This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
Published by Berkley
Released on January 5, 2021
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
The Delight
After the exciting introduction to the Fogg Lake world – of mysterious paranormal phenomena, of humans receiving psychic gifts, and of common objects becoming magical artifacts from a top secret government experiment gone wrong- I was jazzed to see the story progress on the hunt for the hidden labs and another suspenseful romance against such a setting.
Review
All the Colors of the Night does have enough explanation so the reader wouldn’t get lost reading it out of order, but I enjoyed both books better in order so the references back to the previous book meant something to me.
The story starts when North Chastain, a Foundation Cleaner (policing the baddies in the psychic world), learns his father was checking a lead and ended up in a weird coma. Both North and his dad have lived under the stigma of Griffith Chastain being thought to be an American traitor who sold out his psychic government research secrets to the Communists and then disappeared. Neither believe their dad and grandfather would do such a thing and believe his research partner betrayed him and made him disappear. But, now Chandler is down, and North is going through his own private crisis as a mysterious condition is causing his psychic gift, Night Vision, to deteriorate. He has to track down the answers before that condition leaves him psychically blind. So he reluctantly takes on a partner, a Go-Between specializing in discovery, deals, and retrievals of magical artifacts to discover if someone has found Vortex lab psychic weapons and can he discover what was used on his dad to save his life.
Sierra has been something of a rolling stone in her careers while trying to find the right fit for her life. The latest is working for the Vault which handles the job of going between potential buyers and sellers of magical artifacts. The whispers on the street of psychic weapons from the lost Vortex lab really existing and now the Foundation on the hunt and needing her expertise. At least they pay their bills even if her involvement brings danger. North Chastain is the first man to make her feel the sizzle of attraction, but he is barely hanging on. She doesn’t trust him and he doesn’t trust her at first, but as they track down the answers and escape some intense situations, the trust builds and she wonders if it can be more. That is if someone doesn’t take them off the case permanently.
Colors of the Night introduces a great pair. I loved getting their individual back stories, seeing their intriguing psychic gifts in action, and on the hunt to help his dad and get the powerful artifacts out of the wrong hands. Meanwhile, the enemy is set on revenge and controlling the weapons so they can be the most powerful in the paranormal community.
The suspense seemed to take the front seat for most of the book with hints of the sparks between the pair. It gradually grew more balanced toward the end. I liked how that happened because the danger and the shortness of time made their need to focus on their work more of the priority. I thought it was cute the way they would misunderstand, particularly Sierra, but then dive right back into the conversation and awkwardly get it right. They both come from unique backgrounds with her growing up in a rural artists’ colony and more open-minded though not flaky and him having a magician turned lab engineer for a grandfather and inheriting his grandfather’s personally designed house on the desert that has more tricks than the Winchester Mystery House up its sleeve. But they shared that feeling of still searching for fulfillment and the right fit for their lives which gave them added understanding along with the appreciation growing for the other’s talent and for who they were.
The psychic emphasis in this one was on people’s auras and channeling power through crystals. Sierra uses a crystal to direct her power, but it is in mirrors or reflective surfaces that she sees people’s true auras. North sees people’s auras and psychic traces in the night and can manipulate crystals as power sources. She’s intuitive and he’s more analytical, but they make a great team.
Most of the story is set away from the mysterious Fogg Lake, but I was glad that to get back to the quirky town and particularly its vibrant and curious Oracle. It was also fun to have the Foundation leaders part of things. And, more comes of the Swan Antique shop and what the secretive sisters are up to which builds toward the third book and brings things ever closer to the tantalizing danger of the Vortex lab and who will find it first.
All in all, this was a sensational page-turner and I can’t wait for more. Those who enjoy romantic suspense with strong paranormal elements should definitely pick up this series.
My thanks to Berkley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #209
About the Book
ALL THE COLORS OF THE NIGHT BY JAYNE ANN KRENTZ
Two psychics plunge into a dark world of deadly secrets in this second installment of the Fogg Lake trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.
North Chastain possesses a paranormal talent that gives him the ability to track down the most dangerous psychic criminals. When his father suddenly falls into a coma-like state, North is convinced it was caused by a deadly artifact that traces back to the days of a secret government program known only as the Bluestone Project. North knows his only hope of saving his father is to find the artifact. He is good when it comes to tracking down killers, but to locate the relic he’s going to need help from a psychic who knows the shadowy world of obsessive collectors, deceptive dealers and ruthless raiders.…
With her reputation in ruins after a false accusation, antiques expert Sierra Raines is looking for a fresh start. She turns to the murky backwaters of the paranormal artifacts trade, finding and transporting valuable objects with a psychic provenance. When North Chastain approaches her for help, Sierra takes him on as a client, though not without reservations. North represents the mysterious Foundation, the secretive organization established to police the underworld populated by psychic criminals and those, like Sierra, who make a living in the shadows of that world.
North and Sierra soon find themselves at the scene of the Incident, which occurred decades ago in Fogg Lake. The town and its residents were forever changed by the disaster in the nearby Bluestone Project labs. The pair unearths shocking truths about what happened that fateful night, but they are playing with fire—someone in town knows what they’ve discovered and will do anything to make sure the secrets stay buried.
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Another favorable review for this book. It sounds fastpaced and well written.
You summed it up well, Nadene. Hope you get the chance at this series.
OOOOOO this sounds intense!
Sure was, Carole!
What a great review you have here. I have been hearing some fantastic things about this one. Good to know you get a better reading experience by reading these books in order.
I am not surprised that it’s getting good chatter. Definitely recommend taking them in order.
I’m really interested in this series. I skimmed through your review because I didn’t want to spoil myself haha, but I almost bought the first book last year and probably will soon. I loved the look of the first one…
No worries. I try not to spoiler, but you can’t avoid it all. Yes, start with first book and I hope you enjoy these, Greg.
I’ve forgotten a bunch of the previous story so I’m happy there’s enough info to clue me in without having to go back and skim to refresh my memory. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one as I think I’ll be reading it next. 🙂
I was hazy, too, so I can promise you that you’ll do fine once you get going on this one.
Oh it’s been years and years since I haven’t read one of her books
I think you would enjoy this series with the psychic gifts involved, Melliane.
I like the suspense and rapport in this story, and glad you enjoyed it! Happy New Year and hugs, RO
Yes, the character story was as good as the suspense. Thanks, Ro! 🙂