Monthly Archives: August 2010

Jamie (Visitation, #5) by Lori Foster

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Carrying a naked woman up a mountain in a driving storm – now there’s a way for a man to start the day. But for Jamie, the unconscious redhead in his arms is an intruder, one who could bring harm. He has his reasons for hiding out in this mountain cabin; for keeping his emotions hidden; for never, ever getting too close to anyone. And he’s not about to stop now. (from Goodreads)

I only re-read this book because my new Jayne Castle/JAK book had not arrived yet.  That may have been a mistake.  I love Lori Foster’s books.  This title is a culmination of her Visitation series and now I want to re-read all of them.

I remember the summer I discovered Lori Foster.  I bought her entire backlist which included a couple of titles that I had to get directly from her.  She had them in boxes in her garage and sent them to me for a donation to her local humane society.

Unfortunately I have been reading so many authors the last couple of years, she has slipped off my radar.  It is obviously time for me to see what I have missed and revisit all my friends.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Burning Lamp (Dreamlight, #2) by Amanda Quick

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The Arcane Society was born in turmoil when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Sylvester Jones and Nicholas Winters each sought to enhance their individual psychic talents. Winters’ efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation the Winters man who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents—and the curse of madness.

Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the Winters Curse. And the instincts that have helped him survive the streets and rise to power are now drawing him toward Adelaide Pyne, the bothersome social reformer. But even as he arranges a meeting with the mysterious woman, he has no idea how closely their fates are bound, for Adelaide holds the Burning Lamp in her possession.

A dreamlight reader, Adelaide should be able to manipulate the Lamp’s light to save both Griffin’s sanity and his life. But their dangerous psychical experiment makes them the target of forces both inside and outside of the Arcane Society. And though desire strengthens their power their different lives will keep them apart—if death doesn’t take them together. (from Goodreads)

This book even more than most tells the story of a man saved by the love of a good woman.  Of course, he doesn’t think he deserves or needs to be saved, but why let that get in the way of a good story.

Griffin is an underworld boss in London, although he does draw the line at prostitution.  That is fortunate, because Adelaide is determined to shut down the “houses of ill-repute” in the city.

Sometimes I am bothered by the coincidences that arise in these books, but the author does explain it as part of the paranormal activities taking place.  The necessary people are drawn together at the right time by their abilities and by various artifacts.

Works for me  . . . because JAK can certainly write a wonderful story.

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Filed under Historical, Paranormal, Romance

Fired Up (Dreamlight, #1) by Jayne Ann Krentz

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More than three centuries ago, Nicholas Winters irrevocably altered his genetic makeup in an obsession-fueled competition with alchemist and Arcane Society founder Sylvester Jones. Driven to control their psychic abilities, each man’s decision has reverberated throughout the family line, rewarding some with powers beyond their wildest dreams, and cursing others to a life filled with madness and hallucinations.

Jack Winters, descendant of Nicholas, has been experiencing nightmares and blackouts-just the beginning, he believes of the manifestation of the Winters family curse. The legend says that he must find the Burning Lamp or risk turning into a monster. But he can’t do it alone; he needs the help of a woman with the gift to read the lamp’s dreamlight.

Jack is convinced that private investigator Chloe Harper is that woman. Her talents for finding objects and accessing dream energy are what will save him, but their sudden and powerful sexual pull threatens to overwhelm them both. Danger surrounds them, and it doesn’t take long for Chloe to pick up the trail of the missing lamp. And as they draw closer to the lamp, the raw power that dwells within it threatens to sweep them into a hurricane of psychic force. (from Goodreads)

This is the first book in the Dreamlight series.  Like her other Arcane Society novels, she will alternate between a contemporary title and an historical one (Burning Lamp).  In this trilogy, however, she is finishing up with a book set in her futuristic series set on the planet Harmony.  I am in the process of re-reading all of the Harmony series and the two Dreamlight titles to be ready for the new book.

Like all of her books, this one has humorous aspects to it, but the Arcane series is much more intense than some of her others.  It is really striking to compare her books now with the ones she wrote 25 years ago.  There are many differences, but I can tell a JAK no matter what name it is under or time period it is in.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Obsidian Prey (Harmony, #6) by Jayne Castle

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Amber tuner and independent prospector Lyra Dore lost her heart-and her discovery of a rare amethyst ruin-to cutthroat businessman Cruz Sweetwater. At least she had her artistically talented dust-bunny to comfort her…

But the ruin’s mysterious power has put everyone involved with the project in danger. And only by trusting their psychic instincts will Cruz and Lyra survive- and surrender to the desire that binds them. (from Goodreads)

The types of amber keep expanding in this series.  The more esoteric ones have been kept secret, but that’s the Guild for you.  Now that I know she is bringing the Arcane Society into this series, I can see more and more hints of what is to come.

The next books in the series, sort of, are actually Arcane.  They lead into the next Harmony book.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Mockingjay (Hunger Games, #3) by Suzanne Collins

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Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. (from Goodreads)

For once, I was able to get a book on the day it was released AND read it from cover to cover.  I was terrified someone was going to spoil it for me, so I will be very careful not to spoil it for anyone myself.

I knew going in that this book could not have a happy ending for everyone and it doesn’t.  However, it does have a satisfactory ending.  All the loose ends are tied up and nothing is left hanging for an additional book.

There is one thing that happens that I see the need for in the plot development, but I totally hated.  In another scene, something happens that I was hoping for.  I actually stopped reading long enough to shout “yes!” when I got to that part.  That, however, was the only time I was able to stop reading until I finished the entire book.

This is a series that I would like to read from beginning to ending without interruption.  It will be a long time before I get Katniss, Peeta, and Gale out of my mind.

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Filed under Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Dark Light (Harmony, #5) by Jayne Castle

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Reporter Sierra McIntyre’s stories on Crystal City’s ghost hunters—and their mysterious guild—have earned her tabloid a bit of respect. And they’ve allowed her to clothe her dust bunny companion Elvis in rock-and-roll style. It helps that she has mega-rez intuition to fall back on…

Especially when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild Boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn’t want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her senses—and Elvis—give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes…marriage. And though it’s purely a business arrangement, there is nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them… (from Goodreads)

Okay, this might be the best dust bunny yet.  Elvis even wears a cape and sunglasses AND has his own dressing room.  Not to give anything away, but he may even have groupies.

One of the things I like about JAK’s books is that quite often it is the woman who is holding back in the relationship.  The men know what they want and go after it.  Although the women are just as committed as the men, they don’t jump right into the relationship, although they may jump into bed.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Silver Master (Harmony, #4) by Jayne Castle

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Fleeing a lurid scandal, matchmaker Celinda Ingram arrived in Cadence City desperate for a new start. Known for her strong para-resonator abilities, she is able to match up clients by reading their psi waves. It’s this talent that sets her body tingling when security specialist Davis Oakes shows up at her office.

A formidable psychic himself, Davis is trying to track down a powerful relic that Celinda supposedly bought as a toy for her pet dust bunny. Trying to wrest the ruby red object from the suspicious duo nearly drains Davis of the energy he’ll need to keep his growing desire for Celinda in check – and to keep her safe from those who will do anything to possess the relic… (from Goodreads)

What can I say?  I love this author.  I love science fiction and romance combinations.  AND, I love the dust bunnies.  Their personalities develop more and more with each book.

It amazes me that JAK keeps the storylines straight throughout her series and across series.  I can’t keep what I am doing from day-to-day straight and her work covers years!  Thank goodness for her organizational abilities.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Ghost Hunter (Harmony, #3) by Jayne Castle

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Where deadly energy ghosts lurk in the ruins of an ancient alien civilization.
Where dust bunnies prove to be loyal pets.
And where a ghost hunter will discover that a woman’s heart is the most dangerous adversary of all…

Local Guild boss and powerful ghost-hunter Cooper Boone is everything botanist Elly St. Clair could ask for – the handsome, strong, and silent type. Maybe too silent. For when Guild secrets threaten her career at the college, Elly has to call off their marriage – and leave small-town life behind…

But starting over in the thriving metropolis of Cadence City isn’t easy, especially when one of Elly’s new friends disappears in the eerie catacombs beneath the streets. Cooper turns up just in time to help Elly investigate. And as the mystery deepens and dangerous ghost myths and legends come to light, Cooper makes it clear he intends to stick around – and this time he’s holding nothing back… (from Goodreads)

I am not sure how many times I have read these books, but I am always grateful for an excuse to do so again.  JAK is interweaving two of her series in a future book:  this one and the Arcane Society.  Now that I am re-reading them and know that, I can see the connections she is setting up.  It adds an entire new level to the books.

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Filed under Romance, Science Fiction

After Glow (Harmony, #2) by Jayne Castle

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Life is complicated for Lydia Smith. She’s working at that tacky, third-rate museum, Shrimpton’s House of Ancient Horrors, trying to salvage her career in para-archaeology – and dating the most dangerous man in town. Just when she thinks she might be getting things under control, she stumbles over a dead body and discovers that her lover has a secret past that could get him killed. Just to top it off, there’s trouble brewing underground in the eerie, glowing green passageways of the Dead City.

Of course, all of these problems pale in comparison to the most pressing issue: Lydia has been invited to the Restoration Ball and she hasn’t got a thing to wear. (from Goodreads)

This book is a true sequel to After Dark.  It not only continues the Ghost Hunter series, but completes Lydia’s and Emmett’s story.  Their relationship develops very satisfactorily as all romances should and we finally found out what happened during Lydia’s “Lost Weekend.”

Fuzz continues to have an important part in the story and we learn a little more about the dust bunnies.  We also find out when they develop their desire for accessories.

I have read and re-read books in the past that are never quite as good as I remember them being.  This series, however, just keeps getting better and better.

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Filed under Romance, Science Fiction

After Dark (Harmony, #1) by Jayne Castle

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Life is tough these days for Lydia Smith, licensed para-archaeologist. Seriously stressed-out from a nasty incident in an alien tomb, she is obliged to work in Shrimpton’s House of Ancient Horrors, a very low-budget museum. She has a plan to get her career back on track, but it isn’t going well. Stuff keeps happening.

Take the dead body that she discovered in the sarcophagus exhibit. Who needed that? Finding out that her new client, Emmett London, is one of the most dangerous men in the city isn’t helping matters either. And that’s just today’s list of setbacks. Here in the shadows of the Dead City of Old Cadence, things don’t really heat up until After Dark.

This is the book that really gets the series going to me because it introduces the dust bunnies.  Fuzz, not a really original name, but definitely descriptive, is Lydia’s dust bunny.  Prior to the book’s beginning, he saves her live in the tunnels.  Although, dust bunnies look like a pile of lint, they are actually predators.  As it states in the book, “if you see their teeth, it’s already too late.”

This book is classic Jayne Ann Krentz which is Jayne Castle’s real name.  She is actively writing under three names right now, including Amanda Quick, and has retired several others.  I own all of her books, but a couple of the very early ones.  Anyway, there is a strong alpha male with a “feisty” female.  The clashes between them can be some of the funniest parts of the books.

I love science fiction and I love romance and I love humor.  JAK knows how to interweave these to write some of the most enjoyable books on the market.


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Filed under Romance, Science Fiction