Accidental Deception

The Accidental Series #1

by Tina Martin

Accidental Deception is a story about love versus loyalty, the tug-of-war that dictates every action Carter Williams will take after he stumbles upon a homeless woman, Shayla Kline, in Uptown Charlotte. Completely out of character for the usually self-centered bachelor, he puts his life on hold to spend a few nights with the stranger in the hospital.

That’s when he makes an earth shattering discovery – Shayla was the fiancée of Jacob, his estranged brother. His brother who hated him. His brother who recently committed suicide. His brother who, despite the animosity between them, wrote him a suicide note asking him to take care of Shayla.

Out of guilt and fulfillment of Jacob’s final wish, he moves Shayla into his home and gives her everything she needs to start over. The more she confides in him, the deeper their relationship grows and Carter not only wants to help her, he finds himself wanting desperately to love her, to be a man for her, to give her everything his brother could not. There’s only one problem – Shayla does not know that Jacob was his brother. Now, Carter wages an internal war within himself with his own morals – morals that tells him he should be loyal to his brother by not pursuing Shayla. But it’s hard to walk away from the only woman that has been able to awaken his heart.

Genres: Romance, Amazon

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2013

About the author

TINA MARTIN is a talented, romantic suspense fiction writer and the author of over 95 titles. She enjoys Hallmark movies, running and traveling. (PLEASE NOTE: There are multiple authors with this name on Goodreads. If you're following me, look for my logo!)

Amazon: amazon.com/author/tinamartin
Instagram: instagram.com/tinamartinauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/tinamartinauthor

Her books are listed below:

Discover other books by Tina Martin!

Christenbury Hills:
Thankful
Snow in Love With You

The Alexander Series:
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage

Tell Me Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Tell Me: The Prelude
Tell Me You Love Me
Tell Me You Want Me

The Love of Elias Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been in Love With You
When Hearts Cry
You Belong To Me
When I Call You Mine
Who Do You Love
Forever Mine

The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception
Accidental Heartbreak
Accidental Lovers
Accidental Vows

DePaul & Company Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Rude Boss
Rude Boss 2
Rude Boss Special Edition w/sprayed edges

The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3

St. Claire Series:
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Monty
Major
Zander
Zavier
Zimyra
Jeremiah

St. Claire Life Series:
Honeymoon With a St. Claire (Follow up to Monty)
Just Being Us (The Prequel to Zander)
Keep That Same Energy (Follow up to Zander)

St. Claire Women Series:
Gemma
Gianna

An Unlikely Love Series:
When I Needed You
When You Needed Me
Flicker: An Ahmalee + Cain Update
Flame: An Ahmalee + Cain Update

Seasons of Love Series:
Hot Chocolate: A Winter Novella
Spring Break: A Spring Novella

The Marriage Chronicles:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Life’s A Beach
Falling Out
War, Then Love

The Blackstone Family Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone
The Things Everson Lost
Candy’s Corporate Crush

The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
His By Spring
A Champion’s Proposal
The Convenient Husband
At The Right Time

A Lennox in Love Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox
Before You Say I Do
Winter Wonder
Winter Wedding
The Weekend
One Day You’ll Be Mine

Dying to Love Her (Ava & Andre):
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
Destination Romance – Prequel to Dying to Love Her

The Dare and Deja Chronicles:
Reception Romance
Long Distance Troubles
Back to the Valley
Into Forever

Back To Love Short Stories:
Marriage Quarrel in Quarantine
Countdown to You
Offsides: A Superbowl Party Second Chance Romance
Crushed
Summer Interrupted

Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
What Wifey Wants (Follow-up to Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her)
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
How To Love Me
For Ruby (Follow-up to How To Love Me)
Weekend Fiancé
Snowed in at Shenandoah Valley
Mr. Tall, Dark & Unavailable (Baes of Juneteenth)
Brushstrokes and Love Notes
The Inheritance
Or Forever Hold Your Peace
This Time Next Year
You Were Made for Me
Let Me
Let Me Special Edition w/sprayed edges + bonus chapter
Secrets

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story started off interesting and strong, but eventually became boring with unnecessary details and disturbing.
Carter helps Shayla a homeless person on the street. Once at the hospital he finds out she was the fiancé to his deceased brother, Jacob. Carter hasn’t had a relationship with Jacob for two years and has never met Shayla so he chose not to tell her that he knows who she is. He actually lies stating he has no siblings. Apparently Jacob never talked much about Carter either.
It became disturbing to me because Carter came off as controlling. Shayla didn’t want to try a calamari, he wouldn’t let it go until she did. Shayla wanted to sleep on the couch, he wouldn’t let her, then while she is sitting comfortably on the floor watching tv he makes her get up because it makes him feel uncomfortable. Shayla didn’t want to talk about her relationship with Jacob he gets upset slams his hand on the table and yells at her. The woman couldn’t even get away from him and go to the movies by herself.
There was nothing pure about Carter’s interrogation of Shayla’s relationship with Jacob. It was purely selfishness because he wanted a relationship with her and her heart wasn’t available.
The constant calling her baby and sweetheart even though they weren’t in a relationship and him deceiving her, just threw me off as well.

[Sidne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidental Deception is the first novel I've read by author Tina Martin. The plot was interesting and kept my attention. The conflict between the main character and the secondary character is well executed. I found my self eager to continue reading after my scheduled reading time was over. My reading pace was moderate and enjoyed each chapter. I was sadden by the ending, unexpected!! this novel sits on my shelf with a rating of 4/5 stars.

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidental Deception is an excellent book full of unexpected gems. You have beautiful people with intricate challenges and exciting lives. I was totally invested and loved every character. The author addresses difficult situations, estranged family, Illness, death, suicide, homelessness, and depression.

The scenes were full, lively, and inviting. Many scenes felt natural like I watched a movie. But I hated the abrupt ending. I felt like someone sold me 75% of a sweet pound cake. The short ending disappointed me on several levels. As a reader, I felt cheated, and while I did love this book, I am not interested in getting 75% of a book. I moved on to a different series by this author. I can't imagine readers being fully satisfied with the book. It's been two weeks since I read this book, and I still have the characters in my heart, but I would be upset if shorted again with 75% by reading hook two. …Disappointed

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course it’s a Five-Star novel….Tina Martin is the novelist. She is some kind of writer. I’m impressed with her list of publications and new material. Accidental Deception didn’t disappoint. I feel sorry for Carter Williams. He has a lot of burdens to carry, and now rescuing this homeless woman is going to cause him to reevaluate his life. Poor guy is lovestruck, and torn because of his own emotions about this. His feelings are very relatable. This is a series and you will want to read these books in order. I’m two books in and on the edge of my seat for the conclusion of Carter and Shayla Kline.

[Nikkia Chante’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started off liking Carter for the way he stepped up and helped a homeless person. Made sure she made it to the hospital etc. i even admired the FACT that once he found out who she was (his dead brothers fiancée,Shayla) how he vowed to follow his brothers wishes and take care of her. But then my feelings changed. Carter is mean and demanding and it’s his way or no way. I feel like his overbearing behavior pushed Shayla to do and say things she wasn’t comfortable with. Carter is a bully and as of right now I don’t like him. Let’s see what Book two will bring.

[Shone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stubborn VS Fear

What do you do when you find trash? Would you pick it up and put it in the trash can or leave it on the ground? What if this piece of trash is a human being? This is Carter Williams's dilemma. Shayla Carter (AKA Shay) is cold, hungry, dirty, and living in the past after the death of her fiance. Shayla and Carter are keeping secrets, not communicating, and jumping to conclusions.
The ending was shocking; on to book two to see if there will be a HEA.

[Tigger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I happy that this was not the first book I read by this author...this was a very good story; but after reading 27 chapters and it is two more books to finish this story, I guess I am just not the one to read three books to get to the end of the story. I do really like this author style of writing. Well on to another book by Tina Martin.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is great, with likeable characters and as engaging as this story is, it's unfinished, abruptly. Yeah, that's my fault for expecting the full story, without having to read several more books, just my preference, to each it's own. I hope things work out for the best for these friends/acquaintances/family.

[Sharon Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings tears to my eyes.

This author had me so emotional with this story! Carter and Shayla nerd each other, but they're both too stubborn to admit. I have to read Book 2 to see what happens next!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I debated between 1 and 2 stars. I liked the storyline just a little but the book could have been longer to fit what was necessary into it. The book does touch on a lot of heavy issues such as depression and suicide. I didn't like that it ended on a cliffhanger.

[Candice Square · Rating 5 out of 5]

What?!!?! I’m giving this 5 stars despite the ending!!! The story was so tasteful! So much lost time! Very good. Hopefully Shayla and Carter make it through.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carter has no idea why a man like him, successful, high class, good looking, would want to stop and help a homeless woman of all people when he is on his way to work and sees her on the sidewalk looking half dead already. Why should he care, people die all the time on the streets. What is that pull he feels to help her? Why would he feel such a thing and who is she anyway besides just another bum? Shayla has no idea why this stranger is helping her at all, much less doing everything in his powers to keep her alive and get her back on her feet. Why did he save her when all she wanted was to die to be with her dead fiance again? Who is this man really and why does she feel like he is a lot like the man she loved? Soon the questions are answered and Carter knows he should tell Shayla the truth, but he also thinks perhaps she has broken his "refuse to love" bubble. Why does he love her though? Is it truly love or just a love of her because she is the only person left that can help him understand his brother who committed suicide that he never got the chance to reconnect with? When Shayla learns the truth will she run from him or to him?

I must say that this book was well written with very well developed characters. I felt that I came to know Carter and Shayla like they were from my own city. As I read, I could just feel the emotions that the author was portraying through them. I very much enjoyed watching the characters grow throughout the book. The plot of two people meeting by chance, but realizing they are anything but unconnected to each other, was a good twist for the romance. It was not like any other romantic suspense I ever read. The suspense was there, but not in the "traditional" sense you usually see. What do I mean by that? I mean that it was indeed suspenseful, but not in a mystery/crime solving kind of way you usually see (at least I have seen in all the romantic suspense novels I have picked up). In some ways this disappointed me, but at the same time intrigued me and made me want to read it to see where this different suspense level lead. It was suspense in another way of being on the edge of your couch reading waiting to see if Carter really has the nerves to tell Shayla who he really is and why he is so super supportive of her and helping her. Then also wondering how Shayla will really react to it all if he does tell her. As I read and saw their relationship grow I found myself as conflicted as Carter felt about telling her, worried for him how she would take it, but hoping at the same time he would tell her because she deserved to know the truth about him is they are to maybe move past it, and into a real relationship with each other. Also as a reader I kept thinking how I would feel if I were in her shoes and heard the details from Carter. Would I feel hurt, mad, or just confused, and would I want to stay with him still after finding out the truth he hid? I really did enjoy this book and all it had to offer me as a reader. I would recommend it to anyone that is in the mood for a romance with suspense built into it with fantastic characters.

4/5 Stars!

Received free for honest review.

[Ruth Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always saying how I like realistic endings, and I can tell you that while the ending somewhat upset me (after all, I figured I knew how it would end), I can hardly wait to read the next installment. The waiting may become interminable.

I absolutely loved this romance. The relationship between Carter and Shay was sheer delight (except when they were behaving like idiots). This truly is saying something because I often find contemporary romances very sappy. This never felt sappy; it felt real! I found a great sense of humor as well as deep pathos within this story. Real issues were dealt with, and some were hidden. This is definitely a clean book--no sex nor real profanity (my standards tend to be a little higher when it comes to Christian books, but I'll let the couple minor words I saw pass since they would not be considered swear words--just slang words). Indeed God's Word is infused into this story. In fact, I would have liked to have even seen more of God in this book).

As to the writing style and the story itself, I can give Tina Martin high praise. She knows how to spin a tale that doesn't follow the normal romance form, and I truly found myself connecting with and caring about the characters. When I realized the story would not be completed until the next installment, I nearly fell into despair! And yet though I am somewhat frustrated, I still love the book, and I can promise that as soon as the next one comes out, I want to read it at once! Her books are extremely readable and will take you away from harsh realities of this world.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in Charlotte, NC, the main character stops to take care of a homeless woman lying on the side of the street. This leads to him bringing her to his place and taking care of her there. Carter discovers the woman, Shayla was the fiancee of his late brother, Jacob, a woman he was asked to take care by her fiance after his suicide.

He doesn't tell her this secret. He lets her live in his house. He lets her use his car. He sets up a bank account for her. It's odd. Also, I feel the story lacks any meat. Nothing really happens. They hang out, but not much is said. I did not feel there was much to the story. Also, the ending was very disappointing. I won't spoil it for you, but I will tell you that I was not happy.

I read this book as a review request via PDF on my laptop. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review in any way.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I like the cover. I think it's very eye-catching and captures the tone of the book. As for the book itself, I think the author did a good job depicting the growth of a self-absorbed player. I thought the romance was sweet and believable. However I got frustrated with Carter acting like such a MAN and not telling Shayla how he felt. Looking forward to reading the next installment in this story.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, engaging story. My heart bled for Shayla and Carter for different reasons. Although the story left off to be continued, I look forward to reading the goings on a little longer between the two of them. This was a sweet love story with very minimal drama. I'd call it a bittersweet feel good story where you hope for a happy ending. But I gotta read book 2 to find out!

[Tanielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so wanted Carter to tell Shayla instead of letting her pour her heart out about him. Figured they would develop feelings seeing they were both grieving in their own ways. Shayla had the game all wrong didn't she? How she get mad when they're not a couple takes the stuff he bought her and his Lex? She too strong for that. Have to see what happens next.

[Prone to Crushes on Boys in Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started off okay....but Shayla was REALLY working my last nerve and I had to give it up for my own sanity.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception

Enjoyed the book, I feel Carter was more possessive than caring as long as Shay what he though was best when he said so he was happy.