Wonderful story!! There are fairies (gays) and then there are faeries (little people). Don't mix the two lest you bring down the wrath of Queen Mab. She has troubles enough because the queendom's sacred stones have been lost-one through the treachery of Mab's youngest daughter Orla-and one through our heroine's failure as guard and protector. The world will sink into eternal winter unless the Dearann stone with her mystical power of womanhood is returned. A modest young teacher named Sorcha who believes she has no gifts must find the stone and restore it to its proper place. Once through the gate separating fey from mortal, Sorcha is swept up--literally and figuratively--by green-eyed Harry Wyatt, Earl of Hartley. The pair are drawn together by an uncanny attraction which they know can never last. Vile dreams haunt the pair ever more violently until evil turns up on the very steps of the Abbey, Harry's ancestral home. If the Dark One hijacks the Dearann stone, the faerie world will crumble and with it the dreams of mortals. Without dreams mortals are doomed to madness. Dark Seduction is a joyful break from the typical paranormal vampire or werewolf tale. Kathleen Korbel makes the love story sizzle, but she also accomplishes something much closer to the tender heart. Somehow Kathleen manages to bring a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye in every book. This time the heartstring tug comes in the form of a "cherished one." Two year old Lilly is an adorable child with Down's Syndrome. The Faeries consider harming such a child the worst of sins. Not only are these souls painfully vulnerable and sweetly trusting, the precious ones never outgrow their ability to see faeries. It's a lesson we could all take to heart--and yes, not only does Lilly steal scenes, she steals hearts. She certainly stole mine.--Reviewed by Donna Ross
This light Faerie Romance is 2nd in Korbel's series. After reading the prolog and the author's note I was expecting Dark Seduction to be, well - Dark. But it isn't and that's fine by me because lovely Sorcha heir to Faerie Queen Mab's throne deserves a light a lovely romance of her own and that's what she gets here when she is sent to Earth to retrieve the Dearann Stone and restore Springtime to her world.
When Sorcha first meets Harold the Earl of Hartley, it is more than apparent that this man who doesn't fit so well into his own world and who carries the fate of his family and his crumbling family estate on his shoulders is going to have a hard time believing in Sorcha's magical heritage -- even though magic is just what he needs in his life. Harry for all his attempts to deny his own magical heritage and do his ever practical duty, is really a very sympathetic character and it is easy to believe that meeting Sorcha is a recognition of like calling to like and that she is really meant for him. Sorcha is so sweet and pure that even though Harry thinks that Sorcha is probably either delusional or play acting, he just can't resist her. And Sorcha with her fairy morals sees no reason not to pursue what's between them but doesn't realize that with this man she will not be able to keep things light and uncomplicated, and Harry quickly captures her heart.
There is such a bittersweetness in the relationship between Harry and Sorcha. It is clear to them both that their duties must come first and those responsibilities will make it impossible for them to have more than a few brief moments together when forever wouldn't be long enough. The plot here is not deep and the resolution not super original, but it was enjoyable for what it was, a light and frothy paranormal with a very likeable heroine and a hero that very much needs her in his life.
Dark Seduction is the second book in th Korbel's Daughter's of Myth series. The first book [[ASIN:0373617496 Dangerous Temptation (Nocturne)]] was the story of Sorcha's older sister Nuala and up next is Sorcha's final sister, Orla, I'm guessing that Orla may actually get to walk on the darkside when she gets her turn in the spotlightfabulous romantic fantasy Her older sister Nuala has escaped the wrath of their mother by accepting mortality and love (see DANGEROUS TEMPTATION). Queen Mab has written off her oldest daughter as an undesirable exile, but her anger is at her two other offspring. Her middle child Sorcha was guardian of the Coilin Stone that was part of the crown of the Tuatha de Dannen before it was stolen due to her neglect and her sister Orla enabled the Dubhlain Sidhe to steal the gem. The seer warns the queen that the Dubhlain Sidhe grows stronger with no feminist balance since they lost the Dearann Stone while the Tuatha de Dannen will turn much weaker as there will be no spring without recovering the two stones; eventually all on two realms will die.
Mab commands her daughter Sorcha to travel through the gate to England to retrieve the Dearann Stone so that can be used to barter for the Coilin Stone. In England, Sorcha meets Harry Beverly, who does not believe that the fae exist although he wonders if his attraction for her is magically based. As he comes around to believe, they learn a rival seeks the Dearann Stone for some dark purpose. The duo knows time is running out for everyone.
DARK SEDUCTION is a fabulous romantic fantasy starring a heroine who believes she is not worthy or capable and the mortal who brings her confidence in herself. The story is fast-paced with its world in jeopardy premise always at the surface even as the lead characters acknowledge their love for one another. Readers will believe in the Korbel realm where mythos species seem genuine while also knowing that Orla is out their on her mission.
