Search - Obsidian Prey (Harmony, Bk 6)

The planet Harmony was cut off from Earth centuries before these stories take place. The descendants have developed a culture based on amber as a power source. Psychic powers are developing more each year. Indigenous creatures called 'dust bunnies' are pairing up with humans...

Before the story begins, the heroine made a 'find' in the catacombs. The hero - acting in everyone's best interest at least in his opinion - takes control of it away from her because 'it might be dangerous'. The heroine has an attitude [not an unjustifiable reaction to the situation] and the hero feels his decisions were the right ones. Now things have gone wrong at the site and he wants her help. She'd like to tell him to take a hike but there are lives at stake...

A good read although not an epic one. This one also emphasizes the Arcane Society which she is writing about in her Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick incarnations. Vince the artistic dust bunny is another winner.

The first three could probably be read in any order but the last ones really need to be sequential or the reader will become fairly confused.

Harmony World series
1. Bridal Jitters (2005)
2. After Dark (2000)
3. After Glow (2004)
4. Ghost Hunter (2006)
5. Silver Master (2007)
6. Dark Light (2008)
7. Obsidian Prey (2009)
Harmony (omnibus) (2002)
Midnight Crystal (2010) (with Jayne Ann Krentz)

Interesting book where the conflict has already started between the hero/heroine with a failed courtship, due to business matters regarding an archeological site that has led to a lawsuit. The hero waits to resume his pursuit due to various reasons, which makes his motives suspect to the heroine. She has been suing him in revenge, nearly bankrupting herself in the process. There is some bad blood between his Sweetwater clan and her Dore family (which has died out to just her). Much less society/matchmaking/etc in this book, but tons of psi-powers and arcane society references. Enjoyable quick read, not my favorite in the series, but okay.

FYI - Dust Bunnies were out in full-force in this book, as in other books in the series, helping vanquish bad guys, eating cookies, cooing and bouncing, and generally causing mayhem.

Here's an additional synopsis:

"Two hundred years after the closing of the energy Curtain that allowed interplanetary travel — cutting off all contact to Earth — the planet Harmony is thriving. Thanks to an abundant supply of amber, which powers not only electrical machines for everyday use but also psychic abilities in the colonists, Harmony has created a stable, progressive community. But when that stability is threatened, resolving an ancient family feud and a fresh lover’s quarrel might be the planet’s only hope.

Three months ago, Lyra Dore suffered a heartbreak and a hostile takeover — both at the hands of the same man. A descendant of her ancestors’ fierce rival. Cruz Sweetwater charmed his way into Lyra’s heart and gained access to her pet project, an amethyst ruin. Then he took over the project and took off. When Cruz walks back into her life and requests a private meeting, Lyra convinces herself he’s there to crawl and beg forgiveness. Wrong again — he just needs her help. With the project he stole from her.

Five innocent men are trapped inside a chamber in the amethyst ruin, and Lyra is the only one who can reopen the door. Reluctantly she agrees to help. Then Cruz wants her to apply her talents to the rest of the ruin — because no one else can work it. Lyra and Cruz are both harboring psychic secrets. Unknown — and dangerous — powers pulse within the amethyst ruin, and the closer Lyra gets to them, the more at risk she becomes. And now she must decide whether to trust her guts or her heart…"

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I have to admit that the guy sounds like a jerk compared to the previous heroes, but I'm going to trust JAK and presume that it's just typical alpha male posturing that the heroine will be more than capable of handling. I've enjoyed this series so far so I'm hoping for the best. Also, I don't see anything about any dust bunnies, but hopefully there will be one or two around!

Vince the artistic dust bunny who likes to paint and is the ultimate predator is the most fascinating character in the book! He is funny and a fresh element. I enjoyed the further detail about Harmony and the Arcane society and dust bunnies and what not. I was bored as all heck by the romance though.

fast read can stand alone

lots of action & love purple!!!