Jayne Ann Krentz

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Jayne Ann Castle Krentz
Born March 28, 1948 (1948-03-28) (age 60)
Borrego Springs, California, United States
Pen name Jayne Castle,
Jayne Taylor,
Jayne Bentley,
Stephanie James,
Jayne Ann Krentz,
Amanda Glass,
Amanda Quick
Occupation Novelist
Nationality American
Writing period 1979 - present
Genres Romance, Suspense, Fantasy
Official website

Jayne Ann Krentz, neé Jayne Castle (b. March 28, 1948 in Borrego Springs, California, United States) is an American writer of romance novels. 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 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.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Personal life

[edit] Early years

Jayne Ann Castle was born March 28, 1948 in Borrego Springs, California. Her mother, Alberta Castle, raised her and her two brothers, Stephen and James.

She earned a B.A in History at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1970.[1] Fearful that she would be unable to find a job using her degree, she elected to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University.

Immediately after graduation she married Frank Krentz, an engineer, whom she had met at San Jose Stage. The couple moved to the Virgin Islands, where Krentz worked for a year as an elementary school librarian, a time she refers to as "an unmitigated career disaster."[2] 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 library system.[2]

[edit] Present

Krentz resides with her husband of over 30 years, Frank Krentz, in Seattle, Washington. She is famous for her work ethic, beginning her writing by 7 am six days a week.[3] She is fond of vegetarian cooking.

With her background, it is not surprising that Krentz has been very 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 extension program.[1][3]

[edit] Writing career

[edit] 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.[2] She claims to have tried to stop writing several times during that period, but that it became a "compulsion."[3] During this time she and her family moved to Seattle, Washington to further her husband's aerospace career.

[edit] Pseudonyms and genres

Krentz continued writing, and, in 1979, she sold her first novel, Gentle Pirate.[2] 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.[4]

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.[2] This led to the creation of several pseudonyms, including Jayne Taylor, Jayne Bentley, Stephanie James and Amanda Glas.[2]

Uneasy Alliance as Jayne Ann Krentz, 1984
Uneasy Alliance as Jayne Ann Krentz, 1984

Although by the mid-1980s she had begun using only her married name, Jayne Ann Krentz, for all of her contemporary romance novels.[2] Her 1986 novel, Sweet Starfire was the first true futuristic romance, a subgenre that combined elements of romance novels and science fiction. 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."[5]

Seduction as Amanda Quick, 1990/02
Seduction as Amanda Quick, 1990/02

The success of these books encouraged Krentz to try to write a real historical romance, which she released under the pseudonym Amanda Quick.[5]

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.[6]

All of her novels, regardless of their setting, are known for containing suspense, romance, and humor, and many also dwell on family relationships.[3] 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.[7] The heroes of her novels are always alpha males who are as strong and determined as her heroines.[8]

[edit] Recognition

Over 122 of her novels, all 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.[3] Krentz has been nominated 22 times for Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, winning in 2004 for Falling Awake and in 1995 for Trust Me.[9] She has also received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award.[9]

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."[3] To help educate the public about the 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.[3] 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."[10]

Jayne Ann Krentz's novel The Waiting Game was adapted for the Harlequin Romance Series teleplay in 1998. The movie starred Chris Potter with Paula Abdul in the female supporting role, directed by Vic Sarin.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] As Jayne Castle

[edit] 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

[edit] Stand-Alone Novels

[edit] Guinevere Jones Series

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

[edit] Curtain Series

[edit] Futuristic World of St. Helen's Sub-series
  1. Amaryllis, 1996
  2. Zinnia, 1997
  3. Orchid, 1988

[edit] Futuristic World of Ghost Hunters Sub-series
  1. "Bridle Jitters" in Charmed (1999) and Harmony, (2000)
  2. After Dark, 2000 & in HARMONY, 2000
  3. After Glow, 2004
  4. Ghost Hunter, 2006
  5. Silver Master, 2007
  6. Dark Light, 2008

[edit] As Jayne Taylor

[edit] Category Romance

  • Whirlwind Courtship, 1979

[edit] As Jayne Bentley

[edit] Category Romance

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

[edit] As Stephanie James

[edit] Category Romance

  • A Passionate Business, 1981
  • Corporate Affair, 1982
  • Dangerous Magic, 1982
  • Lover in Pursuit, 1982
  • Reckless Passion, 1982
  • Renaissance Man, 1982
  • Stomy Challenge, 1982
  • Velvet Touch, 1982
  • Affair of Honor, 1983
  • Battle Prize, 1983
  • Body Guard, 1983
  • Gamemaster, 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, 1984
  • Golden Goddess, 1985
  • Wizard, 1985
  • Cautious Lover, 1986
  • Green Fire, 1986
  • Secont Wife, 1987
  • Saxon's Lady, 1987
  • The Challoner Bride, 1987

[edit] Colter Series

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

[edit] As Jayne Ann Krentz

[edit] Category Romance

[edit] Stand Alone Novels

[edit] Lost Colony Series

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

[edit] Dreams Duology

  1. Dream, Part One, 1988
  2. Dream, Part Two, 1988

[edit] Gifts Series

  1. Gift of Gold, 1988
  2. Gift of Fire, 1989

[edit] Ladies and Legend Series

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

[edit] Whispering Springs Series

  1. Light in Shadow, 2003
  2. Truth or Dare, 2004

[edit] 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

[edit] Arcane Society (Contemporary) Series

  1. Second Sight, 2006 [Arcane Society (Victorian) Series, written as Amanda Quick]
  2. White Lies, 2007
  3. Sizzle and Burn, 2008
  4. The Third Circle, 2008 [also written as Amanda Quick]

[edit] As Amanda Glass

[edit] Lost Colony Series

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

[edit] As Amanda Quick

[edit] Stand Alone Novels

  • Seduction, 1990/02
  • Surrender, 1990/09
  • Scandal, 1991/02
  • Rendevouz, 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

[edit] 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

[edit] Lake & March Trilogy

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

[edit] Arcane Society (Victorian) Series

  1. Second Sight, 2006
  2. White Lies, 2007 [Arcane Society (Contemporary) Series, written as Jayne Ann Krentz)
  3. Sizzle and Burn, 2008 [Arcane Society (Contemporary) Series, written as Jayne Ann Krentz)
  4. The Third Circle, 2008

[edit] Non-Fiction

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

[edit] References and Sources

  1. ^ a b McKenna, Barbara (February 3, 1997). USC alumna and best-selling romance novelist establishes library endowment. University of southern California Currents. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Webster, Dan (January 7, 2004). Jayne Ann Krentz. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g White, Claire E. (January 2003). Conversation with Jayne Ann Krentz. Writers Write. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
  4. ^ Interview with Jayne Ann Krentz. A Romance Review (January 2006). Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  5. ^ a b Gelsomino, Tara (2002). Review of Smoke in Mirrors. Romantic Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  6. ^ Krentz, Jayne Ann (1996). Cameo/Exceprt from Amaryllis. Romantic Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  7. ^ Levy, Faygie (2007). Review of White Lies. Romantic Times. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  8. ^ Samuel, Barbara (February 2007). Versatile Jayne Ann Krentz creates past, present, and future of romance. Book Page. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  9. ^ a b Author Profile: Jayne Ann Krentz. Romantic Times (2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  10. ^ Pen Names. Romantic Times (1997). Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  • Romance Writers of America Honor Roll of Best-selling Authors

[edit] External links


Persondata
NAME Krentz, Jayne Ann Castle
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Castle, Jayne (birth name); Taylor, Jayne (pseudonym); Bentley, Jayne (pseudonym); James, Stephanie (pseudonym); Krentz, Jayne Ann (married name); Glass, Amanda (pseudonym); Quick, Amanda (pseudonym)
SHORT DESCRIPTION Romance novelist
DATE OF BIRTH March 28, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH Borrego Springs, California, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH