Helpful Score: 3
This book started out fine, but by the middle I was rolling my eyes, and by the end I was actively cursing it.
Main problem: Romance between two people who grow up together like siblings. Ick! Second problem: Contrived, cartoonish villain. Third problem: Story about jewel theives who justify grand larceny by telling themselves (and the reader) that it's OK because rich people can afford to replace the jewels and the insurance will cover it anyway. Also, there is absolutely no tension in any of the jewel heist scenes because they never get caught and nothing ever goes wrong and they never have the tiniest bit of remorse about any of it. I don't demand that a story where theives are the main characters have a lot of moralizing, but a wee bit of realism wouldn't have hurt.
I'm disappointed because everyone says Nora Roberts is the queen of romance novels and yet I found this book facile, creepy, and boring.
Main problem: Romance between two people who grow up together like siblings. Ick! Second problem: Contrived, cartoonish villain. Third problem: Story about jewel theives who justify grand larceny by telling themselves (and the reader) that it's OK because rich people can afford to replace the jewels and the insurance will cover it anyway. Also, there is absolutely no tension in any of the jewel heist scenes because they never get caught and nothing ever goes wrong and they never have the tiniest bit of remorse about any of it. I don't demand that a story where theives are the main characters have a lot of moralizing, but a wee bit of realism wouldn't have hurt.
I'm disappointed because everyone says Nora Roberts is the queen of romance novels and yet I found this book facile, creepy, and boring.
Helpful Score: 2
This may be my favorite Nora Roberts book I've read to date, and I've read more than my fair share. This is a great story with a lot of complexity and twists and turns in the plot. Wonderful character development - more so than any average book I've read in a LONG time. VERY GOOD!
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. Honest Illusions follows a family of magicians -- no, you don't learn any magic tricks or secrets! -- who have an interesting side job. And there's just enough mystery and intrigue to keep you reading until you're done with it!
Helpful Score: 1
Lots of twists and turns, if you aren't careful you could miss something!
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of her books that looks NEW, but was really written back in 1992! I hate it when she keeps doing that, like she is not making enough money already. The whole story is quite simple, not as good as her newer stuff. It is what I would call more of a romance novel, very heavy on the romance, but I was surprised that I enjoyed it. A quick read, fun for pure escape, if your not looking for much depth.
W@W I loved it .....You will too. It was on the end of the seat wonderful to listen to.
good plott lots of twists
Great story involving romance, magic, and mystery.
great summer read
I Love this book, this is the first book I read for Nora Roberts and I was hooked ever since.
I really enjoyed this book. It was about magicians which was totally different from her usual books. Definately fun to read! :)
Fun romp -- magicians, jewel thieves, crooked politicians, and a love story.
captivating story with some mystery thrown in...a good story.
Magic and illusion intriguing
An interesting story but a little hard to swallow but then you're reading it for fun, not analysis.
As with all of Nora Roberts Books I am a avid fan!! She has so many I am just dying to read.
Illusions, secrets and sizzling sex!
A world where passion and mystery entwine, where nothing is as it seems..the daughter of a world-renowned magician, Roxy has inherited her father's talents-and his penchant for jewel thievery.
Musician by day and thief by night.
Enter Luke, con man, loner, escape artist who has and knows secrets.
Enter Luke, con man, loner, escape artist who has and knows secrets.
I've read this book too many times to count. It's beautifully written with a sweeping story and characters who you will never forget. So inspiring and lush in detail, I grabbed my DH and off we went to New Orleans. By far, Nora's best work - when she was at the peak of her creative ability.
When 12-year-old Luke Callahan first sees Magician Max Nouvelle and his young daughter Roxanne at a traveling circus, he is fascinated. Max sees Luke as a young version of himself...a lonely, abused child living on the streets. Max offers Luke a job, takes him into the family, and teaches him some magic tricks. Soon Luke has joined Max, Roxanne, and Max's assistant/girlfriend, Lily, in the act. As they become a family and travel the country with their magic act, Luke realizes that magic isn't Max's only talent. Max is also a jewel thief, planning heists all over the country. As Luke and Roxy grow older, they join Max in his nighttime escapades. They also realize that even though they grew up together, they don't think of each other as brother and sister. As Luke and Roxy grow closer, a villain is plotting a vengeance that just might destroy the Nouvelle family and ruin the life Luke has built for himself.
I shouldn't have let this book sit on the shelf for so long. I am fascinated by magicians and would just love to know their tricks, especially how they can saw a woman in half and put her back together again. Well, sadly I didn't learn any secrets of magic, but I was thoroughly entertained by this story. I loved the characters. Luke and Roxy are perfect for each other. Max is a wonderful father figure to both his daughter and his adopted son. They may be jewel thieves, but you can't help but root for them.
The story starts out in the present (it was written in 1992), but quickly goes back in time to catch us up on how Luke became part of the family. It does take a little while for Luke and Roxanne to finally admit their feelings for each other, but I wasn't bored in the least. I loved the story, even the sad parts. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to read it. My rating: 5 Stars.
I shouldn't have let this book sit on the shelf for so long. I am fascinated by magicians and would just love to know their tricks, especially how they can saw a woman in half and put her back together again. Well, sadly I didn't learn any secrets of magic, but I was thoroughly entertained by this story. I loved the characters. Luke and Roxy are perfect for each other. Max is a wonderful father figure to both his daughter and his adopted son. They may be jewel thieves, but you can't help but root for them.
The story starts out in the present (it was written in 1992), but quickly goes back in time to catch us up on how Luke became part of the family. It does take a little while for Luke and Roxanne to finally admit their feelings for each other, but I wasn't bored in the least. I loved the story, even the sad parts. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to read it. My rating: 5 Stars.
This story spans decades in the lives of Luke Callahan and Roxanne Nouvelle, two magicians whose love story is both poignant and magical. This is a story of love, adventure, revenge, and forgiveness, of the Nouvelles as carnies, magicians, and jewel thieves.
A wonderful older Nora Roberts. Much longer than usual. Includes the story of a family or magicians and theives and how they have to take down the trouble facing them.
Roxy and Luke will steal your heart...
Magic and Burglary - Blackmail and Romance - Great reading
Absolutely loved it!!! One of her best novels.
A great book.
I LOVE this story! It is one of the most enchanting love stories I have ever read.
The daughter of a world-renowned magician, Roxy Nouvelle has inherited her father's talents - and his penchant for jewel thievery. Into this colorful world comes Like Callahan, an escape artist who captures her heart - and keeps secrets that could shatter all her illusions . . .
The daughter of a world-renowned magician, Roxy Nouvelle has inherited her father's talents - and his penchant for jewel thievery. Into this colorful world comes Like Callahan, an escape artist who captures her heart - and keeps secrets that could shatter all her illusions . . .
This may be my favorite Roberts book ever. Great characters with thorough development. Good, well thought out plot with ties into the past. Interesting twists and turns throughout. A real page turner - one that I couldn't put down.
One of my favorite Roberts books!!
Nora Roberts follows her usual recipe, girls meets guy, hard feelings, marriage. Interesting tale though.
One of best books I've ever read!!!
this was verrry good book, i hated to put it down. another nora roberts hit. i would reccomend it to everyone. my friends whom i loaned it to, also said it was great
"Captivating." - Julie Garwood (from back of book)
Really good book. Kept my interest and had mystery and romance
It is a bit dated...but i loved this book! How fun it was to read about theiving magicians!
I've read a lot of Nora Roberts book and I love them all, but this has to be my favorite of all of them!
One of my favorite Nora Roberts books! This one involves a family of magicians who moonlight as sophisticated jewelry thieves. Lots of great dialog, a good mystery, a well-developed plot - what's left ?!?
This book was very good. It had all of the elements I like in a book romance, suspense, and jusst a good story.
Another great story by Nora! I'd love to hear her mention the main characters (Luke Callahan and Roxanne Nouvelle) and their magic store in New Orleans in some of her other stories.
The basic storyline is Max Nouvelle and his 9-year-old daughter, Roxanne, are magicians in a travelling carnival when they meet 12-year-old runaway and pickpocket, Luke Callahan. Luke is mesmerized by Max and by his magic tricks and eventually joins the family and becomes a magician too. The story progresses as the two children grow up and eventually fall in love.
The basic storyline is Max Nouvelle and his 9-year-old daughter, Roxanne, are magicians in a travelling carnival when they meet 12-year-old runaway and pickpocket, Luke Callahan. Luke is mesmerized by Max and by his magic tricks and eventually joins the family and becomes a magician too. The story progresses as the two children grow up and eventually fall in love.
Good read
A good read!
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
Great Book!!
THIS IS ANOTHER WONDERFUL BOOK OF NORA ROBERTS
ANOTHER OF HER MUST READ
ANOTHER OF HER MUST READ
Very entertaining story!
Romance plus!
Romance plus!
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
Book-of-the Month Club selection
