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Worth the Risk: The Challoner Bride / The Wizard
The Challoner Bride by Stephanie James
Possession of the Torres dagger had separated their families long ago — now it brought Angie Morgan and Flynn Challoner together. But would iron-willed Flynn’s plans for their future undo the past?
Wizard by Stephanie James
Ivory towers held no lure for Sophia Bennett — she wanted a man’s man, one barely tamed. Yet upon meeting Dr. Max Travers she realized that brains and brawn were equally irresistible — if the package was Max’s . . .
Possession of the Torres dagger had separated their families long ago — now it brought Angie Morgan and Flynn Challoner together. But would iron-willed Flynn’s plans for their future undo the past?
Wizard by Stephanie James
Ivory towers held no lure for Sophia Bennett — she wanted a man’s man, one barely tamed. Yet upon meeting Dr. Max Travers she realized that brains and brawn were equally irresistible — if the package was Max’s . . .
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Stephanie James
57 books151 followersJayne Ann Castle was born on 28 March 1948 in Borrego Springs, California. Her mother, Alberta Castle, raised her with her two brothers, Stephen and James. In 1970, she obtained a B.A in History at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later she obtained a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University, where she met Frank Krentz, an engineer. After her graduation, they married and moved to the Virgin Islands. She worked in the Duke University library system, where she began to write her first romance novels. The marriage moved to Seattle, Washington, where they continue living.
Now, Jayne Ann Castle Krentz with her seven pennames is considered a pillar in the contemporary romance genre. For some years, she only uses three pennames for each of three different periods from time: "Jayne Ann Krentz" (her married name) from the present, "Jayne Castle" (her birth name) from the future and her most famous penname: "Amanda Quick" from the past. She is famous for her work ethic, beginning her writing by 7 am six days a week. Her heroins never are damsels in hardships, they are often heroes. Her novels also contain mystery or paranormal elements.
Enthusiastic of the romantic genre, she has always defended its importance. To help educate the public about the romantic 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. 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.
Psuedonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Jayne Castle
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
Now, Jayne Ann Castle Krentz with her seven pennames is considered a pillar in the contemporary romance genre. For some years, she only uses three pennames for each of three different periods from time: "Jayne Ann Krentz" (her married name) from the present, "Jayne Castle" (her birth name) from the future and her most famous penname: "Amanda Quick" from the past. She is famous for her work ethic, beginning her writing by 7 am six days a week. Her heroins never are damsels in hardships, they are often heroes. Her novels also contain mystery or paranormal elements.
Enthusiastic of the romantic genre, she has always defended its importance. To help educate the public about the romantic 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. 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.
Psuedonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Jayne Castle
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 8, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book contains two earlier books by the author. I bought several books written under the pseudonym Stephanie James at the same time because I enjoy the later books written as Jayne Ann Krentz. I have been disappointed in all of them and that was true with both of these books as well. I read both books decades after they were published. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that the author of these books is the same person who writes her more recent books. The women in the later books are strong and equal partners to their male counterparts.
The Challoner Bride
Rating 1 stars
I do not recommend this book at all and found it hard to read as I was annoyed with the chauvinism and other elements of the story.
As is typical with the author’s early books the male main character, Flynn, is described as a predator on the hunt. Flynn is trying to manipulate Angie, the female main character, from the moment he meets her. Later you find out his goal, which is easy to figure out from the get go, as he immediately talks about marrying for family traditions rather than love. In addition, Flynn’s attitude towards some of what Angie says is on the verge of derisive or mocking. Flynn lies and manipulates Angie and often disregards her opinion or how she is feeling. I am not sure what the appeal was to Angie but she falls in love with him..
When Angie tells the family story that connects her family (Torres) with the Challoner family, she relays that a family member a few generations back, Maria, was forced to marry to settle a land dispute. Maria takes a dagger to her wedding night but was disarmed. Flynn says “Any bride who shows up on her wedding night with a dagger in her nightgown needs a firm hand from the start.” The idea that the male is the boss in any relationship is typical of the author’s early books.
In addition, after they retrieve the dagger from a seller, someone sneaks into Angie’s room to steal it. Flynn wonders if she imagines it which is insulting.
Early on, Flynn kisses Angie and wants to do more. She says she doesn’t think they should go any further and he says “I know…. Just let me see you for a moment. I want to know what the moonlight looks like on your skin.” And then he pushes her blouse down to her waist and touches her breasts. That is not ok. The author describes Flynn as being surprised that he is filled with the unexpected desire but that is no excuse for a loss of control and taking advantage of the situation. Angie later apologizes for leading him on. What? Dropped to 1 star. Later when they get to a hotel, they get connecting rooms. In the middle of the night, Flynn comes to Angie’s room naked and starts to get in bed with her. He says he will leave if she wants so there’s that, but it is incredibly presumptuous of him.
When Angie meets Flynn, she thinks he is a mercenary of some type. It is never explained why she thought that. It is true, and he was in the military. Perhaps Flynn manipulated her into thinking that but it did not make much sense. Why would you assume some random person you meet is a mercenary?
Flynn and Angie’s uncle, Julian, want her to get married to Flynn because of family traditions. I wonder if Angie had thought so or agreed if the story would have gone the same way. But the author created a consistency between the woman who was forced to marry in the past and Angie who is pressured to do so in the present day.
The book is overly dramatic both in events and dialogue. The book has little relationship development.
The book switches between Angie and Flynn’s point of view.
I do not recommend this book.
Wizard
Rating 1 stars
I was surprised when I started reading this early book by Jayne Ann Krentz. I have read several of her earlier works and typically find them filled with chauvinistic attitudes on the part of the male main character. That was as true of this one.
Sophy is the daughter of two mathematical geniuses who assumed that she would be the same. Because she was not, she used to call herself a Disaster but now has come to an acceptance of who she is. She moved away from her parents and is interested in being a fashion designer.
Max is a mathematical genius, like her parents, and they ask him to connect with Sophy when he visits Dallas on a consulting assignment. He is immediately attracted to Sophy but finds out she is dating Nick, a cowboy. He persists and Sophy surprises herself by being attracted to him.
When Sophy meets Max for their first dinner, she is lively and interesting. She is a little condescending about mathematical geniuses which Max points out and she takes it with good grace. Given her history, I gave this a pass.
The book switches between Max and Sophy’s point of view.
I do not recommend this book.
This book contains two earlier books by the author. I bought several books written under the pseudonym Stephanie James at the same time because I enjoy the later books written as Jayne Ann Krentz. I have been disappointed in all of them and that was true with both of these books as well. I read both books decades after they were published. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that the author of these books is the same person who writes her more recent books. The women in the later books are strong and equal partners to their male counterparts.
The Challoner Bride
Rating 1 stars
I do not recommend this book at all and found it hard to read as I was annoyed with the chauvinism and other elements of the story.
As is typical with the author’s early books the male main character, Flynn, is described as a predator on the hunt. Flynn is trying to manipulate Angie, the female main character, from the moment he meets her. Later you find out his goal, which is easy to figure out from the get go, as he immediately talks about marrying for family traditions rather than love. In addition, Flynn’s attitude towards some of what Angie says is on the verge of derisive or mocking. Flynn lies and manipulates Angie and often disregards her opinion or how she is feeling. I am not sure what the appeal was to Angie but she falls in love with him..
When Angie tells the family story that connects her family (Torres) with the Challoner family, she relays that a family member a few generations back, Maria, was forced to marry to settle a land dispute. Maria takes a dagger to her wedding night but was disarmed. Flynn says “Any bride who shows up on her wedding night with a dagger in her nightgown needs a firm hand from the start.” The idea that the male is the boss in any relationship is typical of the author’s early books.
In addition, after they retrieve the dagger from a seller, someone sneaks into Angie’s room to steal it. Flynn wonders if she imagines it which is insulting.
Early on, Flynn kisses Angie and wants to do more. She says she doesn’t think they should go any further and he says “I know…. Just let me see you for a moment. I want to know what the moonlight looks like on your skin.” And then he pushes her blouse down to her waist and touches her breasts. That is not ok. The author describes Flynn as being surprised that he is filled with the unexpected desire but that is no excuse for a loss of control and taking advantage of the situation. Angie later apologizes for leading him on. What? Dropped to 1 star. Later when they get to a hotel, they get connecting rooms. In the middle of the night, Flynn comes to Angie’s room naked and starts to get in bed with her. He says he will leave if she wants so there’s that, but it is incredibly presumptuous of him.
When Angie meets Flynn, she thinks he is a mercenary of some type. It is never explained why she thought that. It is true, and he was in the military. Perhaps Flynn manipulated her into thinking that but it did not make much sense. Why would you assume some random person you meet is a mercenary?
Flynn and Angie’s uncle, Julian, want her to get married to Flynn because of family traditions. I wonder if Angie had thought so or agreed if the story would have gone the same way. But the author created a consistency between the woman who was forced to marry in the past and Angie who is pressured to do so in the present day.
The book is overly dramatic both in events and dialogue. The book has little relationship development.
The book switches between Angie and Flynn’s point of view.
I do not recommend this book.
Wizard
Rating 1 stars
I was surprised when I started reading this early book by Jayne Ann Krentz. I have read several of her earlier works and typically find them filled with chauvinistic attitudes on the part of the male main character. That was as true of this one.
Sophy is the daughter of two mathematical geniuses who assumed that she would be the same. Because she was not, she used to call herself a Disaster but now has come to an acceptance of who she is. She moved away from her parents and is interested in being a fashion designer.
Max is a mathematical genius, like her parents, and they ask him to connect with Sophy when he visits Dallas on a consulting assignment. He is immediately attracted to Sophy but finds out she is dating Nick, a cowboy. He persists and Sophy surprises herself by being attracted to him.
When Sophy meets Max for their first dinner, she is lively and interesting. She is a little condescending about mathematical geniuses which Max points out and she takes it with good grace. Given her history, I gave this a pass.
The book switches between Max and Sophy’s point of view.
I do not recommend this book.
March 19, 2020
This book, found in a library book sale, was a blast from the past when manly heroes who dominated their chosen woman where all the rage. While I enjoyed the stories, I didn't enjoy the gender dynamics. Thank goodness romance fiction has advanced. A fun read but not a keeper.
March 12, 2025
These two early Jayne Ann Krentz books (two in one) are vastly inferior to her recent books. The stories and dialogue are OK, but the he-man approach to romance and the docile female response are difficult to swallow. I ended up scanning quite a bit these books.
November 1, 2023
Jogo de gato-e-rato com sexo. Seria divertido se Flynn não fosse tão filho da puta.
April 12, 2025
Both of these stories were enjoyable. I really enjoyed both from beginning to end. I would recommend this book/these stories for those who want a lite easy good quick read.
February 6, 2013
Stephanie James, aka Jayne Krentz (Amanda Quick (historical), Amanda Glass, Jayne Bentley, Jayne Castle (futuristic), Jayne Taylor), whatever, joins *** "The Challoner Bride" and * "Wizard" in her explicit romantic current fiction. Since the first has a fictional manly adventurer called Savage, initially I mistook the boyfriend of the same name in the second for pretend.
Angelina meets Flynn in Mexico, buying a family heirloom. He Flynn first hides his last name because he seeks the treasure too. The dagger was given by a Challoner bride from a rich Spanish California landowner family to her groom, Angie's ancestor, to settle a feud, and brought peace and prosperity until it disappeared. Flynn, a Challoner descendant, wants to retire as a mercenary and settle down, with Angie and the dagger, but she's as reluctant as the original wife, and an armed thief has other plans.
"Wizard" is appellation for a intellectual math/ physics whiz kid, who the hot artistic secretary Sophie has learned to avoid, until quiet smart boss Dr Max, fired by "love", forcefully and physically subdues her, and any opposition with martial arts. Although both stories try to update the old Harlequin formula, Sophie even slaps Max, she is forced by "love" to submit. I don't like that view of "love". I liked Challoner better for more equal players and external danger-mystery.
Usually x-rated (forgot if here), the breadth from historical to futuristic, feet firmly in wishful present, when you're in the mood for hot, look here http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Angelina meets Flynn in Mexico, buying a family heirloom. He Flynn first hides his last name because he seeks the treasure too. The dagger was given by a Challoner bride from a rich Spanish California landowner family to her groom, Angie's ancestor, to settle a feud, and brought peace and prosperity until it disappeared. Flynn, a Challoner descendant, wants to retire as a mercenary and settle down, with Angie and the dagger, but she's as reluctant as the original wife, and an armed thief has other plans.
"Wizard" is appellation for a intellectual math/ physics whiz kid, who the hot artistic secretary Sophie has learned to avoid, until quiet smart boss Dr Max, fired by "love", forcefully and physically subdues her, and any opposition with martial arts. Although both stories try to update the old Harlequin formula, Sophie even slaps Max, she is forced by "love" to submit. I don't like that view of "love". I liked Challoner better for more equal players and external danger-mystery.
Usually x-rated (forgot if here), the breadth from historical to futuristic, feet firmly in wishful present, when you're in the mood for hot, look here http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
June 10, 2016
This was a re-discover while unpacking... after reading the back, I recalled reading both stories and knew from my initial reaction that this would not be a re-read. This book is due for another home.
That being said, it has to be mentioned that I read these books several years ago but they were initially written in the '80's. I had a hard time due to being used to Krentz's more recent novels as well as the vast difference in the gender dynamics between then and now. In the end, it was these discomforts more than basic story that led me to not wish to re-read them.
I have a feeling that they suited their time but they are very dated now.
That being said, it has to be mentioned that I read these books several years ago but they were initially written in the '80's. I had a hard time due to being used to Krentz's more recent novels as well as the vast difference in the gender dynamics between then and now. In the end, it was these discomforts more than basic story that led me to not wish to re-read them.
I have a feeling that they suited their time but they are very dated now.
May 24, 2014
Two stories originally published in the 1980s by one of my favorite authors. I think I had read one of them before. Over the past thirty years, her writing style has matured and my tastes have changed. It was interesting to revisit the 80s, sort of a blast from the past.
May 9, 2022
This was kind of a weird one. This is two books in one and I believe hopped over time. I picked it up back in the day because I read everything written by Jayne Ann Krentz.
November 22, 2012
The first story. The Challoner Bride. Eh. It was alright.
The second story. Wizard. Oh geez. Cheesy
The second story. Wizard. Oh geez. Cheesy
May 31, 2014
Not one, but two stories. Jayne Ann Krentz writes great books no matter what name is under the title. Her books, I can read over and over again.
November 4, 2011
Loved both of the stories :)
April 21, 2017
This is two stories in one book. I averaged the two of them out.
The first book, The Challoner Bride, had some romance, intrigue and was a fun read. I give it 3 stars. It would have made a great full book, which would have upped it to 4 stars.
Wizard, on the other hand, was terrible. The whole thing was about a woman who didn't want anything to do with geniuses like her parents but who falls in love with their younger colleague. Max, our hero, was sometimes endearing and sometimes caveman like and obnoxious.
This is normally an author I love. She also writes as Amanda Quick (historical).
The first book, The Challoner Bride, had some romance, intrigue and was a fun read. I give it 3 stars. It would have made a great full book, which would have upped it to 4 stars.
Wizard, on the other hand, was terrible. The whole thing was about a woman who didn't want anything to do with geniuses like her parents but who falls in love with their younger colleague. Max, our hero, was sometimes endearing and sometimes caveman like and obnoxious.
This is normally an author I love. She also writes as Amanda Quick (historical).
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews