The Darkest Touch: A spellbinding paranormal romance novel (Lords of the Underworld, 11) Mass Market Paperback – November 25, 2014

Our boy Torin does NOT have it easy. With anything. Seeing as how his mere touch can cause plagues and he's resigned himself to a lonely, contact-less existence AND he's wracked with guilt over the deaths he's caused the few times he's caved, the dude's a mess.Accidentally killing a woman (and by that I mean Torin was led to believe something that turned out to be untrue, so Mari's death really was an accident) who means a lot to the slightly off-kilter Keeley turns his guilt dial to high AND makes Keeley determined to get justice for her dead friend. By that, I mean she's gone all powerful and vengeful and she has Torin in her sights.Which doesn't sound like the recipe for success when it comes to a relationship, but these two make it work. Possibly because powerful vengeance is kind of like foreplay to these two.So Keeley's a little powerful and a lot unstable (she's actually a lot of both, I was just trying to be nice) and Torin kind of likes her off-kilter style. He also can't resist when she puts the moves on him and decides that quality naked time is worth the risk of plague and potential death. MAN, Keeley's fun.Anywho. A few more demon-possessed immortals, a small foray into Hades' (under)world and his issues, a little death, a little destruction, and a couple who can't seem to keep their hands off one another even with the potential consequences. Good stuff all around.-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

I know so many were looking forward to Torin's book, but personally, Maddox is still my favorite lord. Even so, I quite enjoyed seeing more of Torin considering how little he makes appearances in the other books usually. He's definitely just as fierce as the others, and his sarcastic personality was a lot of fun. And while it's not really about him, I so loved the shirts that he would wear that others gave him. What I didn't like? How repetitive he was about how he felt about Keeley and what she met to him and blah blah blah. It was pretty damn sappy and combined with his begging of the time was kind of annoying. Some people might find it sweet, but I didn't.Keeley was an interesting character. I'm not sure if there are actual myths about what she is or not, but she has the potential to be quite the ally. I both liked and disliked her though. It's cool how crazy powerful she is, and she usually seems like a decent girl who just wants to wants to be loved after being betrayed more than once. But when she says she desperately wants to be friends with Torin's friends, but then acts like a total bitch toward them? Annoying. She is so damn arrogant and I hated that part about her. And she needs to stop thinking that she's a damn queen. All her people are dead, and she is a queen to none so I really tired of all her talk about creating a kingdom and making everyone submit to her every whim and wish. Yeah, that's really the way to go about making friends.We begin with Torin and Keeley in the same dungeon, and Torin desperately trying to save Mari's life after touching her. We all know how that's gonna go down. Mari was Keeley's one remaining link to her humanity and with her loss, Keeley vows revenge on Torin. Keeley's voice has drawn him from the start and when he finally remembers he has the all key inside him (huge duh moment there) and escapes, he can't wait to see what she looks like. With her threatening to kill his friends he decides to leave her there and escape alone. But being what she is, Keeley manages to not only free herself but pretty much destroy the dungeon. Not surprising is that Torin hadn't left and so begins their attacks. But it's not long before they end up together going for the exit and protecting the other. Slowly Keeley's anger toward Torin ebbs as she learns and realizes more about him. And Torin? Well he's just having a hard time keeping himself from touching her he wants her so bad. As it turns out, his willpower isn't strong enough compared to Keeley's attempts at seduction. More than once he makes skin to skin contact, and each time she gets sicker and sicker. But she also survives. Eventually they make it back to the fortress and everybody is beyond happy to have Torin home. Can't say the same for Keeley. At least not at first. Their relationship continues to be rocky at best because each time Torin makes her sick the guilt overwhelms him and he tries to push her away. But each time she manages to keep him. Until finally he holds firm and leaves. Only to be taken by Lucifer. See, Lucifer and Hades seem to be on the brink of war and neither are above using any means to get more power on their side. That doesn't go as planned but it does lead to Torin and Keeley finding out how to touch without her getting sick and being able to stay together.With the addition of Keeley to the mix, we not only were able to rescue all those we needed to, but now the lords also have a lot more information about a lot of different things. Like why they were really punished with the demons. And it seems like they just might be getting closer to finding the box and what's inside of it that could free them all.What was interesting and maybe kind of odd was how important to this story Hades was. And all because after he traded Keeley away for a barrel of whiskey, he realized how much he actually cared about her and he wanted her back. Plus with her agreement with him at the end, we'll probably see more of him in the future.And William. Oh William, you don't get nearly enough page space sometimes. But what I really want to mention has to do with what he said about Axel. The sent one who has been trying to find him...Oh, and it was kind of nuts what Anya did to Maddox and Ashlyn's kids...just saying...

“I love you. You are my treasure, and you are worth anything. Worth everything. I would even eat raisins for you.”“You love me that much?” she asked softly.“With all that I am, all that I will ever be.”I fell in love with the Lords of the Underworld (and with Torin) when I read all of the other books in the series back to back last year, so I was anxiously awaiting the next installment and was very excited for Torin to finally find some love! I have to say, I think Gena Showalter did right by Torin and the book was worth the wait! This book, especially the second half, really felt like a true return to the LOTU feel of old. I enjoyed Kane’s book but it didn’t quite have the same magic as some of the earlier books in the series. I think this book recaptured that feeling for me and I really loved that!It was hard not to feel for Torin when you saw him in earlier books, all the lords have their demons but I’d say that Torin’s is arguably the worst of them all. Not allowed to have contact with anyone for risk of not only killing them but also starting a worldwide plague, he is always on the outside looking in and he craved companionship and human touch. We got to see a few bright spots in his journey with his relationship with Cameo, but even that was heartbreaking because they couldn’t really be together and then again when Cronus brought Mari to him but you’ll see how that ends right as this book starts and once again your heart will go out to Torin. I was on board for either of these ladies being his mate, but I think that ultimately he found his perfect match in Keeleycael! She challenged him and met him toe to toe in everything. It was nice seeing a lighter side of Torin in their interactions but we also got to see the fierce, possessive, alpha side of him too and I loved these extremes!Keeley was a great character, she was a real spitfire and even gave Anya a run for her money. The scenes between these two were hilarious. She’d been through quite a bit and for being as powerful as she was, she had been dealt some pretty crappy hands and never quite fit in. Most people, men in particular, from her past were afraid of her of jealous of her because she was more powerful than most. It was nice to see her find her home with the Lords and their families. And I loved watching her and Torin go from hate to lust to like to love.Of course there were many bumps in the road and a lot of ‘will they/won’t they’ and loads of guilt and second guessing. But I liked that these struggles were included, it made their relationship more believable. I think my favorite thing was that Torin’s demon was an issue throughout, and man did it suck for them, but I wouldn’t have been happy if there had been some easy way around it early on. I won’t give anything away, but I was pleased with how it all worked out. Oh and for anyone worried that Gena Showalter was losing her “steam” in recent books, fear not, this book was plenty steamy! It seems like she got her groove back in that regard!The first half of the book as Keely and Torin were working their way back to his realm was a touch slow for me, but once they got back to the fortress things totally picked up and from that point on it really had the feeling of the earlier books. Plus we got to see pretty much all of our favorite characters and got some awesome updates on a few of the couples! We even got some William time, it wasn’t much but it was amazing and true to William! Can’t wait for his story! Cameo, Viola, Baden, Pandora and Hades all played big roles in this book too. It didn’t overpower the main story at all but it all came together and sets up a lot of possibilities for future books. One thing I love about this series is that the overarching plot is still continued (finding Pandora’s box) and hasn’t been muddied up or overcomplicated, which is sometimes so easy to do in long series like this.All in all I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see who the next book will be about! This is one series that still has me hooked! 4 stars for the first half, 5 for the second, 4.5 overall!

Hmmm. It wasn't my favourite Lords of the Underworld book but there was still plenty to love. At first, I didn't like Keeley but, as the book went on, she grated on my nerves a little less and I began to like her. Also, I did get a little annoyed with the whole "I can't help but touch her", followed by the "Oh no, I've touched her and she might die", followed by "I'll never touch her again"... which cycles back to "I must touch her"... and repeat. Over and over. I get that Torin's inability to touch people is the big problem to be overcome in this story but the whole cycle did get too repetitive. I kept finding myself wanting to scream at them to just make up their minds and stick to it already.For the back story, I felt that too much happened too quickly and too easily. Suddenly half their problems are solved and with very little effort.Having said all that, the book is still a good one. It was well written and had some humour as well as action. The Lords of the Underworld books are always a good read. Especially when you have several of the Lords together and interacting. I shall now start waiting impatiently for the next one.

I was always intrigued about how Gena was going to get around Torin's particular problem. After all, he's possessed by the demon of disease and can't touch another person (or animal, or plant, or any living thing for that matter) without it sickening. Hardly the perfect recipe for romance! The resolution of this story, however, is much more convincing than some of the others in the LOTU series. I also found the dialogue quite amusing and was a big fan of Keeley. Sure, she has a bit of an ego, but she's also got some really cool powers. Interesting to see another side of Hades as well (side note - doesn't Sienna owe him a massive favour? When is he gonna call that one in?). **SPOILER** Not sure how I feel about the revelation about Pandora's box, or how easily things with Baden worked out. Maybe we'll get to read his story next?

Another great book by Gena Showalter. I was really looking forward toTorin's book and can stay that I was not disappointed it was everything I'd hoped it would be. Loved Keeleycael's character, she was tough but also vulnerable and could definitely kick-ass. I thought she was the perfect partner for Torin. What I liked most about this book was that we got to learn more about Torin's character it was nice to see him interacting with the others more. A must read for all Lords of the Underworld fans can't wait for the next book hopefully Cameo's. Please hurry Gena.

Miss Showalter never disappoints, the Lords are amongst my very favourite characters with the complex tapestry of relationships and humour amongst the action.

Amazing Torin has always been a lord I have been desperate to hear more about. How on earth could a man who's very touch was a death sentence?OMG did I find out and looooove it.Gena Showalter is amazing she gave exactly what everyone wanted for Torin in the Feisty Keeley. I am on the third read through and still spotting bits I missed the first go around.If writing as they say is a craft than Gena Showalter is a master and The Darkest Touch is the best Masterpiece yet.I cannot wait for more from her and the Lords.