The Dead Man's Treasure // Valley of Gems — Kris Bock

Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure - but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help, in the form of a green-eyed charmer determined to show her that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there's a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure - and revenge. In a frantic race across New Mexico, Rebecca will have to ignore caution in a defiant bid for victory. If she fails, she could lose everything. Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. The first book in the Southwest Treasure Hunters series is "The Mad Monk's Treasure. The Dead Man's Treasure" is book 2. Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with "closed door" romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico. "The Dead Man's Treasure" is a contemporary romance with female friendships, an exotic desert setting, puzzles, some thrills, and insight into the history and culture of New Mexico.