Amaryllis

Ms. Castle (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) did a nice job of educating the reader about the time and place of the story without getting long winded. I loved the names for various foods, drinks, places and animals that are a combination of nouns used "here on earth!"

I do not regret in the least ordering all three of these books sight unseen. Ive enjoyed all three enormously.

But then, if I hadnt read it I would have missed a real keeper, so I guess Im very lucky for having friends who share my tastes, and who know what I might like even before I do.

The story is set in the Earth colony of St. Helens, and the main characters are two very different. Amaryllis Lark is a prism, and she can help people who have psychic talents to focus them. She works for Psynergy, Inc., and is quite happy with her job. One of the tasks she must perform is help Lucas, the owner of Lodestar Exploration, to find a corporate thief. She does exactly that, by focusing his talent (remember that Amaryllis is a prism, this is more extensely explained in the book). Even they are very different, they find that they are intensely attracted to each other, and that atraction only increases as the case they investigate develops to include murder.

Jayne Castle is the name that Jayne Ann Krentz uses when she writes futuristic paranormal romances. I can only tell that she is incredible! After finishing this book, I immediately searched in the web for the sequels, "Zinnia" and "Orchid", and by now Ive already read both of them (they are also great, 5 star rating). This "compulsion" to read everything similar that the author may have written is what distinguishes really good romances novels (for example, Dark Series by Feehan or Cynsters by Laurens) from others that are only midly good.

Anyway, if you follow my advise, good reading! You will have a great time! :)

Amaryllis is a "prism." She focuses others powers in order for them to be used to the greatest possible extent. Lucas is he newest customer. He is quite put off by the prim Miss Lark. He has hired her to help him find a corporate thief. In the process, they trip over a senatorial candidate who is much less than he seems, and much more. Together they find the thief, but discover a possible murder. The victim was once Amaryllis mentor. Determined to solve the puzzle, Amaryllis decides to investigate on her own. Determined to solve the puzzle of Amaryllis, Lucas has decided to help her.

The love story is pretty straight forward, but, as always, Castle/Krentz makes the side plots very interesting as is most of the dialogue. Everything is complicated by the fact that both protaganists have signed up with match making services (a common practice on St. Helens) and now dont want to look at any matches they might be offered.

If you are expecting strange science in this book, you wont get it. All the technology is familiar ( how did that happen?) Ms. Castle/Krentz strong point is the love story and the banter.

I enjoyed the story and the unexpected villian, but it will never be great science fiction.