cover image Fired Up: Book One of the Dreamlight Trilogy

Fired Up: Book One of the Dreamlight Trilogy

Jayne Ann Krentz, . . Putnam, $25.95 (353pp) ISBN 978-0-399-15596-3

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.)