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Dark Desire (Dark Carpathian #2)

by Christine Feehan (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 12,747 ratings · 369 reviews

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light...

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,...more

Mass Market Paperback, 369 pages

Published January 3rd 2006 by Leisure Books (first published December 1st 1999)

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Oct 31, 2008 Beth F. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance, vampires, carpathians, 2008

Will someone please explain to me how a couple can have sex when he’s on top and she’s on the bottom and her jeans are pushed down but still around her ankles? Because frankly, I really don’t think that is humanly possible. If she was bent over, alright. Or if they were really stretchy pants with an elastic waistband, maybe. Or if the jeans are only around one ankle but have completely slipped off the other, definitely. But if they’re hiding out in a secret Carpathian cave and they are immediate...more Will someone please explain to me how a couple can have sex when he’s on top and she’s on the bottom and her jeans are pushed down but still around her ankles? Because frankly, I really don’t think that is humanly possible. If she was bent over, alright. Or if they were really stretchy pants with an elastic waistband, maybe. Or if the jeans are only around one ankle but have completely slipped off the other, definitely. But if they’re hiding out in a secret Carpathian cave and they are immediately overcome by a wave of lust and can’t even remove all their clothes before going horizontal, the Laws of Blue Jeans Physics makes having sex impossible if both her ankles are encased in denim.

So if you have any undeniable proof that this is possible, please share with me stat, because I’m giving myself a headache trying to make it work.

The hero of this book is a criminally insane Carpathian named Jacques who is the younger brother of the king Carpathian. He had been tortured and left for dead by a pair of evil human beings who were working in conjunction with a nasty vampire. They stabbed him with a wooden stake and buried him in a coffin in the Carpathian Mountains. Since Carpathians are immortal, this did not kill him. But after seven years of suffering, his mind is completely gone and he is a raving lunatic.

Practically out of nowhere (a common occurrence in Feehan’s books), an overachieving female surgeon from California becomes psychically connected to Jacques. Shea dreams of his ordeal for seven years, never believing it might actually be real. When she finally travels to the Carpathian Mountains to track down her father, she is inexplicably drawn to the scene of Jacques’ imprisonment.

She breaks him free. He attacks her. She can’t stay away from him. He craves Shea. Shea craves him. They start drinking each other’s blood. And Jacques explains that he doesn’t remember anything about his past, but exhibits the very Carpathianesque tendency of demanding outrageous loyalty from his lifemate (which she is) even though she has no f%cking clue where he’s coming from or what he’s going on about. When she questions his claims, he says he doesn’t know why he thinks the things he does but he assures her that they are gospel truth and that she must go along with whatever he says. And as is always the case when Carpathian males and human women are destined to become lifemates, they lock horns and Feehan is able to fill page after page after page with senseless arguments.

Even still, they manage to have lots of sex. Jacques and Shea get involved with his Carpathian family and begin working together to kill the bad vampire. And they live happily ever after.

Despite the fact that these books annoy me, I keep adding the next title and the next to my queue on booksfree.com. Carpathian males are extremely compelling. Maybe I’ll figure out what it is that keeps me coming back after I finish the next one!(less)

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Feb 03, 2012 Lou rated it 2 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Dark Prince but this book is just more of the same thing. I am Carpathian hierarchy and not a Vampire and still they are having problems getting a life-mate just wanted more drama more action, i was expecting more and i think this is where i do not go any further in the series. There are so many good books to read at the moment.

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Apr 08, 2007 Rhapsody rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: paranormal romance readers

Shelves: romance, vampires, romance-psychics, romance-shape-shifters, fiction

I like the ideas behind this series, but the writing style puts me off a little. Too much of the focus is on the romance, and not enough on the events or the plot. It was very repetitive at times; again and again, we have to listen to beautiful Jacques thinks Shea is and how people are feeling toward one another. Normally I love that sort of thing, but it was too much for me. I also found the dialogue somewhat lacking. Still, I'm moderately into the series still. I'm most interested in reading G...more

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Aug 27, 2010 TJ rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, paranormal, romantic-suspense

While this installment of the Carpathians is engaging, it didn't live up to the first. It is darker, Jacques (who is the charming younger brother in book one) has been held and tortured for sevens years and left for dead. He comes out of the experience barely hanging on to his sanity and with a vicious streak a mile wide. The story still has it's twists and turns along with an interesting (if rather dysfunctional) love story, which keeps it moving and would earn it a 3.5 star rating.

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Feb 22, 2009 Kissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved the plot of this book and was so glad to see Raven and the other characters from the first book. Great 2nd book in a series. The only thing I didn't like is the many type errors I found throughout the book. I'm starting on the third this week.

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Sep 03, 2012 Vallsykes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: omg-can-u-stand-him-alpha-male, got-me-addicted-to-author, audiobook

I luv the Carpathians.

I never read series in order! I read this bk#2 in the Dark series after I read Dark Magic (in my undisciplined haste to get to Gregori's bk).
The thing is when meeting Jacque, in Dark Prince, I didn't pay him any attention. He was just important b/c he was a Dubrinsky. No telling idiosyncrasies, no apparent Wooh-ha factor.
Yet, this book, Jacque's story, started very well. Jacque dueled w/ betrayal, loss, psychosis and obsession, and I still didn't get hot for Jacque, but I s...more

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Jun 02, 2013 Dianne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Okay, it's a romance novel...so this is a guilty pleasure for me. I read the first in this series and enjoyed the characters. I wanted to come back and see how they were doing and read more about the other characters moving forward.

It's only book 2 in the series and I'm tired of the term "lifemate" that the Carpathians use. It's more annoying than old world to me. I don't really care for the way the Carpathians talk, either. They never say don't or can't...it's always do not or cannot...let us...more

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May 17, 2013 Pete rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cf

In starting this series after becoming a PNR addict with DH and BDB series, I enjoy reading series in chronological order to obtain the background, principal geography, value systems and common traits of the characters. Dark Desire after Dark Prince introduced me to characters to whom I can relate. In DP I became very envious of The Healer’s skills in surgical healing via powers. (I can’t wait to get to Book 4).

Shea O'Halloran, an independent distinguished surgeon is a character I admired from t...more In starting this series after becoming a PNR addict with DH and BDB series, I enjoy reading series in chronological order to obtain the background, principal geography, value systems and common traits of the characters. Dark Desire after Dark Prince introduced me to characters to whom I can relate. In DP I became very envious of The Healer’s skills in surgical healing via powers. (I can’t wait to get to Book 4).

Shea O'Halloran, an independent distinguished surgeon is a character I admired from the beginning of her story. Sharing her primitive instrument need to accomplish repair of injured anatomy, I would certainly relish having the magical skills of the Carpathian micro-manipulative approach.

Ok, so I approached this wonderful story from a unique perspective which medical/surgical graduates & practitioners could understand. I’m looking for ways to get Carpathian Mountain soil shipped to me in vast quantities.

Jacques having been tortured beyond normal human endurance, mentally reached out to Shea half way around the world mentally to demand she come to rescue him. Shea thinking this was a vivid and disturbing nightmare ignored the summons for seven years. Having her own medical issues, thinking hemophilia, she pursued study in hematologic diseases and began traveling to ancestral locations in Ireland and Romania where she was drawn to Jacques’s internment site and attempts to heal him.

Jacques, at this juncture in his life is a savaged soul and takes Shea’s blood and later exchanges blood with her to manipulate her from human into Carpathian. Her concern for him she cannot explain but the connection is permanently established. Jacques mind had been devastated during his torture, and madness is prevailing. Mikhail and Gregori (The Healer Carpathian) help Shea restore his physical health.
Jacques’s torturers, vampires and envious humans, are seeking Shea to disrupt and destroy the Carpathians. A torturous and graphic story ensues to deal with the betrayer and coconspirators.

The book evolves into clues to how the remainder of the series will play out which is most exciting to me. Christine is very good at unfolding unique constructs to compel readers to read the next installment. I’m here to tell you I’m hooked! This book was an 11 hour read (often stopping to savor the flavor) for me over two days, and had other distractions not been there, it would have been a continuous read from page one to the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend this to PNR, vampire, Carpathian adult fans along with this series.
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Mar 04, 2012 Kari Metzger rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ok - I don't know what keeps me coming back to these Carpathian novels, but obviously there is something compelling. This one, however, left me a bit disappointed (although I will continue reading). I did sit and read it in one sitting, but frankly, mostly because I felt like there was only one major plot point, and it didn't resolve until then (I like plots to thicken, get more substance, etc., but this one kind of stayed with the single plot).

The 'steam shower scenes' didn't really steam for...more

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Feb 24, 2012 Selly - Romanticamente Fantasy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Chi sono questi Carpaziani? Una razza molto longeva (migliaia di anni per intendersi) e antica dotata di particolari poteri. Possono cambiare forma, spostarsi in modo rapido e sono dotati di poteri psichici.
Spesso comunicano tra di loro telepaticamente, si nutrono di sangue ma non uccidono gli umani, anzi vivono in mezzo a loro. Sono creature paragonabili ai vampiri ma vampiri non sono… però possono diventarlo… e qui si scopre il punto debole della loro razza… se non trovano la propria compagna...more Chi sono questi Carpaziani? Una razza molto longeva (migliaia di anni per intendersi) e antica dotata di particolari poteri. Possono cambiare forma, spostarsi in modo rapido e sono dotati di poteri psichici.
Spesso comunicano tra di loro telepaticamente, si nutrono di sangue ma non uccidono gli umani, anzi vivono in mezzo a loro. Sono creature paragonabili ai vampiri ma vampiri non sono… però possono diventarlo… e qui si scopre il punto debole della loro razza… se non trovano la propria compagna per la vita rischiano di impazzire e trasformarsi in spietati vampiri. Ma trovare la propria compagna non è così facile… purtroppo le donne Carpaziane sono molto rare, l’ultima bambina è nata 500 anni prima e i maschi spesso muoiono dopo pochi anni di vita. Nel primo capitolo, “Attrazione Fatale”, si scopre però che i Carpaziani hanno una speranza poiché pare che alcune donne umane dotate di poteri psichici possano diventare le loro compagne e generare figlie femmine. Questo è il caso di Mikhail e Raven, i protagonisti del primo libro che saranno ben presenti anche nel secondo.

In “Desiderio” i protagonisti principali sono il carpaziano Jacques, il fratello di Mikhail creduto morto e restato sepolto per anni e Shea, umana (per metà…) e medico chirurgo di professione, che crede di aver ereditato dal padre mai conosciuto una malattia del sangue che la costringe a continue trasfusioni e a non esporsi al sole… Ma la nostra “piccola donna dai capelli rossi” (come spesso la chiama Jacques) scoprirà che non è esattamente una malattia la sua e si ritroverà catapultata nel mondo dei Carpaziani, che inizialmente faticherà ad accettare…

Jacques precedentemente catturato e sepolto per 7 anni da cacciatori riesce a instaurare una connessione mentale con Shea che si trova dall’altra parte dell’oceano. La ragazza decide di partire alla volta dei Carpazi con la speranza di trovare anche informazioni sulla sua malattia e si sente spinta fino al luogo della sepoltura di Jacques. La ragazza lo libera ed è subito evidente quanto lui sia arrabbiato, sconvolto e ferito. E senza memoria.
Dopo il loro incontro nulla sarà più come prima, Shea dovrà fare i conti con una razza di cui non conosceva l’esistenza e si troverà coinvolta in quel nuovo mondo per lei, una scienziata, inconcepibile. Inutile dire che tra i due scoppierà la passione… e che durante il percorso di accettazione di questa nuova realtà qualcuno proverà a uccidere i nostri carpaziani, compreso un traditore della loro stessa razza… (chi sarà una sorpresa…)
Nel libro oltre ai già citati Mikhail e Raven saranno presenti anche Byron e Gregori, il guaritore del quale personalmente non vedo l’ora di leggere la storia… in questo libro infatti si capirà chiaramente chi sarà la sua compagna della vita…

Se il primo libro vi era piaciuto, questo vi coinvolgerà ancora di più!
Se invece non avevate particolarmente amato il primo, che era diciamo di introduzione al mondo dei Carpaziani date una possibilità a questo secondo libro, a mio avviso migliore del precedente!

Aspettando il libro su Gregori (che se non sbaglio dovrebbe essere il 5° della serie) vi auguro una buona lettura!

http://romanticamentefantasy.blogspot...
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Sep 10, 2011 Bron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: carpathian

This is the story of Julian and Shea. Julian is the brother of Mikhael, Prince to the Carpathians, who featured in the first book, Dark Prince.

Julian disappeared at a time when some human vampire hunters were in the mountains and no-one had been able to find him, he had been tortured, staked and left to rot in a box. Somehow Julian had lost his ability to telepathically communicate with his people, however, perhaps because of this loss, he was able to find a girl a long way away. Due to his los...more This is the story of Julian and Shea. Julian is the brother of Mikhael, Prince to the Carpathians, who featured in the first book, Dark Prince.

Julian disappeared at a time when some human vampire hunters were in the mountains and no-one had been able to find him, he had been tortured, staked and left to rot in a box. Somehow Julian had lost his ability to telepathically communicate with his people, however, perhaps because of this loss, he was able to find a girl a long way away. Due to his loss of memory and tortured mind, Julian decides that this girl must be his lifemate, and that she must have betrayed him as she doesn't come at his call.

Meanwhile in a world far across the sea, Shea Carter finds herself caught up in dreams of a tortured soul, and when she is very surprised when she finally learns that this person is real. Shea is forced to leave her career and life to run from the very vampire hunters that tortured Julian, and ends up in the Carpathian mountains. Shea was half Carpathian, her father (married to Julian's sister Noelle), had an affair with her human mother (his lifemate), and when he disappeared, after his wife was killed, she had to escape to Ireland to save her daughter.

Here begins a new life for Shea, one in which she rescues Julian, and then finds herself a prisoner to a tortured soul who refuses to allow her to leave as he is sure he will go insane without her. Since he doesn't realise she is not Carpathian, Julian accidentally converts her, further enslaving Shea in a life she is not ready to embrace.

Shea is a strong woman who loves her healing work, and can remain extraordinarily focussed on it under enormous pressure, she finds it hard to adjust to the violence of the Carpathians, and although she has had to have blood transfusions her whole life, cannot get used to the idea of drinking blood from another and would rather die than drink. Underneath his wild, tormented exterior, Julian turns out to be a gentleman who realises that he doesn't want to be the sort of person that forces his lifemate into actions, and instead rather believes in her free will, however, at times he does take charge when he thinks he must, and for this Shea isn't very happy.

I would have to say that, of the Carpathian books I have read, Julian is my favourite, although he does force Shea to do things at times, he is also a lot more understanding, and considerate of her, recognising that she should be allowed to have some choice.(less)

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Dec 13, 2010 Bronwyn Rykiert rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires, paranormal-romance

This is my first read of Christine Feehan’s Dark Series and I really enjoyed it. This is the 2nd book in the series. I love to read vampire stories and Christine’s idea for her vampires so far seems good.

This is the story of Jacques Dubrinsky and Shea O’Halloran. Jacques is a Carpathian male who has been tortured and left to die by a betrayer and 2 humans. He connects the telepathy to Shea, a doctor in America and brings her to him, this takes place over a period of 7 years. It turns out her fat...more

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Sep 18, 2009 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

When I read the first Carpathian novel I thought that was dark. I must say that this is even darker.
The hero, Jacques, has been tortured and buried alive for seven years and he has slowly been converted to a monster without speech, thriving on hatred and revenge.
He lives to find and kill the humans and the vampire responsible for his confinement but also to find and hurt the woman he sees in his visions. The beautiful read head that dosen´t answer his call for help.
After seven years of trials...more

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Sep 18, 2009 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-romance

Seven years of nightmares, the pain, the visions of a haunted and tormented man. Surgeon Shea O’Halloran grew used to seeing this man, almost expected him. Jacques Dubrinsky saw a woman, he had lost his connection with his family, but he could see her, he could cause her pain. She was one of them, it was because of her that he was trapped and in so much pain, he wanted to cause her pain. Shea had no way of knowing that the man, the torment, the pain was all real until she went to the Carpathian...more

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Aug 13, 2009 Delia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Christine Feehan has a good hook going for her. I love the idea that vampires don't start out as vampires, but Carpathian males looking for their other half. However, one can only take so much male dominance before you want to through the book across the room.

Jacque is a Carpathian male that goes missing and whom everyone believes dead. What they don't realize is that he's been brutally tortured by humans who left him buried in the ground and who also thought he was dead.

Far away, a human woman...more

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Jun 13, 2013 P.A. Lupton rated it 3 of 5 stars

At the time I’m reading this novel it’s been published for seven years. Had I read Dark Desire when it was originally published, I probably would’ve enjoyed it more. It’s a unique paranormal world, and I always love that. The thing is I feel like I’ve seen a thousand books just like this one. I know this was probably one of the pioneers of the genre, but it still feels kind of “been there done that” to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked it more than I thought I would from the description, but I didn...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Serena rated it 3 of 5 stars

Continua il ciclo dei Carpaziani sempre più coinvolgente. Di nuovo grande ambientazione e una profusione di emozioni che ti trasportano in quello strano mondo. Il protagonista di questo nuovo libro è Jacques Dubrinsky, fratello minore di Mikhail che si scontrerà con la piccola americana dai capelli rossi, Shea O’Halloran,medico chirurgo e ricercatrice. Jacques viene catturato alla fine del precedente libro e seppellito vivo per sette anni durante i quali rimarrà sull’orlo della follia. Ancorato...more Continua il ciclo dei Carpaziani sempre più coinvolgente. Di nuovo grande ambientazione e una profusione di emozioni che ti trasportano in quello strano mondo. Il protagonista di questo nuovo libro è Jacques Dubrinsky, fratello minore di Mikhail che si scontrerà con la piccola americana dai capelli rossi, Shea O’Halloran,medico chirurgo e ricercatrice. Jacques viene catturato alla fine del precedente libro e seppellito vivo per sette anni durante i quali rimarrà sull’orlo della follia. Ancorato alla realtà solo dalla presenza/assenza di Shea. La donna non umana ma figlia di un carpaziano,tale Rand,che ci rivelerà grandi sorprese. Shea troverà uno Jacques tormentato,senza memoria,violento che la attaccherà e la trasformerà senza il suo consenso e lei scoprirà cose su se stessa che farà fatica ad accettare. Scoprirà un amore infinito per quella creatura travolta dalla situazione e impossibilitata a parlare se non con la forza del pensiero. E lui spazierà nella sua mente,ossessionando i suoi pensieri fino a diventare parte di lei in un crescendo da togliere il fiato “- Io sono confuso quanto te. So solo che tu hai messo fine alle mie sofferenze,che hai risposto alla mia chiamata,e che riconosco in te l’altra metà di me stesso. Tu sei la luce che illumina la mia tenebra” .Shea lotterà contro i propri sentimenti e contro Jacques che malgrado la sua amnesia la travolgerà con il suo ardore e la sua passione. “Io ti desidero con ogni cellula del mio corpo,con il cuore e con la mente. La tua anima è l’altra metà della mia. Quando sei con me,io sento. Gioia,desiderio,rabbia,perfino allegria. Tu sei la mia compagna per la vita . Ti attendevo da 200 anni. Non potevo vedere i colori finchè non sei arrivata tu”Ovviamente scene di sensualità ad ampio respiro si concentrano da metà libro in poi,forse a volte abbondano,ma nel complesso il romanzo è avvincente ,pieno di azione e si ricongiunge al precedente con l’arrivo di Mikhail,Raven e Grigori che verranno in aiuto dei protagonisti. Molte scene di azione. Unico punto negativo … ho trovato l’inizio un po’ pesante. La Feehan esprime i sentimenti in maniera impeccabile,sembra di viverli,ma stavolta si è lanciata nell’oscurità di Jacques con troppa insistenza. Lo caratterizza violento,cattivo,brutale e in poco tempo lo trasforma nella quintessenza dell’uomo perdutamente innamorato. Un po’ troppo tirato per i capelli. Giudizio comunque positivo. Trovo sempre bellissime descrizioni,sentimenti inquietanti e magistralmente espressi ,trasformazioni. Non migliore del precedente ma almeno da quattro stelle.

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Jan 19, 2010 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-romance

Shea and Jock... hmmmm... Shea, part Carpathian (prevampire) part human. Her mother was Rand's lifemate... but Rand was not able to stand up for her, deserted her, and turned vampire - in league with evil human vampire hunters. Shea is different, isolated from people, and believing she has some sort of blood disorder... (needing regular transfusions)... and she is a brilliant surgeon / researcher, using her telepathic powers as she performs surgery to keep the patient living.

Jock - Mikhail's yo...more

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Apr 10, 2009 Alaine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favourites, romance

I didn't think it was possible but I loved the second book in the Carpathian series even more than the first. This book tells the story of Jacques and Shea and it's hard to say which of their stories is more interesting. Shea is a fascinating woman who is a surgeon and healer and she's the perfect mate for Jacques. Jacques is Mikhail’s brother who was mortally wounded in the first book and only survived because of Raven, Mikhail's life mate. The great thing about this series is that each book bu...more

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Mar 19, 2012 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, uf-pnr, 2013

I'm not quite sure how I should rate this book given that I've not read the books in this series in sequential order.

Things that I liked: It was interesting to get early glimpses of characters who get their own books later, e.g. Gregori, Julian, Byron. It made me smile to hear Gregori's somewhat critical comments about what happens to the reasoning abilities of Carpathian males after they meet their mates. Gregori's tune changes a little after he mates with Savannah. His early contacts with Sava...more I'm not quite sure how I should rate this book given that I've not read the books in this series in sequential order.

Things that I liked: It was interesting to get early glimpses of characters who get their own books later, e.g. Gregori, Julian, Byron. It made me smile to hear Gregori's somewhat critical comments about what happens to the reasoning abilities of Carpathian males after they meet their mates. Gregori's tune changes a little after he mates with Savannah. His early contacts with Savannah were fascinating to read and provided some context to his obsession to claim her as his mate. Similarly, in later books, Shea is presented as a respected and trusted healer in Carpathian society - obviously she was able to overcome her initially fearful and uncomfortable introduction to this species. I liked the premise of this book. Jacques is certainly the most tortured and tormented hero that I've met in this series. It was refreshing to read about a hero who wasn't arrogant, confident and domineering right from the first page. I also liked Rand's deviousness. It was a pleasant change from other books were the fighting seemed to be limited to hand-to-hand combat. This story continued the world building that was started in Dark Prince

Things that I disliked: Feehan has a tendency to create heroines who come across as whiny. They are presented as intelligent, independent, courageous and strong minded until they meet their Carpathian mates. It's understandable that these females, whether human or Carpathian, would struggle to give up their independence and identity, especially to arrogant and domineering males, but we don't need to read about it for page after page. Whereas initially the heroines are described as logical and in full control of their emotions, after meeting the heroes, they come across as angst filled adolescents. Shea is no different. She also fits the typical physical female mold adopted by Feehan - slender, fragile, with full breasts, a small waist, a narrow rib cage, and a luxurious mane of hair. I've read other reviews that are similarly critical; I just never realized, until I read this book and Dark Prince, that Feehan was this formulaic from the beginning. Probably explains why I need lots of time between books in this series.

So back to my original dilemma. It rates four stars for some aspects that are original, but only three stars because it has a lot of the same-old same-old I've read in other books. Final rating of 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.(less)

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Jan 06, 2012 Terri Pray rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: paranormal romance readers

Shelves: paranormal-romances, audio-books

The one big problem I have with Christine Feehan's Dark series is the head hopping. However, as an audio book it's easier to overlook this issue.

Shea is a very strong heroine, she doesn't feel sorry for herself, and despite the trials she's been through she's determined to find a cure for the blood defect she's diagnosed herself with. I did wonder why she never contacted the police about her strange stalkers - but could suspend disbelief there as it was needed for the plot.

Jacq balances on the e...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, paranormal, vampire, own-in-book-format, read-in-2008, to-re-read, romantic-fantasy, shapeshifters, paranormal-romance, do-you-believe-in-magic, read-in-2011

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first in the series. The language was a bit repetitive. All in all it was a good story though. After book one, the story I was most looking forward to was Gregori's story. Now after reading this one, I'm even more excited to find out what happens to him. Unfortunately, I will have to wait for book four. Jacques was a great hero - very tormented but inherently good. This is a really interesting series.

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Sep 21, 2012 Tori rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ok so this series is not that great, but this one was better than the first. I keep wondering if they will get better since there are so many of them and they continue to sell. The real reason I am reading/listening to them is to kill time in the car, I have been getting them online from my public library and they don't have too many audio books online that are in the MP3 format that sound very good. I try to stick with the MP3 since the other doesn't allow for early turn in and you can only hav...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Lisa Marie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I don't understand what all the fuss is about over this series.
The women are pathetic, the men are ridiculously needy, and the plotline is weak. Having said that, I did at least finish it, so it must have something about it. What I'm not sure of.

The character of Shea really bothers me. She digs Carpathian Jacques out of the wall and even though he attacks her she still feels the need to help him out. As you do. Seriously, the women need to be much stronger than they are. If I had an overbearing...more

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Jan 14, 2011 Jen (Red Hot Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: carpathians, pararnormal-romance

"Dark Desire" is the 2nd book in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series. It picks up roughly 20-25 years after the events of Dark Prince. And this installment centers on Mikhail's brother Jacques.

A quick review of the mythology of the series: There's an ancient race of people who hail from the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. They drink blood; they can shapeshift and speak telepathically; they can't go in the sun. And after about 200 years, the men lose their emotions and their ability to see in...more "Dark Desire" is the 2nd book in Christine Feehan's Carpathian series. It picks up roughly 20-25 years after the events of Dark Prince. And this installment centers on Mikhail's brother Jacques.

A quick review of the mythology of the series: There's an ancient race of people who hail from the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. They drink blood; they can shapeshift and speak telepathically; they can't go in the sun. And after about 200 years, the men lose their emotions and their ability to see in color. That is, until they find the other half of their souls... their lifemates. Over time, living without a lifemate leaves a Carpathian man with two choices: ending his life or turning into a vampire, an evil being who lives to torment and kills his victims.

So, at the beginning of our story, poor Jacques has been kidnapped and tortured by some vampire hunters. Ironically, their strings are being pulled by a real vampire, and they are targeting the good Carpathians. Anyway, Jacques is tortured within an inch of his life, and is then buried alive in a coffin, where he suffers for seven years. During that time, his mind reaches out to Shea, the lifemate he has never met.

By the time seven years are done, Jacques is just about crazy. He doesn't remember who he is. And Shea is the only thing he knows, beyond his hate and quest for vengeance. He lures Shea from the US to Romania to free him. In all the years he had been making contact with her, Shea didn't even believe he was real... until she found him.

Once she comes to his gravesite, Shea frees Jacques and tries to heal him. (She is a doctor.) But he ravages her and takes her blood. In fact, he goes on to perform the requisite 3 blood transfers required to turn a human into a Carpathian. Despite his brutality and his serious mental and physical problems, Shea feels connected with Jacques. She reveals that even before the conversion, she was different from most humans. It turns out her father, Rand, was Carpathian. She never knew him. In fact, he left her mother before she was ever born and the loss of him drove her mom crazy. Shea grew up basically alone and had to deal with her physical differences on her own.

Jacques' madness is very sad, since we knew him as a sweet and easygoing guy in "Dark Prince." And it's wonderful to see Mikhail, Gregori, and others as they find the man they thought long dead. I could do without some of that Carpathian he-man pushiness, but I've learned that is par for the course with heroes in this series.

There's plenty of action as the vampire hunters search for Shea and the other Carpathians. The love scenes are hot, and fortunately, not quite so flowery as in the previous book. And it's high drama when the identity of the vampire is finally revealed.

A great chapter in the Carpathian series. 4 1/2 stars.
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Jan 04, 2013 Tonya Warner rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shea O'Halloran has always known she was different. Her life has been devoted to finding a cure for the strange blood disorder that plagues her life. A doctor and a surgeon, she researches all she can in her search for a cure. Finding out that evil men want her because of her disease, she runs to the Carpathian Mountains. She is drawn to them by a compulsion she can not resist. Drawn to the man in her dreams that calls to her.

Jacques is a Carpathian male. He is centuries old, but has finally fou...more

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Jun 25, 2011 Oleta Blaylock rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Dark/Carpathian series. This is a very dark story that will have some feeling uncomfortable. What Jacques endures and lives through for seven years is truly terrible. I love how he finds his way back and is able to carve a new life from all the destruction. I also love the way the Mikhail and Gregori snipe at each other throughout the book. It is a nice touch of humor in such a dark story. Shea is also a very troubled character. There is so little love in her life...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Shana (ReadingVixen) rated it 2 of 5 stars

I almost didn't finish this one. I slogged on through, because I know there are a ba-zillion more in this series, and I want to get to the 3rd one, since most of the time, the 3rd book is the "charm."

But, man..."Dark Desire" was really pissing me off. How can a man -- I don't care if he's Carpathian or not -- how can a man tell a woman he only wants her happiness, puts her above all others, is looking out for her, etc., and then FORCE her to accept HIS way of thinking, HIS way of doing things, H...more

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May 06, 2012 Bex 'n' Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

Passion and intrigue are thick and fast in Dark Desire. Feehan never fails to entertain and absorb me into her books and the lives and actions of her characters. What was refreshing about dark Desire, was the strength and determination of the female protagonist Shea. She rarely took things lying down *tongue in cheek*, rather her courage was admirable and extremely realistic, which I'm always impressed by considering the genre!

Jacques Dubrinsky, a brooding and of course gorgeous Carpathian, is e...more

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Jan 02, 2011 Ashley♥Alexis rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: het-paranormalromance

I've read several Carpathian novels (Yes I read them out of order) and this is by far my favorite. I absolutely loved Jillian. The tortured hero always gets to me. The one thing I didn't like about this story is the fact that Jacques is obviously not all there and I liked how he needed to relay on Shea just to keep him grounded but with the appearance of the other Carpathians all of a sudden he was back to normal. Yeah he had his dark moments but nothing like how Shea found him. I didn't mind th...more

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About Christine Feehan

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series. Each of her four series has hit #1 on the NY Times. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature for 1999. Since then she has been published by Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7...more

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Quotes from Dark Desire

“We could get kinky and see how bats and rats make love, he suggested in a whisper, warm breath against her neck.
You are a sick man, Jacques. Very, very sick.” — 24 people liked it

“I love you.” He grinned unexpectedly, traced he lower lip with the tip of a finger. “What is more, I know you love me. You hide it from yourself, but I found it in a little corner, tucked away in your mind.”
Shea stared up at the teasing smile on his face, then pushed at the solid wall of his chest. “You’re making that up.”
Jacques moved off her, then reached down to pull her to her feet. His clothes were scattered everywhere, and he made no move to retrieve them. Shea’s shirt was still hanging open, and her jeans were down around her ankles. Blushing, she pulled them up. His hand stayed hers, preventing her from fastening them. “Do not bother, Shea. The pools are just ahead.” He walked a few feet, then looked back over his shoulder. “I did not make it up, and I know you are staring at my backside.”
Shea tossed her mane of red hair so that it flew in all directions. “Any woman in her right mind would stare at your particular backside, so you don’t need to add that to your arrogant list of virtues. And stay out of my mind unless you’re invited.” She was staring, but she couldn’t help it. He was so beautifully masculine.
Jacques reached behind him and captured her hand, lacing their fingers together. “But I find the most interesting things in your mind, my love. Things you do not have any intention of telling me.” — 8 people liked it

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Dark Desire (Dark Carpathian #2)

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