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Blackheart #1
Catspaw
It was like a scene from an old romantic movie...
Ferris Byrd didn't know what to expect when she first met Patrick Blackheart. Aside from reading that he was one of San Francisco's most eligible bachelors, she really didn't know too much about his background. While he ran a respectable security business, there were all those nasty rumors about his past life on the other side of the law ....
But the Von Emmerling emeralds were Ferris's responsibility and needed protection during the Puffin Ball. She had to choose a security agency that would be reliable, and Patrick Blackheart had a certain irresistible charm ....
Ferris Byrd didn't know what to expect when she first met Patrick Blackheart. Aside from reading that he was one of San Francisco's most eligible bachelors, she really didn't know too much about his background. While he ran a respectable security business, there were all those nasty rumors about his past life on the other side of the law ....
But the Von Emmerling emeralds were Ferris's responsibility and needed protection during the Puffin Ball. She had to choose a security agency that would be reliable, and Patrick Blackheart had a certain irresistible charm ....
252 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Anne Stuart
205 books2,070 followersAnne 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 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 28, 2011
Like the book blurb says, Catspaw has that "old romantic movie" feel and I happen to love that, so it's no wonder I ended up loving this book.
Blackheart and Ferris were wonderful characters, sparks flew the moment they met and the chemistry between them jumped off the pages. There was some mystery surrounding the identity of the third bad guy in cahoots with the villain couple, who were unveiled to the reader rather early in the book, to steal the famous Von Emmerling emeralds, but it didn't take the attention away from the central focus of the story - and that was Blackheart and Ferris. Have I mentioned before how wonderful they were? ;)
Note: This book has a follow-up, Catspaw II (Harlequin Intrigue, No 103), with the same H/h. I can't wait to read it!
Blackheart and Ferris were wonderful characters, sparks flew the moment they met and the chemistry between them jumped off the pages. There was some mystery surrounding the identity of the third bad guy in cahoots with the villain couple, who were unveiled to the reader rather early in the book, to steal the famous Von Emmerling emeralds, but it didn't take the attention away from the central focus of the story - and that was Blackheart and Ferris. Have I mentioned before how wonderful they were? ;)
Note: This book has a follow-up, Catspaw II (Harlequin Intrigue, No 103), with the same H/h. I can't wait to read it!
October 18, 2022
"Catspaw" is the story of Francesca and Blackheart.
So the blurb of this book begins with "It was like a scene from an old romantic movie...", but I would like to just add heist after romantic. This book was like watching a thrilling heist movie, and keeps you engaged from page 1, all the way to the end. Well done Ms Stuart! This is the second series I've tried of hers, after the fabulous "House of Rohan", and extremely happy with this!
We have our hero Patrick Blackheart- ex world famous cat burglar and current incharge of one of the best security firms. A grave error in the past led to him being caught, and since then he has changed his way..or has he?
Our heroine is Ferris "Francesca" Byrd Berdahofski, fiance to Phillip Merriam, a senator and his current administrative assistant. Being incharge of the Puffin Ball, and the notorious Von Emmerling emeralds, she does not trust Patrick Blackheart one bit.
But circumstances force them to work together. While Patrick manages to sneak into Francesca's house one too many times, much to her alley cat Blackie's delight and her chagrin, he soon starts worming his way into her heart too. Initially taken back by her innocence, Patrick still cannot let go of the fiery redhead that is Francesca. But as they work on building trust and trying not to fall in love, a common enemy plots to steal the emeralds and foist the blame on to Blackheart. Will she succeed, in not just the theft but also sabotaging the bond between our couple?
The book is so well written, I can't even! The plot is rock solid, the heist is invigorating, the chemistry and banter between our lead couple is crackling, and the sex is off the charts hot (so are the kisses). The unlikely couple race against time to catch the culprit, while testing their new found love and precarious trust and enjoying old school movies. The chase and action sequences are SO well done- Francesca conquering her acrophobia to save Patrick would definitely go in my all time favorite scenes!
Humor-✓
Angst-✓
Hot lovemaking- ✓
Witty banter-✓
Obsession- ✓
A FABULOUS read!
Safe
5/5
So the blurb of this book begins with "It was like a scene from an old romantic movie...", but I would like to just add heist after romantic. This book was like watching a thrilling heist movie, and keeps you engaged from page 1, all the way to the end. Well done Ms Stuart! This is the second series I've tried of hers, after the fabulous "House of Rohan", and extremely happy with this!
We have our hero Patrick Blackheart- ex world famous cat burglar and current incharge of one of the best security firms. A grave error in the past led to him being caught, and since then he has changed his way..or has he?
Our heroine is Ferris "Francesca" Byrd Berdahofski, fiance to Phillip Merriam, a senator and his current administrative assistant. Being incharge of the Puffin Ball, and the notorious Von Emmerling emeralds, she does not trust Patrick Blackheart one bit.
But circumstances force them to work together. While Patrick manages to sneak into Francesca's house one too many times, much to her alley cat Blackie's delight and her chagrin, he soon starts worming his way into her heart too. Initially taken back by her innocence, Patrick still cannot let go of the fiery redhead that is Francesca. But as they work on building trust and trying not to fall in love, a common enemy plots to steal the emeralds and foist the blame on to Blackheart. Will she succeed, in not just the theft but also sabotaging the bond between our couple?
The book is so well written, I can't even! The plot is rock solid, the heist is invigorating, the chemistry and banter between our lead couple is crackling, and the sex is off the charts hot (so are the kisses). The unlikely couple race against time to catch the culprit, while testing their new found love and precarious trust and enjoying old school movies. The chase and action sequences are SO well done- Francesca conquering her acrophobia to save Patrick would definitely go in my all time favorite scenes!
Humor-✓
Angst-✓
Hot lovemaking- ✓
Witty banter-✓
Obsession- ✓
A FABULOUS read!
Safe
5/5
January 4, 2019
Four stars for this intriguing tale of a cat burglar H and an outwardly straight laced h
I loved the h's eccentricities; she ate ice-cream in bed, lived in a messy house and had the cutest cat, Blackie who pretty much came and went as his pleased and took the h's devotion as his due
H was such a sweetheart; sneaky, cheeky, tender and funny ...
I think I fell in love with him along the way ...
I loved the h's eccentricities; she ate ice-cream in bed, lived in a messy house and had the cutest cat, Blackie who pretty much came and went as his pleased and took the h's devotion as his due
H was such a sweetheart; sneaky, cheeky, tender and funny ...
I think I fell in love with him along the way ...
dnf
July 5, 2019Lost interest..
“I make it a policy never to steal the same thing twice. Unless it's a kiss.”
The H was a thief and manwhore.
And who knows maybe he still is.
The H had a fling with the h’s fiancé’s ex fiancée.
Means the ow was the h’s fiancé’s fiancée before but left him for someone else. Also she hooked up with the H in the past.
yuck yuck yuck 🤢
The ow surely has upper hand here, what with having taste of both the guys in the h’s life. The h has to get the ow’s used goods.
Sorry had to dnf inspite of good writing.
“I make it a policy never to steal the same thing twice. Unless it's a kiss.”
The H was a thief and manwhore.
And who knows maybe he still is.
The H had a fling with the h’s fiancé’s ex fiancée.
Means the ow was the h’s fiancé’s fiancée before but left him for someone else. Also she hooked up with the H in the past.
yuck yuck yuck 🤢
The ow surely has upper hand here, what with having taste of both the guys in the h’s life. The h has to get the ow’s used goods.
Sorry had to dnf inspite of good writing.
May 20, 2010
Anne Stuart does it again, this time casting an ex-cat burglar as the hero. Ferris (Francesca) Byrd is the heroine and I must say..there is never a dull moment with this book.
The chemistry between these two characters is what makes this book great. I liked the honest and forthright approach that Blackheart takes with Ferris. He is instantly attracted to her and the sparks fly immediately between them.
Ferris was also a character to enjoy. Her uptight and superficial demeanor falls apart as the reader gets to see her behind closed doors....more comfortable in jeans and a "messy" type of person. I identified with her and her need to present herself to the world in a more perfect light.
This book is pure entertainment (and we get more in the next book Catspaw 2)!
The chemistry between these two characters is what makes this book great. I liked the honest and forthright approach that Blackheart takes with Ferris. He is instantly attracted to her and the sparks fly immediately between them.
Ferris was also a character to enjoy. Her uptight and superficial demeanor falls apart as the reader gets to see her behind closed doors....more comfortable in jeans and a "messy" type of person. I identified with her and her need to present herself to the world in a more perfect light.
This book is pure entertainment (and we get more in the next book Catspaw 2)!
February 20, 2015
พระเอกเรื่องนี้ทั้งซึนทั้งกวนประสาทมากๆ ชอบยั่วให้โกรธ
คือมีเสน่ห์ดีนะแต่สงสารนางเอกมากๆ รักแล้วคงเหนื่อยน่าดู
คือมีเสน่ห์ดีนะแต่สงสารนางเอกมากๆ รักแล้วคงเหนื่อยน่าดู
December 26, 2024
3.7
I hate Kate more than I hate the villainess, she backstab her friends and she hated the h without cause while Francesca worked hard her life with her integrity intact the bitch Kate was sleeping her way up.
And I hate that the H condemned the h and want to strangle her just because Francesca suspect him, of course she had reason that was obvious any normal person would suspect the same in her shoes. Even after he found out that his disloyal and bitch friend did, he showed no condemnation just support and protectiveness while he treated the h awfully and made her do things and put her life in jeopardy so they can pin on the villains, why didn't he made the bitch friend do it. Not only he put her life at risk when he found out she had fear of heights he was mad at her and wanted to strangle her. WTF. If the h had fall off to her death he would not had cared just the mess. Some Hs like this one has no regard for the life of the heroines and put them in danger like was nothing while they treated the OWs like crystal. And why the dumb hs risk their lifes for the bastards. This heroines is strong but the is a doormat like all the others concercing the slimy H. If they can get out by the basement why they didn't entered by the basement? He can unlock any door, it's like he just want to put her life in jeopardy for revenge and fun. He deserved her slimy betrayer bitch friend and he care munch more about the cheat bitch than he cared about the h. And please the bitch said she believed that the villainess said that no one were be blamed. Right, if I would believed, she certainly didn't care that her supposed friends would be framed. She is a vengeful nasty bitch in sheep clothes at least the villainess is true the form. I don't know why the h felty guilty of suspecting him and blame herself. 90% of the hs always get the worst in the hands of the Hs while the guilty party get no punishment and when they did it is barely a punishement. She should have stayed with the OM although her would be future-in-law is the real worth person in the book. Why they always make the h virgin? And the excuse for 2 times that she could have lost is not a good reason. And the H didn't like that she still a virgin, she should have lost a long time because the Hs in this world is not worthy. They always can get pleasure in any skirt while the hs just got from them even the few that are not virgin just get awful and selfish lovers in the past while the OWs get by worhipped and pampered by the Hs and OMs.
Another thing that is gross that he had sex with the villainess in the past and another OWs for pleasure and for distraction.
And I hated that after theyy break it in the villains house, they had sex, it's sex for adrenaline and the dumb h begged him and told him that she loved him. She didn't had pride to begging for crumbs from a cold man that give a fig for her life and almost slapped her in their way out of the villainess building. Why the hs always get the nasty piece of shits and fall for them? And after everything she did for him he still think is not enough? Does he want her to bleed and die so he can satisfy?
I hate Kate more than I hate the villainess, she backstab her friends and she hated the h without cause while Francesca worked hard her life with her integrity intact the bitch Kate was sleeping her way up.
And I hate that the H condemned the h and want to strangle her just because Francesca suspect him, of course she had reason that was obvious any normal person would suspect the same in her shoes. Even after he found out that his disloyal and bitch friend did, he showed no condemnation just support and protectiveness while he treated the h awfully and made her do things and put her life in jeopardy so they can pin on the villains, why didn't he made the bitch friend do it. Not only he put her life at risk when he found out she had fear of heights he was mad at her and wanted to strangle her. WTF. If the h had fall off to her death he would not had cared just the mess. Some Hs like this one has no regard for the life of the heroines and put them in danger like was nothing while they treated the OWs like crystal. And why the dumb hs risk their lifes for the bastards. This heroines is strong but the is a doormat like all the others concercing the slimy H. If they can get out by the basement why they didn't entered by the basement? He can unlock any door, it's like he just want to put her life in jeopardy for revenge and fun. He deserved her slimy betrayer bitch friend and he care munch more about the cheat bitch than he cared about the h. And please the bitch said she believed that the villainess said that no one were be blamed. Right, if I would believed, she certainly didn't care that her supposed friends would be framed. She is a vengeful nasty bitch in sheep clothes at least the villainess is true the form. I don't know why the h felty guilty of suspecting him and blame herself. 90% of the hs always get the worst in the hands of the Hs while the guilty party get no punishment and when they did it is barely a punishement. She should have stayed with the OM although her would be future-in-law is the real worth person in the book. Why they always make the h virgin? And the excuse for 2 times that she could have lost is not a good reason. And the H didn't like that she still a virgin, she should have lost a long time because the Hs in this world is not worthy. They always can get pleasure in any skirt while the hs just got from them even the few that are not virgin just get awful and selfish lovers in the past while the OWs get by worhipped and pampered by the Hs and OMs.
Another thing that is gross that he had sex with the villainess in the past and another OWs for pleasure and for distraction.
And I hated that after theyy break it in the villains house, they had sex, it's sex for adrenaline and the dumb h begged him and told him that she loved him. She didn't had pride to begging for crumbs from a cold man that give a fig for her life and almost slapped her in their way out of the villainess building. Why the hs always get the nasty piece of shits and fall for them? And after everything she did for him he still think is not enough? Does he want her to bleed and die so he can satisfy?
February 14, 2024
I am being generous with 2 Stars as I liked the story and enjoyed almost all of it... BUT A.S. decided to deride half of her audience by insulting Republicans. In this case, stereotypes, while they do have a basis in reality, are often wrong. ?
Please note that I respond the same way when authors attack Democrats or Liberals. If you want to put a political view in, be a bit vague. FYI: The last two Presidents and dinosaurs roaming the Congress, Senate and Supreme Court show how broken our current system is. (see, vague but gets the point across ?)
NOTE TO ALL FICTION AUTHORS... We read to escape the mess of our current world. Those of us who choose Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense or anything in Romance would prefer a world without the reading about the lunatics that are running the asylum in Washington DC and many cities in the US.
Please note that I respond the same way when authors attack Democrats or Liberals. If you want to put a political view in, be a bit vague. FYI: The last two Presidents and dinosaurs roaming the Congress, Senate and Supreme Court show how broken our current system is. (see, vague but gets the point across ?)
NOTE TO ALL FICTION AUTHORS... We read to escape the mess of our current world. Those of us who choose Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense or anything in Romance would prefer a world without the reading about the lunatics that are running the asylum in Washington DC and many cities in the US.
October 29, 2018
Really like it :)
Did Not Finish
September 17, 2019Simply unreadable. The heroine was a nail on chalk nightmare, the plot made no sense neither did the characterization.
September 22, 2023
This is yet another Anne Stuart book that draws you in with interesting characters and enough plot to keep your interest. Enjoy
September 8, 2012
A funny loves story with a suspenseful plot.
February 14, 2016
Sort of a fun idea but feels really dated and the main lead female is a bit annoying. Although, it was nice to read about a woman and her messy apartment - a slob like me.
May 20, 2016
Great plot. Great characters. Great writing.
April 6, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews