Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Deception Cove by Jayne Castle Narrator: Raven Wildewood
Series: Rainshadow #2
Published by Tantor Audio on May 24, 2026
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Length: 7 hours, 8 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
As a light-talent, Alice North has the rare ability to make things disappear, including herself—a gift that comes in handy during her magic act with her dust bunny Houdini.
Business mogul Drake Sebastian is day-blind, since his sight was nearly destroyed in a lab accident. But he's the one man who can see Alice when she disappears—and he needs her.
On Rainshadow Island, two dangerous Old World crystals are missing, igniting a paranormal storm. Drake thinks Alice is the key to finding them, and proposes they head there, but only after a Marriage of Convenience.
Alice's honeymoon on Rainshadow is guaranteed to be memorable, as the island—and the passion between her and Drake—is about to explode . . .
A dangerous woman is set on revenge and powerful crystals could destroy an island paradise in this futuristic human-colonized alien world where having psychic gifts are the norm. Jayne Castle’s Rainshadow sub-series of the Harmony series continues with a new romance pair getting their story.
Deception Cove is the second Rainshadow book as well as the tenth Harmony series installment. Listeners/Readers could start with any sub-series in the Harmony world of books, but it is best to read the books in the sub-series in order as they build on each other. The overall troubles with the crystals mentioned in this one was begun in the earlier book, The Lost Night.
Currently working as an illusionist, Alice North- along with her dustbunny, Houdini, uses her light gift to make herself disappear. She’s had a string of jobs and been in several places all in an effort to stay alive. Her husband died on Rainshadow Island. Alice didn’t kill him, but his mother believes she did and is trying to kill Alice in revenge. Alice isn’t sure what happened when they were there, but she was not responsible for his death. Her mother-in-law’s latest attempt is thwarted by a stranger who has an intriguing proposition for Alice because he needs her help.
Businessman Drake Sebastian also has a psychic affinity to light, but due to an accident, he’s day blind and sees through his gift. He has the unique ability to see Alice when she’s using her gift when no one else can see her. He needs her help with the trouble on Rainshadow Island and with the two crystals. He proposes a marriage of convenience that will protect her and so they can work closely together.
Both have had their past troubles and don’t want anything real and Alice needs this, too, so she agrees. Drake is nothing like her dead husband and he’s a natural protector. They can’t help the real attraction that springs up between them when working together, but she still has a great enemy and there are already further danger attached to their task on mysterious Rainshadow when they arrive to help the others.
Deception Cove keeps up the level of suspense and building romantic attraction I appreciated in previous books. I love the sci-fi alien world setting, the psychic gift element, and cooing over the whimsical dustbunny companion Houdini. I enjoy seeing Alice and Drake get to know each other even as they face a few different suspense threads in the beginning that I was not surprised when they started tying in together once the truth started coming out. It was fun keeping up with the previous pairs and spending more time in this small island community setting and people with the magical reserve and exotic locale.
Alice and Drake have a little friction mostly due to pasts that made them wary of relationships and current circumstances forcing to trust quickly, but I liked them as individuals and together. He is so good for her and she smoothed out his edges, too.
All in all, a solid, satisfying listen and left me wanting more of the series. Jayne Castle’s blend of genres makes Deception Cove and the rest of the series appeal to romantic suspense, paranormal, and sci-fi romance fans.
Narration:
Raven Wildewood continues to delight with her narration work. I like her distinct voices for the characters and the way she delivered the pace and tone of the story, heightening things when the suspense or romantic tension was strongest.
Listen to a clip: HERE
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I’ve read books in the Harmony series and enjoyed them, so I’m sure I’d have fun reading this series, too. Love the dustbunnies!
So far, the two Rainshadow Island ones have been my favorites of the Harmony world. Yes, the dustbunnies rule! Houdini was so cute.
It’s been a while since I’ve read this author but I really like the sound of this one.
She has so many on her backlist now. I’m trying to catch up on some, especially this series. I do love the blend of sci-fi and paranormal romance. 🙂
Still on my wish list…. LOL!
Haha, and I just keep tempting you. 🙂
Haven’t read much paranormal romance lately, but this sounds like the perfect series to dip my toe back in! Houdini sounds adorable. Great review!
Yes, these are old-style and have a good melding of suspense, romance, sci-fi, and paranormal. Hope you get the chance at them, Sarah!
I really like all this author’s books (under all her different names!). This sounds like a fun series and one I need to read.
I agree. I’ve still go a huge backlist pile of hers to get to, but I’m glad to have finally started the Harmony series.
I’ve had Jayne Ann Krentz on my TBR to try for a while. Haven’t picked one up yet, but I constantly see her books around. Thanks for the great review!
Oh yeah, she’s got a huge backlist especially when you pull in the lists from all three writer aliases. 🙂
Glad to see her back titles getting audiobooks. Love this series.
Yes, and that was what reminded me that I needed to finally start this series. 🙂
” he’s day blind and sees through his gift. He has the unique ability to see Alice when she’s using her gift when no one else can see her” ooooo
Oh yes, I do love when the jagged edges meet and lock together perfectly.