Gemstones
Janet Lane WaltersHistorical romance
Available from New Concepts Publishing
February 2004
| After her father’s tragic death, Nicola Gordon is
forced to make a choice. She must decide whether she
will remain in India, the only home she has ever
known, or travel to England, as her father wanted, to
marry a man she does not know. If she chooses to
stay, she will be forced to marry her cruel, vile
cousin, Fergus Crawford, who plans to use Nicola’s
uncanny ability for picking the most valuable
gemstones to make a fortune for him. She fears that
if the marriage takes place, Fergus, who is said to
have a penchant for very young girls, will gain
control of her two younger sisters. Knowing it is the
only way to protect them, Nicola sails for England
with her sisters.
Abuse from his father and abandonment by his mother have left Drew Barlow, Earl of Denmere, with a hardened heart. The only thing he wants is a bride with enough money to restore his estates to their former splendor. A wife to love is something he has never wanted or needed. He agrees to marry Nicola because it will please the Dowager, who is Nicola’s grandmother and the only female Drew cares about. The arrival of Nicola and her sisters totally disrupts Drew’s orderly life. The more he is around Nicola, the more he feels his carefully cultivated control slipping away. Will he make a place in his heart for the love she offers, or will his lack of trust drive her away? While GEMSTONES is set mainly in England, Ms. Walters’ use of the fascinating legends and customs of India makes it feel as if the story never leaves India. It makes the story very refreshing and unique. Although Nicola and Drew seem to clash at every turn, they complement each other perfectly. They are truly wonderful characters. An intriguing cast of secondary characters livens up the story and keeps the hero and heroine on their toes. I highly recommend this fun, captivating romance.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Renee Burnette |
