Jayne Ann Krentz, née Jayne Castle is an American writer of romance novel

Romance novel

The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...

s. Krentz is the author of a string of New York Times bestsellers under seven different pseudonyms. Now, she only uses three names. As Jayne Ann Krentz (her married name) she writes contemporary romantic-suspense. She uses Amanda Quick for her novels of historical

Historical romance

Historical romance is a subgenre of two literary genres, the romance novel and the historical novel.-Definition:Historical romance is set before World War II...

 romantic-suspense. Jayne Castle (her birth name) is reserved these days for her stories of futuristic/paranormal romantic-suspense.

Over 23 million copies of Krentz's 122 novels are in print. With Sweet Starfire, Krentz created the futuristic romance subgenre, and further expanded the boundaries of the genre in 1996 with Amaryllis, the first paranormal futuristic romantic suspense novel. She is an outspoken advocate for the romance genre and has been the recipient of the Susan Koppelman Award for Feminist Studies.

Personal life

Jayne Ann Castle was born in Cobb, California

Cobb, California

Cobb is a census-designated place in Lake County, California, United States. Cobb is located northwest of Whispering Pines, at an elevation of 2631 feet...

, USA

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Her mother, Alberta Castle, raised her and her two brothers, Stephen and James in Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs, California

Borrego Springs is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. The population was 3,429 at the 2010 census, up from 2,535 at the 2000 census. Many residents are seasonal while others remain year round...

 during her first 10 years.

She earned a B.A

Bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...

 in History

History

History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...

 at the University of California, Santa Cruz

University of California, Santa Cruz

The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university; one of ten campuses in the University of California...

 in 1970. Fearful that she would be unable to find a job using her degree, she elected to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science

Library science

Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...

 from San Jose State University

San José State University

San Jose State University is a public university located in San Jose, California, United States...

. Immediately after graduation she married Frank Krentz, an engineer, whom she had met at San Jose State. The couple moved to the Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...

, where Krentz worked for a year as an elementary school librarian, a time she refers to as "an unmitigated career disaster." Realizing that she enjoyed being a librarian but not the aspects of teaching that working in an elementary school required, Krentz moved into the higher levels of academia, including a stint in the Duke University

Duke University

Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...

 library system. Krentz and her husband later moved to Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...

.

Krentz has been generous in sharing her wealth with libraries. 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

University of Washington

University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...

 extension program.

Krentz is famous for her work ethic, beginning her writing by 7 am six days a week. She is fond of vegetarian cooking.

Early years

While working at Duke, Krentz began writing stories her way, combining elements of romance novels with paranormal twists. For six years she wrote and mailed proposals for new novels, consistently receiving rejection letters. She claims to have tried to stop writing several times during that period, but that it became a "compulsion." During this time she and her family moved to Seattle, Washington to further her husband's aerospace career.

Pseudonyms and genres

Krentz continued writing, and, in 1979, she sold her first novel, Gentle Pirate. That novel and several that followed were published within various category romance lines, as that was the only method in which contemporary romance was published. As more publishers began to release single-title contemporary romances, Krentz shifted into writing only single-title novels.

Her first novels were released under her birth name, Jayne Castle. An ill-informed Krentz signed a contract allowing one of her publishers to own the name, and, after leaving that publisher, Krentz was unable to use that name on new works for ten years. This led to the creation of several pseudonyms, including Jayne Taylor, Jayne Bentley, Stephanie James and Amanda Glass.

Although by the mid-1980s she had begun using only her married name, Jayne Ann Krentz, for all of her contemporary romance novels. Her 1986 novel, Sweet Starfire was the first true futuristic romance, a subgenre that combined elements of romance novels and science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

. The novel was a "classic road trip romance" which just happened to be set in a separate galaxy. In 1987 she published a second futuristic romance, Crystal Flame, which again allowed for a "traditional romance plot unfold[ing] in an extraordinary world."

The success of these books encouraged Krentz to try to write a real historical romance with a humorous twist, which she released under the pseudonym Amanda Quick.

Krentz further expanded the boundaries of the romance genre in 1996, when she began writing paranormal futuristic novels of romantic suspense. Released under her maiden name, Jayne Castle, these novels are set far in the future in a world where everyone has a psychic talent and respectable people use marriage agencies instead of choosing their own mates. As is customary in her writing, in each case the protagonists have a mystery to solve or a villain to defeat.

All of her novels, regardless of their setting, are known for containing suspense, romance, and humor, and many also dwell on family relationships. Psychic themes also appear throughout Krentz's work. In 2006 she began a new series, called The Arcane Society, which will include books written under both the Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick names. The books tells the stories of members of the Arcane Society for the psychically gifted, and each hero and heroine has his or her own psychic power. The books will feature a mystery for the protagonists to solve while they are learning to deal with their psychic abilities. The heroes of her novels are always alpha males who are as strong and determined as her heroines.

Recognition

Over 122 of her novels (all of which are romances) have been published, with 32 of them placing on the New York Times Bestseller List. In total, there are over 23 million copies of her books in print. Krentz has been nominated 22 times for Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards, winning in 2004 for Falling Awake and in 1995 for Trust Me. She has also received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.

An outspoken advocate of the merits of romantic fiction, Krentz maintains that "[p]opular fiction encapsulates and reinforces many of our most fundamental cultural values. Romance is among the most enduring because it addresses the values of family and human emotional bonds." To help educate the public about the genre she became the editor of 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. Krentz was the inspiration for, and first recipient of, the Romantic Times Jane Austen Award, created to "honor those in the romance community who have significantly impacted our genre."

Jayne Ann Krentz's novel The Waiting Game was adapted for the Harlequin Romance Series teleplay in 2001. The movie starred Chris Potter

Chris Potter

Christopher or Chris Potter may refer to:*Chris Potter *Christopher Potter *Chris Potter *Chris Potter *Christopher Potter, English academic and clergyman*Chris Potter , Dean of St Asaph...

 with Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul

Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...

 in the female supporting role, directed by Vic Sarin.

Category romance

• Vintage of Surrender, 1979
• Queen of Hearts, 1979
• Gentle Pirate, 1980
• Bargain with the Devil, 1981
• Right of Possession, 1981
• Wagered Weekend, 1981
• A Man's Protection, 1982
• A Negotiated Surrender, 1982
• Affair of Risk, 1982
• Power Play, 1982
• Relentless Adversary, 1982
• Spellbound, 1982
• Conflict of Interest, 1983

Guinevere Jones series

1. The Desperate Game, 1986
2. The Chilling Deception, 1986
3. The Sinister Touch, 1986
4. The Fatal Fortune, 1986

Futuristic World of St. Helen's sub-series

1. Amaryllis, 1996
2. Zinnia, 1997
3. Orchid, 1998

Futuristic World of Harmony (Ghost Hunter Novels) sub-series

1. "Bridal Jitters" in Charmed (1999) and Harmony (2000)
2. After Dark, 2000 and in Harmony (2000)
3. After Glow, 2004
4. Ghost Hunter, 2006
5. Silver Master, 2007
6. Dark Light, 2008
7. Obsidian Prey, 2009

Arcane Society Novels on Harmony

1. Midnight Crystal, 2010 (Dreamlight Trilogy, Book Three)
2. Canyons of Night, 2011 (Looking Glass Trilogy, Book Three)

Rainshadow Novels (Harmony)

1. Canyons of Night, 2011 (Krentz admits that this is the first in a series of novels taking place on Rainshadow Island, in a letter in the book)

The Dreamlight Trilogy

1. Fired Up, 2009 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Burning Lamp, 2010 (as Amanda Quick)
3. Midnight Crystal, 2010

The Looking Glass Trilogy

1. In Too Deep, 2011 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Quicksilver, 2011 (as Amanda Quick)
3. Canyons of Night, 2011

Category romance

• A Moment Past Midnight, 1979
• Hired Husband, 1979
• Maiden of the Morning, 1979
• Sabrina's Scheme, 1979
• Turning Toward Home, 1979

Category romance

• A Passionate Business 1981
• Corporate Affair, 1982
• Dangerous Magic, 1982
• Lover in Pursuit, 1982
• Reckless Passion, 1982
• Renaissance Man
  Renaissance Man
  Renaissance Man is a 1994 comedy film, directed by Penny Marshall, starring Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines, James Remar, and Ed Begley, Jr. It also features Mark Wahlberg in one of his earliest roles....
  
  , 1982
• Stomy Challenge, 1982
• Velvet Touch, 1982
• Affair of Honor, 1983
• Battle Prize, 1983
• Body Guard, 1983
• Gamemaster
  Gamemaster
  A gamemaster is a person who acts as an organizer, officiant for questions regarding rules, arbitrator, and moderator for a multiplayer game...
  
  , 1983
• Price of Surrender, 1983
• Raven's Prey, 1983
• Serpent in Paradise, 1983
• The silver Snare, 1983
• To Tame the Hunter, 1983
• Gambler's Woman, 1984
• Night of the Magician, 1984
• Nightwalker
  Nightwalker
  is a late night anime TV series created by Ayana Itsuki that is adapted from a PC game titled '.Nightwalker incorporates elements of the horror, detective story and vampire genres, and is critically noted as a vampire story "with a bit of a twist". The main character is Shido, a vampire who...
  
  , 1984
• Golden Goddess, 1985
• Wizard
  Wizard
  Wizard may refer to:- Fictional characters :* Wizard or magician, a person in fantasy or mythology who has studied and practices magic** Wizard , a character in L...
  
  , 1985
• Cautious Lover, 1986
• Green Fire
  Green Fire
  Green Fire is a 1954 MGM movie directed by Andrew Marton and produced by Armand Deutsch, with original music by Miklós Rózsa. It stars Grace Kelly, Stewart Granger, Paul Douglas and John Ericson.-Plot:...
  
  , 1986
• Second Wife, 1987
• Saxon's Lady, 1987
• The Challoner Bride, 1987

Colter series

1. Fabulous Beast, 1984
2. The Devil to Pay, 1985

This is not really a series. The two male characters both have the name Colter and that is the only connection. They are not related and there are no references between the two books.

Category romance

• Uneasy Alliance, 1984
• Call It Destiny, 1984
• Ghost of a Chance, 1984
• Man With a Past, 1985
• Witchcraft, 1985
• Legacy, 1985
• The Waiting Game, 1985
• True Colors, 1986
• The Ties That Bind, 1986
• Between the Lines, 1986
• The Family Way, 1987
• The Main Attraction, 1987
• The Chance of a Lifetime, 1987
• Test of Time, 1987
• Full Bloom, 1988
• Joy, 1988
• A Woman's Touch, 1989
• Lady's Choice, 1989
• To Wild To Wed?, 1991
• The Wedding Night, 1991
• The Private Eye, 1992

Stand-alone novels

• Twist of Fate, 1986
• A Coral Kiss, 1987
• Midnight Jewels, 1987
• Golden Chance, 1990
• Silver Linings, 1991
• Sweet Fortune, 1991
• Family Man, 1992
• Perfect Partners, 1992
• Hidden Talents, 1993
• Wildest Hearts, 1993
• Grand Passion, 1994
• "Connecting Rooms" in Everlasting Love, 1995 & in Hearts Desire, 1998
• Trust Me, 1995
• Absolutely, Positively, 1996
• Deep Waters, 1997
• Flash, 1998
• Sharp Edges, 1998
• Eye of the Beholder, 1999
• Lost & Found, 2000
• Soft Focus, 2000
• Smoke in Mirrors, 2002
• Dangerous Affair, 2004
• Falling Awake, 2004
• No Going Back, 2004
• All Night Long, 2005

Lost Colony series

1. Crystal Flame, 1986
2. Sweet Starfire, 1986
3. Shield's Lady, 1989 (As Amanda Glass)

Ladies and Legend series

1. The Pirate, 1990
2. The Adventurer, 1990
3. The Cowboy, 1990

Eclipse Bay series

1. Eclipse Bay, 2000
2. Dawn in Eclipse Bay, 2001
3. A Summer in Eclipse Bay, 2002
   • All three published together in collection Together in Eclipse Bay, 2003

Historicals

1. Second Sight, 2006 (as Amanda Quick)
2. The Third Circle, 2008 (as Amanda Quick)
3. The Perfect Poison, 2009 (as Amanda Quick)

Contemporaries

1. White Lies, 2007
2. Sizzle and Burn, 2008
3. Running Hot, 2008 (ties-in with Eclipse Bay series)

The Dreamlight Trilogy

1. Fired Up (2009)
2. Burning lamp (2010) (as Amanda Quick)
3. Midnight Crystal (2010) (as Jayne Castle)

The Looking Glass Trilogy

1. In Too Deep (2010)
2. Quicksilver (2011) (as Amanda Quick)
3. Canyons of Night (2011) (as Jayne Castle)

Lost Colony series

1. Crystal Flame, 1986 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Sweet Starfire, 1986 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
3. Shield's Lady, 1989

Stand-alone novels

• Seduction, 1990/02
• Surrender, 1990/09
• Scandal, 1991/02
• Rendezvous, 1991/10
• Ravished, 1992/06
• Reckless, 1992/12
• Dangerous, 1993/05
• Deception, 1993/07
• Desire, 1993/12
• Mistress, 1994/07
• Mystique, 1995/01
• Mischief, 1996/08
• Affair, 1997/06
• With This Ring, 1998/04
• The Paid Companion, 2004/05
• Wait Until Midnight, 2005
• The River Knows, 2007

Vanza Series

1. With This Ring, 1998/04
2. I Thee Wed, 1999/04
3. Wicked Widow, 2000/04
4. Lie by Moonlight, 2005/05

Lake & March trilogy

1. Slightly Shady, 2001/04
2. Don't Look Back, 2002/04
3. Late for the Wedding, 2003/04

Historicals

1. Second Sight, 2006
2. The Third Circle, 2008
3. The Perfect Poison, 2009

Contemporanies

1. White Lies, 2007 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Sizzle and Burn, 2008 (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
3. Running Hot (as Jayne Ann Krentz, ties-in with Eclipse Bay series)

The Dreamlight Trilogy

1. Fired Up (2009) (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Burning Lamp (2010)
3. Midnight Crystal (2010) (as Jayne Castle)

The Looking Glass Trilogy

1. In Too Deep (2010) (as Jayne Ann Krentz)
2. Quicksilver (2011)
3. Canyons of Night (2011) (as Jayne Castle)

Non-fiction

• Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance (also edited)

External links

• Official Jayne Ann Krentz Website

Jayne Ann Krentz is now on face book