My Urban Fantasies: Review: Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz

Title: Dream Eyes

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Series: Dark Legacy, #2

•Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer (ARC)
•Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
•Publication Date: January 8, 2013

Opening Line: The dead diver was wedged like a bone in the stone throat of the underwater cave they called the Monster.

The death of her friend and mentor, Evelyn Ballinger, brings psychic counselor Gwen Frazier back to the small town of Wilby, Oregon, and brings back memories she would rather forget. Two years earlier, a killer stalked the members of one of Ballinger’s research studies including Gwen. And though she survived while two others didn’t, Gwen knows that Ballinger’s death is related.

Sent by a friend to help Gwen, psychic investigator Judson Coppersmith arrives in Wilby barely in control of his own talent and his own life, haunted by urgent dreams. His attraction to Gwen is primal, but there are secrets he must keep to protect himself from surrendering to her completely, even as their investigation draws them into dreamscapes, into decades of deception, and into the paranormal fires of a desire too strong to resist. . . .

Dream Eyes is the second book in the Dark Legacy series. The way Krentz has set up this series, Dream Eyes can be read as a stand-alone book. The first book, Copper Beach, is Sam and Abby's story. Dream Eyes is Gwen and Judson's story. Characters from Copper Beach are in Dream Eyes, but only in a minor capacity. I would definitely read Copper Beach first if you want a little more history on the Coppersmith family, Abby and Nick. Knowing their history is not necessarily important, but may make it a little less confusing when they are introduced. Copper Beach will also explain more about the Phoenix stones, again they are not that important in this storyline.

Gwendolyn Frazier, Abby's friend and soul sister, receives an email from her mentor Evelyn Ballinger. When Gwen can not reach Evelyn by phone, she goes to Evelyn's house in small town Wilby, Oregon. Gwen finds her dear friend Evelyn dead in Evelyn's office. To the untrained eye it appears that Evelyn has died of natural causes. Gwen thinks that Evelyn was killed by paranormal means. She also believes that Evelyn's murder is connected to the two murders that happened in Wilby two years ago. Gwen needs a second opinion on Evelyn's death and, if she's correct, someone to help her find out why Evelyn had been murdered. Gwen needs a psychic investigator, which leads directly to the Coppersmith family.

Judson Coppersmith, Sam's brother, is a psychic investigator, half of Coppersmith Consulting. Judson is on the Oregon coast recovering from the aftermath of his last assignment. Judson made it out of the incident alive, but his mind is stuck in a dark place. Judson receives a phone call from Sam asking him to help Gwen. Judson decides that Gwen may be the perfect distraction, a way to escape his recurring nightmares.

My favorite character would have to be Nick Sawyer. Nick plays a small but important part in Dream Eyes. I don't know exactly what it is about him that draws you in. He's funny, loyal and has this mysterious quality that insists you learn more about him. Dream Eyes is the perfect combination of mystery and romance with a little paranormal thrown in just for fun. It really was a fantastic read.

Favorite Quotes

"What is the nature of your emergency?"

"I just found the body of an old friend. Dr. Evelyn Ballinger."

"Ballinger? The crazy old lady who lives out on Miller Road?"

"I'm sure your professionalism would be an inspiration to 911 operators everywhere."

"Like Mom says, we're all chips off the old rock and Dad is a very hard chunk of stone."

"I'm happy for you, Abby," Nick said. "You're getting a real family."

"I've already got a real family—you and Gwen are as real as it gets," Abby said. "I couldn't ask for a better family. I'm just adding on a husband and a few new relatives today."