Angel Seduced

This second installment of Rush’s Hidden series (after Magic Possessed) doesn’t veer from the dark fantasy romance formula: multiple types of paranormal entities, led by a group with a hidden agenda, an egomaniacal rogue character involved in nefarious goings-on, and a fate-bonded hero and heroine who must stop him and save the day. Kye is a Deuce, or witch; Kasabian is a Caido—descended from a fallen angel—whose father is kidnapping paranormal children and conducting deadly experiments on them. Their banter and chemistry make them terrific leads (particularly Kasabian). But in an effort to bring freshness to the formula, Rush overcompensates with absurdity; for example, the various paranormals must live in Miami to feed off the leftover energy of their onetime home base in the Bermuda Triangle. It’s not clear whether the series will sink or swim, but right now it’s floundering. (Feb.)