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A once
orphaned young girl living on the streets, Riley Jane Turner lives a
better
life these days. Now, an occupational
therapist, Jane works for the rich socialite, Mary Connors. Mary keeps Jane on her toes, as do her wild
and spoiled rich grandchildren, Belinda and Todd, each dragging her
into their
personal family disputes. Jane has
always been distrustful of others as life on the streets was never easy. When she found Aggie’s home, a wonderful
woman who took in many wayward children, Jane couldn’t have found a
better role
model. But not being one to trust many
people, Jane is also leery of strangers.
When Robert Murphy enters her life, she feels like
she knows him, yet he
doesn’t let on they ever knew each other, so maybe she is mistaken? Robert reminds her of the one boy who really
mattered to her years ago, Robin Butler, but after he left town he was
never
heard from again.
Jane
doesn’t trust Robert, yet she feels a deep attraction for him. Jane thinks he has a hidden agenda,
especially since he and Mary along so well and he makes a habit of
being
available whenever Mary wants him around.
He claims he is looking for a sophisticated and rich
wife, Mary’s
granddaughter Belinda fits the bill, but he finds plenty of time to
flirt and
show interest in Jane.
Who is
Robert Murphy? Does this thief of hearts
have a hidden agenda? Why does he remind
Jane of Robert Butler?
A Thief at Heart is a fun and
light-hearted
read. The reader is immediately drawn into
the intrigue, wondering who Robert Murphy is, what interest he has in
Mary
Connors and if he will get away with his secrets for long.
He and Jane share an undeniable chemistry,
which creates great sexual tension.
However, I
found that the romance, the histories of both Robert and Jane,
overshadowed the
suspenseful aspects of the story. What
began with a suspense atmosphere that was full-steam ahead at the
beginning,
soon became more of a romance by the middle and end.
Mary was a shining star within this
tale. Her sass, grit, love of life and
her sense of humour were an absolute delight!
For an older lady, she certainly doesn’t act her
age, which endears her
to the reader.
A Thief at Heart overall, falls short in
the
suspense levels and is slower-paced than I like in stories of this
genre. But that being said, it is still a
good read
that romance readers could enjoy.
Reviewed by Tracey West
for The Road
to Romance
March 25, 2004
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