Tempting Darkness

by Rene Lyons

Trapped in the dark, can two lost souls find their way back to the light?Book Three of the Templar Vampire series Once a proud Templar Knight, Lucian of Penwick lost his faith when God damned him as a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1599986574
• ISBN13: 9781599986579
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Samhain Publishing
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

There will be a fourth book in the series

She, Renee Lyons, is a fantastic story teller. You never want to put her books down once you start reading them. I read on here that this was the last in this series, and that's not true. From what I understand she is currently writing a fourth. Even if this was the last it would have been worth the read. All three books take you away and portray vampires and Templars in a whole new way. Loved the series, can't wait to read the next one, great writer hope to see many more from this writer.

Anxious for the finale!

In Tempting Darkness, the third entry in Rene Lyon's Templar Knight Vampire series, the story veers a bit from the intrigue around The Daystar and The Relic that the Templar Knights cum Vampires are sworn to protect. A little bit of backstory to catch you up: Long ago, five Templar Knights lost their faith on the field of Battle- but they continued to kill, even though they no longer believed in the God they used to serve. For this they were damned. But on the day of their death they were given one more shot at redemption. Their souls were taken by the Archangel Michael and they were made immortal, made to survive on the blood of others. But, if they reached the end without taking the life of an innocent, and kept the Relic and the Daystar safe, they would be given another chance at heaven. Tempting Darkness focus's on Lucian- the strong, noble Templar who still hasn't forgiven himself for his part in his family's death so long ago. His brother hasn't forgiven him either and it's he who has finally captured Lucian in hopes to turn him from his path of redemption. Along with Lucian, Stephen, (Lucian's brother), has captured the one girl who Lucian would give his soul for, a young woman named Jessica- wholly innocent in this ordeal but vital to Lucian's destruction- or at least that's what Stephen senses. (And, in a way, he isn't wrong!) Most of Tempting is centered around their captivity rather than the relics, making it an interesting diversion from the main thread of the series and a vehicle to explain some of these specific Templars' history. Lucian is pure in his motives and I loved his honor under fire. Also ladies, we have an anomaly with this one- he's a virgin hero! Believe me this just ups his sex appeal as far as I'm concerned, and comes as a refreshing change in the romance genre. At first, I thought Jessica seemed a tad on the frightened rabbit side, if you know what I mean. She seemed more focused on surviving rather than fighting back. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized- Jessica is reality. (As much as I *think* I'd be a kick butt heroine spitting in the face of danger with a quip and a snarl, I know I'd be the one screaming her head off and running for safety! (Not that Jess did that, she did fight back against Stephen in her own way!)) I grew to admire her for that. Well that and the fact that she managed to stay alive under extreme duress without losing her mind, proving she had amazing backbone under it all! It's nice to read a story that doesn't always have a wise cracking heroine, impervious to harm, but one that shows vulnerability and strength.

Once you start reading this awe-inspiring tale you won't be able to put it down.

Lucian of Penwick had joined the Order of the Templar Knights because of his devotion to God. He never dreamed that God would curse him to a life as a vampire. His desire to return to the bosom of his family resulted in the predicament he now finds himself - chained in a dungeon as his own brother does everything in his power to try to get Lucian to reject the oath that he's clung to for seven hundred years. Jessica Vargo never believed in vampires - at least she didn't until she was ripped from her quiet dull life by Lucien's brother, Stephan. Suddenly her world becomes one of darkness and pain and she finds herself with no one but Lucian to give her hope that she'll return to the life she once knew. Stephan, Lucian's brother, enjoys the pain and distress that he causes her with his daily tortures in a bid to break Lucian and ensure that Lucian is stripped of his humanity. What better way of doing that is there than to deny a vampire fresh blood and leave him chained up in a dungeon with a bleeding young woman? In order to redeem himself in God's eyes he's been given a chance to undo his sins - he has to Protect the Guardian, Guard the holiest of relics, and not kill an innocent. How is he supposed to protect anything when he can't even protect Jessica from Stephan's sadistic actions? While Jessica is horrified by what is happening to her, she also realizes that Lucian is nothing like Stephan. Despite the fact that he lives in darkness, she finds herself falling for him and desperate to keep him near - he's her salvation. Escaping Stephan won't be easy and will leave lasting effects on them. Is there any hope for true love between a woman who adores sunlight and a man who is forced to live in the darkness? Rene Lyons brings the world of the TEMPLAR KNIGHTS to light with startling clarity. Once you start reading this awe-inspiring tale you won't be able to put it down. I don't generally read many vampire tales but something about this one simply called to me. Lucian's devotion to a God who's damned him is amazing and I have to admit the simple fact that he's continued to hold true to his faith for seven hundred years is nothing less than inspiring. Jessica's bravery in the face of everything she endures really endears her as a true heroine and I found that I truly admired her. TEMPTING DARKNESS is the third book in Rene Lyons' TEMPLAR VAMPIRES series and believe me you will not be disappointed. This storyline is full of all the angst, passion and raw emotions that draw a reader in and make you want to know everything there is to know about these characters. I hadn't read the first two books in this series before I picked this one up but I will definitely be heading over to Samhain Publishing to pick up my copies very soon and will keep an eye out for the others to be released. Chrissy Dionne (courtesy of Romance Junkies)

Tempting Darkness- A Joyfully Recommended Title

Lucian of Penwick has endured many challenges in his life, but nothing has tried his strength of will as being chained in a cell with the one woman who calls to him in every way. Lucian is a man of strong convictions; he was a Templar Knight before his soul was damned and he was turned into a vampire for his loss of faith. Lucian is now being forced to face his past and the demons that have haunted him for centuries. Jessica Vargo led a good, happy and normal life until she was abducted by a cruel vampire named Stephen and forced into this nightmare that is beyond her imagination. Jessica did not even believe in vampires before this and now her only companion is the vampire chained to the wall in her cell. Lucian knows it is his fault that Jessica is here. He should have dealt with his brother, Stephen, when he went after Allison Parker. Lucian will do whatever it takes to get Jessica out of this situation and safely back home with her family. For the three months that Jessica has been prisoner, she has tried to ignore the man who is imprisoned with her. After all he is a vampire, too. She knows Stephen is using her to break Lucian and she does not know why Lucian has restrained himself. Eventually, Jessica has to admit that there is more to Lucian, but she does not think that she can ever truly trust him. Lucian is drawn to Jessica, but he does not want to pull her into his world of darkness. Will Lucian and Jessica find a way out of the hell they are in and are the feelings they have real or just part of their circumstances? Tempting Darkness is another outstanding read by Rene Lyons! Lucian is a strong, honorable, and incredibly sexy vampire who has struggled to overcome his past. Jessica is a kind and very resilient woman who has the strength to overcome almost anything. I was rooting for these two and I have to say that Rene Lyons can pull every emotion out of her readers! I struggled while writing this review simply because I was afraid that I would not be able to give Tempting Darkness and the amazing Rene Lyons enough credit for this awesome addition to her Templar Vampire series! As always, I am totally enamored with Rene. She pulled me even more into her world and I am already eagerly anticipating her next book! I highly recommend Tempting Darkness. Gracie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Can not put it down

This series is so good. When I sit down to read I feel like I am there. As if I am witnessing an event. What makes this a good read is that her characters have REAL personalities. This should be made into a movie. It is THAT good! I hope Ms. Lyons continues this series.