Dark Secret

Dark #15

by Christine Feehan

Rafael De La Cruz has spent centuries hunting vampires with his brothers, and with each passing year his capacity to feel emotions has grown weaker and weaker until finally there's barely been a memory left-until only sheer willpower keeps him from turning into the very abomination he hunts. But it'll take more than will to keep him away from the woman who is meant to be his and his alone…

For five years, rancher Colby Jansen has been the sole protector of her younger half-siblings, and with fierce determination and work she has kept her family together and the ranch operational. Now, the De La Cruz brothers are threatening that stability. They claim that her siblings belong with their father's family, not with her. Colby vows to fight them-especially the cold and arrogant Rafael De La Cruz. But Rafael is after more than her family-he wants Colby and will not let anything stand between them. After ages of loneliness, the raw desire to possess her overwhelms his very soul, driving him to claim her as his lifemate.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Romance, Vampires, Fantasy, Dark, Fiction

383 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...




IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)

Reviews

[Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Change of heart Stars

First read August 2012 Rated 2.5 Stars Reread February 9, 2016
reread 12/27/2020

*Some Spoilers*



"You think to escape me, pequena, but there is no chance for you. You may as well accept it as you accept the air you breathe into your lungs. And I don't like you saying no to me. No one says no to me, least of all you."-Rafael

So the first time I read this book way back in 2012 I hated Rafael. I remember thinking what a jerk he was and how I wanted to punch him in the throat. I have reread this series 4 times so far but I always skipped this book after the first time I read it, because I hated the hero so much. I am glad I didn't skip it this time because I liked it better this time around. Like a total change of heart. That almost never happens for me. I actually liked Rafael this time, don't get me wrong he still did some shit I wanted to punch him for, but I had a total 180 on my feelings for him. It was like night and day!

The way I seen Rafael the first read:



"You do not ever have to be without me, Colby. Lifemate is forever. Tonight, be in my world with my laws. I can do no other than to see to your every happiness. Your health and needs and desires will be forever mine." He kissed his way down the valley between her breasts. "My world was one of darkness until you gave me back life. I know absolutely you are everything to me. You will always be everything. I may command you in bed"-he swirled his tongue around her beloved belly button-"but you command me in all other things."-Rafael

The way I see him after this read:



A low sound escaped, a groan of despair. How could he have been so selfish? He had thought only of his needs, his desires. He hadn't stopped to think of the consequences to her. Colby would suffer terribly this day and it was through his own selfishness. In that moment, he hated himself.-Rafael

I am very shocked at how much I really liked Rafael this time around. I actually felt bad for him, and at times thought Colby was being a bitch to him. Like a total 180! I know I already said that but I'm just so damn surprised I like him so much! I guess it helps that I have read books with way bigger asshole heroes since the first time I picked this book up. I found Rafael dominate, brooding, and lonely. He came on strong and wanted to control everything but he did soften and tried to make Colby happy.

"You have so much here, Colby. You are willing to give so much of yourself to those you love. I want you to love me. I am not deserving of your love. I have not only done nothing to deserve it, but I have made your life more difficult. I need you. I know I will not always be easy to be with. I am a very dominant man, sexually and otherwise. I want you to be mine. All mine." He said the words starkly, without embellishment, totally vulnerable, aware she could crush him easily with one word, one look. "But I want you to love me, I need you to love me."-Rafael



"If I never say it again, Rafael, thank you for this night. Thank you for caring enough to lend us the money to save the ranch. And thank you for accepting me the way I am, for making me feel accepted."-Colby

Colby I still liked although she annoyed me more this time around. Colby was strong willed, brave, very independent, but at times wishy washy. It was the " I want him but I don't want to want him", "I have to fight my feelings for him", " I don't want this, you can have my body but not my heart" crap that drove me crazy. I felt sorry for the pain she caused Rafael. He just wanted her to love him, accept him. She would make love to him be nice to him then push him away. It got to the point where I as I was reading I was yelling at my kindle for her to knock her shit off!

"Rafael, I can't be submissive to you. It isn't in my character-don't you see that as well? I have to have some control, some partnership, or it would never work between us. I could never love you. I know I'm sexually addicted, but I want to be in love with you as much as you want me to be. I just can't make that leap knowing you don't respect my judgment."-Colby



"I love everything about you, querida. I am not ashamed to admit it to you. I love the way you burn for me and the way my body grows hard and hot and ready for you every time I lay eyes on you. I love the way you take care of your family and even the way you think you can defy me. Stop being a coward and admit you love me." "Stay out of my thoughts. It's bad enough that you try to force me to do whatever you want. If you need to hear me say it before I even know my own mind, compel me to say it,"-Rafael and Colby

I think Rafael's brother Nicolas really nailed it on the head when he told her:

I didn't ask to be your brother's lifemate. I have my own life here, my own responsibilities. Why should your rights be more important than mine?" Nicolas leaned close to her, his eyes flat and diamond hard. "Because if you don't find your lifemate, you will not turn into a monster that will be absolutely evil and live for the death and pain of others. I will. I am not human. Rafael is not human. We have fought centuries against the darkness. You could relieve his pain so easily. You could ensure that he would never face that moment in time when he might succumb to darkness, yet you are too stubborn, too selfish to give him what he needs. And because of that, you foolishly risk the lives of your brother and sister and your neighbors and others you don't even know. Worse, you risk my brother's very soul and the souls of my familia and myself. In the end, he will have you, so taking this risk is senseless. I would take you, if you were mine, and get it done."-Colby and Nicolas

Colby does pull it together and is super awesome towards the end. I loved Nicolas and Vikirnoff in this book. I just enjoyed everything so much better this time around and I am glad I gave it another go. So I am raising my original rating of 2.5 stars to 4 stars.

"I no longer need the words, Rafael. I opened my mind to yours and I feel the love you have for me. I know the words in your heart because I can see them there." She kissed him, a long, slow kiss of seduction. "I want you. I want to touch you, hold you, to feel you inside of me. I need to feel you alive and wrapped around me"-Colby

[Beth F · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t especially like either of the characters in this book. However, the fact that most of the story takes place on a ranch means the proverbial dead horse metaphor literally applies here.

Him: You are my lifemate. I will have you.
Her: Ex-CUSE ME? No. You forced me to have sex with you and didn’t give me a choice and my feathers are feeling ruffled so I’ll take care of myself, my ranch and my juvenile siblings myself, tyvm.
Him: You burn for me.
Her: Back off, bucko! OMG I’M BURNING FOR YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU RAPED ME!
Him: I will have you. I need you.
Her: We already discussed this! I don’t need you! OMG, I NEED YOU!
Him: You are my lifemate. You will be mine.
Her: Uh, no. I’m not interested. I’m independent.
Him: But you are my lifemate.
Her: But I’m independent.
Him: I SAID YOU WERE MY LIFEMATE!
Her: What part of INDEPENDENT do you not understand?!? AND YOU RIPPED A MAN'S HEART OUT OF HIS CHEST WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!!!
Him: Vampires are evil and I need you.
Her: I want you in my body but then you need to LEAVE!!!!!!!
Him: I can’t do that.
Her: I can’t do this.
Him: I love beating dead horses. With sticks. I have a monstrous pleasure tool.
Her: I love your pleasure tool AND beating dead horses.

I think the constant back and forth bickering in this particular novel did NOT work for me especially well, probably because he and she did the deed way too early. At the beginning they butted heads. Then he forced her to have sex with him in the first third of the book. Then they kept arguing and arguing and arguing and it never changed until WHAM BAM at the end, almost miraculously, they fell in love. In books where the arguing serves as foreplay and builds up to the inevitable boink session that we all love and expect in books such as this, I like the arguing that can occur between two very strong-willed characters. But when the sex happens as early on as it did in this story, I find it annoying.

This author has been on my “recommended” list for quite some time and I’ve finally had an opportunity to give her a try. The fact that I started with #15 in a long-running series was wholly uncharacteristic for me—I hate reading out of order. I’m also not a huge fan of audiobooks but I made a weekend road trip alone recently and wanted something to pass the time and that was how “Dark Secret” became my first Feehan. Most of the books shelved in the audibook section at my library were things I’d already read and didn’t feel like listening to all over again or else they were in genres I couldn’t even feign interest in (ie war stories and thrillers).

Overall, I thought it was a decent distraction and I’m curious enough to go out and pick up some other books from this series, preferably from the beginning. I enjoyed the story but spent much of the car ride blushing furiously over the erotic descriptions. Why is it I don’t blush when I read things like this but listening to it felt a bit like an intrusion???

[Sophia Triad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafael De La Cruz and Colby Jansen

[Kirsty · Rating 1 out of 5]

HOW HAS THIS GOT 4 STARS?!

The hero bloody rapes the heroine!

He literally knocks out everyone in the area, holds her down and uses his vampire mind control to make him want her.

Rape!

Ugh people need to get their priotries straight, rape is not something to be idolised, it is disgusting and this book should never have been published without some huge edits.

I think the hero even acknowledges at one point that he did in fact rape the heroine. This is a seriously disturbing book!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cover makes me laugh.

This is actually one of the better books in this series. All the usual suspects are there, all nice and predictable, but the Carpathian in question is different - and convincing - enough to add a new layer of spice, and the plot is, for Feehan, more complex. Actually, reading the blurb, it made no sense to me at all.

Colby (why do Feehan's heroines always have such dreadful names?) has been running her stepfather's ranch for her two young half-siblings, Paul and Ginny, since their father died five years before. The work is mostly horse-breaking, and she works all day and well into the night, while her neighbours crowd her. She had to borrow money from one and is now struggling to pay it off. Even worse, Paul and Ginny's uncles, Juan and Julio Chevez, arrive from Brazil determined to take them back with them. The Chevez family had ignored them when Armando, Colby's stepfather, was ill and when he died, and are now trying to take the kids away. It doesn't help that they have the support of the powerful De la Cruz brothers.

Rafael De la Cruz came with his brother Nicolas to help the Chevez family, but his first sight of Colby complicates everything. A powerful, dominating Carpathian who had been sent to South America, along with his brothers, in the 13th century (Huh? Really?) to hunt vampires, he fully expects to simply convert Colby and take her back to Brazil with him. Once he manages to break through her mental defences and form a path to her mind, though, he starts to see things through her eyes and gradually learns what it is to love others and care for them. The way Rafael grew and matured as a character, revealing a selfless side that wasn't there before, is what made me really enjoy this book. Usually, the Carpathian men don't change much; the women simply have to learn to put up with all the crap.

There are a few nice surprises in this one that I don't want to give away. It's a very passionate book and, although the awful, repetitive writing is there, it was much easier in this one to ignore it and enjoy. I guess I found the characters much less irritating.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one would have been stuck on three stars if not for the awesome climax, probably the best so far in this series!

In this installment, Feehan finally addresses what we have all been wondering about... what if the strong, domineering, alpha male didn't care if the woman wanted to be his lifemate? Rafael De La Cruz, answers that question in spades. He is an ancient, super powerful and used to getting his way - always and without complaint. If there is any question, he just takes what he wants. That is how he handles the woman he discovers is his lifemate. It is of little consequence what she might want. If she disagrees - and she does - he compels her and takes it anyway. It makes him a very hard character to like but kudos goes to Feehan for exploring the side of the Carpathian male we all know is there.

Colby is the perfect foil for this plot-line. She is independent, incredibly headstrong - she has to be, as she has had the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings and running a ranch since she was seventeen years old. She is responsible yet loving and fiercely protective of her life and family. So, when Rafael enters the picture, demanding she submit to him, turn her siblings over to his care and follow him to his home country of Brazil, one can imagine the response. It results in great reading but not necessarily enjoyable reading. Rafael's character is never given enough depth to overcome our disdain of his actions. He never just sits down and explains things to Colby so she is able to understand and accept everything that is pummeling her world. The reader becomes as infuriated as Colby with this confusion, keeping those stars from climbing despite the great writing.

Things take a drastic turn for the better, however, as the climax hits. It comes out of nowhere and, again, explores an area that we often wonder about concerning those almost indestructible males but have never really experienced to this extreme (notice how hard I'm trying not to spoil?!?) It was the perfect twist needed to bring redemption to Rafael and acceptance to the reader.

*The steam factor in this book is high and somewhat uncomfortable. It is also hard to skip and keep the thread of the plot consistant.*

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Dark Secret” is the story of Colby and Raphael.

So I’ve read all of the Carpathian novels so far, and this has to be my favorite.
Colby is the owner of Chevez ranch, taking care of her step siblings Ginny and Paul due to her deep love for late stepfather Armando. When the Chevron family tries to come and claim the kids and property, she fights back like a mama tigress- not knowing that someone much more dominating is about to come and disrupt her plans- the De Luca brothers- Raphael and Nikolas.
It’s a throughly engaging read.
I really really liked the back and forth between the leads. Raphael was the most dominating, jealous, crazy and OTT Carpathian we’ve seen so far, and Colby was the PERFECT match for him as she took him on head to head. She is a strong, independent and lovable lead who fought for what she believed until the very end.
Was he totally annoying and exasperating during half of the book? Yes
However does that make us hate him? Nope- because his reasons were valid and he did feel remorse
I also liked the inner conflict both the characters faced- about difference in species, conversions and families.
The mystery, villains and supporting characters were amazing, the angst heartbreaking and the familial love strong.
A special mention to all the hot hot hot hot hot lovemaking in this book- because- if I didn’t say it before- it was HOT.
I’m really looking forward to Natalya, Nikolas and the stories of the other De Luca clan.

Safe
4.5/5

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read any of Christine Feehan's books. Reading this reminded me why.

In my defense, I was sick. I wanted something light to read for brain-dead me. Even ill, though, I could barely make my way through the book. I was ready to scream, despite my lack of voice, if I read the word "dominant" or the variation "dominate", again.

He has to "own" her? Seriously? The book is a throw back to the bad 60s and 70s Harlequin romances (brooding, dominant male intent on having his way with the tiny, perfect, independent female who says "no" right up to the point where she says "more"). Fortunately, Rafael is so rich that Colby can overlook his domineering ways. rolling eyes

When I went to Target today, I saw two more books in the series. I didn't own them; I still don't.

Run away from this book if you're looking for an original, creative paranormal romance. This is the book for you if you're fond of dreck.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like my November 2025 reads are not off to a great start. I have a handful of Christine Feehan books on my shelf and... well, this one made me wonder if I should even bother giving them a go at all? Maybe just donate the lot? Sigh...

This one... has the love interest force himself onto her. And it gets worse as he tries to say why it's okay... and I clocked out at that point. Okay, so like... I still kept skimming to see if it got better but... it didn't. It was cringey. It was forceful. It was.... awful. Awkward. Disappointing. Not great.

So, I don't have much more to say because after that chapter where she said "no" and he didn't take no for an answer... I noped the heck outta there.

One out of five stars.

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first read this book back in 2016 I think it was a 2 star read for me but I recently did a re read for a buddy read a long and now its a 4 star. So sometimes re reading can change the outlook of a story for you.

[CC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much push/pull for me. I kind of liked Rafael, even though he was overbearing. I thought Colby was a bit ridiculous.

There was a tiny bit of OW drama which absolutely turned me off! I HATED the scene and hated that it was never really explained to Colby.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafael is something else. He's definitely a 'I want, I take' kind of hero. This book plays out like a tug of war. He sees Colby and knows he has to have her as his lifemate, and then proceeds and taking control of her life. But Colby isn't down with that. She's attracted to him, quite fiercely in fact. That makes the physical part easy for Rafael, but there is not a more stubborn woman on earth, at least in this book. Colby has had to be stubborn to survive her life, and keep a roof over the heads of her brother and sister and herself. She works from dawn and past dusk doing so, running the ranch, and training other people's horses. She doesn't even allow herself to think about a life for herself and meeting her own needs.



She's scared to death when the De La Cruz brothers arrive with the Chevez brothers who are the uncles of her half-sister and half-brother. They are going to take her family away to Brazil, and she'll never see them again. So her defenses are up against the admittedly gorgeous and unbelieveably attractive Rafael, despite the pull he has on her.



Rafael is pretty underhanded in his seduction of Colby. In his mind, having her as his lifemate is a foregone conclusion, so he proceeds full-steam ahead. He seduces Cobly while she is dreaming, and when she realizes what happens, she is devastated. At this point, had Rafael not been remorseful, I would have thought he was a complete jerk. He really does feel sorry for taking away her choices, yet at the same time, he's not going to give her up.



As a Carpathian, Rafael doesn't have the same understanding of man/woman rules that a human male would follow. All he understands is that she is his other half and he can do nothing else but claim her. Yes, he's pretty arrogant, but he also shows genuine caring and love for Colby and her half-sister and half-brother, protecting her from the menace terrorizing her, and helping them to shoulder their burdens.



I couldn't help but like Rafael, despite his flaws. I liked him because his heart was in the right place. I think that CF did a good job of fleshing him out and giving him all the vulnerabilities that put his arrogance into perspective.



I really liked Colby. She's a tough, strong woman. She doesn't back down. I admired that she managed to keep the ranch going and to deal with macho guys and put them in their place when they tried to get into her business. She could have walked away from her siblings and lived her own life, but she stuck it out of love. I liked the way Colby handled Rafael and was honest with him about how she didn't like the way he had manipulated her. And when his life is in jeopardy, she does all that she can to save him. In my mind, they are a great couple.



The menace of the vampire was very apparent and creepy. CF showed it in various ways, and makes each book feel different, although it's a similar basic storyline. This book straddles the line between paranormal and horror, in my opinion. There are some moments are very thrilling and have the ick factor of a full-on horror novel. The action scenes were awesome, and the descriptions of Rafael and Virkinoff, another Carpathian, hunting and fighting the vampire Kirja were exciting. I think that Christine Feehan is a fantastic author. Yes, she tends to have her favorite words and motifs, but what author doesn't. I have to say that this is another one of my favorites in this series, and I am so glad that I discovered Christine Feehan this year, and for the recommendations to read this series.

[Alex is The Romance Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read about the Carpathians in another world…..the jungles of Brazil where the four De La Cruz brothers, powerful ancient Carpathians had been sent by their Prince, centuries ago to fight the spread of the evil vampires and to protect the Carpathian people. It’s the 15th book of the Dark Series.
This is the story of one of those brothers. Rafael De La Cruz a seductive, passionate, dominant, sexy and dark vampire killer agrees to accompany the two Chevez brothers, who the faithful human servants to the De La Cruz family, to the USA to help bring back their nephew and niece back together with their family in Brazil.
Colby Jansen, is independent, strong willed and with a spirit that matches her red hair. She has been taking care of her brother Paul and sister Ginny since the death of their father and will do anything to keep the Chevez family from taking them away from her.
From the first time of meeting each other, both feel a strong attraction and connection and sparks fly between them immediately. Rafael, who is close to turning, realizes he has finally met his life mate….he knows Colby is the perfect woman for him. Being the usual alpha Carpathian male he goes all out in persuading her to accept that they are meant to be together whilst she is irresistibly drawn to him, she tries to fight her feelings for him as she despises his role in trying to take her step-siblings away from her.
There is quite a lot happening here…someone vandalizing her ranch, the threat of a vampire who is trying to turn Colby, a vicious attack on her which causes huge problems with turning her into Rafael’s life mate.
Great writing and the dialogue is really good. Romantic and sensual you are pulled into their story from the very beginning.. Lots of hot steamy sex between the two.
A few characters from the previous books that you have grown to know ,appear here and there are some new ones that you are keep pretty much in the dark about but you just know that you will be meeting them again in the next books..Like Natalya Shonski…who is she??? Why does she mean when she meets Colby? Who is Vikirnoff Von Shrieder?
I am really into this series. I absolutely adore the Carpathian world and Colby and Rafael’s story is enthralling, dark, sensual and so sexy.
Can’t wait to read the next one in this series which is Dark Demon… Natalya Shonski and Vikirnoff Von Shrieder story…I knew there was going to be a book for them!!!!!!!

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark Secret by Christine Feehan is book 15 in the Dark Carpathians series. High in the Cascade mountains, Colby Jansen fights with everything she has, to hold on to custody of her two young siblings Paul and Ginny, and to save the ranch their father left in her care upon his death. Day after day she works herself to the bone, just so that she can cling to the only way of life she's ever known. Misfortune seems to be darkening Colby's ever step, when Juan and Julio Chevez arrive to take their brother's orphaned children back to Brazil with them. Colby refuses to give up her brother and sister, until she comes face to face with the Chevez family's employer Rafael De La Cruz.

Traveling from their homeland in Brazil to the Cascade mountains is a matter of honor for the powerful De La Cruz brothers. Nicholas and Rafael are powerful Carpathian hunters, sent to Brazil centuries ago to fight the growing evil of the vampire. They are tied to the Chevez family and can do nothing else but see to the protection of the family that has worked for them for centuries: the Chevez children must return home with their uncles, and the De La Cruz brothers will do whatever is needed to make Colby Jansen see to reason.

Immediately upon meeting Colby, Rafael is able to see colors and feel emotions, something lost to him for centuries. Colby Jansen is his lifemate, there can be no other explanation for the new sensations flooding him.

In most other Carpathian books, the reader can feel the deep suffering the hunter goes through when he finds his one true lifemate; the passion and love and rage etc. are terribly overwhelming. I didn't feel that in this book - something was definitely missing. Rafael was so cold throughout most of the book (except when in the bedroom.)

In the other books I've read in this series, both lifemates "come together" and try to understand one another, at least half-way through the story. In Dark Secret, both Colby and Rafael were so dense and hard-headed - almost to the very end - it was very frustrating. They each lacked a certain warmth and compassion for each other that is always present in the series, and in the absence of this feeling, I found it hard to relate to them and just sit back and enjoy the book.

[Valarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was the WORST out of the series! it pissed me off to no end!!!!1

[Vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars

Tropes : vampirexhuman, paranormal romance, possessive H feisty h
Ending : HFN ( they moved to Brazil)
Triggers : gore, violence, attempted sexual assault
Spice : 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Angst : 🔥🔥🔥/5
OM/OW drama : both (OW was a woman the H feed from, OM were guys that being touchy feely with h)
Kink: dubcon, rough sex, no condoms, biting, blood play, oral, virgin h

Hero : Rafael De La Cruz (2000s)
Heroine: Colby Jansen (20s)

I read the previous books months ago and I just remembered how long these books are.

It got draggy after 200s pages, I skimmed a bit towards the end. The h kept pushing the H, understandable, since this is very new to her but it git irritating for sure since it persisted til the end of the book.

Other than that it was a pretty nice read, I enjoyed it a bit.

[Emerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Rafael's character, a true alpha dominant male. I felt really awful for Rafael having to kill his childhood friend. I thought the dialogue on their conquest with each other was very well done. The cat and mouse game. I can't wait to find out more on Rafael's brothers. Colby's character I could take or leave her. I found her annoying to be honest. I am intrigued by this dragonseeker bloodline, which is new to the series, a new twist, and I'm looking forward to meeting new characters of this bloodline and how this will help or hinder the Carpathian race.

I also loved the setting in this one, on a real working ranch with horses and cattle a bit different from being in the larger cities as in the previous novels.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colby Jansen has been raising her step-siblings, Ginny and Paul, single-handedly since her beloved stepfather, Armando Chevez, died. She's also been working herself into the ground to keep the family ranch running, but now she's got a real fight on her hands. Members of the Chevez family, along with two of the powerful De La Cruz brothers, for whom Colby's family has worked for centuries, arrive at her door, intending to take custody of the children and dispose of the ranch. For ancient Carpathian Rafael De La Cruz, the world has become dark, and he is in danger of turning vampire. But when he meets Colby, he knows immediately that she is the one who could save him. Colby finds the handsome Rafael threatening but, against her better judgement, she is also irresistibly drawn to him. They quickly find that they are an equal match in terms of fiery temperament and stubbornness, but when an ancient and powerful vampire begins stalking Colby and her family, she and Rafael combine forces to combat a deadly evil.

Mixed feelings about this book, I did enojoy reading parts of it but other sections felt like they dragged along just a bit too long and in some places felt a bit painful but I did enjoy the different storyline and where the characters went.

[Sandra Dagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I just finished this one, and have to say the intensity has gone up a notch! I think this one was even heavier than the 2nd book, and I have now decided to totally ignore the other reviewers of this series, because their woman's lib comments drive me crazy. If you don't like books where the men are seriously over protective, and yes, even try to be dominating (notice I said try, because they DON'T totally succeed), then why the hell don't you find some books to read that WILL please your women's lib fetish! I repeat, not all women have to prove themselves to be as good as, or better than, any man...I have always been comfortable in my role as a woman, and will argue with anyone who tries to say that makes me weak! I LOVE this series! It feeds my need to escape for a while from the worries and cares of the world around me...that's why I read, and Ms. Feehan's books are a wonderful distraction...when I am done reading the last one, I may just go back and start all over again! Continuing to highly recommend to lovers of Paranormal romance.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this one's complicated. Rafael was super dominant, and he definitely stepped over the line at times, but he paid for it. And Colby, with her strength and independence, stood up to him. Rafael seemed honestly surprised that she saw what he did in the beginning as wrong, and as the story went on, he began to understand that he had messed up.

I loved the ranch setting, and the fact that we had kids in this one. The other brothers are interesting, and I'm excited to see Nicolas get his story. A bit of new world-building came up in here, too, so I just may have to go on to Vikirnoff's book. He was a great help, and since we met his heroine, I'm intrigued. This book had action, lots bof steam, some humor, and love, both familial and romantic.

So, did I struggle with Rafael? Yes. Will his actions put some readers off? Most definitely. But did I end up liking this story? Yes, yes I did.

[Asounani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Notarán que tarde demasiado leyendo este libro, di verán ella me parece completamente irritable y típico cliche hasta que el esta a punto de morir acepta que lo ama y no puede vivir sin él.

2 stars por el final por la parte de todos los Carpatos juntos, y porque explicaran/entregarán más la historia.

[Kathrynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

#15 in Carpathian series and the De La Cruz books were boring to me. This was Rafael as a modern day western and it just didn't fly for This Reader. Didn't like him--at all.

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[iamGamz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafael was a right bastard!
I love his character, but he took the Latin machismo thing waaay too far.

Colby is wonderful. She fought to care for her younger siblings after the death of her parents. Now that the Brazilian family who rejected them when their father was dying is in America. She will fight tooth and nail to keep her siblings with her to take her siblings.

The vampire in this book is particularly vicious. He makes the earlier vamps in the earlier books look like punks! He almost killed Rafael by shredding his heart with his vicious claws.

Another great book in the Dark serious. This series continues to improve with each new book. It is really wonderful.

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers Alert!

Colby is a self-acclaimed rancher and horse trainer who has single handedly taken care of her stepfather and siblings after her parents accident. She has been running the ranch with the help of Pete, a friend and her siblings and living a simple life until her father’s family from Brazil comes back after all these years to take her siblings away to Brazil. To keep her siblings with her and ensure they receive the ranch at their due age, she had decided to fight anyone, however powerful they were but she clearly wasn't prepared to fight the condescending, intimidating and sensual Raphael De La Cruz. Raphael finally receives salvation when he finds lifemate; he can see colors and feel again but these emotions are what makes him even more dangerous especially when she distrust, and fears him. He attempts to connect their mind to get her more inclined to him. Colby on the other hand, can’t stop thinking of Rafael and keeps dreaming of him. One night she awakes to a horror that changes her life. She gradually loses herself and becomes someone she doesn't recognize as she fights to make out truth from illusion. Meanwhile there is an ancient vampire threatening to destroy them.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Dark Secret” is a good book that could have been much better executed.

Colby's character was built very well; three dimensional. I loved the layers to her character and how she was strong internally as well as externally but not without her own weaknesses and childishness to her character. Her sense of responsibility, loneliness and how she blocks all her personal sadness and fear was realistic. I didn't like Rafael's arrogance and how he wanted to control her but it felt true to his character. He hasn't felt emotion for ages until now, so he doesn't know how to manage and what to make of them. I get that his priority was claiming his life-mate at any cause now that he’s found her. What I loved is how he gradually began understanding love and respecting her thoughts and emotions and started caring for her siblings as well. More than the fact that Rafael tricked her into sleeping with him, I’m disappointed with Colby’s reaction to it. I expected rage but there wasn't even a strong feeling of violation from her, only confusion weakness. Rafael too should have felt remorse of violating her even if conflicted with his concepts despite having access to her mind. I believe this could have added more depth to his character. I appreciate that he held from converting her as long as he could.

Another disturbing thing is the blood ritual which leaves me wondering which is Colby’s genuine emotion and which is a product of the ritual. I don’t like it that she starts yearning and caring for him once she has his blood in her system as it leaves a bad taste. It gets a little confusing as to when he's using his psychic powers on her and when he is trying to persuade her. I think Feehan should have developed their relationship beyond sexual attraction before this. Nevertheless, I’m glad she tries to think straight, resist him and questions the reality of everything that’s happened just like a person with her personality would.
I loved the scene with the tack; we got to see the sweet and emotional side of Rafael. Although Rafaels character development was believable, it lacked dimension in execution. The scene where he fully claims her, although well written and nicely captured especially her emotions, made me uneasy because of his lack of remorse.

In my opinion, their relationship needed more warmth. I felt the plot beating too much on Rafaels single ended motive pursuit to claim her and her pursuit to fight him. Many scenes, emotions and dialogues especially seemed repetitive. There was so much that could have been explored in this plot with their behavior in terms of each other showing us the changes and distance they close instead of too many dialogues emphasizing on the same stagnant dynamic and then sudden realization. I felt all this lacking particularly from Colby. The part she realized her love fell flat. It could have been better written.

A big issue with this book is the dialogue which fails to express dimension of emotions and situations. There’s also the repeating of several phrases and use of dialogues that seem childish. One dialogue that caught my heart though was;

"I am as much a prisoner as you feel you are", Rafael

The backdrop was rich and interesting. I liked how it opened up with the family and ranch situation and how she loves her siblings; it was nicely done. The subtle growth of their warm relationship with their uncle was good too.
In whole, the relationship between Rafael and Colby needs much more depth and dimension. The book has good ideas in terms of the main leads characterization and dynamic but poor execution.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The De La Cruz brothers have been hunting and fighting vampires for centuries. The Chevez family have faithfully served the De La Cruz family. Now they need their help and the De La Cruz family is "honor-bound to provide it. The problem [is] one human female. . . . It was Rafael's job now, even if it meant taking her blood to force compliance. When the brothers wanted something, anything, they got it."

Colby Jansen has been operating her half-siblings' ranch for five years. Their father, Armando Chevez, might not have been her biological father but he was her father all the same. "She tilted her chin and walked with her head up to meet the all-powerful De La Cruz brothers and the Chevez family members who had come to steal her brother and sister and their ranch." She had to remember that Rafael De La Cruz is the enemy. He is "closely associated with a family who hadn't wanted her or her mother. Someone who would consider her brother and sister servants in a land they knew nothing of. She had to remember that. She had to remember how hard their father had fought to give his children a legacy of their own."

Rafael has his sights set on Colby and, one way or another, he's going to get what he wants. She is the light to his darkness. She brought colors and emotions back into his life. Rafael will do what he has to do to keep Colby.

Rafael and Colby have sensual sparks. Colby doesn't understand why she is obsessively, sexually attracted to Rafael, and he is not explaining it clearly. Because of her fear and confusion, Rafael tells her about Carpathian life steadily, as much as he feels she can handle. When he finally shows her what he is, Colby accepts his differences in stride.

The characters are well-written, descriptive people. Rafael's brother Nicolas plays an essential part in the plot. We meet again Vikirnoff from the previous novel, and we meet a new character, Natalya. The subplots are expertly woven into the plot. The desire to find out what occurs next keeps the pages turning. The descriptions are superb and the world building is outstanding. The pacing is excellent. I didn't notice any slow scenes, except those purposely written to encourage reflection or remembrance. This is definitely a series I would recommend.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wealthy, high and mighty De La Cruz brothers (Nicolas and Rafael) had come to the Cascade Mountains to take her brother and sister (Paul and Ginny) away from her (Colby Jansen ) and into the hands of the Chevez family. Even if they were their fathers family, she didn’t want to relinquish control and allow them to be taken to Brazil and away form the only life any of them had ever know. After Nicolas’ failed attempt to persuade Colby, Rafael was determined to gain her cooperation, as soon as he saw her working in the coral, his reason for persuading her changed. The colors and emotions hit him as he watched her work, realizing the danger around her he began to wonder which would be the more difficult battle, the one with the vampire or the one for Colby’s heart and acceptance.

Book 15.…. A lot of the same characteristics as most of the other Carpathian books, the fight for Colby’s heart was much more strained. The resistance Colby showed was odd, some of the pages were awkward in the reading. Any lacking was more than made up for in the action and fight with the vampire. Rafael never said he was a gentle man, the emotions were so well written for this character, the anger and constant fight jumped off the pages. Loved the inclusion of Natalya Shonski, Vikirnoff Von Shrieder, the blanket from Francesca, as well as the mention of so many other characters that we have come to know so well.

[Sydney M Neblett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Share the load with me

This has to be one of my favorite books in the series! I can read it again and again and never get tired of it. It’s just something about those De La Cruz brothers. I don’t know if it’s their alpha male dominance, the sensual masculinity, the way they are completely taken with their ladies, or the way they give way to their lifemate when they don’t intend to, but they are really the perfect guys. And how about those ladies! I love Colby! She is so innocent, hides her fear and pain behind a lot of bluster, and she loves her siblings enough to give up everything she dreamed of for them. Like all the Dark books, the author brought danger right to our doorstep and then salvation wasn’t far behind. This book is a fantastic read! Whether it takes a weekend or a week this book is certainly worth reading.

[Pat Cromwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pins and needles slap me silly 'cause Raphael is the best thing since wheat bread and the Daratrazanoff. Can I get an amen! Even that obnoxious Colby could not ruin this book! The cover glitters and so does Mr. Raphael De La Cruz. Alleuia!

[Lureads_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

En realidad es un 3.5
Sé que he hecho YOLO con el orden de los libros pero este era uno de los protagonistas que moría por conocer. Además, la que más me ha sorprendido ha sido la prota por su personalidad (: