Travel once again to the paranormal world. 2 feuding families with an interesting set of powers in the younger generation and a few mad scientist who must be stopped make for another exciting novel!

I quite enjoyed this book. It was my first book by this author and I thought the mix of a mystery and paranormal was well done. Since I read this as a standalone, I did feel like I was thrown in the story with not a lot of world building, but I was still able to understand the story. I thought that the pacing was nice and I enjoyed the writing, it didn’t feel too flowery. Sophy and Luke had a great chemistry from the start and formed a great team even if there’s a feud between their families. The ending leaves place for more in this world and I will keep reading this author’s books!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book. Opinions are my own.

This has a really cool dog and light art (which sounded similar to the holiday light shows we see at the Botanic Gardens). Sophy has gone to check on her Aunt Bea's shop in Mirror Lake while her aunt is out of town. (Her aunt sells wind chimes and crystals to tourists.) Luke shows up and asks Sophy to help him find his Uncle Deke and her Aunt Bea by using her dream talent. Sophy is wary because her and Luke’s families have been feuding with each other for the last four generations and don’t trust each other. But she is worried about her aunt and wants to help find her.

Sophy and her sister Chloe are librarians who consult for private libraries and collectors that specialize in paranormal books and papers. Sophie also does crime scene readings and when she goes into the dream state, she can see ghost-like images that show her what happened. It was cool when Luke’s dog Bruce growled and stood by her side, as if he could see the images too! She saw a vision of a ghost using a weapon known as Kaleidoscope that was stolen from a Luke’s family vault. When Sophy is done with her readings, she goes into a fever state where her eyes get scary and she gets bad chills. But Luke's not scared by her eyes - he's intrigued! When they search Zeke’s cabin, they find two passes to the Fool’s Gold Art Colony located at a vortex site in AZ where they believe Zeke and Bea have gone. The artists at the colony create art with light which I thought sounded really beautiful.

I got a little lost in the middle of the story with technical terms that involved hypnotic messages and lethal light waves but the pace quickly picked back up and Sophy, Luke and Bruce the dog made a great team. I'm happy that Krentz says we will see another dog in the next book, and I can’t wait! This is 4 and 1/2 stars for me. Thank you to the author, Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance closer to the review date.

A new set of families have been introduced into the psychic shenanigans and coverups swirling around the Bluestone Project and the Harpers and Wells have HISTORY. Fortunately for everyone, that history is exactly what's needed to take care of business.

But first! Sophy and Luke. She can read paranormal energy (amongst other things) and he's sporting some serious self-doubt thanks to a relationship gone sour. To be fair, there were extenuating circumstances as to why that relationship turned. Also to be fair, Sophy's approach to relationships doesn't leave her with a lot of second dates. These two aren't thrilled to be working together, but the nature of what they're dealing with doesn't leave them with any other choices.

So they start looking into the murder and disappearance of their respective family members and soon they're knee-deep in secrets that were supposed to remain buried. They also have to pretend to be a couple as they follow the clues and pretending to be a couple isn't nearly as difficult as either thought it would be. Sure, they both have a few hang-ups and some issues they need to deal with on a personal level, but WHO DOESN'T??

A little betrayal, a very reluctant collaboration (that turns not-so-reluctant), a magnificent doggo, secrets, muses, a dangerous location, and a couple (eventually) who have to let go of their fears if they hope to save themselves and their family members. *thumbs up* all around.

If you like paranormal romances featuring characters with a dry, biting wit ….

If you like, animal sidekicks of the canine variety….

If you like, mysteries …

…. then this read is for you. From perennial and beloved author comes a tale of intrigue.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#TheShoponHiddenLane #NetGalley

I don’t tend to like paranormal things generally, but the book blurb seemed interesting (albeit ridiculous) so I gave this a read. Overall it was light hearted, laughable, but a bit predictable. 3.5 stars.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect the most. You could see how various pieces were going to come together over time but the journey itself was enjoyable. Bruce, the dog / hellhound, was clearly the best character and sets up a great promise for the next book. The human characters were also good - clear motives, behaviors that made sense, etc.

I found the writing style itself a bit frustrating. It was heavy handed in the foreshadowing, which stylistically I don’t like when reading a mystery or suspense related book. I would rather have some twists and turns be more subtle so there’s a chance or surprise. Additionally, the writing could be blunt in forcing pieces into the story (e.g., the reader learns about the Wells/Harpers family pact by the characters saying it would be good to compare versions of what we were told… only to not actually compare or challenge anything). Personally I found it a bit distracting, but not enough to pull me entirely from the story.

Thank you to Jayne Ann Krentz, Berkley, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Shop on Hidden Lane
By Jayne Ann Krentz

Ms. Krentz is an extremely talented storyteller. She’s written many many books, all of which I own and have read. They just keep on getting better and better. She writes romantic suspense that captures the reader in the opening lines and doesn’t let go. She writes with intensity and humor. I read this one in one sitting, overnight. She writes with a psychic vibe. Many of her characters have psychic abilities and it makes for some unique and unusual situations and relationships. I had a lot of fun with this one. You’re in for a treat.

I really love the Jayne-verse and was very happy to see another one. Especially Fogg Lake! Can't wait for more of her world.