Amanda Quick's The Third Circle
The Fourth Novel of Romantic Suspense From The Arcane Society Series
May 25, 2009
The Third Circle by Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Ann Krentz, immediately brings the reader into the world of the Arcane Society with a murdered body, a woman dressed in men’s clothing, and a mesmerizing mesmerist harboring dark desires for the woman who rescued him. It is a most undesirable situation for Thaddeus Ware and Leona Hewitt to find themselves in.
In addition to the intrigue laid early in the first chapters, the supernatural powers possessed by the principal characters, and the villainous predator hunting them, adds an element of conflict to a budding romance already challenged by strong personalities and class conflicts. Powerful and frightening if left unchecked, Thaddeus and Leona’s paranormal talents could destroy any chance they have for happiness.
The Lovers Leona and Thaddeus
Thaddeus and Leona’s worlds collide in a dark museum of paranormal artifacts, where there is a dead courtesan on the floor, Thaddeus and Leona hiding in a closet, and a killer stalking the floors. All in all, it’s a normal night for Thaddeus, who uses his powers of mesmerism to investigate cases of the supernatural for the secretive Arcane Society.
Unlike the mediocre mesmerists working the magic show circuit, Thaddeus has the ability to cloud people’s minds, control their actions, and leave them completely incapacitated. It is a power that has proven quite useful to The Society and at times restricting to Thaddeus’ love life. It seems the available females are reluctant to trust a man with the power to control so completely.
Wrapped in Thaddeus’ arms, Leona discerns the power of the man hiding with her in the closet. Yet, she is unafraid, as her own talents enable her to control her reactions to any environmental stressor. In fact, her psychic energy and ability to work crystals has brought her to the museum of dark artifacts in search of the powerful crystal known as the Aurora Stone. The stone Leona’s mother was murdered for.
Friends and Foes of The Arcane Society
Thaddeus and Leona’s search for the Aurora Stone leads them on an interesting journey through Late Victorian England. True to the history of the era, Quick utilizes the economic hardships of the female working class to bring the dangers of prostitution into the novel. Quick’s villainous, paranormal wereanimal places little value on human life, and his proclivity for beautiful, vulnerable females leads him to victimize those women trying to make a living.
Desperate to solve the murders and keep the killer from committing another crime, Leona and Thaddeus seek assistance from an underground society known as the Janus Club. The members of this organization are women who live life as men. In dress, mannerisms, and relationships, the Janus Club males live undetected amongst the higher circles of English society and wield an extraordinary amount of social and industry power. As a result, they are equipped to assist their friend Leona on her quest to recover the Aurora Stone and ultimately find happiness with Thaddeus.
The Third Circle: A Thrilling Romance Read
Amanda Quick’s The Third Circle is a quick, enjoyable read perfect for a weekend relaxing on the patio. The character’s are likable and interesting, with just enough fire in their personalities to make an exciting love story. The conflict is critical, but Quick’s ability to create characters who are inventive and industrious assures the reader that good will prevail and love will triumph over all obstacles.
For those readers looking for a supernatural thrill, the secrets of The Arcane Society and the unique powers of it’s members will satisfy any paranormal romance cravings.
The hardcover edition of The Third Circle released in 2008 from Putnam Adult (ISBN-13: 978-0399154843) and the paperback edition released in 2009 from Jove Publishing (ISBN-13: 978-0515146035), are available at most major bookstores and online. More information on The Arcane Society novels can be found at the author’s website.
 |
