Emerald

I was at the LA Times Book Fair in 2001 and Lauren Royal was there, autographing the first in the triology, Amethyst. Now, I had not read anything by her before, and I admit, I was enticed into going up because the books were free. I read Amethyst when I got home and was blown away by how good and *different* it was. I rushed right out to buy the other two in the series. I had to wait to get Emerald though--it was harder to find than the other two--and I read Amber second. I finally found Emerald though, and just finished it. It was my favorite!Jason Chase and Caithren Leslie were great characters, and I felt I knew them well by the end of the book. What I like a lot about all the characters in this series is that they are really developed, and very realistic. Usually the hero of the story in romance novels is a macho, know-it-all, I've-got-everything-under-control kind of guy. While Jason Chase had some of this, he is also uncertain at times, stressed out, scared, and has funny quirks like being afraid of heights. The plot was an intriguing one that included a chance meeting of two people whose lives were more intertwined than they realized. If there was ever a point where it felt like the story might be getting predictable, it took a surprising turn. That passion and suspense was building throughout the entire book...I had a very hard time putting this book down! While I read romance novels often, I've never reviewed one before. I felt that I had give this one (and the whole series) my whole-hearted recommendation though!

EMERALD returns us to the world of the Chases in Restoration England. Colin and Amy's story in AMETHYST was so wonderful that I was probably one of the first in line to buy Jason's story.Jason Chase, Marquess of Cainewood, takes personal responsibility and honor to new levels. He is really an incredible man. His devotion to family and tenents is matched in Caithren Leslie, who is determined to find her brother in order to save her family's land in Scotland. Their adventures on their journey across the English countryside are funny, passionate (when I got to the bit with the strawberry...oh my!), and chock-full of emotion. Once I started this book, I simply could not put it down. I was one chapter from the end when it was time for me to go out of town for a wedding, and I crammed the book into my case for that one last chapter rather than wait to finish it upon my return!I would only change one thing about this novel...in the acknowledgements section, Royal thanks the source of Caithren's mother's "annoying...er, endearing" (or something to that effect) words of wisdom. I did not find the little Scottish proverbs annoying in themselves, but did Caithren always have to go around exclaiming "Michty me!"??? Got to be a bit much after a while, but not so much that I would knock a star off the review...!If you liked AMETHYST, you'll certainly enjoy EMERALD, and, like me, you'll be waiting for AMBER, Kendra's story -- hopefully, Royal will also grace us with Ford's story...

This book was fantastic. Fan. Tas. Tic. The character development was great, as were the historical interjections; it was very believeable. As one who doesn't normally read romance, I was shocked to find myself so utterly enthralled in the book. Really, I want to marry one of those Chases for myself. (Ford's still available, right?)

Lauren Royal does it again with the second book in the Jewel Triology, Emerald. Once again she takes us away to Restoration England. Jason Chase, the hero, and Caithren Leslie, the heroine, are great. You will root for them the whole book through. Just like a true romance, misunderstandings grow into obstacles to overcome, but there are plenty of surprises and twists along the way.

In 1667 Chichester, England, the Marquess of Cainewood, Jason Chase, plans to bring Geoffrey Gothard to justice for the evil he did to two of Jason's villagers. Though Jason has plastered award notices throughout the country, he cannot sit idly by and wait for someone to bring Geoffrey to him. When Jason tries to apprehend the abominable Geoffrey, the latter grabs an innocent person as a shield before shooting the former. The shield died in the confrontation. Though not completely healed, Jason begins his quest anew. In Leslie, Scotland, Caithren Leslie must marry within a year to inherit much of the estate. Otherwise, it reverts to her brother Adam, who has not been in the area in over five years. Wearing male garb, Cait heads to London to bring Adam home to take over the clan's lands. The Scottish "lad" meets Jason who realizes she is female. He thinks she is a bounty hunter after Geoffrey. She just wants to be rid of her new companion that she begins to fall in love with just like he does her. EMERALD, the second Chase historical romance (see AMETHYST) is a passionate tale that brings late seventeenth century England vividly alive. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action from the very first page to the climax. The lead couple is an engaging duo who glitters when together. Sub-genre fans will appreciate Lauren Royal's second novel.Harriet Klausner