A Taste of Darkness

Mackenzie Vampires #3

by Nina Bangs

He'd lived a thousand years for this? It's enough to make a vampire want to rush outside to soak up some rays, order garlic mashed potatoes, or fall on a wooden stake.

The council, in its infinite stupidity, has made Reinn Mackenzie the Guardian of the Blood for his vampire clan. Talk about crappy jobs. He's supposed to run around lopping off the head of any Mackenzie dumb enough to mate with someone not on the council's approved list. Gotta keep the Mackenzie blood pure. Giant whoop. He's nothing but a glorified Weedwacker for the clan. So he's stuck at the Woo Woo Inn, skulking undercover while he looks for the right moment to off the clueless Mackenzie about to marry a sneaky, manipulating werecat. Reinn doesn't get it. Who'd be stupid enough to die for a deceitful, whisker-twitching shifter?

Kisa Evans has a boatload of problems. She's a virgin, someone is stalking her with the intent to keep her in cat form forever, she's a virgin, the deadly Guardian of the Blood is out to murder her sister's fiancé, and she's a virgin. Werecat law says that she can't mate with any male weaker than herself. Hello? She's not your usual lap kitty. There IS no male stronger than Kisa.

But minds were meant to be changed. When Reinn meets Kisa, he realizes that his sexy werecat is worth dying for. Kisa finally finds a male stronger than she is and admits that the enemy has become her love. Too bad that love can't erase the dangers surrounding them.

A happily ever after doesn't seem likely for Reinn and Kisa, but not to worry. Strange things are the norm at the Woo Woo Inn.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Ebooks

337 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2006

About the author

Talk about misspent youth. What did I do during those lazy summer days of childhood when I could’ve been honing my writing skills? Nothing. Okay, so I spent a lot of time dreaming I was a cowgirl with a trusty black stallion. Oh, and I read every Walter Farley horse novel. I was an only child so I relied on my imagination to supply the excitement in my life.

By high school, I’d decided to trade in my lariat for a trench coat. I was into dark and dangerous. As an intrepid foreign correspondent, I’d stalk the mean streets of the world. Did I actually write anything? No, but I did read all of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.

I worked at a department store during college. My short stint in the accounting department taught me a lot about math. Three hundred-dollar shortages plus hysterical tears equaled instant move to gift-wrap. A career in math was not in my future. I didn’t care because I’d discovered “real” literature. I plowed through James Joyce’s Ulysses and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. If it didn’t make my eyes cross then it wasn’t worth reading. Yes, I admit it, I was a literary snob.

Nina and best buddy, Barbara Joyce.
Folk singers extraordinaire.

But there’s just so much “real” literature one person can take. I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English Literature and a determination to avoid books that induced eye crossing or had tragic endings. The only things I managed to write during those years were research papers.

I taught second grade for several years then spent two years in Dublin, Ireland. A friend and I supported ourselves by singing folk songs in Irish pubs. We weren’t great, but we were young, enthusiastic, and wore short skirts. It was obviously my destiny to be the next Judy Collins. I spent a lot of time poring through music books.

Returning to New Jersey and reality, I taught elementary school until I grew restless again. My cross-country odyssey included stays in Arizona, California, and Texas. Along the way, I indulged my love of horses. No black stallions, but I did have several beautiful Arabian mares. I read tons of books on breeding and showing.

Somewhere between California and Texas I grew addicted to romance novels and cats. The cat’s independent attitude was exactly the quality I admired in my romance heroes. And once I decided to try writing my own romances, I made sure a cat crept into each story.

Texas is my permanent home. I’ve come full circle. Born in San Antonio, I spent most of my life in New Jersey. Maybe the Texas in my blood accounts for my attachment to strong men, fast horses, and wide-open spaces. My love of cats? Haven’t a clue.

Reviews

[Traci Odom]

Yay!

Another great one in the series. Nina Bangs has such a great style, sexy, clever, intriguing and fun. Of course, it always helps when the characters have obstacles to overcome.

[Lorena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente libro para iniciar en el mundo de vampiros, transformistas, gatos humanos y otros seres de fantasía.
REINN MACKENZIE es mi nuevo crush!
Inicia siendo un solitario que oculta sus sentimientos pero con el tiempo, él mismo se da cuenta de que sí hay seres por quienes vale la pena aceptar amor y dar amor.
Kisa es muy dulce, graciosa y unida a su familia que me encanta como sabe que siempre tiene respaldos y la aman con total libertad como ella ama y no tiene miedo de demostrarlo, así como su personalidad de decir lo que piensa, no importando lo que este sucediendo a su alrededor.
Ame como se van enamorando Kisa y Reinn, que ambos sean poderosos y puedan ser complementarios entre sí para ser mejores, ame a Chispa y Mede (Ganímedes) que los van alentando para que sigan con su amor a pesar de las reglas y circunstancias. El libro tiene personajes con personalidades muy cómicas y reales que disfrute leer y con las que pude identificarme en algunos casos.
Definitivamente de mis escenas favoritas fue lo sucedido en Marte, la NASA y la mordida porque mi cabeza explotó jajaja y la confrontación con el consejo también me gustó mucho.
Una lectura para disfrutar y simplemente dejarte llevar.

[Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried, but I think the problem was I liked the initial concept-Kisa becomes is not only a werecat, but becomes a saber tooth tiger when she shifts. Very Cat People (1942) and can only marry/mate with a werecat who's stronger than her, according to werecat law-and have this be a relationship/personal character oriented story at the Woo Woo Inn rather than adding mystery after mystery, that would've been fun. Keep Daniel in his hunting motif, have him still fall for Kisa, but maybe forgo the wedding and instead have her there for some personal R&R and be stuck in a cycle of finding weak one off dates. Until she meets Daniel, that is.

Too much info dumping/add on's rather than exploration. I just wanted a bit more romance/fun in this story in addition to a bigger emphasis on the couple as individuals. Does that make sense?
It weirdly dragged (I kept thinking I was further along than I thought and wasn't racing to get back). With a rating like that, it's ok. Many readers love this. That's the beauty of books.

If I want to read monster mash romance, think I'll stick to Kresley Cole. But hey, I finally read a Nina Bangs, ya'll!

[Jennifer Prescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reinn is at the Woo Woo Inn again, this time as a "guest" on assignment... He is to stop another Mackenzie Vampire from marrying "outside the blood", per Council's orders. Kisa is there with her family and friends to celebrate her sister's wedding. When the two meet, sparks fly (and some fur!) As usual, the Inn is filled to the brim with a myriad of odd individuals, and with Sparkle Stardust & Ganymede in charge while Cindy & Thrain are out of town, strangeness abounds. Reinn is very opposed to personal relationships, but Kisa is more temptation than he can stand...and Kisa is determined to crack Reinn's shell. Add random chaos, shake, and a fun & sexy story unfolds!

[Barbara Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

wererabbits werecats bears vampires

Good book as always.. vimpires in the McKenzie clan can’t marry any kind of were.. well they thought they couldn’t so they send their blood 🩸 warrior to kill the vampire who is marrying outside of their species

[Amy Butterbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read. About two people who didn't know if they could be together because of a law created by the Mackenzie clan. But what are you to do when love finds you. Opposites attract

[~Shawna the crazy coffee reader~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah! That’s all i got lol. Read this book now!

[Tynell Sohmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I have fallen in love with this series. An amazing MUST read for anyone who likes Paranormal Romance Novels. Love love love

[Angela]

I started reading this story, and the writing is just not for me. Things are a little too trite, and a little too over the top (comparing our hero to a ice cream?) -- just meh.

[Araceli Morand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super sencillo, tópico, sexista y encima mal traducido. A pesar de eso, uno de los libros que me he leído mas rápido, engancha, es muy sexy y divertido. 100% recomendaría!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste of Darkness is a light hearted paranormal mystery thriller. Honestly, it’s just delightful. We are staying at the Woo Woo Inn (again for me) and surrounded by were’s, vampires, cosmic troublemakers, & more. It’s an entertaining mix of characters. Reinn is there to stop a wedding but falls into lust and then love with Kisa. We get mystery, spice, scenes that had me laughing, chaos, & so much more. Nina Bangs’ Mackenzie Vampire series is a gem for readers of the paranormal/fantasy genre.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to see this different side of Reinn then the one you 1st meet in the previous book but you get to understand why he is the way he is Him and Kisa together are wonderful the reveal of who Mason is is wonderful too

[Mya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book was like eating a bite-sized candy bar, sweet and good but not really filling. There were several intriguing characters, and several very powerful characters, who I knew would not allow the chosen pair to fall into any real peril. The chosen pair being a vampire and a werecat...no a weresabertooth in fact. It had steamy love scenes and the prerequisite about of abstinence in it and lots of humor, but I think I will call this more romance than paranormal as a great deal of the plot and characters concern surrounded talk of marriages and relationships. I never once felt as if the characters were in any real peril and when the villains showed up, I actually laughed at their appearance. Oddly enough, humor is peppered all throughout the book and for some light reading, this book is actually recommended :D

[Ann aka Iftcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I found this author while trolling Amazon.com. I read a review on this particular book and decided that I just HAD to have it, if only for the opening paragraph. How can any fan of vampires, werewolves and other things that go bump in the night refuse a book that starts out:

"Werewolves - furry pains in the butt.
Werecats - sneaky whisker-twitching manipulators.
Werejerks - every freakin' loser with a "were" in front of his name"

It was a totally funny book, but it does have a few salacious scenes in it. I enjoyed it enough that I went and got all the OTHER books by this author. Some of them I enjoyed more than others, but this one still remains my favourite just for that opening.

[Vulpes2000 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good series. I've read other books in the particular series and have enjoyed Nina Bangs as an Auther. I really liked the character of Reinn. I didn't care much for the Mars seen, not that they went to mars, but with the alien's and the NASA machine was kinda wierd. One of the things that I didn't really get was Kisa's family when it came to her protection. I guess since they thought that Reinn was the protector, it was fine that he pretty much took over her protection. But I think that Adam should have been a little more causous around vamps that he didn't know. I really did enjoy the note that Ganymede had Kisa send the council. Thought that was the highlight of the story. Overall the novel wasn't too shaby.

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author obviously has a very good sense of humor and is showing through the lines in the pages. Which makes a very fun reading indeed!

I only realized that this is the third book in the THE MACKENZIE VAMPIRES SERIES halfway down the book. Maybe if I've read the first three books first, then perhaps I would have a greater appreciation of events and characters. As it is, the story telling quality wasn't very compelling. I find my mind wandering while reading that it took me a few weeks to finish this book.

I would say this is a good read but not grab-your-attention-and-carry-you-away kinda book.

[Bren · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Nina Bangs book...

At first I was irritated becuase there was, imo, a big mistake on page 27. But after I got past that, I came to really like the book and am hopefully going to get my hands on a few more by her.

It's a paranormal romance. Has weres in it (the duck I thought was hilarious), some humour, action, and of course vamps. Gotta love those vamps.

I really found myself wanting more after finishing the book, even after how it started out to be more of a thorn in my side. lol

[Olean Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third novel in the Woo Woo Inn series, or MacKenzie Vampire Series depending, is as funny as the rest, but a little heart wrenching at the end. A vampire is given a job he hates, maintaining the blood purity of his clan. He does not really care if a vampire or fifty decide to fall in love with other species, but he is sent to the Woo Woo Inn to break up the marriage of a MacKenzie vampire and a WereCat. Well this becomes hard to do when he starts to fall in love with a werecat of his own. The 'cosmic troublemakers' reappear and cause all of the characters endless amounts of grief.

[Mrs. Badass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and fluffy reading. Humor, a little romance, a little sex, makes for a fun few hours of reading. Reinn is the executioner for his vampire clan, but when he meets the offending vampire's future in laws, he starts re-thinking the clan's motto of pure blood marriages, as he falls for a werecat named Kisa. Kisa has a few secrets of her own, she is a rare type of cat.
Complete with Catnip bandit, Nina Bangs strikes again.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of this book on Swap.com is totally wrong! This is book 3 in the MacKenzie Vampires series and it's as good as all the previous books by Nina Bangs. Full of humor, romance, action, a little adventure, and some hot paranormal sex. Both lead characters are non-human so it's not the traditional human/vamp romance. Sparkle and Ganymede lead the side-characters but, as usual, all of the side-characters are well developed and some even lead to books of their own.

[Kara Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like vampires, weres, and heavy romance you will probably love this book. I didn't think it was much better than the Harlequins I used to sneak as a kid. You have an interracial marriage (were and vamp) that the vamp council sends a warrior to stop (kill groom). He is cold and calculating because he has deep scarring. A woman and a friend warm his heart and make him see the light. Everyone wants to fight the way it has always been.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weak. Tedious reading, I wanted it to be over. Didn't hold my interest to want to know what would happen.

The last 80+ pages were better since mysteries were being solved. Characters weren't that interesting. I didn't find much creativity to delight me other than Sparkle's damage to the enemy at the end.

[Luvmyfamily · Rating 3 out of 5]

They get better as they stories progress. I liked this one more than the last (again). Her characters have developed real personalities finally. the plots are more intricate and keep you more involved.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

read 02.09.07

[Julie (jjmachshev) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this whole series...

[Rachael T Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

..when in love you change the rules.

[Tymber Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was worth the time to read it. I'm a sucker for snarky dialog, and Nina Bangs did a great job with the characters.

[Jan Froehlich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romantic vampire fluff. Don't bother reading this one.

[Amber Polo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, sexy shapeshifters and vampires. Can't beat it.

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another typical run-of-the-mill paranormal from Ms Bangs. It seems if you've read one, you've read them all....just change the names.