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Aguilar's Fate #2
And Gold Was Ours
In faraway Spain Aurora's fortune was foretold –the exile from the home of her aristocratic ancestors, the journey to the steaming jungles of Peru, and at last, the love of a fiery dark man.
Now on a plantation haunted by a tale of lost love and hidden gold, the raven-tressed beauty awaits the swordsman and warrior she has seen in her dreams. Will he come-and protect her from the enemies that seek to destroy her? Will he love her with the promised passion-wilder than the tropic storms and brighter than the most precious treasure?
Now on a plantation haunted by a tale of lost love and hidden gold, the raven-tressed beauty awaits the swordsman and warrior she has seen in her dreams. Will he come-and protect her from the enemies that seek to destroy her? Will he love her with the promised passion-wilder than the tropic storms and brighter than the most precious treasure?
530 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
Rebecca Brandewyne
62 books184 followersBorn in Knoxville, Tennessee, Rebecca lived in Knoxville and then, later, Chattanooga for the first few years of her life. After that, she and her family moved to Kansas, where she grew up, spending her summers in Alabama, visiting both sets of her grandparents. She says she's just a country girl with a dash of big city sprinkled in for spice. But having traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Caribbean, she moves easily between the publishing world of New York and her hometown.
Rebecca graduated cum laude with departmental honors from Wichita State University, earning a B.A. in journalism, minors in history and music (theory and composition), and an M.A. in communications [mass (broadcasting) and interpersonal (dyadic relationships):]. During the course of her education, she was fortunate enough to study at various times under, among several other distinguished instructors, three Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and one of the foremost authorities in the field of interpersonal communication. Twice a recipient of the Victor Murdock Scholarship, Rebecca taught interpersonal communication at the university level before becoming a published writer.
She was twenty-one when she started work on her first novel, No Gentle Love. She finished the book a year later and sold it to Warner Books some months after her twenty-third birthday, making her, at that time, the youngest romance author in America, a record that stood for ten years before finally being broken. To date, Rebecca has written over thirty consecutive bestselling titles, including novels and novellas on the following lists: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Magazine & Bookseller, Ingram, B. Dalton, and Waldenbooks, among many others.
Her books have been translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; and they have been published in over sixty countries worldwide. Many have been selections of the Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild. Hardback editions of several titles have been published by Severn House, and large-print editions of some books are also available from Macmillan Library Reference and Thorndike Press. Rebecca currently has millions of books in print in the United States alone.
From Affaire de Coeur magazine, she has won: the Classic Award for Classic Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Golden Quill Award for Best of the '80s Historical Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Bronze Pen (Wholesalers' Choice) Award, 1989; the Silver Pen (Readers' Choice) Award, 1988, 1987, and 1986; and a Gold Certificate for The Outlaw Hearts, 1987.
From Romantic Times magazine, she has won: the Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Romantic Mystery, for The Ninefold Key, 2004; the Reviewer's Choice Certificate of Excellence for Victorian Historical Romance, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995; the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) of the Month for Best Hero, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995, and for Swan Road, 1994; the Career Achievement Award for Futuristic Romance, 1991, for Passion Moon Rising and Beyond the Starlit Frost; the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Gothic, for Across a Starlit Sea, 1989, and for Upon a Moon-Dark Moor, 1988; the Historical Romance Novelist of the Year Award, 1987; and the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Western Romance, for The Outlaw Hearts, 1986. Rebecca has also been named one of Love's Leading Ladies and inducted into Romantic Times magazine's Hall of Fame.
http://www.brandewyne.com/castle/gall...
Rebecca graduated cum laude with departmental honors from Wichita State University, earning a B.A. in journalism, minors in history and music (theory and composition), and an M.A. in communications [mass (broadcasting) and interpersonal (dyadic relationships):]. During the course of her education, she was fortunate enough to study at various times under, among several other distinguished instructors, three Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and one of the foremost authorities in the field of interpersonal communication. Twice a recipient of the Victor Murdock Scholarship, Rebecca taught interpersonal communication at the university level before becoming a published writer.
She was twenty-one when she started work on her first novel, No Gentle Love. She finished the book a year later and sold it to Warner Books some months after her twenty-third birthday, making her, at that time, the youngest romance author in America, a record that stood for ten years before finally being broken. To date, Rebecca has written over thirty consecutive bestselling titles, including novels and novellas on the following lists: New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Magazine & Bookseller, Ingram, B. Dalton, and Waldenbooks, among many others.
Her books have been translated into a number of foreign languages, including Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Rumanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish; and they have been published in over sixty countries worldwide. Many have been selections of the Doubleday Book Club and Literary Guild. Hardback editions of several titles have been published by Severn House, and large-print editions of some books are also available from Macmillan Library Reference and Thorndike Press. Rebecca currently has millions of books in print in the United States alone.
From Affaire de Coeur magazine, she has won: the Classic Award for Classic Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Golden Quill Award for Best of the '80s Historical Romances, for Love, Cherish Me, 1990; the Bronze Pen (Wholesalers' Choice) Award, 1989; the Silver Pen (Readers' Choice) Award, 1988, 1987, and 1986; and a Gold Certificate for The Outlaw Hearts, 1987.
From Romantic Times magazine, she has won: the Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Romantic Mystery, for The Ninefold Key, 2004; the Reviewer's Choice Certificate of Excellence for Victorian Historical Romance, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995; the KISS (Knight in Shining Silver) of the Month for Best Hero, for The Jacaranda Tree, 1995, and for Swan Road, 1994; the Career Achievement Award for Futuristic Romance, 1991, for Passion Moon Rising and Beyond the Starlit Frost; the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Historical Gothic, for Across a Starlit Sea, 1989, and for Upon a Moon-Dark Moor, 1988; the Historical Romance Novelist of the Year Award, 1987; and the Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Western Romance, for The Outlaw Hearts, 1986. Rebecca has also been named one of Love's Leading Ladies and inducted into Romantic Times magazine's Hall of Fame.
http://www.brandewyne.com/castle/gall...
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 8, 2011
"I stood here, she thought, in another time. Here I swore to my beloved that I would wait for him-if it took a hundred lifetimes...Oh, my love, my love, I am still waiting..."
This is one of those books that can't be summarized without recapping the entire thing, and I don't do book reports. The story is centered around two families, La Casa de Montalban and La Casa de Zaragosa. Individual character names are impossibly long (there's a cast list at the start), so I'm taking the lazy way out and shortening them here. Don Salvador of the Montalban family kills his evil step-father in a duel, and thus incurs the wrath of his younger half-brother Don Juan. Don Juan is a favorite of the queen and would convince her to have Salvador arrested for murder, so the decision is made for him to leave Spain and join a distant cousin in Texas. The evil Don Juan has also been lusting after a young woman who is in love with Basilio of the de Zaragosa family. They elope, thus incurring Don Juan's wrath and they also flee the country, ending up on the same boat as Salvador. Basilio and his bride end up in Peru, where they purchase a plantation in the Amazon basin - a plantation with a haunted past, a legend of a lost hidden fortune in gold, and a pair of star-crossed lovers who are destined to find each other again as Salvador and Basilio's younger sister Aurora.
Confused? Don't worry, just kick in, start reading and go with the flow and enjoy the wild and bumpy ride. There is plenty of action from the get-go and it rarely lets up. The story begins in Spain and includes plenty of high-drama at the Spanish court with an evil Nun lusting after Aurora which sends her off to take shelter with her brother in Peru, although things are quite what she expected when she gets there. You'll find plenty of evil baddies, death by snake, army ants (seriously, I'm not kidding), and more. Brandewyne has written Love, Cherish Me that have characters who make cameo appearances in this story, but whether it should be read first or second is up in the air until one of us here at GR reads both. One caveat, the majority of the characters are Spanish, and the book is heavily peppered with it and not always translated. YMMV, but this might be a deal breaker for some readers.
Jolly good fun, and fans of old skool BRs should be happy campers.
This is one of those books that can't be summarized without recapping the entire thing, and I don't do book reports. The story is centered around two families, La Casa de Montalban and La Casa de Zaragosa. Individual character names are impossibly long (there's a cast list at the start), so I'm taking the lazy way out and shortening them here. Don Salvador of the Montalban family kills his evil step-father in a duel, and thus incurs the wrath of his younger half-brother Don Juan. Don Juan is a favorite of the queen and would convince her to have Salvador arrested for murder, so the decision is made for him to leave Spain and join a distant cousin in Texas. The evil Don Juan has also been lusting after a young woman who is in love with Basilio of the de Zaragosa family. They elope, thus incurring Don Juan's wrath and they also flee the country, ending up on the same boat as Salvador. Basilio and his bride end up in Peru, where they purchase a plantation in the Amazon basin - a plantation with a haunted past, a legend of a lost hidden fortune in gold, and a pair of star-crossed lovers who are destined to find each other again as Salvador and Basilio's younger sister Aurora.
Confused? Don't worry, just kick in, start reading and go with the flow and enjoy the wild and bumpy ride. There is plenty of action from the get-go and it rarely lets up. The story begins in Spain and includes plenty of high-drama at the Spanish court with an evil Nun lusting after Aurora which sends her off to take shelter with her brother in Peru, although things are quite what she expected when she gets there. You'll find plenty of evil baddies, death by snake, army ants (seriously, I'm not kidding), and more. Brandewyne has written Love, Cherish Me that have characters who make cameo appearances in this story, but whether it should be read first or second is up in the air until one of us here at GR reads both. One caveat, the majority of the characters are Spanish, and the book is heavily peppered with it and not always translated. YMMV, but this might be a deal breaker for some readers.
Jolly good fun, and fans of old skool BRs should be happy campers.
March 18, 2010
And Gold Was Ours
is a sequel to Rebecca Brandewyne's Love, Cherish Me.
I’d consider this more of a companion piece. The hero, Esteban, is the cousin to Wolf (Lobo), the male protagonist from Love Cherish, Me. Wolf’s story takes place in Texas, USA. Esteban’s story begins in Spain and ends in Peru.
While both novels have Brandewyne’s hallmark baroque-gothic atmosphere, And Gold Was Ours is not as dark and emotional as its predecessor.
What this romance does have are swashbuckling intrigue and a unique setting. It also employs a supernatural element.
Our story begins in Spain sometime in the mid-19th century, under the reign of Isabel II. The book opens with a swordfight between Esteban and his evil stepfather. Although Esteban has the moral right on his side, after he kills his stepfather, his wicked stepbrother vows revenge. So Esteban is forced to leave everything behind and flee to the New World.
Aurora Leila, also in Spain, has a fortune teller foresee her future. She is told that she’ll have to leave her home for faraway lands. There, she will find a love that has awaited her for eternity. While Aurora scoffs at the seer, the woman is correct. Some misadventures with a lusty nun occur while Aurora is in a convent. Like Esteban, Aurora must leave her birthplace behind. She travels thousands of miles away to Peru.
It takes some time for the love story to begin as Brandewyne puts the players into their starting places.
When Esteban and Aurora meet in South America, it’s as if they’ve known each other for all time. A bond exists between them, which seems to have existed since time primordial. Theirs is a fated love, one passionate and thrilling.
There are villains aplenty and crazy adventures along the way as they fall in love in the jungles of Peru. Danger lurks as enemies compete for land. A search for legendary ancient treasure leads to mortal peril.
Midway through the book, Esteban and Aurora take a side trip to Texas. They share happy moments with Storm, Lobo, and their son, Chance. If you’ve read Love Cherish Me, this part hits hard in the feels. This was a brief halcyon period for Storm and Lobo before tragedy struck.
Then it’s back to Peru for Esteban and Aurora, who must overcome scheming antagonists.
And unfortunately, we encounter Esteban’s 180-degree heel turn. He starts out as a dashing, romantic character and then, out of nowhere, turns into a jealous stalker. It was out of place and made Esteban less likable.
Meanwhile, Aurora has visions of the two of them in times past. She sees images from ancient Egypt to Viking lands and other eras long ago when she and Esteban had loved each other. Through forces of fate, they were forever separated.
Is their love doomed to fail in this time and place as well?
I didn’t particularly appreciate Esteban’s personality transplant, how became an insecure stalker mid-way through. There was no reason for him to mistrust Aurora, who was totally devoted to him.
While I enjoyed And Gold Was Ours as it had its adventurous moments, it pales compared to Love Cherish, Me. That book was far grander in scope and emotional depth.
I didn’t expect the paranormal elements, although they added a unique twist to the plot. The prose is at times overwrought and very florid, typical of Brandewyne’s style. The love scenes are euphemistically erotic.
And Gold Was Ours started a little slow-paced and gets too wordy in certain sections. It was not one of my favorites by Rebecca Brandewyne, but it’s not her worst book by any means.
File this under the “I enjoyed it very much but didn’t love it” category. Esteban’s misplaced jealousy aside, for the most part, this was a compelling read.
3.75 Stars
I’d consider this more of a companion piece. The hero, Esteban, is the cousin to Wolf (Lobo), the male protagonist from Love Cherish, Me. Wolf’s story takes place in Texas, USA. Esteban’s story begins in Spain and ends in Peru.
While both novels have Brandewyne’s hallmark baroque-gothic atmosphere, And Gold Was Ours is not as dark and emotional as its predecessor.
What this romance does have are swashbuckling intrigue and a unique setting. It also employs a supernatural element.
Our story begins in Spain sometime in the mid-19th century, under the reign of Isabel II. The book opens with a swordfight between Esteban and his evil stepfather. Although Esteban has the moral right on his side, after he kills his stepfather, his wicked stepbrother vows revenge. So Esteban is forced to leave everything behind and flee to the New World.
Aurora Leila, also in Spain, has a fortune teller foresee her future. She is told that she’ll have to leave her home for faraway lands. There, she will find a love that has awaited her for eternity. While Aurora scoffs at the seer, the woman is correct. Some misadventures with a lusty nun occur while Aurora is in a convent. Like Esteban, Aurora must leave her birthplace behind. She travels thousands of miles away to Peru.
It takes some time for the love story to begin as Brandewyne puts the players into their starting places.
When Esteban and Aurora meet in South America, it’s as if they’ve known each other for all time. A bond exists between them, which seems to have existed since time primordial. Theirs is a fated love, one passionate and thrilling.
There are villains aplenty and crazy adventures along the way as they fall in love in the jungles of Peru. Danger lurks as enemies compete for land. A search for legendary ancient treasure leads to mortal peril.
Midway through the book, Esteban and Aurora take a side trip to Texas. They share happy moments with Storm, Lobo, and their son, Chance. If you’ve read Love Cherish Me, this part hits hard in the feels. This was a brief halcyon period for Storm and Lobo before tragedy struck.
Then it’s back to Peru for Esteban and Aurora, who must overcome scheming antagonists.
And unfortunately, we encounter Esteban’s 180-degree heel turn. He starts out as a dashing, romantic character and then, out of nowhere, turns into a jealous stalker. It was out of place and made Esteban less likable.
Meanwhile, Aurora has visions of the two of them in times past. She sees images from ancient Egypt to Viking lands and other eras long ago when she and Esteban had loved each other. Through forces of fate, they were forever separated.
Is their love doomed to fail in this time and place as well?
I didn’t particularly appreciate Esteban’s personality transplant, how became an insecure stalker mid-way through. There was no reason for him to mistrust Aurora, who was totally devoted to him.
While I enjoyed And Gold Was Ours as it had its adventurous moments, it pales compared to Love Cherish, Me. That book was far grander in scope and emotional depth.
I didn’t expect the paranormal elements, although they added a unique twist to the plot. The prose is at times overwrought and very florid, typical of Brandewyne’s style. The love scenes are euphemistically erotic.
And Gold Was Ours started a little slow-paced and gets too wordy in certain sections. It was not one of my favorites by Rebecca Brandewyne, but it’s not her worst book by any means.
File this under the “I enjoyed it very much but didn’t love it” category. Esteban’s misplaced jealousy aside, for the most part, this was a compelling read.
3.75 Stars
October 29, 2026
Read: 10/19/26
Setting: 1848 Spain, Peru
Trope: MOC, supernatural elements, kidnapping, revenge, adventure
This book can be read as a standalone
Be prepared, I might have gone a little crazy with the details for this review
🔵Plot: The prologue is set in 1548. A man set off for Peru in hopes of discovering El Dorado. He isn't going for the glory or money, but for love. His lover's father will not give his consent for them to marry unless he can restore his fortune. Amazingly, Santiago finds the treasure, but loses his love to illness before they could be reunited. In his grief, Santiago builds his own Taj Mahal in the middle of the jungle. Soon others hear about the treasure and come calling. It eventually leads to his death, but his killers never find the gold. Over the centuries, many attempted to locate the treasure, but none was ever found. The natives believe the home is cursed, especially since the previous owners all met with terrible endings. So the legend of Esplendor was born.
1848
Salvador has just killed his cruel stepfather in a duel. He has finally avenged his father's death and released his mother from the hell she's been living in all these years. Now, Salvador must flee before his vindictive half brother learns about his father's death. So he boards a ship destined for the Americas. It's there he meets a young couple desperate to leave, but short on funds. With all the polictical refugees, this wasn't unusual. Salvador offers to buy the watch the guy was selling. It isn't until later that Salvador discovers the picture of a beautiful girl inside. Something about her memorizes him.
Aurora's brother has fallen madly in love with Francisca. Unfortunately, she's being pursued by a madman (Salvador's brother). They decide to elope and flee before Juan can take his revenge on them. The man is known for his vendettas. Aurora is there to witness the marriage and help them leave for the New World. They are safe.
Unfortunately, the couple's families are not so lucky. Juan will not let them go unpunished. He has already destroyed Francisco's parents. Fearing they are next, Aurora's psychic grandmother advises her to get close to the queen as a lady in waiting. It works and Juan has to desist or risk angering the foolish queen. Unfortunately, a nun (advisor) is jealous and joins with Juan to rape and murder Aurora. Aurora was barely able escape and arranges passage on a boat to Peru. Her 12 year old brother joins her on this journey.
Aurora makes it to Basilio's plantation just in time to see him before he dies. Francesca's already dead. In his madness, Basilio accuses their native housekeeper of poisoning him. Is it true or was he just hallucinating? Aurora's suspicious and refuses to eat or drink anything made by the woman, but let's her stay. Aurora needs all the help she can get while she tries to rebuild the plantation. It's harder than she imagined, especially because her funds are limited. Maybe, she should sell to her Dutch neighbor 🤔
Salvador has been living in Texas with his cousin. He is surprised when a man arrives with a deed to Basilio's plantation, Esplendor. It was serendipitous because he was ready to leave Texas anyway. Salvador is shocked when he arrives at the plantation to discover the beautiful girl from his watch is living here. Aurora's equally surprised. Salvador is the man she's been dreaming about all these years.
After the shock as worn off, these two make a deal. They will run this plantation together. A smart move. It doesn't take long before Esplendor starts to shine. Everything would be wonderful if only Salvador would quit avoiding her. He is her dream lover, why does he stay away?
Salvador believes himself to be cursed because everyone he loves dies. He really does try to fight his feelings, but he can't help wanting Aurora. Eventually, these two give into their passion and marry. Everything is progressing beautifully, but not everyone is happy for the couple. Their Dutch neighbor is a problem. He has become obsessed with finding the treasure and will use his native mistress to accomplish his goals. Another problem is Juan. He will not give up until he has his revenge on Aurora for cutting his face when she smashed a vase over his head. She and Salvador will both pay!
🔵 Liked:
1. Aurora was beautiful, kind, and resilient. She faces adversity and thrives. She kinda hard to hate.
2. Salvador was noble, intelligent, loyal, and handsome. He made a great leading man. My only problem with him was how he acted before they married. He would get jealous and turn into chauvinist a**hole
3. The romance was lovely. These two made a wonderful team.
4. We get two major villains and some side ones as well. Juan is OTT crazy, but it worked. Paul (Dutch neighbor), was probably a good guy until he became obsessed with finding the the treasure. Now, he will kill anyone who gets in his way.
5. There were some great side characters that really enhanced the story. I, especially, liked Nicolas (Aurora's bro) and his silly pet monkey.
6. The unique settings and history were well researched. Those cannibal ants were diabolical.
7. I loved that Wolf and Storm make an appearance at the end of the story
🔵Dislike:
1. The pacing dragged a little in the middle before they marry.
2. The MC don't meet until 30% into the book. This wasn't a problem for me because the story was interesting and held my attention.
3. The whole supernatural element was unnecessary and didn't serve a purpose. I mean, did she need to have sex with a ghost? Yuck! TG that her ghost lover (Santiago) disappears once she meets Salvador.
🔷️Conclusion: this was an amazing adventure! It wasn't perfect, but it was entertaining. I think I might like this one better than Love Cherish, me.
Setting: 1848 Spain, Peru
Trope: MOC, supernatural elements, kidnapping, revenge, adventure
This book can be read as a standalone
Be prepared, I might have gone a little crazy with the details for this review
🔵Plot: The prologue is set in 1548. A man set off for Peru in hopes of discovering El Dorado. He isn't going for the glory or money, but for love. His lover's father will not give his consent for them to marry unless he can restore his fortune. Amazingly, Santiago finds the treasure, but loses his love to illness before they could be reunited. In his grief, Santiago builds his own Taj Mahal in the middle of the jungle. Soon others hear about the treasure and come calling. It eventually leads to his death, but his killers never find the gold. Over the centuries, many attempted to locate the treasure, but none was ever found. The natives believe the home is cursed, especially since the previous owners all met with terrible endings. So the legend of Esplendor was born.
1848
Salvador has just killed his cruel stepfather in a duel. He has finally avenged his father's death and released his mother from the hell she's been living in all these years. Now, Salvador must flee before his vindictive half brother learns about his father's death. So he boards a ship destined for the Americas. It's there he meets a young couple desperate to leave, but short on funds. With all the polictical refugees, this wasn't unusual. Salvador offers to buy the watch the guy was selling. It isn't until later that Salvador discovers the picture of a beautiful girl inside. Something about her memorizes him.
Aurora's brother has fallen madly in love with Francisca. Unfortunately, she's being pursued by a madman (Salvador's brother). They decide to elope and flee before Juan can take his revenge on them. The man is known for his vendettas. Aurora is there to witness the marriage and help them leave for the New World. They are safe.
Unfortunately, the couple's families are not so lucky. Juan will not let them go unpunished. He has already destroyed Francisco's parents. Fearing they are next, Aurora's psychic grandmother advises her to get close to the queen as a lady in waiting. It works and Juan has to desist or risk angering the foolish queen. Unfortunately, a nun (advisor) is jealous and joins with Juan to rape and murder Aurora. Aurora was barely able escape and arranges passage on a boat to Peru. Her 12 year old brother joins her on this journey.
Aurora makes it to Basilio's plantation just in time to see him before he dies. Francesca's already dead. In his madness, Basilio accuses their native housekeeper of poisoning him. Is it true or was he just hallucinating? Aurora's suspicious and refuses to eat or drink anything made by the woman, but let's her stay. Aurora needs all the help she can get while she tries to rebuild the plantation. It's harder than she imagined, especially because her funds are limited. Maybe, she should sell to her Dutch neighbor 🤔
Salvador has been living in Texas with his cousin. He is surprised when a man arrives with a deed to Basilio's plantation, Esplendor. It was serendipitous because he was ready to leave Texas anyway. Salvador is shocked when he arrives at the plantation to discover the beautiful girl from his watch is living here. Aurora's equally surprised. Salvador is the man she's been dreaming about all these years.
After the shock as worn off, these two make a deal. They will run this plantation together. A smart move. It doesn't take long before Esplendor starts to shine. Everything would be wonderful if only Salvador would quit avoiding her. He is her dream lover, why does he stay away?
Salvador believes himself to be cursed because everyone he loves dies. He really does try to fight his feelings, but he can't help wanting Aurora. Eventually, these two give into their passion and marry. Everything is progressing beautifully, but not everyone is happy for the couple. Their Dutch neighbor is a problem. He has become obsessed with finding the treasure and will use his native mistress to accomplish his goals. Another problem is Juan. He will not give up until he has his revenge on Aurora for cutting his face when she smashed a vase over his head. She and Salvador will both pay!
🔵 Liked:
1. Aurora was beautiful, kind, and resilient. She faces adversity and thrives. She kinda hard to hate.
2. Salvador was noble, intelligent, loyal, and handsome. He made a great leading man. My only problem with him was how he acted before they married. He would get jealous and turn into chauvinist a**hole
3. The romance was lovely. These two made a wonderful team.
4. We get two major villains and some side ones as well. Juan is OTT crazy, but it worked. Paul (Dutch neighbor), was probably a good guy until he became obsessed with finding the the treasure. Now, he will kill anyone who gets in his way.
5. There were some great side characters that really enhanced the story. I, especially, liked Nicolas (Aurora's bro) and his silly pet monkey.
6. The unique settings and history were well researched. Those cannibal ants were diabolical.
7. I loved that Wolf and Storm make an appearance at the end of the story
🔵Dislike:
1. The pacing dragged a little in the middle before they marry.
2. The MC don't meet until 30% into the book. This wasn't a problem for me because the story was interesting and held my attention.
3. The whole supernatural element was unnecessary and didn't serve a purpose. I mean, did she need to have sex with a ghost? Yuck! TG that her ghost lover (Santiago) disappears once she meets Salvador.
🔷️Conclusion: this was an amazing adventure! It wasn't perfect, but it was entertaining. I think I might like this one better than Love Cherish, me.
February 17, 2022
3,5/5⭐
Qué culebrón! Fue entretenido? Totalmente. Fue bueno? Eeeehm, tengamos en cuenta que los dramas y sufrimientos no siempre sirven para añadir calidad a una obra. Me explico:
Por veces me sentía leyendo una parodia a las telenovelas latinas (sí, se que estás son exageradas a veces a más no poder, pero algunas guardan algo de coherencia); los nombres interminables de los protagonistas, sus manerismos al hablar (no olvidemos que es un bodice ripper de los viejos), el drama y el sentimentalismo!!
Por momentos parecía que estaba leyendo varias novelas distintas, hasta las últimas dos partes cuando todo empieza a resolverse pero de las formas más didparatadas. Eso sí, 10 puntos a la autora por recaudar toda la documentación para escribir el trasfondo histórico los primeros capítulos, estuvo muy bien retratada la España colonial. Sin embargo, los personajes dejaron mucho que desear. Salvo los protagonistas, el resto de los personajes parecían inexistentes, solo se los describía cuando se necesitaba alguna escena cómica, siempre acompañados de Aurora y Salvador, por supuesto. De estos últimos no tengo mucho que decir; bastante planos, tuvieron algo de desarrollo durante la historia, pero la parte del romance fue sin duda lo más flojo. De "socios" a almas gemelas en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, con escenas demasiado empalagosas para mí gusto, que iban del 0 al 100 (sin olvidar un poco del maltrato del macho alfa, típico en las novelas de los 80s), y confusiones que no llevaban a nada, solo agregaban dramatismo innecesario.
La parte de los sueños fantasiosos de Aurora sin duda fue lo más ridículo, al igual que las coincidencias que se dieron en los capítulos finales para que todo concluyera en el final feliz. Y ni empecemos a hablar de la condición de Aurora ¡Ciega y embarazada! Los villanos tan malvados que ni motivaciones dignas tenían ya fueron la parte más cómica, en especial sus muertes.
En fin, una lectura entretenidisima aunque no por las razones que debería haberlo sido. Me gustaron muchísimo las descripciones de Esplandor y de la selva amazónica, un escenario muy fresco (al menos para mí) para situar la novela, y motivado por una búsqueda del tesoro al mejor estilo novela de aventuras.
Qué culebrón! Fue entretenido? Totalmente. Fue bueno? Eeeehm, tengamos en cuenta que los dramas y sufrimientos no siempre sirven para añadir calidad a una obra. Me explico:
Por veces me sentía leyendo una parodia a las telenovelas latinas (sí, se que estás son exageradas a veces a más no poder, pero algunas guardan algo de coherencia); los nombres interminables de los protagonistas, sus manerismos al hablar (no olvidemos que es un bodice ripper de los viejos), el drama y el sentimentalismo!!
Por momentos parecía que estaba leyendo varias novelas distintas, hasta las últimas dos partes cuando todo empieza a resolverse pero de las formas más didparatadas. Eso sí, 10 puntos a la autora por recaudar toda la documentación para escribir el trasfondo histórico los primeros capítulos, estuvo muy bien retratada la España colonial. Sin embargo, los personajes dejaron mucho que desear. Salvo los protagonistas, el resto de los personajes parecían inexistentes, solo se los describía cuando se necesitaba alguna escena cómica, siempre acompañados de Aurora y Salvador, por supuesto. De estos últimos no tengo mucho que decir; bastante planos, tuvieron algo de desarrollo durante la historia, pero la parte del romance fue sin duda lo más flojo. De "socios" a almas gemelas en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, con escenas demasiado empalagosas para mí gusto, que iban del 0 al 100 (sin olvidar un poco del maltrato del macho alfa, típico en las novelas de los 80s), y confusiones que no llevaban a nada, solo agregaban dramatismo innecesario.
La parte de los sueños fantasiosos de Aurora sin duda fue lo más ridículo, al igual que las coincidencias que se dieron en los capítulos finales para que todo concluyera en el final feliz. Y ni empecemos a hablar de la condición de Aurora ¡Ciega y embarazada! Los villanos tan malvados que ni motivaciones dignas tenían ya fueron la parte más cómica, en especial sus muertes.
En fin, una lectura entretenidisima aunque no por las razones que debería haberlo sido. Me gustaron muchísimo las descripciones de Esplandor y de la selva amazónica, un escenario muy fresco (al menos para mí) para situar la novela, y motivado por una búsqueda del tesoro al mejor estilo novela de aventuras.
August 16, 2011
This would have received 5 stars if not for the cartoonish ending complete with one of the villains eaten by an anaconda and a monkey saving the heroine. Seriously?!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2026
SLAYED THE HOUSE BOOTS DOWN HOUSTON I'M DECEASED
Salvador, my forever beloved 😩❤️
I loved seeing Wolf and Storm again, even though it’s before tragedy happens within their book, it still made me happy regardless.
Give me more books set in the jungle oh my god lmao
Salvador, my forever beloved 😩❤️
I loved seeing Wolf and Storm again, even though it’s before tragedy happens within their book, it still made me happy regardless.
Give me more books set in the jungle oh my god lmao
September 25, 2021
I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I did Love, Cherish Me (Book One in the Aguilar's' Fate series.) It started out so slow I about gave up on it. The story is weird and I didn't particularly care for the characters, although it was great to see Wolf and Storm again. I loved them in the first book and I loved them in this one, although they had small parts. They were still vital to the plot.
The story is unlike any book I've ever read, which is why I gave it four stars. Salvadore and Aurora think they've been together in previous lives, which is something I think happens and found the story to be believable on that point. But Aurora keeps dreaming of her only love and is bypassing living suitors for this dream man, frustrating her family. On the flip side of that, she's just sixteen when things start to unravel for her. This is an old school bodice ripper (1984) and young heroines were a thing in romances then.
Salvadore was a typical hero; jealous, demanding, good looking, smart, and protective. I didn't always like the way he treated her or think the the things he said to her were necessary, but it was the 80's and romances were different. At one point, I thought he was in incubus, but not everything is as it seems.
The story takes place in Peru in the Amazon Basin in a big house that seems to be haunted. I was okay with that until a 40-foot Anaconda ate a man. Ugh! That creeped me right out. Thankfully, not a lot of time was spent on that scene. But the details of the forest, the house, and even the lost treasure people were dying to get was well written and interesting. It just took a long time to get to that part and, for me, the book didn't really pick up until almost the end.
It isn't my favorite book, but it did have some redemption with the mystery, revenge plots, drama, and steam.
The story is unlike any book I've ever read, which is why I gave it four stars. Salvadore and Aurora think they've been together in previous lives, which is something I think happens and found the story to be believable on that point. But Aurora keeps dreaming of her only love and is bypassing living suitors for this dream man, frustrating her family. On the flip side of that, she's just sixteen when things start to unravel for her. This is an old school bodice ripper (1984) and young heroines were a thing in romances then.
Salvadore was a typical hero; jealous, demanding, good looking, smart, and protective. I didn't always like the way he treated her or think the the things he said to her were necessary, but it was the 80's and romances were different. At one point, I thought he was in incubus, but not everything is as it seems.
The story takes place in Peru in the Amazon Basin in a big house that seems to be haunted. I was okay with that until a 40-foot Anaconda ate a man. Ugh! That creeped me right out. Thankfully, not a lot of time was spent on that scene. But the details of the forest, the house, and even the lost treasure people were dying to get was well written and interesting. It just took a long time to get to that part and, for me, the book didn't really pick up until almost the end.
It isn't my favorite book, but it did have some redemption with the mystery, revenge plots, drama, and steam.
October 19, 2010
Much better than I expected. Great historical story with a bit of metaphysical thrown in!
September 24, 2020
The destinies of Aurora and Salvador, two mid-19th Century Spanish aristocrats fleeing a sadistic enemy, converge in the Amazon Basin of Peru. But have they known each other before, in the past? Rebecca Brandewyne mixes elements of "Green Darkness" into her story. By this mid-80s novel, Brandewyne moved away from the abusive, hate- and rape-inflected relationships of her first novels, saving the unpleasantness for her secondary characters, including here a predatory lesbian nun. The novel shifts from the court of the frivolous young Queen Isabella II of Spain to Peru and then to Mexico, with cameo appearances from Wolf and Storm of "Love, Cherish Me," with which this novel is tangentially connected, but can be read alone. The climax is a little hurried and another major threat is not particularly urgent--in the roster of first-gen historical romance writers, Brandewyne is not Rosemary Rogers, who could draw out suspense and pursuit like no one else. Nevertheless, her descriptions of the Amazon are vivid; the history is, as always, well-researched and it's a fun read and a good example of that moment in the genre.
April 8, 2018
I've read And Gold Was Ours numerous times and I've enjoyed it every time I've read it; I've been a fan of Rebecca Brandewyne books since I first read Rose of Rapture and after reading Love, Cherish Me and finding And Gold Was Ours, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the two were connected and part of a small series; I wish she'd written more about the wonderful Aguilar family but these two stories will always have a special place in my heart. I also enjoy how the heroines in Rebecca Brandewyne's stories start out as delicate, meek women but with the help, love, and encouragement of the men who cherish them, they discover their own inner well of strength and transform into strong, passionate and capable women.
October 27, 2021
A reasonable good read. Was looking at scoring 3 1/2 but opted for 4 as 3 too low. The story took a while to reach an interesting read. Too many characters for me spoil the mode. Like too many cooks spoil the broth. It took a while for the main characters to meet. The fact that the novel is split into 5 books is a bit weird but overall towards the last two book sections it got interesting. This is actual book two and some of the characters from book one appear in the story. HEA ending.
March 8, 2023
I liked this story of Salvador and Aurora, in particular the past life references as well as the descriptions of how the disability of blindness if overcome, but there was a bit too much violence for me to give it an extra star. There were some descriptions I could have done without.
Still, it's worth reading.
Still, it's worth reading.
March 8, 2025
Love how Wolf and Storm from the first made their appearance a lot in this book and how their stories are intertwined with Salvador and Aurora. Love how the romance started and how it progressed, but I wish Salvador wasn’t too possessive and jealous. He was so adamant about not believeing in her fidelity that he basically forced himself upon her, thinking tha she’s his property to do anything as he pleases. Again, this book was written in the 90’s so alpha heroes are to be expected.
January 21, 2026
lusty, of course
October 14, 2014
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I am not a fan of reincarnation or that kind of stuff but the way the author brought it across was so intriguing; it had me hooked.
The emotional intensity, the struggles, the love...and I could go on and on about the many good things that this novel entails.
The emotional intensity, the struggles, the love...and I could go on and on about the many good things that this novel entails.
October 12, 2014
it was ok but would not bother with again
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