What a wonderful historical romance! I loved the character of Ginesse. She is a trouble magnet, outspoken, and a closet penny novelist. She is also the daughter of two famous archaeologists and has six younger brothers. She is just returning to Egypt after spending some years in an English finishing school and attending university. She believes that she has discovered the location of a long-lost, ancient city and hopes finding it will make her feel worthy of her distinguished family. She knows that her family won't let her go off exploring on her own. So she switches places with a woman who is on her way to marry her fiance who just happens to be in command of a British fort right where Ginesse wants to be.The Colonel has provided an escort for his fiance in the person of Jim Owens who happens to owe him a favor. The Colonel saved Jim's life and left him indebted to him. While Jim is a shady character, he is determined to pay off his debt and escort the Colonel's fiance to him. However, Jim takes one look at Ginesse and is immediately attracted. The attraction only grows as he rescues her from a variety of perilous situations. Ginesse is also attracted to him or, at least, her perceived version of him. She sees him as a cowboy who is rough around the edges but has a core of honor.Jim is in Egypt to get lost. He is on the run from a home life that never made him happy or satisfied. He wants to be declared dead so that his beloved, younger, half-brother will inherit. But it turns out that his younger brother has other plans. He doesn't want Jim's inheritance and has been looking for him for two years. Also, he is an archaeologist that Ginesse worked for when she made her discovery. She thinks of him as a stuffy male who is trying to steal her discovery. He thinks he is in love with her.The story is filled with humor, misunderstandings, the failure of the hero and heroine to communicate, and some really hot romance. I got swept away in the story and finished it with a big smile on my face. I recommend this one to anyone who enjoys historical romances.
