Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2) [Paperback]

Jill Elizabeth Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2007

Stolen Indian artifacts…A murdered museum guard…A missing woman…A baby in danger…

Only Desiree can unearth the horrifying secret that links them all.

Museum security expert Desiree Jacobs doesn’t mean to get in danger’s path. Really she doesn’t. But when a friend is in trouble you don’t just walk away. No matter what your overprotective FBI agent boyfriend says! So when Desi and Tony’s date at a presidential ball is interrupted by a frantic Maxine Webb, Desi doesn’t hesitate to jump in.

Soon Desi is neck-deep in a confusing array of villains. Did Max’s niece run away or was she taken? Is she still alive or the victim of a perverse ritual? And who wants her infant son–and why?

Then Tony’s organized crime case collides with Desi’s investigation, throwing them both into the path of something dark and sinister. Something that craves blood…

From the streets of Desi’s beloved Boston to the mountain desert of New Mexico, Desi and Tony must rely on God to thwart unseen forces–and save a young woman and her baby from a villain more evil than any of them can imagine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Nonstop action, danger, and a romance with the tension of a walk on a high wire. You’re in for a wild ride with this story!”
- Lorena McCourtney, author of the Ivy Malone Mystery series

“A fresh voice, strong heroine, and unique plot make Reluctant Runaway a can’t-put-down read. Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an author to watch in the realm of romantic suspense!”
- Susan May Warren, award-winning author of In Sheep’s Clothing

About the Author

Jill Elizabeth Nelson takes art seriously–when she’s not having fun with it, that is. The To Catch a Thief series combines her love of the written word with her love of other art forms. She’s thrilled if the adventures that spill from her imagination can raise awareness about art theft–deemed “a looming criminal enterprise” by the FBI. Jill and her husband, Doug, have four children and live in Minnesota.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 346 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Publishers (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590526872
• ISBN-13: 978-1590526873
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My husband and I have passed our 30th anniversary and life keeps getting better and better. We live in a rural farming community in Minnesota and love the peace and quiet and beauty of nature. Our four children are grown, and we have two grandchildren that we can spoil rotten and send home.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read!, June 5, 2007

By 

Peggy Blann Phifer "Peg" (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2) (Paperback)

Desiree Jacobs, along with best friend Max Webb, owns a high-tech security company. Their sophisticated systems have been installed in some high-profile art and artifact museums across the country.

Desi and Max head to the desert southwest when Max's niece is reported missing, deserting a four-month baby. The missing woman was an employee of the New Mexico Museum of Art and Anthropology--which happens to be using HJ Securities protection, Desi & Max's company--and learns some priceless artifacts have been stolen.

But Desi's over-protective boyfriend, Special Agent Tony Lucano, FBI, extracts a promise from Desi that she will not interfere with the bureau's investigation, even though he knows Desi can no more stay out of trouble than he can fly.

Desi uncovers one bizarre and bone-chilling piece of information after another, Tony, still with his squad in Boston, is on the trail of a huge DVD pirating operation and discovers that his case is intricately tied up with Desi's adventures in Albuquerque.

Then tragedy strikes. Tony speeds to New Mexico--'off duty'--and Desi walks into a situation that can only end in her death. And Tony's.

I'm a huge fan of this author. Both books in this series, Reluctant Burglar, and Reluctant Runaway are fast-paced action from beginning to end. The heart-stopping, breath-holding tension is excellently done, but Jill also provides for some "rest stops" where she interjects some humor or a sweet interlude between Desi and Tony.

I highly recommend Reluctant Runaway. While it easily stands alone, I would strongly urge you to get a copy of Book One in the To Catch a Thief series--Reluctant Burglar, where we meet Tony and Desi for the first time.

Book Three, Reluctant Smuggler, is due out in January, 2008. Jill tells me she thinks it will be the best one yet. If that's the case, I can't wait to get my hands on it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to a good series, March 20, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2) (Paperback)

Desiree Jacobs attracts intrigue like honey attracts flies, but this time, more than her company's reputation is at stake.

Desi's securities company has regained its solid reputation, but when her friend's niece goes missing, Desi is again drawn into a web much more complex than it would first appear. So what do a missing person, a cult, a smuggling ring, stolen artifacts (taken from a museum served by HJ Securities) and ancient rituals have in common? And can Desi's FBI boyfriend, Agent Tony Lucano, figure it out in time to save Desi's life?

The second installment in the To Catch a Thief series, Reluctant Runaway, grips readers from page one. As usual, Jill Elizabeth Nelson keeps readers turning pages long into the night by weaving a mystery so complex you just aren't sure where it will end. There is nothing predictable about this suspense except the romance. Just the way I like it. There are a few "Texan" phrases that seem a bit over the top, but hey, overall, that is forgivable for a romantic suspense that is actually suspenseful.

Armchair Interviews says: Bring on book number three!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid romantic suspense, March 24, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2) (Paperback)

HJ Security co-owner Maxine Webb is upset to learn her niece Karen has vanished leaving behind her daughter and spouse Brent. With her partner Desiree Jacobs they fly out to Albuquerque to also look into the theft of Indian artifacts from the New Mexico Museum of Art and Anthology. Desiree's FBI boyfriend Tony Lucano pleads with her to stay out of trouble.

In New Mexico, Desiree begins to obtain information on the Inner Witness Ministries that she believes is tied to the theft and the disappearance. Back in Boston, Tony's loses one of his men during a shootout. He is placed on administrative leave, but is allowed to travel to New Mexico to be with Desiree and assist local agents as their case ties to one of his. Though she makes a concerted effort to stay out of trouble, Desiree seems to be in the middle even as Tony tries to keep her safe as all heck breaks lose in a desert sanctuary.

The second reluctant Jacobs thriller (see THE RELUCTANT THIEF) is an entertaining tale that focuses on law enforcement and Desiree looking into a potential cult that may or may not have abducted the niece of the heroine's partner. The story line is fast-paced as Desiree tries to avoid trouble, but troubles tries to find Desiree. Though the look at regional art is almost empty as opposed to the first tale and in spite of the stolen artifacts being a key element, fans will appreciate this romantic suspense with the emphasis on the action.

Harriet Klausner