First, let me just say that Guild Boss is a little out of my wheelhouse. Other worlds, aliens, etc really aren't the kinds of stories I read. But Jayne Castle is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, and I've read and enjoyed several of her books. Basically, I trusted the author to give me an entertaining read and I hoped for the best as I dove in. What I didn't realize was how far into the series this book is. That said, the author gives enough information that I wasn't lost, and the world wasn't so completely alien that I struggled to figure it all out. At its core, this is a paranormal romance, and it's thoroughly entertaining. It's full of humor and adventure, and of course, romance. Oh, and a dust bunny that was a pretty big scene-stealer. What it comes down to is I may never be completely taken with this type of story, but I do think it's good to step outside the box once in a while, and this was certainly a fun way to do it.

A wonderful fusion of scifi elements and paranormal thrills.

I loved how Jayne Castle built a world based on something real and relatable, but on another world. It has a Vegas type vibe, but with all the nuances of a futuristic world, stitched together in a really wonderful and easy to read way. Castle has a great writers voice that helps drive the story, but keeps you grounded in characters and world building. If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a futuristic Earth, but I think that's what makes this book truly unique.

Although, I haven't read any of the other books in this series, I was able to follow what was happening and the characters stood out and were relatable. I actually want to go back and read the other books in the series to find out what I've missed.

This was a cool read that was entertaining throughout the whole story. I think I've found a new author to put on my favorites shelf.

My review will be live on my blog Book Confessions on 11-17-2021.

Guild Boss is the fourteenth book in the Ghost Hunters series by Jayne Castle. A paranormal romance full of murder, kidnapping, storms, ghosts, suspense, romance, and action that is sure to keep you turning the pages.

If you haven't yet tried this series then you don't know how excited I was when I heard we'd have a new book in it. The last book in this series was in 2016. I know! That's so long for a romance author. I needed and missed my dust bunny love.

Happily, you don't have to wait any longer because Guild Boss is here. I don't know about you but sometimes when there is that much of a gap between books you can feel a little lost in the series. Forget the comings and goings. Not so with Guild Boss, it was like falling in the arms of an old friend.

I can't tell you how much I loved this story and the new characters we are meeting. Right away you feel the connection between both Lucy and Gabriel. The weird part is that I didn't even think about how quickly they fell for each other because they just worked.

Poor Lucy has some rough times. She stands strong and is not weak. You'll find yourself cheering her on as she deals with what life throws at her. It is nice to have someone in your life standing with you and Gabriel is that person.

It's cute what he's done to be with Lucy. There is no question that he cares for her. Often while reading the story you can see it. He's a good hardworking man.

These two together are perfect and I was so happy to read Guild Boss. I think you'll love them and enjoy Otis. He adds so much to the story. Guild boss can be read on its own. I really think you should get them all and start reading. The perfect Christmas gift.

I really was excited when I saw another Jayne Castle book! I really enjoy the world she’s built on Harmony. Quick background: Harmony is a world similar to earth colonized through a wormhole, however it closed one day cutting off the new world from earth a couple hundred years ago. This deserted world enhances psychic powers and gives some to those without. It is connected to the Arcane Society series written as Jayne Anne Krentz. The Underground is a confusing place the previous tenants of the planet have built and it’s full of psychic energy. This causes disorientation and hallucinations then death. Okay, you’re caught up! (all books can be read as a standalone book).

This book opens with our heroine Lucy lost in the underground and a very handsome man has come to save her. The problem? She thinks she’s hallucinating. She’s been hallucinating for days? hours? time has no meaning for her since she’s disoriented and lost. She’d been kidnapped she escaped and was chased Underground and dumped. The man who found her is sexy, attractive, and has a dust bunny with a pizza box in his paws. Obviously she’s hallucinating.

She’s not hallucinating.

He carries her out of the Underworld and she’s met with paparazzi and fanfare. The whole situation leads to him disappearing on to another job, and Lucy is fired then ostracized. Nobody believes she was kidnapped, her credibility is shot, and she’s become the topic of gossip everywhere. Meanwhile, she makes the best of it, and gets a crappy job with her new dustbunny sidekick. They live off of tips and pizza until Gabriel pops back into her life.

Gabriel has taken over the new guild boss job in Lucy’s town, hoping to maybe find her and date her. After he rescued her, he had to run, but he couldn’t stop thinking about her. So the day he showed up at her crappy job to see her, he isn’t sure what he expected to happen, but Lucy telling him to hit the road isn’t it. He’s floored she wants nothing to do with him. He had thought they’d had a connection that night.

Lucy absolutely had a connection with Gabriel, but the whole him not believing she was drugged and kidnapped, then dumped in the tunnels doesn’t really lead her to wanting to date him.

Until her life is threatened again. The danger never left.

The two of them have excellent chemistry, and like many Jayne Castle books, the heroine and hero have excellent partnerships before they date. They work well together and I always love that. This book has everything you expect from a Jayne Castle book: romance, independent heroines, heroes who love and support them, and a dustbunny sidekick with more personality than ever!

When Gabriel Jones rescues Lucy Bell from the alien catacombs, immediately leaves for another Guild assignment, then returns to Illusion Town two months later hoping she'll be thrilled to see him, he learns a very important lesson: don't wait two months and expect the lady to be thrilled to see you, even if you did save her life. No one believes Lucy's story about being drugged and kidnapped, including Gabriel at first. But as strange events and dead bodies begin to pile up, Lucy's story looks a lot more believable. The only problem becomes- the kidnappers failed the first time, and will now have to try again.

Jayne Castle fans rejoice! Readers get to return to Harmony, and here Illusion Town- Harmony's answer to Las Vegas. The thrills are real, the laws are flexible, and anything can be had for a price. Except things might be changing, because now Illusion Town has its own Guild- with a Jones as Guild Boss. Long time Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle fans know exactly what that means: powerfully psychic and intelligent men and women who are more than up to some strange challenges. And Gabriel Jones (a descendent of my personal favorite Amanda Quick hero from Second Sight) more than lives up to his family reputation. Dry sense of humor, interesting psychic profile, and more than willing to partner with a dust bunny to see a mission through. As the new Guild Boss starting a new Guild poor Gabriel suffers terribly for the sake of public relations and image, but at least he as Lucy and PR whiz Aiden on his side to remind him to smile as they pile on the torment.

Lucy is more than a match for Gabriel. Despite everyone telling her she's crazy, she has never doubted that she knows the truth of what happened to her, even if she doesn't know why. She hangs on to her pride and professionalism even when she's driving a tour bus. She's not looking for a handout or a rescue, but she's not too proud to turn down a job even when she's not sure what she wants from Gabriel on a personal level. I loved how Gabriel was so openly in awe of her talent and supported her ever every step of the way. They fit together perfectly. And who can not love Otis? Another adorable dust bunny, Otis has an addiction to cheese and olive pizza and a bit of a diva complex when it comes to direction for what he sees as not good reason- which is pretty funny. Apparently dust bunnies might love having their pictures taken, but are not destined to be stars of the silver screen. Or would it be amber screen on Harmony?

A fun romp through Illusion Town, Jayne Castle fans won't be disappointed with Guild Boss. Full of Castle's trademark dry humor, crackling chemistry, and dust bunny fun, Guild Boss was entertaining from start to finish. Plenty of "Easter eggs" for long time readers of Krentz/Quick/Castle books, newer readers won't feel too left out- but should definitely end the book feeling like they have whole new worlds they want to explore before the next new release!

Jayne Castle, aka Jayne Ann Krentz, continues her wonderful paranormal romances set on Harmony, a world just beyond an seamless curtain from Earth for the settlers. Illusion Town is full of misfits and Lucy Bell, weather channneler, has gained an eccentric reputation after her kidnapping and rescue from the underground tunnels full of strange psychic energies by Gabriel Jones. Jones becomes the new Guild Boss of Illusion Town and starts solving her kidnapping and other criminal events. Romance seems in the offing. Charming story.

In Guild Boss , Jayne Castle brings murder, kidnapping, storms, ghosts, suspense, romance, and action to her latest book in the Ghost Hunters paranormal romantic suspense series set in Illusion Town on the colony world of Harmony. Readers can easily imagine a Las Vegas –like setting with weddings, bright lights, and casinos, but combined with unpredictable weather, prospectors, an underground city built by aliens with lots of paranormal activity, and plenty of criminals.

Lucy Bell is kidnapped and drugged as she leaves a party. After managing to escape in the underground maze of tunnels, she survives by eating pizza brought to her by a dust bunny she names Otis. Guild Hunter Gabriel Jones finds her, but that isn’t the end of Lucy’s problems. Her professional weather channeling reputation is ruined when rumors start that she had a psychological breakdown and wasn’t kidnapped. Gabriel wants to help her when he returns two months later as the new Guild Boss. There’s more to the story than meets the eye.

Lucy and Gabriel have depth and are wonderfully nuanced and complicated. Readers won’t have trouble identifying with Lucy and Gabriel as they try to resolve all of the mysteries. Both of them have moments of both vulnerability and strength which provides more balance than in many romantic suspense novels. The supporting cast of characters are excellent; especially Otis, Aiden, and Veronica. Otis provides humor, cuteness, and protection while Aiden focuses on organization and the Guild’s public image. Veronica contributes friendship and attitude. There’s also a variety of other characters that furnish interest and conflict. Which ones are evil and which ones are merely greedy?

The exciting plot and excellent writing kept me turning the pages. There are several subplots that came together nicely. However, there are threads left open for future novels. While this is not the first book in the series, the author does a great job of bringing Illusion Town and the tunnels below it to life, including their known history, without overdoing it for long time readers of the series. However, while this works as a standalone novel, it helps to read the earlier books to get an even better feel for the colony and its people and the dangers they face.

Jayne Castle is one of the pseudonyms used by author Jayne Ann Krentz. This pseudonym is used for futuristic romantic suspense. Guild Boss has a paranormal twist that is unique, dramatic, and exciting. If you are looking for an engaging story with complicated characters facing danger, storms, and surprises while the main characters are experiencing their own romantic chemistry in a paranormal-laced world, then this is a book to consider. Themes include greed, family, friendships, romance, politics, criminal masterminds, adventure, and more.

Berkley Publishing Group and Jayne Castle provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 16, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

The Vortex saga continues... on another planet in the future. This time, the Jones family is brought in through Gabriel. He's a special sort of Hunter, one who is after a specific person in the book's beginning, Lucy Bell. It seems like she wandered away drunk from a wedding and got lost in the underground tunnels. Her family has put out a big bounty for her and Gabriel is the one to notice that there is a dust bunny showing up to get a free pizza every night. He follows the bunny, Otto, and finds the girl.
BUT, that is just the beginning of the story. Lucy objects to the fact that everyone blames her; in fact, she was drugged. But that's not what makes a good story and she loses her clientele. And she blames Gabriel for that fact because... he left? I guess fiction doesn't have to make sense but this seemed odd for a character who otherwise was fairly level-headed.
Gabriel does come back though. He needs someone with Lucy's particular set of talents and he knows what she can do underground. Plus, he just wants to see her again.
There is a lot going on in this story which, even though it's number 14 in a series, seems to be setting up some new storylines. With all of Krentz's books lately, the endings seem to go on and on as in, you think this is the end of the book but then there's another chapter. And another. I also wish we had seen more interactions with Lucy's family. However, Gabriel and Lucy were both great characters and I liked seeing how their relationship went from rescuer/rescued to equal partners.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out November 16th, 2021
Follows Illusion Town
ARC kindly provided by Berkley and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

3.5 STARS

Living in this colony of away from Earth where magic is an everyday reality in the place called Harmony, the citizens of Illusion Town, an ersatz Las Vegas, have a lot to contend with when the supernatural can go ballistic on them. Lucy Bell can control the weather and previously, her talent was in high demand until she disappeared during a wedding only to be rescued from an underground chamber that is way worse than Alice’s rabbit whole. After well-known and respected Guild Hunter, Gabriel Jones, finds and returns Lucy to the surface, he flies off to a new assignment not realizing that Lucy’s life is all but ruined by rumor, innuendo, and lies. The only job she can get now is driving a tourist bus and living on tips. A funny little creature known as a dust bunny helped Lucy out when she was lost. Now Otis is her companion and very popular with the tourists.

Gabriel returns to Illusion Town to set up as the head of a Guild Hunter office; they are a type of paranormal police whose members have their own psychic talents. Gabriel is quite surprised to see how low Lucy has fallen and feels responsible for leaving her without support. He hires Lucy when no one else will to help track down an artifact in the subterranean world of Illusion Town where strange and bizarre alien magics occur.

Lucy is not so sure she can forgive Gabriel; however, she desperately needs the income despite having come from a wealthy family. Once they start investigations further into some very strange happenings, it is clear that Lucy’s own life is in danger. Gabriel wants to help Lucy recover her reputation as well as using her unsurpassed talents to find out who is trying to take over Illusion Town through nefarious means. Lucy and Gabriel have some wild escapades along with her loyal dust bunny who has some interesting talents and a penchant for pizza. Readers who enjoy Ms. Castle’s fantasy tales with action, adventure, and a little romance will be pleased. This book is number 14 in Ghost Hunters series; however, it can be read as a standalone

I have a real fondness for the Ghost Hunters series by this author, because one of the first urban fantasy/paranormal romance-like books I read was After Dark, and I’ve been loving them ever since. This latest in the series has us in Illusion Town which is a lot like Vegas on our world. The book begins with Lucy stuck underground suffering from illusions and thinking she’d been almost kidnapped and drugged, and Gabriel finds her. The action never let up from there. I love the chemistry between the main characters, and who can forget Otis the dust bunny. Add to that Lucy’s good friend Veronica, who I hope we see more of, and this was a fun way to spend an afternoon. I hope we get more in this universe soon as it’s one of my all-time favorites. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Guild Boss
by Jayne Castle
Pub Date: November 16, 2021
Berkely

Welcome to Illusion Town on the colony world of Harmony—like Las Vegas on Earth, but way weirder.
Romance
Paranormal
Paranormal Romance
Fantasy
If you're looking for any of these types of books, this one might be what you need. I'm not a regular PNR reader but this book was great. The 14th in this series-Guild Boss-picks up in Illusion Town and what follows is a rambunctious adventure with all the necessary components guaranteed to entertain.
Thanks to Berkely and NetGalley for the ARC.
4stars

Guild Boss by Jayne Castle is the 14th book in her Harmony series. I have not read the previous books in this series, but it did read well as a standalone. This takes place in Illusion Town within Harmony, which is a colonized alien world, and the underground maze in Illusion Town, has weird paranormal activity/hallucinations, with many people never escaping.

Lucy Bell, is a weather channeler, and at an after-party, she is kidnapped and drugged. She finds herself in the underground of glowing green tunnels, mysterious hallucinations, unable to see reality or escape. Lucy befriends Otis, a dust bunny, who loves pizza, and he bonds with her bringing her pizza to help her survive.

Gabriel Jones is the Guild Boss who comes to her rescue, and brings her & Otis out to freedom. Gabriel is immediately sent on a new assignment, and Lucy is sent to the hospital to recover. Unknown by Gabriel, Lucy was sent to a mental hospital and put through weird treatments to make her forget, and soon after her life falls apart. Whispers started that there was no reason for her abduction, no witnesses, and everyone felt she made it all up; with those saying she partied hard & was on drugs, and everyone avoided her. Lucy, having lost her credibility, has a low paying job, and her dust bunny, Otis, who is always with her, getting pizza often. I really love Otis, who was adorable, and lots of fun.

After two months, Gabriel returns from his mission, decides to look up Lucy to see how she was doing. In a short time, Gabriel believes Lucy’s version of what happened, with her being kidnapped. Once her life is threatened again, Gabriel is determined to find the person who is trying to kill her, as well as redeem her shattered career. Gabriel hires Lucy to work together with him to discover the who and why of a possible conspiracy.

What follows is an exciting mysterious and romantic story line, with a fantastic couple in Gabriel and Lucy, as well as our adorable Otis. There is a lot of action, as we race to the climax, with Gabriel and Lucy using their powers to defeat the enemy. It was nice to discover all what Gabriel can do, as well as Lucy’s weather channeling abilities. Guild Boss was a very good paranormal mystery, with a number of surprises along the way. I do feel that I missed a few things, not having read the previous books, but overall, I did enjoy Guild Boss, which was very well written by Jayne Castle.

Guild Boss is the longed for return to the exciting world of Harmony. It is an engaging and enjoyable read with strong likable main characters as well as an adorable dust bunny. Fans of the series will happily settle in for a good read, and new readers will end up wanting to read the rest of the series. Recommended for those who enjoy sci fi/fantasy blended with romance and mystery.

Kidnapped and drugged as Lucy Bell leaves a wedding party, she manages to escape—only to find herself lost in the mysterious, alien underground maze of glowing green tunnels beneath Illusion Town. She’s been surviving on determination and cold pizza, scavenged for her by a special dust bunny, when help finally shows up.

Gabriel Jones is the Guild Hunter sent to rescue her, but escaping the underground ruins isn’t the end of her troubles—it’s only the beginning. With no rational reason for her abduction, and her sole witness gone on another assignment for the Guild, whispers start circulating that Lucy made it all up. Soon her life unravels until she has nothing left but her pride. The last thing she expects is for Gabriel Jones to come back to town for her.

The Lucy that Gabriel finds is not the same woman he rescued, the one who looked at him as if he were her hero. This Lucy is sharp, angry, and more than a little cynical—instead of awe, she treats him with extreme caution. But a killer is still hunting her, and there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to heroes. Despite her wariness, Gabriel is also the one person who believes Lucy—after all, he was there. He’s determined to help clear her reputation, no matter what it takes. And as the new Guild Boss, his word is law, even in the lawlessness of Illusion Town.

It's been 5 years since Castle's last Ghost Hunters installment but going back to this world feels very familiar. Lucy and Gabriel are very much like most of her heroes, but that's a good thing.. Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle is one of my comfort reads. There's adventure, mystery, romance, and mutual respect.

I was so happy when I saw that Castle was releasing a new Harmony book. This is one of my favorite series. Happily, this book lived up to its predecessors. It was bright and light and fun.

This is book 14 in the Ghost Hunters series, set in world of Harmony. Las Vegas has become a mecca for the paranormal and psychic. Lucy Bell has been kidnapped and wandering the tunnels beneath town. She is rescued by a Dust Bunny and his owner, Gabriel Jones. But whoever kidnapped her wants her dead and doesn't stop. I used to read this series religiously but somewhere along the line I stopped. I had no problems following this story and it can be read as a stand alone. This is a fun romantic comedy and most fantasy readers should enjoy. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It's always fun to read a new book in a favorite series, especially when there hasn't been a new installment for a few years. And returning to the world of Harmony was definitely an enjoyable experience for me. Psychic abilities, paranormal phenomena, dust bunnies - all present and accounted for and bringing on a nice mixture of excitement and nostalgia.

However.

While the mystery/thriller portion of the plot was engaging, and overall character development was solid, the romance fell flat. There was little-to-no build up, no real description of longing/desire, almost no flirting. Admittedly, there was a bit of banter, but the characters seemed to go from one brief encounter to a tenuous professional connection to hopping into bed. I was very un-invested in their romance (if it could even be called that).

In addition, the ending felt jumbled with a bunch of random, disjointed glimpses into various side elements of the story, not to wrap up loose ends, but to hint at more to come. Rather than creating a sense of anticipation, it elicited confusion.

Lucy Bell has been drugged and kidnapped from a party and stranded in the alien underground world. She is rescued by Guild Boss Gabriel Jones but finds herself in an institution drugged again, but manages to escape. Lucy has lost her reputation and no one believes her story, they think she was on drugs and hallucinating. Gabriel hires Lucy to help him, she has a rare talent he needs. Sparks fly. I have always enjoyed this series and this book doesn’t disappoint. Action starts from the first page and there is a bit of humor throw in. Otis the dust bunny is a funny, lovable character. This book is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone, altho the previous books in the series are worth reading. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I read anything & everything by Jayne Castle and her numerous non de plumes and I'm never disappointed. Guild Boss takes place in Illusion Town where Lucy Bell is drugged and kidnapped and Guild Hunter Gabriel Jones (yes, one of those Jones) locates her with the help of Lucy's newly found dust bunny companion Otis, who of course steals the show. Then begins the mystery of why was Lucy kidnapped. If you a fan of Ms. Castle's paranormal books you will not be disappointed.