Piper MacPherson, a Washington D.C. research assistant to a prominent lawyer, provided the information which acquitted a serial killer from being convicted. Patrick Lightman is accused of being the Rose Petal Killer (RPK), placing his female victims on a white sheet surrounded by rose petals. Now she is threatened by arriving home after her morning jog to find the murder scene in her apartment, indicating she is next. Shocked at finding Duncan Sutherland (a man from her somewhat distant past) at the scene, the seven years ago that they met comes back to haunt her. Duncan is an FBI profiler called in on the case.

They met when they they attended their parents' wedding at the MacPherson Castle in Glen Loch, New York which was the home of Piper's descendants, including her several times great grandmother, Eleanor Campbell MacPherson. Piper feels the same intense attraction now which causes her blood to sizzle even as it did back then. It's no different for Duncan.

The fear for Piper's life has Piper agreeing to being sequestered at the family castle which legend holds has hidden jewels and a stone arch, which if lovers kiss beneath they will know whether or not they have found their soul mate and ever after love. While there she will also help Duncan in whatever way he may need.

The jewels could be the clue to solving the mystery. One sapphire earring was previously found among the cliffs. While Duncan and Piper search the caves around the cliffs, loosened rocks reveal the 2nd earring. To add to the drama, someone is secretly searching the library in an effort to reveal either the sapphires or information leading to them. It soon becomes evident that the murderer has followed Piper and Duncan to the castle. Their hot sexual trysts are put on hold to focus on the perpetrator. Duncan is rendered unconscious causing Piper to agree to lead the killer to the jewels to save Duncan's life. Knowing the earrings have already been found and no longer in the cave, Piper anticipates her own death when the deception is revealed. With complete terror at losing Piper, Duncan pulls out all the stops in an effort to save her.

Strap yourself in for total excitement and mystery. The descriptions throughout put me directly in the place and time. I so enjoyed NO HOLDS BARRED which contains not only mystery and hot, hot sex but just enough of the mystical history to bring it believable life. I was totally caught up in the story and exciting history of the castle and the Campbell family. NO HOLDS BARRED is a stimulating tale by a very clever author!