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.