As she touched the teardrop ruby glistening against her lovely soft caramel skin, Karida knew every part of that precious stone she had been entrusted to guard. It was the only way to unlocking a treasure trove of countless riches in a fabled Egyptian tomb and she never let it leave her neck.BR>
Despite her ardent vow to watch over the precious gem, Karida still had trouble accepting that she had been trusted and loved enough to have this role. The illegitimate daughter of a shallow English society woman, Anne Mitchell had been unceremoniously tossed into a workhouse to live or die; then years later, had been sold off to a desert Sheikh and send to live with the Khamsin warriors in the eastern desert of Egypt. There, the urchin thief had been adopted and grew to be the much beloved Karida.

The Earl of Claradon arrived at the same watering hole where the Khamsins had their camp, supposedly to hunt desert hare. Pretending to be his twin brother, the well- liked Thomas, the infamous Nigel Wallenford carefully watched the real game he was interested in and Karida was not immune to his intriguing energy and interest in her. Yet, despite being tricked by Nigel into losing the ruby and her own precious virginity, Anne still sees some good in this handsome man who is driven by his own demons. Having been a thief herself, Anne knows what had saved her from the calamity of that path. Could she do the same for the irreparable Earl?

First introduced in The Scorpion and the Seducer, Bonnie Vanak develops Nigel's amazing story in this seventh book in her well-researched Egyptian series. True to her reputation for writing strong and tender romantic scenes, Vanak has served up one hot and sizzling treasure of a romance that will have you on the hunt for more. Her awesome description of the scene where Karida reveals the burn scars she got in childhood to Nigel will just leave you trembling, While the author recommends reading the two books in sequence, it is still highly enjoyable as a stand- alone read with its fast moving storyline, unusual settings and intriguing characters. New fans of Vanak will certainly want to search out more! Enjoy!

Book Summary

NOBLE IN ALL BUT NAME
Anne Mitchell, born illegitimate and raised in a workhouse, sold by her mother and packed off by her father to the East, had every reason to lose faith. But in Egypt she found identity with the Khamsin, a tribe of Bedouin warriors. Greater even than the secret they entrusted to her was her newfound honor, and for that she would give all.

NOBLE IN ALL BUT ACTION
Nigel Wallenford was an earl. He was also a thief, a liar and a libertine. Regaining his birthright of Claradon had been a start. Next he required wealth, and he knew of just the fabled treasure…and its key’s guardian was a ripe fig waiting to be plucked. Never before had he scrupled to cheat, steal or even murder. One displaced Englishwoman, no matter how fair, would hardly be his match.

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