A legendary treasure hunt in the dramatic - and deadly - New Mexico desert.... The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends-a heretic Spanish priest's gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she's not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding ...
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A legendary treasure hunt in the dramatic - and deadly - New Mexico desert.... The lost Victorio Peak treasure is the stuff of legends-a heretic Spanish priest's gold mine, made richer by the spoils of bandits and an Apache raider. When Erin, a quiet history professor, uncovers a clue that may pinpoint the lost treasure cave, she prepares for adventure. But when a hit and run driver nearly kills her, she realizes she's not the only one after the treasure. And is Drew, the handsome helicopter pilot who found her bleeding in a ditch, really a hero, or one of the enemy? Erin isn't sure she can trust Drew with her heart, but she'll need his help to track down the treasure. She heads into the New Mexico wilderness with her brainy best friend Camie and a feisty orange cat. The wilderness holds its own dangers, from wild animals to sudden storms. Plus, the sinister men hunting Erin are determined to follow her all the way to the treasure, no matter where the twisted trail leads. Erin won't give up an important historical find without a fight, but is she ready to risk her life-and her heart? Just how far will Erin go to find the treasure and discover what she's really made of? "The story has it all-action, romance, danger, intrigue, lost treasure, not to mention a sizzling relationship.... " This is book 1 in the Southwest Romantic Suspense series, followed by Valley of Gems and Silver Canyon . Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with light romance in the Southwest. This series was originally published as The Mad Monk's Treasure , The Dead Man's Treasure and The Skeleton Canyon Treasure. Award-winning author Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her other Southwestern romantic suspense novels include Whispers in the Dark , Counterfeits , and What We Found . Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat caf???. Learn more at ...
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Add this copy of Desert Gold: A Southwest Adventure Romance to cart. $21.07, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2020 by Independently Published.
Add this copy of Desert Gold: a Southwest Adventure Romance (Treasure to cart. $40.68, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Independently published.
Add this copy of Desert Gold: a Southwest Adventure Romance (Treasure to cart. $70.50, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Independently published.
History Professor Erin is hunting treasure. The lost Victorio Peak treasure to be exact. After researching the treasure she finally thinks she has found a vital clue and can't wait to show her more adventurous friend Camie. But before she can she is the victim of a hit and run and was very lucky to even survive. Thankfully, handsome helicopter pilot, Drew finds Erin on the side of the road and calls an ambulance.
Erin quickly realizes someone else is trying to find the treasure and they are willing to kill her to get her clue. Could Drew be involved? There are very few people who knew what she was researching so she doesn't know who she can trust besides Camie. They decide the quicker they can get into the New Mexico wilderness the better and pack up everything they need including Camie's cat Tiger and hit the road. This is just the start of a whirlwind adventure of trying to stay alive long enough to find the treasure. Is the injured Erin up to the challenge? Was the uninjured Erin up to the challenge? Is she willing to risk her life and her heart?
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Ms. Bock sets a fast pace from the start as she introduces us to Erin, Camie, Drew, Tiger, and other assorted characters. Erin is quiet and studious and not really an adventure seeker but she loves a good mystery and the lost treasure of Victorio Peak is just that. Camie is more of a risk-taker and outdoor adventure enthusiast and a great friend. She has also invented something that will help them find the treasure when they get close. Hunky Drew concerned about Erin's safety tries to stick close but after Erin is threatened he gets much closer. Add to that the romantic tension between them. You can cut it with a knife. Tiger is an awesome cat.
The author puts forth a very exciting story. Twists, turns, edge-of-your-seat moments, and breathless ones too, and not just because of the romance. I started reading and could not stop. I read the story all in one sitting. I found the main characters to be credible and engaging. The antagonists were written appropriately creepy. The ending was fantastic, I loved the planning and the thrilling way it played out.
Having never been to New Mexico I appreciated the descriptions of the desert and the places the characters searched and camped complete with some deadly creatures. Glad I was only reading their story because I don't think even if I was in my best shape ever I couldn't have endured what Erin and Camie did.
Desert Gold features strong solid female characters in a rip-roaring mystery that was so entertaining. Of course, in books like this, there was a happy ending and it was a satisfying conclusion.
I didn't realize when I purchased the book that each book is completely stand-alone featuring totally different characters with New Mexico being the through line for the series. This was the longest book of the three and it was very well-plotted and written. I am looking forward to reading the other books.
Note - This series was originally published asÃ?â?? The Mad MonkÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s Treasure,Ã?â?? The Dead ManÃ?¢ââ??‰â??¢s Treasure, andÃ?â?? The Skeleton Canyon Treasure.
