TEST
A little over a hundred years ago, there was a tremendous interest in all things Egyptian. Archaeology had advanced to such a degree that important finds were being discovered on a regular basis. Who wouldn’t find fascinating a culture that had flourished on the desert five thousand years earlier which had left behind artifacts crafted of gold, sculptured obsidian, and precious stones, not to mention monuments built on a scale never seen before? I’ve had an interest in Egyptology all my life. Add another passion, archaeology, and I’m on my way to heaven. Throw in a solid romance and, well, there’s only one thing I like more. Eh-hem.
The Lady is Charlotte Grainger Fairchild, daughter of a respected British archaeologist and wife to an acclaimed archaeologist whose star is on the rise. The Lion is Dylan Pierce, a disreputable Welsh looter of artifacts who has been hired to replace Charlotte’s husband, Ian Fairchild, on an important dig in the Valley of Amun. Egypt is in Charlotte’s blood, and the Valley of Amun is especially dear to her since it was her father who first discovered the site and then died excavating it. When Charlotte learns that the infamous Dylan Pierce is set to take over the dig from her husband, she gets drunk and rides her camel out to accost the man and try to convince him to leave “her” discovery alone.
Charlotte is successful, and Dylan leaves. The lady is so fierce and sincere, he can’t do much else. But he knows the minute he meets her that he’s never met another woman like her, and probably never will. As for Ian, he is furious with this turn of events as he had planned to accept an important position as director of the Coleville Collection at a museum in London. To punish Charlotte, he won’t allow her to enter the newly discovered tomb of Amun, so he goes in alone. The tomb collapses, and Ian is killed.
It is nearly three years later when Dylan sees the beautiful and wild Charlotte at a lecture he is giving. As alluring as ever, she is somewhat subdued and the fact she is still in widow’s weeds so long after her husband’s death disturbs him. To Dylan, it’s obvious Charlotte blames herself for Ian’s death. If only she hadn’t interfered, it would have been Dylan who’d died in the cave-in, and not her beloved husband.
Charlotte is the only person in London who has the expertise to sort through various artifacts in the Collection that need to be identified and dated, so Dylan approaches her and asks for her help. At first, she refuses: she will never speak of Egypt again, and, by the way, she will never remarry. She feels her high-handed ways caused one man’s death, and her obsession with Egypt was partly to blame. But, Dylan is nothing if not convincing, and soon, Charlotte and Dylan are working side-by-side at the museum, putting together an exhibition of artifacts from the Valley of Amun.
This book has so much going for it, I hardly know where to begin. Dylan, who is not at all what he seems, is a wonderful hero. Smart, handsome, crazy for Charlotte, and willing to admit it, Charlotte is his match. She never backs down from a fight, nor an accusation, and can hold her own in any conversation into which she is lured, including attempts to shock her with bawdy references. Rather than being dismayed, Charlotte is fascinated. Dylan and Charlotte fall in love slowly and realistically, and what’s even better, they each admit it to the other.
While the romance is unfolding, we are treated to some fabulous secondary characters. Dylan’s friend, Samson Pope, is a Scotland Yard detective who helps Dylan investigate some missing artifacts, and some possible murders. Charlotte’s family, her mother, sister, spiritualist aunt, and ahead-of-his time uncle, all add dimension and delight to the story. My favorite, however, is a large Egyptian cat named Nefer, who steals every scene she’s in.
As with Egypt itself, there are mysteries here. Who is watching Charlotte, and why? Who catnaps Nefer, and to what end? There were several deaths at the Amun site – were they all accidents? Could someone have discovered the priceless treasure of Princess Hatiri, and if so, where is it? Dylan is reputed to be the famous Lion, a Black Market mastermind, a dealer in stolen artifacts, yet he tells Charlotte that he is not the Lion. So, who is? And could this man have come all the way to London to murder them?
Author Cynthia Kirk is herself an archaeologist and it shows. She has been able to create a true feel for Victorian London, as well as the mystical sands of Egypt. Her writing style is easy to read and she has a wry sense of humor and a knack for creating slightly off-kilter characters that I very much appreciate.
This books just missed being a major keeper for me. There is only one love scene, but Dylan and Charlotte are so passionate, I would like to have seen more. Samson Pope’s future may lie with Catherine, or it may not. If this ambiguity leads to a story for Sam, so much the better.
This book is a little gem and I finished it with a smile on my face. The last scene in the book is Dylan and Charlotte’s wedding and it’s very funny and sweet. I can recommend this book, and am happy to do it. Cynthia Kirk, I like your style.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 27/04/01
Publication Date: 2001
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.