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Dangerous Games: The Devil to Pay / Wizard
The Devil to Pay
Emelina Stratton was desperate to save her brother's life. Desperate enough to ask mafia-chieftain-in-hiding Julian Colter for help. The man, shrouded in mystery and with lethal good looks, said yes. For a price, of course. Emmy would have The Devil To Pay. Especially since she was what Julian demanded in return.
Wizard
Intellectual Sophia Bennett knew what kind of man she wanted: a rugged cowboy. And in Texas they were everywhere! So why couldn't she take her eyes off brilliant professor Max Travers? He was a Wizard in mathematics who surely made love by the numbers. Yet every inch of him--no Stetson, no dusty boots--added up to dangerously sexy.
Emelina Stratton was desperate to save her brother's life. Desperate enough to ask mafia-chieftain-in-hiding Julian Colter for help. The man, shrouded in mystery and with lethal good looks, said yes. For a price, of course. Emmy would have The Devil To Pay. Especially since she was what Julian demanded in return.
Wizard
Intellectual Sophia Bennett knew what kind of man she wanted: a rugged cowboy. And in Texas they were everywhere! So why couldn't she take her eyes off brilliant professor Max Travers? He was a Wizard in mathematics who surely made love by the numbers. Yet every inch of him--no Stetson, no dusty boots--added up to dangerously sexy.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
1 person is currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie James
49 books150 followersJayne 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 23, 2011
It's hard to reconcile the Jayne Ann Krentz I "know" today with her mid-80's work.
Because these two stories don't read like a JAK work at all.
The Devil to Pay
Rather good, though it shows the era it was created in. I slightly disliked the heroine (with her wild imagination and blind belief in rumors), and the hero's possessiveness (though I love my Alpha males) made me roll my eyes a few times. Too over the top if you ask me.
The suspense part was rather bland and hole-y, and the romance was a bit too rushed for me to really like this story.
The Wizard
HATED the heroine. Reading the very first scene in the book I couldn't believe that was the actual heroine. Made me want to hurl something heavy against something equally heavy. The hero was somewhere along the lines of the hero in the previous story - possessive and very Alpha, but it once again came across as too over the top.
Because these two stories don't read like a JAK work at all.
The Devil to Pay
Rather good, though it shows the era it was created in. I slightly disliked the heroine (with her wild imagination and blind belief in rumors), and the hero's possessiveness (though I love my Alpha males) made me roll my eyes a few times. Too over the top if you ask me.
The suspense part was rather bland and hole-y, and the romance was a bit too rushed for me to really like this story.
The Wizard
HATED the heroine. Reading the very first scene in the book I couldn't believe that was the actual heroine. Made me want to hurl something heavy against something equally heavy. The hero was somewhere along the lines of the hero in the previous story - possessive and very Alpha, but it once again came across as too over the top.
March 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Her characters are always different than expected. I enjoyed all of her 80's books and took them for the era they were in and what was selling.
August 1, 2021
I read a fair amount of cheesy 80s-90s romance when I was a teenager. This is a decent example of that genre. Cleaning out my bookshelves when I found this.
March 11, 2026
Sometimes...you've just got to read all the early 90s trashy romance...especially when there are fistfights over the damsel...
October 7, 2011
Both books from the '80s, typical overbearing males with "strong" women who are impressed by the males because they're SOOOO powerful
Devil to Pay-Emelina Stratton is trying to help her brother who is being blackmailed. To that end, she enlists (or is forced to take the help of) Julian Colter and his Doberman. He's rumored to be a mob boss but she takes his hielp anyway.
Wizard-Really weird story about a woman, Sophia, whose parents are geniuses and because of that she wants to marry a cowboy? Instead, she falls in love with a mathematical genius (she calls all geniuses wizards). Max is in Dallas to help a security firm where Sophie works as a secretary. She's been a disappointment to her parents her whole life because she's not intellectual like they are, her talents lie more in dress design. He ends up being a jerk and she succumbs to his overbearing manner. Blergh. Glad Krentz writes differently now.
Devil to Pay-Emelina Stratton is trying to help her brother who is being blackmailed. To that end, she enlists (or is forced to take the help of) Julian Colter and his Doberman. He's rumored to be a mob boss but she takes his hielp anyway.
Wizard-Really weird story about a woman, Sophia, whose parents are geniuses and because of that she wants to marry a cowboy? Instead, she falls in love with a mathematical genius (she calls all geniuses wizards). Max is in Dallas to help a security firm where Sophie works as a secretary. She's been a disappointment to her parents her whole life because she's not intellectual like they are, her talents lie more in dress design. He ends up being a jerk and she succumbs to his overbearing manner. Blergh. Glad Krentz writes differently now.
December 18, 2015
There were two shorter novels in this book.
The first story was ok. It was a bit repetitive of the fact that Julian was mafia (or so the villagers suspected), it seemed to come up at least once a page or so. Other than that, it was a fun romance story. It is a bit outdated (being published in 1985) in that he sends a telegram to "fetch" her...
The second story was better. It was not quite as repetitive about the fact that she didn't want a professor and he was a very intellectual person with no "real world" experience. But it still came up very often.
The first story was ok. It was a bit repetitive of the fact that Julian was mafia (or so the villagers suspected), it seemed to come up at least once a page or so. Other than that, it was a fun romance story. It is a bit outdated (being published in 1985) in that he sends a telegram to "fetch" her...
The second story was better. It was not quite as repetitive about the fact that she didn't want a professor and he was a very intellectual person with no "real world" experience. But it still came up very often.
January 26, 2016
This was a very enjoyable book with 2 short stories that were wonderful all alone.
I loved the dynamics between Emmy and Julian in the first story. She was so go-get-em and he was very demanding of her and trying to maneuver the relationship between the 2 of them. Xerxes was a nice addition to their story.
In the 2nd story, I liked how Sophy and Max were "polar opposites" in her mind. I always enjoy a story that takes place in Texas because it makes me think of home. It was fun to watch their relationship blossom as they each realized how they felt about one another.
I loved the dynamics between Emmy and Julian in the first story. She was so go-get-em and he was very demanding of her and trying to maneuver the relationship between the 2 of them. Xerxes was a nice addition to their story.
In the 2nd story, I liked how Sophy and Max were "polar opposites" in her mind. I always enjoy a story that takes place in Texas because it makes me think of home. It was fun to watch their relationship blossom as they each realized how they felt about one another.
May 1, 2011
Ok this book had 2 stories in it so i'll start with #1
The Devil To Pay
I loved this story.It had danger in and a man in love..the white lies
Wonderful plot:)
All around good story this one i gave a 4
Story 2
Wizard
This one was good as well
But i didnt like it as well.Maybe it was the way of it..
The man was just not as good as the one in the frist story..
I was good but just on a dinffernt scal then the 1st one:)
So this one im givein a 3 too..
Happy reading
The Devil To Pay
I loved this story.It had danger in and a man in love..the white lies
Wonderful plot:)
All around good story this one i gave a 4
Story 2
Wizard
This one was good as well
But i didnt like it as well.Maybe it was the way of it..
The man was just not as good as the one in the frist story..
I was good but just on a dinffernt scal then the 1st one:)
So this one im givein a 3 too..
Happy reading
October 9, 2010
A double reprint, both from the 80s - I think they were originally printed under the Stephanie James pen name. They have the usual 80s attitude - a strong man who thinks 'feisty' = 'cute' and a woman who thinks she can handle herself until she needs to be rescued by the man...
For those old enough to remember, consider it a trip down memory lane.
For those old enough to remember, consider it a trip down memory lane.
February 20, 2016
I have to say that I am a bit embarrassed to have read this book. I like Jayne Ann Krentz and I have read her writings as Amanda Quick and I thought it would be nice to read other books under different pen name. These two stories, in one book, was cheesy romance (HQN). If you like cheesy, garbage romance, by all means, read this.
January 6, 2012
A book with lots of stereotyping.
November 16, 2012
This was the first romance-ish novel I have ever read, and I was completely satisfied with it. Both of the stories in it, were well written and fantastic. Highly recommend it!
June 17, 2015
This is one of her older books and it was two books in one. It was very dated but it was sweet.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews