Krentz, Jayne Ann 1948–

views updated

Krentz, Jayne Ann 1948–

(Jayne Bentley, Jayne Castle, Amanda Glass, Stephanie James, Amanda Quick, Jayne Taylor)

PERSONAL: Born March 28, 1948, in San Diego, CA; married Frank Krentz (a consulting engineer). Education: University of California—Santa Cruz, B.A. (history); San Jose State University, M.A. (library science), 1971. Hobbies and other interests: Vegetarian cooking.

ADDRESSES: Home—Seattle, WA. Agent—c/o Author Mail, G.P. Putnam Publicity, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer. Worked at Duke University as a librarian. Member of the advisory board of the University of Washington Extension Program.

AWARDS, HONORS: Susan Koppelman Award for feminist studies, for Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of Romance; Lifetime Achievement Award, Romance Writers of America, 1995.

WRITINGS:

ROMANCE NOVELS

(As Jayne Taylor) Whirlwind Courtship, Tiara (New York, NY), 1979.

Uneasy Alliance, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1984.

Call It Destiny, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1984.

Ghost of a Chance, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1984.

Man with a Past, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1985.

Witchcraft, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1985.

Legacy, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1985.

The Waiting Game, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1985.

True Colors, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1986.

Ties That Bind, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1986.

Between the Lines, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1986.

Sweet Starfire, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1986.

Crystal Flame, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1986.

Twist of Fate, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1986.

The Family Way, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1987.

The Main Attraction, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1987.

A Coral Kiss, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1987.

Chance of a Lifetime, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1987.

Midnight Jewels, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1987.

Test of Time, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1987.

Full Bloom, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1988.

Joy, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1988.

Gift of Gold, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1988.

Dreams 1-2, two volumes, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1988.

Gift of Fire, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1989.

A Woman's Touch, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1989.

Lady's Choice, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1989.

(As Amanda Glass) Shield's Lady, Popular Library (New York, NY), 1989, published under name Jayne Ann Krentz, Five Star (Unity, ME), 1998.

The Golden Chance, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1990.

The Pirate, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1990.

The Adventurer, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1990.

The Cowboy, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1990.

Silver Linings, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1991.

Too Wild to Wed, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1991.

The Wedding Night, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1991.

Sweet Fortune, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1991.

Perfect Partners, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1992.

The Private Eye, Harlequin (Tarrytown, NY), 1992.

Family Man, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1992.

Wildest Hearts, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1993.

Hidden Talents, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1993.

Grand Passion, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1994.

Trust Me, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Connecting Rooms, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1995.

Absolutely, Positively, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

Deep Waters, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1997.

Flash, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Sharp Edges, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Soft Focus (also see below), G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 1999.

Eye of the Beholder, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1999.

Eclipse Bay ("Eclipse Bay" trilogy; also see below), Jove Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Lost and Found, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.

Dawn in Eclipse Bay ("Eclipse Bay" trilogy; also see below), Jove Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Smoke in Mirrors, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.

Summer in Eclipse Bay ("Eclipse Bay" trilogy; also see below), Jove Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Light in Shadow, G.P. Putnam, (New York, NY), 2003.

Truth or Dare (sequel to Light in Shadow), G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2003.

Together in Eclipse Bay (contains Eclipse Bay, Dawn in Eclipse Bay, and Summer in Eclipse Bay), Berkley Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Falling Awake, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY) 2004.

All Night Long, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2005.

White Lies, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2007.

ROMANCE NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM JAYNE BENTLEY

A Moment past Midnight, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

Turning towards Home, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

Maiden of the Morning, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

Hired Husband, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

Sabrina's Scheme, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

ROMANCE NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM JAYNE CASTLE

Vintage of Surrender, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

Queen of Hearts, McFadden (New York, NY), 1979.

The Gentle Pirate, Dell (New York, NY), 1980.

Bargain with the Devil, Dell (New York, NY), 1981.

Right of Possession, Dell (New York, NY), 1981.

Wagered Weekend, Dell (New York, NY), 1981.

A Man's Protection, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

A Negotiated Surrender, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

Affair of Risk, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

Power Play, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

Relentless Adversary, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

Spellbound, Dell (New York, NY), 1982.

Conflict of Interest, Dell (New York, NY), 1983.

Double Dealing, Dell (New York, NY), 1984.

Trading Secrets, Dell (New York, NY), 1985.

The Desperate Game, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.

The Chilling Deception, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.

The Sinister Touch, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.

The Fatal Fortune, Dell (New York, NY), 1986.

Amaryllis, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1996.

Zinnia, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1997.

Orchid, Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1998.

After Dark (also see below), Jove Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Harmony (includes After Dark and novella Bridal Jitters), Berkley Books (New York, NY), 2002.

No Going Back (includes Soft Focus and After Dark), Berkley Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Afterglow, Jove Books (New York, NY), 2004.

ROMANCE NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM STEPHANIE JAMES

A Passionate Business, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1981.

The Dangerous Magic, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

Stormy Challenge, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

Corporate Affair, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

Velvet Touch, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

Lover in Pursuit, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

Renaissance Man, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

A Reckless Passion, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1982.

The Price of Surrender, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

To Tame the Hunter, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Affair of Honor, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Gamesmaster, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

The Silver Snare, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Battle Prize, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Bodyguard, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Serpent in Paradise, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1983.

Gambler's Woman, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Fabulous Beast, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Devil to Pay, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Night of the Magician, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Nightwalker, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Raven's Prey, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1984.

Golden Goddess, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1985.

Wizard, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1985.

Cautious Lover, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1985.

Green Fire, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1986.

Second Wife, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1986.

Challoner Bride, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1987.

Saxon's Lady, Silhouette (New York, NY), 1987.

ROMANCE NOVELS; UNDER PSEUDONYM AMANDA QUICK

Seduction (also see below), Bantam (New York, NY), 1990.

Surrender (also see below), Bantam (New York, NY), 1990.

Scandal, Bantam (New York, NY), 1991.

Rendezvous, Bantam (New York, NY), 1991.

Reckless, Bantam (New York, NY), 1992.

Ravished, 1992.

Dangerous, Bantam (New York, NY), 1993.

Deception, Bantam (New York, NY), 1993.

Desire, Bantam (New York, NY), 1993.

Mistress, Bantam (New York, NY), 1994.

Mystique, Bantam (New York, NY), 1995.

Mischief, Bantam (New York, NY), 1996.

Affair, Bantam (New York, NY), 1997.

With This Ring, Bantam (New York, NY), 1998.

I Thee Wed, Bantam (New York, NY), 1999.

Wicked Widow, Bantam (New York, NY), 2000.

Slightly Shady ("Lavinia Lake" series), Bantam (New York, NY), 2001.

Don't Look Back ("Lavinia Lake" series), Bantam (New York, NY), 2002.

Late for the Wedding ("Lavinia Lake" series), Bantam (New York, NY), 2003.

Seduction and Surrender: Two Novels in One Volume (contains Seduction and Surrender), Wings Books (New York, NY) 2004.

The Paid Companion, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2004.

Lie by Moonlight, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2005.

Wait until Midnight ("Lavinia Lake" series), Berkley Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Second Sight, G.P. Putnam (New York, NY), 2006.

OTHER

(Editor and contributor) Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of Romance, University of Pennsylvania Press (Philadelphia, PA), 1992.

Also contributor of novella Bridal Jitters to Charmed, Berkley Books (New York, NY), 1999.

ADAPTATIONS: Many of Krentz's books have been adapted for audio, including Wicked Widow (unabridged; seven cassettes), Recorded Books, 2000; Summer in Eclipse Bay (abridged; four cassettes), Brilliance Audio, 2002; Late for the Wedding (unabridged; eight cassettes), Books on Tape, 2003; and Falling Awake (unabridged; nine CDs), Brilliance Audio, 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: Jayne Ann Krentz is among the most successful writers of romance novels. Using several pseudonyms as well as her own name, she has written more than 120 books, with dozens of them becoming bestsellers. Krentz is an outspoken champion of the romance genre, which she feels has been unfairly maligned by librarians, feminists, and book reviewers. In defense of these popular books, she edited Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of Romance, a collection of essays that takes a serious look at the romance genre.

Among the contemporary stories written under her own name is Krentz's Smoke in Mirrors, set in her home state of Washington. Leonora Hutton is an academic librarian whose con artist half-sister, Meredith, has recently died in the seaside town of Wing Cove. Leonora has come from California to clean out Meredith's apartment, and while there, she is visited by Thomas Walker, whose widowed brother was in charge of a college endowment fund from which Meredith allegedly took one-and-a-half million dollars. Leonora finds the money and joins the brothers in investigating the deaths of her sister and Bethany Walker, in whose name the fund was established. After taking a job at the library located in Mirror House, a strange mansion that also houses the alumni office of Eubanks College, Leonora finds references to the murder of a male Eubanks scholar that occurred three decades earlier, as well as two women whose deaths resemble those of Meredith and Bethany. The suspect, Alex Rhodes, who claims to be a stress counselor, wears black clothing and yellow contacts and sells bogus nutritional supplements. He is also linked to a hallucinogenic drug that the two women may have taken. Diana Tixier Herald noted in Booklist that to the romance and suspense, "the politics of academe, eerie antique mirrors, secret passages, and psychic contact contribute a haunting quality." Library Journal reviewer Samantha J. Gust wrote that the author "delivers another winner by concocting an engaging blend of romance and suspense with a dash of humor."

Zoe Luce, the protagonist in Light in Shadow, is a Whispering Springs, Arizona, interior decorator who can feel the violence that has occurred in a room just by entering it. She works with investigator Ethan Truax to solve the murder of a local businessman. Zoe is not who she seems, however. She lives under a false identity and has nightmares about a place called Xanadu. A Publishers Weekly critic wrote that "Krentz's storytelling shines with authenticity and dramatic intensity: no opportunity for a thrill is missed." In the sequel, Truth or Dare, Zoe and Ethan are married, and Zoe is dealing with psychic "spider webs" that attach themselves to various places she has been. John Charles commented in Booklist that "Krentz's sophisticated brand of romantic suspense will never go out of style."

Falling Awake develops into a romance between Isabel Wright, a lucid dreamer who analyzed dreams at the Belvedere Center for Sleep Research before being fired, and Ellis Cutler, a government agent who sought her help in dealing with his disturbing dreams. Since the sessions are anonymous, he dubs her "Tango Dancer," while she thinks of him as "Dream Man." A Publishers Weekly contributor felt that this Krentz novel "is spicier than most."

All Night Long, set in California's Napa Valley, begins with reporter Irene Stenson receiving a call from Pamela Webb, a childhood friend who asks Irene to meet her in the small town of Dunster. However, when Irene arrives in the small town, Pamela is found dead of an apparent drug overdose. While investigating Pamela's death, Irene becomes involved in solving crimes of arson, old murders, and possible blackmail that will keep one character from running for president. A Kirkus Reviews writer described All Night Long as "good, creepy fun from a pro who can practically write in the dark."

In the books written under her Jayne Castle pseudonym, Krentz uses futuristic settings. Plot trappings such as extrasensory perception (ESP) give these romances an unusual feel, even while most elements of the story could be used in any time setting. Krentz has also had notable success with her historical novels, particularly those written under the Amanda Quick pseudonym. In Reckless, a Regency romance, a book-loving lady convinces a man to track down the pirate who killed her lover in the South Seas. In Dangerous, a man and woman who enjoy solving crimes together are forced into an engagement when they are discovered in a compromising position at a party. Deception tells of Olympia Wingfield who, at twenty-five and considered too old for marriage, is raising three rowdy, orphaned nephews.

Also written under the Quick name, Slightly Shady features Lavinia Lake, whose antique shop is destroyed by Tobias March, who claims that he is on the trail of a killer. They eventually work together to locate the murderer and prevent a blackmail plot. A Publishers Weekly reviewer wrote that "arch humor and the expert removal of bodices are Quick's stock in trade, and the old formula still works splendidly." In the sequel, Don't Look Back, Lavinia wants to find a husband for her pretty niece, Emeline, but Tobias worries about the crowd of suitors that she attracts. Tobias's brother-in-law, Anthony, and Emeline decide they want to become private investigators and become apprentices, despite the older couple's misgivings. Lavinia and Tobias are distracted by the marriage of Dr. Howard Hudson, a friend of Lavinia's late father, and Celeste, who eventually meets her end in a story that involves hypnotism, a bracelet with mysterious powers, and a machine that provides women with pleasure. A Kirkus Reviews contributor described this book as a "delightful mix of mystery, sensuality, and the historical detail that makes Quick's Regencies such a pleasure." The couple return in Late for the Wedding, in which the body of a local lord falls past the bedroom window of Lavinia and Tobias, who were enjoying a romantic moment while at a house party. In addition to offering a colorful cast of characters and a complex plot, this book provides a clearer understanding of Tobias's past. Library Journal critic Kristin Ramsdell called Late for the Wedding "humorous, sexy, and intricately plotted."

In reviewing The Paid Companion, a Publishers Weekly contributor wrote that "Krentz (aka Quick) still approaches a new project as if novel writing were a just-discovered pleasure she can't wait to share." Elenora Lodge is penniless as the result of her stepfather's misdeeds and seeking a position as a companion. Arthur Lancaster, Earl of St. Merryn, is looking for a young woman to pose as his betrothed in order to dissuade ambitious mothers and matchmakers while he searches for the killer of his great-uncle. The two meet at an agency, and a deal is made for several times more compensation that Elenora was expecting. The two become lovers in a setting of masked balls and glamour and as Elenora is being stalked by a villain named Parker.

Krentz again used the Quick moniker to publish the novels Wait until Midnight and Lie by Moonlight. Wait until Midnight involves the murder of a medium, a mystery investigated by writer Caroline Fordyce and her partner, Adam Hardesty. In Lie by Moonlight, set in Victorian England, Concordia Glade is charged with teaching four young girls who are locked away in a castle. They are all rescued by Ambrose Wells, who admires Concordia for her independence and bravery, attributes that are not expected from women of that period but which, reviewers note, are typical of Krentz's female protagonists. The two take on the task of protecting the girls from the villains who would harm them. Booklist critic Shelley Mosley, who noted that this story would be of interest to young adults because of the inclusion of the four teens, wrote that "as always, Quick's trademark wit and humor run gracefully throughout this suspenseful and satisfying novel."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 1, 1998, review of With This Ring, p. 1305; August, 1998, Melanie Duncan, review of Flash, p. 1923; February 1, 1999, review of I Thee Wed, p. 941; March 15, 1999, Diana Tixier Herald, review of Eye of the Beholder, p. 1260; October 1, 1999, review of Soft Focus, p. 308; November 15, 1999, Elizabeth Mary Mellett, review of Soft Focus, p. 98; December 1, 2000, Laurie Hartshorn, review of Flash, p. 743; September 15, 2000, Donna Seaman, review of Soft Focus, p. 226; October 15, 2001, Diana Tixier Herald, review of Smoke in Mirrors, p. 356; November 1, 2002, Patty Engelmann, review of Light in Shadow, p. 452; November 1, 2003, John Charles, review of Truth or Dare, p. 459; April 15, 2005, Shelley Mosley, review of Lie by Moonlight, p. 1414; November 15, 2005, John Charles, review of All Night Long, p. 6.

Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 1998, review of With This Ring, p. 360; February 1, 1999, review of I Thee Wed, p. 173; April 1, 1999, review of Eye of the Beholder, p. 473; October 15, 1999, review of Soft Focus, p. 1597; November 15, 2000, review of Lost and Found, p. 1563; April 15, 2002, review of Don't Look Back, p. 521; December 1, 2003, review of Truth or Dare, p. 1374; December 1, 2005, review of All Night Long, p. 1249.

Library Journal, February 15, 1998, Barbara Valle, review of Sharp Edges, p. 110, review of With This Ring, p. 129, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Sharp Edges, p. 130; May 15, 1998, review of Orchid, p. 74; February 15, 1999, review of I Thee Wed, p. 138; May 15, 1999, review of Eye of the Beholder, p. 83; November 15, 1999, Elizabeth Mellett, review of Soft Focus, p. 98; January, 2002, Samantha J. Gust, review of Smoke in Mirrors, p. 153; May 15, 2003, Kristin Ramsdell, review of Late for the Wedding, p. 73; April 15, 2004, Elizabeth Mellett, review of The Paid Companion, p. 126; October 15, 2004, Elizabeth Mellett, review of Falling Awake, p. 54.

People Weekly, February 23, 1998, V.R. Peterson, review of Sharp Edges, p. 39; February 28, 2000, review of Soft Focus, p. 45.

Publishers Weekly, February 16, 1998, review of With This Ring, p. 204; August 24, 1998, review of Flash, p. 46; April 5, 1999, review of Eye of the Beholder, p. 221; February 8, 1999, review of I Thee Wed, p. 194; September 20, 1999, review of Charmed, p. 83; December 6, 1999, review of Soft Focus, p. 54; May 29, 2000, review of Eclipse Bay, p. 58; February 12, 2001, review of Slightly Shady, p. 182; December 17, 2001, review of Smoke and Mirrors, p. 64; April 15, 2002, review of Summer in Eclipse Bay, p. 47; May 13, 2002, review of Don't Look Back, p. 55; November 4, 2002, review of Light in Shadow, p. 59; November 17, 2003, review of Truth or Dare, p. 40; April 12, 2004, review of The Paid Companion, p. 38; October 11, 2004, review of Falling Awake, p. 55; January 17, 2005, review of Wait until Midnight, p. 40; November 28, 2005, review of All Night Long, p. 24; December 5, 2005, Michael Scharf, "Conflict Management: How It's Done (Darkly, This Time), Romantic Suspense-style" (interview), p. 28.

Romance Reader, January 13, 1998, review of Sharp Edges; April 27, 1998, review of Orchid; September 21, 1998, review of Flash; June 16, 1999, review of Eye of the Beholder; September 29, 1999, review of Charmed.

School Library Journal, July, 1999, review of I Thee Wed, p. 116; August, 2001, Claudia Moore, review of Slightly Shady, p. 211; December, 2002, Claudia Moore, review of Don's Look Back, p. 174; October, 2003, Claudia Moore, review of Late for the Wedding, p. 208.

Tribune Books (Chicago, IL), April 13, 1999, review of I Thee Wed.

Voice of Youth Advocates, February, 1999, review of Sharp Edges, p. 418.