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Blackheart #2
Catspaw II
Blackheart had promised to give up a life of crime.
Ferris Byrd had no intention of marrying a cat burglar. She trust her fiance, but when news came of jewel robberies in European cities Blackheart had recently visited, she began to wonder. Had he taken to the rooftops again?
If Blackheart had broken his promise to her, the engagement was off. Or had someone set him up? The Faberge eggs exhibit at the San Francisco Museum would be too tempting for the thief to ignore. And when he showed up, Ferris planned to be ready to unmask the real villain.
Ferris Byrd had no intention of marrying a cat burglar. She trust her fiance, but when news came of jewel robberies in European cities Blackheart had recently visited, she began to wonder. Had he taken to the rooftops again?
If Blackheart had broken his promise to her, the engagement was off. Or had someone set him up? The Faberge eggs exhibit at the San Francisco Museum would be too tempting for the thief to ignore. And when he showed up, Ferris planned to be ready to unmask the real villain.
253 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
200Ìýbooks2,057ÌýfollowersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2022
"Catspaw II" is the continuation, and conclusion of the story of Francesca and Blackheart.
I have to say this: One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE duologies ever!
When we last left off: Francesca and Blackheart (our MC) were engaged; Philip (ex fiance) was out of the picture; Regina (ex fiance's mum) was ever so supportive; Blackie (pet alley cat) was and will always remain moody.
Flash forward 6 months. Blackheart has been disappearing for weeks, without informing Francesca and obviously hiding his secrets. When a string of robberies in European cities start bearing the Blackheart hallmark, and with him being secretive, Francesca finds it difficult to blindly trust him and after a night of blinding passion, ends their relationship. But Blackheart has bigger issues than his beloved fiance (trying to) dump him. Someone is obviously trying to frame him. Enter a couple of new key players
-The cop McNab- hell bent on catching Blackheart during the act
-The "couple" Dany and Marco Porcini- one of whom has an age old revenge plan
-The ex fiance Phillip
How Francesca and Blackheart race against time- fighting enemies, tackling jealousies, bantering passionately and saving their hides forms the story. Many past secrets are revealed, and a surprising second couple finds their happiness. The mystery elements are so well written, and the chase and whodunnit sequences keep you at the edge of your seat, yet the light moments never failed to make me chuckle.
The best scenes, however, belong to our main couple. They both insanely love each other, and it's very obvious in every scene. Blackheart is such a kind yet wicket and smart hero- the way he cares for Francesca- from cleaning her room, to replacing the ring every time she removes it, to giving her cassettes of all these heist flicks- yet fighting for their love will get me forever. Francesca too has her reasons for mistrust- but she never comes off as mean or shrewd. Such an adorable and messy heroine. This book and series and epilogue- SO FCKING GOOD.
Recommended to everyone.
Safe
5/5
I have to say this: One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE duologies ever!
When we last left off: Francesca and Blackheart (our MC) were engaged; Philip (ex fiance) was out of the picture; Regina (ex fiance's mum) was ever so supportive; Blackie (pet alley cat) was and will always remain moody.
Flash forward 6 months. Blackheart has been disappearing for weeks, without informing Francesca and obviously hiding his secrets. When a string of robberies in European cities start bearing the Blackheart hallmark, and with him being secretive, Francesca finds it difficult to blindly trust him and after a night of blinding passion, ends their relationship. But Blackheart has bigger issues than his beloved fiance (trying to) dump him. Someone is obviously trying to frame him. Enter a couple of new key players
-The cop McNab- hell bent on catching Blackheart during the act
-The "couple" Dany and Marco Porcini- one of whom has an age old revenge plan
-The ex fiance Phillip
How Francesca and Blackheart race against time- fighting enemies, tackling jealousies, bantering passionately and saving their hides forms the story. Many past secrets are revealed, and a surprising second couple finds their happiness. The mystery elements are so well written, and the chase and whodunnit sequences keep you at the edge of your seat, yet the light moments never failed to make me chuckle.
The best scenes, however, belong to our main couple. They both insanely love each other, and it's very obvious in every scene. Blackheart is such a kind yet wicket and smart hero- the way he cares for Francesca- from cleaning her room, to replacing the ring every time she removes it, to giving her cassettes of all these heist flicks- yet fighting for their love will get me forever. Francesca too has her reasons for mistrust- but she never comes off as mean or shrewd. Such an adorable and messy heroine. This book and series and epilogue- SO FCKING GOOD.
Recommended to everyone.
Safe
5/5
September 8, 2011
Blackheart and Ferris are back with a vengeance in this sequel to , which I loved. Obviously!
It was wonderful to see them again, trying to overcome their feelings of mutual distrust: on one hand, she was afraid he was back to his thieving past; on the other hand, he chose to keep his whereabouts from her, thus furthering her doubts. No wonder their engagement took a serious hit. However, amidst it all, there was never any question about their loving each other. They were just too proud to be the first to cave, and it was fun to see them banter while working things out.
There was a secondary love story, involving Blackheart's sister and the cop set on getting him. It was nice, but it didn't hold my attention and it's my only "complaint" about this book.
The plot was full of action, with not only one but two mysteries to be solved. Blackheart was in serious trouble, poised to be framed for two thefts (a Van Gogh painting and some Fabergé eggs), getting reacquainted with his long-lost sister and trying to make amends with Ferris - all that at the same time! Yup, not a dull moment in sight.
As it happened in the first book of this "series" (are two books enough to make a series?), Blackheart and Ferris were the stuff that made the story work. Too bad Ms. Stuart didn't write more books with this couple. I would gladly follow their future adventures as a married couple, as I'm sure the words "sedate" and "boring" are not to be found in their dictionary. :)
It was wonderful to see them again, trying to overcome their feelings of mutual distrust: on one hand, she was afraid he was back to his thieving past; on the other hand, he chose to keep his whereabouts from her, thus furthering her doubts. No wonder their engagement took a serious hit. However, amidst it all, there was never any question about their loving each other. They were just too proud to be the first to cave, and it was fun to see them banter while working things out.
There was a secondary love story, involving Blackheart's sister and the cop set on getting him. It was nice, but it didn't hold my attention and it's my only "complaint" about this book.
The plot was full of action, with not only one but two mysteries to be solved. Blackheart was in serious trouble, poised to be framed for two thefts (a Van Gogh painting and some Fabergé eggs), getting reacquainted with his long-lost sister and trying to make amends with Ferris - all that at the same time! Yup, not a dull moment in sight.
As it happened in the first book of this "series" (are two books enough to make a series?), Blackheart and Ferris were the stuff that made the story work. Too bad Ms. Stuart didn't write more books with this couple. I would gladly follow their future adventures as a married couple, as I'm sure the words "sedate" and "boring" are not to be found in their dictionary. :)
January 4, 2019
Francesca and Blackheart again; and we get regular doses of Blackie, the grey cat who is firmly the lord of all he surveys!
The sequel was even better than the first one ...
Francesca was confused in love while Blackheart was very clear what he wanted to do
I loved that he broke into her house, tidied up after the super messy Francesca and put his ring on her finger and left.
Francesca was very cute when she contemplated that her children might be mini cat burglars so she asks H's driver, who is related to confirm that he really is a driver and has a crime free life but he tells her that in his spare time he is a bookie ... lol ...
I totally loved the last scene where h ends up on a pillar and begs H to rescue her, which he does ...
And loved that they named their baby Cat
The sequel was even better than the first one ...
Francesca was confused in love while Blackheart was very clear what he wanted to do
I loved that he broke into her house, tidied up after the super messy Francesca and put his ring on her finger and left.
Francesca was very cute when she contemplated that her children might be mini cat burglars so she asks H's driver, who is related to confirm that he really is a driver and has a crime free life but he tells her that in his spare time he is a bookie ... lol ...
I totally loved the last scene where h ends up on a pillar and begs H to rescue her, which he does ...
And loved that they named their baby Cat
February 7, 2008
I had great fun reading this book. This is an 1988 Harlequin Intrigue and it’s written almost like a movie or a TV series (T. mentioned a sitcom when she loaned it to me). It’s a sequel to Catspaw and although I don’t think I missed much by not having read that one first I have now decided that I must read only if to find if it’s as good as this one.
Ferris Byrd had no intention of marrying a cat burglar. she trusted her fiance', but when news came of jewel robberies in European cities Blackheart had recently visited, she began to wonder. Had he taken to the rooftops again?"
Ferris Byrd is engaged to an ex-cat burglar. Her fear that he has resumed his old profession and his pride in not denying it leads to fight and a broken engagement. But not all is has it seems as someone is trying to frame Blackheart for those robberies and the eventual robbery of some Faberge Eggs from the exhibition he and Ferris are involved with.
I read this book in one sitting. It has some funny situations in an over the top kind of way (like Ferris climbing her own balcony or facing a very dangerous white tiger) and every chapter has the name of an old 50s/60s movie reflecting the chapter’s theme. Actually the whole book could be easily turned into a 50s movie with an cat burglar and a proper miss as main characters and then a set of secondary characters that include some circus artists, a long lost sister, a cop wanting to lock up said cat burglar and a crook politician. I vote on Humphrey Bogart to play Blackheart (and he is actually mentioned in the book). There’s little of Stuart’s dark and brooding heroes in John Patrick and the whole book is really more on the light side.
I really liked the romance between Ferris and John Patrick but also the romance between Dani and McNab. Stuart does have a knack for making really interesting secondary romances
Both this book and the prequel are mentioned in Anne Stuart’s Out OOP Gems page and if they ever reprinted it I would grab a copy immediately. A B+
Side note: The cover picture is really small but it was the best I could find online...
Ferris Byrd had no intention of marrying a cat burglar. she trusted her fiance', but when news came of jewel robberies in European cities Blackheart had recently visited, she began to wonder. Had he taken to the rooftops again?"
Ferris Byrd is engaged to an ex-cat burglar. Her fear that he has resumed his old profession and his pride in not denying it leads to fight and a broken engagement. But not all is has it seems as someone is trying to frame Blackheart for those robberies and the eventual robbery of some Faberge Eggs from the exhibition he and Ferris are involved with.
I read this book in one sitting. It has some funny situations in an over the top kind of way (like Ferris climbing her own balcony or facing a very dangerous white tiger) and every chapter has the name of an old 50s/60s movie reflecting the chapter’s theme. Actually the whole book could be easily turned into a 50s movie with an cat burglar and a proper miss as main characters and then a set of secondary characters that include some circus artists, a long lost sister, a cop wanting to lock up said cat burglar and a crook politician. I vote on Humphrey Bogart to play Blackheart (and he is actually mentioned in the book). There’s little of Stuart’s dark and brooding heroes in John Patrick and the whole book is really more on the light side.
I really liked the romance between Ferris and John Patrick but also the romance between Dani and McNab. Stuart does have a knack for making really interesting secondary romances
Both this book and the prequel are mentioned in Anne Stuart’s Out OOP Gems page and if they ever reprinted it I would grab a copy immediately. A B+
Side note: The cover picture is really small but it was the best I could find online...
May 20, 2010
Ferris Byrd and Patrick Blackheart are back in this sequel to the excellent Catspaw.
I liked this book just as much, if not better, than Catspaw. This book seamlessly transitions from the last book. When the book opens, Ferris and Blackheart are engaged, but distrust is still hindering their relationship. Blackheart has been "disappearing" lately and Ferris is convinced he's back to his old tricks of thievery.
The action never ends in this one, and we get to meet Dany, Blackheart's long lost sister. Stuart is talented enough to even let her have her own romance within the confines of this little book that packs quite a large punch. I love Ferris and Blackheart and loved catching up with them. These two will never have a boring life together, and neither does the reader who gets to read their story.
I liked this book just as much, if not better, than Catspaw. This book seamlessly transitions from the last book. When the book opens, Ferris and Blackheart are engaged, but distrust is still hindering their relationship. Blackheart has been "disappearing" lately and Ferris is convinced he's back to his old tricks of thievery.
The action never ends in this one, and we get to meet Dany, Blackheart's long lost sister. Stuart is talented enough to even let her have her own romance within the confines of this little book that packs quite a large punch. I love Ferris and Blackheart and loved catching up with them. These two will never have a boring life together, and neither does the reader who gets to read their story.
September 13, 2012
I love sequels to romances. The reader gets to see what the couple is really like together. Thankfully, Ferris and Blackheart still argue and they still have great chemistry. I did get tired of Ferris's trust issues, but it worked out ok. I didn't like It just wasn't set up well and the romance subplot with it was very quick and not believable at all.
June 14, 2014
I never read Catspaw, but I quickly fell in love with this sequel. I've always been intrigued by cat burglars so gobbled this book up. I immediately wanted to get my hands on the first novel, but it was out of print at the time.
May 20, 2016
Not as great as the first one. I still dnt get it why the hero hid all the details from the heroine.
I think then the story would not have built up then.
But still a great one.
I think then the story would not have built up then.
But still a great one.
September 8, 2012
Obviously the second book to Catspaw.that makes you ask the questions... Has he stopped stealing? Who is that strange young girl? Who plans to steal the jewels? Will they have a happy ending?
September 20, 2015
They are my favorite couple as alway
don't miss!!!
don't miss!!!
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