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Draycott Abbey #4
Key to Forever
Once raised to defend a doomed Scottish queen, the Cameron sword lies hidden, guarded by a deadly curse. Only the bravest dare seek the fabled blade - and the rare treasure it contains.
A British earl with gypsy blood, in his wild youth Alexei Cameron shared an extraordinary night with a beautiful stranger who vanished with the dawn. Now she is back in his life - bound to him in a chilling mission.
A tour guide at beautiful Draycott Abbey and an expert on ancient weaponry, Joanna Russell had good reasons for abandoning Alex after their unforgettable night of passion. But she must forget her haunted past to solve the puzzle of the lost Cameron sword - confronting dark secrets and an enemy who knows too much.
To find their treasure, Alex and Joanna must fulfil their destiny, set centuries before. For the key to an ancient mystery lies in a passion reborn... and in a haunting love too long denied.
A British earl with gypsy blood, in his wild youth Alexei Cameron shared an extraordinary night with a beautiful stranger who vanished with the dawn. Now she is back in his life - bound to him in a chilling mission.
A tour guide at beautiful Draycott Abbey and an expert on ancient weaponry, Joanna Russell had good reasons for abandoning Alex after their unforgettable night of passion. But she must forget her haunted past to solve the puzzle of the lost Cameron sword - confronting dark secrets and an enemy who knows too much.
To find their treasure, Alex and Joanna must fulfil their destiny, set centuries before. For the key to an ancient mystery lies in a passion reborn... and in a haunting love too long denied.
380 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
45 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Christina Skye
61 books342 followersAKA Roberta Helmer
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.
Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 25, 2016
Once raised to defend a doomed Scottish queen, the Cameron sword lies hidden, guarded by a deadly curse. Only the bravest dare seek the fabled blade - and the rare treasure it contains.
A British earl with gypsy blood, in his wild youth Alexei Cameron shared an extraordinary night with a beautiful stranger who vanished with the dawn. Now she is back in his life - bound to him in a chilling mission.
A tour guide at beautiful Draycott Abbey and an expert on ancient weaponry, Joanna Russell had good reasons for abandoning Alex after their unforgettable night of passion. But she must forget her haunted past to solve the puzzle of the lost Cameron sword - confronting dark secrets and an enemy who knows too much.
To find their treasure, Alex and Joanna must fulfil their destiny, set centuries before. For the key to an ancient mystery lies in a passion reborn... and in a haunting love too long denied.
My Review:
If you're obsessed over someone but you don't recognize them because of a slight appearance alteration you're really not that obsessed with them to begin with. However I still liked the supernatural half of the story once I let go of the whole "Oh I didn't recognize you" thing, it wasn't that bad.
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Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the Author
A British earl with gypsy blood, in his wild youth Alexei Cameron shared an extraordinary night with a beautiful stranger who vanished with the dawn. Now she is back in his life - bound to him in a chilling mission.
A tour guide at beautiful Draycott Abbey and an expert on ancient weaponry, Joanna Russell had good reasons for abandoning Alex after their unforgettable night of passion. But she must forget her haunted past to solve the puzzle of the lost Cameron sword - confronting dark secrets and an enemy who knows too much.
To find their treasure, Alex and Joanna must fulfil their destiny, set centuries before. For the key to an ancient mystery lies in a passion reborn... and in a haunting love too long denied.
My Review:
If you're obsessed over someone but you don't recognize them because of a slight appearance alteration you're really not that obsessed with them to begin with. However I still liked the supernatural half of the story once I let go of the whole "Oh I didn't recognize you" thing, it wasn't that bad.
My Rating:
Reviewed By:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Booklikes
Goodreads
Google Plus
Blogger
Note: I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the Author
June 28, 2010
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Christina Skye. I saw this book at the Gardiner Library and it immediately sent me into memory land. I used to re-read her books at least once a year.
This particular book has all of the elements of a typical Skye book, a touch of fantasy, a little mystery and a lot of romance. This one features Joanna Russell, a woman who fixes rare and old swords, and Alex Cameron, a man who makes swords. Alex is also the Earl of Greywood and the son of a gypsy who has given him second sight. His family is famous for having sheltered Queen Mary and also for having lost a famous sword that is said to house a fabulous secret.
Joanna and Alex hooked up once five years ago but she had different color hair so he doesn't recognize her at first (really? This is the Big Misunderstanding?) But then it gets figured out and the next problem is that Joanna is being blackmailed to find the sword. Lots of little subplots that might be overkill but I still like the book.
This particular book has all of the elements of a typical Skye book, a touch of fantasy, a little mystery and a lot of romance. This one features Joanna Russell, a woman who fixes rare and old swords, and Alex Cameron, a man who makes swords. Alex is also the Earl of Greywood and the son of a gypsy who has given him second sight. His family is famous for having sheltered Queen Mary and also for having lost a famous sword that is said to house a fabulous secret.
Joanna and Alex hooked up once five years ago but she had different color hair so he doesn't recognize her at first (really? This is the Big Misunderstanding?) But then it gets figured out and the next problem is that Joanna is being blackmailed to find the sword. Lots of little subplots that might be overkill but I still like the book.
August 22, 2024
Although I enjoyed this book I found the story convoluted. There were characters from previous books. There were flashbacks to characters in the past and ghosts from the past still "living" at Draycott Abbey. There's a missing sword from clan Cameron that holds the key to some of the history of Mary Queen of Scotts. Numerous people want to get their hands on the sword so there's murder, intrigue and deception.
Joanna is an antique weapons expert specializing in restoring swords and rapiers. Alex makes swords. Both are extremely skilled.
They met 5 years ago but because her hair is a different colour and she's not wearing glasses, Alex doesn't recognize her. (Is this a Superman knock-off?) The chemistry between them sizzles.
Both have disturbing pasts but the book barely goes into them. Joanna, in particular, is very wary of relationships. I think it would have made her a more empathetic character if we knew more about her first marriage. She comes off as very foolish when she's in trouble and won't trust Alex.
She has a son from her first disastrous marriage who, for some reason, she keeps secret. He doesn't even live with her. He lives with her parents. I didn't really understand why.
There's way too much going on to summerize the story but it was fast-paced and a good read.
Joanna is an antique weapons expert specializing in restoring swords and rapiers. Alex makes swords. Both are extremely skilled.
They met 5 years ago but because her hair is a different colour and she's not wearing glasses, Alex doesn't recognize her. (Is this a Superman knock-off?) The chemistry between them sizzles.
Both have disturbing pasts but the book barely goes into them. Joanna, in particular, is very wary of relationships. I think it would have made her a more empathetic character if we knew more about her first marriage. She comes off as very foolish when she's in trouble and won't trust Alex.
She has a son from her first disastrous marriage who, for some reason, she keeps secret. He doesn't even live with her. He lives with her parents. I didn't really understand why.
There's way too much going on to summerize the story but it was fast-paced and a good read.
September 23, 2021
love the draycott abbey books and lucky to find a copy second hand, good for a light read when need cheering up
March 4, 2017
It was okay. I usually like Christina Skye books a lot, especially the Draycott Abbey series. This was entertaining, kept me reading and I liked the chemistry between the characters, Joanna and Alexei. Alexei has the typically tortured background, less than ideal childhood and all that. Joanna has her own problems... Apparently the two of them hooked up 5 years ago - Joanna remembers, but Alexei doesn't recognize her (How is that possible if it was so memorable to both of them?) Well, the author kept alluding to Joanna's discomfort and to something happening between the two of them and their having a history for the first half of the book or so. And by then I was so frickin frustrated I just wanted to know what had happened already! And then I found out and it was like, that's it? So yeah - not my favorite of the series, but it was good. I am beginning to question why Adrian Draycott is still included in all of this. Does he actually do anything?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2010
Normally I give books that I abandon only 1 star, but this book wasn't quite that bad. Mostly, I just got fed up with it. It's crime is a familiar one in the romance genre, one that I have tried to overlook or forgive due to its sheer frequency, but in this case the withholding of information drove me batty. The dramatic tension was completely undermined by prominent events in the characters' background that were told out of order and with sheer melodrama.
September 9, 2012
Hmm. Can I count this in my 2012 Reading Challenge if I didn't finish it?
I got to about page 220, by which time I hadn't really developed any empathy for the heroine, any liking for the hero, or any feeling as to why they should get a HEA. But the real reason I stopped reading was the ghostly deux ex machina to excess. I don't mind paranormal, I don't mind ghosts in certain circumstances... but this just didn't work for me.
I got to about page 220, by which time I hadn't really developed any empathy for the heroine, any liking for the hero, or any feeling as to why they should get a HEA. But the real reason I stopped reading was the ghostly deux ex machina to excess. I don't mind paranormal, I don't mind ghosts in certain circumstances... but this just didn't work for me.
Want to read
August 17, 2009have
June 23, 2011
I absolutely love her books!
February 6, 2013
great story.
Read
September 1, 2013Draycott Book 6
January 22, 2023
Alexei and Joanne must find the Cameron sword. But falling for each other was a bonus. Read this tempting tale .
September 25, 2009
Modern
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews