This book has two installments of the Carpathian Series. They are intertwined by some of the characters but are two completely different love stories.The first is the novella "Dark Hunger" ~ Takes place in the jungles of South America. This is a hot story of passion between Juliette and Riordan both with responsibilities to their people, but come together with such passion. It isn't all fluffy and there are some very disturbing scenes, but I truly loved these two together.The second part is the novel "Dark Secret" which leads some of Riordan's brothers to the U.S to a ranch where we meet Colby who is a fantastic charcter. She is truly a remarkable woman. Then we meet the Carpathian, Rafael. I have to say that he was my least favourite Carpathian male. Maybe because he was so close to turning vampire, he truly had no respect for his lifemate until it was too late. It was a fabulous story though and found it very difficult to put down. Darkest at Dawn combines the first 2 stories (previously released in an anthology and a separate novel) featuring the De La Cruz brothers into one novel. Dark Hunger takes place in the jungles of South America, where Juliette and her sister Jasmine are freeing wild animals held captive by scientists using them for illegal experiments. Juliette comes across a different type of captive, a man chained and drained of blood, barely alive. As she frees him, she discovers he's not what he appears to be, and Riordan finds his freedom through this woman in more than one way, as she is his long sought for Lifemate!Dark Secret brings the brothers Nicholas and Rafael to a New Mexico Ranch as a favor to the Chavez family. Colby Jansen has been running her step-father's ranch in trust for her younger siblings until they come of age. She does not trust the Chavez family, who did not come when her step-father was dying, and are afraid that they are going to take her younger siblings away from her. Rafael de la Cruz is sent to try and persuade her, and he is surprised to find that Colby is his lifemate!In both stories, both of the De la Cruz brothers are surprised to discover that strong independent women are their lifemates. Both have some serious trust issues, and hate feeling like their lives are being taken over by these Carpathian men!Juliette's situation is different, as she actually has heard of the Carpathians and is familiar with the supernatural world. She also has no problems with the strong sexual connection lifemates feel. She learns to trust Riordan as they work together to save one of her family members, and accepts him and his world eventually.Colby's situation is different. She has been forced to take responsibilities for her family at a young age, and is overwhelmed with rumming the ranch short-handed. Her ranch is also being sabotaged by someone, and the sheriff is not much help. She also is very much afraid to lose what she has been entrusted with, her siblings. She doesn't trust Rafael, who has a reputation as a ladies' man, and is afraid of how she feels he is taking away her independence , and fights it every step of the way. It doesn't help that Rafael makes some mistakes in how he deals with her, as the situation changes when he discovers that she is his lifemate. When a Master Vampire appears, they must learn to work together and trust each other, and it takes Colby a long time to accept the situation. I loved that Rafael really tries to strp back from his sinstincts and tries to give her the time she needs. Unfortunately, the vampire takes away some of that time.It was great to get a chance to re-read these stories again!
What do You think about Darkest At Dawn (2011)?
I haven't found a Dark Series Book I haven,t loving. She is an amazing writer.
—Cheyenne124
Ihave read both of these and I am wanting something new.
—Tinkles1310
Amazing... i loved it just like the rest of them.
—ddef
