Honest Illusions

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Roxy Nouvelle understands the art of deception. The daughter of a world-renowned magician, Roxy has inherited her father's talents - and his secret life as a jewel thief. She loves the thrill of the game and can take care of herself.

Roxy is smart and resilient, but she has one weakness: Luke Callahan, a sexy escape artist with a roguish reputation. Five years ago they fell into a passionate affair - but then, true to his art - he disappeared, leaving Roxy broken hearted and furious.

Now Luke is back, trailing secrets and danger in his wake. Why did he run out on Roxy all those years ago? And can she ever trust him again?

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Romance, magic, jewel thieves, and revenge combine in this pop novel to provide readers with pure escapism. From love to political intrigue, everything but the kitchen sink appears in a tale that spans three decades. Though a quick read, it features overblown and often flowery prose that may derail readers of Danielle Steel, Janet Dailey, and LaVyrle Spencer. On the other hand, Roberts's fans will be clamoring at library circulation desks; all the tried and true elements found in Sweet Revenge (Bantam, 1988) and her other paperback romances are also present in her first hardcover. Recommended where Roberts's works are in demand.-- Sue Mevis, Ludlow Memorial Lib., Monroe, Wis. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Roberts ( Hot Ice ; Sacred Sins ) combines conventional elements--sizzling sex, a cunning villain, a captivating story, some tugs at the heartstrings--then adds a twist (the good guys are criminals), and the result is spellbinding. Max Nouvelle is the patriarch of a family of magicians and jewel thieves made up of Lily, his partner in love; Roxanne, his headstrong, beautiful daughter; and Luke, the abused runaway Max had taken in years ago, now a charming young man. They join Max in elaborate performances onstage and in equally elaborate robberies. For years Roxanne and Luke battle constantly, but as young adults they finally realize they are deeply in love. Luke, haunted by the fear that his past will hurt his adopted family, is the target of coldblooded Sam Wyatt, driven by a vow of revenge on the Nouvelles. Luke returns from a forced five-year disappearance for the biggest performance of the Nouvelles' career--a simultaneously executed grand heist and act of vengeance. Although Roberts's deft narrative shows occasional excesses (mostly of description and stereotypical characterizations), none of these will deter the reader from taking this diverting journey into a world of magic, passion and mystery. BOMC featured alternate. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Booklist Review

The doyenne of paperback romances may win new fans with this well-spun tale of illusion, corruption, and, of course, romance. Maximilian Nouvelle, magician extraordinaire who performs with lovely companion Lily and young daughter Roxanne, sees himself in 12-year-old Luke Callahan, an abused runaway who picks pockets to survive. So Luke is taken in, even~tually becoming a member of the troupe, the family, and the skilled burglary team that, guided by mastermind Max, takes only the best gems and art from well-insured owners. The worm in the apple is cunning Sam Wyatt. Kicked out of the Nouvelle household for using Roxanne as a cover for petty thievery from friends, he vows revenge and exacts it years later when he is in a powerful political position. Interwoven with magic and intrigue is the growing attraction between Roxanne and Luke, at first denied by both but eventually lovingly acknowledged. While the sex is euphemistic and flowery, the story, reminiscent of Jacqueline Briskin and Sidney Sheldon, is well paced, with just enough glitter and pizzazz. First-class romantic escapism. ~--Michele Leber

Kirkus Book Review

Suspenseful, glamorous story of love, blackmail, and magic, set in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., about a family of high- class magicians practicing the ``time-honored profession'' of thievery. When magician Maxmillian Nouvelle adopts the 12-year-old runaway Luke Callahan, he gives him more than a family: He teaches him the secrets of blending ``what's real and what's not...giving people what they want''--and also taking what they value. For the Great Nouvelle is a master jewel-thief; stealing from the undeserving rich warms his blood like ``the anticipation of good sex,'' a passion that both Luke and Max's bratty daughter Roxanne eventually share. Thirteen years pass: As Luke practices the fine arts of larceny and ``escapology,'' Roxanne grows into a flame- haired witch who turns bell, book, and candle into smoke onstage. Offstage, she trades in her David Cassidy poster for Luke; together, they set off sparks that could make ``an innocent bystander..go up in flames.'' But Luke's invincibility, like the Great Houdini's, is deceptive: Slimy Sam Wyatt--a former grifter now running for the Senate--slithers in from Luke's past, his ``frigid heart'' full of contempt for the family he once tried to scam. He threatens to frame Luke for murder and expose the Nouvelles' ``after-hours show'' unless he disappears. Five years later, a homesick Luke reappears, determined to show the disillusioned Roxanne that he's more than ``smoke and mirrors.'' Together, they set out to plot vengeance, staking everything on their most daring sting to date. True to the magician's oath, Roberts reveals no secrets, but the illusion works--in a compelling and detail-rich first hardcover. Good escape reading.