I'm confused. I was confused for a lot of this book. WERE THERE ACTUALLY ANY DEMONS IN THIS STORY? Vamps, shapeshifters, Chosen - yes. But demons?? Who did the Demon kiss? Maybe I'm being too literal. In my opinion, this book tried to do too much in the number of pages available and didn't succeed at much of it. Too many characters were introduced to develop adequately, an obvious teeing up of couples for future books - ka ching! but unfortunately I didn't care enough about any of the characters to follow up their stories. I hate providing this kind of feedback; even completing a novel is an accomplishment, much less getting it published - but this is one novel I think the editor should have either declined, or sent back for major revisions. Sorry Maggie.

Reaper has a job to do: destroy Gregor and his band of unruly and perhaps even mindless vampires. Unused to regular companionship, he is surprised to find himself saddled with Seth Connor and his visions of a woman crying out for help. Neither expects their missions to follow the same paths. Soon, Reaper finds himself with an assortment of people accompanying him while Seth will be forced to look deep within himself regarding the power of love.

Maggie Shayne has created a fantastic ensemble of characters in DEMON'S KISS. While the main love story focuses on Seth and Vixen, each of the other characters has an important role to play. Maggie Shayne successfully creates a storyline in which multiple characters play equal and vitally important roles, so that DEMON'S KISS isn't merely the love story of Seth and Vixen. Instead, DEMON'S KISS is a prelude to what looks to be a promising series peopled with fascinating characters.

Relationships are key to the success of DEMON'S KISS. Fans of Maggie Shayne's Wings in the Night series will already be familiar with the unusual bond between vampires and the Chosen. DEMON'S KISS builds upon this theme but takes things a step further. Some of the characters will have to face tough and sensitive issues, as Maggie Shayne doesn't pull any punches as she explores various facets of the relationships being built in DEMON'S KISS.

DEMON'S KISS is another superb book from the talented pen of Maggie Shayne. While it is connected somewhat to her Wings in the Night series, DEMON'S KISS is easily read as a stand alone. Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

This book held my attention and I think there will be another one. There are a few dangling strings that I would like knit into another book. These are new characters set on a road to adventure by one of our favorites from an older series.

Reaper works alone, he is one of the vampire executioners, those who stop the rogues who endanger the rest of the vampires by killing and leaving drained bodies. Reaper has his own secret, he worked for the CIA until his death (change) into a vampire. He was one of the chosen, those who carry an antigen in their blood that allows them to be changed. He has closed his heart and mind to others, so as not to have to bear the pain of loss or horror.

Seth is a chosen, the chosen who is watched over by Reaper. When he is beaten unto death Reaper lets him choose to become a vampire. Seth has a destiny, he has had dreams and impressions of a red-headed woman for yrs. Now the pull is steady and even tho Reaper is on a mission, he and Seth follow the pull.

Vixin is a shape-changer. She can change into a fox. She has been captured by a rogue vampire who has imprisoned her and tortures her daily. Now her connection to Seth springs into full power and she knows he is on his way. The rogue vampire just so happens to be the one Reaper is after.

Roxy is a chosen and a witch, she is a friend of Reaper and knows he will need all the help he can get on this mission. She forces him to take her along.

Topaz is a vampire who has been conned out of half-a-million dollars by another vampire, Jack Heart. He is also running with the rogues. So Topaz joins Reapers team.

Reaper, the loner, can hardly believe he is saddled with all these people. But that is just the start of the fun. I really enjoyed this one, lots of action, adventure, and romance. The romance was good and didn't take up half of the book. I am abit tired of getting more physical contact and less plot and story. This one was just right.

When he worked as a cover operator for the CIA he was human though he preferred being a lone wolf as he felt safer depending on himself rather than the screw-ups of a teammate. Since those days, Raphael "Reaper" Rivera has become a vampire, but he remains dedicated to being a lone wolf as he plans to live a long time.

Rhiannon hires Reaper to kill rogue vampire Gregor and his pack that are spread all over the southeast United States causing havoc, but figures he is the right person for the job because he is a lone assassin with no emotional ties. Rhiannon says he lies about his feelings as he cares about the Chosen Seth Connor, who he protects. However, he suddenly has an apprentice, just turned undead Seth, who admires Reaper and wants him to mentor him. Not happy to have to protect a sidekick, he soon finds himself with an unwanted pack as Roxy the human healer, Topaz the rich vampiress and Vixen the shapeshifter join his newly formed squad after he rescues the two females from Gregor's growing zombie vampires

This is a much more complex tale than described above, as Reaper's team pairs off romantically. Although no one stands out amongst the players, each person on Reaper's team contains a different personality that the individual maintains throughout whether in danger or love. Fans of romantic fantasy will appreciate Maggie Shayne's entertaining thriller, just keep a scorecard handy.

Harriet Klausner

After much blood and mayem, this book never reaches an ending. if it did, I missed it. So many unanswered questions. e.g. Who is Illyana and what is her story? What is the "end" trigger word to save Reaper. what happens to Briar, is she alive? what happened to the the man giving orders to Gregor? Where is Gregor? "How are the zombies made? By whom are the Zombies made?
This book should have the words "Book 1" added to the title. Then we might have got the whole story if a book 2 was published. If there is a Book 2 coming, I shall not bother to purchase it, how will I know there are not more untied ends.