Customer Reviews

Reluctant Smuggler (To Catch a Thief Series #3)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Reluctant Smuggler, the third installment in Jill Elizabeth Nelson's To Catch A Thief series, takes the reader from the snow covered landscape of Boston to the tropical jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, to archaeological digs.

While trying to find flaws in the Mexican museum's security system, Desiree Jacobs finds herself chased and the false artifact she carries stolen. Back in Boston, her fiancée, FBI agent Tony Lucano is almost killed during a raid and lies in a coma. Page turning thrills and suspense tie these two incidents together and threaten to jeopardize Desi's and Tony's upcoming wedding.

In The Reluctant Smuggler, Jill Elizabeth Nelson digs deeper in Desi's and Tony's love for each other, the dangers of crime-solving and protecting precious antiquities, and shows us the strength of true-love. The Reluctant Smuggler was my favorite of the three books in the To Catch a Thief Series. Full of romance, danger, suspense and God's sovereignty. I'm looking forward to more adventures written by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

THEY SAY KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE AND YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER... BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

'Reluctant Smuggler' is the third book in Jill Elizabeth Nelson's 'To Catch a Thief' series and my favorite of the three.

Desiree Jacobs is trying to plan her wedding, run her business 'HJ Securities', and avoid dangerous situations. But her plan isn't working - it seems as though danger follows Desi everywhere.

While she's in Mexico, she was robbed three times in the same day, was held at gun point, and many other similar incidents.

Meanwhile, FBI Agent Tony Lucano was stuck in Boston...literally. A blizzard made airports close, phone lines go down, and cell phone service unavailable. And when Tony goes on a mission during the storm, he ends up in a coma fighting for his life.

"Don't even try to tell me you're a victim. The reluctant smuggler. Hah!" - Page 301

'Reluctant Smuggler' is my favorite in the series (so far). I don't know whether there will be another addition, but if there is, I will definitely want to read it.

As usual, I loved Desi's, Tony's, and Max's characters, but I also enjoyed Mama Gina and even Stevo's character.

I loved this story - it had so many twists and kept me guessing. There were many times I was "on the edge of my seat" waiting for what was going to happen next.

I won't mention one other thing that I really liked about this novel because I feel it would spoil parts of the book for you - should you decide to read it.

I recommend 'Reluctant Smuggler' if you enjoy a good, clean suspense/mystery book (with romance)!

4.5 Stars

They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer . . . but what if you can't tell the difference?

Even with Tony at her side, Desiree needs more than luck to survive in this final novel of the series.

I loved this series, and shared it with all my friends. Thank you for a fascinating trio of books, Jill. Keep up the good work!

[...]

This book has so many twists, turns and detours that it felt a little too jumbled for me. I did learn a lot about Mexico throughout these chapters. :-) The story would have read better without the long hospital scenes in the middle, in my opinion. I did enjoy it, just not as much as I was expecting to.

I've visited Cancun and the nearby area of the Yucatan peninsula twice and I was totally immersed into the Mayan influence as I read Reluctant Smuggler. I enjoyed the seeing the story unfold even though I had not read the first two in the series. Reluctant Smuggler can stand on it's own but now, of course I want to go back and read the other two.

Review by Gretchen Hoffman

I was so excited when Reluctant Smuggler came out. I started reading the series when the first two books were out, but I had to wait for this one. Book three did not disappoint.

In the final book of the trilogy, Desiree Jacobs faces her most difficult task yet. It started off simple--obtain an antique Mayan artifact and get it to the good guys. But the simple task gets complicated when espionage, people looting Mexican antiquities, corrupt government officials, and a violent gang, the Fraternidad de la Garra, find their way into the picture. How is Desi supposed to plan the perfect wedding to her fiancé, FBI agent Tony Lucano, with all this trouble?

With injuries, lots of questions, and someone close who ends up in the hospital, Desi faces a lot of "what-if" situations and must rely on more than her wits to survive. She needs to find the truth before anyone else, including herself, gets hurt.

If you've read book one and two, this book is a must. Ms. Nelson ties everything together in a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat package. Check it out.

The third book in the 'Reluctant' series and possibly the best - it's kinda hard to tell for sure. I love them all. I love the characters, the suspense, the humor and the romance. And the faith woven throughout the book is outstanding. The deep down kind of faith that survives anything, even moments of doubt and fear. The only downside to this book is that it is the last in the series. How I wish there were more!!!

It was supposed to be a routine job: steal an artifact from a Mexican museum to prove to the board members that Desi's security company could protect it better. And it starts out well enough--she gets the goods and makes her escape. But questions crop up soon that make her wonder what's really going on in Mexico and whether she wants to accept the President's request to help them figure out the archaeological espionage. After all, she has a wedding to plan, and her FBI fiancé will be none too thrilled if she finds herself in trouble!

Reluctant Smuggler takes the reader back into the rush and tumble lives of Desiree Jacobs and Tony Lucano as the two work on opposite ends of a serious drug/art trafficking problem between the U.S. and Mexico. The third book in the To Catch a Thief trilogy, returning readers will find the same fire and punch in the main characters and a brand new mystery that needs solving. But when the simple turns complicated for both of them, they have to wonder if they'll make it to their wedding day.

The action in this book stands on its own, but readers will be better able to understand the dynamic between the hero and heroine if they read Reluctant Burglar and Reluctant Runaway first, both fantastic reads that it's no hardship to pick up! I had been eagerly awaiting this final installment in the series, and I wasn't disappointed. Desi and Tony had to work at overcoming their personal obstacles as well as the world that was ganging up on them, and I absolutely loved how it all played out.

I'm often frustrated with characters' emotional hang-ups, even when I know they're necessary, but I was thrilled at how Nelson handled the inner conflict in this book. Both Tony and Desi remained reasonable and open to the Spirit of their Lord through it all, which allowed the action to remain quick and steady.

Reluctant Smuggler is a must to add to your reading list if you're a fan of romantic suspense! The pages will fly by under your fingers, and the depth and intrigue will make each one satisfying.

Desi and Tony are strong, confident and vulnerable. Intricately plotted, the suspense builds as they try to stay alive while pitting themselves against the rulers of darkness in the world of stolen art and antiquities. Unable to walk away from the battle, Desi and Tony struggle to submit themselves to God, no matter what the cost. The books in this series are keepers that I'll read again and again. Jill Elizabeth Nelson has again crafted a gripping tale of love and adventure, and selfless sacrifice.

The To Catch a Thief series stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best fiction on the shelves, anywhere, CBA or ABA.

Security consultant Desiree Jacobs is at it--again! What should have been a simple artifact retrieval lands her in the jungles of Mexico, where differentiating the good guys from drug traffickers is no easy job. Whether or not Desiree can outrun the nasty boys and keep her wedding date with FBI agent Tony Lucano proves to be Desiree's greatest adventure yet.

Book three of the To Catch A Thief series, Reluctant Smuggler by author Jill Elizabeth Nelson is another front runner! Decisively character driven, Reluctant Smuggler is packed with action and riveting suspense that makes for an intense page-turner. I applaud Jill Elizabeth Nelson's gift to transport readers to a world of romantic suspense and, to believe they are with Desiree whether inside a grand palace or the mysterious Mayan ruins.

Nelson has a natural gift of unobtrusively showing Desiree's and Tony's unwavering faith. Reluctant Smuggler will appeal to inspirational and secular readers alike.

And if you haven't read the fist two books of this amazing series you must! Jill Elizabeth Nelson's, Reluctant Smuggler is my favorite of the Catch A Thief series. I'm chewing my nails in suspenseful anticipation for her next book!