Hidden Talents

HIDDEN TALENTS is a romance with some suspense. Serenity Makepeace is determined to save her town of Witt's End. She was born there. In fact, she is the only one who was born into that enclave of eccentrics and misfits in the town's history. She is determined to turn her small town grocery into the center of a mail order operation to revitalize her town.

Serenity appeals to Caleb Ventress who is a big time venture capitalist. He was intrigued by Serenity's plan even though it was much smaller than any other project he's undertaken. He's equally intrigued by Serenity herself.

Their partnership almost founders when Serenity comes to him to tell him that she's being blackmailed for some nude pictures she sat for to help out the local art show more photographer. This hits Caleb in a really sensitive spot. He's always been held accountable by his family for the mistakes of his parents. His father had an affair with a woman who made her living as actress who also posed for some nude photos. When his grandfather refused to pay the blackmail, the photos were sent to and published by the local newspaper. When his parents died shortly thereafter, he was raised by his grandfather and guilted almost every day.

Caleb and Serenity are determined to discover where this latest blackmail scheme began. Their attempt to check out the photographer leads to discovering his body. His death appears accidental and looks like a roadblock to their investigation.

But the blackmail threats don't end with the photographer's death. As Serenity and Caleb investigate, they uncover other secrets in the small town. And the two fall deeply in love.

This was an engaging romance between main characters with very different background and characters who learn that they have more in common with each other than they thought. I enjoyed this story. show less

In many ways this book is typical of the novels Krentz was writing in the early 90's. It's a contemporary romance full of zany characters with a bit of mystery and suspense thrown it. Raised in a remote small town in the Pacific Northwest, Serenity Makepeace thinks of Seattle as almost a foreign country where she never quite fits in. Caleb Ventress, on the other hand, moves with ease in both society and business circles but he has been feeling as though he is barely alive and just going through the motions of living for some time.

When Serenity comes looking for a consultant to help her set up a mail-order business in her tiny hometown, they each shake up the other's world with old secrets coming out to affect present events. A fun book show more and one that is recommended for Krentz's fans as well as a good place to start for those new to her novels. show less

Let's say it right up front, Jane Ann Krentz is entirely formulaic, but I still love her. I love every straightlaced repressed sports car driving man who needs to have his soul freed by every fey free spirit. This story is sweet. I enjoyed it while sitting out in the beautiful Florida sun. A lovely beach read if you like Krentz.

Serenity Makepeace just wants to get her mail order catalog off the ground, and she was counting on Caleb Ventress to help her. Unfortunately, Caleb has a tiny little problem with naked pictures...

A bit dated (not many people set up print mail order catalogs in today's web-connected world), but if you look past the lack of cell phones and internet connections, the characters of Witt's End are good company for an afternoon.

Serenity Makepeace has a plan, it's a good plan, she's going to showcase a lot of local artists in her home town of Witt's End in a catalog and help get their goods to people all around the world.
Caleb Ventress is a start-up consultant. He's intrigued by her and by her plans. He decides to go to Witt's End to see if it's all worth it. He's finding himself distracted by her and by her ideas.

It's pretty predictable but a good fun read.

She's a free spirit with no head for figures. He's a pin-striped executive with no heart for romance. It's a perfect match. I loved this book. Serenity lives in a very small touwn called Witt's End, Washington. The characters from that town are quirky and fun - Blade, Zone, Quinton - and some that are not as fun like Lloyd. Caleb comes from a very rich family but they don't connect on any level. Serenity hires Caleb as a consultant on a new business she is starting and it takes off from there. I recommend this book.

another great story in a quirkey town with quirkey characters; very strong male character who's life is changed by the female character; great love story