The Dark Lord

Rating:
Summary: The Dark Lord
Review: After a too long dry spell, readers can begin the New Year by resolving to read only good books; this would be a good way to begin. When she is left half of her mentor's house, Rae Lambers is forced to live with her benefactor's son, Michael, a man she once loved with a school girl's innocence until fear sent her fleeing. Bitter resentment makes life uncomfortable, complicated when her seductive sister moves in with them, Michael's vixenish, estranged wife goes to extremes to get the house from both of them, and the enigmatic, dangerous man who courts Rae wants more than she can possibly imagine. Against this Gothic backdrop, a quest as old as time is played out, seeking the power that is the counter to the Holy Grail.

**** Romance, mystery, and magic weave a spell over readers that will keep them on the edge of their seats until the dawn breaks in order to finish. ****

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: Dr. Fay "Rae" Lambers and her sister, Angie, come across a mysterious box wile in Egypt. When the foreign writing mentions "The Dark Lord", Rae knows the contents (tarot cards) are bad news. But Angie pulls out the tarot cards anyway.

Rae works at the University of Berkeley. Her mentor, Dr. Thomas Gregory, has only recently died. Rae learns that she has inherited half of his estate. Dr. Gregory's son, Michael, inherited the other half. Rae and Michael are by no means strangers. In fact, Rae used to have a crush on Michael back when they were in high school. The attraction is still there. Rae also finds herself strongly attracted to Simeon Avare (they met during Rae's trip). Simeon is in town and wants to view the late doctor's Egyptian items.

Things get eerie when Rae gets a video that her mentor made before this death. He charges Rae with the task of guarding his house. For within his home is an object that could possibly cause complete havoc on earth if the wrong person gets hold of it.

Unfortunately, a dark and evil spirit has been released from the cards and has taken form of either Michael or Simeon. Rae must figure out which before she loses her heart to the wrong one, and perhaps her life.

***** This story is a "lulu" readers! Even people who do not believe in spirits, curses, and the like will not be able to simply shrug off this super natural romance. Author Patricia Simpson has written a compelling plot filled with danger, the super natural, and romance that readers will find difficult to pull themselves away from. Expect to sit up late into the night reading. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful romantic suspense!
Review: I am normally not a huge fan of anything to do with the paranormal or fortunetelling but I had heard such good things about "The Dark Lord" that I decided to give this novel a try. I'm so glad I did! It's fantastic!

Rae Lambers and her younger sister, Angie, are on vacation in Egypt when Rae literally stumbles upon a metal box while walking in the desert. The box contains a very old set of Tarot fortunetelling cards which the sisters soon learn is referred to as the Forbidden Tarot. Before Rae has a chance to stop her, Angie not only opens the box but accidentally spills the cards out onto the floor of their hotel room, thereby unwittingly releasing a supernatural entity that will upset their lives and eventually threaten their existence.

Upon returning from her trip, Rae attempts to find out more about the cards from an old friend of hers, Thomas Gregory, a former history professor at Berkeley and an expert in Egyptian and Middle Eastern archaeology. However, Rae is shocked to learn that the professor has recently been found dead and the circumstances surrounding his death are highly suspicious. She is equally surprised to discover that he has left a videotape telling her that he wants her to safeguard his home as well as an important item hidden inside it. Unfortunately, in order to carry out her friend's wishes, Rae will have to contend with his estranged son, Michael, a headstrong man who has no interest whatsoever in his late father's work and who scoffs at the notion that the strange occurrences that begin taking place in his father's house have any connection to the Tarot cards or the supernatural.

I couldn't put this book down! It is fast-paced, suspenseful and wonderfully romantic. Just a terrific read! The ending leaves itself wide open for another adventure with the Forbidden Tarot and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment! Highly recommended!


Rating:
Summary: A convert to paranormal!
Review: I didn't think I liked paranormal until I read The Dark Lord. I couldn't put it down. It's intense, fascinating, and has wonderful characters. Now I want to read all of Simpson's books.
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Rating:
Summary: Hooked from the beginning!
Review: I just love it when I find a book that I can't put down. With THE DARK LORD, I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed the fast-paced ride to the end. The plot was refreshingly unpredictable. Even the two lead males were difficult to chose between, at least in the beginning. THE DARK LORD kept me in suspense and even gave me chills at times. It was interesting to watch the characters develop past old wounds and misunderstandings to fight both old and new demons. The romance was very satisfying and I look eagerly to the next book in The Forbidden Tarot series.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic paranormal romance
Review: In Luxor, Egypt, the Khamsin (windstorm) forces everyone to seek cover; the visiting twenty something sisters Fay Rae (her mom liked King Kong) and Angie Lambers rush to shelter, only to have the former having lived an entire life with bad luck, trips over a small golden box mostly buried by dirt. She opens the box that looks modern, but finds something wrapped inside that has Aramaic writing on it. A shopkeeper translates mentioning THE DARK LORD, but refuses to read any further out of fear. Rae wants to leave the contents behind having dealt with demons as a teen, but Angie pulls out tarot cards and selects Typhon the Devil.

Rae returns to work at the University of Berkley but learns that her mentor Dr. Gregory passed away. Not long afterward, she receives a message from Gregory, demanding she watch over a dangerous object he has in his home. Because of the deathbed request, Rae finds two men associated with the deceased, Gregory's son Michael and Gregory's friend Simeon Avare, interested in her. Other happenings frighten her as she wonders if Angie released an ancient evil when she opened the Tarot cards.

THE DARK LORD is a pleasant paranormal romance with the emphasis on the otherworldly elements though the love subplot is a key entity. Rae is the star as she battles malevolence, the attention of two males, and overcoming a life of blue notes yet keeps on trying. The two men suddenly in her life add the paranormal and romance elements in an intriguing triangle that displays why Patricia Simpson is one of the sub-genre's best at keeping the suspense on multiple tracks at high levels.

Harriet Klausner



Rating:
Summary: A Little Something For Everyone!
Review: Ms. Simpson's "The Dark Lord" has a little of something for everyone. This romance is a little bit like the old "gothic" romances of old. There's suspense, a large helping of the paranormal and even a little humor thrown in to keep this a page turning read.

Fay Rae is on vacation in Egypt when she finds a mysterious box. Told by a local person to get rid of it as soon and as fast as should could (perferably in a body of water) Fay considers the warning. Her sister Angie on the other hand laughs in the face of danger and superstition and opens the Forbidden Tarot deck. Nothing seems to happen but things are not always what they seem. Rae returns home to find out that her mentor and friend has died and left half of his house to her along with a mysterious message. She has also made the acquaintance of a strange man named Simeon. This man seems to have a strange hold on Angie and Rae each, and Michael doesn't trust him any further than he could throw him. What does this man have to do with the strange goings on and what kind of danger is Rae really in?

This was a very fast-paced read. Michael and Rae have a very complicated relationship based on their past. This was a very sweet romance between these two very scared people. The suspense and paranormal aspect of the story was well done. I highly recommend this effort if you like a mixed bag when it comes to your genre.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com



Rating:
Summary: Dark and Disturbing Fun
Review: The Dark Lord is a great entry into the world of serial fiction. Dr. Rae, who works at UC Berkley, and has a painful illness stumbles across a mysterious box while traveling through Egypt. With trouble following her, Rae needs to uncover the mystery before it buries her.

The Dark Lord is a great gothic read with nuanced characters and a 'dark' premise. For those who enjoy a touch of romance with their horror this is a fantastic book.


Rating:
Summary: Had me going to the last page!
Review: This book had me going until the very last page. Is there a
sequel? I hope so! I'm dying to know what happens to Rae and Angie!

Tell me they're going to be okay!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down, and I don't get to say that often
Review: This book is an excellent read. PS's writing is crisp and clean, her dialogue flows naturally, and her characters (for all that they're otherworldly) are REAL. I simply loved the heroine, Rae, and the hero was perfect. This one goes on my keeper shelf.

Can't wait for the next one in the series!