Running Hot

by Jayne Ann Krentz

I was recently at the bookstore and the 75% sign beckoned me over. Running Hot was on the shelf. Knowing that I can’t turn down a JAK book I bought it. The bookstore has to be one of my happiest places on earth.

Running Hot is an Arcane Society novel and is filled with paranormal mystery and hot romance. The dialogue is smart, funny and sarcastic. Luther and Grace are a definitely a dynamic twosome that I loved to read about. I haven’t read other Arcane Society novels but I hope she continues the story of these two.

The Arcane Society is a secret organization dedicated to the preservation of those who have paranormal abilities. In the world JAK has created those are sensitives range in level of ability and Luther and Grace are at the high end of the spectrum. They are both aura readers, which doesn’t sound sexy but it is.

Luther is an ex-cop with a nice physique. His one drawback is he must use a cane because of an injury he got on duty (yes, another ex-cop).  I just think of the guy on the cover.  Tight T-shirt and sunglasses.  To forget the demons of his past he’s escaped to Hawaii where he does freelance work for the Arcane Society. Grace is a middling librarian for the Society and is sent to Hawaii on an easy assignment: to identify, using her paranormal abilities, a rogue member of the Arcane Society. Luther will be her bodyguard for the mission. And they must pose as honeymooners. So of course they must shack up in a hotel room together and hold hands and act in love before they actually are in love.

JAK brings on the sexual tension fast and furious. Luther and Grace give in to their lust for each other rather quickly. And I loved it. I think it must be a reaction to the lack of passion in Morning Light. Their attraction for each other combined with a fast paced story filled with mystery and suspense made this a must read for me. I am fascinated by paranormal abilities and I thought JAK did a great job of incorporating that aspect into this story. My only problem was JAK trying to introduce too many different types of abilities instead on focusing on just a few. But Running Hot is definitely worth a read!

Lost and Found

by Jayne Ann Krentz

I loved this book. It’s sweet and easy and enjoyable. The perfect read to laze around in this HOT California weather. A combination of mystery, suspense and a bit of romance.


Amidst the world of art, old antiquities and the beautiful setting of San Francisco exists a lovely adventure and a sexy man.

Mack Easton is an older man, refined, cultured and has the sexiest voice a woman has ever heard. He’s a widower with a daughter in college and ready to meet the right woman. Of course, I liked him. Maybe enough to put him on my top six. He was kinda irresistible. He is definitely “Fantasy Man”.

Cady Briggs is an expert in the art world and her expertise brings her into the world of the mysterious Mr. Easton, whom she’s only had telephone conversations. However, when a family tragedy occurs Cady and Mack must meet to track down the missing masterpieces and possibly a killer.

It’s been awhile since I truly enjoyed the mystery and suspense of a romance novel. Although, I was sure of where the story was going, JAK did it in a page turner that kept me engrossed for the entire book. The romance was second fiddle to the plot in this case and that was OK with me. Mack and Cady brought enough heat and a little sweetness and formulaic romance for me to enjoy. They connected emotionally in a way that was endearing. I’ll say it again I really really liked this book.

The secondary characters were a treat to read about as well. Aunt Vesta, Gabriella and the computer whiz and a lot of fun to the story. JAK certainly can do quirky characters. If you find this book at a library, garage sale or thrift store don’t pass it up. It might just be what you’re looking for.

Deep Waters

by Jayne Ann Krentz

Elias Winters and Charity Truitt are two powerful business executives in Seattle, WA who surrender their lucrative careers for a quieter and simpler life in Whispering Waters Cove, WA. Creating sparks from their first meeting Charity and Elias are an enjoyable couple to read.


However, the small town of the Cove isn’t what it appears. Their longed for quieter life is disrupted by a disruptive cult and a series of mysterious deaths to locals. The mystery of the book doesn’t last for long. I figured it out long before the end but really you’ll read this book for the chemistry between the two main characters.

Charity and Elias are both flawed. Elias must deal with his feelings of guilt and remorse for the toll his revenge plots have taken on himself and others. Charity must learn to trust others and her emotions before she can be successful with someone else. Their romance is unconventional especially since they are brought closer by murder, break-ins and danger lurking at every corner. If you enjoy a man’s man who has a lot of muscles and knows how to fight and break people’s noses then you will love Elias Winters.

The supporting characters are colorful ranging from the space ship cult followers to the local shopkeepers.  They are charming and add significantly to the setting and tone of this Krentz story.

Multicolored Totes

Truth or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz

I should have dared to keep walking past this book but it was just lying there calling my name...so of course I had to pick it up. Ethan Truax, Zoe Luce and the capacious totes are back for another adventure or two or three. There’s so much going on in this book and none of it is done well. Ethan is still hunky, Zoe is grating and, well…the totes accompany them on every adventure. It’s amazing that they come in so many colors and are able to carry a wallet, lipstick, a flashlight, a tool kit, band aids, a camera, measuring tape, appointment calendar, sketchbook, box of colored pencils, felt markers, tile samples and fabric swatches. All the basic tools for a crime fighting interior designer.  All that was left out was a can of paint.

It’s been six weeks since Zoe and Ethan eloped in Vegas and she has become a nagging wife who’s concerned about healthy prostates, sunscreen, cereal choices, soy milk and key chain flashlights for her sexy PI husband, Ethan.  Zoe’s psychic spider webs are a bore considering she senses something everywhere and yet nothing ever comes of them except a crazy apartment manager.  At least they have sex on a regular basis but it’s not really that steamy.

Zoe's questionable fashion choices are back especially when compared to her chic design rival from LA, Lindsey Voyle.  Lindsey wears tailored black suits with a leather satchel and Zoe wears a long, sleeveless dress in violet,  with a green duster and red tote or a light turqoise pullover with a skirt the same clolor with gauzy fabric that drifts around her calves. 

JAK is so disjointed in this book. She spends the first half of the book recounting the happenings of Light in Shadow, then there’s the mystery with Arcadia and Harry, psychic spider webs with Zoe, an interior decorating contest, a loony bodybuilder, an over-the-hill Private Investigator, a crazy meditation guru, the pink house remodeling (it’s about time) and a cold case from years ago trying to be solved. Like I said Ethan is still sexy.

There’s limited romance in this book and a whole lot of boredom.

Light In Shadow

by Jayne Ann Krentz


This fast paced story of secret identities, tortured pasts and romantic drama revolves around interior designer Zoe Luce, her voluminous multi-colored totes, and the compelling Private Investigator Ethan Truax. In the town of Whispering Springs, AZ, Zoe Luce wears her violet pant suit and chartreuse tote on a beautiful day to meet her newest and somewhat suspicious client. A questionable fashion choice but it just adds to the mystique that Ethan finds attractive. 

Zoe is able to hear screaming walls where past horrors occurred and it’s after walking into a room and feeling the aura of the walls that she seeks out PI Ethan Truax. Ethan is immediately sexy and complicated with an instant hint of mystery. Their first encounter in his office is filled with sexual attraction and the hope of future possibilities (with her totes never far behind).

Zoe and Ethan’s romantic affair begins after a drunken night of celebration. After one too many glasses of champagne Zoe and Ethan go back to Zoe’s place to engage in “adrenaline jag”, which is hot, steamy sex with a man you've only known for 2 days (we’ve all been there). Soon Ethan realizes that Zoe is hiding a secret and the story becomes thoroughly enjoyable. Ethan and Zoe maintain their intense desire for one another throughout the many obstacles they encounter.

 Ethan is a complicated man with muscles, overflowing confidence and hints of silver at the temples. He is heroic and strong. He is the man with a tough exterior and a heart of amazing depths. His obvious flaw is his taste in residences. He lives in an all pink house. I’m surprised he would ever take a woman to that monstrosity. But he’s a family man so I can forgive pink walls, pink carpet and pink furniture. Ethan is the man for you if you want adventure and excitement. He’s definitely not the kind to sit in and watch movies on a regular basis. For those qualities he is # 3 on the Sultry Six.