A shameful secret, missing jewels, an amusement park, and an archeologist with social skill issues. Oh, and a hunky vampire to round out the romance angle... not the best in the series, but it stands on its own well enough that those new to the Darkyn world won't be scratching their heads too very hard. ( )

I loved Nightbound, the latest book in Lynn Viehl’s Lords of the Darkyn series. This one stars Beaumaris, from the Knight’s Realm, and Dr. Alys Stewart. Beaumaris is Darkyn, one of the Knights Templar who were cursed (or blessed, depending upon your perspective) with immortality. Alys, an archeologist, is on the cusp of discovering what she believes is the Fountain of Youth; the Darkyn believe she is actually about to discover the Emeralds of Immortality that can, as the name suggests, make anyone immortal. Little does Alys know that her research is being funded by the leader of the Kyn himself, Richard Tremayne, and he does not want her finding the gems. Beau is sent to keep that from happening and to get the emeralds for Richard. Of course, they aren’t the only ones interested in the gems so things get pretty dangerous pretty fast.

This is a great series, and this book in particular is one of my favorites. The chemistry between Beau and Alys is intense and their interactions are a lot of fun to read. I also like that Viehl brings in characters from her other novels. I really, really loved the small side story about Rainer and Farlae. I highly recommend this novel for fans of the series; if you haven’t read any of the books yet I’d start from the beginning. There’s a lot of backstory that, if you haven’t read the previous books, might make this one confusing. ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.

Quick & Dirty: Vampires, Knights, Archaeologist, Buried Treasure and Traitors, need I say more?

Opening Sentence: Sunken black eyes peered out of the two-inch view slot in the copper door.

The Review:

Sometimes a story will grip you from the opening sentence and other times you could read 300 pages and still be waiting for an “Aha” moment. Nightbound was definitely a gripping tale. This story is part of a larger world of the Darkyn that Ms. Viehl has created. The original series has 10 books under the Darkyn Series and then there are an additional three books in the Lords of Darkyn with this being book number three. I am adding the rest of the series to my “To Be Read” pile in part because I believe the history and world that Ms. Viehl has created is a truly unique and fascinating world, plus when a story captures my attention as well as this one did I want more.

So what do we know about Nightbound with out spoilers or for any of you that are unfamiliar with the world of the Darkyn. This is a world where Vampires are men and women from the 1200’s that were cursed, died and then rose to walk the earth. This take on Vampires was very well thought out and told. When you can take two amazing ideas such as Vampires and Knights and mix in romance and mystery all I have to say is “Where do I sign up?”

The reader is first introduced to Beaumaris of York or Beau, a knight/vampire, that lives and works at the Knights Realm Stronghold located in Orlando, Florida. This portion of the story was the part of the story that I found most interesting because I have the pleasure of living and working in Orlando and there really is one show here that are representations of this realm, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Now I’m unsure if Ms. Viehl had the opportunity to have a meal and see the show at Medieval Times but I have a sneaky suspicion that she did. This gave me a real sense of place and grounded the story in such a way that I don’t truly think can be discounted or clarified.

Our heroine, Dr. Alys Stuart, was a character that I was completely captivated by from the start. She refuses to bluster or make meaningless chatter. This is a woman who calls a spade a spade and has no problem telling Beau that he is too good looking to be anything more than a distraction to her interns. This was a woman that I often see myself becoming bosom buddies with due to her forthrightness and intellectual prowess.

The story meanders a little but sometimes you need the quiet and silly moments to make the unexpected moments really sing. There is a mystery of hidden gems that Dr. Stuart is placing her reputation on the line to find plus we have mysterious events happening around the dig site. Are they the result of sabotage by one of the interns or another group that is trying to regain the lost artifacts? I won’t give away what occurs but the story is worth the meanderings.

Meanwhile, we have undercurrents happening at the Knights Realm Stronghold. There are side stories that involve the Suzeraina Jayr mac Byrne and her mate, two guest that come to visit the Realm, a human that Suzeraina is trying out for a job in the castle, and two knights that are working on their relationship and traitors. Overall, this story has loads of action and sometimes we lose our way but the eventual outcome is worth the effort.

Nightbound is a book that wasn’t on my radar and Ms Lynn Viehl was not a name that I knew but both are now apart of my imagination. I would definitely recommend this book but I think most of you would be best suited to start from the Lords of Darkyn Series and if you are truly entranced by the world, read the Darkyn Series as well. I believe the effort will be well rewarded.

Notable Scene:

“So, Mr. York. If you’re note here to monitor me, then why would they give someone with no archaeological experience this assignment?”

He grinned. “Oh, to manage things.”

“And that.” She shook a finger at his face. “That is the other problem I have with you. You’re far too attractive. Half of my interns are young, impressionable girls. I don’t want them distracted from their work, especially if you decide to tackle one of them.”

So she thinks me handsome. Beau had never been especially vain, but her compliment pleased him. “You seem to think I can do nothing but roll about on the floor with women.”

She gave him a tight smile. “I can only go by experience.”

FTC Advisory: Signet/Penguin provided me with a copy of Nightbound. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )