Book Review: Heart of Gold

Title:  Heart of Gold
Author:  J.R. Ward writing as Jessica Bird
Pages:  352
Publication Date:  2003
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Romantic Suspense

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Her intense passion for unlocking the secrets of the past is what made Carter Wessex an archeologist. Now she’s been given a chance to dig on Farrell Mountain where a doomed party of minutemen lost their lives—as well as the gold they were carrying during the Revolutionary War. Carter refuses to let the mountain’s owner, Nick Farrell, rattle her, even though she’s all too aware of his sexy yet sardonic presence. Her work on the mountain could be the most significant find of her career . . . if she can pull herself away from the smoldering attraction that is undeniably growing between them. 

Beneath the steely façade Nick Farrell wears like a well-cut suit, he is a man of hidden tenderness. From his first meeting with Carter, there’s an immediate flare—hotter than he has ever experienced before. But no one is more surprised than Nick when his desire for her deepens into something enduring. Now Nick must find a way to convince Carter that the real treasure to be found on Farrell Mountain is a true and lasting love. . . ."

My Review:
I can't say that I was deeply intrigued with this book by any means.  I found it to be too soft and fluffy of a romance for my taste.  I like a bit more pace in the plot and more mystery with the romance.  The story was an okay one if you are reading it only for the love story with the rest being just background to you as a reader, which like I just said, I like some mystery or a heavier underlying plot with my romance reads, so this was not a book for me.  The writing was very well done and the characters were really well thought out and written.  I enjoyed Carter, the woman archaeologist who is doing what she loves and loving what she does, but is also trying to hide from her past, a life she wishes not to ever remember or be part of again; and Nick, a rich and powerful man who is used to getting what he wants easily and never having to worry about commitment to any woman, because there are many more willing to date him when the current one gets too clingy; very much as characters and I had fun watching their love blossom and grow, no matter how much they knew they should not be together or wished they wouldn't be together.  I also liked the archaeology in the book and how it was the reason Carter came to meet Nick in the first place.  I enjoyed reading about the dig and what they hoped to find (long lost people and gold) and really found (well, you'll have to read it yourself to find this out).  The book itself was not bad, it just wasn't for me.  If you enjoy reading a romance this book would be for you and I would recommend it.  I had good points and is well worth checking out, if for nothing else but the characters and how they interact throughout the book.

3/5 Stars