Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress World #2)
Paranormal Romance
July 27, 2010
Paperback, 384 Pages
Avon
Reviewed by Mandi
Favorite Quote: After last night, Kira knew that his tongue felt like a vibrator set to the speed of Oh Hell Yeah.
Mecheres, master vampire, is over 4,500 years old and has had enough of the undead life. With his viscous wife murdered recently, and his power to see the future gone he is done. Although with his wife’s death it has allowed him freedom to pursue other lovers, no one has tempted him. No one has ignited any sort of passion in him. With his co-ruler Bones now firmly in place as head of his line, and his wife Cat with many powers of her own, now is the time to head into the darkness. He has found himself in a warehouse letting Ghouls slowly best him.
Kira is a private investigator coming home from a stakeout very early one morning. Just about as the sun makes its appearance on the horizon, she hears odd noises coming from a warehouse she is walking by. Unable to ignore, she rushes in to see a man with so many wounds he should be dead. Sensing fresh meat, the ghouls flee to her. Mencheres knows he shouldn’t do anything, but he can’t help but go into action knowing she tried to save him. Kira sees his fangs, and the life ending bites the ghouls make before she succumbs to her own injuries.
When she wakes, she is perfectly healed, and held captive by Mencheres. He promises her no harm, but refuses to let her go until he is able to erase her memories. Problem is, the simple task of mesmerizing her is not working. He tells her to give it a week’s time to let the effects of his blood leave her system. During this week, they come to know each other and to each of their surprise, find many attributes that provide a great basis for attraction.
To add to the complications, Mencheres’s long-standing nemesis, Radjedef wants revenge. Mencheres and Radje have been playing cat and mouse for as long a Mencheres can remember. Radje feels stilted out of getting some of Mencheres’ superior power and when Radje gets wind that Mencheres has a lover, all bets are off.
I was a bit hesitant to read Eternal Kiss of Darkness. I adore Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series but her first spin off, featuring Spade, The First Drop of Crimson disappointed me. I felt a lack of chemistry between Spade and Denise. I was very curious to read about Mencheres as a romantic hero though– having only seen his much more serious side in the Night Huntress books. I ended this very satisfied by his story.
Kira tried to save Mencheres without knowing a thing about him. No one had ever done something like that for him without ulterior motives – ever. Mencheres finds himself telling Kira secrets, laughing, joking, ogling her breasts – things he hasn’t done or thought of for years. He even cracks a joke:
“Bubbles. On a scale of one to ten, a bubble bath has to rank a zero as far as things I’d expect an older-than-dirt-bad-ass-vampire to indulge in. The only thing that would surprise me more was if you pulled out a rubber ducky.”
He fought another, stronger twitch of his lips. “Bath toys are reserved only for the oldest, most lethal vampires. I have a full century to age and another thousand men to kill before I reach that hallowed landmark.”
Kira ends up liking Mencheres not because of his status as a master vampire or his wealth, but just for his actions. He may try to dissuade her initially from a relationship to keep her safe, but his lust can not be kept in check for long. Mencheres was locked in an awful marriage for centuries and he finally has a chance at true love. There are many moments where he looks upon Kira with such tender, almost unbelievable feelings. He must convince himself he deserves this – after 4500 years as vampire, bad deeds have been done. I had a hard time picturing Mencheres in his twenties – at one point when he puts his hair up and wears a hat he is described as looking even younger. In my mind he is firmly in his his mid-forties – because you know, those extra twenty years is crucial to reconcile his age to being a 4500 year old. No, I don’t know why it was hard for me to see him as a young guy and it really has no effect on his character. But it is something that stood out to me each time his appearance is mentioned.
I also enjoyed Kira, although there were a few times where her high and mighty attitude towards other powerful vampires seemed a bit much. She very much wanted to protect Mencheres, but at times I think she needed to take it down a notch. Otherwise, I liked how she comes to accept the presence of the supernaturals and her undying support of Mencheres, whom she meets at the end of his rope, was impressive.
We see familiar faces in Bones, Cat and Vlad (oh, do I love Vlad). The villain in this one is fun because he is such an integral part of Mencheres’s life. He strolls into his house for a chat and he is a very personal villain, not one on the outskirts of the story. He is very evil though as well, and the climax at the end is done well.
And I can’t end the review without mentioning the smex. Mecheres has been denied sex for a very long time, and that amounts to a very passionate vampire in the bedroom. I seriously love Jeanine Frost’s romance scenes – plus in this book she gives us ceiling sex. Does it get better?
Eternal Kiss of Darkness is a fast paced, sexy, really fun paranormal romance.
Rating: 4/5
Recent Reviews:
Goodreads
Ceiling sex? Sweet!
Thanks for the review. Can't wait to get my grubby hands on this one!
I have got to give this author another chance.
Great review!! I've read the NH series, but have yet to read FDoC. However, when I heard about this new one, I was all sorts of excited– it just sounds good, so I'm glad to hear that you liked it! I have it on pre-order and am looking forward to it coming.
And ceiling sex?? Fabulous!! JF does have a way with writing good times! :P
Smash – LOL…it's a fun book!
Buckeye – Yes…Have you read Bones and Cat?
Tanya – While FDOC was not my fav book, this one is definitely one that I really enjoyed reading. Menchres is a great hero!
From your whole review, I wnet; okay, okay…interesting, nice and then..wham! Ceiling sex o_0 now that…erm…yeah….really piquing my interest LOL I still have to catch up with the Night Huntress series so will do that before venturing in this spin-off series :) But the ceiling sex is a good promise :)
LOLOL….I knew my smexy readers would appreciate ceiling sex ;)
LOL! Ceiling sex!?! Hmmm, I wonder how that would work. It's written by Jeaniene Frost, so I assume very very well ;) And your favorite quote is awesome! I can't wait for this one! Great review Mandi!
Oh did I just spoil somthing for me there, hm, well I am sure I am just happy to know about Cat and Bones :)
I want, I want, I want! Mencheres has got to be one of my fave names for book boyfriends. Did I mention I want? Yay for ceiling smex! Good review, Mandi. :)
Oh man, I was also disappointed by Spade and Denise, but ceiling sex? I guess I have to pick up the series again now! :)
Julie – You will enjoy this one!!
Blodeuedd – Oh no..did I spoil something??
Mar – LOL..you will adore Mencheres in this book!!!
Kindleicious – I was disappointed by Spade and Denise too…but this one brings back the J. Frost goodness :)
I'm excited for this one – I'm curious how Mencheres acts when he's not busy being a vampire family head and mysterious serious vamp all the time. Great review!
Awesome review Mandi. Can't wait for this book. Sounds VERY smexy!
Ceiling sex? So can't wait to get my hands on this! Great review.
Heather – That was what really intrigued me about him. We get to see such a different side..and I liked it:)
Tori – it is indeed smexy!
Diva – LOL:)
I wasn't jumping up and down to read about Mecheres's HEA, I'm more of an Ian fan girl. EKOD did not disappoint! I was a little let down after reading FDOC, but Frost really brought it for Mecheres story. Also, I thought the heroine was more likable and the tension was muy caliente.
One word –> ceiling *fans self*
Mencheres is one smexy beast. At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy his story because I had this vision of a grandpa type character.
But Jeaniene really did a great job of placing Mencheres up there with Bones hot wise. Both have a talent with their fangs and tongues ;)
I ditto Smokin's ceiling mention.
Yay, I'm so glad you liked this one!! :)
I really like Frost's books — I think they're just fun sexy reads. I'll be getting this one soon.
I'm waiting for Ian to get his own book. I love how he interacts with all the other characters. It'll be interesting to see what kind of heroine Frost gives him …
I'm dying for this one! I too picture Mencheres as older, I think it's because Jeaniene kept mentioned Oded Fehr and he's not in his twenties.
And did someone say ceiling sex? That sold the book right there:)
KC – Kira is definitely more likable than Denise IMO. I loved the villain/tension too! Besides ceiling sex we also got Disney Land sexin'..woohoo!
KB – Those fangs bit in some verra naughty places…
FV – :)
Jennifer – I love Ian and really hope he gets a book. I hear she is trying to get Vlad a book too!!!
Plus I REALLY want to have Tate get his own book..he is such a cranky hero..he needs love :)
Jenny – I guess it doesn't matter how you picture him..either way he is mighty fine.
I can't wait to read this book! Ceiling sex?! HOLY MOLY!
LOLOL…and wait for them to go to Disneyland :)
oh my, so glad to hear that this one did not disappoint, I wasnt a huge fan of spade's either…
Great review Mandi!
CEILING SEX! Now you've done it, Mandi! I must have this book (hurry up Amazon!)
I personally love Mencheres (I pictured him at 40ish too though). I'm a little wary going into this one, because Spade did nothing for me. But I've been crushing on Mencheres for a few books now. Hope I like this one better than 'Drop'.
So we get Vlad – but no Ian? I would have far preferred an Ian book over a Spade book, any day! I really hope Ian gets his own book and that Vlad gets a spin-off series!
Larissa – I hope you enjoy!
Danielle – I was wary too but I liked this one so much better. I really hope we see more of Ian in the future..he is such a great character! You will like Vlad in this one though… :)
Sounds really interesting! I'll definitely have to put this on the tbr list (the line about ceiling sex alone makes it tempting. ;)) Thanks for pointing this out, Mandi!
Vixen Pearl
Vixen Review
PS. You don't have to collect it, but I have an award for y'all, cause, well, you're awesome. :) It is on my blog here if you'd like to take a peek.