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Jayne Castle: Ecstasy Romance
Affair of Risk
A strange flash of elemental recognition arced between them. The shock was staggering. Kendra Loring gasped as she met the full force of Case Garrett's night-dark gaze. Yet they had never met!
And once she finished her business, she promised herself, they would never meet again. Danger and darkness lurked just beneath the glittering surface of the elegant Lake Tahoe casino. Kendra had sworn that no man would take advantage of her again. If she let herself go, if she fell under his mesmerizing spell for just one minute, the stakes would be impossibly high, and she would be gambling far more than she could afford to lose.
And once she finished her business, she promised herself, they would never meet again. Danger and darkness lurked just beneath the glittering surface of the elegant Lake Tahoe casino. Kendra had sworn that no man would take advantage of her again. If she let herself go, if she fell under his mesmerizing spell for just one minute, the stakes would be impossibly high, and she would be gambling far more than she could afford to lose.
184 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1982
11 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Castle
57 books2,174 followersThe 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 23, 2019
TW/CW: attempted rape, discussion of past rape
To be explicit (because I don't think anyone should go into this book blind): The heroine survived a violent acquaintance rape two years ago. Now the "hero," who has known her for one day, attempts to rape her in punishment for denying him sex after "leading him on." Eventually, his sexual prowess will enable her to overcome the lingering trauma of the original rape. *eyeroll*
This book is a really unfortunate blot on JAK's entire backlist. All of her early category heroes share Case Garrett's persistence and sexual aggression, but they manage to skate by on the side of forced seduction and dubious sexual consent (a hallmark of eighties romance, when women didn't own their own sexuality and authors managed to keep their heroines "nice" by absolving them of responsibility for sex). But having a rape survivor nearly raped by the "hero" to create romantic conflict is not okay. Having him continue with JAK's brand of alpha behavior after the assault is absolutely the wrong choice, implicating all of JAK's pushy, arrogant heroes. For my own sanity and love of JAK, I have to lock Affair of Risk away in a Pandora's box and try to ignore its existence.
JAK checklist
Pacific Northwest setting: Nope. Nevada (Lake Tahoe) and Northern California (San Francisco).
Familiar professions: He owns a casino but plans to sell up and build a hotel on a South Seas island. Hotelier heroes are pretty common for JAK (see also: Call It Destiny, The Pirate, and Grand Passion). She is part-owner of a staffing firm, a career JAK taps into frequently with heroines because it fits into her view of the ideal heroine having good people skills and intuitive understanding of other people's needs (see also: The Desperate Game and Sweet Fortune).
What's in a name?: Case. Casino. Hmm.
Marital status: Both single, never married.
Age: She's 29; he's 36 or 37.
Heroine's eye exam: She has cool hazel eyes.
Hero's eye exam: He wears a black velvet patch over his left eye; his good eye is described as "night-dark."
Hair color: Her hair is a "multi-shaded light brown with...hints of sunlight, honey, and warmth." He has black hair with "A hint of moonlight" at the temples.
Pets: None.
Vehicles spell success: He drives a black and silver Porsche (did he buy a car to coordinate with his hair?)
Metaphors are for flogging: No metaphors were overused, though the protagonists do express their rich fantasy life through interior decorating. His casino apartment boasts rattan furniture and potted palms to create a South Seas ambience, while her home is done up in eighteenth-century French opulence.
Hero threatens to spank heroine: I was so focused on his sexual aggression, I didn't even notice.
To be explicit (because I don't think anyone should go into this book blind): The heroine survived a violent acquaintance rape two years ago. Now the "hero," who has known her for one day, attempts to rape her in punishment for denying him sex after "leading him on." Eventually, his sexual prowess will enable her to overcome the lingering trauma of the original rape. *eyeroll*
This book is a really unfortunate blot on JAK's entire backlist. All of her early category heroes share Case Garrett's persistence and sexual aggression, but they manage to skate by on the side of forced seduction and dubious sexual consent (a hallmark of eighties romance, when women didn't own their own sexuality and authors managed to keep their heroines "nice" by absolving them of responsibility for sex). But having a rape survivor nearly raped by the "hero" to create romantic conflict is not okay. Having him continue with JAK's brand of alpha behavior after the assault is absolutely the wrong choice, implicating all of JAK's pushy, arrogant heroes. For my own sanity and love of JAK, I have to lock Affair of Risk away in a Pandora's box and try to ignore its existence.
JAK checklist
Pacific Northwest setting: Nope. Nevada (Lake Tahoe) and Northern California (San Francisco).
Familiar professions: He owns a casino but plans to sell up and build a hotel on a South Seas island. Hotelier heroes are pretty common for JAK (see also: Call It Destiny, The Pirate, and Grand Passion). She is part-owner of a staffing firm, a career JAK taps into frequently with heroines because it fits into her view of the ideal heroine having good people skills and intuitive understanding of other people's needs (see also: The Desperate Game and Sweet Fortune).
What's in a name?: Case. Casino. Hmm.
Marital status: Both single, never married.
Age: She's 29; he's 36 or 37.
Heroine's eye exam: She has cool hazel eyes.
Hero's eye exam: He wears a black velvet patch over his left eye; his good eye is described as "night-dark."
Hair color: Her hair is a "multi-shaded light brown with...hints of sunlight, honey, and warmth." He has black hair with "A hint of moonlight" at the temples.
Pets: None.
Vehicles spell success: He drives a black and silver Porsche (did he buy a car to coordinate with his hair?)
Metaphors are for flogging: No metaphors were overused, though the protagonists do express their rich fantasy life through interior decorating. His casino apartment boasts rattan furniture and potted palms to create a South Seas ambience, while her home is done up in eighteenth-century French opulence.
Hero threatens to spank heroine: I was so focused on his sexual aggression, I didn't even notice.
October 28, 2019
Ok so what can I say? I saw all the reviews that told me this one is a doozy but did I listen? Nope; I just had to read it ...
H needed to not be rapey (and he definitely needed to not be stalkerific)
h needed to grow a backbone and not just back in bed with him
cousin needed to grow up and face her problems
cousin's husband and the original rapist needed to die
Also, there were more serious issues in the h's life than the H's choice of profession
H needed to not be rapey (and he definitely needed to not be stalkerific)
h needed to grow a backbone and not just back in bed with him
cousin needed to grow up and face her problems
cousin's husband and the original rapist needed to die
Also, there were more serious issues in the h's life than the H's choice of profession
February 4, 2019
I loved the MC’s so much. Their connection and chemistry was electric. The heroine is a sexual assault survivor. And this was a completely safe read. I particularly liked the hero’s relentless pursuit and determination to win the heroine.
Recommended.
Recommended.
September 19, 2017
"Affair of Risk" is the story of Kendra and Case.
Basically the premise is Kendra goes to mafia/casino owner Case to return the money her cousin Donna owed, and there is instant fire between them.
She runs away after the meeting, but something threatens her life and the H gets involved.
The one word I can describe what I felt while reading this is: Discomfort.
*mild spoilers*
Heroine is a victim of sexual assault. She works hard in getting over the trauma. Then she is almost attacked, by OM and then the H- so much that she goes into her shell to escape what he's doing to her. Albiet later that night she does voluntarily make love to him- but those scenes were SO DIFFICULT to read.
Then again the hero's over domineering attitude throughout the book, and his jealousy is a bit scary. The heroine suffered from PTSD and nobody acknowledged that.
There is mild resolution of issues at the end with the attacker getting caught, but I really did not like the plot.
Safe
1.5/5
Basically the premise is Kendra goes to mafia/casino owner Case to return the money her cousin Donna owed, and there is instant fire between them.
She runs away after the meeting, but something threatens her life and the H gets involved.
The one word I can describe what I felt while reading this is: Discomfort.
*mild spoilers*
Heroine is a victim of sexual assault. She works hard in getting over the trauma. Then she is almost attacked, by OM and then the H- so much that she goes into her shell to escape what he's doing to her. Albiet later that night she does voluntarily make love to him- but those scenes were SO DIFFICULT to read.
Then again the hero's over domineering attitude throughout the book, and his jealousy is a bit scary. The heroine suffered from PTSD and nobody acknowledged that.
There is mild resolution of issues at the end with the attacker getting caught, but I really did not like the plot.
Safe
1.5/5
November 17, 2019
I need to swallow some more kool aid before I write the review for this one.
I had all the feel for the h in this one. She had a really raw deal and did not deserve anything that happened to her. However, I will say she was incredibly stupid doing what she did to the H in her attempt to escape, I don't know what she thought would happen and while she didn't deserve to be traumatised she definitely prodded the bear with her actions.
After his major stepping out of line here I have to say he does redeem himself and is pretty darn good H material. However, I did not like that the evil OM didn't really get any come uppance for what he did to the h. I don't care that he lost his money etc he needed jail time.
I had all the feel for the h in this one. She had a really raw deal and did not deserve anything that happened to her. However, I will say she was incredibly stupid doing what she did to the H in her attempt to escape, I don't know what she thought would happen and while she didn't deserve to be traumatised she definitely prodded the bear with her actions.
After his major stepping out of line here I have to say he does redeem himself and is pretty darn good H material. However, I did not like that the evil OM didn't really get any come uppance for what he did to the h. I don't care that he lost his money etc he needed jail time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2018
Risky business
I've read almost every book by Jayne under all her names and each one lives up to her and my expectations. This one was funny and romantic with a touch of mystery and danger. Austin's such a sleaze bag, and got his just rewards. Good Read.
I've read almost every book by Jayne under all her names and each one lives up to her and my expectations. This one was funny and romantic with a touch of mystery and danger. Austin's such a sleaze bag, and got his just rewards. Good Read.
August 3, 2019
Up to now my reaction to her backlist titles have often been either boredom or disgust at her plot/characters. But this is the first time I go beyond disgust and near hatred.
Almost all her backlist is mired in chauvinistic culture: women are often characters I despise for their idiocy or total lack of any backbone or pride.
Here she goes where she shouldn't have dared. Here the FMC has been a victim of rape, she's (almost) raped by the MMC and three seconds after his magic peen saves her from frigidity. There are no consequences. Appalling isn't enough.
Rape is always treated either as a joke or as plot point by Ms Krentz. There is no respect for the women nor any real understanding of the trauma it is. After a near rape her heroines are sorry for their would be rapist and excuse them and blame themselves. But here as I said she really goes beyond the acceptable.
Almost all her backlist is mired in chauvinistic culture: women are often characters I despise for their idiocy or total lack of any backbone or pride.
Here she goes where she shouldn't have dared. Here the FMC has been a victim of rape, she's (almost) raped by the MMC and three seconds after his magic peen saves her from frigidity. There are no consequences. Appalling isn't enough.
Rape is always treated either as a joke or as plot point by Ms Krentz. There is no respect for the women nor any real understanding of the trauma it is. After a near rape her heroines are sorry for their would be rapist and excuse them and blame themselves. But here as I said she really goes beyond the acceptable.
January 6, 2018
This is a book from Castle's backlist. these are sometimes dated, but this one has mostly avoided that trap, and is an enjoyable read.
April 9, 2020
One of the best romance books I've read this year! Was really good!
July 10, 2016
Although this book was published in the early 80's with the attendant overly pushy male, its perspective is slightly different in that the heroine, Kendra Loring, has spent the last two years recovering from a rape. She shows poor judgment in places which runs her into trouble with Case Garrett and causes a lot of the adversarial moments in the book, but how the two work out her problems is fascinating. There is a secondary plot which was a bit rushed, but I loved the name Wolfgang Amadeus Higgins and wish a lot more was made of Wolf's and Donna's story, although I found Donna a less than sympathetic character. I hate helpless females with no understanding of anything that is happening outside of their own troubles.
January 17, 2012
An odd mix of funny, sad, scary and infuriating. Kendra was an interesting character who struggled to maintain a sense of self-control and personal safety after being assaulted two years prior to the beginning of this story. Case... was an interesting case study on male privilege, especially at the beginning. He did show flashes of humor and compassion that made me grow fond of him by the end.
There were some surprisingly deep elements to this story, deep in a way JAK doesn't do anymore, but sometimes the formula constraints made me want to throw things. (Or maybe those scenes were because of societal constraints. Or maybe it was just a new writer not sure how to tie everything together. This was written in 1982 after all.)
There were some surprisingly deep elements to this story, deep in a way JAK doesn't do anymore, but sometimes the formula constraints made me want to throw things. (Or maybe those scenes were because of societal constraints. Or maybe it was just a new writer not sure how to tie everything together. This was written in 1982 after all.)
August 12, 2015
Kendra comes to Cases's casino in order to help her cousin, who owes him money. Case is instantly smitten with Kendra and wants her. Kendra is recovering from rape and wants nothing to do with the opposite sex, even is she is atracted to Case. Kendra owns her own, successfuk business, has taken steps to protect herself from being vualnerable again. Case is more mysterious and not much is revealed about him, othet then he lost his eye in a fight and is super rich and super pushy. He steamrolls over Kendra's life, solving her problems then wisking her off to live on a tropical island. She had a good life in San Francisco but she dropped everything for Case.
February 9, 2021
Με ξενύχτησε εχθές. Τη συγγραφέα δε τη γνώριζα αλλά με εξιτάρισε το οπισθόφυλλο Έπαιξα ρώσικη ρουλέτα...Το αποτέλεσμα? Με εξέπληξε αφάνταστα!!!Κεραυνοβόλος έρωτας ανάμεσα στους δύο ήρωες.Ασυνήθιστη θα έλεγα πλοκή για 80's με έντονες ερωτικές στιγμές και ένα πραγματικά απίθανο λογοπαίγνιο!Κέντρα μια δυναμική και ετοιμόλογη ηρωίδα το πρώτο κλου της υπόθεσης, Το δεύτερο? Ο Κέης ένας απίθανος μονόφθαλμος ήρωας, ιδιοκτήτης καζίνου που γίνεται χαλί να τον πατήσει.Ένας ήρωας που τα δίνει όλα! Το τρίτο? Ο μεγάλος και χορταστικός επίλογος του. Ελληνικός τίτλος επικίνδυνο παιγνίδι.Άνήκει στα μεταγενέστερα Νόρα. Αν το βρείτε μην το προσπεράσατε.
April 10, 2012
It was odd book, some parts funny, other emotionally upsetting and disturbing. All together it was just an okay book worthy of passing the time I'm afraid. I didn't hate or dislike it, nor would I ever intentionally read it again. I didn't find myself emotionally connected at times and the story was super weird. As for the "love" aspect, well that just happened way to fast and I don't think the author did much research into the whole "rape aspect".
February 14, 2024
enjoyable! very different. I will read again in a few years.
Second reading. Very fun. Different approach. Am still keeping the book and will wait a few years and read again
Third reading - Still enjoy!
Second reading. Very fun. Different approach. Am still keeping the book and will wait a few years and read again
Third reading - Still enjoy!
May 8, 2022
So old school romance. I look back at these and smirk at my young self. I couldn't get enough of these romances. My mother said it would rot my mind away. If it did, I seem to be doing okay. :)
April 20, 2012
Titre vf : L'île de l'amour
Read
May 2, 2018GREAT STORY
This is one of Jayne's older books, I have this book also on paperback. I love all her books, her stories are wonderful.
This is one of Jayne's older books, I have this book also on paperback. I love all her books, her stories are wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews