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Heiress Games #2
Lord of Deceit
Thousands of readers have already fallen in love with the Briarleys -- a family known for centuries of sin and scandal, now on the verge of extinction. In LORD OF DECEIT, Octavia Briarley continues the family tradition of revenge while fighting to reclaim her birthright -- but in the Heiress Games, love doesn't always follow the rules...
Rule #1: Never give your heart to a rake...
Octavia Briarley took society by storm during her debut season -- until one disastrous night changed everything, and she was forced to become London's most notorious courtesan. She's already paid the price for trusting too easily, and she won't make the same mistake again. But when she finally gets a chance to take revenge against the cousin who betrayed her, Octavia needs a willing partner for her schemes -- someone charming, aristocratic, and devilish. The kind of man she might have married, in a different life. And the kind of man she absolutely can't risk giving her heart to....
Rule #2: Never fall in love with the target...
Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst survived as a spy in Spain through charm and subterfuge. In London, he uses those same skills to pursue justice against those who are above the law. His next mission is Lord Somerville -- Octavia's former patron. When Octavia asks Rafe to help sabotage her cousin's house party, he can't refuse. If he can destroy Somerville by using her...well, Rafe never claimed to be a saint, and he never promised to protect her. But he never expected Octavia to be quite so delightful -- or quite so inexperienced, given her bold demands and reckless smile. And falling in love is a mistake he's never made before....
Rule #3: Never ignore your destiny...
As Rafe and Octavia set out to ruin the most illustrious house party of the summer, they discover that revenge can't possibly compete with the pleasure they find in each other's arms. Can an innocent courtesan and a broken charmer risk losing everything they ever wanted to seize the love they never expected to find?
------
Want to catch up on other books by Sara Ramsey? Check the list below to see what you've
Heiress
Duke of Thorns
Lord of Deceit - coming soon
Muses of
Heiress Without a Cause
Scotsmen Prefer Blondes
The Marquess Who Loved Me
The Earl Who Played With Fire
Rule #1: Never give your heart to a rake...
Octavia Briarley took society by storm during her debut season -- until one disastrous night changed everything, and she was forced to become London's most notorious courtesan. She's already paid the price for trusting too easily, and she won't make the same mistake again. But when she finally gets a chance to take revenge against the cousin who betrayed her, Octavia needs a willing partner for her schemes -- someone charming, aristocratic, and devilish. The kind of man she might have married, in a different life. And the kind of man she absolutely can't risk giving her heart to....
Rule #2: Never fall in love with the target...
Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst survived as a spy in Spain through charm and subterfuge. In London, he uses those same skills to pursue justice against those who are above the law. His next mission is Lord Somerville -- Octavia's former patron. When Octavia asks Rafe to help sabotage her cousin's house party, he can't refuse. If he can destroy Somerville by using her...well, Rafe never claimed to be a saint, and he never promised to protect her. But he never expected Octavia to be quite so delightful -- or quite so inexperienced, given her bold demands and reckless smile. And falling in love is a mistake he's never made before....
Rule #3: Never ignore your destiny...
As Rafe and Octavia set out to ruin the most illustrious house party of the summer, they discover that revenge can't possibly compete with the pleasure they find in each other's arms. Can an innocent courtesan and a broken charmer risk losing everything they ever wanted to seize the love they never expected to find?
------
Want to catch up on other books by Sara Ramsey? Check the list below to see what you've
Heiress
Duke of Thorns
Lord of Deceit - coming soon
Muses of
Heiress Without a Cause
Scotsmen Prefer Blondes
The Marquess Who Loved Me
The Earl Who Played With Fire
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2016
49 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Sara Ramsey
9 books289 followersSara Ramsey writes fun, feisty Regency historical romances. She won the prestigious 2009 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® award with her second book, Scotsmen Prefer Blondes. Her first book, Heiress Without A Cause, was a 2011 Golden Heart finalist.
Hopelessly uncool as a child, Sara has overcompensated by becoming obsessed with fashion, shoes, and #regencyworldproblems. She has great taste in Champagne, bad taste in movies, and a penchant for tiaras. She also believes in taking naps, wearing sunglasses at night, and using Oxford commas. Sara currently lives in San Francisco, California, where she can be found drinking overly-artistic lattes and working on her next Regency historical romance.
Hopelessly uncool as a child, Sara has overcompensated by becoming obsessed with fashion, shoes, and #regencyworldproblems. She has great taste in Champagne, bad taste in movies, and a penchant for tiaras. She also believes in taking naps, wearing sunglasses at night, and using Oxford commas. Sara currently lives in San Francisco, California, where she can be found drinking overly-artistic lattes and working on her next Regency historical romance.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 3, 2016
'Lord of Deceit' by Sara Ramsey is book two in the " Heiress Games" series. This is the story of Octavia Briarley and Lord Rafael Emmerson.
Octavia was very popular during her debut season...but she let someone kiss her which ended up changing the rest of her life. Her cousin Lucy pass the information on to Octavia brother who in turn dueled with the man and they both shot each other. Now Octavia has been cast into scandal and with her cousin they have gone to the country. Octavia doesn't forgive her cousin and when Lord Somersville comes to her country home with a proposition for Octavia to become his 'mistress' and help him with his political ambitions. Octavia would host his political salons and some other social engagements. Octavia accepts the position and this changes her life yet again. No longer would she be trapped with her cousin at the country house she will accept what the town thinks of her and make it her own.
But a few years later she meets Rafael and is very attracted to him. Octavia is still acting as Lord Somersville 'mistress' so that makes her keep up her story in front of Rafael. Rafael doesn't wish Lord Somersville to become Prime Minister who is rumored to be in the running for that job in the near future. So Rafael wanting to know more about Lord Somersville and his plans he knows that his best bet is Octavia.
This was an exciting read that was hard for me to put down. I loved the first book too and couldn't wait to read this one also! No disappointment here for me.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Octavia was very popular during her debut season...but she let someone kiss her which ended up changing the rest of her life. Her cousin Lucy pass the information on to Octavia brother who in turn dueled with the man and they both shot each other. Now Octavia has been cast into scandal and with her cousin they have gone to the country. Octavia doesn't forgive her cousin and when Lord Somersville comes to her country home with a proposition for Octavia to become his 'mistress' and help him with his political ambitions. Octavia would host his political salons and some other social engagements. Octavia accepts the position and this changes her life yet again. No longer would she be trapped with her cousin at the country house she will accept what the town thinks of her and make it her own.
But a few years later she meets Rafael and is very attracted to him. Octavia is still acting as Lord Somersville 'mistress' so that makes her keep up her story in front of Rafael. Rafael doesn't wish Lord Somersville to become Prime Minister who is rumored to be in the running for that job in the near future. So Rafael wanting to know more about Lord Somersville and his plans he knows that his best bet is Octavia.
This was an exciting read that was hard for me to put down. I loved the first book too and couldn't wait to read this one also! No disappointment here for me.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Please follow more reviews at the below sites:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sally.mae.39...
http://sissymae.booklikes.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
http://romancebookreviewforyoublog.tu...
October 26, 2016
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
Lord of Deceit is the second book in Sara Ramsey’s Heiress Games series about the three “Briarley heiresses” who, because of a strange clause in their eccentric grandfather’s will, are forced to compete against each other in order to inherit their family estate of Maidenstone. I have to admit that the gap of eighteen months between this and the first book (Duke of Thorns) meant I had to go back and re-read my review to refresh my memory about some of the plot details and characters, but I think that had I not felt the need to do that for the sake of completeness, I could have read this as a standalone without too many problems.
Ladies Octavia, Lucasta and Callista Briarley are cousins whose stand to inherit a large estate and fortune, but their late grandfather’s will stipulates that the inheritance can only go to one of them, and that one will be the lady who makes the most prestigious marriage. At the beginning of the party, however, it seems as though only Lucy is in contention as Callista now lives in America and Octavia left Maidenstone in disgrace some years earlier. At one point in their lives, Lucy and Octavia were very close, but the rift between them caused when Octavia’s brother was killed in a duel defending her honour – a duel for which she blames Lucy – is wide, deep, and unlikely ever to heal.
And that’s the way Octavia likes it. Being the subject of a duel set the seal on her ruin, so when the opportunity came to get away from Maidenstone, from Lucy’s recriminations and from her fears about being trapped there forever, she took it, accepting an offer of carte blanche from Lord Sommerville. What the handsome young gentleman wanted however, was a hostess for his political salons rather than someone to warm his bed, something which became apparent to Lucy quite quickly. But still, he treats her well, and in the years she lives as his mistress, Octavia makes quite a name for herself as a hostess – among the demimondaine, of course, given her status as a fallen woman. When Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst, younger brother of the Duke of Thorrington, walks into one of these salons, Octavia is shaken by the strength of her attraction to a man for the first time in years.
Rafe has recently returned from service in Spain, where he was a Captain in the army and also a spy. During the past year, he has continued to employ his covert skills in England, cultivating the image of a pleasant, but almost permanently inebriated wastrel and putting to good use the information dropped from the tongues so often loosened in his presence. But now he wants to make a more personal use of his talents; Lord Sommerville publicly insulted Lady Serena, one of Rafe’s sisters, and he plans to use Octavia to get his revenge on the man who hurt his sister and who preaches so effectively in Parliament about the iniquities of vice while openly maintaining a mistress.
The instant spark of attraction between him and Octavia doesn’t quite cause Rafe to rethink his scheme, but he nonetheless feels regret at what he is planning to do. However, things don’t go according to plan when Octavia’s situation changes abruptly, causing her to leave London. Sommerville needs to take a wife if he is to make any further advancement in his career, and of course he can’t marry Octavia. She is furious at being so casually discarded, but isn’t willing to be passed along to another protector. The only place she can go is back to Maidenstone and Lucy – but on arrival, her cousin makes it more than clear that she is not welcome there. She is, however, welcome to stay at the old hunting lodge in the grounds, provided she never sets foot in the house.
Hurt, betrayed and still mad as hell, Octavia takes up residence in the lodge, making plans to get back at Lucy and ensuring she can’t inherit Maidenstone by ruining the house-party and driving away all the prospective suitors. When she hears that the Emmerson-Fairhurst family is going to be present, she remembers the rapport she’d felt with Rafe and seeks him out, recruiting him as her partner in crime.
I have to say that the revenge plot and Octavia’s half-baked idea to scare everyone away with ghost stories are the least convincing things about the book. Far more interesting are Octavia herself and her fractured relationship with Lucy, which shapes so much of her character and informs so many of her decisions. Although her life with Somerville was one of comfort and security (while it lasted) she has developed a strong self-reliance and invented a whole new persona for herself as Madame Octavia, the polished, flirtatious hostess of London’s most talked-about salons. And even when she is cast aside, she refuses to play the victim and just slink quietly away into the shadows. When she learns about the contest to win her grandfather’s estate, she is determined to stake her claim; after all, he was fond of her and she of him and she’s just as entitled to take part in the competition as her cousins. Octavia’s strength of character makes her an interesting heroine; she’s not feisty in a curl-tossing, foot-stamping way, but rather she is one of those women who knows she has to pick herself up after a reversal and shape her own life rather than waiting for others to take her into account.
Rafe and Octavia are similar in many ways. They know how to manipulate, they hide behind masks of their own creation and have suffered betrayal, but he’s less well-defined than she is, and his commitment issues – which also affect his brother in Duke of Thorns – are fairly stock-in-trade. Yet Rafe is an attractive, intelligent hero who obviously cares about Octavia, comes to understand her and genuinely wants her to be happy. Ms. Ramsey has the knack for writing snappy, humorous dialogue and there’s much to enjoy in their verbal sparring, which is often funny and poignant – sometimes at the same time – and I enjoyed the insights we were given into the Briarley family dynamic through the ages. They sound like a completely bonkers lot!
Lord of Deceit is not without its weaknesses, but the writing is excellent, the characterisation is strong and the romance is nicely developed. If you read and enjoyed Duke of Thorns and want to catch up with the Briarleys, then I definitely recommend it; and if you haven’t tried this author before, you could start here and not miss out.
Lord of Deceit is the second book in Sara Ramsey’s Heiress Games series about the three “Briarley heiresses” who, because of a strange clause in their eccentric grandfather’s will, are forced to compete against each other in order to inherit their family estate of Maidenstone. I have to admit that the gap of eighteen months between this and the first book (Duke of Thorns) meant I had to go back and re-read my review to refresh my memory about some of the plot details and characters, but I think that had I not felt the need to do that for the sake of completeness, I could have read this as a standalone without too many problems.
Ladies Octavia, Lucasta and Callista Briarley are cousins whose stand to inherit a large estate and fortune, but their late grandfather’s will stipulates that the inheritance can only go to one of them, and that one will be the lady who makes the most prestigious marriage. At the beginning of the party, however, it seems as though only Lucy is in contention as Callista now lives in America and Octavia left Maidenstone in disgrace some years earlier. At one point in their lives, Lucy and Octavia were very close, but the rift between them caused when Octavia’s brother was killed in a duel defending her honour – a duel for which she blames Lucy – is wide, deep, and unlikely ever to heal.
And that’s the way Octavia likes it. Being the subject of a duel set the seal on her ruin, so when the opportunity came to get away from Maidenstone, from Lucy’s recriminations and from her fears about being trapped there forever, she took it, accepting an offer of carte blanche from Lord Sommerville. What the handsome young gentleman wanted however, was a hostess for his political salons rather than someone to warm his bed, something which became apparent to Lucy quite quickly. But still, he treats her well, and in the years she lives as his mistress, Octavia makes quite a name for herself as a hostess – among the demimondaine, of course, given her status as a fallen woman. When Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst, younger brother of the Duke of Thorrington, walks into one of these salons, Octavia is shaken by the strength of her attraction to a man for the first time in years.
Rafe has recently returned from service in Spain, where he was a Captain in the army and also a spy. During the past year, he has continued to employ his covert skills in England, cultivating the image of a pleasant, but almost permanently inebriated wastrel and putting to good use the information dropped from the tongues so often loosened in his presence. But now he wants to make a more personal use of his talents; Lord Sommerville publicly insulted Lady Serena, one of Rafe’s sisters, and he plans to use Octavia to get his revenge on the man who hurt his sister and who preaches so effectively in Parliament about the iniquities of vice while openly maintaining a mistress.
The instant spark of attraction between him and Octavia doesn’t quite cause Rafe to rethink his scheme, but he nonetheless feels regret at what he is planning to do. However, things don’t go according to plan when Octavia’s situation changes abruptly, causing her to leave London. Sommerville needs to take a wife if he is to make any further advancement in his career, and of course he can’t marry Octavia. She is furious at being so casually discarded, but isn’t willing to be passed along to another protector. The only place she can go is back to Maidenstone and Lucy – but on arrival, her cousin makes it more than clear that she is not welcome there. She is, however, welcome to stay at the old hunting lodge in the grounds, provided she never sets foot in the house.
Hurt, betrayed and still mad as hell, Octavia takes up residence in the lodge, making plans to get back at Lucy and ensuring she can’t inherit Maidenstone by ruining the house-party and driving away all the prospective suitors. When she hears that the Emmerson-Fairhurst family is going to be present, she remembers the rapport she’d felt with Rafe and seeks him out, recruiting him as her partner in crime.
I have to say that the revenge plot and Octavia’s half-baked idea to scare everyone away with ghost stories are the least convincing things about the book. Far more interesting are Octavia herself and her fractured relationship with Lucy, which shapes so much of her character and informs so many of her decisions. Although her life with Somerville was one of comfort and security (while it lasted) she has developed a strong self-reliance and invented a whole new persona for herself as Madame Octavia, the polished, flirtatious hostess of London’s most talked-about salons. And even when she is cast aside, she refuses to play the victim and just slink quietly away into the shadows. When she learns about the contest to win her grandfather’s estate, she is determined to stake her claim; after all, he was fond of her and she of him and she’s just as entitled to take part in the competition as her cousins. Octavia’s strength of character makes her an interesting heroine; she’s not feisty in a curl-tossing, foot-stamping way, but rather she is one of those women who knows she has to pick herself up after a reversal and shape her own life rather than waiting for others to take her into account.
Rafe and Octavia are similar in many ways. They know how to manipulate, they hide behind masks of their own creation and have suffered betrayal, but he’s less well-defined than she is, and his commitment issues – which also affect his brother in Duke of Thorns – are fairly stock-in-trade. Yet Rafe is an attractive, intelligent hero who obviously cares about Octavia, comes to understand her and genuinely wants her to be happy. Ms. Ramsey has the knack for writing snappy, humorous dialogue and there’s much to enjoy in their verbal sparring, which is often funny and poignant – sometimes at the same time – and I enjoyed the insights we were given into the Briarley family dynamic through the ages. They sound like a completely bonkers lot!
Lord of Deceit is not without its weaknesses, but the writing is excellent, the characterisation is strong and the romance is nicely developed. If you read and enjoyed Duke of Thorns and want to catch up with the Briarleys, then I definitely recommend it; and if you haven’t tried this author before, you could start here and not miss out.
July 1, 2019
This was not as interesting as the first in the series, and the hero here, a younger brother to Thorington from book 1, was a bit wishy-washy for me. I was also angry for a lot of this book.
Why was I angry? The story really show-cased the horrific, double standard that underpinned the hypocrisy of Regency England.
After recently reading a lot of CR and even NA books, I returned to HR for a bit of a change. Wow. As a woman, I am endlessly grateful to be living now. Sure, we can romanticise the period and enjoy the fashions and the art, but my heart just broke for Octavia. "Ruined" at a ball, because her jealous cousin told Octavia's brother that Octavia had been compromised (a kiss in the garden), which caused him to call out the villain. With them both drunk, the duel ended in both their deaths.
Who paid the price after that? Octavia. Shunned, her reputation destroyed by this very public disaster, she had only two options: retire to the country to hide until she died, or truly become a fallen woman and embrace the lifestyle of a mistress. Being a battler, she chose the latter.
All through the book, we are confronted by the judgemental attitude of everyone she meets. Even her protector, an aspirational politician who needs a "beard" and an intelligent partner with whom to discuss his career moves, ends up treating her like shit. After 4 years together. I found that a little hard to swallow, tbh
Her cousin Lucretia (good name for her, given her nasty personality) was a prize bitch who, I might add here, did not redeem herself to me at all in her book, which came after this one. So Lucretia:
The hero, Rafe, was annoying. Unlike Thorington, he dithered and vacillated. At first, he judged Octavia along with everyone else. High class whore. Promiscuous. All of that. Then he felt guilty when he realised she was not that at all. Then he doubted himself. Then her. OMG. Give me a bossy Thorington any day! At least he knew what needed to be done and bloody well did it. Rafe was just weak.
The whole revenge plot was a bit silly, too. Scare the guests by pretending to be a ghost? Come on.
Oh well, at least it got me feeling grateful- for being a woman living in the 21st century!
Why was I angry? The story really show-cased the horrific, double standard that underpinned the hypocrisy of Regency England.
After recently reading a lot of CR and even NA books, I returned to HR for a bit of a change. Wow. As a woman, I am endlessly grateful to be living now. Sure, we can romanticise the period and enjoy the fashions and the art, but my heart just broke for Octavia. "Ruined" at a ball, because her jealous cousin told Octavia's brother that Octavia had been compromised (a kiss in the garden), which caused him to call out the villain. With them both drunk, the duel ended in both their deaths.
Who paid the price after that? Octavia. Shunned, her reputation destroyed by this very public disaster, she had only two options: retire to the country to hide until she died, or truly become a fallen woman and embrace the lifestyle of a mistress. Being a battler, she chose the latter.
All through the book, we are confronted by the judgemental attitude of everyone she meets. Even her protector, an aspirational politician who needs a "beard" and an intelligent partner with whom to discuss his career moves, ends up treating her like shit. After 4 years together. I found that a little hard to swallow, tbh
Her cousin Lucretia (good name for her, given her nasty personality) was a prize bitch who, I might add here, did not redeem herself to me at all in her book, which came after this one. So Lucretia:
The hero, Rafe, was annoying. Unlike Thorington, he dithered and vacillated. At first, he judged Octavia along with everyone else. High class whore. Promiscuous. All of that. Then he felt guilty when he realised she was not that at all. Then he doubted himself. Then her. OMG. Give me a bossy Thorington any day! At least he knew what needed to be done and bloody well did it. Rafe was just weak.
The whole revenge plot was a bit silly, too. Scare the guests by pretending to be a ghost? Come on.
Oh well, at least it got me feeling grateful- for being a woman living in the 21st century!
June 25, 2016
O the indescribable joy of discovering a fabulous author!
Four years ago, Octavia Briarly’s every chance of happiness was ruined. Octavia, the toast of the ton, the darling of the Season, was kissed by a suitor. Her beloved cousin Lucy told Octavia’s hot-headed brother Julian, who promptly challenged the other man to a duel, and it all ended in a bloody tragedy, as both men died and the House of Maidenstone is left without an heir. Octavia is rescued, in a manner of speaking, by Lord Somerville who asks her to become his mistress. Rather than the other alternative, that is remaining cloistered in Devonshire until the end of time, Octavia accepts his proposition. Octavia enjoys security, companionship, and is relatively happy, until the fateful day when Somerville tells her to pack her things and move out; he needs a proper wife to fulfill his political aspirations. And again, Octavia is left to fend for herself. The Briarlys are preparing to host a fête when Octavia arrives at her former home, and very soon she is made to understand that she is definitely not welcome. Lucy destroyed her life, and Octavia is determined to make her pay. Meanwhile, Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst is also attending the same gathering with his family, he and Octavia are vaguely acquainted and he knows of her association with Somerville, with whom he has a bone to pick. Octavia seems the best way to accomplish what he set out for: he is bent on revenge and his target is Somerville. Rafe’s reputation as a rake and former soldier precedes him, and Octavia deems him a worthy ally in her quest to ruin Lucy.
Sara Ramsey has woven an intricate and utterly compelling story around deceit, hypocrisy, and revenge unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Octavia and Rafe are amongst the most fascinating and complex characters I have ever seen, and Octavia ranks as one the strongest, fiercest, most intriguing women I have ever seen. Ms. Ramsey’s understanding of Regency customs, society, and politics is outstanding, as it is the most important component of the issues in LORD OF DECEIT, and my heart broke for Octavia at the unfairness of her situation, but not for long; she is determined not to remain a victim and she will succeed, no matter how hard she had to try. Rafe is just as fascinating, and he is precisely the kind of hero I always wish to read about: a consumed professional, toughened by the war, he is not your domineering, controlling, and mocking aristocrat; for once, the hero came off as a real person and not as your stereotypical romance hero.
Octavia and Rafe exchange wonderful, witty, and realistic banter, the chemistry they share is obvious from the very beginning, and still the tone remains so faithful to the era, LORD OF DECEIT might as well have been written by a Regency author. Ms. Ramsey’s prose is sumptuous, eloquent, yet effortless and elegant, and she knows exactly the amount of detail to insert to convey complete authenticity to her story and her characters. The plot is intelligent, and carefully crafted with several quite unexpected turns of events; nothing came easy for Rafe and Octavia. There is also a most extraordinary realistic, touching, heartbreaking sex scene I will never forget.
LORD OF DECEIT made me laugh, smile, cry, and cheer desperately for Octavia to triumph, and I held my breath several times as well. I could say so much more about this superb book, but suffice it to say that it was the first book I had read from Sara Ramsey and I am now decidedly a fan. Such a rare talent is not seen that often, and I will be awaiting the next book in this series with bated breath, as it promises to be as wonderful as LORD OF DECEIT.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Four years ago, Octavia Briarly’s every chance of happiness was ruined. Octavia, the toast of the ton, the darling of the Season, was kissed by a suitor. Her beloved cousin Lucy told Octavia’s hot-headed brother Julian, who promptly challenged the other man to a duel, and it all ended in a bloody tragedy, as both men died and the House of Maidenstone is left without an heir. Octavia is rescued, in a manner of speaking, by Lord Somerville who asks her to become his mistress. Rather than the other alternative, that is remaining cloistered in Devonshire until the end of time, Octavia accepts his proposition. Octavia enjoys security, companionship, and is relatively happy, until the fateful day when Somerville tells her to pack her things and move out; he needs a proper wife to fulfill his political aspirations. And again, Octavia is left to fend for herself. The Briarlys are preparing to host a fête when Octavia arrives at her former home, and very soon she is made to understand that she is definitely not welcome. Lucy destroyed her life, and Octavia is determined to make her pay. Meanwhile, Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst is also attending the same gathering with his family, he and Octavia are vaguely acquainted and he knows of her association with Somerville, with whom he has a bone to pick. Octavia seems the best way to accomplish what he set out for: he is bent on revenge and his target is Somerville. Rafe’s reputation as a rake and former soldier precedes him, and Octavia deems him a worthy ally in her quest to ruin Lucy.
Sara Ramsey has woven an intricate and utterly compelling story around deceit, hypocrisy, and revenge unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Octavia and Rafe are amongst the most fascinating and complex characters I have ever seen, and Octavia ranks as one the strongest, fiercest, most intriguing women I have ever seen. Ms. Ramsey’s understanding of Regency customs, society, and politics is outstanding, as it is the most important component of the issues in LORD OF DECEIT, and my heart broke for Octavia at the unfairness of her situation, but not for long; she is determined not to remain a victim and she will succeed, no matter how hard she had to try. Rafe is just as fascinating, and he is precisely the kind of hero I always wish to read about: a consumed professional, toughened by the war, he is not your domineering, controlling, and mocking aristocrat; for once, the hero came off as a real person and not as your stereotypical romance hero.
Octavia and Rafe exchange wonderful, witty, and realistic banter, the chemistry they share is obvious from the very beginning, and still the tone remains so faithful to the era, LORD OF DECEIT might as well have been written by a Regency author. Ms. Ramsey’s prose is sumptuous, eloquent, yet effortless and elegant, and she knows exactly the amount of detail to insert to convey complete authenticity to her story and her characters. The plot is intelligent, and carefully crafted with several quite unexpected turns of events; nothing came easy for Rafe and Octavia. There is also a most extraordinary realistic, touching, heartbreaking sex scene I will never forget.
LORD OF DECEIT made me laugh, smile, cry, and cheer desperately for Octavia to triumph, and I held my breath several times as well. I could say so much more about this superb book, but suffice it to say that it was the first book I had read from Sara Ramsey and I am now decidedly a fan. Such a rare talent is not seen that often, and I will be awaiting the next book in this series with bated breath, as it promises to be as wonderful as LORD OF DECEIT.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2016
Sara Ramsey delivers another story as only she knows how. I have read every single one of Sara's books and I can say I've never been disappointed. Her stories are the kind you can't ever put down once you start reading.
In Lord of Deceit, readers get to follow the love story of Rafe and Ava. Anyone who's been following the series knows that these two make an appearance in the Duke of Thorns. There are some details about Rafe and Ava thrown here and there in book 1, but it turned out that what I'd thought of them two wasn't anything close to the truth. I'll just that Rafe knows how to keep a good cover-up.
Thanks to Ava's cousin Lucy, Ava was ruined 4 years ago. The consequences of Lucy's betrayal weren't anything Ava took lightly. Not only was she ruined in society's eyes, but her beloved brother had died due to a stupid duel. Her pain at her cousin's betrayal and the loss of her brother was so much that when Ava is presented with an opportunity that would surely ruin any last chance she has to prove society wrong, she doesn't think about it twice and takes it.
Ava becomes the infamous Madame Octavia and she doesn't care what anyone thinks. Her arrangement with her protector works well for her, that is until her "protector" ends it. She doesn't have enough money to support herself, and she's got nowhere else to go. She then decides to claim what is hers and heads to her family's seat. Lucy might have ruined her life, but Ava is not about to let her win what their grandfather left them in his will.
Rafe is intrigued by Ava. He meets her at the last soiree she hosted for her protector and when he visits her he finds her gone. This doesn't work well for his plans or the mission he's been tasked with by his superiors. When he finds out that she might have gone to her family's seat, he gladly helps his older brother to rally up their siblings and head to the country. No one has any idea of what he's up to, especially when he makes everyone believe he's nothing but a rake who loves a good whiskey.
All he wants is to get close enough to Ava to learn the secrets her ex-protector hides. He wants to destroy him, because while everyone things her ex-protector is a good person, the truth is he really isn't. The thing is the more time he spends with Ava, the closer he gets and soon he discovers the truth behind her ruin, and there's nothing he can do to stop himself from loving her.
Like I said this was an awesome read. Full of witty banter and laughter. And heck yes! I'm looking forward to Lucy's story next. I have to admit she's the character I've liked the least in this series, but I think after the turn of events in book 2, I might've started warming up to her. It'd be good to see who she really is, and breaks down all her walls.
In Lord of Deceit, readers get to follow the love story of Rafe and Ava. Anyone who's been following the series knows that these two make an appearance in the Duke of Thorns. There are some details about Rafe and Ava thrown here and there in book 1, but it turned out that what I'd thought of them two wasn't anything close to the truth. I'll just that Rafe knows how to keep a good cover-up.
Thanks to Ava's cousin Lucy, Ava was ruined 4 years ago. The consequences of Lucy's betrayal weren't anything Ava took lightly. Not only was she ruined in society's eyes, but her beloved brother had died due to a stupid duel. Her pain at her cousin's betrayal and the loss of her brother was so much that when Ava is presented with an opportunity that would surely ruin any last chance she has to prove society wrong, she doesn't think about it twice and takes it.
Ava becomes the infamous Madame Octavia and she doesn't care what anyone thinks. Her arrangement with her protector works well for her, that is until her "protector" ends it. She doesn't have enough money to support herself, and she's got nowhere else to go. She then decides to claim what is hers and heads to her family's seat. Lucy might have ruined her life, but Ava is not about to let her win what their grandfather left them in his will.
Rafe is intrigued by Ava. He meets her at the last soiree she hosted for her protector and when he visits her he finds her gone. This doesn't work well for his plans or the mission he's been tasked with by his superiors. When he finds out that she might have gone to her family's seat, he gladly helps his older brother to rally up their siblings and head to the country. No one has any idea of what he's up to, especially when he makes everyone believe he's nothing but a rake who loves a good whiskey.
All he wants is to get close enough to Ava to learn the secrets her ex-protector hides. He wants to destroy him, because while everyone things her ex-protector is a good person, the truth is he really isn't. The thing is the more time he spends with Ava, the closer he gets and soon he discovers the truth behind her ruin, and there's nothing he can do to stop himself from loving her.
Like I said this was an awesome read. Full of witty banter and laughter. And heck yes! I'm looking forward to Lucy's story next. I have to admit she's the character I've liked the least in this series, but I think after the turn of events in book 2, I might've started warming up to her. It'd be good to see who she really is, and breaks down all her walls.
August 18, 2016
3.5 Stars
I wasn't overly thrilled with this book - I didn't hate it or even dislike it, but I didn't love it either.
Octavia Briarley is a ruined woman, 4 years ago Octavia was the Incomparable of the season, but a stolen kiss at a ball started a chain reaction of events that lead to the death of the man she kissed, her brother, the end of her friendship with her cousin Lucy and her total ruin in the eyes of the ton. To escape the boredom of the country and her cousin Lucy, Octavia accepts the offer to become the mistress of the Earl of Somerville.
Fast forward 4 years, Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst aka Rafe (the brother of Gavin, Duke of Thorington) is looking for revenge. Somerville slighted his sister and Rafe is bent on destroying him. He hatches a plan to use Octavia to bring down Somerville.
This book really seemed to drag for me, it was well written and flowed, but it was a bit boring and given the subject material - I am surprised that I felt that way. Maybe the problem was me - I am not a fan of revenge stories and this book is all about that - both from Rafe and Octavia.
As always Ms. Ramsey delivers an outstanding declaration of love scene (she does declarations of love better than almost any other author I have read). But sadly, for me even that wasn't enough to make me love the book. I loved the first book in the series so much that perhaps I expected too much from this one.
Even though I didn't love this book, I would recommend it and I am looking forward to the next book that features Lucy.
I wasn't overly thrilled with this book - I didn't hate it or even dislike it, but I didn't love it either.
Octavia Briarley is a ruined woman, 4 years ago Octavia was the Incomparable of the season, but a stolen kiss at a ball started a chain reaction of events that lead to the death of the man she kissed, her brother, the end of her friendship with her cousin Lucy and her total ruin in the eyes of the ton. To escape the boredom of the country and her cousin Lucy, Octavia accepts the offer to become the mistress of the Earl of Somerville.
Fast forward 4 years, Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst aka Rafe (the brother of Gavin, Duke of Thorington) is looking for revenge. Somerville slighted his sister and Rafe is bent on destroying him. He hatches a plan to use Octavia to bring down Somerville.
This book really seemed to drag for me, it was well written and flowed, but it was a bit boring and given the subject material - I am surprised that I felt that way. Maybe the problem was me - I am not a fan of revenge stories and this book is all about that - both from Rafe and Octavia.
As always Ms. Ramsey delivers an outstanding declaration of love scene (she does declarations of love better than almost any other author I have read). But sadly, for me even that wasn't enough to make me love the book. I loved the first book in the series so much that perhaps I expected too much from this one.
Even though I didn't love this book, I would recommend it and I am looking forward to the next book that features Lucy.
July 13, 2019
Rafe and Octavia's romance didn't have a happy passage but as with almost all historical romance novels, there is a happily-ever-after.
I loved Octavia's strength as she rose above the opinions of the ton and lived her life the way she thought was best for her.
I also loved how Rafe pursued her for all the wrong reasons and found himself falling more and more for her and her charming personality.
I simply love the way Sara Ramsey writes. I find her books so easy to read. They are filled with every emotion under the sun from laughter to tears I and have eagerly looked forward to beginning every one so far. The trouble is that once I begin reading, it is hard to put the book down and attend to the more mundane things in life like eating, working and so on.
This is a book and series that should not be missed and I happily recommend it to you.
I loved Octavia's strength as she rose above the opinions of the ton and lived her life the way she thought was best for her.
I also loved how Rafe pursued her for all the wrong reasons and found himself falling more and more for her and her charming personality.
I simply love the way Sara Ramsey writes. I find her books so easy to read. They are filled with every emotion under the sun from laughter to tears I and have eagerly looked forward to beginning every one so far. The trouble is that once I begin reading, it is hard to put the book down and attend to the more mundane things in life like eating, working and so on.
This is a book and series that should not be missed and I happily recommend it to you.
May 17, 2018
I liked it, a lot.
May 26, 2020
I loved her Muses of Mayfair series and just didn't think I'd like this one as much. Boy, was I wrong! This series is so damn good. So glad I started reading it.
July 5, 2016
Lord Of Deceit by Sara Ramsey is #2 in "Heiress Games", but can be read as a stand alone. See, Book 1, "Duke of Thorns". This is Octavia Briarley and Lord Rafael Emmerson-Fairhurst's story, and what a story it is! Readers, fell in love with the Briarleys, from the beginning — a family who for centuries, was known for their scandals and sin.
Do be aware: the "Lord of Deceit" re-visits or overlaps with Thornthon and Callista, from the "Duke of Thorns", so the reader, at first, may feel, they have been there before, but keep reading, you have not.
Once again Ms. Ramsey has woven a story of revenge, passion, deception, destiny, desperation and romance, into an utterly compelling Regency Historical Romance.
Readers will be drawn into an another time and place with an intricately and utterly intriguing story, that is well written, steady paced, as well as unique. Ms. Ramsey never disappoints her readers, and also delivers a compelling story with utterly enjoyable, engaging and simply flawed characters. From the very beginning, she challenges the reader, to learn more of the fascinating and truly mesmerizing tale of, Octavia and Rafael. Octavia, a ruined debutante, seeking redemption from her family, her ancestral home and inheritance. Rafael, who survived being a spy in Spain, to come home to find his sister's heart was broken, by who else, but, Octavia's, one-time protector. Now, he is seeking revenge, against he man who so carelessly broke his beloved sister's heart, by using information he hopes to receive from Octavia. Will he, get his revenge, or find more than he ever thought possible, love?
Can Octavia and Rafael find their destiny and their HEA or lose all to deceit and revenge? The reader can almost feel the character's angst, betrayal and need for love, acceptance and forgiveness, albeit, they look for it, in all the wrong places, until... the "Duke of Thorns" and "Lord of Deceit".
I can't wait to read the next installment, in this captivating tale, that is passionate, as well as, compelling. A great read! Fans of Regency period, Historical Romance, and a great read, will definitely enjoy, "Lord of Deceit". Captivating!
Received for an honest review. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
Do be aware: the "Lord of Deceit" re-visits or overlaps with Thornthon and Callista, from the "Duke of Thorns", so the reader, at first, may feel, they have been there before, but keep reading, you have not.
Once again Ms. Ramsey has woven a story of revenge, passion, deception, destiny, desperation and romance, into an utterly compelling Regency Historical Romance.
Readers will be drawn into an another time and place with an intricately and utterly intriguing story, that is well written, steady paced, as well as unique. Ms. Ramsey never disappoints her readers, and also delivers a compelling story with utterly enjoyable, engaging and simply flawed characters. From the very beginning, she challenges the reader, to learn more of the fascinating and truly mesmerizing tale of, Octavia and Rafael. Octavia, a ruined debutante, seeking redemption from her family, her ancestral home and inheritance. Rafael, who survived being a spy in Spain, to come home to find his sister's heart was broken, by who else, but, Octavia's, one-time protector. Now, he is seeking revenge, against he man who so carelessly broke his beloved sister's heart, by using information he hopes to receive from Octavia. Will he, get his revenge, or find more than he ever thought possible, love?
Can Octavia and Rafael find their destiny and their HEA or lose all to deceit and revenge? The reader can almost feel the character's angst, betrayal and need for love, acceptance and forgiveness, albeit, they look for it, in all the wrong places, until... the "Duke of Thorns" and "Lord of Deceit".
I can't wait to read the next installment, in this captivating tale, that is passionate, as well as, compelling. A great read! Fans of Regency period, Historical Romance, and a great read, will definitely enjoy, "Lord of Deceit". Captivating!
Received for an honest review. However, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
June 30, 2016
From reading 'Duke of Thorns', the romance between Rafe and Octavia promised to be a good one. 'Lord of Deceit' delivers.
-- The Hero & Heroine are superb; they're both powerful and dangerous, able to read and manipulate a crowd, each somewhat disguising their 'true self' in service of their image. -- That is, both Octavia and Rafe are interesting characters to read about, and it's fun to read how each perceives the other.
While they do clearly adore each other from the get-go, there is tension/conflict from the experiences of betrayal each has been through, and the recognition that each is capable of hurting the other.
I like the way Ramsey writes her Heroines. Octavia is excellent. She admits to having a tough time with the struggles she faces, but is able to overcome and master the situation, anyway.
I could've liked Rafe better, I suppose. (I didn't find the internal-conflict he faced as compelling). He does come across as a good partner for Octavia, though.
-- Their flirtation with each other is adorable.
The author seems to have a morbid/dark sense of humour. It doesn't pollute this book so much, but I'd wonder what a story rich with such humour would look like.
-- The Hero & Heroine are superb; they're both powerful and dangerous, able to read and manipulate a crowd, each somewhat disguising their 'true self' in service of their image. -- That is, both Octavia and Rafe are interesting characters to read about, and it's fun to read how each perceives the other.
While they do clearly adore each other from the get-go, there is tension/conflict from the experiences of betrayal each has been through, and the recognition that each is capable of hurting the other.
I like the way Ramsey writes her Heroines. Octavia is excellent. She admits to having a tough time with the struggles she faces, but is able to overcome and master the situation, anyway.
I could've liked Rafe better, I suppose. (I didn't find the internal-conflict he faced as compelling). He does come across as a good partner for Octavia, though.
-- Their flirtation with each other is adorable.
The author seems to have a morbid/dark sense of humour. It doesn't pollute this book so much, but I'd wonder what a story rich with such humour would look like.
July 30, 2017
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Revenge is the name of the game for this family. I couldn't put this one down and read the whole thing in one sitting. One little mistake set off a turn of events that changed everyone's life and changed them too. I loved when they met at the party and how they seemed to understand each other even though they both had their secrets. I loved that they were working together to ruin the party. The ending is one of those that I always love to read.
Octavia is a woman that did what she had to when she was ruined. I loved how she always kept her head high and her whole personality. I did not see the full reason for her and Somerville's arrangement coming at first, but it worked perfectly for her. She was a butterfly.
Rafe is nothing like he seems to the people around him. In the first book, I knew there was something about him, but never expected that he had been a spy or how he really was. I loved his personality because he didn't react to things the way you would expect and was very kind.
There are many characters that get your interest in these books.
Revenge is the name of the game for this family. I couldn't put this one down and read the whole thing in one sitting. One little mistake set off a turn of events that changed everyone's life and changed them too. I loved when they met at the party and how they seemed to understand each other even though they both had their secrets. I loved that they were working together to ruin the party. The ending is one of those that I always love to read.
Octavia is a woman that did what she had to when she was ruined. I loved how she always kept her head high and her whole personality. I did not see the full reason for her and Somerville's arrangement coming at first, but it worked perfectly for her. She was a butterfly.
Rafe is nothing like he seems to the people around him. In the first book, I knew there was something about him, but never expected that he had been a spy or how he really was. I loved his personality because he didn't react to things the way you would expect and was very kind.
There are many characters that get your interest in these books.
September 26, 2019
Stars 3/4 (Kate Pearce, Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden)
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
June 29, 2016
I liked Rafe and Octavia, but mostly I loved that their story overlapped with the one of Thornthon and Callista, by far my favorite couple in this installment. As usual Sara Ramsey wrote a good different story from the usual regency romance and it's a nice and entertaining reading. Now I'm looking forward to the story of Lucy.
Mi sono piaciuti Rafe ed Ottavia, ma soprattutto ho apprezzato il fatto che la loro storia si sia sovrapposta a quella di Thornthon e Callista, di gran lunga la mia coppia preferita in questa serie. Come al solito Sara Ramsey ha scritto una bella storia, diversa dai soliti romanzi d'amore regency e anche stavolta mi sono divertita a leggerla. Ora non vedo l'ora di sapere la storia di Lucy.
THANKS TO SARA RAMSEY FOR THE ARC!
Mi sono piaciuti Rafe ed Ottavia, ma soprattutto ho apprezzato il fatto che la loro storia si sia sovrapposta a quella di Thornthon e Callista, di gran lunga la mia coppia preferita in questa serie. Come al solito Sara Ramsey ha scritto una bella storia, diversa dai soliti romanzi d'amore regency e anche stavolta mi sono divertita a leggerla. Ora non vedo l'ora di sapere la storia di Lucy.
THANKS TO SARA RAMSEY FOR THE ARC!
July 18, 2016
Having read and enjoyed Duke of Thorns (book 1), it seemed a bit odd that whilst reading this novel, we see the Duke of Thorington meeting Calista, his wife to be, for the first time. It felt like I'm reading these two books in the wrong order.
I was really excited to read Rafe's story, but I can't make my mind up about certain parts of this book, especially the ghost experience - it was like watching ten year olds playing a joke, it seemed very childish and to what purpose? I love how it started and ended, but was not completely sure what the middle was about.
I'm a little disappointed, and much prefer Duke of Thorns.
3***
I was really excited to read Rafe's story, but I can't make my mind up about certain parts of this book, especially the ghost experience - it was like watching ten year olds playing a joke, it seemed very childish and to what purpose? I love how it started and ended, but was not completely sure what the middle was about.
I'm a little disappointed, and much prefer Duke of Thorns.
3***
December 9, 2017
Good - I like this series and the Briarley family. I expected a lot from Rafe and Octavia, given their mysterious backgrounds. However, there was not much of a plot here. The two seemed to have less chemistry than Thorington and Callista - those two are on fire. So, a little disappointed at Rafe and Octavia's story, but still interesting and integral to the series.
January 14, 2021
Historical romance
This is the second volume in this series and I liked it, I read the first and I have just read the second volume and next I am going to read the third and final volume of the series. I think this book is good, just like I thought that the first book was good
This is the second volume in this series and I liked it, I read the first and I have just read the second volume and next I am going to read the third and final volume of the series. I think this book is good, just like I thought that the first book was good
August 30, 2016
Love Rafe and Octavia!
June 10, 2020
4 1/2
April 3, 2020
I loved Octavia. She’s the perfect heroine, probably more than Rafe. But overall very enjoyable series and I’m having fun with it
August 5, 2016
Can't wait for the next one.
April 13, 2017
Loved it!
April 23, 2017
Rafe is a spy and a rake. Octavia is a woman whose single moment of rashness has changed everything. This is a sweet romance between two people who are paragons of society. He is assumed to be a debauched rake and she is assumed to be ruined. None of which is true. The characters are all well developed. Rafe and Octavia's escapade and desire for adventure is weaved in and her POV is very realistic. Maidenstone seems like a beautiful setting.
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