GOLDEN NIGHT
CANDICE POARCH
ISBN# (13)9780758219770/(10)0758219776
April 2007
Dafina Books/An Imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp
850 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022
Mass Market Paperback
$6.99
286 pages
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 Cups

Living on Paradise Island is peaceful for Gabrielle Long. She is surrounded by family and good friends. She runs the B & B that her aunt owned and left to her. She is getting prepared for the Founders Day celebration where she is responsible for displaying the gold bowl that has been in her family for 400 years. The problem is that she cannot find it. She faces many trials but her biggest is the fact that she is lusting after her next door neighbor.

Cornell Price knows that both families, the Claxton family and his own blame each side for the failed marriage between his Uncle Lucky Price and Anna Claxton. But he knows they loved each other and yet, he does not want Gabrielle in his life. Working together on a daily basis, they get to know each other and when homes start getting broken into, Cornell promises to protect Gabrielle and do what he can to help her.

Gabby and Cornell are distant at best when he first moves to Paradise Island. However, the more she sees him and gets to know him, she knows it will not be long before she gives in to her thoughts. She has other problems she is facing as well, the running of the B & B, her cousins and most of all, her grandparents arguing. But she does her best and hopes that all will right itself. After searching for the family heirloom and not finding it, she pushes it out of her mind until people she is close to have their homes broken into. The whole island knows that whoever is responsible is looking for the bowl as well. She prays that they will find the bowl before anyone gets seriously injured. At least she has Cornell to give her support when she needs him the most.

An interesting tale of pirates, strong women and loads of history. If this book does not make you want to dig into your family history to see what is hidden there, I do not know what will. Ms. Poarch keeps us guessing as to who is behind everything and never gives us solid clues until the last few chapters. I found I related to this story very well as I live in the Hampton Roads area where the story takes place. I could identify with the settings and the attitude of the people living on a small island. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and have nothing but high praise for Ms. Poarch's work. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Liadan
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books