Review - Dirty Kiss

Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford

There are some first novels that feel rushed and confusing and others that are filled with this beautiful descriptive language, as though the author has crafted and honed and polished for so long that even the backstory is told with metaphor and style. Dirty Kiss is one of those gems, for example, to say they weren’t going to talk about what happened last year, "Neither one of us was going to rake that night open and spread its entrails out in front of us to look for good fortune." Besides being action and romance filled this book’s language was a joy to read. It also opened with a hilarious scene I will never forget. My mind’s eye certainly created some interesting pictures from those events…

This was a gritty, sexy story. Cole, the Private Investigative lead is emerging from a cocoon of scars and bad memories from a majorly traumatic event. Jae-Min is hurting about having to hide his sexual orientation and fears behind his family’s expectations and his familial responsibilities.

There has been a suicide which Cole has been asked to look into since the police aren't looking further than the suicide note. Unfortunately, as Cole follows the trail down the rabbit hole, violence dogs his every step, making murder look much more likely.

Cole meets Jae-Min during the investigation and they are instantly attracted to each other. They are catapulted into a steamy romance which also dislodges and awakens their fears, wounds and emotions that could easily end things before they can even begin.

This is a great first novel. The language is rich and complex and the mystery is intense. I just had a slight problem because the mystery got a little lost in the middle of the book and took a backseat to the romance. But the characters and character development are amazing! Especially the supporting cast, I loved Scarlet, Cat and Bobby, they were simply wonderful. Additionally, when you read this, google the Korean words, it makes it fun to know what they are saying. The humor and dialogue is just right and imminently enjoyable. Jae-Min and Cole have many layers and make an interesting couple, which has definite potential for future novels. There are questions about the Cole’s past which remain unanswered, but aren't necessary to enjoy this novel. But I really want to know what the heck happened and why! So, I really hope Ford is planning on a sequel. Pick it up if you like mysteries and enjoy (or don’t mind) some hot and sexy guy/guy action.

Review - Eternal Kiss of Darkness

Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Well, if you are reading and enjoying the Cat and Bones series by Jeaniene Frost, these offshoots are a must read. This particular book is about Mencheres and his finding his own babe, if you remember he has been celibate for 900 years because of his crazy wife…so he is pretty hot and heavy with lust and desire when he meets Kira.
So in this book Mencheres starts out pretty tired. His visions have stopped and all he can see is a large wall of darkness coming his way. He is convinced he is going down and has decided to go out his own way. Kira hears him playing the victim to a couple of gouls, and she runs in to help save him. Needless to say, she becomes enmeshed in the paranormal world, things happen and then more things happen so that Mencheres is being framed for doing bad things which could result in his death by vampire enforcers, so that he has to go on the lam.
Kira is a pretty good character. She is strong, a little pig-headed and has that cop mentality of complete and utter fairness. She is a good pairing for Mencheres because she has a conscience and power won’t go to her head. He is so strong and been a ruler his entire life that he needs someone who knows what it is like to be without power and at the hands of someone ruthless. It softens him a little and makes him a little more human. We get a bunch of his background though which is interesting and Cat and Bones make an appearance, but the best one is Vlad. I really hope we get a spinoff for him. That would be great. Both Cat and Bones were a little weird from Kira’s point of view and it just didn’t feel like them, but Vlad was pretty much himself. He got a bit more involved, so there was more time for him to be his normal charming self. Love it!
So this book was fun, the action was pretty good. Mencheres had to get over himself, as he learns that he doesn’t always know what his visions are telling him. Because I knew this world and a lot of the characters I enjoyed the story more, I don’t think it would be as good/appreciated as a stand-alone book. This novel takes place between books 4 & 5 in the Cat and Bones/Night Huntress series. Kira seems like a good addition to the cast of characters even though she doesn’t have all that much to do in This Side of the Grave, book 5. Like I said, read this book if you are enjoying the Night Huntress series, which is really good by the way! If you haven’t picked them up, find Halfway to the Grave now!!