What do you think?
Rate this book
Notorious Deception
Young, beautiful, and tempestuous, Diana Rutledge was shocked by the unexpected death of her husband. And a trip to London to set her husband's affairs in order brought even more unpleasant surprises for the dowager countess - not the least of which was her introduction to Derek, the new Earl of Harrowby.
Dark and brooding, Derek was far too handsome for Diana's peace of mind, and against her will, she found herself growing attracted to the arrogant peer. But his accusations that Diana was a bold impostor forced her to risk her reputation, her heart, and her very life to prove that neither she nor her burning desire was part of a... NOTORIOUS DECEPTION .
Dark and brooding, Derek was far too handsome for Diana's peace of mind, and against her will, she found herself growing attracted to the arrogant peer. But his accusations that Diana was a bold impostor forced her to risk her reputation, her heart, and her very life to prove that neither she nor her burning desire was part of a... NOTORIOUS DECEPTION .
363 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
149 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Basso
29 books243 followersBetween stints as a corporate financial analyst, marketing consultant and public librarian, Adrienne Basso has parlayed her vivid imagination and desire to tell romantic stories into a twenty-four-year writing career. She has published contemporary, Regency, Victorian, vampire, and Scottish medieval romance novels. She enjoys the challenge of creating stories that emphasize the everlasting power of love and is truly delighted that her characters always achieve the fantasy of living happily ever after. A native New Yorker, Adrienne, her husband, and their incomparable dog now live in New Jersey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2022
The beginning was interesting but soon became the opposite. 2 stars only
March 11, 2017
DNF at 35%. I have tried and tried to like this author's work but her writing is flat and uninspired. At one point in this book, she described the heroine as having long golden eyelashes and then at another she wrote them as long and black (even though she is blonde). These are the little mistakes that irritate the fuck out of me.
Why should I waste my hard earned money on books like these?
I am never reading this author again.
Why should I waste my hard earned money on books like these?
I am never reading this author again.
March 22, 2022
Great reading!
I love Basso books. This one follows the prescribed outline adorably and with her usual good character development. A few novel ideas made this a very pleasurable read.
I love Basso books. This one follows the prescribed outline adorably and with her usual good character development. A few novel ideas made this a very pleasurable read.
February 18, 2025
**MEDIUM SPOILERS**
This book is a standalone but two of the characters are featured in Intimate Betrayal. I do not recommend this book.
Diana, the female main character, discovers that her husband has died when she reads about it in the newspaper. She heads off from Cornwall to London to visit the new earl to settle her affairs. When she arrives, she is shocked to find out that her husband was a bigamist and married someone after her. I admired Diana as she faced this situation. She had pluck.
The new earl, Derek, is disbelieving when she shows up but gradually begins to realize she is telling the truth. He becomes her advocate and researches the actions that his cousin, the former earl, had done. He is a bit of a yo-yo in his suspicions towards her. He also plans to marry someone in the next year but shamelessly sets out to seduce Diana.
Derek acts improperly towards Diana, and it did not seem true to the time that he would be allowed to escort her to her bedroom for example. He is able to go with her unescorted in public. Diana’s maid is not with her due to an accident on the way to London, but Caroline could have provided a maid or companion during her stay. Fairly early on in their relationship, Derek becomes amorous with Diana, and she responds open and easily. She is a virgin and her deceased husband disparaged her so it seemed more likely that she would lack confidence and would be tentative.
Derek considers tricking Diana into marrying him. She had been resisting his proposals. I thought this was very dishonorable on his part.
Diana and Derek yell at each other in several instances. In other cases, they try to be cold and impersonal with each other. It was overly dramatic behavior.
A mystery begins when Derek and Diana are shot at when they go for a ride in the park. The mystery becomes a larger part of the story in the second half of the book. There is a scene where the villain talks to Diana, and she does not know who he is. That was not likely.
Derek’s friend, Tristan, and his wife, Caroline, play a major role in the story. Diana quickly becomes friends with Caroline. They quickly all are on first name terms with each other which was rapid for that time. There is a subplot related to Caroline’s infertility.
Derel and Tristan were in the military together. Neither showed any signs of PTSD. I thought this was a bit surprising as they were in the military for years. In addition, Derek did not expect to inherit the earldom. There were a few small references to this, but I thought this could have been brought out a little more in his behavior.
Diana is 20. Derek is 35.
There were a few things that should have had a little follow up including Derek's butler and Diana's servant who was hurt.
I do not plan to continue reading books by this author.
This book is a standalone but two of the characters are featured in Intimate Betrayal. I do not recommend this book.
Diana, the female main character, discovers that her husband has died when she reads about it in the newspaper. She heads off from Cornwall to London to visit the new earl to settle her affairs. When she arrives, she is shocked to find out that her husband was a bigamist and married someone after her. I admired Diana as she faced this situation. She had pluck.
The new earl, Derek, is disbelieving when she shows up but gradually begins to realize she is telling the truth. He becomes her advocate and researches the actions that his cousin, the former earl, had done. He is a bit of a yo-yo in his suspicions towards her. He also plans to marry someone in the next year but shamelessly sets out to seduce Diana.
Derek acts improperly towards Diana, and it did not seem true to the time that he would be allowed to escort her to her bedroom for example. He is able to go with her unescorted in public. Diana’s maid is not with her due to an accident on the way to London, but Caroline could have provided a maid or companion during her stay. Fairly early on in their relationship, Derek becomes amorous with Diana, and she responds open and easily. She is a virgin and her deceased husband disparaged her so it seemed more likely that she would lack confidence and would be tentative.
Derek considers tricking Diana into marrying him. She had been resisting his proposals. I thought this was very dishonorable on his part.
Diana and Derek yell at each other in several instances. In other cases, they try to be cold and impersonal with each other. It was overly dramatic behavior.
A mystery begins when Derek and Diana are shot at when they go for a ride in the park. The mystery becomes a larger part of the story in the second half of the book. There is a scene where the villain talks to Diana, and she does not know who he is. That was not likely.
Derek’s friend, Tristan, and his wife, Caroline, play a major role in the story. Diana quickly becomes friends with Caroline. They quickly all are on first name terms with each other which was rapid for that time. There is a subplot related to Caroline’s infertility.
Derel and Tristan were in the military together. Neither showed any signs of PTSD. I thought this was a bit surprising as they were in the military for years. In addition, Derek did not expect to inherit the earldom. There were a few small references to this, but I thought this could have been brought out a little more in his behavior.
Diana is 20. Derek is 35.
There were a few things that should have had a little follow up including Derek's butler and Diana's servant who was hurt.
I do not plan to continue reading books by this author.
September 26, 2020
Feel so meh about this book. It's taken me more than two months to finish, and I'm used to starting a book and finishing it within 24 hours.
I didn't like the H, Derek for the longest time. Too cynical. I loved Diana, but she should have been more firm and resistant to Derek and his macho attitude. That's why I gave up the book for awhile, thinking I would go right back to it, but I didn't.
I liked the second half much better, although I guessed who the bad guy was, and felt the part of the story where he was caught and dealt with was way too short and wrapped up.
I also felt there was too much filler with descriptions and pointless details.
I didn't like the H, Derek for the longest time. Too cynical. I loved Diana, but she should have been more firm and resistant to Derek and his macho attitude. That's why I gave up the book for awhile, thinking I would go right back to it, but I didn't.
I liked the second half much better, although I guessed who the bad guy was, and felt the part of the story where he was caught and dealt with was way too short and wrapped up.
I also felt there was too much filler with descriptions and pointless details.
July 22, 2018
Notorious Deception
I admit I rather enjoyed this book as l read it in a few hours. It has a decent but simple plot and was easy to read. There wasn't too much angst between the hero and heroine which was a relief. I would rather read about a couple who don't squabble all the time.
I admit I rather enjoyed this book as l read it in a few hours. It has a decent but simple plot and was easy to read. There wasn't too much angst between the hero and heroine which was a relief. I would rather read about a couple who don't squabble all the time.
July 19, 2020
Enjoyable story
She arrived in London after hearing of her husband's death. And finds no one believes she is the widow - because he has a wide and daughter. But he has actually been murdered and the killer is on the lose. He intends to kill again. Can they discover his identity first. And then there is a love blossoming.
She arrived in London after hearing of her husband's death. And finds no one believes she is the widow - because he has a wide and daughter. But he has actually been murdered and the killer is on the lose. He intends to kill again. Can they discover his identity first. And then there is a love blossoming.
December 20, 2018
Love
I enjoyed reading this story about Diana and Derek! How she finds out that her husband Giles only married her for money and had another wife in town. This story is one that I would recommend.
I enjoyed reading this story about Diana and Derek! How she finds out that her husband Giles only married her for money and had another wife in town. This story is one that I would recommend.
February 26, 2019
Although this book is a standalone novel it reads like a sequel to Adrienne Basso‘s „Intimate Betrayal“. It is a nice and entertaining read with rather sensual love scenes. I did not like the cliched description of the male hero (rich, handsome, powerful, hot tempered, omnipotent).
July 23, 2020
I Enjoyed this Book
Derek and Diana an Earl and a Lady who meet and yes there are interesting issues that arrives. The characters in this story are many situations that come that make this story enjoyed.
Derek and Diana an Earl and a Lady who meet and yes there are interesting issues that arrives. The characters in this story are many situations that come that make this story enjoyed.
July 5, 2020
Meh. It kept me busy but the characters kept swinging from "woe is me" to "please have sex with me" to "I'm mad at you" to "I'm so in love." Emotional whiplash much?
July 31, 2017
RGREAT HISTORICAL ROMANCE
An extremely well-written story. The storyline is excellent and the characters are superb. Thank you for an engaging love story, Danny and Debbie Scott.
An extremely well-written story. The storyline is excellent and the characters are superb. Thank you for an engaging love story, Danny and Debbie Scott.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews