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Frailty: The Darkshine
Helina Alges struggles to stay alive and escape a race of vampires that have claimed the world as their own. When one vampire takes a special interest in Helina, she realizes she is the prey to a very deadly predator.
When she meets Gaijryc, the prince of the vampires that have taken over the world, she must put her trust and her very life in his hands. Together they find passion in each other's arms, but with danger all around them, they don't realize that their act of passion has just made the situation more deleterious.
When she meets Gaijryc, the prince of the vampires that have taken over the world, she must put her trust and her very life in his hands. Together they find passion in each other's arms, but with danger all around them, they don't realize that their act of passion has just made the situation more deleterious.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2011
80 people are currently reading
521 people want to read
About the author
Jenika Snow
447 books8,880 followersJenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and has been a published writer since 2009.
She can be found at:
www.jenikasnow.com
FB: www.facebook.com/jenikasnow
Twitter: twitter.com/jenikasnow
Email: Jenika_Snow@yahoo.com
She can be found at:
www.jenikasnow.com
FB: www.facebook.com/jenikasnow
Twitter: twitter.com/jenikasnow
Email: Jenika_Snow@yahoo.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 10, 2026
3.5⭐️ 3🌶
Surprisingly fast paced novella that packs a bit of age gap and smut and plot. Falling for your step dad after you graduate from college and are back home to help clean up the house. This taboo tale blends spice and some plot in a fun size treat.
Tropes and triggers: age gap, step parent, forbidden romance, light bdsm, family dynamics
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
Surprisingly fast paced novella that packs a bit of age gap and smut and plot. Falling for your step dad after you graduate from college and are back home to help clean up the house. This taboo tale blends spice and some plot in a fun size treat.
Tropes and triggers: age gap, step parent, forbidden romance, light bdsm, family dynamics
I received an advanced copy for an honest review.
February 26, 2014
A GREAT VAMPIRE LOVE STORY
Helina Alges wakes up one morning to find that vampires have taken over the world. The human population are either murdered, made into blood slaves or used as servants. Helina hides away in a cave in the forest, when her meagre supplies run low, she ventures out to forage for food. That's when she's found by Gaijryc prince of the vampires. What Helina doesn't expect is how this deadly vampire makes her feel.
What a great love story this is. A forbidden love between a vampire and a human. I loved the characters, the baddies and the goodies, they were all well done. With plenty of hot love scenes and plenty of twists and turns to the plot I loved it. More please.
Helina Alges wakes up one morning to find that vampires have taken over the world. The human population are either murdered, made into blood slaves or used as servants. Helina hides away in a cave in the forest, when her meagre supplies run low, she ventures out to forage for food. That's when she's found by Gaijryc prince of the vampires. What Helina doesn't expect is how this deadly vampire makes her feel.
What a great love story this is. A forbidden love between a vampire and a human. I loved the characters, the baddies and the goodies, they were all well done. With plenty of hot love scenes and plenty of twists and turns to the plot I loved it. More please.
February 1, 2015
A different take on vampires, they have taken over the world. Humans are either killed, taken as slaves or pets for their new masters. After seeing what happened to her sister, Helina hides out in a cave in the woods. She's seen by Gaijryc high prince of the Darkshine. He's entranced by Helina, he's not as cruel as some others of his kind and regrets their treatment towards humans. As they grow closer Gaijryc knows he needs to protect Helina, but there is danger from another who wants him.
Beautifully written story with plenty of action drama and romance.
Beautifully written story with plenty of action drama and romance.
February 4, 2015
great story loved every minute of it
February 21, 2015
Yep, worked for me. Hope there will be more in the series x
March 10, 2026
Win forbiddenness overcomes regret and tension wins
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥🔥🔥
🖤TROPES🖤
•Ex Step Father
• Exhibitionism
•Age Gap
•Novella
•Push and Pull
•Forced Proximity
MY THOUGHTS 💭
Book starts out with Lila coming home, from college it's been about 5 years and the way things were left when she went to college is not what she's coming home to her ex stepfather is letting her stay with him so she can get on her feet for her new job and help pack up the house he's ready to move on after his divorce from her mother.
Low and behold there is underlining tension and lines become blurred and there is an overwhelmingly abundantly clear reality that once a line is crossed you can't go back.
What they do from there is this push and pull game of regret remorse on his side but yet she can't regret it because it feels so right when it's so wrong.
I give my man Marcus credit he really tries to resist temptation and the tabooness of it all but she's the missing piece that makes him feel alive and I think after everything this man has been through he deserves that missing piece.
So get ready for spice a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it and a man willing to lay down his grief and dive into her.
Keywords: stepfather /stepdaughter/age Gap/ size difference /read between the lines/ Force proximity/tension
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥🔥🔥🔥
🖤TROPES🖤
•Ex Step Father
• Exhibitionism
•Age Gap
•Novella
•Push and Pull
•Forced Proximity
MY THOUGHTS 💭
Book starts out with Lila coming home, from college it's been about 5 years and the way things were left when she went to college is not what she's coming home to her ex stepfather is letting her stay with him so she can get on her feet for her new job and help pack up the house he's ready to move on after his divorce from her mother.
Low and behold there is underlining tension and lines become blurred and there is an overwhelmingly abundantly clear reality that once a line is crossed you can't go back.
What they do from there is this push and pull game of regret remorse on his side but yet she can't regret it because it feels so right when it's so wrong.
I give my man Marcus credit he really tries to resist temptation and the tabooness of it all but she's the missing piece that makes him feel alive and I think after everything this man has been through he deserves that missing piece.
So get ready for spice a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it and a man willing to lay down his grief and dive into her.
Keywords: stepfather /stepdaughter/age Gap/ size difference /read between the lines/ Force proximity/tension
March 10, 2026
Lila met Marcus when he married her mother. She was eighteen, graduating high school, and heading to college. Five years later, she returned but now her mom and Marcus are divorced. Moving back into the family home seems strange but comfortable. When Marcus tells her about what led up to the divorce, it wasn’t much of a surprise. When they start packing the house up to sell, Lila decides to take the plunge. The taboo relationship these two have is great when Marcus isn’t fighting it. At times, the story seems to hurt in the heart. Lila is fighting to have a relationship with Marcus and he sees it as wrong. But what is wrong. They aren’t blood. So he was married to her mother, past tense. Why can’t they be happy. Why does what other’s think make it an issue. Thank goodness they fight through and find love and happiness with each other.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2026
It was hot but felt like it was missing something
The chemistry between Lila and Marcus was so real and hot. How much they cared for one another was very heartfelt. Marcus thinking that maybe Lila should move on with her life instead of being with a man old enough to be her father. I guess I was expecting to get more of a story out of it too, but it was pretty good for a short story. I wish there had been more intimate times but what was included was top tier.
The chemistry between Lila and Marcus was so real and hot. How much they cared for one another was very heartfelt. Marcus thinking that maybe Lila should move on with her life instead of being with a man old enough to be her father. I guess I was expecting to get more of a story out of it too, but it was pretty good for a short story. I wish there had been more intimate times but what was included was top tier.
March 16, 2026
A little bit sweet, a whole lot of taboo!
A little bit sweet, a whole lot of taboo! The 20th book in the popular A Real Man series brings Marcus and Lila’s story to life in the best way. He’s the ex-stepdad and she’s the step daughter that grew up. When she returns to town to help him, it brings a taboo relationship that he tries hard to ignore. What happens next was a quick and deliciously steamy romance story that did not disappoint.
A little bit sweet, a whole lot of taboo! The 20th book in the popular A Real Man series brings Marcus and Lila’s story to life in the best way. He’s the ex-stepdad and she’s the step daughter that grew up. When she returns to town to help him, it brings a taboo relationship that he tries hard to ignore. What happens next was a quick and deliciously steamy romance story that did not disappoint.
March 17, 2026
I love a good age gap❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Darkness: 🤍🩶
Ending: HEA
Epilogue: YES
4 Stars: Highly Recommend!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommending it often. It may not be a personal all-time favorite, but it's a well written story.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 - Good blend of spice and storyline. Detailed scenes. Praise talk. Deliciously naughty. Steamy. Obsessive. Kisses that can be felt for days and a little D/s ❤️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Darkness: 🤍🩶
Ending: HEA
Epilogue: YES
4 Stars: Highly Recommend!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommending it often. It may not be a personal all-time favorite, but it's a well written story.
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 - Good blend of spice and storyline. Detailed scenes. Praise talk. Deliciously naughty. Steamy. Obsessive. Kisses that can be felt for days and a little D/s ❤️
April 7, 2019
I’ve read a few Vampire series and this has got to be my favorite! The Darkshine Vampires have taken over the world. Killing humans, turning them in to servants or pets. Helina escaped. Fearing for her life, until she ran into Gaijrye. The Darkshine Prince.....what happens? Read the story. Jenika did an amazing job! Love her!
March 16, 2026
Marcus and Lila
Short and easy read. Loved the intensity. The author narrated well the tension between the characters. The attraction as well as their resistance on taking the forbiden step.
Short and easy read. Loved the intensity. The author narrated well the tension between the characters. The attraction as well as their resistance on taking the forbiden step.
March 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦
MF
Stepfather
Forbidden
Short Story
56/26
MF
Stepfather
Forbidden
Short Story
56/26
March 12, 2026
3 1/2. Steamy and sexy with an hea. 80 pages
no-to-novella
March 14, 2026I mean.....it was a novella. Not really anything to comment on. It was taboo so if you're into that, have fun. I didn't like the push and pull. Too much for me.
March 12, 2026
This is short novella that is really well written with tons of spicy. The characters are interesting and the wrighting keeps the age gap and step relationship from being creepy. Overall a fun short read.
August 15, 2016
Aside from Gaijryc acting like a damn martyr and not manning up for the woman he loved until, of course, it was to late, this wasn't so bad.
Fast paced and very engaging, though vampire stories tend to be that way, I enjoyed this read and will gladly read more, should JS decide to write more books like these.
There were many confusing bits, hence my three star rating instead of four or five. For example:
1) Were Gaijryc's eyes green or blue? Every time Helina mentioned his eyes, she always said a different color.
2) How the hell does Helina know that Ryce is the Darkshine that killed her sister? When Gaijryc first mentions his name, she automatically 'knew' he was the one, but how? It's like a whole section of the story is missing! All she had was his physical description, she never knew his name...see confusing.
3) At one point Gaijryc is feeding Helina from his wrist, but a few lines later during the same scene, it mentions her pulling away from his neck! WTF!!
4) Also during another scene, she supposedly took her shorts off but then, again, a few lines down, same scene, he pulls down her jeans! So which is it?
All these little confusing scenes and grammatical errors, of which there were a bunch, made for a low rating, despite it being an enjoyable read!
Fast paced and very engaging, though vampire stories tend to be that way, I enjoyed this read and will gladly read more, should JS decide to write more books like these.
There were many confusing bits, hence my three star rating instead of four or five. For example:
1) Were Gaijryc's eyes green or blue? Every time Helina mentioned his eyes, she always said a different color.
2) How the hell does Helina know that Ryce is the Darkshine that killed her sister? When Gaijryc first mentions his name, she automatically 'knew' he was the one, but how? It's like a whole section of the story is missing! All she had was his physical description, she never knew his name...see confusing.
3) At one point Gaijryc is feeding Helina from his wrist, but a few lines later during the same scene, it mentions her pulling away from his neck! WTF!!
4) Also during another scene, she supposedly took her shorts off but then, again, a few lines down, same scene, he pulls down her jeans! So which is it?
All these little confusing scenes and grammatical errors, of which there were a bunch, made for a low rating, despite it being an enjoyable read!
January 30, 2015
Darkshine Prince
This book was absolutely phenomenal. From the first page to the last this books holds you captured with the wonderful story line and the amazing chemistry between the main characters. It's a story of forbidden love between a vampire and a human and what they go through to be together. Gaijryc who is a prince among the vampires who has claimed the world as their own meets Helina who is suffering from her own tragic loss and is alone in the world. When these to come together its sweet and also heartbreaking because he wants her for his mate but knows that it is not allowed and she finally opens her heart and trust him but circumstances and rules keeps them apart. Their is a wonderful array of secondary characters that makes me hope that Jenika continues this story and make it a series. It was definitely different from what I normally read by her but definitely one of my favorites and if you love paranormal definitely check this book out it's so good.
This book was absolutely phenomenal. From the first page to the last this books holds you captured with the wonderful story line and the amazing chemistry between the main characters. It's a story of forbidden love between a vampire and a human and what they go through to be together. Gaijryc who is a prince among the vampires who has claimed the world as their own meets Helina who is suffering from her own tragic loss and is alone in the world. When these to come together its sweet and also heartbreaking because he wants her for his mate but knows that it is not allowed and she finally opens her heart and trust him but circumstances and rules keeps them apart. Their is a wonderful array of secondary characters that makes me hope that Jenika continues this story and make it a series. It was definitely different from what I normally read by her but definitely one of my favorites and if you love paranormal definitely check this book out it's so good.
January 30, 2015
This book was an amazing read. Helina is human and is forced into hiding. She is in hiding to stay alive. Then a what appears to be her worst nightmare enters her life and she soon discovers that not all monsters are bad. Gaijryc is a prince. Prince of vampires he is evil when needs to be but when he meets Helina something changes in him. Now they must kept their forbidden secrets hidden or Helina will sure to pray the price. This book had both dark times but so many good and light times. I read this when it was formally written as Forbidden and after re-reading this my only problem with this story is that it ended. If you love a great tale about vampires and good vs evil then definitely check this out.
*******Was given an ARC for an honest review**********
*******Was given an ARC for an honest review**********
February 5, 2015
pretty good.
This book seems to take place in ore sent time (jeans, cars, electronics, etc) but sometimes they way the characters speak is a bit archaic. And the names of the characters and the spelling...I'm not sure if I was pronouncing the, correctly. But it was a good vampire loves forbidden human book. Complete with power hungry jealous ex who threatens new human love interest unless hot vampire prince marries her instead. But it was well written and kept my interest.
This book seems to take place in ore sent time (jeans, cars, electronics, etc) but sometimes they way the characters speak is a bit archaic. And the names of the characters and the spelling...I'm not sure if I was pronouncing the, correctly. But it was a good vampire loves forbidden human book. Complete with power hungry jealous ex who threatens new human love interest unless hot vampire prince marries her instead. But it was well written and kept my interest.
February 23, 2015
Unique vampire romance
The story is well written and creative. The intimate scenes are erotic. There was angst,enjoyable characters as well as characters I wanted to maim.
I took a star away for poor editing...
Yeah, it was a bit painful at times.
All in all I recommend.
I finished it quickly , it was a short read which is another complaint . Or really, more like a plea for more
Cheers
Happy reading
The story is well written and creative. The intimate scenes are erotic. There was angst,enjoyable characters as well as characters I wanted to maim.
I took a star away for poor editing...
Yeah, it was a bit painful at times.
All in all I recommend.
I finished it quickly , it was a short read which is another complaint . Or really, more like a plea for more
Cheers
Happy reading
February 21, 2015
Honestly, I kept waiting for it to get more interesting but it never really did. Reminded me a bit of Erica Stevens' The Captive series (which I loved) in that vampires have taken over the world although this book takes place right after that's happened. As indicated by my rating, I was much less enthralled with this story though.
March 12, 2026
interesting read
This was an interesting read. Taboo indeed!!!! Their age difference was a bit, and the fact he was married to her mother was definitely not my usual read. This was well written and although it had spice, it wasn’t vulgar. 5 stars for this unusual, nice read.
This was an interesting read. Taboo indeed!!!! Their age difference was a bit, and the fact he was married to her mother was definitely not my usual read. This was well written and although it had spice, it wasn’t vulgar. 5 stars for this unusual, nice read.
August 22, 2013
I want the second part of this story, I know there is more, there has to be, this was just so damn juicy!
February 2, 2015
I sure did enjoy this book. It was different than what Jenika Snow usually writes, but I did enjoy it. DarkShine instead of Vampire and they've taken over the world. Interesting concept.
February 19, 2015
Great short story, it would be better if the epilogue was longer.
March 11, 2015
Truly amazing story.. Hope to hear more from these two in the future..
March 26, 2015
Didn't like either character; personalities and actions were not representative of the alternate reality created by the author.
April 21, 2011
Oh my gosh. A def must read!
August 29, 2015
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews