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Seduction Never Lies
Red-faced, red-handed!
Octavia Denison has always known exactly what she wants – that is until she’s caught in a compromising position by brooding ex-rock star Jago Marsh. Tavy is mortified...and judging by the gleam in his golden eyes he’s seen everything – and liked it!
Used to getting what he wants, millionaire Jago is determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious flame-haired temptress who trespassed on his property...and to satisfy the craving she’s awakened in him. But seducing Tavy proves harder than expected – especially when she’s set on putting as much distance between them as possible! It’s time to up the ante...
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
36 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Sara Craven
493 books266 followersAnne Bushell was born on October 1938 in South Devon, England, just before World War II and grew up in a house crammed with books. She was always a voracious reader, some of her all-time favorites books are: "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, "Middlemarch" by George Eliot, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë, "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell and "The Code of the Woosters" by P. G. Wodehouse.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
She worked as journalist at the Paignton Observer, but after her marriage, she moved to the north of England, where she worked as teacher. After she returned to journalism, she joined the Middlesbrough Writers' Group, where she met other romance writer Mildred Grieveson (Anne Mather). She started to wrote romance, and she had her first novel "Garden of Dreams" accepted by Mills & Boon in 1975, she published her work under the pseudonym of Sara Craven. In 2010 she became chairman of the Southern Writers' Conference, and the next year was elected the twenty-six Chairman (2011–2013) of the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Divorced twice, Annie lives in Somerset, South West England, and shares her home with a West Highland white terrier called Bertie Wooster. In her house, she had several thousand books, and an amazing video collection. When she's not writing, she enjoys watching very old films, listening to music, going to the theatre, and eating in good restaurants. She also likes to travel in Europe, to inspire her romances, especially in France, Greece and Italy where many of her novels are set. Since the birth of her twin grandchildren, she is also a regular visitor to New York City, where the little tots live. In 1997, she was the overall winner of the BBC's Mastermind, winning the last final presented by Magnus Magnusson.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 26, 2020
Wilhelm Scream
Four star vintage style English village romance complete with the required stock characters of the outsider sardonic and besotted hero, village busybody, village harpie, harpie's son sans any personality or moral compass, the village upper-crust OW, and the sweet, absentminded Vicar. We also have a heroine who is decidedly NOT four stars. Yes, she’s coolly dismissive of the OW, kind of holds her own against the snooty village harpie, sweet to her father the Vicar, but is a full-scale, strident witch when it comes to the hero.
Their first meeting was very promising as the H catches her skinny dipping in the lake of an abandoned estate. Their second and subsequent meetings are painful to read as all the earmarks of a nice yin/yang dynamic are tanked by her snottiness, jumped up conclusions and general unpleasantness. One of the most dislikable heroines ever when it comes to the hero which is really too bad as the rest of the story was wonderful or could have been.
She does such a good job convincing herself that she hasn’t fallen for the hero that she more than convinced me until the bitter, bitter end.
Given the vintage vibe of the village and the dynamics, it's hard to believe this was written in 2014. Makes me wonder if she didn't write it much earlier then publish it later.
Four star vintage style English village romance complete with the required stock characters of the outsider sardonic and besotted hero, village busybody, village harpie, harpie's son sans any personality or moral compass, the village upper-crust OW, and the sweet, absentminded Vicar. We also have a heroine who is decidedly NOT four stars. Yes, she’s coolly dismissive of the OW, kind of holds her own against the snooty village harpie, sweet to her father the Vicar, but is a full-scale, strident witch when it comes to the hero.
Their first meeting was very promising as the H catches her skinny dipping in the lake of an abandoned estate. Their second and subsequent meetings are painful to read as all the earmarks of a nice yin/yang dynamic are tanked by her snottiness, jumped up conclusions and general unpleasantness. One of the most dislikable heroines ever when it comes to the hero which is really too bad as the rest of the story was wonderful or could have been.
She does such a good job convincing herself that she hasn’t fallen for the hero that she more than convinced me until the bitter, bitter end.
Given the vintage vibe of the village and the dynamics, it's hard to believe this was written in 2014. Makes me wonder if she didn't write it much earlier then publish it later.
March 6, 2015
Seduction Never Lies by Sara Craven is a well written romance between the good girl Octavia and the bad boy rockstar Jago. It started out quite good and had a good anticipation build up but then it started to drag however it did manage to regain the pace towards the last few chapters.
Octavia Denison is the ultimate good girl and has traditional values. She has a long time crush on Patrick and when he finally asks her out–she decides he is going to be the one she will spent her life with. Jago is a former rock-star and has a long string of controversies behind him. He moves to Tavi’s village and is smitten by her but she despises him after their first not so conventional encounter.
This story is written completely in the heroine’s POV, so it was difficult to understand the hero as I never knew what was going in his thoughts. A lot of story space is provided to Patrick and the reader is introduced to him before the hero makes an entry. I felt Jago and Octavia relationship did actually start in the true romantic sense after fifty percent of the book was over and Patrick was too much involved in the story. Therefore the story does appear slow because most of the action is happening in the secondary character’s lives than the main character.
She wanted to call him a brute and a bastard, but somehow her voice wouldn’t work.
He, of course, had no such problem. He said harshly, the tawny gaze scorching her, ‘A word of advice. Open your eyes, Octavia, before it’s too late.’
Then he turned and crossed the road to where a Jeep was parked under a chestnut tree, swung himself into the driver’s seat, and roared off without a backward glance.
Leaving her staring after him, a shaking hand pressed to her swollen mouth.
Overall, Seduction Never Lies by Sara Craven is a well written romance which could have been an awesome read if the focus of the story would be more on the main characters. It is a good one time read but Sara Craven has written a lot better books and compared to her other books, this one fell a little flat.
Octavia Denison is the ultimate good girl and has traditional values. She has a long time crush on Patrick and when he finally asks her out–she decides he is going to be the one she will spent her life with. Jago is a former rock-star and has a long string of controversies behind him. He moves to Tavi’s village and is smitten by her but she despises him after their first not so conventional encounter.
This story is written completely in the heroine’s POV, so it was difficult to understand the hero as I never knew what was going in his thoughts. A lot of story space is provided to Patrick and the reader is introduced to him before the hero makes an entry. I felt Jago and Octavia relationship did actually start in the true romantic sense after fifty percent of the book was over and Patrick was too much involved in the story. Therefore the story does appear slow because most of the action is happening in the secondary character’s lives than the main character.
She wanted to call him a brute and a bastard, but somehow her voice wouldn’t work.
He, of course, had no such problem. He said harshly, the tawny gaze scorching her, ‘A word of advice. Open your eyes, Octavia, before it’s too late.’
Then he turned and crossed the road to where a Jeep was parked under a chestnut tree, swung himself into the driver’s seat, and roared off without a backward glance.
Leaving her staring after him, a shaking hand pressed to her swollen mouth.
Overall, Seduction Never Lies by Sara Craven is a well written romance which could have been an awesome read if the focus of the story would be more on the main characters. It is a good one time read but Sara Craven has written a lot better books and compared to her other books, this one fell a little flat.
April 11, 2014
I knew I was going to love this from the first line: "Octavia Denison fed the last newsletter through the final letter box in the row of cottages and, with a sigh of relief, remounted her bicycle and began the long hot ride back to the Vicarage." This book is so retro I feel like I've been time-travelling, and I loved every perfect minute of it.
I don't think I can adequately convey the tone of this book; it really needs to be read and savoured. But I'll try. Tavi, the heroine, is not only a vicar's daughter but is the kind of vicar's daughter who cooks (plain, delicious-sounding home-y meals) and does village errands. Also she works for a pittance for the most awful woman I've encountered in fiction in a long time, a kind of mean-spirited shrew who runs a private school.
And. AND. Tavi is secretly dating this woman's son, and initially I thought it was a secret because he was a spineless weasel and was hiding her from his mother. But it's so much more awful than that.
So into this heartrending situation is plunged a former Rock God. Jago falls in love with Tavi at first sight and spends the whole book courting her, which she's too proud/dense to notice. She's got that peculiar kind of stiff-necked pride that causes her to undervalue herself and suspect people of feeling sorry for her, and I remember being precisely this sort of ass myself when I was a teenager. But she also suffers a bit from that romance-novel-heroine disorder that makes her put up with way too much crap from the wrong people (her boss, her supposed boyfriend) while bristling and snapping at the hero (who never once treats her badly). So aside from sympathizing with her, I also wanted to beat her over the head with something.
Slightly more spoilerish review can be found at my blog, here: http://themummyreads.blogspot.ca/2014...
I don't think I can adequately convey the tone of this book; it really needs to be read and savoured. But I'll try. Tavi, the heroine, is not only a vicar's daughter but is the kind of vicar's daughter who cooks (plain, delicious-sounding home-y meals) and does village errands. Also she works for a pittance for the most awful woman I've encountered in fiction in a long time, a kind of mean-spirited shrew who runs a private school.
And. AND. Tavi is secretly dating this woman's son, and initially I thought it was a secret because he was a spineless weasel and was hiding her from his mother. But it's so much more awful than that.
So into this heartrending situation is plunged a former Rock God. Jago falls in love with Tavi at first sight and spends the whole book courting her, which she's too proud/dense to notice. She's got that peculiar kind of stiff-necked pride that causes her to undervalue herself and suspect people of feeling sorry for her, and I remember being precisely this sort of ass myself when I was a teenager. But she also suffers a bit from that romance-novel-heroine disorder that makes her put up with way too much crap from the wrong people (her boss, her supposed boyfriend) while bristling and snapping at the hero (who never once treats her badly). So aside from sympathizing with her, I also wanted to beat her over the head with something.
Slightly more spoilerish review can be found at my blog, here: http://themummyreads.blogspot.ca/2014...
March 6, 2015
I was reluctant to read this book because I didn't feel attracted by the title and description of it, but ended up reading it because of the "novelty" of the hero being a rockstar. Turned out it surprised me (in a good way) when I started reading it, then it was kind of slow and there were moments when I wanted to strangle the heroine but in the end it all came to place nicely.
January 4, 2014
So boring I almost slept! Read it if you like bitchy heroines and saintly heroes though!
July 8, 2014
An ok/good book. Good characters and plot, good personalities, and written well. This was emotional, had some growing up, a little steaminess, and a good (with a little surprise) ending. I liked the characters, although they I didn't connect and wanted to knock heads a few times, but I enjoyed reading this. I was little confused with the setting on this though. Most of the time it felt like a historical (I guess due to the town), but then something like a cell phone would be mentioned and I'm back in the present. Kinda like a time warp town that hasn't reached this century yet, but it wasn't really. This would definitely be another floating/relaxing read. Something for an anytime read or for passing time.
June 4, 2021
Red-faced, red-handed!
Octavia Denison has always known exactly what she wants - that is, until she's caught in a compromising position by brooding former rock star Jago Marsh. Tavi is mortified, and judging by the gleam in his golden eyes, he's seen everything - and liked it!
Used to getting what he wants, millionaire Jago is determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious, flame-haired temptress that trespassed on his property...and to satisfy the craving she's awakened in him. But seducing Tavi proves harder than expected, especially when she's set on putting as much distance between them as possible! It's time to up the ante...
Octavia Denison has always known exactly what she wants - that is, until she's caught in a compromising position by brooding former rock star Jago Marsh. Tavi is mortified, and judging by the gleam in his golden eyes, he's seen everything - and liked it!
Used to getting what he wants, millionaire Jago is determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious, flame-haired temptress that trespassed on his property...and to satisfy the craving she's awakened in him. But seducing Tavi proves harder than expected, especially when she's set on putting as much distance between them as possible! It's time to up the ante...
June 13, 2016
This book was both confusing and weirdly fun. There was no seduction, light on true angst or melodrama though the immature heroine spent the whole book imagining her own dramas while the hero worships his childhood nanny. The book was all detail of quaint English villages and the countryside, the struggles of traditional church parishes and lots of delightful food description with a repast every other page.
https://shallowreader.com/2016/06/13/...
https://shallowreader.com/2016/06/13/...
April 26, 2014
likedmot because ot was a different H from normal HP. also liked single POV.
March 4, 2022
I love Sara Craven usually but this is not her best by a long shot. The beginning is excellent and the hero unusual and lovely. Unfortunately the romance is written and not real and I felt no connection to her nor that she loves him.
August 12, 2019
Protagonistas: Octavia & Jago
Profesiones: Asistente & Estrella de Rock
Pais: Londres
Profesiones: Asistente & Estrella de Rock
Pais: Londres
December 11, 2020
2.75 Unlikable heroine
November 12, 2021
Boring
Read only if you're very tired but can't sleep. It's like a convention of stupid poor people who think they're smart.
Read only if you're very tired but can't sleep. It's like a convention of stupid poor people who think they're smart.
April 26, 2016
I have no idea what the title of this story has to do with the story. I usually can see a connection, but not this time. This is very much an "Old Skool" romance, with the entire story told from the heroine's POV and no clue what the hero is thinking. The hero is a dark, apparently wicked man, a retiring rock star in this case, and the heroine is a preacher's daughter -- though since this is set somewhere in rural England, she's actually a vicar's daughter. I liked the story ,except I missed the part where the heroine actually fell in love with the hero. Or maybe the place where the author explained why she fell in love with him. He was reasonably nice to her, but there wasn't much romance and only two kisses that I suppose were supposed to be fiercely punishing and romantic but didn't seem so to me. I guess I just didn't get it and still feel as bewildered as the heroine apparently did when the hero confessed his feelings. She got over her bewilderment. I'm still confused. However, I did like the story, despite its old-fashioned nature. It was enjoyable.
January 17, 2020
I enjoyed this mostly. The pacing was a little odd, I would've liked there to have been more positive interactions between the two leads. And much more punishment for the assholes (of which there were many) in the story. But aside from that it was enjoyable.
I read this in the Harlequin Presents February 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Shamed in the Sands / Securing the Greek's Legacy / Seduction Never Lies / An Exquisite Challenge compilation.
I read this in the Harlequin Presents February 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: Shamed in the Sands / Securing the Greek's Legacy / Seduction Never Lies / An Exquisite Challenge compilation.
April 30, 2014
Not one of her better stories. It really dragged until about half-way through the book, and then it started to pick up a bit. Another story about a 22-year-old virgin. It was a little different having the main male being a former rock-star rather than a business CEO. In some ways, the story kind of reminded me of "Room with a View", in which one of the characters is caught in the act of skinny-dipping in the local pond, one of the characters moves into the vacant house in the village, and another one of the characters happens to be the village vicar.
January 9, 2014
Underwhelming read. Unlikable bitchy heroine. What's worse is she's bitchy to the wrong person, the hero but it's the secret boyfriend her scorn should be directed at. He kept her a secret.
The hero was ok. Rather bland.
I did love that this story has no hero pov. Got to know the heroine more.
There was no chemistry between the hero and heroine.
A disappointing read.
The hero was ok. Rather bland.
I did love that this story has no hero pov. Got to know the heroine more.
There was no chemistry between the hero and heroine.
A disappointing read.
Read
January 12, 2016"Craven's good-girl, bad-boy romance is filled with angst, and her innocent termagant heroine and wronged hero are delightful. In an authentic, pastoral, perfect English hamlet, all of their co-stars ring true." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 stars
January 3, 2014
It was SO SLOW! I couldn't stand how slowly this novel progressed and then at the very end it was in such a rushed up manner.
March 12, 2014
A very sweet story with engaging characters.
July 21, 2014
Me gusto, me pareció bello Jago, todo lo que hace...
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews