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Donovan #2
Jade Island
Wild and restless, Kyle Donovan has freed himself from the constraints of his family's high-powered gem-trading empire to rove the world as a treasure hunter. Now the president of Donovan International has given Kyle an assignment with explosive ramifications. A casehe must take.
When one of China's legendary cultural treasures isstolen, Lianne Blakely, a mysterious and beautiful jade expert, is accused of the theft. Its Kyle's job to get to the bottom of what could be a potential disaster for the Donovans as well as Lianne.
But Kyle finds himself irresistibly drawn to the exotic beauty and captivated by her fierce claim of innocence. Soon they are in dangerous pursuit of the real thief, drawn deeper into the perils of spiraling power plays, and linked by a passion as powerful as the lore of the ancient culture and as enduring as the splendor of the treasured jade.
"The Donovan family saga continues in spectacular fashion with Jade Island. Clear your calendar, you will want time to savor every word."
When one of China's legendary cultural treasures isstolen, Lianne Blakely, a mysterious and beautiful jade expert, is accused of the theft. Its Kyle's job to get to the bottom of what could be a potential disaster for the Donovans as well as Lianne.
But Kyle finds himself irresistibly drawn to the exotic beauty and captivated by her fierce claim of innocence. Soon they are in dangerous pursuit of the real thief, drawn deeper into the perils of spiraling power plays, and linked by a passion as powerful as the lore of the ancient culture and as enduring as the splendor of the treasured jade.
"The Donovan family saga continues in spectacular fashion with Jade Island. Clear your calendar, you will want time to savor every word."
372 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1998
292 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Lowell
210 books1,928 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 125 reviews
February 25, 2018
I grabbed this book off my bookshelf because I needed a "J" book for my A to Z challenge. I did not know it was part of a series, in fact I do not think I have ever read a book by this author before. Well, let me tell you, I am definitely going to look for the others in the Donovan Series.
This took me back to the romantic, suspense, mysteries that I used to read and love a few years ago. This book had a little of everything. It is the story of Lianne Blakely and Kyle Donovan. Lianne is the daughter of a rich Chinese man's mistress. He is the third son of the Tang family, known for their collection of precious Jade. Lianne has an uncanny ability to assess and spot good and bad jade, so works for the family. She is not acknowledged as a Tang, but everyone knows that Johnny is her father. He wants her to meet Kyle Donovan of the Donovan Gem empire, but does not tell her why. She meets him at a charity auction and they hit it off quite well. Little do they know, each was instructed to meet the other for different reasons. When some perfect jade shows up, China is up in arms and wants the US to return it to them or they will cut off economic ties. When Lianne is implicated in this theft from China things heat up.
I really liked the character of Lianne. She has been raised in a questionable environment subject to both Chinese and American rules of family and sexes. She wants terribly to be recognized by her father and grandfather and does whatever the ask of her. Kyle is the big, blonde man who is by her side to keep other Chinese, who want her to be their concubine, at bay. He also become emotionally involved with her and is there when she needs help and support more than ever. His family is bigger than life and I am looking forward to seeing what the other books in this series have in store for me. This is an enjoyable read, a recognizable plot with a Chinese (multi-cultural) twist, and with a good flow that kept me interested.
This took me back to the romantic, suspense, mysteries that I used to read and love a few years ago. This book had a little of everything. It is the story of Lianne Blakely and Kyle Donovan. Lianne is the daughter of a rich Chinese man's mistress. He is the third son of the Tang family, known for their collection of precious Jade. Lianne has an uncanny ability to assess and spot good and bad jade, so works for the family. She is not acknowledged as a Tang, but everyone knows that Johnny is her father. He wants her to meet Kyle Donovan of the Donovan Gem empire, but does not tell her why. She meets him at a charity auction and they hit it off quite well. Little do they know, each was instructed to meet the other for different reasons. When some perfect jade shows up, China is up in arms and wants the US to return it to them or they will cut off economic ties. When Lianne is implicated in this theft from China things heat up.
I really liked the character of Lianne. She has been raised in a questionable environment subject to both Chinese and American rules of family and sexes. She wants terribly to be recognized by her father and grandfather and does whatever the ask of her. Kyle is the big, blonde man who is by her side to keep other Chinese, who want her to be their concubine, at bay. He also become emotionally involved with her and is there when she needs help and support more than ever. His family is bigger than life and I am looking forward to seeing what the other books in this series have in store for me. This is an enjoyable read, a recognizable plot with a Chinese (multi-cultural) twist, and with a good flow that kept me interested.
October 21, 2010
I started reading Elizabeth Lowell's books, mainly because I was interested in jewels. Face it, how many girls don't like pretty stones?
Then I realized that every single one of them is the same: a stubborn woman who needs to be protected, some macho man that can't keep his hands off her (and that is extremely unprofessional for any bodyguard), and some sort of jewel that lots of people want and are willing to kill for?
Read one book and you've read them all. Good for summer reading - sort of like those sugary confections at supermarkets - but ultimately made me feel dumber.
Then I realized that every single one of them is the same: a stubborn woman who needs to be protected, some macho man that can't keep his hands off her (and that is extremely unprofessional for any bodyguard), and some sort of jewel that lots of people want and are willing to kill for?
Read one book and you've read them all. Good for summer reading - sort of like those sugary confections at supermarkets - but ultimately made me feel dumber.
July 4, 2016
Archer is such an ass!!!
March 16, 2014
I love all the research--not only into Jade but into Chinese culture. I'm glad Kyle got to be the hero. I was so-so about Lianne I wish she would have stuck up for herself.
June 6, 2016
3.5 stars
While I liked Jade Island and its characters a bit better than I liked the first book, this one isn't without some flaws that I couldn't overlook. Writing style is smooth and detailed, but the narrative did a bit of unnecessary meandering. There were at least two or three scenes in the book that made me wish we could just move on with the story since the present subject didn't mean anything to me, nor did it add to the main conflict.
Again, like the first book, I mainly love the interactions between the characters and their witty dialogue. The characters are a little better developed in Jade Island than I felt the characters in Amber Beach were -- I sort of... cared more. The history and the info about jade was interesting to read about, much like it was interesting to read about amber. Again, the concluding mystery reveal was pretty predictable, but the build-up to the ending wasn't bad. The romance was cute; like Amber Beach, the main couple has quite the chemistry and banter going on. So the book was pretty enjoyable -- possibly one of my favorites so far even if I had some issues and my rating isn't in the "Awesome!" bucket.
I think I'm growing to like the Donovan family, and Kyle is certainly different (if typical) of most romantic suspense male characters. He's standard alpha male with a good heart, good looking and tall, and has that intense need to save his damsel in distress. But of the many main males I've read about, he has to be one of the most cynical male characters I've come across. Whenever physical looks and general attractiveness is mentioned, he keeps deferring to his eldest brother and denying that he's good-looking enough for any female to want to approach. I never thought it possible in men, since it's typically women who put themselves down regularly, as a rule. So this is a first. Although it seems that all the characters in this series so far have a penchant for the cynical -- I mean, you people are good-looking, sexy, and you attract the attention of the opposite sex like bees to honey, so quit acting like you're Plain Janes, because you have to know that you're good looking!
It just makes the rest of us plebeians feel cranky.
Anyway, on a small side tangent:
I always get a little wary whenever I read anything that infuses Asian culture. At first I worried that things would be overly stereotyped -- there's nothing worse than watching a movie or reading a book about your own culture and cringing at what other cultures' impressions present themselves as. But we spend enough time with the more American side of the story that the Asian aspects didn't seem to be a big deal -- some parts were stereotyped while others were fairly genuine. At least she uses the term "chopsticks" instead of "eating sticks" like some other author I just finished reading.
Traditionally rich Asian family's can get pretty tied up in the whole male dominance side of their culture. Sons and brothers are at each other's throats for the family fortune; family members use one another for their own gain; women and children get sacrificed for the "greater good" of someone's devious plans; there's bloodshed and heartache and.... well, it's all typical melodramatic material.
However, I'm not certain just how subservient the women were during the time this book was written, even in rich, traditional Asian families. While there are still public and social taboos and rules, the women, especially if they were from Hong Kong, were pretty modernized and well-acquainted with the women's rights and such. I'm not saying that these differences don't still exist; the Asian communities, even in Hong Kong, are still pretty backwards thinking when it comes to women, especially in the more traditional families. But women have managed to earn their places for themselves.
For a half-American-Chinese modern girl growing up in Seattle, despite being under the watchful eyes of a traditional Asian family, Lianne Blakely felt too incredibly subservient and traditionally Asian to be possible. I had at least expected a little more fire in her, more of a backbone -- Asian women born in America recognize one thing that they know they have an advantage over Asian women born in China: opportunity and freedom of choice. You can still make a life for yourself without the constraints of family or social standards weighing you down as a woman.
There were moments where I started questioning whether or not Lianne was some peasant girl in ancient historical China (what with her family duty and responsibility and such); but other times I recognized the blatantly American characteristics she had (with her modern thinking and her own career and her own life and such). Then again, she was also stuck with a need to prove that she can be part of the Tang family, even at her own expense; and I can be agreeable with that need to belong to a family, even if that family isn't so ideal. When she was with the Tangs, she loses all her sense of self-worth and lets them walk all over her; when she's outside of her so-called "family" she exudes all the confidences of a modern independent woman who knows to put her own needs into perspective. She was certainly an interesting character for me to analyze casually.
While I liked Jade Island and its characters a bit better than I liked the first book, this one isn't without some flaws that I couldn't overlook. Writing style is smooth and detailed, but the narrative did a bit of unnecessary meandering. There were at least two or three scenes in the book that made me wish we could just move on with the story since the present subject didn't mean anything to me, nor did it add to the main conflict.
Again, like the first book, I mainly love the interactions between the characters and their witty dialogue. The characters are a little better developed in Jade Island than I felt the characters in Amber Beach were -- I sort of... cared more. The history and the info about jade was interesting to read about, much like it was interesting to read about amber. Again, the concluding mystery reveal was pretty predictable, but the build-up to the ending wasn't bad. The romance was cute; like Amber Beach, the main couple has quite the chemistry and banter going on. So the book was pretty enjoyable -- possibly one of my favorites so far even if I had some issues and my rating isn't in the "Awesome!" bucket.
I think I'm growing to like the Donovan family, and Kyle is certainly different (if typical) of most romantic suspense male characters. He's standard alpha male with a good heart, good looking and tall, and has that intense need to save his damsel in distress. But of the many main males I've read about, he has to be one of the most cynical male characters I've come across. Whenever physical looks and general attractiveness is mentioned, he keeps deferring to his eldest brother and denying that he's good-looking enough for any female to want to approach. I never thought it possible in men, since it's typically women who put themselves down regularly, as a rule. So this is a first. Although it seems that all the characters in this series so far have a penchant for the cynical -- I mean, you people are good-looking, sexy, and you attract the attention of the opposite sex like bees to honey, so quit acting like you're Plain Janes, because you have to know that you're good looking!
It just makes the rest of us plebeians feel cranky.
Anyway, on a small side tangent:
I always get a little wary whenever I read anything that infuses Asian culture. At first I worried that things would be overly stereotyped -- there's nothing worse than watching a movie or reading a book about your own culture and cringing at what other cultures' impressions present themselves as. But we spend enough time with the more American side of the story that the Asian aspects didn't seem to be a big deal -- some parts were stereotyped while others were fairly genuine. At least she uses the term "chopsticks" instead of "eating sticks" like some other author I just finished reading.
Traditionally rich Asian family's can get pretty tied up in the whole male dominance side of their culture. Sons and brothers are at each other's throats for the family fortune; family members use one another for their own gain; women and children get sacrificed for the "greater good" of someone's devious plans; there's bloodshed and heartache and.... well, it's all typical melodramatic material.
However, I'm not certain just how subservient the women were during the time this book was written, even in rich, traditional Asian families. While there are still public and social taboos and rules, the women, especially if they were from Hong Kong, were pretty modernized and well-acquainted with the women's rights and such. I'm not saying that these differences don't still exist; the Asian communities, even in Hong Kong, are still pretty backwards thinking when it comes to women, especially in the more traditional families. But women have managed to earn their places for themselves.
For a half-American-Chinese modern girl growing up in Seattle, despite being under the watchful eyes of a traditional Asian family, Lianne Blakely felt too incredibly subservient and traditionally Asian to be possible. I had at least expected a little more fire in her, more of a backbone -- Asian women born in America recognize one thing that they know they have an advantage over Asian women born in China: opportunity and freedom of choice. You can still make a life for yourself without the constraints of family or social standards weighing you down as a woman.
There were moments where I started questioning whether or not Lianne was some peasant girl in ancient historical China (what with her family duty and responsibility and such); but other times I recognized the blatantly American characteristics she had (with her modern thinking and her own career and her own life and such). Then again, she was also stuck with a need to prove that she can be part of the Tang family, even at her own expense; and I can be agreeable with that need to belong to a family, even if that family isn't so ideal. When she was with the Tangs, she loses all her sense of self-worth and lets them walk all over her; when she's outside of her so-called "family" she exudes all the confidences of a modern independent woman who knows to put her own needs into perspective. She was certainly an interesting character for me to analyze casually.
March 11, 2016
Author: Elizabeth Lowell
First published: 1998
Length: 5145 kindle locations, 372 pages
Setting: Contemporary, Seattle
Sex: Infrequent, hand wavy.
Hero: Gem specialist (buying/trading).
Heroine: Illegitimate daughter of powerful Chinese/Hong Kong family. Jade specialist.
Trigger:
Lots of Chinese and Jade history plus Chinese art.
"'Not just any feet. Golden lilies were the culmination of a lifetime of pain. When a girl was four or five, her toes were bent down and bound to her heels, breaking the arch of the foot. In adulthood, the result was a maimed foot no bigger than a lily bud just before it opens. Three to four inches,
max.'" loc. 2812, p.205
"Chinese jade, no matter what its internal chemistry, is a condensation of Chinese history." loc.2833, p.207
An enjoyable follow-on from Book 1 Amber Beach with the same characters appearing and playing valuable roles. Overall, a good book if you're interesting in China/politics/history/amber/erotica but a very long one if you're not.
I liked it.
The Donovans:
Book 1 Amber Beach - Honor Donovan and Jake Mallory
Book 2 Jade Island - Kyle Donovan and Lianne Blakely
Book 3 Pearl Cove - Hannah McGarry and Archer Donovan
Book 4 Midnight in Ruby Bayou - Faith Donovan and Owen Walker
References:
Author’s website: http://www.elizabethlowell.com/jade-i...
(ISBN 9780061745539)
-CR-
First published: 1998
Length: 5145 kindle locations, 372 pages
Setting: Contemporary, Seattle
Sex: Infrequent, hand wavy.
Hero: Gem specialist (buying/trading).
Heroine: Illegitimate daughter of powerful Chinese/Hong Kong family. Jade specialist.
Trigger:
Lots of Chinese and Jade history plus Chinese art.
"'Not just any feet. Golden lilies were the culmination of a lifetime of pain. When a girl was four or five, her toes were bent down and bound to her heels, breaking the arch of the foot. In adulthood, the result was a maimed foot no bigger than a lily bud just before it opens. Three to four inches,
max.'" loc. 2812, p.205
"Chinese jade, no matter what its internal chemistry, is a condensation of Chinese history." loc.2833, p.207
An enjoyable follow-on from Book 1 Amber Beach with the same characters appearing and playing valuable roles. Overall, a good book if you're interesting in China/politics/history/amber/erotica but a very long one if you're not.
I liked it.
The Donovans:
Book 1 Amber Beach - Honor Donovan and Jake Mallory
Book 2 Jade Island - Kyle Donovan and Lianne Blakely
Book 3 Pearl Cove - Hannah McGarry and Archer Donovan
Book 4 Midnight in Ruby Bayou - Faith Donovan and Owen Walker
References:
Author’s website: http://www.elizabethlowell.com/jade-i...
(ISBN 9780061745539)
-CR-
February 14, 2016
Every time I come back to a book I've read in the 90's I'm overwhelmed by the feeling that there are no popular romance's authors like these. Lowell has a certain style of writing that can be found in all of her books. Of course, those of us who bought this kind of books were expecting this. Maybe it was the familiarity we found in the writing and characters of an author that made us come back, even if it felt like the books were all the same. We kept buying and reading till we couldn't stand it anymore. Then the years pass, and we think about the books that entertained us a long time ago, we find them again in a sale, and they are available for a good price in a new format - ebooks. There are those who still stand, even if we consider the dated facts and start to pay more attention to plot fails.
Anyway, they can be read again with pleasure. This is one of those books. Even then I had my favorites. This is a series involving the Donovan family. They dealed with precious stones and similar. As usual, there's a couple that has to get together after eliminating the obstacles the author invents to mess with them, till the happy ending. There's also some villain or other to be dealt with. We'll find the rest of the family and some near friends running around in all four books, but not all of them are equally likable. My favorite is exactly this second book. There's drama but it's in some way tempered. I like that. Too much suffering, internal or external, is boring.
I know it costs me buying twice the same book, but I'm happy I met this old friend again.
Anyway, they can be read again with pleasure. This is one of those books. Even then I had my favorites. This is a series involving the Donovan family. They dealed with precious stones and similar. As usual, there's a couple that has to get together after eliminating the obstacles the author invents to mess with them, till the happy ending. There's also some villain or other to be dealt with. We'll find the rest of the family and some near friends running around in all four books, but not all of them are equally likable. My favorite is exactly this second book. There's drama but it's in some way tempered. I like that. Too much suffering, internal or external, is boring.
I know it costs me buying twice the same book, but I'm happy I met this old friend again.
October 25, 2017
All Lianne ever wanted was to be a part of her father's family. Since her father is Chinese and her mother had her out of wedlock she isn't recognized as being worthy of family. She has worked with her grandfather becoming an expert on Jade even while not being considered family. Now she is fighting for her freedom. Someone is stealing Jade from the Tang family and she is the one being blamed.
May 27, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is the second in the Donovan series. I read this book after having read Pearl Cove but not the others and it can be read as a standalone. There are references to the characters in another book, but it was explained. I did find it interesting to read how Kyle saw Archer (the main character in the other book I read).
The explanation of the jade industry was very interesting. It was also interesting to read about the financial and political dynamics surrounding the industry. The references to Chinese culture and American-Chinese culture seemed well researched.
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. This was true in the dialogue as well as descriptions of how people spoke. One characteristic of the author is that her characters are often quite blunt in how they speak, particularly the men. It is true that some people are blunt, but it is also true that some people are not.
It took me awhile to get into this book enough to want to keep reading it. I usually try to finish books anyway, but I prefer to write reviews only if I completed the book. I kept putting this one down.
Kyle, one of the main characters, has recently had a traumatic event happen to him and it has changed him (this is part of what happens in the first book in the series, but it is explained enough). He reflects on what happened to him in a few places in the book and it made him more cautious. I thought the author did a good job at character development.
In one scene, Kyle and Liane go to a party and all the players at the party are men. The women at the party are all for hire. Kyle shows respect to Liane and makes a point of serve food to her plate. I really liked him for that and so did Liane.
Liane, the other main character, has had a life of being unimportant to her family especially the extended Chinese family. Her mother, a lifelong mistress to her father, accepts it and wants Liane to accept it too. She does, with sadness, but I loved when Kyle treats her with respect and cares for her.
At the very end of the book, Kyle and Liane do not exchange words of love, but rather Kyle talks about accepting Liane into his family. I felt the book concluded too swiftly. In my opinion, the author should have brought out Liane’s reaction to finally being accepted into a family more. She has never felt part of her family but was raised to think of family as very important. In addition, throughout most of the book, Liane does not think Kyle sees her as more than a temporary relationship. I thought she deserved the words of love.
In the first half of the book, Liane has an opportunity to tell her grandfather that items are missing from his jade collection. She does not tell him, possibly because someone else in the room, but I do not understand why she did not do so. Priceless valuables have been stolen and she does not tell the owner who is also the leader of the family? I disagreed with the author’s handling of that situation and thought she should have explained why Liane stayed silent.
I have occasionally read the author’s books, but not often. It is unlikely I will read much of her writing going forward.
This book is the second in the Donovan series. I read this book after having read Pearl Cove but not the others and it can be read as a standalone. There are references to the characters in another book, but it was explained. I did find it interesting to read how Kyle saw Archer (the main character in the other book I read).
The explanation of the jade industry was very interesting. It was also interesting to read about the financial and political dynamics surrounding the industry. The references to Chinese culture and American-Chinese culture seemed well researched.
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. This was true in the dialogue as well as descriptions of how people spoke. One characteristic of the author is that her characters are often quite blunt in how they speak, particularly the men. It is true that some people are blunt, but it is also true that some people are not.
It took me awhile to get into this book enough to want to keep reading it. I usually try to finish books anyway, but I prefer to write reviews only if I completed the book. I kept putting this one down.
Kyle, one of the main characters, has recently had a traumatic event happen to him and it has changed him (this is part of what happens in the first book in the series, but it is explained enough). He reflects on what happened to him in a few places in the book and it made him more cautious. I thought the author did a good job at character development.
In one scene, Kyle and Liane go to a party and all the players at the party are men. The women at the party are all for hire. Kyle shows respect to Liane and makes a point of serve food to her plate. I really liked him for that and so did Liane.
Liane, the other main character, has had a life of being unimportant to her family especially the extended Chinese family. Her mother, a lifelong mistress to her father, accepts it and wants Liane to accept it too. She does, with sadness, but I loved when Kyle treats her with respect and cares for her.
At the very end of the book, Kyle and Liane do not exchange words of love, but rather Kyle talks about accepting Liane into his family. I felt the book concluded too swiftly. In my opinion, the author should have brought out Liane’s reaction to finally being accepted into a family more. She has never felt part of her family but was raised to think of family as very important. In addition, throughout most of the book, Liane does not think Kyle sees her as more than a temporary relationship. I thought she deserved the words of love.
In the first half of the book, Liane has an opportunity to tell her grandfather that items are missing from his jade collection. She does not tell him, possibly because someone else in the room, but I do not understand why she did not do so. Priceless valuables have been stolen and she does not tell the owner who is also the leader of the family? I disagreed with the author’s handling of that situation and thought she should have explained why Liane stayed silent.
I have occasionally read the author’s books, but not often. It is unlikely I will read much of her writing going forward.
August 6, 2019
I'm not sure if I realised or commented on this before but I like that this book really builds on Amber Beach. Some of the locations are the same, such as Jade Island (ironically not a major part of this book!), so this feels well rooted if that makes sense.
Kyle has been introduced to the reader already, and this does feel like a continuation of his character. The bits we see of Honor and Jake are the same, whilst Archer is further built up. It's interesting to see what a role he plays in these books considering (if my memory is correct) his brothers play a very small role in his book which is up next.
Leanne is, obviously, new to us. I can't comment on her personality too much as so much of it hinges on her heritage (of which I know nothing but stereotypes from films) but as with all the good guys she feels well rounded. I think her relationship with Kyle is far more lust driven than Honor and Jake, but they still have a good intellectual basis to form a relationship. By the time we see them in Pearl Cove I think enough time will have passed to buy into it more. That said, it is interesting that in my 2016 read through I felt Leanne and Kyle were more well rounded and suited than Honor and Jake, whilst in 2019 my position has reversed!
Unlike Amber Beach the 'bad guys' in this also feel a bit more human. In the earlier book they have some characterisation but still come across as rather one note, whereas here there are definitely more depths to them - just not as much as the good guys get. You could argue this is for obvious reasons - but sometimes an interesting well rounded villain can make a book. To be fair it's not an issue here as such but worth noting.
I think I enjoyed this a tad more than Amber Beach as the plot is a bit more 'manic' almost so it keeps your attention more, but at the same time I did have to pay more detailed attention to understand the nuances of the political situation our characters found themselves amongst.
Kyle has been introduced to the reader already, and this does feel like a continuation of his character. The bits we see of Honor and Jake are the same, whilst Archer is further built up. It's interesting to see what a role he plays in these books considering (if my memory is correct) his brothers play a very small role in his book which is up next.
Leanne is, obviously, new to us. I can't comment on her personality too much as so much of it hinges on her heritage (of which I know nothing but stereotypes from films) but as with all the good guys she feels well rounded. I think her relationship with Kyle is far more lust driven than Honor and Jake, but they still have a good intellectual basis to form a relationship. By the time we see them in Pearl Cove I think enough time will have passed to buy into it more. That said, it is interesting that in my 2016 read through I felt Leanne and Kyle were more well rounded and suited than Honor and Jake, whilst in 2019 my position has reversed!
Unlike Amber Beach the 'bad guys' in this also feel a bit more human. In the earlier book they have some characterisation but still come across as rather one note, whereas here there are definitely more depths to them - just not as much as the good guys get. You could argue this is for obvious reasons - but sometimes an interesting well rounded villain can make a book. To be fair it's not an issue here as such but worth noting.
I think I enjoyed this a tad more than Amber Beach as the plot is a bit more 'manic' almost so it keeps your attention more, but at the same time I did have to pay more detailed attention to understand the nuances of the political situation our characters found themselves amongst.
December 6, 2020
I don't know why, but I really really enjoyed rereading Jade Island. This read through it was far more engrossing that Amber Beach, and yet I more easily remembered elements of this book. In fact I'd say I enjoyed it to the same level that I normally enjoy Pearl Cove.
I still have no idea if the cultural norms that are portrayed here are accurate, but I found them interesting - especially as I've read a number of books this year that dealt with equality.
Kyle does come across as a bit more overbearing than Jake, but the situation with Leanne is always more high stakes than Honour's was. Archer makes his almost customary appearance, he's very much a main character in this book - it's a shame that Jake/Kyle couldn't have more of a role in Pearl Cove - though I suppose they are there for the key climactic moment so... One thing I did think this time, Walker is the male lead in the fourth book of the series, yet he only has a cameo in this - he is definitely has the least back story of all the men (apart from Jake, but as he is in the first book he couldn't be introduced sooner!)
I still have no idea if the cultural norms that are portrayed here are accurate, but I found them interesting - especially as I've read a number of books this year that dealt with equality.
Kyle does come across as a bit more overbearing than Jake, but the situation with Leanne is always more high stakes than Honour's was. Archer makes his almost customary appearance, he's very much a main character in this book - it's a shame that Jake/Kyle couldn't have more of a role in Pearl Cove - though I suppose they are there for the key climactic moment so... One thing I did think this time, Walker is the male lead in the fourth book of the series, yet he only has a cameo in this - he is definitely has the least back story of all the men (apart from Jake, but as he is in the first book he couldn't be introduced sooner!)
November 7, 2019
One of my favorite Lowells
I have become primarily an audiobook reader. I bought the Donovan books on "bookcasette" when they were new and transcribed them to mp3 disks to make them easier to listen to. Unfortunately my copy of Jade Island was corrupted. The audio books were re-released but with a new and, to my mind, inferior narrator. So I read this book and listen to the other 3. If the series, Jade Island and Pearl Cove are my favorites. The characters are all well rounded and the research outstanding, something I expect of Lowell. I just prefer these two story lines slightly over the other two but the entire series is well worth the time to read and re-read. A nice balance between suspense and romance. Stories worth owning rather than borrowing.
I have become primarily an audiobook reader. I bought the Donovan books on "bookcasette" when they were new and transcribed them to mp3 disks to make them easier to listen to. Unfortunately my copy of Jade Island was corrupted. The audio books were re-released but with a new and, to my mind, inferior narrator. So I read this book and listen to the other 3. If the series, Jade Island and Pearl Cove are my favorites. The characters are all well rounded and the research outstanding, something I expect of Lowell. I just prefer these two story lines slightly over the other two but the entire series is well worth the time to read and re-read. A nice balance between suspense and romance. Stories worth owning rather than borrowing.
April 26, 2025
This was my first Elizabeth Lowell and it was great. Some very good plot twists and lots of chemistry between Lianne and Kyle. Kyle is one of the Donovan brothers who have business dealings in international trade, and Lianne is the bastard child of one of the Tang Family sons. She is not accepted within the Tang family, but she is an expert on jade who has helped them with business. There are rumors that the famous Jade Emperor's Tomb has been found and as some jade items that appear to be part of that collection start to appear on the market, there are a lot of international business implications and international relations issues between China, Taiwan, the US and more. Lianne and Kyle are caught in the middle of it, and of course sparks also fly between the two of them. A great combination of romance and mystery - an overall very good read.
August 29, 2019
Kyle Donovan has become very interested in Jade and one of the most prominent jade families in Seattle/Vancouver are the Tang's. Lianne Blakely is the illegitimate daughter of Tang son #3. Never acknowledged, she's worked hard learning the jade trade. When fakes start appearing in the Tang Vaults, Lianne is arrested and Kyle rescues and falls for her. The Donovan's uncover the behind the scenes machinations and exonerate Lianne. Suspenseful, good writing. some sex. Helpful to have read Amber Beach but not necessary.
February 15, 2023
I really enjoyed Kyle and Lianne's story. There's a lot about family in this book, their relationships, lacking and close. There is emotional connection in families, like Lianne's family which is very dysfunctional, how you can be born into a family, yet live outside it with all its connections to it and how difficult, exhausting and emotional that is. The comparison of a truly closely connected family and the dysfunctional family is really well portrayed.
The mystery within the book is really good, I learned a bit more about the Jade 'industry' and artistry, which was fascinating.
The mystery within the book is really good, I learned a bit more about the Jade 'industry' and artistry, which was fascinating.
June 23, 2018
The treatment of race in this book is problematic at best, despite what appears to be a good faith effort at “diversity” and cultural relativism. Which is a shame, because it’s otherwise quite beach-readable, and does away with the rather cringeworthy sexual euphemisms employed in the first book of this series.
February 15, 2019
Elizabeth Lowell books are obviously fairly formulaic but I still find them to be an enjoyable quick read. I think her books are at their best when they are part of a series so she has a chance to develop the characters and story a bit more. I especially like her series that deal with rare artifacts. This series is one of hers that I think works the best.
April 19, 2024
Still excellent even after
My 6th or 7th read! I love The Donovan Series. The premise of each book revolving around either Amber, Pearl, Ruby or in this case Jade was informative and very interesting. Kyle & Lianne were fantastic characters romance, action, intrigue. The writing & dialogue on point with descriptions exquisitely done. Read the series.
My 6th or 7th read! I love The Donovan Series. The premise of each book revolving around either Amber, Pearl, Ruby or in this case Jade was informative and very interesting. Kyle & Lianne were fantastic characters romance, action, intrigue. The writing & dialogue on point with descriptions exquisitely done. Read the series.
January 7, 2018
Enjoyed learning about Jade.
Enjoyed the story line.
A little too much sex for my taste.
Enjoyed the story line.
A little too much sex for my taste.
March 6, 2018
Book was interesting if you want to learn about jade and Chinese tradition. I liked the characters.
December 9, 2018
I read this ages ago and liked it.
January 8, 2019
2nd of the Donovan series. Have read a few times, but still enjoyed the intrigue and romance.
August 29, 2019
After reading all 4 books in the entire series, this one is my ultimate favorite. Lianne and Kyle make a compatible and wonderful couple. Lianne is independent, beautiful, smart, and only weak in trying to get her dad's family to accept her and nothing wrong with that when she has no other family. Kyle is fun, good-looking, strong and a great man for Lianne. I have read this story over 10 times and still love it. The story is fast-paced with lots of action, steamy sex scenes, cultural background on family/jade.
October 29, 2019
Am enjoying the series.
July 10, 2020
Great book
May 29, 2021
Read this series many years ago
February 14, 2022
This just wasn't my kind of book.
July 25, 2022
More in the Donovan series. I liked it. This one was about ancient Jade and some Chinese politics..... will go on to book 3.
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