BETWEEN THE SPARK AND THE BURN

After a heady summer full of romance and danger, Violet’s quiet seaside life seems dull, leaving her wishing for the return of the beautiful and dangerous Redding brothers (Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, 2013).

River, with his mysterious glow, was the first to arrive. Then came Neely, the affable brother and self-appointed caretaker of River. The last was Brodie, a brother with a gift for mayhem and a thirst for blood. In this volume, Neely returns at Christmas, and with him comes the promise of adventure. When a late-night radio show begins reporting strange events, Violet, her twin brother, Luke, and their friend, Sunshine, decide to accompany Neely on his quest to find his dangerous siblings. Dead ravens, a mysterious sea king and a deadly pied piper all lie in wait for the quartet. Violet is both intuitive and naïve, capable of profound revelation as well as remarkable stupidity. Her lust for danger as well as her heart divided between good and evil make her a frustrating but compelling heroine. Even when her selfish recklessness threatens the lives of those she loves, she presses forward. The faded opulence of the setting is an ideal backdrop for this lushly atmospheric gothic thriller, which, happily, comes with a satisfying conclusion. Darkly romantic and evocative. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)