“Twist of Fate” by Jayne Ann Krentz

“Twist of Fate” by Jayne Ann Krentz
1986, HQN – Harlequin
ISBN: 978-0-373-7229-2

In the area of romance books I’ve noticed that back in the 1970’s and 1980’s the romantic relationship between a man and a woman was sometimes touched with a heavy brush of macho. It masqueraded as forcible love making which bordered on rape at times and I don’t find that I am entertained by reading stories like that now. However “Twist of Fate” by Jayne Ann Krentz was a lot different than the run of the mill romances of that time. I grimaced just a little bit when the first bit of macho loving showed itself, but was quickly diverted and found the story had redeemed itself when the subject turned more solidly toward the power of an individual woman. Now, that was not something I had seen very often in those decades.

Being as how I worship the ground Jayne Ann Krentz walks on and will read anything she’s written that I can get my hands on I was really pleased that even though there was a hint of stereotypical male macho strutting about, “Twist of Fate” did turn out to be a delightful story.

You will get caught up with Hannah and Gideon as they grow to love one another in the unlikeliest of love stories.

“White Lies” by Jayne Ann Krentz

“White Lies” by Jayne Ann Krentz
2007, G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 0-399-15373-X

“White Lies” by Jayne Ann Krentz is an Arcane Society Novel. This story is centered around people who have natural psychic senses that are more developed than the rest of us.

Clare Lancaster is the heroine. Clare’s special psychic talent is that she can tell when people are telling lies. Jake Salter is the hero. His special psychic talent is that he is called a hunter. Together the two of them get involved when Clare goes to visit her father and his family.

The thing is, is that Clare’s mother and her father had a one night stand together and Clare was born as a result of that meeting. Her father did not even realize she was alive until Clare showed up. Right away Clare realized that her sister Elizabeth was in a world of trouble. From that moment on people dropped left and right.

This is a mystery trying to find out who is killing all these people.

If you read this one I wish you as much enjoyment as I experienced.

“Sizzle and Burn” by Jayne Ann Krentz

“Sizzle and Burn” by Jayne Ann Krentz
2008, GP Putnam's Sons
ISBN: 978-0-399-15445-4

“Sizzle and Burn” by Jayne Ann Krentz. Read it. Very good book. I love anything Jayne writes in whatever genre she ends up in, but “Sizzle and Burn” is a fantasy contemporary and picks up threads from the historical romances Jayne writes as Amanda Quick.

Raine Tallentyre is psychic. It’s something she’s lived with all her life and something that as an adult she’s channeled into a public service as she helps put away the bad guys. But, in using her talent to pick up on residual violence done that sticks to objects she is able to harness something that drove her aunt into insanity.

After her aunt dies Raine begins to dispose of her aunt’s estate. This includes putting her house on the market. Only, as she stands there with the real estate agent she senses something very wrong has happened. She calls 911 to tell the police to come find a murdered person. Except, the lady isn’t dead.

In comes Zack, a psychic private detective, who has been called in by a secret group called the Arcane society who is all about providing a place for people with psychic abilities to carve out a life for themselves. They also hunt the bad guys and the bad guys are all around Raine right now.
Love flares between Raine and Zack. The action is fast and furious as the bad guys make their attacks over and over again. It just doesn’t want to let up and you really won’t want to put this book down until you’re finished.

Now, on a personal level I was quite interested in the particular psychic ability that both Raine and her aunt shared. They heard voices. That’s what I do. It’s hard to explain to people that I channel. But, it’s thrilling for me to read a story that involves hearing voices by one of my favorite authors.

“Absolutely, Positively” by Jayne Ann Krentz

“Absolutely, Positively ” by Jayne Ann Krentz

Pocket Books, 1996

ISBN: 0-671-77873-0

“Absolutely, Positively ” by Jayne Ann Krentz is a delicious romance mystery.

The lead characters Molly Abberwick and Harry Trevelyan come together to create a wonderful love story. Molly comes from a family of inventors. She is familiar with how the creative process works and has an insight into people that is necessary to this story.

The famous Second Sight comes to Harry through his father’s line and he does everything he can to deny it. Molly, though, is able to recognize what is going on and in this story the two of them come together on the paranormal plane in a very satisfying way.

Also, somebody is threatening Molly and Harry, though already her consultant in vetting applicants for grants from her father’s foundation takes it upon himself to protect and to solve the mystery.

You’re going to enjoy this. There are words here that ring back and forth to draw the Victorian and the Futuristic work Jayne Ann Krentz does into this contemporary story. Names of the characters, the quirkiness they display, and the talent most of all. Hey, it runs in the family. What can I say.

A post note to this review. Flash forward. It is September, 2009 and I have reached for "Absolutely Positively" from my bookshelf. I was in need of a good book to read. It didn't matter that I had already read it before. It was as much a delight this time as the last time I read it. Truly one of those books to keep on your shelf.

“Falling Awake” by Jayne Ann Krentz

I have never approached a novel by Jayne Ann Krentz with trepidation. Rather, it’s excitement that moves me. I know I will never come away disappointed, and I was completely delighted reading “Falling Awake”.

This is one of her contemporary novels. It deals with lucid dreamers and, in fact, there were references to Stephen LaBerge and Patricia Garfield in the book, both folks who really do write about aspects of dreaming.

This is also a whodunit and at heart a romance. Jayne Ann Krentz is an absolute master story teller. I was enthralled from the beginning to the end and I have to tell you that I’ve read this particular book at least 3 times, maybe more. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I read it either.

I get a feeling that comes over me sometimes when I’m getting ready to read one of Jayne Ann Krentz’s books. It’s hard to describe, but the closest I can come to it on a family blog is to say it’s sort of like craving chocolate. Dreamy.

You can read more about lucid dreaming at my website Talking to Spirit.

Post Script: Here is it September 25, 2009 and I just finished reading, "Falling Awake" again. I just had a craving and this fit the bill perfectly.