, Calisto, who lost the love of his life when she was murdered and gave up his soul for another chance with her. He has waited centuries for her to return and he believes her soul is now in the body of Kate Bradley. Kate has recently had her heart broken and not really looking for a new relationship, but is drawn to Calisto and has a hard time resisting his charm.

This book does tell a story about Night Walkers and what being one entails, but the romance was by far the focus. I usually like my action and romance to have an equal balance in books, but I did not miss the action so much while reading. The relationship really is the crux of the story and without building the foundation between Calisto and Kate, the book would have been left lacking. While we are in present day learning about how Calisto and Kate meet, we also get glimpses into their past life when Calisto was still Father Gregorio and Kate was Tala. When there is a backstory to be told it can often times be put in the prologue and then we shift to modern day. With Night Walker, we get the story of their past in small doses through the novel and I found it weaved into the overall story better this way.

There were a couple of things that did bother me while reading this book. The biggest one was Kate herself. I understand that she feels this magnetic pull towards Calisto because they shared a past life together, but she does not know that. She goes through his house at one point to find that he has no clothes, no food and no other everyday items that a person would need to live. She does find this strange, but does not really press Calisto about it and instead she moves in with him. They had been together a couple of days at this point and Calisto did this because Kate was in danger, so it makes perfect sense to try and keep her close, but again, Kate did not know this. Maybe I am being a little too cynical, but I would find all this very suspicious and would have to learn more about someone before I moved in with them. Especially if his behavior was strange like Calisto’s is and because of his lack of basic things needed to live. Her gut was telling her something was off and I just wanted her to investigate that a little more before falling into Calisto’s arms.

While the book did have a couple of flaws, overall I still enjoyed the story. There were some ups and downs, but I was invested in Calisto and Kate’s lives because I really connected with them as a couple. This is the first in a series and I am very intrigued to see where Lisa will take this next, especially after that very last paragraph. I thought Lisa might have a twist in there somewhere, but I did not predict what would happen there on that last page. I will be very interested to see where that goes and what the future now holds for Calisto and Kate.(less)

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Jan 01, 2012 Sian rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have started this review before I finished the book, which isn't something I normally do.
However, I cannot say I am loving this so far. But....I can't seem to help but keep reading it. I kinda want to know what is going to happen etc.

The priest's intent is very obvious and all of the hints etc are a bit silly because its really quite obvious.

I am not loving the character of Kate either. Hmm will update below when I have finished this which will hopefully be on my lunch break today.

The storylin...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Darkfallen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: not-released-yet, arc, read-n-reviewed

This book is definitely filled with suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat mixed with equal parts of delicious moments. I mean look at that cover....can you say YUM YUM RAWR?!?!

Calisto has walked the earth alone at night for centuries now. Waiting for the day he will be reunited with his beloved Tala. He payed the ultimate price to wait for her. He gave up his soul and the sun for an immortality that would allow him the ability to await her reincarnation to walk the earth again. B...more This book is definitely filled with suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat mixed with equal parts of delicious moments. I mean look at that cover....can you say YUM YUM RAWR?!?!

Calisto has walked the earth alone at night for centuries now. Waiting for the day he will be reunited with his beloved Tala. He payed the ultimate price to wait for her. He gave up his soul and the sun for an immortality that would allow him the ability to await her reincarnation to walk the earth again. But in order for him to sustain his own life he must drain the life of others.

Kate has gone through life thinking this is as good as it gets. She is a teacher which she loves. She is engaged to a man that loves her. But no matter the fact that she never quite feels happy she settles. Tells herself that sort of feeling is "made for t.v." it's not real. That is until she catches her fiance with another women, moves back to her home town, and meets Calisto.

One meeting...5 minutes...one teeny conversation was all it took. And she knew that that "feeling" existed in the real world and she was feeling it. What she didn't know was that their love was doomed from the start. That there were forces greater than her and him lurking around every corner. The same forces that separated them in her past life. And these people will do whatever it takes to do it again even if it means Kate's life has to be taken....again.

This was a crazy, and bumpy ride that's for sure. The way Kessler captures the inner works of a sick sadistic mind amazes and scares me. She makes you feel so many emotions by changing POV's. You really get to know Both Calisto, Kate, & Jose. I really enjoyed getting inside Jose's mind. Hearing his twisted thoughts...seeing what made him tick. Again this scared the hell out of me and me me sick to my stomach on more than one occasion, but is was written perfectly, and was much needed.

I will say the only reason why this didn't get all 5 stars from me was because, at times, Kessler gave us too much of an inside look into Calisto & Kate's mind. Really Kate's wasn't that much because she was kinda in the dark herself throughout most of the story. But Calisto would do something and I would be all "NO HOW COULD YOU!!!!" *shakes fist* but then a few lines later it would be explained why he did what he did and I was left like Oh okay then. I would have like to been left hanging a little longer I think. Like let me be mad at him a few chapters. Clue me in when Kate gets clued in...make sense? Or am I just crazy that I would have rather been hurt and questioning him a little? lolz

Overall this was a great read. It's a book with bite that will leave you gasping for air on more than one occasion:)
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Aug 16, 2011 Michelle/ The True Book Addict rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-in-2011, horror-speculativefic-thriller-read

When I was given the opportunity to participate in Lisa Kessler's virtual book tour, I jumped at the chance. You see, I have known Lisa for several years now (oddly enough, we met on MySpace) and I have followed her writing career, reading her stories and her updates regarding the novels she was working on and offering encouragement along the way. Night Walker was one of the novels she was working on during that time and I am pleased as punch for her and also so proud of her accomplishment.

Now I...more When I was given the opportunity to participate in Lisa Kessler's virtual book tour, I jumped at the chance. You see, I have known Lisa for several years now (oddly enough, we met on MySpace) and I have followed her writing career, reading her stories and her updates regarding the novels she was working on and offering encouragement along the way. Night Walker was one of the novels she was working on during that time and I am pleased as punch for her and also so proud of her accomplishment.

Now I'm not a big reader of paranormal romance. In fact, I'm not much for romance novels at all. However, I had been reading Lisa's stories over the years and I really liked her style of writing. I am pleased to say that Night Walker just works on so many levels. First of all, anyone who knows me, knows I love the idea of reincarnation and this is an almost immediate premise in the book. Yes! And adding a love story along with reincarnation just makes it even better. But also, there are a moral implications at the base of the story that give it even more depth. I was pleased that the characters were likable and I developed an easy connection with them, with the exception of one very unlikable character, Jose, who is about as vile as they come. Don't worry...you're not supposed to like him. This really isn't a typical "vampire" novel, although many may try to pigeonhole it that way. As I said, it's more of a love story with a conscience. The moral issues were subtle, but recognizable. The displacement of Native Americans by the Spanish and the betrayal of the confessional by a monk (which leads to a despicable act) are the issues interlaced in the plot and I thought their presence added greatly to the depth of the novel.

I feel I must touch on the love scenes which are one of the reasons I tend to steer clear of the PR genre. I'm not fond of the explicit or overly erotic scenes. I have to send kudos Lisa's way. She really made the scenes sensual and classy (with the exception of Jose's scenes, but his aren't supposed to be). Would that other writers in this genre would take Lisa's lead and I just might become a convert!

Finally, the epilogue gives us an intriguing glimpse of what's to come as the Night series continues and I have to say...I can't wait! Well done, Lisa, on this wonderful first novel.
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Dec 20, 2011 Kouk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, read-in-2011, own

Kate Bradley is being haunted by nightmares of her own death since childhood.
After being betrayed by her fiance, she decides to go to San Diego where she meets the mysterious Calisto Terana.

Calisto Terana once known as Gregorio Salvador, recognizes Kate as who she once was and is again now, the soul of his beloved Tala.
Tala his wife and his unborn child were brutally taken him from over 200 years ago.
Betrayed by those he once trusted, they hunt him and his beloved again.
Unless Calisto can put a...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Andi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

3.5 stars. I don't usually read romance novels (this was more romance than paranormal), so my rating is partly influenced by my taste. This book started strong, but I had a bit of a hard time staying interested in the story. In its defense, this book was well written and had great lead characters. If you like romance novels, I'm sure you will like this one!

Available on Kindle $6.99

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May 31, 2013 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: ALL vamp lovers who want a new twist to their vampire love stories!

Recommended to Kelly by: DarkMediaOnline.com introduced me to Mrs. Kessler's work.

Reincarnation. Blood. Sex. Murder. Those are all the main ingredients to Lisa Kessler’s “Night Walker”, the first book in the Night series, and they make for one amazing vampire story.

The story is about one thing, once you get straight to the heart: true love. Father Gregorio Salvador, in 1775, gives up the priesthood to be with his one true love, a native heathen named Tala, a lovely girl with “the moon in her eyes”; a phrase Gregorio uses to describe the crescent moon in one of Tala’s eyes.

Tal...more Reincarnation. Blood. Sex. Murder. Those are all the main ingredients to Lisa Kessler’s “Night Walker”, the first book in the Night series, and they make for one amazing vampire story.

The story is about one thing, once you get straight to the heart: true love. Father Gregorio Salvador, in 1775, gives up the priesthood to be with his one true love, a native heathen named Tala, a lovely girl with “the moon in her eyes”; a phrase Gregorio uses to describe the crescent moon in one of Tala’s eyes.

Tala is brutally raped & murdered by one of Gregorio’s fellow priests, and he then chooses to give up the sunlight and his mortality to see her again in another life. Thus, he becomes not a vampire, but a Night Walker, doomed to walk at night and drink the blood of the living to stay alive.

Travel to today. Kate Bradley has just broken up with her cheating finance, and returns home to San Diego to straighten out her life. While at a local church, Mission de Alcala, she meets a sexy, mysterious man named Calisto Terana in the cemetery, to whom she is extremely & unusually attracted to.

When Calisto (Gregorio) sees the moon in Kate’s eyes, he knows that the moment he has waited over two ventures for had come: his Tala lives again.

They could live happily ever after, if not for a few obstacles: Calisto’s overbearing assistant Betty, the disturbing dreams Kate has always had, depicting her death back in 1775, Calisto’s Night Wallet status, and, oh, right, the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo is still looking for Calisto, and well stop at nothing to keep him from turning Kate into a Night Walker herself. And, just who is this Jose that Betty is suddenly infatuated with?

Lisa Kessler penned not just a vampire novel, but one that merges religion, love, un-death, hate, and all the goods and evils of they human soul. If you love dark, sexual, fast-paced vampiric love stories, I highly suggest you pick up this book, and also its sequel “Night Thief”, from the amazingly talented Kessler.

You can find her on her website and on Twitter at @LdyDisney(less)

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May 09, 2013 Juli Valenti rated it 5 of 5 stars

So, I'm a terrible friend! I bought all of Lisa's Night series a few months ago, and put them on my to-read pile, and always got distracted.

Well, NO LONGER!
I'm actually almost disappointed that I've read it..because now it's over and i don't want it to be!!!!

Where to start on what i enjoyed about this book...decisions, decisions.

The Character building. Before ANYTHING truly happened in the book, i felt like i knew Kate and Calisto. I knew Tala...I knew Betty, and the crazy nutso Monk Jose. It to...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Romancing the Book rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, paranormal, romance

Posted on Romancing the Books blog
Reviewed by Maria
Review Copy from the Publisher

A paranormal romance. In short, a contemporary take on the classic Dracula tale, made immortal by Bram Stoker. While the plot is a classic, the book is totally contemporary and set in modern USA.

It makes compulsive reading. The story is chilling, as good paranormal is. It reads like a contemporary romance in places. The unique selling point of good paranormal is that you feel it is totally credible, like it could ha...more Posted on Romancing the Books blog
Reviewed by Maria
Review Copy from the Publisher

A paranormal romance. In short, a contemporary take on the classic Dracula tale, made immortal by Bram Stoker. While the plot is a classic, the book is totally contemporary and set in modern USA.

It makes compulsive reading. The story is chilling, as good paranormal is. It reads like a contemporary romance in places. The unique selling point of good paranormal is that you feel it is totally credible, like it could happen. There are no caped counts or spooky batwings here. Our vampire hero is a night walker, a creature who feeds on blood and stays out of the sunshine. Repulsive as such a creature may be, the tortured Calisto gains the reader’s sympathy and fits the bill as a romantic hero.

The backstory plays out alongside the contemporary story. Our hero and his love are brutally separated in the past by forces beyond their control. The Spanish monk Gregorio, on a mission to the New World, gets involved in a love affair with a native American girl. Her pregnancy forces him to confess his affair to his superiors, in a bid to get absolution for his sin and compassionate leave to take care of his beloved. I was a little skeptical about this. Who could be so naive to think that absolution in confession can solve such a problem? The superior behaves unethically, breaking the seal of Gregorio’s confession and having the young woman hunted down and brutally murdered. She’s also violated by her killer. An enraged, embittered Gregorio, desperate for revenge, sells his soul to the shaman of his beloved’s tribe. He becomes a night walker and bides his time, waiting for his beloved to be reborn. Living among mortals, changing his identity in every lifetime. His innate sense of right and wrong has him feed only on the lowlife scum which plague society. When he finds his beloved reborn, he has no intention of taking her down into the depths with him. But now, another enemy has surfaced. The religious order to which Gregorio belonged has been tailing him for centuries. Wrongly believing him to be a danger to humanity, they will stop at nothing to have him destroyed.

As Calisto chooses to send his beloved away to keep her out of the approaching danger, the story comes to a dramatic climax. And who are we, the readers, rooting for? Our night walker, of course, our paranormal hero who in many ways is so much more moral than many of the moral guardians of society.

The characterization is terrific. Calisto is engaging, the tortured soul who loves truly. The angel trapped in a devil’s guise. Kate, his lover, is a woman of the world, yet so sweet and innocent, with a purity that is spiritual rather than physical. Her supportive circle of friends is heartwarming to read about. The perverted monk Jose, who tracks Calisto is suitably repulsive. The superiors of Calisto’s brotherhood are well meaning yet misguided. As the mistakes of the past threaten to make history repeat itself, the readers finds themselves entangled in this compulsive story.

What I loved about this novel is the fact that it made the Dracula story so relevant. A fine piece of work.

Favorite Quote:“I am an immortal, Kate, a Night Walker, but I am not a vampire. I do not kill for pleasure or sport. I do not make minions of blood-drinkers to keep for my companions. I have no fear of garlic or crucifixes.” A hint of a smile sparkled in his eyes. “And I certainly do not turn myself into a bat.”

Warning: The love scenes were very romantic and emotional. The story was, however, rather violent in certain areas and not for the squeamish
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Sep 12, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-kclu

KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4.5 Stars

Night Walker introduces me to another new author and a new take on the blood sucker. (Can’t call him a vampire.. he hates that romanticized word.. LOL) I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!!!
Kate Bradley is reeling from the breakup of her engagement. She is more upset at the loss of her future plans and the betrayal than actually losing Tom. She heads home to San Diego to not only heal, but to finally deal with the loss of...more KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4.5 Stars

Night Walker introduces me to another new author and a new take on the blood sucker. (Can’t call him a vampire.. he hates that romanticized word.. LOL) I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!!!
Kate Bradley is reeling from the breakup of her engagement. She is more upset at the loss of her future plans and the betrayal than actually losing Tom. She heads home to San Diego to not only heal, but to finally deal with the loss of her parents and their stuff. Coming back home has awaken the night mare she has been having since childhood. The dream is soo real. She witnesses the brutal death of a woman from the 1700’s.

Calisto Terana has been waiting 200 years to be reunited with his love Tala, who was taken from him by the one person he trusted. Her death caused him to loose not only his faith in the monks of the mission, but in the God he made vows to follow. He becomes a Night Walker with the promise of being reunited with Tala when she is reborn.

Kate finds herself drawn to this mysterious man, and deep down feels like he is the other half of her not that she understands it. Calisto refuses to lose Kate after waiting so long to find her, but will he move to fast for her?? Can he protect her from the dangers that took her from him once before, and have made it their mission to stop him at all cost??

I absolutely loved this different approach to the vamp genre. I have to say though a lot of this one is told in flashbacks, because you have to see why he made the choices that he made. I found that it added to the story for you to experience the flashbacks. The chemistry between these two is down right smoking hot, and I loved the fact that Calisto specified that it was Kate that he loved and not the memory of Tala in her. I loved the way the reincarnation of Tala into Kate was handled. Handled the wrong way this could have been a very cheesy concept, but this one was done beautifully. It is quite addictive. I sat and read it in one sitting much to the suffering of everything around me. It was one of those books that holds you hostage!! I hope y’all enjoy this one as much as I have!!(less)

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Sep 01, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Original Post, on FANGS, WANDS & FAIRY DUST Sept. 1, 2012
Night Walker, A First Novel Gaining Accolades

NIGHT WALKER
by Lisa Kessler
Paranormal Romance
Entangled Publishing, 2011 (1st Ed.)
2012 (2nd Ed.)
paperback 352 pages
And as E-Book

He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her...more

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May 09, 2012 Buffy Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whew! This book had me crying at times. Calisto is that ultimate hero that will wait forever for his lover and protect her at all costs. I love how he’s also very much about justice, especially in the form of revenge. Kate is a sweet and strong woman, especially to be able to put up with her nightmares. She survives some heartbreaking experiences and I really admired her bravery.

The world created is very plausible. The vampire lore itself reminds me of Charlaine Harris and makes a lot of sense....more

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May 08, 2012 Marlene rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reading-romances-challenge

Originally posted at http://www.readingreality.net/2012/05...

Night Walker by Lisa Kessler is a paranormal romance that combines two very powerful themes in modern PNR, vampires and reincarnation. Either one of those elements would make for a very moving love story. Mix them together and you have one very special romance indeed.

The story begins with our modern heroine facing a very contemporary dilemma. Her fiance is a two-timing snake. Kate's just caught him with one of his grad students, and th...more Originally posted at http://www.readingreality.net/2012/05...

Night Walker by Lisa Kessler is a paranormal romance that combines two very powerful themes in modern PNR, vampires and reincarnation. Either one of those elements would make for a very moving love story. Mix them together and you have one very special romance indeed.

The story begins with our modern heroine facing a very contemporary dilemma. Her fiance is a two-timing snake. Kate's just caught him with one of his grad students, and their engagement is very definitely over. Now she's on her way from Reno to San Diego to finish up the other unfinished business in her life, closing up her late parents' house. After her parents' death in an accident two years ago, she's been putting off that closure. Now it's time. Ending her engagement, cancelling her wedding, and realizing that she's more embarrassed and angry than emotionally devastated, tells her that it's finally time to take control over the rest of her life.

Kate and her best girlfriends do the tourist thing in San Diego, visiting the Mission de Alcala on the Day of the Dead for Mass brings her into contact with the darkly handsome and eminently mysterious Calisto Terana as she examines the rare and beautiful flowers placed on a centuries-old grave in the Native cemetery surrounding the Mission. Calisto gives Kate the strangest sense of deja vu, as if they have not merely met, but known each other intimately, before. Kate is certain she'd remember meeting a man as compelling as Calisto before.

Kate is both right and wrong. She's never met Calisto before. But he remembers her. He's walked the night for two centuries, waiting for her to return.

When the Mission de Alcala was built, Calisto Terana was Father Gregorio Salvador, and he was part of the Spanish mission that helped to build it. When he fell in love with a native girl he betrayed his vows and decided to leave the church. The church refused to let him go. Someone foolishly thought that if they got the girl out of the way, their errant priest would meekly return to the fold.

Instead, he found an entirely different path. A much, much darker way, but one that allowed him to wait for his lover's spirit to be born again.

There were only two flaws to Gregorio's, now Calisto's plan. In the 21st century, Kate remembered nothing of her previous existence. Calisto had to woo and win her all over again. He loved and wanted her more after two centuries of waiting than he had in the flush of first love. The hunger of a night walker made him even less patient than a normal man.

That other flaw? The church is eternal.

Escape Rating A-: I was surprised at how good this was. Even though the elements of the story have been used before, the combination was different enough that I got sucked right in. One of the particularly neat things is that the historic aspects, the Mission and the history of it, are pretty close to what's known of the events. It's one of those points in colonial history where records were lost so there's a ton of room for speculation, fiction and well, just plain flights of fancy. This story was an especially good way of filling that gap.

I didn't use the word vampire in the review because, although Calisto is a vampire, he doesn't think of himself as one or refer to himself as one. He knows what vampires are, and they aren't him. He thinks they're flashier, for one thing.

The next book in this series is The Night Demon, and starts out in the Yucatan jungle, sometime later this year. I can hardly wait.(less)

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May 05, 2012 Mindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: dream-reader-dreamer2229-blo

I was a bit worried about reading “another vampire” book, but I am so glad I read this one. Not only does Lisa Kessler have a bright fresh voice, she has a unique take on the origin and value of vampires or night walkers. I was impressed with the fresh take on how ‘night walkers’ were created and for what purpose.

The view of a “monster” with a conscience was unique and not one that you hear of often. I loved the chemistry between Calisto and Kate. I loved that Kate didn’t fall at Calisto’s feet...more

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Paranormal Addict...: The Nigh Series - Lisa Kessler	13	37	Mar 19, 2013 02:37pm
Goodreads Feedback: Number rating changed overnight with no new ratings?	7	39	Dec 29, 2011 11:18am
Romance Readers R...: AC: Lisa Kessler of Night Walker (December 14 - December 16)	87	95	Dec 20, 2011 11:28pm

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