Sandy M’s review of Touch of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Book 2) by Christina Dodd
Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Signet 7 Aug 07

This is another series I got behind in reading, but thank goodness there’s only four books in the series. It won’t be that hard to catch up with it. With this second book down, I’m enjoying the series so far, and it should only get more interesting considering the hero of the next book hasn’t been heard from for years and the last hero — er, heroine — uh, well, since I haven’t looked ahead I’m not sure what’s going to happen! I’m looking forward to it, though.

Besides the interesting premise of this series, I like Ms. Dodd’s alpha heroes. Of course, they have strong heroines to go right along with them, but for me I have to have a dominant alpha in books like these. Rurik is definitely alpha, stemming from a long line of bad blood in his ancestry, which his family left behind, and the fact that he and his brothers are shapeshifters. Shifters are always one of my favorite reads, thus my love of alphas.

Fueled by the prophecy his mother gave the last time the family was all together, Rurik is in Scotland on an archeological dig searching for one of four holy icons needed to save his father’s life. His research has led him to this tomb, but he also finds Tasya roaming around the site. He hasn’t seen her since she left him after their night of amazing lovemaking. He’s determined to find out why now that she’s back poking around. When the tomb is finally opened, however, the icon is not there and they must flee with what little information the find inside when the evil side of his family blows the place to bits, killing people and making it look as though Rurik and Tasya were involved.

Wanting to be on her own, keeping her secrets to herself, Tasya finally gives in and sticks with Rurik on their icon scavenger hunt. She has her own reasons for wanting the relic and has no idea Rurik is also after it and why. He keeps that bit of information to himself when he discovers Tasya’s need for revenge against his left-behind relatives. On the run they face one challenge after another while stealing a moment here and there to sate the potent lust between them. It’s when Tasya sees Rurik fall from the sky that she leaves her plans in the dust and decides to finish Rurik’s journey to save his father.

The action in this book is pretty nonstop once Rurik and Tasya are forced to keep one step ahead of the villains on their tails. There’s also a side story of Rurik’s vow to himself to never fly again after a near-fatal mishap during his Air Force stint, including never flying as his hawk self. So far this series has kept my interest and I can’t wait to get to the last two books, Into the Shadow and Into the Flame.

Grade: A+

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Summary:
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A thousand years ago, a brutal warrior struck a terrifying bargain. In return for the ability to change at will into a cold-hearted predator, he promised his soul, and the souls of his descendants, to the devil.
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Handsome, powerful Rurik Wilder battles darkness — the darkness without, and the darkness within. For he possesses the power to transform himself into a fierce bird of prey, and that gift has caused death and destruction.
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At last he is offered the chance to redeem himself and break the evil pact which has held his family in thrall for centuries. Only one woman stands in his way — flamboyant Tasya Hunnicutt, a writer determined to wreak revenge on the assassins who murdered her family. Assassins, it’s been rumored, who have powers no human should ever possess…
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Gwen’s review of Into the Flame (Darkness Chosen, Book 4) by Christina Dodd
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Signet 5 Aug 08

This is the culmination of the Darkness Chosen series, of which I’ve only read one other book.  I liked the premise of the series – cursed men with supernatural powers who find their mates and are redeemed.  Always good for a story or two.  Add in some family dynamics, secret and switched babies, and you have the basis of this last book.

Our hero and heroine are an engaging couple if a bit “young” feeling.  They’re both 23-years old and seem hardly old enough to be doing what they’re doing (dang I’m getting old). He’s a state trooper and she does something with an art studio (I forget what now).  They both are well established and he owns a house he’s been renovating.  Perhaps it’s my share of the infantilization of our teenagers at work, but I still feel they’re hardly old enough to have lived as much as these two have.

The romance in the story (between many of the characters, not the least of which was the H/H) was really very nice and I liked how it resolved.  The ending wasn’t prettied up, but was real and sounded like the kind of conversation two “normal” people would have.  There was no “ride off into the sunset” where everyone is paired off.  Even though that happens (duh, romance here), there’s still some “come to Jesus” talk between the H/H before it does.  I like that.

I’m not sure what to think about the unresolved element of the heroines’ supernatural abilities.  They seem to beg for something more with these characters – another series or something with the children of these unions.  I suppose we’ll see where this goes for Dodd.

The action throughout the book is fun.  The bad guys are suitably bad, if a bit hapless. But they brought a suitable amount of tension to the story that you wanted the good guys to prevail.

The camaraderie between the brothers felt like the author was trying too hard to make it amusing or “guy-like”.  I don’t know how female authors can correct that kind of thing.  I would think “guy talk” and male bonding is one of the tougher things for a female author to write convincingly.  All I know is that if my brothers wrestled in my mom’s kitchen, she’d thrash them both within an inch of their lives.  Given my dad didn’t beat her to it, that is.

Overall, this was a very entertaining story with a couple of questionable elements.  A very nice ending to the series, though.  I can recommend it to fans of the series and of the author’s writing.  If you’re new to the series, you won’t be too lost starting here, but I recommend the other books as fun reading.

Grade: B-

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Summary:

Roaming the Russian steppes a thousand years ago, a brutal warrior struck a terrifying deal. In exchange for being able to transform into a heartless predator, he promised his soul-and the souls of his descendants-to the devil.

Brutally handsome cop Doug Black is determined to find the birth family who left him with nothing but a terrifying inheritance: the ability to change into a savage golden cougar. His search leads him to a woman as dauntless and exotic as her name. Firebird Wilder is bitterly familiar with supernatural gifts, and flees on discovering his secret, leaving Doug alone once more. But no one can escape a wild cougar on the hunt. When he finds her, they both must decide which is more powerful … the love that binds them together … or the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

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Limecello’s review of Into the Flame (Darkness Chosen, Book 4) by Christina Dodd
Paranormal romance released by Signet on 5 Aug 08

The fourth and final installment to the Darkness Chosen series was good, but not my favorite in the bunch. (That would be Into the Shadow.) Into the Flame is well written, the characters are all likable – and I’m glad I read the series. The premise was interesting and I enjoyed seeing how everything came together.

Firebird Wilder is a strong and complicated heroine. (Who has such an unfortunate name, poor thing. Imagine growing up with it.) Firebird is take charge, but has a difficult time establishing herself in her alpha male dominated family. She handles herself and situations well, but isn’t a very warm character. Quite mature for her age, it’s easy to forget Firebird has seen and lived through a lot at the age of twenty-three.

Doug Black is something of an enigma. You’re not quite sure if he’s the good guy, or the bad guy, and really he’s a bit of both. Partly due to the nature of the story the reader doesn’t get to know much about Doug. He does have a sad past, but with all that’s thrown at the reader immediately after, the sympathy factor isn’t all that it might have been.

Into the Flame I feel is a lot more plot than character centric. In a minor way, Firebird and Doug’s romance is a bit cheated, because so much of the book is devoted to the culmination of the three prior novels, and making sure the happy ending for all the Wilders occurs. As a whole, this is a very involving book, with little down time, dominated by a lot of drama, intrigue, and characters fighting for their lives.

I really enjoyed the introduction and the first part of this book. It was nice to see Firebird as a person, and find out who the father of her son, Aleksandr, is. The scene where Firebird sets off to see Doug are also very enjoyable. I do wish they had a bit more time to communicate, but it probably would have ruined a few plot elements.

Some things I didn’t like quite as much were a few of the discrepancies found in the later half of the book. The Varinskis and Wilders along with their other unique characteristics have incredible healing powers. I’m not sure if that includes rejuvenation, but it seemed that the Varinskis healed faster than the Wilders did. Yes, it created greater tension, but it didn’t fit. Then there was a part near the end, where the women remembered most of a prophecy, but not a “key” part that was obvious, yet left off for what seems to be the sole purpose of creating yet more drama. I found that somewhat unnecessary. On the other hand, if it had gone smoothly the story may have seen too pat. I guess there was no real way to win.

I did really like how Ms. Dodd continued the story on after the major conflict in the novel, and took the time to resolve Firebird and Doug’s relationship. Oftentimes after the action is over, a novel simply ends, leaving the reader hanging, but Ms. Dodd takes Into the Flame all the way to a believable happy ending. I recommend those that have read the Darkness Chosen novels read this last book – it’s a nice wrap up of the series. I think that Ms. Dodd was also setting up a new paranormal series in this book – but we’ll have to wait and see. Anyway, if you like Ms. Dodd’s book, you should try this one, and there’s no harm no foul, because it’s a “Great Read Guaranteed” book.

Grade: B

Ruggedly handsome cop Doug Black is determined to find the birth family who left him with nothing but a terrifying inheritance: the ability to change into a savage golden cougar. His search leads him to a woman as fearless and exotic as her name. Firebird Wilder is bitterly familiar with supernatural gifts, and flees on discovering his secret, leaving him alone once more. But no one can escape a wild cougar on the hunt. When he finds her, they both must decide which is more powerful: the love that binds them together – or the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Limecello’s review of Into the Shadow (Darkness Chosen, Book 3) by Christina Dodd
Paranormal romance released by Signet on 1 Jul 08

Christina Dodd is one of my favorite romance authors, but she’s never won me over on her paranormals… until now! In fact, I’m considering re-reading the previous ones even. So yes – I liked this book, which is the third installment in her Darkness Chosen series.

Karen Sonnet is an interesting heroine. She’s strong, smart, capable, yet vulnerable, a bit thick at times, and craves approval from her father. Yes at times things about Karen were cliché, but she herself wasn’t. She’s also quite determined and able to handle any situation she’s put in – even if she has moments of uncertainty – and you have to respect her for that.

Warlord-Adrick/Rick Wilder is a character that is hard to place. In a way, he starts out as an anti-hero. He’s the conquering barbarian, and he goes after what he wants, end of story. Warlord really is a warlord, who controls everything. Feared by all the men, yet a good ruler. Adrick and Rick are lesser known qualities, and definitely “the modern man.” Throughout, Adrick is quite complex and layered, but the reader is certain he has an inner core of good.

It’s hard to describe how I feel about this book- more I didn’t know how to react to certain aspects of the book. I admit to liking how both the characters, and Ms Dodd committed to having them be who they were. She kept them true to their personalities, which I respect. There wasn’t this “Warlord is cruel and unfeeling to everyone except Karen.” Yes, in a way, there is because he calls her his bride, but on the other hand, not. He stalks her, tricks her, spies on her, and ties her up. He also seduces her and if I think about it too much I could say there was a rape or pseudo rape scene. She refuses and fights him- and the reader isn’t sure if she really means it or not, but it doesn’t matter. What might bother me most is that, I wasn’t particularly bothered by it, because it fit with the book and flowed. That’s just how it is. Basically, he treats her exactly how a warlord would treat his woman.

Going along with that, there was this slightly detached feel to the characters. I liked them, enjoyed reading about them and respected them, but I didn’t really become attached to them. That’s probably a major reason this book didn’t quite make the “A” cut for me. There was also an “otherworldly” sense, with the Warlord period. It felt like something that took place centuries ago, but is actually set in modern times. Actions, words, racial slurs, made the scenes feel dated. At least, that’s how I read it. However, that’s part of what makes the book so interesting, especially with the “new lives” juxtaposed with the first part of the book.

When the setting changes, it seems the personalities of the characters both emerge, yet are lost. Adrick is different, and Karen is too. They’ve both grown wiser, but maybe a little harder. Still, it’s their trappings, not personality that has changed most. Reading through what wrought those changes was very involving. The sharing is done through an memory exchange of sorts when they shared blood. (Reminiscent of the IAD series.)

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. While I haven’t read the previous two books in a while, I feel that I liked Into the Shadow a lot more. The story is interesting, very different from any other book I’ve read in a while, and it works. The title fits perfectly with the book and is a nice touch. I did think that a reader might be slightly confused if they haven’t read the previous books. Nothing major, but just some minor foundational issues weren’t explained at first, that were laid out in previous books. The tone and feel of the book fit what was happening concurrently, and I thought that was quite clever. I didn’t love part of the ending which was a lead into the next book, but it has made me curious as to how the series will end with Into the Flame.

Grade: B++

Blessed-or cursed-with the ability to change into a sleek, cruel panther, and driven by a dark soul he’s accepted as his fate, powerful Adrik Wilder abandons his family and his honor to pursue a life of wickedness. He excels at every vice, kidnapping strong-willed Karen Sonnet and forcing her to welcome the helpless pleasure only he can give her. But Karen’s spirit and passion make him question the force of his family’s curse, for she could be the key to their survival. And when a new evil emerges, Adrik must choose whether to enact revenge on his enemies and redeem his soul or save Karen from a fate worse than death.

Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Book 1) by Christina Dodd
Contemporary paranormal romance released 3 Jul 07 by Signet

This paranormal is set in modern day Napa Valley and western Washington state’s Cascade Mountains (presumably somewhere near Mt. St. Helens, but it’s not mentioned).  The heroine, Ann Smith, is the assistant to winery owner and hero, Jasha Wilder.  Ann has secrets.  Jasha has secrets.  The trick is to tell each other their secrets before the bad guys catch up to them and make it a moot point.  Oh, and fall in love and have some steamy sex – of course.

The story uses as its basis the age-old conflict between Good and Evil. Nobody less than God and the Devil are fighting over the souls of Ann and the Wilders. This portents an excellent climax in what will presumably be the fourth and last book of the series. Perhaps by then we’ll understand the meaning and purpose of Ann’s birthmark, and several other elements left tantalizingly incomplete.

I enjoyed the steamy erotic scenes, but I didn’t completely believe in the romance between Ann and Jasha.  Not enough time is spent on their “pre-drama” relationship to build a basis for the strong emotions.  Nor did I think the baddies were quite consistently bad or smart enough to be truly evil.  In addition, it was weird how Ann and Jasha just returned to their workaday lives after running for several days from this evil.  I mean, how do you just stroll back into the office when you’re in the middle of a fight for your very soul?  It was odd.

I enjoyed this read.  It has some problems with incomplete story arcs and the editing is choppy – or perhaps the story is a little choppy – but it was readable and fun.  Not engrossing, but fun.  While I won’t be waiting with barely controlled impatience, I will definitely read the next book in the series, Touch of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Book 2) , out 7 Aug 07 (love those back-to-back releases – no delaying my gratification).

Grade: C+

Summary:
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Ann Smith loves her handsome, dynamic boss, Jasha Wilder, but her daring plan to seduce him goes awry when she encounters a powerful wolf who – before her horrified eyes – changes into the man she adores. She soon discovers she can’t escape her destiny, for she is the woman fated to break the curse that binds his soul.
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