Book Review: Truth or Dare by Jayne Ann Krentz

Truth or Dare
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Series: Whispering Springs (Book 2)
Publication: Berkley (September 28, 2004)

Description: Zoe is an interior designer with a unique sense of style. But even more uncanny is her sense of what's going on under the surface, the secrets a house can hold. At the moment, though, Zoe isn't concerned about a client's space. She's more worried about what's going on in her own house in Whispering Springs, Arizona, where she lives with her new husband, private investigator Ethan Truax.

After a whirlwind courtship and a dangerous adventure, they've gambled on commitment, hoping that their powerful attraction can help them learn to live together despite their utterly opposite personalities. But newlywed life is suddenly interrupted when a shadowy figure from Zoe's past shows up in Whispering Springs, and her closest friend is put at terrible risk. For Zoe and Arcadia Ames share a shocking secret. And as they seek to protect the truth, they must join together and, with Ethan's help, accept a very dangerous dare.

My Thoughts: This sequel to LIGHT IN SHADOW continues the romance between Zoe and Ethan and also features a couple more romance. Bonnie and Singleton are edging their way to a romance but he's not sure she's ready after the death of her husband and is busy protecting his heart while helping Ethan. Arcadia and Harry are also edging their way to romance. 

This time the focus is on Arcadia's problems. Her ex-husband, supposedly dead, is eager to find Arcadia and get back the "insurance policy" that she kept when she disappeared. He did try to murder her which gave her ample reason to change identities and run. Now, he seems to have found her, and he wants to eliminate anyone around her who might help her. That puts Ethan in the crosshairs. 

I loved the way Zoe and Ethan's relationship is progressing. He's still afraid that she will want to end their hasty marriage but is gaining some hope from the gifts she gives him to keep him safe. From ultra-high SPF sunscreen to a keychain that is also a whistle and a flashlight, he takes her gifts as a sign that she cares about him. 

Zoe is afraid that Ethan will never be able to accept her psychic gifts and she doesn't want another marriage where she has to hide her real self from her husband. She's also concerned that her stay at the mental institution and the drugs they fed her might have done damage to her psychic gifts. She keeps entering rooms and seeing psychic spiderwebs that threaten to engulf her. She's afraid that she really is going crazy. 

But love triumphs and the bad guys get what they deserve in this engaging romantic suspense title. 

I bought this one upon publication, read it, and added it to my Keeper shelves. You can buy your copy here.