Deceived
Carla Cassidy
Silhouette Bombshell, Jan 2005, $5.50
ISBN: 0373513402

Directed by her godfather Uncle Jonas White, cat burglar Lynette White seemingly does the impossible when she steals the Star of Russia diamond from the heavily guarded home of Sebastian Tyler. Security thinks only a ghost could have done this as it is so inconceivable otherwise.

FBI Agent Nick Barnes is undercover as a security officer as he has been for several years working for Jonas in an effort to bring the notorious international criminal to justice. Nick's superiors decide it is time for him to play Post Office with Lynette, who seems like Jonas' Achilles heel as he seems to care for the lass like a daughter. As Nick seduces Lynn, he finds he realizes that she returns to sender more than he gives; soon his concerns change as he has fallen in love with the goddaughter of his target.

This entertaining twist on the cat burglar romantic theme is fun to read because of the genetically altered prowess of the heroine that enables her to do the daring deeds she performs. That delightful spin however is two-edged as Carla Cassidy de-emphasizes Lynn's skills, especially when she is with Nick. Still fans will appreciate this action-packed, romantic suspense starring an amazing female and her deceiving beloved.

Harriet Klausner