Book Review + Series Giveaway – Reluctant Smuggler by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
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Reluctant Smuggler by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Book Review
Synopsis from the Back of the Book:
For security consultant Desiree Jacobs, the assignment was simple: make off with an ancient Mayan artifact and hand it over to the good guys in time to plan her wedding to ultra-fine FBI agent Tony Lucano.
Yet, in a world where no one is as he seems, Desi must decipher who the good guys are – before she ends up in the hands of a ruthless enemy.
Suddenly, artifact recovery turns into archaeological espionage, and the woman who finds all the answers must now ask questions: Who’s looting priceless antiquities underneath the nose of the baffled Mexican government? And what does a violent gang of drug and human traffickers have to do with missing artifacts?
Even with Tony on her side, Desi will need way more than luck to survive against the odds. She’ll need the truth – not just to set her free, but to liberate many innocents caught in the snare of calculating evil.
My review:
Finally Desi and Tony are getting married… Or are they? As usual, trouble has followed Desi and is not looking at letting go of her. How can she and Tony get on with their lives when they are pulled into danger at every turn. This was a good suspenseful read. Not only was there external conflict between them due to their jobs, there was internal conflict as they question whether their love for each other is enough to have a life together.
I really liked Desi. Having read the first two books in this series, I have been able to watch her grow. Still loyal and strong willed, she has begun to be a little more thoughtful about how her life is intertwining with Tony’s.
Tony is working on letting God be the one to take care of Desi and it is still a struggle for him. He is still protective of her, which is such a great quality in him, but he is learning to temper that need so that Desi can still be herself.
What I enjoyed most about this book:
Much like the first two books in this series, this book continues with strong characters and a fast paced suspenseful plot. I have really enjoyed getting to know Desi and Tony. I will miss both of them and their adventures.
What I didn’t like about this book:
This book takes place in both Mexico and the United States. I preferred the part of the story line that took place in the US. That was probably because that is where Tony and Desi’s relationship was in the forefront.
My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Would I recommend this book to others?
Yes. This is the final book in the To Catch A Thief series. While it is a standalone story, I would recommend reading the series in order to watch Desi and Tony’s relationship develop.
Where can I learn more about this author and their books?
Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Author Website
Tweet ThisGiveaway
Good books are meant to be passed on and so I am passing along my copies of the To Catch a Thief series books by Jill Elizabeth Nelson, which include The Reluctant Burglar, The Reluctant Runaway, and The Reluctant Smuggler. They are gently read copies in good condition. To enter the giveaway, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Open to readers with USA mailing addresses only. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The winner will be notified via email and will have one week to respond back to me with their info. Good Luck and Thank You for stopping by!
The comment question for this giveaway is: In this series, Desi has a few trips that don’t go as planned. Have you ever had trip plans fall apart?
Share this with others so that we can support these wonderful authors.To Catch A Thief series
20 Comments
Patty
I don’t know that I’ve ever had a trip fall apart, but maybe not go quite as planned.
Took a weekend trip to the beach recently, and it was just a bit to much of a drive for the time we had to spend. We arranged to meet some distant extended family for breakfast and then they invited us over for dinner the next day, and it just took to much time away from or relaxing time.
Loraine
My dad recently told me that he was going home after his vacation to get some rest. Sounds like you may have needed a rest from your vacation, Patty. ;o) Thanks for sharing and good luck!
kim amundsen
Nope have not had a trip fall apart yet.
Loraine
Awesome! Here’s hoping it will always be that way. Thanks for stopping by Kim and good luck!
jcp
yes, it was a disappointment.
Loraine
I’m sorry to hear that :o( Trips can be stressful when you think about all the things that can go wrong. Thanks for commenting and good luck!
Kathy Anderson
My most heartbreaking trip failure was the scheduled trip to visit my daughter when she was in Germany. I had planned to meet my husband (who was serving in Afghanistan at the time) in Heidilburg, Germany during his R&R leave. I had everything in place when he phoned me and said he would not be meeting me in Germany since he was going to Ohio instead. This was when he informed me he was going to get a divorce since he had found his high school sweetheart and longed to be with her now. I should have gone to Germany but unfortunately I was unable to make the trip.
Loraine
Oh Kathy, I am so sorry. That is so sad to have happened to you. Thank you for sharing. Good luck on the giveaway.
anne rightler
I am sure over the many years and many trips I’ve taken that there were some that didn’t go quite as planned. But apparently I have not only survived but gotten over it! I tend to be a fairly flexible person so things not going the planned way doesn’t freak me out. There’s usually a plan B!
Loraine
Good job Anne! A plan B is always a good idea. With some trips, perhaps even a plan C! Thanks for commenting and good luck!
Joan Arning
Can’t think of any that fell apart but then I don’t get to go on many trips.
Loraine
In recent years, I haven’t done too much traveling either, Joan. Thanks for commenting and good luck.
Kathleen Clark
Not really. We don’t usually take many planned trips. I do remember one year when my sister and her children rode with me and my children to visit a friend out of state. It was a 9 1/2 hour trip. Halfway there the car broke down on the highway. Fortunately, a truck driver came along (he had his son with him on this trip) and followed us to a gas station (we could only do 40 miles an hour). We found 1 with a motel nearby and then he went on down the road. We were very thankful not to be stranded on the side of the road with 7 children late at night.
Loraine
That is a neat story Kathleen. My husband did a lot of road trips when he was younger and he has some really neat stories about car breakdowns and the angels that helped him along the way. Sounds like you had your own angel on that trip! Thanks for sharing. Good luck!
KayM
I haven’t read this series, yet, but have seen it several times and thought I might enjoy it. Thanks so much for offering it. Oh my goodness–trip plans that fall apart–many times things did not go as planned, but usually we finally were able to get where we wanted to go. One time, though, as my husband was backing the motorhome down our side driveway, he backed the top corner on one side into a large branch. It caused a bit of damage, but made my husband quite upset. That time we canceled our plans. He got over his initial upset, but we still didn’t go. He was more concerned with getting the repairs done. There were many more trips after that.
Loraine
Oh, I really don’t like it when there are breakdowns. That reminds me of a time when we were going to take our pop-up camper on a trip. It broke down a few miles from home and we had to take it home to repair it. My husband was not happy about it – poor man :o( We did go on the trip but we lost half a day because of it. Thanks for sharing Kay and good luck!
Sally Davison
This book being offered in a giveaway sounds so good. I would love to win to read it and the two prior ones too.
Loraine
This was a good series. I just loved traveling with Desi and Tony and I hope you will too, Sally. Thanks for entering and good luck!
Terrill Rosado
Yes, I have had trips fall apart, but its usually during the travel phase. In the end it all works out for the good. When we lived in Montreal and would travel home to Washington State, if we had any layover’s in Chicago our travel portion of the trip was usually chaotic.
Loraine
Airports are some of the worst (or is it best?) places for travel plans to fall apart, I think. Thanks for commenting Terrill and good luck!