Running Hot

October 27, 2008
A heroine who can see dark energy flashes in a villain’s aura and a hero who can squelch villainous thoughts before they’re put into action go to paradise to find a murderer, but find love, sex and a nest of drug-enhanced evildoers instead in Krentz’s latest Arcane Society novel. Librarian Grace Renquist and ex-cop-turned-bartender Luther Malone, both members of the centuries-old Arcane Society, join forces when the psychic investigative agency Jones & Jones hires Grace, with Luther as her bodyguard, to find a killer in Hawaii. Luther quickly realizes Grace is not your normal paranormal, but their hot romance is put (briefly) on hold as they learn that Nightshade, drug-fueled supernatural baddies, are after the same murderer—as is the lethal psychic hunter La Sirène, an opera diva with a killer voice. The plot is fast, steamy and wildly entertaining even if it defies credulity. Krentz’s fans will enjoy this outing and appreciate the teaser that readers have not seen the last of this power couple.

Starred review from December 15, 2008
Grabbing readers from the get-go with a sizzling murder that's the perfect setup for what's to come, this latest in Krentz's unique centuries-spanning paranormal "Arcane Society" series (she writes the 19th-century stories as Amanda Quick) pairs a bitter, wounded ex-cop-turned-bartender with an emotionally guarded genealogy librarian. The pair set off to Maui on a routine reconnaissance mission for the shadowy Jones & Jones agency that quickly turns into something else, then the sexy sparks and paranormal high jinks fly. Flawlessly matched protagonists (even their auras are in sync) are here joined by a cadre of psychically gifted characters ranging from a delightfully quirky retired landlady with a secret past to a lethally unbalanced coloratura with a killer voice. This arresting tale combines witty humor with clever plotting to weave an exceptionally memorable romance that is funnier and a shade less dark than the author's earlier "Sizzle and Burn". A winner that, while part of a series, stands beautifully on its own. Krentz lives in Seattle. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 9/1/08.]

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2008
Luther Malone should have known that even an easy assignment from Fallon Jones would havea few unexpected twists. Not only did Jones expect him to work with a complete novice with no field experience, but also Malones new partner, Grace Renquist, isa librarian! Its true, she worksin the Bureau of Genealogy at the Arcane Society, but Grace knows her talents at aura-reading are every bit as good as Malones paranormal gift, and she is determined to prove her professional worth whileon assignmentwith this ex-cop with a limp, a fear of guns, andattitude. Of course, the one thing Jones fails to tell either Malone or Grace is that while they conduct a secret investigationin Mauito searchfor a possible murderer, they are going to have to pretend to be married. Combining a superbly matched pair of protagonists, wonderfully original secondary characters (including a deliciously self-absorbed diva villainess with a killer voice), and a cleverly constructed plot, best-selling Krentz works her usual literary alchemy and creates another irresistible, paranormal-flavored novel of sexy romantic suspense to add to her much-loved Arcane Society series (Sizzle and Burn, 2008).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)