Dance in the Dark (Dance with the Devil, #2) in Read with Pride Northwest

Jun 06, 2013 ttg rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, favorites, reviews, challenge-read

4-4.5 stars – Wonderful paranormal romance about Johnnie, a human raised in a vampire family, who has a habit of mystery-solving, and thankfully also has a stubborn bodyguard watching his back since cases seem to grow more dangerous than he thought.

This book is #2 in Derr’s Dance with the Devil series, but it’s not necessary to read the first book since this one focuses on different MCs. (I recommend it though since #1 is also a good read, and some of those characters pop up here, so it's fun to 4-4.5 stars – Wonderful paranormal romance about Johnnie, a human raised in a vampire family, who has a habit of mystery-solving, and thankfully also has a stubborn bodyguard watching his back since cases seem to grow more dangerous than he thought.

This book is #2 in Derr’s Dance with the Devil series, but it’s not necessary to read the first book since this one focuses on different MCs. (I recommend it though since #1 is also a good read, and some of those characters pop up here, so it's fun to see them again.)

Like in #1, the structure of this book is made of different “cases” to solve. Johnnie is 26 and beautiful and quite grumpy that he is human and “normal” and will never fit in to the elite abnormal world around him. In love with his adopted brother (who cares less for normal human bothersome Johnnie), he moves out of his protected family estate (against his adopted vampire father’s wishes) and moves in above a sketchy dive bar. There he finds that his reputation of puzzle solving has become quite famous, and various clients stumble into the bar seeking his help.

Unlike in book #1, this story is told in chronological order (whereas the cases in the first book were from different time periods, past, present, future, past again, etc.) I really enjoyed the first book, but I also liked the change here, and I felt that this story resembled more of a novel rather than a combination of shorter related stories that contributed to a whole. I also like that this book focuses solely on Johnnie whereas the first book focused on PI Chris, but also had some side trips with his colleagues.

I loved Johnnie, haughty, very entitled, but kind-hearted, who tried so hard to remain cool and composed, but was also startlingly vulnerable due to his fear of not fitting in or not being good enough. And I totally loved Bergin, Johnnie’s bodyguard and eventual partner-in-crime who is like a rough-and-tumble fire to Johnnie’s cool, controlled facade.

I also loved that, behind all the mystery-solving, this was a growing love story, but Derr added a nice mystery to that as Johnnie found himself pulled in two different directions--one towards his shadowy lover Eros, and one towards his daytime savior that forever gets on his nerves. The building tension is very delicious. I figured things out before Johnnie did, but I totally dug the journey to his enlightenment.

But not only was there this great romance, but also this side tender story about Johnnie and his father, and how family can be built, and not just born. It was sweet and meaningful.

I think it needs one more round of copy edits since there were a few typos/missing words, but overall, I thought it was a great, addicting read, and I think Derr did an excellent job of balancing the story, the mystery, the characters, and the love.

Out of the two books, I think this one is my favorite so far, but I did really enjoy book 1, so if you like paranormal elements mixed in with mysteries with your m/m romance, I highly recommend these two books. (And I’m very much looking forward to book 3, Midnight.) ...more

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Nov 05, 2016 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: how-ebook, what-mm-read, what-mm, what-lgbtqia, where-grr-mine, what-myth-or-fable-retold, what-male-protagonist, how-series

I really enjoyed the first book so I don't know why I kept putting off this sequel. I'm sorry I did because I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series. The mystery was intriguing and I surprisingly like the subplots even though I don't like short stories much. The world building continued to be interesting and I loved what the new type of paranormal being turned out to be. The action was good and I got some OMG-he's-in-trouble moments if not my OMG-he's-gonna-die scenes. I really enjoyed the first book so I don't know why I kept putting off this sequel. I'm sorry I did because I absolutely loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series. The mystery was intriguing and I surprisingly like the subplots even though I don't like short stories much. The world building continued to be interesting and I loved what the new type of paranormal being turned out to be. The action was good and I got some OMG-he's-in-trouble moments if not my OMG-he's-gonna-die scenes.

I loved the characters. Johnny came across as an asshole in the beginning. I get why he was that way but there was really no easing of that demeanor even in private, even in his head. Eventually I came to love him, but it took me some time. Bergin was fun and I even loved the Dracula. I wish there were more strong female characters that were there other than to serve as a story device (e.g., as a wife who was missing so we could meet the husband), but there were a couple of good ones and they weren't stereotypes. One was from the previous story I think. I missed the MCs from the first book as I really wanted more of their story. They appear briefly near the end but it wasn't enough. I like new-couple-every-book series but I like them to be in the same place in time and space, checking in every now and then with the other couples. This book occurs something like 25 years later and 3000 miles away.

I really disliked Elam and hoped so badly that Johnnie didn't end up with him that I searched the back of the book for "I love you" to see who he gave his heart to. I won't tell you as I wished I hadn't known at least right away, but I was relieved to see that Johnnie did say those three words even though no such declaration was made in the last book.

A couple of nitpicks:

A wealthy upper crust sheltered person would at least know of the kind of thin and usually crisp crust pizza they serve in bistros.

How did they get to (view spoiler) if it took hours by plane and they needed a vampire to come get them to return home?

All in all, a great read and highly recommended. ...more

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Apr 04, 2013 Crissy Morris rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, paranormal, cop-law-enforcement-pi-military, on-the-paperwhite, definite-re-read

I absolutely love this entire book. Every case is fun and exciting...some heart-pounding. The mystery and secrets of Eros are fabulous. And whereas I love everything about this book, I adore "The True Bride 1 & 2" cases. So sweet. This book is a wonderful page turner. I could hardly put it down. It's definitely a re-read. ...more

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