Title:
Don't Tempt Me
Author:
Julie Ortolon
Publisher:
(publisher here)
ISBN:
0-312-98349-2
Copyright Date:
February 2004
Format:
Print
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Jackie Taylor has sworn off treasure hunting. Her father taught her that the cost of the hunt is not always worth the bounty returned. She runs a legitimate charter business with her ship, Pirate's Pleasure. She keeps her past follies and her connection to a famous pirate hidden, or so she thinks. Adrian St. Claire needs Jackie to help his family find the lost treasure of Captain Kingsley. As fate would have it, their ancestor, Marguerite, and Jackie's ancestor, Captain Kingsley, had been ill-fated lovers. A relic of their love may have gone down with the Captain's ship. Jackie has no interest in a treasure hunt, but when Adrian makes her an offer she can't refuse she finds herself sailing towards Pearl Island and a sunken treasure.
The search for the treasure reveals much more than either Jackie or Adrian counted on. As they are put in closer proximity to each other, their desire grows. However, desire is not the most important development between them. As they work together, Adrian comes to respect and admire the woman Jackie is. He learns of her past and her dreams for the future and hopes to make them come true. Jackie comes to realize that Adrian is not just the sinfully handsome chef of Pearl Island; he is a caring and understanding person that offers her something she has never had, a friend. As the search for the treasure continues, life intrudes to test their newfound relationship.
A twist of circumstances has Jackie's past coming back to haunt her and Adrian. Can she overcome it and fight for the dreams that are almost within her grasp? Will she and Adrian give in to something deeper than the passion between them? Will they find Captain Kingsley's treasure; will they find a treasure more valuable?
I was immediately drawn into the hunt for the treasure, but the relationship between Jackie and Adrian kept me immersed in the story until the very end. Don't Tempt Me has an array of well developed and true to life characters; the complexities of their interactions, feelings, and thoughts are easy to relate to and make the story that much more enjoyable. There are moments of humor that had me laughing out loud as well as moments where the confusion and pain of Jackie and Adrian was palpable; add this to the unique and oh so hot love scenes and you have a very well rounded story. Julie Ortolon has created a story that is an exceptional read.
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