Monday, October 22, 2012

Review: Devil’s Kiss by Zoë Archer

Devil's Kiss by Zoë Archer
Series: Hellraisers, Book 1
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance Devils Kiss Cover
ISBN: 9781420122275
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
Zoë Archer Reading Order

James Sherbourne, Earl of Whitney, loves to gamble. The risk, the thrill, the ability to beat the odds…there is nothing better. He and his four equally scandalous friends are known as the Hellraisers. Nothing is ever exciting enough for them. That is, until one of their adventures takes a dark turn. The Hellraisers release the devil himself and in return each is given a power to make their deepest desires come true.

What Whit doesn’t realize is that the devil’s gifts aren’t all they appear to be. It will take the help of Zora Grey – a Romani woman who tempts Whit more than the devil ever could – to save Whit’s soul before it’s too late.

Author Zoë Archer brings the decadence of Georgian England to life in the sensual, dark and engaging DEVIL’S KISS. The first HELLRAISERS book is filled with twists, turns and plenty of action, all the while keeping the focus on Whit and Zora. These two strong protagonists carry the book, and I give high marks to Ms. Archer for creating yet another unusual historical romance heroine in Zora. She’s a Romani who doesn’t believe in the supernatural – at least, not until confronted with the devil – and she isn’t content to sit quietly on the sidelines while Whit faces the must cunning of evils. I respected her, and I held no small amount of affection for Whit, whose lust for adventure comes back to bite him in the worst way. Ms. Archer made it easy for me to like Zora and Whit, making their race to outwit the devil and free Whit of his pact all the more compelling.

It’s impossible to say too much about DEVIL’S KISS without ruining some of the fun of reading the book. I will say that there are a number of richly drawn characters and settings in DEVIL’S KISS which enrich the plot of the book, making DEVIL’S KISS a ‘full’ book. While DEVIL’S KISS is a satisfying read in its own right, I am on edge wanting to know what will happen next in the overarching storyline of the five Hellraisers’ pacts with the devil. Bring on the next HELLRAISERS book, DEMON’S BRIDE!

Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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