Ethan Templeton is immersed in his own world of immortal dangers. For years he's been a soldier of Don Rafael Perez, the vampire patron of Texas. He's devoted his immortal existence to protection of his Don Rafael, to following his orders. When he realizes that he's fallen in love with Steve, he knows there's no future for them. He can't give her the mortal children she craves any more than he can return to her world. Turning her into a vampire isn't an option either. The only one allowed to create vampires in Texas is Don Rafael and any vampire to break that rule will be destroyed.

They work together to stop a dangerous killer and during this, Steve's life is threatened. The solid line between them is blurred by desperation and they are both forced to reconsider the consequences they face. It's that or be separated forever.

Bond of Darkness is the third in Ms. Whiteside's Texas Vampires series. Even without the benefit of having read the first two books, I have to say that I was completely swept away to other places and times in this masterfully written story of a brave heroine and her love for a member of the author's proud dynasty of immortals. A detailed glossary is provided with this story to explain the terms and non-English words used throughout. While I understand the need for the term usage for authenticity, and appreciate as a reader that such a glossary was provided, I wouldn't be honest if I were to say that stopping to use the glossary pulled me out of the story a few times until the terms became familiar and this took away from my enjoyment slightly.

That being said, this story and likely the entire series, are definitely worth the effort for devoted fans of the author or readers new to her work like myself. Her characterization is flawless and she has a way of blending the back story and the setting into what's happening on the stage before the reader that really speaks of the mastery of her craft. She can take the reader back for a glimpse of the past with no confusion or disruption of the story. Her action sequences are detailed, tense, and obviously well researched. The love scenes she crafted between her hero and heroine will brand themselves into the reader's memory in the best possible ways. Ms. Whiteside has penned a fantastic story that will hold readers spellbound and it's an experience not to be missed.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Cameron Foster
November 19, 2008