DEEP WATERS CASSETTE

Rating:
Summary: Romance with a sense of humor
Review: Deep Waters was the first contemporary romance novel I ever read, as well as the first JAK book. I have to say, I got totally hooked! I found the Zenny water philosophy of Tal Kek Chara to be an extremely creative addition to the book, and the space-cult storyline was hysterically funny. One of the reviews on the book calls the relationship between Charity and Elias a "Tracy-Hepburn" alliance, and I have to agree. They had such passion, understanding, and (oddly and entertainingly enough) humor. The secondary characters were equally personable. I loved every minute of my reading experience, and Deep Waters is one of the few books in recent memory that I have picked up again and again, and enjoyed just as much each time I read it.

One final note, not really plot-related, but I have to say how much I loved the detail JAK uses in her writing. Charity and Elias's cooking contests had me in stitches -- and rummaging through my cupboards and cookbooks!

This is also the only romance novel I have given as a gift. I would highly recommend it to any fan of JAK or intelligent contemporary romance.

Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyed this one!
Review: I am sure that at some point I have read other Jayne Ann Krentz books, but I definately enjoyed this one. Let me give a short synopsis.

At first we meet Charity Truitt who is a powerful corporate person and right away she shows that she is burnt out and has a breakdown. She settles into a small town and owns a small shop which she is very content with. A gentleman, Elias Winter, who we learn was also an important corporate person, moves into Washington's Whispering Waters Cove. Everyone mistrusts Elias' motives including Charity. But, Elias is a novice when it comes to relationships and Charity has been repulsed by former boyfriends...so they meet.

There is some suspense and a mystery involved in the plot of the book as well as a wonderful romantic tale. This novel was fun to read and I would recommend it to anyone who likes more to a romance novel than just boy meets girl and they end up in bed.

Rating:
Summary: No complaints
Review: I found this book to be very satisfying. It worked for me. One of the things I like about Krentz is that her characters are older and wiser. This story has humor and wit and wisdom. The characters have self-doubt and really seem to question what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Deep Waters is a feel good book that makes you think about your own life. Most romance thrillers do not relate to my life in any way. This book is not only entertaining, it is involving. The murder mystery plot is not nearly as important as the personal struggle Charity and Elias experience in trying to find peace and balance in their lives. It is not surprising that they find it together in the end, they take their time and build a mature relationship with layers (and good sex). Isn't that what romance is all about?

Rating:
Summary: Classic JAK
Review: Very classic JAK reading. I really enjoyed it - though it's not one of my favorite JAK's. I've always liked the small, northwest coastal town settings that JAK often uses. Typical of mid-90's JAK books, this one was a murder mystery without the spine-tingling effect.... just light mystery with a fun romance. I like reading this type after having read a couple of heavier much more serious murder mysteries.
Our heroine, Charity, was very personable, easy going, & likeable; Not a nitwit like a lot of authors would have made her out to be, but also not too serious nor with a lot of hang-ups. The hero, Elias, took a lot more effort to get to know. At the first of the book, I had trouble feeling like I would get to know him at all. I thought he was going to be a little over the top with the metaphysical stuff - but he started loosing up with Charity's help & by the end he was a much more personable & likeable fellow. I often grinned at the way he would just sit back & let Charity take over a conversation with others.
As usual with JAK, the odd-ball secondary characters were quite off-the-wall, but that just adds more fun to the story for me.
If you like classic JAK, I'd say you'll want to read 'Deep Waters'.