Susan

Lynn Viehl delivers an exciting read of colorful and unique characters that storm through the reader’s emotions with each plot twist. These characters are mesmerizing with their charm, mysterious personas, and breathtaking passion that they invoke within the heart of the reader. Dreamveil’s edgy plot captures your attentions as it builds into a climatic ending with a few surprises along the way. Ms. Viehl continues to entrench me within her creative mind with this series of the Kyndred and I continue to keep her at the top of my favorite author to read list. Dreamveil is a great book and one not to be missed especially if you have read her previous novels—which I would recommend to get full enjoyment and understanding of the characters, but this is great as a stand alone too.

Theresa

This second installment of the Kyndred series was mindboggling. Even though you get a lot of action, angst, information etc., you still are kept in the dark about everything until the very last. Normally in a book you get some sort of clue, but not here. There are so many twists, turns, blind spots, dead ends and intersections in this storyline it’s hard to keep up. I had to go back at the end and reread some parts to be able to say ‘Oh, that’s what happened!’ I’m glad we get more background about Rowan, though it isn’t much. On her way to Chicago for a job, she makes what was supposed to a quick visit to her old haunts, but is literally stopped dead in her tracks and ends up staying. I love how her cooking skills follow her and are used in the story. There are two men that come into Rowan’s life. Jean-Marc Dansart and Sean Meriden. Sean, though he comes of being a rough mechanic, definitely had a soft inside. While Dansant seemed like a benevolent, but mysterious gentleman, though if he was so worried about how the kitchen crew treated Rowan why he didn’t leave her alone when anyone of them could have walked in. Shows a distinct lack of propriety and professionalism. I couldn’t make up my mind whether I liked Dansant or Sean better. I kept switching back and forth as one or the other did or said something good or bad. It seemed like the one that the scene was about was usually the good guy, but not always. In the end I understood why, but it makes my skin crawl. I wouldn’t want to be in Rowan’s position. I won’t ruin it but if you really pay attention to the explanation it’s really creepy. No way! Taire is fascinating also. The descriptions of how she lived on the streets is very informative. She’s a very resourceful girl. I felt sorry for her at the end. Her tortured childhood combined with her ability really messed her up. Quick Thoughts: 1)Seems like every series I read the main villain keeps getting sicker and sicker. 2)What is it with these snake tats on the

Barbara ★

I had the same problem with this book as with Shadowlight. Very difficult to get into. Each chapter introduced another seemingly unrelated character along with strange police reports. It was easily halfway through before I realized what the heck was going on and began to enjoy the book. Heck it was way over half way before I even realized who the romantic interest was. I admit that the ending had a very unique twist. I will be reading further into the series and hopefully the next one will start better than the first two.

Lisa Richards

Rowan Dietrich grew up on the streets. Now she's out to start anew, find a job-and keep her identity as a Kyndred secret, as well as her ability to "dreamveil" herself into the object of others' desires.But Rowan isn't using her gift when world-class chef Jean-Marc Dansant is stricken by her beauty and strength. And when dark secrets from her past threaten her new life and love, Rowan realizes she can't run forever...Lynn Viehl is one of only about a half dozen authors who are on my auto buy list without ever reading review one. While at first I didn’t think I would like the other half of the Darkyn series, Kyndred, as much as the first half of the series, this book totally convinced me it was a winner. While the Kyndred doesn’t have the rich historical focus that made me fall in love with this series back in 2005, this book has so many twists and turns that it has blown me away. I’ll think I have a thing or two figured out and Viehl’s storyline takes a whole other turn that makes me smile and shake my head with satisfaction. The mystery and suspense is worthy of several Patterson books I’ve read and definitely more entertaining. This is NOT a series that can be read out of order and why would you want to? The characters in this series have been superb and I loved the setting of this book in a French restaurant. I started this book late in the afternoon and did not lay it down until I finished the last word in it. I just picked up the next book “Frostfire” and am planning an all night read tomorrow night.I list both series here because they go together as far as I'm concerned. You can't enjoy one without the other.Darkyn1. If Angels Burn (2005)2. Private Demon (2005)3. Dark Need (2006)4. Night Lost (2007)5. Evermore (2008)6. Twilight Fall (2008)7. Stay the Night (2009)Kyndred1. Shadowlight (2009)2. Dreamveil (2010)3. Frostfire (2011)

BJ Rose

I loved the Darkyn series, and after only two books about the Kyndred, I'm very taken with this series as well *OK, bad pun, since the Kyndred call themselves the Takyn, but I couldn't resist!* Genetic experiments have given unique skills to the Takyn, such as telekenesis. Rowan can 'dreamveil' - by touching someone, she can appear to be the person who is loved by the one touched, so it is understandable that she wants to find out if she's loved by the one she loves, and also understandable if she doesn't really want to find out. After all, in the first book, she dreamveiled and discovered she wasn't Matthias' love. Now she has two very different men to choose between - what will she do?!

Shannon C.

4.5 stars: Fast paced roller coaster of a story with many twists and turns!In Shadowlight the first book in the series, we learned that years ago evil scientists conducted genetic experiments on orphans, resulting in those kids growing up to be different--with unique powers. They are known as the Kyndred. As adults, a few of them formed a secret group, so they could talk to others of their kind. But that's when they found out the scientists were not gone--the GenHance scientists want to kill them and harvest their powers. We met Rowan Dietrich, a Kyndred who was trying to save other Kyndred who were targeted. When she touches a man, her ability enables her to shift into the image of his ideal woman--his true love. Rowan had a hard life growing up. She was in an abusive home and lived on the streets for three years after running away. At the start of Dreamveil, she is just moving back to New York when her motorcycle crashes behind Marc Dansant's restaurant. He comes to her rescue, helping her to clean her wounds. She takes a job at his restaurant and moves temporarily into the apartment over the restaurant, until she can earn some funds and get her bike repaired. Sean Meriden lives in the other apartment above the restaurant. Sean owns a garage and agrees to repair her bike. But there's a lot more to Marc and Sean than what they first appear. There are a lot of intricate plot twists in this book from the mystery of why Marc has exactly the same face as Michael Cyprien to a search for a missing girl to undercover operatives and of course the bad guy from the first book is back--Jonah Genaro. The fast paced plot had so many twists and turns as well as some BIG SURPRISES towards the end. I was very impressed by this book. It is some of the author's best work--definitely as good as the first Kyndred book and as good or better than the Darkyn books. The author did a great job of delivering a highly original storyline that was an engrossing mix of suspense, mystery, drama,

Michelle O'flynn

Lynn Viehl has moved to the top of my list of favourites in this genre. I wish that I could get a hold of the other books in the Darkyn series from my library but they don't have them at all, so I will have to source them and buy them myself because I really do admire the premise that she established about her take on the Vampire legend, and the links to the Knights Templar, the Brotherhood and now the Kindred/Takyn have come together in such cohesion and credibility, And Ms Viehl does not feel the need to go on ad nauseum with repetitive passages as mere filler that drive me to distractin like some of her cohorts in this field.Bravo Ms Viehl!

Kelly Russell

The world that Lynn Viehl has created, with its melding of science and vampires, is not the easiest to wrap one's mind around, with all of its complexities and twists, but it is entirely original, and genuinely interesting in all respects. Beyond that, what makes this book stand out in the increasingly-crowded field of paranormal romance, is the actual romance. Viehl has created, and sufficiently developed, three main characters who are easy to root for, and compel a person to read on to find out what happens to them. There is the street-smart heroine Rowan, who is talented in some surprising ways, and who is quite strong, but is not the standard tough-as-nails heroine that has become commonplace - she has her vulnerabilities, and readers can relate to her, regardless of the things she has endured. Further, once she finds love, she embraces her feelings rather than fighting them tooth and nail (even though the situation is not without its fair share of complications). Then there is Sean, who is testosterone personified - a man of few words, who is all muscles and attitude. What he is not, however, is obnoxious and abrasive, because even though he's not an easy man to relate to and has more than a few rough edges, he is also a man of character, with a strong sense of right and wrong; he may not readily accept his feelings, but once he's forced to face them, he falls hard and is utterly devoted. Finally, there is Jean-Marc, who is gorgeous, elegant, and sophisticated beyond the telling of it. He is a man who (like Sean) has some huge secrets, but he doesn't let them lessen his enjoyment of life, or harden him to the joys of human interaction and emotions.The connections between Rowan and Jean-Marc, and Rowan and Sean, are instantaneous and cannot be denied. Viehl has written a love triangle that avoids all of the usual cliches and pitfalls, while simultaneously reveling in an abundance of heat, passion, and genuine affection and caring. In fact, I found the relationsh

Jesse

I wish there were a 3 1/2 star...I really debated between a 3 and 4. This book was good and I really enjoyed it once I got into it. It skips around a bunch from character to character in the early chapters and it wasn't until the stories converged that it really got me going. I was really interested in Rowen's character in the first Kyndred book and really wanted to see her happy. Overall, I'm happy with the way things played out for her, but because the book has so much in it and it's not a very long book, I kinda felt like she needed a bit more story all her own. It's just that several things were going on at once and while they all interconnected well and will lead to more in the future, I'm certain, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was going on and I wanted a little more focus on Rowen and her romance situation. However, the romance was Hot Hot Hot and that was a big part of the mystery to be solved in the book as well. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm glad Viehl created this extension of the Darkyn series.

Christine Strowbridge

Lynn Viehl can certainly tell a story (that was on the cover of the book, and I had to concur!). I am completely enamored in the world Lynn Viehl has created. It's simple, but actually completely complex. How's that for not making sense! I loved the Darkyn Novels. Her novels are not stand alone in my opinion. If you haven't followed the series from the beginning then you would definitely get lost. I love that about the books, if feels like one continual story with little "side stories" that eventually culminate to the ending and when it does you appreciate you stuck around for the wild ride. I enjoyed Dreamveil much more than I did Shadowlight. It was very fast paced (or was that my reading? I couldn't put it down), the multiple storylines had me confused and second guessing what was going on almost up until the end. Rowan, Jean-Marc, and Sean - *swoon* That love triangle was the most original I've read. I fell for it, but then I started having my suspicions about halfway through. Much more important I was thrilled to see Michael and Alex again. I loved how Viehl kept them an important part of the Darkyn books and now she's brought them back for the Kyndred books! I hope we see them again in the next book. I also have a billion questions about the other characters left hanging. I hope to see them again and find out what the heck is going on! I've been sucked back into the Darkyn/Kyndred world and I want to see what happens next!

Nita

I enjoyed Viehl's Darkyn series, but think she has gotten very creative with her Kyndred series. She has such wonderful characters and an amazing story. I wish she would do another book with the same main characters so I can see how their unique romance develops. I highly recommend both series for pnr fans.

Darcy

I wasn't too sure about Rowan the last book, but I loved her this time around!! She was so matter of fact, blunt, and doesn't really care what people think of her. How she found her way to Jean-Marc was interesting, but I didn't really like that the book was leading to a romance between the two of them. After meeting her neighbor Sean Meriden he seemed the better match and their verbal volleys were great fun to read. I did get the connection between the 2 men quite early and wasn't too sure what I thought about that, and am even now not sure what I think. For the larger story arc with GenHance there was a little to move the story farther. I think some of what we learned won't become apparent for a couple of books, the story just hanging out there until we get more context.I can't wait for the next one!!

Mara

At 70%+ the hammer fell (on my head, in the novel this happened later near the end). I couldn't believe it. It does take some guts to make this kind of choice in a romance novel. But then one of the reasons I love her books is they are so unconventional. Mostly UF with a big plot extending along novels, with some romantic thread.A choral work.

Sarah

Spoilers!!! Check out my blog: Escape by FictionVery good.After the man she secretly loved for years fell in love with his "one", Rowan needed to get away. But Rowan isn't an ordinary girl - she's a Kyndred. She can change into a person's most beloved (female only) and is looking for the man she can be herself with. On her way to Boston, she makes a pit-stop in NYC and ends up getting stuck.Dasant wasn't looking for love, but when he saw the woman who crashed her motorcycle in the alley of his restaurant, he felt something he never thought he'd feel. He wants her to stay. He tended her wounds, gave her a job, and offered her a place to stay (one of the two apartments above the restaurant). He knows she the one.Sean lives in the other apartment above the restaurant. He's rude, surly and not interested. Slowly but surely, Rowan defrosts his icy heart and he falls a little more in love with her everyday. Not only do they share a love for Rowan, they share a secret that unbelievable.So does Rowan - with both of them and she feels so guilty about it, she's willing to walk away form it all. After a major conflict with the baddie of the story, Rowan learns Dasant and Sean secret. They are the same person. During the day he's Sean, at night he's Dasant - a very special type of Kyndred. Rowan was ok with it and HEA.I liked this one a lot. It was a high 4 for me. I liked it more than the last one. I enjoyed the characters and could feel the chemistry between the three of them. I was king of annoyed that there were so many other little stories. I think if there were less of them, I would have given it a 5.

new_user

Dreamveil wraps a mystery in a mystery and ties it with a mystery bow, LOL. Everything's a mystery: heroine Rowan's powers, the identity of her accomplices, the identities of the villains, the hero, this homeless girl...You get the picture. Dreamveil engaged my curiosity at every turn. We know nothing more than Rowan Dietrich when we're in her head, and Rowan doesn't suddenly explain her origins to herself. I love that about Viehl's works, along with her tight, eminently readable, breakneck pace. Despite the knowledge her characters unintentionally drop in their scheming (e.g. "Men loved to fuck women they despised; it was their favorite way of settling accounts and exerting dominance"), her narratives read distinctly subjective. Viehl maintains voice. Every character doesn't suddenly spew the heroine's sarcasm like a scene out of the Exorcist. Plus, she commits to the villain when writing him. Her villains meet no stereotype (and may I say I'm enjoying the corporate backstabbing in GenHance). Mystery thriller material, they're exaggerations of real life criminals and vices, scary and devious. She's unafraid to exploit the springy supernatural ground she's planted, sets herself no boundaries. I mean it. Villains are depraved, coworkers are bigots and misogynists, the sex's hot, edgy, heroes and heroines cuss (thank you! If I see darn one more time in a paranormal romance...) Her style's point-blank, tossing all in your face and moving on cool as you please. I dare anyone not to get shocked reading her books. Maybe we don't expect these elements in a romance; we're not supposed to talk about these in a polite romance. I'm glad this is not a polite romance.Viehl's lack of boundaries means her characters have all kinds of wacky powers that can't be ordered in an Excel sheet- it means there are twists.In this case, the twist didn't work for me. Viehl developed the romance much more in Dreamveil than in previous works, including the first book in this series, Shadowli

Jacqueline J

Wow. I loved this book. As I told my sister, at the beginning I was totally lost but the characters were so enthralling that I couldn't stop reading. I might have been a bit lost because I didn't start with the first one but I figured stuff out. I just stuck with the story and everything was explained down to the most minute questions which were left hanging at the beginning of the book. Except for the continuing story arc of course but that is going to play out over several books obviously. I absolutely loved the main character. She was kind of a roll with the punches kind of girl. I loved the twist at the end which I guessed pretty early on but then I had the fun of watching it all play out. I loved the French chef Dansant and the surly mechanic Sean. Two really great characters and the love story was very well done. The paranormal stuff seems fairly well thought out and interesting. Can't wait for the next one and I'm going to get the first one to read as soon as possible. I read a lot of books for free but this one I'm definitely going to get my own copy of.I'm giddy with pleasure at this book. But then I finished it at 2:30 in the morning having read it at one sitting so that may factor in. :-)

Tania

"Dreamveil" by Lynn Viehl. Book 2 in the Kyndred series.I really loved this book! The love triangle between the main characters of Jean-Marc (Dansant), Sean (Meriden) and Rowan was so well done.This book had me so confused! But I loved every minute of it. Ms. Viehl is so talented in making you think you have all the characters figured out and then WHAM, no one is who you think they are. I will say that some things are not explained to the fullest but you are given enough information to make your own conclusions about the mystery of the whole situation.In this book, the leading female character is Rowan, who was introduced in the previous book. When she touches a man, she has the power to shift into the female love of his life. The problem for Rowan is that any man she thinks could be the one for her, if she uses her power on him, she'll know instantly if she shifts into someone else. But vise versa, if she doesn't shift, then that man really wants her for her. What are the odds that Rowan meets two men that want her? Well the odds are pretty good. Jean-Marc Dansant, a sophistocated French Chef, and Sean Meriden, a rough and rouged bounty hunter, both see only her when she used her powers on them. How is she to choose? Especially when she can't stay. The biotech company GenHance is after her...and they are not the only ones. Someone else is after her too.OK....so I don't want to say to much more of what happens in this book but that's the overall romantic plotline. The chemistry between Rowan and Dansant/Rowan and Meriden (yes, the men are referred to by their last names throughout the book) was really steamy. As I said before, this book had been guessing and questioning the whole way through and I love when a book does that because it completely had my attention every minute. I didn't want to put this book down.I can't wait to start the next book!

Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠

Well this book was more interesting and twisted as all hell. I figured out the main twist early on, but it was an original. I don't like it though; I hate love triangles. Hate them. So Rowan is a cool character, much more like able in this book than the previous. But then again she acted like a bratty child in the previous one. She's more mature & calm in this one. Sean - in love, but them I'm a sucker for big tall manly men. Yeah, there's nothing I dislike about him. Also, hello steamy times. Jean-Marc, he annoyed me for a while how he used his talent against Rowan, but I suppose it all made sense in the end. Why are none of the mysteries in this book solved? Like Jean-Marc's, Sean's, Taire's? I btw, I can't imagine reading this books without previously reading the Darkyn books, it'd just make no sense.

La La

This book wasn't as strong as Shadowlight, but still a pretty decent read. In this book we continue on with the journey of Rowan, a Kyndred who when she touches a man can shapeshift into the woman who is the love of his life. After helping Mathias and Jessa in Shadowlight she moves onto Boston but gets stuck in NY after getting her motorcycle busted up. Rowan who is an aspiring chef meets Jean Marc who ask her to work in his restaurant to help pay for the repairs on her bike and also live in the upstairs apartment. She is automatically drawn to the handsome chef, but fights her feeling because she know she cannot stay. While living upstairs she meets the other tenant who also happens to be Jean Marc's business partner, tough talking Meridan, who she also feels an attraction to. This leaves Rowan with a confused heart since her dream is to find the man who would see her as his true love.I loved the premise of the book even though the story could be a little tighter. The book spent more time on Rowan's feeling for the two men and not enough on her conflict with hiding from GenHance or the inner turmoil she has over her past. I found the mystery about GenHances muscleman, Delaporte and the mysterious Kyndred, Taske a litte more interesting than Rowan's story of finding her place in the world. By the middle of the story I kind of figured out the story of Meridan and Jean Marc as well as the secret past that tries to catch up with Rowan. The love scene was a little too abstact for me as the author talks about it in flashbacks. Other than that the book was not the best, but I still would love the read the next book in the series.

Lisa Lap

I have to admit that I'm usually pretty good at keeping up with intricate storylines, but this one kept throwing me for a serious loop. And not a loop in a good way. There were so many little side stories that I was expecting would tie in somewhere at the end, but they didn't. I figured out all the aliases and who they belonged to, but it really pulled me out of the story while I tried to sort out who was who, and who was on the good side versus the evil side. Overall, while I like Rowan, I'm still not sure I understand her situation that found her in New York. I don't understand how Seth and Dasant are both individuals that share a body (but are not a split personality and look nothing alike) and seemingly came from one man Nathan Frame. Who is Nathan Frame? I think in this case there were too many players to make me really care about any of them. Their relationships were tangled without explanation and at the end of the book I was left going "What the hell happened there?"Maybe the next one will clear up some confusion because yes, I'm a sucker for a series and I've been reading this one from the beginning...Until next time,~Lisa