Setting: Eclipse Bay, Oregon, present day

Sensuality rating: 5

New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz returns readers to this sleepy coastal town in her eagerly anticipated sequel to Eclipse Bay. The Harte-Madison feud hasn't been totally laid to rest yet, not when matchmaker Lillian Harte takes on successful CEO Gabe Madison as a client. Gabe's arranged blind dates have all ended disastrously, but he insists that Lillian make good on his contract for a sixth and final rendezvous, even if she has to go herself. But anytime a Madison and a Harte get near each other, the chemistry is explosive. Add in quirky alien conspiracy theorists and a soupçon of sexual deviance in the form of dominance and bondage--not to mention tongue-in-cheek humor and captivating sensuality--and you've got another unforgettable read from perennial favorite Krentz. --Alison Trinkle

From Publishers Weekly
The second installment of Krentz's Harte-Madison trilogy (following Eclipse Bay) attempts to close the rift that formed several generations ago between the prosperous Hartes and the reckless Madisons. Lillian Harte plans to give up her computer matchmaking business to devote her life to painting, but she has one final client to "fire" steely Gabe Madison. Gabe has already broken with his heritage by building a billion-dollar venture-capital company, and now he wants a wife, one who is financially independent, good-looking and definitely not an "arty" type. When Gabe learns that Lillian is closing her business, he insists that she fulfill her contractual obligation to him. He even follows her home to Eclipse Bay, Ore., supposedly to collect on their broken agreement. While they smolder in the usual Harte-Madison fashion, a sex therapist who is into bikini panties and submission tries to steal Lillian's database of high-end clients. This silly subplot detracts from the romance, and it's a shame that Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle), who is such a master of sexual tension and intelligent banter, has weighed this romantic puff pastry down with such a leaden attempt at mystery. (May 1)Forecast: Although the Romantic Times has claimed that romantic suspense novels are "out" and romantic comedies are "in," Krentz's romantic suspense novels have been, and still are, selling exceedingly well. This frivolous but entertaining romp should be no exception.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Determined finally to follow her artistic dreams, Lillian Harte abruptly closes down her thriving computer matchmaking business and heads back home to Eclipse Bay to paint. But when Gabe Madison, her final client (and new brother-in-law), shows up on her doorstep, determined to collect the last "date" she owes him, it doesn't take long for the passion to flare, the small-town gossip to start, and the family meddling to follow. Snappy dialog, electric sexual tension, and subtle humor highlight this fast-paced contemporary romance, which features a pair of classic Krentz protagonists and some exceptionally well-drawn and appealing secondary characters. The second in Krentz's "Eclipse Bay" trilogy set along the Oregon coast, this work nicely continues the story of the long-standing feud between the successful Hartes and the irresponsible Madisons, begun in Eclipse Bay (Jove, 2000). Krentz, who also writes as Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, is a best-selling writer of lively, sensual romances laced to varying degrees with suspense and humor. She lives in the Seattle area. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
This irresistible romance features the beautiful Oregon countryside and an unusual cast of characters. Lillian Hart has closed her successful matchmaking business to become a full-time artist. Furthermore, she's "fired" her last client, Gabe Madison, an impossible man who makes her own heart go "pitter-pat." As Gabe chases Lillian, first to their hometown of Eclipse Bay, and then to the uncharted territory of romance and love, strange happenings push them even closer together. Joyce Bean helps the sparks fly. As the crazy occurrences seem to make sense, only to fall apart again, Bean's voice and intonation flesh out these stereotypical characters as only a true romantic can. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
In the second installment in Krentz's Eclipse Bay trilogy, Lillian Harte has decided to close down her matchmaking business to paint full time, but she still has some unfinished business. Successful CEO Gabe Madison, scion of the family that has been feuding with her family for three generations, wants the date he contracted for when he registered with her business, and is willing to chase her from Portland to Eclipse Bay to get it. To add to all her problems, one client's former boyfriend may be stalking her, seeking revenge for breaking up his romance. Will Lillian and Gabe be able to continue in the footsteps of their respective siblings, Hannah and Rafe, to mend the rift that sundered their grandfathers' business? Can all the Madisons and Hartes find happiness and true love with each other? This is entertaining, lightweight reading, perfect for beach or airplane but not Krentz at her best. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Download Description
From New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz-the second novel in a dramatic trilogy set in breathtaking Eclipse Bay, a town filled with rivalries as fierce and compelling as the rugged Oregon coast.. Nothing was ever simple between a Madison and a Harte. The feud that had divided their families still simmered. Now, only months after their siblings' wedding, Lilian Harte and Gabe Madison are at each other's throats. Successful CEO Gabe had insisted on becoming a client of Lilian's matchmaking service. And after five disastrous dates, Lilian is at her wit's end. If she hadn't already decided to close her business and move home to Eclipse Bay, Gabe would have been the final straw. But when she finds Gabe at her door demanding she fulfill their business contract, the sparks between them suddenly turn personal. Once again, Eclipse Bay will witness a showdown-between a relentless Madison and an irresistible Harte.

FROM OUR EDITORS

When Hannah Harte married Rafe Madison (in Eclipse Bay), their neighbors thought the three-generational feud between the Madisons and Hartes was finally over. They couldn't have been more wrong. In Eclipse Bay, folks say never to get between a Madison and his passion. For years, Gabe Madison's passion has been his business. He built it from nothing — with guts, hard work, and an inflexible determination never to let anyone cheat him. Now his passion is getting married. As far as he's concerned it's just another business deal, so he contracts with Lillian Harte's computer matchmaking service to find him the perfect mate. His first five dates are disasters, but when Lillian closes her business before date number six, an enraged Gabe follows her back to Eclipse Bay — refusing her offer of a refund and demanding she find him a wife. When an irresistible Madison collides with an immovable Harte, get ready for romantic sparks.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

(2nd title in the trilogy)

Nothing was ever simple between a Madison and a Harte. The feud that had divided their families still simmered. Now only months after their siblings' wedding, Lillian Harte and Gabe Madison are at each other's throat. Successful CEO Gabe had insisted on becoming a client of Lillian's matchmaking service. And after five disastrous dates, Lillian is at her wit's end. If she hadn't already decided to close her business and move home to Eclipse Bay, Gabe would have been the final straw. But when she finds Gabe at her door demanding she fulfill their business contract, the sparks between them suddenly turn personal. Once again, Eclipse Bay will witness a showdown - between a relentless Madison and an irresistible Harte.

"An entertaining mix of...sex and mystery." (Publishers Weekly)

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The second installment of Krentz's Harte-Madison trilogy (following Eclipse Bay) attempts to close the rift that formed several generations ago between the prosperous Hartes and the reckless Madisons. Lillian Harte plans to give up her computer matchmaking business to devote her life to painting, but she has one final client to "fire" steely Gabe Madison. Gabe has already broken with his heritage by building a billion-dollar venture-capital company, and now he wants a wife, one who is financially independent, good-looking and definitely not an "arty" type. When Gabe learns that Lillian is closing her business, he insists that she fulfill her contractual obligation to him. He even follows her home to Eclipse Bay, Ore., supposedly to collect on their broken agreement. While they smolder in the usual Harte-Madison fashion, a sex therapist who is into bikini panties and submission tries to steal Lillian's database of high-end clients. This silly subplot detracts from the romance, and it's a shame that Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle), who is such a master of sexual tension and intelligent banter, has weighed this romantic puff pastry down with such a leaden attempt at mystery. (May 1) Forecast: Although the Romantic Times has claimed that romantic suspense novels are "out" and romantic comedies are "in," Krentz's romantic suspense novels have been, and still are, selling exceedingly well. This frivolous but entertaining romp should be no exception. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Handsome, rich Gabe Madison is a client for beautiful, rich Lillian Harte's successful computer matchmaking service. Early in the story, it becomes evident that Gabe is after the matchmaker herself, in spite of a three-generation family feud. Both Gabe and Lillian end up moving from the big city back to Eclipse Bay, a small town on the Oregon coast. Woven into the development of their romance are encounters with their crusty grandfathers, a kinky sex therapist, and a group of people convinced a local think tank is the home of frozen alien life forms. Joyce Bean's reading is clear and well paced; she gives individual voices to the locals (who are far more interesting than the romantic couple). The production is supported by appropriate music, which makes for a smooth, polished presentation. Recommended for public libraries with an audience for light, romantic fiction. Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile