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Gambler's Woman
Dark, dangerous Jordan Kyle lived life on his own terms, setting his own rules and playing for high stakes. He’d moved through this world alone, and was satisfied to have it that way—until he encountered Alyssa Chandler. By day Alyssa was a cool, controlled mathematical whiz, sorting through facts and figures. By night it was a different story. At night she became a creature of beauty and passion who was more than a match for Jordan. But were Jordan’s seductive caresses enough for Alyssa to take a chance on a future together? Only time would tell…
Audio CD
First published February 1, 1984
34 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
398 books7,189 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 66 reviews
May 3, 2012
This was such a bizarre story - and not in a good way. It was down right awful. The hero was such a jerk that I kept waiting for her to get the restraining order and kick him and his dominating angry temper to the curb. But nooooooo, this brilliant modern woman must like the abuse - despite her desire for a good decent loving man. This book implies that he is a good man, but the story never shows it. And within a matter of days she turns her entire life upside down to be in this sick codependent relationship. I realize JAK is a popular author, but this early book of hers is not a great place to start if you want to read a book by her. They fall in love, but you never know why. He's emotionally abusive to the point of serial-killer scary, but she finds him charming. Ugh. She desperately wants a promotion, and then on whim (or what feels like a whim) she changes her tune completely. It's a bizarre awful book. Not my cuppa.
April 8, 2020
"Gambler's Woman" is the story of Alyssa and Jordan.
A nice read with a OTT obsessed and possessive H and a confused h. She leads a double life- a businesswoman during the day, a gambler at night. Prowling Las Vegas steadily, making small winnings in order to not raise any alarms, she is soon met by the H, a professional gambler. There is instant attraction, which culminates in a passionate night. However, the H soon lays his claim, explaining that he would not let her go, and their relationship will not be an illusion. How the h copes with both worlds when they collide forms the story.
An average book overall with a unique plot- however, there were a few inconsistencies and a bit of indecisiveness in the h. The ending was sweet but I wished for a lot more. I totally get the negative reviews because the H was quite controlling and crazy, but hey, it didn't bother me that much as much as the lack of angst did.
Safe
2.75/5
A nice read with a OTT obsessed and possessive H and a confused h. She leads a double life- a businesswoman during the day, a gambler at night. Prowling Las Vegas steadily, making small winnings in order to not raise any alarms, she is soon met by the H, a professional gambler. There is instant attraction, which culminates in a passionate night. However, the H soon lays his claim, explaining that he would not let her go, and their relationship will not be an illusion. How the h copes with both worlds when they collide forms the story.
An average book overall with a unique plot- however, there were a few inconsistencies and a bit of indecisiveness in the h. The ending was sweet but I wished for a lot more. I totally get the negative reviews because the H was quite controlling and crazy, but hey, it didn't bother me that much as much as the lack of angst did.
Safe
2.75/5
January 7, 2021
2.5 stars. Once I started the audiobook, I realized I had read this a long time ago. This one does not stand the test of time. The hero is just too much of a caveman and the storyline was off.
August 29, 2013
The site I picked this audiobook up from marked it as a recent publication. After listening a while, I started digging into that assertion because it was... bad. Bad in a way that was way more common back in the day. Also, I kept wondering why they didn't have cell phones. So yeah, originally published in the early 1980s the sexism of this book was gratingly bad. Jordan is an abusive jerktard and that Alyssa didn't immediately show him the door (and call in police protection if needed) just didn't work out for me...
August 5, 2018
I had forgotten Jacob's review. :(
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
JAK's earlier books are pretty bad either in gender roles characterization (and I can sometimes forgive that) or in the terrible writing style (cheesy, corny, purple and often copy and pasted from her other romances). They're often both.
This was mostly awfully written (in the come into me, darling variety) It was a pretty painful read.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
JAK's earlier books are pretty bad either in gender roles characterization (and I can sometimes forgive that) or in the terrible writing style (cheesy, corny, purple and often copy and pasted from her other romances). They're often both.
This was mostly awfully written (in the come into me, darling variety) It was a pretty painful read.
March 21, 2018
At the very beginning I couldn't stop thinking that I have already read this book, which is nearly impossible since I note every book I read meticulously. Still, I had an impression that I somehow know it. So either I indeed already read it and missed to notice it or this book was so similar to some other one that I had a déjà vu.
It is a really short story with the idea of the lust at first sight. More like a category romance than a full contemporary romance. That is why, it is lacking in character and plot development. The events go so quickly that there is no place for any explanations or descriptions. The motives of the characters' actions are unclear.
At the beginning I just couldn't believe that Jordan can be a hero and I was expecting him to turn out to be a villain and for Alyssa to meet a real hero. Well, you can say that I am not very fond of Jordan, he is a possessive caveman with more than a little bit of alpha attitude who thinks a woman is his property. I can not respect a man who is likely to give his woman a lesson or to punish her for her believes. And Alyssa… I don't think I have any feelings about her, she just isn't described enough for me to know her.
Also, some of the expressions connected with gambling sound so funny I couldn't stop laughing. Especially when used as a part of dialogue when Alyssa and Jordan have sex. In fact, all the bed talks and other dialogues between Jordan and Alyssa are rather silly and eye-rolling.
I can't say that I liked this book, I rolled my eyes too many times.
It is a really short story with the idea of the lust at first sight. More like a category romance than a full contemporary romance. That is why, it is lacking in character and plot development. The events go so quickly that there is no place for any explanations or descriptions. The motives of the characters' actions are unclear.
At the beginning I just couldn't believe that Jordan can be a hero and I was expecting him to turn out to be a villain and for Alyssa to meet a real hero. Well, you can say that I am not very fond of Jordan, he is a possessive caveman with more than a little bit of alpha attitude who thinks a woman is his property. I can not respect a man who is likely to give his woman a lesson or to punish her for her believes. And Alyssa… I don't think I have any feelings about her, she just isn't described enough for me to know her.
Also, some of the expressions connected with gambling sound so funny I couldn't stop laughing. Especially when used as a part of dialogue when Alyssa and Jordan have sex. In fact, all the bed talks and other dialogues between Jordan and Alyssa are rather silly and eye-rolling.
I can't say that I liked this book, I rolled my eyes too many times.
August 11, 2016
I should have guessed I wouldn't like it since the setting is something I don't enjoy "casinos and gambling" but I thought I'd give it a try anyways but at the end I wasn't grabbed by the book , the plot was a bit boring to me and the characters weren't intriguing or even a bit interesting , they lacked chemistry and likeability. Alyssa contradicted herself sometimes especially at the end of the book , maybe if it was done in a slower pace it would have made sense but instead her job turned from the most important thing she has into " I couldn't care less about it " I wasn't convinced. Jordan was a jerk and embarrassed her more than once in situations he had no right to interfere in , he was obnoxious. The whole gambling thing was handled very distastefully I thought there would be consequences for their actions but nothing happened , the whole thing was pictured as perfectly normal and okay. Not my kind of book.
April 28, 2013
Page 200
It’s only when a book really disappoints or ticks me off that I write a review about it before I finish it. This one is ticking me off. I'm not sure how Krentz can salvage Jordan’s obsessive behavior. Even if Alyssa and Jordan had been friends or in a relationship for a long time, he couldn’t get away with his threats. His jealousy is ugly, not appealing or flattering to Alyssa in the least. I’m going to finish the book because I’m interested in seeing how it can work out – or if it only gets weirder. But I’m pretty sure no matter how it ends, this book gets a 1.
Finished.
Trite ending…bad dialogue…and no explanation for why Jordan was so creepy in the beginning...definitely a 1.
It’s only when a book really disappoints or ticks me off that I write a review about it before I finish it. This one is ticking me off. I'm not sure how Krentz can salvage Jordan’s obsessive behavior. Even if Alyssa and Jordan had been friends or in a relationship for a long time, he couldn’t get away with his threats. His jealousy is ugly, not appealing or flattering to Alyssa in the least. I’m going to finish the book because I’m interested in seeing how it can work out – or if it only gets weirder. But I’m pretty sure no matter how it ends, this book gets a 1.
Finished.
Trite ending…bad dialogue…and no explanation for why Jordan was so creepy in the beginning...definitely a 1.
April 9, 2017
This book was so terrible, it deserves negative stars!
Yes, the dialogue made me gag at times. Yes, there was insta-love based on similar skills with cards and a couple of orgasms, but basically nothing else. Yes, the idea that neither the hero (using the term extremely loosely) and heroine ever lost while gambling, unless they wanted to, is idiotic. Yes, there were way too much descriptions of food and drink (how many times did she mention that f-ing mushroom tart?!?). Yes, they got married after knowing each other for 7 days.
None of that bothered me over much. Give it a one star rating and move on to something else.
The thing that made me rage against the heroine and wonder how this book was ever published, even back in 83, was the fact that the "hero" was a classic controlling abusive boyfriend/husband. How can this be a happy ending when our hero, to the very end, is unrepentantly controlling and possessive??
After meeting and spending ~48 hours together in Vegas, our hero's reaction to the heroine pushing back their next rendezvous in Vegas by 12 hours is insane. He shows up unannounced on her doorstep the evening before they're to meet again and forces his way inside. Why didn't he return any of her phone calls all week? He was so angry at her schedule change that he couldn't think about her without wanting to beat her. He was sure she was cheating on him with another man. And though he's calmed down some, he might still beat her later. WTF??!!?? It doesn't get any better -- he continues to manipulate and control the heroine throughout the book.
I really enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's books in general, but this very early work should be buried deep and never see the light of day again!!
Yes, the dialogue made me gag at times. Yes, there was insta-love based on similar skills with cards and a couple of orgasms, but basically nothing else. Yes, the idea that neither the hero (using the term extremely loosely) and heroine ever lost while gambling, unless they wanted to, is idiotic. Yes, there were way too much descriptions of food and drink (how many times did she mention that f-ing mushroom tart?!?). Yes, they got married after knowing each other for 7 days.
None of that bothered me over much. Give it a one star rating and move on to something else.
The thing that made me rage against the heroine and wonder how this book was ever published, even back in 83, was the fact that the "hero" was a classic controlling abusive boyfriend/husband. How can this be a happy ending when our hero, to the very end, is unrepentantly controlling and possessive??
After meeting and spending ~48 hours together in Vegas, our hero's reaction to the heroine pushing back their next rendezvous in Vegas by 12 hours is insane. He shows up unannounced on her doorstep the evening before they're to meet again and forces his way inside. Why didn't he return any of her phone calls all week? He was so angry at her schedule change that he couldn't think about her without wanting to beat her. He was sure she was cheating on him with another man. And though he's calmed down some, he might still beat her later. WTF??!!?? It doesn't get any better -- he continues to manipulate and control the heroine throughout the book.
I really enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's books in general, but this very early work should be buried deep and never see the light of day again!!
January 19, 2016
Originally published in 1983, Gambler's Woman hasn't stood the test of time very well after two decades. As a result, what I would have rated as either a 4 or 5 star story back in the 80s, is now only worthy of an okay rating. For example, the hero unexpectedly showing up to crash a party hosted by the heroine for her boss and co-workers would have been wildly romantic and dashing. Nothing like back in the day of 80s romances of having the hero stake his claim in front of potential competition as to the fact that the heroine is "his woman." This whole scenario now seems slightly creepy given that the hero only knows where the heroine lives because he was pawing through her wallet after a night of hubba hubba. Eeesh. In spite of elements such at that, the book as a whole was a pleasant read if only to see how the greatness that is Jayne Ann Krentz has developed as a writer.
May 21, 2013
Jordan sounds like he could be a sexy hero, but as you read on, you realize he's controlling, a complete jerk and probably a future-abusive mate. He shows up uninvited at her house and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get his way. Then he accuses any guy who talks to her of having an affair with the heroine. Could have been a better romance if he was more likable and not a psychopath in the making.
November 21, 2013
.... ha .... wtf? ....
By the middle of the book i expected the "good guy" to show up and save the silly heroine from the beating Jordan gives her. It still felt like the guy was on edge when only a quarter of the book was left. And then BAM! they were in love ....
Left me open-mouthed and frustrated (in a bad way).
By the middle of the book i expected the "good guy" to show up and save the silly heroine from the beating Jordan gives her. It still felt like the guy was on edge when only a quarter of the book was left. And then BAM! they were in love ....
Left me open-mouthed and frustrated (in a bad way).
November 21, 2008
This, seriously, may be the worst book I have ever picked up. Never finished it.
February 17, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Originally published in 1983 by Stephanie James; Re-issued under Jayne Ann Krentz
This was a fun little jaunt. Hard to believe it’s forty this year!
Alyssa Chandler has a legitimate job as a statistician. But, lately, she has been exploring the world of probability studies in casinos on the weekends. And she has been winning. Nothing excessive, because it’s not a compulsion, in fact she tosses in a loss every now and then. She factors that into her play.
Jordan Kyle is a professional gambler. Full stop. It’s not a compulsion for him either, just a way to make a living, that affords him the travel and acquisitions he wants. But when he spots Alyssa, he realizes something else - he is lonely. So he sets out to make her realize she is lonely, too. And that’s when it becomes dangerous.
In the world of mathematics, gambling is given short shrift. It is dismissed and despised, as a vulnerability that brings people to ruin. There are only two paths to respectability, academia or business. And Alyssa is fast approaching a crossroad, as she is up for a promotion, that would give her title and prestige unless her gambling becomes known. So of course, her two worlds collide.
When Jordan insists on partnering her in her “real” world, impressing her boss and coworkers after she introduced him as a probability consultant, Alyssa is forced to look at what she wants. In looking, she is confronted with choices of who she wants to be and, perhaps, more importantly why.
After a competitor tries to blackmail her, and Jordan helps clarify what’s at stake, Alyssa makes her choice.
The age of the book shows in interesting ways; there is no mention of protection by either party, Jordan is strongly aggressive in establishing their relationship without much context, and the issue of marriage comes up in only the second interaction with her boss. ::eyeroll:: But, Stephanie James is an old friend in that those books were my first introduction to the worlds of JAK. And, as a herald of the new era of romance as a genre growing up, this book still has a place. Anachronistic language aside, there is still a satisfying tale and HEA here. Enjoy.
Originally published in 1983 by Stephanie James; Re-issued under Jayne Ann Krentz
This was a fun little jaunt. Hard to believe it’s forty this year!
Alyssa Chandler has a legitimate job as a statistician. But, lately, she has been exploring the world of probability studies in casinos on the weekends. And she has been winning. Nothing excessive, because it’s not a compulsion, in fact she tosses in a loss every now and then. She factors that into her play.
Jordan Kyle is a professional gambler. Full stop. It’s not a compulsion for him either, just a way to make a living, that affords him the travel and acquisitions he wants. But when he spots Alyssa, he realizes something else - he is lonely. So he sets out to make her realize she is lonely, too. And that’s when it becomes dangerous.
In the world of mathematics, gambling is given short shrift. It is dismissed and despised, as a vulnerability that brings people to ruin. There are only two paths to respectability, academia or business. And Alyssa is fast approaching a crossroad, as she is up for a promotion, that would give her title and prestige unless her gambling becomes known. So of course, her two worlds collide.
When Jordan insists on partnering her in her “real” world, impressing her boss and coworkers after she introduced him as a probability consultant, Alyssa is forced to look at what she wants. In looking, she is confronted with choices of who she wants to be and, perhaps, more importantly why.
After a competitor tries to blackmail her, and Jordan helps clarify what’s at stake, Alyssa makes her choice.
The age of the book shows in interesting ways; there is no mention of protection by either party, Jordan is strongly aggressive in establishing their relationship without much context, and the issue of marriage comes up in only the second interaction with her boss. ::eyeroll:: But, Stephanie James is an old friend in that those books were my first introduction to the worlds of JAK. And, as a herald of the new era of romance as a genre growing up, this book still has a place. Anachronistic language aside, there is still a satisfying tale and HEA here. Enjoy.
June 30, 2020
Aish I wrote a review and it somehow was an update and not a review, but, okay let me try again.
The initial premise of the story is sort of interesting: Alyssa meets Jordan Kyle in the fancy schmancy setting of a casino and he seems overly taken with her. Or even a little obsessive. Increasingly Kyle’s actions make the reader uncomfortable because he seems rather forceful and masks it under his seductive, “gentle” manner. When Kyle takes the liberty to go through Alyssa’s things to find out about her, it makes all the alarm bells go off in my head because that’s downright invasive? Kyle’s character is presented as charming, handsome and seductive - which the 14 year old me bought and believed - but reading this again makes me wonder if he’s mildly psychotic?
Anyway much of the book passes mildly pointlessly and flatly and Kyle just gets more irritating with his strange mood changes that makes me more wary on Alyssa’s behalf and I gave up half way through. Try as I might, I could not relocate what ever fascinating elements of this book that once charmed me in my teenhood.
The initial premise of the story is sort of interesting: Alyssa meets Jordan Kyle in the fancy schmancy setting of a casino and he seems overly taken with her. Or even a little obsessive. Increasingly Kyle’s actions make the reader uncomfortable because he seems rather forceful and masks it under his seductive, “gentle” manner. When Kyle takes the liberty to go through Alyssa’s things to find out about her, it makes all the alarm bells go off in my head because that’s downright invasive? Kyle’s character is presented as charming, handsome and seductive - which the 14 year old me bought and believed - but reading this again makes me wonder if he’s mildly psychotic?
Anyway much of the book passes mildly pointlessly and flatly and Kyle just gets more irritating with his strange mood changes that makes me more wary on Alyssa’s behalf and I gave up half way through. Try as I might, I could not relocate what ever fascinating elements of this book that once charmed me in my teenhood.
April 21, 2020
Gambler's Woman (Paperback)
by Jayne Ann Krentz (Goodreads Author) (aka Stephanie James)
This book is one of her very early ones, 1983 to be exact, and it is reflective of the romance genre of the time. i.e. Woman can't control herself around "the man", can't say no or stand up for herself. I will say that it starts out with a very predictable "Harlequin Romance" formula: girl meets boy, falls into bed or loses all common sense because of the boy, can't assert herself, etc. Near the end she finally makes a stand and guy acts like a human instead of an arrogant ass. And since this is one of Krentz's early books, the dialog is not as engaging as her more current work. Some of it is truly gag-worthy. :) That's why I wasn't in a hurry to finish the book but now I'm done and can move on.
Fortunately, I read pretty much all of her other books before one this, I was just desperate for a new book by Krentz to read.
by Jayne Ann Krentz (Goodreads Author) (aka Stephanie James)
This book is one of her very early ones, 1983 to be exact, and it is reflective of the romance genre of the time. i.e. Woman can't control herself around "the man", can't say no or stand up for herself. I will say that it starts out with a very predictable "Harlequin Romance" formula: girl meets boy, falls into bed or loses all common sense because of the boy, can't assert herself, etc. Near the end she finally makes a stand and guy acts like a human instead of an arrogant ass. And since this is one of Krentz's early books, the dialog is not as engaging as her more current work. Some of it is truly gag-worthy. :) That's why I wasn't in a hurry to finish the book but now I'm done and can move on.
Fortunately, I read pretty much all of her other books before one this, I was just desperate for a new book by Krentz to read.
December 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book just as much reading it this time as I did back in 1984. That could be partially due to nostalgia. I was 17 when I first read this book; my aunt got me into reading and every month we would buy the new Harlequin romances that came out. The heroine was exactly as I remembered her. For a 17 year old back in 1984 it was inspirational to read about a strong female character who went after what she wanted. Yes, it is a product of it's time and has some antiquated stereotypes but that did not detract from my enjoyment of this re-read. It was a fast, fun read. The dialogue reminded me of a 1940's movie, I kind of read the heroine in Barbara Stanwyck's voice, but maybe that's because I just watched Christmas in Connecticut
February 13, 2020
Hot romance between two people who are maths aces. Both can use their capabilities to win at card games in casinos, and a Las Vegas casino is where they first meet.
The story is told from the heroine‘s perspective, so you never know what goes on in the hero.
A few hours after they met, they land in his bed, which I found disconcerting. I am not OK with the notion of sex between strangers (one-night-stands etc). The subsequent behavior and threats of the hero did not make him very likable.
The story from beginning to end took place within ca two weeks, it felt rushed and everything developed too quickly and thus was rather incredible.
The story is told from the heroine‘s perspective, so you never know what goes on in the hero.
A few hours after they met, they land in his bed, which I found disconcerting. I am not OK with the notion of sex between strangers (one-night-stands etc). The subsequent behavior and threats of the hero did not make him very likable.
The story from beginning to end took place within ca two weeks, it felt rushed and everything developed too quickly and thus was rather incredible.
March 25, 2019
This is one of Jayne Anne Krentz's earliest books, maybe her first, and boy howdy does it show. Sort of a Christian Grey quality to the male love interest and that is not a compliment. With his instant fall into love with the heroine, the freedom with which he violates boundaries and asks forgiveness later, and his hair-trigger jealousy there are warning flags all over this guy. Run you stupid woman. Run like the wind!
June 5, 2024
This book was published in 1984 and it is, unfortunately, very stereotypical of romance books at the time. The MMC was awful, controlling, manipulative, and abusive, but the FMC still loved him because that was just his way of expressing his passion for her. He was a walking whirlwind of red flags.
While this book was definitely a miss for me, I enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's more current books including her series under her pen names Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle.
While this book was definitely a miss for me, I enjoy Jayne Ann Krentz's more current books including her series under her pen names Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle.
May 5, 2018
Ok story, but characters not believable.
April 22, 2019
This book is very old-school in it's views about consent. Made me uncomfortable to read.
April 23, 2020
Not my favorite JAK book. It seemed as though the characters fell in love despite themselves.
January 8, 2021
Not my favorite read, in fact I skimmed a lot of it.
July 18, 2021
An upright business woman has a secret hobby - she likes to go to Las Vegas to gamble.
January 20, 2022
Fun, different easy reading. Predictable.
June 11, 2022
The way the man treated the woman was almost bullying. This was a Harlequin written under a pseudonym quite a while ago. I think she should not reprint it. Not recommended.
March 30, 2024
Okay, this one may not have aged as well. It was definitely written to fit the style of the times of forty years ago.
February 18, 2017
Alyssa has a head for numbers and a prestigious job with a California firm. She also has a guilty pleasure - the ability to gamble and win. What started as a way to earn some extra $$ to help a friend has turned into her fantasy life. . .enter Jordan Kyle - professional gambler and one handsome man. Giving into temptation, Alyssa lets the fantasy take over. But when the weekend is over, both Alyssa and Jordan find it isn't that easy to let go.
This is an early Jayne Ann Krentz novel written in 1980s under one of her pseudonyms. It is a little heavy handed and lacking the sensitivity of later stories but I love anything Krentz.
This is an early Jayne Ann Krentz novel written in 1980s under one of her pseudonyms. It is a little heavy handed and lacking the sensitivity of later stories but I love anything Krentz.
January 28, 2012
I knew what I was getting into, reading a reissued JAK-writing-as-SJ book. It would be old skool. So I knew to expect it, and could enjoy some of the story.
But there's not getting around the fact that the hero is a painfully old-skool alphole, with the actions of one. He doesn't call, then shows up uninvited at her dinner party? Accuses her of an affair with a coworker? Oy. He isn't rapey though, so I could enjoy the story beyond the cringe-worthy parts.
Cringe-worthy parts:
But there's not getting around the fact that the hero is a painfully old-skool alphole, with the actions of one. He doesn't call, then shows up uninvited at her dinner party? Accuses her of an affair with a coworker? Oy. He isn't rapey though, so I could enjoy the story beyond the cringe-worthy parts.
Cringe-worthy parts:
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