A strait-laced academic and a sexy security expert search for missing artifacts as apocalyptic danger looms in this romance by a New York Times bestseller. Archaeologist Lina Taylor has devoted her life to studying ancient Mayan artifacts, splitting her time between digs in South America and the classroom teaching college students. But the professor’s structured academic life is about to spin out of control. Some extremely valuable and important Maya artifacts have gone missing. Are the culprits fanatics determined to create chaos and usher in annihilation? Helping out a friend, former immigration and customs enforcement officer Hunter Johnston is determined to recover the missing pieces and he needs Lina’s help. A man used to calling the shots and working alone, he isn’t comfortable letting anyone get close, especially a beautiful and brainy woman like Lina. His gift for reading people tells him there’s a lot going on below that professional exterior, and he’s more than a little curious to probe her depths. Burying herself in her work, Lina’s had little experience handling men, especially one as fascinating and exasperating as the secretive, headstrong Hunter. A devoted archaeologist, she has the skill to excavate those protective layers all the way to his core. But finding the missing artifacts is only the beginning of a mystery that will plunge these unlikely partners into adventure, romance, and danger more thrilling, sensual, and deadly than either of them knows . . . Praise for Beautiful Sacrifice “A twisting plot . . . sizzling romance.” —Kirkus Reviews “The storyline is captivating and filled with steamy and sensual scenes. . . . The dialogue is witty and credible.” —Fresh Fiction