Grand Passion

This relatively early JAK novel is one of her best. She frequently bases her stories around the concept of found family and the family here is extremely endearing. (It's no wonder that Max and later, O'Reilly are so eager to join the family.) The mystery element, while not hugely surprising, is less obvious than some of he later stories. And the erotic elements are more thoughtful and well played out than "the obligatory sex scene(s)" common in romance novels of this era. Now, my interest in the erotic side of romance novels has waned over the years, so I don't appreciate this part of the story as I did when I first read it soon after its publication (1994), but I do appreciate that it was well done. Overall, it was an entertaining show more visit with a fine old friend. show less

I like her writing style and I like her books and this one was no exception. The plot was a bit see through but the characterizations were well done. There could have been more growth in the heroine, but the hero probably made up for that.

mystery, hotelier, obsession, investigation, erotica, romance

Mostly this is a classic Krentz romance with the brooding semifunctional male being rescues from an emotional desert by the heroine. There's also an unusual commune, a missing inheritance, and a killer with OCD. Interesting read every ten years or so.
Richard Ferrone has an interesting manner of narration.

This is a fairly good book. I think since I have just finished reading some of her more recent books (this one was published in 1998) that I think she has grown as a writer but I did enjoy the book once I got into it.
Cleopatra Robbins has imagined the moment when she'll meet the man of her dreams. But when Max Fortune strides into the Robbins' Nest Inn, a devastating sensation sweeps through her. She knows it him. And he's all wrong!

One of Krentz's Washington coast novels, this features hotel exec Max Fortune on the trail of five valuable paintings. He's tracked them to the hotel of one Cleopatra Robbins, who denies knowing anything about them....

No surprises here, but some humorous moments involving Lucky Duck, and unsinkable bath toy, and his irrepressible young owner.

another favorite; well developed hero and heroine and good tension; quirky secondary characters and snappy dialogue; a great read