The Devil to Pay

Colter #2

by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz

This collector's edition of an out-of-print romance is by one of the genre's most popular authors--Jayne Ann Krentz, writing as Stephanie James. Desperately trying to break into an empty beach cottage, Emelina is greeted by a man as lethal-looking as his Doberman--a man who exudes a potent sensuality. Emelina gets his help--but at a price.

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

218 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1985

About the author

Jayne Ann Castle was born on 28 March 1948 in Borrego Springs, California. Her mother, Alberta Castle, raised her with her two brothers, Stephen and James. In 1970, she obtained a B.A in History at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later she obtained a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University, where she met Frank Krentz, an engineer. After her graduation, they married and moved to the Virgin Islands. She worked in the Duke University library system, where she began to write her first romance novels. The marriage moved to Seattle, Washington, where they continue living.

Now, Jayne Ann Castle Krentz with her seven pennames is considered a pillar in the contemporary romance genre. For some years, she only uses three pennames for each of three different periods from time: "Jayne Ann Krentz" (her married name) from the present, "Jayne Castle" (her birth name) from the future and her most famous penname: "Amanda Quick" from the past. She is famous for her work ethic, beginning her writing by 7 am six days a week. Her heroins never are damsels in hardships, they are often heroes. Her novels also contain mystery or paranormal elements.

Enthusiastic of the romantic genre, she has always defended its importance. To help educate the public about the romantic genre she became the editor and a contributor to Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance, a non-fiction essay collection that won the prestigious Susan Koppelman Award for Feminist Studies. She established the Castle Humanities Fund at UCSC's University Library to allow the library to purchase additional books and has given money to 15 Seattle-area elementary schools to enhance their library budgets. She is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Writers Programs at the University of Washington extension program.

Psuedonyms:

Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Jayne Castle
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass

Reviews

[boogenhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is pretty cute - the h is trying to help her brother who is being blackmailed and she thinks the H is a Mafia Don on vacation with a doberman. The H and the dog just think the h should be their's and try to figure out how to keep her.

[*CJ* · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Devil To Pay" is the story of Emeline and Julian.

A sweet story with a closet author h, who decides to break into a beach-house one foggy night. Her plans go awry when she is caught by the H and his dog, who appear to be following her. He then appoints both of them her companions, and the reluctant h has to agree because they won't stop chasing her..

Pretty determined and obsessed H, confused and loyal h and VERY hot lovemaking. The highlight of the book was definitely the doberman Xerxes, who stole my heart every time he behaved like an adorable puppy. Other than that, an average read with a divorced couple, who find happiness with one another.

Safe
3/5

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frequently goofy and had interesting characters, but the middle section kind of lost my attention a few times. Not sure if it was because the h/h spent so much time alone, without the family and friend interactions that characterize the best of JAK's work.
The sex scenes were also... a bit different and made me really curious about Harlequin's style manual for sex scenes in the 1980s. In the first one, Julian interrupts Emelina's fake orgasm to, ahem, show her that she's a true woman of passion. Another scene later on gets much closer to capture fantasy territory than I'd been expecting.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story. Loved the quirky heroine and her dreams for a new genre in romance writing. Take into consideration that it was written in a different time, and sit back and enjoy a well written fast paced romance.

[Alicja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love. Each element : heroes - wonderful Emeline , devil Julian , his dog . Story from the first scene . Julian is a great hero of this author : mysterious, resourceful , mega alpha . And so beautifully afraid to love.

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting...a bit different than expected but still great.

[Prac Agrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it
I liked the H and h and their banter but this one
Xerxes the dog was love !!!
seriously needed an epilogue.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emelina Stratton and Julian Colter become involved in a plan to get rid of a blackmailer. This 1985 Jayne Ann Krentz has a plot that is more involved than most of her earlier books. The characters are also more finely drawn, not relying so much on dialogue as action. Ms. Krentz is definitely moving toward her later writing skill in this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting scenario. Smooth writing, easy to read.
Read for the 3rd time - Really enjoy the way that our time has made men and women in these romances more accepting and willing to allow people to be who they need to be while still loving and enjoying their partner.

[Ewa ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars