Sinister and Fatal: The Guinevere Jones Collection Volume 2

Guinevere Jones #3 - 4

by Jayne Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz

The enthralling Guinevere Jones series continues with The Sinister Touch and The Fatal Fortune, together for the first time!

Fortune doesn’t shine on Guinevere Jones and Zac Justis in the mesmerizing continuation of the New York Times bestselling series.

The Sinister Touch

Guinevere Jones has her head turned by the handsome young artist across the way. And when his apartment is broken into and a painting defaced, she offers her help. Now Guinevere and Zac—and his jealous nature—must confront a dark evil that will stop at nothing to achieve its unholy goal.

The Fatal Fortune

When Guinevere Jones discovers that a so-called fortune-teller is making big profits by deceiving her clients, she vows to expose the scam. Now Zac—who will do anything to keep Gwen safe—helps her uncover the deadly deceptions of a blackmailer and killer out to destroy every trace of the past…

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

339 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

The author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, 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.

Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.

Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass

Reviews

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read all of the Guinevere Jones collection books now and I really enjoyed them. Quick, easy and light reads that were fun too. Yes, it's true that they were all really dated to the time period they were written but that's ok, I still liked them. I really liked the Gwen and Zac and really wish there were more. Oh well.

[Kathleen Burket · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still don't like Zac Justis, although he has matured somewhat from Desperate and Deceptive: The Guinevere Jones Collection Volume 1. Also, think that Guinevere is a little too insecure about her relationship with Zac. In all four stories in both books I enjoyed the mystery.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though these stories of romantic suspense were first published in 1986, I enjoyed them immensely. I was actually expecting Zac to propose to Gwen by the end of The Fatal Fortune; maybe he would have gotten around to it if Ms. Castle had chose to continue the series beyond four books. But *sigh* we will never know.

There were a few typographical errors in this Paperback version: Page 4, a couple years older / a couple OF years older ; 24, only a couple years older / only a couple OF years older ; 162, would repair the breech / would repair the BREACH ; 178, for vacation fillins / for vacation FILL-INS ; 181, only a couple months previously / only a couple OF months previously ; 184, Zoltana deserves to be hung / Zoltana deserves to be HANGED ; 202, with casual walkins / with casual WALK-INS .

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these two Guinevere Jones titles and the developing relationship between Gwen and Zac. somehow Gwen involves Zac in two more investigations that end in dangerous confrontations with villians.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't figure out why I hadn't read these two - I love this author. Well now I remember. These are reissues of some novels written in the 80s and have not aged well. The "romantic hero" is a misogynist jerk and I just am uninterested in the love story of a man I can't even like.

[Jean Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series with Guinevere Jones and Zac, they were thoroughly enjoyable read. Not earth shaking, but more of an easy read that doesn’t require a lot of thought, which sometimes is exactly right.

[cathedralwindow85 of BRISEIS]

Classic J.A.K. LLC novels'. Recommended these to Taiwanese Iris Simpson, who works at a commercial P.I. firm in Kansas City.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

These weren't as good as the first two but I'm glad to have read the series.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sinister Touch - I enjoyed meeting Mason, the "naked artist" from the previous books. And it was fun watching Gwen and Zac deal with their jealous reactions to certain situations, as they become more committed to each other. The '80s-era neopaganism = satanism (Roman Polansky style) is ... eh, this was better than Witchcraft but that's about as much as I can say for it. (Disclosure: I have a number of friends who fall under the broad neo-pagan umbrella and these sorts of stereotypes have actually caused harm to some of them, so it's hard for me to just give it a pass.)

The Fatal Fortune - Another trope that seemed common in the '80s: Gwen is blackmailed with fake incriminating photos. Fortunately, Zac is a step above most of the '80s heroes that I remember in that he believes her when she proclaims her innocence. Other than that though, this one was pretty forgettable.

[Ballerina60 · Rating 3 out of 5]

when you look at all 4 stories, you see a nice broad range of mysteries. in these last 2, there was a little more humor - which i like. however, the final story started out really, really trite and silly. i kind of had to force myself to contine reading. the last story started out with the witless heroine thinking she can solve mysteries just like a trained, experienced investigator. of course, we know the hero will have to save her. anyway, once i got thru the beginning chapters of the 2nd story of this book, it got more interesting because it was an interesting mystery. i also like the character of Zac because i love big tough protective guys. kinda funny that after the first love scene in the first book there is no mention of any kind of birth control whatsoever. it's particularly funny because the 1st story of the second book talks a lot about biological clocks.

[Mem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinister, Gwen sees the painting in the apartment across the way has been vandalized. She meets Mason and gets Zac involved in the investigation. Mason's estrangement from his family over his decision to be an artist and not a lawyer.

Fatal, a blackmailer is working in a company that has temps from Gwen's temp business working there. Gwen fills in to see if she can figure out who is involved. She discovers a man from her past works fir the company and she less than thrilled to see him. He was a cheater and failed to tell her he was a married man. Zac does not want her investigating.

Wish there were more books to read in this series.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was almost sad to finish this knowing there aren’t going to be any more books with Zac and Gwen. The stories were fun and it was terrific watching Zac and Gwen grow as a couple. Again terrific fun action and adventure. Well worth the read.

[Roew1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

you don't have to read them in order, but I wish I would have. zach owns a security consulting firm, gwen a temp sevice. but, she manages to get hersrlf into pickles zach has to help get her out of. cute stories.

[Amanda L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book. The first abd second volumes are basically one long book. I love the interaction between Guinvere and Zak. Their discovery together and their romance is at times funny and at others touching.

[Sandra Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her earlier books that I didn't know about. Enjoyed the 2 characters and the mysteries.