What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Bess
BESS is lost and doesn’t even know it...
Bess Carson writes steamy, best-selling historical romances, but the heart beneath her own bodice is an icy cinder. A corporate marriage to an abusive man has destroyed her confidence as a woman, and convinced her she's no good to any man.
Which is just fine with Bess. She doesn't want a man, doesn't need one, wouldn't have one. Even the thought of it terrifies her.
So when fellow author Geoffrey Barrett, a Tasmanian author of rugged, outback historical adventures, suggests she leave her beloved Colorado and fly to Australia so they can co-author a book together, she scoffs at the idea. Not least, it must be said, because he expresses a romantic interest in Bess, herself, though they've never met except through an authors' on-line discussion group.
Yes, they share a common interest -- both love the Alfred Noyes poem "The Highwayman", sparking online discussions she privately terms, "Poetry in e-Motion".
But fly to Tasmania and co-author a book? Together...at the same computer, in the same house, without the safety of an ocean and a "delete" key between them -- not on your life!
But that's suddenly a much better option than fighting off another corporate marriage bid being arranged by her manipulative tycoon father, and almost before she knows it, Bess is flying halfway round the world on a date with destiny.
Geoffrey Barrett is everything suggested by his web-site photo, a man as rawboned and vivid as Bess's suppressed emotions, and a man determined to drag Bess into his life and keep her there, and he’s not above getting his incorrigible spaniel Lady to help him!
Then her cunning, malicious father takes a hand, and Bess is on the run again, fighting kidnappers, her own inhibitions and a growing love for her devastating co-author. Now everybody's out to find Bess -- the father she fears and loathes and must confront for her own sanity, the man she has come to love, and -- not least -- Bess herself!
~
Critical acclaim for Finding Bess.
“Vintage Victoria steamy and suspenseful. Fans of romantic suspense will be thoroughly entertained by this intriguing new novel. A fascinating tale within a tale that sets a new standard for romantic suspense.”
... Fran Baker, author of Once A Warrior.
“Finding Bess is a fast, fun, sexy read that will leave the reader wowed and breathless, begging for more. Set in Gordon’s alternative home, Tasmania, it has at its roots the real-life courtship of an American bride via email. Throw in some fictional suspense and drama, add action, shake vigorously and voila!
Finding Bess is a bang-up result. You won’t be able to put it down.”
... Terese Ramin, award-winning author of Shotgun Honeymoon.
“Not your usual romance, Finding Bess throws an appealing heroine and a compelling hero into a plot just far enough off the wall to ring true, spices it with a travelogue and insights into the writing business, and garnishes it with a wry sense of humor. These are characters that will stay with you long after your satisfied sigh at the last page of the story.”
... Lillian Stewart Carl, author of Time enough to Die.
Bess Carson writes steamy, best-selling historical romances, but the heart beneath her own bodice is an icy cinder. A corporate marriage to an abusive man has destroyed her confidence as a woman, and convinced her she's no good to any man.
Which is just fine with Bess. She doesn't want a man, doesn't need one, wouldn't have one. Even the thought of it terrifies her.
So when fellow author Geoffrey Barrett, a Tasmanian author of rugged, outback historical adventures, suggests she leave her beloved Colorado and fly to Australia so they can co-author a book together, she scoffs at the idea. Not least, it must be said, because he expresses a romantic interest in Bess, herself, though they've never met except through an authors' on-line discussion group.
Yes, they share a common interest -- both love the Alfred Noyes poem "The Highwayman", sparking online discussions she privately terms, "Poetry in e-Motion".
But fly to Tasmania and co-author a book? Together...at the same computer, in the same house, without the safety of an ocean and a "delete" key between them -- not on your life!
But that's suddenly a much better option than fighting off another corporate marriage bid being arranged by her manipulative tycoon father, and almost before she knows it, Bess is flying halfway round the world on a date with destiny.
Geoffrey Barrett is everything suggested by his web-site photo, a man as rawboned and vivid as Bess's suppressed emotions, and a man determined to drag Bess into his life and keep her there, and he’s not above getting his incorrigible spaniel Lady to help him!
Then her cunning, malicious father takes a hand, and Bess is on the run again, fighting kidnappers, her own inhibitions and a growing love for her devastating co-author. Now everybody's out to find Bess -- the father she fears and loathes and must confront for her own sanity, the man she has come to love, and -- not least -- Bess herself!
~
Critical acclaim for Finding Bess.
“Vintage Victoria steamy and suspenseful. Fans of romantic suspense will be thoroughly entertained by this intriguing new novel. A fascinating tale within a tale that sets a new standard for romantic suspense.”
... Fran Baker, author of Once A Warrior.
“Finding Bess is a fast, fun, sexy read that will leave the reader wowed and breathless, begging for more. Set in Gordon’s alternative home, Tasmania, it has at its roots the real-life courtship of an American bride via email. Throw in some fictional suspense and drama, add action, shake vigorously and voila!
Finding Bess is a bang-up result. You won’t be able to put it down.”
... Terese Ramin, award-winning author of Shotgun Honeymoon.
“Not your usual romance, Finding Bess throws an appealing heroine and a compelling hero into a plot just far enough off the wall to ring true, spices it with a travelogue and insights into the writing business, and garnishes it with a wry sense of humor. These are characters that will stay with you long after your satisfied sigh at the last page of the story.”
... Lillian Stewart Carl, author of Time enough to Die.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Gordon
59 books9 followersGordon Aalborg was born on February 5, 1942 in Alberta, Canada. He began his writing career as a reporter, columnist and bureau chief at The Edmonton Journal in his native Alberta. He wandered off to Australia in the '70s as a freelance journalist and radio/tv broadcaster.
The best-selling romance author, Victoria Gordon born in response to the publisher's claim that "no man" could write Harlequin category romance (Gordon is widely believed to be the first man to seriously meet the challenge) , and she survives after more than twenty novels published throughout the world.
Gordon Aalborg is married to mystery writer Denise Dietz, who helped him in his book Finding Bess.
The best-selling romance author, Victoria Gordon born in response to the publisher's claim that "no man" could write Harlequin category romance (Gordon is widely believed to be the first man to seriously meet the challenge) , and she survives after more than twenty novels published throughout the world.
Gordon Aalborg is married to mystery writer Denise Dietz, who helped him in his book Finding Bess.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 9, 2021
A lovely love story
I haven't read a Victoria Gordon romance in many years. This book did not disappoint. There is so much I enjoyed about this book, the Aussie slang, many of the secondary characters especially Mouse and Lady. I also enjoyed the realism of the addition of the author Denise Dietz to the story. I loved the descriptions of places in Tasmania. But mostly I loved the love story between Elizabeth and Barrett!
I haven't read a Victoria Gordon romance in many years. This book did not disappoint. There is so much I enjoyed about this book, the Aussie slang, many of the secondary characters especially Mouse and Lady. I also enjoyed the realism of the addition of the author Denise Dietz to the story. I loved the descriptions of places in Tasmania. But mostly I loved the love story between Elizabeth and Barrett!
Displaying 1 of 1 review