A while back I asked what futuristic worlds you’d least like to live in. Harmony, one of Jayne Castle’s futuristic worlds, falls squarely onto my other list—places I’d love to live. Harmony is a world with modern notions set on a world where amber is the primary source of power, psychic abilities are common, and the ruins of a lost alien civilization lay beneath the surface of the planet. All the comforts of home, one hundred times the adventure.

In Obsidian Prey, amber tuner and independent prospector, Lyre Dore, and CEO of Amber Inc, Cruz Sweetwater, have a mystery to solve. Several actually. First, there is the question of who’s been stealing alien artifacts from the Amber Inc lab. But the mysteries in this book don’t stop there. Do Lyra’s weird waking nightmares mean she is going crazy? Who’s trying to kill Cruz and kidnap Lyra? Who is the mysterious new artist called Chimera? And perhaps most importantly, did Lyra really break Cruz’s heart three months earlier or was it the other way around?

Jayne Castle (aka Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick) has long been one of my comfort buys. Often the stories and characters follow a tried and true pattern, but she always has a way of making every story feel special. In this book, she shakes up one of her familiar story lines by opening the book months after Cruz, in the course of investigating a security risk, wrests Lyra’s big prospecting claim away from her. Skipping over the meet and betrayal and going straight to the must-work-together phase leaves more room for mystery and intrigue without sacrificing romance. Luckily, the Sweetwaters have a talent for romance.  The story line kept me guessing and trying to figure out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and the romance kept a grin on my face. A very satisfying read.

What I loved about the heroine: Lyra is resourceful and clever. I don’t want to spoil it for you, so you’ll have to read the book to uncover all her secrets. 

What I loved about the hero: Cruz is a Sweetwatrer and they have no trouble admitting love or being over the top about romance. A charming and refreshing trait in a hero.

Other cool stuff: Vincent the Dust Bunny! A cute little fluff ball in a jaunty red beret, who can show his teeth and turn fierce hunter and protector when called for.

Genre: Paranormal Romance (Futuristic)

Primary format: Mass Market Print

Publication date: September 2009

Publisher: Jove

This book was given to me last summer, via an RWA free publisher book signing event. Yes, I am that far behind on my reading.