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Rainshadow #0
Canyons of Night
There are as many mysteries aboveground on the world of Harmony as there are underground. The island of Rainshadow is the setting for one of the greatest of those secrets: the privately owned woods known only as the Preserve...
Growing up on Rainshadow, Charlotte Enright knew better than to ever go into the Preserve, until that one fateful night with Slade Attridge -- a night neither of them would forget.
Now, fifteen years later, both have returned to the island: Charlotte to take over her late aunt's antiques shop and Slade to fill the police chief's position. Able to read auras, Charlotte senses something amiss in Slade, but that doesn't stop her from wanting him -- again. That is, as long as his dust bunny "deputy" keeps his paws off her merchandise.
Hiding a psi injury, Slade is afraid of his powerful desire for Charlotte. But a series of increasingly violent crimes draws them closer together -- and into the darkness at the heart of the Preserve...
Growing up on Rainshadow, Charlotte Enright knew better than to ever go into the Preserve, until that one fateful night with Slade Attridge -- a night neither of them would forget.
Now, fifteen years later, both have returned to the island: Charlotte to take over her late aunt's antiques shop and Slade to fill the police chief's position. Able to read auras, Charlotte senses something amiss in Slade, but that doesn't stop her from wanting him -- again. That is, as long as his dust bunny "deputy" keeps his paws off her merchandise.
Hiding a psi injury, Slade is afraid of his powerful desire for Charlotte. But a series of increasingly violent crimes draws them closer together -- and into the darkness at the heart of the Preserve...
325 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2011
651 people are currently reading
4195 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Castle
54 books2,159 followersThe author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
May 18, 2017
I don't know who the girl on the cover of this book is supposed to be, because it in no way is the heroine of the book. Maybe it's the hero's side-piece in a few years.
Anyway... another okay read in this very hokey, but kind of fun, world that is taking place on another planet in the future. The romance in this one was better than the last one because you actually believed the couple liked each other. That helps when it comes to love stories. These two met as teenagers and she had a major crush on him and now are meeting 15 years later.
Let me again state how absolutely crappy the sex scenes are in this series. It is so bad that it makes me laugh. I'm going to spoiler this quote because it is very explicit, so watch your virgin eyes and don't open it if you don't understand the phrase wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am.
Lol!! Seriously? That's all you got, dude? I thought book-sex was supposed to actually be better than real sex! Here's a lesson for you girls: if this is the sex you get when you are auditioning boyfriends, keep searching.
The best characters in this series are always the dust bunnies. They are adorable fluff-balls with a ton of personality and the ability to kill your enemies. Just what I look for in a pet. In this book, we have Rex, who is a badass bunny-hunter, but develops a taste for women's fashion. Rex finds a beaded evening bag that he decides he needs and carries with him everywhere. He puts his treasures inside of it, like paper clips. Our main man, Quickdraw is what I call him, wonders if Rex's new accessory is going to hurt his man card:
"It has been suggested that hanging out with a dust bunny who carries a purse might have a negative impact on my image as a hard-core crime fighter."
"Don't be ridiculous," Myrna said. "It's a very nice clutch."
Yeah, if anything is going to hurt your manly image, Quickdraw, it's going to be the fact that you and your girl's honeymoon lasted 30 seconds. You might need to stay in the hotel room and watch a movie or something afterwards to make things look better.
Besides, Rex's purse is European, so it's okay.
Man, that series was funny!
Well, on to the next book. Let's hope this next guy has a little more... ahem.. stamina.
Anyway... another okay read in this very hokey, but kind of fun, world that is taking place on another planet in the future. The romance in this one was better than the last one because you actually believed the couple liked each other. That helps when it comes to love stories. These two met as teenagers and she had a major crush on him and now are meeting 15 years later.
Let me again state how absolutely crappy the sex scenes are in this series. It is so bad that it makes me laugh. I'm going to spoiler this quote because it is very explicit, so watch your virgin eyes and don't open it if you don't understand the phrase wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am.
Lol!! Seriously? That's all you got, dude? I thought book-sex was supposed to actually be better than real sex! Here's a lesson for you girls: if this is the sex you get when you are auditioning boyfriends, keep searching.
The best characters in this series are always the dust bunnies. They are adorable fluff-balls with a ton of personality and the ability to kill your enemies. Just what I look for in a pet. In this book, we have Rex, who is a badass bunny-hunter, but develops a taste for women's fashion. Rex finds a beaded evening bag that he decides he needs and carries with him everywhere. He puts his treasures inside of it, like paper clips. Our main man, Quickdraw is what I call him, wonders if Rex's new accessory is going to hurt his man card:
"It has been suggested that hanging out with a dust bunny who carries a purse might have a negative impact on my image as a hard-core crime fighter."
"Don't be ridiculous," Myrna said. "It's a very nice clutch."
Yeah, if anything is going to hurt your manly image, Quickdraw, it's going to be the fact that you and your girl's honeymoon lasted 30 seconds. You might need to stay in the hotel room and watch a movie or something afterwards to make things look better.
Besides, Rex's purse is European, so it's okay.
Man, that series was funny!
Well, on to the next book. Let's hope this next guy has a little more... ahem.. stamina.
December 10, 2012
Reading Krentz/Quick/Castle is something like buying a one-pound assortment of candy, and finding that they are all chocolate-covered cherries. If one happens to like the flavor (which I do), this is not really a problem, but I admit reading a bunch in a row does the author a bit of a disservice. The basic flavor of a K/Q/C romance plot might be shorthanded as "Beauty and the Beast" or "My Bodyguard"; the heroines gradually become more kick-ass over time as the market has permitted (or demanded), but, of course, never more so than their heroes. No “Freddies” here, alas.
The SF-nal series under the Jayne Castle penname beginning with After Dark (2000) is the more successful in terms of genre cross-over with SF than the earlier series (the eponymous Zinnia, Orchid, and Amaryllis); the later-published works are a sort of universe-reboot of the earlier. Both more or less transpose the contemporary Pacific Northwest into SF-nalized colony-planet settings with psi powers, but the series beginning with After Dark adds ancient alien abandoned cities and artifacts to the mix, much to its benefit. “Romantic suspense with psi” might be another thumbnail description.
Of the three latest of this series I picked up from the library this past weekend to treat my reading blahs, I found one shelved in the general fiction section, one in the Romance section, and one in the SF section. (All the same series, mind you. K/Q/C readers need to be persistent and wide-ranging in their shelf searches.) She’s actually done trilogies in her “Arcane Series” with one volume as historical, the second as contemporary and the third as SF, which amuses me vastly and likely gives her publisher fits. Obsidian Prey takes place in her urban colony world setting (with alien maguffins); Canyons of Night and The Lost Night move offshore to an island in P/u/g/e/t S/o/u/n/d the Amber Sea. Castle does rather a lot of the “call a rabbit a smerp”-style of SF writing, but every once in a while she slips in a real smerp.
The books are probably not for the more rabid sorts of SF purists, but they did fix my reading block, as I shot through three of them in two days. Reassuring, and I would read them again sometime when I’m in a similar mood, so I’ll give them a 4-stars rating.
Goodreads does not permit joint reviews, so I'll stick this all somewhat randomly under Canyons of Night. But I'd aim readers new to the series or author to the first "Harmony" novel, After Dark, for starters.
Ta, L.
The SF-nal series under the Jayne Castle penname beginning with After Dark (2000) is the more successful in terms of genre cross-over with SF than the earlier series (the eponymous Zinnia, Orchid, and Amaryllis); the later-published works are a sort of universe-reboot of the earlier. Both more or less transpose the contemporary Pacific Northwest into SF-nalized colony-planet settings with psi powers, but the series beginning with After Dark adds ancient alien abandoned cities and artifacts to the mix, much to its benefit. “Romantic suspense with psi” might be another thumbnail description.
Of the three latest of this series I picked up from the library this past weekend to treat my reading blahs, I found one shelved in the general fiction section, one in the Romance section, and one in the SF section. (All the same series, mind you. K/Q/C readers need to be persistent and wide-ranging in their shelf searches.) She’s actually done trilogies in her “Arcane Series” with one volume as historical, the second as contemporary and the third as SF, which amuses me vastly and likely gives her publisher fits. Obsidian Prey takes place in her urban colony world setting (with alien maguffins); Canyons of Night and The Lost Night move offshore to an island in P/u/g/e/t S/o/u/n/d the Amber Sea. Castle does rather a lot of the “call a rabbit a smerp”-style of SF writing, but every once in a while she slips in a real smerp.
The books are probably not for the more rabid sorts of SF purists, but they did fix my reading block, as I shot through three of them in two days. Reassuring, and I would read them again sometime when I’m in a similar mood, so I’ll give them a 4-stars rating.
Goodreads does not permit joint reviews, so I'll stick this all somewhat randomly under Canyons of Night. But I'd aim readers new to the series or author to the first "Harmony" novel, After Dark, for starters.
Ta, L.
November 19, 2016
Canyons of Night (Looking Glass Trilogy, # 3, The Arcane Society, # 12, Harmony, # 8) by Jayne Castle is a spin-off from Harmony and is set in Rainshadow Island, home to a mysterious Reserve where people who don't fit in with society can live a quiet and safe life.
I liked the two main characters and the secondary ones as well. I would have like to have seen a bit more chemistry between Charlotte and Slade but they were still likeable and very engaging.
This series would not be the same without the Dust Bunnies........and here we have Rex..........what a character........he's definitely not your average DB!!!!
Charlotte Enright, owner of the local antique shop called "Looking Glass" in Rainshadow Island, and Slade Attridge, the new police chief had met when they were teeangers. Fifteen years later both have come back to the island. Strange and unexplainable are happenning in the mysterious reserve.
I liked the two main characters and the secondary ones as well. I would have like to have seen a bit more chemistry between Charlotte and Slade but they were still likeable and very engaging.
This series would not be the same without the Dust Bunnies........and here we have Rex..........what a character........he's definitely not your average DB!!!!
I am so looking forward to more of Rainshadow Island and it's weird and wonderful cast of characters.
September 17, 2023
I think I finally figured what my problem is with many of this author's books. They remind me of highly processed, 'diet' food. It's fat or sugar-less, but unfortunately also tasteless. Plus you end up eating more because you know it's diet! So at the end of the day your calorie count is the same or above, but you haven't really eaten that well.
Canyons of the night is uber light: extra thin plot, not much world building, a romance that is mostly uh?
It reads easily, but it doesn't have much else.
Canyons of the night is uber light: extra thin plot, not much world building, a romance that is mostly uh?
It reads easily, but it doesn't have much else.
January 18, 2016
Light and fluffy just what I needed. All the sweetness without the calories.
August 26, 2015
I don't know if it's relief that the Harmony series isn't degenerating after all or simply a better story, but I lost myself to this book and enjoyed every minute. It's not a complete win, but it was enough of one that I'm looking forward to the next one, already.
I liked Charlotte from the start. She's diffident in ways that most Krentz heroines aren't and her power is subtler (to the point that people dismiss her pretty much outright). I liked how well she puts up with that and how she takes true joy in bringing the perfect gifts to the people in her life. And yes, "rainbow auras" is every bit as silly as dreamlight but for some reason it didn't bug me nearly as much. Maybe because it had clear rules that weren't being forever extended into the next panacea for whatever the story wanted.
For his part, Slade was a bit more damaged than is typical of a Krentz hero. He's facing some career-ending blowback from a previous job and struggling to find his way to a new path in life. As at least one other character notes explicitly, however, he's got the protective thing written in his DNA, so I couldn't help attaching to him early and deeply. He was maybe a little stubborn in his self-immolation, but nothing Charlotte couldn't snap him out of.
I get the sense that I should be very grateful that I skipped the whole Looking Glass Trilogy. This is the last book of it and from what I can tell I'm glad I missed the other two. What little hints we get of it sound deeply silly. You can dress it up as "automatons" all you like, but in the end, it's all killer dolls. Creepy, sure, but not really interesting to me.
I do like the setup for Rainshadow island. That gives me some hope for the rest of the series as it looks pretty tightly bound there going forward. I hope that turns out as well as it seems from the setup, but we'll see, I suppose.
So this is a solid three and a half stars throughout and it gets a rounding boost for not having any dreamlight in it. I can't wait for the next and hope it keeps up the quality.
A note about Steamy: Relatively light steam, I think. Two explicit sex scenes, but the second was both short and cut to black pretty quick. I actually liked how their intimate life played out and how it had some serious back and forth.
I liked Charlotte from the start. She's diffident in ways that most Krentz heroines aren't and her power is subtler (to the point that people dismiss her pretty much outright). I liked how well she puts up with that and how she takes true joy in bringing the perfect gifts to the people in her life. And yes, "rainbow auras" is every bit as silly as dreamlight but for some reason it didn't bug me nearly as much. Maybe because it had clear rules that weren't being forever extended into the next panacea for whatever the story wanted.
For his part, Slade was a bit more damaged than is typical of a Krentz hero. He's facing some career-ending blowback from a previous job and struggling to find his way to a new path in life. As at least one other character notes explicitly, however, he's got the protective thing written in his DNA, so I couldn't help attaching to him early and deeply. He was maybe a little stubborn in his self-immolation, but nothing Charlotte couldn't snap him out of.
I get the sense that I should be very grateful that I skipped the whole Looking Glass Trilogy. This is the last book of it and from what I can tell I'm glad I missed the other two. What little hints we get of it sound deeply silly. You can dress it up as "automatons" all you like, but in the end, it's all killer dolls. Creepy, sure, but not really interesting to me.
I do like the setup for Rainshadow island. That gives me some hope for the rest of the series as it looks pretty tightly bound there going forward. I hope that turns out as well as it seems from the setup, but we'll see, I suppose.
So this is a solid three and a half stars throughout and it gets a rounding boost for not having any dreamlight in it. I can't wait for the next and hope it keeps up the quality.
A note about Steamy: Relatively light steam, I think. Two explicit sex scenes, but the second was both short and cut to black pretty quick. I actually liked how their intimate life played out and how it had some serious back and forth.
September 2, 2011
(2.5 stars) Canyons of Night moves the Castle/Krentz/Quick's Looking Glass series back to the future and to a new corner of her Harmony world to finish off the trilogy, while apparently starting a new series of Harmony books set on Rainshadow Island.
Slade Attridge had never planned to return to Rainshadow Island, but having suffered a grievous injury to his hunter talent and on the verge of psi-blindness, after a fifteen year absence he's back to play sheriff while pulling together plans for his soon to be talentless life. Having also recently returned to Rainshadow to take over her late aunt's antique shop, Charlotte is no longer the geeky young girl with a crush on the older Slade - who long ago played knight in shining armor and also took her exploring in the forbidden Preserve - but she is still captivated by Slade.
Taken on it's own or as the start to the books set on Harmony's Rainshadow Island, Canyons of the Night was a cotton candy read - enjoyable, but without much substance. Both of the pair are likeable for the most part, although during the reunion that serves as our intro to our now grown up leads, Charlotte comes across a bit naggy with Slade whose dust bunny pal is on the loose around her precious antiques. But except for a minor snag on their first date, they are pretty much a done deal from the start, so their relationship just flows along to their happily ever after.
Taken as the final chapter in the Looking Glass trilogy however, Canyon of the Night was pretty thin. There a few of the lethal devices make an appearance, along with a key artifact, but the wrap up to the three book saga was just plain anti-climatic with the villain popping up out of nowhere at the end, and then the classic cartoon villain pitfall leading to defeat - the monologue.
Since this is the Rainshadow series starter, there are at few characters introduced and threads left hanging with respect to the mysterious Preserve. So, Canyons of Night was pleasant enough, if not all that satisfying, and I'll likely read the next one and hope for a bit more ghost hunter action the next time 'round.
Slade Attridge had never planned to return to Rainshadow Island, but having suffered a grievous injury to his hunter talent and on the verge of psi-blindness, after a fifteen year absence he's back to play sheriff while pulling together plans for his soon to be talentless life. Having also recently returned to Rainshadow to take over her late aunt's antique shop, Charlotte is no longer the geeky young girl with a crush on the older Slade - who long ago played knight in shining armor and also took her exploring in the forbidden Preserve - but she is still captivated by Slade.
Taken on it's own or as the start to the books set on Harmony's Rainshadow Island, Canyons of the Night was a cotton candy read - enjoyable, but without much substance. Both of the pair are likeable for the most part, although during the reunion that serves as our intro to our now grown up leads, Charlotte comes across a bit naggy with Slade whose dust bunny pal is on the loose around her precious antiques. But except for a minor snag on their first date, they are pretty much a done deal from the start, so their relationship just flows along to their happily ever after.
Taken as the final chapter in the Looking Glass trilogy however, Canyon of the Night was pretty thin. There a few of the lethal devices make an appearance, along with a key artifact, but the wrap up to the three book saga was just plain anti-climatic with the villain popping up out of nowhere at the end, and then the classic cartoon villain pitfall leading to defeat - the monologue.
Since this is the Rainshadow series starter, there are at few characters introduced and threads left hanging with respect to the mysterious Preserve. So, Canyons of Night was pleasant enough, if not all that satisfying, and I'll likely read the next one and hope for a bit more ghost hunter action the next time 'round.
November 5, 2018
She ended one series (Arcane Society) with this book and started another one (Rainbow Shadow). I really enjoyed this one as there were several references to characters from the past (literally) from the Arcane Society. Of course, I'm starting this series. It is fascinating. ;)
December 22, 2015
I love Jayne Ann Krentz and her other aliases, Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick. However, I normally think less of the Jayne Castle books. However, this is an exception as it is an offshoot of the Arcane Society series, which I really, really like.
(I'm not too fond of the cover, though, as I don't think it represents the character well.)
This story takes place entirely on a quaint, exotic island. Books that do this appeal to me. I like the isolation motif where everything is confined to a limited area like a lonely, haunted Victorian manor or, as in this case, an island.
Once again, we have psi-weapons and crystals and the odd dust bunny. Very fun.
(I'm not too fond of the cover, though, as I don't think it represents the character well.)
This story takes place entirely on a quaint, exotic island. Books that do this appeal to me. I like the isolation motif where everything is confined to a limited area like a lonely, haunted Victorian manor or, as in this case, an island.
Once again, we have psi-weapons and crystals and the odd dust bunny. Very fun.
September 22, 2018
I've come to like best those Harmony stories which are set on Rainshadow Island. Particularly I like the characters of Charlotte and Slade, along with the dust bunny Rex. Not a great book, just good reading.
eta: I really dislike the covers, though; all those tight black leather pants. Artistic dept seemed to have a butt fetish or something.
eta: I really dislike the covers, though; all those tight black leather pants. Artistic dept seemed to have a butt fetish or something.
February 26, 2018
I only read these for the dust bunnies! Rex was fabulous, he had style and extremely good taste! The romance was pretty good too and I enjoyed the mystery. JAK has great world building and I wasn't even too cranky about the whole Arcane thing carry over.
August 28, 2011
You can also read this review at Reflections on Reading Romance
I’ve been a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz in her various pseudonyms ever since my Mother-in-Law shared some of her Amanda Quick books with me, and I’ve really enjoyed her Paranormal Romances written under the name Jayne Castle. So I was thrilled when I saw her newest book, Canyons of Night (Book Three of the Looking Glass Trilogy), at Target last night, especially since it’s not being released until Tuesday, August 30. While Canyons of Night feels a little short, it was a pleasant return to the world of Harmony and the Arcane Society.
The book takes place on the island of Rainshadow and begins when three young tourists out for a ride decide to harass 15 year old Charlotte Enright. She’s an awkward girl with horribly nerdy glasses, but she manages to fight off her attackers until 19 year old Slade Attridge shows up and scares them off. Charlotte has a major crush on Slade, who’s the ultimate loner, and she’s thrilled when he agrees to show her parts of the Rainshadow Preserves after her ordeal. The next day he leaves to join the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation, and Charlotte vows that the next time they see each other he won’t be treating her like a kid sister. Jump to fifteen years later and Slade is back on the island, as is Charlotte. Slade’s burned out from his job with the FBPI and working as the island’s Police Chief for 6 months until he can get his security firm up and running. Charlotte has just moved back to the island herself after inheriting her eccentric Aunt Beatrix’s para-antiques store, Looking Glass Antiques. When the body of a man who was stalking Charlotte in Frequency City appears in her store, Slade senses that his death is not from natural causes and begins an investigation. In the course of the investigation, the two begin an affair and must deal with their fears about their psychic abilities while putting off a few busybody neighbors.
I’ve always enjoyed Ms. Krentz’s writing, and it’s like coming to home to read one of her books. You can count on her having likeable characters and interesting plots, and Canyons of Night is no exception to that rule. Even if you haven’t read any of her other books set in the world of Harmony, you’ll easily be able to follow along. However, while I very much like the book, I do feel that this is the weakest book in the Looking Glass Trilogy, mainly because it is so short. It’s only 325 pages long, and you can really tell the difference between this and earlier books set in Harmony, such as my favorites After Dark and Silver Master. While the older novels may have a similar number of pages, the font is noticeably smaller and there is less space between lines, yielding more text and therefore allowing for more development of characters and plot.
As for the romance between the hero and heroine, Slade is a sexy alpha male and Charlotte is one of Krentz’s trademark quirky heroines. They clearly share a connection from their experience in the Rainshadow Preserves nearly 15 years ago. The two definitely set off sparks, but the romance follows the formula of Krentz’s recent books. Like several of her other newer heroes, Slade’s had a violent change in his psychic abilities that he fears will end in madness, while the insightful heroine manages to help him learn to accept and deal with the changes in his life. But Krentz does a good job of selling us on this formula, and I enjoyed their romance, despite hoping for more development.
As in her other books, the mystery is tidily resolved, but in this particular novel I could spot the villain a mile off, which was somewhat disappointing. The resolution of the conflict between Charlotte and the villain struck me as familiar as well, reminding me of how the heroine in Fired Up! , the first book in the trilogy, manages to extract herself from dangerous situations.
Another niggling complaint has to do with the title of the book, Canyons of Night. The phrase refers to a term that Slade uses to describe the lakes in the mysterious Rainshadow Preserves. I’m a bit conflicted about the use of the Preserves in the book, because they’re featured prominently in the story but our questions about them are never answered. I’m not sure why this was chosen as the title, since the actual mystery in the text doesn’t have anything to do with the Preserves. Several different characters venture into the forest at times and much is made of the fact that most who enter never return or return forever changed. However, the answers to the mystery of the Preserves is clearly intended for a future book. That we never learn about the danger that is clearly developing within the Preserves is a bit of a let-down.
All in all, I enjoyed returning to the world of Harmony and the Arcane Society, especially since we get to meet a new dustbunny, Rex, who likes to carry around an antique beaded clutch he stole from Charlotte’s store. Reading Canyons of Night is like catching up with an old friend, but I would have liked to see more development of Charlotte and Slade’s characters. They’re likeable but, because of the length of the novel and the somewhat formulaic nature of their romance, easily forgettable.
I’ve been a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz in her various pseudonyms ever since my Mother-in-Law shared some of her Amanda Quick books with me, and I’ve really enjoyed her Paranormal Romances written under the name Jayne Castle. So I was thrilled when I saw her newest book, Canyons of Night (Book Three of the Looking Glass Trilogy), at Target last night, especially since it’s not being released until Tuesday, August 30. While Canyons of Night feels a little short, it was a pleasant return to the world of Harmony and the Arcane Society.
The book takes place on the island of Rainshadow and begins when three young tourists out for a ride decide to harass 15 year old Charlotte Enright. She’s an awkward girl with horribly nerdy glasses, but she manages to fight off her attackers until 19 year old Slade Attridge shows up and scares them off. Charlotte has a major crush on Slade, who’s the ultimate loner, and she’s thrilled when he agrees to show her parts of the Rainshadow Preserves after her ordeal. The next day he leaves to join the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation, and Charlotte vows that the next time they see each other he won’t be treating her like a kid sister. Jump to fifteen years later and Slade is back on the island, as is Charlotte. Slade’s burned out from his job with the FBPI and working as the island’s Police Chief for 6 months until he can get his security firm up and running. Charlotte has just moved back to the island herself after inheriting her eccentric Aunt Beatrix’s para-antiques store, Looking Glass Antiques. When the body of a man who was stalking Charlotte in Frequency City appears in her store, Slade senses that his death is not from natural causes and begins an investigation. In the course of the investigation, the two begin an affair and must deal with their fears about their psychic abilities while putting off a few busybody neighbors.
I’ve always enjoyed Ms. Krentz’s writing, and it’s like coming to home to read one of her books. You can count on her having likeable characters and interesting plots, and Canyons of Night is no exception to that rule. Even if you haven’t read any of her other books set in the world of Harmony, you’ll easily be able to follow along. However, while I very much like the book, I do feel that this is the weakest book in the Looking Glass Trilogy, mainly because it is so short. It’s only 325 pages long, and you can really tell the difference between this and earlier books set in Harmony, such as my favorites After Dark and Silver Master. While the older novels may have a similar number of pages, the font is noticeably smaller and there is less space between lines, yielding more text and therefore allowing for more development of characters and plot.
As for the romance between the hero and heroine, Slade is a sexy alpha male and Charlotte is one of Krentz’s trademark quirky heroines. They clearly share a connection from their experience in the Rainshadow Preserves nearly 15 years ago. The two definitely set off sparks, but the romance follows the formula of Krentz’s recent books. Like several of her other newer heroes, Slade’s had a violent change in his psychic abilities that he fears will end in madness, while the insightful heroine manages to help him learn to accept and deal with the changes in his life. But Krentz does a good job of selling us on this formula, and I enjoyed their romance, despite hoping for more development.
As in her other books, the mystery is tidily resolved, but in this particular novel I could spot the villain a mile off, which was somewhat disappointing. The resolution of the conflict between Charlotte and the villain struck me as familiar as well, reminding me of how the heroine in Fired Up! , the first book in the trilogy, manages to extract herself from dangerous situations.
Another niggling complaint has to do with the title of the book, Canyons of Night. The phrase refers to a term that Slade uses to describe the lakes in the mysterious Rainshadow Preserves. I’m a bit conflicted about the use of the Preserves in the book, because they’re featured prominently in the story but our questions about them are never answered. I’m not sure why this was chosen as the title, since the actual mystery in the text doesn’t have anything to do with the Preserves. Several different characters venture into the forest at times and much is made of the fact that most who enter never return or return forever changed. However, the answers to the mystery of the Preserves is clearly intended for a future book. That we never learn about the danger that is clearly developing within the Preserves is a bit of a let-down.
All in all, I enjoyed returning to the world of Harmony and the Arcane Society, especially since we get to meet a new dustbunny, Rex, who likes to carry around an antique beaded clutch he stole from Charlotte’s store. Reading Canyons of Night is like catching up with an old friend, but I would have liked to see more development of Charlotte and Slade’s characters. They’re likeable but, because of the length of the novel and the somewhat formulaic nature of their romance, easily forgettable.
December 13, 2011
I hate to say anything negative about a book, I really do. Even if I couldn't stand it or couldn't finish it (or both), I just don't like to say anything bad about it, at least in print. The way I see it, this author plus all the people who got this book ready for the market put in a lot of time, effort, and hard work. And yet...and yet...
I've been reading Jayne Castle's (aka Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Amanda Quick) Harmony series for years and years. I think reading any new editions has just become habit. So here's the gist: some time in our (us real people) future and a few centuries in the character's past, some kind of cosmic door opened between Earth and another planet and we earthlings, being intrepid adventurers that we are, went through it. All was fine, until said cosmic door closed, and suddenly everything the earth-folk brought with them (computers, electronics, and such) stopped working. They created a primitive type society, working to stabilize the population, all next to a green (and long empty) alien city. The city couldn't be inhabited because...well...weird alien stuff. Jump to the character's present, and former-earthlings have since developed various psychic abilities enabling them to cope in their new environment, they're back up to speed with technology, and at least one protagonist will have a "pet" dust bunny - a dust bunny that has four eyes and likes to viciously attack anyone who threatens their humans.
So, I could tell you about this novel, but as so often happens with long-running series, it's exactly like every other book in the series. Ugh. The main differences here are that instead of taking place in one of the main cities, this story takes place on an island, and instead of the hero and heroine going underground into the strange, green, alien city, there's some kind of wonky nature preserve that people go in, but never return. Oh, and as the series goes on, each hero and heroine has bigger, badder powers and faces bigger, badder dangers. But everything else? EXACTLY THE SAME.
Once upon a time, I really liked these books. The first few times. It was new and interesting; now it's old and stale. It also ties in to Krentz's Arcane novels. I've never read any of those, so I don't know how they stack up, but I probably will never attempt to find out. And yet I keep reading this series as new titles are published. Maybe I'm a masochist. I don't know.
I'd suggest one of the first few titles in this series if you like a bit of sci-fi mixed in with your romance, or romance mixed in with your sci-fi, but stop there. Because after that: they're ALL THE SAME.
I've been reading Jayne Castle's (aka Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Amanda Quick) Harmony series for years and years. I think reading any new editions has just become habit. So here's the gist: some time in our (us real people) future and a few centuries in the character's past, some kind of cosmic door opened between Earth and another planet and we earthlings, being intrepid adventurers that we are, went through it. All was fine, until said cosmic door closed, and suddenly everything the earth-folk brought with them (computers, electronics, and such) stopped working. They created a primitive type society, working to stabilize the population, all next to a green (and long empty) alien city. The city couldn't be inhabited because...well...weird alien stuff. Jump to the character's present, and former-earthlings have since developed various psychic abilities enabling them to cope in their new environment, they're back up to speed with technology, and at least one protagonist will have a "pet" dust bunny - a dust bunny that has four eyes and likes to viciously attack anyone who threatens their humans.
So, I could tell you about this novel, but as so often happens with long-running series, it's exactly like every other book in the series. Ugh. The main differences here are that instead of taking place in one of the main cities, this story takes place on an island, and instead of the hero and heroine going underground into the strange, green, alien city, there's some kind of wonky nature preserve that people go in, but never return. Oh, and as the series goes on, each hero and heroine has bigger, badder powers and faces bigger, badder dangers. But everything else? EXACTLY THE SAME.
Once upon a time, I really liked these books. The first few times. It was new and interesting; now it's old and stale. It also ties in to Krentz's Arcane novels. I've never read any of those, so I don't know how they stack up, but I probably will never attempt to find out. And yet I keep reading this series as new titles are published. Maybe I'm a masochist. I don't know.
I'd suggest one of the first few titles in this series if you like a bit of sci-fi mixed in with your romance, or romance mixed in with your sci-fi, but stop there. Because after that: they're ALL THE SAME.
September 7, 2011
2.5 stars
This story has a cute set-up and middle that reminded me a bit of JAK's Eclipse Bay series, but set in Harmony. Unfortunately, it all fell apart with the ending for me -- the typical hero/heroine in peril, escape from said peril because of really contrived circumstances (in this case, Charlotte's psychic sense that Slade is in trouble, even though no-where else is there any indication that she has powers of that sort), et cetera, et cetera.
I think it only really bothered me because I found the light-hearted, character-based beginning very charming and for it to jump in tone from enjoyable romance to middling suspense was a disappointment. Not a surprise, JAK has been disappointing me in that way for years and I keep reading her, but still... it didn't end on a high note for me.
Also, the cover art makes no sense. I know, it's cover art and cover art never makes sense, but you'd think with an author who sells as much as JAK does, the publisher could make an effort.
This story has a cute set-up and middle that reminded me a bit of JAK's Eclipse Bay series, but set in Harmony. Unfortunately, it all fell apart with the ending for me -- the typical hero/heroine in peril, escape from said peril because of really contrived circumstances (in this case, Charlotte's psychic sense that Slade is in trouble, even though no-where else is there any indication that she has powers of that sort), et cetera, et cetera.
I think it only really bothered me because I found the light-hearted, character-based beginning very charming and for it to jump in tone from enjoyable romance to middling suspense was a disappointment. Not a surprise, JAK has been disappointing me in that way for years and I keep reading her, but still... it didn't end on a high note for me.
Also, the cover art makes no sense. I know, it's cover art and cover art never makes sense, but you'd think with an author who sells as much as JAK does, the publisher could make an effort.
August 14, 2019
This was a re-read! It's still a good story!
May 15, 2022
I would have given a 4, but Slade annoyed me some when he would be rude and snippy to Charlotte and then act as though she was in the wrong.
September 12, 2021
5 Stars - a delightful escape. I accomplished a ton of gardening chores while listening. 😊
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED IT; IT WAS GREAT! (I rarely give 5 Stars).
UPDATE: this was an audio “reread” for me. The narrator Joyce Bean kept my attention and did well with the voices. I look forward to listening to the next 2 audios in the Rainshadow series soon.
PREVIOUS:
I highly recommend Canyons of the Deep to light fantasy or romantic suspense readers! Canyons of the Deep was another great treat by Jayne Ann Krentz - a delightful and light future, fantasy novel. The MMC is Slade Attridge and the FMC is Charlotte Enright who share a friendship formed 15 yrs earlier. The story takes place on a island on the planet Harmony. On Harmony, some individuals have inherited a little something extra, known as psychic talent. Slade and Charlotte both inherited different forms of this energy which aids them in their chosen professions. Slade plans to serve as the island’s Chief of police only temporarily, while he is healing from a recent work related incident. However, he quickly discovers that crime and unusual mysteries have found their way onto the normally quiet island. In addition, something dark is brewing inside the island’s private Preserve. While Slade and Charlotte work together to uncover answers, long buried attraction reunites. Marlowe Jones (Jones&Jones Arcane Investigations) and Adam Winters (Frequency City Ghost Guild boss) Slade’s friends from his previous para-law enforcement position, appear briefly in the latter chapters. (Marlowe & Adam feature in bk#3 in the Looking Glass trilogy - Midnight Crystal).
Jayne Ann Krentz under her various names (Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick) is one of my favorite authors. I love her strong heroines, ethical heroes, action driven storylines with light, witty humor and dialogue. Canyons was another great treat - this time taking place in her futuristic, fantasy location of Harmony planet at a distant time in earth’s far off future. For a listing of JAKs series and book lists see JayneAnnKrentz.com. Canyons is book 4 in JAKs Looking Glass series (#1 “Quicksilver”/historical genre by Amanda Quick; #2 “the Scargill Files”/very short contemporary novella by JAK which immediately precedes #3 “In Too Deep”/contemporary genre by Jayne Ann Krentz; and finally #4 “Canyons of the Deep”/futuristic fantasy genre by Jayne Ann Castle). Each book except the Scargill Files can be read and enjoyed as standalones, but I highly recommend the entire series, especially if the reader enjoys any one. (As Krentz/Castle books and series tend to overlap, I also consider Canyons of Night as book #1 in another series - Rainshadow Island 4 book series - #1 Canyons of Night; #2 Lost Night; #3 Deception Cove; #3 Hot Zone; #4 Siren’s Call - since all four books are set on Rainshadow Island over a short period of time with characters that overlap).
For readers that wonder, there is sexual intimacy between the H & h that falls a little closer to steamy than sweet, but the sexual relationship is Not the main focus of the story. Profanity, if any, was rarely used.
MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED IT; IT WAS GREAT! (I rarely give 5 Stars).
UPDATE: this was an audio “reread” for me. The narrator Joyce Bean kept my attention and did well with the voices. I look forward to listening to the next 2 audios in the Rainshadow series soon.
PREVIOUS:
I highly recommend Canyons of the Deep to light fantasy or romantic suspense readers! Canyons of the Deep was another great treat by Jayne Ann Krentz - a delightful and light future, fantasy novel. The MMC is Slade Attridge and the FMC is Charlotte Enright who share a friendship formed 15 yrs earlier. The story takes place on a island on the planet Harmony. On Harmony, some individuals have inherited a little something extra, known as psychic talent. Slade and Charlotte both inherited different forms of this energy which aids them in their chosen professions. Slade plans to serve as the island’s Chief of police only temporarily, while he is healing from a recent work related incident. However, he quickly discovers that crime and unusual mysteries have found their way onto the normally quiet island. In addition, something dark is brewing inside the island’s private Preserve. While Slade and Charlotte work together to uncover answers, long buried attraction reunites. Marlowe Jones (Jones&Jones Arcane Investigations) and Adam Winters (Frequency City Ghost Guild boss) Slade’s friends from his previous para-law enforcement position, appear briefly in the latter chapters. (Marlowe & Adam feature in bk#3 in the Looking Glass trilogy - Midnight Crystal).
Jayne Ann Krentz under her various names (Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick) is one of my favorite authors. I love her strong heroines, ethical heroes, action driven storylines with light, witty humor and dialogue. Canyons was another great treat - this time taking place in her futuristic, fantasy location of Harmony planet at a distant time in earth’s far off future. For a listing of JAKs series and book lists see JayneAnnKrentz.com. Canyons is book 4 in JAKs Looking Glass series (#1 “Quicksilver”/historical genre by Amanda Quick; #2 “the Scargill Files”/very short contemporary novella by JAK which immediately precedes #3 “In Too Deep”/contemporary genre by Jayne Ann Krentz; and finally #4 “Canyons of the Deep”/futuristic fantasy genre by Jayne Ann Castle). Each book except the Scargill Files can be read and enjoyed as standalones, but I highly recommend the entire series, especially if the reader enjoys any one. (As Krentz/Castle books and series tend to overlap, I also consider Canyons of Night as book #1 in another series - Rainshadow Island 4 book series - #1 Canyons of Night; #2 Lost Night; #3 Deception Cove; #3 Hot Zone; #4 Siren’s Call - since all four books are set on Rainshadow Island over a short period of time with characters that overlap).
For readers that wonder, there is sexual intimacy between the H & h that falls a little closer to steamy than sweet, but the sexual relationship is Not the main focus of the story. Profanity, if any, was rarely used.
December 30, 2023
An exciting paranormal, science-fiction romance
In the prologue to this story, set fifteen years earlier, three drunken non-residents of the island of Rainshadow threaten young Charlotte Enright near the mysterious Preserve. She is rescued by her long-time crush, orphaned teenager Slade Attridge, but their relationship never goes beyond that because he leaves the island the next day for the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation academy.
At the start of the story, Charlotte has returned to the island to operate the shop, Looking Glass Antiques, which she inherited from her recently deceased Aunt Beatrix. Slade has also just returned to the island to take over the position of police chief. Their paths cross once again in the wake of violence when a man is murdered in Charlotte's shop.
The fascinating world of Harmony was colonized hundreds of years ago by people from earth. The planet was empty of living, intelligent beings, but it soon became apparent it had been inhabited eons ago by a long-dead race of aliens. There is no written record of their culture, but the structures and artifacts they have left behind are filled with enormous power.
In each successive novel in this series, Krentz takes us to a new section of the planet. All the other Harmony novels I've read were centered within a city, but this book is set in a sparsely populated, essentially rural, village type locale. The core identity of the island of Rainshadow is the Preserve, a fenced-off area full of alien energy so dangerous, anyone daring to enter it either goes mad or dies.
Over the years, the island of Rainshadow has attracted many eccentric residents who, though friendly and close-knit, have made a point of not inquiring too closely into each other's often murky pasts. This community forms an important, and highly entertaining, portion of this novel.
I'm a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz in general, but her futuristics written as Jayne Castle are my favorites. As in all her novels, there is primary suspense plot, with the heroine and hero working together to solve a mystery. In the case of this story, it is a murder mystery. As usual, Krentz has created a strong heroine who is more than a match for the forceful romantic hero. As manly as he is, he has an adorable little pet, a dust bunny named Rex. Every one of the Harmony books contains at least one dust bunny, and it is a favorite recurring themes for me in this series.
This book is also part of Krentz's Arcane Society series. In addition to the futuristic Harmony books, she has written novels in the series set in the past, using her historical romance pseudonym Amanda Quick. She has also written contemporary novels in the series under her real name Jayne Ann Krentz.
I purchased this book in both Kindle and audiobook format. I have experienced it multiple times over the years since it was first released. I have enjoyed it every time.
In the prologue to this story, set fifteen years earlier, three drunken non-residents of the island of Rainshadow threaten young Charlotte Enright near the mysterious Preserve. She is rescued by her long-time crush, orphaned teenager Slade Attridge, but their relationship never goes beyond that because he leaves the island the next day for the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation academy.
At the start of the story, Charlotte has returned to the island to operate the shop, Looking Glass Antiques, which she inherited from her recently deceased Aunt Beatrix. Slade has also just returned to the island to take over the position of police chief. Their paths cross once again in the wake of violence when a man is murdered in Charlotte's shop.
The fascinating world of Harmony was colonized hundreds of years ago by people from earth. The planet was empty of living, intelligent beings, but it soon became apparent it had been inhabited eons ago by a long-dead race of aliens. There is no written record of their culture, but the structures and artifacts they have left behind are filled with enormous power.
In each successive novel in this series, Krentz takes us to a new section of the planet. All the other Harmony novels I've read were centered within a city, but this book is set in a sparsely populated, essentially rural, village type locale. The core identity of the island of Rainshadow is the Preserve, a fenced-off area full of alien energy so dangerous, anyone daring to enter it either goes mad or dies.
Over the years, the island of Rainshadow has attracted many eccentric residents who, though friendly and close-knit, have made a point of not inquiring too closely into each other's often murky pasts. This community forms an important, and highly entertaining, portion of this novel.
I'm a big fan of Jayne Ann Krentz in general, but her futuristics written as Jayne Castle are my favorites. As in all her novels, there is primary suspense plot, with the heroine and hero working together to solve a mystery. In the case of this story, it is a murder mystery. As usual, Krentz has created a strong heroine who is more than a match for the forceful romantic hero. As manly as he is, he has an adorable little pet, a dust bunny named Rex. Every one of the Harmony books contains at least one dust bunny, and it is a favorite recurring themes for me in this series.
This book is also part of Krentz's Arcane Society series. In addition to the futuristic Harmony books, she has written novels in the series set in the past, using her historical romance pseudonym Amanda Quick. She has also written contemporary novels in the series under her real name Jayne Ann Krentz.
I purchased this book in both Kindle and audiobook format. I have experienced it multiple times over the years since it was first released. I have enjoyed it every time.
August 30, 2017
Although almost all JAK books immediately rate five stars with me, I felt this one was somewhat tepid and not as fast-paced as her other books, but what is probably really happening is that I haven't quite got a handle on the Rainshadow Island thing yet. I read a new JAK so fast that I suspect I miss things that I appreciate more on a second and slower reading, at which time the rating usually goes up. Charlotte and Slade are in a new place, both literally and figuratively. It took nearly three-quarters of the book to find out what they can do with their respective talents and it seemed like there were three different plots going on at once until the end when the reader discovers there is really only one plot with a preview of another. You are introduced to characters that you want to get to know better and are left to hope they will be included in later books, because you barely get a look-see in this one. I guess what I'm saying is that this book wasn't enough. That's the trouble. Is there any such thing as enough Krentz?
8-30-2017: On my fourth reading of this book, I have decided that it is just right. I enjoyed every minute of it. The rating went up to the usual five stars, and I am ready to start the next in this series to see if there is more on some of the characters introduced, which I already know there is. Yes! There's a lot to be said for re-reading books, especially Krentz books.
8-30-2017: On my fourth reading of this book, I have decided that it is just right. I enjoyed every minute of it. The rating went up to the usual five stars, and I am ready to start the next in this series to see if there is more on some of the characters introduced, which I already know there is. Yes! There's a lot to be said for re-reading books, especially Krentz books.
September 5, 2011
First let me say that I'm not normally a fan of the "futuristic" genre. But for some reason I do enjoy Jayne Castle's books based on the Harmony world. Why? Maybe it's because this world is interesting to me or maybe it's the adorable dust bunnies that I just adore!!! (I want Rex!) Having thought about this I think its simply the fact that I love anything Krentz/Quick/Castle writes.
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely. Charlotte and Slade are very interesting characters and truly made for each other. LOL I'm terrible at condensing story lines so I'll just recommend that you read the book. LOL
As for Rex, well....the only dust bunnies I can find are the ones under my bed! ~sigh~
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely. Charlotte and Slade are very interesting characters and truly made for each other. LOL I'm terrible at condensing story lines so I'll just recommend that you read the book. LOL
As for Rex, well....the only dust bunnies I can find are the ones under my bed! ~sigh~
January 12, 2019
Highly recommend to read The Arcane Society Series by Amanda Quick first
February 4, 2019
Last book in the series of the Arcane Society and its spin-off, the trilogy The Looking Glass, but which in turn is part of another series whose action takes place on a planet called Harmony, Ghost Hunters, but also begins another new series, Rainshadow.
Honestly, it seems to me that Mrs. Krentz with all her aliases (Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle) has gone a bit too far wanting to capitalize on an idea that, at the beginning of the first original series, was attractive but, as it branched out into other new series, lost all the charm and originality of the first books and the only thing left now is an aftertaste of good food that has been spoiled by either reheating it in the microwave again and again or using it as a garnish to prepare other fast food dishes.
Enough is enough!
=====================
Último libro de la serie de la Sociedad Arcana y la derivada de ésta la trilogía El Espejo, pero que a su vez forma parte de otra serie cuya acción tiene lugar en un planeta llamado Armonía, Caza Fantasmas, pero también da comienzo a otra nueva serie, Rainshadow. Honestamente me parece que la Sra. Krentz con todos sus alias (Amanda Quick o Jayne Castle) se ha pasado un poco mucho al querer rentabilizar una idea que, al principio de la primera serie original, resultaba atractiva pero que, a medida que se ramificaba para dar lugar a otras series, perdía todo el encanto y originalidad de los primeros libros y lo único que queda ahora es un regusto a comida buena que se ha echado a perder de tanto recalentarla en el microondas o que se ha utilizado como guarnición para elaborar otros platos de comida rápida.
¡Ya está bien!
Honestly, it seems to me that Mrs. Krentz with all her aliases (Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle) has gone a bit too far wanting to capitalize on an idea that, at the beginning of the first original series, was attractive but, as it branched out into other new series, lost all the charm and originality of the first books and the only thing left now is an aftertaste of good food that has been spoiled by either reheating it in the microwave again and again or using it as a garnish to prepare other fast food dishes.
Enough is enough!
=====================
Último libro de la serie de la Sociedad Arcana y la derivada de ésta la trilogía El Espejo, pero que a su vez forma parte de otra serie cuya acción tiene lugar en un planeta llamado Armonía, Caza Fantasmas, pero también da comienzo a otra nueva serie, Rainshadow. Honestamente me parece que la Sra. Krentz con todos sus alias (Amanda Quick o Jayne Castle) se ha pasado un poco mucho al querer rentabilizar una idea que, al principio de la primera serie original, resultaba atractiva pero que, a medida que se ramificaba para dar lugar a otras series, perdía todo el encanto y originalidad de los primeros libros y lo único que queda ahora es un regusto a comida buena que se ha echado a perder de tanto recalentarla en el microondas o que se ha utilizado como guarnición para elaborar otros platos de comida rápida.
¡Ya está bien!
July 6, 2021
Canyons of Night takes us back to the future on Harmony, on an island called Rainshadow. Charlotte Enright and Slade Attridge knew each other slightly as teenagers until Slade leaves to join the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation. *snicker*
Now, 15 years later, Slade returns to Rainshadow after an incident that left him partially psi-blind; what’s worse is the experts have told him he will likely lose what remains of his talent. Charlotte has taken over the antiques shop that her aunt left to her, and she is slightly embarrassed to discover the crush on Slade she had years ago is still alive and well.
I liked the romance portion, but the mystery bit was a bit weak. There’s a lot of world-building that I’m sure is important for the rest of the series, but it’s a bit flat. However, some of Mrs. Bridewell’s Victorian-era clockwork machines turn up here and that was quite fun. Oh, and Slade has a dust bunny buddy, er, sidekick, named Rex. I love the dust bunnies - I might read more of the series just for the dust bunnies. ❤️
Now, 15 years later, Slade returns to Rainshadow after an incident that left him partially psi-blind; what’s worse is the experts have told him he will likely lose what remains of his talent. Charlotte has taken over the antiques shop that her aunt left to her, and she is slightly embarrassed to discover the crush on Slade she had years ago is still alive and well.
I liked the romance portion, but the mystery bit was a bit weak. There’s a lot of world-building that I’m sure is important for the rest of the series, but it’s a bit flat. However, some of Mrs. Bridewell’s Victorian-era clockwork machines turn up here and that was quite fun. Oh, and Slade has a dust bunny buddy, er, sidekick, named Rex. I love the dust bunnies - I might read more of the series just for the dust bunnies. ❤️
January 11, 2022
3.5/5.0
A good mystery. I haven’t read many of the books that came before it in the series, however, so I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as I could have. Although it does stand alone there are a lot of small things and characters that are obvious brought forth from previous books. I also think everything “psy”, while intricate to the story, was a bit overused in this specific book. Everything was psy … and I mean everything! Every conversation revolved around it, every point in the mystery, even the sex and the verbiage used referred back to it. I would have enjoyed the plot much more if it had been an interesting part but not the hammer that bludgeoned.
Still, I thoroughly enjoy the writing style, the interesting characters and the overall plot that makes me want to see what happens next!
A good mystery. I haven’t read many of the books that came before it in the series, however, so I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as I could have. Although it does stand alone there are a lot of small things and characters that are obvious brought forth from previous books. I also think everything “psy”, while intricate to the story, was a bit overused in this specific book. Everything was psy … and I mean everything! Every conversation revolved around it, every point in the mystery, even the sex and the verbiage used referred back to it. I would have enjoyed the plot much more if it had been an interesting part but not the hammer that bludgeoned.
Still, I thoroughly enjoy the writing style, the interesting characters and the overall plot that makes me want to see what happens next!
March 5, 2024
This is the start of the author's Rainshadow series set on a mysterious island with alien remains. However, it's the 8th in the author's Ghost Hunter Series, and the 12th in her Arcane Society series, so lots of familiar elements.
I listened to this in audio and enjoyed the pace and distinct voices rendered by the narrator. I also liked the story itself, and enjoyed getting to know the hero and heroine. I had no idea I had missed so many of the author's Jayne Castle books, but am trying to rectify that now.
I listened to this in audio and enjoyed the pace and distinct voices rendered by the narrator. I also liked the story itself, and enjoyed getting to know the hero and heroine. I had no idea I had missed so many of the author's Jayne Castle books, but am trying to rectify that now.
January 15, 2020
This book was pretty good. I feel like there was just a little bit of a teenage angsty type of relationship between the M and F characters at first. I loved watching their relationship grow, but wish it would have gone deeper.
October 29, 2018
A very good read with enjoyable characters. I liked the connection with the Arcane series.
September 22, 2019
end of the series
January 29, 2023
A light read with love, sex and a mystery. What more can you ask for?
September 17, 2024
This is the conclusion of the Looking Glass Trilogy which began in the book In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz and continued in Quicksilver by Amanda Quick. This story moves to the planet of Harmony and takes place on the island of Rainshadow. It is a small isolated island. Charlotte spent part of her childhood there with her aunt and now has returned to take over her aunt's antique store. Charlotte has a little-regarded psychic gift of being a rainbow reader. She can see people's auras and can tune some antiques to be just the right thing for a person. She has also recently inherited some things from a grateful client. She is busy organizing her aunt's shop and getting settled in on Rainshadow.
Slade Attridge has returned to Rainshadow to be the new chief of police. He has been forced to leave his higher profile career in law enforcement after an accident that the doctors and para-psychologists have said damaged his psychic gift beyond repair. Slade is determined to only stay on Rainshadow for a brief time while he makes other plans for his life.
Charlotte and Slade had met briefly fifteen years before and had been interested in each other but their lives led them in different directions. Now, the romance is rekindled. Slade is reluctant to make any sort of commitment to Charlotte, though, because of his very uncertain future.
But, when Charlotte finds a dead body in her store, Slade's plans to lie low until he has has new life plans in place is derailed. Charlotte may be in danger and Slade's protective instincts come to the fore. They are both busy trying to find out who killed Charlotte's intruder and also what is going on in the Preserve. This privately owned area is changing and becoming more frightening and dangerous.
Adding a lot of humor to the suspense and romance is Slade's dust bunny partner Rex. Dust bunnies are native to Harmony and occasionally adopt some of the humans. Rex looks cute and fluffy most of the time but he is a dangerous predator is there is a threat. Rex also loves zucchini bread which is a constant thread in this book since zucchini season has hit and one of the locals is constantly giving everyone loaves of it. He also has taken a fancy to an antique beaded evening bag from Charlotte's store and won't be parted from it.
This one has all the elements of the most successful of Jayne Castle's books. It has romance. It has danger. It has cute dust bunnies. And it has crisp, snappy dialog. All in all, it was a very satisfying read, a great conclusion to the Looking Glass trilogy, and a great introduction to stories about the Preserve and Rainshadow.
My only quibble with the story concerns the cover. I have no idea who the cover is supposed to illustrate. Charlotte is not the kind to go around in tight leather. That aside, this one is well worth reading.
Slade Attridge has returned to Rainshadow to be the new chief of police. He has been forced to leave his higher profile career in law enforcement after an accident that the doctors and para-psychologists have said damaged his psychic gift beyond repair. Slade is determined to only stay on Rainshadow for a brief time while he makes other plans for his life.
Charlotte and Slade had met briefly fifteen years before and had been interested in each other but their lives led them in different directions. Now, the romance is rekindled. Slade is reluctant to make any sort of commitment to Charlotte, though, because of his very uncertain future.
But, when Charlotte finds a dead body in her store, Slade's plans to lie low until he has has new life plans in place is derailed. Charlotte may be in danger and Slade's protective instincts come to the fore. They are both busy trying to find out who killed Charlotte's intruder and also what is going on in the Preserve. This privately owned area is changing and becoming more frightening and dangerous.
Adding a lot of humor to the suspense and romance is Slade's dust bunny partner Rex. Dust bunnies are native to Harmony and occasionally adopt some of the humans. Rex looks cute and fluffy most of the time but he is a dangerous predator is there is a threat. Rex also loves zucchini bread which is a constant thread in this book since zucchini season has hit and one of the locals is constantly giving everyone loaves of it. He also has taken a fancy to an antique beaded evening bag from Charlotte's store and won't be parted from it.
This one has all the elements of the most successful of Jayne Castle's books. It has romance. It has danger. It has cute dust bunnies. And it has crisp, snappy dialog. All in all, it was a very satisfying read, a great conclusion to the Looking Glass trilogy, and a great introduction to stories about the Preserve and Rainshadow.
My only quibble with the story concerns the cover. I have no idea who the cover is supposed to illustrate. Charlotte is not the kind to go around in tight leather. That aside, this one is well worth reading.
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