Kindle Edition Amazon The Wild Rose Press Category:  Romance Publisher: The Wild Rose Press ISBN-10:  B004AHKBYY Type: Fiction Pages: 122 Copyright: Nov 2, 2010 ISBN-13: 2940043343680 A mesmering stranger turns up late at night to a struggling B&B, bringing love and laughter to solo-mum Amy's life. But danger follows in his wake. What does she really know about Gabe and will the secrets he's hiding cost them their lives? After coming to terms with the brutal death of her husband by unknown thugs half a world away from New Zealand, Amy Hamblin concentrates on bringing up their son alone, struggling to make their dream of an action-adventure tourism venture a success. When a dark, dangerous-looking man knocks on her door late at night claiming to be a guest, the safe, quiet life she’d created is suddenly anything but... Gabriel Ryan’s task of finding the priceless blue diamond Amy’s husband stole from an organised crime ring, is made all the more difficult by the attraction that sizzles between them. Playing a role had never been so hard, and now, with a ruthless killer on the trail of the missing jewel as well, he needed all his wits about him to keep them all alive. Excerpt Gabriel’s knee pressed into Amy’s thigh and sent unexpected frissons of longing to race through her system. The thin material of her jodhpurs weren’t any barrier to his heat. She scrambled to regain her composure and urged Pippin away, fixing her concentration on the path ahead. “I’m not looking for romance,” she stated flatly. “I have a child to raise and a business to run. That’s more than enough for me.” “It’s not nearly enough for a woman like you,” he murmured, his changeable eyes darkened to molten steel and raked over her in thorough appraisal. Her shaky resolve melted away under the heat. Unable to take a breath, let alone speak, Amy lifted her hand and gave the signal to ride single file. As she trotted ahead, the unmistakable sound of soft laughter followed her. He recognized she was running away and the knowledge he was right made her face flame all the more.

Coffee Time Romance


GUARDIAN OF THE JEWEL
LAVERNE CLARK
ASIN: B004AHKBYY
Nov 2010
The Wild Rose Press and the Wilder Roses
www.thewildrosepress.com
E-Book
$4.00
122 Pages
Romantic Suspense Crimson Miniature
Rating: 4 Cups

Ever since the murder of her husband, Thomas, eighteen months ago, Amy Hamblin has managed to hold on to her small Bed and Breakfast business by the skin of her teeth. She is unaware her husband stole a priceless blue diamond and that an unscrupulous thug will go to any length to find the hidden jewel.

Gabriel Ryan is a private investigator hired to investigate Amy in an attempt to recover the stolen gem for his employer. He checks into the out-of-the-way B&B in the guise of a stressed-out businessman.

Gabe and Amy are drawn to each other immediately. This is disconcerting for them both, but especially for Gabe as he realizes he must tell Amy the real reason for his visit. Before he can do that, though, events spiral out of control…

This is an easy-to-read suspense that kept me engrossed to the very end. The chemistry between Gabe and Amy was fine-honed and honest. I also enjoyed the scenic tour of the old ghost town and abandoned mine. Amy’s relationship with her precocious twelve-year-old son pulled at my heartstrings a few times, and I appreciated that Daniel was truly Amy’s greatest treasure. This short novel will appeal widely to readers who love romance in exotic locals and under dangerous conditions.

Laurie
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Rating: 4 cups

The Romance Studio


Guardian of the Jewel
LaVerne Clark
Romantic suspense
Available from The Wild Rose Press
November 2010

Trips that Thomas Hamblin explained as an attempt to drum up business for their family bed and breakfast lead to his death. Seems he got greedy and stole a blue diamond from some people who will let nothing stand in the way of their getting it back. Amy, his wife, and son Daniel are left grieving, trying to keep their livelihood going. Gabriel Ryan shows up as a guest in their home. Will he be able to help protect them when disaster strikes or break their hearts?
LaVerne Clark pens a tale blended with the rich history and topography of the West Coast of New Zealand. Characters are well developed so we have no problem knowing who's good and who's bad. Even the animals have personalities that will probably bring a smile to the reader. We just don't know how the good ones will be able stop someone so full of evil as the villain, Razor. Hired henchmen for the people who want the diamond back, he enjoys his work a little too much when it involves hurting people. As the intrigue and suspense builds so does the romance between Amy and Gabe. Young Daniel is often wise beyond his years, a recurring bright spot in the story.

The book almost moves too quickly. So much is packed into a brief timeline. Clark is able to handle it well, slowing it down with a trail ride or heating it up in the hot tub. Then the suspense rushes at us again. I like this author's style.

Overall rating: 4 hearts
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
January 18, 2011





The Romance Review
OFFICIAL REVIEW
11 people found the following review helpful
Book Reviewed by Arkali (reviewer)

[ Review Posted: Dec 07, 2010 ] - See all my reviews

Fast-paced and full of action, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading GUARDIAN OF THE JEWEL. Great romance and suspense, wonderful characters—the story has a lot going for it.

The novel opens with a chilling scene where we meet the villain known simply as Razor. Thomas Hamblin thought he could outsmart the criminal organization he secretly works for when he stole an extremely valuable blue diamond. He's not as smooth as he thinks he is, though, and pays the ultimate price. Razor is the one to collect.

Fast-forward to a year and a half later -- we're transported to New Zealand, where the main story takes place. Amy Hamblin, Thomas's widow, is struggling to make ends meet and also raise her son, Daniel. She was completely oblivious to the double life that her late husband had led and has no idea that Razor is now watching her, intent on discovering the location of the of the stolen diamond. Razor isn't the only one interested in the gem, though. Gabriel Ryan has also been hired to recover the stolen property—if he can keep his mind on the job and off the pretty hostess.

Ms. Clark does a fantastic job of building the suspense early on and keeping it going throughout the entire book. Razor comes across as a monster—sociopathic and sadistic, to boot. It always seemed like danger was one step around the corner, just out of sight and lurking, waiting to strike.

Juxtaposed to that was this attraction between Gabe and Amy. Normally, I'm not big on the love-at-first-sight theme and prefer the main couple to get to know each other over time. This is one case, though, where the author sold me that there was something THERE between the hero and heroine.

My criticisms of the book are fairly small, and that's a good thing. There are a couple of times where Amy acts like a complete ninny. Most of the time she's sharp and capable, but in one pivotal scene I honestly felt as though she'd taken leave of her senses. I felt as though I was watching a horror movie and the actress is getting up to go investigate a noise—what are you thinking?! The other minor issue is that Gabe keeps telling himself that he's going to tell Amy what's going on and warn her... but he never does. He keeps getting sidetracked. I mean, I get that he was insanely attracted to Amy, and she to him (GREAT chemistry!) but come on... I think a potentially life-threatening situation would keep my mind off of making out for at least twenty or thirty minutes.

Nitpicking aside, GUARDIAN OF THE JEWEL is well worth reading. Fantastic characters and well-paced suspense made for an exciting story. Add on a great hero and heroine with lots of magnetism and I was really pulling for these two to have a Happily Ever After. LaVerne Clark definitely delivered on all counts.