Adrian St. Claire, sexy chef and part owner of a bed and breakfast in Galveston, Tex., watched his sisters Aurora and Allison fall in love in Ortolon's previous two romances (Falling for You, Lead Me On
). Now it's his turnin this predictable yet warmhearted offering. Edgy, independent Jackie Taylor, owner of the cruise ship Pirate's Pleasure, dislikes slick, handsome men like Adrian, but she soon finds herself spending a lot of time with him when he confronts her with a bargain she can't refuse—he and his sisters will form a partnership between her cruise ship and their bed and breakfast if she lets them read her great-grandfather's letter, which might hold clues to the location of a sunken treasure. Jackie agrees reluctantly, fearful that the letter might dredge up secrets she would prefer remain buried. Sure enough, the letter and the subsequent excavation of her great-grandfather's ship do stir up trouble, as does Adrian's and Jackie's attraction to one another. Though the romantic story line becomes bogged down by back story and readers may tire of Jackie's prickliness, readers who have grown attached to the lovable St. Claire family will eat up this final installment in Ortolon's Pearl Island trilogy faster than a plate of Adrian's brownies. (Feb.)
