Amber Beach - Donovans, Bk 1 Author:Elizabeth Lowell Jewelry designer Honor Donovan was never welcomed into her father's international gem trading empire like her four brothers were. But when he favorite brother Kyle disappears, rumored to have made off with a fortune in amber, Honor defies the men of the family and heads for the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest in search of answers. ... more »Honor needs a guide because she knows nothing about running a boat -- and she knows nothing about Jake Mallory until he answers her ad. One of the things she doesn't know is that Jake is much more than a fishing guide.
Until Kyle disappeared, Jake was brokering amber deals in the Baltic for Donovan International. Honor is completely unaware of the old wars, new politics, greed, and stolen amber that have lured ruthless, high-stakes players from around the globe. Jake wants no part of the intrigue, or of a Donovan woman in his life, but he suspects the Donovans' have set him up to take the fall for Kyle's treachery. The way Jake sees it, some Donovan is going to pay for his troubles, and it just may turn out to be Honor. Jake has been doing business with Donovan International and suspects he's been set up to take the fall for Kyle's dirty tricks. When he and Honor meet, a journey that begins with dark suspicion and plans of vengeance turns into a dangerous voyage of temptation and betrayal. Alone at sea, they fight against growing passions and lingering distrust. But as they flee from violent enemies in pursuit of the mysteries of the Amber Room, they discover the deepest secrets within themselves.« less
Enjoyed this very much. Author writes well, with good sense of dialogue; the story is perhaps a little drawn out, with bad guys popping up a few too many times. But a very decent read, got through it in a hurry.