The Tiger & the Tomb [Mass Market Paperback]

Bonnie Vanak (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

To keep her father from being unjustly framed for the theft of a museum antiquity, Lady Katherine Kalila Smithfield must steal a map to a lost tomb from an Egyptian named Ramses. Betrothed to an Englishwoman he has never met, Ramses, whose skills as a lover are legendary, is first amused and then bewitched by the veiled Katherine, who ends up stealing a fake map. When they next meet in the desert, Ramses is wounded rescuing Katherine, and as she tends his injuries, Ramses unexpectedly discovers the lovely little thief is really his dreaded fiancee. Now bound by a desire that is strong as the desert sun, both Ramses and Katherine find their future together threatened by secrets. After playing the role of the hero's best friend in The Falcon and the Dove (2002), the lethally charming Ramses finds his own true love in Vanak's wonderfully exotic romance, which is perfect for readers who enjoy sizzlingly sensual historicals. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

From the Inside Flap

WARRIOR OF LOVE

"Are you the one I seek?"

"If you are Ramses," Katherine replied softly.

"I am. Is there something you require of me?" His voice was a deep, low purr, a seductive lilt that brushed across her nerves, making then crackle with desire.

"Yes," she said in a breathless whisper.

"Why the need for secrecy?" His voice shifted, became lower and huskier. "Or does the service you request . . . not require my famed horses?"

Katherine’s palms went clammy. "I have heard you called the warrior of love," she blurted out, thinking rapidly.

A narrow slit of light from the shuttered window spilled into the room, like a moonbeam upon the Nile. Katherine approached him from behind. With feral grace, he whirled around. The dark stranger possessed a warrior’s dangerous moves.

"Do you need such a warrior?" he purred.

Sliding closer, Katherine could feel his warmth, his strength radiating like the sun’s aura. "Yes."

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Books (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0843952997
• ISBN-13: 978-0843952995
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of Egyptian historicals and werewolf paranormal romance novels. My latest Nocturne release is The Shadow Wolf. This story features Gabriel, perhaps the most deadly of the Draicon werewolves.

Taken by the Alpha Wolf is a short story published on Kindle that features Etienne, the eldest of the Draicon werewolf brothers. It's a prequel to my other Draicon stories, including The Empath, Broken Souls, Enemy Lover and Immortal Wolf.

Starting in October 2011, I will have a trilogy of short novellas released by Harlequin's new Nocturne Cravings line. These stories are part of my new series called The Ancients and feature triplet sisters who are half angel, half demon. Bitten by the Vampire is the first novella.

Many of my backlist Egyptian historicals are now available on Kindle. These include The Falcon and the Dove, The Tiger & the Tomb, The Panther & the Pyramid, The Sword & the Sheath and The Lady & the Libertine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A totally Action packed Sensual Adventure, November 25, 2003

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tiger & the Tomb (Mass Market Paperback)

Lady Katherine Smithfield, is in Egypt with her father to complete betrothal arrangements for a marriage promised years earlier between her and a family friend of her deceased mother. He was called Nazim, whom she assumed was some kind of goat-herder and not too thrilled, but she would obey her father's wishes to honor her mothers last dying request. Katherine didn't expect much of the marriage since an accident had scarred her face. She knew, by the looks of revulsion from her peers, that no one else would be offering for her. Unfortunately, the betrothal was the last thing on her mind as Katherine was being blackmailed and forced by unscrupulous tomb raiders to become a thief in order to save her father from being framed for a crime and locked up in an Egyptian jail where she was promised - accidents happen all the time. She instructed to find the man called Ramses and steal the map that he carried on him which showed the way to a gold mine. This man, whose reputation as an incomparable lover, was gloriously handsome and Katherine would have to disguise herself as a veiled Egyptian in order to get close enough to steal the map.

Ramses, aware of his reputation, used it to his advantage, giving as much pleasure as he took, knowing that once he married his dreaded English bride there would be no more dalliances. He was honor bound as a Guardian of the Ages to complete the betrothal process, taking the name of Nazim - and he would also swear an oath to cleave unto no woman but his wife. Before going to sign the necessary betrothal papers, Ramses, was to meet a woman who was looking to breed her mare with one of his famous Arabian stallions. Katherine was using this as an excuse to have Ramses meet her discreetly. After a `double entendre' conversation it was not clear as to which `stud' service she was looking for, but after one kiss that shook her to the core, she almost forgot to steal the map - but with that kiss she stole a piece of Ramses heart.

Ramses, later discovering the map to be gone, knew where it would lead and vowed that they would meet again - his little thief with green eyes. In an attempt to save her from her captors, he would be mortally wounded and she would end up saving him. Through the days of convalescence, alone in a desert cave, Ramses would discover that his enigmatic `lotus flower' was actually his betrothed English bride. He would have his hands full trying to convince her to trust him but his bigger battle would be convincing her that he thought her beautiful and should not hide her face behind a veil.

Wow! This romance was soooo very hot - and I don't mean because of the setting in the Egyptian desert - that it could almost be classified as erotic! Not only was the plot fast paced with plenty of suspense and romance, but the interplay between Ramses and Katherine was fabulously sensual along with the touching openness and honesty of their feelings for one another. The secondary characters were well thought out and the interplay between Ramses and best friend Jabari will make you chuckle, as well as have you running back to the bookstore to pick up Jabari's story in Vanak's first book, the FALCON AND THE DOVE. With this story, Vanak has written a totally sensually satisfying and action packed romantic adventure I highly recommend!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very highly recommended, December 10, 2003

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tiger & the Tomb (Mass Market Paperback)

In 1893 an arranged marriage pairs Lady Katherine Smithfield with an Egyptian family friend known as Nazim. Despite her dual English and Egyptian heritage, Katherine only fulfills the marriage contract because it was her mother's dying wish. Besides, her scarred left cheek assures a dearth of marriage proposals. The scar was left by tiger cub in her youth. Now her father is in danger. Unless she can steal a treasure map from a man known as Ramses, her father is bound for jail for a crime he did not commit. Her blackmailer assures her that her father will not survive the experience.

Ramses deplores his half-English heritage. Like his sacred totem, Ramses is fierce and relentless as a tiger when he stalks something he wants, and he wants the mysterious woman for a night of passion before he signs his marriage agreement. Like his ancestors, as a Guardian of the Ages (those sworn to protect his sheikh), Ramses is a warrior sworn to sacred bonds of trust. Once he marries his English bride, he will take the name Nazim and must remain faithful to his wife to ensure an heir to carry forth his family's sacred trust. When they meet, both Katherine and Ramses experience an overwhelming chemistry, even though neither knows the identity of the one they are sworn to marry or that their missions put them at cross purposes.

Bonnie Vanak weaves a captivating tale of love and intrigue in THE TIGER & THE TOMB. The sequel to THE FALCON AND THE DOVE, Both Katherine and Rames suffer from deep inner torment that finds love's remarkable power of healing. Vanak displays impressive flair for capturing the atmosphere of ancient Egypt, lending the exotic past a vivid presence that lingers with the reader long after the last page is turned. With a remarkable blend of eroticism, adventure, and humor, THE TIGER & THE TOMB belongs on the historical romance fan's keeper shelf. THE TIGER & THE TOMB comes very highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good as the first, February 7, 2005

By 

msbooklady "msbooklady" (Biloxi, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tiger & the Tomb (Mass Market Paperback)

This sequel was as good if not better than the first....the leading lady was tragic, but still finds happiness. She is disfigured and does not believe anyone would ever want her so she runs away to escape an arranged marriage and finds her hero, who turns out to be the person she was supposed to marry.