Midnight in Ruby Bayou

Elizabeth Lowell

5/1/2006

Faith Donovan designs expensive, exclusive jewelry. Currently she is working on a special consignment. Her first college roommate, Mel, is getting married. Her groom and father-in-law are preparing a special surprise for her. They have given Faith 13 rubies and asked her to design a necklace around it. When it is finished Faith is invited to the wedding on Valentine's Day at the Montegau mansion in Ruby Bayou in South Carolina. That works out well because she is the first person west of the Rockies to be invited at an exclusive jewelry and gem show in Savannah, Georgia right before the wedding.

There is a problem. The rubies cannot be properly appraised in time for Faith to set the stones and enter them into the show. She is a partner with her siblings in Donovan International. Their company deals with gem trading around the world. Owen Walker works for Archer Donovan. His passion is rubies. Although not GIA certified, he gives Donovan International an unofficial appraisal. Archer agrees to insure the necklace though Donovan International until it is delivered to the Montegaus. One condition, though, is for Owen to be responsible for the necklace - and Faith. They feel there is trouble following Faith. Owen is one of the few people the Donovans will trust to keep Faith safe.

There is trouble following Faith. A royal gem was stolen from a Russian museum. The report is that Faith received the Heart of Midnight ruby in a consignment of gems. She doesn't have it. But the first man who approached her in her shop doesn't believe her. Fortunately the man guarding her and her shop were enough for the Russian to leave. That night he burgled the store, looking for the ruby. It's not there. She and Owen are followed to Georgia. Owen won't let Faith out of his sight. He has good reason. There are people who want Faith dead.

This is Elizabeth Lowell's fourth suspense romance series about the Donovan siblings. It's interesting how strong Faith is in many ways, yet has a low self esteem as an attractive woman. She has no problem spiking her heel down the shin of a man trying to attack her with a knife. But when Owen comments on her beauty, she blows it off self consciously. This novel is on par with the others - fast paced, fun, sexy, and suspenseful. No, it's not deep literature. But it's a great rainy afternoon or beach read for any woman.

You can find more about this book at .

Notice: Fairly explicit sexual situations

The Series:

Amber Beach
Jade Island
Pearl Cove
Midnight in Ruby Bayou