Chains of Darkness

Men in Chains #2

by Caris Roane

Lucian has woken up bound in chains in a place he doesn't recognize. Weak from being tortured, beaten and cut to ribbons by a whip, he's filled with anger and confusion. Why is he here? What do his captors want from him? And just how much does his situation have to do with the beautiful woman in front of him?

Claire doesn't agree with the way her group has treated Lucian...even though he's a vampire. Torn by her own conscience, she asks one critical question: will he chain himself to her for his freedom? Her intention is to keep an eye on him, prevent him from harming anyone, and use him in her quest to stop the vampire race from their bloodthirsty acts of destruction. But Claire didn't expect Lucian's seductive power, and before she knows it, her captive has captured her own heart and soul.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Erotica, BDSM, Dark Romance

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

I confess I've had a love affaire with vampires for several years now, especially warrior vampires, the kind found in the books of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lara Adrian and JR Ward. Though I've been published in Regency Romance under the pseudonym Valerie King--and yes one of my Regency Novellas features a vampire--one day I woke up knowing I had to create my own contemporary world of the warrior vampire.

For some mystical, magical reason, early in the process, my vampires appeared with enormous beautiful wings and it has been the most amazing experience to include flight in my novels, in both battle scenes and scenes involving spectacle. My special vampire world, published by St. Martin's Press, is introduced in the first book called, ASCENSION (12-28-2010). The second book, BURNING SKIES (May of 2011), opens up the world a little bit more. And even as I write this, I'm on the final draft of my third novel, WINGS OF FIRE (September of 2011). What a thrill it has been to live with my ascended vampires through the creation of this extraordinary, multi-dimensional world!

For more information about my unique take on the vampire mythos, check out my website at carisroane.com and my book release video on YouTube by putting in the search phrase, Caris Roane Ascension.

With every hope you'll enjoy reading my books set in the World of Ascension, All my best, Caris Roane

Reviews

[Book Binge · Rating 1 out of 5]

Claire was abducted by vampires two years ago along with her friend Zoey and was held prisoner at the home of Daniel – the evil bastard trying to take over the world. She didn’t have it so bad, however, as she was nanny to a little boy (Josh from book #1). She was rescued and now wants to find her friend Zoey, if she’s still alive. She needs the help of Lucian who is a vampire and also Daniel’s son. She’ll even try to help Lucian find the extinction weapon that Daniel wants in exchange for his help, but only so Lucian can destroy it.

After reading book one in this series I was actually looking forward to reading the second book. Unfortunately this book has little to recommend it. I found myself first rolling my eyes when Lucian is rescued by Claire. He’s been a prisoner for a year in a cave and chained to a wall. She gets him to safety and does he bathe? No, he gets dressed and goes clubbing. What?

Then the book went on and I soon got very bored as the H/h seemed to be doing the same thing over and over: Meet, fuck. Save someone, fuck. Battle the evil guy, fuck. Rinse, repeat and fuck. God! Let’s do as little as possible and then fly to some secret home and screw our brains out – cuz that seems like a good idea when people are trying to kill you, right? There was also a lot of multiple orgasms, that apparently only a vampire can give you, with lots of blood drinking. They managed to fall in love through all of it but by that time I truly didn’t care.

I have the third book right here but I’m debating on taking my chances. Will it be good like book 1 or horrible like book 2? IDK, what do you think? sigh Decisions, decisions.

Rating: 1 out of 5

[Christi Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review:
This is the second book in the series, although there was a novella serial that came out between the first two books that I didn't read (I didn't realize it was out there until I read this one.) But I really like this world with the blood chains and tracking couples...it's a neat twist to add a new inventive way to write about vampires that Caris Roane has created.

This particular series follows Daniel's sons. Daniel is an evil Ancestral vampire...that's like the top tier of powerful vampires in this world. He had several sons by mating with human women, whom he then killed...the women...so that he could raise his sons as he saw fit. Read this to mean cruel and barbaric. Daniel is not a nice guy. He wants to rule all the vampires and humanity and thought his sons would help him. When they refused, he chained them up and tortured them. They've all been in that state for the last year.

This book is about Lucian. Most the vampires in this world have women who will be able to work better with them as "tracking mates." Daniel has found who those women are for his sons because he wants to track down a weapon that could mean the end to humanity and the vampire civilization. Claire is Lucian's mate, but instead of working with Daniel, she helps Lucian escape so they can thwart Daniel and his hunt.

This is a book ripe with tons of action and adventure. From the very beginning there is tons happening on the page. In fact the book only covers three actual days, but so much happens in that time frame, I felt like weeks had passed. There are two goals for Lucian and Claire. She was kidnapped with a friend two years ago by Daniel's minions. Claire is trying to rescue her friend, Zoey. While Lucian is trying to find the weapon before Daniel does. In the midst of all that is a sex club in Italy that they are using as a homebase...and things do get VERY sexy there.

Hmm, there are some really smexy scenes in this book between Lucian and Claire. He feels like there is this really dark side inside him that comes from his father. Lucian works very hard to keep it under wraps, but he and Claire are tied by blood-chains which enable her to read all parts of him. As a result, she is able to see and free that dark side with him and it makes for some great scenes. Warning...this does touch on BDSM, so if you don't like that, you should know.

I liked the first book and I really enjoyed this one, too. We see a glimpse of the final couple in the series at the end of the book and neither of them are in a great place...hmm, angst, I do enjoy it. As a result, I think I will REALLy like that one. I can't wait.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chains of Darkness is a paranormal romance.

Claire is coerced into saving Lucian from his evil father and to form a blood bond but Clare isn't totally innocent either. She wants to use Lucian to find her lost friend and stop the vampire race...which Lucian is a part. Although Lucian's goals very much mirror Claire's. Lucian's desires are evident and he actively pursues Claire. Is it the chains of the blood bond or something that goes much deeper?

Soon, they discover Claire's and Lucian's connection might have been manipulated by their darkest enemy, holding what both Claire and Lucian want most over their heads. Can they outwit this master manipulator and pure evil?

Chains of Darkness was a very typical but exciting dark fantasy. Sex, blood, action, evil, and power are all key elements in this plot. The strong evil presence keeps the story flow going while the main characters keep the sexual tension revving. I really enjoyed Chains of Darkness and look forward to the next victim that will succumb to love.

I received this ARC copy of Chains of Darkness from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. This book is set for publication July 1, 2014.

[♡ Sassy ~ Amy ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my second book by Caris Roan. I think there may be a lot of information needed in the world building found in the first book that I missed. I strongly suggest starting with the first book, so this one will make sense right from the beginning.

If you like the darker side of the vampire life & everyone wanting to kill each other for power, this is for you! It was full of darkness, torture & manipulation. Oh! And sex of course.

At first Claire binds herself to Lucian with the blood chain so Lucian can use her powers & combine with hers so he can escape his father who wants him to join him. Claire needs him to help find her friend. She also has ulterior motives, but she has an instant attraction to him right from the start and thinks it may just be the chains.

This is an original vampire story, although it reminded me a little of Christine Feehan's Shifter/vampire series. Having underground societies etc. and the joining through blood chains, it seemed the closest to that series.

For me, it was okay, but it was slower paced & confusing at times, because I felt like I was supposed to already "get it" when things were happening & the characters without much flashback.

[Shasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I've read a lot of vampire books and this has some differences that make it unique in the genre. But then, as many have noted, it is action/sex/action/sex/action etc.

I read this book first without knowing about the others so I was behind on some info. I was able to figure most out but feel that there is information in the first that is taken for granted in the second. Both the main characters have faced horrible situations yet they are cool. A few withdrawals and pangs of grief but explaining it away as they didn't have time for it felt unrealistic. The heroine was waaay understanding and forgiving with her situation that it didn't make sense.

The villain is always one step ahead but the MCs are surprised when he pops out of nowhere.

The sex is bdsm that progressively gets kinkier. Thankfully there is no pain involved.

I'm not going to seek out the rest but am not against reading more.

Mature content

[SaturNalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Claire is a human, deep in a cave prison on a mission to save Lucian. Lucian is a vampire, being tortured and held captive by his father. This set up interested me, Lucian is half mad from blood depravation and Claire is the only one who can help him, sounded wonderful. Unfortunately the book fell into a pattern, action, sex, action, sex, action, sex. After the first action sequence, Claire and Lucian were having sex. Several time both remark that they are strangers, they didn't have a chance to get to know each other because they were either saving the world or having sex. The sexy lingerie show was a bit out of place. The weapon Lucian was looking for, was found by two of the dumbest vampires in vampire land. The thing that really annoyed me was Claire, she had this great power of projecting and seeing through disguises (or holograms) but she was always in the background when it came to kicking ass during the action scenes. Nothing upset her, she laughed everything off. That did not come off tough, just unrealistic. Lucian destroyed the sex club she was kidnapped from, and Claire waited for him a few miles away. Why wasn't she upset over her lost freedom or being held captive for 2 years? When she had the chance to save Lucian she hesitated, even though she said she loved him. He was about to die by falling into a trap, and she had to think about if she should help him.
Lucian was the typical, wounded male who didn't feel worthy of Claire. I didn't like the couple and sadly did not enjoy their story.

[Annabelle Morehouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm more an Alpha girl and Claire and Lucien came off as perfect, compassionate do gooders with perfect bodies and rocks for brains. I wanted to like this book but after Claire disregards her safety, shrugs off trauma and near death it good repetitive and annoying. When the fashion show hit I wanted to give up but I am not a book quitter...normally so I pushed through. I would have liked to see more less cartoonish character personalities, and the fight scenes made me cringe with the over the top way they were written. I never connected with the characters....but I will say this...the smexy scenes made up for all the rest. Yes...I would have loved some more in the way of character development but Roane can steam up the pages.

[Firstpella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. 2.5...because it's Roane maybe 3. No where near as truly awesome as the first book in this series was. And throwing in a 3way because the H can split into two selves...snore.
The H was just this side of alpha which means not quite enough for me.
The h was strong and had a chemistry with the H but not enough to make me really feel the sorrow when they, for a very short time, separated with what each thought was forever.
And there was zero conflict...just battling the bad guy in what felt like a filler story since this is book 2 in a 3 story arc.
Please gosh may Marius' story be better because Roane can be great.

[Parajunkee · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I just couldn't get into this one, it was almost silly at times how congruent to "usual paranormal romance" themes it followed. Save the world, stop and have sex, try to save the world stop and have a lingerie runway show to display how hot the heroine is...have sex, try and save the world. Have sex---suck blood. Grrr...

[mer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

It was boring, couldn't connected with the main characters, they had no chemistry, too much sex, and didn't get to the matter until 70% of book but by that point I cared no longer.

Read on your own peril.

[TBA66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this series. Had a few problems, but not so much that I couldn't set them aside and enjoy the book. Lucian and Claire are great together. More than enough chemistry. Lots of sex. I couldn't understand why her feelings for Lucian didn't seem enough to make her want to stay in his world until the River of Lights scene. Up to then, Claire had seen only the evil/run-for-your-life side of life as a vampire. The River of Lights showed her the beauty that could be found there as well. The story contained a lot of action as well. HEA. I liked it.

Something I've been wondering since book one, just how does the extinction weapon work? I mean, if Daniel exterminated all vampires, wouldn't that include him? I'd like a little better explanation of how this thing works. We do finally get a better description of what it looks like, which I appreciated. I've been picturing something in the shape of a weed wacker. I don't know why...

Like another reviewer, I wondered too, why Lucian wouldn't want to shower immediately upon breaking out of a brutal prison after a year of torture. I mean, he had to stink!

There was a continuity problem regarding Claire's knowledge of Eve and The Ruby Cave. Lucian tells her about Eve and TRC on page 43 (paperback edition). Later, on page 147, Lucian explains it all again, and Claire acts as if this is all new information.

Typo on page 167: Claire is referred to as Lily, the heroine from book one, Born in Chains.

[Charice Lind mehring · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the second book in the series, it is a great continuation that builds on the original back story as well as adding a new layer to it. It brings in additional new characters and expands others involvement as it progresses.

The books in this series could be read as stand alones but if you want to get the whole back story and
how it develops and progresses, I would highly recommend reading each in turn and in order.

[Simplekind · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to force myself to finish this book. Why I felt that necessary, I don't know, but this book was rough to get through. So much of it made no sense. Like why didn't Lucien meet up with Adrien as soon as he got free? I just didn't understand many of his choices or his woman's.

[Linda]

kind of standard vampire stuff. not a lot of typos or anything like that.

[Karen Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An edgy, romantic fantasy, complex and intriguing plot with even more compelling protagonists in this underworld battle between good and evil among the vampires.

[mlady_rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The awkward style continues. I get the impression of children acting out a play. Overacting.

Still reading but ... why didn't he try to contact his brother? Let's go clubbing instead? Just weird and awkward.

No "hate him/ love him" dynamic in this one. Just tit for tat and sexual attraction.

The heroine is in search of her best friend who has been sex trafficed by the vamps. The hero is back to the search for the ultimate weapon.

***

Read two other books already. Marking this could not finish.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucian Briggs has been freed from the prison and chains that held him for a year along with his brothers Adrien and Marius by a human named Claire Turner. She's been told that Lucian will be able to help her find her friend Zoey, who's been sold into sex slavery. They'll both be required to don blood chains to fortify their partnership as a tracking team. In return for helping to locate Zoey, Claire will help Lucian find another extinction weapon that is reported to be hidden somewhere different from where the first weapon was located by his brother Adrien and Adrien's partner Lily.

Even prior to his imprisonment, Lucian has suffered tremendously at the hands of his father Daniel, an evil vampire bent on taking over the entire vampire world. Daniel has also murdered Marius and tortured Zoey to death, making Lucian and Claire even more determined to rid the world of both the second extinction weapon and Daniel himself. Aside from their task as tracking partners, Lucian and Claire are dealing with the effects of the blood chains, magnifying the confusing feelings they already have toward each other as well as allowing them to hear each other's thoughts.

Lucian suffers from blood madness, a result of his father's machinations while his sons were in prison. Being with Claire has helped open his eyes to the possibility that there is light and laughter in his world, a world that's known nothing but darkness and pain for far too long. When all is said and done, will Lucian and Claire be able to accomplish their mission and then readily let each other go or will their closeness be exploited by Daniel, whose powers as an Ancestral are so great that he's more than aware of just how much his son and the human woman are beginning to mean to each other.

Chains of Darkness is the second book in the Men of Chains series and focuses its attention on the vampire-human tracking duo of Lucian Briggs and Claire Turner. While similar to the first book, Born of Chains, in terms of a Briggs brother and a female human joining forces to look for an extinction weapon and falling for one another, this particular book brings to light blood madness and how it requires the sufferer to be chained down in order to not hurt himself and others. Also, compared to Lily Haven, Claire Turner is a more lighthearted characters, able to make Lucian laugh.

With a fascinating mix of romance, action, and thrills in a gorgeous paranormal package, Chains of Darkness gives a fresh take on vampires and does so quite well. As has been the norm with the first novel and the compilation novella, the female characters are rarely helpless and the partnership between them and their vampire counterpart highlights a balance of sorts and the need for them to work together. Even supporting characters like Gabriel, Rumy, and Eve capture a reader's interest, making for a well-developed cast to carry out an original story. This gets 4.5 stars, rounded off to five stars for GR. ♥

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second full length book in the Men in Chains series. These books feature powerful vampires living in a secret society under the noses of humans. Not all these vampires are peaceful though and Daniel , a thoroughly evil and sadistic vampire has taken over as the leader of their ruling body. Daniel is heavily involved in the trafficking of human slaves but not all of the vampires are as twisted as he is. Daniel has had sons with human women and will do anything to subvert them and make them as rotten as he is . Tortured and cruelly used Lucian, is held captive by his own hated father but with the help of one brave human woman he's about to escape!
Claire knows all about the vampires and the depraved slave practice. She is determined to find and free her friend Zoey but needs the help of a truly powerful vampire if she's to locate her missing friend. Claire will have to trust Lucian even though she knows he is suffering from bloodlust after being virtually starved by his own father. Connected by their mutual desire to do right the couple start the slow process of thwarting Daniel from achieving his biggest goal, complete and absolute world domination! Slavery is just the tip of the iceberg and finding the ultimate doomsday devise becomes a race that they can't afford to let Daniel win but if they can't save Zoey what will Claire do? Lucian may be everything she wants in a man but can he ever be what she needs?
I really enjoy this authors work and loved her recent serialisation set in this world but I didn't quite feel enamoured by this book. Oh Lucian is a hot, caring and almost sensitive guy and he's brave and prepared to sacrifice himself if need be but for me something was missing. I really wanted him to succeed but as this is a series the author couldn't let him completely save the day and we have to settle for a partial victory. He is not the usual arrogant male and at times really seemed to question his own worth whilst all those who support him referred to him as "boss". It wasn't exactly a case of low self esteem but it stopped me from fully embracing his alpha status.
Claire I felt was more believable as a heroine although the book does start with her already having abilities which could confuse new readers. I liked that it wasn't instant love although instant lust was certainly a part of this story and in this world we get to read about the most unusual type of ménage possible! So hot sex guaranteed !
I do like this series and it's such a change from all the bad ass warriors who live together and face a common enemy type of book that so many authors offer us. The writing is vivid, the emotions intense and the sexual content smoking! If you enjoy hot and sexy paranormal romance then this series is a must read!

[Paranormal Romance · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, I can safety determine this book to be THEE worst book I have ever read. It wasn't even comically bad- it was I'm-so-angry-bad. I was pissed I wasted my time, punishing myself for buying this book by forcing myself to read the damn thing to the very end. 300 pages of absolute torture. Basically, the hero is held imprisoned and tortured by his father who wants the hero to accept his role as Ancient and to rule humanity by his side.

The heroine has been given magical bonding chains that when put around the hero's neck will connect them and allow the hero enough strength to break out of prison. She does this despite the fact that it will bond her with a vampire and make her into a blood bank because the hero is the only man who can help her find her lost friend. A friend whom was kidnapped along with the heroine some time ago but unlike the heroine is still in the hands of the enemy. Using her power of disguise and invisibility, she succeeds in bonding with him and together they flee to the sex club where the can rest and gather a plan of attack. They sleep together almost immediately. They then proceed to have severely lack luster conversations followed up with severely luck luster sex. Oh, then they out clubbing, then they go a vista is Italy and then they attend a fashion show.... At the same time the friend is still missing but presumed dead, the enemy is offering millions of dollars for any tips as to the home of the Extinction weapon and the world is going to shit. Ok, let’s put aside the horrible plot for a moment and focus on the characters. Yes, the heroine could be considered admirable for her courage in the face of everything she's now having to deal with but that doesn't excuse the dull lifeless characters with literally zero chemistry.

There was no love between them let alone passion and it had the intensity of 2 mating turtles.... Ok, ok, let’s put aside the horrible plot and the passionless affair. The writing was just painful. It was like a 15 year of wrote it after watching twilight and 50 shades of gray back to back. It felt like the heroine had 2 days to shit out a story for the publisher and this was the result. I haven't read any books from this author so some time but I don't remember her other novels being this bad. Regardless I am seriously reluctant to even consider reading any further books of the series.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raging passion, blood, torture, more raging passion and the fight of good vs evil, sets the dark tone of Caris Roane’s Chains of Darkness. How do you conquer evil when it is more powerful, more devious and bordering on lunacy, especially when the heartless monster is your father? Held captive and tortured for years, Lucian is weak, broken and blood crazed, but when his rescuer arrives, all he sees is a beautiful woman, one his sex-starved body is craving. Claire is special, she is a rare being, human and on the hunt to save her best friend from a vampire slave ring. Will a special bond between these two enhance their abilities to take down their enemy and save the victims of their cruelty?

Caris Roane can melt the paint off the walls with her smoldering hot, intensely vivid sensual scenes that contain explosive chemistry between Lucian and Claire. Is it their need for the affirmation of life or is there more between them? Vibrant writing, graphic details in each scene and revelations that unfold with precise timing, Ms. Roane has created another hot and steamy read stamped with her signature formula.

I received an ARC edition from St. Martin's in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Men in Chains - Book 2
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ISBN-10: 1250035309
ISBN-13: 978-1250035301
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chains of Darkness, Caris Roane.
Review from jeannie zelos book reviews
Paranormal romance is a hook for me, and I really liked the sound of this read. I've not read any of Caris' books before, ( so many authors so little time...) and although this is the third in a series I understood it to be complete, so could be read as a standalone. That part was fine for me, I could follow the story easily and work out what was happening, and to whom and why. Sometimes jumping into an existing series it's not possible to keep up, but Caris gave enough info to make it simple.
What didn't work for me was everything seemed so slick, so well oiled – it was like here's the problem = aha, here's the solution....it was just there, at hand or someone there had the answer, or knew who/where to get it. There wasn't any worrying about how it would happen, nothing seemed to really go wrong. Claire seemed to have just the right powers and talents at the needed time, and Lucian, despite being captured by his father and kept in dire conditions, doesn't seem to have much after effects from it. There is one thing that keeps popping up, but even that scarely stops him.
I felt Claire and Lucian got on really well, too well for me, I need a bit of antagonism, a bit of thought, questions etc, before they roll into hot and steamy sex, but I didn't get it. That's just me though – we all like different things. I just want my characters to have to work hard for the rewards, and here I felt everything from the sex and romance, to the problems and puzzles, all worked out just that bit too easily and neatly for me. For something that had been missing for so long they found the thing they were looking for very quickly, as did Lucian's dad...it was as if they went almost straight there.
Stars: three, it's a decent read but not one i'd re read. If you like a light and easy to read paranormal this is for you, I just need a bit more to the story.
ARC supplied via Netgalley

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first moment they meet we knew that Lucian has a little somethin', somethin' happening with Claire, "they have." He leaned close, sniffing her neck and her cheek. "There is is again. You smell like sweet herbs. Your blood tastes like that as well." I liked the idea of the blood chains from this book that way there, there would be no lies and you know what the other is thinking, or feeling, "you're welcome." She spoke the words aloud, but her voice sounded hoarse. Worse, because of the blood-chains, she could feel how aroused he was. The vampire hadn't had sex in a long time. He was very male and would have needs." He is just so hot when he begs, "I can smell your sex, your desire, Claire." His voice came out in a soft purr. "Please come to me, give me release. Your blood has eased the madness, but now I have a new kind of agony." I loved Claire and Lucian together and I loved how alpha and the smugness Lucian had when Claire was concerned:
"Shower first," she whispered as he drew close to the bed.
"Right."
"You left a lot of yourself inside me." She felt his chest swell and sensed a very strong male satisfaction.
I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Rachel Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author, but I will definitely be going back to read other titles from her including the first book in this series. I know of no less then 10 patrons who would read this right now and love it just as much as I did. Lucien and Claire were clearly meant for each other and Claire's humor brought out the light side in Lucien and helped him to believe that he was truly worthy of love. I love when a sexy hero is a bit damaged and Lucien's daddy issues added to his serious and dark presence, not to mention the fact that his dad is still in the picture and is determined to be the vampire supreme and rule everyone. I almost thought at the end that Lucien would succeed in taking down David, but obviously there will be more books and it's good to have a storyline that continues throughout in order to connect the books.
A lot of times with paranormal romances, the sex scenes are inconveniently placed and it's a "let's fight, ok stop to have sex while in the middle of a dangerous situation, now let's fight again", but I was glad to see these characters had their priorities straight and the love scenes were extremely steamy and satisfying. Plus the blood taking wasn't super graphic and gory, which was a bonus.
Loved it!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Chains of Darkness by Caris Roane. So much so that I thought several times while reading this book, it reminded me of the early Christine Feehan books. I can’t really put my finger on why I thought this, maybe it was the flawed heroes who questioned themselves internally or the bonding being the two main characters. I know that I did like how the relationship between Lucian and Claire progressed. While attracted to each other they took the time to question and develop that relationship.

I had read part of the recent serialization by Ms. Roane that also takes place in this world and during this time period but did not feel as taken with those characters as I did with those in Chains of Darkness. Plus, I had not read the first book in the series but this story flowed smoothly without that added benefit so I feel I missed nothing in the enjoyment of reading this story. However, now I am interested in reading the first one, BORN IN CHAINS that is about Lucian’s brother.

Even more, I like how the story was tied up at the end. The beginning event is answered in the way I had so hoped but looked hopeless to come to be. I found this to be an entertaining paranormal romance. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chains never lie…

Book Two of the Men in Chains series picks up right where the first book left off and we get to visit with some of the characters who quickly became favorites.

We briefly heard about Claire when Lily was reunited with her son and we found out that she had escaped from Daniel’s compound where she was caring for Josh. At the beginning of the story she is dropped outside of a cavern system by Rumy with the expectation that she would rescue Lucian and together they would find her friend Zoey and continue the search for the extinction weapon.

Lucian is in bad shape when Claire gets to him but they quickly form a deep emotional bond that is enhanced by the blood chains. They battle Daniel and his minions several times as the hunt for the extinction weapon heats us.

Caris Roane incorporated a lot more action into this installment while the first book had more of a balance between emotion and action. She brought back most of the great characters from the first book but this one was lacking something. With that said, this is still a solid addition to a vampire series.

[She Hearts Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire has been rescued from captivity to save Lucien from his own. He was captured by his evil father and has been chained to a wall for more than a year. Claire has special powers which makes her a match for Lucien and enables her to hide them both in order to escape. They are bonded by the chains they wear around their necks, but there is even more that knits their hearts. They brave all sorts of danger and share some scorching hot moments together including one that involves splitting into two *holy hotness* and another involving levitation *holy hotness*. They will band together to fight Daniel and save everyone including themselves in the process.

I so loved Claire. She is brave and funny and sweet and sexy all wrapped up in one. She not only fights alongside Lucien, but fights for him and all they can be together. Lucien was over the top delicious. I also loved all of the people/vamps that surrounded them. I can wait to read Marius' story. I love this series.

I give Chains of Darkness 5 hearts!

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley Free Book

Lucian has been chained in a dungeon by his father for over a year. Although they are both vampires and his father rules that world, Lucian refuses to follow in his footsteps and help his father find an archaic device to help him kill all beings who will not submit. Clair was captured with her friend Zoey and they were both used by Lucian's father. When she was rescued she bound herself to Lucian in order to save Zoey. Now they both had a mission, to save the girl, find the object then destroy it and not fall in love.

Typical Vampire/Human love story. I put three stars on this because the author did a wondeful job in writing this novel. The way the story flowed in between chapters was done great. No confusion as to what is happening at all times.

The plot was typical also but executed well. The characters were actually fantastic. This novel was also very predictable but that did not take away from my enjoyment.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I read it because it sounded good and I got it as a free book. I fell in love with it. It's got a great vampire/human relationship. It has enough action as well as the love scenes. I think that Caris did well with bringing a new age of vampires to light. I like how the vampires can be linked to a human who has mystical powers with a chain and can do great things together. And I love how the humans can see how the vampires live even though it's cruel in some parts and beauty in others. Lucian is described as most vampires that are amazingly sexy and can draw any woman to him. Claire seems to be a normal human that has some powers to be able to create a wall to keep her and Lucian hidden from others. With their pairing, they are unlikely to love each other but after a while they both seem to fall in love and Claire decides to stay with Lucian in the end. I can't wait to read the other books.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be the second in the series but you do not need to read the others first. For me this series has a new twist with mates and special abilities and tacking pairs. It was really interesting.

Daniel has had Lucian locked up in a cave with his brothers hoping they will join him. Being the good guys, they refuse but have to endure torture, blood madness, and pain like they never have before.

Claire has endured her own type of pain...her and her best friend were abducted from a club over two years ago and now being separated and forced to do things for Daniel, Claire is free with some help.

What is the first thing you do once you're free? Go and rescue a vampire from a cave ;) Claire and Lucian are out to find the weapon thanks to their abilities as a tracking pair. Will they get to the weapon before Daniel? Will Claire find her friend? It just was a good book.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Big sigh).
I barely read vampire or BDSM books because they have gotten boring and overdone. BUT this book right here has made me almost beg for more. I started this book this morning, and am mad at myself because I am done already. I love a good strong alpha chick, and baby this was it. Even after all she went through, she had enough strength to help Lucien. I wish I'd slowed down. I'll probably read this again, now.