The Golden Leopard
When black sheep adventurer Lord Hugo Duran suddenly reappears  in Lady Jessica Carville's life after an absence of more than  six years, she has no intention of either renewing their past  romantic relationship or of letting him jeopardize her fledgling  position as an antiquities expert. But in his wanderings through  India, Duran has run afoul of a local petty tyrant and will  forfeit his life if he cannot locate a missing jeweled  statue-and for that he needs Jessica's help. Although the bones  of the story are classic and deceptively simple, the wonderfully  complex characters and intricate, beautifully delineated details  lend a richness to a gradually unfolding tale that will keep  readers wondering how things can possibly work out. Adding spice  to the mix are a few unforgettable secondary characters  (including an honorable assassin) and some surprisingly hot but  beautifully integrated sex scenes. Although Kerstan's romances  have always been well done, the superb character development,  the emotional depth, and the exquisite sexual tension in this  Regency vaults her to a new level. This is her best to date and  a definite top-tier "keeper." Kerstan (Lord Dragoner's Wife) is  a RITA Award-winning writer and lives in Southern California.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.