To put it simply I didn't like the heroine nor her family, my question is where was the "hook" on Ms Krentz's part to engage me with this nest of vipers. Juliana's family has no redeeming value unless you think the loyalty shown towards each other off sets the lack of ethnics to all others outside the "family circle" in other words think Medici. Juliana's forcefulness would be considered abusive or at the very least not very PC if Travis had exhibited the same behavior towards her, not a likeable heroine. I am glad I borrowed this book.

After reading a few Amanda Quick books, I of course made a bee line to works written under her real name, Jayne Ann Krentz. This was the first Krentz book that I read, and it was so unlike her AQ books that I was shocked.

I agree with the previous reviewer who stated that the Grant family had few, if any, redeemable qualities, unlike the AQ families. I, too, found them selfish and cold-blooded, and the heroine was self-absorbed and unlikeable. In addition, the things this heroine said about knowing she and the hero were meant to be together, that they WOULD be married--never mind what his wishes might be--made me shudder. I didn't see it as a female who knew what she wanted. Imagine if the genders were reversed. In a man, such a degree of single-mindedness and inconsideration of a woman's wishes would have been warning signs that he was a few fries short of a Happy Meal. Of course, that is exactly what makes a great villain in most books, but it's not the kind of quality I look for in a heroine of a romance.

Jayne Ann Krentz has done it again! Lady's Choice is about Travis Sawyer who seeks revenge of the Grant family because he was cheated out of his promised share of the Grant' inn. Walking out of the Inn's door way when he has found out he has been cheated, he vows to seek revenge upon them.

Five years later, he walks into a coffee shop (which Juliana owns and runs) to see what Juliana Grant looked like. Instead of finding a petite blond woman he finds a tall, busty, redhead.

Juliana is a great heroine for this book. She is always one step ahead of everyone. hiring Travis to be her consultant, she falls in love with him. They do not see eye to eye on the matter of marriage but Juliana out to see that he will see it her way....and suceeds as always.

Lady's Choice is a magnificent book that shows a lot of characteristics. I highly recommend that people buy this book.

I enjoyed all of these stories; but, none held "surprises" -- I think the readers all knew after first couple of pages how plots would go. I had originally picked up book because of two enjoyed authors and a blurb on back of books suggesting very original plot lines. Possibly I'm being a little hard because these are shorter than normal novels and give authors less room to complicate plots and flesh out characters. Once I started each story, I did not put down until finished.

Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) returns in "Bridal Jitters" to her futuristic romance world and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm not sure I could recommend to readers who hadn't read Amaryllis, Orchid, and Zinnia. Much "fluffier" than the three longer novels.

Julie Beard is one of my favorite authors; but, the characters in "Man In The Mirror" had an extremely easy solutions to all problems, no one questioned anything, and the reader knew from page 1 almost exactly how the story would go. Still well-written but surprisingly the characters were not as "real" as Julie Beard's other writings show she can create. I'm not fond of the deus ex machina solution where the character finds a reincarnation or twin of their true love found in time travel as soon as they return to their own time.

I hadn't read any of Lori Foster's work before. I did enjoy her story "Tangled Dreams" and plan to read more, particularly the stories of the other brothers. The "kinky" or "bondage" sex mentioned in other reviews consisted of no force, pain, or anything weirder than a four-poster bed with soft ties and a hero who preferred being the agressor. I don't think it added to the story; but, didn't think it was as terrible as some other reviews suggested.

Eileen Wilks was also a new author for me and "Pandora's Bottle" was a very good read. I will be looking for more books from Ms. Wilks. This story did read like she had more books in same universe she created. Did a lot better with the characters and although I had guessed the ending to start with the plot was substantial enough I wasn't sure until last couple of pages how it would end. I'm not particularly fond of torn-between-two-lovers type of stories; I'm more of the romantic one-true-love sort.

I loved all these stories. Jayne Castle is, as always, entertaining in Bridal Jitters. Julie Beard's story, while not quite my cup of tea due to the ending, was very well written. Lori Foster's Tangled Dreams is a hoot. I love those Winston men, and Eileen Wilks Pandora's Box is wonderful. It's not often you get an anthology with four great stories to entertain you. Buy this book -- you won't be disappointed.

This collection of fantasy tales has a bit of everything: sci-fi, time travel, and, since it 'tis the Halloween season, a fair assortment of ghosts and goblins.

Leading off the pack is Jayne Castle, a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz, with "Bridal Jitters," a sci-fi fantasy. Psychic archeologist Virginia Burch is having second thoughts about entering into a 2-year marriage of convenience with ghost-hunter Sam Gage. Virginia's feelings for Sam are too deep for her to be happy with just a business relationship.

"Man in the Mirror" is a strong story about love bringing out the best in a person. The problem I had with this tale is that you (and the heroine) fall in love with the man in the mirror, only find out he's not the man she's destined to be with.

"Tangled Dreams" by Lori Foster is hot; the sexual tension between the hero and heroine is terrific -- think Linda Howard writing with a touch of Halloween whimsy. I very much liked this funny, heated story of a man reading the intimate thoughts of a woman who wants him. Also, this tale has lots of Halloween flavor, with a genuine haunted house and some matchmaking ghosts.

The final tale, "Pandora's Bottle," by Eileen Wilks poses the following question: If you have to choose between a solid, dependable, sexy, but too serious man, or the fun, irresponsible sexy djinn of your dreams, who would you choose? The answer may not be easy for a heroine who's gifted, but doesn't practice witchcraft.

Charmed is a bit of a mixed bag, with stories that include sci-fi, time-travel, witches and ghosts. However all four stories are good and do contain a Halloween angle, however slight. So if you're looking for some seasonal fantasy reading, Charmed is an entertaining place to start.

As a Texas native who now lives in Oklahoma, I have seen my share of cowboys. I know this may seem picky, but I couldn't get past the fact that Rafe was constantly described as wearing boots with flower or star patterns. Note to Ms. Krentz: No self respecting cowboy would allow himself to wear such prissy clothing! Other than this obvious faux pas, the story seemed pretty much like the standard Krentz romance. Arrogant man bent on revenge meets feisty heroine who convinces him revenge is not the answer. I sometimes think Ms. Krentz's characters are interchangeable. On the plus side, this is a light, breezy romance perfect for an easy read. If you aren't expecting an original plot and you can stomach a cowboy with purple flowers on his boots, then this is the book for you.

This is a third in a trilogy - the Pirate, the Adventurer and the Cowboy. The heroines are romance writers and then end up finding their fictional hero in real life.

In this one, Margaret Lark became involved with Rafe Cassidy, not knowing he was out to ruin her boss in a business deal. When she learns, she presumes he was only sleeping with her to gain information and so she admits her mistake to her bossy. It was a traumatic time, with her leaving her job, Rafe accusing her of betraying him. But she has pulled herself around, writing full time and loving it. The book takes up at the wedding on the second Heroine, where Margaret is a bridesmaid. So goes home thinking of Rafe and the disaster of a year ago, and is shocked to find Rafe waiting inside her apartment.

He says he has come to ask her to marrying him, but she makes is plain there is no chance of that. He informs her that his mother and her father were getting married and he was buying out her father's business. So she is forced to to Rafe's ranch to find out what is going on.

Plot is very simplistic, but JAK creates a lot of snappy nattering between the characters. A pleasant read, with a few giggles along the way.

This was my first Jayne Krentz book and I loved it. It was great to have a book about people in a real relationship who had some real problems. Rafe's determination to win Maggie back was charming and refreshing. It was nice to see two characters having heart to heart talks about their problems as well as some steamy romance.

This was the first book of JAK that I ever read (many years ago)and it started my obsession with her writing. I actually think it is one of her best. Her characters are strong without being irritating and her dialogue natural and terrific. If you have never read one of JAK's books try this one and if you have read some of her more recent and wonder what the fuss is about, try this and I think you will see why she is beloved in the romance genre.

This is a delightlful book. The development of love between a man and a woman who had friendly platonic relationship is very well written. A man who has a mysterious job mission and frequently out of country for weeks at a time and a science fiction writer with a nightmarish past begin a slow friendship in a tiny coastal town in California.

A trip to an island in Pacific Ocean unravels the hidden past and a new threat to their very survival. The story is intriguing and the suspense in the underwater cave is very real to readers.

Jane Anne Krentz has done a wonderful job of writing a modern love story between the two people whose courage and love for each other overcame their pasts and enabled them to build a new life for themselves.

It doesn't matter if the author is writing as JAK or Amanda Quick, most readers know what to expect. Her stories are fast reads with lots of attempts at humor and "clever" repartee. If you've read one, you've read them all, they are great for relaxing summer reading. Therefore, I was surprised to discover A Coral Kiss. I understand this is a reissue of a 1987 book. Unlike so many of her more recent books that seem to strain to be interesting, this book is truly well written. Her dialogue is more "real" and though the premise is a little far-fetched, secret agent, sunken emeralds, etc., the writing almost makes it seem possible. I thought authors were supposed to get better over time. Perhaps Ms. Krentz used up all her good ideas awhile back. Regardless, this is one book by the author that shows a mature writing style that doesn't make the reader cringe at some stupid dialogue. I recently read Ghost of a Chance also an earlier book by JAK and again was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of an early Anne Stuart book.

I have read almost all of Ms. Krentz's books under all her names. The very best thing about her stories is that either you wish the heroine was one of your best friends, or you hope you are like her. This Kate Inskip (what an uncomfortable name to read) is just a whining, nosey, spoiled creep. This is no-one I would ever want to know. At one time, I laughed out loud at how unreasonable she was, and wondered what Jared could POSSIBLY see in this woman. I hope this isn't a new trend, since no matter the quality of the story, you can always like the characters in Jayne's books. (Oops, I'm forgetting some ridiculous creature named Philadelphia Fox. That was the one and only Krentz novel that I didn't finish, and can barely remember). The Pirate is not a great book by any standards. I've been reading it for a couple weeks, it's so easy to put down.

The Pirate is the first in the reissue of Jayne's "Ladies and Legends" trilogy. The story reminds me of "The Taming of the Shrew". Jared meets his match in Kate, a thirty something historical romance writer. This is a good series to begin reading Jayne. Those who have become accustomed to Jayne's more recent books should keep in mind this book was originally written long before Jayne became the popular writer she is today.

I don't know what book the rest of you guys were reading, but I LOVED this book! Jared and Kathryn were just hilarious together. Kathryn wasn't too hard-edged--she was stressed out! That was the whole point of the vacation that starts the whole plot moving forward. Jared pushes all her buttons and their "arguments" are pure romantic comedy. Kathryn de-stresses really quickly--like by day 2!--and then it's just romance and and lots of excitement with just enough sexy banter to keep me grinning. Sure, it's not a "deep" read, but I can't think of a better way to spend a couple of hours.

I was very disappointed when I read this book. Usually, I like Jayne Ann Krentz's books very much, but I constantly wanted to yell at Emily not to be such a wimp. She had just managed to stand up to her family and then she let herself be ordered around by her lover! And of course this Jacob wasn't one of my favorite characters either. I think bossy men are horrible and not even heroines in romances should fall in love with them.

I enjoyed this book, have read it several times because I love the characters and the sparkling JAK bickering. Emily is patted on the head by her whole family, but she never really gives into them or loses her spunk. Jacob is one of the Alpha males that JAK characters loves to run circles around and this is one of her better 'early' works.

Her writing is sharp, the wit incisive and I love the heart she put into this one.

Emily has been in love with Jacob Stone, corporate trouble shooter for her families international business. He once rescued her from a kidnapper, and from that moment Emily secretly kept that awe and love locked in her heart. Two years later, she decided to act on that love and Stone turned her away.
Now,three years since that bruise to her heart, Stone is once more rescuing her from danger - this time a bad engagement. The family fears the son of a competitor is using Emily to gain stock in their business. I loved how Krentz's character thought of Stone, she "thought of him in the same way she thought of hurricanes, charging lions and marauding sharks." You got to love it!!

I just fell in love with Jacob and Emily! Jacob has taken care of Emily for a few years, and has just been waiting for her to "come into her own", and now that she has, you can see that she's a hardy perennial! Emily is a striking woman, and doesn't HAVE to lean on a man. Jacob can see that and let her use her strength. Jayne's descriptions are great and her alliterations are always right on. I hated to see the book end! This would make a great TMC movie!

I hate the herione. She's she most annoying woman I have ever read in a romance novel. EVER. sterotypical librarian-- scatterbrained, rumpled, glasses. She is so friggin nosy. She thinks a large corporation is her little playground. She's bossy and just generally vapid and stupid. Why can JAK just outright say that yes, this heroine is dumb. But no, she makes sure to include a statement that the heroine is very intelligent, as were her parents before her. Huh. Too bad I didn't see a shred of that supposed intelligence.

I've read several JAK books, and to be honest, I don't know what the fuss is about. The only book of hers that I really liked was Silver Linings, and the rest are mediocre. Her books, including the ones written as Amanda Quick, are all the same. Sure, she changes a few quirks around, but the situations and characters are recycled constantly. And after I read one of her books, a few weeks later, I forget about it. There is nothing memorable about her books. The only reason I'll remember Perfect Partners is because it is the stupidest book I've ever read.

I found this book to be somewhat frustrating and "caveman-ish". I don't understand why the key characters were addressing each other so formally (Mr. Blackstone, Ms. Thornquist...) After all, they are the heads of the company! First names are acceptable in the office these days! It got to the point of annoyance for me! And the fiancee, Philip -- what an idiot! He completely ignored Letty's wishes to let her run the company the way she wished to. Joel Blackstone is a caveman, looking out for himself. These people are sappy.

I did like the mystery twist in the story...

I'm hesitant to read any more JAK books...

Letty Thornquist inherits Thornquist Gear from her uncle. But Letty's uncle had promised to sell Thornquist Gear to Joel Blackstone. Joel was the one to transform the company from a store into an empire single handedly while Letty's uncle was literally out fishing. Much to Joel's annoyance, Letty decides to take control of the company. There wasn't a big mystery in this novel--unlike most of Jayne Ann Krentz's novels. Perfect Partners was very, very funny. I don't regret reading it.

Much weaker compared to her first book in this trilogy. For Gabe to leave his company and take off to Eclipse Bay to chase after a woman is a bit out of this world. And Lilian, who admitted that she's a little flaky, is a real flake.

The line about Gabe being 'a different type of Madison' was used so many times, it got old quickly.

In her first book, one can really feel the sparks between the lead characters. Unfortunately in this one, the chemistry is pretty lame. I've read all of her books and know that Krentz can do better than this.

I fell in love with Eclipse Bay last summer. It was so nice to see Jayne Ann Krentz revert back to her old style of great one-liners and that bad boy hero she does so well. Like many I eagerly awaited the follow-up book in this series. Did I enjoy it? Yes! Is it as good as the first one? No!

Dawn in Eclipse Bay follows the story of Lillian Harte and Gabe Madison. Many of you will remember, there has been a family feud for years. The people of Eclipse Bay live to see the fireworks explode when the two families collide. This time Gabe Madison has decided to find a wife. As the owner and CEO of one of the largest corporations around, he decides to seek out a wife just like he does business. To find the right person, he goes to his now sister-in-law, Lillian Harte and her matchmaking service. Gabe is to be Lillian's last client. She is ready to close down business and finally pursue her dream of being an artist. Gabe turns out to be the client from hell finding fault with everyone Lillian sets him up with.

Both return to Eclipse Bay for different reasons and begin an uneasy relationship. Then the families decide to get involve and the fireworks begin. Gabe is a great leading man. You see him begin to reveal sides that have been closed up for years. Lillian wasn't my idea of a great leading lady, though. I almost formed the opinion she was letting herself go through the motions instead of taking charge of her life. It was nice to see some recurring characters, but their storyline was almost like a second thought.

Dawn in Eclipse Bay isn't as good as Eclipse Bay, but it certainly filled my needs as a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz. I'll be around looking out for book 3 when it comes out.

I think I liked this one as much as I did the first stoyr. This is the story of Gabe and Lillian. As usual a Harte and a Madison don't usually mix well. But, in this case Lillian has been hired by Gabe due to her dating service. But, after more than the guaranteed dates and reupping Gabe still has not found his match. He has one data left and he is going to insist Lillian fufill her contract, much to her dismay as she has decided to close her business. They both wind up back in Eclipse Bay and the showdown starts. There are alot of the characters you have come to enjoy in this one such as Virgil and AZ...

I have read and re-read all of Jayne Ann Krentz books. I love all of her work as Castle and Quick as well. Usually after I read one of her works, I have a good feeling. This book left me with no feeling at all except for disappointment. I can see where several of the characters are made up of character from other books with minor alterations, but they have no depth to them. I will continue to read her books, but I will not be re-reading this one.

Terrible dialogue. Everybody speaks in full sentences and is careful to tell each other everything the reader needs to know. Annoying hero and heroine. I did NOT fall in love with either of them. And the worst: a villian who explains the whole plot at the end of the book while stalking his victims.

Ouch!

I saw a lot of reviews screaming about how unoriginal this was...earth to readers....lol....JAK is NOT original. She is formula, but it is a formula we so enjoy. All her males are deceptive mild on outside, very controled inside; they are Alpha Males underneath and don't you think otherwise. They are green, grey or amber eyed. She is not that pretty, but very vivacious, a forceful personality and is used to getting her own way. Generally, she has been hurt, maybe he has been hurt or both, and one side of their family - close kissing cousins of the Adams Family - will drive them nuts. Every book has their share of quirky characters, and lots of rapier repartee, mostly centre around a mystery that forces the leads together.

There!! I just reviewed EVERY JAK book every written...however, have you ever looked at Nora Roberts?? You are talking formula again. Lets face it - out side of Maggie Davis with her Out of the Blue and Last Male Virgin - most stories have already been written dozens of times. It is what the writer DOES with the story. JAK does very well. Just we sort of know her too well so the razzle-dazzle is a bit expected, so we are let down. When someone yells BOO! you jump the first time. 5th time it's the same fightful BOO!, but you go yeah yeah...

I really enjoyed Flash. Not as much as Wildest Hearts, Deep Waters or Absolutely, Positively, but I really enjoyed it.

Olivia Chantry is a messy bessy in the desk department, but she is a one woman dynamo in her business Light Fantastic. The Chantry family (the pains in the bums this go around) expected her to inherit and run her uncle's business Glow, Inc. when he dies. Instead, he was in money troubles and sold the 51% of the stock to Jasper Sloan. Naturally, they are at loggerheads about how to run the business, with Olivia not likely she is 49% owner, but they have little time to iron this out, before a blackmailer strikes. They are forced to reveal all to each other and work together to stop the blackmailer.

Formula, formula, formula...JAK trademark all the way...but this dog and and pony show is one well polished rendition....

I've loved JAK's books for years for their vibrancy and sparkle. I'd hoped she'd break the trend of smooth reworking of familiar forumulas and return to her former emotional intensity. But, sad to say, this doesn't do it.

Oh, it isn't *bad*, it's just blah. She skips the New Age element this time, but everything else is the same. I don't mind authors having distinctive styles and outlooks, but JAK's recent books read like manufactured units dropping off the assembly line. I don't think it's a case of JAK going more mainstream like Iris Johansen or even Linda Howard. This is obviously targeted as a romance, but while the plot premise is clever enough, the characters never come to life at all. The plot can't carry the book over the too-familiar terrain when the love and romance stays so flat and uninvolving.

If you're a die-hard JAK fan, this will stave off the worst of your cravings, but it won't feed your hunger the way even rereading some of her older books would. It's okay--but only okay. It certainly is not a keeper, and not a likely hardback investment. I'm about given up hope that JAK will be one of those authors whose books I eagerly await. And that's a pity.

JAK is an intelligent writer and capable of writing intelligent prose, evocative romance and page-turner plots (eg. Family Man, Gift of Gold/Fire, Grand Passion, Trust Me, Perfect Partners, etc.). I've read 39 JAK books and really enjoyed most of them. And, I re-read my favorites with regularity. However, her last four books (Sharp Edges, Flash, Eye of the Beholder and Soft Focus) are so formulaic that they are almost boring in their precidictability.

It's irksome to shell out the money for an anxiously awaited hardback only to find that the characters are prosaic, the romance is tepid and the plot is so fomulaic that the characters' first sexual encounter occurs on the same page as each of the previous books (page 158, check it out)! Such is the case with Soft Focus. It is an OK read, but has characters and a storyline that are completely forgetable. I love JAK's early work so much that I will probably continue to buy and read her new publications as soon as they reach the bookstore, but I'm disappointed that her previously creative mind is cranking out such pedestrian work! For the price of a hardcover, I expect better from JAK!

I can see where some reviewers think JAK might be losing her edge, but I do not think such ideas belong to SOFT FOCUS. While not as fully developed as some of her earlier novels, such as FAMILY MAN and DEEP WATERS, SOFT FOCUS is still an enjoyable read.

I loved the opening scene between Jack and Elizabeth -- once or twice in my life I have felt like delivering such a crushing setdown in public, but never had the nerve. Elizabeth is a gutsy woman deserving of admiration. Jack's choice not to hide under the table is telling of his character as well. I also enjoyed the interaction between Elizabeth and her assistant, as well as Jack's discussions with Larry. JAK seems to specialize in characters from twisted families, so it's nice to see some normal characters make an appearance prior to the inevitable (but welcome) happy-ever-after.

While I do not know enough about film noir to attest to the veracity JAK's choice of a backdrop for her story, I certainly enjoyed reading about it.

Don't be too put off by poor reviews if you are a first-time JAK reader. SOFT FOCUS is worth the read. And if you are a first-timer, be sure to check out JAK's other books. You won't be disappointed.