Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT PAIRING OF READERS
Review: Jayne Ann Krentz is acclaimed for creating strong, independent characters and she sticks to this proven formula with businesswoman Elizabeth Cabot, a gal who knows how to run a company and her life.Forced to work with a former lover, Jack Fairfax, she is put to the test when a lab is reduced to rubble, a technician is murdered, and valuable crystal that could revolutionize an industry disappears. The pairing of readers Hill and Breck is brilliant as they treat listeners to simmering romance and a suspenseful tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: Jayne Ann Krentz is one of the most satisfying Romance authors working in the genre today. Her plots move along crisply, her dialogue entertains, and her heroines are engaging, intelligent women to whom a reader can actually relate. That said, I think she's falling into a rut, at least with regard to her contemporary/suspense novels. Soft Focus was al too similar to her other books. I'd like to see Krentz stretch her wings and try something different, like oh--say, a setting that isn't the Pacific Northwest? A plot that doesn't revolve around corporate malfeasance and derring-do? Krentz's books are becoming too predictable, which is a pity, because there's a lot to like about her writing.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: Jayne Krentz is an author who I enjoy reading. Although I would says this is not one of her best books, I found the story entertaining. Both the main characters, Elizabeth and Jack were fun characters, I found the film festival setting and that storyline not one of Ms. Krentz best.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best Jayne Ann Krentz
Review: Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Jayne Ann Krentz. I never read a book by her that I didn't like...until now. Usually, once I start a book by Jayne Ann Krentz, I can't put it down. Unfortunately, I had a very hard time staying with this book. I kept having to go back to the prologue and the first chapter to reread the character descriptions. Elizabeth was not very interesting. I had a very hard time believing Jack was falling in love with Elizabeth and not just trying to get back at her for their past.
Rating:
Summary: New style, same characters
Review: My opinion of this book is a little mixed. The positives: I enjoyed it. JAK has worked hard in this book to impart a sense of place and style based on film noir. I think she succeeds in an enjoyable way. It's intersting without being overwhelming, and adds some needed spark to the mystery elements. I was very glad to see that she wasn't doing any more New Age stuff here. The mystery had a couple of cool film noir releated twists and she has again developed some interesting secondary characters (especially nice was the well developed Vicky-she's more complex than JAK usually gets.) JAK -in line with the film noir deal- has grittied up her dialogue, which makes the characters more beleivable to me (I work in the corporate world; it's not a PG rated place). I also found the main characters and their mutual goals beleivable and interesting. I think JAK should be commended for looking for new spark to put in her books. This is soooooo much beter than Eye of the Beholder (which I found occasionally laughable). On the down side: As others have noted, JAK's books have become somewhat predictable. I agree with other reviews that JAK should look for some new character types-there are many kinds of heroes in the world and she could find something really different without sacrificing the qualities she really likes. I found Elizabeth, this book's heroine- a nice twist. She has considerably more status and business skill than the other women in her books, putting her on equal footing with the hero. (Almost all the other heroines are small business owners as opposed to the hero who is a corporate shark type.) Elizabeth's situation made the interplay more interesting, I thought. Jake was a pleasant and believable character-closer to the roots of her older books (much more intersting than the other guys whose names escape me from Eye of the Beholder and Flash). Still-I think that really memorable is better than pleasant and believable. That's why I have rated the book a 3. My verdict is that this is an enjoyable read-well worth a paperback price at least. I have to say that those looking for vintage style Krentz (e.g., Family Man, or Trust Me) will not completely find it here. But those fearing that this is as bad as Flash can rest easy and open their wallets. Her style has changed a bit (in a good way), but she has a ways to go to move her pleasant relationship back to the zingy spark of the keeper books she's written earlier. Jake and Elizabeth's tale is interesting. I felt satisfied not cheated by the book; I hope this is a harbinger of increasingly good books. I've been a fan of JAK for a while and hope things are now on an upswing.
Rating: 
Summary: Same Old, Same Old
Review: OK, what can I say? The prologue introduced a firey scene that I hoped would carry through to the main book but I was wrong. I have read this in any number of JAK's other books. Same kind of heroine and hero. Different setting. I thought the character of Victoria Bellamy was of much more depth and complexity that the main characters. I think JAK would have better served her reading fans by making her the storyline and putting Jack and Elizabeth in the back ground. I'm not sure what seems to be the problem with JAK's latest book(s) but something is surely missing. Its like the aim is good but it veers off during the journey. I would hate to see JAK's talent rest on its laurels. Be daring, be bold and surprise the heck out of us, Jayne.
Rating:
Summary: A winner and fun read awaits!
Review: Once more, a story that hits the ground running, something I have come to expect from my twenty years of reading Ms. Krentz's work. From the first pitcher of ice water in the exclusive restaurant to the back stage of a Film Noir Festival, the action never lets up. Nor do the smiles. Nor does the dialogue. Jack and Elizabeth are engaging, mature people who cannot seem to stay together or stay apart. As the book traces the rocky road of their relationship that seems bound for failure, the reader gets to come on board as they figure out a way to stay together, save their businesses and find that pot of gold -- the happy ending. The fun is in the watching, especially with the snappy exchange of wits. More memorable lines and images as I have come to expect from Ms. Krentz. A fun evening is in store for the lucky reader!
Rating:
Summary: Fast read with a large dose of fun
Review: Soft Focus is exactly what I read Jayne Krentz for--the amusing banter between the Nick and Nora-like characters, a fast-moving plotline and a little bit of mystery. With its wonderful references to old films, the great banter, sex, and the fast pacing, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained. Great!
Rating: 
Summary: a very enjoyable JAK
Review: Soft Focus was a very enjoyable Single Title Romantic Suspense (meaning before Krentz and her publishers started doing the Trilogy releases - 1 good strong tale followed by two weaker ones). It was a very enjoyable read, but not Krentz at her best.
In Soft Focus, Elizabeth is an all business heroine (typical JAK!). She applies the same cost and profit in her business life to her romance life. So after a one night stand with Jack Fairfax, and Elizabeth discovers Jack deceived her, she wants to
cut her losses. Jack is not willing to let her do it, and uses their business contract to keep a leash on the spunky lady.
Jack owns Excalibur, a cutting edge technology firm. When he discovers there is sabotage going on that could put them both in the red financially, Elizabeth has to let Jack back into her life. If she helps Jack save Excalibur, she stands to make millions of dollars. Together they search for a missing scientist who made off with a new special crystal. Elizabeth and Jack follow the clues to a film festival and the fun begins, with Jack keeping an eye on winning Elizabeth back as well as saving his firm.
A very deft tale from a talented writer. Super use of Multi-POV (Point of View), the way all romances should be written!
Rating:
Summary: Next Book Please
Review: Soft Focus was not JAK's best effort to date. I have read nearly all her works, relentlessly backtracking out of print editions. I Love her ablity to weave a mystery that all the clues are there, but leaves you guessing until the end. This did not happen in Soft Focus. The ending was a suprise only because it was unsupported. The charatures decissions to have a romantic relationship was very sloppy. And what about commitment? Sex without commitment is both supid and boring in a plot line. I await her next book with higher expectations!
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