King Herod's Treasure - Mark Akst

After selflessly caring for his aging mother for ten years, retired hotel manager Mark Cohn is ready to pursue some adventure. During the past decade, he's cultivated an interest in Jewish history and first century archeology, and has planned a guided tour through Israel. Arriving in the Holy Land, he's prepared for anything and everything...except his handsome tour guide, Eric Jansen.

Eric is a young, somewhat enigmatic archeologist, proficient in ancient languages and passionate about history, but reticent about his personal life. As the trip unfolds, so does the connection between the two men. Between camel races in the Negev desert, visits to ancient battle sites, and illicit nude swims in hidden pools, Mark senses there is more to Eric than meets the eye, and much more to the feelings Mark has for him. A near-mugging on a beach reveals Eric as a trained fighter, which only adds to his allure. But it's the shared challenge of solving a mystery in Jerusalem that finally brings the two men's passion to the surface, as they realize each is a treasure the other has been seeking.

Mark Akst's debut novel is a gay age-gap romance within a travel adventure through the ancient lands of Israel. Join Mark Cohn and Eric Jansen as they unravel the mystery of King Herod's treasure, and discover each other in the process.