Review: Guardian of the Jewel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2011
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.Original review for The Romance Reviews.