Review – Nightshine by Lynn Viehl

Publisher: Signet
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: review book from publisher

As a psychic, Samuel Taske can see the future, but he never predicted that he’d fall for San Francisco paramedic Charlotte Marena, the woman he’s been charged with protecting. GenHance-the biotech company willing to do anything to acquire superhuman DNA-is after them. And when Samuel discovers that his Takyn powers have abandoned him, Charlie and her secret nighttime telepathic ability are their only hope for survival…
*Blurb from Goodreads*

Viehl is back with the 4th installment of the Kyndred Series, and my first read of this author.

Samuel is psychic, and after a vision of knowing he needed to save a woman named Charlotte, he puts himself into the position to do just that. But when they get taken captive and put on a deserted island together, Samuel notices that there is something a little off about his powers.

Charlie has never liked her power, wanted only to live a normal life as a paramedic. But something about Samuel calls to her, and with the situation they are placed in, finds herself relying on him more and more. When the other islanders finally come forward, Charlie and Samuel will have to combine their forces to ensure they all make it out alive.

When I first received this book I was immediately intrigued by the world. I had never read Viehl before, and parts of me wish that I would have started from the beginning instead of book four. I could tell that there were a lot of little things with the overall story arc and world-building that were integral with the first three books. While I was able to follow along the overall story, I think that it would have been so much more had I read the series in order.

That being said – I really did enjoy the Kyndred world. I can honestly say that there I times I enjoy the new take on the vampire lore better than the same-old. This world was great with tons of twists and turns at every stop. While this book didn’t explore much of the world outside of Samuel and Charlie, I could tell that the series has much to offer.

I also really enjoyed the romance between Charlie and Samuel. The two are instantly attracted to each other, and the sexual chemistry between them sizzles on the pages. When they are kidnapped and taken to the island, they are told they will be required to produce gifted off-spring. From there they are forced into a relationship and I loved the way they each dealt with it. Samuel at first tries to keep his hands off Charlie (since he is already half in love with her), and when he has to witness the brutality of their captives if they do not follow the rules, he takes it upon himself to make sure that Charlie enjoys each and every touch. For Charlie, things are physical and she has a difficult time accepting love. Watching her go from a purely physical bond to so much more with Samuel in their short time was great. While the sexy scenes are super hot and start somewhat quickly in the book, we are also given a slow build up in the emotional standpoint of their relationship that left me enjoying every minute of it.

I also really liked the way that Viehl explored Charlie’s past and how deeply her childhood trauma affected her life. As her story unfolded I was drawn further and further into her character and really loved everything about her from the first glimpse we got of her. Likewise Samuel is also an all around lovable character. He goes from being in pain and disheartened with his gift and physical condition to being at the top of his game. He was a down-to-earth and fun hero that I really enjoyed reading.

All in all I really enjoyed the first book I read by Viehl. Her writing is clean, the story is well developed, the characters are engaging and fun and the world is incredibly engineered. I think I would have enjoyed it so much more had I read other books in this world, because there were a few times I felt a little behind and left out.
I give Nightshine a B-

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