"Full of heartstopping romance and intriguing mystery."

Five years ago Nick Jarrett (aka Scorpion), one of the world's most notorious thieves, was killed by an FBI agent. Recently, though, someone has been using his trademark sign. After the death of her good friend and mentor, Janine Coulter assumes the role of curator for the Versailles exhibit, with the priceless Pompadour Plums vases her main focus. But when head of security has the vases removed, Janine is furious.

Security agent Luc Tremont has a job to do - keep the real Plums hidden, let the fakes get stolen, then track and put away the bad guy. However, when the real vases are stolen, Luc goes after them with Janine in tow. Having to go undercover as husband and wife makes things heat up, and soon their hearts are lost to each other. When the thief is finally caught, the truth comes out that Luc is really Nick Jarrett, having gone undercover for the FBI to eventually obtain a full pardon for his past crimes. If he could, he'd marry Janine. He wants to spend as much time with her until they have to part. Eventually, Janine returns home to California with a broken heart, unable to be with the man she loves.

This story is full of heart-stopping romance and mystery. Some sad parts made me reach for the tissues, but I was always rooting for the good-looking hero, who got the short end of the stick in life and did his best to turn his life into something that mattered.

Reviewed by Tammie Ard
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted February 1, 2004

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Summary

In the land of romance, there is love in the air...and danger in the shadows.

Acting as curator of the prestigious exhibit at the Palace of Versailles is Professor Janine Coulter's chance to prove herself and vindicate her deceased mentor and friend. She will stop at nothing to be sure the three priceless vases once commissioned by Madame du Pompadour but lost for centuries are showcased to the art world. Unfortunately, Luc Tremont, a security specialist, has made decisions without consulting her, undercutting her authority and threatening the success of the exhibit. Regardless of her sizzling attraction to the handsome Frenchman, Janine also has to fight the uneasy suspicion that he's not all that he seems.

Luc Tremont has lived a lie for many years and he finally has the chance to escape his dark past. All he has to do is follow a trail that leads directly to a vicious criminal and lead the FBI art crimes division to its target. To do so, Luc arranges an elaborate scheme to make it appear that the Pompadour Plums have been stolen. Unfortunately, Luc's nemesis is one step ahead of him and the plan is foiled—the real vases are stolen and it suddenly appears that Luc is the thief. Unless Luc can find the missing Pompadour Plums and turn his enemy over to the FBI, he'll never be free.

Janine and Luc are forced to ignore the powerful current that draws them to each other. With the same goal, but very different motivations, they team up as both the hunters and the hunted, racing across the lush countryside of Burgundy to the glamorous casinos of the French Alps. As danger mounts, so does their mutual attraction and the inevitable disclosure that will reveal Luc's true identity. Janine begins to fear the thief who will steal her heart more than the one who has stolen the famed Plums... and Luc knows that it's only a matter of time until Janine learns his true identity. That revelation will kill their chances of any future together...if his enemy doesn't kill them both first.