Everyone knows Lady Felicity Pierce has been widowed the last three years, except she hasn't been. Lissy escaped the clutches of her dangerous husband but lost any chance for a happy-ever-after in the process. No one can ever know the secret she keeps hidden, the secret she wishes she could forget. Her harrowing escape would be for naught should anyone ever learn the truth. If only her husband had been the man she thought he was. If only he'd been more like Fin...
Phineas Granard, Viscount Carraway, might still be nursing a broken heart, but he has responsibilities that require his attention. Responsibilities to England and to his late-finace's family which never seem to end. But looking after Lissy is an exercise in futility. She's flightily. She's impetuous. She can drive the sanest man mad. And she's keeping something from him. If only she trusted him enough to love her, to keep her safe, to share the secret that haunts her.
Ava Stone is a USA Today bestselling author of Regency historical romance and college age New Adult romance. Whether in the 19th Century or the 21st, her books explore deep themes but with a light touch. A single mother, Ava lives outside Raleigh NC, with her son and two black and white tuxedo kitty cats. She loves classic movies, researching history, and traveling whenever she gets the chance. Feel free to visit her at www.avastoneauthor.com and www.desolatesun.com
Again, for what it is, a Penny Dreadful, it's entertaining enough. Admittedly I was quite unhappy with the author for killing off Caroline's sweet and bookish husband (persumably to make room for her being courted by Haversham in some sequel). And then this one leaves you with so many questions – like did Arabella succeed in avoiding marriage to her Prussian cousin? What was Lady Elspeth's deal rushing back to Scotland?
Ever since A Scandalous Charade Fin has been mopey. If you haven't read here's a clue: Georgie. Fin took a steadying breath. One would have thought sometime within the last three years, he'd have gotten over, her that the pain of losing her would have dulled a bit, that he'd have made a step or two towards getting his life. But he hadn't. Georgie was the girl he loved and left before heading off to India, and when he returned he found out she had died. So, for the past couple of books he has been moping around. However, Felicity wasn't going to have that, and she would egg him on and tease him.
Now Felicity was consider a bit wild. It must be that smidge of American blood in her. Anyway, she went off to America to visit her mother's side of her family. While she was there she met a wonderful chap and fell madly in love him. I wish it was happy and exciting as it sounds, but Aaron Pierce hid a deep dark secret from everyone who knew him. The more we learn about the man, the more we realize he was a sadistic bastard. Fortunately, she was able to escape from his clutches and come back to England with the pretense she was a widow. Honestly, before this book I was wondering how she became a widow at such a young age. When she came back she wasn't the carefree young girl she once was. I guess abuse will do that to a girl.
Even though Felicity loss some of her carefreeness, she slowly was gaining that back. I think the teasing of Fin helped. Now these two couldn't be any more different. As I have describe Felicity as carefree, but she's a bit cautious. Granted at times it may seem like she's not, but at the heart of the matter she is which stems with her tumultuous relationship with Captain Pierce. While Fin tended to be "Controlling, overbearing, insufferable starched stickler." Another great description of the man was "Because the man is a sanctimonious prig." Yes, Fin sounds like a load fun to be around. However, the interaction between him and Felicity was priceless. I liked when he started having conflicted feelings towards Felicity, because he was in love with her sister first. Normally, the rule is you stay away from past lovers family, but it's kind of hard with his situation. Plus, they kind of complete one another while he's no fun and she a ton of fun. Overall, A Scandalous Deception is a pretty good story. Yes, there was that whole sad thing towards the end, which I'm still kind of upset about. What can I do? Nothing and just move forward. However, the good thing is Felicity and Fin are able to move forward with there life and thats what counts the most.
Felicity Pierce youngest of the St Claire sisters went to visit her mother’s relatives in Boston & whilst there married Captain Aaron Pierce. She’s returned to England a widow & for the passed three years has being living under the watchful eye of ‘Uncle Fin’ Phineas Granard, Viscount Carraway Fin & Felicity always bicker but then start to see each other in a different light. They travel to Prestwick Chase after being summons by Luke where Juliet is expecting their second child. However Felicity isn’t a widow & Aaron Pierce arrives in London on business to find he’s not a widower. So he sets out to find Felicity. I again thoroughly enjoyed this book even though one part was very sad & have loved the series & would highly recommend all the books in the series
An excellent continuation of one if my favorite romantic series. Ava writes a world that is so in depth that you fall in love with not just the hero/heroine, but all the supporting characters as well. At the end if the book I was both immensely satisfied and yet hungry for more. I love how all the books are different yet still tie together seamlessly to form an in depth world where every story effects each other. If I could give this series 6 stars I would.
Ava Stone does it again! This story is, by far, her best. Everything is solid...characters, storyline, intrigue. What more could you possibly want from an Ava Stone novel?!
Another entertaining book in the Scandalous series. Here we get Finn and Lissy's story. There were some unexpected twists in this tale, and it left some storylines unfinished which I'm sure will be addressed in future books. I have been enjoying this series very much, however it doesn't get too deep or dark, only just touches on issues of abuse. I wish it took a more in depth approach to these issues and that the characters responses were more real. I never got too emotionally involved in a gut wrenching way, but could have if things had been written differently. Either way, I will continue on with the series and enjoy it while reading, but have a feeling that once it's over it won't be one that sticks with me for long.
So instead of a mean mother or grandfather, in this one we have a mean husband who the heroine faked suicide to get away from. So many mean people in this series....
I am a huge fan of Ava Stone, the way she weaves her stories though-out the scandalous series is genius. Whenever a new story in this series comes out, it feels like returning home and I get lost in the world Ava has created. The story of Lady Felicity Pierce and Phineas Granard, Viscount Carraway is no exception.
Fin and Lissy both appear in previous books of the scandalous series, where it is established that Lissy is the youngest daughter of the late Duke of Prestwick, Half Sister to the now Late Georgie, Juliet and the current Duke of Prestwick, Edmund. She had returned home from America a widow. Fin was in love and engaged to Lissys oldest sister Georgie, before her passing, but he is also Uncle to her younger brother, Edmund, Fin has taken on a role as Guardian to his nephew until he comes of age, but has close connections to the whole family.
There were a lot of twists and turns in ‘A Scandalous Deception’, and a lot of unveiling. The obstacle course Ava had set for these two was brilliant, from lost love, guilt, fear, dread, turmoil, danger, legality and of course deception, the list is endless. But Ava unfolds the story perfectly. Although Ava has dealt with dark scenes in the past, there was something a bit more haunting in this story that struck me a bit harder than I expected it to, it stayed with me long after I put the book down, and that to me is fantastic storytelling and really connecting with her audience. I was completely captivated throughout the whole book.
As always, I eagerly await the next installment in the Scandalous series
A Scandalous Deception, the newest book in Ava Stone's The Scandalous series, is a deep and moving exploration of first impressions and second chances. Phineas and Felicity have known each other for years and both have very firm opinions of what the other is and is not, until Phineas feels compelled to protect Felicity from herself. As the two spend more time with each other both quickly realize that while they do know each other both have stories and secrets that have changed and shaped them, possibly into the other's ideal mate. Stone seamlessly blends humor, suspense, danger, and of course, romance into a wonderfully deep and compelling journey taken by two bruised and very different people. Stone uses a light hand to navigate darker themes that help add dimension to both the characters and the story, creating a well-rounded story that doesn't feel depressing or heavy at all. Two of my favorite features of the story are the return of Caroline, Lady Staveley a matchmaker extraordinaire, and her would be suitor, except for the fact the Vicountess Staveley is very much in love with Viscount Staveley, the Marquess of Haversham and Felicity's reading of Emma, where the references prove to be spot-on. Hopefully this will not prove to be the last of the Scandalous series, but if you are new to the series rest assured that you will in no way feel lost...though you may feel the NEED to read the rest of the series in short order!
Another great book in the Scandalous Series. Ava's books are full of intricate characters that you fall in love with. Felicity and Fin as well as all the secondary characters connect her books and it is great to catch up with them. This is a story of two people who have known each other for a long time but do not realize they are meant for each other. Tragedy seperates them and also brings them together. There are surprises, celebrations, romance, and grief that make this book the perfect historical romance. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good book that leaves you wanting more.
Great characters make Ava Stone's books. Whether they traipse, trot, frolic and run, the depth of their creation makes each story - and there are always bits of several per book - endearing, enchanting, and most of all, very enjoyable. If there is any drawback, it is that the books in her series are entangled. In a wonderful way. They sort of go in order, but they overlap, so while you should read them in order, I would totally understand if you tried to read them all at once.
Woven throughout the other books in this series are clues about Felicity's duplicity. We finally get to discover the details, and see how it comes out. I've always liked Fin, who appears in every book, but I was not buying their romance at first. But by the end, I was all in.
I have come to expect a lot from Ava Stone, and she has yet to disappoint! This story is truly a work of art and would recommend it to just about anybody!
I love the way Ava Stone has her Hero and Heroine together from the beginning of the book to the end. You get to travel every step of way to true love with them.