Deep Waters

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel with its comic relief, mystery and great two main characters, Charity and Elias. Charity escapes from Seattle and her duties as a CEO of Truitt Departments Stores that she took over while her younger stepsister and stepbrother were still in college. They are out of school and working at Truitt. Charity was about to be engaged to a man she didn't love but was trying to do a business merger with -- panic/anxiety attack ensues so Charity gets some therapy and then move to Whispering Waters Cove to open a small bookstore. Fortunately for the other shopkeepers at Crazy Otis Landing, Charity like to help people and thus uses her corporate experience to organize them, to help each individual improve their business and deal with their new landlord when the old one passes away. The new landlord is Elias Winters, a real "player" in Pacific Rim business development. He was also a very close friend and student of the former landlord. Of course, he and Charity strike sparks and lots of fun and mayhem and romance ensue along with a murder mystery. I loved the development of these characters and also enjoyed the secondary characters. A really fun read!

I rank this one With "Absolutely, Positively" "Trust Me" and "Wildest Hearts" as been JAK's best works. It is full of warm witty JAK characters and I loved Charity and Elias!!Charity Truitt is from the Truitt department store money and they expected her to marry Brett Loftus heir to Loftus Athletic Gear, a marriage of the families and the businesses merged. Only Charity was not going along with well managed plans. Instead, she opens a bookstore in Whispering Waters Cove. A quaint peer, with bunch of eclectic shops and boutiques. Only problem, the owner of the peer died and left the pier to Elias Winters, along with his odd ball shop called Charms & Virtues. Land speculation is booming and the peer is either a thorn in the side or a place that will be developed, and everyone is betting that Elias is just waiting to make his move.Only Charity, is marshalling the shop owners, trying to fight the greed mayor and their cronies, and plans to spearhead an open confrontation with Elias. Elias claims he is not going to sell the peer, and plans on running Charms & Virtues. She does not full trust him at first, but that does not stop her from being attracted to the controlled man. She finds he is definitely a man where still waters run deep, a martial arts master, former career executive and a man with intense emotions that he keeps them very tightly controlled. Add to the mix the showdown between the shop owners, the town people and a cult waiting for an alien invasion and you have one wonderful book.Simply a marvellous read!!!!!!!!!

I didn't bother to read all the other reviews, because readers' tastes in a JAK novel are extreme. One person really disliked this book, but loved 'Flash' (yuk). So, "I" loved this book. :) It has humor, two great lead characters, a host of secondary characters (Otis!), a good mystery and a great romance. I can reread it over and over. And I definitely agree with "The Way of Water" philosophy. "You" will either 'love' it or 'hate' it. :)

Deep Waters was the first contemporary romance novel I ever read, as well as the first JAK book. I have to say, I got totally hooked! I found the Zenny water philosophy of Tal Kek Chara to be an extremely creative addition to the book, and the space-cult storyline was hysterically funny. One of the reviews on the book calls the relationship between Charity and Elias a "Tracy-Hepburn" alliance, and I have to agree. They had such passion, understanding, and (oddly and entertainingly enough) humor. The secondary characters were equally personable. I loved every minute of my reading experience, and Deep Waters is one of the few books in recent memory that I have picked up again and again, and enjoyed just as much each time I read it.One final note, not really plot-related, but I have to say how much I loved the detail JAK uses in her writing. Charity and Elias's cooking contests had me in stitches -- and rummaging through my cupboards and cookbooks!This is also the only romance novel I have given as a gift. I would highly recommend it to any fan of JAK or intelligent contemporary romance.

I thought this book was a marvelous depiction of contemporary romance. It presented a fascinating philosophy, an intriguing plot, and charters that you want to know personally. Creating a setting full of intrigue and suspense yet not crossing over into melodrama, this story possesses all the qualities of a well-written piece of literature. Remaining entertaining throughout with just enough plot twists to keep one on their toes yet not crossing over into unbelievable, this tale is truly an inspired work. Mirroring the fantastic author Jayne Ann Krentz, this book is a genuine work of art, painting the story so vividly with words that all of the small nuances are captured and put to light. For anyone looking for a good book that will give you both a run for your money and a warm glow, this is it. Another bona fide masterpiece and worth every second spent reading it. It will become a close friend and a true comfort.