This is the first book from this series I have read and I am hooked. I found the cast of characters to be entertaining and likeable. I love Drake and all of his alphaness. Victoria is a perfect mate for him. Her healer traits are perfect to help him adjust to the new world around him. I thought the plot was interesting and exciting with a great twist at the end. I look forward to the next book.

I enjoyed A Taste Of Darkness, but I found that it was easy to put down. It was just lacking that little hmph to suck me in completely. Drake was fierce but lovable, and Victoria was a good pairing for him.

Fast and entertaining read. Drake and Victoria were cute together and Drake was the quintessential alpha male. The plot was pretty good and the twist at the end was very well done. Enjoyed.

ARC received for review

Drake is a dragon and has spent 1500 years in hell since he was 10 years old. When he escapes, one of the first things he finds is his mate. Drake is reunited with his family, and finds out who sacrificed him to hell. Plus he falls in love with Veronica, an abandoned werewolf, who has made her home with the Stavros pack. The feeling is mutual, and together they fight the bad guy.

Lots more yummy dragons from other clans to find out more about, and hopefully, a few HEAs along the way.

In a taste of darkness, the dragon finds its mate in wolf. This is my first book from the series so a few things were at first unclear but the story develops in its own way. Drake finds out that he has a family and he goes together with Victoria to find the truth. But their lives get endangered and their attraction is stronger and stronger, will they stay together and survive all the attacks? Interesting hot paranormal read.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley

Goodreads:
Reus writes suspense and paranormal with deft strokes in this excellent book. The descriptions of the dragons and wolves were as vivid as the chemistry between Drake and Victoria.

I plan to read the entire series!

I've promoted it under my pseudonym, Lia Violet as well. I have a FB book blog under that name, and put it up there, too.

Alpha possessive, protective heroes really rule this paranormal series, folks. An added bonus is they are matched up with perfect for them sassy, feisty heroines. So if you have a craving for a taste of steamy, romantic goodness, feel free to step in anywhere in one of these stand-alone but linked to the same series books.

Taste of Darkness takes us on the romantic journey of an awakened from his deep slumber dragon shifter, who falls head over tail for a gorgeous wolf shifter heroine. She’s befriended him from the get go, making their connection all the more sweeter. Make no mistake though. This hero is one seriously powerful creature. He’s got a torturous past in more than one way but now sees hope and eternal love in his future.

I did get a little lost at times with all the detailed talk about the various friend or foe dragon and wolf shifter clans and past incidents. Maybe it’s because I jump in here and there and read these books in no particular order. Either way, I regret nothing. Time and time again Ms. Reus serves us up a romantic couple you can’t help but root for.

Title: Taste of Darkness, Series: Darkness (Book 2), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 265, stand-alone but part of series, virgin MC, steamy late in book, dragon shifter hero, wolf shifter healer heroine, no OW/OM drama, no cheating, no love triangle.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

Taste of darkness by Kate Reus.
A fantastic read with some great characters. Loved Drake and Victoria. There were certain characters I didn't like. Couldn't put it down. Didn't like some of the dragons for what they did to Victoria. Didn't like Nevin. Loved the fight with the demons ana Gabriel and Drake. Looking forward to the next book. 5*.

Taste of Darkness by Katie Reus is book Two in the Darkness Series. This is the story of Victoria and Drake. I haven't yet read the previous book,, so for me this was a standalone book.
Drake is a dragon shifter who has been trapped for a very long time. But escapes and happens to save the Alpha wolf daughter who in returns offers to help him. Drake does stay but its more to do with Victoria. Victoria is a wolf shifter who was abandoned and is now a very protected part of the pack and has turned into their healer. Victoria comes forward to help Drake catch up and get himself ready for what the world has now. But Drake wants to give Victoria everything but most importantly his love and protection.

Drake was everything I was hoping for. I was so excited about his character when we got that little bit of him in book one. He made such an impact that I jumped right into book two to get his story.

Drake had all the characteristic that I like in a hero. He was intense, broody, and dominant without being overbearing. I actually really like how he pursued Victoria. He was so patient to get what he wanted. He was focused on her and only her. He proved over and over that he put Victoria above all others. I just love that!

Victoria was just as good. She was levelheaded and likable. Her pack was overprotective and she handled it very well. There were no fits from this girl. I also liked how focused she was on Drake, as well. She wanted to be there for him just as much as he wanted to be there for her.

On top of great main characters, the plot was pretty exciting. I actually wasn't sure who the evil foe was on this and was surprised who it ended up being. Another bonus, we got introduced to so many side characters. You can see which future couples are going to get their own book and I can't wait to read them.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ out of 5
Double virgin alert! I can’t even remember the last time (if at all) I read a book with double virgins and I’m totally here for it! This is also dragon shifter romance, which seem to be all the shifter books I’m reading at the moment (I am NOT complaining cos I love me some dragons 🐉).
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Our hero is a dragon shifter who has escaped from over 1500 years in hell and now resides with a wolf shifter clan. Our heroine is a wolf shifter and she is helping him acclimatise to the new world. They are both extremely attracted to each other but the hero wants to make something of himself before he tells her she is his mate (so goddamn cute).
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Ok so this hero is a one of a kind! He is this cute virgin dragon that is both alpha male but also kind of a beta (I feel like he would be insulted by being described as cute but to me he is!). Both the hero and heroine don’t deny that they are mates (thank you hallelujah!) but work through what that means and the hero might have protective instincts to shield his mate but the heroine is always right by his side and they very much share the power. Really enjoyed this and will definitely be continuing the series.

TASTE OF DARKNESS was originally released in 2014 as second in her Darkness series and is filled with all the things loved in paranormal books - romance, wolf shifters, dragon shifters, drama, turmoil, danger, intrigue and did I mention all the romance in the air. An enjoyable fun read all in all and will no doubt have you looking for others in this Ms. Reus' series.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Full review: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=69066

Drake is an ancient dragon shifter, one of the most powerful beings in existence, but over a millennium trapped in utter darkness has left him ill-equipped for modern society. If it wasn’t for Victoria, the sweet female brave enough to befriend him, he’d be lost. She’s smart and gorgeous and everything he never dared dream of during his years of agonizing loneliness. He may not have anything to offer her, but one thing he knows for sure: he’d die to keep her safe.
This was a great story. I recently got it after having read several of the more recent books in this series that I absolutely loved. It was definitely interesting seeing characters from a different standpoint from where I’ve already read them. I really loved getting to know Drake and Victoria. I loved following Drake as he learned more about himself. I just really loved this story. I can’t wait to read the rest from this series. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Drake is back with his family after spending centuries in hell. He does not remember these dragon clans only knowing someone betrayed him when he was 12. Victoria a wolf shifter was his mate but this is all a learning curve for them both. This is a great look into the shifter world and the new friendships forged and new mates on the horizon.
I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this , and I recommend it to everyone.

Title: Taste of Darkness

Series: Darkness Book #2
Author: Katie Reus

Genre: Romance, Paranormal



Blurb: He spent more than a thousand years imprisoned in hell…Drake is an ancient dragon shifter, one of the most powerful beings in existence, but a millennium trapped in utter darkness has left him ill-equipped for modern society. If it wasn’t for Victoria, the sweet female brave enough to befriend him, he’d be lost. She’s smart and gorgeous and everything he never dared dream of during his years of agonizing loneliness. He may not have anything to offer her, but one thing he knows for sure: he’d die to keep her safe.


Only to fall into the heaven of her touch…Victoria is a wolf shifter, healer of the Stavros pack. She’s seen a lot, but she’s never met anybody quite like Drake, the fiery, fascinating shifter who can blaze through the skies unseen by mere mortals. He’s lost, dangerous, and the last male she should fall in love with, but the more time she spends helping him navigate modern life, the deeper—and hotter—their connection becomes. She’s thrilled when they finally locate his family, but reuniting with his people plunges them both into unimaginable danger. It’s a race against the clock trying to figure out who wants them dead and who they can trust, especially when the threat is closer than they ever imagined.

Thoughts: Another hit for Katie Reus….her books are always a joy to read. The Darkness series happens to be a favorite of mine featuring dragon shifters, as well as other paranormal creatures and shifter types. Can’t go wrong with this one!

Rate: A-/B+

Awesome!

Victoria and Drake’s story is full of action, drama, emotion, sweetness, humor and suspense. I couldn’t put it down.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

A big thank you to NetGalley and KR Press LLC for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I was a tad confused, maybe because Drake had lost his memories. Not sure, but I still enjoyed the book. I liked the characters Victoria was fun! A nice paranormal romance. I think many will enjoy this. I give it 3.5 stars.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased


I've read other books of Katie Reus so was pleased to be allowed to read an advanced copy

This is seriously HOT !!

Well written, great dynamics between characters. Unpredictable which is great - with some books you can see it coming but not with this

A great summer / beach read

Drake is a dragon shifter sacrificed into hell since he was a small child. He is mistakenly released and finds his way to the Stavros wolf shifter pack. Victoria loves him and he wants her to be his mate but they are at risk time and time again. Whoever sent him to hell is not happy that he escaped. Great characters abound in this paranormal romance and leave room for plenty of future installments. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.