by Jayne Castle
Series: Rainshadow #2, Harmony #10
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
In the world of Harmony, Rainshadow Island is home to a mysterious preserve, secrets that have been kept for centuries, and a treasure worth killing for...As a light-talent, Alice North has the rare ability to make things disappear, including herself—a gift that comes in handy during her magic act with her dust bunny Houdini. Business mogul Drake Sebastian is day-blind, since his sight was nearly destroyed in a lab accident. But he’s the one man who can see Alice when she disappears—and he needs her. On Rainshadow Island, two dangerous Old World crystals are missing, igniting a paranormal storm. Drake thinks Alice is the key to finding them, and proposes they head there, but only after a Marriage of Convenience. Alice’s honeymoon on Rainshadow is guaranteed to be memorable, as the island—and the passion between her and Drake—is about to explode...
Deception Cove is the second book in the Rainshadow trilogy and the tenth in the Harmony series. While it isn’t necessary to read them in order, I recommend you at least read the trilogies in order. Jayne Castle is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz and all of her stories take place in the future, in a world called Harmony. I love this strange world, especially the dust bunnies that dwell there. Three-word review: suspenseful, romantic and entertaining.
The tale begins when we meet Alice North, a light-talent who has the rare ability to make herself and objects around her disappear. Along with Houdini, her dust bunny, they perform magic acts, moving from city to city. Alice is trying to keep one step ahead of her ex’s mother who believes Alice is responsible for her son’s death. Drake Sebastian, a high spectrum light talent, who is now day-blind after a lab accident has been searching for Alice. He and his brothers believe she may hold the key to the unusual changes on Rainshadow Island. With her ex’s mother on her heels, Alice agrees to a Marriage of Convenience and travels with Drake to the island. There the two will face strange creatures, a psychotic villain and attempt to save the inhabitants. Along the way, their attraction for each other intensifies.
Alice is one tough cookie, and I am not so sure I could have handled the cards she’s been dealt. She is fearless and even manages to find humor in it all. Drake is swoon-worthy and confident, despite being betrayed in the past. The way he admires and protects Alice made him aces in my book. I instantly felt the connection between them and loved how there was this intense heat, wrapped in a slow building relationship. We meet characters from book one again, and some new ones which only added to the overall suspense and believability of the tale. Houdini was adorable, and fierce, reinforcing my love of dust bunnies.
Deception Cove continues the focus on the Preserve, a strange wooded area, filled with paranormal energy left from the aliens which use to dwell on this planet. Humans end up getting lost in these woods and are never seen or heard from again. We know about the Sebastians’ link to this island and the old world crystals, and I love how Castle brought Alice into the story linking her to them. The paranormal storm, creatures, and cause were wonderfully done and added to the suspense. I found myself flipping the pages wanting to solve the case and see Alice and Drake fortify their relationship. In-between chaos and danger we get some wonderfully romantic and steamy hot moments as only Castle (Krentz) can deliver. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
For those of you not familiar with Jayne Anne Krentz, she writes romantic suspense wrapped in paranormal woo-woo in three different genres. She writes contemporary as Jayne Ann Krentz, historical as Amanda Quick and futuristic as Jayne Castle. All three are on my auto-buy list, and her books give me immense pleasure.
Fans of romantic suspense, in a futuristic setting, will enjoy Deception Cover and the Rainshadow Trilogy. You just have to meet a dust bunny!
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Daniel M
no thanks, got too many already hiding behind all the furniture
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha! These are cute, and chortle.
Gaby Metivier
No, I would not have a bunny as a pet. A devilish one bit me when I was a little girl, so I don’t like them very much.
(By the way, I get how stupid it is to be bitten by a bunny… is funny now, but it really wasn’t then u.u)
Thank you for the review and giveaway!! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Aww that naughty bunny bite you. It may seem funny now but those childhood memories are powerful, and those little teeth hurt!
Lauren
Yes, I want a dust bunny. They are so cute.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Lauren, good luck!
Berls
This sounds wonderful! I’ve been completely unaware of Jayne Castle (and all here pen-names) and it sounds like I’ve been missing out. I love the sounds of this world, the dust bunnies, and the characters. Another one for my TBR – great review!
Jolene A
OH MY GOSH NO!! I am not fond of dust bunnies and I can’t stand those little suckers! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Okkie then, I don’t like earthly dust bunnies, but the ones on Harmony are cute, and I love when they accessorize.
Zee
nah. allergies.
(btw, I love that cover) 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I do too, and ooh allergies are no fun 🙂 good luck!
Dani
Love this novel and I love dust bunnies! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
they make me giggle!
Mary Preston
Dust bunnies would have me sneezing, so I have to pass.
kimbacaffeinate
Allergies are pesky, I hope you get a chance to read this series.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I think I remember hearing about the first book. This does sound good. 🙂 Thank you!
kimbacaffeinate
I love this author and hope you get a chance to try this.
emaginette
What wish I had dust bunnies. I’ve got them and the go very well with my dust ruffles and dead vacuum cleaner. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: well these might be a tad cuter, and love candies and sparkly things. 🙂
Michelle
Oh wow this is part of two series that I haven’t read yet, so I don’t think I will be getting to it anytime soon. But it looks like a great book. I love that Allison is tough!
Great Review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Michelle it is part of a series, but Castle makes them work as standalone.
Bea
I do enjoy this author but I haven’t read many in the Harmony series, mostly her contemporaries and historicals.
I have dust bunnies a plenty at my house 😀 But I assume you mean some sort of living, animal-type dust bunny. I don’t think I’d accessorize it, I don’t even dress up my cat, but I’d give it the run of the place so he and the cat could keep each other company. 😛
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I think the dust bunny and kitty would get along splendidly!
Jo
I love this series so had to come over and see what you had to say. I already own both books so didn’t enter the contest.
kimbacaffeinate
*waves to another like-minded fan* So glad you stopped in. This has been a fun post, and I am enjoying reading comments about how people would accessorize their dust bunnies..LOL
Debbie Haupt
Kimba great review I Love Jayne Castle 🙂
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Oh me too, total fangirl here! If you have read my bio, I give her full credit for my exploration into new genres. Thanks to her Arcane novels there isn’t a genre I won’t at least try.
Vilia
Straight onto my TBR list – didn’t pass go, didn’t collect $200 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh, Vilia I am sitting here all congested, coughing and feeling sorry for myself and you my friend have made me giggle with all of your comments…thank you! I have mad love for this author and hope you enjoy it!
Denise Z
This is a new series for me and sounds like a bit of a departure from what I have read by her in the past. Definitely looks yummy and I am looking forward to the fun. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. BTW my dustbunny would have a very special spidy-webb blankey to keep it warm on those cold winter nights and afternoons 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, sounds like you will be spoiling that dust bunny. I hope you get a chance to try these.
aurian
Great review Anna, and I totally agree with you. Not entering the contest, as I already have and love all her books.
kimbacaffeinate
Yep, she rocks!
Cherry Mischievous
Q: Would you like a dust bunny as a pet and how would you accessorize it?
A: I would love a dust bunny! I think I will try various ribbons for ponytails on it’s head 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am sure she would love that, ribbons are colorful 🙂
Giselle
Oh this sounds cool and creepy. I love books in a wooden setting it’s always creepy and atmospheric. I’ll have to check this series out!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Giselle, I love the world Castle created on Harmony.
Braine Talk Supe
I think I’ll pass on the bunny because I have allergies to fur and that one time when I had bunnies for pets, they died! Traumatic!
Anyway, I’ve seen this around but didn’t really pay attention to the “supe” part of the story. After reading this, I think I will most certainly like this book. I love the concept and the Houdini bit.
kimbacaffeinate
I know what you mean my son has a lion-headed bunny and I have to wash my hands after handling him because if I touched my eyes I get water blisters on them..it is awful!
kimbacaffeinate
OMG, and yes my friend you need to try these!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
One of these days I am going to catch up on all of Jayne’s books…I am actually so tempted to just make 2014 a series reading year and catch up on everything! Regarding the dust bunnies…I’ve never met one but imagine they might want to pick their own accessories?
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo that would be fun, I have a few I am in behind on and others I read as soon as they print..LOL
Diane Sallans
Jayne (in all her personas) has long been a favorite author ! I have to figure out how she mixes the series.
kimbacaffeinate
For the longest time I kept an excel spreadsheet of them. I have now read them all..and like you she is one of my favorites 🙂
Jenea
I’m not familiar with the series, but it sounds like a good one. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Jenea it is one of my favorites.
Sam
I had to google dust bunny as I wasn’t really sure if I was picturing the right thing! I’m still not. 😉 Anyway, this book sounds fantastic! I’m surprised that I haven’t come across this author before, but I’ll definitely be checking this series out now. Thanks for the great review, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
No one on Earth is really sure what they look like since they come from the colonized planet Harmony, but they are adorable and fierce and make excellent companions.
Sienna Snow
Fantastic review, this book sounds awesome!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Sienna 🙂
Tammy
Probably not. I’m a neat freak since I was raised in clutter so if it doesn’t serve a purpose it needs to go.
kimbacaffeinate
He might make a mess, but he can also see in the paranormal and alert you to danger..ooh and get help if you need it 🙂
Candace
I’m not completely sure what a dust bunny is, it’s hard for me to picture, I think I need to read the book. But these sound fantastic and like a series I would really enjoy! I’m going to the used bookstore (to beg for a holiday job)and I’ll see if the first one happens to there. Sounds fantastic!
kimbacaffeinate
hmm, picture a ball of fur, with a cute little face and feet that chortles who likes candy.
kindlemom1
You have me completely curious about the dust bunny!!
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: They are the cutest, toughest little balls of fur on feet you ever will meet.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I don’t think I have ever read a Jayne Castle book…I have sampled books by Krentz, however. Now I’m definitely curious! Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try her, one of my favorites!
A Voracious Reader
How did I miss this series? I’ll need to add it to the unbelievably ginormous TBR. 😀
Lark of the Bookwyrm's Hoard
I would LOVE a dust bunny, and I would probably let the dust bunny pick his/her accessories, since most of them definitely have minds of their own. But if I got to choose, I would accessorize it to reflect my love of certain fantasy novels. I’m thinking a little knit beret and scarf in Gryffindor colors, for instance, or an elven cloak and pin from LOTR. Maybe a cape with Keladry of Mindelan’s coat of arms on it (Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small quartet.) Or a white horse toy and a white cloak, for Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books.
kimbacaffeinate
Awe Lark I am loving all the accessories you picked, and I think your dust bunny would love all those options!
Ginny
I’ve read book 1 and loved it and the dust bunny, Houdini. Let’s see accessories for my dust bunny? Mine would probably have to share accessories with my dogs. So Alabama sweatshirts and a matching bow tie collar. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am loving it Ginny!
Anca B.
I loved this series and all the books this author writes under all her pen names. She’s on my auto-buy list. And to answer the question, I would love a dust bunny and I can share all my jewelry and accessories.
kimbacaffeinate
Bedazzled Dust Bunny!
brandileigh2003
The romance sounds great!~
If you think about it, will you link me for Sunday Post tomorrow?
kimbacaffeinate
I would be happy to link you Brandi! Have fun at Disney 🙂
blodeuedd
Lol, sure why not. I will take on a dustbunny and put a bowtie on it
kimbacaffeinate
Oh my goodness Houdini would look smashing with a bow tie and maybe a fez.
Lark of the Bookwyrm's Hoard
Oops, I left that one out of my fantasy characters list! (See my comment below)
Sarah M
Dust…allergies… No bueno 😛 I’d probably spice it up with some lint from my brightly colored sweaters 😛
kimbacaffeinate
Ha, well they aren’t made of Dust, but they are fuzzy and one likes to carry a little purse..LOL
Tanja
I have never heard of this author or this series but Harmony seems like a really interesting world and I want to see it. I need to start with the first book though 😀 Great review Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Tanja, this is such a great series, I hope you get to try them.
Megan
This one sounds awesome. I think this is a series I would enjoy. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I have mad love for this author, and love the suspense & mystery woven into these tales.