The Academy - Thief: The Scarab Beetle Series #1

C. L. Stone

Feb 2014 · The Scarab Beetle Series Book 1 · Arcato Publishing

About this ebook

Thief is the first book in The Academy Scarab Beetle Series.

Kayli Winchester is a dirt-poor girl living out of a hotel, forced to be the parent for a drunken father and teenage brother who she’s desperate to keep in school. The only way she scrapes by is to utilize her one skill: pickpocketing. But even though she’s a thief she has a moral code: no kids or old ladies, only targets who can defend themselves. Not that they see her coming… 

Thinking she’s been working under the radar, Kayli has no idea The Academy has been watching and taking notice. Now a team that needs her skill has offered her a way out of her predicament and it’s her last chance: work with them, or face jail time. Kayli resists at first, but slowly the boys reveal they can be trusted. With Marc, the straight man, Raven, the bad-boy Russian, Corey and Brandon the twins as different as night and day, and Axel their stoic leader, there’s a lot Kayli can learn from these Academy guys about living on the edge of the law. If only she can stay on the good side instead of the bad. 

Especially when the job they offer her is more than any of them bargained for. After it’s done, the hunters have become the hunted and their target is now after Kayli. The Academy boys do their best to keep her hidden, but a thief like Kayli will never sit still for long. 

Meet an all-new Academy team in Thief, the beginning of the Scarab Beetle series. 
Warning: This is a new adult series. Readers of the other Academy series may need some caution as this series will contain mature sexual and violent situations and themes. 

Keywords: Free, freebie, spies, family, young adult, child abuse, coming of age, friendship, action, adventure, YA, NA, mysteries, thrillers, Charleston, academy, menage, reverse, harem, dysfunctional, relationships, social situations, sleuth, private detective, neglect, family, families, high, school, sibling, bullies, bullying, love, romantic, romance, teen, drama, love triangle, contemporary, new adult, college, thief pickpocket, alcoholism, poverty, survival, wealthy, billionaire, millionaire, secrets

Ratings and reviews

A stitch to the torn sky ...taking care of drunkard father and the younger bro, Kayli was only sacrificing her life though bravely & lovingly.The Academy was a true boon that she was accidentally chosen within the fraternity group ...how nice an idea that should become true in the Society to safeguard the downtrodden subjects by destiny...one of the excellent solutions put forth by the Greatly Superior Thought provoked by the Author needs to be well appreciated indeed. A moral boost acquired by the group of social Academy helps in the rainy days. I really could judge the heightened perception of gratitude painted vividly by C.L.Stone that comes forth in your vision after the clear & bright freshness depicted. Kudos to his work of fiction that shows a prestigious but caring ,bright moonlight for everyone forming the Society .

I think I strained my eye muscles b/c I can't help rolling my eyes a lot. I liked it at first, and the synopsis got me right away. Having a lot of eye candy characters is a plus too. But I wanted a heroine I can identify with or someone I'd want to emulate. But Kayli was hormonal. Urgh.. and for someone who's supposedly smart, she making a lot of mistakes (it's good that she's self aware though). Also, I didn't think there was enough reason/danger after her initial mission for her to stay hidden.

Surprisingly good read. Slow pace I found however an inventive tale with adventure, drama and logic. I expected more that is why I rated it as ok and also after I read it I forgot to write my thoughts. The book came up again on my book bub mailing list and I realized I did not write a review. Thanks Bookbub for the reminder.

About the author

C. L. Stone once lived in Charleston, SC, and currently lives among Cajuns. She writes about cute boys and uncomfortable situations, usually mixed together.