"Wonderful contemporary romance"

Colonial Era archeologist and historian, Carter Wessex agrees to accept a grant to dig on Farrell Mountain if she obtains the approval of corporate raider Nick Farrell. She is very excited about trying to solve the Revolutionary War mystery of what happened in 1775 to the Winship party and the gold they carried until she meets Nick. He is nasty and tosses her off his property.

When Nick connects the name to a business partner, he sees an opportunity to insure the man owes him favors as Carter and her father have been estranged since her mother died. Nick invites Carter to dig on his mountain, but never expected to fall in love with her. He worries what will happen when she learns the truth that he manipulated the situation as a business venture, but not as much as the concern he feels for her safety when a rival abducts her.

Solving an eighteenth century mystery using modern day archeological techniques is fun to follow and the varying relationships are all delightful to observes. However, an extra intrigue caused by a lunatic peer and Carter's misunderstanding of her parents' relationship seems unnecessary and contrived. Still Carter and Nick are a pleasant duo and his nephew, Carter's partner and his daughter make for a wonderful contemporary romance that will leave readers appreciating Jessica Bird's talent.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 25, 2003

Summary

Carter Wessex is an archaeologist on a mission. She wants to find a fortune in missing gold but she needs permission to dig on Farrell Mountain first. The trouble is, sexy Nick Farrell is renowned for keeping people off his property. When Carter approaches him anyway, sparks fly at their first meeting. The ruthless corporate raider doesn't want his vacation home disturbed by yet another trespasser, even if she's a beautiful one. Things change when he realizes Carter, who is the estranged daughter of another financial tycoon, could be useful to him.

When Nick invites her to come to the mountain and dig, she's suspicious of his change of mind and well aware of his ruthless reputation. But, as she gets to know him, their initial attraction becomes an undeniable passion. As skeletons are unearthed, and the details of the gold's disappearance are gradually unveiled, they embark on a love affair which touches Nick's heart in a special way. He realizes he's falling in love with her but tragically, it's too late. His plotting is revealed before he can stop the events he put in motion and Carter suffers a betrayal so deep, she fears she will not recover.

Can Carter forgive the man she's given her heart to and learn to trust him again? Will the mystery of the gold be solved? As Carter comes to the end of the dig, she finds more than she ever bargained for up on Farrell Mountain.