Dawn in Eclipse Bay

April 9, 2001
The second installment of Krentz's Harte-Madison trilogy (following Eclipse Bay) attempts to close the rift that formed several generations ago between the prosperous Hartes and the reckless Madisons. Lillian Harte plans to give up her computer matchmaking business to devote her life to painting, but she has one final client to "fire"—steely Gabe Madison. Gabe has already broken with his heritage by building a billion-dollar venture-capital company, and now he wants a wife, one who is financially independent, good-looking and definitely not an "arty" type. When Gabe learns that Lillian is closing her business, he insists that she fulfill her contractual obligation to him. He even follows her home to Eclipse Bay, Ore., supposedly to collect on their broken agreement. While they smolder in the usual Harte-Madison fashion, a sex therapist who is into bikini panties and submission tries to steal Lillian's database of high-end clients. This silly subplot detracts from the romance, and it's a shame that Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle), who is such a master of sexual tension and intelligent banter, has weighed this romantic puff pastry down with such a leaden attempt at mystery. (May 1)Forecast: Although the
Romantic Times has claimed that romantic suspense novels are "out" and romantic comedies are "in," Krentz's romantic suspense novels have been, and still are, selling exceedingly well. This frivolous but entertaining romp should be no exception.

May 15, 2001
Determined finally to follow her artistic dreams, Lillian Harte abruptly closes down her thriving computer matchmaking business and heads back home to Eclipse Bay to paint. But when Gabe Madison, her final client (and new brother-in-law), shows up on her doorstep, determined to collect the last "date" she owes him, it doesn't take long for the passion to flare, the small-town gossip to start, and the family meddling to follow. Snappy dialog, electric sexual tension, and subtle humor highlight this fast-paced contemporary romance, which features a pair of classic Krentz protagonists and some exceptionally well-drawn and appealing secondary characters. The second in Krentz's "Eclipse Bay" trilogy set along the Oregon coast, this work nicely continues the story of the long-standing feud between the successful Hartes and the irresponsible Madisons, begun in Eclipse Bay (Jove, 2000). Krentz, who also writes as Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, is a best-selling writer of lively, sensual romances laced to varying degrees with suspense and humor. She lives in the Seattle area.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2001
In the second installment in Krentz's Eclipse Bay trilogy, Lillian Harte has decided to close down her matchmaking business to paint full time, but she still has some unfinished business. Successful CEO Gabe Madison, scion of the family that has been feuding with her family for three generations, wants the date he contracted for when he registered with her business, and is willing to chase her from Portland to Eclipse Bay to get it. To add to all her problems, one client's former boyfriend may be stalking her, seeking revenge for breaking up his romance. Will Lillian and Gabe be able to continue in the footsteps of their respective siblings, Hannah and Rafe, to mend the rift that sundered their grandfathers' business? Can all the Madisons and Hartes find happiness and true love with each other? This is entertaining, lightweight reading, perfect for beach or airplane but not Krentz at her best.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)