Take Me If You Can (Signet Eclipse) [Kindle Edition]

Karen Kendall (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A woman who makes her living recovering stolen art and a sexy master thief are thrown together on a cross-continental journey while racing to find a priceless sword.

Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 292 KB
• Print Length: 336 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 1, 2008)
• Sold by: Penguin Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0014H32LW
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,823 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Award winning author Karen Kendall has always been a creative spirit, fleeing into the fictional world at an early age, emerging only to obtain a Bachelors' degree in something even less practical: Art History. After completing graduate coursework for an MA and working for several small museums and a large commercial art gallery, she realized her dream of being an author, and has since published over twenty novels. She now resides both in South Florida and in her various story worlds. Her husband Don tolerates her imaginary friends -- as long as she socializes with real ones, too!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun, but could be better, May 19, 2008

By 

H. Grove "Errant Dreams Reviews" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take Me If You Can (Signet Eclipse) (Mass Market Paperback)

The concept of the art recovery agency is fun, and the brief opening job of Avy's is quite enjoyable to follow along. However, given the manner in which these folks casually do things like take international flights while in disguises that could be sussed out during a simple pat-down (e.g., a fat-suit), it's amazing that today's heightened airport security with its random searches hasn't caused them all to get arrested yet.

While I did enjoy many of Avy & Liam's snarky interactions and sexy bedroom scenes, some also annoyed me a bit as well. Avy came across as rather whiny whenever Liam outwitted her, and she let him push her around rather more than was believable at first, particularly given some of her background details. Also, while I don't want to go into too many details so as to avoid ending spoilers, some of her choices at the end also didn't sit right with me. I ended up feeling that Avy was acting out of character in order to suit the author's plans for the story at various points.

There was also a plot point that bothered me. There are details about what's going on that Liam never tells Avy, and that omission results in several near-disasters. He does explain why he never told her, of course, but I couldn't quite buy it. It seemed as though on all levels, it would have made far more sense to everyone involved to bring her in on what was going on---except that, again, it would ruin the author's plot.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the entertaining side-plot regarding a 'test' of one of Avy's co-workers more than the main plot. It turns out to be a terribly funny caper.

I definitely enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but it's one of those books that doesn't hold together as well afterwards. Once the feeling of being sucked into the pages, which are populated with some fascinating people and wonderful scenes, is gone, it's all too easy to notice the little details that don't entirely make sense.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, April 19, 2008

By 

Carol Spradling (Ormond Beach, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take Me If You Can (Signet Eclipse) (Mass Market Paperback)

Avy Hunt is an art recovery agent whose new assignment is to retrieve the Sword of Alexander from Sir Liam James, a high-end art thief. With a fat commission and her reputation on the line, Avy crosses more than one moral line in her quest for the muti-million dollar art piece. A cryptic message from a trusted source shatters her common sense and leaves her basic instincts in question. The lack of which means death in her profession. Still, only one thing is clear. She'll bring in the sword no matter what.

This is the first book I've read by this author and WOW, what a great read. Never have I been gripped so early in a book. This book has everything and holds nothing back.

Miss Kendall has a succinct style of writing but not in a way that leaves you feeling cheated. You are left very satisfied. The characters are very nicely drawn, the story is plausible, her research is spot on, and the tension is high. The only complaint I have is there were a few chapters featuring Gwen that didn't seem to fit with the story, but they were entertaining and didn't distract, so...

Overall, you gotta read this book!

CarolASpradling.com author

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funny, April 8, 2008

By 

L. Smith "escape reader" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take Me If You Can (Signet Eclipse) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was reading this book on a plane and laughing so hard that I wondered what the passenger next to me was thinking. Strong female heroine. First time I have read a book by this author and I am in the search for more.