This novel is the second in her Key trilogy; I reviewed the first one here. Yes, they’re romance novels; paranormal romance novels, to be precise. Yes, it’s that Nora Roberts; the one who’s almost constantly on the New York Times Bestsellers List; she’s published well over a hundred novels to date. It’s hard to find a romance novel reader who doesn’t, at the very least, respect Nora Roberts for all that she’s done, being an amazingly positive face for the industry, as well as her writing talent. Non-romance readers might also try her J. D. Robb books; they’re near-future romantic suspense with a slight SF edge.

In the first novel, we meet Malory, Dana, and Zoe — each a protagonist of a volume. The first volume was about Malory; she worked at an art gallery. Through some propitious timing, all three women are at interesting places in their jobs when an offer comes by that they can’t refuse — try to find a set of keys to unlock the box holding the souls of some demigoddesses, and they get $25,000 apiece. Malory succeeded, and now it’s Dana’s turn. Of course, she’s got a complication named Jordan Hawke; he was the first man she fell in love with, and he broke her heart. Now he’s back in town, and he wants to help — with the business they’re starting, with her quest for the key, and with her heart. Will Dana succeed? Will Jordan?

I have to remind myself (and my readers) that this is a romance novel, primarily; it’s paranormal, secondarily. Therefore, the main story of the book isn’t really about finding a key; it’s about the relationship between Dana and Jordan. Theirs is a complicated relationship; it’s got a good deal of history, and some tragedy. Fortunately, they’re both strong enough of personality to admit that they’ve been wrong. Moving on is, of course, complicated, yet simple (this is a romance novel, after all; there has to be a happily-ever-after), but it’s definitely highly emotionally charged. I almost cried during one scene of Jordan talking about his feelings.

The fantasy plot is a little slighter than the last novel, although there’s an amazing scene at the end that I don’t want to give away. Kane, the evil sorcerer, is at it again, and he is actually more a threat in this book than he was in the last. However, due to the fact that there’s much less explanation in the beginning (it was already explained), the fantastic is based on events, rather than a background situation. I’d say a sixth of the book is dedicated to the business and friendship between the women, a sixth to the fantasy plot, and the other two-thirds (or four-sixths) is dedicated to the Dana-Jordan relationship.

I liked the first volume better than this one due to more fantasy, but I have to admit, the romance is better in this volume. The relationship, being one of long durance, is a lot deeper and gets a lot further emotionally within the same time frame. I do also love seeing the business and friendship develop between the women; that, I think, is one of the greatest strengths of this series. Ms. Roberts hits a lot of the right notes, emotionally speaking, when she’s writing scenes between Malory, Dana, and Zoe. I can’t wait to read the third volume and see the conclusion of the story; that and, of course, Zoe’s happily-ever-after. 4/5 stars.