Krahn, Betina

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Krahn, Betina

PERSONAL: Born in Huntington, WV; daughter of Dors and Regina Triplett (a schoolteacher) Maynard; married Donald Krahn (died, 1995); children: Nathan, Zebulun. Education: Ohio University, B.S.; attended graduate school at Ohio State University; Oklahoma State University, M.Ed. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, swimming, walking, cooking, and animals.

ADDRESSES: Home—Apple Valley, MN.

CAREER: Writer. Former science teacher; previously worked as a fund raiser and for New Horizons Mental Health Center in Oklahoma.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

Hidden Fires, Kensington (New York, NY), 1988.

Midnight Magic, Zebra (New York, NY), 1990.

Caught in the Act, Avon (New York, NY), 1990.

Behind Closed Doors, Avon (New York, NY), 1991.

My Warrior's Heart, Avon (New York, NY), 1992.

The Princess and the Barbarian, Avon (New York, NY), 1993.

The Last Bachelor, Bantam (New York, NY), 1994.

The Perfect Mistress, Bantam (New York, NY), 1995.

The Unlikely Angel, Bantam (New York, NY), 1996.

The Mermaid, Bantam (New York, NY), 1997.

Passion's Treasure, Kensington (New York, NY), 1998.

The Soft Touch, Bantam (New York, NY), 1999.

Sweet-Talking Man, Bantam (New York, NY), 2000.

Not Quite Married, Bantam (New York, NY), 2004.

The Enchantment, Bantam Dell (New York, NY), 2005.

Also author of the romance novels Rapture's Ransom, 1983; Rebel Passion, 1987; Love's Brazen Fire, 1990; Passion's Ransom, 1995; Just Say Yes, 2002; The Paradise Bargain, 2003; and Passion's Storm, 2003. Contributor to anthologies, including Christmas Romans, 1990, and Haunting Love Stories, 1991.

Krahn's books have been published in several languages, including Russian and Italian.

"BRIDES OF VIRTUE" SERIES

The Husband Test, Bantam (New York, NY), 2001.

The Wife Test, Berkley (New York, NY), 2003.

The Marriage Test, Berkley (New York, NY), 2004.

"LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA" SERIES

The Book of Seven Delights, Jove Books (New York, NY), 2005.

The Book of True Desires, Jove (New York, NY), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS: Betina Krahn began writing romances in 1980. Many critics refer to Krahn, a New York Times best-selling author, as one of the foremost writers of historical romance, and as a woman who writes with wit and humor and who often explores women's rights issues. Kathe Robin wrote on the Romantic Times Web site that Krahn has a "delightful sense of humor" and a "passion for creating clever, unique plotlines and utterly charming characters." Painted Rock Reviews Web site contributor Harriet Klausner described Krahn as "one of the best writers of Victorian romance."

Krahn has often received positive reviews for her many books. Of Sweet-Talking Man, a romance set in New York City in the 1890s, Robin wrote: "Ms. Krahn skillfully weaves in a delectable undercurrent of sexual tension with her delicious and subtle wit for a delightful romance." Reviewing Sweet-Talking Man, a Publishers Weekly contributor commented: "Krahn's warm, energetic style and the charm of her turn-of-the-twentieth-century Manhattan setting—complete with Tammany Hall politicos, ladies of the evening and a glimpse or two of Susan B. Anthony—carry the book to a lively and satisfying conclusion." Klausner, assessing the title for BookBrowser, called it "a spectacular Americana romance that brings alive the late nineteenth century women's rights movement and the Tammany Hall control of New York City."

Writing about The Mermaid, Robin noted: "Though Betina Krahn keeps the sexual tension tight, most of the remarkable book revolves not around the romance, but the wonderful dolphins and their abilities." A reviewer for the Library Journal called The Mermaid "an unusual story written with whimsy and grace," and noted that Krahn "lends a lively, humorous touch to some of the more important women's issues of the day."

Krahn is also author of the "Brides of Virtue" series of novels. The Husband Test, first in the series, tells of Peril, Lord of Whitmore, and his search for a wife at the Convent of the Brides of Virtue. Peril ends up marrying the novitiate Eloise, who warns her lord about betrayal by his conniving steward Hadric. John Green, writing in Booklist, noted that the novel contains "genuinely funny Elizabethan sexual puns, a strong but believable heroine, and an absorbing story." A Publishers Weekly contributor called the novel "funny and poignant by turns."

In the next book in the series, The Wife Test, Sir Hugh of Sennet escorts four "brides" from the Convent of the Brides of Virtue to King Edward of England so he can choose wives for his noblemen. The orphan Chloe, who grew up in the convent, also comes along and helps the reluctant Sennet pair brides with husbands. Writing in Booklist, John Charles noted that "this laughter-laced historical perfectly packages witty dialogue and engaging characters into a captivating romance."

The third book in the "Brides of Virtue" series, The Marriage Test, finds Griffin de Grandaise coming to the convent to find a cook rather than a wife. Eventually, one of the convent's cooks, Julia of Childress, comes to work for Griffin while planning to find a husband and start a new life. Calling the novel "comic and absurd," a Publishers Weekly contributor went on to note that the story "is grounded by the delicious romance between Julia and Griffin." John Charles, writing in Booklist, noted that the author "deftly brings together two perfectly matched protagonists."

In the first title in the "Library of Alexandria" series, The Book of Seven Delights, Krahn tells the story of librarian Abigail Merchant's search for lost manuscripts from the ancient Library of Alexandria, which was long ago destroyed. Her search leads her to team up with an ex-legionnaire and find love in the process. Kristin Ramsdell, writing in the Library Journal, referred to the novel as a "lively romp." Booklist contributor John Charles noted the author's "irresistible blend of impeccably crafted characters."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 2001, John Green, review of The Husband Test, p. 386; July, 2003, John Charles, review of The Wife Test, p. 1874; May 1, 2004, John Charles, review of The Marriage Test, p. 1550; July, 2005, John Charles, review of The Book of Seven Delights, p. 1909.

Library Journal, May 15, 1994, review of The Last Bachelor, p. 66; August, 1995, review of The Perfect Mistress, p. 62; August, 1997, review of The Mermaid, p. 68; June 1, 2005, Kristin Ramsdell, review of The Book of Seven Delights, p. 120.

Publishers Weekly, August 3, 1990, review of Caught in the Act, p. 72; August 16, 1991, review of Behind Closed Doors, p. 54; July 25, 1994, review of The Last Bachelor, p. 47; June 12, 2000, review of Sweet-Talking Man, p. 58; October 22, 2001, review of The Husband Test, p. 54; May 19, 2003, review of The Wife Test, p. 58; April 5, 2004, review of The Marriage Test, p. 47; June 20, 2005, review of The Book of Seven Delights, p. 64.

Times Literary Supplement, August 27, 1999, Lindsay Duguid, review of The Burning of Bridget Cleary, p. 35.