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Book Review of Honest Illusions

Honest Illusions
Honest Illusions
Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Paperback
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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.