I really enjoyed this book. It was suspenseful, sexy, and it was an easy read. Even though the story takes place in the 1700's the women are strong characters. Both families have lots of secrets in their past that make for page turning fun.

There was not a lot of romance but what is there is wonderfully written. The scenes are romantic and very private, almost like a throw back to when people were more modest.

I can not wait to read the next book in the series.

The plot flow was all off. The story had no build-up of character development, just plopped you down in the middle of what felt like walking into a joke where you only catch the punch line. Then the author seems to try and write a secondary story after what should have been the main story, but was succinctly said in 2 paragraphs. No real character development after that first chapter really, nothing to gain my like for the characters. The love scenes stunk, and the main man was lame and had no depth; conversationally or otherwise. It just felt unfinished, disjointed, and boring. On a good note, there was little if any grammatical errors, so at least the editor did their job. Very poor book indeed. I love Amanda Quick, and was expecting something a lot different then this book delivered. It felt like someone else was writing under her name. ~Kirst

I chose to read this book because I thought I had seen a recommendation and even if the recommendation turns out to be a figment of my imagination, I am glad I got the book. I enjoy romance novels the best when they are more adventure/mystery than romance. The psychical abilities was an interesting twist - I wished she had explained Gabriel's unique powers more clearly. I will be reading the rest in this series - The Arcane Society.

An excellent book I could not put it down. I went to work with no sleep.

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I like most Amanda Quick books, but this one did nothing for me. I didn't like the characters and how they related to each other.

This was the first Arcane Society book I read and I really liked it. The main character is a little stuffy but likable. And the hero is just tortured enough to make him irresistable.

This was a fun read. The sexual tension between the 2 main characters made it worthwhile.

All her books are very good.
You can't miss with one of her boooks to read.

Venetia Milton's memories of a romantic night with Gabriel Jones, an alchemist's descendant, are shattered soon thereafter by news of his death. Adopting the guise of his respectable widow, she embarks on a new career as a fashionable photographer in London, where her unique ability to "see" beyond her subjects (auras) makes her photographs highly prized.

But Venetia's romantic whim causes unexpected trouble. For one thing, Mr. Jones is about to stride, living and breathing, back into her life. And someone he is tracking will go to any length, even murder, to possess an ancient extraordinary secret that has been lost for centuries - someone who believes that, as the "wife" of Mr. Jones, Venetia is the key . . .

Not that great of a romance or a mystery story, but an okay read.

Amanda Quick aka(Jayne Ann Krentz) never lets us down. And Second Sight is wonderful, full of zest, wit, and wonder. The first in a series about the Arcane Society, I can hardly wait for the next.

Gabriel Jones hires Miss Venetia Milton to photograph the Arcane Society's collection of metaphysical and pyschic objects. He is the son and heir to the Master of the Society. Gabriel has his own sixth sense in that he can get emotions from objects that have been touched. Somewhat of a recluse he finds himself enchanted by Venetia and she finds him fasinating and seductive. Because of his abilities Gabriel doesn't go about in society very much. He and his brother do the undercover work for the Society. At this time they are trying to find out who stole the notebook they found in an ancient wizards tomb.

Venetia is the sole support of her family, she sees auras, and uses this ability in her photography. Using the money from her job for the Arcane Society she sets up a shop in London. Two weeks after Gabriel has whisked her away from the Abbey because of a break-in she sees his death notice in the paper, shocked and full of grief for the man she briefly felt connected to, she uses his last name as hers when she goes to London, as a widow has more cachet in the sight of the ton. Imagine her surprise to learn he is still alive.

Gabriel returns to protect Venetia, and fully intends to exploit the good fortune that she has used his name as hers. Her picture of the lid of the strongbox is very important to the man who stole the notebook and he will do anything to get that picture. As in any good mystery by Ms Quick they are quickly involved in the muddle of events that unfold. I read it in one sitting, lately I have started to debate on my hardback purchases. So many have not been worth the money. This one is. A very good read.

I would like more, please

this is a sweet romance, with a few "steamy" passages. It is an easy entertaining read. I am glad I read it.

From Publishers Weekly
Writing as Amanda Quick (Lie by Moonlight, etc.), Jayne Ann Krentz offers another spirited Victorian romance, light on Victorian, heavy on romance. Photographer Venetia Milton supports her brother, sister and maiden aunt while keeping secrets: her late father's bigamy, her paranormal gift for seeing people's auras ("like looking at a negative image of the world") and her more-than-willing ravishment by client Gabriel Jones. Heir to a generations-old clandestine association of alchemists, scientists and dabblers in psychic phenomena, Gabriel has a few secrets of his own. After his servants report his death to authorities to confound his enemies, grieving Venetia begins posing as his widow, with Gabriel soon showing up on her doorstep very much alive. Miffed, she consigns him to the attic, but their chemistry quickly reignites; while tracking down one murderous, blackmailing thief after another, they steal opportunities for fervent encounters in the garden, in the carriage, in the society's mansion and at home. But the evildoers still want Gabriel's family secrets—and now they want Venetia as well. Women masquerade as men and criminals masquerade as aristocrats in a society so full of disguise that not even second sight provides much protection. But with Quick's stylish dialogue, compelling secondary characters and near-operatic denouement, fans won't need or want it

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