Soft Focus

Jayne Ann Krentz

When Elizabeth Cabot first started working with Jack Fairfax she found him attractive. Then she learned his past involvement in a business takeover deal that affect her family. In a very public, later embarrassing, scene quarreled with him. But she wasn't able to get rid of him. The morning before the argument they had signed a business contract that would keep them bound for the next couple of years.

Six months later her dislike has not decreased much. She has learned more about him as a business man, but the earlier takeover still is an obstacle. Then a scientist steals an important invented crystal from the company they are both trying to revive in their different positions. Jack is determined to follow the man to Colorado and retrieve the crystal called Soft Focus. Elizabeth also goes to the small town in Colorado.

They are sure the scientist is attending an independent film festival for film noir. He was the producer of one of the movies being featured at the festival. They can't find the man. But Jack gets a phone call. A disguised voice tells him that Soft Focus will be sold to the highest bidder at an auction that week. One of the other bidders will be the man who is his rival both for Elizabeth and in his every day life. Can he convince Elizabeth to work with him.

Elizabeth is able to separate business from her personal life. Except with Jack Fairfax. Although he hadn't wanted her to leave Seattle, now that she is there they have to work closely. Can they retrieve Soft Focus? Will she be able to get her personal life straightened out? Or will they get sucked into the noir world that surrounds them?

Jayne Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) writes romantic suspense. That means that of course the main couple will solve the mystery and come happily together by the end. The reader knows that going into one of her stories.

Despite knowing the ultimate ending, Soft Focus is well written and keeps the reader in suspense to all the details leading up to that happy ending. The tension between Elizabeth and Jack is believable for two high powered people like they are. The background of the film noir independent film festival is an interesting foil for the story. The whole book ends up having a noir twist to it, adding to its appeal. Have a good escape with this romantic suspense novel.

Notice:  Non-graphic violence; Strong sexual content

Smoke and Mirrors by Jayne Ann Krentz
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Small Town Girl by LaVyrle Spenser