Review & Giveaway - - It Takes a Psychic

It Takes a Psychic

by Jayne Ann Krentz

A Harmony Novel

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: June 3, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

PJ's Thoughts:

I first discovered this author while reading her Amanda Quick historical romances. I then fell in love with the romantic suspense books written by Jayne Ann Krentz, having no idea at the time that the two authors were one and the same. Some time later, I stumbled upon Jayne Castle's Harmony books, set a few hundred years in the future on the planet of Harmony. Again, another pen name of this talented wordsmith. Different eras. Different planets. All the same superb writing. Whether I'm in Victorian England, 1930's California, present-day, or across the galaxy in the distant future, I know when I pick up one of her books I'm guaranteed an immersive, relatable story I won't be able to put down.

Leona and Oliver hooked me from the opening pages of this book. They - and the reader - are thrown head first into danger and intrigue almost immediately. Strangers to one another, they discover a common goal (each for their own reasons) which has them teaming up and heading out of town to track down answers. All of this seems completely acceptable to them and especially to Leona because as her moms (who did a quick investigation into Oliver) have told her, he's "probably not a serial killer."

The pace never lags as they face down a weird little town (think Twilight Zone), a cult, mind-altering psi weapons, Underworld hazards (a series of psi-rich tunnels and caves, not Satan's playground), an eccentric hoarder who may hold answers to Leona's childhood, and a cunning, clearly unstable villain who wants at least one - and maybe both - Oliver and Leona dead. It's a wild ride and one that kept me engaged and eagerly flipping pages from start to finish. Castle/Krentz has a way of crafting these stories, and characters, that has me jumping right in with both feet and total acceptance. Nothing seems too "out there" to be believable. 

While the action/suspense element of this book takes the lead, romance is not lost. I loved the chemistry between Oliver and Leona and the way their relationship evolved over the course of the book. Their unique "talents" have caused previous relationships to crash and burn, leading both of them to think they are most likely destined to be alone. It was fun to watch that belief turned on its head. 

Last, but never least, a Jayne Castle Harmony novel would not be complete without a dust bunny. In this book, the star of the show is Roxy, a sparkly-blue-fascinator-wearing, pizza-eating, adventure-seeking, adrenaline junkie who is not about to be left behind when Oliver and Leona set off to solve the mysteries before them. I adored her and I have to be honest, she pretty much steals the whole book. 

If you're in the mood for laughter, suspense, witty dialog, tightly-crafted mystery, quirky characters, romance, danger, and happy endings, pick up a copy of It Takes a Psychic. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

PSA: When you get to Chapter Fifty-Two, make sure you're not eating or drinking anything. I laughed out loud the first time I read it and have continued to do so each of the two...five...fifteen times since. 

Note: If you read last year's People in Glass Houses (click title to read my review), you will recognize Leona as Molly's sister, the one lost in the Underworld who Molly is trying to rescue. If you're new to Harmony, it isn't necessary to read the two books in order to fully enjoy them. I do, however, highly recommend both. 

Have you read Jayne Ann Krentz or any of her other pen names?

Have you read any of the Harmony books?

Do you enjoy reading books with psychic elements? Have you ever had any psychic experiences?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 5 will receive a hardback copy of It Takes a Psychic.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Tour Review - - People in Glass Houses

People in Glass Houses

By Jayne Castle

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

His name is Joshua Knight. Once a respected explorer, the press now calls him the Tarnished Knight. He took the fall for a disaster in the Underworld that destroyed his career. The devastating event occurred in the newly discovered sector known as Glass House—a maze of crystal that is rumored to conceal powerful Alien antiquities. The rest of the Hollister Expedition team disappeared and are presumed dead.

Whatever happened down in the tunnels scrambled Josh’s psychic senses and his memories, but he’s determined to uncover the truth. Labeled delusional and paranoid, he retreats to an abandoned mansion in the desert, a house filled with mirrors. Now a recluse, Josh spends his days trying to discover the secrets in the looking glasses that cover the walls. He knows he is running out of time.

Talented, ambitious crystal artist Molly Griffin is shocked to learn that the Tarnished Knight has been located. She drops everything and heads for the mansion to find Josh, confident she can help him regain control of his shattered senses. She has no choice—he is the key to finding her sister, Leona, a member of the vanished expedition team. Josh reluctantly allows her to stay one night but there are two rules: she must not go down into the basement, and she must not uncover the mirrors that have been draped.

But her only hope for finding her sister is to break the rules…

PJ's Thoughts:

If Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick (she's all three) ever writes a book I'm able to put down before reaching the end, I'll probably fall over in shock. It doesn't matter if they're set in the past, the present, or the future, they are all compelling, addictive, and keep me compulsively reading way past my bedtime. People in Glass Houses is the newest entry in what is a very long list of books that would not only fill a keeper shelf of their own in my library, they would fill the whole dang bookcase. 

Molly and Joshua drew me into their story and kept me riveted through a series of surprises, twists, breath-stealing danger (haunted houses, anyone?), and endearing romance right up until the final scene. I loved them, had the best time tagging along on their adventures, and am already eagerly anticipating Molly's sister, Leona's story next. 

This is the seventeenth novel set on the planet of Harmony, far into the future, but don't let that scare you off. First, Harmony was originally populated by citizens of Earth when a curtain opened between the planets (then suddenly and inexplicably closed). Characters have developed advanced psychic and crystal using skills but they're descended from Earth's explorers, not aliens. Each book is written in such a way that you really can start anywhere and not feel lost or confused. Having said that, however, don't be surprised if once you experience any of these stories you immediately want to read more. The characters are relatable, the suspense threads are tightly constructed, the unique qualities of Harmony are fascinating (it really is a character in itself), and the dust bunnies are beyond adorable. Also dangerous when necessary. Or hungry. It's part of their charm. 

If you're a Krentz/Castle/Quick fan, add this one to your summer reading list. If you're new to the author, People in Glass Houses is a great place to jump in. It has my enthusiastic recommendation. 

Tour Review - - Sweetwater and the Witch

Sweetwater and the Witch

by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle

A Harmony Novel  

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: September 20, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

If there’s something Ravenna Chastain knows, it’s when to end things. And after she almost winds up the victim of a cult that believes she’s a witch, it’s easy to walk away from her dead-end career, ready for a new start. But where to find a job that would allow her to use her very specialized skill set? The answer is clear: she becomes a matchmaker.
 
But even a successful matchmaker can’t find someone for everyone, and Ravenna considers Ethan Sweetwater her first professional failure. After nine failed dates, Ravenna knows it’s time to cut Ethan loose. But Ethan refuses to be fired as a client—he needs one final date to a business function. Since Ravenna needs a date herself to a family event, they agree to a deal: she will be his (business) date if he will be her (fake) date to her grandparents’ anniversary celebration.
 
What Ethan fails to mention is that attending the business function is a cover for some industrial espionage that he’s doing as a favor to the new Illusion Town Guild boss. Ravenna is happy to help, but their relationship gets even more complicated when things heat up—the chemistry between them is explosive, as explosive as the danger that’s stalking Ravenna. Lucky for her, Ethan isn’t just an engineer—he’s also a Sweetwater, and Sweetwaters are known for hunting down monsters…

PJ's Thoughts:

Harriet is my new favorite dust bunny. I know. I know. My favorite changes with each new Harmony book that's published but I can't help it. Krentz/Castle keeps upping her game with each book written. She's just that good, as are her stories, her characters, and especially her dust bunnies. If you're new to the Harmony series you should know that dust bunnies are cute, cuddly, mischievous critters who closely resemble a piece of dryer lint and can turn deadly in a heartbeat. They pretty much steal every scene they're in. 

My eyes have been a bit strained lately so I decided to take my time with this book, reading a few chapters here and there over the course of a week. I finished it in one day. Could not put it down. Immersive. Compelling. Riveting. All the words apply. 

What makes these books so special? First there's the setting of Harmony. It doesn't matter if this is your first Harmony book or your fifteenth. The author does an amazing job of describing this planet with its glittering cities, dark streets, deadly underground, glowing gardens, dangerous alien artifacts, and psi energy, making it all seem normal and incredibly easy to visualize, like a movie moving across your mind. 

Buckle your seatbelts because once you're immersed into the other-worldly atmosphere of Harmony, Krentz/Castle takes you on a fast-paced, twisty, non-stop ride filled with action, danger, romance, and suspense. I spent much of the book on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, wondering what would happen next, while turning the pages as fast as I could to find out. 

Then there are the characters. If you've ever read a Jayne Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz, or Amanda Quick book, you know that creating unforgettable characters is a skill in which this author excels. Ravenna and Ethan are two of my favorites, showcasing the banter, wit, and quirky humor for which the author is known. I couldn't get enough of them. She could make them the featured couple in her next five books and I still wouldn't be tired of them. Nope. I would just grab a cauldron of popcorn and settle in for the fireworks (you'll understand once you've read the book). ;-)

If you're new to Harmony, don't be scared off by the fact that this is the 16th book in the series. This is one of those times where you really can jump in with Sweetwater and the Witch and not miss a beat. 

Warning: dust bunnies are addictive. 

Jayne Castle, the author of Guild Boss, Illusion Town, Siren's Call, The Hot Zone, Deception Cove, The Lost Night, Canyons of Night, Midnight Crystal, Obsidian Prey, Dark Light, Silver Master, Ghost Hunter, After Glow, and After Dark, is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She writes contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, as well as historical novels under the pseudonym Amanda Quick. Learn more online at www.jayneannkrentz.com. 

Author photo credit: Marc von Borstel.

Tour Review - - Guild Boss

Guild Boss

by Jayne Castle

A Harmony Novel

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: November 16, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Living in this new, alien world doesn’t stop the settlers from trying to re-create what they’ve left behind. Case in point—weddings are still the highlight of any social calendar. But it’s the after-party that turns disastrous for Lucy Bell. Kidnapped and drugged as she leaves the party, she manages to escape—only to find herself lost in the mysterious, alien underground maze of glowing green tunnels beneath Illusion Town. She’s been surviving on determination and cold pizza, scavenged for her by a special dust bunny, when help finally shows up. 

 
Gabriel Jones is the Ghost Hunter sent to rescue her, but escaping the underground ruins isn’t the end of her troubles—it’s only the beginning. With no rational reason for her abduction, and her sole witness gone on another assignment for the Guild, whispers start circulating that Lucy made it all up. Soon her life unravels until she has nothing left but her pride. The last thing she expects is for Gabriel Jones to come back to town for her.
 
The Lucy that Gabriel finds is not the same woman he rescued, the one who looked at him as if he were her hero. This Lucy is sharp, angry, and more than a little cynical—instead of awe, she treats him with extreme caution. But a killer is still hunting her, and there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to heroes. Despite her wariness, Gabriel is also the one person who believes Lucy—after all, he was there. He’s determined to help clear her reputation, no matter what it takes. And as the new Guild Boss, his word is law, even in the lawlessness of Illusion Town.

PJ's Thoughts:

I don't read a lot of paranormal romances, especially those set in the future, but I always make time for books set in the Harmony universe. I discovered this series about 20 years ago and was immediately captivated by this place in a faraway galaxy that was settled by explorers from Earth 200 years ago; explorers who were left stranded when the curtain between their worlds closed. Castle brings it all to life so vividly, so realistically, that it's easy to believe that Harmony, with all its psychic and paranormal activity, actually exists. 

Guild Boss is the newest installment in this long-running series and while it's the 15th Harmony book it is also a great place to jump in if you're new to the series. The story is intriguing, capturing my attention immediately and keeping me engaged until the end. Castle (who also writes as Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick) is no stranger to complex, well-developed characters or tightly-woven mysteries. Both are on display here. 

Lucy and Gabriel had no trouble at all engaging my interest and my affection. I loved the chemistry, the banter, the friction, and the respect that develops as they work together in an attempt to discover what really happened to Lucy and how it ties in with other mysterious events. There's also a sweetness between them that had me firmly in their corner, cheering them on. I appreciated the fact that Castle made Gabriel work hard to earn her trust first though. Let's just say that their initial encounter left Lucy reluctant to give him another chance. With good reason. 

Castle's ability to create an interesting cast of secondary characters who enrich the story without detracting from the main couple is another skill that ramps up my enjoyment of her books. Of course, the star of the show is Otis, Lucy's dust bunny pal. The romance between Gabriel and Lucy tugged at my heart, the twists and turns of the mystery kept me guessing until the reveal, the action kept me riveted to the pages, and the well-placed wit and humor elicited more than a few chuckles, but let's be honest...it's the dust bunnies who keep me coming back. I adore them!

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, Guild Boss is a great place to dip your toes into Castle's psychically-charged world of ghost hunters, dust bunnies, weather channelers, and did I mention dust bunnies? I highly recommend a visit to Harmony for your fall reading schedule.