Fired Up: Book One of the Dreamlight Trilogy (Arcane Society Series #7)

by Jayne Ann Krentz

Overview

The New York Times bestselling author presents the story of a curse that spans generations, and the love that can heal it. . . .

More than three centuries ago, Nicholas Winters irrevocably altered his genetic makeup in an obsessionfueled 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780515148787
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/04/2011
Series:	Arcane Society Series , #7
Pages:	432
Sales rank:	55,803
Product dimensions:	4.20(w) x 6.60(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name, as well as futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. She lives in Seattle.

Hometown:

Seattle, WA

Place of Birth:

San Diego, CA

Education:

BA in History, University of California at Santa Cruz, MA in Librarianship from San Jose State University (California)

Website:

http://www.krentz-quick.com

Editorial Reviews

In Krentz's paranormal Arcane Society series, she bounces from contemporary romantic thriller (Running Hot) to steampunk historicals (Perfect Poison, as Amanda Quick). This trilogy kickoff concerns the present-day descendents of Nicholas Winters and Sylvester Jones, magic-obsessed 17th century rivals locked in a generation-spanning struggle. In Seattle, paranormal PI Chloe Harper is hired by financier Jack Winters to find the “Burning Lamp” his ancestor Nicholas created. Unrealistic whiz-bang action follows, including otherworldly powers that Winters must learn to control and a romance that may unleash an ancient curse, occasionally interrupted by psychic mobsters who also pursue the lamp. Arcane Society fans will be thrilled with the brand-new intrigue, but newcomers will need to read earlier books to understand Krentz's world. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Suffering recurring blackouts, Jack Winters fears he is falling victim to the centuries-old Winters curse and will turn into an unstable monster if he doesn't locate the legendary Burning Lamp. Jack seeks help from smart, skeptical PI Chloe Harper, whose rare dreamlight talent is necessary to work the lamp's magic. But others, some with far more sinister agendas, are also in search of the lamp, and as the puzzle pieces slowly fall into place, the danger to Jack and Chloe ratchets up. Part of the ongoing "Arcane Society" titles, this is the first in "The Dreamlight Trilogy," which will include not only a book under Krentz's historical pseudonym, Amanda Quick, but will add a new dimension with a volume by Krentz's futuristic alter ego, Jayne Castle, as well. VERDICT Sparkling with sharp wit, clever, complex plotting, intelligent humor, and electric sensuality, this lively story drops just enough hints to tease readers; classic Krentz (Running Hot).

Library Journal

A lost lamp is the MacGuffin in this dim, talky paranormal suspenser from Krentz (White Lies, 2007, etc.). The thing about the so-called Burning Lamp is that it isn't actually a lamp. Totally wickless, it was created by an infamous alchemist in the late 17th century. It stands about 18 inches high, is made of something that looks like gold but isn't, and the only light it generates is of a very special kind. The Burning Lamp gives off "dreamlight," which of course not everyone can perceive, but which explains why desperate Jack Winters has come knocking at the door of Harper Investigations. Not only can Chloe Harper read dreamlight, but, according to the best information available through the Arcane Society (don't ask), she's at least a level seven, possibly an eight, meaning she's world class. At this point Jack can't afford to settle for less. He believes he's been cursed into impending madness, and that the source of his trouble is the Burning Lamp, missing for a good many years. Without immediate help he will soon be converted, Hyde-like, into some semblance of a slavering beast. Chloe must find the lost, strayed or stolen lamp and, top-notch dreamlight reader that she is, must also figure out how to "work" it, i.e., free Winters from its terrifying burden. A lot to ask, but challenge is the breath of life to Chloe-and besides, Jack is definitely hot. The game's afoot, complicated by a throng of competing paranormals intent on bagging the Burning Lamp to satisfy a variety of objectives, few of them benign. The fun here is the sexual tension between the protagonists; the rest is psychic-babble.

Kirkus Reviews