キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Reluctant Burglar by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Book description:
Art Stole Her Heart...
Now, can she return the favor?
If Desiree Jacobs knows anything, it's art. Her father, whose security company is internationally renowned, taught her everything he knew. Most of all, he taught her about honor. Integrity. Faith. So surely God will forgive her for despising the one man determined to destroy her father's good name?
Special Agent Tony Lucano knows Hiram Jacobs is an art thief. But what he can't figure out is Desiree. Is she the innocent she claims, or a clever accomplice?
Then Hiram is murdered. And along with his company, he leaves Desiree a hidden container—full of stolen paintings. But she can't admit her father was a thief! That would destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums that have been displaying clever forgeries. No, she must find out why her honest father would turn criminal. And she must return the priceless art to the rightful owners without their knowledge. Even if it means facing down a ring of cutthroat art thieves.
Even if it means accepting help from the man she most distrusts…
Read an excerpt here!
Camy here:
This is a nice mix of romance with mystery and a bit of action. There are cool plot twists and lots of second-guessing.
It’s all set against the backdrop of international art theft. The security and art theft setting is intriguing and fun to read about.
Desi is a smart and savvy heroine, especially when she dons disguises for her job. Her spunkiness will appeal to romance readers who like a little backbone to their protagonists. I personally didn’t quite follow some of her choices, but she always acted with bravery and strength.
Tony is to-die-for sexy and a strong Christian. He’s every woman’s dream.
Both romance readers and cozy mystery readers will like this story. The bits of action will also appeal to suspense readers who like a little more heart-pounding in their reads.
This seemed perfectly safe for readers as young as junior high school, and yet it has an appeal to older readers who like romantic suspense and romantic mystery.
Book description:
Art Stole Her Heart...
Now, can she return the favor?
If Desiree Jacobs knows anything, it's art. Her father, whose security company is internationally renowned, taught her everything he knew. Most of all, he taught her about honor. Integrity. Faith. So surely God will forgive her for despising the one man determined to destroy her father's good name?
Special Agent Tony Lucano knows Hiram Jacobs is an art thief. But what he can't figure out is Desiree. Is she the innocent she claims, or a clever accomplice?
Then Hiram is murdered. And along with his company, he leaves Desiree a hidden container—full of stolen paintings. But she can't admit her father was a thief! That would destroy their business, put people out of jobs, and embarrass international museums that have been displaying clever forgeries. No, she must find out why her honest father would turn criminal. And she must return the priceless art to the rightful owners without their knowledge. Even if it means facing down a ring of cutthroat art thieves.
Even if it means accepting help from the man she most distrusts…
Read an excerpt here!
Camy here:
This is a nice mix of romance with mystery and a bit of action. There are cool plot twists and lots of second-guessing.
It’s all set against the backdrop of international art theft. The security and art theft setting is intriguing and fun to read about.
Desi is a smart and savvy heroine, especially when she dons disguises for her job. Her spunkiness will appeal to romance readers who like a little backbone to their protagonists. I personally didn’t quite follow some of her choices, but she always acted with bravery and strength.
Tony is to-die-for sexy and a strong Christian. He’s every woman’s dream.
Both romance readers and cozy mystery readers will like this story. The bits of action will also appeal to suspense readers who like a little more heart-pounding in their reads.
This seemed perfectly safe for readers as young as junior high school, and yet it has an appeal to older readers who like romantic suspense and romantic mystery.
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