Review: The Treasure Hunter's Lady By: Allison Merritt

 

 

For years, Romy Farrinton traveled at her world-famous archeologist father's side, exploring new lands and uncovering ancient secrets. It was everything she ever wanted, until a near-fatal encounter with hostile natives forced her and her father into a life of retirement in Boston and an undesired advance into proper society.

Everything changes again when she's saved from an accident by a brash Texan in a back alley. Abel Courte may act like a care-free cowboy, but he's harboring a secret—he's searching for the Diamond of Uktena, a legendary jewel that can cure any disease known to man. He needs information Romy's father has in order to get to the jewel. When he traces the origin of the Diamond to Dakota Territory, he sets off to claim the treasure, only to find the archaeologist's fiery redheaded daughter stuck to him like a bug in sap.

In a race against time, Romy and Abel must learn to trust each other as they undertake a cross-country journey that will expose them to lands uncharted by white men, a deadly battle against the fearsome creature in possession of the Diamond and a fight to return to civilization where they might make the greatest discovery of all—love.

 

My Review:

 

This was a delightfully refreshing piece!  I am new to the steampunk genre, and I must say if all books are as well written and as page turning as this, it will soon become one of my favorite genres!!  This story was a wonderful mix of romance, Texans, suspense, mystery, mythology, hot sex scenes, and of course air pirates!! 

 

Abel is on a mission to save one of the few people that he loved more than life itself, and he will stop at nothing to get it.  Following a collection of myths, maps, and old legends, Abel starts on an adventure that could lead to the greatest discovery of man kind to date. On the same token, if he fails, a great number of lives will be lost. As he begins his treasure hunt, with the help of an unlikely champion, he never could have prepared himself for the reaction he would have to one fiery red-head.  One taste from this unlikely siren's lips, and he was enchanted beyond his own understanding.

 

Romy wasn't your average lady.  Being raised by one of the worlds top archaeologists, she was able to share in his adventures across the land.  The adventures and discoveries they shared were non-stop, which is exactly the way Romy preferred it.  Her father was forced into an early retirement due to an incredibly horrid mishap on one of their adventures in the Amazon.  He moved to England and forced Romy into the role of a lady in order to find herself a husband.  The prospects of the whole affair were boring and heartbreaking at the same time.  She had no wish to settle down and marry a stranger because he was a good match.  Her father had been distance since the Amazon escapade, with a seriousness and detachment that was so out of his usual character.  She never felt anything for any man until she quite literally ends up in the lap of an unruly Texan.  Her first taste of passion marks her like nothing ever has.

 

Destiny has much in store for our heroes, as they set off on the adventure for entirely different purposes.  Time together brings them closer and ignites the passion that is evident between them.  But after everything comes to light, can they work through everything?  I enjoyed this book immensely and am eagerly anticipating the release of the sequel.  This tale is full of twists and turns and I enjoyed everyone of them!  Excellent Read!!