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Available
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Publication
Recorded Books (2010), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, CDs, 9 hrs 11 mins
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Romance. HTML:From New York Times bestselling author Christina Dodd comes the second book of Darkness Chosen, a seductive series about an ancient, dark evil that lives in the modern world... Handsome, powerful Rurik Wilder battles darkness�??the darkness without and the darkness within. He possesses the power to transform himself into a fierce bird of prey, and that gift has caused death and destruction. At last he is offered the chance to redeem himself and break the evil pact that has held his family in thrall for centuries. Only one woman stands in his way�??Tasya Hunnicutt, a writer determined to wreak revenge on the assassins who murdered her family. Assassins, it�??s been rumored, who have powers no human should ever p… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member romsfuulynn
I should know better with Dodd. She has interesting plots, but I stopped reading her historicals a long time ago, because the actions of the so-called hero would be so unacceptable that I'd be thrown out of the book. (And then throw it across the room.) It's a pity because she has interesting
In the relevant scene they are on a train, pursued by bad guys, and he locks the door, start by "oiling her all over" while she's sleeping, to help him accomplish the deed, she says no several times, attempts to escape(!). I'm sorry, but no number of orgasms at the end can overcome that for me.
I also find one of the premises of the multi book story arc offensive. Now, I'm an agnostic/atheist, but the premise is that God will allow the Devil to take the men's father's soul, when he has done no wrong, because of some promise made by an ancestor 1000 years ago. So they are battling the Devil for their father's soul. I just can't see any remotely Christian view of God as buying into this and I find it offensive.
Which brings me to my final peeve - the McGuffins that are being retrieved are "icons" and the ethnic background is Russian, but even beyond my objections above to the religious elements of the conflict, there is no visible use of the differences between the Orthodox Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic church beyond the icons. It's just religious wallpaper.
As I say, it's a pity, because apart from the fact that he's a rapist, the hero and heroine are interesting and the plot has some revealing bits that I like.
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characters and plots. I started this paranormal series because her non-paranormal contemporaries have been interesting. This book though has a scene that absolutely turned my stomach, and made me see the male character as a disgusting rapist who would be better castrated and dead. In the relevant scene they are on a train, pursued by bad guys, and he locks the door, start by "oiling her all over" while she's sleeping, to help him accomplish the deed, she says no several times, attempts to escape(!). I'm sorry, but no number of orgasms at the end can overcome that for me.
I also find one of the premises of the multi book story arc offensive. Now, I'm an agnostic/atheist, but the premise is that God will allow the Devil to take the men's father's soul, when he has done no wrong, because of some promise made by an ancestor 1000 years ago. So they are battling the Devil for their father's soul. I just can't see any remotely Christian view of God as buying into this and I find it offensive.
Which brings me to my final peeve - the McGuffins that are being retrieved are "icons" and the ethnic background is Russian, but even beyond my objections above to the religious elements of the conflict, there is no visible use of the differences between the Orthodox Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic church beyond the icons. It's just religious wallpaper.
As I say, it's a pity, because apart from the fact that he's a rapist, the hero and heroine are interesting and the plot has some revealing bits that I like.
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LibraryThing member phyllisd
Second serving in a four part series about a family trying to break a pact that has cursed their family for 1000 years. Very suspenseful and well-written. Rurik Wilder and Tasya Hunnicutt travel across Europe running from the Varinskis. I can't wait for the next book in the set.
LibraryThing member The_Book_Queen
As soon as I finished the first book in this series, Scent of Darkness, I immediately grabbed my copy of Touch of Darkness, eager to continue the spectacular story that Christina Dodd had weaved so intricately, so perfectly, making me obsessed from the start. I literally ran into my room to grab it
I have to say that even though I loved Touch of Darkness, so far my favorite in the series was the first one, Scent of Darkness. I can't explain why, exactly, but I felt that it was written slightly better- but only slightly. How can you judge the two perfect, five star books, comparing them? Both are great, don't get me wrong, and I am confident that the last two books in the series will be just as wonderfully written. But I think I shall always hold the first one closer to my heart, even if it's only slightly closer than the rest. However, I will tell you if this top spot changes after I read book 3 and 4.
Once again, Christina tells a story that grabs you from the start and pulls you head long into the book, never letting you go until the very end, and even then, you are reluctant to go. She writes witty and even touching conversations, unique, dangerous, and sexy experiences. Add to all of that, as if you could possibly want more out of a romance book, a slight touch of mystery, secrets, legends and history *Okay, so it's not true history, as far as I know, though wouldn't that be great, because if it was, then that would mean that Rurik and Jasha are really out there somewhere.... Oops, sorry, starting drooling there for a second, went off to daydream land, but I'm back. But a true fantasy/romance reader can still pretend, right?*. Combine all those elements together, add in a healthy dose of sexy alpha males who can shapeshifter and like to claim their mates *Not rape, that's left to the evil Varinkski cousins*, a love story that is anything but a fairytale *at least at first* but still fits Rurik and Tasya exactly and leaves you both hot and bothered and warm and fuzzy, and a passionate family that sticks together no matter what and you have the perfect story--Touch of Darkness.
5/5 STARS! Christina has done it again! Don't miss this thrilling sequel to Scent of Darkness and don't forget to grab Into the Shadow, and, soon to be released, Into the Flame, Adrik and Firebird's stories, respectively.
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off the shelf-- and in socks only, on a hardwood type floor, which means, what everyone?, yes, that's right, slipping and slidding. I swear, my cat was laughing at my when I grabbed wildly for my desk to keep from falling, if only because falling would slow me down, meaning it would be longer before I could get my hands on Rurik's story. I have to say that even though I loved Touch of Darkness, so far my favorite in the series was the first one, Scent of Darkness. I can't explain why, exactly, but I felt that it was written slightly better- but only slightly. How can you judge the two perfect, five star books, comparing them? Both are great, don't get me wrong, and I am confident that the last two books in the series will be just as wonderfully written. But I think I shall always hold the first one closer to my heart, even if it's only slightly closer than the rest. However, I will tell you if this top spot changes after I read book 3 and 4.
Once again, Christina tells a story that grabs you from the start and pulls you head long into the book, never letting you go until the very end, and even then, you are reluctant to go. She writes witty and even touching conversations, unique, dangerous, and sexy experiences. Add to all of that, as if you could possibly want more out of a romance book, a slight touch of mystery, secrets, legends and history *Okay, so it's not true history, as far as I know, though wouldn't that be great, because if it was, then that would mean that Rurik and Jasha are really out there somewhere.... Oops, sorry, starting drooling there for a second, went off to daydream land, but I'm back. But a true fantasy/romance reader can still pretend, right?*. Combine all those elements together, add in a healthy dose of sexy alpha males who can shapeshifter and like to claim their mates *Not rape, that's left to the evil Varinkski cousins*, a love story that is anything but a fairytale *at least at first* but still fits Rurik and Tasya exactly and leaves you both hot and bothered and warm and fuzzy, and a passionate family that sticks together no matter what and you have the perfect story--Touch of Darkness.
5/5 STARS! Christina has done it again! Don't miss this thrilling sequel to Scent of Darkness and don't forget to grab Into the Shadow, and, soon to be released, Into the Flame, Adrik and Firebird's stories, respectively.
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LibraryThing member NicoleReising
Oh yeah, I loved this book. Absolutely fantastic. I really like how Christina blends a bit of humor with suspense. I have no problem connecting with the characters and loved the hero in this one. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series.
LibraryThing member JamesterCK
My opinion: I liked this book quite a bit more than the first one. My biggest problem with the first book was how mousy Ann was, and the ridiculous way she tried to seduce Jasha at the beginning. But Tasya is completely different, very strong and sure of herself...and she seems to have a love/hate
As I said before, I really liked Tasya's character. She was a smart alec and didn't take crap from anyone, especially Rurik. And I found I liked Rurik a lot more than Jasha (from the first book) as well. I guess I was just able to connect with these two more and so I was able to enjoy the book more. As the story is progressing, I find myself so excited to get the next book to see what happens, if they find the rest of the icons to save Konstantine from eternal hell. Needless to say I'll probably be picking up the 3rd book in this series very soon!!
My rating: 4/5 stars
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relationship with Rurik Wilder. After having spent an erotic night together, Tasya ran out on Rurik and they hadn't seen each other since. But when Rurik returns to his dig site, he finds Tasya there. Soon the Varinskis are on their trail and the two are on the run, both trying to find one of the four missing icons. Rurik knows she is the one that he is meant to be with, the one who has to find the icon, so he is determined to protect her at any cost. The Varinskis are after Rurik, but Tasya is hiding some crucial secrets in her past. She wants nothing more than to destroy all of the Varinski family...but what will happen when she finds out Rurik is one of them? As I said before, I really liked Tasya's character. She was a smart alec and didn't take crap from anyone, especially Rurik. And I found I liked Rurik a lot more than Jasha (from the first book) as well. I guess I was just able to connect with these two more and so I was able to enjoy the book more. As the story is progressing, I find myself so excited to get the next book to see what happens, if they find the rest of the icons to save Konstantine from eternal hell. Needless to say I'll probably be picking up the 3rd book in this series very soon!!
My rating: 4/5 stars
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LibraryThing member Colereising
Oh yeah, I loved this book. Absolutely fantastic. I really like how Christina blends a bit of humor with suspense. I have no problem connecting with the characters and loved the hero in this one. I can’t wait to read the next story in this series.
LibraryThing member Carol420
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,
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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. loved this Series of Books. This being the first book of the series, it captivated me. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
Book #2 in Darkness Chosen
3 stars
Synopsis:
Rurik Wilder, a shapshifter who can turn into a bird of prey, is determined to break the curse that afflicts his family and goes in search of the holy icon that may fulfill this goal. Little does he know that the woman
Review:
Starts out a bit slow but increases in pace as the quest/adventure proceeds. While the Wilder men are very similar, the heroines are vastly different. Ann is shy and unassuming while Tasya is fiercely independent with trust issues. I enjoyed the differences in their characterization.
The mythology of the series plays an important role in the story but it could have been developed more substantially. Moreover, Tasya’s backs story is not as compelling as Ann’s and her relationship with Rurik is more complex and conflicted.
Recommendation: A satisfying read and I am interested in seeing how the series develops.
Book #2 in Darkness Chosen
3 stars
Synopsis:
Rurik Wilder, a shapshifter who can turn into a bird of prey, is determined to break the curse that afflicts his family and goes in search of the holy icon that may fulfill this goal. Little does he know that the woman
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with whom he spent a night of unbridled passion is bent on revenge against the same assassins who seek to stop his quest. Can the two overcome their personal issues to triumph over their adversaries? Review:
Starts out a bit slow but increases in pace as the quest/adventure proceeds. While the Wilder men are very similar, the heroines are vastly different. Ann is shy and unassuming while Tasya is fiercely independent with trust issues. I enjoyed the differences in their characterization.
The mythology of the series plays an important role in the story but it could have been developed more substantially. Moreover, Tasya’s backs story is not as compelling as Ann’s and her relationship with Rurik is more complex and conflicted.
Recommendation: A satisfying read and I am interested in seeing how the series develops.
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LibraryThing member TheYodamom
A search for the Missing icon takes us to the Scottish Isles for some excavating. Rurik the archeologist brother leads this story.There he leads a dig of an Ancient Celtic warrior's treasure filled with Indiana Jones style traps. The Dig discovers a golden trunk while he is away and reporters and
A classic romance with an interesting paranormal shifter twist.
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danger descend upon him and the site. His love interest Tasya, the women who ran from him after one night in bed, is there and stuck in the middle of it all. They are nearly blown up and embark on a journey to find the icon, each for different reasons. He is driven to prove his love for her she only wants to get away.A classic romance with an interesting paranormal shifter twist.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2007-08-07
ISBN
1440748020 / 9781440748028