Customer Reviews

French Twist

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once there was a beautiful woman who symbolized the height of French art and politics in the 18th century. She was La Marquise de Pompadour, patron of the arts and mistress of King Louis XV. The recent discovery of three unusually colored Sèvres vases bearing her image has made headlines around the world and brought Dr. Janine Coulter to Versailles. Taking over as curator of the Pompadour Plums exhibit, Janine is determined to finish the lifelong dream of her mentor Albert Farrow, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. But in the days leading up to the exhibit's premiere, rumors abound that an infamous art thief known as The Scorpion is planning to steal the Plums, and Janine is forced to work closely with security expert Luc Tremont to stop the heist.

If all went as planned for "Luc Tremont," he would soon be getting a pardon and his old identity back. Once known as one of the most successful thieves of the modern era, Luc Tremont aka Nick Jarrett aka The Scorpion has spent the last five years atoning for his crimes by working undercover for the FBI throughout Europe. When his old nemesis Karim Benazir escapes from prison and assumes the Scorpion persona, Luc arranges to use the Pompadour Plums as the ultimate bait. Switching the Plums with a fake set, the trap should have been perfect. Unfortunately, when the theft is discovered, the real vases are also missing. Now, Luc and Janine -- the one person who can tell the difference between the fake and real sets -- must track and find the Plums before they disappear forever. And with them, Luc's last chance at redemption.

FRENCH TWIST is an absolutely grand adventure. The charming and chameleon-like Nick and the intrepid Janine are an attractive pair whose sizzling chemistry will have readers thinking of those romantic art/jewel heist movies of the 50's and 60's. Interesting and varied secondary characters provide depth and layers to the story, and in Ms. St. Claire's narrative, France has never been portrayed so vividly and lovingly. With her flair for romance and suspense in exotic locales, Roxanne St. Claire is well on her way to the bestseller lists.

TheSchemer

My first introduction to Roxanne St. Claire was through her debut earlier this year with Silhouette Desire. Last weekend I picked up a copy of her single title, FRENCH TWIST. I absolutely couldn't put the book down. I read it on an airline flight and literally turned the last page as the plane landed. The plot is exquisite, the setting brings back memories of strolling through the Palace of Versailles and the characters are ones you love to love. Ms. St. Claire is now on my "must read" list and I eagerly await her upcoming releases. Her first book, TROPICAL GETAWAY, is scheduled reading for this weekend.

FRENCH TWIST had me from the start, all the way through to the satisfying conclusion with good, strong, sympathetic characters, a interwoven and detailed plot and a setting that jumped off the page -- 3D -- for me. The writing was strong and interesting and kept me turning the pages and reading "just one more chapter" before going to sleep. St. Claire has fast become one of my favorite authors with all of her books...and I'll add her to the list of writers I'll always buy no matter what. A great read all around.

One of my rules of thumb for what makes a good book is one that keeps me up past my scheduled bedtime. Roxanne St.Claire manages to weave a sexy, fast-paced race across the continent. She builds not just believable characters, but characters that you want to be, to meet, to sit down and have a drink with.

Janine is not your "spunky" heroine cliche. She is someone who conquers her own fears and exhibits flaws. Luc struggles with guilt and remorse both from his past as well as his present attraction to Janine.

Their subsequent travels across the continent force them to face not just fears but feelings of attraction as well. There is danger and you feel the tension that comes from a well-drawn villain as well.

The ending surpassed "happily ever after" for me and transcended into "yeah, that's the way it should go".

Thanks to Ms. St.Claire for a book that offered twists and turns that kept me up at night. I will be buying anything with her name on it from now on.

I liked St. Claire's first book, Tropical Getaway, a lot, but I think this one is even better, and I'd recommend it to any reader. The characters are feisty and fun...the settings are beautiful...and the pace is perfect, with lots of suspenseful drama and yet plenty of time for quieter, more emotional (and sensual) moments. I loved both the heroine, who's smart and strong, and the hero, Luc (very glamorous, sophisticated and tough but also your basic good guy). Their interaction is sexy and romantic (obviously) but also feels grounded, tender and real. If you like books featuring either France and/or the art world that's a bonus, but at heart this book's appeal is much broader....it's just a terrific story. Last but not least it's really well-written, and that isn't always true of romances, which often seem slipshod or careless. I was glad to read St. Claire has several books coming up....I can't wait! I'd urge anyone who likes romance or suspense to try this one.

French Twist is very well-written, fast-paced, intriguing, engaging, suspenseful, entertaining and sexy. Our two heroes, Luc and Janine, are drawn to each other immediately, which frustrates and distracts the hell out of them. The author enjoys teasing her characters and the reader with the tension that's building between them. Luc and Janine are trying to figure out each other's intentions while forcing themselves to ignore the sparks, and it's juicy fun for the reader, as there are as many twists and turns to the plot as there are scintillating moments and near-misses leading to that inevitable joining of lips and bodies.

Roxanne St. Claire, while she has an unfortunately chosen pen name (I can't imagine that's her real name), has a real gift for story-telling. She writes descriptively enough to give the reader the ability to clearly envision the setting of each scene, but succinctly enough to keep us from getting bogged down in those images. Her dialogue is engaging and smart, and each narrative moves the story along, establishes character and relationships, or teases the reader with another plot twist to keep our interest. There are few stereotypical romance genre clichés, at least, not enough to distract or cause headache-inducing eye-rolling.

This is a fresh departure from what can often be a stale genre. I enjoyed this book immensely and will be picking up St. Claire's other novels in short order!

Historian and museum curator Janine is working at Versailles to present a collection of pottery from Louis XV's mistress featuring vases with her likeness, but French security agent Luc Tremont tries her patience when he takes a little too much interest in the vases. He tries to encourage her to display reproduction vases instead of the real ones to keep them from being stolen from notorious jewel thief "the Scorpion." Luc is actually Nick Jarrett, formerly known throughout Europe as the Scorpion, and has spent the last five years working for the FBI to avoid prosecution. This last assignment will ensure his freedom and give him a sense of redemption.

When the "Pompadour Plums" (as the vases are nicknamed) and the reproductions both disappear at the opening gala, Luc and Janine travel across the continent in pursuit of the hot pottery, attracting danger at every turn.

In a plot reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic film "To Catch a Thief," St. Claire's intriguing novel blends breathtaking European locales, fast-paced action and plenty of romance and sizzle to tell a rollicking and adventurous story. St. Claire has quickly become a must-read author.

Nick Jarrett earned the name of the Scorpion for his mark when he absconded with the treasures of the very wealthy. His exploits disappear from newspapers, however, when FBI agent Tristan finally captures him in the act. But Nick makes a deal with Tristan to protect his family. Now he is known as Luc Tremont, working undercover as a security consultant while helping the FBI stop other thieves. His current assignment brings him to a Versailles exhibit showcasing the recently discovered set of vases made by King Louis XIV's mistress. Only now someone has appropriated his old identity, claiming to be the legendary Scorpion.

American professor Janine Coulter desperately wanted this job as curator for the Pompadour Plum vases. She and her mentor had spent the bulk of their careers working to prove the vases existed only for him to die just before the exhibit opened. Although authorities have ruled his death a suicide, Janine does not believe it. She disagrees with Luc's determination to limit the public's access to the vases. She does not know that Luc intends to use the vases as bait to capture the Scorpion copycat. And when the vases are stolen, she insists upon accompanying him chasing the thieves across France - falling in love only seems to complicate the situation for both of them.

FRENCH TWIST begins with an intriguing plot, but the pacing slows after someone steals the vases. As tension increases between Janine and Nick, neither welcomes their mutual chemistry given their equally mutual suspicion. While St. Claire occasionally reveals too much before her hero and heroine figure it out, the strength of characterizations certainly compensates. Indeed, St. Claire demonstrates an ability to create a strong sense of background from the beauty of Versailles to the lushness of Burgundy. FRENCH TWIST comes highly recommended.

One can only pray there is a scorching sequel to French Twist lurking in Roxanne St. Claire's vivid, delightful and exhilarating imagination. Oh! To be driven around the French wine country with Monsieur Luc. Lucky Janine! I cannot let these two characters get away. Speaking of which, I thought that her first book, Tropical Getaway, was filled with sizzle, but this trip to France - c'est magnifique! I love the way their rising feelings flood the book with longing. Could not put it down. Heart-pounding journey from cover to cover.

This story had me hooked with it's zinger of a start and fast pace. I simply drooled over the hero! Ooo, La La! (couldn't resist) ;-D The ending was great but I was so very sorry to get there. I recommend it to everyone!