It begins with a legend . . .Leads to a betrayal . . .Provokes a murder . . .And could end with the score of a lifetime.I should have known better than to fall for a thief. After all, I was one of the best. But Remy St. James exploded into my life, took what he wanted, then disappeared like smoke.Unlike a priceless piece of art, Remy isn’t worth chasing. I let him go—and walked away from what was … go—and walked away from what was rightfully mine.
Now one of the world’s best insurance recovery agents, my impressive success rate is matched only by Sterling Yates, a by-the-rule-book rival who hates losing to me almost as much as he hates that he wants me.
And he does want me. It’s a shame I can’t get him to cross that line, but then a man that hot with a body that good can’t play by the rules forever.
It’s a good life—right up until I find my mentor dying in a pool of blood on his kitchen floor.
I know what he was chasing. A legendary collection, spoken of in whispers, hunted in secret. And I know where—and to who—that search would have led him.
This time, I’m not walking away, even if it leaves me trapped between old passion and new love.
Heist of Hearts: The Beginning is a prequel to an all-new romantic suspense series from RITA ® Award winning author Elizabeth Dyer.
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The Heist of Hearts: The Beginning by Elizabeth Dyer is a prequel to her new Romantic Suspense and International Mystery series Stolen Desires. The story is mysterious, elegant, warmhearted flirtatious, and has the old charm of a classic movie.
The story allured me from the very beginning with the rules of thievery written by the wonderful character Felix Durand, a mentor-big brother-father figure who was the glue that tied an unconventional family of five thieves, the adventurer, the playboy, the rebel, the innocent, and the criminal and who Caroline, the adventurer, found dying shortly after the killer was gone. A killer who is ruthless and mysterious and like Felix is obsessed in obtaining the legendary Fabergé cards collection, the Jack, King, Queen, and Ace of Hearts commissioned in secret and crafted by Fabergé himself, and who has Remy St. James, another thief among Felix’s unconventional family, working for him to retrieve the cards, a man whom Caroline had loved immensely until his betrayal and disappearance. Felix’s murder presents Caroline a chance to work with Remy in retrieving the elusive cards, an offer that was immediately denied by her.
Carolina Carmichael is our heroine, an ex-thief that after a bad experience decided to go legal by freelancing as an art recovery agent who is entertained nowadays by the rush of competing against a by the book agent, Sterling Yates. Lastly, Caroline makes the decision to go after the cards herself, go against Remy, against her new legal ways, and against the killer who stole Felix’s life and she would make sure he would never get the things he wanted.
I am looking forward to reading in January 2020, Heist of Hearts: The Red Queen (Stolen Desires Book 1) to find out more about this intriguing story. Excellent prequel Ms. Dyer.
I have missed words from this author!!
She really knows how to grip readers from cover to cover.
The start of this new series is no different.
This book was a perfect introduction to everyone.
Can’t wait to see what happens next!!
Very rarely, if ever, do I give a novella a 5-star rating. But THIS one? This one quite possibly deserves more than 5.
Wow. What a prequel to an extremely promising and action-packed new series by Elizabeth Dyer. I’m extremely intrigued and cannot wait for the next book, Heist of Hearts: The Red Queen (book 1).
Brava, Ms Dyer!!
I had read this author one other time so when I seen this one I knew it would be worth looking into it and I was right on. It also played on my weakness of suspense with the romance. Caroline is not your normal female alpha in this one which is another reason it has the body to keep your attention. This was not my normal line of story but still kept my attention. Remy is a class on his own also. Since this is the beginning of a series it promises more to come. Even though you can not trust a theif you can trust that this will satisfy and hold on till the next one.
Ummm….what in the bloody h^ll did I just read!!!! I’ll tell you what…. a bada^ss heroine who is going to kick some a^^!!!!
Okay, I need to calm down…I’m trying…but GAH!!! I LOVED Heist of Hearts: The Beginning!!! This book….this story…this subject matter….it’s so refreshing!!! It is something I have never read before and
I.JUST.WANT. MORE!!!
Ms. Dyer is proving why she won the RITA! She continues to bring us these characters and storylines that will book you from page 1!!!!
As Elizabeth eloquently states:
~And so it begins…..
This book reminded me a lot of some of my favorite old movies like Charade and How To Steal a Million, a sort of Mission Impossible without the special effects. Dyer writes thrillers that ride the cusp of romance without crossing all the way over. A fun start to a promising series.
Felix Durand was a master thief. But, more importantly, he was a good man. He took in a group of misfit teenagers and taught them everything he knows. He became the father/big brother figure to them and they adored him. However, like every family, cracks appeared in this tightly knit group and relationships faltered and they drfted apart.
Caroline was contacted by Felix to carry out a new job but when she arrives she finds him dying in his apartment. The killer is a fellow obsessive who is also after the Fabergé cards collection. Remy St. James, another member os the misfit family, is also after the cards and worked with Felix to get them. He and Caroline have drifted apart but still love each other with an obvious burning passion. ,
Caroline has gone to the “dark side” and become an art recovery agent. Her nemesis is Sterling Yates. I’m really starting to ink into this world and can’t wait for more! I NEED to know more about Felix, the loving and good hearted Fagin figure, & the other members of this very dysfunctional family!
Great new series and very well written with likeable characters.
The only bad thing about this novella is having to wait 4 months to read Red Queen.
I am so excited!
Heist of Hearts: The Beginning is a prequel novella to Dyer’s new RS series, Stolen Desires. From the beginning, this novella is an interesting read that draws the reader into a world of thievery full of mystery, intrigue, and murder with an unlikely bunch of friends who make up an eccentric family. These five individuals are tied together in an unconventional way through their mentor and friend who is murdered. This story brings them together for the funeral, reflection, and provides the background necessary to meet the characters, see how they are connected and to set the storyline for the series. This is the first book I have read by Dyer and I have to say I am definitely hooked and looking forward to reading more.
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
Yes, I am a fan of art/jewel heist books but a book set in this world still needs to hold itself up in terms of narrative and characters – something that HEIST OF HEARTS by Elizabeth Dyer does marvellously well. This novella is an introduction to the Stolen Desires series that features Felix Durand’s chosen family. He picked them, he trained them, he let them make their way in the world, and now he is dead. Killed.
We are immediately immersed in a world of wealth, betrayal, murder and intrigue. Art and jewels are the prize and the methods used to obtain them are often dirty and always manipulative. And set against a background of affluence, power and splendour, it’s certainly a world that fascinates me enough to want to keep turning those pages.
Dyer’s writing is tight, crisp and very well paced. The imagery lets me easily slip into this world of glamour as well as letting me see the heartache and betrayal it causes. So yes, sign me up for more! I want to know more about these characters, more about the treasures they hunt and definitely more about the relationships they form.
Wow! If this novella is any indication the Heist of Hearts series is going to be amazing! This story begins as a reunion of friends in Paris at the burial of their mentor Felix. These friends aren’t your typical types but a group of elite art thieves. The story is told from the perspective of Caroline. She has left the mostly illegal part of her life behind and now works in recovering stolen objects of art. She is very familiar with the loss one feels from theft because someone that she trusted with her heart stole something dear from her along with her trust. She knows that she will see him again but she will never give Remy the opportunity to betray her. This lady has learned her lesson. If you want something done right, do it yourself! Let the game begin because I am ready for more!
I am awe struck with the writing by Elizabeth Dyer in this book. Heists of hearts is the introduction to her upcoming series and what an incredible introduction!!
I’ve always love reading about art heists. They are thrilling, exciting and that’s what I got reading this book.
One of my favorite things about this book, how I could picture the pieces in my mind, as they were being described.
The story flowed easily, it provides the all the details needed to lead into the series perfectly.
The characters are intriguing, a few held that mysterious vibe, which just makes me want more.
Sterling so far is my favorite characters and I can’t wait to get his full story. The chemistry between him and Caroline , the flirting and their back and forth was the perfect combination.
I have never had a novella hook me, intrigue me, captivate me so fast into a story that I am IMPATIENTLY waiting on the first book.
There are so many quick witted, scandalous at times and “why didn’t I think of that” comebacks that draw you instanatly into this “family” of Art thieves that I thought I was one of them easily. Well, I wanted to be one of them just like I wanted to be one of the “Friends” on the TV show so badly when it came out.
Caroline tells the story from her POV and is a strong, sassy female lead that Elizabeth is known for writing. Caroline doesn’t have a designated love interest (maybe Sterling) but does have a very harsh betrayal of her ex lover/ex boyfriend/ex fellow thief family member (Remy) to deal with. That’s a lot of different colored baggage to sort out and I don’t envy her. But she is strong enough not to let Remy or thoughts of him, rule her life.
I am an Art Lover and love the historical detail that goes into describing some of the objects in the story. I am so excited for this series it is hard to contain it!
I recieved an ARC for an honest review.
Intriguing, captivated,keep you on your toes read.
I can’t wait to dive into Elizabeth’s new series and this short novella was the perfect little taste and tease of what’s to come. Set in the art world, Caroline tries to balance her old and new life all the while deciding if she wants to continue what was started.