FAMILY JEWELS by Carole Hart

Publisher: NAL Heat
Date published: March 2009
ISBN: 978-0451226372
Contemporary Romance
Trade Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy


Stolen gems, hot sex and life among the super rich are just part of the adventure in Carole Hart’s contemporary romance, FAMILY JEWELS.Jewel thief Olivia is quite content with her life. After meeting fellow cat burglar Paul years ago during a heist, she has enjoyed a heated romance/partnership until recently deciding to end both the relationship and partnership and go it alone. But when she attempts to seduce and steal the family jewels of a handsome count, Olivia finds the tables turned when Paul beats her to the gems and sets her up for the fall. Incredibly, now Olivia is once again working with Paul on a heist, trying to stay one step ahead of the law and doing her best to keep her little sister from finding out about her real professional as their lives start to collide.

Carole Hart’s FAMILY JEWELS is all about impulse control or lack thereof. At least that is what the lead characters claim. It is the perfect excuse for their stealing and addiction to sex, with each other and with other people who happen to cross their path, mostly the rich and gem laden. Olivia and Paul both use sex as a means of reeling in their prey and then once they have them panting, they run off with the FAMILY JEWELS.

The lead characters in this story are unusual in that they are somewhat amoral and inarguably unrepentant. But it is just these traits that make them interesting. They don’t feel as if they are hurting anyone financially when they steal from the rich. The gems are insured after all and often were originally gotten by illicit means. It is more of a game to them. And if they have to use sex to get to the end game, all the better. True, these are people to be avoided in real life, but in romantic fiction, they are fun, daring and dangerous.

The story moves along at a nice pace. The action is riveting and exciting; the characters bold and brazen. And the sex is off the chart. Carole Hart’s FAMILY JEWELS may not be the perfect choice for those of strict moral character, but for those of us with a healthy flight of fancy in our blood, this book was fun and thoroughly entertaining. This reader truly enjoyed FAMILY JEWELS.