Darkest Caress
By: Kaylea Cross
Release Date: April 23, 2012

Two-hundred-year-old Daegan Blackwell is one of the last remaining Empowered, an ancient magical race. Daegan's duty is to lead and protect his remaining Brethren in the coming war foretold by prophecy. The last thing he expects is to meet the one woman who will either save or destroy him—his destined mate.

Fiercely independent Realtor Olivia Farrell believes darkly handsome Daegan is simply a prospective client. Until she's attacked by a man with a strange aura—and Daegan fights him off, taking away her pain with just his touch. At first, Olivia refuses to believe she's part of a magical race, yet mounting evidence and her powerful chemistry with Daegan are too strong to deny.

But as Daegan's partner, Olivia becomes a target in the battle between good and evil that threatens her life, as well as the very existence of the Empowered. And the only one who can save her is the man claiming to be her destiny...

    This book falls in the paranormal romance category. Not my usual YA, but I do like to add a little variety some times. 

     

     The premise of the story was definitely something I've seen before. We have an ancient triad of warriors who are supposed to save the world from the forces of evil which seek to corrupt and destroy it. Together with their destined mates, these warriors will face the dark power and hopefully save all mortals from a terrible fate.

    

      Just because the premise of the story was familiar, does not mean it wasn't completely wonderful in its own right, because it was. I enjoyed reading this book. With some of the adult romances I have read in the past, some scenes would get a little too steamy for me, OR they would happen every other page. HOW is a girl supposed to get any plot followed it every 5 seconds the main characters are in the throws of passion for the next 3-4 pages? Luckily, Darkest Carress is NOT one of those books. There are some scenes, but not too graphic and the build up to them is such a journey in itself that you are as relieved as the characters themselves when it does happen.

       This story follows Daegan Blackwell, at the ripe old age of 200 years old, he looks GOOD. He is the leader of the Empowered, an ancient race of Celtic and Baltic descent. The story goes that they descended from the Lithuanian sea goddess, Neringa. Each Empowered has a special ability to aid in their quest and only mate once. If a bonded male loses his mate, the consequences will be SEVERE....

       The Obsidian Lord (sworn enemy to the Empowered) was once one of them, usually a leader, who lost his mate. When the mate dies, the goodness in the Empowered dies with her. They become a shadow of what they once were.

        After 200 years on earth, Daegan is not expecting to find his mate. He really is not expecting for her to be his Realtor when he goes to buy a larger home for his brethren and any Lost they can find and gather. Olivia Raegan takes his breathe away. At first sight, he knows she is meant to be his, but she knows NOTHING about his world. Torn between a fierce urge to take her as his own and the nightmares of a dark past, Daegan begins to turn. 

         Olivia is swept off her feet. She meets this handsome stranger, and feels this strange pull to him, it kills her when he is not around. Why though? She never needed a man before. She REALLY never needed a man she just met before. This one is different though, there is something about him.... When Olivia finally gives into him though, he pulls away and runs. Was she used? She doesn't know, but she will surely find out. Suddenly, Olivia is kidnapped, and our adventure takes off!

         Like I said, this story is great! I have a feeling that the next book will follow Cade's story and I hope to find out more about Vaughn in the future as well. For some reason, my favorite character in these books always seems to be the ones who need redemption and love the most. Maybe they have the most depth, and watching them grow back unto the loving being they once were is most gratifying for me. I'm not sure, but the Reaper is definitely my favorite of the Empowered. Although, I am really excited to see what takes place between Cade and Dr. Nairne.

        Also, I did mention that this story is a little familiar, so if you enjoyed this one, here are some other titles for you...