Bridal Jitters

I originally read this more then a decade ago when I was looking for more scifi-rom (having read through all of Linnea Sinclair's stuff). It introduced me to Harmony and boy am I forever grateful.

Objectively speaking this is heavy on exposition (which from what I remember the rules that govern Harmony are oft repeated in the books), built around a strong lack of communication and an off screen villain mastermind (and an on screen two bit thug). Nostalgia paints the fact I enjoyed this, though Virginia and Sam were interesting enough.

Bonus points for the mention of Mercer Wyatt being basically a gangster, you're not wrong Virginia.

I recommend this if you want a taste of the world - its more paranormal (despite the alien catacombs and show more alien ghosts and alien world) then scifi, but an enjoyable world to dip in and out of. show less

In the prequel novella to the Harmony series, Virginia and Sam have agreed to combine their businesses and enter into a temporary two-year Marriage of Convenience contract. It’s just a business arrangement for them, but Virginia is having second thoughts. Sam knows she’s ready to call it quits, and he’s desperate to convince her otherwise.
Though I really liked Sam and Virginia, they really needed to talk. A little communication would’ve solved their problems without all the confusion, nervousness, and hurt feelings.
When it comes to their jobs, I’m a little confused. As far as I could figure out, she can sense unnatural shadows and unravel the psi-energy from objects (she’s a tangler), and he can destroy dangerous psi-energy show more (he’s a ghost-hunter). Hopefully I’ll understand this better in the later books.
Life is a little different in the futuristic world of Harmony. A few centuries ago, humans traveled from Earth to the planet of Harmony through what’s known as the Curtain. It’s like a breach or a crack in space that connected the two worlds and allowed passage between them. After the Curtain unexpectedly closed, the trapped settlers on the new planet moved forward as best they could and created a new society. The best thing about Harmony is that all the human residents now have psychic gifts because of the underground green quartz that runs through the planet. Two hundred years have passed since the Curtain closed and things are pretty good for the new inhabitants of Harmony.
The story is well-written, fast-paced, and kept my attention. I look forward to reading more in the series.
4 Stars

Disclaimer – I bought this book for my own enjoyment. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion. show less

This short novel (115 pages) takes place on Harmony (but there are no dust bunnies!). Sam Gage is an independent hunter and Virginia Burh is a tangler. They meet when she rents office space and an apartment from him. They decide to form a partnership and combine their businesses. They also plan to enter into a marriage of convenience. Virginia has second thoughts since she's fallen in love with him and doesn't want a temporary marriage. He's fallen for her and is hoping to convince her to marry him for real during the course of their marriage of convenience. These plans are changed when they find themselves hunted in the underground and stumble onto a very different sort of ruin. Nice romance.

This one was more of a novella, just over 100 pages I think. In fact, I had trouble finding the book on its own, and had to track it down as part of another book with another story of Castles. I liked it, because it was suspenseful and romantic, all the things you would expect, but it also covered a lot of background, and explained a lot of stuff for such a tiny book. And I’m sure a lot of it was covered in the last one I read, but the refresher was nice. I do wish I had read this one first, instead of starting at the middle, but it was worth going back for it. Definitely looking forward to reading more about this world castle has created. =D

Wanted to like it, but just couldn't. It read like it was written by a teenager. Guess I was looking for something more sophisticated. I read another of this series out of order, had the same reaction to the writing and was a bit confused, so I thought, "Ok, maybe I just need to go back and start from the beginning, and it will all gel." But, after reading this one, I'm still confused and I still don't like the writing. Now, I'm scared to pick up the rest.

If you are a fan of Supernatural than this may be the book for you. You have two different professionals in the ghost business that are attracted to one another but neither is willing to admit it to the other one. The solution a marriage of convenience that will not only bring their businesses together but legally bind them together for at least two years. Throw in a life or death situation and it makes for an interesting read.

A novella in the Harmony series by Jayne Castle/Jayne Ann Krentz which I first encountered some years ago with the Amaryllis novel. Quite interesting, with the usual background of alien city, psychic powers etc. Be warned it has adult content, consensual heterosexual nature.