Review: Hearts in Darkness - Keri Arthur

Life has never been so insane for Private Investigator Nikki James: a teenager is missing; a madman is kidnapping the wealthy; she's got a vampire to contend with; and her partner and best friend, Jake, is in the hospital dying.  And just when it seems like nothing else could possibly go wrong for her, Michael Kelly returns.

The last thing Michael 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, they are suddenly forced into a partnership.  Soon Michael discovers the biggest danger may not be from his need to 'taste' Nikki, 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 spectre from Michael's past rises that could destroy any hope she has of a future with him.

The Nikki and Michael Series:
Dancing with the Devil
Hearts in Darkness
Chasing the Shadows
Kiss the Night Goodbye

For more information visit Keri Arthur's website

Review:
This is the second book in the Nikki & Michael series by Keri Arthur and continues the story about 6 months after the end of Dancing with the Devil.  I won't give spoilers for this book but I'd strongly recommend reading the series in order & not continuing to read this review if you're new to the series.

The end of the previous book saw Michael leaving Nikki in order to protecter her - both from himself and from the dangers from the life he leads - and despite his love for her he has managed to keep his distance and avoid all contact.  Nikki is devastated that he has gone & is finding it hard to deal with the fact that he left her - she doesn't understand why he didn't even say goodbye.  She is still working as a Private Investigator and when Nikki and her partner Jake came under attack when following a local teenager Jake was injured and is now critically ill in hospital.  The teenager has vanished and it is up to Nikki to find him.  Michael is asked to investigate the disappearance of several wealthy men and he finds himself in need of Nikki's help - it appears that the cases they are working on are entwined.

Michael is still determined to keep Nikki at arms length, but now that Nikki has admitted her love for him she is equally determined to be a part of his life.  In spite of this they are going to have to work together if they are going to solve the mystery and survive this latest threat.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series & was not disappointed with this second installment.  Once again the action was continuous and I didn't want to put the book down - the plot was fast paced and had plenty of twists.  I'm enjoying seeing the relationship develop between Nikki and Michael and it makes a nice change that they can both openly admit their love for each other.  It's also interesting to see how Nikki's psychic abilities are changing now that she is linked to Michael.  I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

Source: Library

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.