Running Scared

Elizabeth Lowell books are obviously fairly formulaic but I still find them to be an enjoyable quick read. I think her books are at their best when they are part of a series so she has a chance to develop the characters and story a bit more. I especially like her series that deal with rare artifacts. This series is one of hers that I think works the best.

I am finding Elizabeth Lowell consistently good. Little suspension and plenty of romance, which I'm a sucker for. I particularly enjoy these because they have some information that seems like it could be real about the jewelery business or about jems or metals. So, I feel like I might be gaining some new information from this contemporary fiction, which rarely happens. (Of course, I do understand that this is fiction and there's a good likelihood that the details were added to make a good story, so I don't pretend to have gained a lot of information. Still makes me feel like my time was a little more usefully spent than just stress-relief.)I highly recommend the entire jem/metal series, and Elizabeth Lowell in general.

Gold, fabulous gold - Shane Tannahill wants something spectacular to showcase for the grand-opening of his Golden Fleece casino. Gold expert Risa Sheridan is more concerned with keeping the exhibit squeaky clean. When her past intersects with his passion, sparks fly.

Murder, haunted gold, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. But the ending is a bit weak.

A pretty good book, plenty of suspense and romance... the only weak area is in the action segments, but, overall, a good book.

In the sorching heat of the Southwestern desert, a frightened old man knows his time is quickly running out - as the bad karma of his own good fortune is finally closing in on him after fifty years....

3½ stars