Deadly Deception

Deadly #1

by Andrea Johnson Beck

Dr. Anne Jamison, a brilliant neuropsychiatrist, is living the concrete jungle life in Minneapolis with her fiancé, prominent attorney Adam Whitney. But the mysterious death of Carter Leeds, her beloved former boyfriend, still haunts her…

After three years of unanswered questions, a mysterious package finds its way to Anne. The note inside reveals the possibility that Carter may, in fact, be alive. Even more shocking, her very own fiancé may have had a hand in his attempted demise. Anne doesn’t know what—or who—to believe, and the deeper she digs, the more she is overcome by a dangerous game of cat and mouse. But will Anne’s trust be restored—or will she be the one left plotting revenge?

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Fiction, Dark, Mystery Thriller

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Amazon Best Selling Author

Andrea Johnson Beck was born in Sioux City, Iowa. From a young age, she enjoyed telling stories. Many her dad recorded. Writing was her creative outlet and at 10-years-old, her first poem was published in an anthology. Always curious, Andrea read and watched what was considered risqué in the 80's and early 90's, such as, books by VC Andrews. Dirty Dancing and Top Gun (snuck downstairs) raised questions and were brought to her parents for clarification. Understanding their daughter's need for answers, they always replied truthfully.

Her curiosity and rebellious disposition has carried on. Andrea credits the strong woman in her life who guided her through difficult times. That and writing. Blogging about her marriage, her quirky son, and homeschooling helped her connect with others around the world.

The Quirky Mustache is a shared blog between Andrea and Logan. Most topics revolve around homeschooling, the autism spectrum, and mom humor. She's a columnist for Home & School Mosaics. In the past she has written for In-Depth Genealogist and Home Educating Family.

In 2012, Andrea self-published her debut novel, Deadly Deception. A year later, the book was acquired by Montlake Romance and re-released in October of 2013. Deadly Deception hit #4 on the Amazon Best Seller List in overall paid fiction in the Kindle Store, it was right behind the Divergent Trilogy. Her second novel, Deadly Revelation, released April of 2014 and was #1 in Organized Crime and Crime Fiction and continues to hold a spot in those categories.

Andrea and her son collaborated and released a short story, Hush, Mary in October of 2014. Also, the mom and son duo are writing homeschool and autism spectrum books together. Over the years, Logan has impacted and inspired many with his own personal stories of how he accepted and embraced his quirkiness.

Andrea lives in North Carolina with her husband Phil, son, and their deaf dog, Bear. Sarcasm is the oxygen they breathe, as is love and humor.

andreajohnsonbeck.com

Reviews

[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this was FREE TODAY 3-20-13 on Amazon CHECK IT OUT!
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Deceptio...
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS -none will hinder your reading experience and are alluded to in the synopsis
3 STARS out of 5
Genre: Romantic Thriller/Suspense

Her final memory of Carter floated around her, replaying like a syndicated sitcom.
“Please stay with me, Carter.” Anne stood in the threshold of Carter’s bedroom while he continued to pack his navy blue camping sack.
“It’s only for three nights. You worry too much.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.”



It's been three years since the death of her boyfriend Carter Leeds and Anne still struggles with it. Now engaged to wed a very well respected attorney, Adam Whitney, Anne wants nothing more than to be free of her demons. And in order to be free Anne has to fight for it. Literally.

Anne Jamison is a neuropsychologist working and sharing a Minneapolis office with her best friend Casey. And it is while she is at her office when an envelope addressed to her is left containing pictures taken of Carter on the day he died. Frozen in place it takes Anne a minute to get herself together and ask her assistant who delivered the envelope. Of course the assistant has no clue as to who did...

Carters death had always been surrounded by so many unanswered questions. And now Anne has more questions.. Like, who is the mystery guy in the photo?
Who wanted her to have the photos?

And more importantly

'Why now? Three years have passed so why would anyone want me to have these photos?' -Inner monologue of Anne

As questions are answered Anne is stunned by the information she learns.

“I just couldn’t stay away from you any longer. There’s so much I want to say, so much I want to tell you. Once I heard you were engaged to Adam I couldn’t…” -Carter



Carter being alive is just the tip of the iceberg. Anne begins to question everything.

“You can’t marry him, Anneliese. You don’t know him like I do,” Carter begged.
“What does that mean? How do you even know Adam?”

According to Carter Adam cannot be trusted and her life is in danger.



But how honest is Carter can she trust him after his own death proved to be false? Anne decides to search for answers from Adam.

“You quickly forget that I’m the psychologist. I take pleasure in the mind games.”
He stood up, loosening his navy tie and rolling the sleeves of his crisp snowy shirt. He crossed the room to the rustic bar.
“How quickly you forget, I’m the lawyer. I take pleasure in arguing my way out of tight situations.”

Who is Adam Whitney?
-Is he the sexy well accomplished attorney she plans to marry.
-Is it possible he could be a killer?
-What was Adam's role in Carter's disappearance?

And who is telling the truth Carter or Adam?

Twist after twist lead to a shocking conclusion when Deceit, lust and lies leave a web of Deadly Deception.

Thoughts
Honestly I thought the author had a great concept; I just failed to connect with the main character. I did not get to know Anne well enough to feel empathy for her. Nor the love and connection she Carter or Adam was supposed to have. The connection for the two leading men never really came across on the pages for me; personally I wanted more.
In my humble opinion I think if the book had a good 50 more pages I would have been able to connect better. Even if it was with a few more flashbacks to before Carter died to gauge the depth of love the two shared. I don't know... I just felt like I needed more...

Dear readers
I gave this book 3 stars simply because I failed to connect with the main character. Plus I felt all of the characters lacked the depth and intensity I look for in (throws hands up and makes air quotes)Thrillers. I thought Anne's patient, the ten year old girl... Yeah, the girl, she made for a more intriguing storyline. Heck at one point I wanted to know more about the girl/patient and her mother.

Bottom line -If you have a half crazy character with a whole personality they've never displayed before I would like to know why. Or at least where it stemmed from...give me something.

My Ratings
Characters- likeable
Writing Style- Fair
Plot/Storyline- I felt like something was missing I wanted more
Steam Factor- Low/Light on a simmer
Overall- Not my cup of tea

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!

For more reviews go to www.realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot...

*Copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hearing the gossip floating around about Deadly Deception I knew that I just had to read it. This is not one of those stories that I would recommend reading ANY spoilers on.Thank goodness was not given anything other than READ IT!

Dipping my toes into the waters of this Romantic Suspense I have to admit I was a little weary, in general I am very big into Paranormal Romance but Andrea J. Beck managed to not only grab me but drown me in the deep depths of her imagination.

Reading Deadly Deception in under a day I was hooked from page one. This story is full of plot twists and turns and the moment I was comfortable Andrea J. Beck would add a loop. The characters in this book are incredibly written, full of passion either for good or evil, you feel for them all. With every step that each character makes everyone else is affected like pieces on a chess board; and in the middle of everything is Anne whose character development is nothing short of brilliant. Anne is placed into situations that force her to choose between light and dark, only to find out that perhaps dark is really light. (Sounds confusing right? Try being in Anne's head!)

Clearly Andrea J. Beck is quite twisted when I say twisted I mean only the "brilliant author twisted"
I am so excited that book two in the Deadly series will be out soon because I cannot wait to find out what Andrea has in store for Anne. I leave you with the advice that was passed to me.... READ IT!

5 Stars.

[Andrea Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I rated my book five stars. My soul is wrapped up into each word, sentence, and paragraph. Anne, Carter, Adam are more than just characters, they are living breathing people who have come into my life and changed it for the better. Though Adam and Anne's story will conclude in Deadly Revelation (due 2014), other stand alone books will follow in the Deadly Series.

This is a new book, not just a re-edit or re-publication of the original self-published, Deadly Deception. Under Montlake Romance it has doubled in length. I expanded the characters backgrounds and relationships, and intensified the emotion and suspense.

I'm one lucky girl to be part of the Montlake Romance family. And I want to thank the Montlake team, my readers, friends, family, and bloggers. You're all amazing!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strap yourself in and get ready for a very twisted ride. Deadly Deception by Andrea Johnson Beck is one of my favorite recent reads. The characters are both realistic and greater than reality at the same time. The story lines created by the author will draw you in through action and emotion, and you'll find yourself staying awake in the wee hours of the night to find out what happened to Anne and Carter. Andrea Johnson Beck has a keen sense of description. You'll feel the rhythm of sound and movement through her words. Small and intricate pieces such a quiet background sound create a layer of detail that you won't realize existed until you try to determine why a scene felt so real. The details of personality and position help create a full cast of players that leave the page regularly. These characters become your friends, your enemies, and the bane of your existence when you realize that the second in the series won't be released until later this year. Deadly Deception is worth every minute spent inside its covers.

For those of us who had read the first version of this book, don't think that it's the complete tale. You'll want to read this edition for the full, expanded story.

[Melyssa Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite line of the whole book was this:

"God help me, I love you, Anneliese, but you are really starting to piss me off."

HA! In the midst of extreme suspense I burst out laughing. I love books that throw some humor in a tense situations, or some crying in the midst of your laughing. It was a spot-on, pitch perfect moment for me!

I also loved the mezzanine scene. Between the pearls and the is he or isn't he and the tumbling and the saving and the falling and did I mention the pearls? Yeah, it was awesome. A movie in my mind.

[Sarah Waldee]

A can't put me down

I LOVED this book! I never wanted to put it down! The plot and characters always kept you guessing!

When old loves haunt your life and memories of past eat at your soul, sometimes they can come back and get you. Anne learns this the hard way.

How do you decipher a web of lies? Choose between the man you loved and thought you lost and the man you currently love?

Anneliese must untangle deceit, fight her demons of the past, heal her wounds, and discover where her heart lies and heal herself.

This book has suspense, danger, mystery, drugs, love, and sex. It's like a really good movie for your imagination.

( only thing I didn't like was that there was bad editing in spots)

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! I've had it on my TBR list forever and never got around to reading it. Glad I finally did and I should have read this a long time ago!!! Loved this book so much that I read it in less than 3 hours. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out there was another twist. This is a must read and I can't wait to read the next book by Andrea Johnson Beck

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Deadly Deception had me talking out loud several times.... "He did what?!" It kept my attention to the very last paragraph. The characters are very likable and real. By the end of the book you are really rooting for some and against others. I can't wait for the second in the series!

[Carmeloo1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, mostly, in fact I couldn't put it down.
I was VERY irritated about the end: but I see now that it is part of a series - so I will have to read the next one as soon as it is released! [Maybe a teaser chapter at the end could have been added?]

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those, I need a book that's light and quick. Lots of twists to this romantic suspense novel. Fast read - good for the beach or airplanes. Doesn't require a lot of thought - just easy and fun.

[Shannon Dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Round up to 3.5 stars. Review published at AudioGals.

[Lesa Divine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 🌟 because I only liked most of the beginning. After that it went downhill.

Anne in loved with Adam her ex was killed in a boating accident. Carter she thinks of him all the time.

Suddenly she don't know who she can trust. Everyone ending up dead around her.

It was weird and I felt she started making stupid choices.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins with Dr. Anne Jamison; she is just coming out of a hypnosis session. Anne suffers greatly from severe anxiety attacks. The attacks have been coming to her for the last three years, ever since her boyfriend Carter Leeds went missing and was presumed dead. Anne has spent the past three years in treatment and trying to rebuild her life. She is very pleased with the progress she has been making moving forward and recently became engaged to Adam and believes that things are progressing smoothly.




Anne is a physiologist and shares a practice with her long time best friend Casey Adler. Casey is well aware of her friend's shaky stability and tries her best to keep her grounded. All Anne's work to restore her mental health is put on hold when she receives an envelope containing photos from Carter's last camping trip and a note in his handwriting. Anne believes that this is someone’s idea of a sick joke; she and Casey pursue surveillance footage to see who could have left the envelope.




While waiting on the surveillance tapes Anne goes away for the weekend with Adam. While Anne waits for Adam to come home one evening Carter comes bounding out from the shadows. She is quite stunned to see Carter, and he goes on to tell her that he has been in hiding and that she is in great danger with Adam. Anne goes on the confront Adam and he proceeds to tell her that it is the other way around and she should be anywhere near Carter. Anne is so upset from all the lies she has been told and doesn't know who to believe.



I don't really know where to begin, I like most of the book, but the parts that I don't like make me crazy. I think the author meant for Anne to be the heroine of this story but it just doesn't read that way. She is jumping to one man or the other and her emotional state is in such shambles that you can't tell from minute to minute if she is a weak link, or strong ultra-heroine. The action in the book is superb but I feel like the romantic scenes are very plain and somewhat cheesy.


I was slightly disappointed with the ending. It felt a little rushed it leads up to a phenomenal cliff hanger which sets it up perfectly for the next book, since this the first book of a series, but I came out of that wondering exactly what happened leading up to the cliff hanger.


All this being said I think the characters are well written and there is a ton of potential to become a great series. I give this book 3 stars out of 5.


I was provided 1 eBook copy of the book in return for the review. I received no other compensation.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally read this book in 24-hours (including sleep and work), yes I must have loved it. When I finished the last page, I thought no this can't be it, I need to know more (sequel scheduled for 2014.)

Basic plot (without spoilers)...Dr. Anne Jamison has recovered from the mysterious death of her boyfriend three years ago. She is engaged and moved past those dark times. Or has she? She discovers that her past love may yet be alive and her fiance may have had a hand in what happened to the man she loved.

The book is fast-paced and laced with ambiguity in the unraveling plot making it a truly fun read. It's a suspenseful thriller encompassing a love-triangle mixed with mob dealings. I enjoyed how the book kept me on my toes as it jumped from here to there. I was enticed until the last page and look forward to the sequel.

I found out that an expanded version is being released later in 2013 and will likely have to read it. Why? Well, my only complaint (if you can even really call it that): it's so short, and I felt like I needed more detail. The story jumps around and offers innuendos to answers but doesn't always confirm their accuracy. Don't panic, there are major questions answered, but part of my love for reading is getting that extra detail that TV shows and movies lack.

This was an enjoyable read and a great debut for Andrea Johnson Beck and the Deadly Series. For those of you looking for a suspenseful thriller that isn't a typical cop-drama, this hits that mark.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about Deadly Deception?

I LOVED it!

And now I’m dying.

Cuz I have to wait for the sequel.

Why do my favorite authors do that to me?

That’s why they are my favorites, they leave me wanting more whether it’s the next in a series or the next stand alone book to be released.

Back to the review.

Andrea, Andrea, Andrea. Man. That was so so so good. I’m sorry I’ve waited this long to read it.

I do not like to do spoilers, so I won’t, but I have to say, I did not see that [ending] coming. I was sure it would go one direction, then I was clueless. Who was the good guy? Who was the bad? I’m not telling but it surprised me.

I can’t even tell you who I was rooting for because then you’d know it was the other one because I was completely taken by surprise.

I LOVE it when books do that to me. I read so much that a lot of the times, even though I end up loving the book and even though others were surprised by the ending, I can usually predict within the first couple of chapters who is going to be the bad guy. Andrea, thank you for keeping it a secret for most of the book who was going to be the bad guy. It kept me twisting back and forth, saying I bet it’s him, no wait, I kind of like him more, oh, Adam or Carter, who is it???

Awesome writing, not too fluffy, not too heavy, great suspense, who knows who done it cuz I sure didn’t, and an ending that leaves you salivating for the next book (coming out soon I hear), what more could you ask?

5 stars from me Andrea! You did awesome! Thank you for that fun ride!

[Kayla Melser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow I read this book in like 6 hours (with small breaks scattered in there). This is the first book by Andrea Johnson Beck that I have read, it is also the first book in her Deadly series. Mrs. Beck has a a very, very twisted mind and I love it! It is well written, and the story flows very well, the characters are well developed and it is amazing all the way around.

In this book you meet Dr. Anne Jamison, who is a neuropsychiatrist running her own clinic with her best friend Casey. Anne comes from a very dysfunctional background so she uses her personal experience to try and better the world. After a tragic experience with the love of her life dying she is finally moving on with her life, until one day when everything changes.

You also meet other major players in this game such as Carter Leeds (the ex who was supposed to be dead, but now may not be), Adam Whitney a prominent attourney who is her fiance, and a whole host of other people who are either trying to help or hinder her in finding out the truth.

I love that Andrea went super duper in depth with her research in order to make this as authentic as possible, she is definitely a very thourough author. I like the psychololgical thriller aspect of this book. I am looking forward to reading more from her.

I will say though if you don't like books that are going to mess with your mind then don't read this book!!!!!!!

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEADLY DECEPTION by Andrea Johnson Beck is an exciting romantic suspense. Book 1 in the "Deadly" secrets. A quick read full of deceit,secrets,danger,romance,lies,one fiance presumed dead,another fiance possibly an assassin,and passion. Don't mix lies with romance! If you like the T.V. show the Sopranos,you will enjoy "Deadly Deception". Filled with twists and turns, you will not be able to tell the good from the not so good until the very end. Follow Anne Jamison,Adam Whitney,and Carter Leeds on a roller coaster of a ride with a ending you want see coming. However, it does end with a cliffhanger. I hope retribution for Anne will be a sweet,although, bittersweet ending for her. I can hardly wait to see what happens to these characters next. I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense,crime and romance at its worst. Received for an honest review from the author. For more,visit the author's website,Createspace, and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

[Justine Gauckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Deadly Deceptions to be a riveting and gripping book. When I started reading this book, I couldn’t picture the characters or the scene in my head. When Dr. Anneliese Jamison, a neuropsychiatrist, starts to talk about her own anxiety and need to “feel” normal, I was hooked. Ms. Beck was so in-depth with the emotions, the ache, and the unknown that I couldn’t put the book down. The way she had Anne caught up in a love triangle gave me goose bumps. She really kept me on the edge of my seat with the characters because it seemed that all of the characters in this story have more than one role and everyone can be someone else. Adam Whitney is a hero but he’s not. Carter Leeds/Montgomery is a true villain and narcissist. What made me love this story and anticipate the release of the next book is that there were no grammatical errors that I could find. It may not seem like a big deal but I love a well written and grammatically correct book. Andrea this book deserves every single one of the 5 stars that I’m giving it.

[Steve Mills]

Dr. Anne Jamison, brilliant neuropsychiatrist, living the concrete jungle life in Minneapolis with her fiancé, prominent attorney, Adam Whitney. The mysterious death of Carter Leeds, her former boyfriend, haunts her to this day. After three years of unanswered questions, a secretive note finds its way to Anne, revealing the possibility that Carter may in fact be alive, and that her very own fiancé may have had a hand in his attempted demise. Who really is Adam Whitney? Can Anne trust the man she pledged forever with? As deadly secrets begin to unravel, so does her trust. A dark, twisted game of cat and mouse ensues, who will run out of lives and who will walk away, to only be deceived, once again.

[Tabitha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE ANNE!!! I love how she was manipulated and forced into this thing with Carter but she seen through the lies and games and realized what was going on before it was too late.

Then there is Adam... oh Adam. Willing to put his life on the line for Anne, quite literally by getting shot, and still not giving up. That is love! He never lost faith in Anne and knew that she would find her way back to him.

With Carter i can see both sides of him. His love for Anne but also the need for more power, more control. Having to many things going at once, i think, will be the downfall for Carter. You can only juggle so many things at once before they start to fall. In some ways i wish there was a back story for Carter, to let us into his past and see what set him on the path he has chosen.

[Jennifer Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, when is the movie coming out?! This was an absolutely gripping read! With this being Andrea's first book, I was amazed at how incredible it was. So easy to follow and get pulled in. I couldn't put this book down once I started! This was a book that screams for a movie deal. I would pay top dollar to see it! I loved the story line, the characters, the struggles, everything. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and strongly recommend you check this book out and the rest in the series as they are released. I strongly stand by this author and her writing and she has a fan for life with me!! Great job Andrea and best of luck with the next book!!

[Sleepy · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! I am actually amazed at how much I liked this one. Read it in a day,I loved the suspense and the twist between Carter and Adam! Anneliese what she had to go through, heartbreak and pain at losing her "love". to turn around and find out there was so much Carter was hiding from her and what Adam really meant to her. Now I need to figure out when Deadly Redemption comes out. Need to finish the series! Second book that I got free that surprised me at how good it was!

HE WAS HER PAIN, HER SUFFERING,HER LOSS.

"FAREWELL, CARTER."

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the great honor and pleasure to read both versions of Deadly Deception and just when I thought Andrea couldn't make her book any better she does with this version. As a friend and author she never stops amazing me with her talent and creativity. This version expands on the characters and the plot but you are still second guessing every characters intentions. There isn't a disappointing moment in her book and when you finish reading you are left with one question at the end. "When will the sequel be out" because you need to know if Anne gets her revenge!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that keeps you wanting more and were you can't put it down then you found the book for you! Chapter after chapter you find yourself more wrapped into the plot and before you know it you are at the end and wishing the second book was ready to read. Overall Deadly Deception is a very easy read, hard to put down, and something you will not be disappointed with!

[Staci Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I curled up with this book over the weekend, and once I started I couldn't put it down.

Beck did a number on me - just when you think you know, BABAM. You don't know. You think you do, but you don't. So, hold on to your butts.

I don't want to give anything away, just pick it up and give it a shot. I can't wait to find out what happens! COME ON BOOK 2!!!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Deception has love, betrayal,deception,mystery. Definitely keeps you on your toes, you might think ok it will go this way ... but to your surpise it may or may not lmao .. the only way to find out is to Read this book. It is a great book. I give this book 5/5 . I can not wait to see what happens in the next book .

[Tabitha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! I started reading and couldn't put it down. By the end of the book I wanted to know what happens and what's going on in Anne's head. I feel like she is up to something big and that she has her own plans to take down Carter. I can't wait to see what happens next! I just hope Adam is being truthful about his love for her.

[Heidi Brakken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing~sexy~edge of your seat book! Twists and turns you cannot see coming, and you are drawn into the story so much you find yourself rooting for different people, at different times, for different reasons. This book was gifted to me, and WOW! So glad it was. Absolutely cannot wait for the next book to figure out the next moves from everyone.

[Christian Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked on this book within the first few pages, unable to put it down. The author gives great attention to detail and makes you really care about the characters. Very suspenseful! Just like the main character, Anne, I didn't know who to trust! I'm very glad the next book in the series is set to come out soon. I can't wait to find out what is in store for Anne next!

[Telliey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was deadly alright...

This book had a lot of twists and turns which kept me drawn in. The main character however made me upset on more than a few occasions. It couldn't have been me is all I can say on that note. It was a good listen though. I am looking forward to listening to the sequel of this story