Reluctant Smuggler, by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

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RELUCTANT SMUGGLER (Multnomah) is the third installment in the popular To Catch A Thief series, by author Jill Elizabeth Nelson.

I admit I was a little dubious at first, having not read the first two books, but not for long. This page-turner snapped to life like a cracked whip, and I couldn’t put it down. Finally, a heroine who is as smart and capable as she is beautiful. Add to the mix a handsome FBI agent and the sparks begin to fly.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer…but what if you can’t tell the difference?

For security consultant Desiree Jacobs, the assignment was simple: make off with an ancient Mayan artifact and hand it over to the good guys in time to plan her wedding to ultra-fine FBI agent Tony Lucano.

Yet, in a world where no one is as they seem, Desi must decipher who the good guys are–before she ends up in the hands of a ruthless enemy.

Suddenly, artifact recovery turns into archaeological espionage, and the woman who finds all the answers must now ask questions: Who’s looting priceless antiquities underneath the nose of the baffled Mexican government? And what does a violent gang of drug and human traffickers have to do with missing artifacts?

Even with Tony on her side, Desi will need way more than luck to survive against the odds. She’ll need the truth–not just to set her free, but to liberate many innocents caught in the snare of calculating evil.

Jill Elizabeth Nelson takes art seriously–when she’s not having fun with it, that is. The To Catch a Thief series combines her love of the written word with her love of other art forms. She’s thrilled if the adventures that spill from her imagination can raise awareness about art theft–a problem the FBI deems a “looming criminal enterprise.” Jill and her husband, Doug, have four children and live in Minnesota.




WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“Devotees of classic romantic suspense will love Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s Reluctant Smuggler. Lots of bad guys, a handsome fiancé, a cool chick who’s not afraid to hunt for the truth, stolen artifacts, danger and delight, wedding plans and gangster schemes, it’s all here. Desiree and Tony are expertly-developed characters who are only larger than life when duty requires it. The rest of the time, they are just like the rest of us, and that makes them supremely likeable–and very deserving of this book’s very satisfying ending.”
- Susan Meissner, author of Widows and Orphans

“Author Jill Elizabeth Nelson delivers the goods in Reluctant Smuggler. Desiree Jacobs and Tony Lucano are daring, endearing protagonists portrayed in a lively and distinctive style sure to delight readers.”
- Kacy Barnett-Gramckow, author of The Genesis Trilogy

“Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s Reluctant Smuggler will steal your attention with its fast-paced action and your heart with its south-of-the-border romance. A real page-turner from a master writer.” - DiAnn Mills, author of When the Nile Runs Red

“Sassy security expert Desiree Jacobs faces her toughest challenge yet in Reluctant Smuggler. Not only is someone out to wreck Desi’s business, she seems to have upset some very powerful bad guys whose influence reaches all the way from the Mexican underworld to her home in Boston. Jill Elizabeth Nelson delivers a fast-paced tale of danger, political intrigue, and a breathtaking dash through the jungles of Mexico. Blend all that with a satisfying touch of romance and the result is one terrific read.”
- Virginia Smith, author of Stuck in the Middle, book 1 of the Sister-to-Sister Series

“Jill Elizabeth Nelson has crafted an amazing tale of international intrigue, pulse-pounding drama, and sacrificial love, as well as one exceptional story line. Reluctant Smuggler is a great read and highly recommended!”
- Mark Mynheir, homicide detective and author of The Void

“Reluctant Smuggler is a must-read from romantic suspense author Jill Elizabeth Nelson! Security expert Desiree Jacobs will be sure to ‘steal’ your heart–all while she tries to track down art thieves in the exotic jungles of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Reluctant Smuggler takes readers on the ultimate adventure–in love, in faith, and in danger! It’s just my kind of book.”
- Christy Barritt, author of the Squeaky Clean Mystery Series

“What a ride! Reluctant Smuggler has everything–intrigue, adventure, exotic locations, wonderful characters, and through it all, the knowledge that God’s grace is sufficient. Jill Elizabeth Nelson has just become one of my very favorite authors.”
- DeAnna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound

“Take one exotic location, add a beautiful woman, a dedicated FBI agent, a few missing artifacts, and mix at high speed and you have one nonstop thrill ride that will have you flipping the pages late into the night. Just when you think it couldn’t possibly get any worse, Jill Nelson manages to turn the heat up on her wonderful characters. You’ll find yourself gasping more than once and quickly turning the page to see how it turns out.”
- Wanda Dyson, critically acclaimed author of The Shefford-Johnson Case Files