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The Clann #novella
Dance with Darkness
"I know what you are..."
As a prima ballerina for the Houston Symphony Ballet Company, Lorena Childs is used to having people stare at her after a performance, especially when on tour with her company. But when she meets the dark stare of Conor Blake, a parent of one of the kids she’s been guest teaching at a local dance studio, she doesn’t find the usual fan’s adulation. If anything, Conor looks furious, despite his polite words. And when he shakes her hand before leaving, the shock that races up her arm is anything but normal chemistry between a man and a woman. Then he shows up during her company’s rehearsals the next day and says the words she hears so often in her nightmares…”I know what you are.” Can she convince him not to take away her only remaining happiness and the last tie to her former human life?
As a descendent of a local group of blood-born witches, Conor grew up hearing the warnings about how vampires would always crave his blood above another human’s due to the powerful energy his kind are able to draw up. But even though the existence of day walker vampires is generally accepted now, they usually prefer to stay in the closet and try to appear as normal humans. And they certainly never came to the East Texas town of Taylorsville. So he never dreamed that his own daughter would be in dangerous proximity to one, especially not at her dance studio. Yet not only has one of the loveliest predators come to their town, but she is actually guest teaching innocent children every day. He intended to confront Lorena and threaten to reveal her secret to the public if she does not immediately leave her ballet company and stay away from all children. But once he is alone with her backstage, the pull she creates within him becomes stronger than his original plans, leaving him to wonder…how will he protect his loved ones and the innocents of his town when he can’t even seem to protect himself from Lorena’s powerful attraction?
As a prima ballerina for the Houston Symphony Ballet Company, Lorena Childs is used to having people stare at her after a performance, especially when on tour with her company. But when she meets the dark stare of Conor Blake, a parent of one of the kids she’s been guest teaching at a local dance studio, she doesn’t find the usual fan’s adulation. If anything, Conor looks furious, despite his polite words. And when he shakes her hand before leaving, the shock that races up her arm is anything but normal chemistry between a man and a woman. Then he shows up during her company’s rehearsals the next day and says the words she hears so often in her nightmares…”I know what you are.” Can she convince him not to take away her only remaining happiness and the last tie to her former human life?
As a descendent of a local group of blood-born witches, Conor grew up hearing the warnings about how vampires would always crave his blood above another human’s due to the powerful energy his kind are able to draw up. But even though the existence of day walker vampires is generally accepted now, they usually prefer to stay in the closet and try to appear as normal humans. And they certainly never came to the East Texas town of Taylorsville. So he never dreamed that his own daughter would be in dangerous proximity to one, especially not at her dance studio. Yet not only has one of the loveliest predators come to their town, but she is actually guest teaching innocent children every day. He intended to confront Lorena and threaten to reveal her secret to the public if she does not immediately leave her ballet company and stay away from all children. But once he is alone with her backstage, the pull she creates within him becomes stronger than his original plans, leaving him to wonder…how will he protect his loved ones and the innocents of his town when he can’t even seem to protect himself from Lorena’s powerful attraction?
Unknown Binding
First published July 30, 2013
7 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Darnell
22 books673 followersMelissa Darnell is the author of a growing list of adult, New Adult and Young Ault fiction and nonfiction books. Born in California, she grew up in Texas and has also called the following states home since then: Utah, West Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Iowa and South Dakota. She currently lives in Nebraska with her husband Tim and two sons, Hunter and Alexander, where she enjoys watching Game of Thrones, Defiance, Newsroom, Real Time with Bill Maher, VICE, Being Human, and True Blood, and of course writing her latest book.
For information about her other books, playlists for each of her books, and more, please visit Melissa's websites at www.MelissaDarnell.com and www.TheClannSeries.com.
For information about her other books, playlists for each of her books, and more, please visit Melissa's websites at www.MelissaDarnell.com and www.TheClannSeries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 27, 2014
Lorena was a vampire, also a ballerina for a ballet company. she often went on tours and performing on stages to promote their company. during one of her performances, she suddenly felt a strong bloodlust while she was on stage. after struggling painfully from the distraction, she finally met Conor, the father of one of her new student, Chrissy. Conor was one of the Clann's descendant, whose blood drew Lorena in. afraid of vampires but equally intrigued, Conor's initial intention of threatening Lorena soon became falling head over heels for her.
the book was a short story completely unrelated to Savannah and Tristan's lives. for the first quarter of the book, i wasn't truly enjoying myself until i found the beautiful twists. the duo were undeniably attracted to each other, but what started out as a descendant-vampire blood attraction was actually something more. right after Conor made the spell that had the ability to block off their energies, it became crystal clear that their attraction was truly because of love. the remaining of the book gave me plenty of goosebumps and a thoroughly heartwarming experience.
my review: here
the book was a short story completely unrelated to Savannah and Tristan's lives. for the first quarter of the book, i wasn't truly enjoying myself until i found the beautiful twists. the duo were undeniably attracted to each other, but what started out as a descendant-vampire blood attraction was actually something more. right after Conor made the spell that had the ability to block off their energies, it became crystal clear that their attraction was truly because of love. the remaining of the book gave me plenty of goosebumps and a thoroughly heartwarming experience.
my review: here
August 3, 2013
I am a HUGE fan of Melissa Darnell's The Clann Series! It was one of the very first books I ever purchased on my Kindle. I saw her post about this short story today and absolutely had to jump on it! The third book, Consume, comes out later this month. SQUEALLL!!!!!! This short story was a frickin tease! How can you end it so abruptly like that? I feel like she dangled some money in front of my face just to quickly snatch it away. I feel cheated! It leaves it open for more and I don't know if the relationship between these characters will be brought up at all in Consume. It was much shorter than I anticipated. My Kindle told me I was 75% through and the story was finished. Yeah...I've been Ikea'd. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was sexy and sweet with a little of that Clann magic going on. I just wish it would have been longer. On the plus side, I noticed there is a NA PNR series that she just released today. I feel another bender coming on!!
January 13, 2024
I wanted a bit more, but it finished without a cliffhanger.
It's a short side story.
It's a short side story.
August 20, 2013
This was more of a short story than what I consider a "book book" though it did not lack a good dose of sex appeal! It's a new look on how vampires are not such blood lusting monsters but how they could still be a positive influence in society (such as not trying to bite every blood pumping human!) There is a spark instantly between a Irish clansman and this vampire and of course how his motherless daughter attaches herself to said vampire! its quite heart touching but like I said did not last long enough for my taste! but all in all I'm still interested in continuing this series!
November 2, 2017
Melissa Darnell might be my new favorite vamp wrighter. To those of you new to the world of Darnell, expect plenty of dancing, East Texas and passionate romance. In this novella we catch a glimpse into the adult point of view, the blend of centuries long prejudice and jaded realities. Wieght that you don't find in YA is strong in this story. Because our hero plays pro and antagonist all for the sake of his motherless daughter. I'd love to read more of this depth and edge in future adult works this author pens.
August 18, 2013
Wonderful. It's set in the same world as crave and covet but this is the story of different people with some more mature themes.
I find it weird that the love was really immediate. Their relationship went really fast. After 1 date the guy sacrifices years of his life and sleeps with her. A bit weird cause of the speed of everything but I think I understand she did it because its a SHORT novella.
Marlissa Darnell is a great author. I cannot wait for Consume!!!! Just a few more weeks!!!
I find it weird that the love was really immediate. Their relationship went really fast. After 1 date the guy sacrifices years of his life and sleeps with her. A bit weird cause of the speed of everything but I think I understand she did it because its a SHORT novella.
Marlissa Darnell is a great author. I cannot wait for Consume!!!! Just a few more weeks!!!
August 10, 2013
If you want a quick story with a nice love story this is the book for you.
October 6, 2013
Ok short story. Nice romance and HEA.
March 7, 2014
love it
November 5, 2013
What happens when a member of the Clann and a vampire fall in love?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews