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. ( )

This is the second book of the Darkness Chosen series. This book continues the story of the Wilder family. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with all the action.

Rurik Wilder is determined to help his family and thinks that the answer is at the archaeological dig he is working on. The only thing standing in his way is a pushy reporter who doesn't know when to keep herself safe. Both of them are surprised when their past comes to meet them. They must work together to stay alive as they work to break the curse. ( )

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 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. ( )

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. ( )

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 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. ( )