Patricia A D. (trishad37) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 88 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
To me the mark of a good book in a series is if you want to read the next one - I do! A thousand years ago, a brutal warrior roamed the Russian steppes and struck a sinister bargain. In return for the ability to change at will into a coldhearted predator, Konstantine promised his soul - and the souls of his descendants - to the devil. In the first of the series Jasha Wilder and Ann Smith confront the results of that pact in modern day America.
Helpful Score: 10
Wow, Ms. Dodd has quite a nack for the paranormal romance. Interesting start to this series. A deal struck w/the devil over 1000 years ago has a family trying to break the curse. This is Jasha (the oldest son) and Ann's story. There is a great story with terrific characters. These 2 people have worked together & she has loved him from the beginning but they both have secrets (he can turn into a wolf & she has a tattoo that comes to life & brings evil to her). Also a great love story. Looking forward to the next book with Jasha's brother Rurik.
Helpful Score: 10
This is a tightly woven, fast paced story with unusual twists and turns. Move over Kenyon, more beasts are on the prowl. The wait for the rest of the series will be painful.
Ann Smith loves her handsome, dynamic boss, Jasha Wilder, but her daring plan to seduce him goes awry when she encounters a powerful wolf who-before her horrified eyes-changes into the man she adores. She soon discovers she can't escape her destiny, for she is the woman fated to break the curse that binds his soul.
Ann Smith loves her handsome, dynamic boss, Jasha Wilder, but her daring plan to seduce him goes awry when she encounters a powerful wolf who-before her horrified eyes-changes into the man she adores. She soon discovers she can't escape her destiny, for she is the woman fated to break the curse that binds his soul.
Tonya B. (writrchick1985) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This series was so good I read all four books in 4 days. I'd finish one and immediately pick up the next in line. The heroes were interesting and complex and sometimes bad beyond belief, but you still couldn't help rooting for them. The heroines were likeable. The mythology was rich, a nice twist on the same old shapeshifter story. The Chicago Tribune called this series "devilishly clever" and I couldn't agree more.
Helpful Score: 7
This was really a good book from start to finish, the characters were a great combo with awesome chemistry. Very hot, from the first few chapters in.
Helpful Score: 6
An excellant book. I've been searching for different books by authors I've never read before. And its very hard for me to find an author that writes good and has interesting books. And I have. Man, Christina Dodd is right up there with Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kresley Cole, and my favorite the author of the Carpathian men. Christine Feehan.
Her love scenes are dark and erotic, sometimes rough in the beginning of this story. And her use of words, the imagery she uses, makes you feel as if you were Ann. And the second book is just as good, and I am anxiously awaiting the third one.
Her love scenes are dark and erotic, sometimes rough in the beginning of this story. And her use of words, the imagery she uses, makes you feel as if you were Ann. And the second book is just as good, and I am anxiously awaiting the third one.
Jeanna A. (jeanna) - , reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 277 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I was reluctant to try this one, thought it might be just another vampire type story, but I should have known that this author would do better. A little out of the norm, but I'll probably read the next in this series just to see how she allows the characters to overcome evil.
Helpful Score: 4
Overall I was disappointed. I had heard great things about theis series and I found it tedious and forgetable. Ms. Dodd really drug out some parts that could have been expedited. I am in no hurry to get to book #2 "Touch of Darkness".
Helpful Score: 3
This was a good book. I enjoyed it for the most part. I do feel like I never completely got to know the 2 main characters. I also feel like it ended very odd. I know that with series' you are left wanting more so you read further into the series, but I feel like she didn't complete THIS book. That THIS set of characters needed a little more, even if just another chapter, as we were left with them feeling really out of sorts a bit with each other.
I will definitely continue to read the series, I just hope she develops the characters and works on the endings a little more in the next book.
I will definitely continue to read the series, I just hope she develops the characters and works on the endings a little more in the next book.
Vanessa O. (butterflyvo) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 111 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
this is a very good book. it's the first of a new series and it's different than the other paranormal fiction. i've read the second one as well and they are written very well. you really fall in love with the characters.
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting storyline with likable characters. Worth the read.
Helpful Score: 2
Didn't love it, but am holding out judgment until the next in the series. I generally don't like heroines that are wimpy, silly, and sappy and I thought Anna was all of the above. So, obviously for me, a stronger female lead would have made me like to book more. The next in the series looks to be more promising, so we'll see.
Anthonette D. (dorisel) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I was so excited when I heard about this series and I really wanted to like it. It started off excellent, but kinda started to drizzle mid way. I decided to pick-up the second in the series to see if it was better.
Helpful Score: 1
Great start to a series. There is action, mystery, romance and humor. The story moves at a great pace and had me hooked from the beginning. The back story/history was a great hook ~ a man makes a deal with the devil and all his future descendants will fall prey to this deal, but one goes against the grain and that's where the story begins. Although you meet all the players in the series from the beginning, this story focuses on Jasha, the oldest Wilder son. His mother has just had a vision that can save or destroy their family and his father has fallen ill, while trying to deal with all of this his adminstrative assistant Ann chooses this time to drive up to his home in Washington to seduce him.
All of the characters in this book, main and secondary, are well written and made me want to keep reading and learn more about them. Jasha is a typical Alpha male, but there is just something about him that makes him so much more than that. I found Ann to be delightful, a great mix of bravery and insecurity.
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
All of the characters in this book, main and secondary, are well written and made me want to keep reading and learn more about them. Jasha is a typical Alpha male, but there is just something about him that makes him so much more than that. I found Ann to be delightful, a great mix of bravery and insecurity.
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Nicole R. (bookjunkie88) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It was an okay book not one of my favorites.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book. It was different. It was interesting. The characters were well written and witty. It started off fast paced and ended fast paced. I read it in one sitting (2 hours). I would recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal romance.
Helpful Score: 1
I LOVED this book! I started unsure about it (as I usually am with a new author or a new series) and I couldn't put it down! It caught me from the beginning and wouldn't let go! I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal romance!
Helpful Score: 1
I will be honest, I am not a paranormal romance fan, and usually avoid the genre completely. However, this is Christina Dodd.
The story is interesting and kinda fun, with some great characterizations, an intriguing backstory and some seriously hawt romance. The second book in the series, 'Touch of Darkness', is just as good, and I am impatiently waiting for the final two in the quartet.
The story is interesting and kinda fun, with some great characterizations, an intriguing backstory and some seriously hawt romance. The second book in the series, 'Touch of Darkness', is just as good, and I am impatiently waiting for the final two in the quartet.
Helpful Score: 1
I wasnt really sure about this book at first, but it turned out to be a great, adventurous, sexy, action packed book!
Ann who is Jasha's assistant is madly in love with him so she takes some papers that need to be signed out to his house, with the intent on staying and seducing him. What she doesn't expect is that she gets a glimpse of a wolf by the fire who slowly changes into Jasha. She runs, he chases and she ends up losing her virginity in the middle of the forest. She also finds the idol which is relevant to Jashas family's survival.
I liked how this book goes on to the next one without really finishing the plot, but rather leaves it open for the next character to play his role. I look forward to reading more in this series!
Ann who is Jasha's assistant is madly in love with him so she takes some papers that need to be signed out to his house, with the intent on staying and seducing him. What she doesn't expect is that she gets a glimpse of a wolf by the fire who slowly changes into Jasha. She runs, he chases and she ends up losing her virginity in the middle of the forest. She also finds the idol which is relevant to Jashas family's survival.
I liked how this book goes on to the next one without really finishing the plot, but rather leaves it open for the next character to play his role. I look forward to reading more in this series!
Helpful Score: 1
Well, I am one reader who didn't care for this book. I am an avid paranormal reader (big fan of Kenyon and Ward), but I felt this book was just thrown together. It has a good (and different) story line, but I thought the writing was terrible. There were short, choppy sentences, and a lot of the story was disconnected. I feel that it was just a skeleton of a story, that never really got fleshed out well; there was just the bare minimum to each scene. I wanted to like the heroine, but wasn't really given enough to know or understand where she was coming from. I couldn't follow her moods of loving him, then hating him, then loving him. The hero could have been great. But he just falls short because, once again, I wasn't given enough to go on. I mean, this woman has been working very closely with him for three years, and all of a sudden, he is overcome with lust/love for her and can't get enough? If there was supposed to be some magical element that caused this (brought on by their 'mating'), I could buy it. The author also took too much time to get to it. I was almost halfway through the book and realized that only 12 hours had lapsed in the story, and it hadn't really gone anywhere. Then the ending was just thrown in there. I kept reading because several friends kept raving about it. But I was glad it was a quick read.
Angelika F. (READ-LEARN-LAUGH) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
For the genre that this book is (Paranormal) this book was fun with a little bit of erotica for the prude or conservative a little shocking.That said the premise was way cool the execution kind of fell flat towards the last 1/4 of the novel.This book also reminded me of why I usually stay far away from any kind of romance paranormal or otherwise ,Why oh why do the women always have to be depicted as not complete or un whole until the perfect "mate" comes along then all her desires and wishes come true! Any romance I have ever read it has alway been the same formula boy meets girl strong attraction some conflict(girl usually fight her feelings blah blah)finally stupid girl realizes her life would be uncompleted with out boy,This book unfortunately follows these rules though the paranormal part was way fun. As much as I dislike the genre as a whole I did enjoy this read it was a quick jaunt into fantasy escapism that held my interest and I would recommend it to any one who enjoys this genre.
Helpful Score: 1
It was good enough for me to want to read the sequels but it didn't really dazzle me. My major complaint was that the writing was disjointed. It really did read like someone who was really new at writing but it did have enough potential where I think she could become really good.
Jasha and Ann didn't do it for me. The sex scenes were very dull. Perhaps it was because Dodd had tried to make it wild but not too dirty so it came off as a bit lame. A few of the sex scene were close to rape but not in a good rape fantasy way. I spend so much time reviewing the sex scenes because there were a lot of them in the book. They weren't full-on monkey sexy wild nor were they romantic. Their dialouge was almost nonexistent and what there was didn't seem to go anywhere.
Also their behavior and motivation behind it didn't match. Jasha especially was very inconsistent. Sometimes he was downright silly and fun while all of a sudden he would be alpha, unreasonable, high-handed, and solemn. Some characters are a little bit of both but Dodd did a poor job with that here. Jasha just seemed like two different men. Ann was supposed to be reserved all her life so how did she get such a smart mouth. The list goes on. I can't tell you how many times I asked myself, "how did we get to this point?"
There were a few scenes that were over-the-top melodramatic, like when Jasha's father disciplined him physically for taking Ann's virginity at dinner. Okay, how mortifying for Ann first to witness the violence and for everyone in the family to find out she was a virgin. Anyway, I thought the scene was dumb.
The cool thing about the book were all the other characters and the interactions Jasha and Ann had with them. The big family and friend scenes (including the cat) kept me reading. They were fun with great dialogue. I also liked Ann's secret and the phone call with Sister Mary Magdeline. It was a great way to reveal Ann's past.
This book is part of a four book series so you don't get much real resolution until book four (I'm assuming). Mostly this book layed the groundwork and background while you get the story of how Jasha got together with Ann.
It was okay. I don't mind reading it when I have nothing else to read. I also will read the other ones out of curiousity but I wouldn't spend real money on them.
Jasha and Ann didn't do it for me. The sex scenes were very dull. Perhaps it was because Dodd had tried to make it wild but not too dirty so it came off as a bit lame. A few of the sex scene were close to rape but not in a good rape fantasy way. I spend so much time reviewing the sex scenes because there were a lot of them in the book. They weren't full-on monkey sexy wild nor were they romantic. Their dialouge was almost nonexistent and what there was didn't seem to go anywhere.
Also their behavior and motivation behind it didn't match. Jasha especially was very inconsistent. Sometimes he was downright silly and fun while all of a sudden he would be alpha, unreasonable, high-handed, and solemn. Some characters are a little bit of both but Dodd did a poor job with that here. Jasha just seemed like two different men. Ann was supposed to be reserved all her life so how did she get such a smart mouth. The list goes on. I can't tell you how many times I asked myself, "how did we get to this point?"
There were a few scenes that were over-the-top melodramatic, like when Jasha's father disciplined him physically for taking Ann's virginity at dinner. Okay, how mortifying for Ann first to witness the violence and for everyone in the family to find out she was a virgin. Anyway, I thought the scene was dumb.
The cool thing about the book were all the other characters and the interactions Jasha and Ann had with them. The big family and friend scenes (including the cat) kept me reading. They were fun with great dialogue. I also liked Ann's secret and the phone call with Sister Mary Magdeline. It was a great way to reveal Ann's past.
This book is part of a four book series so you don't get much real resolution until book four (I'm assuming). Mostly this book layed the groundwork and background while you get the story of how Jasha got together with Ann.
It was okay. I don't mind reading it when I have nothing else to read. I also will read the other ones out of curiousity but I wouldn't spend real money on them.
Great book! Loved the banter between the characters and the fact it was so adamant about the importance of family.
William M. (mustangwill) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
I really enjoyed reading this book; the characters were believable and the author did a really good job with their emotions. I give it two thumbs up! ^_^
This book was HOT right from the start. It didn't feel like pandering or chick-porn even though the first love scene takes place pretty early on in the book. It made sense for the story and the characters. The situation was interesting, a unique mythology for lycanthropes and good setup for future books. I read all four in the series and fell in love with two of the books as real keepers.
I read this in one day. Good book. Lots of action, good plot and lots of great chemistry between the hero and his love. Can't wait for the next one.
Aimee M. (aimeerachel2121) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 7 more book reviews
Demons,Murders, Wolfs. This book has it all for the Ultimate Good vs. Evil show down. I really liked this book. However, some minor points. I feel that the I love you moment that happens in all great novels happened a little too fast. The character's need a little more emotional growth, and the reader just did not get it when the moment happened. The timing felt a little. Overall this book will be getting a B+ from me. Great concept, and ended strongly. Looking forward to the second story, Touch of Darkness
Good story! I can't wait to read the next one.
Wanda C. (readingrandma) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
I read the second in this series and was intrigued by the storyline. She introduces the characters in a way that you get to know them and remember who each one is without getting confused. I would have liked to have more information about the main female character; the story behind the tattoo. But that may be addressed in a later story. This is paranormal without being dark. There is mystery, romance and the characters get to do things that sound like they would be really fun. In this instance, turn into a wolf and run with a pack. I like my stories to end with good winning over evil. I have the other two in this series and look forward to reading them. Christina Dodd never disapoints.
This book is about an ordinary girl who falls in love with her boss who happens to be a shape shifting wolf. I liked the paranormal aspects of the storyline but felt the characters could have been explored a bit more.
Bianca H. (biancaleslie) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
loved it and the plot is well written
Very enjoyable, first of a series.
Jennifer C. (jenni7202) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
This is the first book of Dodd's that I ever read. I picked it up at a Thrift store in like new condition. It was a great book, and I'm glad I had a chance to read it. I loved the story line, and the Wilder Brothers are just hot!
I loved this book. was a fast read that kept me captivated! I will read her books anytime!
Wonderful effort at supernatural romance. I loved it and read it straight through. 1st in a series of 4. I immediately read the second in the series and can not wait for the other 2. Dodd is always a good read in contemporary romance. She rocks with the supernatural as well!!
First in the Darkness Chosen series. Good read: shifters, thousand-year-old curses - what more could you ask for?
Mollie G. (amethystlover) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Very good
This is one of my favorite Christina Dowd series. I thought I'd try it in audio. Very impressed, an enjoyable listen. This is the first entry in the Wilders, and if you like paranormal romance, you will love Jasha and Ann. Be prepared to seek the whole Darkness Chosen series, and follow it with the Chosen Ones series. All standalone novels with an overarching plot arc.
Awesome reading! Loved it!
This book is good. It took a couple chapters for me to get into it, but I enjoyed it once it got goin.
liked the book
Sherry R. (sherryrobertson) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
loved this book!
Ann Smith loves her handsome, dynamic boss, Jasha Wilder, but her daring plan to seduce him goes awry when she encounters a powerful wolf who-before her horrified eyes-changes into the man she adores. She soon discovers she can't escape her destiny, for she is the woman fated to break the curse that binds his soul.
Barbara F. (daylilylover) reviewed Scent of Darkness (Darkness Chosen, Bk 1) on + 768 more book reviews
Great book!
