Setting: A small town on the Oregon Coast

Sensuality: 6

Art gallery owner Octavia Brightwell turns down six dates with handsome Nick Harte before she finds the courage to say "yes." She knows that not only does Nick have a "no-commitment" reputation, but he's also a member of one of Eclipse Bay's foremost families. Octavia, on the other hand, is the niece of the infamous woman who started a feud between Nick's grandfather and another prominent family, the Madisons, years ago. Sheer attraction wins out, however, and after one date, Nick is determined to make Octavia more than his dinner partner. Before the two have time to explore their relationship, a valuable painting is stolen from Octavia's art gallery and when the town names her as the prime suspect, she turns to Nick to solve the mystery. The investigation unravels an old scandal, heals a broken friendship, and forces Nick and Octavia to face and resolve the passionate attraction that binds them.

In this third tale in Jayne Ann Krentz's trilogy about life and love in a small town on the Oregon Coast, readers get to revisit the quirky characters that populate Eclipse Bay. The supporting cast also includes the fascinating members of the Harte and Madison families who starred in prior books. While the mystery element in the plot is light, the banter between hero and heroine is fun, and watching these two tread warily through the land mine-strewn road of their developing relationship is a pleasure. --Lois Faye Dyer


From Publishers Weekly
The final installment in Krentz's Eclipse Bay trilogy (Dawn in Eclipse Bay, etc.) centers around thriller writer Nick Harte, the handsome scion of one of the tiny town's most prominent families. In the two years since the death of his wife, single dad Nick hasn't even been tempted to let a woman get close. But when he meets gallery owner Octavia Brightwell, his defenses finally crumble. Though she can't deny Nick's many attractions, Octavia herself is far from avid for romance. Then a valuable painting disappears from her gallery's safekeeping, and the local rumor mill suggests that Octavia herself is the culprit. Figuring that a man who writes about criminal investigation is the closest to a private eye that Eclipse Bay has to offer, Octavia enlists Nick to help discover the real culprit. Along the way, he has plenty of opportunities to scrutinize the town's weirder inhabitants and form a relationship with Octavia. Though Krentz's signature comic banter is slightly more subdued here, her playfully intelligent voice retains all of its characteristic charm. Scenes featuring the eccentric townspeople are strained at times, but the lighthearted warmth of the romantic sequences and the appearances of Nick's precocious son, Carson a wonderful combination of budding tycoon and ordinary five-year-old boy more than make up for the occasional lull. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Once again, Krentz (Eclipse Bay, Dawn in Eclipse Bay) takes readers to the deceptively peaceful Pacific Coast town of Eclipse Bay, where the long-standing feud between the Hartes and the Madisons is finally on the mend. Marriages have now linked the two families, and the once-warring patriarchs meet regularly for coffee. Then the niece of the woman who caused the original trouble comes to town, attracting not only the highly eligible Nick Harte but someone with a grudge to avenge. Featuring well-drawn characters, snappy dialog, and a good sense of place, the final volume in Krentz's "Eclipse Bay" trilogy skillfully delivers an independent story while deftly tying up any loose ends from the earlier books. Fans are sure to be waiting for this heartwarming, contemporary romance. Krentz is a best-selling author and lives in the Seattle area. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Feuding, rivalry, an old curse, art theft, and local gossip turn Octavia Brightwell's life upside down, creating confusion and suspense as she searches for a painting stolen from her gallery. Narrator Joyce Bean adds local charm and small-town flavor in her depiction of Mitchell and Sullivan, two geezers whose grandsons are romantically involved with Octavia. Bean appropriately portrays Mitchell's 6-year-old great-grandson as childish, but bright and inquisitive, and with a budding flair for investing, encouraged by his doting great-grandfather. The characterizations of Eugene and Dwayne, typical small-town bullies, are especially well done and worth the listen. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Download Description
A special message from Jayne Ann Krentz. Dear Reader: Summer has arrived in Eclipse Bay and things are definitely heating up between the Hartes and the Madisons. It seems that the mysterious new gallery owner, Octavia Brightwell, is thinking about having a scandalous fling with that rogue Nick Harte before she leaves town. As far as Nick is concerned, a short-term affair sounds perfect. But it isn't going to be easy. One big obstacle is Mitchell Madison. For reasons of his own, Mitchell has taken it upon himself to play guardian to Octavia. He's made it clear that if Nick fools around with her, there will be a price to pay. And then there's Nick's young son, Carson, who has his own agenda where Octavia is concerned. He doesn't want his father messing up his plans. Summer in Eclipse Bay is going to be eventful this year. Some long-buried secrets from the infamous Harte-Madison feud are about to surface. The past and the present are on a collision course. I hope you'll join me to watch the fireworks. Happy reading . . . Jayne Ann Krentz

FROM OUR EDITORS

One of the hottest writers in romance returns to small-town Eclipse Bay, Oregon, to to ignite scandalous passions between a pair of star-crossed lovers -- and rekindle a decades-old feud between their families -- in this third installment in her New York Times bestselling trilogy.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Word gets around fast in Eclipse Bay. Nick Harte should know -- his family's legendary feud with the Madisons fueled the local gossip mill for years before finally cooling off. But people are still talking -- and rumor has it Nick's involved with someone new....

Art gallery owner Octavia Brightwell doesn't take chances -- especially on handsome, charming men. But that's only part of the reason why she turned Nick down six times before -- finally -- agreeing to a date. Octavia's related to the woman who sparked the long-running family feud -- and fears that falling hard for Nick would only ignite the flames again. Octavia knows her family's past is best kept hidden. But her secret isn't safe in Eclipse Bay -- and neither is her heart....

Praise for Jayne Ann Krentz:
"One of the hottest writers in romance today." USA Today

"A master of sexual tension and intelligent banter." --Publishers Weekly

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The final installment in Krentz's Eclipse Bay trilogy (Dawn in Eclipse Bay, etc.) centers around thriller writer Nick Harte, the handsome scion of one of the tiny town's most prominent families. In the two years since the death of his wife, single dad Nick hasn't even been tempted to let a woman get close. But when he meets gallery owner Octavia Brightwell, his defenses finally crumble. Though she can't deny Nick's many attractions, Octavia herself is far from avid for romance. Then a valuable painting disappears from her gallery's safekeeping, and the local rumor mill suggests that Octavia herself is the culprit. Figuring that a man who writes about criminal investigation is the closest to a private eye that Eclipse Bay has to offer, Octavia enlists Nick to help discover the real culprit. Along the way, he has plenty of opportunities to scrutinize the town's weirder inhabitants and form a relationship with Octavia. Though Krentz's signature comic banter is slightly more subdued here, her playfully intelligent voice retains all of its characteristic charm. Scenes featuring the eccentric townspeople are strained at times, but the lighthearted warmth of the romantic sequences and the appearances of Nick's precocious son, Carson a wonderful combination of budding tycoon and ordinary five-year-old boy more than make up for the occasional lull. (May 7) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Once again, Krentz (Eclipse Bay, Dawn in Eclipse Bay) takes readers to the deceptively peaceful Pacific Coast town of Eclipse Bay, where the long-standing feud between the Hartes and the Madisons is finally on the mend. Marriages have now linked the two families, and the once-warring patriarchs meet regularly for coffee. Then the niece of the woman who caused the original trouble comes to town, attracting not only the highly eligible Nick Harte but someone with a grudge to avenge. Featuring well-drawn characters, snappy dialog, and a good sense of place, the final volume in Krentz's "Eclipse Bay" trilogy skillfully delivers an independent story while deftly tying up any loose ends from the earlier books. Fans are sure to be waiting for this heartwarming, contemporary romance. Krentz is a best-selling author and lives in the Seattle area. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile