Veena’s review of A Kiss in the Dark (Sam and Rick, Book 2) by Suzanne Enoch
Contemporary Romance published by NYLA 08 Oct 24
Sam was a cat burglar extraordinaire who has now gone legit, since meeting and falling in love with billionaire Richard Addison. Heading her own security business, giving others like her who wish to go legitimate a chance, she’s unaware of the dangerous currents that surround her. When a chance to provide security for a valuable auction in NY comes her way, Sam is all over it, even though it means protecting the contents from her cat burglar father who raised her.
When Sam’s two-day assignment turns into a more long-term assignment, Rick follows her to New York, determined to call in the favors he can to keep Sam safe and out of jail. Not only is her father determined to beat Sam at the game, but he also has a personal vendetta against the curator of the auction. It’s going to take all of Sam’s wits, Rick’s contacts, and a host of others to help Sam come out ahead of the dangerous waters she finds herself swimming in.
Sam has a clear memory of everything from a certain age, but everything before is hazy. She finds a lot of those long-lost memories and secrets that are finally exposed to the light of day. Her father is a worthy adversary. Just as she knows him, he knows her, and he’s just as determined to win. Rick and Sam, of course, dominate the story, but the supporting cast of characters keeps the story hopping. The final secret at the end is one that I don’t think anyone saw coming, but it definitely leads me to believe there will be at least one more installment of this interesting couple.
Grade: B
Summary:
When Samantha Jellicoe, cat burglar and art thief extraordinaire (reformed!) is tapped to install last minute security for the auction of a priceless art collection, she leaps at the chance. Not only is it a great offer, but it will lead to future jobs, which are hard to find for a talented but notorious ex-thief. If there’s one thing Sam knows, it’s security— and how to get around it!
Walking the straight and narrow (so she can marry her dreamy, aristocratic fiancé Richard Addison) is not going to be easy, and this case adds a whole new level of complications: the possible involvement of her interfering and equally skilled Dad, the auction house’s liaison’s mysterious background, as well as the hidden motives of her new staff means that Sam’s burglar sack is full to the brim with extra baggage — and not the sparkly kind!
Failure could mean the end of Sam’s freedom, her relationship with Rick, and everything she’s been working for, so it’s all hands-on deck for Team Sam, with a few twists, fireworks — literal and personal — and some great pizza, in a blowout that New York City’s art scene will never forget!
