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Category: Erotica/Gay-Lesbian Erotica
Description: On his first day on a dig in California, gunshots awaken Ian Tunbridge, an assistant curator of classical antiquities at the British Museum. The only way to save his life is to run for it, but luck is not on his side. At least, not until he meets Lucas Arpini, the brash American photographer who seems to have some sort of clue what's going on. Together, they're supposed to be the tools in finding an artifact nobody believes is real--nobody, that is, except Lucas and the man who has kidnapped both of them.

Ian doesn't know what to believe. His colleagues are dead, he's injured, and he has no choice but to put his faith in a gorgeous stranger. Their escape should lead them straight to the police, but when Lucas shows him pieces of the puzzle they were meant to solve, Ian is too intrigued to walk away. He wants to solve the riddle as badly as Lucas does.

Unfortunately, they're not the only ones...

Genres: Gay / Contemporary / Action / Adventure / Series
eBook Publisher: Amber Quill Press, 2010
eBookwise Release Date: November 2010

9 Reader Ratings:

Great	Good	OK	Poor

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [299 KB]
Words: 67261
Reading time: 192-269 min.

"4.5 Stars!...Author Vivien Dean brings the reader a novel so full of action they won't be able to put it down...Full of bad guys, good guys, and some you're just not sure of. There is plenty of action to keep the reader's attention until the very last page. And that's not even mentioning the intense attraction between Lucas and Ian...These are two characters I hope to see more of and one story I will read again."--Lydia, Rainbow Reviews

"4.5 Nymphs!...Two men, one hair-raising adventure and danger around every corner make Aries: Riddle Me Wicked anything but a dull story. Vivien Dean takes us into the lives of Ian and Lucas, two opposite men who rely on each other through this journey. Their different strengths and personalities kept the story flowing, as much as the chase of the villains...I found the story to be well written and plotted and enjoyed it immensely. Those who enjoy action and suspense will enjoy reading Ms. Dean's latest release."--Scandalous Minx, Literary Nymphs Reviews

"4.25 Stars!...An exciting story of two very different men coming together to solve a riddle to find a priceless treasure, whilst eluding the bad guys and becoming distracted by their growing feelings for one another...I enjoyed watching Ian's feelings slowly changing for Lucas, and the scene where he takes Lucas on a 'date' was quite delightful. The long build up of sexual tension was delicious, as was the explosive sex at its culmination...Another part I enjoyed was the way that this became a sort of 'road book' taking us on a physical journey as well as an emotional one...There were a few action sequences to spice up the story, and those were tense and thrilling, edge of your seat scenes...A pretty great book. I enjoyed the fact that it was based on relationship with a few action sequences and that the pacing was swift and exciting. I also very much liked the characters of Ian and Lucas, and that there were few other characters to detract from their growing romance. Overall, if you like Action/Adventure books I think you will be happy with this one. I was."-- Jenre, Reviews By Jessewave

"You're a nature photographer?"

"Nature, people, things. I don't discriminate. Wherever the thrill is, that's where I'll be."

"Why would Sultis be interested in a photographer?"

"He's not interested in my work. He's interested in me." Lucas glanced up at him curiously. "He really didn't tell you anything, did he?"

"I believe I've told you that multiple times already."

The ground forked, one side slanting into a sharp incline. Ian stopped, forcing Lucas to stop as well, and directed the light upward, trying to assess whether it was a natural ramp or something else.

"That doesn't actually go anywhere," Lucas said.

That made the choice simple. They resumed walking along the flat path.

"Are you going to tell me why it is Sultis is interested in either one of us?" Ian asked. "Or are we going to continue this twenty questions game we seem to have established?"

"He needs us to find the Blood of Sheol."

Ian jerked to another halt, this time straightening so abruptly Lucas lost his grip. He shone the torch directly in the other man's face, searching for any sign of duplicity or humor. The only thing he discovered was that his eyes were not actually brown but a very deep hazel.

"The Blood of Sheol is a myth," Ian said.

Lucas smiled. "So you've heard of it."

"Of course I've heard of it. I've also heard of the Loch Ness monster, but that doesn't make it any more real."

"Sultis thinks it is."

"And you've already established you think he's an idiot. That's hardly sway enough for me to believe either one of you."

"But you clearly place some sort of value on my opinion, or you wouldn't automatically discount Sultis. So if I told you I think he just might be onto something, what would you tell me then?"

"Exactly what I've already said. It's a myth, and anyone who believes otherwise is a fool." He shook his head. "How do you know about it, anyway? You said you didn't have any archaeological education."

"I looked it up when Sultis told me about it."

He said it with all seriousness, and though Ian kept expecting the punch line, Lucas remained silent, waiting most likely for Ian's next query.

"Please don't tell me you've put both of our lives on the line for a Google search."

At least he had the grace to look sheepish. "Well, when you put it like that..."

Ian blinked. He didn't even know what to say to the man. This entire nightmare was due to some madman's belief in a myth that every respectable archaeologist would dismiss in a heartbeat and a thrill-seeking photographer who relied on the Internet for actual facts? It was ludicrous. Beyond ludicrous. It was...for all his education, he didn't think a word existed that could encompass just how absurd it really was.

"You asked," Lucas said. "And I told you what it was about. Whether you choose to believe me or not is another matter."

"How could you possibly think that I would even entertain such a fantasy?" Ian spluttered. "If you're so aware of my education, you should have known exactly how I would view this."

"Which might be why I didn't come right out and tell you." He shoved his hands into his pockets and jerked his head toward the unknown in front of them. "Let's argue about this when we don't have to worry about Sultis breathing down our necks. Or it's all going to be a moot point anyway."

Ian could have stood there and debated the danger in lending credence to mythology when there were so many real world artifacts to be had and appreciated. But Lucas was right about one thing. Their well-being was in peril, especially since they'd deliberately chosen to try and escape Sultis's clutches. Their only choice at this junction was to set aside personal differences and find a way to freedom.