The Island

For 25 years, Keely Cochrane has lived by the ancient laws of a mythical Dragon, the protector of Keinadraig, a Cornish island that time forgot. As tradition required, best friends Keely and Genevieve Sloan had pledged never to betray the Dragon by leaving the island, but Genevieve does just that, and within 24 hours, she is found dead in London. American PI Jack Knight's only clue leads him to Keinadraig--and to Keely. Faced with the reality of the outside world and realizing she can make her own decisions, Keely leaves with Jack. While she tries to dispel her fear that she will also be punished by the Dragon, Jack's concern is proving that his friend Brad Holstedt didn't murder Genevieve. Jack spends most of his time, however, playing hero to Keely's damsel in distress and soon is teaching the inexperienced yet eager young woman more than how to order a pizza. Keely is strong willed and intelligent, yet she is such an anachronism that she lacks credibility. Mystery takes a backseat to romance here, but the pace eventually picks up, and the secrets of Keinadraig, revealed only at the last moment, are worth waiting for. (July)