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Dr. Callie Dunbrook is an archaeologist. When she is called back
from sabbatical to head the Antietam Creek dig, she knows it is the
opportunity of a lifetime. Finding a 5,000-year-old human skeleton
in Woodsboro, Maryland is just too fantastic to believe. It is such
a great scientific discovery, but as Callie will find, it is to
become even more of a self-discovery than she could have ever
dreamed possible.

Once on site, Callie learns that her ex-husband, Jacob (Jake)
Greystone, will be the lead anthropologist on the dig. She is very
upset because their divorce was anything but agreeable. However he
is one of the best, if not the best, anthropologist in the country,
so he has certainly earned the job. Except for sparks flying with
her ex-husband, all goes well on the project until Suzanne Cullen
sees Callie during an interview with the local TV news. Suzanne is
convinced that Callie is her daughter who was stolen 28 years ago
when "little Jessica" was only three months old.

Things begin to get even more complicated when the landowner of the
Antietam Creek dig is murdered. He had planned to build houses on
the site until the bones were discovered. Why was he sneaking
around the dig site? Who would want to murder him, and why? Could
Callie possibly be the same Jessica that Suzanne Cullen has been
seeking all these years? How can Callie fulfill her
responsibilities as head archaeologist without killing, or at least
maiming, her ex-husband?

This is the first Nora Roberts book I have read. If her other books
are anything like this one, I have lots of enjoyable reading to
catch up on. This book is excellent. The writing is wonderful. The
character development and the plot are first rate. I am not usually
one who cares a lot about romance but the author did
attraction/repulsion so well in the story that it was truly
complimentary to the plot and enhanced the characters'
personalities. The mystery piece of the story was spun as well as
any master storyteller could have weaved the threads.

Unfortunately I wasn't expecting a lot when I began to read
BIRTHRIGHT. Some highly well known authors have sorely disappointed
me lately. Since I have never read anything by Ms. Roberts before,
I was afraid it would be more of the same. What a refreshing
experience to find this was not so. Her words flow so smoothly and
the characters are real enough to touch. She made me care about the
characters and how the story would be resolved. I can't say enough
good things about the book, so I will just say to read it for
yourself. You'll be glad you did.

by Nora Roberts

  • Publication Date: March 31, 2003
  • Genres: Fiction
  • Hardcover: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Putnam Adult
  • ISBN-10: 0399149848
  • ISBN-13: 9780399149849