Rating: 
Summary: Thrilling
Review: Amber Beach was the first book by Elizabeth Lowell that I have read. My friend read it and passed on the information to me. In a few words, I can say that Amber Beach knocked me off my feet. After reading this book, I became so entrapped into the story that after I had finished it, I just had to read the other books that she had written. Amber Beach is a thrilling story based upon the Czar's Amber Room that immediately disappeared after World War I. The main characters are Honor Donovan, a sister who is determined to go after her (disappeared but presumed dead) brother. Jake Mallory is a rugged man aborbed by the brillant heat of Amber. His business was kicked out of many countries when he becomes framed of stealing the Amber Room. Jake goes undercover to help Honor Donovan find her brother, Kyle. The sweet part of this book is the fact that a sweet romance developes nicely as the story progresses.This book is passionately intense and has intense passion too! The Donovan family will warm your hearts as you read more and more about them. The Donovan saga continues into Jade Island and Pearl Cove. So do what I did and take my advice. Read Amber Beach and you won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry, but I didn't like this series,
Review: Honor Donovan, jewelry designer and daughter of the founder of Donovan International, a company dealing in precious metals and gemstones, discovers that her brother Kyle is missing...along with a fortune in amber. Frantic with worry, Honor moves into Kyle's cottage on one of the San Juan Islands, and hires a local fishing guide, Jake Mallory, to help her search the island chain for her brother. Big, bad, hunky Jake is not, of course, a real fishing guide - although he loves to fish. Jake used to work for the Donovan company, brokering amber. He is also somewhat of a soldier of fortune. The Donovan brothers suspect that it is Jake, not Kyle, who has the stolen gems and a priceless Russian antiquity, as well. So it is in Mallory's best interest to find Kyle so that he can prove his innocence.The two are pursued all over the Pacific islands by local cops, the Feds, international operatives and spooky intruders. The chemistry between Honor and Jake is explosive. They are a perfect match and their feelings for each other are as palpable as is their mutual attraction. There is romance and caring here as well as sex. And the dialogue between them is witty, with an edge. Honor is quite intelligent, creative and independent. We also get to meet other members of the Donovan clan - which is one of the most interesting and fun families ever. The dangerous adventures and mishaps never seem to cease. The details about amber and the Russian antiquity, the "Amber Room," are fascinating. The San Juan Islands are so amazing that I am actually planning a vacation there. What more could one ask for in a good book? I highly recommend this as one of Ms. Lowell's best.
Rating:
Summary: I can't get enough of the Donovan Family !!
Review: I happened to pick up Pearl Cove at an aiport because it looked interesting and I had time to spare. I loved that book and found myself wanting to learn more about the Donovan siblings. When I found out this was the third book in a series about them, I immediately started searching for the first two. The first book in the series is Amber Beach. It did not let me down!! I loved the chemistry between Jake and Honor! I could not put this one down, I just had to see how the story turned. If you like suspense and mystery with some passion and spice mixed in - Elizabeth Lowell will quickly make it to your "must read" list!
Rating:
Summary: I'm addicted to the Donovans!!
Review: I read this book because I picked it up on vacation to pass the time. I ended up being completely in love with the Donovan family. I immediately had to read Jade Island. I now have all the Donovan books and wait in anticipation for Elizabeth to decide finish the series by writing about the twins!! Great book! Very interesting and suspensful. The characters are so well developed!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent romantic suspense novel
Review: If you are a fan of romantic suspense novels and you haven't read Elizabeth Lowell's Donovan series, you're in for a treat. "Amber Beach" is the first in the series, and it's a fun, quick read. The plot is full of twists and turns, and it keeps you guessing right up until the very end. The lead characters are compelling, and the love scenes are sufficiently steamy to keep romance fans happy. The book is set in the San Juan Islands, and Lowell does an excellent job integrating the setting into the story. She is also an expert at weaving interesting background research into her books. Here, she not only educates you about all facets of amber and the amber trade, but she also makes the lesson very entertaining and a crucial part of the story. It's all a lot more interesting than you might have assumed. My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more interaction between Hope and Jake, the lead characters. Nevertheless, the chemistry between them is great and their witty banter makes for a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Action and Suspense blended with a Nice Touch of Romance
Review: Kyle Donovan is missing, so his sister Honor goes to his home in Washington State's San Juan Islands to search for clues. She doesn't know how to work Kyle's boat so she hires Jake Mallory to teach her how and to act as a guide. However, unknown to her, Jake is a dealer in gemstones as is Honor's family. When Kyle disappeared a shipment of amber Jake had entrusted with him disappeared as well. And in that shipment is a panel from the czar's fabled Amber Room that went missing during World War II. The Donovan family claims Kyle never received the shipment and they get Jake barred from doing business in Russia. Jake figures if he stays close to Honor, she'll lead him to Kyle and the stolen amber. However, Jake isn't the only one who wants to find that amber. There are others hot on Jake and Honor's trail, others like the Russian mafiya, Lithuanian separatists and agents of the United States government. Of course, Jake doesn't trust Honor or any of the Donovan clan and, of course, when she finds out who Jake really is, she doesn't trust him either, but there is that old devil attraction between them, but before they can do anything about it they have to get beyond that trust thing, get away from their pursuers and get to the bottom of what happened to Kyle and the missing amber. Though many think of Lowell as a romance writer, she can write action and suspense too and she can do it well, as she proves with this first story about the Donovan clan that I just could not put down.
Rating:
Summary: Experience makes the difference...
Review: They don't come much better than this writer! Elizabeth Lowell has been around for a long time which makes her one of the more experienced writers in the suspense romance genre...AND THE BEST! If you haven't read one of her many novels this one is a perfect place to start!
Rating:
Summary: Loved it from the beginning!
Review: This is the first book of Elizabeth Lowells that I had read and from the first page of the book I was hooked. The Donovans are great! Honor Donovan, who was introduced in the book was so very strong minded in her ways, it really kept you wanting to read more to see what she would do next to help out her brother. I have already started and am just about finished with the second book in the series. I can't wait to read the third. Definatly a keeper!
Rating:
Summary: LOVE THE DONOVANS AND JAKE TOO!
Review: This is the first book of the 'gems' series. Though there is a good mystery, the development of the chemistry between the lead characters did not keep my interest--as other Lowell novels have. The best thing about this book is that it does introduce some interesting characters that Ms. Lowell better developed in the other novels of this series. My recommendation--get through this one fast and move on to the others--they do get better and better!!
Rating:
Summary: Cool characters, good romance
Review: Two of the better romance characters I have discovered--and they have actual real conflicts and reasons not to trust each other as opposed to the usual vague commitaphobia. Not as good as Jade Island or Pearl Cove, but still excellent. Much better suspense crime plot than the vast majority of romances. And the boat/fishing stuff was even interesting.
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