Monday, January 9, 2012

In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz

Scargill Cove is the perfect place for Fallon Jones, confirmed recluse and investigator of the paranormal. It’s a hot spot, a convergence point for unusually strong currents of energy, which might explain why the town attracts misfits and drifters like moths to a flame. Now someone else has been drawn to the Cove — Isabella Valdez, on the run from some very dangerous men.

When she starts working as Fallon’s assistant, Isabella impresses him by organizing his pathologically chaotic office — and doesn’t bat an eye at the psychic element of his job. She’s a kindred spirit, a sanctuary from a world that considers his talents a form of madness. But after a routine case unearths an antique clock infused with dark energy, Fallon and Isabella are dragged into the secret history of Scargill Cove and forced to fight for their lives, as they unravel a cutthroat conspiracy with roots in the Jones family business...and Isabella’s family tree.
~~

I know that for some the addition of paranormal elements to a contemporary romance isn't a good thing.  I suppose it can act as a distraction from the focus of the story, which in my opinion would be the relationship between the two main characters. Luckily for me and other readers, I don't feel like Krentz has that problem, because while reading In Too Deep I never felt like we shifted too far from Isabella and Fallon. It reminded me strongly of some of her older romances, in a very good way, as there was some family wrangling for position and politically people out to get more power for themselves. These are elements I consider outside the realm of the paranormal, so while both of them unmistakably have abilities most don't the romance was definitely the heart of the story. Which I am VERY thankful for since this is a story I've been waiting for (darn expensive hardcovers **grumble**)!

I love Krentz's writing style and her characters, specifically for how human all of them are. In a small town like Scargill Cove the people who stick around all have something a bit 'off' about them, but what would be the fun if we didn't have that? Isabella has an interesting past she's working to get away from and Fallon has both past and present issues, as he can't figure out quite how close or far he might be from the line of 'sane'. Together the two have a lot of sparks and a familiar journey to their HEA - which is not a complaint as mostly without drama happy endings are a good thing to have on the shelf. It's probably considered a standalone but I think reading some of the others in her Arcane Series helps because Fallon pops up everywhere as the head of Jones & Jones.

Overall Feeling - B+

Series - 1) In Too Deep 2) Quicksilver (as Amanda Quick) 3) Canyons of Night (as Jayne Castle)