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Southern Sanctuary #8
To Thrill A Thief
Thanks to her magic, Eli Stevens is quite literally forgettable girl. Ten seconds out of her presence and no one remembers who she is. Which makes her an awesome master thief, but lousy girlfriend material. Resigned to a long lonely life, Eli focuses all her energy on her job as Retrieval Expert for her eccentric, magical family, who have a tendency to misplace dangerous be-spelled objects.
Drafted to snatch five rubies containing the God Apep’s chaos magic, Eli finds herself partnered up with Rafe, elite warrior of Maat, and logistics genius. The man is the epitome of walking temptation, but Eli has been burnt too often in the past to believe this time will be any different. Rafe might be a gorgeous semi-immortal being but she’s forgettable girl. It’s time to lock up her heart for good and throw away the key, before she gets it shattered into a million pieces.
For Rafe, falling in love with gorgeous thief, Eli, was easy… remembering her was the hard part. Now he just has to convince Eli to fight for them. To trust that in working together they will find a way to overcome her magic. It will take all of his skill and charm to steal Eli’s heart and thrill a thief.
Drafted to snatch five rubies containing the God Apep’s chaos magic, Eli finds herself partnered up with Rafe, elite warrior of Maat, and logistics genius. The man is the epitome of walking temptation, but Eli has been burnt too often in the past to believe this time will be any different. Rafe might be a gorgeous semi-immortal being but she’s forgettable girl. It’s time to lock up her heart for good and throw away the key, before she gets it shattered into a million pieces.
For Rafe, falling in love with gorgeous thief, Eli, was easy… remembering her was the hard part. Now he just has to convince Eli to fight for them. To trust that in working together they will find a way to overcome her magic. It will take all of his skill and charm to steal Eli’s heart and thrill a thief.
259 pages, ebook
First published May 29, 2016
6 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Jane Cousins
22 books151 followersAn optimist, yet overly sarcastic. Big on bringing the laughs and the heat to her paranormal romance and cosy mystery series. A huge fan of snark, with a side order of bickering and a double heaping of banter. Delivering to the page sweet alpha males and their more than a match female counterparts. Before wrapping it all up in a hugely satisfying HEA each and every time.
Living in Melbourne, Australia, with her blue tongue lizard, that pokes it head out from under the porch twice a year. When not writing, can generally be found reading.
The Beast of Gloomenthrall - a snarky, fun & hot stand alone romantasy - Released January 2025
Currently hard at work on book 15 - To Crave A Curse (Southern Sanctuary series)
Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JaneCousinsW... or Twitter for all the latest - @JCousins_Author
or - become a fan on Goodreads, read my blog and get all the latest news.
Living in Melbourne, Australia, with her blue tongue lizard, that pokes it head out from under the porch twice a year. When not writing, can generally be found reading.
The Beast of Gloomenthrall - a snarky, fun & hot stand alone romantasy - Released January 2025
Currently hard at work on book 15 - To Crave A Curse (Southern Sanctuary series)
Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JaneCousinsW... or Twitter for all the latest - @JCousins_Author
or - become a fan on Goodreads, read my blog and get all the latest news.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 12, 2019
The girl in this book is so forgettable that people literally forget they ever met her if they look away from her for a few seconds. That is her magic. Now, I'm thinking that maybe I had that magic in my early adolescence. Or, at least I tried to have it.
It didn't work as well as I wanted it to.
Her name is Eli and she works as a thief for the Southern Sanctuary. She needs to steal some cursed rubies from around the world, but this time has to work with a partner - Rafe. Of course he's sexy and they are in insta-lust, but she can't have a relationship when the guy will forget she exists the minute she leaves his sight. That would be a minor problem.
Yeah, things could get awkward...
They start to catch the feels for each other in spite of that. This will work out great.
There was a lot of action in this book as they raced around the world catchingpokemon rubies. That part was okay. But, it did get a little slow at one point when they were on a "stakeout" at a honeymoon resort. And, yes, that is cheesy.
I also didn't really see her attraction to him. He was boring and occasionally douchey. But, I've noticed that the female characters are always a lot more interesting and complex than the males in this series. Still, it is a lot of fun and the world is cool.
It didn't work as well as I wanted it to.
Her name is Eli and she works as a thief for the Southern Sanctuary. She needs to steal some cursed rubies from around the world, but this time has to work with a partner - Rafe. Of course he's sexy and they are in insta-lust, but she can't have a relationship when the guy will forget she exists the minute she leaves his sight. That would be a minor problem.
Yeah, things could get awkward...
They start to catch the feels for each other in spite of that. This will work out great.
There was a lot of action in this book as they raced around the world catching
I also didn't really see her attraction to him. He was boring and occasionally douchey. But, I've noticed that the female characters are always a lot more interesting and complex than the males in this series. Still, it is a lot of fun and the world is cool.
February 26, 2018
OMG! I was laughing & crying reading this. Sometimes in the same paragraph.
Damn it, I had a life before I found this series. Now every night I rush home from work, ignore my partner and don't turn out the light until the sizzling and satisfying HEA.
Love, love, love, Eli. Our h, and her magic - forgettable girl - and her thief skills. She's mad capable, but at the same time kind of breaks your heart. How does JC create all these fab heroines that are different and wonderful? I feel like I'm in the huddle with my best gals when I read these books.
And Rafe, dreamy, confident, starts off a little over the top arrogant & alpha, but he soon realises that Eli is the woman of his dreams. If I he could only remember her. Loved his faith in their love.
This was a rollicking adventure. A series of high end cat burglaries set in extreme locations. The honeymoon resort was a treat. Loved all the descriptions, felt like i was there. We get some secondary characters, Maat warriors, Hadleigh, some of the single gals from the Sanctuary. And quite a lovely big dose of my fave psycho, Darcy. There was something about a nurses outfit that had me almost falling out of bed I was rolling around and laughing so much.
I cried. I sighed. I laughed, big time and often.
Damn it, I had a life before I found this series. Now every night I rush home from work, ignore my partner and don't turn out the light until the sizzling and satisfying HEA.
Love, love, love, Eli. Our h, and her magic - forgettable girl - and her thief skills. She's mad capable, but at the same time kind of breaks your heart. How does JC create all these fab heroines that are different and wonderful? I feel like I'm in the huddle with my best gals when I read these books.
And Rafe, dreamy, confident, starts off a little over the top arrogant & alpha, but he soon realises that Eli is the woman of his dreams. If I he could only remember her. Loved his faith in their love.
This was a rollicking adventure. A series of high end cat burglaries set in extreme locations. The honeymoon resort was a treat. Loved all the descriptions, felt like i was there. We get some secondary characters, Maat warriors, Hadleigh, some of the single gals from the Sanctuary. And quite a lovely big dose of my fave psycho, Darcy. There was something about a nurses outfit that had me almost falling out of bed I was rolling around and laughing so much.
I cried. I sighed. I laughed, big time and often.
July 24, 2016
Fantastic and so much fun. Once again Jane Cousins has delivered a great sweet/sexy romance and thrown in a heaping of action along with loads of witty dialogue and laughs.
Eli, our h, is a gorgeous thief, trained since she was a kid to fulfil the role for her magic/eccentric family. She's funny, fearless and if you are not family and blink three times - then you will completely forget she ever existed - such a great idea.
Rafe, another of Maat's hunky elite warriors doesn't know what hit him when he meets Eli. It's not long before the two are working together and Rafe has to face the biggest challenge ever - how will he remember Eli?
As always secondary characters pop up - catching up with Gaia, Hadleigh and of course my fave psycho Darcy, was just icing on the cake.
Consider me a complete fangirl of this world/series. Can't say enough good things. Can't wait to dive into book 9.
Eli, our h, is a gorgeous thief, trained since she was a kid to fulfil the role for her magic/eccentric family. She's funny, fearless and if you are not family and blink three times - then you will completely forget she ever existed - such a great idea.
Rafe, another of Maat's hunky elite warriors doesn't know what hit him when he meets Eli. It's not long before the two are working together and Rafe has to face the biggest challenge ever - how will he remember Eli?
As always secondary characters pop up - catching up with Gaia, Hadleigh and of course my fave psycho Darcy, was just icing on the cake.
Consider me a complete fangirl of this world/series. Can't say enough good things. Can't wait to dive into book 9.
October 16, 2016
Have spent the last week gobbling this series down - so much fun, what a great magical world populated by sweet/alpha H's, strong/sassy h's, and a supporting cast of excellent villains, hilarious secondary characters who add depth and fun, and lets not forget all the great creatures/monsters - from the invisible sheep, to the match making cats, the bridesmaid dresses and a host of others.
Have adored the clever use of in-jokes from book to book. Plus introducing tempting/fun secondary characters who later go on to feature in their own book - was very smart and kept me hooked.
Book 8 - I loved Eli, our h, smart, brave and a gorgeous master thief. But travelling with major baggage since she knows because of her powers she can never form friendships outside of the family or ever have a relationship. Until our H enters the picture of course. Rafe is all things hot, tenacious, funny and capable.
Love these two bickering their way around the world as they perform their heists, snatching back the rubies. Sek and Mot make another return as the bad guys. There is action, lots of laughs and a witty/hot romance that sparked - with of course the required perfect HEA.
The last page only left me with one question - when, oh when, is book nine going to be released????
Have adored the clever use of in-jokes from book to book. Plus introducing tempting/fun secondary characters who later go on to feature in their own book - was very smart and kept me hooked.
Book 8 - I loved Eli, our h, smart, brave and a gorgeous master thief. But travelling with major baggage since she knows because of her powers she can never form friendships outside of the family or ever have a relationship. Until our H enters the picture of course. Rafe is all things hot, tenacious, funny and capable.
Love these two bickering their way around the world as they perform their heists, snatching back the rubies. Sek and Mot make another return as the bad guys. There is action, lots of laughs and a witty/hot romance that sparked - with of course the required perfect HEA.
The last page only left me with one question - when, oh when, is book nine going to be released????
September 25, 2020
With all these steamy encounters between Rafe and Eli, when they finally get to it, I’m already over it. There is also no real passion leading up to the sex. They wake up in the morning, Rafe gives some “let’s just try and see” speech, she agrees and flings off her clothes. Not really heat induced wanton lust here.
If you’re going to tease readers over and with steamy foreplay that inconveniently gets interuped every single time, when they finally do do it, it has to be epic.
If you’re going to tease readers over and with steamy foreplay that inconveniently gets interuped every single time, when they finally do do it, it has to be epic.
June 5, 2016
Love this author, this series and this book. What a great world - with a dose of magic - Jane Cousins has created. There appears to be no limit to her creative imagination - and what wonderful characters. The 'forgettable' thief, Eli and her rugged, capable warrior match, Rafe.
This was fun. A series of heists performed by our H & h, bickering and swapping witty dialogue along with all the action.
Also great to catch up with a host of the secondary characters that fill this world - and the news on Hadleigh? Riot.
Action, romance, strong h, sexy H and lots of laughs. Loved it.
This was fun. A series of heists performed by our H & h, bickering and swapping witty dialogue along with all the action.
Also great to catch up with a host of the secondary characters that fill this world - and the news on Hadleigh? Riot.
Action, romance, strong h, sexy H and lots of laughs. Loved it.
August 21, 2016
Oh no when is the next book out!!!
Stumbled onto this series and devoured all 8 over the course of a week.
Each pair has their strengths and weaknesses and Eli and Rafe are no exception. Eli and her magic deserve the stubbornness that is Rafe and his reluctance to let her be forgotten and, more importantly, unloved.
As always the side characters and the world are a delight. Can't wait to see who's next on Alma's list.
(oops this is what happens when you review and multitask - posted this to wrong book)
Stumbled onto this series and devoured all 8 over the course of a week.
Each pair has their strengths and weaknesses and Eli and Rafe are no exception. Eli and her magic deserve the stubbornness that is Rafe and his reluctance to let her be forgotten and, more importantly, unloved.
As always the side characters and the world are a delight. Can't wait to see who's next on Alma's list.
(oops this is what happens when you review and multitask - posted this to wrong book)
June 5, 2016
Loved it! Well Jane has gone and done it again; written a book that is both funny and fun, and one I know I will read again and again. With great characters and while advancing the Sek and Mot plot, Jane catches us up with Hadleigh and Gaia, gives a great special appearance of one of the bridesmaid dresses from Book 1, and teases us yet again about Darcy. At book 8 in the series I'm still very excited about what's still to come!
July 20, 2020
I'm a complete sucker for a sassy, capable heroine thief, and Eli, our lead, is just awesome. Stealing in the name of her wacky/eccentric family, she's their go to retrieval expert. Eli's magic makes her a fantastic thief - unless you are family, once she's out of your vision range for a few seconds you forget she even exists.
Eli and Rafe, the next Maat off the hunky warrior line are thrown together to perform a series of heists - to grab some jewels before the nasty Mok & Set can get them and bring their papa the God of Chaos back to life.
Eli, because of her magic has serious barriers (no relationships for her since she's so forgettable), and it takes all of Rafe's smarts and wit to convince her that they are meant to be together. I cried, but in that good way, where it hurts so much but you know the H is always going to be there for the damaged h kind of way. Mostly though I was laughing - cause these two have the snark dialogue down pat.
So much was going on, with little links and mentions from previous jokes set up in earlier books that just made this all the more awesome. The sentient bridesmaid dress is back. And Darcy. Love that mad cow. Her advice was hilarious. And that bomb drop by Hadleigh? Squeeee!!!
Back on my happy little HEA cloud at the end of this one. Loved it.
Eli and Rafe, the next Maat off the hunky warrior line are thrown together to perform a series of heists - to grab some jewels before the nasty Mok & Set can get them and bring their papa the God of Chaos back to life.
Eli, because of her magic has serious barriers (no relationships for her since she's so forgettable), and it takes all of Rafe's smarts and wit to convince her that they are meant to be together. I cried, but in that good way, where it hurts so much but you know the H is always going to be there for the damaged h kind of way. Mostly though I was laughing - cause these two have the snark dialogue down pat.
So much was going on, with little links and mentions from previous jokes set up in earlier books that just made this all the more awesome. The sentient bridesmaid dress is back. And Darcy. Love that mad cow. Her advice was hilarious. And that bomb drop by Hadleigh? Squeeee!!!
Back on my happy little HEA cloud at the end of this one. Loved it.
January 23, 2018
Another good'un. See there's the thing I like about this authors writing, the H is strong, and he has a**holie moments but he's also owns up to it and apologies. (Too many of these kind of romance books skip that bit and honestly it's important!) Rafe is actually a darling, if my love for Drum were not so deep I would so be gone over Rafe, but as always it's Jane Cousins's h that wins the day. Eli is amazing, I adore her and am heart broken for her all at the same time, I love that she won't take any bunk and I completely understand her actions.
I love that JC does not go for the easy out, not in this story and not in any of her others, there may be a bit of love at first sight (which I can say with complete conviction does exist in reality.) but the trust, and the friendship that every good relationship needs to succeed is built slowly and convincingly. While the problems and hindrances that are put in the couple's way are handled equally realistically within the rules of the world Ms. Cousins has created.
This book like all the others in the series are already in my kindle to-be-read-AGAIN collection.
I love that JC does not go for the easy out, not in this story and not in any of her others, there may be a bit of love at first sight (which I can say with complete conviction does exist in reality.) but the trust, and the friendship that every good relationship needs to succeed is built slowly and convincingly. While the problems and hindrances that are put in the couple's way are handled equally realistically within the rules of the world Ms. Cousins has created.
This book like all the others in the series are already in my kindle to-be-read-AGAIN collection.
July 17, 2019
So darn creative. A heroine that everyone but her family forgets exists. Just how can something so fun be kind of sad and poignant at the same time? Eli's gift isn't easy to live with, though she's sassy, smart and kick ass. And she totally owns her powers, using them to steal stuff (but only in the name of good and her wacky family)
Rafe bordered on being an alpha-hole, but the author pulled him back from the edge as he got to know and respect Eli - and damn, did this guy fight Eli hard to win her over, against almost impossible odds.
Great how this book was a series of ongoing heists - rather than just bad guy out to get me. And superb how our couple are forced to work together to get the job done. Lots of LOL moments that I have come to expect from this author. Loved the appearance of the bridesmaid dress, they rock. And Darcy? LOVE that psycho woman. Her advice was hilarious. Also big news on the Hadleigh/Vaughn front, delivered in warrior style.
JC breaks the mold with every book, but still manages to deliver a great action packed story, populated by amusing characters and situations - featuring a sizzling couple that you can sigh over.
Rafe bordered on being an alpha-hole, but the author pulled him back from the edge as he got to know and respect Eli - and damn, did this guy fight Eli hard to win her over, against almost impossible odds.
Great how this book was a series of ongoing heists - rather than just bad guy out to get me. And superb how our couple are forced to work together to get the job done. Lots of LOL moments that I have come to expect from this author. Loved the appearance of the bridesmaid dress, they rock. And Darcy? LOVE that psycho woman. Her advice was hilarious. Also big news on the Hadleigh/Vaughn front, delivered in warrior style.
JC breaks the mold with every book, but still manages to deliver a great action packed story, populated by amusing characters and situations - featuring a sizzling couple that you can sigh over.
August 27, 2019
Round of applause for Jane Cousins. I'm eight books into this series and every book has been creative, amusing as hell and the characters are just awesome - I want to date the Heroes and be best friends with the heroines.
Book 8 brought the laughs and the amusing situations I have come to expect from this author - a series of jewel heists conducted by our H&h working together was fresh and fun.
And the romance was high on the sizzle factor but there was an added element of poignancy to this couple - as Eli's magic, which makes her a fantastic thief but forgettable to anyone not related - was a huge obstacle. That made her wary. And Rafe, our Hero, so very, very determined to overcome it and win his thief's heart.
Sek and Mot - the arch villains are back and bringing the nasty. Yeah.
Darcy appears for a chapter or two - but as always makes a huge impact. And we get more Hadleigh/Vaughn relationship updates, which bode well for future fun times.
Just a magic read - I laughed, I cried and then I had my wonderful HEA moment at the end.
Book 8 brought the laughs and the amusing situations I have come to expect from this author - a series of jewel heists conducted by our H&h working together was fresh and fun.
And the romance was high on the sizzle factor but there was an added element of poignancy to this couple - as Eli's magic, which makes her a fantastic thief but forgettable to anyone not related - was a huge obstacle. That made her wary. And Rafe, our Hero, so very, very determined to overcome it and win his thief's heart.
Sek and Mot - the arch villains are back and bringing the nasty. Yeah.
Darcy appears for a chapter or two - but as always makes a huge impact. And we get more Hadleigh/Vaughn relationship updates, which bode well for future fun times.
Just a magic read - I laughed, I cried and then I had my wonderful HEA moment at the end.
September 18, 2021
Great read
This was a really fascinating story. Eli’s magic makes everyone except family forget her. It helps her with her job as the family thief, mainly retrieving lost items, but it makes her life heartbreakingly lonely. It’s a nice change in pace from the usual vampires and werewolves and the story was very well developed. Eli’s reactions are believable based on her experience. The story felt more high stakes than some of the other novels because it was so sad for Rafe to forget her. I do wish we learned more in the end, but I hope they show up in other books in the series
This was a really fascinating story. Eli’s magic makes everyone except family forget her. It helps her with her job as the family thief, mainly retrieving lost items, but it makes her life heartbreakingly lonely. It’s a nice change in pace from the usual vampires and werewolves and the story was very well developed. Eli’s reactions are believable based on her experience. The story felt more high stakes than some of the other novels because it was so sad for Rafe to forget her. I do wish we learned more in the end, but I hope they show up in other books in the series
June 6, 2020
Poor Eli's magic is anyone not related to her forgets her in seconds, but she's turned it into a plus as the family "retrieval expert".
What I enjoyed:
* Eli's story was interesting and a bit heartbreaking
* I love Darcy and she got a bit more time than normal
*
What could be better:
* The honeymoon island part dragged
* They seemed so concerned with hiding Rafe's identity in Switzerland, but later it never seemed to matter - that didn't make sense to me.
What I enjoyed:
* Eli's story was interesting and a bit heartbreaking
* I love Darcy and she got a bit more time than normal
*
What could be better:
* The honeymoon island part dragged
* They seemed so concerned with hiding Rafe's identity in Switzerland, but later it never seemed to matter - that didn't make sense to me.
December 18, 2017
Loved seeing Darcy in this one!
February 12, 2021
If it wasn't for the ending, I think this would have been my favourite in the series
February 11, 2017
There is just something about those Maat warriors, this time it is Rafe's turn to step up as lead. He's gorgeous, funny, alpha but still kind.
Eli, as the family thief is all things cool, sexy and smart. She is also understandably carrying around a bit of baggage - given that with her magic no one but her extended family remembers who she is five seconds after she leaves a room.
This was a high stakes, heist caper. Rafe and Eli have to band together to snatch 5 rubies, each containing a chaos element nature - like fire or water. They travel all over the world, at first bickering, then trying to fight their mutual attraction before finally falling in love.
But Sek and Mot - the evil demigods are on their tail - they need the rubies to wake their dad the God of chaos.
And they also have to deal with Eli's magic - just because Rafe loves her, doesn't mean he's immune to forgetting who she is. He sets out to prove that love is stronger than magic - making this romance, sweet, sad, wonderful and down right sexy - what a ride.
A few of our fave secondary characters pop up - and there is a stupendously funny scene b/w Hadleigh and Vaughn, love those two.
There is plenty of action, the bad guys make a nice showing, and a heaping of witty dialogue and laugh out loud moments to pull it all together.
Fun and fantastic.
Eli, as the family thief is all things cool, sexy and smart. She is also understandably carrying around a bit of baggage - given that with her magic no one but her extended family remembers who she is five seconds after she leaves a room.
This was a high stakes, heist caper. Rafe and Eli have to band together to snatch 5 rubies, each containing a chaos element nature - like fire or water. They travel all over the world, at first bickering, then trying to fight their mutual attraction before finally falling in love.
But Sek and Mot - the evil demigods are on their tail - they need the rubies to wake their dad the God of chaos.
And they also have to deal with Eli's magic - just because Rafe loves her, doesn't mean he's immune to forgetting who she is. He sets out to prove that love is stronger than magic - making this romance, sweet, sad, wonderful and down right sexy - what a ride.
A few of our fave secondary characters pop up - and there is a stupendously funny scene b/w Hadleigh and Vaughn, love those two.
There is plenty of action, the bad guys make a nice showing, and a heaping of witty dialogue and laugh out loud moments to pull it all together.
Fun and fantastic.
January 30, 2017
I read books 5-9 of this series back-to-back in roughly 5 days. They all run together in my head now. They were all about the same - light, funny romance with action mixed in in good ways. All of them have their first sex scenes at approximately the 60% mark, per Kindle. The characters all come to the same conclusions, reversing their opinions about staying single and carefree over the course of a few pages. Formula? Yes. But it's still good, and the characters are very endearing. Definitely worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews