laurenjodi's review
4.0
Running Hot
3.5 Stars
Synopsis
Working as a librarian for the Arcane Society, Grace Renquist has secrets she is desperate to keep. Assigned to partner former police officer, Luther Malone, who shares her ability to read auras, Grace fears that her past will return to haunt her. Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with operatives from the renegade group known only as Nightshade, Grace and Luther must think on their feet and combine their resources if they are to survive dangerously potent powers enhanced by the founder's formula.
Review
A fun read but not as suspenseful as some of the others in the series.
Luther and Grace are a typical Krentz couple. She is intelligent, feisty and damaged in some way while he is tough, sexy and absolutely irresistible. They have intense chemistry and their paranormal abilities complement each other - Grace profiles auras while Luther manipulates them. Nevertheless, their romantic relationship materializes too rapidly with very little development.
The writing and dialogue are smooth as usual, however, the suspense plot is ultimately predictable and the threat posed by the villains is scarcely threatening. Moreover, the pacing is a little off with numerous superfluous explanations that fill in gaps rather than developing the story and characterization. The Nightshade plot is overly complex and even though some questions from previous books are answered, there is insufficient information on the origins and progression of the organization.
The secondary characters are entertaining such as the band of misfits Luther hangs out with in Hawaii and Fallon Jones who seems to have bitten off more than he can chew. His character is very intriguing and I look forward to his book.
All in all, quite entertaining for those times when you want an uncomplicated read.
3.5 Stars
Synopsis
Working as a librarian for the Arcane Society, Grace Renquist has secrets she is desperate to keep. Assigned to partner former police officer, Luther Malone, who shares her ability to read auras, Grace fears that her past will return to haunt her. Caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with operatives from the renegade group known only as Nightshade, Grace and Luther must think on their feet and combine their resources if they are to survive dangerously potent powers enhanced by the founder's formula.
Review
A fun read but not as suspenseful as some of the others in the series.
Luther and Grace are a typical Krentz couple. She is intelligent, feisty and damaged in some way while he is tough, sexy and absolutely irresistible. They have intense chemistry and their paranormal abilities complement each other - Grace profiles auras while Luther manipulates them. Nevertheless, their romantic relationship materializes too rapidly with very little development.
The writing and dialogue are smooth as usual, however, the suspense plot is ultimately predictable and the threat posed by the villains is scarcely threatening. Moreover, the pacing is a little off with numerous superfluous explanations that fill in gaps rather than developing the story and characterization. The Nightshade plot is overly complex and even though some questions from previous books are answered, there is insufficient information on the origins and progression of the organization.
The secondary characters are entertaining such as the band of misfits Luther hangs out with in Hawaii and Fallon Jones who seems to have bitten off more than he can chew. His character is very intriguing and I look forward to his book.
All in all, quite entertaining for those times when you want an uncomplicated read.
hoosgracie's review
4.0
Luther is a former cop with a bad leg. Grace has been hiding since her previous boss died a year ago. They are both psychic and when teamed up together to profile one man, they uncover an even bigger plot. Add in a sinister opera singer and you have a great suspense story. Very enjoyable.
spiringvenus's review
4.0
Best modern day book of the series so far! fast paced and like able characters with interesting talents
rclz's review
4.0
Running Hot is Jayne Ann Krentz's fifth book in the Arcane Society series. It was ok. I listened to this one and I'm not sure if it was the narrator's voice or what but I just couldn't connect with the hero or heroine of the story. It wasn't a bad plot but the characters didn't really work for me. I'll read the rest though as the first few books in the series have been fine.
ccgwalt's review
4.0
3.5-4*
Good action, and a nice mystery with a little more complexity than usual. Krentz has a knack for taking a "routine" romance hero or heroine and giving them a twist. She does that again here with Luther and Grace. I do sometimes wish the romance was more slowly developed, and perhaps more developed overall. But that notwithstanding, I'm enjoying the Arcane Society books immensely.
Good action, and a nice mystery with a little more complexity than usual. Krentz has a knack for taking a "routine" romance hero or heroine and giving them a twist. She does that again here with Luther and Grace. I do sometimes wish the romance was more slowly developed, and perhaps more developed overall. But that notwithstanding, I'm enjoying the Arcane Society books immensely.
wildflowerz76's review
2.0
I'm in the minority, but I just didn't care for this one. I'm not really sure why, but I never warmed to either main character. I don't know if I just missed it, but I never had a good picture in my head about what they looked like, so it was hard to picture anything in this book. I found myself skimming quite a bit in the second half because I was just ready for it to be over with. Oh well, maybe I'll like the next one better.
fresholivebread's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Two aura talents team up to investigate shady happenings in their paranorma world. They're both a bit unconventional but really likeable - he's bossy and sexy, walks with a cane, hates guns and she's a librarian with secrets and nerves of steel. Their connection is a bit instant, but made believeable with their aura talents.
They have strong chemistry and a good dose of passion, and they are very open about communicating and trusting each other, an element I've always loved about JAK's couples. There's also a really unique villain that keeps things interesting, plus secret societies and identities to keep the suspense strong. Had a really good time with this one!
They have strong chemistry and a good dose of passion, and they are very open about communicating and trusting each other, an element I've always loved about JAK's couples. There's also a really unique villain that keeps things interesting, plus secret societies and identities to keep the suspense strong. Had a really good time with this one!
omgsrsly's review
3.0
3.5 These books are addicting, even reading them out of order.
This one was better than the others I've read, though. The plot was more coherent, and the 'mystery' was all connected, so things flowed better.
This one was better than the others I've read, though. The plot was more coherent, and the 'mystery' was all connected, so things flowed better.
lizabethstucker's review
4.0
This is the fifth entry in the Arcane Society series. The ones which are published under the Jayne Ann Krentz name are set in modern times, the books written under JAK's Amanda Quick pseudonym are historical, and there is now a cross-over with the Harmony series by Jayne Castle. I love 'em all!
Currently living and working under the name of Grace Renquist, she should be safe from any ties to the mysterious murder of Martin Crocker. Then Grace is sent to Hawaii to find a murder suspect, aided by ex-cop Luther Malone. She and Luther are aura readers with exotic talents. When the low level assignment turns into an unexpected convention of Nightshade members, Grace must learn to trust Luther with all her secrets to stay alive.
Romance, mystery, and paranormal talents combined with a wicked sense of humor. It hardly gets better than this. Running Hot is a great fast read, perfect for the beach (if we ever see warm weather again) or that pampering spa day. Although each book stands on its own, it is always more enjoyable to read the series in order to get a feel of the history of the Arcane Society. And, as always, the supporting characters are as interesting as the hero and heroine.
Currently living and working under the name of Grace Renquist, she should be safe from any ties to the mysterious murder of Martin Crocker. Then Grace is sent to Hawaii to find a murder suspect, aided by ex-cop Luther Malone. She and Luther are aura readers with exotic talents. When the low level assignment turns into an unexpected convention of Nightshade members, Grace must learn to trust Luther with all her secrets to stay alive.
Romance, mystery, and paranormal talents combined with a wicked sense of humor. It hardly gets better than this. Running Hot is a great fast read, perfect for the beach (if we ever see warm weather again) or that pampering spa day. Although each book stands on its own, it is always more enjoyable to read the series in order to get a feel of the history of the Arcane Society. And, as always, the supporting characters are as interesting as the hero and heroine.