I received this as an ARC copy from NetGalley.

"Life has never been so insane for Nikki James. There's another teenager missing. She has another vampire to contend with. Her partner and best friend Jake is in the hospital dying. And a madman is kidnapping the wealthy. Just when it seems nothing else could possibly go wrong, Michael returns - but not for her. This time, however, Nikki has no intention of running from either the case or from what still lies between her and Michael. And she isn't going to let him run, either. The last thing Michael Kelly needs is a confrontation with Nikki - especially when his control over his bloodlust is still so tenuous. But when a kidnapper steps up his agenda to murder, he's forced into a partnership with Nikki to keep her safe. Soon Michael discovers the biggest danger he faces may not be from his need to "taste" her, but from his desire to make her a permanent part of his life - a life that is sure to get her killed. Nikki is determined to make Michael see that life apart is worse than death. But before she can make him see the light, a specter from Michael's past rises that could destroy any hope she has of a future with him. Because this time the threat isn't physical. It's a matter of the heart. Nikki must compete with the woman - the vampire - for whom Michael gave up life."

After reading "Dancing With The Devil", I was very excited to see where Arthur would take the relationship between Michael and Nikki. The book opens up with a bang - full of action from the get go. We find Nikki and Michael not together and begrudgingly having to work together. Quickly they are thrown into so many dangerous situations that they have to trust each other. I am not sure that Arthur could have fit many more life threatening accidents in one book - it was constant! However, the pace of the relationship between the two main characters seemed slow. It was almost like a reversal of the paces from the previous book. Overall it was a solid second book, but again not quite Arthur's best work.

The story is filled with intense moments and a complex web of relationships. The author does a great job of creating a sense of danger and mystery. The description of the characters and their emotions is vivid, making it easy for the reader to empathize with them. The action scenes are well-written and keep the reader on the edge of their seat. However, as mentioned earlier, the slow pace of the relationship between Michael and Nikki can be a bit frustrating at times. It feels like the author is dragging it out for the sake of drama. Despite this, the book is still an enjoyable read and fans of the series will definitely want to pick it up.

He thought he could simply stay away. How silly of Michael. But six months later, here he is, having to ensure her safety. Oh, I just love it! The plot of this story was really good. It had a much faster pace compared to the previous book. The action scenes just keep the story moving forward at a thrilling pace. And that Nikki-Michael thing... it makes me swoon!

I have to give this book 4 stars. It really delivered on both the excitement and the romance. T~

*This book was given to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it and share my thoughts with you all.

Second in the Nikki & Michael urban fantasy series, this book takes readers on a thrilling ride. It revolves around a powerful psychic, Nikki, and a vampire, Michael, who are at odds with each other and themselves. Set in Lyndhurst with the action unfolding in Jackson Hole, it's been six months since the events of "Dancing with the Devil".

My Take: This installment is an improvement over the first, but some of the tropes had me rolling my eyes. The I-love-you-but-aren't-good-enough trope is tiresome, and Nikki's determination to force Michael to acknowledge their love didn't help. However, I did like Nikki's feistiness and her willingness to stand up for herself, even if she sometimes ran into situations she should have avoided. The story also introduced a new species of supernatural beings, the flame imps, which added an interesting twist. Their combination with other beings and the ultimate consequences were well-developed. We also got more backstory on Michael, which added depth to his character.

The Story: Nikki's life is more insane than ever. There's a missing teenager, a new vampire to deal with, her partner Jake is in the hospital dying, and a madman is kidnapping the wealthy. Just when things couldn't get worse, Michael returns, but not for her. This time, Nikki is determined to face both the case and her feelings for Michael. And Michael, whose control over his bloodlust is still tenuous, is forced into a partnership with Nikki to keep her safe.

The Characters: Nikki, an orphan with psychometric and kinetic abilities, has her life linked to Michael. Jake is her best friend and boss, and Mary is his worried wife. Michael, a 300-plus-year-old psychic vampire, was ordered to guard Nikki by Seline, a psychic witch and his supervisor at the Damask Circle. There are also many other characters, including detectives, victims, and supernatural beings, each with their own unique personalities and backstories.

The Cover and Title: The cover features a sexy Nikki in a deep purple tank top, her long black hair blowing in the wind against a backdrop of a wrought iron fence. The title, "Hearts in Darkness", refers to the bad guys whose evil hearts destroy so many lives. Overall, this is a great addition to the urban fantasy genre and a must-read for fans of the series.

I received this story from NetGalley for an honest review.

This is an ongoing series by Keri Arthur that delves into the life of PI Nikki James and her former lover, vampire Michael Kelly. Even if you haven't read the previous novels, starting here won't cause you to miss much, aside from some great reads. Nikki and Michael are definitely worth multiple visits, that's for sure.

In this installment, Nikki is tasked with locating another missing child and handling a rogue vampire on the loose, all while dealing with her best friend and partner, Jake, who is dying in the hospital. Hunting down a crazy man who progresses from kidnapping to killing isn't easy, especially when Nikki has Michael's past (in the form of a previous romantic entanglement) interfering with their relationship.

Nikki is a kickass heroine who is gradually evolving over the course of the series. She has her own emotional demons that surface at certain times, but her heart and mind are firmly set on one main objective - to make Michael's heart and love a permanent part of her life. This is no easy feat considering his difficult-to-control need for her blood.

Michael, on the other hand, is becoming a bit of a growing nuisance. His wallowing in self-pity makes me want to bite my tongue at times, but to compensate, he is a sexily brooding male. His indecisive behavior of wanting her, needing her, and then thinking he has to leave her for her own good is getting tiring. I'm not sure what to think of him as Nikki's hero.

Nevertheless, I will continue this series because Keri never disappoints her readers. I know that the wait for the happily ever after will undoubtedly be worthwhile. Plus, the endings of each book have been truly amazing.

3 Stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hearts in Darkness is the second installment in Keri Arthur's Nikki and Michael series.

Jake and Nikki have been engaged to monitor a young man who appears to be on the verge of running away from home. During the pursuit, she encounters vampires who abduct the boy and seriously wound Jake.

Michael, who has been striving to keep his distance from Nikki to ensure her safety, finds himself compelled to come to her aid once more. This is because the case she is handling intersects with his business, and without his protection, she may be at risk.

Once again thrust together, they must figure out a way to collaborate and address the increasingly frequent disappearances. Additionally, they need to find a mutually acceptable way to interact with each other.

This second book is more refined than the first and offers a smoother reading experience. Both Nikki and Michael have their own idiosyncrasies. For instance, Michael desires to protect Nikki by not protecting her and is reluctant to compromise. Nikki, on the other hand, has a near-pathological inability to avoid dangerous situations and believes that compromise means having things her way.

Despite these character quirks, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more.

If you believe that Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson series contains an excessive amount of sex in relation to the story, then it might be worth giving this earlier series a try. In this series, the art of storytelling remains of utmost importance.

Nikki, once a street kid, has now grown into an adult. However, she still grapples with hangups and trust issues that continue to haunt her. On the other hand, Michael is a vampire who has lived for centuries and yet is still enslaved by his maker.

The series also presents a murder mystery, and it is a very engaging one at that. Together, Nikki and Michael face numerous challenges and manage to overcome them all, ultimately solving the mystery. Well, perhaps not everything - after all, they are only human (and vampire).

In the first book, Nikki manages to break free from her trust issues. In the second book, Michael overcomes his feelings for his maker and chooses to embrace life with Nikki. But what could potentially go wrong? To find out, I'll have to delve into the third book of the series. :-)

This was a really good one.

Arthur truly has a remarkable gift for crafting bad guys in a way that makes them extremely distasteful.

Nikki and Michael embark on a journey to a resort with the aim of uncovering what has happened to the Welty men who mysteriously disappeared from that area.

Amidst the presence of fire imps and young vampires, they experience quite the thrilling adventure.

It's a great and fun read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The story is filled with excitement, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, making it a captivating choice for readers who enjoy such genres.

Arthur's ability to create vivid characters and a compelling plot is on full display in this tale, leaving you eager to see what happens next.

Overall, it's a highly enjoyable read that you won't want to put down.

Hearts in Darkness Nikki and Michael Book 2 by Keri Arthur is an enthralling read.

I was introduced to Keri Arthur through the first Nikki and Michael book, Dancing with the Devil, and I was instantly hooked. So, I was eager to get my hands on the second book, and it did not disappoint.

Keri's writing is clear and concise, filled with action-packed moments, drama, and a solid thread of romance between Nikki and Michael. At the end of the first book, Michael left Nikki without saying goodbye. Forced to drink her blood when he was dying, he now has to battle the demon that makes him crave human blood, scared he'll accidentally kill Nikki if he stays.

Nikki is hurt but understands to some extent, though she doesn't agree. When they're thrown together in a new adventure, she warns him she won't take no for an answer. Michael says he understands but will hold out, but Nikki, being a tough investigator and determined not to give up on their love, is not one to back down easily.

The story is once again brilliant, with them fighting the unknown and facing unknown powers. I was completely gripped from start to finish. The romance adds an extra layer of attraction for me. Not only do I wonder if they'll get out of this tight corner, but I also root for Nikki to win out on her ploy to reel Michael in.

Jake, one of Nikki's only friends, is in the hospital fighting for his life from an early part of the book. He and his wife are like surrogate parents to Nikki, and she fears that if he pulls through, Mary will persuade him to give up and move far away, leaving her jobless and friendless.

Nikki and Michael have to pose as a honeymoon couple to trace people who've mysteriously gone missing from a popular resort. They soon realize that something strange is going on when they meet a vampire driver who looks sick and then melts to nothing in front of them.

Along the way, a very beautiful vampire lover from Michael's history shows up. Poor Nikki has to deal with the jealousy and wonder if Michael still loves her.

This novel is a great read for fantasy lovers, filled with danger, adventure, vampires, fire sprites, and dark magic. Nikki's determination to persuade Michael that their love is worth the risk is both touching and inspiring.

The book is well-written and edited, priced at £4.98 for 288 pages. While it may not be the cheapest, it's definitely one I'd read over and over, especially since I love to go through a whole series back to back. This series has been extensively edited and is being re-released from July to October 2013. It's a great series for lovers of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.

Overall, I give this book five stars. It's a cracking read that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely fantastic read! After the rather cliffhanger ending of Book 1, I found myself a little worried about Nikki and Michael. However, this book picks up a few months after the previous one, and we are immediately plunged right back into the heart of the action. Nikki has finally made up her mind firmly, and now it is up to her to persuade Michael to stop being such a grumpy vampire! I was truly delighted with just about every aspect of this book. It was filled to the brim with lots of delicious Nikki/Michael smut, which added a steamy element to the story. There was also some excellent detectivey mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat, along with some really good and original paranormal elements that made the story stand out. Additionally, the character development was rich and engaging.

The pacing of the book was also extremely well done. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't even notice when hours had flown by and I had not even bothered to look at the clock (or my kindle countdown). The story was so captivating that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next for Nikki and Michael (and their budding relationship). I was also really pleased that for the first time in my recent reading history, the characters actually acknowledged that they don't really know enough about each other to rush headlong into a relationship. I mean, I渴望 a happily ever after (HEA) as much as anybody else, but sometimes it just feels too rushed if they don't admit that they have just met one another.

I am also really in love with Nikki's tough chick character. She's rapidly becoming one of my favorite heroines, and it's refreshing to see the female lead take charge and step up to the plate here.

I simply can't wait to see where these books will lead! They are such excellent reads that I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a thrilling, steamy, and engaging paranormal romance.

This is the second book in the series, and it serves as a continuation of the relationship between Michael, the Vampire, and Nikki, who is now immortal but not a vampire. The unique aspect is that if he dies, she dies too.

This book is set 6 months after the previous one. Michael and Nikki are compelled to come together to look into the disappearance of men. The sexual tension between Nikki and Michael is palpable and intense.

Then there is the Evil, who is Michael's maker. Oooooo...

In fact, this entire book was intense! I couldn't read it all at once as I had other pressing matters to attend to, but I truly desired to. In fact, I read this a week ago and couldn't bring myself to write a review yet because I had a book hangover. You know that feeling when you're still thinking about a book days later. I had to read a completely different genre of book just to move on from it.

But despite all that, I can't wait to read the next book!!

Keri Arthur is definitely in the higher echelon of the author list! You simply have to read her books. It's a must!!

The slowly unfolding romance between Nikki and Michael is truly an excellent aspect of this series. It binds them together, despite Michael's intense efforts to keep them apart.

Once again, Michael is dispatched to Nikki by the enigmatic Seline. If he doesn't go to her and she persists with her current investigation (one that already landed her partner/employer in the hospital in a critical state), she'll meet a fatal end. However, if he accompanies her and works with her, she stands a chance of survival.

In this book, we are further immersed in the paranormal world. We encounter a type of Fire Imps that can be bound to a human body, although the outcome is not favorable for the human involved (multiple meltings occur, which are described in a most awesome manner!).

Michael's sire, Elizabeth, makes an appearance, and I'm glad to see how he ultimately handles her. The complexity he faces, torn between the woman he truly loves now and the one he turned to vampirism/eternal life for (whom he thought he loved at one time), is captivating. While Elizabeth is far from innocent, she definitely gets a rough deal when dealing with the uber-villain of the book, a recently turned (within a couple of years) vampire/mage. One thing that bothered me about Elizabeth is the continuity of her character. At one point, Ms. Arthur mentions that Elizabeth is familiar with Roman gladiators, yet it's repeatedly stated that Elizabeth is only about 900 years old, long after the era of Roman gladiators. It's a minor point, but it stood out to me.

The fire beings are a wonderful addition, and the fact that they are being horribly mistreated makes their story all the more engaging. I'm pleased with how things work out for them.

Nikki, of course, is strong-willed and completely unwilling to let Michael protect or shelter her. When he attempts to be the alpha-protector, she quickly puts him in his place and reminds him that she's her own person and will continue with or without him. Wisely, he chooses to stay by her side rather than trying to force her to go home and leave the Las Vegas investigation to him.

Nikki's powers continue to develop, seemingly in part due to the lifeforce bond Michael imposed on her in the first book. We gain a deeper understanding of the vampire master/thrall connection in this book, and I'm eager to learn more about it in the future.

The story wraps up well, and I'm glad to see that Ms. Arthur isn't overly torturing the couple or dragging out their relationship more than necessary. I'm certain she'll have new surprises in store for them in the next book (or two), and I can't wait to read them on my Kindle.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this. I wholeheartedly give this a 5-star rating!

Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

**Book Info**

Paperback, 336 pages.
Expected publication: August 27th 2013 by Dell (first published December 31st 2000).
ISBN 0440246520 (ISBN13: 9780440246527).
Edition language: English.
URL: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/205706/hearts-in-darkness-by-keri-arthur
Series: Nikki & Michael #2
Characters: Nikki James, Michael Kelly
Source: Netgalley EARC

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**BOOK SYNOPSIS**

Life has become a chaotic mess for Nikki James. There's yet another missing teenager, a new vampire to deal with, her partner and best friend Jake is in the hospital fighting for his life, and a madman is kidnapping the wealthy. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Michael returns, but not for her. However, this time Nikki is determined not to run from the case or from her feelings for Michael. She won't let him run either. Michael Kelly, on the other hand, doesn't need a confrontation with Nikki, especially when his control over his bloodlust is still so fragile. But when a kidnapper escalates his plans to murder, Michael is forced into a partnership with Nikki to keep her safe. Soon, Michael realizes that the biggest danger he faces may not be from his desire to "taste" her, but from his longing to make her a permanent part of his life, a life that could potentially get her killed. Nikki is hell-bent on making Michael understand that life apart is worse than death. But before she can succeed, a specter from Michael's past emerges, threatening to shatter any hope she has of a future with him. This time, the threat isn't physical; it's a matter of the heart. Nikki must compete with the woman, the vampire, for whom Michael gave up his life.

**My Thoughts**

As in the previous book, Nikki James is a magnet for trouble. It all starts in a warehouse where she and Jake go to find a missing teenage boy. They end up outnumbered by a group of vampires led by an older female vampire. While Nikki is spared, Jake is severely injured. Nikki is then torn between staying with Jake at the hospital and fulfilling her duty to find their client. To make matters worse, she is also asked by a police ally to find his missing niece. The situation becomes even more complicated with the return of Michael Kelly. The two find themselves working together, and Nikki is determined to work out their differences and stay together when the case is over. However, Michael's constant insistence that they "could never be" because of his dangerous vampire bloodlust is frustrating. Despite their obvious bond, he is set on leaving Nikki again. The tension between them, along with the intensity of their joint investigations, makes this a page-turner. The story moves quickly, keeping the reader engaged and eager for answers. It's also worth noting that for a second book in a series, you don't have to have read the first one to enjoy this one. Keri Arthur does a great job of covering the back story, so you can fully appreciate this book without feeling lost.

  [EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]