Emerald (Rewriting History #1)

Title: Emerald: Rewriting History #1
Author: EM Lynley
Cover Artist: Unknown
Publisher: Torquere Press
Buy Link: Amazon.com
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: 89 PDF pages
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

A guest review by Lasha

Summary Review: A fun, sexy romp that reminded me very much of a Remington Steele episode. (And that’s a good thing in my book!)

 

THE BLURB

Tobin Wyler is about to open the most significant exhibit in his career as a curator, and everything is going perfectly until he spots his former boyfriend chatting with his most important contributor at the black-tie reception. It goes from bad to worse because not only did Pierce Worthington once break Tobin’s heart, but he’s suspected of being the elusive art thief known as Jaguar, and Tobin knows his target is the highlight of the exhibit: an enormous emerald known as the Green Sorrow.

Pierce is torn about seeing Tobin again. He is expected to obtain the emerald, but he knows it may damage Tobin’s reputation. What Pierce doesn’t expect is how quickly old feelings about Tobin rise to the surface. Hoping to ease Tobin’s fears and spend time with him, Pierce offers to let Tobin keep a constant eye on him for the thirty six hours leading up to the exhibit. Thrown together again out of necessity laced with attraction, Tobin must figure out how to protect the emerald, his reputation, and his heart.

 

THE REVIEW

Apparently, I have a thing for Pierces. First, Pierce Brosnan and now Pierce Worthington. Both play con men, sexy can’t-help-but-love-’em con men – and in Tobin’s case, his is a thief. Set in the high society world of priceless art and gems, Tobin Wyler is a curator who is setting up the exhibit of his career. Enter his ex-boyfriend from Stanford University, someone he hasn’t seen in ten years. Their break-up had not been pleasant and Tobin is not looking forward to working with Pierce, whose company, Worthington Protection has been hired to protect the exhibit. Add to the fact that Tobin is convinced Pierce is the notorious cat burglar The Jaguar, only in town to steal the collection and Tobin is a nervous wreck trying to keep tabs on his ex-lover. So, Pierce suggests a compromise, Tobin will follow Pierce around 24/7 until the exhibit is over and prove he is trustworthy.

Did I happen to mention that Pierce is a con man? Poor Tobin. Well, at least he gets some hot reunion sex out of the deal before all hell breaks loose.

Emerald: Rewriting History is a delightful romp between ex-lovers who known each other inside and out and never really stopped caring for one another, just circumstances forcing them apart. Pierce is that rakish rogue who you love to hate and who pulls off the greatest heist of the century while giving himself the best alibi ever – trust me, you will have to read that scene to appreciate it! Tobin, on the other hand, is no damsel in distress. He knows Pierce is only there to steal the Green Sorrow, and while he is determined to stop Pierce, another part of him cannot help but being drawn to his first love. Their sex scenes are tempered with their long history and current situation.

Despite being only 89 pages, EM Lynley has been able to write some much defined characterizations for Tobin and Pierce. The art history and details of the exhibits seem very well researched without being an info dump. I was fascinated with this world. Combine these aspects with a fun plot, quirky secondary characters (Uncle Reggie) and you have the set up for a great story and now an awesome series as book number two, Ultramarine: Rewriting History #2 is now out.

So, all fans of The Thomas Crown Affair, Remington Steele and gorgeous but slightly shady Pierces, this novella is for you. Recommended.