One of my least favorite books by Christine Feehan. As I hard as I tried, I couldn't get into. I don't even remember finishing it.

The Scarletti Curse , is the first stand-alone book I've read from the wonderful imagination of Christine Feehan. If you are a regular follower of my blog, you will no doubt remember that I am a big fan of Feehan's Dark Carpathian series.

Within the palazzo of the great Scarletti family, evil appears to lurk around every corner, in every carving, inside each secret passageway. But even more deadly than a metaphysical unnamed maleficence, beastly family secrets endure and threaten to be the doom of any woman who dares to become a Scarletti bride.

Don Giovanni Scarletti has vowed never to marry, to stop the Scarletti curse of jealousy and murder from touching a new generation. But when a young healer from the villagio is sent to the pallazo to save the lives of the don and his young niece Sophie, he is inexplicably drawn to the wild and beautiful woman.

Enigmatic and free-spirited, Nicoletta did not fear the ancient whispers of the Scarletti curse, until Don Giovanni invoked the "Bridal Covenant" and chose her as his bride. Nicolatta must uncover the truth behind the rumors she has grown up with, in order to face and defeat the Scarletti curse.

The Scarletti Curse did not have the vampires or legendary Carpathian hunters of Feehan's Dark Carpathian series, but despite that fact, it was a wonderful and a quick read. As with the other books I've read from this author, her secondary characters are written just as well as her central characters - most were multi-dimensional and worthy of their own stories.

This was truly a fantastic paranormal romance with a palpable Gothic feel to it. The Scarletti Curse is a satisfying and entertaining read, complete with the passion and intrigue of Feehan's other work. ( )

THE BEAST
Strange, twisted carvings and hideous gargoyles adorned the palazzo of the great Scarletti family. But a still more fearful secret lurked within its storm-tossed turrets. For every bride who entered its forbidding walls was doomed to leave in a casket.

THE BRIDE
Mystical and unfettered, Nicoletta had no terror of ancient curses and no fear of marriage…until she looked into the dark mesmerizing eyes of Don Scarletti. She had sworn no man would command her, had thought her gift of healing set her apart, but his was the right to choose a bride from among his people. And he had chosen her.

THE BARGAIN
Compelled by duty, drawn by desire, she gave her body into his keeping, and prayed the powerful, tormented don would be her heart's destiny, and not her soul's demise. ( )

Not a favorite, but an intricate setup. I thought it more than a bit predictable. I enjoyed it more after I read Dark Symphony. ( )

While I am not usually a fan of books where the hero is overly domineering, I must concede that Christine Feehan writes so well that I enjoy her novels even though the men are so controlling and obsessive it would be frightening in real life.

"The Scarletti Curse" is not a part of the Carpathian series, but I found myself enjoying it as much, if not more. The heroine is a healer but in a time where she could be burned at the stake should this secret gift be discovered. In order to protect herself, she pretends to be a healers apprentice. Unfortunately, the one man she wishes to hide this talent from, Giovanni Scarletti, is not fooled.

Like much of Feehan's work, the story is very gothic in feel and the villain(s) are truly horrible. While the hero is constantly swooping in and saving the heroine, it becomes more of a joke between the two of them than a tiresome what-a-stupid-girl scenario.

I was leery of this novel after being dissappointed with "Lair of the Lion." This novel is much, much better. If you like her Carpathian series, or are interested in paranormal romance, this is a good book to read. ( )