Kiss and Hell

Hell #1

by Dakota Cassidy

Hell's not the only thing that's hot in the sinful new novel from the author of Accidentally Dead.

Delaney Markham doesn't just see dead people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances to make ends meet—that is until one incredibly annoying ghost just won't go away.

Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's going to happen on the first date.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Demons, Fantasy, Ghosts, Fiction

356 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2009

About the author

Dakota Cassidy is a national bestselling author with over thirty books. She writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, grab-some-ice erotic romance, hot and sexy alpha males, paranormal shifters, contemporary kick-ass women, and more.

Invited by Bravo TV, Dakota was the Bravoholic for a week, wherein she snarked the hell out of all the Bravo shows. She received a starred review from Publisher Weekly for Talk Dirty to Me, won an RT Reviewers Choice Award for Kiss and Hell, along with many review site recommended reads and reviewer top pick awards.

Dakota lives in the gorgeous state of Oregon with her real life hero and her dogs, and she loves hearing from readers!

Connect with Dakota online: https://twitter.com/DakotaCassidy https://www.facebook.com/DakotaCassid...

Join Dakota Cassidy’s Newsletter The Tiara Diaries! Join here: http://mad.ly/signups/100255/join

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I so like Dakota Cassidy's other books and was excited to read this one. But it was ehh... I kept reading it even though my mind kept wandering as I read it only because I am laid off at the moment and have an abundance of time. While I like the fun speak with all the pop culture references it did get old when every other line was like that. I'm not sure what I think of Delaney, did I even like her as a characther? The whole dog bit was funny and broke up the book good. I'm hoping her next book is more like the others.

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

[Lorra Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I enjoyed the Accidental series and the teaser exerpt was intriguing. This book had alot of potential to be a great book, but instead was only OK. Here's why:
-Way to much ghetto talk and slang. If I never hear "? to the ?" again it will be too soon. Is the character a mid-20's red head or a 14 yr old thug's "ho"? I came close to throwing the book each time the heroine starting talking like ghetto trash.
-It took forever for the main character's to get to a point. Too much denial and avoidance.
If the ghetto speak was deleted and the heroine had a little more back bone, this could have been a promising beginning to a new series. I'm debating on reading the next volume. I won't be recommending this to my book buddies, it was just too painful.

[Corrine · Rating 2 out of 5]

You could very much tell that this was written in 2009, and that’s not a positive note. Very cringey, and I had to skim most of it but wanted to just finish it as I had already read a good amount.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly and funny. Total literary junk food.

[Cid Tyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Setting — is mostly New York City, at Delaney’s apartment, though there are some other locations – like Hell, one of the Dakotas (wtf?) and Delany’s shop.

The Characters — as usual are wonderfully quirky and fun. Delaney herself is a woman with quick wit and a very do-good personality. The character’s motivations stem from a lot of baggage and even though Clyde the Demon pokes at her about how she’s not really living, in many ways I could understand Delaney’s stance on things. Clyde the Demon is more than he appears; think drop dead sexy geek. I kinda felt a bit stumped with Clyde as a character simply because I didn’t fully buy who he was supposed to be. In my head the character traits didn’t add up – but in real life do people turn out how I think they will? Nope. I really liked Marcella, and I was uber sad when she disappeared – but that’s okay – her book is next! I might have to say my fav character was Uriel, the surfer angel at the very end. I’m giggling now just thinking of him!

The Plot — was a race to see whose contract is ending first. The stories intertwine in a way you’re only allowed to glimpse at in places and spots, which makes it all the more compelling to read through. I like Dakota’s use of animals in her stories; the FMC’s have all had a companion, from a pack of dogs all named Dog to a cat named Hypotenuse. I was curious how the end of the story was going to go, I had a tiny idea but the main way it all ended was a pleasant surprise. Yes, you knew the HEA was coming – I just thought it was done in a fun way.

[MLL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars. If it were a movie I wouldn't DVR it or watch it on Netflicks. The heroine stars out really likeable but by the end she is just annoying and a moron. The villain to end all villains is lame and unimpressive. The story is full of holes and inconsistencies. The drama is endless and tedious. The hero is willing to die for the heroine because he Likes her. No L-word in this book. Apparently like is all that is required for marriage and children. And in the end a heavenly angel along the lines of Bill S. Preston (think Bill and Ted) comes along to save the day. There is an HEA though.

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!!! I couldn't put it down!!!! It was funny, with a touch of mystery, suspence, romance, some steamy scenes. An eventual profession of love, the ending was such a suprise. I laughed out loud at the slang the characters used. I don't want to get into specifics and reveal spoilers, but if you decide to read this book you will not be disappointed! I cannot wait to read Cassidy's accidental friends series.

[Aymee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dakota's novels, not a single one has disappointed me yet. However, think that KISS & HELL has got to be my favorite to date. The market today is saturated with books about werewolves/shifters and vampires, but demons and mediums are few and far between (or they have been for me anyway). So, this was a fresh new paranormal aspect for me. And it worked. I laughed and laughed... sighed... and darn near cried! Great job, Dakota!

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get through this book, which was a big disappointment. I really really tried,and I made it about 2/3 of the way, but it was stretching on forever. It started out okay, and I thought it seemed like a good read, until the next few chapters were some variation of the same dialogue over and over. It might have had a great ending, but I just couldn't read through the middle to get to it.

[Lydia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to give this book a chance but couldn't make it past chapter 4. I will probably give this author another try but this book didn't cut it for me.

[Carlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 100 pages in...

I really hated to DNF and low-star-review this, but I just can't get past it. I loved Dakota Cassidy's Accidentally Dead and wanted to try more of her books. I love the sarcastic, snarky humor that her characters have.

However, this one I just could not get into. At all. It started off great. I loved the idea of the main character being this medium that just could get no peace. Then, Clyde comes into the picture and I immediately can't stand him. He gives off this ridiculously ignorant mindset and can't understand any of her phrases or humor. This would be fine if it held through, but within a couple more chapters, it's like he suddenly has humor of his own and can't relate to her own mindset. I just didn't get it.
The thing that really did it in for me, though, was that, during the process of Clyde explaining to Delaney what's happening and why he's there...it takes FOREVER! She can't seem to calm the f**k down and he just keeps beating around the bush. It takes like 60+ pages to get everything he knows out on the table...just seems like it was made that way to bulk up the word count and it didn't have to be that way. The dialogue during this process just gets confusing and ridiculous.

I'll definitely give her books (probably another Accidentally book) another go because I love the humor, but this one was just a no for me.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about this book considering the character was off the wall. It was a library staff pick favorite and I am always interested in checking them out, so I gave this one a try. Lauren is a ghost whisperer who has four special needs dogs (or is it just one and the other 3 are just part of the package) either way, dog lady, spoke volumes because I am one myself ;) minus the whisperer part. Anyhow, the story is funny and you want to root for Clyde who by the way, gets mixed up in her world for no reason, but yet he is there and his infectious character is one you cannot miss out on. I liked how Cassidy wove in another universe and brought this place called Hell to life. No I am not a satan worshiper, nor is it my grab bag, but it was almost comical and believable how she did it. Humanizing Lucifer was clever and developing the story for readers was paramount. Marcella, her best friend, and confidant, is a badass, but also someone you need on your team when a lot of crap is going on. The novel was a pleasure light read, one you could read on the beach, or at home and knock out in a day if you so chose although it is rather long. Follow Miss Ghost lady and her friends through all the hoops and ladders and thrills, and guaranteed enjoyment and smiles will ensue.

[KD · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find Delaney attitude funny. And the resistance she has for not wanting to talk to the demon was drawn out a bit.

The demon checking in with who he thinks is Clyve is getting interesting. I am curious if Clyde tells Delaney about the Demons appearance. I am also wondering about this headless spirit.

The sex scene on 190 was great!! I always love me some good sex in a book.

I realized there is a lot of talking in the book and the part of me who wants proactive and productivity is shining through. I like to do something about it as well as talk about the issues. I want more action in the book lol.
I noticed this about myself in real life.
It’s very hard to be told the truth about your self from someone else. To hear it said out loud can be difficult to taken in.

Very cool twist that I didn’t expect. It got funny with the jokes of all the birthing bits. Lol.

Finally towards the end the truth comes out and the details are great! It’s like I have been waiting this entire time for the yummy stuff.

The last 40 pages were hard to put down. The intensity of satan coming. It was really good!
And I am so happy for a good ending. Thank god!

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book. It's predictable and a little hokey but overall the story is a lot of fun from start to finish.
That said, there is one part I did dislike (spoiler), the first portion of the book is essentially Delaney's POV even though it's 3rd person. It does a great job of building up a little suspense about Clyde, leaving a question in the air about whether or not he's telling the truth or if he is in fact a true demon. I was hoping for a spin with him being a demon who she ended up winning over instead of the more cliche story of him being a good soul sent to the wrong place. Midway into the book all the suspense is tossed aside and trampled on with a scene with Clyde talking to Delaney's dogs, making it 100% clear he was a good person and telling the truth all along. If I were the editor, I would have strongly suggested cutting out that scene, allowing the story to build the suspense a little longer.
That aside, it's still a great book.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Delaney Markham sees ghosts and helps them on their way - now she sees a demon, Clyde Atwell, and he ain't going nowhere (despite her best efforts).
Clyde says he's been sent from Hell to bring her back with him - he also claims that he has no intention of doing it, but he's a demon and can't be trusted ...
It takes forever to get started, every time Clyde tries to fill Delaney in she shuts him down - it's funny for a while but that eventually wears off.
The relentless snark, too, eventually grates.
The writing could have used a tighter editing and the plotting should have been tightened up (a lot!).
I gave up at the halfway point.

[Alice Teets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delaney sees ghosts. But Clyde is solid. And hot. So is he a demon? Whatever, he annoys her, but he's too good looking to ignore, but she doesn't trust him completely.

A fun little romp between a medium and a hunky guy who may or may not be a ghost, a demon, or possibly not even dead.

I gave it a 3.5, rounded up to 4, because for some reason she made the Archangel Uriel a Jeff Spicoli wanna-be and the epilogue was a letdown. But I'd read more in the series.

[Fos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook
This Narrator's way of Narrating didn't match up with the type of dialogue used in this story.
The chick goes on and on and on and on.
.
.........and on

.....and on
SHE.HAS.NO.MONEY.

Don't all men want a penniless mouthy loser?
Why are all the Chicks penniless? Virgins? WHY??? WHY??? WHY???

The tropes here are mundane. The non relationship part of the story was interesting, but the characters, Especially the female, were unoriginal.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing till the end. Most books I can figure out what will happen and even though I knew this would be a happily ever after I wasn't sure how they were going to achieve that. This is a good read for paranormal romance / mystery readers.

[Karen Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

... a bit raunchier than the ones I normally listen to by Dakota Cassidy, but in looking at her series ... it seems like she's got the clean cozies and the really steamy books, so I guess this is kind of a crossover?

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Better than the Accidental series for a large margin, it still did not meet the mark for some reason. Started too slow and did not pull you in.

[Meg Dean · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember now why I did finish this one the first time...

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a shame that this book was boring and flat. I really like Charlie Davidson. DNF at 62%.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely not worth the time. Hoped for something light and funny, but disappointed. Read to the end due to author holding out on the most interesting aspect of the story.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much talking.

[Liz Loosmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a fan of this book, it was ok.
Looking forward to trying other books written by this author.

[Allyn Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Good audio narration. Cute banter and a clever story.

[Kellie R Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This started out slow, and somewhat annoying with the characters taking too long to progress. Once they got past the initial bumps though, this book became amazing.

[bambi]

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O͎w͎n͎e͎d͎ ͎s͎i͎n͎c͎e͎: September 14th 2023
P͎u͎r͎c͎h͎a͎s͎e͎d͎ ͎a͎t͎:͎ Goodwill
P͎r͎i͎c͎e͎:?? 99¢

[Angie Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was weird and bizarre, but I loved it anyway. It was also lots of fun!