Eden's Angel

by Katherine Compton

PASSION IN THE HEART OF DARKNESS

Before he vanished into the wilds of South America, Alena Sutton's scientist father left her a bizarre legacy: half of a treasure map that would lead her to indescribable wealth. But the other half belonged to archeologist Zachariah Sunnnerfield — a maddening, irresistible rogue whose burning gaze stripped Alena of her every defense… and whose scorching kisses betrayed a hunger impossible to deny.

Venturing together into the steaming jungles of the Amazon, the rugged adventurer and the emerald-eyed beauty were consumed by a passion that went far beyond their most fevered fantasies. But Alena and Zach would soon be fighting for their lives and love in a savage, perilous Eden — where danger mingled with desire... and each blissful moment of rapture could well be their last.

Genres: Historical Romance

375 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the 1990 release date and the artwork on the cover, I expected something more like a bodice ripper. This story however was a refreshing surprise. It's kind of a mix between Indiana Jones and African Queen with a very nice romance story. Alena Sutton is prim and proper - her father abandoned her to a school for young ladies when she was very young and she has since learned to close off her emotions and keep people at a distance. When her father is presumed dead on an expedition in the Amazon, she decides to go after him and get an explanation. Zach Summerfield has worked closely with her father, as an archeologist himself, and is a little rough and tumble, commitment-phobic and delights in shaking up the prim Miss Sutton. But for all that, she has a core of practicality and strength that he didn't expect. These two take on the Amazon rainforest, native tribes, and competitors in the search for a treasure and Alena's father.

It was so nice to see a heroine who clearly wasn't perfect and who was at first, a bit irritating. But we see her opening up in fits and starts and we come to like her. She never completely throws off her reservations even after seducing the hero she has doubts about herself and what she's done but she lets the hero bring her out of her shell. And he's a decent guy. It's kinda cute to watch him fall in love and not realize really what's going on. And even though he likes to embarrass her and rile her up, it never feels like he's being an ass or humiliating her. I just can't say how pleasantly surprised I was by this story. It worked well for me as an adventure/romance.