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Harmony #18
Enter the Nightmare
Nightmares become real when a woman trying to rebuild her life enters the Hotel of Dreams in this exhilarating Harmony novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Jayne Castle
50 books2,213 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
February 11, 2026
Dynamic characters and a good mystery set in the futuristic “Harmony” where physic powers are the norm. This was my first book in the harmony series, and the Author’s note at the beginning provided all the background information I needed to know. I pictured Disney World’s “Tower of Terror” as I read about the nightmare hotel. The story moved along at a good clip and actually surprised me a couple times. The dust bunny took some getting used to, but the green underworld was cool enough to make me want to read other books in this series.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
June 30, 2026
Bit disappointed. Normally the lead characters grip me and I'm thoroughly invested in the story, but not really in this one - somehow it was less engaging than the rest of the series, I think because we barely met anyone but the main characters, so weren't properly immersed in the world. Still reasonably representative of the series, just much less interesting, and didn't build on the world like normal. Read the rest of the series first!
July 3, 2026
IT's back to Harmony in this newest Jayne Castle addition to the series.
When a woman "kills" her first husband, is institutionalized then escapes, the plot to ETN begins.
Add in an attempted murder, a brainiac hero, and of course a fabulous dustbunny, and our FMC and MMC do whatever they can to keep the heroine safe and solve the mystery of her first husband's death. Because she knows one thing, and it's that she didn't kill him.
Castle never disappoints and I live for those dustbunnies.
4 stars
When a woman "kills" her first husband, is institutionalized then escapes, the plot to ETN begins.
Add in an attempted murder, a brainiac hero, and of course a fabulous dustbunny, and our FMC and MMC do whatever they can to keep the heroine safe and solve the mystery of her first husband's death. Because she knows one thing, and it's that she didn't kill him.
Castle never disappoints and I live for those dustbunnies.
4 stars
July 6, 2026
This isn't one of my favorites of the author's set in Harmony, but it was still for the most part an enjoyable read. Parts of it felt similar to some other books in the series.
July 8, 2026
Alice finds herself in a locked psychiatric ward because it is claimed that she murdered her husband on their wedding night. After her escape, she meets Owen, who helps her realize that she was set up and drugged. Together, they are on the run from a powerful man who will seemingly stop at nothing to eliminate both of them. Sebastian, the loyal dust bunny, is always there to help.
July 7, 2026
I always enjoy returning to Harmony. A well-written tale that will keep you engaged. The dust bunnies are a treat and Sebastian is no exception. I liked the chemistry between Alice and Owen but I think there was more to Owen than what we got. Would have loved to have met his friends and family
August 4, 2026
3.5 stars, sadly rounded down because the first part of the book was rather flat.
However, the action did pick up and our two main characters, Alice Radstone and Owen March began to grow on me. The plot was nothing new, but the creepy Hotel of Dreams was guaranteed to give anyone nightmares.
As always, the dust bunny was the highlight of the story. Sebastian was a real charmer. I have a theory that the author keeps writing books set in this world because she wants to continue playing with the dust bunnies. :)
I am a long-time fan of the author's books (45 years or so). While the quality of her writing has diminished, she has yet to write anything that would convince me to stop reading her work.
However, the action did pick up and our two main characters, Alice Radstone and Owen March began to grow on me. The plot was nothing new, but the creepy Hotel of Dreams was guaranteed to give anyone nightmares.
As always, the dust bunny was the highlight of the story. Sebastian was a real charmer. I have a theory that the author keeps writing books set in this world because she wants to continue playing with the dust bunnies. :)
I am a long-time fan of the author's books (45 years or so). While the quality of her writing has diminished, she has yet to write anything that would convince me to stop reading her work.
July 9, 2026
A few too many f-bombs but the story was engaging.
July 4, 2026
I had a hard time connecting with Owen & Alice. The story was ok. Sebastian was the best part of book. I loved his sunglasses.
I also felt like I was missing information about Owen. If he was in a previous book .. I don't remember him ... but it felt like I should. I also didn't get a good sense of what his talents were.
Just felt really disconnected on this one. Dreamlight talents always has me feeling like this though.
Glad I read it, just wasn't one of my favorite couples in this series.
I also felt like I was missing information about Owen. If he was in a previous book .. I don't remember him ... but it felt like I should. I also didn't get a good sense of what his talents were.
Just felt really disconnected on this one. Dreamlight talents always has me feeling like this though.
Glad I read it, just wasn't one of my favorite couples in this series.
July 4, 2026
We first meet Alice Radstone while she’s in the middle of escaping from the ultimate escape room. She’s hiding in the bathroom of her suite at the Hotel of Dreams with the dead body behind the shower curtain, watching two goons stab a line of pillows taking the place of what would otherwise have been her body.
Her dead body.
Alice was lured to the spooky, out-of-the-way hotel THIS time with the promise of proof about her previous visit. On what was supposed to have been her honeymoon to a man she barely remembers meeting. A honeymoon night that resulted in him throwing himself off the hotel’s roof before Alice was sedated – for her own good, of course – and shipped off to an asylum.
A place where she was supposed to be kept drugged and pliant for the rest of her life. Because she drove her new husband to his death with her psychic powers and she’s too dangerous to be allowed out. EVER.
There are a few, just a few, truths mixed in with that pack of lies. Because this is the planet Harmony, where a significant portion of the human population really does have psychic powers, the most outlandish part of the story is more plausible than it might otherwise be.
Alice does have the power to drive someone to suicide by opening their mind up to their worst nightmare. But she didn’t – at least not in this particular case. Instead, someone has dumped Alice into her very own nightmare for reasons that she had no clue about the first time she visited the Hotel of Dreams.
But she does now. And she’s determined to get to the bottom of the nightmarish mess that has stolen months of her life, her reputation, and her freedom.
All she has to do is trust Owen March, the mysterious man who says he has come to save her from the goons. Alice is sure her own instincts about people are shot after what she’s been through, but her dust bunny Sebastian thinks March is trustworthy. So she will too. After all, on Harmony, the dust bunnies are usually right.
Escape Rating A-: I’m here for the dust bunnies. No, seriously, I mean it. The Harmony series (sometimes referred to as the Ghost Hunters series) has been taken over by the dust bunnies, and I’m absolutely here for it. You will be too.
But it didn’t start out that way, and neither did the planet of Harmony. It’s a former colony planet that lost contact with its planet of origin. Earth. When their imported high-tech failed after they lost their way home, the colonists did what humans do. They made do with what they had. They hunkered down through some dark times.
They survived.
Now, two centuries later, they’ve built themselves back up to a level of technology and civilization roughly equivalent to our own 21st century. But with a difference.
Many of the colonists who came to Harmony possessed psychic powers – even if their Earth disclaimed any such possibility. (It’s through this vector that the author’s Harmony series connects with her Arcane Society series written under her Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz bylines).
The planet itself nurtures and enhances those psychic talents, so the colonists have become more powerful and their talents have developed more facets as the humans survived, intermarried, and eventually prospered.
There’s a lot of lovely, glorious and frequently nefarious politicking and general skullduggery threaded through the entire ‘Jayneverse’ – and parts of that come to play in this entry in the series. But it all really does stand alone if you want to start here. (I’m fascinated with this kind of interwoven history, but if you’re not or you’re looking for a way in, here is just fine.)
The dust bunnies are native to Harmony, and they’re just the best, cutest, and most adorable little predators. Sebastian steals every scene he’s in, and that’s true of every dust bunny in the series.
Like many stories in the series, Enter the Nightmare is the story of two people on the run from powerful figures who are determined to silence them for reasons that are unknown to them as the story begins.
They bond because they’re stuck in whatever-it-is together, whether by choice or chance or in this case, a bit of both. And the only way out is through. Through the case at least, although they eventually figure out that they’ll never be through with each other. And that dust bunny Sebastian will be bringing all of his many, many dust bunny friends over for pizza for the rest of ALL of their lives.
This was a case of the right book at the right time for this reader. I needed a distraction, and something I could read in pieces and remain invested in the story. I saw the romance coming – because there’s always a romance in this series – but I enjoyed watching them figure it out AND figure out what was happening to them, why it was happening, and how to get ahead of everyone else’s plots and plans for them and their demise.
So I’m already looking forward to the next book in the delightful and suspenseful interconnected ‘Jayneverse’. That next book will be The Book Hunter, coming in January. It’s the follow up to The Shop on Hidden Lane, where psychic dog Bruce stole THAT show every bit as thoroughly as Sebastian did this one.
Originally published at Reading Reality
Her dead body.
Alice was lured to the spooky, out-of-the-way hotel THIS time with the promise of proof about her previous visit. On what was supposed to have been her honeymoon to a man she barely remembers meeting. A honeymoon night that resulted in him throwing himself off the hotel’s roof before Alice was sedated – for her own good, of course – and shipped off to an asylum.
A place where she was supposed to be kept drugged and pliant for the rest of her life. Because she drove her new husband to his death with her psychic powers and she’s too dangerous to be allowed out. EVER.
There are a few, just a few, truths mixed in with that pack of lies. Because this is the planet Harmony, where a significant portion of the human population really does have psychic powers, the most outlandish part of the story is more plausible than it might otherwise be.
Alice does have the power to drive someone to suicide by opening their mind up to their worst nightmare. But she didn’t – at least not in this particular case. Instead, someone has dumped Alice into her very own nightmare for reasons that she had no clue about the first time she visited the Hotel of Dreams.
But she does now. And she’s determined to get to the bottom of the nightmarish mess that has stolen months of her life, her reputation, and her freedom.
All she has to do is trust Owen March, the mysterious man who says he has come to save her from the goons. Alice is sure her own instincts about people are shot after what she’s been through, but her dust bunny Sebastian thinks March is trustworthy. So she will too. After all, on Harmony, the dust bunnies are usually right.
Escape Rating A-: I’m here for the dust bunnies. No, seriously, I mean it. The Harmony series (sometimes referred to as the Ghost Hunters series) has been taken over by the dust bunnies, and I’m absolutely here for it. You will be too.
But it didn’t start out that way, and neither did the planet of Harmony. It’s a former colony planet that lost contact with its planet of origin. Earth. When their imported high-tech failed after they lost their way home, the colonists did what humans do. They made do with what they had. They hunkered down through some dark times.
They survived.
Now, two centuries later, they’ve built themselves back up to a level of technology and civilization roughly equivalent to our own 21st century. But with a difference.
Many of the colonists who came to Harmony possessed psychic powers – even if their Earth disclaimed any such possibility. (It’s through this vector that the author’s Harmony series connects with her Arcane Society series written under her Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz bylines).
The planet itself nurtures and enhances those psychic talents, so the colonists have become more powerful and their talents have developed more facets as the humans survived, intermarried, and eventually prospered.
There’s a lot of lovely, glorious and frequently nefarious politicking and general skullduggery threaded through the entire ‘Jayneverse’ – and parts of that come to play in this entry in the series. But it all really does stand alone if you want to start here. (I’m fascinated with this kind of interwoven history, but if you’re not or you’re looking for a way in, here is just fine.)
The dust bunnies are native to Harmony, and they’re just the best, cutest, and most adorable little predators. Sebastian steals every scene he’s in, and that’s true of every dust bunny in the series.
Like many stories in the series, Enter the Nightmare is the story of two people on the run from powerful figures who are determined to silence them for reasons that are unknown to them as the story begins.
They bond because they’re stuck in whatever-it-is together, whether by choice or chance or in this case, a bit of both. And the only way out is through. Through the case at least, although they eventually figure out that they’ll never be through with each other. And that dust bunny Sebastian will be bringing all of his many, many dust bunny friends over for pizza for the rest of ALL of their lives.
This was a case of the right book at the right time for this reader. I needed a distraction, and something I could read in pieces and remain invested in the story. I saw the romance coming – because there’s always a romance in this series – but I enjoyed watching them figure it out AND figure out what was happening to them, why it was happening, and how to get ahead of everyone else’s plots and plans for them and their demise.
So I’m already looking forward to the next book in the delightful and suspenseful interconnected ‘Jayneverse’. That next book will be The Book Hunter, coming in January. It’s the follow up to The Shop on Hidden Lane, where psychic dog Bruce stole THAT show every bit as thoroughly as Sebastian did this one.
Originally published at Reading Reality
June 27, 2026
2.75⭐️
When I requested this one on NetGalley, I didn't realize it was part of a larger series, which means I likely wasn't the ideal target reader!
This story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have psychic powers. Alice wakes up locked in an asylum and teams up with Owen to escape. They then enter into a marriage of convenience for protection, putting a fun spin on a tried-and-true romance trope. There's also a hilarious dust bunny!
I do think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the earlier installments in the series, as I often felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of an established world without much context or knowledge abut it. I was also expecting the psychic powers to play a larger role in the story.
Because I hadn't read the previous books, I don't think I was able to fully connect with the characters or appreciate the story as much as returning readers likely will. Despite this, it’s still a fun, quick, and easy read that blended humour, suspense, and just the right touch of romance.
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
When I requested this one on NetGalley, I didn't realize it was part of a larger series, which means I likely wasn't the ideal target reader!
This story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans have psychic powers. Alice wakes up locked in an asylum and teams up with Owen to escape. They then enter into a marriage of convenience for protection, putting a fun spin on a tried-and-true romance trope. There's also a hilarious dust bunny!
I do think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the earlier installments in the series, as I often felt like I'd been dropped into the middle of an established world without much context or knowledge abut it. I was also expecting the psychic powers to play a larger role in the story.
Because I hadn't read the previous books, I don't think I was able to fully connect with the characters or appreciate the story as much as returning readers likely will. Despite this, it’s still a fun, quick, and easy read that blended humour, suspense, and just the right touch of romance.
Thank you to Berkley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2026
Enter the Nightmare by Jayne Castle
Harmony series #18. Paranormal, sci-fi romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better if familiar with the series.
Alice Radstone returns to the Hotel of Dreams for answers knowing it’s a dangerous path. She escaped once before after being locked up and told she’d killer her husband. Owen March declares he can save her. Alice isn’t sure but needs his help.
I’ve missed a lot of this series but it’s a blast to revisit. I love the world building and will have to go back at some point.
Creative, spellbinding, and fascinating.
Harmony series #18. Paranormal, sci-fi romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better if familiar with the series.
Alice Radstone returns to the Hotel of Dreams for answers knowing it’s a dangerous path. She escaped once before after being locked up and told she’d killer her husband. Owen March declares he can save her. Alice isn’t sure but needs his help.
I’ve missed a lot of this series but it’s a blast to revisit. I love the world building and will have to go back at some point.
Creative, spellbinding, and fascinating.
September 10, 2026
I love the JayneVerse. I know there are things left unexplained that could be after 18 books in this series. It doesn't matter, that's not what the readers want. Besides, my mind can fill in the blanks and it does. When I'm reading a Harmony book and I take a break, I often get a feeling that sneaks up on me unawares, like I want to be in the world with the characters or be one of the characters. That's the feeling that keeps me looking for the next book. This is my favorite comfy, HEA author.
September 13, 2026
3.5 / 4 Stars
MC's: Alice & Owen
I enjoy the Harmony series. They are pretty predictable at this point, but still enjoyable. Something that allows you to kick back and get back into the flow of a comfy story. Alice is kidnapped on her wedding night. Her husband is found dead. Of course she is blamed. She escapes from the psych ward she was placed in. Owen is paid to find Alice and bring her back. However, he realizes there's more to this "hunt" for Alice. then he's been told. Once he find her that story truly begins!
MC's: Alice & Owen
I enjoy the Harmony series. They are pretty predictable at this point, but still enjoyable. Something that allows you to kick back and get back into the flow of a comfy story. Alice is kidnapped on her wedding night. Her husband is found dead. Of course she is blamed. She escapes from the psych ward she was placed in. Owen is paid to find Alice and bring her back. However, he realizes there's more to this "hunt" for Alice. then he's been told. Once he find her that story truly begins!
July 12, 2026
I am not sure if I have ever read a paranormal romance story before, but there is a first time for everything and ENTER THE NIGHTMARE was certainly an interesting story to me. You can sense the author’s talent in the first few pages, she is pretty fantastic. I really enjoyed the characters and how they interacted with each other. I would say that I was thoroughly engaged and never bored throughout the entire book!
Many thanks to Jayne Castle for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
Many thanks to Jayne Castle for my gifted copy.
This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.
April 23, 2026
It’s been years since I’ve been in the Harmony world. I really revisiting and this story was a good one. Good plot line, lots of intrigue, powerful nemesis, comic relief with Sebastian the dust bunny…. All good except for my connection to our H & h….. I just didn’t feel the degree of connection between the two.
All in all a good introduction back into the Harmony World
All in all a good introduction back into the Harmony World
July 29, 2026
https://openbooksociety.com/article/e...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Enter the Nightmare starts with Alice Radstone crouching next to the body of an unknown dead man in the bathroom while listening as an assailant is looking for her in her hotel room. The same hotel where ten months ago she allegedly went mad and killed her new husband. The worst part is she doesn’t remember her husband, her wedding or why they were in that hotel room. But she knows that the man in the bathroom was already dead when she arrived and the man outside is looking for her.
Many things happen at once. The man reaches the bed and stabs the body of pillows she left as a decoy. She fires her flamer-gun, and another assailant enters the room. Her aim is bad, but she learns that the men are there to take and they will do it by force. She tries to shoot again but still misses. At this time, her pet Sebastian, a dust bunny, attacks one of the men and a shot from the outside takes down the other one.
In comes Owen March, a Forensic Psi-Genetics consultant that works as a private detective on the side. Owen, without knowing the full story, at first provides the location of Alice’s whereabouts to her capturers and is now trying to help Alice stay alive and free from those who wish her to be committed into a hospital ward. Even though Owen saved Alice’s life this time, she might not fully trust him, but they don’t have much choice as the strange Hotel of Dreams tries to kill them and they need to escape before it happens.
Alice Radstone has unusual psychic powers that make normal people afraid of her. Her powers let her control the dream energy of others and let her either help them get a peaceful sleep or induce their worst nightmares. It was fun at some times to have Alice’s POV and have her try to calm herself with the Ballantine Core Principals, and as the story moves on we see how she must let them go or think outside the box of the Core principals to get her and Owen out of danger.
Owen March, while being the hero that rescues Alice from her most recent kidnapping attempt, comes off as a bit intense from time to time. We know that he is trying to help Alice solve the murder she was framed for but I hoped we had gotten more of his background.
Enter the Nightmare, is set in a world that seems to be an interesting one. It is set in an alien world where humans thrive but have psychic powers because of the ambient energies of the planet. This is the fourteen book in the series, while it seems to be set as a standalone, it didn’t provide more information about the worldbuilding and other characters.
“Late in the twenty-first century, a vast energy curtain opened in the vicinity of Earth, making interstellar travel not only possible but practical. In the typical human fashion, thousands of eager colonists packed up their stuff and headed out to create new homes on the unexplored planets that were suddenly within reach. Harmony was one of those worlds.”
The story starts with many unknown questions: why was Alice committed and locked in the hospital? Who killed her first husband? Who is after her?. As the story progresses, we get answers to these questions, but I also feel that some questions are overlooked or characters only show up for a scene to provide information and don’t show up later again. In the end, most of the reasons for the villains are money or revenge.
If this is your first entry into this series as is mine, I do suggest to start reading the first books to learn more about this series. I think that the dust bunnies might have a deeper story, and I assume Owen’s family money might have come from somewhere. Their hotel bill did go up after the dust bunnies came to the party.
I recommend Enter the Nightmare, in this new instalment of author Jayne Castle Harmony series, we meet the Derange Bride as she looks for who murdered her first husband and gets married again.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar
Enter the Nightmare starts with Alice Radstone crouching next to the body of an unknown dead man in the bathroom while listening as an assailant is looking for her in her hotel room. The same hotel where ten months ago she allegedly went mad and killed her new husband. The worst part is she doesn’t remember her husband, her wedding or why they were in that hotel room. But she knows that the man in the bathroom was already dead when she arrived and the man outside is looking for her.
Many things happen at once. The man reaches the bed and stabs the body of pillows she left as a decoy. She fires her flamer-gun, and another assailant enters the room. Her aim is bad, but she learns that the men are there to take and they will do it by force. She tries to shoot again but still misses. At this time, her pet Sebastian, a dust bunny, attacks one of the men and a shot from the outside takes down the other one.
In comes Owen March, a Forensic Psi-Genetics consultant that works as a private detective on the side. Owen, without knowing the full story, at first provides the location of Alice’s whereabouts to her capturers and is now trying to help Alice stay alive and free from those who wish her to be committed into a hospital ward. Even though Owen saved Alice’s life this time, she might not fully trust him, but they don’t have much choice as the strange Hotel of Dreams tries to kill them and they need to escape before it happens.
Alice Radstone has unusual psychic powers that make normal people afraid of her. Her powers let her control the dream energy of others and let her either help them get a peaceful sleep or induce their worst nightmares. It was fun at some times to have Alice’s POV and have her try to calm herself with the Ballantine Core Principals, and as the story moves on we see how she must let them go or think outside the box of the Core principals to get her and Owen out of danger.
Owen March, while being the hero that rescues Alice from her most recent kidnapping attempt, comes off as a bit intense from time to time. We know that he is trying to help Alice solve the murder she was framed for but I hoped we had gotten more of his background.
Enter the Nightmare, is set in a world that seems to be an interesting one. It is set in an alien world where humans thrive but have psychic powers because of the ambient energies of the planet. This is the fourteen book in the series, while it seems to be set as a standalone, it didn’t provide more information about the worldbuilding and other characters.
“Late in the twenty-first century, a vast energy curtain opened in the vicinity of Earth, making interstellar travel not only possible but practical. In the typical human fashion, thousands of eager colonists packed up their stuff and headed out to create new homes on the unexplored planets that were suddenly within reach. Harmony was one of those worlds.”
The story starts with many unknown questions: why was Alice committed and locked in the hospital? Who killed her first husband? Who is after her?. As the story progresses, we get answers to these questions, but I also feel that some questions are overlooked or characters only show up for a scene to provide information and don’t show up later again. In the end, most of the reasons for the villains are money or revenge.
If this is your first entry into this series as is mine, I do suggest to start reading the first books to learn more about this series. I think that the dust bunnies might have a deeper story, and I assume Owen’s family money might have come from somewhere. Their hotel bill did go up after the dust bunnies came to the party.
I recommend Enter the Nightmare, in this new instalment of author Jayne Castle Harmony series, we meet the Derange Bride as she looks for who murdered her first husband and gets married again.
July 7, 2026
NIGHTMARES, PARANORMAL MAYHEM, AND ONE VERY EXPENSIVE DUST BUNNY!
“The thing you had to remember about the Hotel of Dreams was that the nightmares were real.” Enter the Nightmare, page 1; Jayne Castle; Berkley Publishers; June 30, 2026
Thus begins the latest installment in Jayne Castle's beloved Harmony series, Enter the Nightmare.
The suspense starts immediately as Alice Radstone—a woman with a rare and extraordinarily powerful paranormal talent—finds herself trapped in the infamous Hotel of Dreams for the second time in her life. Determined not to become a victim again, Alice launches a daring escape that involves quick thinking, remarkable abilities, and the unexpected assistance of the dangerously attractive Owen March.
Because Alice knows better than most that some nightmares are real.
Castle once again transports readers to the wonderfully imaginative world of Harmony—a planet filled with mysterious alien artifacts, dangerous secrets, quirky creatures, and an atmosphere that amplifies human psychic abilities. The result is a fast-paced blend of paranormal suspense, sizzling romance, sharp humor, and nonstop action that will keep readers promising themselves,
"Just one more chapter."
Alice is not Castle's typical heroine. Sheltered for much of her life at Ballentine Academy, she is socially awkward, unusually trusting, and almost painfully innocent despite possessing a paranormal talent powerful enough to frighten most people. Her vulnerability makes her an easy target for manipulation, but Castle skillfully peels back the layers of Alice's character, revealing a quiet strength and resilience that grows with every challenge she faces. Watching her discover her own power is one of the novel's greatest rewards.
Then there's Owen March.
Dark, handsome, and carrying enough mystery to keep readers guessing, Owen walks a fine line between hero and troublemaker. His powerful, unregistered psychic talent makes him as much an outsider as Alice, and his morally gray edges only add to his appeal. Together, they create the kind of chemistry Harmony fans have come to expect—equal parts sweet, sexy, and impossible to resist.
Of course, no Harmony novel would be complete without the true stars of the series:
the Dust Bunnies.
This time, Sebastian steals every scene he hops into. With his pilfered sunglasses perched on his head and a talent for creating chaos wherever he goes, Sebastian delivers laugh-out-loud comic relief throughout the story. His antics in a Harmony casino had me laughing until tears rolled down my face, while the mounting property-damage bills left Owen questioning every life choice that brought Sebastian into his orbit. Beneath all the mischief, however, beats the heart of a fiercely loyal companion who proves his worth again and again when it matters most.
Enter the Nightmare delivers everything fans love about Jayne Castle's Harmony novels—romance, suspense, paranormal intrigue, unforgettable characters, and enough Dust Bunny mischief to make you wish you had one of your own.
Just be careful if you check into the Hotel of Dreams.
On Harmony, even the nightmares are real—but the Dust Bunnies make the trip worthwhile.
“The thing you had to remember about the Hotel of Dreams was that the nightmares were real.” Enter the Nightmare, page 1; Jayne Castle; Berkley Publishers; June 30, 2026
Thus begins the latest installment in Jayne Castle's beloved Harmony series, Enter the Nightmare.
The suspense starts immediately as Alice Radstone—a woman with a rare and extraordinarily powerful paranormal talent—finds herself trapped in the infamous Hotel of Dreams for the second time in her life. Determined not to become a victim again, Alice launches a daring escape that involves quick thinking, remarkable abilities, and the unexpected assistance of the dangerously attractive Owen March.
Because Alice knows better than most that some nightmares are real.
Castle once again transports readers to the wonderfully imaginative world of Harmony—a planet filled with mysterious alien artifacts, dangerous secrets, quirky creatures, and an atmosphere that amplifies human psychic abilities. The result is a fast-paced blend of paranormal suspense, sizzling romance, sharp humor, and nonstop action that will keep readers promising themselves,
"Just one more chapter."
Alice is not Castle's typical heroine. Sheltered for much of her life at Ballentine Academy, she is socially awkward, unusually trusting, and almost painfully innocent despite possessing a paranormal talent powerful enough to frighten most people. Her vulnerability makes her an easy target for manipulation, but Castle skillfully peels back the layers of Alice's character, revealing a quiet strength and resilience that grows with every challenge she faces. Watching her discover her own power is one of the novel's greatest rewards.
Then there's Owen March.
Dark, handsome, and carrying enough mystery to keep readers guessing, Owen walks a fine line between hero and troublemaker. His powerful, unregistered psychic talent makes him as much an outsider as Alice, and his morally gray edges only add to his appeal. Together, they create the kind of chemistry Harmony fans have come to expect—equal parts sweet, sexy, and impossible to resist.
Of course, no Harmony novel would be complete without the true stars of the series:
the Dust Bunnies.
This time, Sebastian steals every scene he hops into. With his pilfered sunglasses perched on his head and a talent for creating chaos wherever he goes, Sebastian delivers laugh-out-loud comic relief throughout the story. His antics in a Harmony casino had me laughing until tears rolled down my face, while the mounting property-damage bills left Owen questioning every life choice that brought Sebastian into his orbit. Beneath all the mischief, however, beats the heart of a fiercely loyal companion who proves his worth again and again when it matters most.
Enter the Nightmare delivers everything fans love about Jayne Castle's Harmony novels—romance, suspense, paranormal intrigue, unforgettable characters, and enough Dust Bunny mischief to make you wish you had one of your own.
Just be careful if you check into the Hotel of Dreams.
On Harmony, even the nightmares are real—but the Dust Bunnies make the trip worthwhile.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One-word review: Inventive
Floral Verdict: A Rose 🌹(4.25 stars)
My thoughts:
Harmony is such an interesting place. Every time I pick up one of Jayne Castle’s books set in this world, I’m reminded how much I enjoy her imagination. Creepy alien ruins, psychic abilities, mysterious energy, unusual animal companions, and danger after dark? Yes, please. That is exactly the kind of paranormal chaos I like to wander into from the safety of my couch.
Enter the Nightmare drew me in right away with the Hotel of Dreams, which honestly felt more like the Hotel of Absolutely Not. It has that eerie, unsettling atmosphere where every hallway feels suspicious and every shadow looks like it has bad intentions. The hotel almost became a character itself, and I loved that. It added so much tension and gave the story this dreamy, dangerous quality that worked perfectly with the nightmare elements.
Alice and Owen were also a couple I completely gravitated toward. Alice is trying to rebuild her life after everything has gone sideways in the most dramatic way possible, and Owen has that dangerous, mysterious energy that makes you wonder whether he is the rescue or another problem with excellent timing. Their chemistry was strong, but what I liked even more was how quickly their partnership started to feel solid. Even the marriage-of-convenience element added a fun little spark that made me very happy. I do love a forced alliance with emotional complications. I am only human.
And Sebastian. Sebastian is the absolute best. I want my own Sebastian immediately. No questions. No paperwork. Just hand him over.
The thrills kept the story moving quickly, and I found myself turning pages fast because I needed to know what was going on. There were kidnappers, secrets, psychic weirdness, danger around every corner, and just enough romance to balance the suspense without slowing it down. The characters felt layered and fleshed out, too, which made the danger land harder because I cared about them. I was invested. Possibly too invested. My laundry can confirm.
This is book 18 set in Harmony, but I don’t think readers need to panic about that number. I haven’t read anywhere close to all of them, and I’ve never had trouble jumping in when a new one catches my attention. Each book focuses on different characters, so Harmony itself is the main thread tying everything together.
Enter the Nightmare is inventive, atmospheric, romantic, and wonderfully strange, as Jayne Castle does so well. The paranormal elements were my favorite part, but the suspense, the setting, and Alice and Owen together made this one especially fun.
🌹 Floral Verdict: A Rose
I recommend it, especially if you love paranormal romantic suspense with a vivid world, a dangerous setting, and an animal companion who steals every scene he enters.
Floral Verdict: A Rose 🌹(4.25 stars)
My thoughts:
Harmony is such an interesting place. Every time I pick up one of Jayne Castle’s books set in this world, I’m reminded how much I enjoy her imagination. Creepy alien ruins, psychic abilities, mysterious energy, unusual animal companions, and danger after dark? Yes, please. That is exactly the kind of paranormal chaos I like to wander into from the safety of my couch.
Enter the Nightmare drew me in right away with the Hotel of Dreams, which honestly felt more like the Hotel of Absolutely Not. It has that eerie, unsettling atmosphere where every hallway feels suspicious and every shadow looks like it has bad intentions. The hotel almost became a character itself, and I loved that. It added so much tension and gave the story this dreamy, dangerous quality that worked perfectly with the nightmare elements.
Alice and Owen were also a couple I completely gravitated toward. Alice is trying to rebuild her life after everything has gone sideways in the most dramatic way possible, and Owen has that dangerous, mysterious energy that makes you wonder whether he is the rescue or another problem with excellent timing. Their chemistry was strong, but what I liked even more was how quickly their partnership started to feel solid. Even the marriage-of-convenience element added a fun little spark that made me very happy. I do love a forced alliance with emotional complications. I am only human.
And Sebastian. Sebastian is the absolute best. I want my own Sebastian immediately. No questions. No paperwork. Just hand him over.
The thrills kept the story moving quickly, and I found myself turning pages fast because I needed to know what was going on. There were kidnappers, secrets, psychic weirdness, danger around every corner, and just enough romance to balance the suspense without slowing it down. The characters felt layered and fleshed out, too, which made the danger land harder because I cared about them. I was invested. Possibly too invested. My laundry can confirm.
This is book 18 set in Harmony, but I don’t think readers need to panic about that number. I haven’t read anywhere close to all of them, and I’ve never had trouble jumping in when a new one catches my attention. Each book focuses on different characters, so Harmony itself is the main thread tying everything together.
Enter the Nightmare is inventive, atmospheric, romantic, and wonderfully strange, as Jayne Castle does so well. The paranormal elements were my favorite part, but the suspense, the setting, and Alice and Owen together made this one especially fun.
🌹 Floral Verdict: A Rose
I recommend it, especially if you love paranormal romantic suspense with a vivid world, a dangerous setting, and an animal companion who steals every scene he enters.
September 2, 2026
FINAL DECISION: ENTER THE NIGHTMARE combines an intriguing mystery, strong suspense, and lively character interaction that Jayne Castle does so well.
THE STORY: Alice Radstone has spent most of her life sheltered from the outside world because of her unusual psychic abilities. After the death of her mentor forces her to make a new life for herself, she visits the mysterious Hotel of Dreams only to awaken in a hospital for the criminally insane. She is told that she murdered her husband on their wedding night, although she has no memory of either the man or the marriage. Ten months later, Alice returns to the hotel looking for answers. Instead, she finds a dead body in her shower and two masked men attempting to kidnap her. Owen March arrives claiming that he is there to rescue her, but he is mysterious and more than a little dangerous.
OPINION: Alice and Owen are a terrific pair in this book as their interaction is the highlight of the book. Owen is mysterious and somewhat dangerous when he first appears, making it difficult for Alice (but never the reader) to know whether he can be trusted. Alice, meanwhile, has a genuinely tragic background. She has been isolated, manipulated, and made to question her own memories and sanity, but she remains intelligent, capable, and determined to discover the truth. Castle excels at writing dialogue, and that talent is on full display here. The conversations between Alice and Owen are sharp, entertaining, and often funny. Their exchanges reveal their personalities and allow the trust between them to develop naturally. They work especially well together because both are competent characters who recognize and respect the other’s abilities. The mystery surrounding Alice’s missing memories and the events at the Hotel of Dreams provides good suspense. There is a constant sense that someone is manipulating events from behind the scenes, and Owen’s unclear motives add another layer of uncertainty at the beginning. The danger keeps the story moving, but the character interaction remains its greatest strength.
WORTH MENTIONING: And, as always, I loved the dust bunny. Sebastian brings humor and personality to the story and once again proves that no visit to Harmony would be complete without one.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTER THE NIGHTMARE is book eighteen in the Ghost Hunters/Harmony series. The romance and mystery stand on their own, so you can read the book without reading the previous books. Readers already familiar with Harmony, its psychic talents, and its dust bunnies will have a richer understanding of the world.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley to facilitate writing this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
THE STORY: Alice Radstone has spent most of her life sheltered from the outside world because of her unusual psychic abilities. After the death of her mentor forces her to make a new life for herself, she visits the mysterious Hotel of Dreams only to awaken in a hospital for the criminally insane. She is told that she murdered her husband on their wedding night, although she has no memory of either the man or the marriage. Ten months later, Alice returns to the hotel looking for answers. Instead, she finds a dead body in her shower and two masked men attempting to kidnap her. Owen March arrives claiming that he is there to rescue her, but he is mysterious and more than a little dangerous.
OPINION: Alice and Owen are a terrific pair in this book as their interaction is the highlight of the book. Owen is mysterious and somewhat dangerous when he first appears, making it difficult for Alice (but never the reader) to know whether he can be trusted. Alice, meanwhile, has a genuinely tragic background. She has been isolated, manipulated, and made to question her own memories and sanity, but she remains intelligent, capable, and determined to discover the truth. Castle excels at writing dialogue, and that talent is on full display here. The conversations between Alice and Owen are sharp, entertaining, and often funny. Their exchanges reveal their personalities and allow the trust between them to develop naturally. They work especially well together because both are competent characters who recognize and respect the other’s abilities. The mystery surrounding Alice’s missing memories and the events at the Hotel of Dreams provides good suspense. There is a constant sense that someone is manipulating events from behind the scenes, and Owen’s unclear motives add another layer of uncertainty at the beginning. The danger keeps the story moving, but the character interaction remains its greatest strength.
WORTH MENTIONING: And, as always, I loved the dust bunny. Sebastian brings humor and personality to the story and once again proves that no visit to Harmony would be complete without one.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTER THE NIGHTMARE is book eighteen in the Ghost Hunters/Harmony series. The romance and mystery stand on their own, so you can read the book without reading the previous books. Readers already familiar with Harmony, its psychic talents, and its dust bunnies will have a richer understanding of the world.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley to facilitate writing this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
June 30, 2026
What's scarier than a nightmare that won't end? That's what poor Alice is dealing with. He life is a nightmare and she can't figure out why this is all happening to her. What I loved is how the author dealt with all that was going on in her life. From the beginning we realize that Alice is way over her head and needs more help than she's getting. In walks Owen to help her figure out what is going on. He doesn't really believe the story they've all been fed about her and decides to help her.
I really enjoyed both Owen and Alice. Loved Sebastion too. Who doesn't love a dust bunny. You'll love how Alice has this group of people who are so willing to help you because she is just a sweet person who cares about others. It takes a bit of time to learn her backstory, but it was well worth the wait. The more you learn the sadder it becomes for her. She's lost so much in her young life. You'll be glad she is no longer alone.
Sadly, Owen's backstory isn't mentioned much in the story. I really wish we got more. I understand that it's Alice's story but I'm a nosy person and need to be in everyone's business. His parents are just a throwaway mention. I wanted more.
What I did feel that was well done was is the way the story is laid out. You know who is bad but not the why. It takes a long time to get all of what happened out. Just when you think you know what's going on a new twist comes around the corner. You won't be bored reading this one.
This is a quick read that you won't want to stop reading until you have all the dirt. I will say if you haven't read her before you might be slightly lost in her worlds. The story can totally be read on its own even though it's in a series. If you like it go back to the beginning and really learn about the world and meet all the wonderful dust bunnies!
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ARC Received for an honest review
July 27, 2026
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📚 have read other books in this series
🧞♂️ wish you had psychic abilities
💕 enjoy a good romance twist
💭 remember your dreams
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
While I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, the author does a fantastic job of helping us collect ourselves in this new realm quickly! The entire premise had me on the edge of my seat. A book about psychic powers and dreams? I’m sold! This was such a fun read, from the mystery, the romance and the dust bunny named Sebastian! How cute! I loved being introduced to this little place called Harmony. I’m definitely going to need to read the previous books now so I can learn more about Harmony and the other people who reside there!
📚 have read other books in this series
🧞♂️ wish you had psychic abilities
💕 enjoy a good romance twist
💭 remember your dreams
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
While I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, the author does a fantastic job of helping us collect ourselves in this new realm quickly! The entire premise had me on the edge of my seat. A book about psychic powers and dreams? I’m sold! This was such a fun read, from the mystery, the romance and the dust bunny named Sebastian! How cute! I loved being introduced to this little place called Harmony. I’m definitely going to need to read the previous books now so I can learn more about Harmony and the other people who reside there!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Alice Radstone and Owen March are the human main characters of Jayne Castle's latest Harmony book, with Sebastian the dust bunny along for the ride. Alice has had a rough year: a quick marriage to someone she barely remembers, a wedding night that ended with her suposedly killing the groom, three months locked in an institution, and seven months on the run with Sebastian. Only the lure of proof of her innocence could get her back to the Hotel of Dreams (even knowing it was probably a trap). One dead guy in the bathroom and a kidnapping attempt later and she's on the run again, this time with Owen March who claims he wants to help her. She and Sebastian are out of options so she takes his help. The plot thickens to include powerful families out for money and revenge, more kidnapping attempts, murder and attempted murders. Plus a dust bunny who loves shiny things in a casino. What could possibly go wrong?
I enjoyed Alice and Owen and their developing relationship. Alice isn't as naive as everyone assumes she is and Owen has a knack for putting his foot in his mouth, which lead to some fun conversations in Quick's usual witty banter. Sebastian steals the show in this one with his antics in the casino. The Hotel of Dreams came a close second though, as the kind of nightmare place you never want to visit. The hotel gives the ending a bit more suspense than a traditional Jayne Castle ending, and a definite yikes! factor, but it's a nightmare worth reading about- though I wouldn't want to spend the night there. And most visitors probably don't live long enough to write a review of the place. Probably for the best.
Fast-paced and good chemistry between Owen and Alice, a fun addition to the Harmony world. Fans will enjoy and those new to the series shouldn't have trouble jumping into this delightful paranormal world.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I enjoyed Alice and Owen and their developing relationship. Alice isn't as naive as everyone assumes she is and Owen has a knack for putting his foot in his mouth, which lead to some fun conversations in Quick's usual witty banter. Sebastian steals the show in this one with his antics in the casino. The Hotel of Dreams came a close second though, as the kind of nightmare place you never want to visit. The hotel gives the ending a bit more suspense than a traditional Jayne Castle ending, and a definite yikes! factor, but it's a nightmare worth reading about- though I wouldn't want to spend the night there. And most visitors probably don't live long enough to write a review of the place. Probably for the best.
Fast-paced and good chemistry between Owen and Alice, a fun addition to the Harmony world. Fans will enjoy and those new to the series shouldn't have trouble jumping into this delightful paranormal world.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My Review of #Enter the Nightmare” by Jayne Castle Jayne Ann Krentz Berkley Publishing Group June 30,2026. On tour Suzy Approved Book Tours
Wow! Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) the author of "Enter the Nightmare" has written an intense and captivating novel. The Genres are Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Science- Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, and Fiction. In this newer world, there are different characters, some with special powers. The Author vividly describes the scenery, landscape, and the dramatic and unique characters. The characters can be described as complex, complicated, quirky, and flawed. Some have special powers and abilities that either can lead to positive or negative outcomes. The female protagonist, Alice Radstone, has been forced to use her powers, cunning and courage in order to survive. Alice has the ability to change a person's dreams and nightmares. Nightmares begin to feel real to her, when she is on the run, after escaping a mental asylum, where someone had set her up as her husband's killer. She finds escape in a weird Hotel of Dreams, in Harmony. (This is one of many books in the Harmony series, which I would love to read)This can be read alone.
Her special friend, a Dust Bunny, alerts her that people are coming to kidnap her again. In this futuristic and fantasy world, a man named Owen has come to assist her. Owen is familiar with what makes up these powers, and tells Alice that he originally was paid to make sure that she was kidnapped, but after seeing a video, he believes that she is innocent. The two of them go on an dangerous mission to find out why someone would want Alice. There are betrayals, kidnappings, strange people, haunted hotels, dead bodies, and unusual weapons. Owen and Alice have to be able to trust one another to escape alive. I recommend this intense thriller for others.
Wow! Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) the author of "Enter the Nightmare" has written an intense and captivating novel. The Genres are Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Science- Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, and Fiction. In this newer world, there are different characters, some with special powers. The Author vividly describes the scenery, landscape, and the dramatic and unique characters. The characters can be described as complex, complicated, quirky, and flawed. Some have special powers and abilities that either can lead to positive or negative outcomes. The female protagonist, Alice Radstone, has been forced to use her powers, cunning and courage in order to survive. Alice has the ability to change a person's dreams and nightmares. Nightmares begin to feel real to her, when she is on the run, after escaping a mental asylum, where someone had set her up as her husband's killer. She finds escape in a weird Hotel of Dreams, in Harmony. (This is one of many books in the Harmony series, which I would love to read)This can be read alone.
Her special friend, a Dust Bunny, alerts her that people are coming to kidnap her again. In this futuristic and fantasy world, a man named Owen has come to assist her. Owen is familiar with what makes up these powers, and tells Alice that he originally was paid to make sure that she was kidnapped, but after seeing a video, he believes that she is innocent. The two of them go on an dangerous mission to find out why someone would want Alice. There are betrayals, kidnappings, strange people, haunted hotels, dead bodies, and unusual weapons. Owen and Alice have to be able to trust one another to escape alive. I recommend this intense thriller for others.
July 21, 2026
Nightmares become real when a woman trying to rebuild her life enters the Hotel of Dreams in this exhilarating Harmony novel by New York Times bestselling author Jayne Castle.
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
Heather's Notes
I love Harmony. I am always sad when the story ends. This one was no different. I enjoyed getting to know Owen and Alice, and of course loved Sebastian. The dust bunnies are always the stars of the books. Now back to waiting for the next one.
Alice Radstone should have known not to return. Her life before the Hotel of Dreams had been the perfectly cloistered world of a teacher at the Ballantine Academy. When the death of her mentor forced her out, she was left to reinvent herself in the big city. Since then, things have not gone well. Ten months ago, after her first trip to the hotel, she woke up in the locked ward of a hospital for the criminally insane, told that she had murdered her husband on their wedding night. She has no memory of the husband or the wedding but after escaping the asylum, one thing is certain—she is never going back.
Unfortunately, Alice’s second reinvented life is also deteriorating rapidly, which is why she finds herself once again at the Hotel of Dreams—this time hiding in the shadows of her room, a dead body in the shower, and two men wearing masks creeping toward the bed to kidnap her. Again.
When the enigmatic and decidedly dangerous Owen March shows up, claiming he’s there to rescue her, she has no choice but to accept his offer—and hope that he doesn’t intend to kidnap her, too.
With Alice and now Owen in the killer’s sights, time is running out. Alice and Owen must trust each other and the electric passion between them if they are to make it out of this hotel alive.
Heather's Notes
I love Harmony. I am always sad when the story ends. This one was no different. I enjoyed getting to know Owen and Alice, and of course loved Sebastian. The dust bunnies are always the stars of the books. Now back to waiting for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jayne Castle's 19th book in her Harmony series entitled Enter the Nightmare alludes to an intriguing tale set in the futuristic realm of Harmony. Her dabble in sci-fi romance lacks imagination to put the reader in an otherworldly realm. The characters drive a run-of-the-mill vehicle, not a spaceship, not a craft one would expect in a sci-fi read. The characters wear clothes one would find in shopping malls on planet Earth. In fact, the reader feels like the entire story is happening on Earth, not another realm.
The main characters Alice Radstone and Owen March are brought together under circumstances that the reader must take for granted are authentic. March is hired to track down Radstone as she is an escapee of an asylum for allegedly murdering her husband. For some reason, March changes his mind about Radstone and wants to help her prove her innocence.
Skipping over some twenty chapters into the read and coming to the ending when March and Radstone turn their marriage of convenience into a covenant marriage contract, and the reader hasn't missed much. The heart of the story which should enlighten the reader about Radstone's paranormal abilities and entrapment to be labeled a murderer, and March's choice to be a professional psychic consultant lacks dialogue and narration to keep one's attention, in my opinion.
Writing under the moniker of Amanda Quick and under her real name Jayne Ann Krentz demonstrates a very skilled writing style and engaging narratives. Writing as Jayne Castle somehow lacks qualities readers will find in her other books and series. The title promises intrigue but delivers a story that is a run-of-the-mill romance.
The main characters Alice Radstone and Owen March are brought together under circumstances that the reader must take for granted are authentic. March is hired to track down Radstone as she is an escapee of an asylum for allegedly murdering her husband. For some reason, March changes his mind about Radstone and wants to help her prove her innocence.
Skipping over some twenty chapters into the read and coming to the ending when March and Radstone turn their marriage of convenience into a covenant marriage contract, and the reader hasn't missed much. The heart of the story which should enlighten the reader about Radstone's paranormal abilities and entrapment to be labeled a murderer, and March's choice to be a professional psychic consultant lacks dialogue and narration to keep one's attention, in my opinion.
Writing under the moniker of Amanda Quick and under her real name Jayne Ann Krentz demonstrates a very skilled writing style and engaging narratives. Writing as Jayne Castle somehow lacks qualities readers will find in her other books and series. The title promises intrigue but delivers a story that is a run-of-the-mill romance.
June 30, 2026
Owen March and Alice Radstone
Married, then institutionalized on her wedding night for murdering her husband, Alice managed to escape from the hospital and start a new life, knowing only that she didn’t murder her husband, but she wasn’t quite sure what actually happened.
Enticed back to the scene of the crime, she finds herself in another predicament, and only the help of Owen March allows her to escape.
Along with her dust bunny Sebastian, Alice and Owen need to find out the reason behind the things that happened to her, trying desperately to stay ahead of the people responsible for it all.
Another dust bunny adventure awaits on Harmony, and Sebastian is an extremely mischievous one to be sure. Fortunately, he is also pretty good at keeping his human companion safe, a definite bonus for Alice as she is pursued by a few who are determined to capture her and keep her locked up.
This is a standalone story in the Harmony world, and although it helps to have read the previous books in the series purely from a world building setting, it is not at all necessary.
It’s a fast paced romantic suspense, with a few spicy scenes, a competent and intelligent hero, and a heroine who is both smart and insists on sticking to her principles. Throw in an adorably cute dust bunny for comic relief, and you have an entertaining read for fans of the author, and the world.
I always enjoy the Harmony books by Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz), and this one was no exception. Recommended for lovers of PNR, SFR, and romantasy.
Married, then institutionalized on her wedding night for murdering her husband, Alice managed to escape from the hospital and start a new life, knowing only that she didn’t murder her husband, but she wasn’t quite sure what actually happened.
Enticed back to the scene of the crime, she finds herself in another predicament, and only the help of Owen March allows her to escape.
Along with her dust bunny Sebastian, Alice and Owen need to find out the reason behind the things that happened to her, trying desperately to stay ahead of the people responsible for it all.
Another dust bunny adventure awaits on Harmony, and Sebastian is an extremely mischievous one to be sure. Fortunately, he is also pretty good at keeping his human companion safe, a definite bonus for Alice as she is pursued by a few who are determined to capture her and keep her locked up.
This is a standalone story in the Harmony world, and although it helps to have read the previous books in the series purely from a world building setting, it is not at all necessary.
It’s a fast paced romantic suspense, with a few spicy scenes, a competent and intelligent hero, and a heroine who is both smart and insists on sticking to her principles. Throw in an adorably cute dust bunny for comic relief, and you have an entertaining read for fans of the author, and the world.
I always enjoy the Harmony books by Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz), and this one was no exception. Recommended for lovers of PNR, SFR, and romantasy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We're back on Harmony and Alice is in a bit of a pickle. Dubbed the Deranged Bride by the media, Alice doesn't remember getting married OR killing her husband, but she spent several months in an asylum so she knows SOMETHING happened. Now she's back at the hotel where her life was thrown into turmoil ten months before and things are getting even more complicated.
To start with, someone's trying to kidnap her. There's also a dead body in the bathroom and a man claiming he's there's to rescue her. Alice isn't sure she can trust Owen March, but she's sort of out of options.
On Owen's end, he's not a fan of being lied to (or used) and he's determined to help Alice after outing her to some very bad people. Suggesting a marriage of convenience seems like a logical way to protect her from the unscrupulous business man. And if he maybe sort of might have some smitten feelings after all the research he did on her, he'll totally keep that to himself. Totally.
With Alice's dashing dust bunny, these two work on figuring out why someone has it out for her. No lie, the Hotel of Dreams is sort of a bad place for Alice to keep returning to, but it has answers (probably) and Alice and Owen are determined to uncover whatever they need to uncover to keep Alice safe. *thumbs up* all around.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
To start with, someone's trying to kidnap her. There's also a dead body in the bathroom and a man claiming he's there's to rescue her. Alice isn't sure she can trust Owen March, but she's sort of out of options.
On Owen's end, he's not a fan of being lied to (or used) and he's determined to help Alice after outing her to some very bad people. Suggesting a marriage of convenience seems like a logical way to protect her from the unscrupulous business man. And if he maybe sort of might have some smitten feelings after all the research he did on her, he'll totally keep that to himself. Totally.
With Alice's dashing dust bunny, these two work on figuring out why someone has it out for her. No lie, the Hotel of Dreams is sort of a bad place for Alice to keep returning to, but it has answers (probably) and Alice and Owen are determined to uncover whatever they need to uncover to keep Alice safe. *thumbs up* all around.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The latest Harmony romantic suspense title pairs Alice Radstone and Owen Marsh. Alice has been in hiding since escaping from a mental hospital where she was sent after being accused of murdering her husband on the first night of their honeymoon. Owen has been hired to find her but has become that his client doesn't have Alice's best interests in mind.
Alice and Owen meet at the hotel where Alice had spent her wedding night. She was called back to that place in hopes of finding out all the things she doesn't remember about her wedding night. Owen arrives in time to rescue Alice from the thugs who are trying to drug her and bring her back to the mental institution. Alice wasn't quite alone. She had a dust bunny named Sebastian along with her as backup. He's duded out in sunglasses and sleeked out in his fighting form when Owen arrives.
The trio manages to escape the hotel and the thugs and find their way to the casino hotels of Illusion Town while they work out who wants to put Alice away and why they do. Owen proposes a Marriage of Convenience which provides Alice with some protection from her enemy. The pair fall in love as they solve Alice's problems.
This was another entertaining paranormal romance from a prolific author. I like the snappy dialog between the main characters. I also really like the antics of Sebastian the dust bunny who has all sorts of fun in a casino hotel. The plot was fast-paced and exciting.
Alice and Owen meet at the hotel where Alice had spent her wedding night. She was called back to that place in hopes of finding out all the things she doesn't remember about her wedding night. Owen arrives in time to rescue Alice from the thugs who are trying to drug her and bring her back to the mental institution. Alice wasn't quite alone. She had a dust bunny named Sebastian along with her as backup. He's duded out in sunglasses and sleeked out in his fighting form when Owen arrives.
The trio manages to escape the hotel and the thugs and find their way to the casino hotels of Illusion Town while they work out who wants to put Alice away and why they do. Owen proposes a Marriage of Convenience which provides Alice with some protection from her enemy. The pair fall in love as they solve Alice's problems.
This was another entertaining paranormal romance from a prolific author. I like the snappy dialog between the main characters. I also really like the antics of Sebastian the dust bunny who has all sorts of fun in a casino hotel. The plot was fast-paced and exciting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As always, I love Jayne Castle books and "Enter the Nightmare" is an excellent continuation in the world. They are so much fun, I love the world of Harmony, and of course, the dust bunnies which the author admits have taken over her universe. If you like adorable, useful pet sidekicks, this series is for you. This is book 19 in the series and while they all are typically standalone, and most of the world is explained well enough that you can follow along, I highly recommend reading the entire series. It is so entertaining!
This time we are following Alice and Owen as they go on the run from a powerful family behind a major business empire. Alice and Owen both have their own very hi-rez physic talents, and I will say, I wish we went into a little more explanation and we got to see them use their abilities a bit more. I will also add, the ending was a little more intense than I usually expect from Harmony stories, but these are romantic suspense books so it wasn't anything too crazy. As always, I loved the couple and these always have happy endings which I could really use after some of the more serious books I've been reading. Also, if you are a die hard fan like I am, there are references to the Arcane Society which is always fun. You don't need to understand these to enjoy the book, but they easter eggs.
This time we are following Alice and Owen as they go on the run from a powerful family behind a major business empire. Alice and Owen both have their own very hi-rez physic talents, and I will say, I wish we went into a little more explanation and we got to see them use their abilities a bit more. I will also add, the ending was a little more intense than I usually expect from Harmony stories, but these are romantic suspense books so it wasn't anything too crazy. As always, I loved the couple and these always have happy endings which I could really use after some of the more serious books I've been reading. Also, if you are a die hard fan like I am, there are references to the Arcane Society which is always fun. You don't need to understand these to enjoy the book, but they easter eggs.
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