Second Sight by Amanda Quick - 4 stars

[Theresa]

The Arcane Society is a secret and secretive organization that for over 200 years has existed dedicated to the research of objects related to psychic abilities and to the enhancement of psychical abilities. During Victoria's reign, 2 descendants of the founder Sylverster Jones, have finally located and opened his secret laboratory, in which they find a large locked check containing only Sylvester's notebook purportedly containing a formula for an elixir that will enhance psychic abilities. A short while later, as the artifacts are resting in a ship bound for for London where they items can be stored and studied, Gabriel and Caleb discover that one of the locals hired to transport the items to the ship was murdered and the notebook with the formula stolen.

From there, a short time later, Gabriel is at the secret hidden headquarters, think gothic mansion located in the middle of nowhere, near no village, with a professional photographer, Venetia Wilton, hired to photograph the entire collection of arcana owned by the Arcane Society. Just as she's finished, and also has accomplished her goal of seducing Gabriel for her first and likely only fling (she has no expectations of ever marrying), 2 unknown men approach the mansion, clearly intent on breaking in. Gabriel sends Venetia off to safety, supposedly perishing himself in a fire that same night.

Venetia and her family, whom she supports with her photography, use the large fee she was paid to realize their plans: move from Bath to London and set up a gallery and photography studio dedicated to portraits of the upper class. Venetia styles herself a widow, changing her last name to Jones, to honor Gabriel's memory, though she's made up a different 'Jones' as her husband and invented his demise in the American Wild West. Imagine her consternation with her dead husband reappears in London? For Gabriel did not die and is on the hunt for whoever stole the formula.

All of that happens in the first 40 pages - and the rest is an historical romance and mystery with a paranormal twist - many of the characters including both MC have psychic abilities - and occasional murders. Much interesting information about the photographic business in late 19th Century England as well as psychic phenomena real and faked provides much depth and interest to the plot. There's a fun cast of characters as well, with Venetia a very strong capable woman, more than a match for Gabriel. There is smut for sure but more suggestive than today's level of explicitness. This was published in 2007 and is the first in a series, which includes books written by the author under all 3 of her pseudonyms: Amanda Quick - historical, Jayne Ann Krentz - contemporary, and Jayne Castle - futuristic.

[Amy]

That looks good!

[ShazM]

I think I've probably read all of these - they're a kind of guilty pleasure! I really like the family ties and links between the past, present and future.