Lake starts a relationship with Maxamllan Gray, a gallery owner and artist. His mother and grandmother had the power, but he seems only strongly intuitive. His daughter Alyssa, however, has extremely strong psychic powers. Alyssa’s love life is interesting. Brothers Mark and Thad Howard both have a thing for her, and later she becomes fascinated by a photographer who also has special powers. We also meet bookstore owners Yancey and Jay, with strange amber eyes and talents of their own.

But someone in Taos is sick and losing psychic energy. Those with powers are being killed so their energies can be transferred to the villain. Lake and Alyssa form a bond and manage to escape the blackness both feel encroaching on their lives.

Maxamillan is a creative lover and a worrying father. His ex-wife and young son were killed in an automobile accident that seriously injured Alyssa. She’s nearly twenty, but he is not ready to trust her instincts -- or to take her sex advice. Max may be uncomfortable discussing it, but his actions are highly artistic and erotic.

Lake is a great character, doubting herself and working through these doubts. She and Max work their way to physical and emotional commitment in a highly believable way.

These are interesting characters and the author does a marvelous job concealing the villain’s identity while building the malevolent suspense. Too many psychics may spoil the plot stew, but this is still a highly readable tale.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Lynn
January 8, 2009