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Bound in Darkness #2
The Devil's Knight
The second novel in the seductive, medieval Bound in Darkness series A dangerous destiny. . . On the battlefields of Norman Britain, Tristan DuMaine cheated death countless times. Now he only wants to live a quiet life at his borderlands manor. But it will take an otherworldly power -- the bite of a vampire -- to unleash his fiercest appetite for revenge after a band of brigands forces him into a sham marriage with a rebel spitfire. A heart of fury. . . She watched Norman invaders murder her father; now beautiful Siobhan vows to avenge him. At Castle DuMaine she imprisons her sworn enemy in a marital power play designed to betray his allegiance to his cousin, Henry II. But the insatiable bloodlust that flows through Tristan's veins will soon ensnare them both in a hungry passion that inhabits a dark haven where secret desires live forever. . . .
361 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Blue
53 books33 followersI’ve been a writer since I was seven years old when I conceived my very first short fiction piece, a suspenseful tale of terror and triumph about a puppy stuck at the top of a very tall sliding board because he’s afraid to slide down. As I recall this plotline came to me as I was sitting at the top of a very tall sliding board with a long line of other second graders behind me yelling, “Are you gonna slide or what?” As an artist, I’ve always responded well to pressure.
Since the puppy (who made it, by the way, for anyone who’s worried), I’ve written and released ten and a half full-length novels and many, many short stories, published with two big publishers (Berkeley-Penguin and Pocket Books-Simon & Schuster), a couple of small indie publishers, and all by my itty bitty self. With my sister, Alexandra Christian, I write, edit, and publish for Little Red Hen Romance, a micro-press for the kind of romances we want to read.
I’m a graduate of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Winthrop University, so if we went to school together, by all means drop me a note at lucybluecastle@gmail.com and say hi. I’m married to game designer and artist Justin Glanville.
Since the puppy (who made it, by the way, for anyone who’s worried), I’ve written and released ten and a half full-length novels and many, many short stories, published with two big publishers (Berkeley-Penguin and Pocket Books-Simon & Schuster), a couple of small indie publishers, and all by my itty bitty self. With my sister, Alexandra Christian, I write, edit, and publish for Little Red Hen Romance, a micro-press for the kind of romances we want to read.
I’m a graduate of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Winthrop University, so if we went to school together, by all means drop me a note at lucybluecastle@gmail.com and say hi. I’m married to game designer and artist Justin Glanville.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 21, 2010
Another solid book from Lucy Blue - a perfect cross between romance and paranormal. But something is still missing and I can't quite put my finger on it. Something keeps this book from being captivating and memorable and I have a believe it may be the characters. They aren't truly believable or lovable.
December 9, 2008
A good followup novel to "My Demon's Kiss" by the same author. New characters are successfully introduced to the ongoing tale of Crusader-knight-turned-vampire Simon and his quest to find the holy grail in order to restore his mortality. As with the first book, there are a few graphic adult scenes, but it's not too over the top. Otherwise the book is fast moving and engrossing and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 30, 2012
Lucy Blue paints such an exquisite picture with her words. Even if this wasn't one of the hottest vampire books I've ever read, I would eat it up because of the lush descriptions and fantastic characters. A must-read!
October 14, 2013
An erster Stelle gilt mein Dank dem Blanvalet Verlag , welcher mir dieses Rezensionsexemplar hat zukommen lassen. Sofort beim Öffnen der Büchersendung hat mich das Cover in seinen Bann gezogen und ich musste es einfach sofort lesen.
Tristan DuMaine ist ein Normanne. Schon oft hat er auf dem Schlaffeld dem Tod die Stirn geboten und sehnt sich jetzt nach nichts mehr, als nach etwas Ruhe mit seiner 5jährigen Tochter Clare.
Kurz darauf wird das Schloss jedoch von Rebellen angegriffen, allen vorran Siobhan Lebuin und ihr Bruder Sean, deren Vater von einem Normannen ermordert wurde.
Um Clare zu schützen ergibt sich Tristan den Rebellen und willigt in die Hochzeit mit Siobhan ein. Nicht nur einmal versucht sie ihn zu töten, bis es scheinbar tatsächlich gelingt.
Simon, ein Vampir, rettet ihn jedoch und Tristan schwört beim Leben seiner Tochter Rache. Da ihn alle für Tod halten, wird auch niemand damit rechnen, aber das ausgerechnet seine eigenen Gefühle, seine eigene Leidenschaft ihm dabei in die Quere kommt - damit hat selbst Tristan DuMaine nicht gerechnet.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mich sofort in seinen Bann gezogen. Der Prolog blickt auf die Vergangenheit Siobhans zurück, auf die Zeit, als ihr Vater von den Normannen getötet wurde und sofort fühlt man sich hineinversetzt.
Man kann ihren Schmerz, den sie über all die Jahre in ihrem Inneren verborgen hat, auch in der Gegenwart noch fühlen, erst Recht, als sie Tristan DuMaine das erste Mal gegenüber steht.
Tristan hingegen fühlt sich vom ersten Augenblick an zu ihr hingezogen und auch wenn beide ihre Leidenschaft voreinander zu verheimlichen versuchen, wird es früher oder später dazu kommen, dass sie sich einander hingaben.
Ich fand es allerdings besser, dass es nicht von jetzt aufgleich passiert ist, auch wenn ich mir durchaus ein paar mehr.. sagen wir intimere Moment der beiden zusammen gewünscht hätte.
Clare ist als Tristans Tochter einfach jemanden, den man einfach in sein Herz schließen muss und oft genug hat sie sich an meinen eigenen Sohn in dem Alter erinnert. Ihre Unbekümmertheit und der behaarliche Gedanke daran, dass ihr Vater immer wieder zu ihr zurückkommen wird, hat mich unwillkürlich lächeln lassen. Gerade auch, weil sie damit - entgegen derer Prinzipien - das Herz Siobhans erobert hat.
Natürlich gab es auch den Charakter, der mir von Anfang an unsympatisch war und das war zweiflsohne Gaston. Ich werde an dieser Stelle allerdings nicht zu viel verraten, denn sonst würde ich vermutlich gar nicht mehr mit dem Schreiben aufhören.
Die ganze Geschichte drum herum, um den Gral, welchen nicht nur Tristan unbedingt finden will, hat mir ein Lesevergnügen beschert, welches ich nicht mehr missen möchte und ich werde mir definitiv mehr von Lucy Blue zulegen. Ihr Schreibstil entführt den Leser in frührere Welten und Gezeiten, bringt einen zum Schmunzeln, zum Nachdenken, aber auch das eine oder andere Mal zum kurzen Schlucken.
Dieser Teil des Buches ist zwar der 2. Teil der Reihe, aber meiner Meinung nach, muss man Band 1 nicht unbedingt gelesen haben.
5/5 Herbstblätter sind hier in jedem Fall verdient.
Tristan DuMaine ist ein Normanne. Schon oft hat er auf dem Schlaffeld dem Tod die Stirn geboten und sehnt sich jetzt nach nichts mehr, als nach etwas Ruhe mit seiner 5jährigen Tochter Clare.
Kurz darauf wird das Schloss jedoch von Rebellen angegriffen, allen vorran Siobhan Lebuin und ihr Bruder Sean, deren Vater von einem Normannen ermordert wurde.
Um Clare zu schützen ergibt sich Tristan den Rebellen und willigt in die Hochzeit mit Siobhan ein. Nicht nur einmal versucht sie ihn zu töten, bis es scheinbar tatsächlich gelingt.
Simon, ein Vampir, rettet ihn jedoch und Tristan schwört beim Leben seiner Tochter Rache. Da ihn alle für Tod halten, wird auch niemand damit rechnen, aber das ausgerechnet seine eigenen Gefühle, seine eigene Leidenschaft ihm dabei in die Quere kommt - damit hat selbst Tristan DuMaine nicht gerechnet.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mich sofort in seinen Bann gezogen. Der Prolog blickt auf die Vergangenheit Siobhans zurück, auf die Zeit, als ihr Vater von den Normannen getötet wurde und sofort fühlt man sich hineinversetzt.
Man kann ihren Schmerz, den sie über all die Jahre in ihrem Inneren verborgen hat, auch in der Gegenwart noch fühlen, erst Recht, als sie Tristan DuMaine das erste Mal gegenüber steht.
Tristan hingegen fühlt sich vom ersten Augenblick an zu ihr hingezogen und auch wenn beide ihre Leidenschaft voreinander zu verheimlichen versuchen, wird es früher oder später dazu kommen, dass sie sich einander hingaben.
Ich fand es allerdings besser, dass es nicht von jetzt aufgleich passiert ist, auch wenn ich mir durchaus ein paar mehr.. sagen wir intimere Moment der beiden zusammen gewünscht hätte.
Clare ist als Tristans Tochter einfach jemanden, den man einfach in sein Herz schließen muss und oft genug hat sie sich an meinen eigenen Sohn in dem Alter erinnert. Ihre Unbekümmertheit und der behaarliche Gedanke daran, dass ihr Vater immer wieder zu ihr zurückkommen wird, hat mich unwillkürlich lächeln lassen. Gerade auch, weil sie damit - entgegen derer Prinzipien - das Herz Siobhans erobert hat.
Natürlich gab es auch den Charakter, der mir von Anfang an unsympatisch war und das war zweiflsohne Gaston. Ich werde an dieser Stelle allerdings nicht zu viel verraten, denn sonst würde ich vermutlich gar nicht mehr mit dem Schreiben aufhören.
Die ganze Geschichte drum herum, um den Gral, welchen nicht nur Tristan unbedingt finden will, hat mir ein Lesevergnügen beschert, welches ich nicht mehr missen möchte und ich werde mir definitiv mehr von Lucy Blue zulegen. Ihr Schreibstil entführt den Leser in frührere Welten und Gezeiten, bringt einen zum Schmunzeln, zum Nachdenken, aber auch das eine oder andere Mal zum kurzen Schlucken.
Dieser Teil des Buches ist zwar der 2. Teil der Reihe, aber meiner Meinung nach, muss man Band 1 nicht unbedingt gelesen haben.
5/5 Herbstblätter sind hier in jedem Fall verdient.
August 14, 2025
Tristan has devoted his money and the life of his men to rebuilding a keep in England. Though he is
a Norman invader in their eyes, he hopes to also rebuild the relationship with the peasants as well.
But almost as quickly that he thought his new life was about to begin, he current life ends.
Siobhan and her brother has planned and dreamt of when they could act out their revenge on those
who destroyed their family's land and kill their father. Though the new Norman lord may not be directly responsible, it doesn't stop them from brutally conquering the castle and killing everyone that opposes them. Tristan is kept alive only long enough for Siobhan and him to marry. It's a marriage of insurance so the King does not seek revenge for Tristan's death. Never did she imagine to feel a deep and intense attraction to her new husband but despite the unnerving feelings, she still orders his death.
Tristan is beaten to an inch to death before a savage creature inadvertedly saves him but killing
his captures. The create turns his attack towards Tristan and in the fight for survival, Tristan
bites him and drinks his blood which turns himself into a Vampire. Instead of being horrified by
his new condition, Tristan is thrilled. With these new powers, he has the ability to reclaim his
castle and kill his treacherous wife. Only, their reunion surfaces all the feelings he shouldn't
possess towards an enemy. Yet, he loves her all the same and now must comes to terms that his old
life is truly over but he has a chance at a new bright one.
Okay. I will say that this book was the hardest to rate. On one hand, I can't say that I didn't
enjoy it. Despite the absurdity of the whole plot and characters drastic 180 in terms of feelings
towards one another, I was enjoying it. But I also can not ignore the fact that nothing in this book
made sense. The interactions between Tristan and Siobhan alternated between literal violence (Tristan chocking her to the point of death and Siobhan seriously attempting to cut Tristan's head off) and the most passionate of love scenes. I couldn't comprehend why these two characters who have every reason to hate each other, all of a sudden are madly in love. Because Tristan was kind to his servants so Siobhan starts to feel guilty for having him killed? Because Siobhan was kind to Tristan's daughter? It shouldn't have been enough to put aside all that hatred after only a short few days.
My problem with this book was a toxic relationship between the two main characters that I don't
feel would have been together in normal circumstances. The writing was good. The plot of warfare
and Vampires weren't bad. It just bothered me how messed up these characters were.
a Norman invader in their eyes, he hopes to also rebuild the relationship with the peasants as well.
But almost as quickly that he thought his new life was about to begin, he current life ends.
Siobhan and her brother has planned and dreamt of when they could act out their revenge on those
who destroyed their family's land and kill their father. Though the new Norman lord may not be directly responsible, it doesn't stop them from brutally conquering the castle and killing everyone that opposes them. Tristan is kept alive only long enough for Siobhan and him to marry. It's a marriage of insurance so the King does not seek revenge for Tristan's death. Never did she imagine to feel a deep and intense attraction to her new husband but despite the unnerving feelings, she still orders his death.
Tristan is beaten to an inch to death before a savage creature inadvertedly saves him but killing
his captures. The create turns his attack towards Tristan and in the fight for survival, Tristan
bites him and drinks his blood which turns himself into a Vampire. Instead of being horrified by
his new condition, Tristan is thrilled. With these new powers, he has the ability to reclaim his
castle and kill his treacherous wife. Only, their reunion surfaces all the feelings he shouldn't
possess towards an enemy. Yet, he loves her all the same and now must comes to terms that his old
life is truly over but he has a chance at a new bright one.
Okay. I will say that this book was the hardest to rate. On one hand, I can't say that I didn't
enjoy it. Despite the absurdity of the whole plot and characters drastic 180 in terms of feelings
towards one another, I was enjoying it. But I also can not ignore the fact that nothing in this book
made sense. The interactions between Tristan and Siobhan alternated between literal violence (Tristan chocking her to the point of death and Siobhan seriously attempting to cut Tristan's head off) and the most passionate of love scenes. I couldn't comprehend why these two characters who have every reason to hate each other, all of a sudden are madly in love. Because Tristan was kind to his servants so Siobhan starts to feel guilty for having him killed? Because Siobhan was kind to Tristan's daughter? It shouldn't have been enough to put aside all that hatred after only a short few days.
My problem with this book was a toxic relationship between the two main characters that I don't
feel would have been together in normal circumstances. The writing was good. The plot of warfare
and Vampires weren't bad. It just bothered me how messed up these characters were.
August 13, 2021
Ho terminato anche il secondo capitolo della saga Bound in Darkness e come ho già detto è molto importante che venga letta nel loro ordine perché ogni romanzo anche se ha per protagonista una coppia diversa c'è però una vicenda che si dipana nell'arco dei tre romanzi.
Quello precedente si chiude con Simon e Orlando intenti a cercare Tristan diventato un vampiro grazie a Simon. In entrambi i libri viene raccontata la scena: nel primo è vista dal punto di vista di Simon nella seconda dal punto di vista di Tristan.
Tutto ha inizio quando i Sassoni con a capo Sean e Siobhan decidono di attaccare il castello normanno di Tristan per riappropriarsene considerato che gli era stato sottratto da Re Enrico. Presto cade nelle loro mani, così per rendere la cosa più "legale" Siobhan sposa con un inganno Tristan per poi farlo ammazzare senza sapere che poi tornerà da vampiro per vendicarsi.
Intanto Kivar è ancora vivo ed è ancora alla ricerca del calice che lo renderà invincibile.
Anche questa storia non è adatta per chi s'impressiona facilmente questo perché ci sono scene abbastanza cruente.
Le vicende sono ambientate nel Medioevo inglese e l'autrice lo rende crudo e violento non solo per le scene descritte ma anche nella caratterizzazione dei protagonisti.
Inizialmente descrive i personaggi principali in modo davvero odioso.
La trama è ben intricata e molto intrigante considerati i fantasiosi sviluppi dell'autrice inerenti Merlino e i suoi discendenti. Il primo forse l'ho trovato meno appassionante ma man mano che si scoprono nuove cose si fa sempre più coinvolgente.
A dominare, in questo caso, più che le vicende sentimentali dei due protagonisti sono state le gesta di Kivar per impossessarsi del calice, il modo per contrastarlo e gli intrighi politici di Sean e Siobhan. Un romanzo avventuroso oltre che romance.
Anche il livello di sensualità è stato decisamente più alto rispetto al precedente ma non è stato di alcun disturbo. L'unica pecca è che ho riscontrato una certa frettolosità nel descrivere lo scontro tra Kivar e i protagonisti.
Tirando le somme mi sono divertita anche se a volte avrei voluto ammazzare la protagonista.
Sono curiosa di sapere come va a finire.
Quello precedente si chiude con Simon e Orlando intenti a cercare Tristan diventato un vampiro grazie a Simon. In entrambi i libri viene raccontata la scena: nel primo è vista dal punto di vista di Simon nella seconda dal punto di vista di Tristan.
Tutto ha inizio quando i Sassoni con a capo Sean e Siobhan decidono di attaccare il castello normanno di Tristan per riappropriarsene considerato che gli era stato sottratto da Re Enrico. Presto cade nelle loro mani, così per rendere la cosa più "legale" Siobhan sposa con un inganno Tristan per poi farlo ammazzare senza sapere che poi tornerà da vampiro per vendicarsi.
Intanto Kivar è ancora vivo ed è ancora alla ricerca del calice che lo renderà invincibile.
Anche questa storia non è adatta per chi s'impressiona facilmente questo perché ci sono scene abbastanza cruente.
Le vicende sono ambientate nel Medioevo inglese e l'autrice lo rende crudo e violento non solo per le scene descritte ma anche nella caratterizzazione dei protagonisti.
Inizialmente descrive i personaggi principali in modo davvero odioso.
La trama è ben intricata e molto intrigante considerati i fantasiosi sviluppi dell'autrice inerenti Merlino e i suoi discendenti. Il primo forse l'ho trovato meno appassionante ma man mano che si scoprono nuove cose si fa sempre più coinvolgente.
A dominare, in questo caso, più che le vicende sentimentali dei due protagonisti sono state le gesta di Kivar per impossessarsi del calice, il modo per contrastarlo e gli intrighi politici di Sean e Siobhan. Un romanzo avventuroso oltre che romance.
Anche il livello di sensualità è stato decisamente più alto rispetto al precedente ma non è stato di alcun disturbo. L'unica pecca è che ho riscontrato una certa frettolosità nel descrivere lo scontro tra Kivar e i protagonisti.
Tirando le somme mi sono divertita anche se a volte avrei voluto ammazzare la protagonista.
Sono curiosa di sapere come va a finire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2010
I really got very taken with this book it had a lot of characters in it I almost couldn't keep up. Besides that I like how the author portrays the main characters as completely green to the idea of vampires.
Not to mention she starts the story off gradually. It kinda makes you nuts but you hang on to see if and when these vampires show up. When it does it's cool. The author also has you guessing and pretty much giving up on the idea that the two love birds will ever get together and that was pretty neat. Through the entire story everyone learns as they read along with the characters. Again I read this series from the middle and I learned a lot and I'm going on to the next. With a sort of calm anticipation.
Not to mention she starts the story off gradually. It kinda makes you nuts but you hang on to see if and when these vampires show up. When it does it's cool. The author also has you guessing and pretty much giving up on the idea that the two love birds will ever get together and that was pretty neat. Through the entire story everyone learns as they read along with the characters. Again I read this series from the middle and I learned a lot and I'm going on to the next. With a sort of calm anticipation.
October 25, 2011
The book did add a slight new twist to a familiar storyline but it lacked the full-force of the alpha male for me as well as love making that make you want to be Siobhan.
January 3, 2012
Rated 3.5
March 29, 2023
I thought it was good and has the perfect mix of paranormal and romance. It started off as them hating each other before slowly turning into them starting to trust each other then falling in love.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews