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Illegal Possession
From New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper comes a novel of suspense, mystery, and seduction that begins at the scene of a crime—and brings a man and woman together in a dangerous partnership that could cost them everything. …What she was doing was immoral, illegal, and could easily get her killed—but Troy Bennett wasn’t apologizing to anyone. She’d been caught red-handed in the middle of a felony and she couldn’t have picked a more dangerous man to be holding her fate in his hands. Not that straitlaced businessman Dallas Cameron intended to turn her over to the law. He had far more devious intentions for the sexy cat burglar. He planned to uncover the secrets of this complex and mysterious woman who broke into homes and yet had connections with Interpol, who rejected his interest but seduced him at every turn. Thief, security expert, art aficionado, Washington, D.C., hostess to the rich, famous, and immensely powerful—who was Troy Bennett? Would answering that question take Dallas over the line he always drew between good and evil and plunge both of them into the darker side of desire?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1985
62 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
97 books2,448 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 18, 2019
I was done on page 79 when Troy admits to being half in love with Dallas after knowing him a full two days.
I adore Kay Hooper's later work, but this one was riddled with cringe-worthy cliches and a mundane plot that was predictable at best.
I couldn't finish.
I adore Kay Hooper's later work, but this one was riddled with cringe-worthy cliches and a mundane plot that was predictable at best.
I couldn't finish.
May 3, 2008
I was really surprised about this book. I usually love Kay Hoopre's books, but I thought the plot of this one was rather flat. I'm use to Kay's books having a bit of mystery to solve, another story playing in the book besides just boy meets girl. All the story was really about was a straitlaced businessman catching and falling for a "cat burglar" female. The businessman finds himself attracted to the cat burglar who turns out to be more than just an ordinary crimanal. In fact she's not really a bad guy but a "robin hood" of sorts who is really just robbing people who stole from others in order to return the object to the original, rightful owners. It had the set up of a great novel, maybe one of her "victims" find out who she is, and comes after her... maybe the straitlaced businessman has to help her solve some kind of mystery or case... you know, the kind of thing we expect from Kay Hooper. But no, it's just boy catches girl, falls in love, girl falls in love and gives up "second identity" for boy, and they live happily ever after...
I do like the characters, Troy and Dallas... maybe Kay will start a series with them like with one of our other cat burglars, Quinn.
I do like the characters, Troy and Dallas... maybe Kay will start a series with them like with one of our other cat burglars, Quinn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2019
Early work of the author. Unrealistic romance where the couple meet and just know they have found “the one for them”. Also man manages to convince the woman that she needs to change her profession to meet his needs.
August 10, 2011
Audio book -
UGH! Read like a cheap love story disguised as a mystery !
UGH! Read like a cheap love story disguised as a mystery !
September 13, 2018
I am a big Kay Hooper fan but I had never read any of her early romance novels until this one. It is very well-written and an enjoyable story with an intruing premise. I would recommend it.
October 10, 2022
This is definitely not a book for me. I found the story dated, contrived and tedious. The woman is practically perfect, wilful, independent, self sufficient except that she gives into everything the man wants. She's supposed to be a master cat burglar yet every heist described in the story goes wrong. The man is honest and good and also practically perfect except for the part where he's pushy to the point of harassment and downright manipulative.
There is no diegetic impetus for anything that happens in the story. Everything that happens, happens because it's "supposed to." I know that genre romances tend to be formulaic but this is not even contrived, it's programmed.
Add to that the ancillary characters are so lifeless that they may as well be absent so there isn't even a fun side romance to root for. (It's there but there isn't enough to it to be fun) I found myself skimming the last 40% of the book and I'm not sorry.
I have read several Kay Hooper stories now and I am now convinced that this not an author for me.
There is no diegetic impetus for anything that happens in the story. Everything that happens, happens because it's "supposed to." I know that genre romances tend to be formulaic but this is not even contrived, it's programmed.
Add to that the ancillary characters are so lifeless that they may as well be absent so there isn't even a fun side romance to root for. (It's there but there isn't enough to it to be fun) I found myself skimming the last 40% of the book and I'm not sorry.
I have read several Kay Hooper stories now and I am now convinced that this not an author for me.
November 22, 2019
I stopped after 1/3 of the novel, because although the premise of our cat-burglar, socialite, gender-bent Bruce Wayne heroine was intriguing, the actual book was anything but. The writing was a string of clichés and adverbs. The instalove was insufferable, the gendered romance roles dog tired. Dallas depends on his dick for all of his decision-making when it comes to Troy, when any trust is CLEARLY not warranted. Everything he did, and everything she did in response, was completely illogical. For me, at least, I have to buy into the attraction and romance at least a liiiiittle bit to enjoy reading it, and that wasn't the case.
Reclaiming my time.
Reclaiming my time.
April 21, 2023
Given that I read almost exclusively on my kindle, I don't know where this paperback came from! I found it when I was cleaning out my bookshelves, maybe a houseguest left it behind?
Anyway, I read it and it was preposterous in every way -- the characters, situations, backstory, setting, really, everything -- but fun enough. I don't know when I became the person who skips the sex scenes, but that's where I'm at. The writing is good, if cliched, and the very thin plot was easy to skim. Now this book will go into the donation pile.
Anyway, I read it and it was preposterous in every way -- the characters, situations, backstory, setting, really, everything -- but fun enough. I don't know when I became the person who skips the sex scenes, but that's where I'm at. The writing is good, if cliched, and the very thin plot was easy to skim. Now this book will go into the donation pile.
May 7, 2022
ILLEGAL POSSESSION by Kay Hooper is a standalone romantic suspense.
Straitlaced businessman Dallas Cameron catches cat bugler Troy Bennett red-handed while stealing a priceless painting. Now he's determined to uncover the secrets of this complex and mysterious woman who, beside being a thief, has connections with Interpol and is a security expert and art aficionado.
Troy has avoided emotional entanglements for twenty-eight years, but Dallas intrigues her. She's always been determined to go it alone, and nothing gets in the way of her career—until she meets Dallas.
For readers of love at first sight, ILLEGAL POSSESSION is for you. A fun, romantic suspense that's a fast, easy read I recommend.
Straitlaced businessman Dallas Cameron catches cat bugler Troy Bennett red-handed while stealing a priceless painting. Now he's determined to uncover the secrets of this complex and mysterious woman who, beside being a thief, has connections with Interpol and is a security expert and art aficionado.
Troy has avoided emotional entanglements for twenty-eight years, but Dallas intrigues her. She's always been determined to go it alone, and nothing gets in the way of her career—until she meets Dallas.
For readers of love at first sight, ILLEGAL POSSESSION is for you. A fun, romantic suspense that's a fast, easy read I recommend.
May 4, 2021
Who but Kay Hooper would think ofpairing a cat burgler with a straight laced, by the book businessman? This lighthearted romance pairs this couple from the moment he catches her stealing a stolen painting back. Of course he doesn't realize it had been stolen and she was taking it to give back to its legitimate owner. Troy is a fascinating character that sounds like someone everyone would love to have as a friend. Dallas is more conventional and reminded me of many familiar people. Most importantly, they are real, fun and recognizable. My only wish was that the secondary characters, his sister, her housemate, and even the butler werefleshed out more.
May 17, 2017
liked the start where she is caught burglarizing a house by her love interest
suspense and excitement did not continue until the end of book for me
suspense and excitement did not continue until the end of book for me
July 9, 2017
Enjoyed the fun idea of a society cat buggler ad her stiff up tight lawyer !! easy summer read
January 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was just fun.
February 8, 2021
What is this time line?
June 2, 2021
Enjoyable short read but not much of a plot the way I saw it....
February 27, 2022
Print owned copy. Romantic suspense.
June 27, 2025
Fast paced. I could of had a better ending. Several comic momments.
August 19, 2025
boringggggg
December 3, 2025
Audiobook.
Entertaining for how short the story was. Troy was a confusing name for a female character but she was fun and badass. Dallas was smart and it was fun how they played each other.
Entertaining for how short the story was. Troy was a confusing name for a female character but she was fun and badass. Dallas was smart and it was fun how they played each other.
April 15, 2011
I really miss this Kay Hooper - the books she wrote before all of the psychic killers and horror/romance. I'm not saying I dislike the Special Crimes Unit books - I have liked most of them quite a lot - but they are all that she is doing now. Her older books are so great, and had such great romance as well as great stories in them. I think my problem with her latest releases is that they really aren't romance, and I need to start classifying her as a different kind of writer now.
This book is a straight up romance. There is no mystery, there are no killers lurking in the dark, no vampires or paranormal, no massive betrayal - only two people who meet (admittedly she was in the process of cat burgling a house at the time) and have an instant connection and fascination with each other. Dallas is an extremely successful businessman, and even with all of his success he has always followed his black and white moral code. There is good and bad and nothing in-between. Troy is a cat burgler, as well as a philanthropist, socialite, private detective and successful security business owner. After people who have something valuable stolen from them and the authorities are at a standstill, Troy is hired to steal the item back. She is an enigma to the upstanding Dallas, and it is interesting to see him try to get a handle on her - especially when she does not tell him all of that immediately. I would have liked for her to dangle him along for a while longer than she did (he had some serious wrong assumptions when they first met, and I so love when the heroine rubs the heroes wrongness in their face). But once they jumped over the mis-assumption hurdle, that is where my only major problem with this book came to play.
The problem I had with this book is a complete contradiction with a problem I have with so many romance novels - they almost had too much communication. They seemed to be unnaturally aware of themselves and their own motive, and I just found this hard to believe. Most people just act and do things and do not psychoanalyze themselves, and are therefore unaware of why they act and do things the way they do. Not only are Troy and Dallas utterly aware of the reasons why they do everything, they are also constantly discussing it with each other - even after only knowing each other for less than a day. Yes, honesty and communication are great, but it is not realistic to constantly talk over every feeling and reason for saying/doing something after 24 hours. However, this is a romance novel, as well as one that completely focused on the h/h falling in love.
Be warned: everything in this book happens very fast. However, the quickness of the time span does not equal a believable love story. So if you are looking for a uncomplicated love story, this book would be a great choice for you!
This book is a straight up romance. There is no mystery, there are no killers lurking in the dark, no vampires or paranormal, no massive betrayal - only two people who meet (admittedly she was in the process of cat burgling a house at the time) and have an instant connection and fascination with each other. Dallas is an extremely successful businessman, and even with all of his success he has always followed his black and white moral code. There is good and bad and nothing in-between. Troy is a cat burgler, as well as a philanthropist, socialite, private detective and successful security business owner. After people who have something valuable stolen from them and the authorities are at a standstill, Troy is hired to steal the item back. She is an enigma to the upstanding Dallas, and it is interesting to see him try to get a handle on her - especially when she does not tell him all of that immediately. I would have liked for her to dangle him along for a while longer than she did (he had some serious wrong assumptions when they first met, and I so love when the heroine rubs the heroes wrongness in their face). But once they jumped over the mis-assumption hurdle, that is where my only major problem with this book came to play.
The problem I had with this book is a complete contradiction with a problem I have with so many romance novels - they almost had too much communication. They seemed to be unnaturally aware of themselves and their own motive, and I just found this hard to believe. Most people just act and do things and do not psychoanalyze themselves, and are therefore unaware of why they act and do things the way they do. Not only are Troy and Dallas utterly aware of the reasons why they do everything, they are also constantly discussing it with each other - even after only knowing each other for less than a day. Yes, honesty and communication are great, but it is not realistic to constantly talk over every feeling and reason for saying/doing something after 24 hours. However, this is a romance novel, as well as one that completely focused on the h/h falling in love.
Be warned: everything in this book happens very fast. However, the quickness of the time span does not equal a believable love story. So if you are looking for a uncomplicated love story, this book would be a great choice for you!
April 1, 2012
I Was Disappointed- Great Story Potential Unrealized
SYNOPSIS
Cat burglar who only steals back stolen art, gets caught by hottie Hero. Burglar is wealthy, charitable, and the belle of the ball of society in D.C. when not climbing into 2nd story windows to retrieve stolen gems and paintings. Hero falls hard for burglar, they have a few differences, but agree to disagree, fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after.
CONS:
I kept expecting more from the story. More twists, more drama, more turns. But alas, I got straight romance into happily ever after. Of course, for some, that's not a con but a plus in a story line.
PROS:
The story line had potential. I say, had, because I still think it was only half thought through. I enjoyed speculating what obstacles I would have thrown in the lover's way.
GENERAL OBSERVATION:
I was fascinated by the story line of a man catching red-handed a cat burglar. The story was mostly poof, with very little substance, or depth to either the story or characters. It was ok. But I want more from spending my time in a book than just. Ok. Ok?
SYNOPSIS
Cat burglar who only steals back stolen art, gets caught by hottie Hero. Burglar is wealthy, charitable, and the belle of the ball of society in D.C. when not climbing into 2nd story windows to retrieve stolen gems and paintings. Hero falls hard for burglar, they have a few differences, but agree to disagree, fall in love, get married, and live happily ever after.
CONS:
I kept expecting more from the story. More twists, more drama, more turns. But alas, I got straight romance into happily ever after. Of course, for some, that's not a con but a plus in a story line.
PROS:
The story line had potential. I say, had, because I still think it was only half thought through. I enjoyed speculating what obstacles I would have thrown in the lover's way.
GENERAL OBSERVATION:
I was fascinated by the story line of a man catching red-handed a cat burglar. The story was mostly poof, with very little substance, or depth to either the story or characters. It was ok. But I want more from spending my time in a book than just. Ok. Ok?
March 24, 2008
A reprint of an earlier Loveswept release. Sweet and quick.
Troy is a cat burgler. She 'retrieves' stolen art objects for their rightful owners and donates her fees to charity. Dallas is a strait-laced, law-abiding businessman. He sees things in black and white. How in the world can these two reconcile their differences?
Wow, I'm not sure I miss the eighties, but this was definately a trip down memory lane. Overtones of women's rights and heroines who have it all: wealth, beauty, kind to kids and animals. I'm glad I'm not diabetic.
The only saving grace is Hooper's tight writing style. There are no awkward stumbles. She's got a story to tell, and she does so with her normal flair. Not an award winner by any means, but a good book to spend a couple of hours reading. If I could, I would've given it 3.5 stars.
Troy is a cat burgler. She 'retrieves' stolen art objects for their rightful owners and donates her fees to charity. Dallas is a strait-laced, law-abiding businessman. He sees things in black and white. How in the world can these two reconcile their differences?
Wow, I'm not sure I miss the eighties, but this was definately a trip down memory lane. Overtones of women's rights and heroines who have it all: wealth, beauty, kind to kids and animals. I'm glad I'm not diabetic.
The only saving grace is Hooper's tight writing style. There are no awkward stumbles. She's got a story to tell, and she does so with her normal flair. Not an award winner by any means, but a good book to spend a couple of hours reading. If I could, I would've given it 3.5 stars.
December 2, 2010
I'm not quite finished with the book but I can pretty much guarantee it's not getting any better. I knew going in that it was likely to be a so-so story - an impression that was confirmed as soon as I realized it was from the LoveSwept series - but it's worse than I thought. Troy (what kind of name is that for a woman anyway?) is annoying and hesitant for no good reason. She wants her freedom but doesn't realize that compromise is a part of loving someone. Dallas is an idiot for giving in to all she wants. And the plot just reeks...I mean, who would set up a robbery just to prove that they believe a person's not a thief?
**Ok I finished the book and it got slightly better because Troy compromised.
**Ok I finished the book and it got slightly better because Troy compromised.
May 21, 2015
I am having trouble with domineering alpha males and weak surrendering females. The author tried hard to claim the female was strong and had a temper. But the heroine was always apologizing for his behavior and he was the one yelling at her, even in the epilogue.
Ugh!
Ugh!
October 20, 2011
I think this was an okay book but I wouldn’t recommend it for a good entertaining book. It entertained me at the beginning but after reading for awhile it got boring. Whenever something exciting happened and I thought it was going to get interesting again it didn’t last long. Not a lot of the book was them breaking into homes which it implies it the title. When they where breaking into homes it didn’t take long because they did it without trouble which would have made it a lot more interesting at those points in the book. If you want a quick read I would recommend this book.
April 1, 2008
I really like Troy and Dallas. Troy is a smart and sexy cat burglar at night and respected lady during the day. Dallas has high morals and is a successful businessman but when the two are brought together in the night their values in life change.
I thought these two characters were just great. They were funny and smart and sexy and I hated to see the book end.
I hope a Kay Hooper's books flow like this one. I will have to order another one and check it out.
I thought these two characters were just great. They were funny and smart and sexy and I hated to see the book end.
I hope a Kay Hooper's books flow like this one. I will have to order another one and check it out.
April 3, 2016
Great
I love Kay Hooper's writing. She catches my interest from the beginning and never let's go This was romance that I felt could be real. There was danger---- she is a cat burglar. He is known to be very honest and upright .can they find happiness together? Read all the twist and turns that Kay takes us on to the final page . A great story if you like your romances with a bit of suspense.
I love Kay Hooper's writing. She catches my interest from the beginning and never let's go This was romance that I felt could be real. There was danger---- she is a cat burglar. He is known to be very honest and upright .can they find happiness together? Read all the twist and turns that Kay takes us on to the final page . A great story if you like your romances with a bit of suspense.
May 28, 2018
Troy Bennett knew what she was doing was immoral, illegal, and could easily get her killed—but wasn’t apologizing to anyone. after businessman Dallas Cameron catches her red-handed in the middle of a felony and devides not to turn her over to the cops, he decides he wants to know her in every way. but she couldn’t have picked a more dangerous man to be holding her fate in his hands. for she knew it would take a lot for a straight lace guy like Dallas would fall for in love with her
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews