Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz Series: Fogg Lake #2
Published by Berkley on January 5, 2021
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Suspense
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
North Chastain possesses a paranormal talent that gives him the ability to track down the most dangerous psychic criminals. When his father suddenly falls into a coma, North is convinced it was caused by a deadly artifact traced back to the days of a secret government laboratory known only as the Bluestone Project. North knows his only hope of saving his father is to find the artifact. He is good when it comes to tracking down killers but to locate the relic, he's going to need help from a psychic who knows the shadowy world of obsessive collectors, deceptive dealers, and ruthless raiders…
With her reputation in ruins after a false accusation, antique expert Sierra Raines is looking for a fresh start. She turns to the murky backwaters of the paranormal artifacts trade, finding and transporting valuable objects with a psychic provenance. When North Chastain approaches her for help, Sierra takes him on as a client, though not without reservations. North represents the mysterious Foundation, the secretive organization established to police the underworld populated by psychic criminals and those, like Sierra, who make a living in the shadows of that world.
North and Sierra soon find themselves at the scene of The Incident that occurred decades ago in Fogg Lake. The town and its residents were forever changed by the disaster in the nearby Bluestone Project labs. The pair unearth shocking truths about what happened that fateful night, but they are playing with fire—someone in town knows what they’ve discovered and will do anything to make sure the secrets stay buried.
I enjoyed the first book in the Fogg Lake series and was happy to learn more about this world. I think each book could be read as a standalone but I don’t do that very often. I like the background of the world and other characters. We didn’t see much of the first couple in this story.
All the Colors of Night brings a new couple, with each person trying to find their way in the world as they deal with their magical talents. The world has not been kind to them plus it has held their family histories against them. North has been working for the Foundation as a cleaner before he started to have some issues with his magic. Sienna is capable as a “go-between” in the magical artifacts business but it is very dangerous and not always consistent work.
North arrives in town after his father was attacked to find out what is happening. He hires Sienna to help him authenticate the artifacts his father had found. I love how they support each other and work together to solve this case. They have to be careful because someone is always trying to kill them. Not only do they protect each other, North and Sienna help each other with magic problems they are having. I did guess one bad guy early on, but the actual plot was more twisty.
The Foundation is always part of the backdrop as is Fogg Lake where so many things started. People are wary of the Foundation as the old leadership was so corrupt. I look forward to learning more about them as I think they will build their reputation as the good guys.
The other big long-term plot arc is the Vortex which is a super secret lab which everyone is trying to find. They want the secrets and possibly weapons or artifacts which are there. In this story, one part of the case was to try to locate the lab of North’s grandfather. The bad guys believed it contained weapons. The lab, like his grandfather’s home, would be protected by familial blood and talents, so only North could access it.
I recommend this series because while there is a romance, it is not the primary focus. There is also some great world-building and series plot arcs to provide more layers. There is also the development of two new characters, the couple, in each book.
About Jayne Ann Krentz
The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Winter
True confession…I’ve yet to read a book by this author! Excellent review, Anne? This sounds intriguing.
I’m hit or miss with her but I’ve only read one book besides this series. I like this series so far.
This sounds so good, but I would never guess what its about based on the cover!
Well it’s foggy? It’s a fun escape.
What a lovely review you have here! I have been hearing such great things about this one here. I have read this author before and enjoyed her work. I do love seeing layers to a overall plot
Yes even in contemporary romance I like an overall plot and well developed characters. This one is a series with overall series arc to add to the interest. I want both my heart and mind engaged when I read.
This was a hit with me and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the hunt for Vortex.
Yes I can’t decide if Gwen is a good guy or a bad guy.
Every time I see one of her books, I think to myself how I really need to give her books a try. And then I remember I have read her under her other name, Amanda Quick. Still, I love the sound of all her books and am so glad you enjoyed this one.
Thank you Wendy. I think because it is paranormal it is easier to suspend disbelief about some things. But also the main characters weren’t stupid which is something else I prefer.
It’s been so long since I haven’t read a book by this authors. I should try again!
I’ve only read a couple other books by her but I like this series.
Love your review! I haven’t started this series yet. But I really enjoyed Janyne Ann Krentz books in the past, so I have to add this to my TBR. 😉
Thanks Maureen. This is the 2nd in the series and I like this series.
I love the concept of this and have been wanting to try this series since the first book arrived. This one sounds great too.
I’m really enjoying this series. I’ve only read one book outside this series and it was ok, but I really like this series.
I’m picking this up on the weekend because of course I’m behind, lol! It’s already been a long week at work and it’s only Wednesday! Glad to hear you enjoyed this installment! 🙂
I’m enjoying the mystery / suspense aspect having equal priority to the paranormal romance or maybe even more priority.
This sounds really good! I have only read a handful of books by Jayne Ann Krentz and really need to try to pick up more since I do like her writing.
I read one book by JAK which was just ok, but I’m really enjoying this series. So I’m glad I didn’t stop reading her based on the one book.
I so want to read this but I’m likely months away based on how many people are before me on the library wait list. I enjoy most of Krentz’s books although there’s a certain sameness to them after a while.
I’m enjoying this series. I sometimes feel that way about a whole genre, that they all seem the same. It likely means I need a different genre for a bit.