Customer Reviews

Reluctant Runaway (To Catch a Thief Series #2)

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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!

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!

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

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.

'Reluctant Runaway' - the second book in the 'To Catch a Thief' series by Jill Elizabeth Nelson - continues Desi and Tony's relationship.

They both have strong feelings for each other - maybe love? - but Desi feels Tony is shutting her out and not sharing stuff from his life with her. Tony doesn't know if he can handle being with Desi when she continues taking risks and getting in danger.

Karen (Desi's best friend's niece) was either kidnapped or has runaway - abandoning her husband and baby. She is one of the lead suspects in a museum robbery that was secured by HJ Securities - which makes Desi somewhat involved in the case.

"She had to be wrong about the reason those artifacts were stolen, because being right was an alternative too awful to imagine." - Page 173

I really liked 'Reluctant Runaway' - more so than 'Reluctant Burglar'. There is more drama and (clean) romance, plus I loved the plot/mystery.

With a TV ministry that's more like a cult, talk of cannibalism, kidnapping, drugging, and evil spirits - 'Reluctant Runaway' leaves the reader with much to ponder.

I really liked a theme in this book that Jill mentioned in her letter to the reader at the end of the book. She talks about how Christianity is unique from other religions because Christians believe that God Himself became a man - Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human.

Overall, I really liked 'Reluctant Runaway' and I recommend it if you like reading books that have suspense with romance and a good message.

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. A gripping story high in suspense and romance.

Once again, I loved this series and was sorry there were only three books! Thank you for a good read, Jill.

This second book in the "To Catch a Thief" series took longer in developing the story before the action started, but it was a race to the finish line! Where is this relationship going? Can Tony and Desi recognize that God is in control, even with all the craziness? Not only a good suspense, a true message that it is only the blood of Jesus which saves.

One word to describe this book and the other two in the 'Reluctant' series. GREAT! The kind of books that inspire you to imagine yourself as the main character. And the faith that is woven through and through is wonderful. Definitely on my short all-time favorites list!

Review by Gigi Hoffman

Book two in Jill Elizabeth Nelson's To Catch a Thief series is just as gripping as book one. Nelson packs murder, stolen artifacts, a missing woman, and an endangered baby in the can't-put-it-down novel.

Desiree Jacobs is always there for a friend in need, especially when her close friend, Maxine Webb, interrupts a presidential ball with news of her niece's disappearance. Despite her FBI boyfriend's objections, Desi gets involved in discovering why Maxine's niece would run off. Desi soon finds herself in a mess of villains, eerie rituals, and something sinister. Then, when Tony's case collides with Desi's investigation, it is up to them to discover just what bloodthirsty entity is out there. They must rely on God to keep them safe and put all the pieces together before it's too late.

If you've read book one, this is a must read! The characters are just as interactive as in book one; and I for one, can't wait to get my hands on book three.

In her novels Jill Nelson has a way of simplifying some of the most prickly issues Christians face today. One of my favorite scenes in her latest novel, The Reluctant Runaway, involves the heroine, Desiree Jacobs and her Native American kidnapper, Pete Cheama, a member of the Zuni tribe. Pete has made plenty of bad choices in his life, and he ultimately blames his mistakes on Christians, whose system "was forced upon [his] people centuries ago and has made [their] spirits weak and [their] minds confused." No Christian wants to feel her faith has weakened or confused anyone, so sometimes we refrain from even discussing Christianity. But Desiree merely responds, "Jesus is not an oppressor." Right there, concisely--the difference between true Christianity and any faith that demands, rather than invites.

Nelson's novel is a fun read, with plenty of suspense and action (and some clever romance, to boot). You could enjoy the entire reading experience without stopping to focus on the choice tidbits about faith with which she occasionally peppers the story. But those tidbits deepen the novel and make it stay with you well after you finish the last page. I'd recommend Reluctant Runaway for teen-through-adult readers.

In this engaging sequel to Reluctant Burglar, museum security expert Desiree Jacobs, once again becomes drawn into a mystery when Max's niece goes missing. Could her disappearance have anything to do with Tony's organized crime case? As their romance heats up, so does the trail that leads to stolen artifacts, leading them both to the New Mexico dessert. They must learn to trust God, not only with their surmounting dangers, but with their romance. Is it possible that this new religious cult, is at the center of these mysteries?
As in Reluctant Burglar, Jill Nelson has once again masterfully weaved a tale of suspense and drama while demonstrating the power of faith to overcome the worst of our fears and obstacles. As the romance develops between Desiree and Tony, an FBI agent, the reader is shown the hand of God in even this, our most intimate of human relationships. Is it possible for these two, an over-protective cop and an independent, sometimes risk-taker security expert, to find a peaceful coexistence in which their love can blossom?
Although the plot can be read independently from the book's forerunner, Reluctant Runaway, has achieved the best of sequel writing. Not only has the author improved on her story telling techniques, but has added depth and challenge to an all-ready intriguing story. Very enjoyable read.