Saxon's Lady

by Stephanie James, Jayne Ann Krentz

HE WAS THERE TO CLAIM HIS BRIDE

Devon Ellwood had been about to leave her small hometown when Garth Saxon had swept her into his arms for one passion-filled night. She'd agreed to return to marry him, but had insisted on a year of freedom. Now the time was up. Her searing memories were a persuasive lure, but she wasn't about to let Garth win so easily!

Garth was the kind of man who always got what he wanted, and he had Devon right were he wanted her. Or did he? He thought he had her roped and tied -- so what was he

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance

187 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

Jayne 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

Reviews

[Namera [The Literary Invertebrate] · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I like about this book is that it features a couple who are already in an established relationship. The hero and heroine spent one night together before he allowed her one year in 'the big city'; she agreed to marry him after. Now he's come to collect, but she's not so sure she wants to honour their bargain after all...

Solid (if florid) writing), decent characters, and a plot fleshed out not by the usual relationship drama.

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Saxon's Lady" is the story of Devon and Garth.

Our h is a small town girl who moved to the big city, and our H is a big city man who moved to a small town. She took care of her siblings after her parents' deaths, and had a passionate one night stand with the rancher H, which ended with her moving to the city to experience "life", and him demanding she return in a year to marry him.
The book begins exactly 365 years later. Our h is well merged with her city persona, until the stetson donning cowboy shows up, demanding she travel back with him for their wedding. But she is a changed woman, and he fears losing her. How they work out the changes forms the book.

It was a really enjoyable read. I think my favorite part was definitely how the h was able to slowly and steadily tame the seemingly rigid and obstinate H, while falling in love with him. I liked the compromises, the sweet lovemaking and especially the well tied up ending. This book had them discovering each other's true feelings, and I am all for that. He did not 'change' her per say, but ended up becoming a different person in love and vice versa. Very Diana Palmerish, hence very much my cup of tea.

Safe
4/5

[Farah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like Garth .. he was a jerk most of the time and there was something very dull about him , Devon wasn't any better .. she seemed to give up everything she liked without a fight .. she didn't demand any kind of sacrifices from Garth not to mention that they didn't seem to click together. I wasn't really into it.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published 1987 - Jayne Ann Krentz is falling into her stride with this book. Devon Ellwood and Garth Saxon deal with family and friends as they work out their relationship. The plot is a calm one, so the book relies mainly on the characters and dialogue to work wonderfully well. I enjoy re-reading this one.

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting romance, kind of dated today, but for 1987 it was excellent. The characters were very well crafted, and the reader is shown their feelings through their actions long before the characters can admit to those feelings themselves. There isn't much of a plot, but as it is all about the growth of the relationship, a plot is not really needed.

[Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Her characters are always different than expected. I enjoyed all of her 80's books and took them for the era they were in and what was selling. I do wish they were all in Kindle Format!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun. It allowed both parties to be who they are with a few adjustments.
Second read - quite enjoyable. A definite keeper. Another book I wish would dinner out in Kindle.
Third read - still a great book!

[Jadzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, quick read. Nothing special either way.