TEST
Having read several of Nina Bangs’ deliciously wicked novels, I I started A Taste of Darkness with certain expectations – and, happily, they were all fulfilled. The novel has all the wit and dark humor of any Bangs book, but with this story of two star-crossed lovers, it also offers more depth and character development.
Reinn MacKenzie, an ancient and somewhat surly vampire, is Guardian of the Blood. As the eldest of the MacKenzie clan, Reinn has the austere “honor” of preserving the bloodline. In short, that means that it is his job to stop any MacKenzie from marrying or otherwise “entangling” themselves with non-vampires. Reinn, the ultimate loner, has very little sympathy for anyone who seeks long-term love, but even he can see the irony in a clan of vampires seeking to preserve their untainted bloodlines. Besides, the job of Guardian has a notorious history. The last Guardian was a sword-happy hitman who killed not only the offending MacKenzie but anyone in a twenty-mile radius of the nuptials. And, although Reinn doesn’t want to be Guardian, the only way out of the job is, well, death. So, Reinn, sword in hand, sets off on his first assignment, which is to stop the wedding of a MacKenzie and his were-cat bride – one way or the other.
When Reinn arrives at the Woo-Woo Inn where the wedding is set to take place, things start to go sideways. Reinn had hoped to reason with the wayward MacKenzie and convince him to leave his fetching feline bride at the altar. But the presence of three cosmic troublemakers, Sparkle Stardust (sex goddess and matchmaker galore,) Trouble (a cute, young troublemaker in canine guise,) and Ganymede (currently feline arch-troublemaker,) change those plans. Reinn knows that with the chaotic trio on the scene there’s little chance that he could talk with anyone rationally. And, perhaps, Reinn decides, it is the presence of the powers of sexual chaos that are causing him his biggest problem. He just can’t seem to keep his eyes (or hands) off the bride’s sister, Kisa Evans.
Kisa, a were-cat like the rest of her clan, is everything Reinn is not. She’s sweet, gregarious, and looking for love. The fact that she’s not a vampire or a MacKenzie is the least of her differences from Reinn. Kisa is the ultimate “good girl.” She loves her family, wants love and marriage, and always follows the rules. Reinn, on the other hand, is a vampire with a very long (and not very stellar) past.
Although he’s using a pseudonym (Daniel Night,) Reinn is fairly certain that Kisa’s clan suspects that the Guardian might be on the scene. After all, the groom, Alan MacKenzie, is well aware that he’s breaking the rules by getting down and dirty with a were-cat. Still, Reinn is shocked when he is mistaken for the Protector, a shady character who has taken it upon him (or herself) to thwart the Guardian of the Blood. Being mistaken for a good guy is not something that happens to Reinn everyday (or even every millennium.) And, everyone’s good will and Kisa’s hero-worship are making him a little nervous. Not to mention scared. Playing the good guy seems to be rubbing off on him.
And, then there’s Kisa. Reinn is obviously drawn to the sultry little were-cat, but he knows that a relationship with her is impossible. He is at the Woo-Woo to murder her potential brother-in-law and he’s Guardian of the Blood. But, there’s something about Kisa that sparks a need for romance in Reinn. He wants to help and protect her. The only problem is that Kisa doesn’t really need his protection and that’s something new to Reinn too. Kisa in cat form is a force to be reckoned with and Kisa in human form is a force of nature. Throw in a cosmic matchmaker or two, a romantic inn in the country, and some dark and starry nights and you have a recipe for disaster from Reinn’s point of view.
I don’t want to spoil the surprises (of which there are many) or the ending, but A Taste of Darkness ends with a bang! Reinn and Kisa are simply irresistible and the cosmic trio are hilarious. Nina Bangs’ characters are well-drawn, the dialogue sparkles, and the sex is smoldering. There are plenty of near-misses, tense moments, and near disasters, but Bangs does a great job lightening the dark and heavy with a douse of wit and whimsy. There’s a great deal of sexual innuendo and mishaps that lead up to Reinn and Kisa’s getting together, and the ending leads nicely into another possible sequel. If you are looking for a dark and steaming romance with a bit of edge, then this is just the book for you. Good work, Ms. Bangs!
Grade: B+
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 17/09/06
Publication Date: 2006
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.