Running Hot

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz (Arcane Society Novel)

What was this book about?

Grace Renquist is all alone in the world. She met someone who she thought would be her friend and her family and it turned out that he was open to doing some pretty bad things. She now will do what she has to to keep the evil out of the world (while still keeping her secrets).

She may be an Arcane Society librarian but she has an interesting twist on someone who can read auras. She can read them so well she can tell if someone is who she thinks they are just by their auras. So she is sent to Hawaii to match up with Luther Malone. Luther is an ex-cop who knows that Grace has secrets. He has a few of his own.

Can they get the job done and identify the bad guy? What is going on with all these other people who seem to be involved? Can they stop the evil Nightshade group – which is manufacturing a drug that makes psychic powers more intense (but also breaks the user down mentally?)

What did you think about the book?

I like these Arcane Society books. I love how they span the past and the present. And they bring up the characters from other books in the series without making you feel like they have been thrown in just for that reason.

For everyone in the books it is all about power and how sometimes the need to do anything to get power will corrupt you. There are people who have the power naturally or work to get it – but play by the rules – and bad things may happen to them but overall they overcome it all and come out ahead because of how they deal with it.

So take that and throw in some supernatural abilities and the need to find someone to love – who they fit in with and you have the classic Arcane Society Novel.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance/Suspense

Overall:

Question for You!
When picking your family – who do you consider part of your family – that isn’t a blood relative?

The Third Circle

The Third Circle by Amanda Quick (An Arcane Society Novel)

What was this book about?

Leona Hewitt is desperate to get back the crystal that has been in her family for centuries. She is an expert crystal user and can feel the crystal. It had been stolen when her mother died years before and it has finally cropped up in the most unusual of places.

Meanwhile – Arcane Society member Thaddeus Ware – is also out to get the crystal for the Arcane Society’s treasure cove. When they run into each other and must save each other’s life to escape with the crystal they can’t help but be drawn to each other.

Leona thinks she is finally safe and has the one thing she has been searching for. Thaddeus knows differently and must convince Leona that she is in danger. While he tries to save her, they must also protect the crystal from getting into the wrong hands because it could mean danger to all of them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This isn’t my favorite Arcane Society book. Leona and Thad’s powers are new to the story – but it seems like the same theme over and over again. Arcane society member and person who hates them must rescue the alchemist’s formula so that nothing bad happens to the members.

Is it a bad story? No. Is it well written? Definitely. The new arrival of the Third Circle as an enemy is interesting. I guess I would like to see more history of the group and its members and just see a totally new twist.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Sizzle and Burn

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz (Arcane Society Book 2)

What was this book about?
Raine Tallentyre has the ability to hear voices, unfortunately they are not good voices and only come when something horrible has happened. She meets Zack Jones, who also has an ability similar to hers – where he sees visions when he comes across bad psychic energy. Zack is in her life only because he senses that she may have a connection to the very bad Nightshade Operation that is trying to poison the psychic world. Raine cannot help but need his help after finding a prisoner in her aunt’s house, but she can’t trust Zack because of her family history with the Arcane Society (which he is a prominent member).

What was your favorite part about this book?
I really enjoy how they have interesting psychic talents, as well as a reasonable explanation for having them. Kinda makes me wish it all was true.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
Nothing stood out.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall: B. Generally liked.