Rucker File

by C.B. Samet

She’s a thief who doesn’t form attachments. He’s a kindhearted optimist caught unwittingly in an art forgery scandal.

In the pulse-pounding world of high-stakes theft, meet Sophia, a woman whose skills as a thief have made her notorious. Swift, cunning, and with a touch of danger, she's always managed to stay one step ahead of the law. But when her latest heist leads her to a chance encounter with Garret Rucker, his heart of gold makes her question her loner lifestyle even if the danger outweighs the risk.

Garret is a man who lives for helping others, working tirelessly in the operating room to save lives. Handsome and compassionate, he's the kind of man who draws Sophia in with an irresistible magnetism. She doesn’t have time for complications, but he’s in the crosshairs of a dangerous adversary and won’t survive without her help.

As Sofia and Garret's paths intertwine, their chemistry ignites, and they find themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and peril. With both their lives in grave danger, Sofia must decide whether to follow her instincts to protect the man she's falling for, even if it means exposing her own secrets. In a heart-stopping race against time, they must navigate through a labyrinth of deception, betrayal, and unexpected alliances.

In this romantic suspense thriller, Sofia and Garret will be tested in ways they never imagined, and the line between right and wrong will blur as they fight to survive. As the danger escalates, so does their desire for one another, forging a connection that could spell either salvation or doom.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

I enjoy writing and reading action/adventure, thrillers, romantic suspense, and fantasy.

I grew up reading Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, and the Bourne books. I write seeking to create that level of action and intrigue but with female heroines. The love the quote, ‘She needed a hero. So she became one.’ My novels have empowered women overcoming powerful obstacles and the strong men who support them.

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Reviews

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book ten of The Rider Files series and the main characters are high end thief, Sophia, and Garrett Rucker, who works at Regional Hospital as a nurse anaesthetist. Sophia had been hired to steal a particular necklace from the secret stash of Victor Lagrange, a womaniser and criminal, known as someone who would have those who offended him killed, and wasn’t above getting valuable pieces of art stolen for his own collection. Sophia has been working on her own since she was sixteen, having been taught by her uncle from a young age to pickpocket and then steal from homes, as she tried to pay her father’s medical bills. She has known nothing else, but being sent into one home, she came across evidence that the owners were struggling with medical bills and couldn’t really afford to cover what she was supposed to steal. That refusal ended her relationship with her uncle and his team. She is more careful now, making sure those she steals from deserve it, and normally she would get out without even being seen. Unfortunately, this time Victor catches her in the upper hallway, and she plays off his desire to know her better and agrees to see him for dinner the next day, something she has no wish to ever do as she finds him repulsive and dangerous! Stealing his phone to get his security tapes to wipe evidence of her in his vault, she finds information about a hit, mentioning a time and place. She sets out to help whoever the victim is to be, and it turns out to be Garrett, who is attacked as he makes his way to his car after a shift at the hospital. It wasn’t a normal mugging, as the attacker zip tied him and injected a drug into him, to knock him out!

She wouldn’t normally stick around in a city after a heist, but she can’t see an innocent man who only helps others, be a target of Victor for whatever reason. They meet again the next day n a coffee shop, with Garrett having no idea she actually saved him the previous night! She needs to reveal who she is and tell him that his life is in danger, but instead they end up having dinner then ending up at his apartment. Their chemistry is off the charts, but Sophia knows she can’t stay, but it turns out both their lives are in danger, as is that of Garrett’s brother Nash, a former DEA agent. Nash turns up at his place and is turned away as Garrett has Sophia inside asleep on his sofa and he tells Nash he will speak to him later. Nash has started a new job at Rider Security and Investigation, and the company is growing ever larger. Mica Rider, the owner and CEO, soon meets Garrett and Sophia, as there seems to be someone after Nash as well as Garrett, and the Rider company looks after its employees and their families. Garret doesn’t trust her at all when her secrets are revealed, whilst Garret doesn’t ant to be parted from her for any amount of whatever time they have left together before she leaves town. The whole saga gets even more dangerous as each s targeted, with links to someone in an old people’s home Garrett used to visit, a cartel leader Nash upset and lost face with his bosses, and of course Sophia, with Vince after his stolen item and revenge. Sophia soon finds herself caring for Garrett and even thinking of being part of a family, something she hasn’t been part of for years. Mica sees Sophia’s worth, especially after she puts herself in danger to save the brothers more than once. Her art expertise will be invaluable, as the battle against numerous foes escalates and they have to fight to survive.

Neither Sophia nor Garrett are fighters, but they have been placed in danger by circumstance, and only the help of Mica and her team can make sure that they might survive by the end of the story. Sophia seems unable to break the connection she has made to Garrett, as she attempted to save him from being kidnapped by someone linked to her latest theft. Garrett has fallen for her completely and while not wanting to force her to pick him, lays his feelings out for her as his desire increases. Everything will come to a head as an old con comes to light and Sophia plays a key role in solving it through her contacts, leaving Garrett desperate to ensure she is safe, resulting in her being offered a new and safer role for the future, that keeps her with Garrett! An exciting and dangerous storyline, with a good mix of found family relationships and love, coming from dangerous situations. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thief with scruples and a heart? Yes, Sophia has both and won’t allow an innocent bystander to be injured on her watch. While the falling in love story of this unlikely pair is enough to titillate and keep you reading the suspenseful weaving together of all of the baddie elements against our gang brings a current of high intrigue to the tale. With a smattering of hacker-esk intelligence gathering, international elegance, and a bit of medical expertise there is so much to entrance and entertain. Garret is a smart, everyday guy, romantic who just wants to help people and when he and Sophia meet the chemistry is on point. The small amount of sexy times furthers the story without being smarmy. I just couldn’t put it down till the satisfying sigh worthy end.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Rucker File . This is a spectacular suspense romance . Sophia is a thief of high-end items . When she stubbles upon information that has an innocent man in danger she steps in to save him . Garrett Rucker found himself saved from an attacker but has no idea what's happening and why he was targeted . After spending time with Sophia they find themselves interested in each other . Sophia has secrets and Unfortunately the danger is not over . As the danger increases Sophia and Garrett will have to fight for their happy ever after . This story is full of action and suspense and definitely romance . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is fast paced with art theft, forgery, attempted murder and unknown threats. I liked how capable Sophia is and how she saved Garret. Although there was no need, Sophia stayed to help. I liked that Sophia and Garret fell in love and they were able to stay together in the end. I liked Garret and his quirky way of studying. It was great how he saved Sophie's life. I liked how an old adage was proven near the end of this story.

[Cathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

CB Samet has once again created a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Sophia and Garrett as they fought for survival and grew closer. The plot had me hooked from the first page and I already can't wait to read more of the Rider Files. Another thoroughly enjoyable romantic suspence novel. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samet has us enjoying the meet & greet of Garret & Sophia. The thrill starts off the bat & the suspense keeps hitting you. Through that the sweet burn & development of romance between Garret & Sophia leaves you smiling. Nash's snark & Mica's manipulation has you laughing & loving this Rider team more. Brilliant as always. Honest review.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and this story is just as good as expected. Full of action, drama, danger, and a love story mixed in with all the adrenaline. Just kept me glued to the end to see it all go down with lots of thrills. These two were so cute. And Garret was a blast.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has good characters, connection and chemistry, suspense, romance and character development. The story holds your interest and it's a good addition to this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lorraine Upton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. An amazing story to show how a criminal can change for love and become a team player. The Rider team does it again. Another amazing book by CB Samet.

[Tonya Cheton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophia is a thief that finds herself getting into a deeper situation. Garrett is known for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I like how this story goes that they are both entertain by each other's company. Sophia doesn't want Garrett to know what her status is. Potential lead may help who is behind the art forgery. Did not care for the quizzes as much as those evil criminals. I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.