Sex, Lies and the Southern Belle

Dynasties: The Kincaids #1

by Kathie DeNosky

A shocking family scandal has flipped heiress Lily Kincaid's world upside down. But she has her own secret to keep. How can she avoid telling the truth to the father of her unborn baby—sexy, larger-than-life CEO Daniel Addison? Especially when being near Daniel is unavoidable, his touch irresistible… And even if his powerful, old-money family is running interference at every turn.

Daniel knows all about boardrooms and bedrooms—but not babies. Still, the wealthy businessman is ready to claim what's his. That includes Lily. The problem is convincing her that his feelings run deeper than just a Southern seduction.

Genres: Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Desire, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, M F Romance, Adult

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Kathie writes at night with country tunes playing from a local radio station while the rest of the world sleeps. It's the quiet time of the night that inspires her to craft her stories with a unique style of sensuality, interspersed with a little humor.

Kathie has been a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist twice. Her June 2001 release, His Baby Surprise, received the National Readers' Choice Award for Best Short Contemporary Romance of 2001. All of her books have been listed on the Waldenbooks Category Romance Bestsellers list.

Kathie lives in the Illinois area her family settled in the early 1800's when they moved from North Carolina. Besides writing, Kathie loves to read romances, travel to historic locales, and delights in trying to rid the world of chocolate -- one bite at a time! She also enjoys meeting readers and writers at the numerous conferences, workshops, and booksignings she attends.

Reviews

[Mou: Fae of Heartfelt ARC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Surprisingly typical, but not so typical HP!

The heroine falls pregnant during their affair and didn’t know what to do cause Hero doesn’t believe in love. So it was a very typical HP.

But the fact that the book is free of ‘Virginal-poor, destitute heroine’, slut-shaming and OW drama makes it not so typical!

The heroine was strong, independent and the hero was not so dishonorable jerk makes a good mark. The side characters were also good. The last chapter feels like a Cheesy Disney Fairy movie but it’s ok.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up.

Because let’s face it. What the heroine said, and hero now has no way of refuting it, he had NO intention of marrying the heroine or anyone for that matter, EVER. And at the mention of the baby he suddenly does an 180 degree turn, that was actually rather insulting, not endearing.

However he didn’t seek out the heroine because of the baby. He wanted a relationship with her before knowing about the baby and he was REALLY trying to salvage the relationship when she was giving him the cold shoulder. He didn’t just cut his loss and move on to his next conquest. He wanted to figure out what went wrong and what he needed to do to fix it. Extra points for not asking for who’s baby it is and then deciding research is the best defence was also rather cute!

Given that, his declaration of love didn’t ring true to me. He wasn’t thinking commitment, or love and suddenly hearing the word pregnancy and spending an afternoon babysitting, BAM, he’s suddenly in love just didn’t ring true. It seemed rather superficially imposed. I thought the woman go through hormone changes, I don’t know how he managed to have that being a guy as well. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Christine (KizzieReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I say this about all the Harlequin Desire books. I wanted more! Lily and her family have just lost their father, only to find out that he had a secret family in a different town, and a major portion of the family empire has been left to the illegitimate other son. Lily was also dating a competitors son, when his mother steps in and pretty much says that Lily is not good enough in social standing for her son.

The characters were nice, a little flat, but good. The writing was very good and I flew through the story quickly. A definite series I will continue.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, it started a new Dynasty and that too with a scandal, after the death of her beloved father, at his will hearing Lily and her siblings find out that their dad had a secret life, a mistress and a son to whom he has left the company, Lily shocked goes out and runs into Daniel, who she was involved with and eased off from weeks ago when she found out she was pregnant and his mother made her uncomfortable.

The hero has never had a sense of family, his parents didn't know about love and his marriage was a disaster and he really likes Lily and doesn't know why she has been avoiding him, he takes her home and then is just there for her when it comes out her father was murdered and more.

I liked the hero he was caring and the heroine as well and the romantic gesture he does at the end was good as well.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sex, Lies and the Southern Belle
2 Stars

Following the death of her father, Lily Kincaid and her siblings are shocked to discover that he led a double life with another family. Matters are compounded when Lily's ex, the irresistible Daniel Addison, reappears in her life, and she will have to find the right moment to tell him she's pregnant.

An intriguing premise; unfortunately, Lily is too much of a doormat heroine, and the hero's 'I love you' doesn't ring true as he clearly had no intention of marriage before learning of Lily's pregnancy.

There is also a mystery surrounding the death of Lily's father, but it is underdeveloped and none of the secondary characters are interesting enough to continue with the series.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to this Dynasties series. Suspense, intrigue and more. Once again though the patriarchs and matriarchs cause problem for their children because of their upbringing. Thank goodness that Daniel and Lily figured it out.

[Irene Azuaje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fue bastante bueno, pero cuando un amor es verdadero no habrá viento y marea que lo pare.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent start to the series. The mystery and conflict have been set up: who killed the elder Kincaid, and why was Jack Sinclair left the largest part of The Kincaid Group. In this particular book, we meet the youngest of the siblings, Lily Kincaid. Besides dealing with the death of her father and the turmoil in her family, she is pregnant. She is very much in love with Daniel, the father, but he has made it clear he is not interested in marrying again or having a family. He does know that he wants Lily in his life, but he doesn't believe in love. But once he finds out about the baby, and has a chance to get used to the idea, he finds that he wants those things after all. Now all he has to do is convince Lily.

Also included is Part 1 of a story about the interloper, Jack Sinclair. The story starts at the bachelor auction, with Nikki bidding on Jack without knowing who he is. I'm looking forward to the development of this relationship.

[Jesica · Rating 2 out of 5]

No recuerdo porque este libro llego a mis manos, solo se que no me gusto... no me conecte con ningún personaje y sentí que la autora comenzó la historia en medio de algo y no supo explicarnos y envolvernos con su pluma en la historia..!

[Ann Lorz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit by DeNosky. She writes a wonderful story that drags you in. The is the start of a small mini-series and from just her book I can't wait to read the others.

[Mombo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably good! Fantastic ending.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secret pregnancy/baby theme/ A favorite theme of mine.

[Ladyacct · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a new family saga.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one!!

[May ّمي · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Dynasties: The Kincaids