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The Deception Dance #1
The Deception Dance
We stand there, screaming into each other’s faces.
How I hate him.
How I’ve loved him.
How I want him destroyed.
After a year of preparation, eighteen year old Raven Smith has planned out every detail of her summer vacation in Europe. Yet, while still en-route to Italy, Raven finds a letter in her carry-on suitcase that tells her not to go to Europe, that an “evil agent of Hell” is looking for her and he will find her if she disregards the letter’s message.
Deciding that it was a product of insanity, Raven chooses to disregard the letter's message.
In her cross-Europe trip, Raven only wants to feed her love of art history and spend time with her older sister. She’s unprepared for Andras and his strange fascination with her, not to mention the all-consuming attraction she has for him. She’s definitely unprepared for Nicholas and his brothers Stephen, Albert and Tobias, diverting all of her plans and sweeping her off to a Swedish Castle.
But the letter was right, the agent of Hell has found her and Raven has become a game-piece in a very dangerous game.
How I hate him.
How I’ve loved him.
How I want him destroyed.
After a year of preparation, eighteen year old Raven Smith has planned out every detail of her summer vacation in Europe. Yet, while still en-route to Italy, Raven finds a letter in her carry-on suitcase that tells her not to go to Europe, that an “evil agent of Hell” is looking for her and he will find her if she disregards the letter’s message.
Deciding that it was a product of insanity, Raven chooses to disregard the letter's message.
In her cross-Europe trip, Raven only wants to feed her love of art history and spend time with her older sister. She’s unprepared for Andras and his strange fascination with her, not to mention the all-consuming attraction she has for him. She’s definitely unprepared for Nicholas and his brothers Stephen, Albert and Tobias, diverting all of her plans and sweeping her off to a Swedish Castle.
But the letter was right, the agent of Hell has found her and Raven has become a game-piece in a very dangerous game.
Audiobook
First published December 1, 2012
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About the author
Rita Stradling
33 books833 followersRita Stradling is a USA Today Bestselling Author with an all-consuming addiction to popcorn.
She writes young adult and new adult romances about flawed people who find their perfect together (often these people are dragon-shifters, werewolves, or have magical powers).
Rita believes in soulmates, happily ever afters, and that love can overcome any obstacle.
She writes young adult and new adult romances about flawed people who find their perfect together (often these people are dragon-shifters, werewolves, or have magical powers).
Rita believes in soulmates, happily ever afters, and that love can overcome any obstacle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 27, 2016
5 Reasons you must read The Deception Dance :
1 Its a paranormal thriller - The book combined religion and mythology and made it realistic. It was action packed with the characters finding themselves in situations that were fatal.
2 Well developed characters - Raven starts off as a character who wants to travel and explore the world but is soon caught up in a web of deceit. Andras was mysterious and intense, you are uncertain even as you learn more about him. Stephen was my favourite, he was trustworthy, intelligent and had a wicked sense of humour.
3 Intricate plot - The plot was character driven and the author did this brilliantly. Each character had their own beliefs or motives and they pursued their agendas relentlessly. This also helps the reader view events from different perspectives.
4 Description - Sometimes I skip the description of a place while reading because I want to get to the actual story. Here the setting was integral to the incidents taking place, and added to the story instead of distracting me.
5 Deception - In this book nothing is as it seems and that kept me hooked. Sometimes you can predict what is going to happen but this book kept me on my toes. I kept waiting for the story to feel familiar but that never happened.
This book was a gripping and exciting read, I could not put it down.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
1 Its a paranormal thriller - The book combined religion and mythology and made it realistic. It was action packed with the characters finding themselves in situations that were fatal.
2 Well developed characters - Raven starts off as a character who wants to travel and explore the world but is soon caught up in a web of deceit. Andras was mysterious and intense, you are uncertain even as you learn more about him. Stephen was my favourite, he was trustworthy, intelligent and had a wicked sense of humour.
3 Intricate plot - The plot was character driven and the author did this brilliantly. Each character had their own beliefs or motives and they pursued their agendas relentlessly. This also helps the reader view events from different perspectives.
4 Description - Sometimes I skip the description of a place while reading because I want to get to the actual story. Here the setting was integral to the incidents taking place, and added to the story instead of distracting me.
5 Deception - In this book nothing is as it seems and that kept me hooked. Sometimes you can predict what is going to happen but this book kept me on my toes. I kept waiting for the story to feel familiar but that never happened.
This book was a gripping and exciting read, I could not put it down.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
December 10, 2012
I found The Deception Dance to be incredibly enjoyable - it sucked me right in and I read it off my phone whenever I had a spare moment. Do not mistake this for yet another Twilight paranormal romance: The characters are very believable and well-developed, and the plot seems to evolve naturally because of them, not from some formula. I loved Twilight too, but somehow The Deception Dance just comes across as more real to me (even with the demons). The settings across Europe are vivid & dramatic, and easily draw the reader in. The Christisn mythology that underlines the story line is rich and complex,but delivered in an accessible and modern way. An very promising debut novel - hopefully Rita Stradling will come out with a sequel before too long!
January 17, 2013
The Deception Dance was a very captivating read. One of the things that really stood out to me was how well crafted the lead character was. I grew to really care about Raven’s plight and I felt like she was a real person. Rita Stradling did an excellent job of weaving her supernatural tale around characters that were believable. The second half of her novel is packed with action and shocking, even haunting, moments. These moments were amplified for me through the delicate narration of Raven. As the reader, I wasn’t just a passenger in this dangerous fantasy ride. I felt like I was living the exhilarating events through the characters as they tried to wrestle with and escape from the demonic forces of hell.
I really enjoyed the vivid detail used in describing the landscapes of Europe as well as in describing the religious mythology interwoven into this tale.
The plot was intricate and complex, and as the title would indicate, a dance with deception. Like a mystery novel, the pieces began to fall into place as the action and danger ramped up. All of it led to a doozy of an ending!
I am definitely intrigued by what comes next in this series and to learn more about the fates of Raven and company!
I really enjoyed the vivid detail used in describing the landscapes of Europe as well as in describing the religious mythology interwoven into this tale.
The plot was intricate and complex, and as the title would indicate, a dance with deception. Like a mystery novel, the pieces began to fall into place as the action and danger ramped up. All of it led to a doozy of an ending!
I am definitely intrigued by what comes next in this series and to learn more about the fates of Raven and company!
January 15, 2013
An amazing supernatural adventure!
Rita Stradling has proven herself a creative and spellbinding storyteller! 'The Deception Dance' takes you on an action- packed fantasy adventure, filled with religious overtones and magical creatures, from the perspective of a teenager, Raven, who thought she was just heading for a well- planned, youthful European vacation. As the plot unfolds, we are pulled in deeper with her, into the web of danger and deceit that comes to enshroud her, bringing her to apocalyptic scenes reminiscent of Revelations. Ms. Stradling brings us in with all our senses activated to experience each moment and turn of events with Raven. Raven as the narrator keeps us connected to her humanity, her level of maturity, youthful thoughts and emotions, allowing a thread of vibrant reality to touch us throughout the story in this incredible fantasy! Bravo!
I would recommend this to teens and older as some of the scenes would be too scary and graphic for a younger audience.
Rita Stradling has proven herself a creative and spellbinding storyteller! 'The Deception Dance' takes you on an action- packed fantasy adventure, filled with religious overtones and magical creatures, from the perspective of a teenager, Raven, who thought she was just heading for a well- planned, youthful European vacation. As the plot unfolds, we are pulled in deeper with her, into the web of danger and deceit that comes to enshroud her, bringing her to apocalyptic scenes reminiscent of Revelations. Ms. Stradling brings us in with all our senses activated to experience each moment and turn of events with Raven. Raven as the narrator keeps us connected to her humanity, her level of maturity, youthful thoughts and emotions, allowing a thread of vibrant reality to touch us throughout the story in this incredible fantasy! Bravo!
I would recommend this to teens and older as some of the scenes would be too scary and graphic for a younger audience.
April 30, 2018
4.5 stars - This captivating YA paranormal thriller pulls readers in from the start and doesn't let go.
Once again, author Rita Stradling offers fully developed characters; both relatable and believable. We follow Raven on her trip to Europe with her older sister and learn abut the supernatural forces of good and evil interfering in her life just as slowly as she discovers them. Stradling has truly provided us with a dance of deception; as both Andras and Nicholas seem to vie for Raven’s attention, it is unclear whom she should trust.
I enjoyed the supernatural elements of this tale, the authentic character interactions, and that the potential love triangle served to drive the plot forward. Stradling has brought something unique to the paranormal romance genre, and I am excited to continue reading this series.
‘The Deception Dance’ and its sequel, ‘The Lie Spinners’ release on April 30th, while the trilogy’s conclusion, ‘Waltzing into Damnation’ comes out on June 1st, 2018. The entire series will be available as part of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
Once again, author Rita Stradling offers fully developed characters; both relatable and believable. We follow Raven on her trip to Europe with her older sister and learn abut the supernatural forces of good and evil interfering in her life just as slowly as she discovers them. Stradling has truly provided us with a dance of deception; as both Andras and Nicholas seem to vie for Raven’s attention, it is unclear whom she should trust.
I enjoyed the supernatural elements of this tale, the authentic character interactions, and that the potential love triangle served to drive the plot forward. Stradling has brought something unique to the paranormal romance genre, and I am excited to continue reading this series.
‘The Deception Dance’ and its sequel, ‘The Lie Spinners’ release on April 30th, while the trilogy’s conclusion, ‘Waltzing into Damnation’ comes out on June 1st, 2018. The entire series will be available as part of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
May 1, 2013
5*s
LOVED IT!!!!
review posted here...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...
Where to start…..
Honestly this book was just amazing, I LOVED it!
Whilst the synopsis gives you the gist of the story and the overall outline, it could easily be thought to be YA love triangle romance but there is an awful lot more to it than that because that is just the tip of the iceberg. We spend the most part of the book on the relationship as Raven finds herself the object of more than one person’s attention and not just in the romantic sense. She is caught between two men, pulled more in one direction than the other… all she wants to do is enjoy her travel plans with her sister which unfortunately are hi jacked from the get go by Chauncey, her sisters very rich friend. Things start to go awry following their arrival, travel plans are changed and they head off with Nicholas to his magnificent house in Sweden…. Once there, things start to unravel…it looks like Andras has followed her and whilst she secretly meets with him, she begins to fall for him…. Until she finds out why he wants her so badly… until she finds out that everyone is lying to her…. Until she finds out who she really is.
So yeah, I loved this…
In the beginning it focussed on the relationships being formed between Raven, Nicholas & Andras, she’s pulled in both directions and it was intriguing. As a reader you can feel that there are secrets, because of the prologue you know a certain someone could be related to the story and I found myself looking to see how that fit into the story. The romance was sweet, it was YA innocent with the potential to easily cross the line into steamier territory. I think when she shows her preference & with them being kept apart and having clandestine meetings that it gave their love a sort of forbidden feel to it and that type of romance always leaves you wanting more, waiting for the grasped moments when they see each other again. I liked both options for Raven but the felt the pull towards one a bit more.
The storyline was brilliant, as I said the first part of the book is more about building the relationships, friendships, getting to know the characters and that’s all well and good but once the reveals start coming, then it changes the whole feel of the book and made it awesome! I loved what followed, everything about it, I wish I could just tell everyone about it but that would spoil it for you – so, how to explain? Well, I hinted that it wasn’t what it appears to be, there’s a whole lot of deception & people hiding things, there’s a fated type of love, there are two opposing sides, there are lots of players involved, you will notice the mention of a demon & a killer so it’s supernatural and there are few hot men kicking around…. Enough with the hints though, one thing I can tell you for definite is this book is amazing! It’s intriguing, it’s exiting, it has plenty of action & danger, great characters with very interesting backgrounds that pull you into their story and a fated style romance that will have your heart pounding… seriously, give this a go – you will not be disappointed. I personally cannot wait for more.
LOVED IT!!!!
review posted here...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...
Where to start…..
Honestly this book was just amazing, I LOVED it!
Whilst the synopsis gives you the gist of the story and the overall outline, it could easily be thought to be YA love triangle romance but there is an awful lot more to it than that because that is just the tip of the iceberg. We spend the most part of the book on the relationship as Raven finds herself the object of more than one person’s attention and not just in the romantic sense. She is caught between two men, pulled more in one direction than the other… all she wants to do is enjoy her travel plans with her sister which unfortunately are hi jacked from the get go by Chauncey, her sisters very rich friend. Things start to go awry following their arrival, travel plans are changed and they head off with Nicholas to his magnificent house in Sweden…. Once there, things start to unravel…it looks like Andras has followed her and whilst she secretly meets with him, she begins to fall for him…. Until she finds out why he wants her so badly… until she finds out that everyone is lying to her…. Until she finds out who she really is.
So yeah, I loved this…
In the beginning it focussed on the relationships being formed between Raven, Nicholas & Andras, she’s pulled in both directions and it was intriguing. As a reader you can feel that there are secrets, because of the prologue you know a certain someone could be related to the story and I found myself looking to see how that fit into the story. The romance was sweet, it was YA innocent with the potential to easily cross the line into steamier territory. I think when she shows her preference & with them being kept apart and having clandestine meetings that it gave their love a sort of forbidden feel to it and that type of romance always leaves you wanting more, waiting for the grasped moments when they see each other again. I liked both options for Raven but the felt the pull towards one a bit more.
The storyline was brilliant, as I said the first part of the book is more about building the relationships, friendships, getting to know the characters and that’s all well and good but once the reveals start coming, then it changes the whole feel of the book and made it awesome! I loved what followed, everything about it, I wish I could just tell everyone about it but that would spoil it for you – so, how to explain? Well, I hinted that it wasn’t what it appears to be, there’s a whole lot of deception & people hiding things, there’s a fated type of love, there are two opposing sides, there are lots of players involved, you will notice the mention of a demon & a killer so it’s supernatural and there are few hot men kicking around…. Enough with the hints though, one thing I can tell you for definite is this book is amazing! It’s intriguing, it’s exiting, it has plenty of action & danger, great characters with very interesting backgrounds that pull you into their story and a fated style romance that will have your heart pounding… seriously, give this a go – you will not be disappointed. I personally cannot wait for more.
December 7, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Deception Dance is action packed from the beginning. It starts out when Raven and her sister, Linnie, go on a trip to Europe. Linnie’s roommate, Chauncey, invites herself along and changes all their plans. Instead of staying in hostels, they’re staying in extravagant hotels, and Raven is exploring on her own while Linnie and Chauncey party. While in Rome, Raven meets both Nicholas and Andras. Nicholas is a young man that seems very high class. He’s always dressed in suits. Andras is mysterious. Raven feels an instant connection to Andras that scares her. After a bad incident at a nightclub, Raven, Linnie, and Chauncey decide to travel to Sweden to visit Nicholas’s home. Nicholas’s family seems divided on whether they want Raven there. Some members are nice and accept her, others turn their noses up at her. Once again while exploring, Raven runs into Andras and they start a secret romance. But Nicholas has also developed feelings for Raven. Why does Nicholas want to keep Raven away from Andras? What secrets are being kept? Who will Raven choose to be with? And will the truth ever be told?
I loved this book. It was action packed from the beginning until the end. I was disgusted with Chauncey and the way she always had to have her way, and Linnie went along with Chauncey practically ignoring Raven. I also loved the love triangle. Throughout the whole book I wasn’t sure who I wanted Raven to be with. Should she be with the safe dependable Nicholas or the intriguingly rugged Andras? I’m still not sure. There were several times I wanted to smack Linnie and Nicholas. I hated the way everyone made decisions for Raven and pressured her into doing what they wanted. I wish Raven would have spoken up for herself more. This book kept my attention throughout with all its twists and turns. While the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger, I definitely want to read more.
5-stars
Reviewed by Tracy
The Deception Dance is action packed from the beginning. It starts out when Raven and her sister, Linnie, go on a trip to Europe. Linnie’s roommate, Chauncey, invites herself along and changes all their plans. Instead of staying in hostels, they’re staying in extravagant hotels, and Raven is exploring on her own while Linnie and Chauncey party. While in Rome, Raven meets both Nicholas and Andras. Nicholas is a young man that seems very high class. He’s always dressed in suits. Andras is mysterious. Raven feels an instant connection to Andras that scares her. After a bad incident at a nightclub, Raven, Linnie, and Chauncey decide to travel to Sweden to visit Nicholas’s home. Nicholas’s family seems divided on whether they want Raven there. Some members are nice and accept her, others turn their noses up at her. Once again while exploring, Raven runs into Andras and they start a secret romance. But Nicholas has also developed feelings for Raven. Why does Nicholas want to keep Raven away from Andras? What secrets are being kept? Who will Raven choose to be with? And will the truth ever be told?
I loved this book. It was action packed from the beginning until the end. I was disgusted with Chauncey and the way she always had to have her way, and Linnie went along with Chauncey practically ignoring Raven. I also loved the love triangle. Throughout the whole book I wasn’t sure who I wanted Raven to be with. Should she be with the safe dependable Nicholas or the intriguingly rugged Andras? I’m still not sure. There were several times I wanted to smack Linnie and Nicholas. I hated the way everyone made decisions for Raven and pressured her into doing what they wanted. I wish Raven would have spoken up for herself more. This book kept my attention throughout with all its twists and turns. While the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger, I definitely want to read more.
5-stars
Reviewed by Tracy
September 19, 2016
This was kind of hit and miss for me, unfortunately! While there was a lot to like, it just didn't click with me. Neither the characters nor the plot. I'm going to try to gather my thoughts and hopefully this review will be some what easy to follow.
I hated the love triangle! For the most part, I loathe love triangles usually but sometimes they can be done in such a way that I don't mind them, but here, we not only see a love triangle, but also the dreaded insta love!
The MC: I both liked and disliked Raven. I think I disliked her because, in my opinion anyway, how could she agree to go with Nicholas when she didn't even know him! How could she agree to go to Sweden with him? I just felt like she made extremely stupid decisions throughout.
I found that for most of the book, it seemed to focus on the love triangle. It was slow going at the start and I wasn't going to finish, but I was intrigued enough with the other aspects of the book to continue on.
When we reach just over half way, the book does pick up a bit. We see some things revealed which change the way the book goes and it's the only reason I kept reading. There is more action, the plot becomes much more gripping and it really shows what the author is capable of. The world she created was unique, intriguing and all round awesome. I just wish it would have started out this way, rather than with the relationships.
I still don't know how I really feel about this book. I enjoyed the last bit of the book but didn't enjoy the rest. The world was intriguing but the MC and her relationships were annoying.
Saying that, I would still recommend this as it is something a lot of people will enjoy. The author writes really well and knows how to tell a story, this one just wasn't for me.
While I enjoyed Gail Shalans narration; she was clear, concise and told the story really well, I found her female voices to be very similar and had trouble staying on track as to who was talking.
*I received a copy of this for review. this in no way affected my thoughts.*
I hated the love triangle! For the most part, I loathe love triangles usually but sometimes they can be done in such a way that I don't mind them, but here, we not only see a love triangle, but also the dreaded insta love!
The MC: I both liked and disliked Raven. I think I disliked her because, in my opinion anyway, how could she agree to go with Nicholas when she didn't even know him! How could she agree to go to Sweden with him? I just felt like she made extremely stupid decisions throughout.
I found that for most of the book, it seemed to focus on the love triangle. It was slow going at the start and I wasn't going to finish, but I was intrigued enough with the other aspects of the book to continue on.
When we reach just over half way, the book does pick up a bit. We see some things revealed which change the way the book goes and it's the only reason I kept reading. There is more action, the plot becomes much more gripping and it really shows what the author is capable of. The world she created was unique, intriguing and all round awesome. I just wish it would have started out this way, rather than with the relationships.
I still don't know how I really feel about this book. I enjoyed the last bit of the book but didn't enjoy the rest. The world was intriguing but the MC and her relationships were annoying.
Saying that, I would still recommend this as it is something a lot of people will enjoy. The author writes really well and knows how to tell a story, this one just wasn't for me.
While I enjoyed Gail Shalans narration; she was clear, concise and told the story really well, I found her female voices to be very similar and had trouble staying on track as to who was talking.
*I received a copy of this for review. this in no way affected my thoughts.*
March 16, 2014
I was given a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review (LoP).
This book was AWESOME. No other way to put it. I read the whole book in a day. And it wasn't because I didn't have anything to do. It was because the book was THAT GOOD and I couldn't STOP reading it.
Action? Check. A kick-butt female protagonist? Check. Love triangle involving said protagonist, a demon and a demon hunter? Check, check and CHECK. There WERE a few, JUST A FEW, times in the book when I would think For real? Did he just do that? Or, I want to smack her for being so naïve. But then I would remind myself that it was PARANORMAL so anything could happen!
And thank you so much Rita Stradling for not stopping with one book, but creating a whole series. Yes, this book was THAT good.
I am stingy with my 5 star ratings but this book more than earned it.
This book was AWESOME. No other way to put it. I read the whole book in a day. And it wasn't because I didn't have anything to do. It was because the book was THAT GOOD and I couldn't STOP reading it.
Action? Check. A kick-butt female protagonist? Check. Love triangle involving said protagonist, a demon and a demon hunter? Check, check and CHECK. There WERE a few, JUST A FEW, times in the book when I would think For real? Did he just do that? Or, I want to smack her for being so naïve. But then I would remind myself that it was PARANORMAL so anything could happen!
And thank you so much Rita Stradling for not stopping with one book, but creating a whole series. Yes, this book was THAT good.
I am stingy with my 5 star ratings but this book more than earned it.
September 13, 2019
This hooked me from the start! A well written story of good and evil, of love and deception, passion and infatuation as well as pain and misery. The storyline though slow to start as it was setting up the background is full of action, magic, suspense, drama and twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat! A great start and I cannot wait to read the next instalment!
May 5, 2018
Fantastic!!
Beautiful cover and fantastic story!! This book grips you from beginning till the end! I am so glad I preordered book one and two! I noticed this story was first published in 2012 but this is the first time I've read it! I can say I'm so glad I did! Rita Stradling I am so a fan!
Beautiful cover and fantastic story!! This book grips you from beginning till the end! I am so glad I preordered book one and two! I noticed this story was first published in 2012 but this is the first time I've read it! I can say I'm so glad I did! Rita Stradling I am so a fan!
January 1, 2013
Wow. That ending has me extremely excited for the next book whenever it comes out. So much happened I can barely wrap my mind around it!
Okay, to start off the story was intriguing. I didn't understand much of anything since no clues were really being thrown my way, but that's what kept my interest piqued. I needed to figure out what was going on but I just...couldn't. It kills me to admit that but it's the truth. I made some connections as to who was who and what not but I really had no idea where the story was going, and I actually find that to be a good thing. I've never experienced a book that has kept me looking for answers before. Usually I know where things are headed and they're very predictable. This was not the case for The Deception Dance and it was nice to be immersed in a story where I could feel the full effect of every word I was reading since I did not know what was to come.
Once we finally started to get some answers in the second half of the book, everything made so much more sense. It turned out to be a very intricate plot. It was jam-packed full of action, deception, and so much more! The ending alone probably had more action than anything else I have read before. It was an exhilarating experience for me. I'm a big fan of a lot of action and battles and all that jazz in my books, but I usually find myself disappointed. The Deception Dance is the first book that has surpassed my expectations in that department!
As for the characters...well, I will admit that at first I thought Raven, Linnie, and Chauncey were rather ditzy. I just couldn't understand how they could possibly be okay with going off with random strangers. I especially didn't like how fast Andras and Ravens' relationship seemed to take off. Well, turns out it wasn't the despicable "insta" love. We just don't find out about their history until much later. I did like each characters' personality though. I loved how snarky Raven was in her thought process. (Honestly reminded me of me lol) And for some reason, I even loved Andras' character after everything is revealed. There's just...something endearing about his character. I've always been a fan of the bad boys in stories, but this is something different. Hmmm...
But my absolute favorite character was Stephen. As soon as he was introduced I knew I would love him, and it turns out that I was right in doing so. Stephen was probably the most trustworthy character in the midst of all the liars in this world. He was just...I don't know. He was so much more than all of the other characters. I hardly know who he is but I feel like I know him best.
As this is a self-published book, there are understandably a few errors in grammar, word usage, etc., but these errors do not take away from the story. I know a lot of people who complain about these things, but I honestly would like to see them write a book without any errors. Yeah, not easy. /rant
Anyway, this book turned out to be a great read and I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy for an honest review. It was a nice surprise and I found it to be very unique. I'm pretty excited for the next installment! Can't wait :)
Okay, to start off the story was intriguing. I didn't understand much of anything since no clues were really being thrown my way, but that's what kept my interest piqued. I needed to figure out what was going on but I just...couldn't. It kills me to admit that but it's the truth. I made some connections as to who was who and what not but I really had no idea where the story was going, and I actually find that to be a good thing. I've never experienced a book that has kept me looking for answers before. Usually I know where things are headed and they're very predictable. This was not the case for The Deception Dance and it was nice to be immersed in a story where I could feel the full effect of every word I was reading since I did not know what was to come.
Once we finally started to get some answers in the second half of the book, everything made so much more sense. It turned out to be a very intricate plot. It was jam-packed full of action, deception, and so much more! The ending alone probably had more action than anything else I have read before. It was an exhilarating experience for me. I'm a big fan of a lot of action and battles and all that jazz in my books, but I usually find myself disappointed. The Deception Dance is the first book that has surpassed my expectations in that department!
As for the characters...well, I will admit that at first I thought Raven, Linnie, and Chauncey were rather ditzy. I just couldn't understand how they could possibly be okay with going off with random strangers. I especially didn't like how fast Andras and Ravens' relationship seemed to take off. Well, turns out it wasn't the despicable "insta" love. We just don't find out about their history until much later. I did like each characters' personality though. I loved how snarky Raven was in her thought process. (Honestly reminded me of me lol) And for some reason, I even loved Andras' character after everything is revealed. There's just...something endearing about his character. I've always been a fan of the bad boys in stories, but this is something different. Hmmm...
But my absolute favorite character was Stephen. As soon as he was introduced I knew I would love him, and it turns out that I was right in doing so. Stephen was probably the most trustworthy character in the midst of all the liars in this world. He was just...I don't know. He was so much more than all of the other characters. I hardly know who he is but I feel like I know him best.
As this is a self-published book, there are understandably a few errors in grammar, word usage, etc., but these errors do not take away from the story. I know a lot of people who complain about these things, but I honestly would like to see them write a book without any errors. Yeah, not easy. /rant
Anyway, this book turned out to be a great read and I would like to thank the author for providing me a copy for an honest review. It was a nice surprise and I found it to be very unique. I'm pretty excited for the next installment! Can't wait :)
November 18, 2014
I received The Deception Dance by Rita Stradling for free through goodreads first reads. I'm really glad I did though, because this book was awesome! I can't believe how much I loved it. The Deception Dance had everything I didn't know I was looking for: action, adventure, romance, the fight between good and evil, a strong but relatable heroine, and so much more. The book was written well, and I really enjoyed immersing myself in the world and in the story that Ms. Stradling created.
I liked the main character Raven from the start of the book, but near to the end was when I liked her the most. I think that she really grew as a character and it was a believable type of growth, unlike times in other novels when a character doesn't change at all. One part of the book that was really relatable and believable was how Raven didn't completely accept what was going on right away. I know that if I was faced with something like she was, I would need proof to get it into my head that what's happening is actually true. I liked that she didn't just accept it right away with no questions or thoughts about it.
I also really liked how the author wrote Chauncey. I went from disliking her, to hating her, to being confused and worried for her, and then to feeling sorry for her. It's just really cool how Ms. Stradling managed to make be feel all these emotions about one person that, at the start of the book, I was sure was going to be annoying and unnecessary. I was wrong though. Chauncey was far from that.
The guys in the book were great as well. For reasons I can't explain due to spoilers, what I though was just an ordinary love triangle turned into so much more. I also really liked that they were European. I'm tired of American guys. Thank you Rita Stradling for giving me some Swedish guys to swoon over (it's not who you think I would swoon over if you haven't read the book. Again, can't say...spoilers...)!
One more thing that I really liked about this novel is that it wasn't superficial. Some books that you read that are in this genre are just boy meets girl, other boy meets girl, they fight for her or to protect her, something bad happens but they win, the end. This wasn't like that. The book went deeper, into the area of good versus evil and moral dilemmas, and the author wasn't afraid to take on religion. I like that she didn't scurry around the topic, being afraid to offend anybody.
Honestly though, I loved this book entirely. There isn't anything bad I can say about it and I'll probably be thinking about it for days. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to read something good, although I believe that it's more suitable for older teens and up. Rita Stradling has woven together a masterpiece that should be read over and over and over again.
P.S. I really love the cover design. Good job to whoever did that, because it's perfect.
I liked the main character Raven from the start of the book, but near to the end was when I liked her the most. I think that she really grew as a character and it was a believable type of growth, unlike times in other novels when a character doesn't change at all. One part of the book that was really relatable and believable was how Raven didn't completely accept what was going on right away. I know that if I was faced with something like she was, I would need proof to get it into my head that what's happening is actually true. I liked that she didn't just accept it right away with no questions or thoughts about it.
I also really liked how the author wrote Chauncey. I went from disliking her, to hating her, to being confused and worried for her, and then to feeling sorry for her. It's just really cool how Ms. Stradling managed to make be feel all these emotions about one person that, at the start of the book, I was sure was going to be annoying and unnecessary. I was wrong though. Chauncey was far from that.
The guys in the book were great as well. For reasons I can't explain due to spoilers, what I though was just an ordinary love triangle turned into so much more. I also really liked that they were European. I'm tired of American guys. Thank you Rita Stradling for giving me some Swedish guys to swoon over (it's not who you think I would swoon over if you haven't read the book. Again, can't say...spoilers...)!
One more thing that I really liked about this novel is that it wasn't superficial. Some books that you read that are in this genre are just boy meets girl, other boy meets girl, they fight for her or to protect her, something bad happens but they win, the end. This wasn't like that. The book went deeper, into the area of good versus evil and moral dilemmas, and the author wasn't afraid to take on religion. I like that she didn't scurry around the topic, being afraid to offend anybody.
Honestly though, I loved this book entirely. There isn't anything bad I can say about it and I'll probably be thinking about it for days. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to read something good, although I believe that it's more suitable for older teens and up. Rita Stradling has woven together a masterpiece that should be read over and over and over again.
P.S. I really love the cover design. Good job to whoever did that, because it's perfect.
June 15, 2013
I hesitated on reading The Deception Dance because I was skeptical of the premise. "A DEMON HELL-BENT ON POSSESSING HER A KILLER AVOWED TO KEEPING HER FROM HELL'S GRASP A GIRL DETERMINED NOT TO FALL IN LOVE " Really?
Despite the obvious shortcomings in the book's introduction, The Deception Dance managed to snag my attention from the start. Raven is in Italy with her sister Linnie and Linnie's best friend Chauncey. In Italy Raven meets two men, sexy Andras, and handsome guy-next door type Nicholas. Raven begins to trust Andras after he saves her life, but there's something about him that both attracts and repels her.
After Raven's attack, Nicholas talks the girls into visiting his castle in Sweden. The visit sets off a chain of events that will find Raven in the center of a fight between good and evil.
Raven is torn between two men who both share a secret that she's determined to discover. She's inexplicably drawn to dangerously sexy Andras, but is also terrified of him at times. She can't find a reason NOT to trust Nicholas, but is unable to because she suspects he's hiding something.
Deception Dance is a slow read that still manages to be entertaining and intriguing. Rita Stradling does an excellent job of building the cast of characters and I found myself becoming vested in their lives. Unfortunately, there are times that I was in a state of complete disbelief over some of the decisions Raven made within the story. The ending was also both unbelievable and unrealistic causing the story itself to lose credibility. I do recommend The Deception Dance, but with reservations. It's an entertaining read that will definitely keep your interest, but a thinning plot and unraveling storyline will leave you wondering if the writer lost the basis for the story, or if you missed something along the way.
I received a free copy from the author for an honest review.
Despite the obvious shortcomings in the book's introduction, The Deception Dance managed to snag my attention from the start. Raven is in Italy with her sister Linnie and Linnie's best friend Chauncey. In Italy Raven meets two men, sexy Andras, and handsome guy-next door type Nicholas. Raven begins to trust Andras after he saves her life, but there's something about him that both attracts and repels her.
After Raven's attack, Nicholas talks the girls into visiting his castle in Sweden. The visit sets off a chain of events that will find Raven in the center of a fight between good and evil.
Raven is torn between two men who both share a secret that she's determined to discover. She's inexplicably drawn to dangerously sexy Andras, but is also terrified of him at times. She can't find a reason NOT to trust Nicholas, but is unable to because she suspects he's hiding something.
Deception Dance is a slow read that still manages to be entertaining and intriguing. Rita Stradling does an excellent job of building the cast of characters and I found myself becoming vested in their lives. Unfortunately, there are times that I was in a state of complete disbelief over some of the decisions Raven made within the story. The ending was also both unbelievable and unrealistic causing the story itself to lose credibility. I do recommend The Deception Dance, but with reservations. It's an entertaining read that will definitely keep your interest, but a thinning plot and unraveling storyline will leave you wondering if the writer lost the basis for the story, or if you missed something along the way.
I received a free copy from the author for an honest review.
February 16, 2014
A paranormal thriller and romance with plenty of handsome demons and demon-hunters.
Eighteen year old Raven Smith wants to take a nice sight-seeing vacation to Europe and spend some time with her older sister, Linnie before she sets off to college in the fall. However, right from the start things are not going so well for Raven. Linnie's cute, charismatic and rich roommate Chauncey butts in on the sister's trip and even insists on sitting next to Raven on the plane ride over instead of the seat that she purchased for herself. From the time the three ladies land in Rome, Italian men are all over them. This is right up Chauncey's alley, but not at all what Raven wants.
Before she knows it Raven is involved in a love triangle with beautiful and mysterious Andras, who she is inexplicably drawn to with a deep passion even though he seems dangerous and an equally beautiful Sweede, Nicholas who feels drawn to protect her. As secrets unravel, Raven's world is turned upside down and she will have to die, be reborn and fight a demon in order to find out who she really is.
This book took off a little slow for me once past the prologue. However, once Raven is knee deep in demons and demon-hunters, I couldn't put it down. I don't usually like all the romance aspects, but this love triangle between Raven, Andras and Nicholas was well done and I really didn't know who to root for. I wish there was a little more insight into Raven's past life, that was really interesting to me. I also want to know more about the beautiful demon-hunting Swedish men and their pasts. We'll see what happens in the next book, The Lie Spinners.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
Eighteen year old Raven Smith wants to take a nice sight-seeing vacation to Europe and spend some time with her older sister, Linnie before she sets off to college in the fall. However, right from the start things are not going so well for Raven. Linnie's cute, charismatic and rich roommate Chauncey butts in on the sister's trip and even insists on sitting next to Raven on the plane ride over instead of the seat that she purchased for herself. From the time the three ladies land in Rome, Italian men are all over them. This is right up Chauncey's alley, but not at all what Raven wants.
Before she knows it Raven is involved in a love triangle with beautiful and mysterious Andras, who she is inexplicably drawn to with a deep passion even though he seems dangerous and an equally beautiful Sweede, Nicholas who feels drawn to protect her. As secrets unravel, Raven's world is turned upside down and she will have to die, be reborn and fight a demon in order to find out who she really is.
This book took off a little slow for me once past the prologue. However, once Raven is knee deep in demons and demon-hunters, I couldn't put it down. I don't usually like all the romance aspects, but this love triangle between Raven, Andras and Nicholas was well done and I really didn't know who to root for. I wish there was a little more insight into Raven's past life, that was really interesting to me. I also want to know more about the beautiful demon-hunting Swedish men and their pasts. We'll see what happens in the next book, The Lie Spinners.
This book was provided for free in return for an honest review.
October 2, 2022
I got this book as part of a giveaway and I sure am glad that I got the chance to read it. This is a really good book. Very enjoyable, well-written, with a very clear storyline.
All elements that go in the making of an entertaining story can be found here. There's action, drama, romance, magic, mystery, passion, fantasy, supernatural, the good old struggle between good and evil and much more.
The story explores the adventures of one Raven Smith and the ensuing battle between good and evil that weaves its web around her. I liked Raven's character though many times she did remind me of Bella (Twilight).
The flow of the story is smooth and almost effortless that you would not want to put it down. Though I did find a few hiccups in a couple of places where I had to go back a few lines, but one can easily ignore these and enjoy the book. In no time I found myself close to the end of the book and it saddened me because I just didn't want it to end. I was left with so many questions on what would happen next ... would love to read more.
DD was a very interesting book and for those who love a touch of romance, passion and fantasy all-in-one, should definitely go on and read it.
All elements that go in the making of an entertaining story can be found here. There's action, drama, romance, magic, mystery, passion, fantasy, supernatural, the good old struggle between good and evil and much more.
The story explores the adventures of one Raven Smith and the ensuing battle between good and evil that weaves its web around her. I liked Raven's character though many times she did remind me of Bella (Twilight).
The flow of the story is smooth and almost effortless that you would not want to put it down. Though I did find a few hiccups in a couple of places where I had to go back a few lines, but one can easily ignore these and enjoy the book. In no time I found myself close to the end of the book and it saddened me because I just didn't want it to end. I was left with so many questions on what would happen next ... would love to read more.
DD was a very interesting book and for those who love a touch of romance, passion and fantasy all-in-one, should definitely go on and read it.
February 12, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from LoP.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and every time I thought I had it figured out, something else happened to totally throw me off course. The brothers were interesting and I really liked Stephen, I was so hoping that he and Raven would end up together. The fact that are demon killers is really interesting. But I have to agree with Stephen when he said his brothers went about letting Raven know the truth.
Having Raven reanimated was kind of creepy but she totally kicked demon ass in the end. I would so want to read the 2nd book, hopefully there will be a 2nd book.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and every time I thought I had it figured out, something else happened to totally throw me off course. The brothers were interesting and I really liked Stephen, I was so hoping that he and Raven would end up together. The fact that are demon killers is really interesting. But I have to agree with Stephen when he said his brothers went about letting Raven know the truth.
Having Raven reanimated was kind of creepy but she totally kicked demon ass in the end. I would so want to read the 2nd book, hopefully there will be a 2nd book.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2014
good vs. evil in epic proportions. When is it truly love and can the heart really decipher love from lust? The main character just wanting to reconnect with her sister after so much time apart takes a long distance trip which turns into a nightmare straight from hell. Her sister brings along her best friend who is not only annoying but is interfering with the trip at every turn. When everything starts to become to much who can you trust and how far will one person go to protect those they truly do love and care for? This is a slow to start read that if you keep up with gets quite intriguing. The end will make you want more and surprises you will never expect
October 21, 2018
Raven is excited to go to Europe with her sister. She is less enthused that her sister's friend Chauncey will be joining them. A series of weird things start to happen during the trip and absolutely nothing is as it seems.
I would say it took until about the the middle of the book for the "real" action to begin. I still enjoyed reading it though because the author puts in a lot of hints of suspense to come. Plus the characters and setting are interesting.
Overall, this is well written and the plot is gripping. I didn't realize The Deception Dance is a series. I'm expecting the story line to continue to be complicated and satisfying.
I would say it took until about the the middle of the book for the "real" action to begin. I still enjoyed reading it though because the author puts in a lot of hints of suspense to come. Plus the characters and setting are interesting.
Overall, this is well written and the plot is gripping. I didn't realize The Deception Dance is a series. I'm expecting the story line to continue to be complicated and satisfying.
December 28, 2019
Grrr
That was a disappointing ending. Tell me she falls in love with stephen because just... Yes! Team stephen.
It was childish and whiny and mildly confusing but I couldn't put it down. MEh.
That was a disappointing ending. Tell me she falls in love with stephen because just... Yes! Team stephen.
It was childish and whiny and mildly confusing but I couldn't put it down. MEh.
Read
June 14, 2016now available on audio: here :)
May 3, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader's copy of this book provided by the author.
This is typically not the type of book I normally read, I prefer romance with HEA. So I'm going to try to be fair with the review for the book itself on it's merits, not on my preferences. Thus the 4 stars for the creativity & writing style. I think for the right reader for this type of genre, this will be a fantastic book.
The blurb really didn't clue me in enough to guess that this was going to be a pretty heavy read, before volunteering to do a review. To me this has a kind of a horror genre side to it. I get the feeling it would maybe be a good movie, maybe something like Constantine or like some of the Shyamalan type movies (6th Sense comes to mind), or something Stephen King-ish.
The flow in the first 50% was very slow with not much happening, I realize it was setting the whole mystery up, but it was a bit too slow for my taste. I need a book that sucks me into the story pretty quick, or I don't like to keep reading. If I had not been doing this for a review, I would have quit around 25%. When it reaches the 50% point, the flow finally picks up the pace & all heck starts happening, & it kept my attention. But I really didn't see why Raven was even attracted to any of the men. She didn't seem like the shallow sort of girl to just fall for a good looking guy. The guys never really did anything IMO other than be good looking. There were a few places I was confused & didn't follow what was happening. But it all sorted out in the end. I think the second half of the book is good enough to balance out the first half. Though there is no sex in this book, there is a lot of heavy stuff that I wouldn't want a younger Y/A reader to read this.
This is typically not the type of book I normally read, I prefer romance with HEA. So I'm going to try to be fair with the review for the book itself on it's merits, not on my preferences. Thus the 4 stars for the creativity & writing style. I think for the right reader for this type of genre, this will be a fantastic book.
The blurb really didn't clue me in enough to guess that this was going to be a pretty heavy read, before volunteering to do a review. To me this has a kind of a horror genre side to it. I get the feeling it would maybe be a good movie, maybe something like Constantine or like some of the Shyamalan type movies (6th Sense comes to mind), or something Stephen King-ish.
The flow in the first 50% was very slow with not much happening, I realize it was setting the whole mystery up, but it was a bit too slow for my taste. I need a book that sucks me into the story pretty quick, or I don't like to keep reading. If I had not been doing this for a review, I would have quit around 25%. When it reaches the 50% point, the flow finally picks up the pace & all heck starts happening, & it kept my attention. But I really didn't see why Raven was even attracted to any of the men. She didn't seem like the shallow sort of girl to just fall for a good looking guy. The guys never really did anything IMO other than be good looking. There were a few places I was confused & didn't follow what was happening. But it all sorted out in the end. I think the second half of the book is good enough to balance out the first half. Though there is no sex in this book, there is a lot of heavy stuff that I wouldn't want a younger Y/A reader to read this.
November 23, 2017
What a ride this book took me on when it came to my emotions. I love the balance this book has. It is not just a romance book as it is a book that has romance in it. It also has a good amount of action, some horror, a dash of humor, some spark of mystery, and tons of drama. Can easily imagine this as a movie or a mini-series on tv. Very good book and I hope to read the next installment of this story!
The only down side of this book was that I feel there was not go disclosure between her and the old man, Or her husband she left in a previous life as a demon. I also feel that what happened towards the end of the fire was not really explained in a way that did not leave me with more questions than answers.
But all in all great story. Interesting plot with great character development.
The only down side of this book was that I feel there was not go disclosure between her and the old man, Or her husband she left in a previous life as a demon. I also feel that what happened towards the end of the fire was not really explained in a way that did not leave me with more questions than answers.
But all in all great story. Interesting plot with great character development.
May 1, 2018
Wow, just wow. I received a free copy for an honest review. At first it just seemed like a really weird love-triangle with too sketchy dudes and then stuff got real. I didn't like Raven at the beginning but around the end, she found her groove and I began to admire her. She went from someone being easily manipulated to someone who had nerves of steel. I didn't know I could hate someone as much as I hated Chauncey and she only kept getting worse. As for the Swedish brothers, my favorite will probably always be Stephen. He's funny, kind, and seems to be the only guy who truly cares about what happens to Raven. I am looking forward to seeing how Raven prepares for her next battle and I hope there's going to be more of Stephen in the next books.
September 10, 2019
I thought that this was a very enticing start to this series. It is only book one of three, so be prepared for a cliffhanger. I found the characters intriguing. Raven was very likable. She felt realistic to me but she also had a unique feel to her that I found easy to connect with. Andras and Nicholas each held their own appeal but there is still much to learn about them. I found the storyline to be quite gripping with its complex blend of drama, action, romance, magic, suspense, danger, adventure and twists. As this battle between good & evil is just getting started, there are plenty of unanswered questions and I for one am looking forward to learning more in the next book. This is my forthright review that I am posting of my own volition.
January 27, 2018
I received this book to review from the author and absolutely loved it from the start. The main character Raven is fierce, defiant, and a brave female role model. She makes her mistakes but always pushes through in the end. Throughout the book she is always receiving new information that changes how she sees the people around her. Lies and deception keep you hooked and on your toes throughout the entire book and the characters are not exactly as they seem. You are drawn into their mysterious lives and waiting to see what you learn about them next. This book has become one of my new favorites and I can't wait to read the sequel.
October 9, 2019
The Deception Dance by Rita Stradling is a unique paranormal tale. In this book, Raven and her sister Linnie are supposed to go on a two person tour of Europe. However, to Raven’s surprise and dismay Linnie’s college roommate invites herself along on the trip. This story has many surprising twists and turns with quite the surprise ending. I loved this book! The Deception Dance is a surprising suspense filled paranormal story.
October 22, 2019
All I can say is wow! Battle between good and evil, past lives invading present and love forbidden all wrapped up in this book. The characters were well written that you could sympathize with their fight. Raven was such a strong character to be able to fight for the ones she loved. I hope there is a second book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2019
The Deception Dance by Rita Stradling is a great story to read. This is book number one in this great start to a brand new series that I hve really enjoyed reading very much. I highly recommend this story to everyone who like reading about paranormal romance and fantasy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 23, 2019
Raven is interesting to read about. So much going on at first it was a little hard to follow(I did not know it was part of a series) but it was definitely a great book! I love how her sister calls her Birdie. LOL Lots going on within the story and a definite need to be read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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