Night Diver by Elizabeth Lowell

Title: Night Diver: A Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (April 8, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062132822
ISBN-13: 978-0062132826
Notes: Received a print copy from the publisher.



Kate Donnelly has been avoiding the ocean and diving for nearly fifteen years. Her childhood was spent aboard the decks of the Golden Bough with her family exploring the ocean depths looking for the mother load of lost treasures-- the wreck of the Moon Rose. Reported to be carrying a King's ransom in jewels and gold when it went down, finding it has become her family's obsession. Now her grandfather and brother have asked for her help to get them out of a financial bind that resulted from the signing of a contract that her brother had no business signing. His judgement had been clouded by the dream or, perhaps more accurately, the sickness attached to treasure hunting and signed a contract that didn't offer enough compensation to cover their expenses. She's agreed to help out if her one stipulation is met--she can stay on shore and never step foot upon the Golden Bough.

Holden Cameron has been hired by his company to see if any funny business is going on with the dive recovery company that was hired to excavate the wreck of a ship. As items from what they believe to be the remains of the Moon Rose have started showing up on the black market, Holden's been charged with proving that the crew or the owners of the Moon Rose LTD are stealing the treasure out from under the British government's nose. When he meets the owner's sister, Kate, he wonders if she was sent in to distract him from his task because if she was, she's definitely doing a damn fine job of it.

One of the things I love about Elizabeth Lowell's books is they each seem to appeal to the adventurous side of me that loves exploring. When I was little I use to watch Jacques Cousteau and dream of going deep sea diving. Of exploring the mysteries of the ocean and finding sunken treasure.This is another fun filled mystery/adventure which luckily didn't end with a story about the one that got away. Kate Donnelly has managed to separate herself from the family's addiction for fortune hunting, a very fun but not very lucrative occupation. Her parent's deaths cured her of that and helped her view the family's chosen profession in a different, more realistic light. To this day she is haunted by the events that led up to their deaths and has not set foot on a boat or in the ocean for the past fifteen years.

Holden Cameron is a former British dive bomb specialist who, due to injuries he sustained, now stays mostly out of the water. Under the guise of a consultant to evaluate Moon Rose Limited's operation, he's come to St. Vincent for one reason--to catch Moon Rose Limited in the act of stealing the artifacts they were hired to uncover for British government's Antiquities Office. When Holden meets Kate he's not sure if she's in on the scam or an innocent bystander. While he tries to keep a professional distance from her, he and she both find themselves having a hard time fighting their mutual attraction. This creates for a fun story with a relationship that slowly grows and develops as the two begin to get to know and trust each other. They each have to accept the possibility things may become difficult if, as the evidence begins to suggest, Kate's family is involved in the stealing.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I loved the mystery associated with the artifacts that were being put on the black market. I liked the twist that I didn't see coming. Additionally, I adored the complicated relationship which slowly gained momentum and strength like a wave until it crested and peaked into something neither Holden or Kate could deny. Fast paced, fun, and enjoyable. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Early Review of Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell

• Title: Dangerous Refuge: A Novel
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance/Mystery
• Format: Hardcover;  384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (April 9, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0062132717
• ISBN-13: 978-0062132710

To the untrained eye, Lorne Davis' death would appear to have been caused by a heart attack. Not an uncommon occurrence for an eighty-six year old man, but if you looked at the little things surrounding his death, well, then you'd noticed some things didn't add up. To Tanner Davis, however, a hardened LA cop, little things could mean and add up to a lot. There was the matter of Lorne landing face up. Not the usual way for a man suffering pain to land. Then there was the missing hat and jacket, which Lorne should have been sporting one or the other. There was also the fact he was wearing his town clothes and as he wasn't one to go about admiring his ranch, that was rather odd too. But the biggest and most damning thing about Lorne's death was the missing gold coins that only the family would know about and they were gone. Had Lorne truly had a heart attack or had he met with foul play? 

Shaye Townsend was working for the Ranch Conservancy. She and Lorne had reached an agreement that he would let his land be held in trust by the Conservancy  until his death at which time the Conservancy would take it over. He did have certain stipulations, however, that had to be met before he'd sign on the dotted line--namely, that the Conservancy guarantee that the ranch be preserved the way it was and not be traded or sold under any circumstances. While Shaye was out of town, however, her boss took the final paperwork over to be signed, only the contract was the wrong one. She'd grabbed the a contract without the agreed upon amendments from their legal department. Upon returning to Refuge, Shaye headed over to Lorne's ranch to explain the error and smooth things over. He'd been refusing her calls so she'd hope she personally be able to explain the blunder and regain his trust. The only problem was that that would never happen. When Shaye reached Lorne's ranch he was dead. She'd been the one to find him and call the authorities. The two had become friends over their negotiations and she would truly miss him. Her only regret was that he'd died angry with her thinking she'd tried to trick him. 

What neither Tanner  nor Shaye could have guessed was that Shaye would be instrumental in unlocking what really happened to Lorne. 

This was a fun read. Shaye was a fun character caught in a bad situation. She loves her work and believes in what she is doing. Part of her job is to try to get ranchers to leave their land to the Ranch Conservancy, a group dedicating to preserving small ranches by snatching them up before commercial industry has a chance to grab them. Some of the land they've been entrusted with even has wild mustangs roaming around. When Shaye's boss, Kimberli, messed things up by giving Lorne the wrong contract, Lorne made a big stink about the mix up. Enough of a stink that other ranchers in the area were starting to rethink their plans about entrusting the Conservancy with their ranches. But trying to go on back to business as usual and acting as if nothing had happened wasn't easy for Shaye. She'd been deeply affected by his death. She'd like the old man and was sad she'd never see him again and her last images of him weren't pleasant ones as she'd found his body some time after the scavengers of the area had gotten to him. Not a pretty sight, and not one she'd soon forget. When she first meets Lorne's nephew, Tanner, he wasn't in the best of moods and they didn't immediately hit it off. The one word she'd use to describe him was rude.

Tanner Davis is an LA detective used to working the homicide beat. He's not happy about being pulled away from LA and back to Refuge. He never really wanted to come back. He'd hoped to quickly settle his uncle's estate and be on his way, but when he learns all the facts about his uncle's death he can't help but try to figure out what happened to the old man. While the two weren't close during his final years, they were family. Upon first meeting Shaye he wonders what she'd do to get a ranch, but quickly dismisses that thought as he gets to know her. He soon realizes she truly is saddened by his uncle's passing and the two start working together to put the pieces together of Lorne's final days. With Shaye's help doors that would normally not be opened to him are. While in the midst of their investigation, the two find themselves undeniably attracted to one another. 

Overall I gave this one 3 1/2 out 5 roses.There was plenty of drama, intrigue and romance. I liked the mystery of what exactly happened to Lorne and how the two worked together to figure it out. I also enjoyed that Shaye didn't have to give up what she loved to get a happy ending and that Tanner didn't ask her to.  

Some photos to put you in the mood for this one (Pictures found on Photobucket):

Above: The way I imagine Lorne's ranch to look.

Above: Wild Mustangs.

Above: An example of what I imagine the abandoned mines in the book to be like

Beautiful Sacrifice by Elizabeth Lowell

• Title: Beautiful Sacrifice: A Novel
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Romantic Suspense
  
  • Hardcover: 400 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow (May 22, 2012)
  • ISBN-10: 0061629863
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061629860
  • Author's Website:  http://www.elizabethlowell.com/contest.html
  • 
    
  • "There are rumors. Many rumors."

Lina waited.
"The rumors whisper of an obsidian mask carved from a single piece of stone, a god bundle never opened, a sacred scepter with obsidian teeth, a foot-long jade Chacmool, and exquisitely made obsidian knife created solely to let the blood of kings. Even an unknown codes. All and more, of the very highest quality, appearing and then disappearing again, like ghost smoke."

Dr. Lina Taylor is an expert on both Maya artifacts and culture. She splits her time between the field and teaching. Part Maya herself, she grew up emerged in the culture. Rumor has it an incredible archaeological discovery has been made, but not by legitimate means. Hunter Johnston, a former ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) officer approaches Lina for help to find out what happened to some seized artifacts which were stolen from ICE. The blame for the theft is lying on the shoulders of Jase Beaumont, Hunter's best friend, who asked Hunter to help him investigate the crime. If the items in the pictures Hunter shows Lina are the real deal, then the rumors would be confirmed. Artifacts from an ancient Maya God some scholars thought never existed would have been discovered.

While the find itself would be huge, if the artifacts truly are genuine, they'd be worth a fortune on the black market. That is what is originally believed to be the motive behind the theft, but while following a lead, a gruesome discovery is made. Several individuals are found to have been killed in a ritualistic type manner. The question is, do the deaths have something to do with a once thought fictitious god and/or the Maya end of times prophecy which will culminate within just days or is something else going on? The only place similar artifacts have been found are on the Reyes Balam family lands, which Lina's family owns. With Lina's own reputation already tainted by a scandal, any link whatsoever to illegally acquired ancient artifacts could end her career completely. Of course, with people being killed, her reputation might just be the least of her worries...

_________________

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I love stories that deal with ancient cultures that are real or manufactured. I felt Ms. Lowell did an excellent job of mixing just enough of the Maya culture and traditions into her own creation, the deity Kawa'il and his cult following, to breath a real sense of life into them. Before seeing the acknowledgements, I even tried to google Kawa'il and only found another reference to her book. My favorite description was that of an elaborate painting within a temple. It sounded extraordinary and I felt like I was actually there.

The attraction between Lina and Hunter was so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. Prior to the beginning of the book the two had started to date so they already had something stirring. It was fun to see them try to contain their feelings for each other while attempting to work together. Lina was strong, smart, and managed to keep a level head when faced with difficult situations. Those are traits I love to see in heroines.

Hunter managed to be protective of Lina yet didn't try to overwhelm her by trying to control or dominate her in any way that would suggest she couldn't take care of herself. While he does sort of manipulate her into helping to find the stolen artifacts, that was only done out of necessity. She was an expert on ancient Maya artifacts, something he needed. Plus, he already knew her. Slowly, the mystery of what is going on is revealed and Lina's and Hunter's relationship grows and blossoms into something neither of them can deny.

Overall, this one gets a 5 out of 5 roses. There was plenty of romance, drama and suspense as they attempted to learn who stole the artifacts, and where they came from. Kawa'il is depicted as the "god of blood sacrifice and death," who reportedly "demanded more blood and sacrifice than other gods."  So things do get a little gory, and there are a few 'Ewww!' moments, but it all fits in with the story. I would love to see this one be made into a movie. I'd actually pay to see it in the theater. While Ms. Lowell states there are no plans to make this into a series because her publisher prefers singles, I would love to see it become one. Even if she had to change characters to do so. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Notes to keep you in the know:
Throughout the book Lina and Hunter kept talking about how Lina was supposed to be like 'Caesar's wife'. Well, I had never heard the phrase used before and was curious as to its origins, so I looked it up. It basically means that a person should be above approach. Apparently Ceasar's wife,  Pompeia, 'hosted the festival of the Bona Dea ("good goddess"), which no man was permitted to attend...However a young patrician named Publius Clodius Pulcher managed to gain admittance disguised as a woman, apparently for the purpose of seducing Pompeia. He was caught and prosecuted for sacrilege. Caesar gave no evidence against Clodius at his trial, and he was acquitted. Nevertheless, Caesar divorced Pompeia, saying that "my wife ought not even to be under suspicion." This gave rise to a proverb, sometimes expressed: "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."' (Quote copied from Wikipedia. To see the post in its entirety and to learn more about Pompeia, check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar%27s_wife )

Examples of Cenotes found on photobucket:

The following was created by Frederick Catherwood (1799–1854)  (copyright expired) found on wikipedia:

Example of a Chacmool found on photobucket:

Ms. Lowell did not write about God K, but she did say there is some dispute as to whether the Mayans had such a god. Here is a depiction believed to be of God K on pottery. I thought I'd include it because of the fact it has a serpent depicted on it. Photo taken by Justin Kerr.(copyright expired). Found on wikipedia: