Christine Feehan's Blog - Posts Tagged "dark-promises"
Men of the Monastery: Dark Promises
High up in the Carpathian Mountains sits a monastery that is both sanctuary and self-imposed prison to ancient Carpathian warriors. These men know they are dangerous. They hope to keep others safe and prolong their existence by remaining within the walls of the monastery and keeping their darkness at bay. They are men, not of humanity, but of honor; not of this world, but of one long gone. The ways of the world are not known to them. Their savageness, needed to protect the world from evil vampires, is now their downfall. Who could love them, even if a lifemate was found? Who could overcome their savage nature, understand their break from humanity, accept their darkness enough to bring them into the light?
I created the monastery and the Carpathian warriors in it because I thought it would offer a unique hero, or heroes, to the Carpathian world. These are men who never served the new Prince. We don't know how old they are and how they felt about Mikhail's father. All we know is that they served as warriors who fought evil and kept us safe. They gave of themselves knowing it could kill them. Knowing they could be sacrificing their chance at finding a lifemate. And to ensure they remain honorable now that they have slipped into such darkness they are nearly savage, they shut themselves away to protect those around them.
I know there will be some people who will not care for the monastery Carpathians. They are too savage, too primal and lack even empathy. They feel nothing. They go entirely on instinct and what they remember of feelings. And therein lies the opportunity for me to create amazing heroines. The women who become lifemates to these men will have to have great courage and selflessness. They will need to be strong in ways they never imagined.
Dark Promises gives us a look at some of these men. We get a chance to look within the walls of the monastery. We have an opportunity to see the struggles of these men and just how far outside humanity they have come.
Who will save these men? Who would care for such savage warriors? Who would give of themselves to bring them back from the darkness. And if they cannot be saved, what should be done with them? It's these questions that I think make the monastery and its inmates so intriguing.
Dark Promises
I created the monastery and the Carpathian warriors in it because I thought it would offer a unique hero, or heroes, to the Carpathian world. These are men who never served the new Prince. We don't know how old they are and how they felt about Mikhail's father. All we know is that they served as warriors who fought evil and kept us safe. They gave of themselves knowing it could kill them. Knowing they could be sacrificing their chance at finding a lifemate. And to ensure they remain honorable now that they have slipped into such darkness they are nearly savage, they shut themselves away to protect those around them.
I know there will be some people who will not care for the monastery Carpathians. They are too savage, too primal and lack even empathy. They feel nothing. They go entirely on instinct and what they remember of feelings. And therein lies the opportunity for me to create amazing heroines. The women who become lifemates to these men will have to have great courage and selflessness. They will need to be strong in ways they never imagined.
Dark Promises gives us a look at some of these men. We get a chance to look within the walls of the monastery. We have an opportunity to see the struggles of these men and just how far outside humanity they have come.
Who will save these men? Who would care for such savage warriors? Who would give of themselves to bring them back from the darkness. And if they cannot be saved, what should be done with them? It's these questions that I think make the monastery and its inmates so intriguing.
Dark Promises
Romance and Character: Lessons Learned from Dark Promises, Power Game and Bound Together
Each romance is special and that includes the romance you find between my hero and heroine for each book I write. The couple is as unique together as they are as individuals and what each couple learns or teaches us about romance is varied as well.
In celebration of #RomanceWeek 2017 I wanted to share the lessons I feel these couples teach us (or at least me).
DARK PROMISES
Couple – Aleksei and Gabrielle
This couple started out so very different from each other. Aleksei is an ancient near the end of his time. He knows very little of the world outside the monastery where he has sequestered himself.
Gabrielle is a modern women who never wanted to be part of the Carpathian world. She wanted to remain human and have a normal, human life. But, circumstances took that from her and the only thing she had left to hope for was a human relationship. When that relationship is denied her she grasps at what she has longed for.
Aleksei is certain Gabrielle has betrayed him and likely cost him his life.
Gabrielle is certain that a Carpathian male like Aleksei is her worst nightmare.
LESSON: We often close the door on possibility when we become determined to force what we want into reality. What you think you want for your life isn’t always what’s best for you and you have to be open minded to that. Be open to the love offered instead of entrenched in one that can never be. I think everyone at some time in their life has learned this lesson, certainly I have.
There is a second couple in Dark Promises- Fane and Trixie
Outwardly this couple appears so very different from each other. Trixie is a great grandmother, but tenacious, independent and has a great sense of the theatrical which makes much of what she does hilarious. Fane is ancient and appears younger, though he is, in reality, hundreds of years older. Fane depends on structure in his life as he oversees the monastery and its dangerous inhabitants. He is stoic and serious and very, very determined.
Trixie is certain the only love left to her is that of family and she will fight the devil himself to save her beloved granddaughter. Even if that devil is achingly handsome. At her age, she knows better than to give in to good looks and a silver tongue.
Trixie is sure that Fane is dangerous, both to her life and to her heart. Because he appears younger and is so handsome she feels she’s too old for a love affair.
Fane has lived a long time without color, hope or love so when Trixie appears and he realizes she is his lifemate he knows this is his one chance at true love and to save his very soul. Now, he just has to convince her that they are destined for one another.
LESSON: Never resign yourself not finding love. Don’t let your view of yourself hinder your potential no matter your circumstances whether it be age or illness. Love and the potential for true love does not diminish with time. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. And never lose your ability to find humor in things…including yourself.
Dark Promises is out in paperback Feb. 21st.
Dark Promises
POWER GAME
Couple – Ezekiel and Bellisia
Having two very strong personalities Ezekiel and Bellisia were actually quite similar in many things. Unfortunately, those things were often what put them in conflict with each other. Both have a strong protective instinct and a desire to save others without having others risk themselves. Bellisia grew up thinking the Ghostwalker program was very dangerous and that Ghostwalkers can’t be trusted. Ezekiel has a strong loyalty to his Ghostwalker team and would die or kill to protect them.
Bellisia saves Ezekiel’s life despite her fear of capture by Ghostwalkers she doesn’t trust just to find her nightmare come true and she becomes imprisoned by Ezekiel’s team; a betrayal she blames Ezekiel for.
Ezekiel must choose between a mission that would save lives and remaining behind so Bellisia doesn’t have to be imprisoned until the team returns. He is put into a position of ensuring his team’s safety and proving to Bellisia he cares for her.
LESSON: Trust and partnership are essential to building a relationship and sometimes that trust must extend to that person’s inner-circle as well. It’s important to always have each other’s back and to feel you are equals.
Power Game is currently available in hardback, ebook and audiobook.
Power Game
BOUND TOGETHER
Couple- Viktor and Blythe
Some love affairs burn hot and immediate, and the embers of the aftermath when it all goes wrong can burn forever. Viktor and Blythe’s relationship was one that was overpowering for them both, but built on deception because Viktor was on a mission and Blythe was a way to reach his target. But, Viktor finds he’s lost his heart to Blythe before he must move on to the next mission and his messages to her asking her to wait for him are never received, so Blythe is left heartbroken and devastated. Then, years later Viktor returns, once again on a mission, but this time he plans on claiming Blythe. Blythe thought their marriage was a farce and has moved on, so when she sees Viktor on his motorcycle, sexier than ever, she knows to protect her heart at all cost.
Blythe has endured tragedy Viktor has no idea of and heartache she feels he could never comprehend. So, finding out their marriage is real and not only does he want her back, he wants her to help him care for an entire band of misfits and outcasts does not encourage her to forgive him.
Viktor would do anything to have the one good thing he’s ever known in his life: Blythe. She was unexpected, amazing and he has no plans on giving up on getting her back. But, when he finds out what she’s endured in his absence, and what danger she and the entire town of Sea Haven are in, he realizes he might have to give up everything to make things right.
LESSON: Sometimes we hurt those we love most. The road to redemption can be long and cost more than you imagined. That forgiveness can be difficult to give when you’re still hurting. But, without redemption and forgiveness love can’t exist. And that family isn’t always something we’re born into. Sometimes family is what we define for ourselves with those we choose to bring in and keep with us.
Bound Together will be released in paperback March 21st.
Romance couples always have conflict, both inner and outside and part of what I love about romance novels is that we, as readers, get to see how those couples must overcome their own issues and find courage that will allow them to have the love they long for.
Can you name some romance novel couples that you feel taught you a valuable lesson about love?
Bound Together
Follow @AuthorCFeehan
In celebration of #RomanceWeek 2017 I wanted to share the lessons I feel these couples teach us (or at least me).
DARK PROMISES
Couple – Aleksei and Gabrielle
This couple started out so very different from each other. Aleksei is an ancient near the end of his time. He knows very little of the world outside the monastery where he has sequestered himself.
Gabrielle is a modern women who never wanted to be part of the Carpathian world. She wanted to remain human and have a normal, human life. But, circumstances took that from her and the only thing she had left to hope for was a human relationship. When that relationship is denied her she grasps at what she has longed for.
Aleksei is certain Gabrielle has betrayed him and likely cost him his life.
Gabrielle is certain that a Carpathian male like Aleksei is her worst nightmare.
LESSON: We often close the door on possibility when we become determined to force what we want into reality. What you think you want for your life isn’t always what’s best for you and you have to be open minded to that. Be open to the love offered instead of entrenched in one that can never be. I think everyone at some time in their life has learned this lesson, certainly I have.
There is a second couple in Dark Promises- Fane and Trixie
Outwardly this couple appears so very different from each other. Trixie is a great grandmother, but tenacious, independent and has a great sense of the theatrical which makes much of what she does hilarious. Fane is ancient and appears younger, though he is, in reality, hundreds of years older. Fane depends on structure in his life as he oversees the monastery and its dangerous inhabitants. He is stoic and serious and very, very determined.
Trixie is certain the only love left to her is that of family and she will fight the devil himself to save her beloved granddaughter. Even if that devil is achingly handsome. At her age, she knows better than to give in to good looks and a silver tongue.
Trixie is sure that Fane is dangerous, both to her life and to her heart. Because he appears younger and is so handsome she feels she’s too old for a love affair.
Fane has lived a long time without color, hope or love so when Trixie appears and he realizes she is his lifemate he knows this is his one chance at true love and to save his very soul. Now, he just has to convince her that they are destined for one another.
LESSON: Never resign yourself not finding love. Don’t let your view of yourself hinder your potential no matter your circumstances whether it be age or illness. Love and the potential for true love does not diminish with time. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. And never lose your ability to find humor in things…including yourself.
Dark Promises is out in paperback Feb. 21st.
Dark Promises
POWER GAME
Couple – Ezekiel and Bellisia
Having two very strong personalities Ezekiel and Bellisia were actually quite similar in many things. Unfortunately, those things were often what put them in conflict with each other. Both have a strong protective instinct and a desire to save others without having others risk themselves. Bellisia grew up thinking the Ghostwalker program was very dangerous and that Ghostwalkers can’t be trusted. Ezekiel has a strong loyalty to his Ghostwalker team and would die or kill to protect them.
Bellisia saves Ezekiel’s life despite her fear of capture by Ghostwalkers she doesn’t trust just to find her nightmare come true and she becomes imprisoned by Ezekiel’s team; a betrayal she blames Ezekiel for.
Ezekiel must choose between a mission that would save lives and remaining behind so Bellisia doesn’t have to be imprisoned until the team returns. He is put into a position of ensuring his team’s safety and proving to Bellisia he cares for her.
LESSON: Trust and partnership are essential to building a relationship and sometimes that trust must extend to that person’s inner-circle as well. It’s important to always have each other’s back and to feel you are equals.
Power Game is currently available in hardback, ebook and audiobook.
Power Game
BOUND TOGETHER
Couple- Viktor and Blythe
Some love affairs burn hot and immediate, and the embers of the aftermath when it all goes wrong can burn forever. Viktor and Blythe’s relationship was one that was overpowering for them both, but built on deception because Viktor was on a mission and Blythe was a way to reach his target. But, Viktor finds he’s lost his heart to Blythe before he must move on to the next mission and his messages to her asking her to wait for him are never received, so Blythe is left heartbroken and devastated. Then, years later Viktor returns, once again on a mission, but this time he plans on claiming Blythe. Blythe thought their marriage was a farce and has moved on, so when she sees Viktor on his motorcycle, sexier than ever, she knows to protect her heart at all cost.
Blythe has endured tragedy Viktor has no idea of and heartache she feels he could never comprehend. So, finding out their marriage is real and not only does he want her back, he wants her to help him care for an entire band of misfits and outcasts does not encourage her to forgive him.
Viktor would do anything to have the one good thing he’s ever known in his life: Blythe. She was unexpected, amazing and he has no plans on giving up on getting her back. But, when he finds out what she’s endured in his absence, and what danger she and the entire town of Sea Haven are in, he realizes he might have to give up everything to make things right.
LESSON: Sometimes we hurt those we love most. The road to redemption can be long and cost more than you imagined. That forgiveness can be difficult to give when you’re still hurting. But, without redemption and forgiveness love can’t exist. And that family isn’t always something we’re born into. Sometimes family is what we define for ourselves with those we choose to bring in and keep with us.
Bound Together will be released in paperback March 21st.
Romance couples always have conflict, both inner and outside and part of what I love about romance novels is that we, as readers, get to see how those couples must overcome their own issues and find courage that will allow them to have the love they long for.
Can you name some romance novel couples that you feel taught you a valuable lesson about love?
Bound Together
Follow @AuthorCFeehan
There's Something About Gary
Some of this blog has spoilers in it and I’ve tried to identify for you which books the blog may have spoilers for. So you’ve been forewarned! Read at your own risk!
SPOILERS FOR DARK BLOOD/DARK PROMISES
Gary Jansen, the American scientist who we meet in Dark Magic, eventually becomes Gary Daratrazanoff when he is converted in Dark Blood. So, Gary has been with the series for a long time. And he’s been through a lot, earning the loyalty of the Carpathians, so he’s become a much-loved character with readers. We find out he is Human/Jaguar and we think his lifemate will be Gabrielle, but when the ritual binding words don’t work between them they know their feelings as humans has changed and as Carpathians they can only be friends.
Gary’s story has progressed so much and a lot of what’s happened to him has endeared him to readers and often surprised readers. The fact he was converted, that he’s now a Daratrazanoff, his human love interest was NOT his lifemate, he kept the memories of the Daratrazanoff line and is a great healer, he lost his ability to see in color all at once and with Dark Legacy we find out another surprise about Gary that may have readers discussing this character for a while.
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR DARK LEGACY
So much has changed for the Carpathians. We find out in Dark Legacy that there’s more to lifemates than people may have realized, those some readers did catch it, and this new information may cause an epiphany for some readers/Gary supporters.
We also find that Tariq is Mikhail’s chosen leader in the United States, and as Tariq builds his own team and fights his own battles, he is in need of a Second in Command. And a great healer. Someone preferably from the Daratrazanoff line. Yes, you guessed it, Gary is going to be Tariq’s second just like Gregori is Mikhail’s.
Gary’s life has been turned upside down in just about every book in which he appears. But, if you think Dark Promises was surprising, just wait until Dark Legacy.
SPOILERS FOR DARK BLOOD/DARK PROMISES
Gary Jansen, the American scientist who we meet in Dark Magic, eventually becomes Gary Daratrazanoff when he is converted in Dark Blood. So, Gary has been with the series for a long time. And he’s been through a lot, earning the loyalty of the Carpathians, so he’s become a much-loved character with readers. We find out he is Human/Jaguar and we think his lifemate will be Gabrielle, but when the ritual binding words don’t work between them they know their feelings as humans has changed and as Carpathians they can only be friends.
Gary’s story has progressed so much and a lot of what’s happened to him has endeared him to readers and often surprised readers. The fact he was converted, that he’s now a Daratrazanoff, his human love interest was NOT his lifemate, he kept the memories of the Daratrazanoff line and is a great healer, he lost his ability to see in color all at once and with Dark Legacy we find out another surprise about Gary that may have readers discussing this character for a while.
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR DARK LEGACY
So much has changed for the Carpathians. We find out in Dark Legacy that there’s more to lifemates than people may have realized, those some readers did catch it, and this new information may cause an epiphany for some readers/Gary supporters.
We also find that Tariq is Mikhail’s chosen leader in the United States, and as Tariq builds his own team and fights his own battles, he is in need of a Second in Command. And a great healer. Someone preferably from the Daratrazanoff line. Yes, you guessed it, Gary is going to be Tariq’s second just like Gregori is Mikhail’s.
Gary’s life has been turned upside down in just about every book in which he appears. But, if you think Dark Promises was surprising, just wait until Dark Legacy.
The Last Hope for The Ancients
High up in the Carpathian Mountains is a monastery hidden away called the Retreat in the Veil of Mists. Until recently, this monastery was the last refuge for those ancient Carpathian warriors who hoped to keep humanity safe by locking themselves away and working to keep the darkness at bay.
These warriors are men of honor, suffering and in despair. They didn’t feel suicide was right and so they sought the company of others like themselves, looking for both sanctuary and camaraderie. Though, without the hope of ever finding a lifemate it was a lonely existence.
But, the outside world slipped in, in Dark Ghost, when Fane introduces himself as keeper of the monastery to Teagan and offers his assistance as well as the assistance of the warriors within the monastery. We learn much more about the monastery and its inhabitants in Dark Promises when Gabrielle follows Gary and finds, in a very horrible way, that Aleksei, one of the monk warriors, is her lifemate. Aleksei brings Gabrielle inside the monastery as he determines her fate, and his own. It is here in Dark Promises that two modern women are found to be lifemates; Gabrielle and Aleksei and then Trixie and Fane. The ancients can see for themselves that there’s hope out in the world now that they know psychic women can be lifemates.
With the ancients now aware that human women can be lifemates many of them join Tariq Asenguard in Southern California where he has set up a compound and monitors vampire activity, something that soon becomes an all-out war. More ancients join as the battle continues and we find in Dark Carousel that Tarqi has been chosen by Mikhail, the Prince, to represent him in the United States.
In Dark Legacy we discover that the vampires have a plan and are strategically working toward carrying out that plan, which includes killing Tariq and everyone who is helping him. Dark Legacy has a lot of action as the battle begins to spread and a huge twist leaves the danger growing more than the Carpathians realize. Dark Legacy also has some surprises that readers will be excited about and this revelation will reverberate throughout the next several books.
Dark Sentinel brings the New Guard together in a new way. And, we’re re-introduced to the human society of vampire hunters that have joined in the fray. Andor, one of the ancient warriors, is attacked on several fronts leaving him to die, which he is ready for. In order to save him it will take his lifemate and the New Guard of ancient warriors to ban together along with Gary Daratrazanoff, a great and powerful healer. But, they have to completely trust in each other, because there’s only one way to save Andor, and it’s never been tried before. If something goes wrong, some, or all even all of them, could die.
These ancients have suffered a long time and finally have a shot at finding a lifemate. They have hope for the first time in centuries. They just have to hold out a little longer. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Chapter 1 of Dark Legacy
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These warriors are men of honor, suffering and in despair. They didn’t feel suicide was right and so they sought the company of others like themselves, looking for both sanctuary and camaraderie. Though, without the hope of ever finding a lifemate it was a lonely existence.
But, the outside world slipped in, in Dark Ghost, when Fane introduces himself as keeper of the monastery to Teagan and offers his assistance as well as the assistance of the warriors within the monastery. We learn much more about the monastery and its inhabitants in Dark Promises when Gabrielle follows Gary and finds, in a very horrible way, that Aleksei, one of the monk warriors, is her lifemate. Aleksei brings Gabrielle inside the monastery as he determines her fate, and his own. It is here in Dark Promises that two modern women are found to be lifemates; Gabrielle and Aleksei and then Trixie and Fane. The ancients can see for themselves that there’s hope out in the world now that they know psychic women can be lifemates.
With the ancients now aware that human women can be lifemates many of them join Tariq Asenguard in Southern California where he has set up a compound and monitors vampire activity, something that soon becomes an all-out war. More ancients join as the battle continues and we find in Dark Carousel that Tarqi has been chosen by Mikhail, the Prince, to represent him in the United States.
In Dark Legacy we discover that the vampires have a plan and are strategically working toward carrying out that plan, which includes killing Tariq and everyone who is helping him. Dark Legacy has a lot of action as the battle begins to spread and a huge twist leaves the danger growing more than the Carpathians realize. Dark Legacy also has some surprises that readers will be excited about and this revelation will reverberate throughout the next several books.
Dark Sentinel brings the New Guard together in a new way. And, we’re re-introduced to the human society of vampire hunters that have joined in the fray. Andor, one of the ancient warriors, is attacked on several fronts leaving him to die, which he is ready for. In order to save him it will take his lifemate and the New Guard of ancient warriors to ban together along with Gary Daratrazanoff, a great and powerful healer. But, they have to completely trust in each other, because there’s only one way to save Andor, and it’s never been tried before. If something goes wrong, some, or all even all of them, could die.
These ancients have suffered a long time and finally have a shot at finding a lifemate. They have hope for the first time in centuries. They just have to hold out a little longer. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Chapter 1 of Dark Legacy
My Official Website
