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Copper Beach (Dark Legacy #1)

by Jayne Ann Krentz (Goodreads Author)

3.77 of 5 stars 3.77 · rating details · 2,554 ratings · 333 reviews

A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the privat...more

Hardcover, 324 pages

Published January 10th 2012 by Putnam Adult (first published January 1st 2012)

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Mar 16, 2013 Kathleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, series-opener, pnr-uf

3.5 stars, rounded up for the sake of nostalgia -- gone are the days when I gobbled Krentz like candy. I've read so many, they all sound similar now. But nice for a predictable comfort read, and always well written.

This paranormal romance series includes Jayne's trademark crystals, auras, and psychic energies, similar to her Arcane and Vanza lore, but it's (thankfully!!!) not linked to her historical Arcane Society novels, penned under alias Amanda Quick. It's an enjoyable suspense romance, fill...more 3.5 stars, rounded up for the sake of nostalgia -- gone are the days when I gobbled Krentz like candy. I've read so many, they all sound similar now. But nice for a predictable comfort read, and always well written.

This paranormal romance series includes Jayne's trademark crystals, auras, and psychic energies, similar to her Arcane and Vanza lore, but it's (thankfully!!!) not linked to her historical Arcane Society novels, penned under alias Amanda Quick. It's an enjoyable suspense romance, filled with warmth and wit, typical of JAK. I liked this more than some of her recent books.

Characters: Wealthy and powerful Sam Coppersmith lives on an island off Seattle, called Copper Beach. He falls for Abby, an expert in antique books, able to decrypt psychically hot books. Krentz did a decent job developing the relationship, even though they do jump into bed the first night, totally ruining the anticipation, sadly. Sam knows instantly that Abby is "the one" but Abby takes a bit longer. Like a day or two ( the whole story takes less than a week). Abby has a dog named Newton. I enjoyed the scenes with her dog -- a nice change from dust bunnies.

Plot: Sam has a powerful ring made of a Phoenix stone that his dad (Elias) unearthed from a mine 40 years ago. All the Phoenix stones are charged with psychic energy. Lander Knox wants the Phoenix stones, and the notebooks, and the location of the mine the stones came from. He needs Abby to decrypt the lab notebook to learn how to activate and control the stones. He will kill to get his hands on Abby or the stones. Sam Coppersmith will kill to protect Abby and keep the dangerous stones out of enemy hands. That's the plot, in a nutshell.

I expect these powerful Phoenix stones will figure in each book in the developing series, along with Sam's two siblings, Judson and Emma. Their stones are apparently the "dark legacy" from their father -- hence the series title. But the dark legacy is also the paranormal ability that Sam, Judson, and Emma got when the powerful energy in the mine "zapped" the DNA in the three not-yet-born children's father, Elias.

The story is told in 3rd person, mainly Abby or Sam. From Sam's POV:

"She needed time to recognize and accept the bond between them, he thought. But meanwhile, he did not have to like the fact that he was playing second fiddle to a cat burglar and a psychic who reads auras for a living, to say nothing of a dog."

I liked the side-story about Abby's blended family, including her stepbrother Dawson and her unkind step-grandmother, versus her "chosen" family, Nick and Gwen. Abby, Nick, and Gwen were best friends since their teens, when all three were incarcerated at the Summerlight Academy. Gwen is an aura reader and Nick is a sexy, sneaky cat burglar / book finder. He's the token charming gay character ubiquitous to JAK novels.

A fun read, slightly better than average and well written, but not a keeper or repeater. Plus, the author lost points because of the lengthy info dumping scene, towards the end.
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Jan 24, 2012 Shawna rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: archaeology-antiquities-scholar, cop-bodyguard-govop-merc-military, psychic-special-abilities-powers, jayne-annkrentz-castle-amandaquick, romantic-suspense, paranormal-romance, pnr-occult-magic, rt-book-reviews-top-pick, steam-2-warm, steam-1-tepid, tattoos-piercings-body-art, heroine-redhead, 2012-reads, hero-recluse-loner-lonewolf, 2stars-or-less, animals-matter, hero-tattalizing, hero-daddy-warbucks-wealthy, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, hh-on-the-run-in-hiding, i-read-library, small-town-lovin, blah-meh, contemporary-romance

Sadly 1 star – Contemporary/Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense

This is marketed as the first book of the Dark Legacy series, but I felt like I was missing something regarding world, background, and characters. I haven’t read anything by this author previously, so maybe this is meant to be more of an extension/spin-off? Perhaps I might have enjoyed this more had I read the author’s Arcane Society books or other works beforehand. However, as a standalone read, this fell completely flat for me.

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May 07, 2013 Melissa Wehunt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, paranormal-romance, romance, romantic, sex, sexual-tension, sexuality, supernatural, books, read-in-2013, listended-to-audiobook

With absolutely no idea what to expect, I am pleased to report that I enjoyed this book. I think it was a good start to a new (for me, anyways) paranormal series and I'm thinking that I might actually continue reading these books. It's not as exciting or gritty or sexy as many of my fav series' but it was solidly written, interesting, and had a new spin on the paranormal genre that didn't feel overdone.

I think my only real complaint was with a few of the sex scenes. I'm not sure if it was the a...more

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Jan 22, 2012 BamaGal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: pnr-uf, romantic-suspense

3.5 Stars - This, unfortunately, was not one of Krentz's better books. It was long-winded and drawn out; and in places, it had the feeling that she was phoning it in from previous works. It was, however; quite readable. If you like her work, you will get some real enjoyment out of the book. It has all the aura and psychic woo-woo that her books are known for. I sure do miss the old Krentz who wrote straight RS without all the psychic woo-woo. It was a straight-forward investigation and search fo...more

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Apr 18, 2012 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 3 of 5 stars

Meh.

I didn't really feel any chemistry between Sam and Abby, but was told over and over and over that they had some mystical connection.

I buy every book Ms. Krentz publishes, but I think it's simply a matter of she's written so much (and I've read them all), that I have trouble differentiating her characters and her plots from her earlier ones. Sam and Abby could have been switched out with any hero and heroine from pretty much any of her books, and I probably wouldn't have noticed.

Add to tha...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Ellen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-series, paranormal-series

This is less Arcane Society and more Eclipse Bay. Krentz's story is lovely and leaves you looking forward to the next, hopefully about Judson or Emma who we didn't actually meet in this book.

I recommend it for those who like Krentz's previous books.

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Feb 22, 2013 Lizabeth S. Tucker rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance

This is the 14th entry into the Arcane Society series, but is the first in a sub-series called Dark Legacy. Abby Radwell has a unique talent, the ability to unlock psi-locked books. She's suddenly become wanted by a variety of people who are searching for a 40 year old book long believed destroyed that deals with a new type of crystal that is currently considered by the two surviving men who discovered it to be too dangerous. Sam Coppersmith is the son of one of those men and is hired by Abby to...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Morgan Wyatt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-suspense

Copper Beach is one of Jayne Ann Krentz’s newest contemporary novels. Her heroine, Abby Radwell, has paranormal abilities that not only make her special, but kidnapped worthy as a special book comes on the market detailing how crystals could not only be used as tools, but as weapons. Everyone with some money and a god-complex are more than ready to get their hands on the book. Some are even willing to kill for it. There is only one problem with the book. It is useless unless opened by a uniquely...more Copper Beach is one of Jayne Ann Krentz’s newest contemporary novels. Her heroine, Abby Radwell, has paranormal abilities that not only make her special, but kidnapped worthy as a special book comes on the market detailing how crystals could not only be used as tools, but as weapons. Everyone with some money and a god-complex are more than ready to get their hands on the book. Some are even willing to kill for it. There is only one problem with the book. It is useless unless opened by a uniquely skilled individual who can penetrate the psychic lock. Abby Radwell is that individual.

Life is not that exciting for Abby. No boyfriend, no chance of one in the future either. Guys tend to veer away from chicks who are different. Business is okay, except when she had to stun the crazy felon in the library. As for her family what is left of it, her father the brilliant therapist, and his do over kids and his heiress wife make the perfect cover for the back of his book about having harmonious families. Too bad, it is all a fraud, and good thing she keeps her distance too. They have no use for someone who isn’t quite normal. Then she hears about the book from her mentor who sends her to Sam Coppersmith for protection.

Sam Coppersmith is part of the powerful Coppersmith family. Instead of being a mover and shaker, lately all he’s done is hang out at his private island. Some folks think he’s mourning the death of his fiancée. He’s not. He’s wondering how he could be so stupid to be played by a female who only wanted access to the vault. Of course, it ended bad for her because her accomplice killed her and tried to set Sam up to take the blame. No one believed it because a Coppersmith knows where to hide the bodies. The best he can figure is that he was lonely, and hoped she was the one. When Abby Radwell lands on his isle to seek his services, he realizes she is the one.

Abby and Sam find themselves in a quandary with bodies dropping, and thugs trying to kidnap her. It all seems to be over a small lab book that has just come on the market. It is a guessing game whom to trust because even her friends are in the race to grab the book. The one thing Abby can be sure of is her growing attraction to the mysterious Sam Copperfield who seems to have no issues with her being different.

The book roars to life from page one Krentz showing why she is a master at romantic fiction. Sam and Abby are two lost souls who manage to save one another, while having a very good time in the process. All secondary characters are fleshed out and interesting, no cardboard stereotypes. You have the lushness of the Pacific Northwest with its mists and waters.

Copper Beach is a fine tale for any lover of romance. I would highly recommend it.
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Jan 26, 2013 My Urban Fantasies rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dark-legacy

Originally published on my blog, My Urban Fantasies

This was my first Jayne Ann Krentz novel. She is a very talented writer. Copper Beach was full of suspense, mystery, witty banter, a splash of paranormal and a little sarcasm. Nothing makes me happier than an author who appreciates the subtle art of sarcasm. Krentz has built an intriguing world; one exactly like our own except psychics are real, with a varying degree of talents. There are psychics that can read auras, some work with paranormal...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Ladysatel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Abagail "Abby" Randall has an unusual talent. She can tell when books have been psychically locked. She can also unlock them. Most of these books are rare old volumns about the paranormal.

Sam Coppersmith a strong psychic who contols his energy through crystals is the son of Elias Coppersmith of Coppersmith Inc. Years ago Elias and a copple of friends found a mine with strange crystals. Somehow their psychic energy set off the crystals and the mine exploded. Only a few creystals were salvaged. Fo...more Abagail "Abby" Randall has an unusual talent. She can tell when books have been psychically locked. She can also unlock them. Most of these books are rare old volumns about the paranormal.

Sam Coppersmith a strong psychic who contols his energy through crystals is the son of Elias Coppersmith of Coppersmith Inc. Years ago Elias and a copple of friends found a mine with strange crystals. Somehow their psychic energy set off the crystals and the mine exploded. Only a few creystals were salvaged. For years Sam has been studying the crystals for years, with a rew limited results.

Abby has received a request for an old lab notebook supposed to be psy encrypted. It was the lab book for one of the finders of the crystal mine. It has now been put on the underground market. Abby's talent for finding, verifying, as well as unlocking the encryption on this type of book makes her a very valuable asset.

She receives this news from her old mentor Thaddeus. He also tells her to go to Sam Coppersmith as he can be trusted. When Abby sees Sam and tells him what is going on Sam knows he wants that book for the Coppersmith company. Because of Abby's pride he lets her hire him to be her bodyguard as she tries to find out where the auction for the book is to be held. Sam knows that powerful and dangerous people will be looking for the book and the best way foir him to find it is by going alons as Abby's bodyguard. He tells Abby to put in a bid for the book and that he will match any offer.

It is a good thing that Sam is around as Abby finds out she is being stalked by a psychotic individual who will do anything to get the book. He needs Abby to find the book and then unlick it's secrets. What he does not plan on is that Sam is a very capable bodyguard and is able to keep Abby from harm's way.

Unfortunately others involved in the search for and the auction for the book do not fare as well. MThe unknown seeker of the book is willing to commit murder. Abby also has problems with her father and his second wofe and her children. They consider extremely odd and dangerous. She is not welcome in their home.

Fortunately as they get to know each other Sam and Abby make a good team and Abby's dog Newton is also an asset.

I very much enjoyed all the twists and turns in this paranormal mystery. A great read from the author Jayne Ann Krentz.(less)

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Dec 06, 2012 Olga Godim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This novel is one of the best among the author’s later works, although it still doesn't measure up to her novels of the previous decade. The action is very fast, the danger piles up, and the plot is steeped in complications. A rare book containing magical secrets surfaced in the underground market, and several parties want it. Some want it so much they are ready to kill for it. The heroes race after the book too, to keep it from the wrong hands. Of course, they fall in love along the way – a man...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Phyllis Sommers rated it 3 of 5 stars

A fun fluff of a "beach read," as is often the case for Jayne Krentz aka Amanda Quick novels. In this one, Abby Radwell is a young woman whose paranormal psychic abilities allow her to work at a very specialized job. She is one of very few, hired--through recommendation--only to find and decode rare "hot" books-- books that are infused with rare psychic information and often very valuable. In this case, the book in question deals with rare crystals, which are also infused with rare properties. C...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a good first entry in Krentz's new paranormal series. Nothing groundbreaking, but a fun read if you want light, fluffy and fast-and-easy to read.

Abby Radwell has a unique paranormal talent - she can unlock paranormal books which have been protected from prying eyes to keep their secrets.

When word goes out that a long-sought-after and very dangerous paranormal book has become available a number of shadowy and unsavoury individuals want it. Not only do they want Abby to find the book for...more

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May 18, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz
The mystery of the lost treasure map is within reach. Lander lets his dying father know that he didn't die and that he couldn't get away with the deceit.
The crystals are dangerous and shouldn't be opened. He has a lead on one who can read the crystals so he can claim what is owed him.
Abby Radwell goes to Sam for protection.
Sam Coppersmith knows crystals and powers that go with them and lives on his own island in the northwest. Abby has traveled there for help in s...more

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May 12, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, romance, suspense-thriller

Another psychic suspense novel from Jayne Ann Krentz -- if you've read her, you know the drill. I keep reading them, partly out of loyalty, and partly because of the coziness of the familiar, but I really wish something in these books would surprise me one of these days. The psychic romances, in particular, have no impact on me whatsoever. The way their psychic powers help them recognize their true love kind of takes the suspense out of things. Not that you don't know that HEA romances will end...more

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Mar 30, 2012 AdultFiction Teton County Library rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit

TCL Call#: FICTION Krentz J

Madeleine - 1 star
Ugh! This was just so bad. And I like me some romantic fiction and some Amanda Quick (one of the alternate pen name of this author). Maybe this pen name is for her fiction writing - less romance - but I'm thinking she's not so good at that. All the dialogue was stale and expected and normally she has her characters in fun quirky conversations. Not to mention the redundancy of all the "para" talk. And auras, and psi, and dreamscapes. Felt like I fell i...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Lidia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Do not be fooled by the cover, not the usual love story, even if the character is as beautiful as the tattooed man we see, because Copper Beach is a beautiful novel, rich and complex. Abby Radwell is the star with Sam Coppersmith. She has psychic powers that make her an expert in particular books, particularly those encrypted with magic, more specifically a form of energy, he is a scholar of the power of crystals and their content. Abby's work is to find rare books for patrons strange, obsessive...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Victoria Hess rated it 5 of 5 stars

It you enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz and her Dark Hunter series, you will enjoy this book.

If you are not familiar with this series, it involves characters who have psychic abilities that vary from individual to individual. Generally a male and female character are thrown together because of some type of event, the resolution of which requires both their skills, and some amount of danger. In this book, the female lead is a dealer and unlocker of Psi-locked books, and the male lead wants the book, becaus...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Sonia Lal rated it 3 of 5 stars

Copper Beach is the first in a new series. At least, it’s a series I’ve never heard of before. After reading it, I am pretty sure this precedes the Harmony series by the writer’s alter ego: Jayne Castle. Harmony is a different world, one where people emigrated from Earth via a portal. The portal closed at some point. I expect this series will detail these events. ;)

Maybe it will even answer the question I posed about Harmony’s marriage traditions here.

The book itself – Copper Beach was engrossin...more Copper Beach is the first in a new series. At least, it’s a series I’ve never heard of before. After reading it, I am pretty sure this precedes the Harmony series by the writer’s alter ego: Jayne Castle. Harmony is a different world, one where people emigrated from Earth via a portal. The portal closed at some point. I expect this series will detail these events. ;)

Maybe it will even answer the question I posed about Harmony’s marriage traditions here.

The book itself – Copper Beach was engrossing, quick read.

In this book, there are no references to a psi society. I found this odd. I mean, I assumed even pre-Harmony, they must be aware of each other and have some form of leadership. But maybe not.

The male lead, Sam, comes from a family with psi talent. His strength and his siblings’ strength was made stronger by the crystals and amber. Maybe right now, everyone’s talent is weak. Except those who were exposed to the crystals and amber!) That’s what I am assuming anyway. Maybe all the strong talents at Harmony come from the people first exposed to the crystal (i. e. Sam’s family and employees).

Crystal exposure doesn’t explain Abby’s power; her mother is long dead and no one else in her family believes in the paranormal. They event sent her to a school for troubled teens when she accidentally set the house on fire. ;)

Abby and Sam are explosive together. They burned up the sheets rather early, I thought, but it made sense in the book so . . . Besides, I enjoyed reading about it. LOL

Sam is an excellent bodyguard; he even has related experience with some agency he refused to name (The Jones from the related Arcane series, maybe?) and he takes good care of her. He foils multiple kidnappers, a burglar and even helps save her stepbrother’s business. (This, despite the evil step-grandmother insisting she get no sure of the family fortune since childhood.)

Favorite scene: The scene where Sam and Abby go to her father’s book-signing and she has to pretend to have the perfect blended family. In truth, she doesn’t care for most of her family and her father and stepmother are heading for a divorce. Apparently the father has a history of marrying useful wives and divorcing them later. Not sure what it says about me, but this scene made me laugh.

The ending was good, too. Not surprising, because you know who the villain is from the first page. Ms. Krentz makes no effort to keep it secret. But it enjoyable all the same. I liked how they got him.(less)

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Jan 21, 2012 E. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal

Abby Radwell uses her psychic talent to unlock psi-encrypted books. She has overcome the stigma of her youth when she was punished for claiming that she had talent and now has a thriving but specialized business. She meets the charismatic Sam Coppersmith when she is in need of an investigator to find out who is sending her blackmail threats. The danger ratchets up as it becomes clear that she and Sam have mutual goals that include finding a mysterious journal that someone is willing to kill for....more

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Jan 19, 2012 Stan Morris rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Krentz in a long time that does not directly involve the Arcane Society, although it seem pretty clear that they will make an appearance by the end of this series. The setting is the San Juan Islands again. A mysterious notebook with information about some dangerous crystals has surfaced. The book is sealed by paranormal means and Abby Radwell is one of a few people who can open it. Some people will go to any lengths to get their hands on the notebook and on Abby, but l...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you like The Arcane series by JAK you will enjoy this. Ms. Krentz says she will be keeping this trilogy in the present and just under her JAK author name. I’ll admit that it screws up my shelving to have JAK with Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick.
This is another paranormal, mystery and romance. Nobody does this quite like Jayne Ann Krentz. In Copper Beach we meet Sam Coppersmith and Abby Radwell. I really enjoyed the Sam/Abby dynamic. Abby has a gift for recognizing “hot” books or those that rad...more

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Jan 10, 2012 NovelReaction rated it 4 of 5 stars

Abby Radwell can unlock the paranormal secrets of books but when she starts receiving blackmail threats, she knows she needs help. Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz , Abby hires Sam Coppersmith, an paranormal investigator, to help her track down her blackmailer and to help for find an ancient text known as The Key.

Sam Coppersmith, has an affinity for crystals and he is willing to help Abby but in exchange he needs Abby to help him find The Key. When dead bodies start showing up, Sam worries that...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Mojca rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, quick-krentz-castle, paranormal-romance-fantasy, part-of-a-series, series-dark-legacy, suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller, own, e-book, favorites, 2012-challenge-books, a-z-friends-challenge, a-z-super-series-challenge, bodyguard-military-merc-gov-cop-leo, monthly-challenge-read-january, cover-hunkiness

And JAK does it again. Again. If there's an author that succeeds in blending suspense, romance, and paranormal in an engrossing, believable, rather realistic, and understandable book, it's her.

Though I haven't seen this book mentioned as part of the Arcane Society series, it's safe to say it's a spin-off. Because you'll find all the Arcane elements in it. Instant attraction between H/h, a bond forged by their intertwined psi, both H/h are strong talents (though their talents aren't categorized a...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Kathy Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jayne Ann Krentz begins a new contemporary/paranormal/romantic suspense series with Copper Beach. The main characters are Abby Radwell and Sam Coppersmith. Abby works as a dealer in the rare paranormal book market because she has the unique talent of being able to unlock encrypted books. Unfortunately, her family is far more likely to think that she is crazy than to celebrate her talent. In fact, they sent her to a special boarding school in her youth to "cure" her. She made lifelong friends amo...more Jayne Ann Krentz begins a new contemporary/paranormal/romantic suspense series with Copper Beach. The main characters are Abby Radwell and Sam Coppersmith. Abby works as a dealer in the rare paranormal book market because she has the unique talent of being able to unlock encrypted books. Unfortunately, her family is far more likely to think that she is crazy than to celebrate her talent. In fact, they sent her to a special boarding school in her youth to "cure" her. She made lifelong friends among the other students with paranormal talents and developed a distance from her family. She also became very self-reliant and confident in her skills. She has also become very reluctant to trust anyone outside of her small circle.

When Abby begins to be blackmailed, she is directed to Sam Coppersmith. Sam is the son of the head of Coppersmith Inc which made its fortune in the rare earths business. He also has paranormal skills. He takes one look at Abby and falls in love. Naturally, he is determined to solve her problem and along the way solve his too. His girlfriend was murdered by someone trying to break into his home lab and his family is searching for a lab book that contains experiments on some dangerous crystals the his father and his partners discovered years ago. Sam is a typical Krentz hero. He is attractive, single-minded and very, very competent. He is also dangerous.

This story was a fast-paced thriller as Abby and Sam try to track down the person (or people) who want the encrypted lab book and who are willing to kidnap Abby and kill anyone who gets in their way. The dynamics between the two of them as they slowly find their way to romance was very engaging. I loved Abby's reluctance to trust and her constant effort to keep the relationship between them a business one. I also liked Sam's desire to protect Abby and his need to get her to see their relationship the way he sees it.

This was an excellent romantic suspense title filled with fascinating characters. I was really fond of Abby's dog - Newton - who was, as Sam says, a condo-sized junkyard dog. I recommend this one to JAK's many fans and for fans of the paranormal in their romantic suspense.(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-pan-pnr, 2013-pan-new-to-me-series, 2013-ufa-creature-comforts, pcpl-read, features-psychics, set-in-contemporary, genre-paranormal-romance, reviewed

I had forgotten that I had read this book previously and wanted to read book one in the Dark Legacy series before starting book two, Dream Eyes. Once I started reading though (from the very first paragraph of page one, in fact) I began to remember the story. Though not enough to know where it would end. (One "benefit" to my mental disabilities: I can read books over and over again and for many it's like reading them for the first time each time, lol.) I love all of Jayne Ann Krentz's books, espe...more

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Feb 11, 2012 Kimberly rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a new trilogy from JAK called the Dark Legacy. This is NOT part of the Arcane Society books.

Abby has psychic powers and is able to decode old books and when she starts receiving threatening notes and kidnapping attempts a friend sends her to Sam. Sam's family has been looking for a book for 40 years regarding crystals. Together they decide Sam can protect Abby and Abby can find the book for Sam and his family. Of course the chemistry between ignites more than just the books Abby's talent...more

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May 04, 2012 Linda Branham Greenwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal-mystery, fiction

I've read the other series of paranormal mysteries, so I'm excited about a new series
In this new series Abby Radwell can unlock the paranormal secrets of books but when she starts receiving blackmail threats, she knows she needs help. Abby hires Sam Coppersmith, an paranormal investigator, to help her track down her blackmailer and to help for find an ancient text known as The Key.

Sam Coppersmith, has an affinity for crystals and he is willing to help Abby but in exchange he needs Abby to help h...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Abby Radwell is a psychic. She can read and 'unlock' psychic locks on special antique books to allow people to read the potion recipes or other aspects of the old books. As you can tell this is a very specialized skill and few people have her expertise in the field. Her title in the mundane world is antique book seller.

Abby Radwell is the daughter of 'famed' family therapist Brandon Radwell author of "Families by Choice". She is expected to be at book signings and smile pretty for the camera des...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Kelly Knapp rated it 5 of 5 stars

Copper Beach is a shining example of a writer's ability to mix mystery, romance, and the paranormal, without loosing sight of any one part of the equation.

Many of Jayne Ann Krenz's recent paranormal stories have played too heavily on the paranormal aspects, loosing many readers who are looking for the mystery and romance. However, Krenz's new series, A Dark Legacy, begins on a perfect combination of of the three styles.

In addition, even those who are anti-paranormal as a whole, should enjoy th...more Copper Beach is a shining example of a writer's ability to mix mystery, romance, and the paranormal, without loosing sight of any one part of the equation.

Many of Jayne Ann Krenz's recent paranormal stories have played too heavily on the paranormal aspects, loosing many readers who are looking for the mystery and romance. However, Krenz's new series, A Dark Legacy, begins on a perfect combination of of the three styles.

In addition, even those who are anti-paranormal as a whole, should enjoy this because it plays one scientific reality, the use of crystals in current electronics. So, what if there were more to crystals than we currently know or understand.

It is the possibility that there is more to our world that makes this story feel remotely possible. And as with any situation that is even remotely possible, there are those who want to find and control it before others. Some just want to get rich off the possibilities. Others want to find it believing they could help the world. Most want to control the paranormal activities for nefarious and evil reasons. But off-setting the paranormal are both the romance and the mystery. They get equal time being a perfect foil against the paranormal aspects.

Krentz uses a slightly unusual writing style where we see what is happening from several characters view points. Although the primary protagonist is a female, Abby, who has had an extremely difficult upbringing that still interferes with her life, there are two other character's that we meet from their point of view. The second character, Sam, becomes a combination client and bodyguard. These two characters become the romance. The third character, is Lander, a long lost, thought to be dead child all grown up.

Lander is actually the first character we meet, upon his father's deathbed, where he reveals the anger and torment of an unstable mind. Lander intends to find what he sees as his inheritance. He needs Abby to achieve that end. Abby appears on her way to meet Sam, a client recommended from a trusted friend. Sam has been recommended after Abby begins receiving threats. Sam is a bit of a recluse.

All three have a paranormal ability that is enhanced by certain crystals. Abby's appears natural, but Lander and Sam's abilities may be the repercussions of a horrifying lab experiment gone wrong and radiation fallout from the resulting explosion.

I cannot wait for the sequels where we will meet Sam's siblings and learn more thier parents and the experiment that literally blew up around them.

I received this book as part of the Goodreas First Reads Giveaway program. (less)

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About Jayne Ann Krentz

The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, 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 Sant...more

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Copper Beach (Dark Legacy #1)

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