Thieves Like Us »

STARR AMBROSE is the author of Our Little Secret and Lie to Me. She grew up in suburban Detroit and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in English. She continues to reside in her home state with her family and a lively cast of cats, dogs, horses, and chickens. She loves to hear from readers and can be contacted through her web site, www.starrambrose.com .

Her ex stole the jewels, but this bad boy just stole her heart. . . .

After ditching the ruthless Banner Westfield, aka “the world’s worst husband,” sexy and fiercely guarded Janet Aims thinks the least she deserves for surviving attempted murder is a chance to cash in on her losses. Step one is hocking the wedding ring and ridiculously tacky necklace given to her by her conniving ex.

But just when Janet thinks she’s buried the past, the police claim that the necklace is part of the stolen Pellinni Jewel collection. Which means that even prison can’t stop Banner from dumping her smack in the middle of his evil schemes again.

With Colombian gangsters and jewel thieves hot on her trail, Janet has no choice but to turn to smoldering ex-con Rocky Hernandez, the one man who can make her fragile heart pound. Partnering up with a certified hottie who knows the ins and outs of Detroit’s seedy underbelly as well as he does a woman’s body might have its perks if Janet’s life—and her heart—weren’t on the line. . . .

Publishers Weekly

Ambrose revisits characters from her 2008 debut, Lie to Me, in this lighthearted romance. Janet Aims decides to erase her ex-husband from her life by hocking the jewelry he gave her. What she doesn't realize is that one gaudy necklace is actually part of the famed Pellinni Jewels. After someone breaks into Janet's car and condo searching for the rest of the jewels, Janet turns to reformed jewel thief Rocky Hernandez for help. He vows to keep Janet safe by tracking down the jewels himself, even if it means getting in touch with his unsavory former associates. Ambrose deftly balances Janet and Rocky's steamy relationship with the suspense plot, though at times she gives too much emphasis to secondary characters. (Dec.)