Lynne Connolly‘s review of Shadowlight by Lynn Viehl
Paranormal Romance released by Onyx 6 Oct 09

I’m a fan of Ms Viehl’s paranormal books. Her previous series ended with “Stay the Night” and was a lead in to this new series.

Jessa is an intelligent heroine, something I love about Ms Viehl’s books. And the hero, Gaven, isn’t a asshat hero. However, the book does take some time to settle down and it didn’t turn into a page-turner until about 100 pages in. I wouldn’t have read on if it had been a new to me author, but I trust Ms Viehl to deliver, and eventually, she did.

The plot, as is usual for her, is complex and there is a large cast of characters. Unfortunately they are all introduced in the first third of the book, and while there’s no confusion between them, it is frustrating to start to immerse yourself in a character’s dilemma, only to find yourself plunged into a different dilemma with a different character.

The big bad is Gennaro, the owner of a multimillion company involved in genetic research. The creatures in this world are infected by a virus, sometimes artificially induced, and Gennaro wants to synthesize this. Jessa touches people and sees their future, reads them. One of the reasons she falls for Gaven is that she can’t read him. I’ve read that trope before, and sometimes wondered why they can’t learn to develop a mental barrier, but it’s handled well here. Jessa wears gloves, X Men style, which works well for her.

I loved the fact that Jessa had loved someone before, someone she remembered with fondness.

I did enjoy meeting Lucan and Samantha again, from the Kyn series (their book is “Dark Need”) and to discover their connection is as strong as ever and that Sam is still working, still strong and her own person.  Their scenes are some of the most romantic in the book.

Because this isn’t what I’d call a romance. There is a strong love story going on here, but it’s not the main focus of the book. There are too many other things going on for that. The story, the multiple viewpoints and the complex plot mean there are other focuses of attention.

But once I was past the first third of the book it settled in nicely for me and I found the read absorbing and enjoyable. Ms Viehl’s prose is lovely, and its well worth reading the book for that alone. Precise, well chosen and never over the top purple.

The character that intrigued me most in this story is the subject of the next book (you get a sneak peek at the end). I’m definitely hooked.

Grade: B

“With just one touch, Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets, thanks to whoever tampered with her genes. What she doesn’t know is that a biotech company has discovered her talent and intends to kill her and harvest her priceless DNA. Gaven Matthias is forced to abduct Jessa himself so he can protect her, but Jessa has a hard time believing the one man whose secrets she can’t read. As a monstrous assassin closes in and forces them to run, Jessa will have to find another way to discover if Matthias is her greatest ally-or her deadliest enemy.”

Lynne C‘s review of Stay The Night (The Darkyn, Book 7) by Lynn Viehl
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Onyx 6 Jan 09

I’ve been a long-time fan of the Kyn books, after discovering the first one in a hospital shelf. It almost made it worth going in!

Now Stay The Night is the last one in the Kyn books, although a new series starts later in the year set in the Kyndred universe, so I suspect it’s to reboot the series and maybe start a new series-length arc.

However, this entry isn’t without its faults. There’s a big gap at the beginning, when we miss Chris and Rob’s first night together. She decides to stay, and then it’s fade to the morning. In this case it’s an important lack, because we never really get to understand the link between the two, which, we’re told, is forged by their first explosive night. Since there are some explicit scenes later (including an m/m one) I don’t really understand the omission.

It’s great to see Alex and Michael again, and to read the end of their story arc but although I was rooting for Robin and Chris, I never really got their link. I wasn’t interested in them as a couple, although I loved their separate characters, as first introduced, Robin as lawbreaker, Chris as FBI upholder. But she never reconciles her first thoughts, that she can’t be with someone who breaks the law. Somehow “I love you” seemed to make up for it all, and I’m afraid I don’t buy it. I really would have liked to see more of Robin and Chris together, interacting and learning about each other.

The story is excellent, but it doesn’t read as an “end of series, everybody happy” book, so I expect the next entry, which is slated as a new series, is really the continuation. I really wanted more of John in this book, after the revelations of the last one, so I hope he’ll feature in the next story. I have a feeling John and one other character will feature as a central couple soon.

When she is writing action and plot, Viehl is one of the best, with a sarcastic edge that never runs into the snarky. However I didn’t appreciate the cutting of one POV to another at critical points in the story. It just annoyed me to switch from one of Alexandra’s revelations to a completely different part, rather than heightening the tension, but this is Ms Viehl’s style, so I guess I will live with it, since her writing style is so good otherwise.

I love the way she travesties all the “my lords” and deference by having the newcomers like Alex and Chris ignore or send it up, and the way the older lords accept it. Her immortals are how I imagine people who live many lifetimes to be – somehow apart and different, not always au fait with the times. It works much better than the shallow, modern concepts you can find in other paranormals. I can’t believe in an immortal hero who loves AC/DC but never listens to classical music, for instance, which, after all, was the pop music of another time. Veihl never does this, and she gives her immortals the perception of someone who has lived long but not always prospered.

The high council segments could have been boring, but thanks to a new plot development were anything but. Viehl makes us feel with Alex, the ennui at attending a high-powered conference as a spare wheel, and her delight at being offered something useful to do, then her horror when she sees what it is.

On the whole, I found it a good read, although the characters of Robin and Chris were underdeveloped. A lot of paranormal romance authors are moving into urban fantasy, where the romance is less important, and Viehl, could be one author who would do this well. I’ll certainly be there for the next book, whatever she offers.

Note – I don’t read the Stardoc books, although I keep meaning to. Very few SF authors hold much for me, I’m afraid (except for Linnea Sinclair, who got me hooked early on and continues to hold me in her thrall). But I will give these a go, one day.

One thing from the blurb – Chris’s name isn’t Christina. That’s quite important, as Rob spends a lot of the story trying to find out what Chris is short for.

A B for this one as a great story, but C- for the romance. So I think we’ll settle on an overall…

Grade: B-

Read reviews and info for books in this series by following the series tag.

Blurb:
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Outlaw, immortal vampire, and art thief, Darkyn Lord Robin of Locksley has evaded authorities for the last 700 years. At the moment, he’s falling for undercover federal agent Christina Renshaw, who has no time for an affair. She hopes to snag an elusive art thief, but soon has no choice other than to join forces with Robin.
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When the chase becomes dangerous, both will have to choose between losing each other and losing everything they value…
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Finn’s review of Evermore (A Novel of the Darkyn) by Lynn Viehl
Paranormal romance released 2 Jan 08 by Signet Eclipse

Evermore is the 5th novel of the Darkyn (Knight Templers who came back from the holy land with a curse, vampirism). This is the story of Jayr and Byrne, seneschal and master. Problem is, they both secretly yearn for each other and refuse to act on those urges. I love Viehl’s Darkyn series and was eagerly anticipating this installment. It did not disappoint.

Evermore is set in the Realm, a castle that the Darkyn run as a medieval amusement park. Think of it as stepping back in time to a medieval tournament. Byrne has decided to step down as Suzerain of the Realm and is holding a tournament to find Jayr a new master. Which completely pisses her off. Robin of Locksley and Will Scarlet even make an appearance!

I love Viehl’s characters, they are so juicy! Her stories have great twist and turns that keep you guessing till the end of the story. Viehl makes the exchange of blood between Jayr and Byrne an erotic experience. Michael, the leader of the American Darkyn, and his love Alexandra are there to make sure the right man takes over Byrne’s job. Alexandra makes Jayr realize that she is a woman and she can love Byrne.

Overall a wonderfully erotic love story.

Grade: A

 Blurb:
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Scottish vampire Byrne wrestles with love for Jayr, his female seneschal (or senior officer in charge of domestic ceremonies) in this fifth book in the Darkyn series. In order to dispel temptation, Byrne, lord of Orlando, decides to hold a tournament to see who will replace him as ruler of his domain. A bevy of ambitious vampires come forward, including, distractingly, a vampiric Robin of Locksley (i.e., Robin Hood). When a stranger appears claiming to be the rival Lord of Nottingham, tempers are set immediately on edge.
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Things grow even more complicated as Jayr and Byrne’s attraction becomes too great to ignore, and attempts are made on Byrne’s life, perhaps by a lord overeager to take his seat. The plot is full of exciting twists and turns, but the chemistry between Jayr and Byrne is fairly tepid. Knowledge of prior books helps one along, but overall Viehl tells a self-contained, page-turning story of medieval vampires.
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Read an excerpt.