Dark Hunger

Rita Herron

Quinton Valtrez is a killer. He works for a secret department of the government that performs vigilante justice when all other methods fail to catch evil, society destroying criminals. Quinton barely feels that he has a soul nor that he deserves any kindness in his life. What he doesn't realize is that he is half demon or that he has two brothers living - one a twin.

Annabelle Armstrong is a reporter who wants to break away from the fluff society news into hard news. When someone anonomously sends her information about Quinton, she decides to check his story and life out. This may be her break. She goes to Savannah, Georgia, to track him down and learn his story. It is Halloween and there is a huge party on a boat at dock. Annabelle is able to follow Quinton to the party but he won't talk to her. The delay to tell her that is enough to keep him from being on the boat when it explodes, killing or injuring all those already partying on the boat. Instead of finding a willing woman like he planned that evening, Quinton is rescuing people, surprising Annabelle and himself.

She later sneaks into his house, trying to learn more about him. He catches her, frightens her, and throws her out. By now he realizes there is more to the bombing than just terrorism in Savannah. It is going to happen again. He doesn't figure it out in time to get save the people in Charleston, South Carolina. Now he has Annabelle convinced and she helps him as they try to solve the mystery of the odd terrorists - homeless men with little connection to anything. How could they be terrorists? Who is convincing him.

Quinton is also contacted by his older brother, Vincent Valtrez (Insatiable Desire). Quinton isn't sure what to believe. Is Vincent really his brother? Is their father a demon? Does that explain the dark desires he has? Can he work with Vincent to overthrow their father/

Working together, Annabelle and Quinton realize the next terrorist target is in New Orleans. They go down to the recovering city to prevent another attack. They also are fighting their attraction for each other. Quinton knows that Annabelle doesn't need anything from a half demon. Annabelle realizes that Quinton isn't as dark as she first thought - and is falling in love with him.

Paranormal romantic suspense is a very popular genre right now. Some of it I like. But these that feature a demon as the protagonist hero are not to my liking. I have trouble with assigning any good to something that is demonic - inherently bad. Yes, Quinton and Vincent are only half demonic. Their demonic half makes the book dark.

Dark Hunger is a dark as the name implies. It's also implausible. Quinton comes off mostly as unlikeable yet conflicted. He doesn't want to be a demon. Since he is and doesn't feel he can control it, he can't let himself get close to anyone. Annabelle understands there is something dangerous about him, but doesn't pull away.

To me to book is surface with little depth. It written for entertainment rather than philosophy. The terrorism aftermath scenes are grisly. They shock, as intended. Otherwise, the story flows well but overall is weak. There's enough to follow the story, but not enough to get pulled in. Often Quinton seems stilted to me as he grapples with his two halves and his upbringing.

If you like the genre overall, you'll like this book. It's not a good starter book to learn about the genre or this series. It's readable, but not memorable.

Notice:  Explicit sexual content, Graphic violence

Publicist provided for review

Insatiable Desire
Dark Hunger
Forbidden Passion