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Book Reviews of Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3)

Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3)
Orchid - Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3
Author: Jayne Castle
PBS Market Price: $8.09 or $4.19+1 credit
ISBN-13: 9780671569020
ISBN-10: 0671569023
Publication Date: 5/1998
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 203

4 stars, based on 203 ratings
Publisher: Pocket
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

17 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ShawnMarie avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is my favorite alternate universe book. Love it.
VampireRat avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 83 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The final book of a trio set on the far-off planet of St Helens. Like the first two, it's not all romance and love-making; there's murder, mystery, and a bit of corporate espionage. Not at the top of my list, but a good enough read.

Writing as Jayne Castle, Judith Ann Krentz has a series of books set on far off worlds, originally colonized by Earth, but now cut off from their home world. Amaryllis, Zinnia, and Orchid are the first (in that order), set on the planet of St Helens where psychic energy is evolving to replace no-longer working Earth-based technology.

In these first forays into a futuristic setting for this author, the off-world details occasionally feel a little awkward. None of these 3 made me feel like reading an entire book in one sitting. That said, They kept my interest, the characters are interesting, and there is a mystery to solve as the hero and heroine fall in love in each book. From Amaryllis to Orchid, the books seem to become more polished and entertaining as the series develops.

The other-world marriage customs (using matchmaking agencies) were believable, but some of the descriptions of the technology and psychic powers felt less real, and the author just did NOT know what to do with other-worldly plants, animals, and by-products. In particular the practice of naming plant and animal items on the new planet with hyphenated versions of Earth names, drove me *crazy,* i.e. coff-tea, "shaggy six-legged ox-mules," honey-syrup, bee-flies, twin-snakes. Argghhh! And yet, they have (non-hyphenated) cars, trees, clocks, and phones.

If the frequent consuming of coff*hyphenated*tea doesn't get to you like it did me, you will enjoy getting into Ms. Castle's new universe.
TakingTime avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 1072 more book reviews
This is Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle.A physic looks for a husband and finds a private eye.
jsue avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 74 more book reviews
This book and its companion, Zinnia and Amarylis are just plain fun books. The heroine is wonderfully strong and the hero is great. There is enough of a mystery to fill out the romance. The fact that it is a bit sci fi should not hold anyone back. It is fun and an entrance to speak of her Harmony books.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 1266 more book reviews
The main characters are Orchid Adams and Rafe Stonebraker. Rafe Stonebraker is a highly talented strat, who is looking for a wife. His search (or hunt) will take him to Orchid Adams, a full spectrum ice prism who seems to be all wrong, but feels right... The plot includes also some investigations and a lot of really good love scenes.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 61 more book reviews
A top psychic, Orchid Adams doesn't expect even the best marriage agencies on the space colony of St. Helen's to find her a husband who measures up to her dreams. Her new client, Rafe Stonebraker, is definitely not marriage material. Butr Rafe, primitive, elemental, powerful, perhaps dangerous, is perfect for an affair...
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 330 more book reviews
This book was excellent.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 82 more book reviews
Really like this series.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 25 more book reviews
fast read can stand alone
dmac avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 130 more book reviews
I had read this quite a while back and just wanted to reread it for fun. I like the futuristic elements and the characters. The only thing that is a bit goofy is the hyphenated words scattered throughout (example: a beverage called cof-tea). Overall a great series from a great author.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 308 more book reviews
good paranormal story
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 18 more book reviews
Psychic romance novelist Orchid Adams has yet to meet her match on the space colony of St. Helen's--until an assignment with a lone-wolf private investigator puts her mind and her heart on a collision course.
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 43 more book reviews
From the back cover:

A top psychic for exclusive Psynergy Inc., Orchid Adams doesn't expect even the best marriage agencies on the space colony of St. Helen's to find her a husband who measures up to her dreams. It's just as well, because she's got her hands full with a baffling murder. One thing is certain: her new client. Rafe Stonebreaker, is definately not marriage material. But Rafe - primitive, elemental, powerful, perhaps dangerous - is perfect for an affair...
An unlicensed private eye with an edgy reputation and a psychic talent so awesome he hides its true power, Rafe has some serious secrets. Not only is he trying to solve a strange theft, he is about to replace his grandfather as CEO of Stonebreaker Shipping and is fighting to ward off a hostile takeover. He needs a wife - and fast - to salvage his credibility. Orchid Adams doesn't fit the profile he had in mind, but she fits in his arms. Will their mind/body merger spark a rollicking and rocky partnership, just as his latest case threatens to end their world?
avidreader avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 64 more book reviews
Wonderful book. The third in a series about New Seattle..... And the paranormal happenings on that side of the curtin.
FriscoOBX avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 601 more book reviews
great book. worth the read.
Kyleen avatar reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 19 more book reviews
A top psychic for exclusive Psynergy Inc., Orchid Adams doesn't expect enen the best marriage agencies on the space colony of St. Helen's to find her a husband who measures up to her dreams. It's just as well, because she's got her hands full with a baffling murder. One thing is certain; her new client Rafe Stonebraker, is definately not marriage material. But Rafe--primitive, elemental, powerful, perhaps dangerous--is perfect for an affair... An unlicensed private eye with an edgy reputation and a psychic talent so awesome he hides its true power, Rafe has some serious secrets. Not only is he trying to solve a strange theft, he is about to replace his grandfather as CEO of Stonebraker Shipping and is fighting to ward off a hostile takeover. He needs a wife--and fast--to salvege his credibility. Orchid Adams doesn't fit the profile he had in mind, but she fits in his arms. Will their mind/body merger spark a rollicking and rocky partnership, just as his latest case threatens to end their world?
reviewed Orchid (Curtain: St. Helen's, Bk 3) on + 134 more book reviews
[from the back cover] A top psychic for exclusive Psynergy Inc., Orchid Adams doesn't expect even the best marriage agencies on the space colony of St. Helen's to find her a husband who measures up to her dreams. It's just as well, because she's go her hands full with a baffling murder. One thing is certain: her new client, Rafe Stonebraker, is definitely NOT marriage material. But Rave--primitive, elemental, powerful, perhaps dangerous--is perfect for an affair...

An unlicensed private eye with an edgy reputation and a psychic tlent so awesome he hides its true power, Rafe has some serious secrets. Will their mind/body merger spark a rollicking and rocky partnership, just as his latest case threatens to end their world?