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Donovan #3
Pearl Cove
He might help her...if the price is right.
Surrounded by potential enemies, Hannah McGarry faces the mystery of her husband's suspicious death, the prospect of bankruptcy...and the disappearance of the fabulous Black Trinity necklace that was to be her financial security. Desperate, she calls Archer Donovan, a silent partner in Pearl Cove, her late husband's pearl farm venture. He might help her...if the price is right.
Archer Donovan would rather forget he'd ever heard of Pearl Cove...its memories of living on the dark side, the soul-numbing certainty that there was no law, no justice, no mercy; just hunters and the hunted. That life taught him to trust no one but family. But when Hannah McGarry calls in an old debt Archer is back in the game. And at his side in pursuit of the stolen fortune is a woman he shouldn't want, yet cannot resist...a woman who may know more than she's telling about her husband's death...and more than is safe to know about the dark and elusive black pearls. With deadly competitors on their tails, Archer and Hannah race through uncharted waters in search of the fabulous Black Trinity. And the closer they come to finding the coveted pearls, the closer they come to danger and death...and to each other.
432 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 1999
254 people are currently reading
1029 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
208 books1,923 followersIndividually and with co-author/husband Evan, Ann Maxwell has written over 60 novels and one work of non-fiction. There are 30 million copies of these books in print, as well as reprints in 30 foreign languages. Her novels range from science fiction to historical fiction, from romance to mystery. After working in contemporary and historical romance, she became an innovator in the genre of romantic suspense.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
In 1982, Ann began publishing as Elizabeth Lowell. Under that name she has received numerous professional awards in the romance field, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Romance Writers of America (1994).
Since July of 1992, she has had over 30 novels on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1998 she began writing suspense with a passionate twist, capturing a new audience and generation of readers. Her new romance novel Perfect Touch will be available in July of 2015.
To get a full list of titles as well as read excerpts from her novels, visit www.elizabethlowell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
October 31, 2012
Reread October 2012.
Upping the star rating. Archer Donovan is too awesome to not get five stars :D.
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3 of those stars up there are for Archer alone. He is my favorite Donovan!
Upping the star rating. Archer Donovan is too awesome to not get five stars :D.
-----------------------------------
3 of those stars up there are for Archer alone. He is my favorite Donovan!
April 24, 2010
Archer,the hero of this book-Archer- is one of my all time top heros.He gives up the h who he saw first and they fell in love with each other too,to his step brother who he didn` t realize how viscios he would become.He gets the h in spooky forign countries and then leaves her without shelter or food and miscarrying until Archer comes finding her and then he is so stuid he sends her off again with this dog to the South Pacific looking for ultra beautiful black pearls.Finally the guy -who got paralyzed earlier died in a hurricane because he couldn`t save himself.Archer comes after and the rest of the book is one sizzling love story.
August 7, 2010
I didn't actually finish this book--it just wasn't keeping my attention. Interesting about how pearls are grown, though.
March 7, 2011
When her husband is murdered at their pearl growing operation, Hannah McGarry calls on her late husband's half-brother, Archer Donovan, for help.
This book confirms my suspicions that Lowell's earlier romantic-suspense books lean more toward romance than her later ones. (They're all formulaic. Just in different ways.) Archer is a very traditional alpha male, very much like all the other eldest brothers in these long family romance series always seem to be; the narrative actually does question the alphaness a bit with Hannah's reticence, but doesn't play for the formula in any significant way. I did like the geek detail about cultured pearls, but didn't have much of an investment in the romance itself.
This book confirms my suspicions that Lowell's earlier romantic-suspense books lean more toward romance than her later ones. (They're all formulaic. Just in different ways.) Archer is a very traditional alpha male, very much like all the other eldest brothers in these long family romance series always seem to be; the narrative actually does question the alphaness a bit with Hannah's reticence, but doesn't play for the formula in any significant way. I did like the geek detail about cultured pearls, but didn't have much of an investment in the romance itself.
April 17, 2011
I liked this book so much I named my daughter after the heroine.
February 23, 2012
Dnf- I tried, but wasn't real impressed with this. Might try again later but moving on for now.
February 14, 2011
The third of Elizabeth Lowell's Donovan books, Pearl Cove, is perhaps one of the earliest Lowells that levels up a bit for me in general quality of plot and character development. It's still formulaic--I haven't met a Lowell suspense novel that isn't, even if it's a formula I happen to enjoy. But this one at least does a better job than others.
This time around we have the focus on Archer Donovan, the oldest of the Donovan brothers and the one who's generally in charge of everything the younger generation of the family does. He's a former international operative, with the obligatory unspecific hints about Awful Things He Did When He Was Younger, and he's got the suitably jaded outlook on life to go with it. And, unsurprisingly, a portion of his Awful Background(TM) is plot-relevant, for it turns out he's got sordid backstory with his illegitimate half-brother--a bitter, crippled man named Len McGarry. Who, it turns out, has just died under mysterious circumstances. And Archer learns this from Len's widow Hannah--who, it turns out, is the obligatory Only Woman Archer Has Ever Loved(TM).
Naturally, Archer must hightail it down to Australia to help Hannah find out who murdered her husband, and what happened to the priceless necklace of black pearls he'd been assembling.
I quite enjoyed the "solve the murder mystery" aspect of this story, and the chemistry between Archer and Hannah was suitably edgy and compelling, even given the gyrations Hannah's backstory goes through to get her into a position of being a widow yet still more or less sexually innocent. The only part of their interaction I didn't enjoy was the Big Misunderstanding trope rearing its head, since a good chunk of Hannah's early interactions with Archer are her assuming that he's just as much of an asshole as her dead husband was, without any particular justification at all. Once they get past the Big Misunderstanding, though, it's fun to see the Donovans reacting to their brother finally being in love, and all of them coming together to help him and Hannah ultimately solve the crime. Three stars.
This time around we have the focus on Archer Donovan, the oldest of the Donovan brothers and the one who's generally in charge of everything the younger generation of the family does. He's a former international operative, with the obligatory unspecific hints about Awful Things He Did When He Was Younger, and he's got the suitably jaded outlook on life to go with it. And, unsurprisingly, a portion of his Awful Background(TM) is plot-relevant, for it turns out he's got sordid backstory with his illegitimate half-brother--a bitter, crippled man named Len McGarry. Who, it turns out, has just died under mysterious circumstances. And Archer learns this from Len's widow Hannah--who, it turns out, is the obligatory Only Woman Archer Has Ever Loved(TM).
Naturally, Archer must hightail it down to Australia to help Hannah find out who murdered her husband, and what happened to the priceless necklace of black pearls he'd been assembling.
I quite enjoyed the "solve the murder mystery" aspect of this story, and the chemistry between Archer and Hannah was suitably edgy and compelling, even given the gyrations Hannah's backstory goes through to get her into a position of being a widow yet still more or less sexually innocent. The only part of their interaction I didn't enjoy was the Big Misunderstanding trope rearing its head, since a good chunk of Hannah's early interactions with Archer are her assuming that he's just as much of an asshole as her dead husband was, without any particular justification at all. Once they get past the Big Misunderstanding, though, it's fun to see the Donovans reacting to their brother finally being in love, and all of them coming together to help him and Hannah ultimately solve the crime. Three stars.
August 14, 2008
PEARL COVE - G
Lowell, Elizabeth - 3rd in Donovans series
Surrounded by potential enemies, Hannah McGarry faces the mystery of her husband's suspicious death, the prospect of bankruptcy ... and the disappearance of the fabulous Black Trinity necklace that was to be her financial security. Desperate, she calls Archer Donovan, a silent partner in Pearl Cove, her late husband's pearl farm venture. He might help her... if the price is right.
Archer Donovan would rather forget he'd ever heard of Pearl Cove...its memories of living on the dark side, the soul-numbing certainty that there was no law, no justice, no mercy; just hunters and the hunted. That life taught him to trust no one but family. But when Hannah McGarry calls in an old debt Archer is back in the game. And at his side in pursuit of the stolen fortune is a woman he shouldn't want, yet cannot resist ... a woman who may know more than she's telling about her husband's death ... and more than is safe to know about the dark and elusive black pearls. With deadly competitors on their tails, Archer and Hannah race through uncharted waters in search of the fabulous Black Trinity. And the closer they come to finding the coveted pearls, the closer they come to danger and death ... and to each other.
High on the sensuality meter. Each book in the series deals with a particular gem, and that's interesting. Not as good as "Amber Beach" but still good.
Lowell, Elizabeth - 3rd in Donovans series
Surrounded by potential enemies, Hannah McGarry faces the mystery of her husband's suspicious death, the prospect of bankruptcy ... and the disappearance of the fabulous Black Trinity necklace that was to be her financial security. Desperate, she calls Archer Donovan, a silent partner in Pearl Cove, her late husband's pearl farm venture. He might help her... if the price is right.
Archer Donovan would rather forget he'd ever heard of Pearl Cove...its memories of living on the dark side, the soul-numbing certainty that there was no law, no justice, no mercy; just hunters and the hunted. That life taught him to trust no one but family. But when Hannah McGarry calls in an old debt Archer is back in the game. And at his side in pursuit of the stolen fortune is a woman he shouldn't want, yet cannot resist ... a woman who may know more than she's telling about her husband's death ... and more than is safe to know about the dark and elusive black pearls. With deadly competitors on their tails, Archer and Hannah race through uncharted waters in search of the fabulous Black Trinity. And the closer they come to finding the coveted pearls, the closer they come to danger and death ... and to each other.
High on the sensuality meter. Each book in the series deals with a particular gem, and that's interesting. Not as good as "Amber Beach" but still good.
September 19, 2013
Pearl Cove by Elizabeth Lowell
Love talks about the pearls themselves, the peeling of the layers and how she does it and the outcome.
Hannah hopes to find the murderer of Len and find the rainbows. Archer Donovon, Len's brother, might be able to help her find them.
She taught the workers children and that would keep her protected for a few hours. Christian Flynn is a diver and treasures.
She owns Pearl Cove and others want it and what it holds. Kyle is the youngest brother and he helps fill in the blank spaces for Archer with all kinds of information.
ARcher started with the clues to help find the killer. Love the action and adventure as they try to find the killer and he finds out more information about her past life.
Love the travel as they go to various places around the world following the clues....
Hot steamy raw sex scenes...Really liked this one I know I will read the others in the series and those by this author.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Love talks about the pearls themselves, the peeling of the layers and how she does it and the outcome.
Hannah hopes to find the murderer of Len and find the rainbows. Archer Donovon, Len's brother, might be able to help her find them.
She taught the workers children and that would keep her protected for a few hours. Christian Flynn is a diver and treasures.
She owns Pearl Cove and others want it and what it holds. Kyle is the youngest brother and he helps fill in the blank spaces for Archer with all kinds of information.
ARcher started with the clues to help find the killer. Love the action and adventure as they try to find the killer and he finds out more information about her past life.
Love the travel as they go to various places around the world following the clues....
Hot steamy raw sex scenes...Really liked this one I know I will read the others in the series and those by this author.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
March 14, 2018
The first few pages promised so much. The imagery and eloquence and beauty evoked by poetic descriptions of pearls combined with the eccentricity and tension of character and situation made me thank the library-gods that I'd felt like browsing through the stacks the day I checked Pearl Cove out. But then...
Who knew physical attraction could be so tedious?
I got silently sick of the eyes that constantly changed color, the main characters who were cardboard cutouts at best...despicable at worst. Occasionally, the promise of the early pages gave off a feeble flash, but it was buried beneath what I can only assume is the formulaic boredom necessary to the Romantic genre. Repetitive and shallow.
Tedious. Unforgivable after the introductory demonstration of so much talent. I weep for what might have been...
Who knew physical attraction could be so tedious?
I got silently sick of the eyes that constantly changed color, the main characters who were cardboard cutouts at best...despicable at worst. Occasionally, the promise of the early pages gave off a feeble flash, but it was buried beneath what I can only assume is the formulaic boredom necessary to the Romantic genre. Repetitive and shallow.
Tedious. Unforgivable after the introductory demonstration of so much talent. I weep for what might have been...
January 31, 2009
When I first picked Pearl Cove up, I was looking for for a straight-up action thriller and after the first few pages, I thought to myself "honey, this ain't your book!" This is an all on, full out, steamy bodice ripper masquerading as an action thriller. Need proof? Tom Clancy would never comment on his hero's "dark male beauty" or "the sensual promise of his mouth." That being said, the storyline is not bad, the characters are interesting, and the amount of research Lowell clearly did on the pearl trade makes her experts both credible and interesting. Things tended to wrap themselves up a bit more neatly than I was prepared for and I would have appreciated a bit more complexity, but overall a decent way to spend a weekend.
June 26, 2008
This book ties in Archer Donovan to the rest in the series, and a good story featuring the pearl trade, centred in Broome and then moving to Seattle.
I like this author in preference to Nora Roberts, who is always predictable with her stories.
The other books about the Donovan's are:
AMBER BEACH
JADE ISLAND
MIDNIGHT IN RUBY BAYOU.
I like this author in preference to Nora Roberts, who is always predictable with her stories.
The other books about the Donovan's are:
AMBER BEACH
JADE ISLAND
MIDNIGHT IN RUBY BAYOU.
January 23, 2009
Even though Pearl Cove was an alright read, I found myself a little dissappointed. After reading about Archer the older brother in the first 2 books of the "Donovans" I had high expectations of finally getting to Archer's story. It's an average read but not up to par with what I've come to expect from Elizabeth Lowell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2009
This was the best book by far out of the 3.
Archer was the most interesting character. So mysterious and sexy i just loved him. Great book. A must read for those seeking adventure mixed with romance!
Archer was the most interesting character. So mysterious and sexy i just loved him. Great book. A must read for those seeking adventure mixed with romance!
May 1, 2011
Another gem of a story from Elizabeth Lowell. I was a little surprised to see Archer crumble so easily but he has been thinking about Hannah for ten years. Hannah's mistrust and unease around Archer was perfectly understandable and heartbreaking.
September 2, 2007
I just couldn't get into the story, so i stopped at the second chapter!
September 4, 2008
Great romantic book...I like the Donovan family.
February 27, 2008
I enjoyed the love story but the information on pearl and the pearl farming market was very interesting. Good read but lighter fare.
February 2, 2014
Lowell is a fantastic romance author.
November 1, 2008
This remains one of my favorite Elizabeth Lowell's book. This is one of hers that doesn't disappoint.
January 19, 2009
Pearl Cove (Donovan, Book 3) (Donovan) by Elizabeth Lowell (2000)
June 15, 2009
Really liked this book; actually kept it to re-read someday.
September 16, 2009
thought it was supposed to be more of a mystery... turned out to be a romance novel... could see the ending before I got there.
July 13, 2011
Excellent, as always. I cried through the whole last half of the book.
August 7, 2011
This was my final Donovan book. Knowing Archer's story after reading about the rest of the family was a satisfying culmination to the series.
October 8, 2013
go Archer you sexy beast you.
January 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book - it had suspense, intrigue, money, romance and unexpected twists and turns. I even ordered the rest of the series as soon as I finished this one.
October 21, 2018
could not get interested or follow the plot.
September 22, 2010
The intercultural romance was spot on!
December 19, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is the third in the Donovan series. I read this book without having read the others and it can be read as a standalone. There are references to the characters in another book, but it was explained.
The explanation of the pearl industry was very interesting. It was also interesting to read about the financial and political dynamics surrounding the industry.
The premise of the story is that Archer and Hannah meet after Hannah is already involved with Len, Archer’s half brother. Archer has an immediate attraction to Hannah which Len notices. Len threatens Archer about Hannah and Archer backs off. After that, there is very little interaction between Archer and Len and Archer and Hannah, other than perhaps one other significant event. However, Archer falls for Hannah and has cared for her for 10 years. Hannah, in turn, had an attraction for Archer that was more unacknowledged but still there. As a result, the story moves very quickly into a romance between them.
Hannah becomes involved with Archer even though she worries that he is like Len. Len was not a good person. It seemed unrealistic to me that she would jump into bed with Archer after growing up with missionaries, staying faithful in her marriage, and being afraid that Archer was like Len.
When Hannah tells Archer that she thinks he is like Len, he reacts coldly and says some negative things; something that would reinforce her opinion. However, she begins to coincidentally see him being kind and loving to his family. He would then turn and act coldly towards her. I would have thought it would be hard for her to see past this type of behavior, but she does. I think the author should have given them more caring moments for believability.
Hannah decides that she wants to have a baby and wants to have sex with Archer to get one. There are a few points where she sees him interacting with his family and is warm and open. She thinks ‘oh good, he is in a good mood, maybe I can get him to make a baby with me now.’ This part of her character was not likeable to me.
The author’s writing style is very dramatic and, in my opinion, a little too much so. Much of people’s emotions or actions are too highly emphasized. In addition, in some cases, the dialogue is descriptive to the point where it was not realistic in my opinion. Here is an example of Hannah speaking, “I missed the place where I had spent my first five years – Maine and the kaleidoscope of seasons. But there were some good things about the rain forest. The scent of the air at dawn, the flash of butterflies bigger than my hand, the incredible liquid light after a rain, campfires at night, the laughter and mischief of the children…” People can be descriptive but, in my opinion, this was more how an author would describe a scene rather than a speaker. In addition, the sentence is too perfect. A speaker would probably say a filler word or use the word or. I am not suggesting that the author should take this description out, just that I think it would be said differently.
I have occasionally read the author’s books, but not often. It is unlikely I will read much of her writing going forward. I flip flopped on whether to give this 3 or 4 stars a few times but then decided that it needed more relationship development and knocked it down for that.
This book is the third in the Donovan series. I read this book without having read the others and it can be read as a standalone. There are references to the characters in another book, but it was explained.
The explanation of the pearl industry was very interesting. It was also interesting to read about the financial and political dynamics surrounding the industry.
The premise of the story is that Archer and Hannah meet after Hannah is already involved with Len, Archer’s half brother. Archer has an immediate attraction to Hannah which Len notices. Len threatens Archer about Hannah and Archer backs off. After that, there is very little interaction between Archer and Len and Archer and Hannah, other than perhaps one other significant event. However, Archer falls for Hannah and has cared for her for 10 years. Hannah, in turn, had an attraction for Archer that was more unacknowledged but still there. As a result, the story moves very quickly into a romance between them.
Hannah becomes involved with Archer even though she worries that he is like Len. Len was not a good person. It seemed unrealistic to me that she would jump into bed with Archer after growing up with missionaries, staying faithful in her marriage, and being afraid that Archer was like Len.
When Hannah tells Archer that she thinks he is like Len, he reacts coldly and says some negative things; something that would reinforce her opinion. However, she begins to coincidentally see him being kind and loving to his family. He would then turn and act coldly towards her. I would have thought it would be hard for her to see past this type of behavior, but she does. I think the author should have given them more caring moments for believability.
Hannah decides that she wants to have a baby and wants to have sex with Archer to get one. There are a few points where she sees him interacting with his family and is warm and open. She thinks ‘oh good, he is in a good mood, maybe I can get him to make a baby with me now.’ This part of her character was not likeable to me.
The author’s writing style is very dramatic and, in my opinion, a little too much so. Much of people’s emotions or actions are too highly emphasized. In addition, in some cases, the dialogue is descriptive to the point where it was not realistic in my opinion. Here is an example of Hannah speaking, “I missed the place where I had spent my first five years – Maine and the kaleidoscope of seasons. But there were some good things about the rain forest. The scent of the air at dawn, the flash of butterflies bigger than my hand, the incredible liquid light after a rain, campfires at night, the laughter and mischief of the children…” People can be descriptive but, in my opinion, this was more how an author would describe a scene rather than a speaker. In addition, the sentence is too perfect. A speaker would probably say a filler word or use the word or. I am not suggesting that the author should take this description out, just that I think it would be said differently.
I have occasionally read the author’s books, but not often. It is unlikely I will read much of her writing going forward. I flip flopped on whether to give this 3 or 4 stars a few times but then decided that it needed more relationship development and knocked it down for that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews