I just finished reading Gift of Fire and Gift of Gold. Jayne Ann Krentz is amazing. Not only do I love her sex scenes but her imagination re: paranormal phenomenon is amazing. What a woman!!

An excellent book. I read Gift of Gold first and hoped there would be more about the characters. Thankfully there was. All of her books I reread often and this is one of my favorites. I really enjoy the paranormal aspects of this book. I do not loan any of her books (under any of her pseudonyms)out.

Verity and Jonas are wonderful characters. This sequel continues with more interesting dialogue and suspense. The historical facts intertwined with the romance make this book a spell-binding read every time. Jayne Ann Krentz has the ability to weave a story that transports you into the book to watch the scene. I highly recommend both Gift of Fire and Gift of Gold

Both of these vintage Jayne Krentz books are dated but interesting to read. When she first came out with these I think that she was one of the very few romance authors doing fantasy/sci-fi/futuristics of that type so she was definitely breaking new ground. The problem is she used the old bodice ripper model to do it and her males are a bit more alpha than the 21st century reader is used to. These two books are more in her Stephanie James style of writing than her Crystal, Quick or Krentz style of writing. So brace yourself. The heroes are of the "Me Tarzan you Jane --and you mine" and the heroines are of the "No. I mean yes. I mean no. I mean yessss .... (insert moan)" type. They are still fun to read -- just realize that it's been a few years since they were written and they're not exactly politically correct.

I've read a ton of Jayne Ann Krentz and even more scifi/romance crossovers and I have to say that this is one of the best.

The Heroine didn't tick me off, the Hero was just the right amount of arrogant and sensible. He actually explained things to the Heroine and she was no mental slouch either. They worked well together and were both admirably strong in the face of adversity--helping each other instead of doing stupid things to hinder like so many romance characters do.

The world was interesting, there was actual character development, and I really wanted to know about both the development of the romance AND about the secrets of the futuristic place Krentz created.

Crystal Flame, though not as good as Sweet Starfire, was still not bad. It didn't have as much of a lasting effect on me, though. Both are worth a read, and at least Sweet Starfire is worth owning.

I found this book to be really funny. I was laughing outloud at most of the antics of Phoebe and he would be rescuer. It was a good thing that my husband wan't home or he would have thought I was weird. It was so nice to see such a strong opinionated heroine. I admit that she was eventually subduded, but not before she pushed another woman into a pond at a party. That part had tears running down my face. This book was really enteraining and I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a good laugh.

Phoebe Hampton's car broke down on a highway, and in bad judgment accepts a rid from some very unsavoury types. Being typical Jayne Ann Krentz ( Jayne Taylor is one of her earlier names when she wrote series romance), the spunky heroine escapes them and stumbles to the mountain cabin of Harlan Garand. And he is hardly you knight in shining armour. He tells her to get back into the car and leave. She tries to make him understand her situation, but he really shows little sympathy. Not that he is a complete louse, he just thinks this is another attempt by his matchmaking Aunt Flo to get him married.
He grudgingly lets her spend the night still not believing her story, buts getting very exasperated with her insistence she escape from two men, until he later catches one trying to sneak around his cabin.

Once they return to town Harlan suddenly becomes very dominant and 'informs' Phoebe they will get married.

A wee bit dated, but still fun for JAK fans.

I am a big fan of Krentz in all of her psuedonyms and this book was no exception. I especially appreciated that throughout the book Mattie sticks up for herself. Even though she loves Hugh he must prove himself worhy of that love. Also Mattie wont let him intimidate her into forgiving him or doing whatever he wants her to do. I love a character with a mind of her own.

I would start this review by saying this is one of the top three of my favourite JAKs...but then I stopped and realised I have 12 to 15 top three JAKS! Yes, she is a formula writer. If you don't care for the formula, then don't buy her. Simply enough. For those that appreciate her deft wit, her sharp repartee, there is no one like her. I adore her writings and think this is a one of her better ones.

Mattie Sharp stared down at the man dressed all in white, watching him die, and when he uttered to tell him "reign in hell", she knew she had stepped off in the middle of something very bad. The "him" was Hugh Abbott, a man she has been trying to avoid for a year, a man she once offered to follow to the ends of the earth - or in this case to St. Gabriel's Island.

Hugh Abbott was her aunt's 'pet wolf'. He was a security expert and troubleshooter for the large multinational business her aunt inherited. Since her aunt adores Hugh's genes, she fixed him up with her niece, Ariel. Maddie watched the miss-match romance go down in flames, knowing from the first time she saw him her sister was all wrong for Hugh. Maddie had stood by and waited, knowing she was falling in love with him. When the breakup came, Maddie made her pitch. A candlelight dinner, a good bottle of wine and a night of lovemaking were the formula to Hugh's heart - she thought. Only when the morning came for Hugh to leave for St. Gabriel's Isle, he refused to take Maddie. He tried to tell her it was bad timing. He was angry over the break up his engagement, but it came out all wrong, with him saying Maddie was 'just not his type'.

So hurt by the rejection, Maddie made sure she stayed away from Hugh. This was not easy, since her Aunt is determined to get Hugh in to the family and is most willing to help play matchmaker. Hugh, once he got over the breakup, saw he wanted Maddie, but she would not accept any letters or calls from him. Worse, four times during the year, he conspired with her aunt to bring Maddie and him together. All four times, Maddie left town rather than see him.

So her Aunt sent her to pick up a medieval sword from the Island of Purgatory from the man who was at her feet dying, an excuse to get Hugh and Maddie together. Hugh Abbott is there, and she is very glad for the comfort of his arms. But it begins an adventure with them running for their lives through the jungles. Despite their predicament, Hugh sees this as a chance to win Maddie back. But Maddie is feed up with being second place to her sister and is determined not to be hurt by Hugh again.

Maddie is charming, funny and warm; Hugh is a wonderfully droll 'throw-back'. They will win your heart.

A delightful story that is among her best. If you're a fan, don't miss this book. If you're not, start with this one, you'll soon understand the reason Krentz is one of the more popular romance/adventure writers.

I am sure that at some point I have read other Jayne Ann Krentz books, but I definately enjoyed this one. Let me give a short synopsis.

At first we meet Charity Truitt who is a powerful corporate person and right away she shows that she is burnt out and has a breakdown. She settles into a small town and owns a small shop which she is very content with. A gentleman, Elias Winter, who we learn was also an important corporate person, moves into Washington's Whispering Waters Cove. Everyone mistrusts Elias' motives including Charity. But, Elias is a novice when it comes to relationships and Charity has been repulsed by former boyfriends...so they meet.

There is some suspense and a mystery involved in the plot of the book as well as a wonderful romantic tale. This novel was fun to read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes more to a romance novel than just boy meets girl and they end up in bed.

I have read and enjoyed most of the books she has written under all of her pseudonyms. Deep Waters was no exception. She has way of drawing you into the story. The characters become real and you want to visit them again. Elias, Charity, Otis and the rest of the Crazy Otis Landing Gang are old friends that are funny, unforgettable people that will welcome you to Whispering Cove..

Deep Waters was the first contemporary romance novel I ever read, as well as the first JAK book. I have to say, I got totally hooked! I found the Zenny water philosophy of Tal Kek Chara to be an extremely creative addition to the book, and the space-cult storyline was hysterically funny. One of the reviews on the book calls the relationship between Charity and Elias a "Tracy-Hepburn" alliance, and I have to agree. They had such passion, understanding, and (oddly and entertainingly enough) humor. The secondary characters were equally personable. I loved every minute of my reading experience, and Deep Waters is one of the few books in recent memory that I have picked up again and again, and enjoyed just as much each time I read it.

One final note, not really plot-related, but I have to say how much I loved the detail JAK uses in her writing. Charity and Elias's cooking contests had me in stitches -- and rummaging through my cupboards and cookbooks!

This is also the only romance novel I have given as a gift. I would highly recommend it to any fan of JAK or intelligent contemporary romance.

Never having read Ms. Krantz before I can't compare this with any previous novels, but for me this was fast reading and entertaining, just what I needed after finishing a dark novel about child sexual abuse. I liked it well enough to buy the sequel to it, Dawn at Eclipse Bay, which I am now reading. This was written in 2000, and is the first of a trilogy. I found the author to be witty with her dialogue and enjoyed the bantering between the characters. The names of the local places in Eclipse Bay, Oregon, such as the Total Eclipse Bar and Grill "where the sun don't shine" were refreshing and original. I did find myself wanting to know more about the characters than she gives us, however. It seems like we get just enough of a look into their personalities to interest us, but she doesn't let us readers feel as if we really know them, as other authors I have read. This novel is not deep in mystery either, although there is a question about consipiracy, murder and blackmail that gets delved into. It is not on the level of novels by serious mystery or crime writers, but enjoyable. It's a good book to take on a trip, as it goes fast, but not one of those you stay up all night reading.

This book is the first in a trilogy set in Eclipse Bay, Oregon. It is about family relations in two feuding families--the logical Hartes and the passionate Madisons--with romance and suspense thrown in. I loved the characters of Hannah and her requirements for Mr. Right and Rafe and his youthful goal of staying out of jail. In some ways, I was reminded of Krentz' previous book 'Hidden Talents' (also wonderful and I highly recommend it), especially Blade in Talents and Arizona Snow in Eclipse Bay, plus Rafe's relationship with his grandfather. Eclipse Bay is great all on its own, however, and I can't wait for the next book in the trilogy. I read this book practically in one sitting (on a plane) and I could not put it down. If you haven't read anything else by Krentz yet, get this book and take the plunge. I've also enjoyed all her other books, as well as those she writes under the Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick pseudonymns.

Jayne Ann Krentz is the Queen of Witty Dialogue! I am a writer, and I would love to have her incredible flair for story telling. The story of Hannah and Rafe has everything romance readers ask for--Memorable characters, great love scenes, a plot that pulls you in effortlessly, and a touch of mystery. The mystery of an 8-year old murder and present unsettling events kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to the next two books, not just to get two more wonderful stories from Eclipse Bay, but to also revisit Hannah and Rafe--and their little dog, too. I am doomed to spend my life in the Midwest, but I enjoy travelling to the Northwest Coast with Ms. Krentz' stories. If you have never read Ms. Krentz before or hesitated because of the high price of her hardback books, try this one. I promise you, you will enjoy it!

Deep Waters and Absolutely, Positively converted me into a Jayne Ann Krentz fan and I went on to read her earlier work after those two books, including her Regency romances under the pseudonym Amanda Quick. Her trademarks are intelligent, independent heroines and brooding heroes with dark histories. They usually have names that you don't normally tag to romantic heroes and heroines, like Gideon, Molly and Harry.

In this story, it's Cyrus, a private detective, and Eugenia, a Museum Director. The death of a glass collector on Frog Cove Island bring the two together on official missions that hide their real motives: Eugenia to investigate the death of her artist friend (who was also one of the collector's many girlfriends) and Cyrus to hunt down an ancient artifact that was stolen under his security watch three years ago. Their initial suspicion of each other plays against strong physical attraction, but while there is heat and sexual tension, there's no sense of inevitability that these two characters deserve each other and should fall headlong into each other's arms. The main characters are disappointingly flat and the love scenes seem contrived. Krentz tries too hard to make the characters outwardly different that they end up as stereotypes - the sleek, sophisticated Museum Director and the strong, silent detective with the too-colorful shirts. The novel's redeeming features are the snappy dialogue and the quirky secondary characters.

If you want to start on a Krentz romance, I'd strongly recommend Absolutely, Positively, Grand Passion or Deep Waters. While Sharp Edges is still a good read, it won't warm you up on cold nights.

I was excited about this book, because the beginning of it (published behind Deep Waters) seems to be a return to JAK's (and AQ's) normal style, which I think is great. (I do vastly prefer the Quick stories). But I was sad to discover that although this is a pretty good book, it still seems that you are watching the story through a dark, cloudly glass. Her earlier stories made you feel right in the thick of things. I don't care about the "formula" angle of these plots, the formula works great for me. I do want to care more about the characters, however. Ms. Krentz is still about the best Romance writer around. The sad part is that she could be (and has been) so much better! Please slow down. I would pay double for book I wanted to read many times over. None of the recent ones have qualified.

Okay, JAK is not long in originality. You know that going in, if you are looking for totally different characters, don't think you ever will find them in her body of work. One might call her a one trick pony, but it is a very well trained pony and you really don't mind watching again and again, despite the different finery and feathers she dresses the pony in. So if you buy a JAK, don't complain because you see the same pattern...you KNOW that is what you buying. That said....

It is a fun book, with JAK wonderful quirky writing. I mean, when her character takes one look at the Private Investigator Cyril Chandler Colfax and thinks "She wondered what the penalty was for strangling very large men who wore tacky aloha shirts, khaki chinos and moccasin-style loafers. Surely no judge or jury would convict her, she thought. Not when they saw the evidence." Well, you know the romance is off to a rocky start!!! Eugenia Swift is a sensible young woman, a connoisseur of beautiful art, a very elegant woman. She has been asked to go to Frog Cove Island, and artistic Haven outside of Seattle. She is to go there to catalogue the art collection of Adam Daventry. Only, she is forced to take Colfax as a body guard, much to her dismay. The dismay increases to horror, when Colfax insists they pose as lovers while on the island.

This does not sit well will Eugenia, because she is going there not only to catalogue the artworks, but to find out what happened to her friend, Nellie Grant, the late Adam's Daventry's lover. She thinks the green-eyed Colfax (green this time - you get green, grey or amber....lol) might crimp her investigation into Nellie's death. What she does not understand, Colfax is on a trek to avenge an old wrong.

Eugenia has always keep her emotions on the shelf, putting everything into her career, but it soon becomes evident, that their lives will depend on them playing convincing lovers.

JAK delivers her usual spunky heroine who tries to run circles around the deceptively deep male...and does it with style.

For the last several books, Jayne Ann Krentz (who also writes as Amanda Quick) has been ignoring current romance trends to shift her style more and more toward romantic suspense. As she's done so, her writing style has become a bit more aloof, leading to less development of her main characters and the romance between them. Quick's "Slightly Shady" was somewhat of a disappointment for me; the characters and romance seemed almost incidental to the plot.

"Smoke in Mirrors" retreats somewhat from that aloof style, giving us good character and romantic development and appealing secondary characters. In addition, the mystery here is well integrated with the characters.

Leonora is a good Krentz heroine, with the loyalty and spunk we've come to expect. Thomas is another brooding Krentz hero, complete with large scary (but appealing) dog. The romance between them seems natural and easy, and the development of a secondary romance between Thomas's brother and his yoga instructor is handled well.

That said, the pacing of this book was a little off. While the initial build-up of suspense worked well, the conclusion seems rushed, and the eventual unmasking of the "villain" doesn't seem to make all that much sense. All is explained, but it would have been clearer if the conclusion had gone a slightly different direction.

Still, this is good Krentz, with all the hallmarks her fans have come to expect of her. A good read! Enjoy!

I'd just about decided to stop buying recent JAK books, and I'm really glad I bit the bullet and bought this one, because I snickered, hooted and giggled all the way through while remaining involved with the mystery as well.

I've read JAK in all her guises (Amanda Quick, Stephanie James, Jayne Castle, etc), and I probably have most of her books, and love them dearly. However, recent books seemed to just repeat what she'd written before, which was why I was getting discouraged.

This one feels very different from the last few. The heroine is not as cutsey, the hero is more of a regular guy, less wierd (not that I don't appreciate these JAK icons ... but I have *lots* of books featuring those characters).

I have to say that one of the things I most appreciate about her writing is the affectionate fun she pokes at life, society and peoples' foibles, especially romantic foibles. She's never cruel, but she can help me regain my sense of humor about things which I normally would take far too seriously. I also have noticed that she goes out of her way to bring marginalized people (elderly, gays, lesbians, psychics) into her books as strong and likeable secondary or sideline characters. Good for her!

A fun read, a not too challenging but fun mystery, and characters I liked a lot.

This was a good one. It had my spine tingling in a couple of spots & I loved the romance between the lead characters. The dialogue was just too fun; I smiled through out most of the book. The secondary characters added a lot to the story & there were a couple of romances on the side. The plot moved along pretty good & had a really interesting development, although I will have to admit it was not wrapped up real well. It was kind of rushed & I didn't understand the reasoning behind the villian's decisions at the end. That aside, I was reminded of the reason I love JAK's writing. If you like JAK, I think you'll definitely like this one.

Cady Briggs knew Mack Easton only from the internet. He owned an online company, Lost And Found. He mainly traced stolen artifacts for owners and museums when the owner could not go to the police for one reason or another. Mack hired her as a consultant often since she had excellent connections in the art world. They met face-to-face when Mack hired her to help him track down a stolen antique helmet.

Everyone said Cady Briggs was a lot like her Aunt Vesta Briggs. They both had a fine eye for art and antiques, fought panic attacks, and had bad luck with men! But everyone also knew that Cady liked consulting jobs. She wanted nothing to do with Chatelaine, the gallery Vesta ran. Sylvia, Cady's cousin, was a natural born CEO and was a shoo-in for inheriting Vesta's shares when she passed away. However, one week before Vesta died, she changed her will to give all the stocks to Cady. Vesta made it clear that she was considering canceling a bidding for Chatelaine to merge with Austrey-Post as well.

Cady did not believe Vesta's death to be a swimming accident. Thinking foul play and the concerns Vesta had of the merger, she called Mark for help. He would pose as her "soon to be fiancée", and help track down a killer that she could not prove existed. It quickly became apparent that more than one scam was going on! And Cady was in the hot seat!

**** Jayne Ann Krentz has often proven to me that I am right to consider her one of the best Modern Contemporary authors of our time! This latest book will take a place of honor among my favorites in my "Keeper" shelf! There is not way I could recommend this book highly enough!

Cady Briggs knew Mack Easton only from the internet. He owned an online company, Lost And Found. He mainly traced stolen artifacts for owners and museums when the owner could not go to the police for one reason or another. Mack hired her as a consultant often since she had excellent connections in the art world. They met face-to-face when Mack hired her to help him track down a stolen antique helmet.

Everyone said Cady Briggs was a lot like her Aunt Vesta Briggs. They both had a fine eye for art and antiques, fought panic attacks, and had bad luck with men! But everyone also knew that Cady liked consulting jobs. She wanted nothing to do with Chatelaine, the gallery Vesta ran. Sylvia, Cady's cousin, was a natural born CEO and was a shoo-in for inheriting Vesta's shares when she passed away. However, one week before Vesta died, she changed her will to give all the stocks to Cady. Vesta made it clear that she was considering canceling a bidding for Chatelaine to merge with Austrey-Post as well.

Cady did not believe Vesta's death to be a swimming accident. Thinking foul play and the concerns Vesta had of the merger, she called Mark for help. He would pose as her "soon to be fiancée", and help track down a killer that she could not prove existed. It quickly became apparent that more than one scam was going on! And Cady was in the hot seat!

Jayne Ann Krentz has often proven to me that I am right to consider her one of the best Modern Contemporary authors of our time! This latest book will take a place of honor among my favorites in my "Keeper" shelf! There is not way I could recommend this book highly enough! *****

Cady Briggs knew Mack Easton only from the internet. He owned an online company, Lost And Found. He mainly traced stolen artifacts for owners and museums when the owner could not go to the police for one reason or another. Mack hired her as a consultant often since she had excellent connections in the art world. They met face-to-face when Mack hired her to help him track down a stolen antique helmet.

Everyone said Cady Briggs was a lot like her Aunt Vesta Briggs. They both had a fine eye for art and antiques, fought panic attacks, and had bad luck with men! But everyone also knew that Cady liked consulting jobs. She wanted nothing to do with Chatelaine, the gallery Vesta ran. Sylvia, Cady's cousin, was a natural born CEO and was a shoo-in for inheriting Vesta's shares when she passed away. However, one week before Vesta died, she changed her will to give all the stocks to Cady. Vesta made it clear that she was considering canceling a bidding for Chatelaine to merge with Austrey-Post as well.

Cady did not believe Vesta's death to be a swimming accident. Thinking foul play and the concerns Vesta had of the merger, she called Mark for help. He would pose as her "soon to be fiancée", and help track down a killer that she could not prove existed. It quickly became apparent that more than one scam was going on! And Cady was in the hot seat!

***** Jayne Ann Krentz has often proven to me that I am right to consider her one of the best Modern Contemporary authors of our time! This latest book will take a place of honor among my favorites in my "Keeper" shelf! There is not way I could recommend this book highly enough! *****