What do you think?
Rate this book
Night #1
Night Walker
He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her…
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.
She’s haunted by dreams of her own death…
After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.
They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries…
Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.
She’s haunted by dreams of her own death…
After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she’s drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.
They’ve waited in the shadows for centuries…
Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he’s ever loved again.
266 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2011
323 people are currently reading
4035 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Kessler
87 books2,104 followersJoin my Facebook Writer Page Here
Follow Me on BlueSky Here
Sign up for my Newsletter
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
She also publishes horror and thriller novels under the pseudonym, L.A. Kessler.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist and tarot card reader. Her first tarot deck, Practical Tarot, is being release by Beyond Words Publishing with a companion book, Practical Tarot: Learn to read tarot cards intuitively in 2025.
Follow Me on BlueSky Here
Sign up for my Newsletter
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
She also publishes horror and thriller novels under the pseudonym, L.A. Kessler.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist and tarot card reader. Her first tarot deck, Practical Tarot, is being release by Beyond Words Publishing with a companion book, Practical Tarot: Learn to read tarot cards intuitively in 2025.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
October 15, 2021
Night Walker will be available August 2nd!!!
I can't wait to share this story with you...
Thanks for all your support!
I can't wait to share this story with you...
Thanks for all your support!
June 10, 2013
Solid 2.5 Stars
I was really disappointed with this one. It started out strong, but from chap 6 on to the end it lost something. A lot of somethings'.
I did like how we are shown the history of Calisto in the midst of the present time. I thought that was incorporated nicely and what kept me intrigued with the story. Especially when I would grow frustrated with these two stuck in their heads for the majority of the story and not really allow for the intensity we are told is there, to shine through.
There were way too many start and stops in this story. Too much "Tell" and not enough "Show"
There were some, very few, but some intense & beautiful moments here and there. But just not enough to save this story for me.
The plot was decent but very predictable. There were things that occurred here though, that were completely contrived. It didn't allow for the story to flow organically to be believable or even poignant.
And the "Villains" What a joke! *rolls eyes*
Honestly, this book had some good aspects. It wanted to be a really good read but sadly it wasn't. There were things that happened that should have been left out cos they held no point to the overall story and what occurred. Seemed like they were thrown in for shock value and then easily fixed or swept away. I can just chalk this up to being a product of "1st book syndrome" as I call it. But there was nothing in here to convince me to come back for book 2.
I believe it held enough where some may like this one and continue with the series. I mean I've certainly read worse but I would not recommend this read.
I was really disappointed with this one. It started out strong, but from chap 6 on to the end it lost something. A lot of somethings'.
I did like how we are shown the history of Calisto in the midst of the present time. I thought that was incorporated nicely and what kept me intrigued with the story. Especially when I would grow frustrated with these two stuck in their heads for the majority of the story and not really allow for the intensity we are told is there, to shine through.
There were way too many start and stops in this story. Too much "Tell" and not enough "Show"
There were some, very few, but some intense & beautiful moments here and there. But just not enough to save this story for me.
The plot was decent but very predictable. There were things that occurred here though, that were completely contrived. It didn't allow for the story to flow organically to be believable or even poignant.
And the "Villains" What a joke! *rolls eyes*
Honestly, this book had some good aspects. It wanted to be a really good read but sadly it wasn't. There were things that happened that should have been left out cos they held no point to the overall story and what occurred. Seemed like they were thrown in for shock value and then easily fixed or swept away. I can just chalk this up to being a product of "1st book syndrome" as I call it. But there was nothing in here to convince me to come back for book 2.
I believe it held enough where some may like this one and continue with the series. I mean I've certainly read worse but I would not recommend this read.
July 25, 2011
This is the first review that I have ever done that was very hard for me. I am sharing this with you because I feel that it needs to be said that sometimes as a reader we may run across things that test even our own boundaries not just as a reader but as a person. With that being said I have much respect for Authors who evoke emotions into their readers. It says a lot about the Author’s creativity as well as their writing capabilities. As a writer I know that to have a reader tell you that your book moved them emotionally is a good thing. Its what we all love hearing. Its that artistic flare that some have the create those emotions, lets the reader decided whether or not the love or loathe a character and the situation they go through. I had to call a fellow reviewer on this one because I had some very strong feelings about a particular scene in this book, and after taking a day to mow it over I decided that I needed to buck up and do the review no matter what. I committed to do the review and so I am going to do it.
This story is based on a lot of things, love, hurt, betrayal, and forgiveness. The fact that Calisto gave up everything to be with one woman proves that he went through a lot. As a result something very tragic to happened to him. When he thought all hope was lost he was offered another chance at redemption and went into the thick of it with out really realizing what it was he was agreeing to.
For Kate she’s been plagued all her life with these dreams, only to move to start fresh and find that the man that she was going to marry wasn’t all he was cracked up to be. Her mother had passed and although things had been left unfinished back home, she decides there is no better time than the present. Was she running from the issue she faced with her ex-fiancé? I would say yes and no but then that is how most of us cope at times, we leave the issue open instead of closing the door.
Kate is hanging out with her two good friends at a mission on the day of the dead when a chance meeting puts her in the path of Calisto Terana a dark and seductive stranger that for some reason she was drawn to. Kate battles with what she feels for him, due to the emotional issue she’d been through with her ex.
As it turns out Kate is the reincarnated of Calisto’s long lost love who he lost at the hands of the Fraternidad Del Feugo Santo. They eventually get together but there are secrets that keep him from being with her during the day. Calisto doesn’t know how to tell her who she is to him, let alone the monster he has become that prowls during the night. But is he the true monster of the night?
There are a host of other characters that contribute to the story who make the story strong as well as the plot. There is Calisto’s Director of the Art Foundation he heads up Bettina who gets involved with the true evil of the book Jose Mentigo. This is where I as a reader I stumbled literally. Not because the character was flat or not well developed but because of the act that was so vividly described in the book. With that being said it made me feel literally horrific. Now I’ve read my share of horror and suspense. I know what can be read in the book can get pretty graphic but I wasn’t prepared for it in a PNR. It wasn’t expected and it took away from the story personally for me.
Had this not been in the book I could have given this book a 4 hands down. I liked the idea of lost love reborn and found again. I liked the paranormal twist on it. I loved how Calisto didn’t view himself as a Vampire and mocked the mortals for all their false beliefs in his kind. The story minus the incident was great. I didn’t rate this but not because I couldn’t I just needed time to think it through.
As I write this I am willing to be adult enough to know that the Author did just what needed to be done, my dislike or like of the story may or may not be for someone else. We all have those moments when we say we would never ever look at something so gruesome but then find that when faced with said situation, what we do is watch in fact we are enthralled. I can’t say if that is what the Author was going for but I did finish the story. The ending was spot on and I am sure the next book when it does come out will be interesting and may even be something that I introduce to my reading palate. *laughs* Is this not one of the longest reviews ever?
So what am I going to rate this? Well I am going to say that over the story was good, beside the road bump that I encountered and I am going to have to be fair not only to myself but to who ever reads this review. Should you pick up the book and buy it? Yes and No… It truly depends on your reading wants and desires, its definitely different for me in regards to the PNR Genre. Did it have all the ingredient's of a PNR? YES! Was the plot and storyline strong? Yes! Was the hero and heroine well developed? Absolutely! Did I despise the evil bad dude? HELL TO THE YES and even a bit more than that! Did I have emotions? Yes extreme emotions from each end of the spectrum. So if you are interested in finding out what this book is about then definitely pick it up and read. I am going to give it a 3.5 Stiletto’s.
This story is based on a lot of things, love, hurt, betrayal, and forgiveness. The fact that Calisto gave up everything to be with one woman proves that he went through a lot. As a result something very tragic to happened to him. When he thought all hope was lost he was offered another chance at redemption and went into the thick of it with out really realizing what it was he was agreeing to.
For Kate she’s been plagued all her life with these dreams, only to move to start fresh and find that the man that she was going to marry wasn’t all he was cracked up to be. Her mother had passed and although things had been left unfinished back home, she decides there is no better time than the present. Was she running from the issue she faced with her ex-fiancé? I would say yes and no but then that is how most of us cope at times, we leave the issue open instead of closing the door.
Kate is hanging out with her two good friends at a mission on the day of the dead when a chance meeting puts her in the path of Calisto Terana a dark and seductive stranger that for some reason she was drawn to. Kate battles with what she feels for him, due to the emotional issue she’d been through with her ex.
As it turns out Kate is the reincarnated of Calisto’s long lost love who he lost at the hands of the Fraternidad Del Feugo Santo. They eventually get together but there are secrets that keep him from being with her during the day. Calisto doesn’t know how to tell her who she is to him, let alone the monster he has become that prowls during the night. But is he the true monster of the night?
There are a host of other characters that contribute to the story who make the story strong as well as the plot. There is Calisto’s Director of the Art Foundation he heads up Bettina who gets involved with the true evil of the book Jose Mentigo. This is where I as a reader I stumbled literally. Not because the character was flat or not well developed but because of the act that was so vividly described in the book. With that being said it made me feel literally horrific. Now I’ve read my share of horror and suspense. I know what can be read in the book can get pretty graphic but I wasn’t prepared for it in a PNR. It wasn’t expected and it took away from the story personally for me.
Had this not been in the book I could have given this book a 4 hands down. I liked the idea of lost love reborn and found again. I liked the paranormal twist on it. I loved how Calisto didn’t view himself as a Vampire and mocked the mortals for all their false beliefs in his kind. The story minus the incident was great. I didn’t rate this but not because I couldn’t I just needed time to think it through.
As I write this I am willing to be adult enough to know that the Author did just what needed to be done, my dislike or like of the story may or may not be for someone else. We all have those moments when we say we would never ever look at something so gruesome but then find that when faced with said situation, what we do is watch in fact we are enthralled. I can’t say if that is what the Author was going for but I did finish the story. The ending was spot on and I am sure the next book when it does come out will be interesting and may even be something that I introduce to my reading palate. *laughs* Is this not one of the longest reviews ever?
So what am I going to rate this? Well I am going to say that over the story was good, beside the road bump that I encountered and I am going to have to be fair not only to myself but to who ever reads this review. Should you pick up the book and buy it? Yes and No… It truly depends on your reading wants and desires, its definitely different for me in regards to the PNR Genre. Did it have all the ingredient's of a PNR? YES! Was the plot and storyline strong? Yes! Was the hero and heroine well developed? Absolutely! Did I despise the evil bad dude? HELL TO THE YES and even a bit more than that! Did I have emotions? Yes extreme emotions from each end of the spectrum. So if you are interested in finding out what this book is about then definitely pick it up and read. I am going to give it a 3.5 Stiletto’s.
August 2, 2011
Night Walker was a stellar read from new-to-me-author Lisa Kessler about a soul deep love that never dies.
Two hundred years ago Father Gregorio Salvador fell in love with one of the local tribeswomen, Tala. Secretly meeting under the veil of darkness they found each other’s soul mates in one another. When Tala discovers that she is with child, Gregorio decides to leave the church and start a new life with his love. Confessing his sins and asking for absolution, Gregorio rushes to join Tala – only to find her brutally murdered. Now, betrayed by the ones he trusted most and grieving his lost love Gregorio is taken in by Tala’s tribe and brought before the Old One who grants him the gift of immortality so that he can one day meet up with his love once again…
Now going by the name of Calisto Terana, a wealthy philanthropist, he lives among mortals using his Night Walker abilities to hunt down corrupt humans and to search for his lost love. When a chance meeting introduces him to Kate Bradley, Calisto knows that it is fate and he has found his Tala once again. However, after catching her fiancé in the arms of another woman the last thing Kate wants to do is to jump into another relationship; though she can’t deny that there is something about Calisto that calls to her, like she has known him her whole life...
Knowing without a doubt that Kate is Tala reincarnated, he woes her into his arms. But just when it seems like Calisto is finally going to have the second chance he has dreamed centuries of his old brotherhood, the Del Fuego Santo, show up with dark plans to destroy them all. Can their new love overcome the many secrets that Calisto keeps and the danger that the Del Fuego Santo bring? Or will they not only destroy their second chance of love, but their lives as well?
Night Walker is an intensely emotional and riveting paranormal romance that I could not put down! Calisto’s depth and devotion captured my attention from the start; he was a true romance hero in every way! A well written, dimensional character with an elaborate background masterfully entwined in the plot. Kate was a good, strong heroine that dealt with the obstacles thrown in her way superbly. Though her quickness to run whenever she got uncomfortable or confused was a little annoying, she has a big heart and a strong will that more than made up for that little quirk. Together Calisto and Kate made a fantastic couple. Their relationship progressed quickly but because of their past it felt believable. This led to several erotic love scenes that were exciting without being vulgar, which is a fresh breath every now and then in romances.
The plot moves at a moderate pace- not too fast, not too slow, with the story switching from past to present at different intervals; these transitions were fluid and prefaced with a handy date. The world building was exceptional and just in case you think this is your same old same old vampire romance; a Night Walker is not the same as a vampire. Calisto makes that abundantly clear! LoL The end was the most perfect and sensual ending I have read in a while and the epilogue has me so curious and ready for more! I cannot wait for Night Demon to come out in December so that I can find out what that eagle is up too, he raised several intriguing questions for me!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Two hundred years ago Father Gregorio Salvador fell in love with one of the local tribeswomen, Tala. Secretly meeting under the veil of darkness they found each other’s soul mates in one another. When Tala discovers that she is with child, Gregorio decides to leave the church and start a new life with his love. Confessing his sins and asking for absolution, Gregorio rushes to join Tala – only to find her brutally murdered. Now, betrayed by the ones he trusted most and grieving his lost love Gregorio is taken in by Tala’s tribe and brought before the Old One who grants him the gift of immortality so that he can one day meet up with his love once again…
Now going by the name of Calisto Terana, a wealthy philanthropist, he lives among mortals using his Night Walker abilities to hunt down corrupt humans and to search for his lost love. When a chance meeting introduces him to Kate Bradley, Calisto knows that it is fate and he has found his Tala once again. However, after catching her fiancé in the arms of another woman the last thing Kate wants to do is to jump into another relationship; though she can’t deny that there is something about Calisto that calls to her, like she has known him her whole life...
Knowing without a doubt that Kate is Tala reincarnated, he woes her into his arms. But just when it seems like Calisto is finally going to have the second chance he has dreamed centuries of his old brotherhood, the Del Fuego Santo, show up with dark plans to destroy them all. Can their new love overcome the many secrets that Calisto keeps and the danger that the Del Fuego Santo bring? Or will they not only destroy their second chance of love, but their lives as well?
Night Walker is an intensely emotional and riveting paranormal romance that I could not put down! Calisto’s depth and devotion captured my attention from the start; he was a true romance hero in every way! A well written, dimensional character with an elaborate background masterfully entwined in the plot. Kate was a good, strong heroine that dealt with the obstacles thrown in her way superbly. Though her quickness to run whenever she got uncomfortable or confused was a little annoying, she has a big heart and a strong will that more than made up for that little quirk. Together Calisto and Kate made a fantastic couple. Their relationship progressed quickly but because of their past it felt believable. This led to several erotic love scenes that were exciting without being vulgar, which is a fresh breath every now and then in romances.
The plot moves at a moderate pace- not too fast, not too slow, with the story switching from past to present at different intervals; these transitions were fluid and prefaced with a handy date. The world building was exceptional and just in case you think this is your same old same old vampire romance; a Night Walker is not the same as a vampire. Calisto makes that abundantly clear! LoL The end was the most perfect and sensual ending I have read in a while and the epilogue has me so curious and ready for more! I cannot wait for Night Demon to come out in December so that I can find out what that eagle is up too, he raised several intriguing questions for me!
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
August 4, 2011
Romancing the Dark Side Review:
A beautiful story of a love that stands the test of time!
In his mortal life he was a priest named Father Gregorio, who fell in love with a native woman, Tala, which was murdered and lost to him in an act of the utmost betrayal by his Brotherhood. Forsaking his life and driven only by vengeance, Gregorio is given immortality as a Night Walker and a second chance at love. Now living as Calisto Terana, a wealthy collector of fine art and pieces, he patiently awaits the day he can once again be reunited with his long lost love. When he meets Kate Bradley in a chance business meeting, Calisto is certain destiny has brought Tala back into his life, but to attain his second chance at love he must face the Brotherhood who long ago betrayed him and whose mission is to see him six feet under, permanently.
It's been a while since I read a book whose author does a stellar job in vividly depicting every scene, allowing the reader a pristine view into their world, and Lisa Kessler does just that! This is a story of forbidden love, betrayal, reincarnation and forgiveness. The characters are quite dimensional and pull you in with their strong emotions and turbulent pasts. You become so invested in their lives you yearn for a happy ending at all costs.
Calisto is the perfect lead in a romance, he's chivalrous, sexy, protective, but with a little bit of a tortured hero in him as well. His story is masterfully woven into the plot without taking away from the romance. Kate is a heroine who's life is relatable, she's a professional, has been through heartbreak and is trying to find herself. Though she might come off as a little naive at first, she's anything but...Kate is quite independent and has no problem standing up for herself, love that! Their romance develops quickly due to their established relationship but never feels rushed...I guess that's what happens when you deal with reincarnation. I'm all for steamy scenes in my romance novels and the author knows just how to get you worked up without revealing every detail, that's a sign of great writing by my standards!
While the story shifts from the past to the present often, the writing is fluid and the main focus is never lost. One of my favorite elements in the story is the use of religion which is often times linked to the vampire myth, especially in gothic literature, which in my opinion it gives the story more depth. A forbidden romance filled with unexpected twists and evil villains make for an action packed suspense that is hard to put down. Night Walker is a paranormal romance that has it all and comes full circle for an unpredictable ending you won't see coming but will love!
{Courtesy of author/Bewitching Book Tours for review}
A beautiful story of a love that stands the test of time!
In his mortal life he was a priest named Father Gregorio, who fell in love with a native woman, Tala, which was murdered and lost to him in an act of the utmost betrayal by his Brotherhood. Forsaking his life and driven only by vengeance, Gregorio is given immortality as a Night Walker and a second chance at love. Now living as Calisto Terana, a wealthy collector of fine art and pieces, he patiently awaits the day he can once again be reunited with his long lost love. When he meets Kate Bradley in a chance business meeting, Calisto is certain destiny has brought Tala back into his life, but to attain his second chance at love he must face the Brotherhood who long ago betrayed him and whose mission is to see him six feet under, permanently.
It's been a while since I read a book whose author does a stellar job in vividly depicting every scene, allowing the reader a pristine view into their world, and Lisa Kessler does just that! This is a story of forbidden love, betrayal, reincarnation and forgiveness. The characters are quite dimensional and pull you in with their strong emotions and turbulent pasts. You become so invested in their lives you yearn for a happy ending at all costs.
Calisto is the perfect lead in a romance, he's chivalrous, sexy, protective, but with a little bit of a tortured hero in him as well. His story is masterfully woven into the plot without taking away from the romance. Kate is a heroine who's life is relatable, she's a professional, has been through heartbreak and is trying to find herself. Though she might come off as a little naive at first, she's anything but...Kate is quite independent and has no problem standing up for herself, love that! Their romance develops quickly due to their established relationship but never feels rushed...I guess that's what happens when you deal with reincarnation. I'm all for steamy scenes in my romance novels and the author knows just how to get you worked up without revealing every detail, that's a sign of great writing by my standards!
While the story shifts from the past to the present often, the writing is fluid and the main focus is never lost. One of my favorite elements in the story is the use of religion which is often times linked to the vampire myth, especially in gothic literature, which in my opinion it gives the story more depth. A forbidden romance filled with unexpected twists and evil villains make for an action packed suspense that is hard to put down. Night Walker is a paranormal romance that has it all and comes full circle for an unpredictable ending you won't see coming but will love!
{Courtesy of author/Bewitching Book Tours for review}
February 16, 2022
This is a dual timeline, paranormal, romantic suspense
A page turner that is fraught and very tense!
A story of a love that was lost centuries past
With a chance for a fresh start, together at last.
With betrayal, murder and deceit in the past
Somehow Calisto's belief in his true love still last.
When he recognises her reincarnation its true
He knows what he wants but is unsure what to do.
Kate Bradley has traumatic dreams of her own demise
She's had them for years, no matter what she tries.
From first meeting Calisto, she feels him she knows
And at further encounters this feeling just grows.
But there's danger around for this ill-fated pair
As of Calisto's nature, others are aware.
They're out to destroy him - and Kate, too,
With ambitions of their own they hope will come true.
An action packed read with great characters, too.
I have no hesitation in highly recommending to you!
A page turner that is fraught and very tense!
A story of a love that was lost centuries past
With a chance for a fresh start, together at last.
With betrayal, murder and deceit in the past
Somehow Calisto's belief in his true love still last.
When he recognises her reincarnation its true
He knows what he wants but is unsure what to do.
Kate Bradley has traumatic dreams of her own demise
She's had them for years, no matter what she tries.
From first meeting Calisto, she feels him she knows
And at further encounters this feeling just grows.
But there's danger around for this ill-fated pair
As of Calisto's nature, others are aware.
They're out to destroy him - and Kate, too,
With ambitions of their own they hope will come true.
An action packed read with great characters, too.
I have no hesitation in highly recommending to you!
September 12, 2012
KcLu's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
4.5 Stars
Night Walker introduces me to another new author and a new take on the blood sucker. (Can’t call him a vampire.. he hates that romanticized word.. LOL) I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!!!
Kate Bradley is reeling from the breakup of her engagement. She is more upset at the loss of her future plans and the betrayal than actually losing Tom. She heads home to San Diego to not only heal, but to finally deal with the loss of her parents and their stuff. Coming back home has awaken the night mare she has been having since childhood. The dream is soo real. She witnesses the brutal death of a woman from the 1700’s.
Calisto Terana has been waiting 200 years to be reunited with his love Tala, who was taken from him by the one person he trusted. Her death caused him to loose not only his faith in the monks of the mission, but in the God he made vows to follow. He becomes a Night Walker with the promise of being reunited with Tala when she is reborn.
Kate finds herself drawn to this mysterious man, and deep down feels like he is the other half of her not that she understands it. Calisto refuses to lose Kate after waiting so long to find her, but will he move to fast for her?? Can he protect her from the dangers that took her from him once before, and have made it their mission to stop him at all cost??
I absolutely loved this different approach to the vamp genre. I have to say though a lot of this one is told in flashbacks, because you have to see why he made the choices that he made. I found that it added to the story for you to experience the flashbacks. The chemistry between these two is down right smoking hot, and I loved the fact that Calisto specified that it was Kate that he loved and not the memory of Tala in her. I loved the way the reincarnation of Tala into Kate was handled. Handled the wrong way this could have been a very cheesy concept, but this one was done beautifully. It is quite addictive. I sat and read it in one sitting much to the suffering of everything around me. It was one of those books that holds you hostage!! I hope y’all enjoy this one as much as I have!!
4.5 Stars
Night Walker introduces me to another new author and a new take on the blood sucker. (Can’t call him a vampire.. he hates that romanticized word.. LOL) I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series!!!
Kate Bradley is reeling from the breakup of her engagement. She is more upset at the loss of her future plans and the betrayal than actually losing Tom. She heads home to San Diego to not only heal, but to finally deal with the loss of her parents and their stuff. Coming back home has awaken the night mare she has been having since childhood. The dream is soo real. She witnesses the brutal death of a woman from the 1700’s.
Calisto Terana has been waiting 200 years to be reunited with his love Tala, who was taken from him by the one person he trusted. Her death caused him to loose not only his faith in the monks of the mission, but in the God he made vows to follow. He becomes a Night Walker with the promise of being reunited with Tala when she is reborn.
Kate finds herself drawn to this mysterious man, and deep down feels like he is the other half of her not that she understands it. Calisto refuses to lose Kate after waiting so long to find her, but will he move to fast for her?? Can he protect her from the dangers that took her from him once before, and have made it their mission to stop him at all cost??
I absolutely loved this different approach to the vamp genre. I have to say though a lot of this one is told in flashbacks, because you have to see why he made the choices that he made. I found that it added to the story for you to experience the flashbacks. The chemistry between these two is down right smoking hot, and I loved the fact that Calisto specified that it was Kate that he loved and not the memory of Tala in her. I loved the way the reincarnation of Tala into Kate was handled. Handled the wrong way this could have been a very cheesy concept, but this one was done beautifully. It is quite addictive. I sat and read it in one sitting much to the suffering of everything around me. It was one of those books that holds you hostage!! I hope y’all enjoy this one as much as I have!!
August 7, 2011
I loved Night Walker, I really did, there was never a dull moment and I especially loved the old flashbacks which made us see how Father Gregorio after losing the woman he loved Tala lost his faith in the church and how to see her again became an immortal, a Night Walker.
When the book starts Kate is leaving Reno where she teaches music after she catches her fiancee with another woman. She realizes that she hasn't faced her parents death which happened a few years before and maybe rushed into a relationship with a man she didn't love. Back in San Diego she meets a very intriguing man named Calisto.
Calisto is actually Gregorio. The old man of Tala's tribe converted him into a night walker, someone who shuns the sun and drinks from others. Calisto feeds on the criminals of the society and when he sees Kate, he feels all his dreams come true, he's been waiting for her for centuries. He keeps moving around changing his name and now runs a philanthropic organization but the members of the Brotherhood(who had Tala killed when he confessed he wanted to leave priesthood) are still after him and are aware of Kate.
Kate has always had dreams of her past which she has never understood, she spends time with Calisto but then tells him to leave her alone since the betrayal of her fiancee is still so fresh, but back in Reno she can't stop thinking about him so she comes back.
I enjoyed the entire book, how Kate and Calisto have an instant connection and how they get together in the end.
ARC received through Netgalley
When the book starts Kate is leaving Reno where she teaches music after she catches her fiancee with another woman. She realizes that she hasn't faced her parents death which happened a few years before and maybe rushed into a relationship with a man she didn't love. Back in San Diego she meets a very intriguing man named Calisto.
Calisto is actually Gregorio. The old man of Tala's tribe converted him into a night walker, someone who shuns the sun and drinks from others. Calisto feeds on the criminals of the society and when he sees Kate, he feels all his dreams come true, he's been waiting for her for centuries. He keeps moving around changing his name and now runs a philanthropic organization but the members of the Brotherhood(who had Tala killed when he confessed he wanted to leave priesthood) are still after him and are aware of Kate.
Kate has always had dreams of her past which she has never understood, she spends time with Calisto but then tells him to leave her alone since the betrayal of her fiancee is still so fresh, but back in Reno she can't stop thinking about him so she comes back.
I enjoyed the entire book, how Kate and Calisto have an instant connection and how they get together in the end.
ARC received through Netgalley
September 18, 2017
'Night Walker' by Lisa Kessler is the First Book in the New Series called "Night". This is the story of Calisto Terana and Kate Bradley.
Calisto and Kate over 200 years ago were in a love affair but he was a Priest and she ended up being murdered. Calisto became a Night Walker / Vampire to ensure that he meets Kate again when she is reborn. Now is that time. But she doesn't know him and she is still in danger. But their love will over come this as it did time.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
Calisto and Kate over 200 years ago were in a love affair but he was a Priest and she ended up being murdered. Calisto became a Night Walker / Vampire to ensure that he meets Kate again when she is reborn. Now is that time. But she doesn't know him and she is still in danger. But their love will over come this as it did time.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
January 1, 2012
I have started this review before I finished the book, which isn't something I normally do.
However, I cannot say I am loving this so far. But....I can't seem to help but keep reading it. I kinda want to know what is going to happen etc.
The priest's intent is very obvious and all of the hints etc are a bit silly because its really quite obvious.
I am not loving the character of Kate either. Hmm will update below when I have finished this which will hopefully be on my lunch break today.
The storyline really intrigued me. Lovers brutally ripped apart and a soul thats to be reincarnated. He makes a deal to become an immortal Night Walker in order to reunite with his love. But the forces that ripped them apart all those years previously are at work again.
Well I have now finished...and I would say I was disappointed if I had been loving it.
But I really didn't, I kept reading it thinking it was going to improve and for me sadly it didn't.
I found myself not really liking either of the main characters and didn't understand why she fell in love with him so quickly and he seemed to accept she wasn't really Tala anymore but was herself Kate but then kept making all those references to their being one and the same.
Everything fell into place far too easily, there were no twists, all the information was there and wasn't left guessing about anything.
I didn't dislike the writing style but it just never really came together for me. There was an obvious and somewhat stupid self obsessed bad guy, which yes is normal but this bad guy was more self obsessed than others.
It was ok, but I prefer a lot more different books in this genre and to be honest its not really memorable compared with others.
The ending was left open and there was a little teaser so I assume there will be another one, but I don't think I will be reading it.
However, I cannot say I am loving this so far. But....I can't seem to help but keep reading it. I kinda want to know what is going to happen etc.
The priest's intent is very obvious and all of the hints etc are a bit silly because its really quite obvious.
I am not loving the character of Kate either. Hmm will update below when I have finished this which will hopefully be on my lunch break today.
The storyline really intrigued me. Lovers brutally ripped apart and a soul thats to be reincarnated. He makes a deal to become an immortal Night Walker in order to reunite with his love. But the forces that ripped them apart all those years previously are at work again.
Well I have now finished...and I would say I was disappointed if I had been loving it.
But I really didn't, I kept reading it thinking it was going to improve and for me sadly it didn't.
I found myself not really liking either of the main characters and didn't understand why she fell in love with him so quickly and he seemed to accept she wasn't really Tala anymore but was herself Kate but then kept making all those references to their being one and the same.
Everything fell into place far too easily, there were no twists, all the information was there and wasn't left guessing about anything.
I didn't dislike the writing style but it just never really came together for me. There was an obvious and somewhat stupid self obsessed bad guy, which yes is normal but this bad guy was more self obsessed than others.
It was ok, but I prefer a lot more different books in this genre and to be honest its not really memorable compared with others.
The ending was left open and there was a little teaser so I assume there will be another one, but I don't think I will be reading it.
August 2, 2011
After a failed engagement, Kate has returned to her hometown to seek solace in her old friends and family-home. But it's only a few weeks before she meets Calisto - a sexy, mysterious stranger who sets her heart racing. Calisto is alluring and strangely familiar. But Kate hasn't healed from her broken heart and thinks it's too soon to try to love again.
Calisto can't believe it when he lays eyes on Kate. She is the reincarnation of Tala, his lost love... the reason he became an immortal. He has been waiting centuries for her return and will do anything to have her love again.
The story flips back and forth between the present day and the past. So not only do we get to see a relationship unfold between Calisto and Kate but we also see the horrific events that lead to their initial separation, Calisto's transformation into a Night Walker, and his quest for revenge.
The path to happiness isn't easy for Kate and Calisto. She has no idea of their past or what he is. Beyond that, there is a crazed monk, stalking them for his own gain. But despite the roadblocks, the love story is really quite lovely. There is something to be said for a hero with so much yearning and devotion. The story is very contained to a small cast of characters and it gives it a more intimate feel. And after so much loss, it seems criminal to have these two spend even one more minute apart.
The book has a definite resolution. But the door is left open on the idea that there may be more story to tell.
I enjoyed it. A little more than 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
Calisto can't believe it when he lays eyes on Kate. She is the reincarnation of Tala, his lost love... the reason he became an immortal. He has been waiting centuries for her return and will do anything to have her love again.
The story flips back and forth between the present day and the past. So not only do we get to see a relationship unfold between Calisto and Kate but we also see the horrific events that lead to their initial separation, Calisto's transformation into a Night Walker, and his quest for revenge.
The path to happiness isn't easy for Kate and Calisto. She has no idea of their past or what he is. Beyond that, there is a crazed monk, stalking them for his own gain. But despite the roadblocks, the love story is really quite lovely. There is something to be said for a hero with so much yearning and devotion. The story is very contained to a small cast of characters and it gives it a more intimate feel. And after so much loss, it seems criminal to have these two spend even one more minute apart.
The book has a definite resolution. But the door is left open on the idea that there may be more story to tell.
I enjoyed it. A little more than 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
June 7, 2012
I loved this, it's such a fresh approach to the whole "vampire" mythology. Lisa has spun a tale that kept me captivated from the Prologue right through to the last word in the epilogue.
The heroine, Kate was likeable she does have a tendency to run from her problems until she gets her head round what's going on, then she's there fighting with everything she has. Calisto had the mysterious yet gorgeous stranger thing down, the more we get to know him the more I fell in love with him. He's endured so much in his life and death in the hope that he will one day be reunited with his love.
The last paragraph has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, I knew there was going to be a lot more to this series and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
The heroine, Kate was likeable she does have a tendency to run from her problems until she gets her head round what's going on, then she's there fighting with everything she has. Calisto had the mysterious yet gorgeous stranger thing down, the more we get to know him the more I fell in love with him. He's endured so much in his life and death in the hope that he will one day be reunited with his love.
The last paragraph has me eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, I knew there was going to be a lot more to this series and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
July 30, 2012
It was a chore to read this book... seriously.
It's predictable as hell, I never got to like or care about the characters and the cherry on top was the vampire from Spain who couldn't speak spanish (other than 'si'... ooooh, sexy!!).
The best part is the cover and you can enjoy that without wasting your time reading what's in it.
It's predictable as hell, I never got to like or care about the characters and the cherry on top was the vampire from Spain who couldn't speak spanish (other than 'si'... ooooh, sexy!!).
The best part is the cover and you can enjoy that without wasting your time reading what's in it.
October 21, 2013
Boring and cliched. No new ideas here. Too much internal monologue from both the hero and heroine. Sparse characterization. Slow, mind-numbing pace with a predictable plot and cheesy villain. I think I hate reincarnated romance, as it tends to rely on the original connection instead of realistically building the attraction between the couple.
August 21, 2019
This story just flowed and was not boring at all. The chemistry, the draw to him and her feelings OMG need I say more.
The author didn't leave anything out. Like she made this book to be real and that's why I think I really really enjoyed reading it.
Do I recommend YES I do
The author didn't leave anything out. Like she made this book to be real and that's why I think I really really enjoyed reading it.
Do I recommend YES I do
March 13, 2013
3.75 stars
Kate returns to her home town in San Diego after discovering her fiance with another woman. She has always been haunted by nightmares she can't decipher and by a feeling of loss and loneliness she can't pinpoint, but she has managed to make a life for herself regardless. Her nightmares come to her more frequently and change in nature too since she returns to San Diego and meets Calisto.
Calisto is a Night Walker. An immortal being who gave up the sun for a chance at reuniting with his woman, Calisto lives amongst the humans but leads a lonely existence. He has been waiting for his lover's return for years and just when he thinks that maybe it was all for nothing, he finds her. He recognizes her on sight and he can't stay away. However, his secret is known by an organization that wants to perish him and amongst them a dangerous man wants what Calisto has and he won't stop until he gets it.
Night Walker is the first book of The Night series. Lisa Kessler did a wonderful job of bringing to the page a great story of romance between soul mates. Filled with interesting paranormal elements that clearly depict the world and creation of Calisto as a Night Walker along with an engaging conflict that fully drew me into the story, Lisa Kessler's writing flowed throughout the page seamlessly. From Calisto's yearning at wanting to be reunited with his lover to Kate's desolation at knowing an integral part of her life was missing, the range in emotions and the connection between the characters was presented in a way that truly let me understand how each was feeling, helping me connect to them fully with every detailed revealed.
I enjoyed the paranormal aspects that the author included and the concept of the Night Walkers as a whole. I appreciated how Kessler presented all the details in a way that they were easy to understand. There were a lot of facts, names and events but not once did I feel overwhelmed by it all. I particularly enjoyed how she brought the concept of Kate's reincarnation to the page, especially the glimpses into the past. These were an integral part of the story and if they were to have been presented in any other way than how she did it, I think it would have made for a confusing read.
The romance part of the story felt a bit rushed for me in regards to Kate's actions, but taking into consideration the concept of them being soul mates I came to overlook it. The chemistry between Calisto and Kate was explosive and as I mentioned before their connection was strong and palpable from the beginning.
This is the first book by Lisa Kessler that I have read and it certainly won't be the last. I enjoyed her writing style and how she brought the story together. I am certainly looking forward to reading more of the series too.
I received this titled from Entangled Publishing in exchange of my honest opinion.
Kate returns to her home town in San Diego after discovering her fiance with another woman. She has always been haunted by nightmares she can't decipher and by a feeling of loss and loneliness she can't pinpoint, but she has managed to make a life for herself regardless. Her nightmares come to her more frequently and change in nature too since she returns to San Diego and meets Calisto.
Calisto is a Night Walker. An immortal being who gave up the sun for a chance at reuniting with his woman, Calisto lives amongst the humans but leads a lonely existence. He has been waiting for his lover's return for years and just when he thinks that maybe it was all for nothing, he finds her. He recognizes her on sight and he can't stay away. However, his secret is known by an organization that wants to perish him and amongst them a dangerous man wants what Calisto has and he won't stop until he gets it.
Night Walker is the first book of The Night series. Lisa Kessler did a wonderful job of bringing to the page a great story of romance between soul mates. Filled with interesting paranormal elements that clearly depict the world and creation of Calisto as a Night Walker along with an engaging conflict that fully drew me into the story, Lisa Kessler's writing flowed throughout the page seamlessly. From Calisto's yearning at wanting to be reunited with his lover to Kate's desolation at knowing an integral part of her life was missing, the range in emotions and the connection between the characters was presented in a way that truly let me understand how each was feeling, helping me connect to them fully with every detailed revealed.
I enjoyed the paranormal aspects that the author included and the concept of the Night Walkers as a whole. I appreciated how Kessler presented all the details in a way that they were easy to understand. There were a lot of facts, names and events but not once did I feel overwhelmed by it all. I particularly enjoyed how she brought the concept of Kate's reincarnation to the page, especially the glimpses into the past. These were an integral part of the story and if they were to have been presented in any other way than how she did it, I think it would have made for a confusing read.
The romance part of the story felt a bit rushed for me in regards to Kate's actions, but taking into consideration the concept of them being soul mates I came to overlook it. The chemistry between Calisto and Kate was explosive and as I mentioned before their connection was strong and palpable from the beginning.
This is the first book by Lisa Kessler that I have read and it certainly won't be the last. I enjoyed her writing style and how she brought the story together. I am certainly looking forward to reading more of the series too.
I received this titled from Entangled Publishing in exchange of my honest opinion.
May 22, 2012
My Review:
This book has been on my reading list ever since I saw that gorgeous cover. (You all know I am a complete cover whore right??) So I definitely jumped all over the chance to be part of this tour for Bewitching Book Tours.
This book is a love story between Calisto and Kate, but 250 years ago they were Gregorio and Tala. He's lived since that time as an immortal Night Walker. She's been reincarnated as Kate, although she still relives Tala's memories in her dreams. Theirs was an interesting and heartbreaking story. They fell in love in California...she was part of an Indian tribe, he was part of the local priesthood...completely forbidden, but their passion was true. He planned to leave the priesthood for her, but before he could, she was murdered. So instead, he joined her tribe and through a series of events became a Night Walker, just waiting for the day when she would reappear in his life.
Now he runs a huge philanthropical organization to help the arts in San Diego. She is a music teacher in Reno. When she is settling her parents estate, that's when she meets Calisto. He knows immediately that she is Tala although she has no idea about their past. She is reluctant to become involved since she just ended a relationship with her fiance. In the background of all this is a danger which continues to shadow them coming from the religious order who were responsible for her death in her first life.
There were certain things that I really liked about this book. It's extremely well written and the story line and characters are fully developed. I loved the musical aspect of it. Music affects both Calisto and Kate deeply and they definitely connected through their love of it. I loved that Calisto has dedicated his life to philanthropy....it was a neat detail to his long-lived life.
This book had a different feel and I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan. There's a reserved and formal feeling to Calisto which makes this read much more like a historical novel. I don't enjoy reading historical novels any longer, but if you are a historical fan, then I could definitely see this book as being a great cross-over book for you into the paranormal genre. I wasn't a huge fan of this book (and specifically Calisto's character) because of that formality, but the book absolutely managed to keep me engaged and entertained throughout regardless, and that says a great deal about the quality of the writing.
There was mention in the book of a trader who Gregorio accidentally changed early in his life as a Night Walker....Lukas. I was intrigued by his story and am thrilled that he's going to be the hero of Book #2 in this series. And, oooh, can you see that gorgeous cover below for Lukas' book??? Another gorgeous one! OMG, I cannot wait!
This book has been on my reading list ever since I saw that gorgeous cover. (You all know I am a complete cover whore right??) So I definitely jumped all over the chance to be part of this tour for Bewitching Book Tours.
This book is a love story between Calisto and Kate, but 250 years ago they were Gregorio and Tala. He's lived since that time as an immortal Night Walker. She's been reincarnated as Kate, although she still relives Tala's memories in her dreams. Theirs was an interesting and heartbreaking story. They fell in love in California...she was part of an Indian tribe, he was part of the local priesthood...completely forbidden, but their passion was true. He planned to leave the priesthood for her, but before he could, she was murdered. So instead, he joined her tribe and through a series of events became a Night Walker, just waiting for the day when she would reappear in his life.
Now he runs a huge philanthropical organization to help the arts in San Diego. She is a music teacher in Reno. When she is settling her parents estate, that's when she meets Calisto. He knows immediately that she is Tala although she has no idea about their past. She is reluctant to become involved since she just ended a relationship with her fiance. In the background of all this is a danger which continues to shadow them coming from the religious order who were responsible for her death in her first life.
There were certain things that I really liked about this book. It's extremely well written and the story line and characters are fully developed. I loved the musical aspect of it. Music affects both Calisto and Kate deeply and they definitely connected through their love of it. I loved that Calisto has dedicated his life to philanthropy....it was a neat detail to his long-lived life.
This book had a different feel and I have to admit that I wasn't a huge fan. There's a reserved and formal feeling to Calisto which makes this read much more like a historical novel. I don't enjoy reading historical novels any longer, but if you are a historical fan, then I could definitely see this book as being a great cross-over book for you into the paranormal genre. I wasn't a huge fan of this book (and specifically Calisto's character) because of that formality, but the book absolutely managed to keep me engaged and entertained throughout regardless, and that says a great deal about the quality of the writing.
There was mention in the book of a trader who Gregorio accidentally changed early in his life as a Night Walker....Lukas. I was intrigued by his story and am thrilled that he's going to be the hero of Book #2 in this series. And, oooh, can you see that gorgeous cover below for Lukas' book??? Another gorgeous one! OMG, I cannot wait!
May 25, 2012
I always love when an author comes up with a new twist on an "old" character. In the case of Night Walker, it's putting a Native American spin on the vampire tale.
Calisto Terana is a Night Walker. He was given his powers by the Old One who vowed Calisto would live to see his love live in another life and be reunited with her. He willingly gave up the sun and accepted immortality for the hope that he would see is Tala again. He's lived hundreds of years waiting for that moment and not much else.
Kate Bradley ran from San Diego and to be a teacher in Reno. After she catches her fiance, Tom, in the arms of a student. Desperate to get away from Tom and determined to stop running from the pain of her parents death she returns to San Diego. Once back home, she's meet Calisto. A man who calls to her very soul. She's skeptical at first, but she can't fight the draw to Calisto.
I like the idea that Calisto (or Gregorio since that was who is was as a human) would give up his humanity in the hope that he would eventually be reunited with his one true love. That is a testament to the phrase "I'll love you forever". Then there is Kate, who in her soul, knew that Calisto was the man she was meant to be with upon first sight. Did she question her sanity and why she was so drawn this this virtual stranger? Yes, she didn't fight it. Almost like she knew, at an elemental level, he was hers.
What good is a romance if there isn't some sort of evil to try and thwart it. In this story, it was the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo and their fight to stop Calisto from creating another Night Walker in Kate. Funny how those that deem themselves to be the righteous and right manage to look out instead of in when trying to ward of those they feel are evil. In the case of the Fraternidad, if they had looked in, they would have found a brother in their midst who was not on the same page as their agenda. Because they chose to point the finger of evil-doer at Calisto, the caused the very thing they were hoping to stop.
Night Walker is a story that will tug at your emotions for both what Kate and Calisto must endure in the name of God and the steps they must make to finally commit to one another.
Calisto Terana is a Night Walker. He was given his powers by the Old One who vowed Calisto would live to see his love live in another life and be reunited with her. He willingly gave up the sun and accepted immortality for the hope that he would see is Tala again. He's lived hundreds of years waiting for that moment and not much else.
Kate Bradley ran from San Diego and to be a teacher in Reno. After she catches her fiance, Tom, in the arms of a student. Desperate to get away from Tom and determined to stop running from the pain of her parents death she returns to San Diego. Once back home, she's meet Calisto. A man who calls to her very soul. She's skeptical at first, but she can't fight the draw to Calisto.
I like the idea that Calisto (or Gregorio since that was who is was as a human) would give up his humanity in the hope that he would eventually be reunited with his one true love. That is a testament to the phrase "I'll love you forever". Then there is Kate, who in her soul, knew that Calisto was the man she was meant to be with upon first sight. Did she question her sanity and why she was so drawn this this virtual stranger? Yes, she didn't fight it. Almost like she knew, at an elemental level, he was hers.
What good is a romance if there isn't some sort of evil to try and thwart it. In this story, it was the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo and their fight to stop Calisto from creating another Night Walker in Kate. Funny how those that deem themselves to be the righteous and right manage to look out instead of in when trying to ward of those they feel are evil. In the case of the Fraternidad, if they had looked in, they would have found a brother in their midst who was not on the same page as their agenda. Because they chose to point the finger of evil-doer at Calisto, the caused the very thing they were hoping to stop.
Night Walker is a story that will tug at your emotions for both what Kate and Calisto must endure in the name of God and the steps they must make to finally commit to one another.
July 30, 2011
Night Walkers, rogue monks in a secret Brotherhood, a megalomaniac monk and a love that spans centuries make for a great sensual paranormal romance in this first of Kessler's new The Night series.
This is actually two stories in one: 1) Calisto's life 200 years ago as Father Gregorio Salvador with his love, and loss, of Tala and 2) Calisto's life present day finding Kate and wooing her amidst the dangers of the Brotherhood. Kessler does a good job of handling the past and the present. Every time the story takes place in the past, it is prefaced with the year.
Calisto Terana - what a cool name, is a shapeshifting, blood drinking, dregs of society killing, Night Walker -- so much more than the so-called vampires, former monk and a healer. He is sure Kate is Tala reincarnated; she has the mark. It has been soooo long. He knows she is no longer his Tala and doesn't know him. He longs to touch her but doesn't. How easy it would be to slip into her mind and make himself exactly what she wants. But if she falls in love with him again, he needs to know it is real. This is his second chance and he's not going to blow it. Calisto is stunned to learn that the Brotherhood is watching Kate too.
Kate, music teacher and choir director, meets Calisto in the back courtyard of a church and is captivated by him. It is disconcerting that she never felt any danger from him, a stranger in the dark. She thinks of him as "sexy eye candy". Looks him up online and is surprised to find he is "the founder of her mother’s favorite charity". She dreams of Tala being raped while pregnant. She's had this nightmare since she was a child. Still gun shy over her ex-fiance's betrayal, she doesn't want to give Calisto a chance. She runs even though she's afraid she's already in love with him after just two meetings. She feels as if she's know him forever and yet she knows nothing about him.
Kessler knows how to write a sexy scene without a lot of specifics. In addition to the requisite bedroom scene, there is a hot bathtub scene.
I loved this story and I thinks fans of the paranormal romance and vampire genres will too.
Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
There is a HEA ending.
This is actually two stories in one: 1) Calisto's life 200 years ago as Father Gregorio Salvador with his love, and loss, of Tala and 2) Calisto's life present day finding Kate and wooing her amidst the dangers of the Brotherhood. Kessler does a good job of handling the past and the present. Every time the story takes place in the past, it is prefaced with the year.
Calisto Terana - what a cool name, is a shapeshifting, blood drinking, dregs of society killing, Night Walker -- so much more than the so-called vampires, former monk and a healer. He is sure Kate is Tala reincarnated; she has the mark. It has been soooo long. He knows she is no longer his Tala and doesn't know him. He longs to touch her but doesn't. How easy it would be to slip into her mind and make himself exactly what she wants. But if she falls in love with him again, he needs to know it is real. This is his second chance and he's not going to blow it. Calisto is stunned to learn that the Brotherhood is watching Kate too.
Kate, music teacher and choir director, meets Calisto in the back courtyard of a church and is captivated by him. It is disconcerting that she never felt any danger from him, a stranger in the dark. She thinks of him as "sexy eye candy". Looks him up online and is surprised to find he is "the founder of her mother’s favorite charity". She dreams of Tala being raped while pregnant. She's had this nightmare since she was a child. Still gun shy over her ex-fiance's betrayal, she doesn't want to give Calisto a chance. She runs even though she's afraid she's already in love with him after just two meetings. She feels as if she's know him forever and yet she knows nothing about him.
Kessler knows how to write a sexy scene without a lot of specifics. In addition to the requisite bedroom scene, there is a hot bathtub scene.
I loved this story and I thinks fans of the paranormal romance and vampire genres will too.
Warning Spoiler Alert!!!
There is a HEA ending.
December 6, 2011
Received as a free ARC from NetGalley
Night Walker is a book about love that never dies. Please note that it is a dark paranormal that contains two rape scenes and a graphic murder. It is not a pretty book, but it is a good book. One of the biggest problems I had with this book was the feeling I'd read the book before - not trying to be funny here - but I could swear I've read this book before, at least a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find anywhere that said it was a reprint.
This is a powerful story about reincarnation that caught my interest from the start. There were problems - weak secondary characters (Betty) and a plot issue that seemed contrived, in addition to Kate being ready to run any time something got difficult, but beyond that, it was well written. The segues from past to present were smoothly done and the world building believable. The ending set up the series nicely without being overdone.
Night Walker is a book about love that never dies. Please note that it is a dark paranormal that contains two rape scenes and a graphic murder. It is not a pretty book, but it is a good book. One of the biggest problems I had with this book was the feeling I'd read the book before - not trying to be funny here - but I could swear I've read this book before, at least a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find anywhere that said it was a reprint.
This is a powerful story about reincarnation that caught my interest from the start. There were problems - weak secondary characters (Betty) and a plot issue that seemed contrived, in addition to Kate being ready to run any time something got difficult, but beyond that, it was well written. The segues from past to present were smoothly done and the world building believable. The ending set up the series nicely without being overdone.
December 19, 2011
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
***slight spoilers***
Kate Bradley has strange dreams that seem to occur at the same time each year, but after her parents passed, she finds them recurring constantly. The strange thing about the dreams is that they seem so real and are about the same thing,her own death and a man that seems to possess her love and she returns the affection. After she catches her fiance with another women, she runs away from her teaching job as a choir director in Reno and returns home to San Diego to sell her parents' house. She goes to church where she meets a handsome man that she feels an immediate connection to and they keep meeting in different places. The man is Calisto Terana and she has been dreaming about him for years, but she just doesn't realize it yet.
Calisto is a Night Walker, a shape shifting vampire that has a heart and he has waited for centuries for his one true love to come back to him. Kate is that love and she is physically marked for Calisto to find. Calisto is a former Catholic priest and the Church knows of his existence and wants to exterminate his kind as an abomination. This in turn puts Kate in danger and Calisto must protect her from harm. There is a lot of mixed metaphors and bits of Native American lore woven through. Rather than rely on a typical vampire romance, Kessler brings in a new twist through the use of reincarnation of Calisto's true love, Tala.
The story is told via flashbacks to the 1770's and I really enjoyed the historical California aspect of this. Those chapters that showed Tala and Gregorio (Calisto) as lovers were my favorite in the whole book. Calisto really reminded me of Ricardo Montablan who had a lot of girls my age crushing in our tween years. Kate was likable, but at times I wanted to shake her and have her move on with her life. I was glad she finally got it together by the end of the book. Overall, this is a promising start to a series by a new to me writer and I look forward to another one in the series.
LOVED IT
***slight spoilers***
Kate Bradley has strange dreams that seem to occur at the same time each year, but after her parents passed, she finds them recurring constantly. The strange thing about the dreams is that they seem so real and are about the same thing,her own death and a man that seems to possess her love and she returns the affection. After she catches her fiance with another women, she runs away from her teaching job as a choir director in Reno and returns home to San Diego to sell her parents' house. She goes to church where she meets a handsome man that she feels an immediate connection to and they keep meeting in different places. The man is Calisto Terana and she has been dreaming about him for years, but she just doesn't realize it yet.
Calisto is a Night Walker, a shape shifting vampire that has a heart and he has waited for centuries for his one true love to come back to him. Kate is that love and she is physically marked for Calisto to find. Calisto is a former Catholic priest and the Church knows of his existence and wants to exterminate his kind as an abomination. This in turn puts Kate in danger and Calisto must protect her from harm. There is a lot of mixed metaphors and bits of Native American lore woven through. Rather than rely on a typical vampire romance, Kessler brings in a new twist through the use of reincarnation of Calisto's true love, Tala.
The story is told via flashbacks to the 1770's and I really enjoyed the historical California aspect of this. Those chapters that showed Tala and Gregorio (Calisto) as lovers were my favorite in the whole book. Calisto really reminded me of Ricardo Montablan who had a lot of girls my age crushing in our tween years. Kate was likable, but at times I wanted to shake her and have her move on with her life. I was glad she finally got it together by the end of the book. Overall, this is a promising start to a series by a new to me writer and I look forward to another one in the series.
August 8, 2011
Lisa Kessler is a definite wordsmith. I enjoyed the language and descriptions in this story which added a strong, dark tone to the building of the suspense and the romance. The storyline captured the elements of romance right away, melding them perfectly with the dark paranormal elements to make the story crescendo at the end of each chapter while still leaving you wanting more.
The use of flashbacks was handled with skill, the transitions easy to follow making it like reading two books in one. And, I enjoyed both stories! There was a lot of elements within these two stories, but again, it was presented in a way, revealed to the reader bit by bit, so that it was engaging. Religious undertones, betrayal, revenge and suspense along with a love that stands up to more than the tests of time made this dual-plotted story one hell of a read. Not to mention that the old story of love reconciled with a whole new mythology surrounding it, written by a fantastic new writer, makes Night Walker a must read in my book :)
Let me just say that this was one of those novels that I knew anything I wrote in a review would mot live up to how I feel about the story. So, since I don’t do stars on my blog to rate reviews, let me make an exception and give Night Walker by Lisa Kessler 6 out of 5 stars :)
The use of flashbacks was handled with skill, the transitions easy to follow making it like reading two books in one. And, I enjoyed both stories! There was a lot of elements within these two stories, but again, it was presented in a way, revealed to the reader bit by bit, so that it was engaging. Religious undertones, betrayal, revenge and suspense along with a love that stands up to more than the tests of time made this dual-plotted story one hell of a read. Not to mention that the old story of love reconciled with a whole new mythology surrounding it, written by a fantastic new writer, makes Night Walker a must read in my book :)
Let me just say that this was one of those novels that I knew anything I wrote in a review would mot live up to how I feel about the story. So, since I don’t do stars on my blog to rate reviews, let me make an exception and give Night Walker by Lisa Kessler 6 out of 5 stars :)
September 30, 2012
My Rating: ★★★★★
Book Description:
He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.
She's haunted by dreams of her own death...
After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand.
They've waited in the shadows for centuries...
Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he's ever loved again.
My Thoughts:
This was an excellent story! Very well done. I really loved Calisto and Kate and hated Jose...just hated him. I can't wait to read book two. Soon, right?!?!?
Reading Time: 6 Hours
Book Description:
He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...
Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.
She's haunted by dreams of her own death...
After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand.
They've waited in the shadows for centuries...
Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he's ever loved again.
My Thoughts:
This was an excellent story! Very well done. I really loved Calisto and Kate and hated Jose...just hated him. I can't wait to read book two. Soon, right?!?!?
Reading Time: 6 Hours
May 18, 2012
I love this book! As you all know there is so many vampire books out there and really there is only so many ways you can spin a story line to make it different from all the other vampire books out there. Well, Lisa Kessler has done it......"Night Walkers".
This first book in which I hope will become a running series introduces us to Calisto. After the love of his life Tala is brutally murdered he seeks solace in her tribe and eventually becomes a "Night Walker". What is a Night Walker? You must read to find out! Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed. This story was well thought out, well written, and will keep you guessing. The ending definitely threw me for a loop and was not at all what I expected to happen, though I knew "something" was going to happen in those last few pages.
I highly recommend this book and promise you will not find a dull moment and be hard pressed to put the book down. I anxiously await part two in this wonderful new series.
This first book in which I hope will become a running series introduces us to Calisto. After the love of his life Tala is brutally murdered he seeks solace in her tribe and eventually becomes a "Night Walker". What is a Night Walker? You must read to find out! Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed. This story was well thought out, well written, and will keep you guessing. The ending definitely threw me for a loop and was not at all what I expected to happen, though I knew "something" was going to happen in those last few pages.
I highly recommend this book and promise you will not find a dull moment and be hard pressed to put the book down. I anxiously await part two in this wonderful new series.
July 31, 2011
When Father Gregorio Salvador found the broken, lifeless body of his forbidden love Tala, he started on a path that would lead him to an endless life of death, bitterness and isolation. As Calisto Terana, he immediately recognizes Kate Bradley as the reincarnation of his lover Tala, but he can not come to her as a human any longer. Now he is a Night Walker, a predator of the dark, and he brings danger in his wake. Kate has no inkling of her past life, only an immediate attraction, a weird sense of deja vu, and recurring nightmares. Tala's original killers may be long gone, but the Holy Order of the Fraternidad have watched Calisto over the centuries and have been waiting for her return. It seems history is about to repeat itself. For full review go to http://www.ragesexandteddybears.blogs...
March 21, 2017
Night Walker by Lisa Kessler
A new take on vampires in this urban paranormal romance. First in the series.
I wasn't sure about the hero in the beginning. He was cold (Literally!) and seemingly unfeeling. As we grew to know him better, his repressed personality came out more favorably. What I did like, was him preying on bad guys for his meals. Although they maybe didn't all deserve death, at least it wasn't the innocent.
I do not want to include spoilers, but one of my pet peeves is when characters don't talk to each other. A little more disclosure earlier would have saved ...
Overall, a good read. Entertaining if a bit on the dark side. I will be reading more of this author.
A new take on vampires in this urban paranormal romance. First in the series.
I wasn't sure about the hero in the beginning. He was cold (Literally!) and seemingly unfeeling. As we grew to know him better, his repressed personality came out more favorably. What I did like, was him preying on bad guys for his meals. Although they maybe didn't all deserve death, at least it wasn't the innocent.
I do not want to include spoilers, but one of my pet peeves is when characters don't talk to each other. A little more disclosure earlier would have saved ...
Overall, a good read. Entertaining if a bit on the dark side. I will be reading more of this author.
January 14, 2013
I thought this one sounded interesting, however the execution didn't work for me. For some reason from page 1 I was turned off, I didn't like the characters or how the interacted with each other. In the end this one just wasn't for me.
February 18, 2013
this is not a good book.
November 10, 2013
DNF at 50%. The story started out strongly, but then I just couldn't continue.
August 9, 2019
New twist on vampires
Liked the story development. New twist on “bloodsuckers”!
Interested in what comes next and how the story develops.
Enjoyed it
Liked the story development. New twist on “bloodsuckers”!
Interested in what comes next and how the story develops.
Enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews