False Impressions

2003 Golden Heart Finalist

Art thief Fitzwilliam "Ricky" Rickman has dangled from balconies, dodged trigger happy home owners, and even strolled from the Louvre with a painting tucked under his arm. He has never confronted an empty display case--until one night in a Minneapolis museum, and the easy swap of a Faberge egg commissioned by a Russian mob boss shows all indications of a double cross.

With the Russian Mafia mimicking his every step, Rickman needs the help of Russian translator Lila Roberts, a combat veteran and widow from Desert Storm. Lila’s loyalty to the egg’s owner forces her into an uneasy alliance with this charming thief. Together they test the boundaries of trust on a chase that leads them across the Atlantic and into each other’s arms. But Lila has secrets of her own--the sort that threaten not only their relationship, but also their lives. And as Rickman discovers, first impressions can be false--and even deadly.