Dirty Deceit

by Fiona Clarke

I gave him my heart and he took all I owned. True love can’t be based on deceit.

I’m up to my eyeballs in debt when I meet the man of my dreams who promises me fortune and riches.

If I don’t pay my mother’s medical bills I will lose everything I have built in my my business, my retirement fund and my home.

Gambling my savings for a sure payout seems too good to be true but I’ve put my trust into a con artist. Should I trust him when he begs for forgiveness or turn him in to the cops?

72 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2024

About the author

Fiona Clarke writes short steamy romance stories that have low angst and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Reviews

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐s Gemma and the con man. 

Gemma and five of her friends have flown to Vegas to celebrate Hailey's thirtieth birthday. Hailey's dad is picking up the tab for most of the trip. That's a good thing for Gemma, as her mother died three months ago after a lengthy stay in the ICU. She had consigned to pay her mother's expenses. The hospital will let her sign up for a payment plan, but first they want a considerable downpayment. 

The six women have been inseparable since college. She's closest with their friend Alice, who is more like a sister than just a friend. She's one of the most conservative members of the group. 

Murphy is a forty-seven year-old scam artist who works with his friends, Ned and John. They do investment scans and are rather good at doing them. Ned wants to expand the operation, while Murphy wants to stay private. The more people who know, the more likely they are to be caught. John is the only one who has ever tried to go straight, but he's barely able to keep out of the red with his bar. Now John has met someone, and he wants out. He urges Murphy to join him. 

Murphy and Gemma meet on the airplane. There's an immediate attraction between them, but he can't resist conning her. Only after he does so does he realize that she's actually very important to him. In fact, he loves her. Can he ever even begin to make things up to her? And even if he can, will it be too late?

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Deceit is Book 3 of Vegas Dirty Talkers series that is about a group of NY girlfriends headed to Vegas for a friend's birthday, all expenses paid by her father. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, age-gap, opposites-attract, girl gets her hunk romance. Gemma is a 30 year old translator and interpreter in debt due to her late mother's medical bills. She has a heart of gold and sees the best in people. Murphy is a 47 year old hunky con man. When he and Gemma are on the same flight from NY to Las Vegas, sitting in first class, he decides she is his next mark. They really do have a connection and spend time together in Vegas, but when the con goes down and she loses it all, can she ever forgive him? They had great chemistry, and I did like them together, but Gemma was too easy on him!! He should have had to grovel more, but I'm glad we did get a lovely HEA for the happy couple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murphy is a con man who meets Gemma on his way to Vegas to run a con. He thinks Gemma has money since she’s in first class with him and dressed richly. But Gemma is deep in debt with her mother’s hospital bills due. As Murphy gets to know Gemma he wants more from her. He’s thinking of a future with her but when she invests with his friend and loses all her savings will she ever forgive him. This is a fast steamy read but I didn’t think Murphy groveled enough for hurting Gemma so. But I enjoyed the read very much.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Mark

Gemma meets a hot guy on her plane ride to Vegas and they decided to spend some time together while there. Murphy did not expect to find such an intense attraction to his mark. Everything has been set in motion, but will it ruin their chance at happiness when the truth is revealed? This was a short story, so felt that Murphy was not going to be able to redeem his actions. So glad that he got there though.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lucy Chesna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 of Vegas Dirty Talkers and loving the series. Each story is fantastic as well as this one. A con that becomes more for the couple. The connection between them was more than Murphy thought. Gemma was going to be the next con, but he realized she was more and had to do something, but he got caught and not sure if the relationship will be saved because of his past. A great store that turns into interesting events for these two and her friends. You are going to love it as much as I did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of the series I have read. I enjoyed reading this, but found the FMC not strong and quick to forgive.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Murray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dirty Deceit

I really shouldn’t have bothered reading this.
Yes I know it was a short story but it was like reading a newspaper article.
There was no depth to the characters at all so I really didn’t care about either of them.

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Murphy and Gemma’s story. Gambling her savings for a sure payout seems too good to be true but she’s put her trust into a con artist. Should I trust him when he begs for forgiveness or turn him in to the cops? An interesting read. And voluntarily leaving this review.

[brenda hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading book from this author. This was a fast read and page turner. I loved this book. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Alvaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Vegas Dirty Talkers series is a great quick read! It Gemma and Murphy's romance is a steamy read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really a great read. The characters pull you for a nice ride. I enjoyed reading this story, and I think you're going to love it too. Happy reading.

[V W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and it just keeps getting better, good characters, storyline different

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

Was a good book. Wasn’t sure I would like this book in the beginning only because I don’t like Vegas. But it turned out the author is very good and wrote a very good book.