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Review by Jodi Israel
It's difficult to dislike a heroine whose greatest loves are jewels and chocolate, not necessarily in that order. In Michelle Martin's Stolen Hearts, Tess Alcott, jewel thief, is approached by her former "mentor" for one last job: the Farleigh emeralds. All she has to do is pass herself off as the long-lost kidnapped granddaughter of Jane Cushman. Since to see the Farleigh emeralds is to want them, Tess doesn't need much persuasion.
Jane is convinced almost immediately that Tess is really the long-lost Elizabeth. Family attorney Luke Mansfield, however, wants irrefutable proof.
Tess and Luke set off sparks instantly and both resent it. Luke wants to prove Tess is a fraud, in order to protect Jane whom he loves like a mother. And more important, it would prove that all women, except Jane, are frauds. (Though not a misogynist, Luke has been burned often enough.)
Tess doesn't want complications. But when she meets Jane Cushman, her future changes: love and affection, two things Tess had never experienced, completely alter her plans.
Martin does a wonderful job of unfolding the story after a first chapter which makes Tess appear almost too hard. Emotions run high. Tess's mentor is so evil that we ache for Tess. Though Martin doesn't achieve the emotional heights of Elizabeth Lowell or Julie Garwood, we grow to care deeply for Tess and feel both her hurts and her joy.
Sexual tension also runs high in this story even after Tess and Luke make love. Tess had always assumed she was frigid, but one kiss from Luke blows that theory into the next county. The two are a well-matched pair in a well-crafted story.
Jodi Israel is an avid reader of romance. She can be reached at israel@faxon.com.
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