We've seen the Present and Now the Past, but I'm looking to the Future

Burning Lamp takes a step back in time and revisits the story of another of Nicholas Winters' descendants in search of the 'lamp' and the woman with the Dreamlight power to 'work it' in order to save him from madness as the Winter curse kicks in. A big bonus of course is, although Griffin Winters has inherited the curse, he hasn't inherited his insane ancestor's luck with women.

Up front I have to say that I am not a huge fan of historicals, and although I love Quick's Harmony series and the contemporary Arcane Society books written under her Krentz and Castle nom-de-plumes, I just didn't love this one as much. I am guessing the reason is that the constraints of behavior, in keeping with the historical rendering of the tale, also constrain the sensual intensity of the pairing in this one - I normally love the 'burn'ing physicality of Krentz/Castle's heroes.

For that reason, I didn't love Burning Lamp, however, I still liked it and thought it a worthwhile read as the second book in the Dreamlight trilogy. And there were parts that I very much enjoyed. I thought that, even though reserved, the heroine, Adelaide Pyne, was wonderful - smart and in control and I loved her back story in the American Old West. I also loved the Joneses, the Harpers and the reference to the Sweetwaters.

So now I am looking forward (way forward) to another trip to Castle's futuristic Harmony and the conclusion of the trilogy with the final Winters' male (and mate) in the Midnight Crystal in August 2010.