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The Big Cat Trilogy #1
The Golden Leopard
It's the adventure of a lifetime when a notorious scoundrel is reunited with the titled lady he betrayed. Together they track down the whereabouts of a stolen Indian artifact in London. And it isn't long before they succumb to the reigning passion of a love long thought extinguished.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2002
5 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Kerstan
30 books18 followersLynn Kerstan is a former college professor, folksinger, professional bridge player, and nun.
Her first book, A Spirited Affair, published in 1993, was a double RITA finalist. In 1996, she took home a prestigious RITA Award for Gwen's Christmas Ghost, written with Indianapolis resident Alicia Rasley via E-Mail. A pioneer of on-line collaboration, she had previously collaborated with Rasley and Julie Caille on Lessons in Love, the world's first Electronic Regency Romance.
A four-time RITA finalist and regularly featured on awards lists, Kerstan has won the CRW Award of Excellence, the Golden Quill Award, two San Diego Book Awards, two Romance Communications Awards, and been a finalist for the National Readers' Choice Award, several Romantic Times awards, and the Holt Medallion.
Kerstan lives in Southern California, where she plots her books while riding her boogie board and does character research at the San Diego Zoo.
Her first book, A Spirited Affair, published in 1993, was a double RITA finalist. In 1996, she took home a prestigious RITA Award for Gwen's Christmas Ghost, written with Indianapolis resident Alicia Rasley via E-Mail. A pioneer of on-line collaboration, she had previously collaborated with Rasley and Julie Caille on Lessons in Love, the world's first Electronic Regency Romance.
A four-time RITA finalist and regularly featured on awards lists, Kerstan has won the CRW Award of Excellence, the Golden Quill Award, two San Diego Book Awards, two Romance Communications Awards, and been a finalist for the National Readers' Choice Award, several Romantic Times awards, and the Holt Medallion.
Kerstan lives in Southern California, where she plots her books while riding her boogie board and does character research at the San Diego Zoo.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 17, 2012
This reviews also appears on my blog at http://www.thegoldenruleof666.blogspo...
I was hoping for so much with The Golden Leopard. It sounded like a mix of thrilling treasure hunt and passionate romance. But it only delivered on one of the two.
The treasure hunt aspect was brilliant, very well done. The Indian culture associated with the treasure was well incorporated into the story. The hunt was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, that was the only positive aspect of the book.
Really, my problem with this book is one thing. I didn't connect with the characters at all. A good story line can only get you so far in a book. I have to be able to like the characters that are playing out that story if I'm going to like the book. And that didn't happen for me.
Jessie was the more tolerable of the two. But just barely. She was mean-spirited. I could understand why she wouldn't necessarily trust Duran since he left her without a word after their affair. But she took that a little too far. He's pleading for help, trying to save himself from an Indian leader's wrath, and she thinks the whole thing is a joke. Apparently, she though that whole journey was a made up excuse for his absence. I thought she was really stupid for thinking that. I understood her mistrust. But the way she held on to it, refusing to consider that perhaps that desperation on the man's face is real, really irritated me. She would literally joke about it, while Duran was frantic to find the leopard and save himself from an untimely death. You know when she finally believes him? When he is attacked by other people after the leopard. Then she finally wakes up and realizes how dumb she was being. After that, she was somewhat likable, but I was still chafing from her previous behavior and I couldn't like her.
Duran wasn't any better. How could I like a man who just leaves his lover without a word and doesn't feel even a twinge of regret. He spends a few years doing his best to forget her and the fact that he can't was apparently supposed to make me feel for him. But, that didn't happen for me. I still thought he was a jerk. And the nerve of him to ask for help from that woman he left was ridiculous. He was very charming but I couldn't forget that he just left the woman and never felt any guilt over it. Or the fact that he fully intended to do it again once he got the leopard. Again, towards the end, he got better. Once he got his head out of his butt and saw how much of a jerk he was being.
The ending was okay. It was happy, but, once again, I couldn't connect with the characters, or even particularly like them, so the happy ending didn't leave me with that sense of satisfaction. The Golden Leopard wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good for me at all. It was just okay.
To end this on a good note so I don't seem too mean, the writing was well done. This author is a talented writer. She was especially good at setting up the scenes with rich detail. So kudos to her.
But, 2/5
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
I was hoping for so much with The Golden Leopard. It sounded like a mix of thrilling treasure hunt and passionate romance. But it only delivered on one of the two.
The treasure hunt aspect was brilliant, very well done. The Indian culture associated with the treasure was well incorporated into the story. The hunt was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, that was the only positive aspect of the book.
Really, my problem with this book is one thing. I didn't connect with the characters at all. A good story line can only get you so far in a book. I have to be able to like the characters that are playing out that story if I'm going to like the book. And that didn't happen for me.
Jessie was the more tolerable of the two. But just barely. She was mean-spirited. I could understand why she wouldn't necessarily trust Duran since he left her without a word after their affair. But she took that a little too far. He's pleading for help, trying to save himself from an Indian leader's wrath, and she thinks the whole thing is a joke. Apparently, she though that whole journey was a made up excuse for his absence. I thought she was really stupid for thinking that. I understood her mistrust. But the way she held on to it, refusing to consider that perhaps that desperation on the man's face is real, really irritated me. She would literally joke about it, while Duran was frantic to find the leopard and save himself from an untimely death. You know when she finally believes him? When he is attacked by other people after the leopard. Then she finally wakes up and realizes how dumb she was being. After that, she was somewhat likable, but I was still chafing from her previous behavior and I couldn't like her.
Duran wasn't any better. How could I like a man who just leaves his lover without a word and doesn't feel even a twinge of regret. He spends a few years doing his best to forget her and the fact that he can't was apparently supposed to make me feel for him. But, that didn't happen for me. I still thought he was a jerk. And the nerve of him to ask for help from that woman he left was ridiculous. He was very charming but I couldn't forget that he just left the woman and never felt any guilt over it. Or the fact that he fully intended to do it again once he got the leopard. Again, towards the end, he got better. Once he got his head out of his butt and saw how much of a jerk he was being.
The ending was okay. It was happy, but, once again, I couldn't connect with the characters, or even particularly like them, so the happy ending didn't leave me with that sense of satisfaction. The Golden Leopard wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good for me at all. It was just okay.
To end this on a good note so I don't seem too mean, the writing was well done. This author is a talented writer. She was especially good at setting up the scenes with rich detail. So kudos to her.
But, 2/5
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy!
September 27, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story is compelling and exciting, and the plot is satisfyingly detailed and elaborate, making for an interesting, page-turning read. Much suspense is built up through the book – Lynn is an expert in drip-feeding information, making you keen to read on. She also writes dramatic scenes superbly; I was totally lost in the world she creates in the book.
I loved the characters, Jessie and Duran in particular. They feel realistic, and are immensely likeable, and I was rooting for their relationship from the start. They are both strong, independent, courageous people with inner vulnerability and the capacity for faithful, lasting love and passion that had me gripped. I love that the author moves between Jessie’s and Duran’s point of view, allowing the reader to really get to know each character and see the story from both perspectives.
For me, the best part of the book is its setting, in the 1800s, and connections with India. I love exotic settings, and the marriage of nineteenth-century England with India at the time was fascinating. Customs, politics, culture, traditions, artefact – all are a seminal part of the plot. My favourite was the opening, set in India itself, and the mystery and danger it sets up for the narrative.
Out of five? Six stars from me. A expertly written, compelling, highly entertaining read that will please any romantic.
I loved the characters, Jessie and Duran in particular. They feel realistic, and are immensely likeable, and I was rooting for their relationship from the start. They are both strong, independent, courageous people with inner vulnerability and the capacity for faithful, lasting love and passion that had me gripped. I love that the author moves between Jessie’s and Duran’s point of view, allowing the reader to really get to know each character and see the story from both perspectives.
For me, the best part of the book is its setting, in the 1800s, and connections with India. I love exotic settings, and the marriage of nineteenth-century England with India at the time was fascinating. Customs, politics, culture, traditions, artefact – all are a seminal part of the plot. My favourite was the opening, set in India itself, and the mystery and danger it sets up for the narrative.
Out of five? Six stars from me. A expertly written, compelling, highly entertaining read that will please any romantic.
November 13, 2021
So I rushed through the last bit tonight. I almost gave up on this book. What can I say...it bored me to tears. The past months I would look at this book and tell myself, "you have to finish it, you HAVE to" It was my duty to write this review. Lol.
Let's start with the pro's. 1. There was a scene where Duran is about to drown in the ocean. It was well written and I had wished there was more action like this in the rest of the story. 2. There is a scene where Duran and Jessica are joking about the assassin guy being "unflappable" and I laughed out loud.
That's it...two pro's. The con's...oh man. The adventure was them talking to collectors. And traveling. And the threat of danger but nothing really happens the whole time. There was so much talking and plotting, I got confused a lot. Even Duran says he can't keep his stories straight. The only character I liked was the aassassin. But we get very little about him. All the characters were unlikable. The side story about her sister was pretty dull. The book wrapped up with no explanation WHY the assassin decides not to kill Duran. It was like I honestly didn't see that coming because it made no sense. Unless I missed something. You know everything is going to be OK in the end so you at least want the journey to be fun and it wasn't. The romance...just yuck. Two annoying people in an annoying relationship.
As I do compare most books to the worst books I've read. I'd rather read Charming Lilly again. That's how bad this was for me.
Let's start with the pro's. 1. There was a scene where Duran is about to drown in the ocean. It was well written and I had wished there was more action like this in the rest of the story. 2. There is a scene where Duran and Jessica are joking about the assassin guy being "unflappable" and I laughed out loud.
That's it...two pro's. The con's...oh man. The adventure was them talking to collectors. And traveling. And the threat of danger but nothing really happens the whole time. There was so much talking and plotting, I got confused a lot. Even Duran says he can't keep his stories straight. The only character I liked was the aassassin. But we get very little about him. All the characters were unlikable. The side story about her sister was pretty dull. The book wrapped up with no explanation WHY the assassin decides not to kill Duran. It was like I honestly didn't see that coming because it made no sense. Unless I missed something. You know everything is going to be OK in the end so you at least want the journey to be fun and it wasn't. The romance...just yuck. Two annoying people in an annoying relationship.
As I do compare most books to the worst books I've read. I'd rather read Charming Lilly again. That's how bad this was for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2012
I am seriously loving the books I am getting from Netgalley. Books that tweak my interest during their synopsis but because of my finances or lack there of, I am unable to obtain them. And yet because of Netgalley, I get them either before their release date or really soon after. For all of you burgeoning reviewers out there I seriously recommend you checking this out. The Golden Leopard is just one such book and I am suddenly crazy about Lynn Kerstan,
Set in India and England this book is filled with dark plots, cultural differences, greed, passion, family dynamics and the oh so wonderful snobbery of the ton. This was not a rich fulfilling read it was dark, at times it made me tear up and often I would wonder if this book would have a HEA.. and yet once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
Lady Jessica Carville fell in love as a young woman and gave him everything when he mysteriously disappeared after only a few weeks, she figured that he had got what he was after and was on to greener pastuers. Determined to never be in the position to have her heart broken again she has spent the years since, escaping the clutches (sometimes even well meaning) of her family and gradually setting herself up in *gasp* business. Finally she is on the brink of success, all of her dreams are so close to being fulfilled when it all seems to start teetering.. first the meeting with her debauched, detestable brother in law and then....
Duran, truly a man of mysteries. Convinced that he really is the bad boy he claims to be he has spent all of 11 weeks in England. His own country. Born to parents working for the East India Company, while in India. He has spent his life first finding ways to get revenge at the East India Company and then just living the only life he has ever known. Except for a few short weeks in England where he met and fell in lust with one Lady Jessica Carville. He had pretty much put her out of his mind until captured by an Indian prince.. held in chains for months, starving he begins to see her.. when he sleeps, when he wakes.. her image is there. Even then he just assumes it is his way of finding comfort before death. Brought before the prince, already doomed to die a gruesome death he convinces them that he has been sent by the gods to find their missing artifact.
Duran is given one year to find the missing leopard, or he dies. One year! A group of trained assassins are sent as his escorts and once he reaches English soil he is determined to use that year to find a way to escape. Only trouble was, the year started the day of his sentence NOT the day he reached English soil.. oops.. Oh yeah and the death sentence is on, whether he finds the leopard or not. His only real recourse is to find a knowledgable antiquities dealer and find the leopard.. In steps Lady Jessica.. and their adventure to find the missing leopard begins.
Jessica has what I would call a most horrid family, a vapid sister, a snot nosed self righteous brother and a spineless father.. all still living in fear of their overbearing deceased mother.. Her family plays well into this story and works well to show just what a person will do to escape family then just what a person will do to protect that same family.
While I probably would not have purchased this book, I enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed the subtext and brooding atmosphere. I enjoyed many of the secondary characters and honestly the thing I disliked the most was the way the story was all tied up in a pretty little boy when it ended. This was not a book that should have had all rainbows and unicorns in it's ending there needed to be something dark and menacing looming on the horizon.. Just my humble opinion
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Golden Leopard provided by netgalley
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Set in India and England this book is filled with dark plots, cultural differences, greed, passion, family dynamics and the oh so wonderful snobbery of the ton. This was not a rich fulfilling read it was dark, at times it made me tear up and often I would wonder if this book would have a HEA.. and yet once I started reading I couldn't put it down.
Lady Jessica Carville fell in love as a young woman and gave him everything when he mysteriously disappeared after only a few weeks, she figured that he had got what he was after and was on to greener pastuers. Determined to never be in the position to have her heart broken again she has spent the years since, escaping the clutches (sometimes even well meaning) of her family and gradually setting herself up in *gasp* business. Finally she is on the brink of success, all of her dreams are so close to being fulfilled when it all seems to start teetering.. first the meeting with her debauched, detestable brother in law and then....
Duran, truly a man of mysteries. Convinced that he really is the bad boy he claims to be he has spent all of 11 weeks in England. His own country. Born to parents working for the East India Company, while in India. He has spent his life first finding ways to get revenge at the East India Company and then just living the only life he has ever known. Except for a few short weeks in England where he met and fell in lust with one Lady Jessica Carville. He had pretty much put her out of his mind until captured by an Indian prince.. held in chains for months, starving he begins to see her.. when he sleeps, when he wakes.. her image is there. Even then he just assumes it is his way of finding comfort before death. Brought before the prince, already doomed to die a gruesome death he convinces them that he has been sent by the gods to find their missing artifact.
Duran is given one year to find the missing leopard, or he dies. One year! A group of trained assassins are sent as his escorts and once he reaches English soil he is determined to use that year to find a way to escape. Only trouble was, the year started the day of his sentence NOT the day he reached English soil.. oops.. Oh yeah and the death sentence is on, whether he finds the leopard or not. His only real recourse is to find a knowledgable antiquities dealer and find the leopard.. In steps Lady Jessica.. and their adventure to find the missing leopard begins.
Jessica has what I would call a most horrid family, a vapid sister, a snot nosed self righteous brother and a spineless father.. all still living in fear of their overbearing deceased mother.. Her family plays well into this story and works well to show just what a person will do to escape family then just what a person will do to protect that same family.
While I probably would not have purchased this book, I enjoyed it immensely. I enjoyed the subtext and brooding atmosphere. I enjoyed many of the secondary characters and honestly the thing I disliked the most was the way the story was all tied up in a pretty little boy when it ended. This was not a book that should have had all rainbows and unicorns in it's ending there needed to be something dark and menacing looming on the horizon.. Just my humble opinion
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Golden Leopard provided by netgalley
For more reviews by Shauni check out Tea and Book and
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
September 23, 2012
I do have a few quibbles about this book, but overall, I enjoyed the story. The mixture of treasure hunt and romance was well balanced and the characterisation was solid.
Hugo Duran and Jessica Carville are a well-matched couple, even though neither of then come across as particuarly pleasant people to start with. He's a chancer who abandoned Jessica without a word of explanation and she is rather self-absorbed (to the extent that she's blind to her sister's unhappiness). They had been lovers for a short time before the story starts, but he left without explanation, so naturally, she's not especially keen to have anything more to do with him. Jessica is independent and strong-willed, the black sheep of her family - her brother is a stuffed-shirt and her sister is dutifully and unhappily married to a man who beats her. She ran headlong into her affair with Hugo, and in the six years since he left, built herself a reputation as an expert in antiquities, and when we first meet her, is masterminding an exhibition and sale of artefacts at Christie's.
Hugo returns unexpectedly from India (where he has lived most of his life) and hopes to enlist Jessica's help in searching for the Golden Leopard, which has been stolen from an Indian potentate, and which he tells her he has to find or forfeit his life. What he doesn't tell her is that whether he finds it or not, he is to die anyway, at the hand of his constant shadow, Shivaji or the band of silent, invisible "Others", who have been dispatched to watch his every move. Personally, I found this part of the story to be the most readable and convincing; how Hugo secures Jessica's help, her disbelief and mistrust, their eventual success - and especially, in the last quarter of the book, Hugo's escape and their reunion.
The quibbles I have are largely due to the development of the romantic part of the story - or more specifically to the way their sexual relationship is renewed. Jessica doesn't trust Hugo for most of the story and yet she falls into bed with him at almost the first opportunity. I imagine we're supposed to think they're picking up where they left off six years previously, but the sex scenes add little or nothing to the story and feel as if they've just been tacked on for titilation (!) It's difficult enough to believe that a well-bred young woman of the 1820s would have fallen into bed with a man - no matter how gorgeous or charismatic (and Hugo is both!) - at the drop of a hat; and I found it just as difficult to believe Jessica would want to resume it so quickly. The romantic part of their relationship worked much better as we see them both come to realise and admit how much they care for each other. There are times I wanted to smack Hugo around the head though, because he deceives Jessica on several occaions (or lies by omission) because he believes it's best for her. And of course, his final deception is because he wants to keep her alive, so while what he does is rather underhanded, his motives are of the best.
Those caveats apart however, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a dash of romance in with their mystery (or vice-versa).
Thanks to NetGalley and Bell Bridge Books for the review copy. This title was originally published in 2002, so this is a review of the recent re-issue for Kindle.
Hugo Duran and Jessica Carville are a well-matched couple, even though neither of then come across as particuarly pleasant people to start with. He's a chancer who abandoned Jessica without a word of explanation and she is rather self-absorbed (to the extent that she's blind to her sister's unhappiness). They had been lovers for a short time before the story starts, but he left without explanation, so naturally, she's not especially keen to have anything more to do with him. Jessica is independent and strong-willed, the black sheep of her family - her brother is a stuffed-shirt and her sister is dutifully and unhappily married to a man who beats her. She ran headlong into her affair with Hugo, and in the six years since he left, built herself a reputation as an expert in antiquities, and when we first meet her, is masterminding an exhibition and sale of artefacts at Christie's.
Hugo returns unexpectedly from India (where he has lived most of his life) and hopes to enlist Jessica's help in searching for the Golden Leopard, which has been stolen from an Indian potentate, and which he tells her he has to find or forfeit his life. What he doesn't tell her is that whether he finds it or not, he is to die anyway, at the hand of his constant shadow, Shivaji or the band of silent, invisible "Others", who have been dispatched to watch his every move. Personally, I found this part of the story to be the most readable and convincing; how Hugo secures Jessica's help, her disbelief and mistrust, their eventual success - and especially, in the last quarter of the book, Hugo's escape and their reunion.
The quibbles I have are largely due to the development of the romantic part of the story - or more specifically to the way their sexual relationship is renewed. Jessica doesn't trust Hugo for most of the story and yet she falls into bed with him at almost the first opportunity. I imagine we're supposed to think they're picking up where they left off six years previously, but the sex scenes add little or nothing to the story and feel as if they've just been tacked on for titilation (!) It's difficult enough to believe that a well-bred young woman of the 1820s would have fallen into bed with a man - no matter how gorgeous or charismatic (and Hugo is both!) - at the drop of a hat; and I found it just as difficult to believe Jessica would want to resume it so quickly. The romantic part of their relationship worked much better as we see them both come to realise and admit how much they care for each other. There are times I wanted to smack Hugo around the head though, because he deceives Jessica on several occaions (or lies by omission) because he believes it's best for her. And of course, his final deception is because he wants to keep her alive, so while what he does is rather underhanded, his motives are of the best.
Those caveats apart however, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a dash of romance in with their mystery (or vice-versa).
Thanks to NetGalley and Bell Bridge Books for the review copy. This title was originally published in 2002, so this is a review of the recent re-issue for Kindle.
January 15, 2011
I had a hard time reading this story, I was curious about reading Kerstan in full length format but now I think I'll stick to trads only.
This is a sort of adventure story. The hero, Duran, was imprisoned in India and to postpone a death sentence is sent to England to look for a statue important to those who imprisoned him. He comes accompanied by an Indian assassin that made me think of some of Salgari's characters. The story, sadly, wasn't as Salgari's stories...
When Duran arrives in London he looks for Lady Jessica Carville. Six years earlier he had an affair with her, he left her and the country without a word. Now she is an antiques dealer and could be a good help in searching for the statue. I have no idea why Duran would think she would help him after the way he treated her and I was certainly hoping that she wouldn't. The way he treats her once more, like he hasn't hadn't done anything bad to her the last time was pretty annoying. We find out later why he acted that way but by end I was so annoyed with him that I did not find it a good excuse and certainly not to the casual way he treated her on her return.
Duran eventually succeeds to convince her to help him and, as expected they eventually become lovers again. Besides their love story also the search for the icon plays a very important role in the plot, and especially Duran and Jessica's interaction with the Indian assassin that accompanies Duran. In a way he was more interesting than Duran itself. A third element was the story of Jessica's sister Mariah, she was obviously very unhappily married and there's a gentleman who loves her without hope so I wonder if they have their story in another book.
As it was I found the hero unlikeable and uninteresting. I couldn't see what Jessica saw in him so I wasn't all that interested in their HEA. I found the search for the statue boring so it came really close to be a DNF...
Grade: 2/5
This is a sort of adventure story. The hero, Duran, was imprisoned in India and to postpone a death sentence is sent to England to look for a statue important to those who imprisoned him. He comes accompanied by an Indian assassin that made me think of some of Salgari's characters. The story, sadly, wasn't as Salgari's stories...
When Duran arrives in London he looks for Lady Jessica Carville. Six years earlier he had an affair with her, he left her and the country without a word. Now she is an antiques dealer and could be a good help in searching for the statue. I have no idea why Duran would think she would help him after the way he treated her and I was certainly hoping that she wouldn't. The way he treats her once more, like he hasn't hadn't done anything bad to her the last time was pretty annoying. We find out later why he acted that way but by end I was so annoyed with him that I did not find it a good excuse and certainly not to the casual way he treated her on her return.
Duran eventually succeeds to convince her to help him and, as expected they eventually become lovers again. Besides their love story also the search for the icon plays a very important role in the plot, and especially Duran and Jessica's interaction with the Indian assassin that accompanies Duran. In a way he was more interesting than Duran itself. A third element was the story of Jessica's sister Mariah, she was obviously very unhappily married and there's a gentleman who loves her without hope so I wonder if they have their story in another book.
As it was I found the hero unlikeable and uninteresting. I couldn't see what Jessica saw in him so I wasn't all that interested in their HEA. I found the search for the statue boring so it came really close to be a DNF...
Grade: 2/5
Read
March 4, 2013When your life is in the hand of an assassin, and you only have less than a month to find an India icon, the smart thing to do is show up at your ex-girlfriend's house. Currently that's Hugo Duran's life, except he shows up a little more politer in regency fashion. The first of the Big Cat Trilogy, Hugo's story is exciting, and keeps the reader interested from start to finish. A reprint of Lynn Kerstan's 2002 publication of The Golden Leopard will interest historical romance readers, as Hugo convinces Lady Jessica Carville to join him on his search for the India icon, a golden leopard.
"Jessie" Carville, isn't a conventional lady of the time, as a women in business she collects and sells antiques. She makes a joke of marriage, and shockingly enough for the public is good at her job. Left behind by Duran six years ago, Jessie has no need for a man in her life. And when Duran appears at her antique viewing, she has to decided to join him or stay out of his search for the golden leopard. With a sister in need of help, and a vicious brother-in-law, Jessie's mind is in debate whether to help Duran to gain a return favor or to leave him behind.
When Jessie's mind is made up it makes for an adventure she had no expectations of getting into. Kerstan's The Golden Leopard was a very detailed oriented adventure, that made a reader want to continue on looking for clues and to know if Duran would survive. Additional books in the trilogy included: Heart of the Tiger, and The Silver Lion, all books were previously published and are currently being re-released.
"Jessie" Carville, isn't a conventional lady of the time, as a women in business she collects and sells antiques. She makes a joke of marriage, and shockingly enough for the public is good at her job. Left behind by Duran six years ago, Jessie has no need for a man in her life. And when Duran appears at her antique viewing, she has to decided to join him or stay out of his search for the golden leopard. With a sister in need of help, and a vicious brother-in-law, Jessie's mind is in debate whether to help Duran to gain a return favor or to leave him behind.
When Jessie's mind is made up it makes for an adventure she had no expectations of getting into. Kerstan's The Golden Leopard was a very detailed oriented adventure, that made a reader want to continue on looking for clues and to know if Duran would survive. Additional books in the trilogy included: Heart of the Tiger, and The Silver Lion, all books were previously published and are currently being re-released.
April 20, 2013
Author: Lynn Kerstan
Published by: Onyx
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
"The Golden Leopard" by Lynn Kerstan was a novel with action adventurous historical romance that had a 'exotic settings, intensed scenes and some undercurrent of humor' all rolled up together making this a good read. This novel is the first in series for this author. You will find that the hero and heroine( Duran & Jessica) who had a torrid romance along with the adventures they endured. I did find this novel definitely a combination of 'Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone' and loaded with twist and turns and amazing action. This was one read that I could put down...with all of its suspense. The setting for "The Golden Leopard" was in India and England...where you will find this read filled with 'dark plots, cultural differences, greed, passion, family dynamics and less not leave out the snobbery of the ton.' You will find all of the characters are well developed and interesting keeping the read alive.
So, if you are interested in a historical settings with a mixture of adventure, romance and a story that will move swiftly you have come to the right place for "The Golden Leopard" would be recommended to you as a good read.
Published by: Onyx
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4
Review:
"The Golden Leopard" by Lynn Kerstan was a novel with action adventurous historical romance that had a 'exotic settings, intensed scenes and some undercurrent of humor' all rolled up together making this a good read. This novel is the first in series for this author. You will find that the hero and heroine( Duran & Jessica) who had a torrid romance along with the adventures they endured. I did find this novel definitely a combination of 'Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone' and loaded with twist and turns and amazing action. This was one read that I could put down...with all of its suspense. The setting for "The Golden Leopard" was in India and England...where you will find this read filled with 'dark plots, cultural differences, greed, passion, family dynamics and less not leave out the snobbery of the ton.' You will find all of the characters are well developed and interesting keeping the read alive.
So, if you are interested in a historical settings with a mixture of adventure, romance and a story that will move swiftly you have come to the right place for "The Golden Leopard" would be recommended to you as a good read.
March 23, 2017
This was a great read from an author new to me. Thank Amazon for their freebies! The plot was quite unusual - the search for an artifact, dangerous oriental assassins - and quite gripping. The misunderstanding between the two lovers was not one of those silly ones either, where a little common sense would have sorted everything out. No, he really was a bit of a rogue. It was also not clear how they were going to get their HEA at the end, though I have to say this was a bit weaker than the rest of the plot.
There's just one thing, and it did take me aback; I had to read the section a second time because I just couldn't believe that this excellent book had just said what I thought it had. Really, there is absolutely no way that anybody in the 19th century could have got from London to Dartmoor in one day, to arrive by early evening. Really. It's 200 miles or so. The fastest means of transport, the Mail, could travel at an average of 7 to 8 mph in summer, less in winter. That would be over 24 hours of discomfort. Travelling post would have been more comfortable but slower.
I did like it though, and intend reading more by this author.
There's just one thing, and it did take me aback; I had to read the section a second time because I just couldn't believe that this excellent book had just said what I thought it had. Really, there is absolutely no way that anybody in the 19th century could have got from London to Dartmoor in one day, to arrive by early evening. Really. It's 200 miles or so. The fastest means of transport, the Mail, could travel at an average of 7 to 8 mph in summer, less in winter. That would be over 24 hours of discomfort. Travelling post would have been more comfortable but slower.
I did like it though, and intend reading more by this author.
October 16, 2012
3.5 stars ---- took a little time to read after 3 attempts, I dislike not finishing a book once started. Most of the first quarter of the story I found didn't overly interest me because I could not connect with the heroine and hero but I am glad I persisted. I wasn't very fond of Jessica, woman scorned an all that but she endeared herself to me as the story developed. Half way through I couldn't put the page-turning story down . Suspense is built up throughout the book with Duran's situation and I had to finish to find out what would happen to him. I knew he would not end up loosing his life but I wanted to see how he would be saved from his appointed assassin, Shivaji.
September 15, 2015
Beautifully written; charming, roguish hero; strong, intelligent heroine. The adventure plot was a tad hard to follow at times, and I didn't like that a major scene involving the villain at the end of the book took place "off screen," but those things weren't bad enough to make me drop a star. I love this author. She reminds me of another witty, unique historical romance writer, Laura Kinsale--one of my all-time favorite authors. I'm off to read the next book in this series.
November 29, 2008
I bought this one a couple of years ago based upon the pretty cover (ugh, don't say it) and the fact that I love sparkly things (e.g., gold, emeralds... you get the idea). Part of the story concerned Indian culture/history-- and, having just recently finished Twentieth Wife in my book group, it also gained another point of interest. But it was just an average romance.
September 23, 2020
I loved it. I am a dialog person and this book has great hero/heroine banter. They have chemistry and sex with humor. Intricate story line, especially loved the weaving in of the details about India, and I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters (except the heroine's sister, who didn't really come alive for me).
May 30, 2011
Now this book was just WOW!!! I enjoyed it so much..It wasnt like your stories you read and you know right away whats going to happen.
Whos going to fall in love with who and who is going to die or live..
Very good book..I wasnt so sure when i picked it up..But i am now:)
Happy reading
Whos going to fall in love with who and who is going to die or live..
Very good book..I wasnt so sure when i picked it up..But i am now:)
Happy reading
November 17, 2012
Skim-read most of it, almost DNFed it. The plot was over the top, many facets unbelievable. Hero was unredeemable. I have nothing against anti-heroes, at all. But he seemed inconsistent. In theory he saved poor little Indians, but betrayals and lies seemed to be his bread and butter. Meh.
August 28, 2009
#1 Hugo & Jessica
June 20, 2011
An interesting story with a little bit of romance. Unfortunately, the male character took a long time to "change" from the dark side. So, he's not entirely likeable for a good portion of the book.
Want to read
November 15, 2012Freebie today.
June 5, 2013
Review by: Caz
Link to Review http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
Link to Review http://romantichistoricallovers.wordp...
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November 15, 2012Amazon Freebie 11/15/2012
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