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Whispering Springs #2
Truth or Dare
Zoe is an interior designer with a unique sense of style. But even more uncanny is her sense of what's going on under the surface, the secrets a house can hold. At the moment, though, Zoe isn't concerned about a client's space. She's more worried about what's going on in her own house in Whispering Springs, Arizona, where she lives with her new husband, private investigator Ethan Truax. After a whirlwind courtship, and a dangerous adventure, they've gambled on commitment, hoping that their powerful attraction can help them learn to live together despite their utterly opposite personalities. But newlywed life is suddenly interrupted when a shadowy figure from Zoe's past shows up in Whispering Springs, and her closest friend is put at terrible risk. For Zoe and Arcadia Ames share a shocking secret. And as they seek to protect the truth, they must join together, and with Ethan's help, accept a very dangerous dare...
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
351 people are currently reading
1392 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
401 books7,173 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 192 reviews
August 28, 2017
Sigh . . .Three women with tragic pasts, three men ready to protect them. A darling senior citizen P.I. Bad guys abound. My kind of book.
January 19, 2025
Jayne Ann Krentz does a very good job with Truth or Dare, the sequel of Light in Shadow. It pursues the story of PI Ehan Truax and interior designer Zoe Luce.
I didn’t expect to enjoy the continuation as much, for I assumed the potential for a good plot was limited since most issues were already resolved. I was wrong. Jayne Ann Krentz builds a very interesting and creative plot that is as much about Ethan and Zoe, but also about Arcadia, Zoe’s best friend from Candle Lake as her past finally comes to catch with them. Harry, Singleton and Bonnie and her boys along with smaller but important supporting characters help form a very cohesive story.
We get some suspense, although this book is as maybe more about relationships, not a classic thriller suspense story. I enjoyed the maturing of attachments formed on Light in Shadow, mainly Ethan and Zoe’s.
I recommend it, especially if you are looking for a few hours of entartainment with a good book.
I didn’t expect to enjoy the continuation as much, for I assumed the potential for a good plot was limited since most issues were already resolved. I was wrong. Jayne Ann Krentz builds a very interesting and creative plot that is as much about Ethan and Zoe, but also about Arcadia, Zoe’s best friend from Candle Lake as her past finally comes to catch with them. Harry, Singleton and Bonnie and her boys along with smaller but important supporting characters help form a very cohesive story.
We get some suspense, although this book is as maybe more about relationships, not a classic thriller suspense story. I enjoyed the maturing of attachments formed on Light in Shadow, mainly Ethan and Zoe’s.
I recommend it, especially if you are looking for a few hours of entartainment with a good book.
December 19, 2022
Not as good as the first book and well... just not that great but entertaining.
We pick up where the first book left off.
This time it's Arcadia's psychopathic ex husband gunning for the gang. She was right, he had faked his death and considered her 'insurance' against him, a good reason to kill her. Plus he's just a dick head.
The intrigue of the way it all plays out is the 2 stars.
Of course he isn't the only person with a game in play so the waters are muddy.
Zoe is in competition with another newly arrived to town decorator who likes to play hard ball. Ethan's competition tries to hire him to follow his wife (the competitions' wife).
Relationships between the main 6 are on the road to HEA but still have some mild bumps in the road coming.
The reason for 2 stars has much to do with the reason the first book wasn't more than 3. I just am not sold on Ethan's love for Zoe. Or at least, the long term strength of their love.
Ethan has never admitted to believing Zoe is psychic or at least Emotionally psychic. Zoe is afraid that their love will be doomed without that leap of faith.
And to be honest. It was kinda a copout for me.
I can only hope that as the years pass, he will learn to be more open minded (to his wife).
By the end of the day, Zoe is a much more interesting character than Ethan.
Like the first book, there is more than one mystery going on. And that keeps it interesting.
There's a nice long wrap up that I quite enjoyed.
Safety is fine.
We pick up where the first book left off.
This time it's Arcadia's psychopathic ex husband gunning for the gang. She was right, he had faked his death and considered her 'insurance' against him, a good reason to kill her. Plus he's just a dick head.
The intrigue of the way it all plays out is the 2 stars.
Of course he isn't the only person with a game in play so the waters are muddy.
Zoe is in competition with another newly arrived to town decorator who likes to play hard ball. Ethan's competition tries to hire him to follow his wife (the competitions' wife).
Relationships between the main 6 are on the road to HEA but still have some mild bumps in the road coming.
The reason for 2 stars has much to do with the reason the first book wasn't more than 3. I just am not sold on Ethan's love for Zoe. Or at least, the long term strength of their love.
Ethan has never admitted to believing Zoe is psychic or at least Emotionally psychic. Zoe is afraid that their love will be doomed without that leap of faith.
And to be honest. It was kinda a copout for me.
I can only hope that as the years pass, he will learn to be more open minded (to his wife).
By the end of the day, Zoe is a much more interesting character than Ethan.
Like the first book, there is more than one mystery going on. And that keeps it interesting.
There's a nice long wrap up that I quite enjoyed.
Safety is fine.
September 12, 2024
7/8/21 review of audiobook, narrated by Joyce Bean
This novel is Book 2 of the Whispering Springs duology. It does not stand alone. You need to read Book 1, Light in Shadow, first. If you have not read that book, this review will be a spoiler for it.
The story picks up immediately after the events of Book 1, which is only a few weeks after the opening events of Book 1 and occurs in the same place, Whispering Springs, Arizona. It is a fictional small city which is a typical artsy-craftsy, New Agey, tourist destination similar in spirit to nearby Sedona.
Zoe Luce is now Zoe Truax. In Book 1, she married Ethan Truax in Las Vegas when he suggested marriage as a protection against her in-laws having legal power to force her to return to the Candle Lake Manor Psychiatric Hospital, an evil insane asylum that she escaped from a year before. During Book 1, Zoe and Ethan triumphed over the villains running the asylum, bringing about its utter destruction, and they discovered that the person who murdered Zoe's husband, Preston Cleland, was not the in-law Zoe had suspected, the CEO of the Cleland family's corporation, but instead, his deranged wife.
Arcadia is still using an assumed identity and hiding from her on-the-lam, criminal husband, who has vowed to murder her, but since Zoe no longer has to worry that her evil in-laws can ever imprison her again, she has been able to regain her true identity.
In the pursuit of her career as an interior decorator, Zoe experiences some weird, scary "spider web" type vibrations emanating from a room she is decorating. She also experiences the same unsettling sensations in Arcadia's office at her store, which is a shop that sells expensive, handmade jewelry and silver, hand-cast knickknacks to tourists. Zoe is afraid to mention this situation to Ethan because she can't figure out any reason for the feelings. There doesn't seem to be any evildoer that she can discover who might be responsible for these disturbing psychic vibes. This causes Zoe to fear that she might, after all, be going crazy, rather than having a true, psychic gift. She loves Ethan too much to saddle him with a crazy wife, but if she has to nobly choose to give him up, she will be devastated.
Meanwhile, strange events occurring in Whispering Springs lead Zoe, Arcadia, Ethan, and two other important male subcharacters from Book 1, Harry and Singleton, to believe that Arcadia's murderous husband has somehow managed to track down Arcadia and is sneaking into town to murder her.
Ethan Truax continues to be a strong, sympathetic romance hero, and Zoe continues to be an equally strong, sympathetic romance heroine.
Arcadia and her love interest, Harry, a bodyguard and fixer by trade, who is described as a "human skeleton" because he is so thin, are fun characters individually, with a unique, quirky romance.
Ethan's sister-in-law Bonnie, and his adorably precocious nephews, aged six and eight, continue to be a lively part of the story, and Bonnie and Singleton, a hulking, bald computer whiz who runs a rare bookstore, are another cute couple. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Singleton compassionately reassures Bonnie's older son that, though he is having trouble remembering what his father looked like several years after his father was murdered, the boy would never truly forget his beloved father.
As in Book 1, there are multiple villains in this novel because, as always, JAK has both a main suspense plot and several, complementary suspense subplots. The suspense plots are well done and, best of all, the main romance between Ethan and Zoe and the colorfully eccentric, secondary romances are all wonderful.
I have read this particular book in Kindle format in the past, and this past week, I experienced it a second time in audiobook format. The narrator, Joyce Bean, has also recorded many other JAK novels. Unfortunately, Ms. Bean is only a 3-star narrator by my preferences. She does children and all ages of women's voices well, but she is merely adequate when voicing male characters because she cannot effectively deepen her voice.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 4 stars
Setting: 3 stars
Romance Plot: 4 stars
Suspense Plot: 4 stars
Suspense Subplots: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Audiobook Narrator: 3 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Reread 9/12/24: I enjoyed this novel just as much as the other two times I read it. I concur completely with my previous opinion in the above review.
This novel is Book 2 of the Whispering Springs duology. It does not stand alone. You need to read Book 1, Light in Shadow, first. If you have not read that book, this review will be a spoiler for it.
The story picks up immediately after the events of Book 1, which is only a few weeks after the opening events of Book 1 and occurs in the same place, Whispering Springs, Arizona. It is a fictional small city which is a typical artsy-craftsy, New Agey, tourist destination similar in spirit to nearby Sedona.
Zoe Luce is now Zoe Truax. In Book 1, she married Ethan Truax in Las Vegas when he suggested marriage as a protection against her in-laws having legal power to force her to return to the Candle Lake Manor Psychiatric Hospital, an evil insane asylum that she escaped from a year before. During Book 1, Zoe and Ethan triumphed over the villains running the asylum, bringing about its utter destruction, and they discovered that the person who murdered Zoe's husband, Preston Cleland, was not the in-law Zoe had suspected, the CEO of the Cleland family's corporation, but instead, his deranged wife.
Arcadia is still using an assumed identity and hiding from her on-the-lam, criminal husband, who has vowed to murder her, but since Zoe no longer has to worry that her evil in-laws can ever imprison her again, she has been able to regain her true identity.
In the pursuit of her career as an interior decorator, Zoe experiences some weird, scary "spider web" type vibrations emanating from a room she is decorating. She also experiences the same unsettling sensations in Arcadia's office at her store, which is a shop that sells expensive, handmade jewelry and silver, hand-cast knickknacks to tourists. Zoe is afraid to mention this situation to Ethan because she can't figure out any reason for the feelings. There doesn't seem to be any evildoer that she can discover who might be responsible for these disturbing psychic vibes. This causes Zoe to fear that she might, after all, be going crazy, rather than having a true, psychic gift. She loves Ethan too much to saddle him with a crazy wife, but if she has to nobly choose to give him up, she will be devastated.
Meanwhile, strange events occurring in Whispering Springs lead Zoe, Arcadia, Ethan, and two other important male subcharacters from Book 1, Harry and Singleton, to believe that Arcadia's murderous husband has somehow managed to track down Arcadia and is sneaking into town to murder her.
Ethan Truax continues to be a strong, sympathetic romance hero, and Zoe continues to be an equally strong, sympathetic romance heroine.
Arcadia and her love interest, Harry, a bodyguard and fixer by trade, who is described as a "human skeleton" because he is so thin, are fun characters individually, with a unique, quirky romance.
Ethan's sister-in-law Bonnie, and his adorably precocious nephews, aged six and eight, continue to be a lively part of the story, and Bonnie and Singleton, a hulking, bald computer whiz who runs a rare bookstore, are another cute couple. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Singleton compassionately reassures Bonnie's older son that, though he is having trouble remembering what his father looked like several years after his father was murdered, the boy would never truly forget his beloved father.
As in Book 1, there are multiple villains in this novel because, as always, JAK has both a main suspense plot and several, complementary suspense subplots. The suspense plots are well done and, best of all, the main romance between Ethan and Zoe and the colorfully eccentric, secondary romances are all wonderful.
I have read this particular book in Kindle format in the past, and this past week, I experienced it a second time in audiobook format. The narrator, Joyce Bean, has also recorded many other JAK novels. Unfortunately, Ms. Bean is only a 3-star narrator by my preferences. She does children and all ages of women's voices well, but she is merely adequate when voicing male characters because she cannot effectively deepen her voice.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 4 stars
Setting: 3 stars
Romance Plot: 4 stars
Suspense Plot: 4 stars
Suspense Subplots: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Audiobook Narrator: 3 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Reread 9/12/24: I enjoyed this novel just as much as the other two times I read it. I concur completely with my previous opinion in the above review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2021
A decent read, have nothing I didn't like to say. But at the same time it's isn't a new favorite but a good book to pass some time with nevertheless and that's all I ask for sometimes
August 30, 2017
Zoe uses psychic energy to solve mysteries. Not interested? It's OK. This is one of those that you either love or you're just ho-hum about. I keep "inheriting" books from this series from a family friend who is an avid reader of everything, but mostly of compact, hand-held, paperback romance novels. This one was a little light on the romance (since the MCs are already married *rimshot*), but there were several mysteries going on at the same time beefing up the action, which frankly needed it. #3 may not ever happen for me, but if a psychic interior decorator who escaped from a mental institution to begin a new life as the wife of an old-school private investigator sounds like your cup of tea, then, by all means, stir and sip.
June 27, 2024
What the hell does the title have to do with the plot? At no point is the phrase 'truth or dare' used in the dialogue, no one plays the game, the bad guy doesn't use it to threaten the victim, it doesn't make sense. Without reading the summary I thought the plot was going to have something to do with a serial killer forcing people with big secrets to hide to play truth or dare and killing them or their families if they refuse.
Zoe's psychic abilities were vaguely interesting, but the way she used them in her job was a bit absurd. On one side of the 'argument', for a non-believer I actually think Ethan showed quite a lot of restraint in not sighing or rolling his eyes in exasperation whenever Zoe mentioned the energy of a room (I'm a total cynic and would have trouble interacting with someone who brings up room energies on a frequent basis), but I also think he needs to actively support his wife, not just agree that she can believe whatever she wants to believe regarding the realness of her psychic abilities and that he's never going to be able to change her mind.
Zoe's psychic abilities were vaguely interesting, but the way she used them in her job was a bit absurd. On one side of the 'argument', for a non-believer I actually think Ethan showed quite a lot of restraint in not sighing or rolling his eyes in exasperation whenever Zoe mentioned the energy of a room (I'm a total cynic and would have trouble interacting with someone who brings up room energies on a frequent basis), but I also think he needs to actively support his wife, not just agree that she can believe whatever she wants to believe regarding the realness of her psychic abilities and that he's never going to be able to change her mind.
May 14, 2015
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Published: 2003
Length: 401 pages
Setting: Whispering Springs , Contemporary.
Sex: Not frequent. Mostly fade to black.
Hero: PI
Heroine: Can feel emotion in the walls.
Nice plot with a satisfying ending.
Good characters, good writing, nice complexity.
Exactly what you expect from Krentz/Quick/Castle.
Whispering Springs:
Book 1 Light in Shadow - Zoe Luce and Ethan Truax
Book 2 Truth or Dare - Zoe Luce and Ethan Truax
References:
Jayne Ann Krentz's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/truth-or-da...
(ISBN 9780749934651)
-CR-
Published: 2003
Length: 401 pages
Setting: Whispering Springs , Contemporary.
Sex: Not frequent. Mostly fade to black.
Hero: PI
Heroine: Can feel emotion in the walls.
Nice plot with a satisfying ending.
Good characters, good writing, nice complexity.
Exactly what you expect from Krentz/Quick/Castle.
Whispering Springs:
Book 1 Light in Shadow - Zoe Luce and Ethan Truax
Book 2 Truth or Dare - Zoe Luce and Ethan Truax
References:
Jayne Ann Krentz's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/truth-or-da...
(ISBN 9780749934651)
-CR-
December 9, 2010
3.5* Truth or Dare was an enjoyable sequel to Light in Shadow. The ending was satisfying, but liked that Krentz didn't try to tie up every issue or subplot in a neat little bow. So often in romance novels we don't get any in depth look at the leading couple from a previous book, so it was especially gratifying to me to get a second book that still has significant focus on just such a pair. I like Ethan and Zoe and was happy to spend more time with them.
As I've noticed before, Krentz rarely lets the tension build overmuch. If a reader prefers dark, gritty suspense, these books will likely seem somewhat tame. On the other hand, if a reader is in the mood relax with a mystery, these should do well.
As I've noticed before, Krentz rarely lets the tension build overmuch. If a reader prefers dark, gritty suspense, these books will likely seem somewhat tame. On the other hand, if a reader is in the mood relax with a mystery, these should do well.
October 30, 2020
I love how this book has several story lines going at the same time, without loosing focus of the characters or circumstances. First is the mystery of the psychic "spiderwebs" that Zoe keeps sensing. Next is the stalking and eventual kidnapping of Arcadia, and third is the mystery of the missing manuscript. Throughout all this is the stress and maneuvering of all the relationships - Zoe & Ethan, Bonnie & Singlton, Arcadia & Harry, and even the relationship of Ethan's competitor Radner and his wife Daria. JAK does a masterful job of intertwining each story line and coming out with a finished piece that answers most questions. The only thing I wish is that there would be a third installment that shows how Nightwinds ends up looking.
July 12, 2017
Now that's a more satisfying ending. I still have a bit of a problem with how Krentz does her "wrap up" dialogue, it feels a little silly. But it fits with this duology - there was quite a bit of dry wit that I appreciated.
I find I enjoy a duology like this - suspense, drama, romance, humor. Not enough books to get soap opera-ish, but more than just one book that tends to leave you wanting just a bit more. I'd be interested in reading more like this.
I find I enjoy a duology like this - suspense, drama, romance, humor. Not enough books to get soap opera-ish, but more than just one book that tends to leave you wanting just a bit more. I'd be interested in reading more like this.
September 16, 2020
I really enjoyed both Whispering Springs books which should be read in order.
JAK is at her best with a large cast of colourful characters. She really captures their differences and vulnerabilities. She also paints a vivid picture of life in a small town in a wonderful desert location. Add a splash of kind hearted humour, some amusing thoughts about decorators and the art of fussing. One gets the impression JAK isn’t into meditation though. That scene in the second book was a hoot.
June 5, 2023
I recently purchased the audiobook of TRUTH OR DARE (published in 2002) bk 2 in Jayne Anne Krentz’s Whispering Springs 2 bk series. This is among the Krentz titles that I have read several times. Chloe Cannon’s performance was nicely done, pulling me into the story to the end.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. I enjoyed this audiobook.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I ENJOYED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
TRUTH AND DARE deals with three couples (and 2 kids) who became friends through the unusual circumstances in bk1.
1) Small business Private Investigator Ethan Truax and Interior Designer Zoe Truax were married by convenience in bk 1 (LIGHT IN SHADOWS). Apparent danger continues to surround them. Can their new marriage withstand the constant stress?
2) Zoe’s friend, a former financial broker, Arcadia Ames (FMC) knows her estranged husband is extremely dangerous. Over a year ago she ran away from him. She has been living under an alias in Whispering Springs, AZ ever since, vigilant of his possible reappearance. San Diego based Private Security Consultant Harry Stagg (MMC) was hired by Ethan to keep Arcadia Ames safe a month ago (bk 1). That security job is completed but since then Harry has been staying with Arcadia. Strangely, when Harry is out of town on business, Arcadia doesn’t feel completely safe. Lately, she has had a feeling of being watched.
3) Bonnie Truax, Ethan’s Sister-in law, and her 2 sons have been bumping along since the violent death of Bonnie’s husband several years ago. Ethan’s presence and support has largely assisted the 3 of them to cope fairly well. Bonnie met a business neighbor of Ethan during a recent investigation (bk1). Since then Singleton has become part of the ebb and flow of the extended Truax family. As trouble from the past seems to be creeping forward, who among the eight is the intended target? Or could more than one of their group be in danger?
Comments ~
1) TRUTH OR DARE is bk2 in a 2 bk Whispering Springs Contemporary Romance Suspense series which contains a slight element of paranormal (not “shifter” in type, occult or witchcraft, nor is it dark). TOD has no cliffhangers and 3 separate HEAs. It is possible to jump into TRUTH OR DARE without first reading bk1 (LIGHT IN SHADOWS) but certain character history will be missed. And I enjoyed both titles.
2) TRUTH OR DARE is dialogue-driven with a light tone, a sense of humor, a Proximity/Danger setting (“Us 2/4/8 against the World”) and several mysteries to unravel.
3) I read/listen to Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick books when I’m in the mood for a “Pick Me Up” title. I usually snicker a few times as I read, attempt to solve the mysteries and always end up smiling at the end. These are easy “reads” that I can listen to while gardening, exercising, commuting or chilling on my deck. This is an auto-buy author whose “old” books I return to frequently (reread) when everything else in the world seems a bit dark. Krentz’s tongue-in-cheek humor truly appeals to me.
4) I appreciate that JAK’s main characters don’t depend upon their appearances. Rather it is their character that defines them. The men are smart, steadfast, loyal, complicated, capable, sometimes bossy or loners and in this book, not particularly physically attractive or outgoing (neither Singleton or Harry). The male characters are able to appreciated independent, complex, intelligent yet sometimes difficult women who will not give up.
4) Chloe Cannon’s performance was nicely done. Although the male voices didn’t always sound as deep as I might like, I was able to understand everything fine.
5) I recommend TRUTH OR DARE (and the first book, LIGHT IN SHADOWS) to readers:
> who enjoy light Contemporary Romance Suspense, Mystery Romance.
> who enjoy Proximity- Danger trope fiction.
> who enjoy dialogue-driven novels with tongue-in-cheek humor.
> in the mood for a Pick Me Up escape.
> who can handle slight “intuitive/psychic” abilities (1 female character).
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used infrequently.
VIOLENCE - PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Two? detailed intimacy scenes followed by later quickly closed-door scenes. (which could be skipped by readers who prefer Cleaner content).
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. I enjoyed this audiobook.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I ENJOYED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
TRUTH AND DARE deals with three couples (and 2 kids) who became friends through the unusual circumstances in bk1.
1) Small business Private Investigator Ethan Truax and Interior Designer Zoe Truax were married by convenience in bk 1 (LIGHT IN SHADOWS). Apparent danger continues to surround them. Can their new marriage withstand the constant stress?
2) Zoe’s friend, a former financial broker, Arcadia Ames (FMC) knows her estranged husband is extremely dangerous. Over a year ago she ran away from him. She has been living under an alias in Whispering Springs, AZ ever since, vigilant of his possible reappearance. San Diego based Private Security Consultant Harry Stagg (MMC) was hired by Ethan to keep Arcadia Ames safe a month ago (bk 1). That security job is completed but since then Harry has been staying with Arcadia. Strangely, when Harry is out of town on business, Arcadia doesn’t feel completely safe. Lately, she has had a feeling of being watched.
3) Bonnie Truax, Ethan’s Sister-in law, and her 2 sons have been bumping along since the violent death of Bonnie’s husband several years ago. Ethan’s presence and support has largely assisted the 3 of them to cope fairly well. Bonnie met a business neighbor of Ethan during a recent investigation (bk1). Since then Singleton has become part of the ebb and flow of the extended Truax family. As trouble from the past seems to be creeping forward, who among the eight is the intended target? Or could more than one of their group be in danger?
Comments ~
1) TRUTH OR DARE is bk2 in a 2 bk Whispering Springs Contemporary Romance Suspense series which contains a slight element of paranormal (not “shifter” in type, occult or witchcraft, nor is it dark). TOD has no cliffhangers and 3 separate HEAs. It is possible to jump into TRUTH OR DARE without first reading bk1 (LIGHT IN SHADOWS) but certain character history will be missed. And I enjoyed both titles.
2) TRUTH OR DARE is dialogue-driven with a light tone, a sense of humor, a Proximity/Danger setting (“Us 2/4/8 against the World”) and several mysteries to unravel.
3) I read/listen to Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick books when I’m in the mood for a “Pick Me Up” title. I usually snicker a few times as I read, attempt to solve the mysteries and always end up smiling at the end. These are easy “reads” that I can listen to while gardening, exercising, commuting or chilling on my deck. This is an auto-buy author whose “old” books I return to frequently (reread) when everything else in the world seems a bit dark. Krentz’s tongue-in-cheek humor truly appeals to me.
4) I appreciate that JAK’s main characters don’t depend upon their appearances. Rather it is their character that defines them. The men are smart, steadfast, loyal, complicated, capable, sometimes bossy or loners and in this book, not particularly physically attractive or outgoing (neither Singleton or Harry). The male characters are able to appreciated independent, complex, intelligent yet sometimes difficult women who will not give up.
4) Chloe Cannon’s performance was nicely done. Although the male voices didn’t always sound as deep as I might like, I was able to understand everything fine.
5) I recommend TRUTH OR DARE (and the first book, LIGHT IN SHADOWS) to readers:
> who enjoy light Contemporary Romance Suspense, Mystery Romance.
> who enjoy Proximity- Danger trope fiction.
> who enjoy dialogue-driven novels with tongue-in-cheek humor.
> in the mood for a Pick Me Up escape.
> who can handle slight “intuitive/psychic” abilities (1 female character).
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used infrequently.
VIOLENCE - PG. Not dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Two? detailed intimacy scenes followed by later quickly closed-door scenes. (which could be skipped by readers who prefer Cleaner content).
June 15, 2018
Still interesting but not as much as the previous one, I'd say.
The biggest conflict was solved very quickly and was very anti climatic, to be honest, especially after all the problems caused in both books.
The biggest conflict was solved very quickly and was very anti climatic, to be honest, especially after all the problems caused in both books.
November 24, 2018
Loved it!!! Great sequel to Light in Shadow! I only wish there were more books about Ethan and Zoe lol
August 30, 2021
Zoe has married Ethan, and this book picks up where book one ended. Ethan is a Pi in a small town . He does know about her secret ability. She picks up on the negativity of a house. The walls scream at her. She brings in her husband to see if he feels the negativity. The house tells a different story, and Ethan picks up on it, and he intends to look into it . Zoe fears her unstable side will come through again. This book gives you a lot of background, I felt it did not grab you like her other books. Her time was split between what was happening in her town, and job. Im so used to her stories being fast, and quick, This one dealt more with relationships past and present. I felt bad at times she doubted herself.
It had slow areas, but it got much better. It was good, but not great. She writes such good books, but it was still entertaining . It was good how Zoe ,and Ethan worked things out. I really liked the two main characters. Her ability would be frightening as a decorator. 4 stars.
It had slow areas, but it got much better. It was good, but not great. She writes such good books, but it was still entertaining . It was good how Zoe ,and Ethan worked things out. I really liked the two main characters. Her ability would be frightening as a decorator. 4 stars.
October 28, 2019
I do not recommend "Truth or Dare" as a stand alone novel, it is a sequel. It is heavy on character development so if you liked Ethan and Zoe in "Light in Shadow", then you will probably like this book.
Ethan and Zoe are married now and we get to see some marital issues as well as the struggle to decide which parts of the past should be shared. Eventually it all comes out but they do take a while to get there.
There is a mystery surrounding a secondary character. Also, some romance between secondary characters.
Though there's not as much action in "Truth or Dare", i still recommend it if you read and enjoyed "Light in Shadow". It gives the characters a nice ending.
Ethan and Zoe are married now and we get to see some marital issues as well as the struggle to decide which parts of the past should be shared. Eventually it all comes out but they do take a while to get there.
There is a mystery surrounding a secondary character. Also, some romance between secondary characters.
Though there's not as much action in "Truth or Dare", i still recommend it if you read and enjoyed "Light in Shadow". It gives the characters a nice ending.
February 17, 2024
I like this second book in the Whispering Springs series.
Zoe Luce married Ethan Truax in the last book in order to be safe from being returned to the mental hospital she escaped. In this book, her fellow escapee, Arcadia Ames is the target. Her presumed-dead husband, Grant Loring, is back and wants the information about his shady business dealings that Arcadia tucked away. Zoe and Ethan have to help out Arcadia, deal with their own professional problems and try to balance their own marriages.
Zoe Luce married Ethan Truax in the last book in order to be safe from being returned to the mental hospital she escaped. In this book, her fellow escapee, Arcadia Ames is the target. Her presumed-dead husband, Grant Loring, is back and wants the information about his shady business dealings that Arcadia tucked away. Zoe and Ethan have to help out Arcadia, deal with their own professional problems and try to balance their own marriages.
February 5, 2012
Truth or Dare continues with PI Ethan and his 4th wife, Interior Designer Zoe from Light in Shadow. They are now redecorating Ethan's pink elephant and thinking about what to do with their hasty marriage. There are more side stories in this book, especially with Arcadia, Zoe's best friend and fellow asylum inmate. I quite enjoy all the little tangents. One of the best part of the book was the talk young Jeff had with Singleton about not remembering what his dad looked like, it was quite heartbreaking.
Joyce Bean did a very good job with the reading. Another good offering from JAK.
Joyce Bean did a very good job with the reading. Another good offering from JAK.
April 13, 2020
Delightful reading experience. Zoe Luce is an interior designer with a unique sense of style. But sinister cobwebs of energy confront Zoe when she enters certain rooms. Arcadia Ames, Zoe’s old friend from a psychiatric hospital, fears her husband Grant Loring has tracked her down and wants her dead “again”. Arcadia has something Grant wants and he will use any means to retrieve it. Ethan Truax, a private investigator, and Zoe’s husband have secrets of is own. This amazing novel has various plot lines and scintillating characters. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
October 11, 2017
I first read this book several years ago and found I had forgotten many of the details. I remembered only a few aspects. There is a main mystery that has a red herring for the characters (though not the reader) and two smaller mysteries as well. Along the way, Zoe and Ethan have to work on the marriage that they started before knowing each other well and learn to fully trust and accept each others' feelings. I enjoyed the book at least as much this time around as the first.
January 19, 2016
This romantic suspense, set in Whispering Springs, AZ, has several plot lines to be solved, which may or may not be tied together. Interior designer Zoe Luce and her new husband, private investigator Ethan Truax, are starting their new life together after surviving a murder attempt on their lives in the previous book in this series. As much as they are ready for a time of calmness in their lives, they begin to suspect that someone is still pursuing them and their close friend, Arcadia.
May 10, 2017
Zoe Luce hires PI Ethan Truax to learn who is stalking her and who is threatening her friend Arcadia Ames. The secrets that Ethan and Zoe keep is inhibiting the investigation and until they learn the truth about one another, the investigation nor the relationship they hope to start can move forward. The mystery of story lasted to the final chapters and that made reading the story worthwhile.
Joyce Bean was an exemplary storyteller.
Joyce Bean was an exemplary storyteller.
August 4, 2016
Just didn't get it. Too many moving parts. There must have been character development in the first book in the series. I couldn't figure out how the characters fit together in this book. This author seems to follow Danielle Steele's style of writing by repeating the characters thoughts over and over. Lots of dialogue in the middle didn't seem to go anywhere.
August 29, 2019
An enjoyable sequel to Light in Shadow, with more emphasis this time on Zoe's glamorous friend Arcadia. There are several full plots entwined, so that we don't know for sure which nefarious plot we are following at any given time. Krentz gives readers several looks in on the bad guys, so we know a little more than the characters do.
December 30, 2019
The main characters, the build up, everything happened in the first book. There was nothing here for a sequel.
Spoiler Alert
The herione has special psychic powers and didnt explicitly tell the guy in book one. In book two by more than half way through the book, she finally tells him. And it was'nt even a big reveal to him.
A totally redundant book. Could have been all done in book 1
Spoiler Alert
The herione has special psychic powers and didnt explicitly tell the guy in book one. In book two by more than half way through the book, she finally tells him. And it was'nt even a big reveal to him.
A totally redundant book. Could have been all done in book 1
October 26, 2009
Typical Krentz, twisty turny suspense with a two great protagonists and their men. Arcadia Ames and Zoe Truax are in deep trouble. Their past is finally catching up with them and PI Ethan Truax is helping to safe guard them while investigating the mystery.
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October 13, 2020Who dun' it?
Love Jayne Ann Kenya' novels, especially the crystal ones. This book solved several mysteries around the main mystery which made it exciting, interesting and an excellent read! The characters are believable and draw you into their lives. This is an excellent series!
Love Jayne Ann Kenya' novels, especially the crystal ones. This book solved several mysteries around the main mystery which made it exciting, interesting and an excellent read! The characters are believable and draw you into their lives. This is an excellent series!
December 7, 2016
2nd in the series and just as good as the first!
September 19, 2018
Intriguing mystery
A tangled web inter weaves the lives of six friends and their mysterious pasts. Couldn't put it down and get hated to finish it.
A tangled web inter weaves the lives of six friends and their mysterious pasts. Couldn't put it down and get hated to finish it.
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