Dark Heart

by Cybill Cain, ALAREON MEDIA LLC (Illustrator)

I am more than a man. I am the lover that will take you to heights you’ve never imagined. I have seen stars turn to dust. I have felt my heart turn to stone. Then I found Sara, and knew that each long night waiting had been but a prelude to this time with her.   But I met her in a dream, and we’re about to wake up. If I had found her sooner, we would have had more time. But it doesn’t matter because there would never be enough. I’ll defy the ticking clock and show her the passion she inspires in my immortal soul. Time will never take her from me. I will carry the taste of her on my tongue for eternity. I will whisper her name when the sun burns from the sky.   **This story ends on a cliffhanger, but will be continued in Broken Heart, Stories of the Heart – A Vampire Love Story, COMING IN FEB 2019!**  

Genres: Paranormal

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2018

About the author

❤️Cybill Cain writes stories about love, adventure and romance, and is the author of The Chimera Club Stories & Stories of the Heart- A Vampire Love Story.❤️

She is an international award winning author, experienced journalist, blogger, graphic artist and fanfiction enthusiast who writes romance because to her, "every story is a love story."

She is also a member of Romance Writers of America and The Alliance of Independent Authors.

Sign up for her News Magazine - Cybill Cain: Under the Covers and stay in the know about all things Cybill Cain. https://www.subscribepage.com/cybillc...

Reviews

[Love2ReadRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli is a HOT, HOT, HOT vampire, and I loved his and Sara’s story! Cybill Cain definitely brought a unique and entertaining read with Dark Heart, Book 1. I can’t wait to read Broken Heart, Book 2.

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off where to start with this review. I don't want to spoil it for anyone because as a reader once you start to read this you will see why I did not want to give anything away. This story is not your ordinary love story because the main character Eli is a vampire. He is just living his life day to day until he sees Sara and his world has changed.

I want to say this about this book that right from the start is was a different kind of story being told. I love the descriptions and the setting was so real I felt like I was there right next to Eli and Sara seeing everything and living everything with them. The love between these two is so real I was amazed that Cybill pulled it off.

I will say this if you are a huge stickler for cliffhangers then you should be for warned that this ends on an EFFING huge cliffhanger that I was yelling at my kindle like hell no oh just hell no.........

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing paranormal vampire romance story. An engaging attraction with the characters. Well written book, I liked it. It was a pleasured to read and review it.

[Chelsea Ortiz-Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Dang!!!
I'm so happy yet so disappointed all at the same time. I think i sat silently, looking at the ceiling for a straight minute, just composing myself. I'm happy because this book, Cybill's writing, took my breath away. I was absolutely entranced by Sara and Eli. Then disappointment because it ended on a cliffhanger which I cant help but hate to love. I will be impatiently and excitedly waiting for part 2 of Sara and Eli's story. Until February, Cybill.
To those of you on the fence to reading this.
Dont hesitate. Coming from a person who records all my shows because I HATE commercials THAT much. I can tell you that the reward it will be well worth the wait.
Happy reading!
Rating 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Krystel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and have decided to leave a voluntary honest review. I love vampire and ware wolf very much. Eli is a very unique vampire. For someone who is dead he wears his heart on his sleeve. I would have enjoyed is Sara rebelled against him aottle mote played hard to get. Eli has a lot on his plate right now. And Sara can easily make him make target. Can't wait for the next one.

[Michelle Vandal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had such a book hangover. It took me a couple days to process before I could write my review. I don't even care about Christmas anymore (ok, slight exaggeration there 😉), I just want February to get here so I can be with Eli & Sara again.

This, for me, is a vampire love story of the highest degree. Eli & Sara are romantic, intimate & emotional. Their journey is intense & only just beginning. I can't wait to see what February brings for them. I don't know how I'm going to wait that long. High praises & definitely recommend this wonderful story.

[Tianna McPherson (Anna Lee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a cliffhanger fan but this one had me in suspense from the get go. Eli and Sara are two people trying to deal with life the only way they know how but when they find that their love can keep them going they vow to make it last forever. But things happened and now we are left wondering what's next. I hope that book 2 will get here fast. I'm loved this book and I happily give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy.

[Kat Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, everyone I know will tell you, I USUALLY hate cliffhangers. Heh heh..I'll just leave that sit there for a moment for the author to think about. Now that I've said that. I LOVED THIS BOOK. Eli is sort of like the sexiest man alive turned vampire. He's sensual, romantic, gooey, yummy....well, er, you get the idea. There are those who would tell me there was a woman in this book too. I didn't notice her, lol. Actually, I did, and Sara was a great character, but how can any woman reading resist Eli?

But enough of the sexiness. Just know that Cybill writes steam and heat better than most because she adds the one thing missing from about 80% of the supposed "steamy contemporary romances" out there - emotion. And Cybill knows how to write emotions.

This book is only the second vampire book I've read in about 30 years. No, I wasn't sheltered. I just read one of Anne Rice's books a long time ago and said nope, not for me. It took a long time for me to come full circle and while the vampire nation doesn't necessarily have a new cheerleader, Eli has a super-fan following him now. And because, while the story started off slowly but definitely turned on the heat (and the story telling) as it progressed, I will forgive Cybill for the cliffhanger. If the second book is as good as the first, then I'll forgive her just about anything.

As to the book - yes, I really will write a normal review here. I received it as an ARC and wasn't sure what to expect. I have read most of what Cybill Cain has written in the past and I'm definitely a fan of her work, but that was all contemporary, and while this is set in the same time frame, this is definitely paranormal. But one thing stays consistent in all of Cybill's stories....she is the consummate storyteller and this book was no exception. It started out slowly but it didn't take long before the heat rose, the steam fogged up my Kindle, and the REAL story started to unfold.

Kudos to Cybill Cain for another challenge well met - imagine the challenge of breaking into another genre when the reading public is more likely to buttonhole you into one. Looking good..and I can't wait for the second book. I could say something snarky about authors who write cliffhangers, but the reality is, I would be looking forward to the second book whether this one ended in a cliffhanger or not.

[Tarah Didley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness just as it starts to get good it ends!

This book has the best chemistry and passion between Eli and Sarah. These two make you blush in ways you never thought you could blush.

Sarah has always wanted to be loved, but not loved just from anyone, she wanted to be loved by a vampire because she knew that finding love with a vampire would leave her fulfilled in so many ways. She thought maybe she could get it from her friend Eli not knowing he was a vampire.

Once she tells him what she really wants oh boy! Eli will do just about anything to make that wish come true because he wants her so bad.

Eli is a vampire on a sabbatical before he heads back to regent commander. He does things like normal person would do without coming forward of him being a vampire. Once he hears what Sarah wants all bets are off because she belongs to him.

Oh the passion, the love, and oh the love making it’s so damn sexy.

But the ending it leaves you wanting more, but you have to wait.

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought Dark Heart was a good story it kept me into what was going on with the characters it would also be the first book that I've read by Cybill Cain and I'm looking forward to what's to come . I am not of fan of cliffhangers but I went in knowing it was a cliffhanger so it honestly didn't upset me like a shocking cliffhanger even though the way this ended had me wanting the next book in the stories of the heart . The characters were likable not annoying but had me wanting them to get a happy ending still holding on hope that that is what will happen for them . Don't want to give to much away the story was really great and held my interest through out the book .
copy provided for honest review 
****************************************
hero=9 heroine=9 secondary characters=9
Chemistry=9 steam=5 romance=5
humor=3 darkness level=3 action=3 mystery=3
enjoyment=10 angst=3 story line=8 Story ending=7
character development=10 pacing=10
cover=10 Blurb =10 Stars =4
Is this part of a series =yes
Can it be read as a standalone =yes but it is the first in a series that ends in a cliffhanger
would I recommend this book=yes if you don't mind cliffhangers
would I re read this book=yes
would I read future books by this author=yes

[Joyffree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the beginning of Eli and Sara's love 💘story.
Our couple ignites the opening chapter with a sensual and demanding chemistry that never seems to die down only build as the story line progresses - On the emotional spectrum, their relationship is a bit slower to build - I was honestly shocked 😲when I realized that 80% off the storyline was interaction between the two main characters. A lot of time is devoted to developing the psychological bond between them. IMO it this plays a very important role in the storyline and the author makes it work.
This was definitely different than my usual paranormal reads. The intense action and antagonists I normally find in my storylines did not really exist here - Don't get me wrong I am not talking about the sensual kind 🙄 there is plenty of that - It was more as though I was waiting for the shoe to drop-
Be prepared this does end with the reader hanging on a cliff 😲

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s dispense with the fine print first. Dark Heart is the first of a three part series, and it ends in a cliffhanger that had me yelling at my Kindle. Fortunately we won’t have to wait months for the next part of the story, and these characters are so beautiful and compelling that they have own a piece of my heart, and I am obsessed with seeing their story through to the end.

Sara longs for a dark hero to sweep her away and show her all the things her heart yearns to experience. She only dared to dream and never expected that her handsome dance partner would be her undead hero. They only have a handful of nights before Eli returns to his job as an enforcer for the vampire Regent of Tennessee, and they plan to make as many memories as possible in the time they have left.

Definitely more steamy than Cain's other books, this one still wallops the reader right in the heart with a supernatural connection between the main characters and enough emotion to overwhelm the soul. This book will easily cast its spell, holding you in its glamour from the first page to the last, and Eli and Sara will hold a permanent place in your heart. Don’t pass up the chance to take the first part of the journey and fall in love with these enchanting characters.

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[Claire Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was my first book by Cybill, and it knocked me for six - what a fantastic read this was!! Quite a unique kind of vampire read, but the story really does pack a punch with its emotional telling and the explosive connection that Eli and Sarah have. Its a bit of a slow build, but the story itself grabs you and doesn't let go, its very immersive!! But when the heat and the sexiness in the story hits, wow, its fantasic and very steamy but also very intimate, you may well need a fan!!

Sara has always fantasied about vampires, and wants her own dark hero to come and take her away, not believing for one minute that her friend and dance partner Eli is just that.

Eli is on somewhat of a holiday from his everyday vampire world, he's been away for a while now and his days are numbered before he has to return, but feels something so unique with Sara he just cannot let her go, and so ends up revealing himself as she reveals her darkest innermost thoughts. Their connection is explosive as they learn about each other, more so Sara learning about the vampire world, Eli revealing secrets and making himself vulnerable to her was just so endearing.

This book ends on a cliffhanger that very nearly ended up with my kindle being lauched through the window!! Hopefully we won't have long to wait before book 2 is available.

I can't recommend this one enough, there's something so compelling about this storyline it just won't let you go, I certainly can't wait for more!!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing journey of a human woman, Sara, and her vampire lover Eli. The progress from strangers to friends to lovers is extraordinary. Sara has a heart that was meant to be loved and meant to love. After everything that she has been through she still had hope. Eli, a vampire for thousands of years, did not know true love until Sara showed him what it was like. Through her eyes Eli found himself again and Sara's dreams of a dark lover came true. Eli knew how to physically love Sara which was so erotic and sexy. But Sara loved Eli in her heart. As they spent time together, they got to know one another's pain and fear. They shared everything and the greatest thing they shared was love. As Eli was on sabbatical and had to return to Tennessee, he promised to return to her. He had an obligation he had to get out of. On a new mission for his boss, he kept in contact with Sara. Then one day everything went to H#ll. He was incapacitated for five days; his cell phone was missing. He had to get to Sara. When he arrived at her dorm room. It was completely and totally empty. He knew something had happened to her. Dun dun dun ... cliffhanger!!! A very emotional, exciting read, full of imagery and sensations. A very well written book. I look forward to the sequel. I highly recommend this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CV · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I volunteered to read this ARC, I was excited to see what the author would say about vampires with it being her first book in this genre. Everything is typical with the vampire; No sunlight, can drink without turning the person, they can glamour people, are like the dead during daylight hours, the older the stronger and they can heal with their blood. Also, Eli can fly. Not all vampires can.

This story was told from Eli’s POV and starts with Eli and Sara in her dorm room over the Christmas break celebrating because they had just won a dance competition. At this point Sara doesn’t know about Eli being a vampire. (I wish the book would have started with how they met and getting to know each other that way instead of Eli describing it to us.)

To me this first book just seems like it was 90% sex and 10% story. Nothing really happens until the last two chapters and then when it starts to get interesting, you have to wait until the next book to see what happens. I knew going in to this that there was a cliffhanger, so my rating has nothing to do with that. It has to do with trying to figure out a storyline. I guess this first book is all about them getting to know each other, over and over and over again.

I do want to read the next installment of this series to find out what happens because like I said, it was just getting interesting!

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has great sex, including a phone sex segment that will melt your Kindle. If hot, graphic sexual content bothers you, you probably want to give Dark Heart a pass ... but they WHY are you reading vampire novels. Unless the vampires sparkle, this genre always has lots of sex. It's what vampires do.
The vampire meets college co-ed is promising too, and until the last chapter or two, the book looked like it was going to be a sweet, steamy boy meets girl and then, in that last 10%, like John Snow, you realize you know nothing about what's going on; who the bad guys are, what's in store for our intrepid heroes, whether there'll ever be an HEA.
I'm hopeful all of that will be worked out in some future volume, but this one's got a cliff hanger that would make the Grand Canyon look like a runoff channel in a sandy field.
Of course, it depends on what you're looking for. If you want steamy vampire romance and don't mind committing to at least one more book to find out what's going on, you'll love this story. While I have nothing against "to be continued" stories, but when I finish a book, I want to go away from it with the feeling that something's been finished, and I just didn't get that sense here.

[Donna Hatridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st NOTE: This is the first book in the series and has a major cliffhanger at the end.

With that said, for me, the beginning of Eli and Sara's story didn't draw me in right away, but as I continued to read and learned more about Eli's life as a vampire and Sara's past you could start to feel their connection to each other growing. That drew me into their story, making me wanted to see just where the journey was going to take them. There is plenty of Hot, steamy, sex and romance. There is also danger that they are going to face if they want to make a life together.

Good start to the Stories of the Heart series. You won't have long to wait for the next book Broken Hearts, it releases in February 2019.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cybill Cain is a new author to me but this is a fantastic story and it’s about Sara and a vampire who was using the name Eli Solomon in this life time. Eli is on a sabbatical but he is Eli the vampire commander of zone 3. Sara and Eliwere competing in a dance competition they won and when Sara was drunk she confessed to Eli that she wished that he was a vampire, she wanted a dark lover who could take her further than any man could take her and Eli showed her what a vampire can do. That’s all I’m going to give you guys it ends in a cliffhanger and now I have to have patience to wait for the next book. Wow what a fantastic story a 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE SIZZLING EXPERIENCE!!!
OMG! Wow! Talk about setting the nights on fire. A whirlwind of emotions and events really pulls those heartstrings. All the drama, fear, uncertainty, dreams, hope, love and suspense increases steadily while tension spirials as the plot thickens. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that make for one thrilling experience. You feel everything the characters feel. The characters are complex and believable with such depth and individually it's easy to relate. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it's easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another in perfect balance.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told entirely from Eli's POV, this incredibly steamy, emotional love story is packed with sensuous erotic love scenes between vampire Eli, and Sara, the human woman he has fallen completely in love with. Eli and Sara spend most of the book in their own little bubble of lust and passion, falling ever deeper in love, but inevitably their break from the real world comes to an end, their happiness is threatened, and we are left with a cliffhanger. The writing is beautiful. The connection between these characters is other worldly and spellbinding. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be the first to tell you that I don't like the whole vampire romance but after I read thst blurb I was beyond intrigued. Also my first Cybill story and hot dang I'm wondering how I'm going to make it to February because Eli just pushed his yummy self right into my heart.

Sraa and Eli are not just characters to me they are my new obsession. I am completely seduced by them. This is one book that even if vampires aren't your thing these characters and their story will be. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how I feel about this one. I love the Chimera Club series, but this is definitely different. I enjoyed the story, but never really got into the cadence of it. I'm not sure what the sticking point was.

Eli & Sara are SUUUUPER STEAMY. Like, London Fog Extra Steam steamy! And yet, their love is a sweet discovery. Eli didn't understand love before Sara, and joining his discovery of it was really good!

There's also an element of mystery and things we'll discover as the story progresses in the next book, which was interesting! : )

[Michelle Shemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Heart
A Vampire Love Story
Stories of the Heart Book 1
Cybill Cain

This was so good. I loved the story of the vampire meeting his true love even if it was in a dream the first time when he knew it was her. It was a great new take on a vampire story. A great shout out to Ms. Cain for letting us know that it would be a cliff hanger ending before we started. I really appreciated that. I cannot wait to see where the story will go. The ending was fantastic and left me going crazy, and I am clawing at my kindle until the next one comes. Vampires are perfect!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. I love this book and I fell in love!! And it's a cliffhanger.....aaahhhh....I can't wait for the next book.
When Sara shared her story I wanted to cry, then I cheered, then....I smiled.
The connection between Eli and Sara is amazing and it is so much fun to read about. Sizzling and light, dark and mysterious. Loved the confessions and nightly calls.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran Zoch, LSoR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow talk about a romance that will leave your heart racing , and your mind wondering when is the next book!!!
Eli and Sara have the love that spans lifetimes and then some and this book is part of their story, I do not want to give much details because this book is very much worth the read , meeting in a dream and knowing they don't have all the mortal time in the world .
Like I said majorly in need of the next book!!!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara longs for a dark hero to sweep her away and show her all the things her heart yearns to experience. She only dared to dream and never expected that her handsome dance partner would be her undead hero. They only have a handful of nights before Eli returns to his job as an enforcer for the vampire Regent of Tennessee, and they plan to make as many memories as possible in the time they have left.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is more than a man, he is a lover and a vampire. They meet in a dream but there would never be enough time as he knows he had been waiting for her and only her. They are about to wake up. He would carry her with him always. Can they meet for real? Will they? Can life be forever for them? See what will happen

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally hate duets, trilogies, or cliff-hanger type books but I felt invested in the outcome from the very first page! I really thought this book was an awesome addition to the genre.

Great character development, steamy sex scenes and twists and turns to be able to sink into the book.

This book is Amazing so get to it! Not for the faint of heart or the impatient!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli & Sara are romantic, intimate and emotional. Their journey is intense and only just beginning. When they find that their love can keep them going, they vow to make it last forever. But, things happened and now we are left wondering what's next. There is plenty of hot steamy sex and romance. I can’t wait for the next book! 💋

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Heart - A Vampire Love Story by Cybill Cain is a wonderfu story to read. This is a wonderful story to read by an author that I have never read before this story. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves to read good dark paranormal romance stories then this one is for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.