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Oxford Mystery #4
Dear Enemy
AN UTTERLY GRIPPING PAGE-TURNER FULL OF INTRIGUE AND ROMANCE
Faith Martin is the author of the beloved Hillary Greene series. Her books have sold over 2 million copies. Now discover her writing as Maxine Barry.
Please note this book was first published as DEAR ENEMY.
PEOPLE SAY SHE MARRIED FOR MONEY
. . . AND THE FAMILY WILL DO ANYTHING TO STOP HER INHERITING A FORTUNE
Keira Westcombe , aka Lady Penda, marries Lucas Harwood, a man fifty years her senior. They’re not in love but they are firm friends and their marriage makes sense for them.
When Lucas’s step-son Fane turns up, he and Keira are instantly attracted to each other. But Fane thinks Keira is a gold-digger and neither are willing to admit their true feelings.
In a family full of secrets, love can spell danger.
NOW KEIRA HAS MADE A VERY DANGEROUS ENEMY WHO WILL CHEAT, STEAL AND LIE TO KEEP HER OUT OF THE WILL
She’s in danger of losing not only the man she married but everything she’s ever cared about.
WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT TWO-MILLION-SELLING FAITH MARTIN WRITING AS MAXINE BARRY
“I’ve read a lot of novels by Faith Martin and always thoroughly enjoyed them, this novel is different but just as gripping and you really become invested in the characters and their lives and can't wait to see how it all works out. Brilliant.” Barbara
“ Perfect romance and mystery!” M. Adlington
“A great read and a fast paced romantic adventure.” Laura T.
“An enjoyable book. Romance with a little intrigue too.” Alexandra
“Totally loved it.” Yona
“When you reach the end you will wish there was still more .” Amazon Reader
MAXINE BARRY GREAT READS
Book 1: THE LYING GAME
Book 2: AN OXFORD REVENGE
Book 3: AN OXFORD SCANDAL
Book 4: AN OXFORD ENEMY
MORE MAXINE BARRY BOOKS COMING SOON. JOIN THE JOFFE BOOKS MAILING LIST TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT THEM!
Faith Martin is the author of the beloved Hillary Greene series. Her books have sold over 2 million copies. Now discover her writing as Maxine Barry.
Please note this book was first published as DEAR ENEMY.
PEOPLE SAY SHE MARRIED FOR MONEY
. . . AND THE FAMILY WILL DO ANYTHING TO STOP HER INHERITING A FORTUNE
Keira Westcombe , aka Lady Penda, marries Lucas Harwood, a man fifty years her senior. They’re not in love but they are firm friends and their marriage makes sense for them.
When Lucas’s step-son Fane turns up, he and Keira are instantly attracted to each other. But Fane thinks Keira is a gold-digger and neither are willing to admit their true feelings.
In a family full of secrets, love can spell danger.
NOW KEIRA HAS MADE A VERY DANGEROUS ENEMY WHO WILL CHEAT, STEAL AND LIE TO KEEP HER OUT OF THE WILL
She’s in danger of losing not only the man she married but everything she’s ever cared about.
WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT TWO-MILLION-SELLING FAITH MARTIN WRITING AS MAXINE BARRY
“I’ve read a lot of novels by Faith Martin and always thoroughly enjoyed them, this novel is different but just as gripping and you really become invested in the characters and their lives and can't wait to see how it all works out. Brilliant.” Barbara
“ Perfect romance and mystery!” M. Adlington
“A great read and a fast paced romantic adventure.” Laura T.
“An enjoyable book. Romance with a little intrigue too.” Alexandra
“Totally loved it.” Yona
“When you reach the end you will wish there was still more .” Amazon Reader
MAXINE BARRY GREAT READS
Book 1: THE LYING GAME
Book 2: AN OXFORD REVENGE
Book 3: AN OXFORD SCANDAL
Book 4: AN OXFORD ENEMY
MORE MAXINE BARRY BOOKS COMING SOON. JOIN THE JOFFE BOOKS MAILING LIST TO BE THE FIRST TO HEAR ABOUT THEM!
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 1997
385 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Maxine Barry
45 books24 followersRomance author Maxine Barry is a pen name of English author Jacquie Walton. She also writes mystery novels under the pen names Joyce Cato, Jessie Daniels and Faith Martin.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 4, 2020
Please note this book was first published as DEAR ENEMY
Keira Westcombe (Lady Penda) marries Lucas Harwood, a man who is 50 years older than she. Theirs is a marriage of convenience. There is love .. but not the romantic kind. They're long time good friends. And they both benefit from being married.
When Lucas’s step-son Fane turns up, he and Keira are instantly attracted to each other. But Fane thinks Keira is a gold-digger and neither are willing to admit their true feelings.
Lucas has a secret he's keeping from both Keira and Fane. When he dies, Keira finds she has made a very dangerous enemy ... one who will do anything to keep her from inheriting.
This well written tale about family secrets, lies and greed is a compelling read. What can go wrong does go wrong. Add to the guilt that Keira's attraction to her husband's son raises the anxiety level. The characters are nicely developed. There are a few twists and turns leading to an unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Books n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Keira Westcombe (Lady Penda) marries Lucas Harwood, a man who is 50 years older than she. Theirs is a marriage of convenience. There is love .. but not the romantic kind. They're long time good friends. And they both benefit from being married.
When Lucas’s step-son Fane turns up, he and Keira are instantly attracted to each other. But Fane thinks Keira is a gold-digger and neither are willing to admit their true feelings.
Lucas has a secret he's keeping from both Keira and Fane. When he dies, Keira finds she has made a very dangerous enemy ... one who will do anything to keep her from inheriting.
This well written tale about family secrets, lies and greed is a compelling read. What can go wrong does go wrong. Add to the guilt that Keira's attraction to her husband's son raises the anxiety level. The characters are nicely developed. There are a few twists and turns leading to an unexpected conclusion.
Many thanks to the author / Books n All Book Promotions for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
August 14, 2024
This is the fourth book in the box set I have and it was more romance than mystery, although, there were secrets.
The best thing was the quick-paced writing style. The characters were well-defined, if not all likeable. I did not like either Fane or Jennifer.
The sense of place was brilliant and though I didn't like the sex scenes (personal preference), the tension was almost tangible.
Worth a look.
The best thing was the quick-paced writing style. The characters were well-defined, if not all likeable. I did not like either Fane or Jennifer.
The sense of place was brilliant and though I didn't like the sex scenes (personal preference), the tension was almost tangible.
Worth a look.
August 7, 2020
Keira has put a lot of time and effort into turning her home and land into a nature reserve but is now short of cash. Lucas has plenty of money but is lonely so the pair come to an agreement - they will marry and Keira will have the funds she needs and Lucas will have company and the reassurance that his money will be used to preserve nature in the area he loves so much. The bulk of his estate will go to his children so everyone will be happy. Or will they? The 50 year age difference may not go down too well with some and then there is a BIG problem. Lucas' son turns up to the wedding and the attraction between him and Keira is instant and mind blowing.
There is trouble ahead...
This is a story that is perfect for people who like a good love story with some suspense interwoven between the pages. Plenty going on to keep the reader interested and the description of the area and scenes etc are excellent. I loved the underlying story about reverting to horsepower and allowing nature to flourish.
I really enjoyed reading this so a big thank you to Joffe Books for the digital copy This is my unbiased review.
There is trouble ahead...
This is a story that is perfect for people who like a good love story with some suspense interwoven between the pages. Plenty going on to keep the reader interested and the description of the area and scenes etc are excellent. I loved the underlying story about reverting to horsepower and allowing nature to flourish.
I really enjoyed reading this so a big thank you to Joffe Books for the digital copy This is my unbiased review.
February 22, 2023
Storyline okay but the characters not as well developed
August 4, 2020
All of my experiences reading books by Faith Martin have been in the Hilary Greene mystery series. Loved each of them for the characters and the cleverness of plot. I selected this work based on the author’s name and found myself in the midst of a romance novel the was all about “powerful thighs” and all the other ridiculous verbiage of that genre. My mistake!
April 8, 2021
I am really not enjoying this series. Throughout the book, all I wanted to do is slap two or three of the main characters.
October 31, 2020
Keira Westcombe marries Lucas Harwood who is old enough to be her grandfather. They both know it is not a love match, instead a friendhsip and business deal to secure a donation of land to the Westcombe Nature Reserve that Lucas' family would block. On their wedding day, Fane Harwood arrives and there is an instant spark between he and his new stepmother.
In a separate plotline, artist Blaise falls head over heels with reclusive horse whisperer Aidan but will he trust her with his secrets...?
An Oxford Enemy is the fourth book by Faith Martin writing as Maxine Barry to be set in Oxfordshire. This time we are out of the city and in the countryside, beautifully evoked in Keira's determination to protect local wildlife and keep traditional village life.
The complicated passion of Fane and Keira is continually frustrated by their miscommunication and false assumptions that keep them apart. Both of them are acting out of affection for Lucas and for noble reasons (wildlife protection, family inheritance) but they won't listen to each other. These suspicions are destructive to any relationship but the physical attraction is relentless.
I actually preferred the second romantic plot as there was less animosity between the would-be lovers. This made their relationship gentler and more enjoyable to read, yet still with plenty of passion. Blaise and Aidan both have a loneliness and grief in their backgrounds which instantly made me empathise with them and want them to have a happy ending.
In a separate plotline, artist Blaise falls head over heels with reclusive horse whisperer Aidan but will he trust her with his secrets...?
An Oxford Enemy is the fourth book by Faith Martin writing as Maxine Barry to be set in Oxfordshire. This time we are out of the city and in the countryside, beautifully evoked in Keira's determination to protect local wildlife and keep traditional village life.
The complicated passion of Fane and Keira is continually frustrated by their miscommunication and false assumptions that keep them apart. Both of them are acting out of affection for Lucas and for noble reasons (wildlife protection, family inheritance) but they won't listen to each other. These suspicions are destructive to any relationship but the physical attraction is relentless.
I actually preferred the second romantic plot as there was less animosity between the would-be lovers. This made their relationship gentler and more enjoyable to read, yet still with plenty of passion. Blaise and Aidan both have a loneliness and grief in their backgrounds which instantly made me empathise with them and want them to have a happy ending.
January 26, 2022
Disappointed
I’ve been a faithful reader of Faith Martin/Maxine Barry for years. I’ve really enjoyed each one before this. The two stars are simply for the lovely depiction of Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.
The characters seem to have little character with their whims allowing them to be twisted to and fro,and often manhandled in
the process. The patriarch had honor, but it seemed to be lost on the others. They seemed to not have backbones for most of the story, though there were occasional showings of it. I literally thumbed through pages of needless explanations of thoughts and acts where little was left to the imagination.
Overall I was simply disappointed when I thought I’d found a treasure of an author. Perhaps I’ll have to be satisfied going back through the lovely Faith Martin novels.
I’ve been a faithful reader of Faith Martin/Maxine Barry for years. I’ve really enjoyed each one before this. The two stars are simply for the lovely depiction of Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.
The characters seem to have little character with their whims allowing them to be twisted to and fro,and often manhandled in
the process. The patriarch had honor, but it seemed to be lost on the others. They seemed to not have backbones for most of the story, though there were occasional showings of it. I literally thumbed through pages of needless explanations of thoughts and acts where little was left to the imagination.
Overall I was simply disappointed when I thought I’d found a treasure of an author. Perhaps I’ll have to be satisfied going back through the lovely Faith Martin novels.
August 21, 2021
I can’t read any more of this series. I’ve been a loyal fan of Faith Martin, but this is just crap. Where is the mystery? These over-privileged characters fall in love at first sight- what a fairy tale. Then they hate because of a lack of communication that is deeply troubling to the reader because it is so fake. I wanted to scream in frustration at the mis-placed negativity. If this is what “romance” books are made of I’m glad I have crime fiction to read. What utter stupidity is assumed of the reader.
November 25, 2020
We have been here before....
You have done it again!! You deserve more than five stars but that is all I can award you. I had reached the end result before I came to the actual end but the way you wrapped it up is a masterpiece. You deserve every accolade that will surely come your way.
You have done it again!! You deserve more than five stars but that is all I can award you. I had reached the end result before I came to the actual end but the way you wrapped it up is a masterpiece. You deserve every accolade that will surely come your way.
August 1, 2020
Even though...
The “lust at first sight ” was a stretch and the storyline was predictable, but the characters were well developed and because I was admittedly unable to stop once I started reading An Oxford Enemy, I gave it four stars.
The “lust at first sight ” was a stretch and the storyline was predictable, but the characters were well developed and because I was admittedly unable to stop once I started reading An Oxford Enemy, I gave it four stars.
August 25, 2020
A really good book for a wet and windy afternoon, transports you to the twists and turns of other peoples lives. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews