RUNNING HOT

By Jayne Ann Krentz
G.P. Putnam’s Sons (2008), 337 pages, $24.95 (hardcover)

Jayne Ann Krentz is such a talented writer, she can make readers believe and enjoy virtually anything.

Even a series about heroes and heroines with special paranormal talents.

Her “Arcane Society” series continues with “Running Hot,” a story about Grace and Luther finding love while using their unusual aura-reading talents to capture some dastardly bad guys.

Some readers may be tiring of the whole aura-reading, crystal-using, siren killing type of stuff but Krentz just seems to be having some fun with it. There’s not a lot of jargon to muddle the story and the fact that the good guys are trying to thwart paranormal bad guys doesn’t diminish the intrigue or the romance that “runs hot” between Luther and Grace from the time they meet.

Grace is forced to start a new life. Won’t ruin the small surprise there. She gets a job as a reference librarian with the Arcane Society, and her unique ability to spot bad guys from their auras becomes known to paranormal investigative boss Fallon Jones.

Jones sends her on a mission, and tags Luther – an aura manipulator – as her bodyguard.

Of course they meet, they become attracted to each other, fall in love and live happily ever after.

Eventually.

As with most of Krentz’s books, it's quite simply a well-written, fun read that will entertain you from start to finish.


Overall rating: 4 of 5 hearts. The whole paranormal, aura-reading bit is a somewhat off-putting at times. But if you regard it as a touch of spice in an otherwise normal suspense, it doesn’t distract.

Hunk appeal: 10. Luther is open, honest and doesn’t play games. He understands Grace and takes very good care of her.

Steamy scene grade: XXXX. Very good care.

Happily-Ever-After: Good. Even though you know who the bad guys are, it winds up pretty well. The ending does have a fun little twist for long-time Krentz fans, and Luther and Grace embark on that happily-ever-after.



Also this week…..



Chances

by Nora Roberts(2008 paperback) 4 of 5.

Even though the two stories in this book are 22 and 24 years old, their timeless romantic qualities make them worth reading in any decade. First is the Roberts’ classic “Opposites Attract,” when tennis stars Ty and Asher discover their ill-fated love might not be so destined for doom after all. The couple was in love, got shoved apart, then managed to fix it years later. Eventually. In “A Will and a Way,” Pandora and Michael are forced to live together to fulfill a beloved uncle’s last wishes. They realize they’re in love but have a few other problems to contend with as they make that fall.