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Liked It “Synopsis: Riley Jensen is not your average Werewolf; she’s also a dhampire. A half werewolf, half vampire hybrid that works for The Directorate; an organization created to police the supernatural races. In this second installment of the Riley Jensen Guardian series, Riley is still working to take...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Synopsis: Riley Jensen is not your average Werewolf; she’s also a dhampire. A half werewolf, half vampire hybrid that works for The Directorate; an organization created to police the supernatural races. In this second installment of the Riley Jensen Guardian series, Riley is still working to take down a crime syndicate whose only intent is to create an Army of vicious hybrid clones.
ReadFreek wrote this review Sunday, November 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Riley awakens naked and beaten in a deserted alley. She has no memory as to how she got there, or why she’s there. Her only rational thought is to run, and run fast. On her way to freedom, she stumbles across another shifter named Kade. With his help they are able to escape, but not without being followed. Riley realizes there’s a reason people have been trying to abduct her and it’s for her DNA.
With the help of old lovers, her twin Rhoan, and friends, her quest to find the man behind the clone labs continues. The Directorate is trying hard to not only find a second cloning lab, but also a way to stop these mutant creations from continuingly taking aim at Riley. Riley agrees to play a deadly game of cat and mouse, thinking it’s her only way to extract information. This cat however, may have more than cards up his sleeve. He may be playing devil’s advocate.
In the end these enemies want Riley, and her DNA is valuable dead or alive.
Review: I enjoyed this second installment of the Riley Jensen Guardian series. I read the reviews on Amazon and I believe this book was lambasted because of one factor; SEX. Riley’s rampant sexuality seems to be a turnoff for some. As a wolf, Riley’s morals and ethics are a lot different than they would be if she were human. Yes, she has multiple partners in a myriad of locations, but I feel it fits her personality and who doesn’t like a bit of steamy, sauciness. Moving on…
I’m curious as to who the “mole” at the Directorate is. I’d also like to see more of Gautier; the intimidating vampire intrigues me. It was nice to see lovers from Riley’s past resurface, even though your heart will weep at the untimely demise of one in particular.
The horse-shifter Kade, who helped Riley escape the breeding compound, is steak on a platter. I can’t wait to learn more about his past and how he fits into the scheme of things. There’s also Quinn…ah, the brooding vamp who has categorically classified Riley as a “whore.” He can’t help that he’s still holding onto his “human” values, but at times it seems he’s opening up. That is, until his snarky comments whiplash Riley into running in the other direction instead of his arms. At times, I tired of his arrogant ways and wanted Riley to write him off completely, but I have a feeling he’ll redeem himself eventually.
And then there’s the new hunky, Alpha named Kellen. We didn’t learn a lot about him, but it seems he’s going to be a bigger part of Riley’s life going forward.
All in all, this was a steamy read and I’ve already purchased Tempting Evil (the 3rd installment). The ending of Kissing Sin leaves the story wide open, with nothing really solved, but it’s enough to pique my curiosity to continue the series. I’m dying to find out who the man with the odd colored eyes is!
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“Give a brief summary of the book:
Samantha A wrote this review Thursday, November 19 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Full Moon Rising finds Riley lying naked in an alley, unable to remember how she got there or the previous days that have obviously passed by. She figures out all too soon that she needs to escape, and escape fast, as someone is after her and won't be happy that she is free. Once again, Riley is up against an unknown force that is trying to create the perfect breed of species and they want her as one of their test subjects.
Likes?
I liked everything about this novel and this series so far. This was a fast-paced novel that I couldn't put down as I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen next. And who was behind everything that is going on...I flew through this book. Riley is a great main character. She is strong and sure of herself and doesn't make apologies for the way she is. As the reader, I can't help but like her. Especially as we see her struggle with the possibilites of becoming a guardian and the killing of others that will be involved. I also like the mix that makes her both werewolf and vampire. Keri Arthur made it even more interesting in this book as she gives Riley new talents that she is just beginning to discover. Definitely a series that I will continue following!
Dislikes?
Hmm...I can't say that I have any real dislikes. I will say that I have a hard time relating to Riley when it comes to having multiple sexual partners all of the time. Which is going to sound odd unless you've read this series. Suffice it to say that it is an integral part of being a werewolf and while I understand that...well, I just have times where it is a bit too much. But it doesn't make me like the story any less if that makes any sense. Probably not :)
Additional Thoughts?
I'm finding after reading this 2nd book that I really, really like this series and am eager to pick the 3rd book up. I'm curious as to where the author will take the next book and am also curious as to how Riley will grow. I'd recommend this series (start out with the 1st one though) to paranormal romance lovers and those who enjoy urban fantasy. But be prepared to not want to set this book down once you start it!”
“Riley Jensen is a half-werewolf, half-vampire dhampir with a love of her wolf heritage and overall contempt for most vampires. She's a liaison for Melbourne's Directorate of Other Races - an aussie equivalent of the FBI for supernaturals. Or she was. Now she's being pulled closer and closer to the one job she's never wanted - being a guardian. Kissing Sin begins with Riley waking up next to a dead body, and her life takes another horrified spin when she realizes she's been caught and experimented on in the continuing conspiracy to get her pregnant.
Tracy wrote this review Monday, November 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The plot of Kissing Sin is a continuation of the one begun in Full Moon Rising, so I'd recommend you start there if you're so inclined. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'm not feeling remarkably charitable about recommending this series so far. It's not bad, really, it's just...while I've never thought of myself as particularly prudish, Riley's sexual promiscuity in Kissing Sin has crossed the line - from a species-centric celebration into pathetically gratuitous. I understood the reason behind having SO much sex in Full Moon Rising - we were told over and over and over that the full moon almost completely commands a werewolf's sexual needs for the seven days preceding the full moon. I didn't like it, as it always seemed like sort of a flimsy excuse and I personally believe the survival need supersedes sexual ones, but at least there was a reason for it. That reason was no longer relevant in Kissing Sin and yet I couldn't see any difference AT ALL between Riley's sexual behavior in this book versus the previous one (other than the names of the partners) - and that IS a failing. I'm sorry, but when the sexuality of a heroine of a book doesn't just become the plot, but completely obliterates the plot (like LKH's Anita Blake series) there's something wrong.
Not to mention the vampire mogul Quinn is back and in a COMPLETE about-face, is now clamoring for an exclusive relationship with the werewolf who just last book he had made no bones about leaving behind. There's a very flimsy and unbelievable reason given for that abrupt about-face that never quite works. That's a shame, actually, because I like Quinn. More so than Riley. Unfortunately, Kissing Sin suffers from some of the same issues that Full Moon Rising does. Both are at times muddy and plodding, and other times frenetic and confused. Both are flawed.
Still, not all is bad. Riley is a competent, intelligent protagonist who stands on her own two feet (or four paws) and doesn't walk around waiting for a male to save her. She's a bit saucy and a bit wicked and she tends to get into trouble...I sure wouldn't let her drive my car...but when she isn't "celebrating" her sexuality with every interested male, she's a solid heroine. Quinn, the ubersexy and ultrarich vamp, is less layered and complex in this one, but still a favorite character, and I sincerely hope to see more of him in future books. Riley is still supported by a solid group of secondary characters - Riley's vampire boss (Jack) and one of Rhoan's mates (Liander) in particular - who are interesting and sympathetic with a lot of development potential, and the bad guys are still really repugnant.
I think I'll be giving Riley one more try, but unless the sex in the next book is either toned down or given a more believable connection to the plot, I doubt I'll stick around for more than that.
Warning: The Riley Jensen series is NOT a romance series - it's an erotic urban fantasy. If you expect that going in, maybe you won't have the negative reactions that I did.”
“www.kindleobsessed.com”
KindleObsessed wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good intro into the series.....paranormal characters....each with their own abilities, hang-ups....lifestyle differences are interesting and once you open your mind and imagination....everything has a purpose to the storyline.....”
Dianne B wrote this review Sunday, September 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Riley is a kick it girl, she always brings it to a fight. She has to run for her life and a sexy shifter. He does wonderful things to her body, and her sanity. She still has her interludes with the vampire Quin and nothing is resolved. Misha has some twists and surprises on who and what he is. I would have never seen this plot coming.”
Debbie P ..aka Yodamom wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed it but I did not like the ending. Complete cliff hanger. Lucky for me book 4 in the series is already out because if I had to wait for the release I would have been upset. The storyline introduced many characters that were hard to keep track of at times but overall it was a good story. I will be starting the next Riley Jensen book.”
Raquel A wrote this review Saturday, July 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A new arthur and new seriers I really like..”
lydia D wrote this review Monday, June 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“got a little too technical for me, but I managed to get through.”
Jennifer M wrote this review Friday, May 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
