The Art of Art Thievery
When Hiram Jacobs is murdered, the responsibility for his internationally renowned security company falls upon his daughter, Desiree. But a container full of stolen paintings screams the ugly truth- that her father was a thief. Option A: Turn the goods over to the law, disgrace her father's name, destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums with the fact that they have been displaying clever forgeries. Option B: Surrender the art to the bad guys. But then she becomes an unwilling accomplice to the thieves, and her father's murderer would walk free. Worse, a death threat warns her not to cooperate with federal agents. Can she trust God to guide her down the right path when no option seems right... let alone safe?
'Art stole her heart... '
'Now can she return the favor?'
If Desiree Jacobs knows anything, it's art. Her father, whose security company is internationally renowned, taught her everything he knew. Most of all, he taught her about honor. Integrity. Faith. So surely God will forgive her for despising the one man determined to destroy her father's good name?
Special Agent Tony Lucano knows Hiram Jacobs is an art thief. But what he 'can't' figure out is Desiree. Is she the innocent victim... or a clever accomplice?
Then Hiram is murdered. And along with his company, he leaves Desiree a hidden container full of stolen paintings. But she can't admit her father was a thief That would destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums that have been displaying clever forgeries. No, she must find outwhy her honest father would turn criminal. And she must return the priceless art to the rightful owners without their knowledge. Even if it means facing down a ring of cutthroat art thieves... or accepting help from the man she most distrusts.
"Buckle your seat belt for a wild, heart-pulsating read. Jill Elizabeth Nelson's debut novel will leave you breathless "
Linda Wichman, award-winning author of 'Legend of the Emerald Rose'
"'Reluctant Burglar' offers a unique blend of who-dunit mystery and high-stakes thriller, with a touch of humor and romance."
Sharon Dunn, award-winning author of the Ruby Taylor mysteries
READER' S GUIDE INCLUDED
Story Behind the Book
"One night I woke up, my whole body tense, after dreaming that a woman had snuck into a home in the middle of the night to return a genuine painting that had been stolen and replaced by a clever forgery. I knew little about her except that she was an expert at what she did, and if she was caught, disaster would follow. My imagination began to play with that nugget. I love stories where people risk much to do the right thing, and I feel sick whenever I hear of art or antiquities desecrated or stolen. Putting these elements together into a tale of intrigue- with a sassy heroine and an intense hero- came easily. I believe that capturing the imagination with a gripping story makes a most effective vehicle to convey thought-provoking realities."
- Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Review:
The best thing about Reluctant Burgular is the developement of the characters. Nelson's specialty is the quality of her characters: the descriptiveness of their dialouge, actions, and thoughts. The mystery itself is not predictable or boring. The story is about Desiree Jacobs, who has inheirited her father's museum security company upon his untimely death. but when she finds out her father stole many pieces of art, she decides to return them...on her own, ignoring the help of an FBI agent. All in all, the book is worth reading and also leaves room for a good sequel. 4 stars
(*Update* after reading the following books in this series this one is definitly the best)
Stephen and Jandrew
The plot drives this novel from start to finish with surprises all along the way.| Posted January 08, 2009
If you love traditional romances spiced with an action plot that twists and turns, you’ll love Reluctant Burglar by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. The opening chapters are filled with tumultuous changes in the life of Desiree Jacobs. As partner with her father in HJ Securities, a firm that specializes in providing top notch security for art galleries, museums, private clients, etc., Desi is tasked with finding the weak link in their security systems so that HJ Securities can offer better protection.
Desi takes the unorthodox route of stealing a prized piece of art then returning it to the owner to demonstrate the weak link. Couple this adventurous job with a father who’s accused of art theft, murdered in his bed, and an attempt to do the same to Desi, interest and you have a suspense tale that keeps you reading. Tack on a desirable FBI agent Tony Lucano, who no matter how much he denies it, is drawn to Desir and you have romance that equals the suspense.
The plot drives this novel from start to finish with surprises all along the way. Just when you think nothing else will surprise you, Nelson tosses in another one to keep you reading. If you’re not a plot kind of person but are in this book for the romance only, the developing relationship between Desi and agent Tony Lucano is strong enough to fulfill that need as well. As a bonus, you’ll also receive an interesting insight into the art world.
