Review
Paris McKenna has a one track mind. Her only goal in life is to find the lost treasure of the Mission of Santa Isabel so she will be set up for life and not be forced into service by her old boss, saloon/dance hall owner, Tully Thatcher. When Paris' card dealing father is killed, Paris steals back from Tully the supposed map to the legendary mission. Now, disguised as a nun, all Paris has to do is hire the best bounty hunter/tracker to take her across the Sonoran desert in search of the mission and it's hidden wealth. Nataniel Brannigan is not amused by the woman posing as a nun, claiming she is in search of the treasure for her parish. But he is intrigued, and as there is currently nothing for him to do in Nogales, he figures he'll earn an easy two hundred dollars when Sister Frances discovers the impossibility of finding a mission that men have searched for for decades, only to succumb to it's curse, or the inhospitality of the desert. Nate is soon frustrated beyond words at Paris' unwavering determination to obtain the treasure, nearly getting them both killed on more than one occasion. Withholding the truth from him, lying to him, as well as his brother who also nearly dies, and not to mention drugging him and leaving him without his horse in the desert just because he does not share her desire to find any treasure, is more than anyone can take. Then there is the obvious fact that she wants what rightfully belongs to a church anyway, and it is soon clear she is no nun! But Nate tries to understand what is driving Paris to act the way she does, and why he is starting to have feelings for her, regardless of how she treats him. Meanwhile, Paris is wondering if the curse is real after all, and she is finding herself wishing Nate could take the place of any treasure and take care of her himself. She is certain it is just her bad luck to love a man who wants nothing to do with her. I spent much time frustrated with Paris and her drive, feeling that no man in his right mind would put up with her, but by the end of the book - and it does keep you hooked - you realize that Linda Sandifer has the ability to create a character unlike any she has done before, and, even though you still may not agree with Paris' reasoning, you feel that only these two characters could have brought out the best in each other. It works!Ms. Sandifer sizzles once again with passions that ignite the pages! Ms. Sandifer takes a darker side of human nature and turns it right side out. The experienced hand of Linda Sandifer makes Desire's Treasure work like a charm!Diane Potwin --
Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved --
From Literary Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
