This is where it all began.  My addiction to Ms. Feehan’s amazing vampire saga.

Enter the enchanting world of the Carpathians, where dark adventure, mystery, and love await, and the desires of two daring hearts unite in one irresistible passion.

A telepathic hunter of serial killers, Raven Whitney helps catch some of the most depraved criminals. But her work keeps her from getting close to others, and has drained her body and spirit. In need of rest and rejuvenation, she embarks on a vacation far from home.
Mikhail Dubrinksy is the Prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night. Engulfed by despair, fearful of never finding the mate who can save him from the encroaching darkness, his soul cries out in loneliness. Until the day a beautiful voice full of light and love responds, softly soothing his pain and yearning.

From the moment they meet, Raven and Dubrinksy are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them. But just as fate unexpectedly brings these life mates together, malevolent forces threaten to destroy them and their fragile love. Yet even if they survive, how can these two lovers – Carpathian and human – build a future together? And how can Dubrinksy bring Raven into his dark world without extinguishing her beautiful goodness and light?

Read on for my thoughts on The Dark Prince

You’re welcome.  😉

Mikhail and Raven.  They are the start, the center, the core of what would become an ongoing series with 26 sensuous, riveting, commitment packed, vampire life mate series called The Dark series or The Carpathians by some.

Mikhail is a vampire hunter.  That may sound strange since he is himself… a vampire.  The Carpathian race is eons old.  They live in a vastly remote mountain range, deeply hidden from most humans.  There is a village nearby, yet the humans who dwell there live in peace (for the most part) with their vampire neighbors – usually never realizing how near to ancient myths they actually are.

Carpathians can live to be hundreds of years old.  A very long life to be alone, constantly fighting evil and trying to survive the darkness that every male knows one day will overtake him.  Each male has a life mate, that one woman who is his other half.  Her light to his darkness.  They know their life mates, sometimes from the moment she is born, other times taken by surprise until a mental connection is made.

Males who do not find their life mates or their life mate was killed will eventually turn into what the rest of the world knows as vampire.  The killers of myth, legend and horror tales told around a campfire – these are the true evil vampires that Mikhail must hunt.  Known to him, friend or family to him.  He is the Prince of the Carpathian people – and when a man turns, he is the one who must kill his once friend, once brother, once loved subject – for the evilness that is a turned vampire must not be allowed to walk the earth.

There are other Carpathian males who also do battle.  Close friends to Mikhail, who would willingly die for their Prince – who hunt solo or at Mikhail’s side to rid the world of the dangerous turned former friends and former hunters.

Raven.  Human, with the ability to track serial killers, to listen to their thoughts, their plans, their actions.  Sometimes she helps stop them in time – sometimes she cannot.

This time she could not.  And it is tearing her apart with self-blame, doubts and exhaustion she has never felt before.  Usually a strong woman, at the moment Raven is broken and unsure of her future.  She has come to the remote Carpathian Mountains to heal and forget – and decide her own fate.  Mikhail’s life mate.

I wanted to give you a taste of the beginning of the Carpathian world.  It is so deep, so intertwined that I really need to suggest that if you love vampires, enjoy their love stories and want to see evil vanquished by the sexiest alpha men with their lovely, strong ladies – then pick up The Dark Prince by Christine Feehan and enter into this fascinating world to enjoy their continuing saga.

This is the original cover for The Dark Prince.  I still have this one on my bookshelf.  Should you come across this in a yard sale, library sale or used book store – grab it.  🙂  It’s hard to find these days.

I cannot express my enjoyment in this series enough (I know, shut up already).  It takes me away to a magical place where anything is possible and true, ever lasting love exists.

The Ritual Chant that binds lifemates

You are my lifemate

I claim you as my lifemate

I belong to you

I offer my life for you

I give you my protection

I give you my allegiance

I give you my heart

I give you my soul

I give you my body

I take into  my keeping the same that is yours

You will be cherished by me for all my time

Your life will be placed above my own for all time

You are my lifemate

You are bound to me for all eternity

You are always in my care

How can you resist that kind of eternal love?