Cat Got Your Tongue?
By: Rae Rivers
Released Sept 22nd, 2013
Blurb
A billionaire’s life and art collection are at risk. Who better to help than the daughter of a cat burglar?
When art collector Cole Anderson is targeted for his priceless Renoir, he reluctantly employs a bodyguard to upgrade his personal security. Imagine his surprise when she arrives—professional, capable, and sporting a ponytail and a gorgeous smile. Alex Foxley is all woman—sexy, feisty, and intimately familiar with the shady workings of the art underworld thanks to her mother’s connections.
While battling an explosive attraction for each other and thwarting thieves determined to have Cole’s Renoir at any cost, Cole and Alex must work together to protect his life and property—and uncover a secret neither of them knows exists. Will they discover who is behind the deadly conspiracy before it’s too late? Or will passion and lust blind them to what’s right under their noses?
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Review by Wendy
3.5 -4 To Catch a
Thief, Cat and Mouse, Sexy Stars * * * ½
Sometimes I will start reading and a little nudge will start
in the back of my mind. It will call out to me and say… this seems familiar… hmmm…where
did you read something like this… why are you thinking you may have some sense
of this… and then it dawned on me… I felt like I was in the middle of the To
Catch a Thief movie or television show… and this was not a negative at all.
We have beautiful, leggy, downright stunning Alexis Foley as
our main character. She goes by Alex and is a co- owner with ex military men
doing security work for the well to do. Her field of expertise is Art. I am
talking the type of work which is auctioned at top art houses around the world.
We are talking landmark numbers and pieces which only a handful can see unless
they are hanging in a museum somewhere.
Alex is with a dear client, all dolled up for a high profile
auction for works of art, such as Degas and Renoir…this is a social time with
Max, a very commanding business man she has protected from his ex wife. She is
a secret weapon in the world of security… a beautiful woman who will kick butt
with the best of them as well as handle reporters and paparazzi without breaking
a sweat.
As Max and Alex enter the auction, he lets her know he has
referred Coleson Anderson to her; just there is one little detail he failed to
tell him, Alex Foley of Body Armor is not a man…. So this meeting which will be
taking place shall be interesting, per Max.
Of course, as this conversation is talking place. Cole Anderson comes
into the room…. He is the A type personality, billionaire, philanthropist
businessman… and has the unfortunate cross to bear of being excruciatingly handsome,
dark, powerful… just all man.
Max introduces her as Alexis, keeping the secret of who she
is; the meeting sets of surprising sparks in her… something that hasn’t
happened in a while. As they discuss the art and social connections, he is
assessing her as a woman, and liking what he sees.
Alex in her way of observing everything in the room notices
a big red flag… she recognizes a very proficient art thief. Now how would she
know this… well this is the hook of her ability in protecting her clients;
Alex’s mother is a cat burglar. Alex
grew up in this world… her first reading material were not children’s books but
blue prints and security systems of mansions; her picture books were coffee
table books of classic art from around the world and “Uncles and Aunts” were
fences or other cats. With this indoctrination, it would be natural to follow
that path. But Alex saw the big picture and decided to be on the legit side…
but straddling the line… working with both sides… protecting her clients by
putting it out there “these are my people… leave them alone and I will leave
you be”… and it has worked for her.
AS she follows this cat’s vision… he is zeroing in on Cole
and the Renoir… and Alex knows this is going to be an issue… Cole wins the
auction, takes the painting home and Alex follows the cat to Cole’s house. She
sneaks into the townhouse as this theft is going down and feels compelled to
stop it. Things go sideways; the Cole comes down during the theft… the cat is
about to shoot him and Alex is there to throw Cole down getting grazed by the
passing bullet as the cat escapes. Alex also makes a quick exit after seeing
Cole is clear. Police come, statements are made and Cole wants justice for this
break in.
Alex takes care of her injury and meets with Cole in his
office to discuss his security as planned. Cole, skeptical and surprised she is
the Alex Max referred, takes it all in. He hears of how she is an asset in
protection for someone like him as the possible opponent’s never sees her as
what she really is… an adversary which allows surprise to work in her
favor. Discussion of handling PR, other
distractions and the theft attempt happen all the while both Cole and Alex are
drawn to each other. Alex is not afraid of this pull but there has always been
a line she never crossed… getting physical with a client… and now with Cole
insisting she move into the townhouse to oversee the security and him… presents
a huge challenge… because he wants her and is use to getting whatever he sets
his mind on …Always.
Over the course of this book the chemistry between Alex and
Cole was really quite believable… close quarters… life and death looming …
power… and lust all of these elements came into play. The times together were
intense, smexy and not just for show.
There also was reasonable
conflicts due to stereotypes of society and the concern for those we love… how
do we let others take care of us for our own good… when can we step away and
let someone do what they know how to do without feeling they must protect that
person. Cole had that challenge as he started to fall hard for Alex…could he
let her do what he hired her to do… look out for him rather than he taking care
and protecting her when things became dangerous.
This book was fun, fast and very detailed in giving me a
great back story with mystery and intrigue. Rae Rivers did an excellent job in
putting the reader in the world of high stakes art and wealth. She wrote a
prologue which hinted at many things, setting the tone for the book. There was also
a real story with real parts to it. I mention this without giving anything
away…as it would ruin the read. I will say though, I was a little disappointed
there was no mention after the book’s end of the actual events which might have
been the inspiration for her tale…. the reader might want to learn of it. I
just happen to have been aware of them … due to reading an incredible non-
fiction book… of course… so I felt others might have been interested as well.
If you like art, New York City, mystery and hot sexual
sparing with characters who are fully formed, then this read is for you… it
certainly was for me.
Author Info
I’m an avid reader and writer with a passion for writing romance novels. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my gorgeous husband, two beautiful children and a zoo of house pets. Besides writing, I love family time, the outdoors, travelling, watching TV series, reading and chocolate.
Author Links
Twitter: @raerivers1
Teaser
“Perhaps we should up your bodyguards to two agents when you attend a more public event?”
Cole’s eyes flickered with amusement. “You think you can’t handle it on your own?”
Mm, she should have expected that from him. “I can handle it, Anderson. Just thinking ahead and trying to be prepared, that’s all.”
“You’re my arm candy with a kick, remember? You can handle me.”
“I can handle the press,” she said softly. “As for you, I’m not so sure.” She’d meant to tease him but to her surprise, she found her words had a ring of truth to them. She wasn’t sure if she could handle him – or the chemistry that sparked between them.
“If you can handle a bullet and a cat burglar, I should be a walk in the park.”
“Bullets and cat burglars are familiar to me. You are an entirely new game.”
“I like games.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
Dark eyes zeroed in on her and he gave her a slow, predatory smile. “Scared?”
Thank you for hosting today and for the lovely review. Thrilled that you enjoyed Alex and Cole's story! :)
ReplyDeleteI love a vulnerable heroine who shows her inner strength, Thanks for this chance to win!
ReplyDeleteA heroine who is independent and strong but also vulnerable at times. She has to be able to let someone help her and for her to lean on at times. Thanks for a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCat got Your Tongue is a must read for me. I love arts and cat burglar and heist. Any way, I love an heroine who is feity. She needs to be a strong character.
ReplyDelete