Secrets of Sebastian Beaumont

by Pinkie Paranya

Danielle Beaumont had come to the isolated old vanilla plantation to meet her estranged grandmother, a dying woman who had been kinder to strangers than to her own flesh and blood. As the old woman fearfully whispered of hidden dangers, Danielle pacified her with a promise, a promise more than one of those strangers would sooner see her dead than keep. And Sebastian Beaumont was one of those strangers. An orphan raised as a beloved son by her grandmother, the darkly handsome man told Danielle what he thought of scheming long-lost relatives. Her grandmother managed to manipulate them even from her grave and Danielle found herself forced to marry a man she had every reason to fear..

248 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2008

Reviews

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual choice of genre; definitely past the age of romance novels. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the introduction into the colorful jungles of La Ceiba, south of the Gulf of Fortuna, and the mysterious workings of a vanilla, and to a lesser extent, banana plantation. Danielle's grandmother has summoned her to make the connection between she and her estranged daughter before her death and to assure that her beloved Kings Ransom will not fall into the sinister hands of the plantation owners adjacent to her secluded and large property being administered by the orphan she adopted, groomed, educated, and loved as her own son. Sebastian is a gorgeous male figure of mixed heritage and strong South American culture. Danielle and Sebastian are thrown together whether they want to be or not, entwined in the plot to save the land and catch the bad guys (and girls). Danielle manages to find her own niche in administration while her love of the plantation, the people, and Sebastian continue to smolder until it explodes into inexorable passion. I liked the way the book ended, putting to rest any of the remaining questions, and drawing a satisfactory climax. A book that will get you out of your genre zone as well and one I recommend.