Lara Calladine had escaped as young girl from the ice caves where she was held prisoner and fed off of by force. However, her aunts tried to protect her from the events of her past, so they buried her memories of the assaults and what went on deep in her mind. Lara knew she was not like other humans and always thought to never let anyone see her differences. With the blood of the Carpathians, the Dragonseekers and Mage species running through her veins, she still didn’t fit in with any of the three completely. When her search for the ice caves brings her in contact with Nicolas De La Cruz, she doesn’t know, but her life will never be the same.

Nicolas knows Lara is his lifemate from the moment they first meet, and he binds her to him. However, he knows she is not truly his until they are bonded by blood. He soon learns there is more to Lara and is willing to find out what. It doesn’t all go smoothly for Nicolas though because Lara doesn’t like to be controlled and that is just what he wants to do in order to protect her. When her past comes to light, it is Nicolas who will help her on her journey back to discover what happened to her, her aunts and her father. They will both soon learn that her past has a tie to the Carpathian miscarriages, but can they find out how in order to procure the Carpathian race? Will Lara trust Nicolas enough to move on from her past to a future with him?

While Dark Curse is part of the Carpathian series by Christine Feehan, it definitely can be read alone. A word of warning however, once you pick up a Carpathian novel you will want to read them all! Mrs. Feehan has proven once again why she is on the top of the best seller list repeatedly. Nicolas and Lara burnt up the pages not only with their passion for each other but also with their personalities. Lara has to be one of my favorite characters of all time. While dealing with her past is not always easy for her, it is her ability to lose herself in the pain and to still be able to endure for the sake of others that makes her incomparable to others. Throughout the story we are visited by lifemates of the past, but they do not add any confusion to the story only intrigue. The story of Nicolas and Lara is unquestionably one that will not easily be forgotten and will certainly go on the keeper shelves of our hearts!

Reviewed by: JoAnn