Review: Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur

Title: Dancing with the Devil
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Nikki and Michael, #1
Release Date: July 30th 2013
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 Hoots
Reviewer: Dori
Buy From:  Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

Sum It Up! Considering it is an earlier book of Ms. Arthur, it was highly entertaining even with some obvious flaws in the story.  

Summary:
Book One in the Nikki and Michael Series: Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there's nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her. Michael Kelly has come to Lyndhurst determined to end the war between himself and another brother of the night. For 300 years he has existed in life's shadows, gradually learning to control the life from death cravings of a vampire. Nikki not only breaches his formidable barriers with her psychic abilities, but makes Michael believe he may finally have found a woman strong enough to walk by his side and ease the loneliness in his heart. But will his love be enough to protect her from a madman hell-bent on revenge? Or will it drive her into his enemy's deadly trap? Only together can they overcome the evil threatening to destroy them both. But the secrets they keep from each other might prove to be the greatest threat of all. (Goodreads)

Review: *Spoilers*
Dancing with the Devil, one of Keri Arthur’s earlier books re-edited, is the first in the Nikki and Michael series. Considering it is an earlier book of Ms. Arthur, it was highly entertaining even with some obvious flaws in the story.  

Nikki James is a tough , streetwise  private investigator who has formidable psychic abilities. Her current assignment has her following a spoiled teen heiress, Monica Trevgard.  Thinking this case is an ordinary teen lashing out against her father, quickly turns into a frightening confrontation with zombies and vampires. 

Michael Kelly  receives instructions, from Damask Circle (an organization of vampires and otherworldly creatures), to save Nikki  from the evil known as Jasper. Michael knows how dangerous Jasper is and tries to get Nikki abandon her search for Monica.  However, what Michael could not anticipate is the bond he and Nikki  would forge as they continue their hunt for Monica and Jasper. 

As the story progresses, both Nikki and Michael grow closer together and battle inner demons of the past.  Although the chemistry between Nikki and Michael did not mesh, as one would hope, there is hope for the two. The fact both come to terms with the mind melding shows how they struggle with trust and privacy.  Unfortunately, the short- lived understand takes a turn for the worse when Nikki feds Michael to save his life.  His years of not feeding on humans, has him dancing a fine line with Nikki that he makes a drastic decision. 

 For Riley Jensen fans,  readers will see how Ms. Arthur’s writing  has progressed from her earlier works, such as Dancing with the Devil, until now. Do not over look this earlier series. Dancing with the Devil is a great start to an exciting series.