Grand Passion

Rating:
Summary: JAK has another winner
Review: Award winning authoress Jayne Ann Krentz, who also is known by Amanda Quick for her historical romance novels, gives us exactly what this title indicates--grand passion. Flavoring her settings with descriptive tones of wealth and art add to Cleopatra Robbins (the central character)sensual and suspenseful predicament with handsome yet snobbish Max Fortune.

I especially enjoyed scenes involving "The Mirror"--a book which Cleo is writing that unmasks her hidden desires of erotica. And, you just know Max will buy into that, along with attempting to discover hidden art treasures.

A fun, well written book which even authoress Sandra Brown commented, "Grand Passion is Krentz at her best...with the snappy dialouge that has become her trademark and a cast of characters you want to know personally."

Thanks for your interest & comment votes--CDS

Rating:
Summary: "Quick" -- Read Krentz!
Review: Award winning authoress Jayne Ann Krentz, who also is known by Amanda Quick for her historical romance novels, gives us exactly what this title indicates--grand passion. Flavoring her settings with descriptive tones of wealth and art add to Cleopatra Robbins (the central character)sensual and suspenseful predicament with handsome yet snobbish Max Fortune.

I especially enjoyed scenes involving "The Mirror"--a book which Cleo is writing that unmasks her hidden desires of erotica. And, you just know Max will buy into that, along with attempting to discover hidden art treasures.

A fun, well written book which even authoress Sandra Brown commented, "Grand Passion is Krentz at her best...with the snappy dialouge that has become her trademark and a cast of characters you want to know personally."

Thanks for your interest & comment votes--CDS

Rating:
Summary: Love, Family, and a Sense of Belonging
Review: Cynical and uptight, Max Fortune, head of the giant Curzon Hotel chain, arrives at the quaint Robbins' Nest Inn. Max is searching for five priceless paintings bequeathed to him by his mentor, Jason Curzon. The inn is where Jason had directed him to seek out the works of art. What he discovers during his stay is his attraction to the inn's owner, Cleopatra Robbins, and the importance of belonging to a family. Cleo lovingly refers to her staff members as "the family", and they do support each other as such. Max, who has no family, has spent his life working for money and power in an effort to fit in somewhere. As Max searches for the paintings, his relationship with Cleo intensifies, and he begins to realize his mentor intended for him to find another type of treasure at this little inn. But he feels Cleo is hiding something from him, plus it appears someone wants her out of the way permanently.

This was, for the most part, a satisfying reading experience. It contained many of the elements of a great story, such as romance, intrigue, depth of feeling, well-developed characters, and sexual tension. The main and secondary characters were all likeable, and it was a nice touch that the hero wasn't physically perfect, since he walked with the aid of a cane. The mystery was well done, because while I had figured out part of it, I wasn't able to figure out all of it for quite some time. Probably my only complaint would be, I would've liked more description of the love scenes. They had real possibility, but fell short after all that buildup to get there. Not a book I feel compelled to read again, but enjoyable all the same.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: I had this book laying around for 2 years before I decided to actually begin reading it. It just didn't seem like my type of book, but when I started reading it, I couldnt stop. Cleo's character is very lovable. I had just gotten done reading a JAK book before this one that was not very good, so I was hoping to come across a novel by her that I would enjoy. Well, I've found it! This book is packed with love, humor, suspense, and anything else that makes up a good novel. Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Rating:
Summary: Great fun!
Review: I have read several Krentz books, and I love how she makes me smile through the whole book. Even though I figured out the mystery of the paintings, I loved the relationship between Cleo and Max. This was one of her best in my opinion.

Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!
Review: I loved this book! I fell in love with Cleo, Max and "the family". This book had everything- romance, seduction, true love, humor, action, and suspense. It was so good that I read it twice. Krentz definitely lived up to her reputation of creating the best. You'll love this book!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Jayne Ann Krentz has done it again with this delightful, charming book. As always, the characters in this book are stunning! They are very dynamic and true-to-life and they are people you'd want to know. Cleo is a down-to-Earth woman with an underlying sensuality that she is desperate to bring forth. Max is successful in everything he tries, everything that is, except relationships. He is searching for a place he fits in. He finds that place in a remote inn known as the Robbins' Nest Inn. Robbins' Nest is peopled with a group of characters who call themselves 'the family' and are funny, warm and complex. These delightful denizens are headed up by the Inn owner, Cleo Robbins.

Here, among these people, Max finds the love and acceptance he has been searching for all his life. Cleo and 'the family' take him in and add him to the bunch almost instantly. With their help he learns that being part of a family isn't about when you mess up, it's about being there. Watching Max break out of his shell and flourish under Cleo's love and the love of 'the family' is heartwarming.

There is a mystery that plays throughout the book and unlike usual, I had half of it figured out almost instantly. The other part of the mystery, nevertheless, kept me guessing until the end.

However, the mystery is not the driving force of this book as is most times the case. The tone of this story is definitely self-discovery. Watching Cleo and Max discover each other and learn things about themselves is wonderful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The humor, the passion, and the love were touching and kept me interested right from the first. One of the best by Ms. Krentz in any of her many incarnations. I am always pleasantly surprised by the high quality and wonderful characters in Ms. Krentz's books. Buy this book now -- you won't be disappointed!

Rating:
Summary: must read!!!
Review: This is my favorite book --- i must have read it 5-6 times & listened to the audio just as much! I love Max & Cleo & the whole Robins Nest Inn family !!

Rating:
Summary: Passion????
Review: Where exactly was the grand passion between Cleo and Max? There was no building up of passion, no sexual tension, no clandestine desires. Events evolved very quickly. Both Cleo and Max had no depth, no mystery. Even when Cleo lost her virginity to Cleo, it was presented in such a nonchalant manner.

Very disappointing.