The Dark's Mistress

Wicked Games #3.8

by Michele Hauf

Beguiled by the devil Himself, her only hope was the vampire who could not love her dark and tainted heart.

Blu and Creed's daughter, Kambriel has come to Paris to 'find herself' and finds more than she bargained for when the man who seduces her with extravagant gifts and fine things reveals his true nature. Now she is desperate for freedom.

Johnny Santiago falls for the beautiful vampiress singing at Club l'Enfer, yet he doesn't expect his rival to be the devil Himself. Can he rescue Kam from the dark prince before she loses her soul and forgets everything and everyone she has ever cared for?

Note: This book is written for adults and New Adults. Not intended for under 16 years. Some sex, language and violence.

Genres: Vampires, Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 11, 2013

About the author

Michele has been writing romance, action-adventure and fantasy stories for over twenty years. Her first published novel was DARK RAPTURE.

France, musketeers, vampires and faeries populate her stories. And if she followed the adage 'write what you know', all her stories would have snow in them. Fortunately, she steps beyond her comfort zone and writes about countries she has never visited and of creatures she has never seen.

Michele also writes as Michele Renae, and you can find her erotica, chick lit, and Harlequin Romance titles at your favorite online retailer.

--From the author's website bio

Reviews

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm afraid all my reviews of Michele Hauf's books are beginning to read the same - I love these characters and the setting and the handling of the paranormal aspects. I could happily just hide away at home for a while and consume all the books in this Beautiful Creatures world she has created.

Kam is the twenty-something daughter of Blu and Creed (from Her Vampire Husband) who has left home and moved to Paris to "find herself." But she ends up involved with a very bad guy (understatement) and can't figure out how to escape. Johnny Santiago sees her singing in a club one night and falls fast for her. But in order to win her heart, he has to get her away from her current boyfriend.

I liked the way Johnny approached the relationship, wanting to win Kam's heart and be worthy of her - not simply wanting her at first sight. And oddly enough, when I finished reading this, I realized the two characters never had sex, and yet, this has some of the steamiest, sexiest scenes I've ever read.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, but I wish it had included more of Kambriel's family. Other than a brief appearance by her brother - who isn't even mentioned by name - her family isn't in this story. Earlier this week, I read Her Vampire Husband, which is the story of how Kambriel's parents, Creed and Blu met and fell in love. I then read Moonspun, which is the story of how much her parents wanted to have children, and all they went through to have them. After reading about those two stories, I feel pretty certain this Kambriel was raised well and very much loved. While I can understand her parents respecting her desire to go to Paris to "find herself", I cannot imagine that they would allow her to disappear and completely lose touch with them. Even if they did allow it, her father is an important man with a lot of connections in Paris, and I feel like he would have made sure someone was watching out for her, making sure she was safe and NOT falling into the hands of the Devil. I kept waiting for Creed to show up and rescue her, and if that couldn't happen, I at least wanted her brother to show up at the end and assist Johnny in saving her. After reading about this family all week, that seemed like the sort of thing they would do.

However, I also realize this was probably written to be a stand alone, and the focus is supposed to be on Kam and Johnny Santiago and their relationship. So maybe if I'd not read this while Creed and Blu were still so fresh on my mind, none of this would have bothered me.

Also, I'm confused as to how Kam can have a full grown niece and nephews at her wedding in Moonlight & Diamonds, considering her niece is a newborn at the end of Malakai which takes place shortly after Kam moves to Paris, and several times it's mentioned that Kam's been in Paris around six months. At first I thought maybe she and Johnny waited a long time to get married, but Johnny's baby sister in this book is still a baby at the wedding. Maybe this will be explained in a later story.

[Djg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in the "Love's First Bite" anthology

I had high hopes for an epic love story. The author is a good writer who obviously loves the paranormal world she's created and this story felt like a love letter. The descriptions, and language she uses drew me in quite like the heroine is drawn to her master.

Alas, it fell way short in the romance department. So many things were right but so many missed chances. Worst of all, only one love scene but the H & h NEVER consummate. I was left with an unsatisfied feeling (no pun intended).

Kambriel a vampire is the daughter of and twin sister of characters in previous books. She's been in Paris for a time though she can't remember exactly how long. She has a mysterious man in her life who gives her everything she could want, including the ability to sing and create a club out of thin air for her to perform in. She has a dark ethereal air about her.

Enter our hero Johnny, a vampire and rock singer in his own right and he's drawn to Kam. Johnny is anything but an alpha. He is devastatingly charming but he somehow decides he want to woo Kam and be "worthy" of her. But Kam has terrifying secrets which can harm anyone who gets near her.

If you've read Michelle Hauf before, you can guess who the dark boyfriend is and that I find fascinating. The author has explored this character in ways I suspect other authors are just not willing to take on so that gives it something special.

Ultimately I was disappointed that the romance and falling in love didn't happen organically. On one page they like each other and feel like they how the "potential" to fall in love (how lukewarm is that?)and the next morning declare they love each other. I just didn't buy it. Also, I admit, I LOVE explicit love scenes and this story just did not deliver on it's promise.
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[Michelle Leah Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Review by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Wow... Beautiful, dark, and wickedly seductive!

The Dark's Mistress was another amazing and poetic addition to the dark side of Michele Hauf that I am absolutely loving lately, and a fabulous continuation to the stories of the families that first made me fall in love with Michele's work.

Kambriel is a heroine that I think a lot of us can relate with. She's strong, and yet, stuck. Her heart reaches for something and yet there is that niggling piece of her that feels she doesn't quite deserve it, so she simply tries to make what she has what she needs.

Johnny is every girl's dream - bad boy, rocker, family man... and the connection that he and Kam share is nothing short of explosive. It's one of those love connections that doesn't need sex to make it SEXY.

The Dark's Mistress was an absolutely captivating read and I highly recommend it! I also recommend the other books in this series line - Seduced by the Vampire, Forever Vampire, Her Vampire Husband, Cruel Enchantment, Moonspun, and Malakai.

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny Santiago, the son of Lyric and Vail-Forever Vampire, grandson of Rhys and Vivian Hawkes, okay not really Rhys grandson but grand nephew,whatever, I say grandson. He visits Club l’Enfer, Club Hell,to check out the heavy metal group called Dark's Mistress and when he sees and hears the lead singer he know he wants her, all of her. Kambriel, daughter of Creed and Blu feels like something is very wrong with her current situation. Her boyfriend will give her what ever she desires but he only wants one thing she knows deep down she can't give it to him.
No the Johnny and Lam will have to find a way to be free of Himself but she's thinking to give her gift to Johnny an prey that will stop this but Johnny will need outside help to cleanse her heart of the souls she has gathered and to break her away from the devil. His family has already been affected with his father Vail on dust and high grandma Vivian showing up to the club, not to mention her family is also affected by evil. It's up to Johnny and the help from 3 witches to save them all....

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. Confused for awhile on how they connected to the characters from previous books since some had not been mentioned before.

Also the way Himslf was defeated was abrupt and too easy after the build up for it. Like the author had run out of time or ideas.

I love the butterfly tatoos.

[Tamara aka SoMysteriousLee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had all the interesting ideas and the makings of a book I'd really enjoy, but I only just like it. Other than the crazy Vivian, I wasn't really overly interested in the characters. Not a bad read, just not one I really got into.

[Jenae (Jeni) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was not the usual vampire love story, and I loved it! A love triangle with the devil himself as one corner makes for an interesting read. I like the authors style of writing and am looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Nikki-luise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blu and Creed's daughter is under the Devil Himself's control and has found the one vampire that she was made to love.

can she ever escape the controlling boyfriend and remember what he himself is trying to keep her from her family

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read and an interesting take on Himself and how he operates. I like how this story tied in with previous characters and would like to read more about Johnny and Kambriel.