Honest Illusions

Roberts ( Hot Ice ; Sacred Sins ) combines conventional elements--sizzling sex, a cunning villain, a captivating story, some tugs at the heartstrings--then adds a twist (the good guys are criminals), and the result is spellbinding. Max Nouvelle is the patriarch of a family of magicians and jewel thieves made up of Lily, his partner in love; Roxanne, his headstrong, beautiful daughter; and Luke, the abused runaway Max had taken in years ago, now a charming young man. They join Max in elaborate performances onstage and in equally elaborate robberies. For years Roxanne and Luke battle constantly, but as young adults they finally realize they are deeply in love. Luke, haunted by the fear that his past will hurt his adopted family, is the target of coldblooded Sam Wyatt, driven by a vow of revenge on the Nouvelles. Luke returns from a forced five-year disappearance for the biggest performance of the Nouvelles' career--a simultaneously executed grand heist and act of vengeance. Although Roberts's deft narrative shows occasional excesses (mostly of description and stereotypical characterizations), none of these will deter the reader from taking this diverting journey into a world of magic, passion and mystery. BOMC featured alternate. (July)