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Hidden Talents
Serenity Makepeace knows a lot about whole-grain bread, but she doesn't know beans about business. She's expanding her natural foods emporium to sell local handicrafts by mail—which she hopes will benefit her offbeat artist community in Witt's End, Washington. But she needs a crack financial adviser to make her dream a reality—so she charms her way into the office of Caleb Ventress, a handsome wolf in conservative clothing.
An expert in the art of the deal, Caleb isn't sure what to make of the unconventional Serenity—but there's no doubt he's attracted. A pass from a paragon of conformity—even one as handsome as Caleb—is more than free-spirited Serenity bargained for. But when a lethal blackmailer threatens her plans and perhaps her life, she puts her whole trust in the man who seems her complete opposite—and the net result might be true love.
An expert in the art of the deal, Caleb isn't sure what to make of the unconventional Serenity—but there's no doubt he's attracted. A pass from a paragon of conformity—even one as handsome as Caleb—is more than free-spirited Serenity bargained for. But when a lethal blackmailer threatens her plans and perhaps her life, she puts her whole trust in the man who seems her complete opposite—and the net result might be true love.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
254 people are currently reading
1108 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
400 books7,116 followersThe author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 31, 2023
3.5 stars. I don't read many romance novels anymore although I have a box or two from yard sales. Pulling out a light read was in order and so I chose this older contemporary (1990s) romance. It certainly fit the bill and I enjoyed it more than I thought, so much that I read it in two days. Well, there wasn't much else on my plate to be honest.
Krentz sticks to the opposites attract trope: a free-spirited young woman who hires a start-up business consultant to help her get a mail-order catalog business off the ground. What they do have in common is that neither knew their parents but had diametrically opposite upbringings. Serenity was brought up by the proverbial village of quirky characters, while Caleb strove to fit in and please his influential family after his parents' scandal hung like a heavy weight around and on him.
Add to the underlying current of attraction is blackmail, murder, aggressive ex-boyfriends and lots of family drama. An engaging read.
Krentz sticks to the opposites attract trope: a free-spirited young woman who hires a start-up business consultant to help her get a mail-order catalog business off the ground. What they do have in common is that neither knew their parents but had diametrically opposite upbringings. Serenity was brought up by the proverbial village of quirky characters, while Caleb strove to fit in and please his influential family after his parents' scandal hung like a heavy weight around and on him.
Add to the underlying current of attraction is blackmail, murder, aggressive ex-boyfriends and lots of family drama. An engaging read.
November 29, 2023
Another classic Krentz 's Hidden Talent, from the 90’s, it may be a little outdated but is a good comfort read. If you want something light, fun to keep you entertained on a boring rainy day, this might be it.
Caleb is a business consultant that specializes in start-ups; Serenity runs a store in the small town of Witt’s End and wants to expand through a catalog featuring handicrafts to help her eccentric neighbors. Witt’s End reminded me of Scargill from The Scargill Cove Case File (Arcane Society). While he is a prototype of the mainstream, she is basically an offbeat character. Despite that, they fit well together.
A lot happens in its 400+ pages: some angst from blackmail attempt and a murder; jealous relatives but also reconciliation; true love regardless of crazy ex-fiancé or obnoxious ex-boyfriend; all that among a whole town of eccentric neighbors and a cranky family. I found Hidden Talents fun, gratifying and a page-turner, 3 stars, recommended.
Caleb is a business consultant that specializes in start-ups; Serenity runs a store in the small town of Witt’s End and wants to expand through a catalog featuring handicrafts to help her eccentric neighbors. Witt’s End reminded me of Scargill from The Scargill Cove Case File (Arcane Society). While he is a prototype of the mainstream, she is basically an offbeat character. Despite that, they fit well together.
A lot happens in its 400+ pages: some angst from blackmail attempt and a murder; jealous relatives but also reconciliation; true love regardless of crazy ex-fiancé or obnoxious ex-boyfriend; all that among a whole town of eccentric neighbors and a cranky family. I found Hidden Talents fun, gratifying and a page-turner, 3 stars, recommended.
July 24, 2019
“Hippie” heroine from a quirky mountain community hooks up with a staid business consultant hero to launch a catalog featuring handmade food and craft items from her general store.
This opposites-attract couple find themselves embroiled in a blackmail scheme – nude photos of the heroine will be given to the local newspaper if the hero goes forward with this business association.
This echoes the blackmail scheme from the hero’s past. Seems hero’s father had a mistress (hero’s mother) who posed nude and someone tried to blackmail the family with her photos. It didn’t work. Hero’s father decided to divorce his wife and marry hero’s mother, but both were killed in a car accident before their HEA. Hero has lived with his grandfather’s disapproval ever since.
The author has fun setting up all the possible suspects and doesn’t mind killing off a character or two. The hero’s past is relevant – but that mystery is only revealed in the last 20% of the story. The real fun is watching the H/h grow close and getting to know the characters in the community. Seeing the hero embraced by the town and the final adventure where he bonds with his grandfather really added to the HEA.
A big suspension of disbelief is required – the coincidences and mystical caves come to mind – but I’ve been reading Diana Palmer and this is just as “realistic.”
This opposites-attract couple find themselves embroiled in a blackmail scheme – nude photos of the heroine will be given to the local newspaper if the hero goes forward with this business association.
This echoes the blackmail scheme from the hero’s past. Seems hero’s father had a mistress (hero’s mother) who posed nude and someone tried to blackmail the family with her photos. It didn’t work. Hero’s father decided to divorce his wife and marry hero’s mother, but both were killed in a car accident before their HEA. Hero has lived with his grandfather’s disapproval ever since.
The author has fun setting up all the possible suspects and doesn’t mind killing off a character or two. The hero’s past is relevant – but that mystery is only revealed in the last 20% of the story. The real fun is watching the H/h grow close and getting to know the characters in the community. Seeing the hero embraced by the town and the final adventure where he bonds with his grandfather really added to the HEA.
A big suspension of disbelief is required – the coincidences and mystical caves come to mind – but I’ve been reading Diana Palmer and this is just as “realistic.”
April 4, 2015
Trying to save her hometown, Serenity Makepeace approaches business start-up expert Caleb Ventress. Serenity wants to publish a catalog featuring homemade goods from her neighbors. Caleb is hesitant when he finds out Serenity is being blackmailed. But he is intrigued by Serenity and decides to follow her home and check out what kinds of items would be put in the catalog. When they arrive in Witt's End, Washington, they find the blackmailer is dead. But someone else is lurking in the small town...someone with evil intentions.
This is a cute story with Krentz' usual ultra-conservative hero and offbeat heroine. But the stars of this book are the secondary characters who inhabit the town. There is a light mystery concerning who is trying to blackmail Serenity, but most of this story is about the relationship between Caleb and Serenity. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is a cute story with Krentz' usual ultra-conservative hero and offbeat heroine. But the stars of this book are the secondary characters who inhabit the town. There is a light mystery concerning who is trying to blackmail Serenity, but most of this story is about the relationship between Caleb and Serenity. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
March 4, 2016
Shadow's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Charming is the best way to describe Jayne Ann Krentz's Hidden Talents. This murder mystery romance has great characters, a fascinating plot and humor laced throughout. The best part of the book, though, is the location, Witt's End, Washington, a small town in the Cascade Mountains founded by hippies in the 1960s. Filled with delightful and eccentric characters, the town is a reminder of several unusual places.
Serenity Makepeace is the unofficial princess of Witt's End, with bragging rights for being the only child ever born in Witt's End. Her mother came to town, gave birth to Serenity, and died. The town elders kept Serenity out of the foster system by drawing straws to see whose name went on her birth certificate. The town raised her and still acts as her family. Her gratitude leads her to try and establish a mail order catalog business for the town.
Enter Caleb Ventress, hot shot start up consultant, who is intrigued enough by Serenity to forego his usual strict standards and agree to be her consultant. Both their plans are thrown into chaos by the discovery that Serenity is being blackmailed-and that the cause goes back to Caleb's past. Can these two captivating characters learn to trust each other and find their HEA in spite of murder and blackmail?
Serenity was an interesting character, sweet and strong, who has a hard time functioning outside her free spirited town. Caleb started off as a cold, calculating person, but one who has had to build up walls to protect himself from his family. Serenity is sure she can teach him to love-but can they keep each other safe long enough for him to learn?
Overall it was a great book, drawing the reader into the story and keeping you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. One of my favorites!
Charming is the best way to describe Jayne Ann Krentz's Hidden Talents. This murder mystery romance has great characters, a fascinating plot and humor laced throughout. The best part of the book, though, is the location, Witt's End, Washington, a small town in the Cascade Mountains founded by hippies in the 1960s. Filled with delightful and eccentric characters, the town is a reminder of several unusual places.
Serenity Makepeace is the unofficial princess of Witt's End, with bragging rights for being the only child ever born in Witt's End. Her mother came to town, gave birth to Serenity, and died. The town elders kept Serenity out of the foster system by drawing straws to see whose name went on her birth certificate. The town raised her and still acts as her family. Her gratitude leads her to try and establish a mail order catalog business for the town.
Enter Caleb Ventress, hot shot start up consultant, who is intrigued enough by Serenity to forego his usual strict standards and agree to be her consultant. Both their plans are thrown into chaos by the discovery that Serenity is being blackmailed-and that the cause goes back to Caleb's past. Can these two captivating characters learn to trust each other and find their HEA in spite of murder and blackmail?
Serenity was an interesting character, sweet and strong, who has a hard time functioning outside her free spirited town. Caleb started off as a cold, calculating person, but one who has had to build up walls to protect himself from his family. Serenity is sure she can teach him to love-but can they keep each other safe long enough for him to learn?
Overall it was a great book, drawing the reader into the story and keeping you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. One of my favorites!
April 2, 2025
I read this book in the 90's, even though I rarely read contemporary romances. They're still not one of my favorite genres, yet I reread this and several of Krentz' others every so often. I find them enjoyable, light entertainment.
This particular book is charming and quirky. I like the MCs and the way they slowly get to know each other, peeling off the layers of their lives as the story progresses. But I really like the eccentric people at Whit's End who make up our heroine's extended family. There are plenty of books about tiny towns filled with crazy people and sometimes they're just annoying. After all, I grew up in a very small town and it was mostly full of very ordinary folks. But I like these people, especially Blade, a war veteran who admits to being paranoid but insists he isn't crazy. That may be one of the things that charms me about this book - it turns out everyone can be odd without being actually nuts. I'd like to live in a world where we could follow our passions and be honest about our deepest thoughts and fears without being rejected or labelled by others. Turns out I just need to move to Whit's End, WA. lol
There's some depth to this story, too, with themes of dealing with the past and how we learn to love, and there's a mystery, but mostly for me it's just a good book about interesting people, two of whom happen to fall in love.
"What's odd?"
"How connected we all are with each other, even when we think we're alone in the world, even if we don't particularly want to be connected. It's as if, like it or not, we've got bits and pieces of other people stuck to us. "
This particular book is charming and quirky. I like the MCs and the way they slowly get to know each other, peeling off the layers of their lives as the story progresses. But I really like the eccentric people at Whit's End who make up our heroine's extended family. There are plenty of books about tiny towns filled with crazy people and sometimes they're just annoying. After all, I grew up in a very small town and it was mostly full of very ordinary folks. But I like these people, especially Blade, a war veteran who admits to being paranoid but insists he isn't crazy. That may be one of the things that charms me about this book - it turns out everyone can be odd without being actually nuts. I'd like to live in a world where we could follow our passions and be honest about our deepest thoughts and fears without being rejected or labelled by others. Turns out I just need to move to Whit's End, WA. lol
There's some depth to this story, too, with themes of dealing with the past and how we learn to love, and there's a mystery, but mostly for me it's just a good book about interesting people, two of whom happen to fall in love.
"What's odd?"
"How connected we all are with each other, even when we think we're alone in the world, even if we don't particularly want to be connected. It's as if, like it or not, we've got bits and pieces of other people stuck to us. "
May 14, 2015
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
First published: 1993
Length: 6239 kindle locations.
Setting: Contemporary, Witt's End (maybe Washington State?).
Sex: Not explicit but heated. Infrequent. Protected.
Hero: Advises on startups.
Heroine: Ex-Sociologist Academic now running small grocery store and trying to expand into mail-order catalogue.
The problem with Hidden Talents can be summed up as "more isn't always better".
More characters.
More red herrings.
More plot threads.
More angst.
Add some paranormal and mysterious background...
And you somehow don't get a better book.
Who knew?!?
Here's the thing. I really like Krentz/Castle/Quick. I enjoy her writing style, light touch, strong female characters. The touch of paranormal she adds and quirky characters appeal to my fantasy past.
But Hidden Talents missed the mark. Trying to add all the things just didn't work. It needed a good carving up to slice off the unnecessary and tidy the plots into a cohesive whole.
*disappointed*
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/hidden-tale...
(ISBN ...)
-CR-
First published: 1993
Length: 6239 kindle locations.
Setting: Contemporary, Witt's End (maybe Washington State?).
Sex: Not explicit but heated. Infrequent. Protected.
Hero: Advises on startups.
Heroine: Ex-Sociologist Academic now running small grocery store and trying to expand into mail-order catalogue.
The problem with Hidden Talents can be summed up as "more isn't always better".
More characters.
More red herrings.
More plot threads.
More angst.
Add some paranormal and mysterious background...
And you somehow don't get a better book.
Who knew?!?
Here's the thing. I really like Krentz/Castle/Quick. I enjoy her writing style, light touch, strong female characters. The touch of paranormal she adds and quirky characters appeal to my fantasy past.
But Hidden Talents missed the mark. Trying to add all the things just didn't work. It needed a good carving up to slice off the unnecessary and tidy the plots into a cohesive whole.
*disappointed*
References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/hidden-tale...
(ISBN ...)
-CR-
August 10, 2016
A typical book by Jayne Ann Krentz that she wrote in 90's. Cute, naive virginal heroine, emotionless hero and a love interest from the very beginning. Plus, the suspense part that is naighter very innovative nor well-developed. And, of course, a sweet happy endying, in this case very sweet.
A quick read that you are going to forget about in a month. Nothing special.
A quick read that you are going to forget about in a month. Nothing special.
September 3, 2011
Decent pacing and sense of drama, but the characters didn’t work. The main ones were almost 2 dimensional, while the secondary ones didn’t get that far; they didn’t have quirks, they *were* quirks, waiting for their button to be pushed.
did-not-finish
August 23, 2018Warning: a TSTL heroine
July 22, 2017
Easy listen, complete escape, a little dated but enjoyable.
January 1, 2013
This turned into a much more enjoyable reread than I remembered, actually. It is very much a hero's angst centered book, because Serenity - with all her little hesitations about fitting into normal life - already has found the place she belongs and is fiercely defending it.
I loved the fact that when we meet the two we find out why Caleb has his hangups (horrible guilting from his surviving family, decades of it, while he is doing his best for them and in general, in search of his granddad's approval) and are right then confronted with a situation which pushes all his buttons really fiercely. If he followed his usual m.o. the book would be over after the first twenty pages.
It isn't because he does the first totally atypical thing and regrets having broken off the business relationship with Serenity (whom he fiercely desires, we don't quite understand why at that point). He goes after her, finds a totally spurious reason to force her to hold up to her part of the contract and determinedly puts himself in her space (a bit like a big dog acting fierce) in the hope he'll find a way and regain the ground he has lost.
Serenity and the whole group of people at Witt's End are a pleasure to experience (just fun eccentrics) - I just wish we didn't have two crime scenarios and could concentrate on the romance. Ah well, one was at least necessary to discover the truth about Caleb's past - there's a lovely juxtaposition in the comparison of Serenity's and Caleb's pasts and present.
Caleb is no idiot and when he realizes what Serenity's love and loyalty are worth, he grabs onto her any which way (bar blackmail) overcoming his own prejudices and really emotionally growing up. At the end he knows where he is willing to compromise and where not. Of course it is Serenity (and the fact that his grandfather may be stubborn but is still able to learn from his previous mistakes) who makes Caleb reconcile with his grandfather (that image of the two of them sharing a hottub is just hysterical).
I loved the fact that when we meet the two we find out why Caleb has his hangups (horrible guilting from his surviving family, decades of it, while he is doing his best for them and in general, in search of his granddad's approval) and are right then confronted with a situation which pushes all his buttons really fiercely. If he followed his usual m.o. the book would be over after the first twenty pages.
It isn't because he does the first totally atypical thing and regrets having broken off the business relationship with Serenity (whom he fiercely desires, we don't quite understand why at that point). He goes after her, finds a totally spurious reason to force her to hold up to her part of the contract and determinedly puts himself in her space (a bit like a big dog acting fierce) in the hope he'll find a way and regain the ground he has lost.
Serenity and the whole group of people at Witt's End are a pleasure to experience (just fun eccentrics) - I just wish we didn't have two crime scenarios and could concentrate on the romance. Ah well, one was at least necessary to discover the truth about Caleb's past - there's a lovely juxtaposition in the comparison of Serenity's and Caleb's pasts and present.
Caleb is no idiot and when he realizes what Serenity's love and loyalty are worth, he grabs onto her any which way (bar blackmail) overcoming his own prejudices and really emotionally growing up. At the end he knows where he is willing to compromise and where not. Of course it is Serenity (and the fact that his grandfather may be stubborn but is still able to learn from his previous mistakes) who makes Caleb reconcile with his grandfather (that image of the two of them sharing a hottub is just hysterical).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2023
This is the third time I've read this particular book. When I first read it, I really didn't like it. I thought that it was too corny and trite. However, looking at it a second time I see a lot more depth in the main characters than I did before. Serenity grew up being loved and taken care of by her community. Everyone nurtured her and showered her with love and acceptance. However, she was never taught to take care of the realities and responsibilities of life. In that aspect she had to find the answers herself. Caleb on the other hand was taken in by his family in much the same way. However, was taught about life's realities and pitfalls along with responsibility and duty, but he was never given either acceptance nor love. He also had to stumble through this on his own. Two lost souls who fulfilled each other, and who together created a strong bond of love that would last. This third reading gave me a sense of the character’s feeling, insecurities, and hidden hopes. It wasn’t just their individual talents that were hidden, but their hopes and dreams as well. That's the main premise of the book. Yes it happened amongst crazed boyfriend, a murderer, blackmailer, jealous relatives, obnoxious ex-boyfriends, and a cast of kooky family, friends, and neighbors, but the premise is there - that if you look for it and take a few chances, you can find true love. So I guess the book isn't that corny after all.
March 9, 2022
This book was very interesting. The plot and characters are fairly unique, so I didn’t feel like I was re-reading a book which was nice. It keeps enough details from you that even if you guess who done it you don’t have the whole picture until the end. There’s some subplots and it has nice pacing. The supernatural aspect is very light, so even if you aren’t a paranormal fan I think you’d enjoy.
Overall though it just fell a little short for me. I didn’t think the characters or plot had much depth. It didn’t make me feel emotions. The steamy scenes are sometimes fade to black and never highly detailed. Also, certain things felt unbelievable like the fact that they both kept forgetting about being blackmailed.
Overall though it just fell a little short for me. I didn’t think the characters or plot had much depth. It didn’t make me feel emotions. The steamy scenes are sometimes fade to black and never highly detailed. Also, certain things felt unbelievable like the fact that they both kept forgetting about being blackmailed.
September 12, 2011
Ah, the joys of a happy, fast and fun read. Trashy romance to the rescue! Krentz doesn't always have the most original stories or characters in her contemporary novels (and this one is no exception-- it definitely felt very similar to other titles I've read by her), but her style appeals to me, as do her happy endings. And I enjoy how she often finds ways to include a touch of the fantastic, even in a non-supernatural/paranormal plotline, and she always has a quirky character or two (or, in this case, a whole town). Consistent and fun-- I love that I can always count on Krentz for a bit of happy escape.
June 30, 2018
Let's say it right up front, Jane Ann Krentz is entirely formulaic, but I still love her. I love every straightlaced repressed sports car driving man who needs to have his soul freed by every fey free spirit. This story is sweet. I enjoyed it while sitting out in the beautiful Florida sun. A lovely beach read if you like Krentz.
April 12, 2015
I typically love Jayne Ann Krentz, but this book just wasn't my thing, I guess. It seemed really slow and didn't really catch my interest until about 3/4 of the way through. Probably just me. However - I adored the town, Witt's End. It was a little too quirky to be believable, but it was still quite fun.
October 19, 2016
Love me some old time JAK!
October 28, 2020
Nope, not for me. The h is way too naive and airheaded for me
DNF @ 10%.
DNF @ 10%.
Read
July 15, 2016Serenity Makepeace's father had died in a military training accident during boot camp and her mother had died the day she was born. Her parents had not been married. She was adopted and raised by the community of Witt's End, WA. She lived with Julius Makepeace and his girlfriend, Bethanne. They were currently on their honeymoon having decided that after living together for 15 years that it was time to get married. The community had done well enough for Serenity to have been home schooled and pass her college entrance exams. She had taught at the University for a while and then returned home to the place she discovered she missed. She had eyes the color of a peacock's tail and wild, fiery red hair.
Serenity had come to Seattle to see Caleb Ventress in hopes of getting help establishing an online business that involved the entire community where she lived. Witt's End was a community of artists and crafts people that isolated themselves from the urban population in general. Serenity wanted to expand her grocery store into a catalog business to establish a solid economic base. She was afraid the community was going to die without it.
Caleb Ventress was the son of Gordon Ventress and his mistress, Crystal Brooke. Gordon had left home and vowed to marry his mistress as soon as his divorce was final but both his parents died in a fiery car crash. Caleb was the only survivor and was raised by his grandfather, Roland Ventress from the time he was three months old. Caleb was never allowed to forget that his mother was of bad blood. Caleb was trained to accept his duty as a Ventress. He was sent to college and came home to take over control of the family business. Caleb was known as one of the best start-up consultants in the Pacific Northwest.
Serenity went to see Caleb and told him that someone was attempting to blackmail her over some nude pictures taken of her by one of the locals, Ambrose Asterley. Caleb told her that he would think about becoming involved in helping her find the blackmailer. He was angry that she had posed nude. Serenity was angry at Caleb for not understanding that she had posed nude for the sake of art and nothing else. Caleb had taken the attitude of them being pornographic. Serenity left Seattle thinking that Caleb was through with her and Witt's End.
Serenity had returned home to confront Ambrose and instead found him dead at the bottom of his staircase. It was an apparent accident. He broke his neck in a fall as a result of being drunk. Serenity called the local police and Ambrose's off again, on again, girlfriend, Jesse Blanchard.
Caleb surprised himself and her by following Serenity to Witt's End. Caleb tried to get Serenity to let him stay with her but Serenity allowed him to stay at Julius and Bethanne's place. He and Serenity went to Ambrose's house the following morning to retrieve the pictures that Ambrose had taken and the negatives were missing. They also ran into a man from Seattle claiming that Ambrose owed him money. Caleb suspected that he was there to take some of Ambrose photography equipment and Caleb made Gallagher Firebrace leave with them.
Caleb told Serenity that she was still his client and he was in town to help her prepare her catalog. He insisted on meeting the townspeople and asked them to present their wares to him. He would then listen to their presentation and decide whether or not their product would be included in the catalog. He did his best to establish a relationship with Serenity but she kept backing off after going only so far with him.
Caleb invited her to go to his grandfather's house for his grandfather's birthday and to meet his family. Serenity agreed but felt like she was maybe being used as a pawn to anger his grandfather, Roland Ventress. Caleb argued a bit about that. They didn't stay long at the house where he was raised. Serenity found out that Caleb had a jewelry box that once belonged to his mother and persuaded him to take it with him when he left his grandfather's.
Serenity received a call from one of the professors at Bullington College, Lloyd Radburn. He told Serenity that he wanted to do interviews and study the town of Witt's End. He asked for her help in getting the locals to talk to him. He wanted to visit the caves in town where the hot springs were and have some questions answered regarding statements made that people had visions in the caves. Serenity told him 'no'. He showed up in town and asked for her help again. He was once again told 'no' and he left her house very upset. He told Serenity that she couldn't start her online company until he had done his report on the town. Her plans had to be postponed because her online company wasn't as important as his research.
Lloyd and Serenity had dated and broke off their relationship six months before she met Caleb. There weren't very many people in town Serenity's age. He came to town for research and they spent time together. Serenity broke it off when she found out that she was just another subject for his research.
Zone was one of the newest town residents. She had come to town to escape an abusive boyfriend. She was working one day and Serenity noticed that she was upset. Zone mentioned that she thought that she had seen her ex-fiancée, Royce Kincaid, and thought that he was in town. Zone mentioned that she had seen him the previous night and also on the night that Ambrose died. Serenity asked Ariadne, another resident, if Zone could stay the night with her. She couldn't stay with Serenity because her and Caleb were going to break into Ambrose's place to look through his files.
When Caleb was a baby, someone tried to blackmail his grandfather with pictures of his father and mother. Roland refused to pay the money and the pictures were published in the local paper. It caused quite a scandal. Caleb received a call from his uncle who said that he had sent $5,000 to someone who had threatened to send nude pictures of Serenity to the local paper. The same situation was happening all over again. They found files with a receipt for the money paid to Ambrose well before the date Franklin mentioned having paid the money. Caleb was furious and declared that he was going to give his uncle a call to ask some pointed questions to find out what was going on.
They left Ambrose's house and Blade stopped them. He said that someone had broke into Zone's place. He sent Serenity home and Zone's ex, Royce, was in her house. She tried talking to him, then she turned and scratched his face and kicked him. She got away and ran out of the house. She ran until she got to Blade's dogs. She saw Caleb and told him that Royce was in her house. The dogs, Blade and Caleb couldn't find him in the house so they went to the caves where the hot springs were located. Royce was firing a gun and Caleb turned on the lights in the caves and then turned them off. Caleb turned them on again and Royce reached for his flashlight that he had laid down and slipped and fell into the water. He hit his head and died. The sheriff was then called.
Serenity mentioned to Caleb that she was bothered by the fact that Royce had mentioned that he was in town the night before and had let Zone see him. Zone had mentioned that she thought she saw him the night Ambrose died but Royce hadn't mentioned being in town that night.
Serenity and Caleb went back to Ambrose's place and did some more looking around. They found a receipt for $5,000 for Serenity's pictures made out to Caleb's uncle Franklin. They left the house and Caleb and Serenity left for Roland's the next morning. They confronted the Ventress family and Franklin admitted to purchasing the pictures from Ambrose but not until after he had died. He said that he did it to save the family. The receipt was dated a week before Ambrose died. Caleb told all of them that he was tired of paying for the mistakes his father had made. Roland mentioned that Caleb's father may have acted the way he did because of rumors that his wife was having an affair. He told Caleb that like his father, he would disown him should he choose to marry Serenity. Caleb told him that he was going to stay with Serenity and left. Serenity left inviting Roland to dinner at her place the following week. She felt that Roland sincerely loved Caleb and didn't really want to do this.
Serenity and Caleb returned home and Caleb took another look at the jewelry box he had been given of his mother's and took the lining out. A photo of his mother, father and himself as a baby was behind the mirror. The back of the photo had the name of the studio. The studio belonged to Ambrose and Gallagher Firebrace. They went to find Firebrace's studio in Seattle and found lots of pictures of his mother in black and white covering the inside of the studio. Gallagher showed up with a gun intending to shoot Caleb and then Serenity. Serenity distracted him and Caleb knocked him out. Turns out that Ambrose took the pictures but Gallagher was in love with Crystal and was her photographer when she was alive. He was the person who had tried to blackmail Roland years ago and he had sent the pictures to the newspaper when Roland refused to pay the blackmail. Gallagher had gone to Ambrose because they kept in touch over the years. He decided to try again with the blackmail when he discovered that Ambrose had taken pictures of Serenity and Serenity was dating Crystal's son. Gallagher had snuck into Ambrose's house to take the negatives of Serenity when Ambrose caught him. They got into a fight and Ambrose fell down the stairs, broke his neck and died. He wasn't drunk and Gallagher poured alcohol over him so that it would look like he was drunk, after all, Ambrose was an alcoholic. Gallagher was taken to jail.
Gallagher had also told Caleb that Franklin was having an affair with Patricia, the wife of Caleb's father. Franklin was confronted and admitted to the affair and telling him that he had paid a mechanic to mess with the brakes of their car. Caleb's father and Caleb were supposed to die in the accident, not Patricia. Patricia knew about what had been done and left town. Franklin married someone else and raised a family. He did what was expected of him as a Ventress. He had hated Caleb's father and then Caleb for taking Patricia away from him.
Serenity went to see Roland's housekeeper. She told Delores that Franklin had tried to pay her off to leave Caleb, which his wife had actually called and tried to do. Serenity told her that if he wanted her to leave Caleb, Roland would have to handle it in person. She would expect to see him at dinner later that week.
Then all the events happened and Serenity and Caleb found out all the history behind his parents. They decided that Roland needed to know in order to restore their relationship and change the future to not repeat the past. They decided not to tell Roland about Franklin's involvement. Roland came to dinner and told Caleb that he loved him as he had his son. As they were talking, Blade came by and told Caleb that someone was in Ambrose place. They went to his place and discovered that Jessie, Ambrose' girlfriend, had rented the place to Lloyd. Blade went and knocked on his door to talk to him and Caleb knew that Blade would scare Lloyd from staying in town. It worked and Lloyd left town.
Lloyd ended up doing his research on the town and wrote his research paper from Bullington. He got promoted to Dept. Head at the college. Caleb and Serenity got married and had twins 9 1/2 months later. Serenity went into labor early and there was a storm the night before. They couldn't get to the hospital so the townspeople delivered her babies the same as they had delivered Serenity. Roland was there to help. The catalog business got started and was doing well. Roland was in town to help with work that needed to be done on the warehouse as a result of the storm.
Serenity had come to Seattle to see Caleb Ventress in hopes of getting help establishing an online business that involved the entire community where she lived. Witt's End was a community of artists and crafts people that isolated themselves from the urban population in general. Serenity wanted to expand her grocery store into a catalog business to establish a solid economic base. She was afraid the community was going to die without it.
Caleb Ventress was the son of Gordon Ventress and his mistress, Crystal Brooke. Gordon had left home and vowed to marry his mistress as soon as his divorce was final but both his parents died in a fiery car crash. Caleb was the only survivor and was raised by his grandfather, Roland Ventress from the time he was three months old. Caleb was never allowed to forget that his mother was of bad blood. Caleb was trained to accept his duty as a Ventress. He was sent to college and came home to take over control of the family business. Caleb was known as one of the best start-up consultants in the Pacific Northwest.
Serenity went to see Caleb and told him that someone was attempting to blackmail her over some nude pictures taken of her by one of the locals, Ambrose Asterley. Caleb told her that he would think about becoming involved in helping her find the blackmailer. He was angry that she had posed nude. Serenity was angry at Caleb for not understanding that she had posed nude for the sake of art and nothing else. Caleb had taken the attitude of them being pornographic. Serenity left Seattle thinking that Caleb was through with her and Witt's End.
Serenity had returned home to confront Ambrose and instead found him dead at the bottom of his staircase. It was an apparent accident. He broke his neck in a fall as a result of being drunk. Serenity called the local police and Ambrose's off again, on again, girlfriend, Jesse Blanchard.
Caleb surprised himself and her by following Serenity to Witt's End. Caleb tried to get Serenity to let him stay with her but Serenity allowed him to stay at Julius and Bethanne's place. He and Serenity went to Ambrose's house the following morning to retrieve the pictures that Ambrose had taken and the negatives were missing. They also ran into a man from Seattle claiming that Ambrose owed him money. Caleb suspected that he was there to take some of Ambrose photography equipment and Caleb made Gallagher Firebrace leave with them.
Caleb told Serenity that she was still his client and he was in town to help her prepare her catalog. He insisted on meeting the townspeople and asked them to present their wares to him. He would then listen to their presentation and decide whether or not their product would be included in the catalog. He did his best to establish a relationship with Serenity but she kept backing off after going only so far with him.
Caleb invited her to go to his grandfather's house for his grandfather's birthday and to meet his family. Serenity agreed but felt like she was maybe being used as a pawn to anger his grandfather, Roland Ventress. Caleb argued a bit about that. They didn't stay long at the house where he was raised. Serenity found out that Caleb had a jewelry box that once belonged to his mother and persuaded him to take it with him when he left his grandfather's.
Serenity received a call from one of the professors at Bullington College, Lloyd Radburn. He told Serenity that he wanted to do interviews and study the town of Witt's End. He asked for her help in getting the locals to talk to him. He wanted to visit the caves in town where the hot springs were and have some questions answered regarding statements made that people had visions in the caves. Serenity told him 'no'. He showed up in town and asked for her help again. He was once again told 'no' and he left her house very upset. He told Serenity that she couldn't start her online company until he had done his report on the town. Her plans had to be postponed because her online company wasn't as important as his research.
Lloyd and Serenity had dated and broke off their relationship six months before she met Caleb. There weren't very many people in town Serenity's age. He came to town for research and they spent time together. Serenity broke it off when she found out that she was just another subject for his research.
Zone was one of the newest town residents. She had come to town to escape an abusive boyfriend. She was working one day and Serenity noticed that she was upset. Zone mentioned that she thought that she had seen her ex-fiancée, Royce Kincaid, and thought that he was in town. Zone mentioned that she had seen him the previous night and also on the night that Ambrose died. Serenity asked Ariadne, another resident, if Zone could stay the night with her. She couldn't stay with Serenity because her and Caleb were going to break into Ambrose's place to look through his files.
When Caleb was a baby, someone tried to blackmail his grandfather with pictures of his father and mother. Roland refused to pay the money and the pictures were published in the local paper. It caused quite a scandal. Caleb received a call from his uncle who said that he had sent $5,000 to someone who had threatened to send nude pictures of Serenity to the local paper. The same situation was happening all over again. They found files with a receipt for the money paid to Ambrose well before the date Franklin mentioned having paid the money. Caleb was furious and declared that he was going to give his uncle a call to ask some pointed questions to find out what was going on.
They left Ambrose's house and Blade stopped them. He said that someone had broke into Zone's place. He sent Serenity home and Zone's ex, Royce, was in her house. She tried talking to him, then she turned and scratched his face and kicked him. She got away and ran out of the house. She ran until she got to Blade's dogs. She saw Caleb and told him that Royce was in her house. The dogs, Blade and Caleb couldn't find him in the house so they went to the caves where the hot springs were located. Royce was firing a gun and Caleb turned on the lights in the caves and then turned them off. Caleb turned them on again and Royce reached for his flashlight that he had laid down and slipped and fell into the water. He hit his head and died. The sheriff was then called.
Serenity mentioned to Caleb that she was bothered by the fact that Royce had mentioned that he was in town the night before and had let Zone see him. Zone had mentioned that she thought she saw him the night Ambrose died but Royce hadn't mentioned being in town that night.
Serenity and Caleb went back to Ambrose's place and did some more looking around. They found a receipt for $5,000 for Serenity's pictures made out to Caleb's uncle Franklin. They left the house and Caleb and Serenity left for Roland's the next morning. They confronted the Ventress family and Franklin admitted to purchasing the pictures from Ambrose but not until after he had died. He said that he did it to save the family. The receipt was dated a week before Ambrose died. Caleb told all of them that he was tired of paying for the mistakes his father had made. Roland mentioned that Caleb's father may have acted the way he did because of rumors that his wife was having an affair. He told Caleb that like his father, he would disown him should he choose to marry Serenity. Caleb told him that he was going to stay with Serenity and left. Serenity left inviting Roland to dinner at her place the following week. She felt that Roland sincerely loved Caleb and didn't really want to do this.
Serenity and Caleb returned home and Caleb took another look at the jewelry box he had been given of his mother's and took the lining out. A photo of his mother, father and himself as a baby was behind the mirror. The back of the photo had the name of the studio. The studio belonged to Ambrose and Gallagher Firebrace. They went to find Firebrace's studio in Seattle and found lots of pictures of his mother in black and white covering the inside of the studio. Gallagher showed up with a gun intending to shoot Caleb and then Serenity. Serenity distracted him and Caleb knocked him out. Turns out that Ambrose took the pictures but Gallagher was in love with Crystal and was her photographer when she was alive. He was the person who had tried to blackmail Roland years ago and he had sent the pictures to the newspaper when Roland refused to pay the blackmail. Gallagher had gone to Ambrose because they kept in touch over the years. He decided to try again with the blackmail when he discovered that Ambrose had taken pictures of Serenity and Serenity was dating Crystal's son. Gallagher had snuck into Ambrose's house to take the negatives of Serenity when Ambrose caught him. They got into a fight and Ambrose fell down the stairs, broke his neck and died. He wasn't drunk and Gallagher poured alcohol over him so that it would look like he was drunk, after all, Ambrose was an alcoholic. Gallagher was taken to jail.
Gallagher had also told Caleb that Franklin was having an affair with Patricia, the wife of Caleb's father. Franklin was confronted and admitted to the affair and telling him that he had paid a mechanic to mess with the brakes of their car. Caleb's father and Caleb were supposed to die in the accident, not Patricia. Patricia knew about what had been done and left town. Franklin married someone else and raised a family. He did what was expected of him as a Ventress. He had hated Caleb's father and then Caleb for taking Patricia away from him.
Serenity went to see Roland's housekeeper. She told Delores that Franklin had tried to pay her off to leave Caleb, which his wife had actually called and tried to do. Serenity told her that if he wanted her to leave Caleb, Roland would have to handle it in person. She would expect to see him at dinner later that week.
Then all the events happened and Serenity and Caleb found out all the history behind his parents. They decided that Roland needed to know in order to restore their relationship and change the future to not repeat the past. They decided not to tell Roland about Franklin's involvement. Roland came to dinner and told Caleb that he loved him as he had his son. As they were talking, Blade came by and told Caleb that someone was in Ambrose place. They went to his place and discovered that Jessie, Ambrose' girlfriend, had rented the place to Lloyd. Blade went and knocked on his door to talk to him and Caleb knew that Blade would scare Lloyd from staying in town. It worked and Lloyd left town.
Lloyd ended up doing his research on the town and wrote his research paper from Bullington. He got promoted to Dept. Head at the college. Caleb and Serenity got married and had twins 9 1/2 months later. Serenity went into labor early and there was a storm the night before. They couldn't get to the hospital so the townspeople delivered her babies the same as they had delivered Serenity. Roland was there to help. The catalog business got started and was doing well. Roland was in town to help with work that needed to be done on the warehouse as a result of the storm.
March 9, 2023
HIDDEN TALENTS is an early title by Jayne Ann Krentz. I first read it soon after it was published in 1993 and although it is somewhat dated in style from that period, I still enjoy rereading it on occasion. This was my first time listening to the audio version which was read by Amy McFadden.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. This was perfect for my mood. It is among the books I return to on occasion. And now I have the audio option, as well.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOY THIS; 4= I LIKE THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Serenity Makepeace was born and raised in a small town “off the grid” within the Cascade mountains of Washington state. A small business entrepreneur, Serenity Serenity Makepeace managed to acquire meeting with start-up business consultant Caleb Ventress for the past month. While Serenity currently owns and operates a general store in her town, she has plans to begin a new mail order catalog business as well to reach a larger audience for the products her towns’ people produce and create. Caleb is skeptical regarding the potential success of Serenity’s mail order plans but soon realizes that Serenity is an unique woman who refuses to be waylaid. As Caleb guides Serenity, he finds himself pulled into a number of unusual complications from a lifestyle unlike his own.
Comments ~
1) JAK is a favorite author which I return to whenever I’m in the mood for something light, with a sense of mystery or suspense, strong, unique and intelligent characters, a bit of romance and a HEA. JAK’s novels are generally dialogue driven, include tongue-in-cheek humor and imperfect (and often seasoned) characters.
2) I was very satisfied with Amy McFadden’s reading in HIDDEN TALENTS. I have other audiobooks by her and enjoy her work.
3) HIDDEN TALENTS is an Opposites Attract trope novel. I enjoyed it. It was a quick listen and perfect for my mood. Angst, drama and misunderstandings between the MCs is very minimal. Rather it is the two of them “against the world.”
READER CAUTION ~ Not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several scenes of intimacy occurs (which can easily be bypassed if preferred).
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. This was perfect for my mood. It is among the books I return to on occasion. And now I have the audio option, as well.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOY THIS; 4= I LIKE THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Serenity Makepeace was born and raised in a small town “off the grid” within the Cascade mountains of Washington state. A small business entrepreneur, Serenity Serenity Makepeace managed to acquire meeting with start-up business consultant Caleb Ventress for the past month. While Serenity currently owns and operates a general store in her town, she has plans to begin a new mail order catalog business as well to reach a larger audience for the products her towns’ people produce and create. Caleb is skeptical regarding the potential success of Serenity’s mail order plans but soon realizes that Serenity is an unique woman who refuses to be waylaid. As Caleb guides Serenity, he finds himself pulled into a number of unusual complications from a lifestyle unlike his own.
Comments ~
1) JAK is a favorite author which I return to whenever I’m in the mood for something light, with a sense of mystery or suspense, strong, unique and intelligent characters, a bit of romance and a HEA. JAK’s novels are generally dialogue driven, include tongue-in-cheek humor and imperfect (and often seasoned) characters.
2) I was very satisfied with Amy McFadden’s reading in HIDDEN TALENTS. I have other audiobooks by her and enjoy her work.
3) HIDDEN TALENTS is an Opposites Attract trope novel. I enjoyed it. It was a quick listen and perfect for my mood. Angst, drama and misunderstandings between the MCs is very minimal. Rather it is the two of them “against the world.”
READER CAUTION ~ Not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction.
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - PG.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Several scenes of intimacy occurs (which can easily be bypassed if preferred).
December 2, 2024
I remember this as one of my old JAK faves, and indeed, as I was reading it, I had very clear memories of lots of it. So I was very surprised to see when I checked my trusty spreadsheet that I haven't reread this in the last 22 years, at least! Clearly it made quite an impression way back when.
The start was a bit rough, with a hero who behaved like a bit of an alpha arsehole. I was worried. It wasn't anything truly terrible and unforgivable, but it really required him to see that he had been an arsehole.
The thing is, he did, and soon I was thoroughly enjoying myself. It was a nice enough romance, with the trademark JAK thing of the supposedly hippy heroine being the one that gave the supposedly stable and traditional hero a real grounding. By the end of the story, these two were a real team and worked very well together, and I got the feeling they didn't just feel attraction, but true liking for each other.
The town of Witt's End and its eccentric residents was my favourite thing about the book, though. It was all described with a fond, wry sense of humour, and the dynamics really made sense.
There is also a suspense subplot, and it was actually better done than in other books by this author (usually she's really not very good at it, IMO). The solution wasn't needlessly complex and farfetched, and I actually didn't guess the responsible party, as the red herrings were quite well done.
I definitely won't wait more than 20 years to reread this again.
The start was a bit rough, with a hero who behaved like a bit of an alpha arsehole. I was worried. It wasn't anything truly terrible and unforgivable, but it really required him to see that he had been an arsehole.
The thing is, he did, and soon I was thoroughly enjoying myself. It was a nice enough romance, with the trademark JAK thing of the supposedly hippy heroine being the one that gave the supposedly stable and traditional hero a real grounding. By the end of the story, these two were a real team and worked very well together, and I got the feeling they didn't just feel attraction, but true liking for each other.
The town of Witt's End and its eccentric residents was my favourite thing about the book, though. It was all described with a fond, wry sense of humour, and the dynamics really made sense.
There is also a suspense subplot, and it was actually better done than in other books by this author (usually she's really not very good at it, IMO). The solution wasn't needlessly complex and farfetched, and I actually didn't guess the responsible party, as the red herrings were quite well done.
I definitely won't wait more than 20 years to reread this again.
June 5, 2024
This was different than most of her books that I have read. Serenity Makepeace lives in a hippie/artist/loner type community. She was raised by the town when her mother died. Serenity grew up, went to college, got a degree and tried city living but was so unhappy she came back to the tiny place and vowed to save it from going under. There are no new people or young people and the town is dying.
She decides to save the town by opening an online store to sell local artist wares (she has a grocery store in the town already).
She hires a consultant Caleb Ventress thinking he can smooth the way and get her up and running quickly. He however only takes her consulting job as he wants her.
There are so many mysteries going on I found this book to be TOO LONG, with more editing it could easily have been 100 pages shorter. It's almost like she couldn't decide which storyline to follow so she had a LOT of threads going on but not really necessary to the main plot.
I understand this was an earlier work and thankfully she got so much better! (Arcane Society books).
She decides to save the town by opening an online store to sell local artist wares (she has a grocery store in the town already).
She hires a consultant Caleb Ventress thinking he can smooth the way and get her up and running quickly. He however only takes her consulting job as he wants her.
There are so many mysteries going on I found this book to be TOO LONG, with more editing it could easily have been 100 pages shorter. It's almost like she couldn't decide which storyline to follow so she had a LOT of threads going on but not really necessary to the main plot.
I understand this was an earlier work and thankfully she got so much better! (Arcane Society books).
September 7, 2020
Lots to enjoy in this JAK classic
Not sure what I’m going to do when I finish reading all these JAK classics recently republished as ebooks. This one takes a sympathetic look at an out of the way community of people who don’t feel comfortable in cities. There‘s humour and even sarcasm at times, but it’s usually directed at the POV character themselves or those wanting to exploit the locals.
I suspect JAK had a lot of fun writing this one
Not sure what I’m going to do when I finish reading all these JAK classics recently republished as ebooks. This one takes a sympathetic look at an out of the way community of people who don’t feel comfortable in cities. There‘s humour and even sarcasm at times, but it’s usually directed at the POV character themselves or those wanting to exploit the locals.
”Nope,” Caleb assured him, “I’m not. Us mysterious intruders with dark auras aren’t noted for being reasonable. Not when we’re bent on claiming sacrificial maidens, at any rate.” “Son of a bitch.” Lloyd stalked toward the door. “You business types have no respect for intellectual research.” “And no particular desire to help you get that promotion to department head, either.” Caleb politely stood aside as Lloyd brushed past him.”
I suspect JAK had a lot of fun writing this one
July 15, 2025
It is fun to read 1990's romance to see how writing has changed, usually in how men see women. Thisbone is not too bad in that respect. Four stars for the female characters who have backbone.
Serenity Makepeace was raised in a tiny town near Seattle and she wants to help by making a catalog to sell products ( pre internet folks). She gets a recommendation for a consultant, Caleb Ventross. Due to his upbringing he is very emotionally closed off, so doesn't understand his feelings for her.
This is a murder mystery, romance and a psychological exploration of 2 very different orphan childhoods.
Vintage Krentz books are my go to travel books, which I leave and hope someone else finds and enjoys.
Serenity Makepeace was raised in a tiny town near Seattle and she wants to help by making a catalog to sell products ( pre internet folks). She gets a recommendation for a consultant, Caleb Ventross. Due to his upbringing he is very emotionally closed off, so doesn't understand his feelings for her.
This is a murder mystery, romance and a psychological exploration of 2 very different orphan childhoods.
Vintage Krentz books are my go to travel books, which I leave and hope someone else finds and enjoys.
February 8, 2023
This is a recent release of an older book and it does feel dated- both in subject manner and in the handling of the romance. It's not the worst of this type of book but it's not the best either and overall it is a rather run of the mill tale. The tropes that are often in this type of book are all present- unloved as a child now a controlled and remote man, a "hippie/new age" community, an unhappy and overbearing rich family, and so on.
I have a feeling this will be a book I barely remember a week from now but it was an ok read. I would suggest if you are looking for a romance read that you skip this one and go for a more modern tale.
Overall 2.5
Narrator 4
Story 2.5
I have a feeling this will be a book I barely remember a week from now but it was an ok read. I would suggest if you are looking for a romance read that you skip this one and go for a more modern tale.
Overall 2.5
Narrator 4
Story 2.5
February 2, 2019
Serenity Makepeace hires Caleb Ventress as a business consultant to help her start a mail order business, which she plans to run from the small grocery store she owns in very small Witts End, Washington. As different as Serenity and Caleb appear to be, they are drawn to one another, and Caleb follows Serenity back to Witts End, a small village of eccentric citizens, who are not too sure about Serenity's new business partner, especially when an unexpected death of one of the villagers seems to have a connection to Caleb's past.
January 24, 2020
Cartoony
I love Jayne Anne Krentz but this book was hard to muscle through. The characters are stereotyped to the point of being cartoony. It kept taking me out of the story cause The characters something and my mind would go “oh, for gods sake come on”. The premise is pretty weak. The only reason I finished it was because I have to finish books/movies ect when I start them, compulsion almost. Otherwise I would have set this book down after the first chapter and half and walked away.
I love Jayne Anne Krentz but this book was hard to muscle through. The characters are stereotyped to the point of being cartoony. It kept taking me out of the story cause The characters something and my mind would go “oh, for gods sake come on”. The premise is pretty weak. The only reason I finished it was because I have to finish books/movies ect when I start them, compulsion almost. Otherwise I would have set this book down after the first chapter and half and walked away.
October 18, 2020
Past and future joining
As I usually can say about the authors books, I never read a book
By her that was not great filled with so much excitement and mystery. She is my favorite author for many years with long hours buried in her books and this was just one more. Serenity is a very fitting name and the place is like stepping back in time. The characters are truly what make the story even more interesting.
As I usually can say about the authors books, I never read a book
By her that was not great filled with so much excitement and mystery. She is my favorite author for many years with long hours buried in her books and this was just one more. Serenity is a very fitting name and the place is like stepping back in time. The characters are truly what make the story even more interesting.
February 18, 2021
Images of the past
Another great mystery and love story from MS Krentz! She weaves personality, human nature, characters and story all add up to a great book!. Serenity is a grocery store owner in the northwest town of Witts End who hoped to showcase her towns crafts and goods with an online catalog. When she goes into a partnership with Caleb, a start up consultant, old scandals are exposed threatening the burgeoning partnership.
Another great mystery and love story from MS Krentz! She weaves personality, human nature, characters and story all add up to a great book!. Serenity is a grocery store owner in the northwest town of Witts End who hoped to showcase her towns crafts and goods with an online catalog. When she goes into a partnership with Caleb, a start up consultant, old scandals are exposed threatening the burgeoning partnership.
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