G. P. Putnam's Sons, May 2006

Seducing Gabriel Jones seems like the perfect solution. He's handsome, charming, and Venetia Milton knows she'll never see him again. And Venetia certainly doesn't want to remain a virgin for the rest of her life. When word arrives that Gabriel has died, she decides to become his widow. In Victorian England, widows have so much more freedom than unmarried young women--and Venetia needs all the freedom she can get to make her photography business thrive. A thriving business is all that keeps her and her family from poverty. When Gabriel walks back into her life, however, not dead at all, her calculations go out the window. Has she put herself and her family in danger, as Gabriel suggests?

Venetia and Gabriel investigate the strange occurances that surround an alchemical discovery which Gabriel had made at the beginning of the novel. Someone has already stolen an alchemical notebook and seems intent on stealing the empty case that once held it. But Gabriel's investigation has gotten him nowhere in the months he was presumed dead and Venetia is convinced only she, perhaps using her psychic ability to perceive auras, can help him. Gabriel, in turn, wishes to keep Venetia safe and is frustrated by her willingness to put herself in danger.

Author Amanda Quick (see more BooksForABuck.com reviews of novels by Quick) (Quick is a pen name for Jayne Ann Krentz) is an excellent writer. Her characters come to life and her dialogue sizzles. It's easy to get hooked in SECOND SIGHT and it's a hard book to put down.

Still, as I read it, I started feeling as if I had read this book before. I hadn't, exactly. Increasingly, for me, Quick's books are starting to fall into the same pattern--a poor but talented and ambitious female is making her own way in the world--but badguys are causing her trouble. Fortunately, there's a hero around who finds her quirky nature compelling, helps her overcome obstacles (while nevertheless making it clear she could have done so on her own). I think I'm ready for something a little different, please Amanda.

Three Stars

Reviewed 8/19/06

Ready to buy? Click the 'buy from Amazon button':

See more details and investigate Amazon Marketplace availability for SECOND SIGHT from Amazon.com

Rather buy it from Barnes and Noble?
Click this link for SECOND SIGHT from Barnes & Noble.com

• Return to ROMANCE REVIEW CENTRAL
• See our latest romance reviews
• See more BooksForABuck.com reviews of historical romance
• Enjoy romance? Check out the excellent selection of BooksForABuck.com romance eNovels--full length romance novels at a great price.
• Click here for this month's new releases from Harlequin/Silhouette.
• BooksForABuck.com HOME

Please Support our Sponsors