Touch of Darkness

This is definitely better than the first, not as light, which is more suited to series about a family cursed to Hell. Although there was arguably more action than romance in this one, I enjoyed the book, and Rurik makes an interesting hero, definitely not typical to say the least: airforce pilot turned archaeologist. Once again the Wilders' Russian background is interesting, although I did think Rurik's half-hearted "betrayal" was brief, as well as Tasya's necessary reaction, and perhaps not as important to the book as the rest. No big complaints though. Good read! Dodd crafts a tight, embroiling story and the Varinski villains are once again easy to hate.

Over a thousand years past, a man sells his soul and that of his descendants to the Devil in exchange for the ability to shape-change into a predator and gain power and wealth. The family, the Varinskis, based in the Ukraine, are now assassins and thugs for hire. One man went against tradition, marrying a gypsy girl against family rules, and leaves the family; moving to the American Pacific Northwest and changing his name to Wilder. His family of three sons and a daughter (true Varinskis only bear sons on their partners), fight to stay alive and now are trying to break the ancient curse to save the father's life and their immortal souls. In this book (second in the series, but may be read alone), Rurik Wilder is returning to his archaeological dig in Scotland after visiting home and learning that he needs to find his true love and a sacred icon in order to try and break the curse on his family. He knows whom he loves, Tasya Hunnicutt, a feisty photographer, whom he had once had wild sex with, ending with her leaving him cold. Tasya, he finds, is at the dig in order to take photos... but also for secret motives of her own. When she was a child her parents were killed by the Varinskis and she hopes to find something in this tomb that will help in her revenge. Rurik, of course, has his secrets, such as being able to shape-change to a hawk and that he is related to the very people Tasya hates. He, too, hopes to find something in the tomb. When the Varinskis arrive and blow the tomb up, Tasya and Rurik are on the run, on a suspenseful trip to evade death from a family of professional killers with super-natural powers. And they are all on a search for the same treasures for different reasons. I happen to like my romances with plenty of plot and back-story, and this book had lots of all of that. And of course lots of sparks fly from Rurik and Tasya's hot but difficult relationship. I liked that they had some real problems to solve for the story and for their relationship. If you like a bit of "Bourne Identity" suspense along with your sizzling sex scenes, along with some paranormal shape-shifting, this book is for you.

Every bit as much good fun as the first book in the series, the character development was even better here, especially with the periphrial characters. Even they reveal a nuance or depth of character that makes me wonder just when they will show up in the storyline again. Christina Dodd shows how consistent she can be in any genre.

Archeologist Rurik Wilder is tall, strong, devilishly handsome and more formidable than he appears. Rurik can change into a powerful bird of prey, but this ability has brought about death and sorrow. Now Rurik has been given the chance to redeem himself and help his family break a centuries old pact with the devil. Blocking his path to redemption is the beautiful Tasya Hunnicutt. Tasya is determined to expose the assassins that murdered her parents. In seeking revenge, Tasya risks not just her life but Rurik's as well. The assassins Tasya aims to defeat are said to have special powers. Powers that are evilly inhuman. I have been all wiggly waiting for book two in the Darkness Chosen series, Touch of Darkness. Thankfully, I didn't have very long to wait. I have been drooling in anticipation of Rurik. And Rurik is sooo drool worthy. He is smart, gorgeous and bad to the bone. I couldn't ask for more! Christina Dodd's Touch of Darkness is as sexy, exciting and romantic as the first book in this series, Scent of Darkness. The utter foulness of the adversaries and the struggle against them will put readers on the edge of their seats. The passionate romance between Rurik and Tasya will leave readers breathless. The longing for the third book in this series will fill readers with anxious anticipation. Annmarie Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed