AN ANGEL IN STONE

Author: Peggy Nicholson ISBN: 0373513623 6/2005 ACTION/SUSPENSE Publisher: SILHOUETTE BOMBSHELL

She's equally comfortable in silk and heels or khakis and boots — but it's Raine Ashaway's sheer nerve and gut instinct that have made her a name in the dinosaur hunting world. Her family's famous archaeological firm, Ashaway All, hasn't hurt, either. Until Raine is thrust into a mysterious contest for a priceless opal fossil and the competition seems as intent on destroying her family name as he does beating her to the bones. Raine's not about to let the sexy, deceptive man known as Kincade win this round. But when the game turns deadly, the two rivals might just have to work together or lose everything, including their lives.… The Bone Hunters Finding fossils in the Ashaway legacy — danger's just an added bonus.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Peggy Nicholson's AN ANGEL IN STONE certainly lives up to the new Silhouette Bombshell line creed: Alot of action...a little romance.

AN ANGEL IN STONE is a wildly exciting adventure from beginning to end. Ms. Nicholson's prologue is not only one of the best I've read in awhile, it also sets the tone for the rest of the story—a guaranteed attention snagger.

Fossil hunter Raine Ashaway is one heck of a heroine, too. Capable and intelligent, adventure-loving Raine is daring without being dumb, strong without losing her femininity. This bold heroine is the perfect compliment to this lively, atmospheric, nonstop action thriller.

Ms. Nicholson expertly weaves some flavorful secondary characters and a colorful setting into AN ANGEL IN STONE. The search for dinosaur remains amid a vivid Indonesia landscape, complicated by a real nasty villian, makes for some dynamite reading.

On the downside, I was disappointed in the romance. I know, I know. The Bombshell line doesn't promise much romance in its stories. But still! I will always associate Silhouette with romance. Call me pig-headed...

Raine's meeting the mysterious, sexy, dangerous Kincade, a man obviously as daring and as strong as she, has the makings of a great romance. Unfortunately, their relationship doesn't go anywhere...much. For one, they are apart for most of the story. Secondly, Ms. Nicholson doesn't really do much with Kincade's character.

AN ANGEL IN STONE didn't really have a happy ending, either. At least, what I would define as a happy ending.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this story. Alot. The writing is smooth, the locale is well-done, the heroine is neat and the suspense is dead-on.

I certainly wouldn't be adverse to reading more titles from Bombshell if AN ANGEL IN STONE is any indication of the quality of the product.

Debbie Jett