The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 6) Reviews

• This action packed `Kiss' is more suspense focused as Riley's hunts two killers

  
  By A1DW5IH6QCOFQ7 on 2008-05-01
  Darkest Kiss starts out with half were half vamp Guardian Riley, exploring her newly discovered bird shifting ability. While she's throwing herself out of trees trying to learning to fly without a great deal of success -- her body as battered as the heart she's been guarding closely in the past months since her werewolf lover left her -- she's no longer leaping to act on her libidinous thoughts. In fact apart from a werewolf's prerequisite monthly `moon dances' she's been celibate. Small wonder, if Riley's life has been anywhere as busy as it is during the course of the story there is almost no way she's had time to squeeze in much in the way of extracurricular activity.
  
  The action in Darkest Kiss is pretty much non-stop as Riley is assigned to track down the killer in a high profile murder of a shapeshifter politician and soon after Riley is asked by the hunky stripper werewolf shifter, Shadow, to look into the death of a friend that the authorities are writing off as an accidental death due to a BDSM gone wrong. But as additional bodies stack up, it is apparent to Riley that she's dealing with two serial killers. And while it doesn't take her long to figure out the identity of the killers, stopping them is not going to be anywhere near as easy, as both are powerful insane paranormal entities. Though Riley has really grown into the Guardian role she'd been resisting in previous books, it's going to take more than Riley's powers and a few old friends: seer Dia, horseshifter Kade, her brother Rhoan and a really `old' friend, her former vamp lover Quinn, to keep both Riley and a member of her `pack' from being the next victims.
  
  I enjoyed Darkest Kiss, Arthur makes good use of the paranormal elements of her world and creates some formidable killers - for one, the bakenecko, she draws on Japanese lore to add complexity to the character. She also adds another flavor of vamp to her world, an emo vamp who feeds on emotion, the power hungry Vinnie promises to be a nemesis Riley is sure to encounter again in the future. With everything going on, Quinn who shows up just in time to identify the supernatural species and powers of the killers, didn't play as a big part in the story as the back cover suggests. Though his reconnection to Riley adds a bit of steam, his presence in the story appears to be mostly to set up for future books. For the overall story arc of the series, Darkest Kiss seems to be a transitional book for Riley because the pain and changes in Riley's life and attitudes along with Quinn's regrets look to offer a possibility that they will be able to move past the impasse that forced them apart in previous books.
  
  Though I'm guessing that there will be probably be at least two more Riley Jensen books before Riley gets her happily ever after, there's no info on Arthur's website yet about when the next book will be out, and no title it's just Riley 7. So if you are looking for more Keri Arthur to tide you over, I recommend you hunt down a copy of one of her older romantic paranormal suspense books. One of my favorites, Circle of Desire (Damask Circle, Book 3), contains a beautiful scene with the werewolf "moon ceremony" between soul-mates that Riley refers to throughout the Guardian series and it was worth buying the book for that chapter alone. All three books in this Damask Circle series are stand-alone romantic suspense paranormals, though they are much shorter in length than her Riley Jensen books.
  
  Athur's Riley Jensen series:
  Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 1)
  Kissing Sin (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 2)
  Tempting Evil (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 3)
  Dangerous Games (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 4)
  Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 5)
  
  Damask Circle (Shapeshifters)
  Circle of Fire (Damask Circle, Book 1)
  Circle of Death (Damask Circle, Book 2)
  Circle of Desire (Damask Circle, Book 3)
  
  Michael & Nikki (Vampire)
  Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael, Book 1)
  Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael, Book 2)
  Chasing the Shadows (The Nikki and Michael Series, Book 3)
  Kiss the Night Good-bye (The Nikki and Michael Series, Book 4)
  
  Moon series (Werewolves)
  Beneath a Rising Moon (Ripple Creek, Book 1)
  Beneath a Darkening Moon (Ripple Creek, Book 2)
  
  And coming soon a new series:
  Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic, Book 1)
  
  
  

• The Good, The Bad, The Riley!

  
  By A3QUU0LQN5XD36 on 2008-05-02
  All right, lemme start by saying I love all the Riley Jensen Books but I had the HARDEST time getting in to this one. I kept thinking/hoping she'd get a bit closer with Cole as their relationship seems to be moving beyond quips and insults but it was just one clean-up scene after another. The action was great, but I feel like the biggest issue, Riley's love life, was totally glossed over. Kellen left her, she was sad she through herself into her work. We've all done it but this is Riley Jensen. Maybe her character is evolving, which cool, but part of her appeal is that fact that she can have sex pretty much at the drop of a dime. Speaking of, her and Kade had some of the H O T E S T sex which made that hole...'I can't drop [...] because the boss will get mad' not track. It would've been more realistic is she'd said something along the lines of, 'I'm not ready for that yet, much as I'd like to be.' or maybe even 'The fact that you have so many Mare's creeps me out, sorry'. THE GOOD. Quinn.I love Quinn. He's a great character and does nice things to Riley, and the reader. *WinkWink* So to sum up, Action good, Cole situation disapointing, Liander and Rhoan YAY, Quinn + Sex = SUPA GOOD, Riley/Kade, eh. Scary bad guys sweet but almost too many, blood and gore entertaining. I am looking forward to the next RJ book but I'll be buying it off AMAZON for less then list price. FOR SURE!
  
  

• I give up.

  
  By A3PLY46T22M4JV on 2008-05-11
  The past week has been full of disappointment for me. Several new books came out over the past two weeks, and so far the eagerly anticipated books from authors I have held in such high esteem have failed me miserably.
  
  Keri Arthur delivered mystery and action as usual-- I will give her props as due; but that's where the encouraging words end. Nothing really happened in this book.
  
  We didn't move forward. Sure Rhoan isn't quite the relationship idiot he usually is; but he still chooses his addictions over his soulmate. And then there is our main wolf/gull Riley and her rampant romance dilemmas. I love Quinn, I do, but even his appearance 200+ pages in, wasn't able to save the book for me.
  
  I am a reader who usually reads a book straight through when its as captivating and titillating as I expect Arthur's books to be; and I am sad to say I can't count the times I set this book down and struggled to finish. At times, sadly, I even had to skip a couple paragraphs of detail because I got too bored-- which is something I REALLY try not to do.
  
  Arthur seemed to bring the Riley stories around full-circle with a still uncertain, non-commit-able Riley; and a Quinn-- who's character she has dragged out so long, that he doesn't hold that mysterious allure anymore.
  Then there is the Cole character; which peeked my curiosity in the previous book-- and I hoped, really hoped she'd do something with it. I think she even hinted of something to come through their exchanges-- but NOTHING happened. If her input on Cole was meant to build suspense or wonder; it didn't work. I just felt let down.
  
  Back to Quinn, don't get me wrong: I LOVE Quinn, but if you are going to draw a story out, you better make it interesting. My intrigue was lost in "The Darkest Kiss." I simply don't care about Riley's indecision, and needing to find her soulmate through sex with random wolves on the night of the full moon; even though she already has this phenomenal connection with Quinn that she doesn't fully understand. Her inward struggle just isn't interesting anymore. I am simply bored into not caring.
  
  Intense action, but a "blah" end result. I really wanted to like this book. I really tried to get into it... but I'm officially through with the series. I just don't find motionless romance bearable.
  
  

• Could have been better

  
  By A1JFGV46TJDJZ2 on 2008-05-13
  I love the Guardian series, but this book made me feel like I was running in place. The cases that Riley worked were interesting as usual, but the romance was lacking and it seemed like both Riley and Rhoan has not really gotten anywhere in the end.
  
  Really hoping that number 7 picks up better than where 6 left off.
  
  

• fun police procedural fantasy

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2008-05-17
  In Melbourne, Dhampire Riley Jensen takes her work as a Directorate of Other Races guardian seriously for if she did not she would be dead as her cases are dangerous since she is judge, jury, and executioner when a non-human breaks the law. Her boss Jack Parnell orders her to investigate the death of hawk shifter Gerald James, head of the Non Human Rights league that was pushing for political representation. Her partner is horse shifter Kade with wolf shifter Cole working the crime scene. Both Riley and Kade sense something is not right; Cole tells them the victim had quite a sex marathon. While scratches on the deceased's neck look like they came from a cat. Gerald's assistant says he was seeing Alana Burns, one of the Torrack Trollops who sell themselves to millionaires in order to live the good life.
  
  Wolf Ben Wilson, manager of the Nonpareil striptease, calls Riley to ask her to look into the death of one of his strippers, Denny, who was into the BDSM scene and died during erotic asphyxiation. She agrees and meets Ben at Denny's place where she senses a creature similar to a vampire, but different.
  
  Riley investigates both cases following a trail of death. In each the clues point towards the culprits being different than the normal other races that she knows of. However, understanding the danger to herself, her beloved brother, and his soulmate, Riley continues her pursuit of two dangerously deranged unique killers.
  
  The key to the Arthurian universe (see KISSING SIN and DANGEROUS GAMES) is that the prime supernatural species seem genuine especially dhampires, psychic vampires (the ultimate dominant), and shapeshifters. The two serial killer investigations are interesting as the opponents are super paranormals with nasty grudges that has turned deadly. Although the two killers being two different distinct species that almost no one ever heard of loses some plausibility, police procedural fantasy fans will enjoy this strong investigative tale starring a fascinating individual.
  
  Harriet Klausner
  
  
  
• Loved It!!
  By A160VVLPSTQE7E on 2008-05-31
  ok, ok, yes the first books had more sex scenes, but I really understood that Riley was getting over Kellen and had that feel that she was giving herself some time to heal...and I loved how it ended...I love Quinn and am a sucker for a hot vampire... :) I love this series..it makes me smile and cry and laugh ...
  
  
• Full of the unusual
  By A2M7LCNHKSAOL on 2008-04-30
  This book is full of action with some new and unusual characters. I read it in about six hours and enjoyed every minute of it. It's a must read.
  
  
• Another fantastic read
  By AQ41BWSR8JT4K on 2008-05-05
  I have been a diehard Keri Arthur fan since Dancing with the Devil days, and Darkest Kiss was another fantastic episode of Riley adventure. Couldn't put it down until well into the morning and only when I got to The End. Then I had to go back and reread because the suspsense was so good that i think i read too fast
  I agree with the other reviewer who remarked on the totally hot Quinn action. Mmmm Irish vampire action goodness.
  
  
• It was just ok
  By AOO2PR01X8ADL on 2008-05-10
  I have read all of riley jensen seris but this last one was just ok it just didnt go anywhere I was looking forward to more action more werewofe lots more adventure this book was kind of boring sorry dont get me wrong I like Keri Arthurs books this one kinda though me.
  
  
• Been Waiting
  By A19EKTH8Y6POBS on 2008-05-30
  I started out this series with Tempting Evil which I must say was a heck of a way to start out. Darkest Kiss was a very good read and I look forward to More of Riley's books in the future.
  
  
• The Darkest Kiss
  By A2DE9K4S30JDQW on 2008-05-31
  This was a great story, I hope it does not end here. Riley deserves the love her vampire can give her.
  
  
• The Darkest Kiss
  By A29M1J4OKB81FA on 2008-06-01
  It was okay, a little different from the other books, but i still enjoyed it.
  
  
• Great read
  By A20TL6R9XGEUWN on 2008-06-05
  This series is great and this book just adds to it. i love how Quinn is back in the picture, I think he and her will make a great couple if they ever fully get serious. And finally upping Lianders and Rhoans relationship has finally come!!! Its not alot but hey its something. This was a great add on to the series, i couldn't put it down. So many things going on there was never a dull moment.
  
  
• We love Riley Jensen
  By A3UV13RJ5NQNIT on 2008-06-15
  My daughter and I are big fans of Riley Jensen. Keri Arthur creates characters that you can care about and look forward to encountering again in her next installment. Really fun paranormal romance reading.
  
  
• Another Excellent Riley Story!
  By A2UM6MBFER9LD2 on 2008-06-17
  Riley's focused on two cases this time around, and I loved the action scenes while the hunts grew. Riley's smarts and instincts get the job done.
  
  Excellent action scenes, lots of suspense, and more about her inner struggle with her feelings. She and Quinn have lots to work out.
  
  Kellen had left her feeling alone, and she struggles quite a bit with that. She truly did love him, but I believe that, if a man truly loves you, he won't ask you to change. While it hurt that he left, I believe that she's better off. Quinn comes back, and while he may have learned the error of his ways, he still has a lot to learn about Riley. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks - I think that while Quinn may be stubborn, it may work out just between them. Like any woman, Riley is being cautious; she doesn't want to get hurt again, and I can understand that.
  
  We get even more between Rhoan and Liander, and Rhoan's inner struggle where Liander's concerned. I really like the banter between Kade and Riley, even though she refuses to let it go anywhere. In true Riley form, she gives the excuse that Jack would get mad about it. We know better. She's not ready for it, but she won't admit it to anyone but herself. And I wonder if anything will come of the banter between Cole and Riley. I think he's very attacted to her and fighting it tooth and nail. It will be interesting to see if anything happens between them.
  
  Another excellent novel and I can't wait for the next.
  
  

• Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 16)
• Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6)
• From Dead to Worse (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8)
• Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 5)
• The Outlaw Demon Wails (Rachel Morgan, Book 6)