Witchcraft: Last Chance Cafe/Bayou Reunion

by Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Stevens, Rebecca York

Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Stevens, and Rebecca York, released on Feb 21, 2003, is available now for purchase.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Paranormal, Fiction, Witches, Mystery

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

About the author

The 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.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not the best written story nor the best plot. I felt the writing style, conversation, plot and character development were all very immature. When I checked the copyright and found it was published 1985, I wasn't surprised, the entire novel felt like a juvenile attempt. All the conversations between the main characters felt stagnant and lacked movement. I found myself rereading passages to see if the characters had moved at all while speaking and found that they hadn't. In short, the story fell flat, however, I know from reading more recent material produced by the same author that the caliber of writing found in this novel is not representative of her later works.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a Krentz fan, this is by far the worst novel that she has written. After finishing the novel, I noticed that it was published in 1985 and am assuming that it was one of her first novels. DO NOT READ ANYTHING BY HER IN THE 1980's!!! Krentz writes novels in three different genres with three different names. I hate her Amanda Quick romance novels because of how stilted the romance is. This novel definitely reminded me of her Amanda Quick writing. There was supposed to be supernatural elements in this novel (all Krentz novels have supernatural stuff) but the only things was a crazy old woman that thought she had powers but didn't.

There were major issues with the plot as well. The main character, Kim, is used to living on her own and then due to a strange backstory that is never really explained, gets pretty much raped by the other main character Darius Cavenaugh after only knowing him for three days. Then after a week, she is in love with him. They get married and she still doesn't know if he loves her. Wait, what?! An independent woman that is used to being on her own is going to allow a man to rape her and then marry him within the space of a month! I don't think so. Ugh!!!!!!!!!

There is no romance between the two. None. Their conversations are stilted and this is one of the worst romance novels ever.

UGH

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes sweet, somewhat cheesy story by an author that is generally solid and dependable enjoyment. I wouldn't go to a great deal of trouble to obtain the book, but if a copy is available close at hand, it will make an enjoyable afternoon read. Add tea, shortbread, rain, and a cozy couch, and it will go from enjoyable to pleasurable. ;-)

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's easy to recognize this story as one of JAK's earlier works, and not just because the main character uses a typewriter instead of a computer. The writing lacks the polish of her more recent books. Unnecessary adverbs are thrown in everywhere, some things are told rather than shown and the plot as a whole lacks proper pacing. It's a fairly short book (about 200 pages in hardback) and that meant that a lot of the important plot points were explained in a sentence or two before the story jumped forward. Oh, and while the hero wasn't as abusively brutish as some from the period when this was published, he was still infuriatingly arrogant, pushy and totally unwilling to treat the heroine as an adult capable of thinking for herself.



We begin the story with the main character, Kim, receiving a rose with a needle shoved through it. Then for about 20 pages she thinks about calling a man named Cavenaugh because he promised to help her if she ever needed it. Throughout this whole long scene where she repeatedly dials the phone and then hangs up so she can wangst some more about whether or not to contact him, the reader is left completely in the dark as to the nature of their relationship. It doesn't really add anything to the story to keep us confused here, since the explanation is revealed about 1/3 of the way through the book anyway; it just wastes time. When Cavenaugh arrives he basically tries to bully her into coming home with him. Not because he's worried about her but because he's decided he wants to sleep with her. For her part, Kim not only doesn't seem attracted to Cavenaugh during this first scene together, she actually seems afraid of him. Not the best start for a romance.

Once the romance does get rolling, Cavenaugh keeps bringing up the idea that he has to compete with the fictional hero character in the series of books Kim is writing. Over and over he gripes about this in his mind....but never once does Kim bring it up or compare him to the fictional hero. It's all in Cavenaugh's head; a self-inflicted roadblock in their romance.

Likewise with her hang up about men with family responsibilities. Her father abandoned her mother before Kim was born because his rich family didn't approve of the marriage. It's made Kim gun-shy about families and the obligations they bring but she'd pretty much gotten over it by the time she and Cavenaugh start sleeping together. Yet, despite the fact that Kim has already declared her love for Cavenaugh and is sleeping with him every night, he decides that she will never be "truly his" unless she meets with her dead father's parents. Um, what? That makes no sense whatsoever. Kim even tells him, in no uncertain terms, that she never wants to meet the people who ruined her childhood but oh no, this isn't about her; it's about him feeling like he's in full possession of her and he knows what's best! So he secretly arranges a meeting and blindsides her with it on what she thought was meant to be a romantic weekend away.

And his explanation just serves to underline his self-centered thought process. "I just wanted", "I just thought it best if", and so on. Every explanation he gives starts with "I." Never did he stop to consider that she had a right to make this decision for herself and he should respect her choice. And then he treats her like she's being childish and petty when she gets upset.

This is where the poor pacing really interrupts the suspension of disbelief. After Cavenaugh forces this meeting with her grandparents Kim is understandably angry and leaves. But then in the space of a few paragraphs she's completely forgiven him. It just didn't make sense that she'd gotten over it so quickly.

As for the mystery plot, it was pretty weak. The villain's motivations basically boil down to "I'm just plain crazy," which makes for an unsatisfying resolution. I did, however, like that Kim managed to fight off one of the attacks all by herself.

[Angela]

Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz
The longest story in this little collection. I liked it quite a bit, though the witches were neither real supernatural types nor Wicca love the Earth types. Still a fun romance

Last Chance Cafe by Amanda Stevens
I liked the concept of this story quite a lot, and the story itself was pretty good. I think it could have benefitted from a bit more beta reading, to clean up a few confusions that had me flipping back to the beginning a few times.

Bayou Moon by Rebecca York
Dang, I wanted this one to be longer! It is another good concept, but I think it got wrapped up too fast.

[Alicja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything was as it should be. It was logical , understandable. Both, Darius' possessive behavior, resistance Kimberly . Despite the rapid story, to me their every move, every decisionit was clear . It was not invented artificial problems . I was angry when Darius organized a meeting with the grandparents , but absolutely understand him . Just as I understood Kimberly , her anger and forgiveness . I expected a long injury to Darius , but it would be possible with a long history. His apologized was wonderfully . Everything was so natural , normal.

[Fabiola Chenet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A JAK's book always does me good between two "unavoidable-readings". :)

[Tairyn Ayala · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. this book didn't make sense to me. It was beyond eye rolling. Especially the sex scenes. I cannot believe this author is a best selling author.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kimberly Sawyer: a loner; father deserted/divorced from-the-wrong-side of the tracks mom when his wealthy parents threatened to cut off his money if he didn't; she is independent (likes making eggs the way she likes them, hot sauce and all); a successful writer, who isolates herself in various cabins through the year; 2 months earlier, she ended up rescuing a kidnapped child who was being held in the cabin next to her rental (the child tells them witches took him) - and the kidnapper's wealthy family offered to give her anything - just call;

Darius Cavenaugh: a wealthy man; he and friend ran import/export business, where their imports were often military secrets - until two years earlier when his father died, and the family needed him; they took over the almost bankrupted family vineyard, his sister needs to dump her no-good, money sucking husband, his nephew needs a positive role model, his mother is lost...;

Kimberly is frightened by a rose left on her doorstep...when it opens up there is thick needle in its middle... she calls Darius, a woman answers, she says wrong number... later that afternoon, she calls and hangs up... she doesn't need a man; and Darius shows up on her doorstep;
Darius hasn't stopped thinking of her, and was planning on going to her... and he figured out that she called, so decides now is the time... reluctantly she confides in him, and he (being dominant) insists she return to his home until bad guys are caught.

She reluctantly goes with him, after seeing a masked face with a sacrificial knife through back window;

Once in his home - his very busy home - she steps in a few days in to organize and delegate his duties (nephew can wait until evening to set up trains, mom & sister can review guest list and get
invitations out, etc) ; and the two get closer... both emotionally and physically...

and it ends up a cousin twice removed, who has been mooching for a year, a witch & fortune teller, planned the kidnapping for money... and they successfully overcome her and her minions when they try to sacrifice Kimberly...

[Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book was a mixed bag of likes and dislikes. I LOVED the dialogue. It flowed so naturally and was so crisp and fresh and wonderful. And the plot wasn't bad, necessarily. I wasn't a fan of how Krentz had the witch thing set up, though--it was about as far from realistic as possible and there were some major loopholes involved. And I also disliked Dare's personality. He hides behind the excuse that he's just a man and that's how he thinks, but he's so idiotic and arrogant and he never really takes the time to stop and put himself in other people's shoes. That's not something only people with vaginas are capable of doing and it irritated me until I lost interest with them getting together. I can already tell this book wouldn't have a sequel, because with their personalities (and Darius's flaws) the couple's gonna divorce within 3 years.

[Entildagmail.com · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never hated a romance book hero or heroine more. The hero is an absolute jerk who railroads and does not even understand what he did wrong, simply rapes the heroine to get her to accept and she is an absolute idiot despite her supposed "independence" who allows an asshole to railroad her. I usually have a pretty high threshold for romance novels. They are afterall romance novels and I expect to sort of suspend reality while I enjoy a fantasy. But this was an absolute horror. In fact, should be marketed as horror novels in the genre of things that happen to smart women when they fall in love with jerks.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually love JAK but I absolutely HATED every word of this book. The "mystery" was completely asinine. The "hero" was the biggest prick I'd ever read and the "heroine" was completely incomprehensible. Her actions were completely ridiculous and she was an absolute, giant WIMP!!!!! The whole book was completely stupid!

[Miscelleana Tsalikis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! There were plenty of steamy scenes, but that wasn't what carried the book, as any good book with romance shouldn't. The relationship between the two was enjoyable to read and quite hilarious. The book started abruptly, but it was very smooth. I loved the characters. I wonder if there is one to follow this one...

[LInda L · Rating 1 out of 5]

The sex scenes in this book give new meaning to the phrase "purple prose". I know Krentz has written better because I've read some of them. This was awful - the dialogue was stilted and silly, the story was pretty bad. Avoid this one.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me a chapter or two before I realised what I was reading...wow I remember reading harlequin as a young adult but I dont remember it being this bad when it came to the sex/romance scenes...I am sure the author is a good one looking at previous reviews but gosh this was terrible!

[Scrinam Hotentort · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love anthologies because it introduces me to other writers

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

audio book. I hated the heroine.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Total trash. Confirmed for me why I don't read romance novels. What drivel!

[Cynthia Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story though Cavenaugh's pretty overbearing and that ruled him out as hero material for me

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book one of the best book i have read about witchcraft good job Jayne Ann Krentz

[Rachel Merrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

So. Incredibly. Boring.

[Tambra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Jayne, Amanda Stevens and Ruth York all great writers. Great stories in all these .

[Regina Potter · Rating 1 out of 5]

The whole book felt drawn out. I mostly skimmed through the book than read it. Also, it really has nothing to do with witchcraft or mystery. Its just a very corny, boring, love story.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb. That’s all I have to say. Poor set up. No background or setting

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of her earlier ones but a very good mystery. I didn't see it coming at the end !!

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the hell..
I don't have a lot of things to say with this review because I dnf-ed the book. Let's just say that I grew tired of the heroine's redundant tendency to say:

"Pardon me,Cavenaugh.
"I make my own decisions, Cavenaugh...."
"Ah,Cavenaugh, please...."
"I was scared to death earlier. Glad you were here,Cavenaugh. Very glad..."
"Cavenaugh, are you in there?"
"Not bad Cavenaugh. Not bad at all..."

Seems like every time she opens her mouth, the name "Cavenaugh" is present.
Did she ever called him by his first name? Heck I don't know. I dnf-ed the book right?


And good gods. These two seems to have some psychic mojo when it comes to each other's businesses.

As far as I've read, Kim called Cavenaugh to asked for help, but at the last minute she decided not to.
Cavenaugh, bless his heart, just drove some indefinite hours to Kim's house because he knew that it was Kim who tried to call him....

Well, knew my ass! You're a winemaker, not a psychic.That call might come from a telemarketer or a someone selling religion! I smell shenanigans!

Gaaah.

This book, added with the MayPac fight I watched earlier just ruined my mood. Well fuck this shit. I'm getting a chocolate sundae.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book up, I didn't realize it was actually an anthology from years and years ago. The Jayne Anne Krentz story was obviously the main attraction since it was easily three times the length of the other two stories.

I thoroughly enjoyed Witchcraft by Jayne Ann Krentz. There was just enough suspense, emotional upheaval, family issues and romance to make a compelling story that keeps you reading to see how it all meshes together. It may have been written in 1985 but it certainly wasn't dated - well except for that one scene where the hero stopped at a pay phone.

I also enjoyed Amanda Stevens entree Last Chance Cafe which was short (less than 100 pages) but packed with plenty of details to flesh out the characters and the plot.

However, the final story Bayou Moon was awful. Rebecca York has always been a go-to author for me but the last few books I've read have been terrible. And granted this 50+ page tale was written in 2003 so maybe it was a freshman effort. It was trite, wholly predictable and totally unbelievable.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointing read, but then I realized is was an early Jayne Ann Krentz book. She certainly has matured as a writer. I can see elements of her later books here - the macho, controlling hero; the independent, confident modern woman. However, Darius is just too controlling and overbearing.

Her heroes have improved (not a whole lot for this day and age - the still tend to be macho, controlling, over-protective and bossy). Kim is also a bit wishy-washy as a "modern" woman - standing up for herself on one hand then then submitting to Darius on the other. It wasn't a horrible read. Just not a very good one.

Easy too - I finished the night I started it. Wasn't a very long book.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another JAK oldie. Kim is a writer of romantic suspense and happened to rescue Dare's nephew from kidnappers a couple of months ago. After a couple of unsettling incidents including a cowled figure with a silver dagger at her kitchen window, Kim decided to take up on Dare's offer to stay at his Napa Valley vineyards for a time while they find out if those incidents are related to the kidnapping.

Kim has been a loner most of her life and find Dare's large and boisterous household a bit too much. Dare, on the other hand, thinks Kim's ideal man (from her books) is just a bit too unrealistic, but somehow he seems to just know she's in danger (just like her fictional hero)...but hey, this is fiction too!

A short and good read.