Customer Reviews

The Darkest Touch

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Her brief encounter with the demon hunter Ryder changed Angelique's life in myriad ways. Her escapade with him once before opened her eyes to the existence of demons in this world, and the special danger those evil creatures pose to her and her twin sister. That's why she took the infamous black diamond months ago. She couldn't very well leave it behind when Ryder and his team disappeared, not knowing if it would be retrieved by his people or by the demons who would use it to destroy the world. And if the diamond can be used to harm her sister, then she must protect it at all costs.

Now Ryder has caught up with her, determined to retrieve the black diamond from her and willing to use any means to achieve his aim. He isn't sure if her reasons for taking the diamond were altruistic or nefarious, but that doesn't matter. The only thing that does matter is securing the diamond, thereby protecting mankind from the destruction it would bring in the hands of their enemies.

As Ryder and Angelique work together to elude the demons on Angelique's trail, they find it more and more difficult to keep their minds on the task at hand as the attraction between them threatens to consume them both...

When I first heard of Jaci Burton's DEMON HUNTERS books, I thought they sounded right up my alley. The blend of sexy romance with a paranormal theme boasting plenty of action-adventure in the mix is just the kind of story I crave. I bought both of the first books in this saga months before I was able to read them, and then promptly kicked myself for not having read them much sooner. They are that good.

So far, this series is made up of three books that each have their own storylines while also continuing a major storyline that is continued throughout each book, with a few more clues revealed in each. The result is a highly addictive series that never fails to satisfy with each book's ending, but still leaves you panting with anticipation for the next tale in this compelling world.

We saw the chemistry between Angelique and Ryder in book two, HUNTING THE DEMON, which had just enough tease between this couple to leave us sure they would end up together, but dizzy with the speculation on just how they would find their own happy ending in THE DARKEST TOUCH.

See, trust wasn't real big between these two, partly due to the way they met, and of course partly because of these characters' pasts.

But their relationship is inevitable, and deep inside, it is clear that both of them recognize their feelings for each other, even while they believe those feelings may not be in their best interest. So they fight it. Unsuccessfully, of course, but that is what makes for a gripping romance, right? Well, that and the blazing hot sex strewn throughout the story... *grin*

While on the run together, the close proximity combined with an already smoldering attraction acts like a match tossed on a pile of kindling. The resulting passion is downright combustible, and Jaci Burton knows how to do combustible passion VERY well, much to readers' decadent delight.

Angelique's twin sister figures greatly in this story, and their sisterly relationship is as important to the plot as the romantic relationship Ryder and Angelique share. The twin, Isabelle, gets a lot of `screen time' in this book, and has her own storyline that runs alongside Angelique's, albeit as a smaller subplot. That subplot deftly sets up the next book in the DEMON HUNTERS saga while it also gives us much insight to Angelique's history and her personality, yet it never overshadows our star couple. Indeed, I think it would have been odd to not have Isabelle's story so closely entwined with Angelique's, given their relationship, and I expect we'll see Angelique play as large a role in the next book as Isabelle did in this one. That's my own supposition, of course, and I could be mistaken, but that is the feeling I'm left with having read THE DARKEST TOUCH.

As the story concludes, we have a more than satisfying ending for Ryder and Angelique, even as we are left with somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next book in this series that is guaranteed to have fans rushing to purchase the next DEMON HUNTER book eager to see what happens next!

THE DARKEST TOUCH is a brilliant addition to this saga that cannot be missed by fans of erotic paranormal romance!

**Courtesy of Wild on Books**

Series Order:
Surviving Demon Island (Demon Hunters, Book 1)
Hunting the Demon (Demon Hunters, Book 2)
The Darkest Touch

Absolutely LOVE this series. Has it all---good story, good "romance"---can't put the book down and can't wait until the next one.

Angelique Deveraux is an archaeologist on the run. Having uncovered a black diamond, she knows that because of this find, she is in danger. How much danger has yet to be seen but if the arrival of Ryder is any indication, Angie might just be in a bit more trouble than she imagined.

Demon hunter Ryder scoffs at his legendary status but knows that he is the best man for the job of recovering an important artifact. The fact that he will be on the run with Angelique Deveraux is just icing on the cake. Ryder has a mission and failure is not an option. He doesn't realize the biggest and most important mission of his life will soon be Angelique Deveraux. When a demonic war ignites Ryder and Angie get more than they bargain for but in the end, they can't imagine living without it - the love of a lifetime.

Three times is the charm with Jaci Burton's The Darkest Touch. I melted into a wet pile of goo at the arrival of Ryder and never fully recovered. A demon hunter who is in high demand, I like how Ryder didn't forget the fact that Angie was a woman and as such, he still had an air of respect for her, even when kissing her socks off. Their flight from the demons intent on capturing Angie and Ryder's original mission interfered some but I think that Jaci Burton captured the true essence of Ryder and Angie's characterizations. Both were scared to trust and as such, both were wary. I loved watching the barriers come down and their love unfold!

Jaci Burton's writing continues to evolve and as such, she is one of my favorite writers. Books like The Darkest Touch reiterate her fine writing ability as well as her capacity to insert emotions and realistic characteristics into each of her novels. My favorite Demon Hunter installment to date, I Joyfully Recommend The Darkest Touch - it is a do-not-miss kind of read!


Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I thought this looked like a good book. I haven't read the other books in the series and just now found out this was the 3rd book. That would explain why I felt a little lost at the beginning but it was easy to pick up this book without needing to read the 1st 2 books in the series. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I believed I would have. The plot was good and the idea is very good but it just fell short. It was predictable and I didn't find that it was very deep. The plot and characters were not as evolved as they could have been. She touched on things but didn't delve below the surface much. It seemed to be lacking something but I just couldn't quite figure out what was missing. Usually I would read a book like this within 1 maybe 2 days but it's been 2 weeks and I just finished the book. It is a easy read, but I wouldn't make this my first choice. Something to read if you don't have much else on your plate at the moment.

Archaeologist Angelique Deveraux has a problem. She has a diamond she needs to protect and a twin sister she needs to find. She doesn't have time to be on the run from Demons and a demon hunter named Ryder who just so happens to get her melty. What she doesn't understand is her sister is in way more trouble than even Angie can handle and going alone is not an option. Ryder is part of the game plan and if she wants to get through this latest mess, she is going to need him by her side.

Ryder is in the middle of fighting an all out demon war and he needs to protect the diamond that Angie has managed to steal away from both sides. The fact that this woman gets to him as no other and the fact that he's not terribly sure he can trust her only adds to the his dilemma. As things heat up he's going to have to decide if he can trust Angie and make peace with the way he feels about her. Because if he doesn't. He is going to fail in his mission.

Although this is the third in a series, if you're like me, series challenged, the only issue you're going to have is in when can you possibly get the first two titles! This is a fast paced read, full of action and sexy endearing characters. Ms. Burton has hit a home run with this series, it's fresh, new and highly entertaining. This is a must read!

Jaci Burton's demon hunter series is very enjoyable with each book written in such a way that it can be read on its own without knowledge of the previous ones. 'The Darkest Touch', which follows on from 'Surviving Demon Island' and 'Hunting the Demon', follows twin sisters Angelique and Isabelle as they find themselves immersed in a whole new world, that of demons and the fight against them. Angelique and Isabelle first appeared in 'Hunting the Demon', they are archaeologists and the initial meeting between Angelique and the male love interest of this book, Ryder, took place in that book. However in this book we follow Ryder as he searches for the missing Angelique who has stolen the Black Diamond, a special artefact that the demons want. When Ryder finds Angelique he discovers the demons have also found her - can he keep her safe and, more importantly, can she come to terms with some insights into her history and with the possible evil nature of her twin. Alongside the primary romance we also have a romance between Isabelle and another of the demon hunters which isn't resolved in this book - it's presumably the focus of a future story.

Jaci Burton's writing style is good with her pacing well measured and a certain amount of characterisation. This British reviewer found the dialogue between the lovers rather too sappy to stomach but overall it was an interesting story with plenty of action.

Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

In an Australian cave, the Sons of Darkness, powerful demon lords, answer directly to the Evil One. They demand archeologist Angelique Deveraux to meld with the black diamond she was hired to find. When she touches it the diamond's magical light goes out. Instead of making it glow stronger. Angie is afraid that her twin sister Isabelle, who was always a bit evil, will bring the stone to life. While the Realm of Light demon hunters fight the Sons of Darkness, Angie hides the diamond so her sibling will not use it.

A Realm of Light member observes Isabelle to see if she embraced the demon inside her as the father of her and her sister was a powerful demon lord. Dalton ends up following Isabelle while Ryder who is supposed to get the gem from Angie falls for her. Both men fear what will happen to their women and themselves. When the Sons of Darkness kidnap the twins, they both understand their new rescue mission is to save their respective significant other or die trying; while the sisters have decisions to make that if made wrong will end up with the Sons of Darkness ruling humanity.

The two sisters will have come to terms re their dark heritage and understanding the evil that makes up part of their "DNA". The story line is a dark vs. light romantic suspense fantasy. The Sons of Darkness want nothing less than ruling all life on earth while the Realm of Light is determined to prevent that from happening; the twins are caught in the middle. Jaci Burton provides a dynamic and enthralling paranormal romantic thriller as demon war threatens the planet.

Harriet Klausner