Elizabeth Cabot is all business. She knows how to maximize her investments and cut her losses - in both her career and her personal life. So when she discovers that Jack Fairfax has deceived her, she's determined to end their relationship. Putting a stop to their budding romance is easy, but breaking up their business deal will be more difficult. Despite all her efforts, she has no luck disentangling herself from Jack's client company, Excalibur. But the situation becomes even more strained when a lethal act of sabotage threatens to put both their companies out of business for good. Elizabeth is no fool. If she can help Jack save Excalibur, she'll recoup her substantial investment plus millions in profits. Putting her emotions aside, she insists on helping him search for the scientist who's disappeared with a valuable new crystal that could revolutionize their high-tech industry. She'll go in, solve the problem, and get out. The trail leads Elizabeth and Jack to a fringe film festival, but their goal is as elusive as the shadowy black-and-white images from the classic noir films. Life starts to imitate art, and double-dealing seems to be the name of the game. For these business adversaries turned reluctant partners, keeping an eye on each other - and the lid on their sizzling attraction - seems the only insurance against further treachery.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Soft Focus
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From Library Journal
Six months after a disastrous one-night stand, Jack Fairfax and Elizabeth Cabot are dismayed to realize that they'll need to work together to recover a stolen crystal vital to the success of a business in which both have invested. This uneasy couple is soon off to a film noir festival in pursuit of a thief obsessed with noir, and they discover that life sometimes imitates art (or at least B movies). Threats, stalkers, double crossers, and an unknown femme fatale are the least of the problems Jack and Elizabeth face in this entertaining tale of romantic suspense. Readers may not find as much humor in this book as they are accustomed to in Krentz's (Grand Passion) work, but the author's trademark wit is still present, and her many fans will certainly not be disappointed. A well-written, enjoyable novel with something a little extra for fans of film noir (who are sure to note the Veronica Lake lookalike gracing the cover). Another winner from a favorite author; for public libraries.
-AElizabeth Mary Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
-AElizabeth Mary Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Onetime lovers Elizabeth Cabot and Jack Fairfax are forced to work together because she is the administrator of the fund that is supporting Excalibur, a small, family-held R & D firm, and he has been hired as CEO to turn the company around. When the lab is trashed, a technician is murdered, and the crystal that the fortunes of the company depend upon disappears along with its inventor. Jack knows he has only two weeks to solve the mystery or Excalibur will be beyond salvation. Uncovering the fact that the missing scientist was obsessed with film noir and was the producer of a film that will be premiering at the Neo Noir Film Festival in Mirror Springs, an exclusive Aspen-like Rocky Mountain resort, he heads to the hills. Meanwhile, Elizabeth discovers Excalibur's predicament. She also decides to investigate, and they end up together in the same house in overbooked Mirror Springs. Taking in independent neo noir films, attending panel discussions and parties feting those involved, the duo, who have good reason to dislike each other, muster up a mutual if grudging respect and admiration and then ignite a sizzling passion as they become submerged in the gritty film noir world. Best-selling Krentz, known for her strong-willed, independent characters, once again provides satisfaction in this hot, suspenseful romance set against the fascinating and darkly glamorous atmosphere of a film festival. Diana Tixier Herald
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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HE WAITED FOR HER AT THE REAR OF THE PARKing lot, huddled against the brick wall, shivering in the light windbreaker. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
HE WAITED FOR HER AT THE REAR OF THE PARKing lot, huddled against the brick wall, shivering in the light windbreaker. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Deborah MacGillivray
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Soft Focus was a very enjoyable Single Title Romantic Suspense (meaning before Krentz and her publishers started doing the Trilogy releases - 1 good strong tale followed by two weaker ones). It was a very enjoyable read, but not Krentz at her best.
In Soft Focus, Elizabeth is an all business heroine (typical JAK!). She applies the same cost and profit in her business life to her romance life. So after a one night stand with Jack Fairfax, and Elizabeth discovers Jack deceived her, she wants to cut her losses. Jack is not willing to let her do it, and uses their business contract to keep a leash on the spunky lady.
Jack owns Excalibur, a cutting edge technology firm. When he discovers there is sabotage going on that could put them both in the red financially, Elizabeth has to let Jack back into her life. If she helps Jack save Excalibur, she stands to make millions of dollars. Together they search for a missing scientist who made off with a new special crystal. Elizabeth and Jack follow the clues to a film festival and the fun begins, with Jack keeping an eye on winning Elizabeth back as well as saving his firm.
A very deft tale from a talented writer.
By Alexina P.
Format:Paperback
This one didn't grab me quite as much as some of Krentz's other stuff. I'm guessing it was the film noir feel of the whole thing. I kept imagining the characters acting like in a cheap film noir. Not... what she was going for, I'm sure. Nevertheless, good read, and it was intense. I sure didn't see *her* as the femme fatale in the end...
By Gail Cooke
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Audio Cassette
Jayne Ann Krentz is acclaimed for creating strong, independent characters and she sticks to this proven formula with businesswoman Elizabeth Cabot, a gal who knows how to run a company and her life.
Forced to work with a former lover, Jack Fairfax, she is put to the test when a lab is reduced to rubble, a technician is murdered, and valuable crystal that could revolutionize an industry disappears.
The pairing of readers Hill and Breck is brilliant as they treat listeners to simmering romance and a suspenseful tale.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Un-baked cake...
I used to really enjoy JAK, but her recent books have been less than wonderful. This book almost pushed me to give up on her. Read more
Published on Oct 22 2002 by Ivy
2.0 out of 5 stars
running out of steam
I used to love Jayne Ann Krentz but this book has pretty much ended it for me. The plot is pretty good but the hero and heroine just didn't grab me. Read more
Published on July 10 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
witty one liners
Writing yet another review may be redundant at this stage but I was so amazed at the number of poor reviews I just could not help myself! Read more
Published on April 28 2001 by M. Aylward
3.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat disappointing
Jayne Ann Krentz is one of the most satisfying Romance authors working in the genre today. Her plots move along crisply, her dialogue entertains, and her heroines are engaging,... Read more
Published on Mar 26 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
Still worth reading
I can see where some reviewers think JAK might be losing her edge, but I do not think such ideas belong to SOFT FOCUS. Read more
Published on Nov 15 2000 by Riley Merrick
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best Jayne Ann Krentz
Let me start by saying I am a huge fan of Jayne Ann Krentz. I never read a book by her that I didn't like...until now. Read more
Published on Oct 11 2000
1.0 out of 5 stars
Where Is the Real Jayne Ann Krentz?
It was hard to believe that this novel was written by JAK. The prologue was the best part of the book. Read more
Published on Oct 9 2000 by Cynthia J. Krall
4.0 out of 5 stars
One of her best
Had to put my 2 cents in after reading the other bad reviews - I've read most of JAK's work in her various pen names and I think this is some of her best work. Read more
Published on Oct 7 2000
2.0 out of 5 stars
SILLY AND CONFUSING
Jack Fairfax, the CEO of Excalibur, and Elizabeth Cabot, the head of an investment fund financing Excalibur, are one-time lovers that are thrown back together to find a missing... Read more
Published on Oct 2 2000 by Nick G
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sleepytime
It took effort to finish this boring, drawn out story. When the end came I had forgotten the purpose of the beginning. Read more
Published on May 21 2000 by Reeda
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