DARK POSSESSION - Christine Feehan
Dark Series, Book 18
Jove
ISBN: 978-0-515-14535-9
October 2008
Paranormal Romance

South America - Present Day

Manolito De La Cruz narrowly escaped death while visiting the Carpathian Mountains for a reunion of his people. Stepping in front of the possessed old woman who was attempting to kill Shea Dubrinsky, the pregnant lifemate of Jacques, may have been noble and right, but the poison has left Manolito fighting for his life and his sanity. When he wakes up in his rainforest home he finds himself alone and living in a world of ghostly figures and voices. There is only one thing helping Manolito to survive this madness, the knowledge that he found his lifemate during the reunion, because he did, didn’t he?

MaryAnn Delaney is a counselor for battered women. While attending the Carpathian reunion with her friend, Destiny, MaryAnn agreed to travel to Brazil with Juliette and Riordan De La Cruz to counsel Juliette’s sister. It was also at the reunion that MaryAnn met Manolito and watched him die. Now, in the wilds of a South American island with Juliette and Riordan, MaryAnn finds herself with a serious case of depression. She just can’t seem to get over Manolito’s death. It’s ridiculous, they barely even met, and how the man became so important to her is unimaginable. Then MaryAnn learns the truth, Manolito isn’t dead, he’s very much alive and in need of her, for it seems MaryAnn is Manolito’s lifemate and the only one who can save him from his enemies.

Every time I pick up Christine Feehan’s latest Dark book, I think, there’s no way it can be as good as the last one, and every time, I’m wrong. DARK POSSESSION is fascinating, pulse-pounding, and satisfying, a great addition to the series. Manolito is, like all Carpathian males, very much an Alpha in need of the softening influence of his mate. Unlike the others, though, Manolito is currently caught between the worlds of the living and the dead with enemies on both sides of the border. If MaryAnn can’t overcome her doubts about being tied to Manolito, survival for them both is very much in the balance. And hey, who can blame MaryAnn for having those doubts? She’s a city girl and loves being a city girl; living in the jungle would be a challenge for anyone, and add to it the very possessive nature of Carpathian males and, well, single life in the city just seems easier, not to mention safer. Not that she’s not up for a challenge, once she accepts that they really are destined to be lifemates, MaryAnn’s hidden side reveals itself, and let me tell you, city girl or not, she should not be underestimated! The passion that blooms between this pair has an air of desperation, as they both know that the odds are stacked against them. A happy ending for these two will not be easily come by, and readers will be on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Riordan and Juliette are grateful that MaryAnn is Manolito’s lifemate; they both believe that without her, he would already be dead. Luiz is one of the jaguar-men; under the influence of a powerful Carpathian enemy, he poses a threat to Manolito that must be overcome. Maxim Malinov, a former friend and a dead man, wants Manolito to turn his back on Prince Mikhail and join those who believe the world would be a better place without him in it. Juliette’s sister Jasmine may have some very sad secrets, but the girl doesn’t lack spunk. I’m eager to see what becomes of her in the future. Solange is Jasmine and Juliette’s cousin -- now there is a woman with attitude. If being able to turn into a jaguar isn’t enough protection from those who would seek to harm her or those she loves, well, she’s got plenty of guns and knives. I hope, though, that someday Solange will also find the man who can convince her that they’re not all bad. There are enemies aplenty in both the lands of the living and the dead, luckily there are also allies, both new and old, who can be depended on to help.

Fans of Christine Feehan will not want to miss DARK POSSESSION! And hey, if anyone is reading this who hasn’t experienced the world of the Carpathians yet, what are you waiting for? Stop by Christine’s website: www.christinefeehan.com for a complete listing of all the Dark books. Every one of them is a winner.

Lori Ann