Kindle Edition Download to your Nook (eBook) Download from Smashwords (eBook) Amazon Category:  Mystery/Suspense Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing ISBN-10:  1908910585 Type: Fiction Pages: 299 Copyright: Dec 2, 2012 ISBN-13: 9781908910585 Price: $2.97 (eBook) Keira Drummond becomes entangled in the quest for a hoard of originally Mughal owned jewels, last seen in Amsterdam, in 1910. Pairing up with Teun Zeger, the worldwide trail becomes a deadly one. A peculiar invitation to Heidelberg, Germany, embroils Keira Drummond in the search for a mysterious collection of once Mughal owned jewels- the hoard last known in Amsterdam in 1910, in the possession of Geertje Hoogeveen. Keira pairs up with Teun Zeger, one of the descendants of Geertje brought together for the quest, but can she trust him any more than the other third cousins who are also seeking the jewels? Suspicion amongst them is rife. Which one is greedy enough to hire thugs to tail her...and worse...as she travels to Vienna and Minnesota? And who amongst them harbours the ultimate mystery item that's not part of the Mughal collection? Greed, suspicion and murder are balanced by growing family loyalty, trust and love.       Excerpt Inside the tin were two long velvet cases. “You open them!” His smile was puzzled since she’d been quite happy to do all the investigating before, without any reference to him. “What is it?” His words faded as he opened the first – a dark crimson velvet box, the plush so stained with dampness it almost looked white. Most of the loft contents were still in good condition, but this looked to be one of the oldest items they’d uncovered so far. Keira’s legs trembled. A cool shiver coursed down her spine, the anticipation making the unveiling seem almost creepy. His voice was a broken hush. “Is this what I think it is?” “Good God! Look at that!” Four strands, made from tiny green stones, joined the most exquisite centrepiece clasp of diamonds, the whole necklace gleaming on the faded cream silk interior. At each end of the box lay two different earrings. All the earrings were pear-shaped; one set made from small sparkling bezel-set diamonds, and the other vibrantly coloured. In place of diamonds, the second pair of earrings was enamelled in red, green and blue on a white background. Teun almost dropped the box as he passed it over for her to have a better look, his arm trembling. “Oh… heavens! I can’t believe it!” Keira was in shock. It was the most intriguing jewellery she’d ever seen, but she was mystified by the extra coloured set of earrings. Although totally gorgeous in themselves, they didn’t match the floral cluster of sparkling diamonds. Tentatively lifting the necklace, she realised the significance of two sets of earrings. The whole necklace was double-sided. It could be worn showing a deep centre clasp which was a sunburst of small diamonds, with two additional rows of tiny diamonds set below – and in the ultimate central position was a teardrop pendant of three layers of tiny diamonds. If the necklace was worn in reverse, there lay a masterpiece of red, green, blue and white enamelling. “This is so amazing! And it looks Indian.” Her throat was raspy, her words the tiniest whisper. They dragged themselves back to the chest and fumbled their way back down onto it, the velvet case in front of them, neither capable of speaking. She caught Teun’s glance. His swallow had been so awkward, a metaphorical boulder lodged in his gullet. Awe. Amazement. Shock. Trepidation. They were all there in his eyes as words eventually seeped out. “I didn’t expect this, Keira. How could my grandmother have hidden these away like this?” She wasn’t sure an answer was needed, but she gave one anyway. “Marijke must have had her reasons for keeping them secret, Teun.” “Secrets? Damn right she had secrets!”

5.0 out of 5 stars Romantic Suspense that Pulls You In
Topaz Eyes is a romantic suspense at its best. Motivated by the find of an exquisite ring, a jeweler in Heidelberg does research and comes to believe this is one of twenty pieces of the Tiru collection that somehow came into his family generations before. Jensen then commissions a family history, contacts distant family members and a woman who was close enough to one of the women in the family to potentially be a recipient of some of the pieces. The quest set forth at the mysterious meeting in Heidelberg, with Zaan, Teun, and Keira taking the lead roles to complete the quest, is to find all the pieces and exhibit them. The search covers multiple cities in the US, Amsterdam, Edinburg, and of course Heidelberg. The stakes are high and as Keira and Teun both become aware they are being followed separately, as well as when they are together, trust is not high between the cousins. Multiple homes across the continents are broken in to, businesses are burglarized, and individuals are assaulted. It’s not obvious who is behind the mischief. The pieces come together slowly as none of the cousins wants to share all they know. Jardine spins an intricate plot with cultural overtones and all that makes discovering family history a little risky.


A Mysterious Invitation
Keira Drummond, a language translator, receives a mysterious invitation to go to Heidelberg. Although she has some misgivings, her curiosity gets the best of her and she decides to make the trip. She has no idea how that one decision will change her life.
"Topaz Eyes" by Nancy Jardine is an intriguing mystery that will keep you in suspense until the very end.


4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Gems and a European Tour
If you enjoy treasure hunts, you'll love Topaz Eyes. Nancy Jardine lures you in with fabulous gems, mystery, danger, romance and lovingly detailed descriptions of European cities, food and customs. On the hunt for the lost Mughal collection, her characters chase clues across Europe, to the US, and back to Europe. But those emeralds, diamonds, and pearls are sought by others as well, dangerous others. The romance between Teun and Keira develops against a backdrop of forgotten wealth, family distrust, and danger. A fun, engaging read that will have you calling your travel agent.