Eclipse Bay

Rating:
Summary: From a Guy's view
Review: In a recent conversation, I suggested to my roommate to read a Tom Clancy book, and she agreed with a caveat: that I had to read one of her books. After rolling my eyes, I reluctantly agreed. I thought, how bad can it be, they're small books. She was nice and gave me one she thought I would enjoy, Eclipse Bay (? Great, what a title). (sigh) The truth is.. I actually did enjoy it. It was an light but exciting read. I was afraid the book would be nothing but one stereotypical romance scene after another, dead wrong again. It had a solid bit of whodunit quality, some sound character exchanges and wit (Winston), overall quite engaging. The characters were as well developed as most other books that I've read, especially considering the relatively small number of pages. If this is what her books are like, then I highly recommend Ms. Krentz and this book to all.

Rating:
Summary: She's! Back!
Review: The last couple of her books were the same, just the names and locales changing. This is Jayne Ann at her best. Witty dialog and interesting characters. Characters are well developed. I can not wait for the next in the trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: Top of the pile!
Review: I've read just about every book Jayne Ann Krentz has written--under all her pseudonyms, and Eclipse Bay is right up at the top of the pile with her Guinevere Jones series. I loved it and recommend it to any JAK or romantic mystery fan. Can't wait for the rest in this series.

Rating:
Summary: Eclipse Bay
Review: I have been reading JAK since the beginning. I have read all her books under every name she uses. I was disappointed in Eclipse Bay. Her characters usually jump off the page and draw you into their lives. These two were a little flat and seemed to be mostly set up for the books to follow. I will continue to buy all books with written by Krentz (and even some just endorsed by her) but I hope the next one is better.

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasing Comeback!
Review: I've been a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz's work (in all her incarnations) for the better part of decade. I love her unique blend of romance, suspense, and wit. Mix in her independent, quirky heroines and strong, misunderstood heros, and most of her books are very difficult to put down.

However, it seemed that she was losing some of her magic in her last few books, but I am relieved that she has recaptured the spark of her earlier novels in this story. Eclipse Bay was well-worth my money and my time! I enjoyed reading about the Hartes and Madisons, and I am eagerly anticipating the next two novels in this trilogy. I even loved Winston-- a nice touch, Ms. Krentz!

Even if you have also been a bit disappointed in JAK's last few novels, don't pass this one up! She's back in fine form in Eclipse Bay!

Rating:
Summary: Krentz is always entertaining.
Review: Krentz' grasp on the human condition is always entertaining and insightful. I compare the writing style to that of Lee Frank and his novel Next: A Poetic Odyssey.

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Krentz does it Again!
Review: In "Eclipse Bay", Ms. Krentz again shows her expertise with words and character descriptions. There are familiar things in this book: the resisting heroine - Hannah Harte, the irrestible hero - Rafe Sullivan, the beautiful Northwest itself, quirky characters, and an irrascible grandfather. Hannah and Rafe meet again their small coastal hometown when Hannah's aunt leaves her beautiful, large home to them jointly. Eight years before, Hannah had supplied Rafe with a true alibi when his lover was found dead. Hannah (as a town "goody two shoes") gives Rafe (as a town 'bad boy') the advice to "Do Somthing With Your Life!" Hannah leaves town to open a wedding consulting business and Rafe, under a cloud of suspicion, leaves to ? When they meet again, their sexual interest in each other is obvious. But each wants to buy the other out to pursue their own dream. Neither knows that each dream is the same - to open an inn/restaurant. The townpeople still believe that Rafe was responsible for his lover's death even though it was ruled an accident and Hannah had given him an ironclad alibi. To thoroughly clear Rafe's name, they decide to do further investigation of the eight year old mystery. Rafe and Hannah are immersed in their ever increasingly sexual relationship and the investigation. Rafe's grandfather character adds a love affair of his own, which is an interesting sub-story. The problems are all resolved and once again, the story ends delightfully I am looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

Rating:
Summary: I'm Hooked! When are the other two books coming!
Review: Jayne Ann Krentz is the Queen of Witty Dialogue! I am a writer, and I would love to have her incredible flair for story telling. The story of Hannah and Rafe has everything romance readers ask for--Memorable characters, great love scenes, a plot that pulls you in effortlessly, and a touch of mystery. The mystery of an 8-year old murder and present unsettling events kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to the next two books, not just to get two more wonderful stories from Eclipse Bay, but to also revisit Hannah and Rafe--and their little dog, too. I am doomed to spend my life in the Midwest, but I enjoy travelling to the Northwest Coast with Ms. Krentz' stories. If you have never read Ms. Krentz before or hesitated because of the high price of her hardback books, try this one. I promise you, you will enjoy it!

Rating:
Summary: Welcome Back Jayne Ann Krentz
Review: If you want a book you can kick back with that has snappy dialogue, great one liners, romance, and a little mystery, this is the book for you. It is so nice to see Ms. Krentz go back to the style of writing that made her so popular. I sincerely wish this had been in hardback with all three stories because I hate having to wait for the next two books to come out.

The Hartes and Madisons have hated each other for generations. Eight years earlier, Hannah Harte had provided an alibi for bad boy (and oh what a bad boy he is) Rafe Madison. Rafe's main goal in life at that time was to not end up in jail. Fast foward eight years and the two have jointly inherited a house from Hannah's aunt. Each refuses to deal with the other so they both end up back in Eclipse Bay.

I loved this book. This is the type of story Ms. Krentz is a pro at writing. For many of you who have read all her books, this will faintly remind you of Family Man complete with a dog who has his own personality. There will be many readers who will probably say this book is the same formula Ms. Krentz has used for years. But hey, if it works this well, keep on using it!

Rating:
Summary: A special funny romance
Review: In ECLIPSE BAY, Oregon, the Hartes and the Madisons go out of their respective way to ignore one another. That changes the night that Hannah Harte and Rafe Madison meet after dumping their dates. They walk and talk at the beach before Rafe escorts Hannah home. However, the next morning the police question Hannah as to Rafe's whereabouts the night before because his date died after falling off a cliff. Hannah provides him with an alibi before Rafe vanishes into parts unknown, leaving Hannah to contend with her damaged reputation.

Eight years later, Hannah and Rafe are brought back together. Her deceased aunt, believing they are star-crossed lovers, leaves each of them with a half share in a mansion, Dreamscape. Hannah tries to buy Rafe out so she can open up an inn, but he wants to use the house to open up a bar and restaurant. As both of them try to persuade the other to sell, an attraction between them begins to flourish. Even as they nurture it, an unknown stalker wants to insure neither one knows what really happened to Rafe's date that night.

ECLIPSE BAY is the quintessential Krentz romance novel filled with quirky charcaters who share humor and witty repartee. Readers will admire the flawed hero and the feisty heroine. The absorbing subplot will leave the audience breathless until the last page of this one-sitting tale is finished.

Harriet Klausner