Tree of Gold

Gabrielle Roche's passion for her family's silk business is matched by her love for Nicholas Devaux, whose family is competing with Gabrielle's for the honor of producing silk for Napoleon's palaces

In Lyons during Napoleon's era, young, beautiful Gabrielle Roche is traveling to marry Emile Valmont when by chance she encounters handsome, virile Nicholas Levaux, the son of her family's rival in the silk trade. The two instantly fall in love, but Gabrielle must honor her troth to Emile. She soon inherits her father's silk factory and runs the business masterfully, in spite of the prejudices of her husband about women in business. Although she cannot shake her attraction to Nicholas, she avidly competes against him for trade secrets and business. When Napoleon's war with England erupts and Nicholas leaves to fight, Gabrielle feels she is finally safe from her illicit passion. Fate decrees otherwise, however, and it is only after years of adversity that the lovers finally come together. In Laker's new novel, each plot turn and character reaction is easily predicted, but the story is entertaining. Reader's Digest Condensed Books selection.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Laker's latest historical romance is set against the background of the silk industry in Lyons during the Industrial Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Gabrielle Roche, head of one of the largest silk factories, is both a business rival of and attracted to Nicolas Devaux, the head of another family-owned silk company. Their love seems impossible, since she is married and their families have a long-standing feud, but their passion survives many years of trials until they can be together. As with her earlier novels, Jewelled Path and Banners of Silk , Laker presents a strong, determined heroine and a nice balance between romance and historical detail. For most popular fiction collections. Barbara E. Kemp, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.