Gift of Fire

Gift #2

by Jayne Ann Krentz

Verity Ames, small town restaurateur, is involved in a passionate affair with Jonas Quarrel, Renaissance scholar turned dishwasher.

Feeling that Jonas is underutilized, Verity signs him up to authenticate a sixteenth-century Italian villa on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest. Why pass on the opportunity to investigate the past and include a romantic getaway.

On the island, passions flare and events turn deadly. Someone does not want Verity and Jonas to discover the truth.

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

344 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

The author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.

She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.

Reviews

[fleurette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read the previous book, but that wasn't a problem at all. However, I didn't like this book as much as some others from Jayne Ann Krentz.

Oh my, this story is really dated. We have an alpha man here - a master and a commander - who must always have the last word and a naive woman who tries not to offend him and waits until his humour improves to express her opinion. He obviously calls her a tyrant, which probably should be funny, but it is not because Verity has really little to say in most matters.

What I really do not like is the total lack of respect form Jason to Verity. He clearly treats her as if she is less intelligent and is patronizing. He thinks he has a total right to decide for her (but of course she is a tyrant). But the worst of it all is the sex scene that is definitely close to rape, too close and I'm not really sensitive about it in my fiction. When Verity wants to talk to Jason, he ties her up with his belt to the bed, despite her obvious objection. And he does not undo her despite her pleas. She is angry with him and does not want to have sex, which she clearly informs him, and yet he does not release her, only initiates intercourse. A mood killer in my opinion.

The book is saved only by a good criminal intrigue. Although, it is not overly innovative and is very much in the style of the other stories of this author.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gift of Fire
3 Stars

Verity Ames and Jonas Quarrell are at a crossroads both in terms of their psychic connection and their romance. In an attempt to decide the future of their relationship one way or the other, Verity convinces Jonas to accept a job authenticating a 16th century Italian villa that has been relocated to the San Juan Islands. Once there, Verity and Jonas soon realize there is more to the job than meets the eye with murder and mayhem on the menu.

Gift of Fire continues in the same vein as the first book with Verity and Jonas's romance epitomizing the typical tropes of the 1980s bodice ripper with a domineering hero who won't take "no" for an answer, and a strong willed heroine who caves at the first sight of his manly chest. Most of the conflict between them results from a lack of communication, which gets annoying after a while.

That said, Verity and Jonas have incredible chemistry and the sex scenes are some of the most explicit I've encountered in Krentz's books. Moreover, there are definite glimpses of the heroes and heroines of Krentz's later books, particularly Lavinia Lake and Tobias March, and it is clear that she has grown and matured as a writer.

The mystery has an entertaining Agatha Christie like vibe with the discovery of a body and several suspects to choose from. The paranormal elements add an extra twist to the traditional formula.

In sum, a solid follow-up to the first book, but not as good as the later Arcane series books.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a mediocre story. The hero and heroine were only semi-likeable and that made it difficult to root for them. Plus, since this is apparently a sequel, the hero and heroine are already together at the beginning of the story so we miss out on the development of their relationship. In fact, the relationship we see at the beginning of this book is pretty dysfunctional. They don't communicate with each other at all. The hero, Jonas, has absolutely no ambition whatsoever. He's completely content to be a dishwasher in Verity's restaurant for the rest of his life. Verity, on the other hand, is an irritating nag who constantly pesters Jonas to grow up and get a real job. That would be a perfectly legitimate thing for her to bring up, but the way she does it and the way it's described by the author is specifically as nagging in a very negative way.

Verity is also completely insecure about the future of their relationship to the point where she expect Jonas to pick up and leave at any moment. Their initial connection apparently has something to do with Verity being the only person on earth who can act as an "anchor" for Jonas' psychic ability. She worries that the only reason he's with her is because he needs her to be his anchor and the minute he figures out how to control his abilities without her, he'll skip town with nary a backward glance or stop at the gift shop. Jonas, on the other hand, frets that Verity is only drawn to him because their psychic connection gives them a level of intimacy that goes beyond a normal relationship and if she were to find that connection with another man, or if Jonas lost his psychic powers, she'd immediately ditch him. It's not a very healthy relationship.

In addition, Jonas comes across as kind of a psycho. He holds a knife to a man's throat just for carrying an injured Verity into the house. That's not the romantic act of a man in love, it's the warning sign of a dangerously psychotic person. Naturally it transpires that it was all an innocent misunderstand, but what if Verity really HAD been having an affair? Would Jonas have killed the guy, just like that? Yes, we're given to believe that he would, and without a second thought. That's not sexy, it's disturbing.

A job offer comes along that is tailor-made to Jonas' skills and since he's out of town, Verity accepts the job on his behalf. Jonas resists at first but finally lets her nag him into making some actual money for a change and they head out to a creepy mansion on an isolated island. Once there Jonas and Verity use their psychic abilities to discover things about the house and a treasure that has been allegedly hidden in the walls. In between they have to deal with some ridiculous fake psychics, an irritable housekeeper, and a mystery man who keeps trying to frighten Verity.

Overall the plot was fine if a bit silly but I had to force myself to finish the book because I just didn't care about the characters or story enough to stay interested.

[Cruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
First published: 1989
Length: 343 pages, 4821 kindle locations
Setting: Contemporary.
Sex: Very explicit. Very frequent. Light bdsm with dubcon.
Hero: Dishwasher. Former Historian.
Heroine: Restaurant owner.
Paranormal: psychometry
Includes: excerpt from Midnight Jewels

Continuing on with the early paranormal that leads into the complex world of the Arcane Society series, Krentz leads us into a treasure hunt for gold and crystals.

Lots of sex, some with dubcon heading to rape (when "no" means "yes" because she's always hot for me), and some jealousy, possessiveness and "ownership".

But it works. I enjoyed it more than Book 1, but Gift of Gold is required for background. And I really do enjoy how you can see her future work.

Gift:
Book 1 Gift of Gold
Book 2 Gift of Fire

References:
Author's website: http://jayneannkrentz.com/gift-of-fire/

(ISBN …)

-CR-

[Jane (PS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: I enjoyed this book. I was a bit confused as to what the mystery would be - that took a while to start. And the ending wrap-up is probably the longest that I have read by JAK. But it was all still a great way to pass 8 or so hours.

One comment - the narrator drops the ends off words when 'not' is conjoined to the word eg didn't - the narrator reads it as di'n't... I think this a accent variation within the US...

I'd like to read Gift of Gold to see where it started, but I can't find a copy to buy over here :(

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up liking this one more than the first book, Gift of Gold. At the beginning I disliked Jonas even more whenever he thought about or interacted with Verity. However, as the book progressed he was forced to look outside himself and became more bearable. I never came to actually like him as a hero, but he did improve.

Then there was the treasure hunting aspect of the story, which was unexpected but fun. Once again, in this earlier book the standard action steps that have developed in Ms Krentz's books are missing and the plot has its own storyline. This includes less confusing action in the time tunnel and a new talent for working crystal, a precursor to Arcane.

There are some funny scenes with a New Age obsessed woman, and some real (not so pleasant) characters. Fewer of the typical quirky types and more jerks.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in the series, I found this book just as good, if not better, than the first. I look forward to re-reading these two. I love the way Krentz's male characters are not females dressed up as men like the male characters written by most women authors who can sometimes get that men ACT differently than women but don't seem to get that men also THINK differently than women. Her men are definitely male, both in their thinking and their actions. She has a firm grip on the difference when she creates her characters, and Jonas Quarrel is a prime example of her art. Look at the way Jonas and Verity resolve issues in their relationship in this book. JAK really highlights the way a man thinks versus the way a woman thinks. Delightful.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main characters got very old very fast for me. I liked the story line, but it drug out. There are enough games in life, this book was a constant game between the two leads & it was just tiring. Get over yourselves & get on with it already!!

[Eesia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was one of these books where I wanted to slap the heroin and kick the hero. I couldn't read till the end, because I was afraid I may torch the book in the process.

Can't believe I used to like Jayne Ann Krentz's books.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sequel to the first.
I’m not big in having a resolution to a romance being spread out over multiple books but I really liked the characters and wanted to continue the story.
Action packed, quick pace, lots of suspense & twists.
Characters very engaging.
HEA but would read another book with these characters.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 to 3.5 Stars ~ I enjoyed the 2nd half more than the 1st.

MY RATING GUIDE:
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS CUTE/OKAY; 3.5= I ENJOYED IT; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

GIFT OF FIRE, #2 of 2 (following Gift of Gold) is an “Oldie” written by Jayne Anne Krentz (published in 1993). I listened to the audio version narrated by Wendy Petersen. Although GIFT OF FIRE could possibly be read as a standalone title, I recommend (with below comments) reading GIFT OF GOLD first to better understand the dynamics of the main couple and the “paranormal world” element.


Jonas Quarrel, PhD/MMC, mid/late 30’s, is a modern Renaissance man, equally comfortable with either poetry or personal security. As a gifted scholar Jonas has both a reputation and experience in accurately authenticating antiques and museum artifacts, particularly of the Renaissance period, his specialty. Jonas has written articles and travelled extensively only recently moving to the small town of Sequence Springs, CA where he has been living with his lover, Verity Ames and assisting her as dishwasher, handyman, and wait staff. In addition, Jonas shares with no one, but Verity, his unusual and powerful Psychometry talent (or curse) for certain items with violent pasts.

Verity Ames/FMC, 28yrs, is the small business owner of a gourmet Vegetarian cafe in a small town in northern CA. She was raised, schooled and travelled with her father, a rambling sort of man who taught her to be independent and strong-minded. Jonas arrived in Sequence Springs several months ago (book #1) looking for Verity, whom he had met previously through her father. Since his arrival, both a personal relationship and a psychic bond has developed between Jonas and Verity resulting in the unexpected benefit of stabilizing Jonas’ volatile Psychometry talent. Other elements of their uncertain relationship are not as clear.

When Jonas is offered a consulting job to ascertain the age of a supposed ancient estate (said to have been transported from Europe piece-by-piece centuries earlier), Verity encourages Jonas to accept. But unusual and dangerous occurrences begin soon after their arrival on the estate. A treasure is rumored to be hidden somewhere within the estate. Jonas and Verity experience a psychic vision from the past. The dead body of the previous owner is discovered in a closed off hallway. With Murder, Treasure, and psychic elements already involved, what will be next?


What I liked -
1) Jayne Anne Krentz is one of my favorite authors. Usually the dialogue drives the story with quips, humor, a connection between the main characters, a mystery, and a much earned HEA. Generally the angst is low and the characters are mature.
2) Although there are certain elements present in GOF that I don’t enjoy, both GIFT OF GOLD, #1 and GIFT OF FIRE have a paranormal/Time Travel aspect that I do like, similar to many other Jayne Anne Krentz/Jayne Castle novels.
3)I enjoy Jonas. I find his character interesting, although at times he can be a bit heavy-handed.


What I didn’t like -
1) I don’t care much for “managing” or bossy FMCs. Verity is portrayed as such. She also acts immature, IMO, at times. I didn’t much care for Verity in the first half of the book. The action took over the second half so other than a few eye-rolls on my part I was able to zip through to the end.
2) GIFT OF FIRE leans on miscommunication/lack of communication between the main couple to cause conflict, not a device I like. I prefer all conflict in novels to come from outside the couple dynamics, as in Proximity/Danger tropes, with a “us against the world” type mentality.
3) GIFT OF FIRE was written several decades ago. At that time, men were often portrayed as alpha types and “strong” women sometimes as “harpies, “shrews,” or/and conflicted in their goals. The 2 MCs fit this limited pattern. For whatever reason, I can handle Jonas’ attitude (but not name-calling) better than Verity’s.
4) I have actually read GIFT OF FIRE previously and (mostly) enjoyed it. Sometimes the narration of a book lessens the enjoyment of the novel. I felt that was the case with GOF. I felt the MMC voice was monotone in the first 1/2, with very little emotion or inflection. This made Jonas sound bored or uninterested, when actually he is supposed to be a passionate character. Also, the narration seemed rushed (especially in the beginning), again without much inflection in tone, almost putting me to sleep. (The second half wasn’t as bad, IMO).
5) I purchased the audio version of GIFT OF FIRE through a $5 Deal. I would not want to spend more.

Overall, I still enjoyed GIFT OF FIRE - due to the paranormal elements and the unique (para) relationship between Jonas and Verity. I would only recommend GOF to readers, however, who are either great Jayne Anne Krentz fans or are familiar with books from the 1980-1990’s and can deal with the “dated” couple dynamics of that time which (by today’s standards) feels intermittently, either overly alpha and/or immature in nature.

READER CAUTIONS - Not recommended to YA readers or those who prefer Clean fiction.
VIOLENCE - PG
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used fairly frequently.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Open door intimacy scenes. GIFT OF FIRE features MCs continuing from book#1, intimacy begins in GOF early in the book. Some readers might be offended by the tongue-in-cheek references to bondage play.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow up book to Gift of Gold by Krentz, and continues Jonas and Verity’s story, although it does work as a standalone, you’ll understand a lot more abou Jonas’ talent if you read the first book before this one!

When Verity manages to score a consulting job for Jonas at a Renaissance era Italian Villa somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, neither of them were expecting to run into any problems.
With a house full of psychics, a missing treasure, and at least one killer on the loose, there is a lot more trouble than they bargained for!

This is another older Krentz novel, from the early 1990s. A precursor to her Arcane society tales, it features a man with a special talent, and his feisty red-headed lover.
Fans of the author will recognize her favourite type of hero… the quietly dangerous and always underestimated one. Similarly, her heroine is another favourite, the feisty but somewhat naïve type.
It’s all good though, an enjoyable adventure romance with some paranormal overtones. Lots of action, a little mystery, plenty of romance, and a few crossed wires!

An enjoyable paranormal romance for fans of the genre.

[Petie McCarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this on Amazon as a CD Audio book listed with a 2012 release and got skunked again! What I got was a narrated THIRTY-YEAR-OLD ms. That's right. 1989. Judging from the story, this was Ms. Krentz' first release. Didn't know how old the ms was until I received the box and the original pub date was listed amongst the details. Sheesh! Live and learn. Should have checked Goodreads. There's a lesson here...don't buy audio books on amazon without checking pub date on Goodreads. Left feeling cheated. Narrator? No inflection at all on the hero deliveries. "OMG I'm gonna die!" would sound the same as "I'll have toast for breakfast."

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire are a terrific duo! Characters both have outgoing personalities that clash and blend! The 2 books are individual stories, each complete alone, but have same main characters and second book starts immediately after the first one ends! Early books by Jayne Ann Kenya but indicative of the great, e nab pertaining books she will continue to produce! She is one of my favorite authors, whose books I buy read and reread. The reader is guaranteed an excellent reading adventure!

[Linda Marlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining follow up to Gift of Gold. There was more action in this one. The characters were interesting, but lacked the maturity Jayne's more recent characters possess. I get annoyed when the issues between the protagonists could be settled by a simple conversation and there was a lot of that in this book. As a light read, I still found the book to be fun and it's whet my appetite for Jayne's newest book which I preordered and expect tonight.

[Carolyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychic Bonds

Verify Ames and Jonas Quarrel become a couple in the book Gift of Gold. This book continues their story. It is filled with danger and lots of plot twists. They must learn if their love for each other is real or only part of a psychic bond. Both characters must learn to trust in the other. I enjoyed their development as well as the exciting plot.

[Diane Sallans · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the second book of a pair - I had read the first book years ago. JAK is one of my favorite authors, so I want to read all of her books. In this books the couple already have a strong relationship. There is a paranormal/psychic element to the story. I enjoyed it.

[Martha B. Lempke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Krentz

A nice play of relationship tensions against the interplay of a group of psychics involved in a mystery. The story flows well and could stand alone but is best read as the sequel, and culmination, to Gift of Gold.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Megan Mcallister · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the comedy in this novel is centered around crazy Elyssa. I keep laughing. It's a more enjoyable novel than Gift of Gold.

[Deborah Branson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Verity was more than a little annoying thru out the whole book. It got off to a really slow start. Half way thru, it started getting interesting.

[cathedralwindow85 of BRISEIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Jayne Ann Krentz, back in the day.

[Dietrich West-Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read good story A little silly in place but overall a good read. Nice plot and nice twist. Read before years ago and still a good read.

#10

[Pat Schager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of psychometry

Good follow up to Gift of Gold. Definitely needed book 1 to be completely understood. Weaves in all characters in at truly Jayne Ann Krentz fashion.

[Rose Mcclarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the adventure, the twists and turns and just never knowing who the villain is until the last few pages.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful book by Jayne Ann Krentz

All books from Jayne are wonderful. I love them all under all he names.
Just waiting for the next one.

[Lo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline was actually interesting, but the possessive, controlling, jealous male character kind of ruined it for me.

[Rebecca Delio · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT STORY

I loved Gift of Fire and the first book Gift of Gold, where Ms. Krentz comes up with her ideas is wonderful, they keep you entertained from beginning to end.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Playaway. Reader was very dry. Story kind of dumb.

[Janette · Rating 3 out of 5]

HE FIGURES ONE AND ONE EQUAL TWO. SHE KNOWS HE'S WRONG...IF BABY MAKES THREE.

Jonas Quarral was lean, sexy, and equally capable of quoting Renaissance poetry or wielding a dagger. Verity Ames knew Jonas was the perfect partner for an affair--and that he was not the marrying kind. Before long he would be looking for new excitement, leaving Verity behind to run her gourmet restaurant in a California resort, hold on to misty colored memories, and wonder what she was going to do if she were pregnant with his child. Sure enough, her adventuring lover was soon off to an Italian villa rebuilt on a Pacific Northwest island. Jonas went to hunt for missing Renaissance jewels. Verity went along to snare a husband. A big, soft, four-poster bed might be the ideal place to try out her lures! But in this ancient mansion of hidden passageways and mysterious perils, there were some deadly traps for those blinded by love...unless Verity could help Jonas discover the most precious treasure a woman and man can find.