Betina Krahn
The Book of True Desires (2006)
Author: Betina Krahn
Genre: Romance (Historical)/Adventure
Plot Summary:
Cordelia O'Keefe is a strong adventure-seeking beauty who goes to her estranged wealthy grandfather, Samuel P. Blackburn, to acquire funds for her latest expedition. In a shrewd business deal he promises to fund her, but only after she has gone on a quest for him armed only with ancient rubbings. To make matters worse Blackburn pairs Cordelia with his saucy butler, Hartford Goodnight, who has control over all the funding and wants nothing to do with her. The quest takes them to Cuba where they pick up a professor who claims that the rubbings are of stones which mark the entrance to a temple dedicated to the "The Gift of the Jaguar" in Mexico. It is up to Cordelia and Goodnight to work together to find and discover the mystery behind the ancient temple before a powerful villain tears their plans apart. SPOILER: Cordelia and Goodnight eventually give into their love for each other and find the temple in an extinct volcano. The villain discovers them just in time for a suspenseful finale. The couple barely escapes with teamwork, and then they marry and live happily ever after.
Geographical Setting: Tampa, Florida; Cuba; Southern Mexico
Time Period: 1898
Series: 2nd book in Library of Alexandria Series
Appeal Characteristics:
The Book of True Desires is an adventurous romantic romp which takes the reader from turn of the last century Cuba to the exotic rainforests of southern Mexico. Its fast-pace is emphasized by the constant peril of the lovers-to-be. Krahn's characters are quirky in their mannerisms and language. Cordelia and Goodnight are a humorously feisty pair the reader will love getting to know as individuals and as a couple. The love scenes are steamy, but Krahn favors the action/expedition which drives the lovers together. Krahn also does a great job at crafting a remarkably gritty villain who poses a major threat and adds a great tension throughout the novel. Readers will be drawn to the exotic locals and historical details of 19th century exploration which frame the book. Krahn's writing is candid in that readers are invited into the souls of her characters who are well drawn through multiple points of view.
Read-alikes: Readers looking for another adventure, exotic local, and brilliant heroine should check out Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase. When her brother is kidnapped with a treasure map, Daphne Pembroke must hire a hunky convict to rescue him in early 1800's Egypt. Those that are looking for more well-drawn characters and another seriously bad villain should take a look at Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney. It is about a mysterious hero out for revenge who falls for his enemy's bride-to-be in Victorian England. Those that enjoy Krahn's humor and banter between Cordelia and Goodnight in an action-packed adventure romance should try Ravished by Amanda Quick. It is Beauty and the Beast set in Regency England with a paleontologist as the beauty who finds dinosaur bones and thieves on the "Beast's" land. Fans may also be interested in one of Krahn's favorite books entitled Highland Enchantment by Lois Greiman which mirrors an exotic local and feisty characters. It is a Medieval Scottish romance with wizards and lovers separated by birthright. Those that loved the adventure within the romance and would like another strong female character may want to try Never a Lady by Jacquie D'Alessandro. The heroine in this romance/adventure/mystery is not your typical historical romance heroine in that she is not of high-breeding, but a pickpocket who overhears a plot of murder. When the murder actually occurs, she must work with the handsome manor owner to find whodunit.
Red Flags: Pre-marital sex, knife and gun violence
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