Deceiving Bella

The Bodyguards of L.A. County #11

by Cate Beauman

Isabella Colby has always yearned for normalcy. Now that she’s settled in LA, she finally has it. Good friends, a pretty home, and her thriving career as the Palisades’ top skincare specialist are a dream come true. Bella is content until she meets her hunky new neighbor, but her attraction to the blue-eyed cutie is the least of her worries when contacting her long-lost father threatens to destroy her happy life.

Reed McKinley is more than ready to forget the past. His seven-year stint as an NYPD detective nearly got him killed. His wounds have healed and he’s starting over as Ethan Cooke Security’s latest recruit. With sixty-hour workweeks and little time to himself, the last thing on his mind is a relationship. Then he bumps into the gorgeous woman next door.

Reed and Bella become fast friends. Before long, Reed discovers that Bella is keeping dangerous secrets. Bella may have the answers to decades-old questions he’s been searching for. Reed will risk it all to uncover the truth, but he soon realizes that the deeper he digs, the direr the consequences.

*NOTE: While reading the series in order is recommended, it is not necessary. Each story is a stand alone title featuring new primary characters with limited overlapping secondary characters.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance

581 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2016

About the author

Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.

Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.

Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.

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Cate can be reached at www.catebeauman.com and www.facebook.com/CateBeaumanAuthor.

You can follow Cate on Instagram at www.instagram.com/realcatebeauman

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 It’s a small world Stars.

With this series you always get your happily ever after.

What are the odds of moving all the way from NY to LA living next door to a beautiful woman? What the odds that your pal/ ex-partner from NY phones you up and lets you know that he has a lead on a former mafia man and that he needs to check out names in the LA area? What are the odds that after investigating said names you find out that your hot and beautiful neighbor is the long lost daughter of said mafia man? Pretty slim right? Ah not here it isn’t.

Yes I know with all these coincidences there wouldn’t have been an awesome book. But still. Just saying.

Bella Colby has a new neighbor one day her awesome Dane Lucy barges into his house. Reed McKinley former NYPD has moved to LA to start a new after a near death incident he has given in his badge and now works for Ethan Cooke Security.

Although there is a mutual attraction and they appreciate one another I liked how they both said that they weren’t really attracted to one another and that they started out as friends it really was refreshing.

They get to know one another and Reed goes behind Bella’s back on a lot of things. I didn’t want to like Reed but I got his reasoning for doing it. I just think he didn’t to have deceived Bella as much as he did.  He knew he was lying, he knew it was a bad idea and yet he did it anyway.

Both of the experienced tragic events at the age of five. But those events led them both in different directions. Reed nearly lost his way and became a coldhearted, cynical, heartless men but Bella managed to thaw him out. Bella found someone she could rely on. Bella has my deepest respect when Reed screwed up she didn’t just take him back no she tried to keep her distance and stuck it out for a good couple of weeks if not longer.

There is a fantastic plot. Nothing is predictable with twists and turns. We see previous characters turn up in the book and hopefully new ones to come. Fingers crossed Skylar gets a book. I would love to see a strong heroine in law enforcement get a HEA. The book is just too long. About 50 pages less would have been fine.

Bella constantly cried which irritated me so that is why I docked half a star.

Ms. Beauman sure knows how to write gut-wrenching prologues that pull on all your heart strings it is really quite annoying. The constant sappiness of I love you made me want to puke. I’m just not sappy and my eyes hurt after all of it.

In saying all that this is a series that has improved over time and it is always a pleasure to read.

You don’t have to read the books in order I haven’t and it worked for me. I’ve read the first three and the last three. I’ll then continue with book 4.

Can we please have at least one person in the book that is gorgeous, beautiful or totally handsome?

Review can also be found @ http://jerisbookattic-reviewblog.blog...

[Davia]

The best to date!

If you love this series this book has become my new favorite! If you have never read this series don't worry you will love this story anyway. I loved the length of the story. Cate did not try to wrap anything up quickly she gave all the characters the proper respect their part deserved. A very difficult thing to do. I think this was the most touching book dealing with a real life issue she has written. I cannot wait for the next but it will be difficult to top this story. Bravo!!!

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabella Colby has managed to build up a good life for herself. After her father abandoned them and her mother resorting to a lifestyle that Isabella did not really approve of, she has worked hard to get where she is. She has a good job with L.A.’s top Skincare specialist, has a home and a new start. But with a hottie, in form of Reed McKinley, moving in next door and finally discovering her father after years, Isabella’s life is headed towards more complications than she had ever bargained for. On the other hand, after his cover got blown in his last assignment, Reed moves to L.A. with a new job at Ethan Cooke’s firm. He has no interest in getting tangled in a romantic relationship nor does he have any interest in the mob case that had almost led him to his death. Fate has plans for these two and as their paths cross they can hardly ignore each other or their past.

Isabella is a strong girl. She had been brought up by a single parent who was hardly there for her. So, it is really a wonder that she turned out as well as she did. I also liked the fact that she didn’t rush back to Reed immediately after discovering the fact that he had been deceiving her for most part of their relationship. She took her time and space and tried to move on. But some relationships are just meant to be and this was one of them. It doesn’t hurt that despite his actions, Reed’s intentions were pure and selfless. Reed on the other hand, made me a bit uneasy because I felt that he should have come clean to Isabella the moment he discovered that she had no involvement with the mob, if not at the very beginning. He knew he was lying and he did not like it one bit, so why did he continue with it? In the end, his intentions were good even if I do not agree with some of his actions. I also liked the fact that it wasn’t insta-love. They met, they became friends, they dated and let the relationship take its course. I have a question though… where in real life can we find such hottie, responsible and macho guys who have such caring sides and are willing to open up so much?

What are the chances that when Reed moves to L.A., he would end up living so close to someone who has a link to his last case as a cop? The coincidence was a little bit too much for my liking. Other than that this book was a pleasurable read.

[Patricia's Book Kingdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you end a series on a high note.

I absolutely devoured Deceiving Bella from start to finish. It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I became intrigued by Reed ever since I read Answers for Julie . He is the broody, silent type and I think it is so sexy and mysterious.
Deceiving Bella is so full of twists and turns, it had me at the edge of my seat waiting for the second shoe to drop.

I loved both main characters, Bella and Reed. They both had difficult childhoods and my heart broke for them. Bella's dad had left her and her mother when she was only four years old and Reed has witnessed the murder of his father, uncle and grandfather when he was only five. They dealt with their tragedies in different ways, Bella becoming medical aesthetician and volunteering her time with children who have also met their share of hardships, Reed becoming undercover detective with NYPD's Special Organised Crime Unit, obsessed with putting the mob responsible for his family's death behind bars. When his cover as an undercover detective is blown, he starts working for Ethan Cooke Security as a bodyguard. This changes when Bella decides to track down her father, who is from the very mob family that has killed Reed's dad. This is where Reed decides to get close to Bella to find out more about her father's involvement and the game of deception begins.

Although I was upset with Reed about all the lying he has done, I was rooting for them to make things work. They were really great together but I am happy that Bella has made him work for her forgiveness. I found that, despite the deception on Reed's part, their relationship has progressed nicely and didn't felt rushed at all. They started off as friends, both stating that the other is not their type only to find out they are perfect for each other the more time they spent together.

While some books in this series were better than others, the series as a whole is amazing and definitely recommend reading all the books in the series. It is great for someone who loves the bodyguard falling for their principal trope, I know I do! It was hinted at end of the book that there might be more books coming in this series, which I would be delighted about as I cannot get enough. Will definitely keep an eye out for new releases.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect combination of mystery, murder and wonderful love!

Reed is hardened from his time as a NYPD Special Investigations Under Cover Detective... infiltrating the Mafia Caperelli family.
The same that killed his father, grandfather and uncle when he was just under six years old.
Bella is Reed's neighbor and owner to a very large Great Dane, named Lucy.
They meet when Lucy runs from Bella's yard right into Reed's living room. At the same time, Bella receives a phone call from her PI, telling her he has found her father, who left Bella when she was just under five years old.
Unbeknownst to them both, Bella is the daughter of the family that murdered his family all those years ago.
Now Reed is looking into finding Nicoli Caperelli. What he finds out about Bella shakes him to the core!
How could this beautiful woman with the heart of gold, the sweetest, most kindloving woman be related to the most brutal killing family?
To find out how they start their amazing adventure, please read their story! You won't be sorry.. just keep the tissues handy...

[Sienna Notley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*potential spoilers!!!*
It was okay, not my favourite of the bunch. I think the idea of the story was really good but it felt like it moved really really slow. This was one of the few books where I felt like all the lying made sense, because it was important that Bella was kept as hidden as possible, but I still think Reed was playing with fire by standing her up and lying. I appreciated that when the relationship did fall apart that it took a decent amount of time for them to agree to keep trying, instead of just immediately giving in and getting back together.

Overall I think it was okay and if had some good and cute moments and I think that their backgrounds/life stories were pretty interesting, I think I just felt bored through a lot of it.

[NayNay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all Cate Beauman's books in this series, and loved them, till this book. This is hard because I liked the book but at the same time is was repetitive and a little boring. The storyline was really good. The main characters, Reed and Bella where a little too much, too sugary, too perfect. For me that took away from the story. DECEIVING BELLA was a good addition to the series, just not one of the better ones.

[Tani Garberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole mafia angle was great. The only thing that freaked me out was all the eating in bed and then no brushing of teeth. Ewww! Ha! Great series!!!

[Sharon]

Purchased in epub format from Barnes and Noble for my Nook.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book in The Bodyguards of L.A. County series in the Summer of 2016 and I was immediately hooked to this series. And I was lucky enough to be allowed to read and review the rest of this series. So when I was nearing the end of my pregnancy and was looking for something new to read (as if I didn’t have enough books waiting on me) I saw that I hadn’t read the last book in the series ‘Deceiving Bella’ yet. So obviously I had to get myself a copy and started reading as fast as I could.

In ‘Deceiving Bella’ we meet Isabella Colby. All Bella ever wanted was to have a normal life with a good career and nice friends. Now she lives in LA, she finally seems to have that life. Bella works hard and feels happy for the first time. But Bella can’t forget the one thing she has wanted for years, finding her father who disappeared on her when she was just a little girl. What Bella didn’t expect was to get distracted by her handsome new neighbor Reed McKinley. At first all they are is friends, but soon they can’t deny the attraction between them. But Reed has been keeping a secret for Bella, and Bella doesn’t seem to be as honest as well.

Since this is already the eleventh book in the series, you would have thought that the whole bodyguard thing would be getting old. But thankfully it just didn’t. I really enjoyed ‘Deceiving Bella’. Bella is a very fun character that I could relate to on some fields. Which made this book even more fun to read. And Reed was definitely a really enjoyable mysterious guy next door and I really loved reading about him.

There was only one thing about this book that I didn’t like as much. Half way through this book I found myself getting a little more distracted and less able to concentrate on what I was reading. And I honestly think that was because the story got a little ‘slow’ half way in. There just didn’t seem to be happening a lot at that point. Things could have moved a little faster for my taste. But thankfully the story soon picked up again and I just couldn’t stop reading.

What I love most about this series is the way there is a lot of romance, but also a lot of suspense. This book is definitely a perfect example of that. Especially near the end this book kept me sitting on the edge of my seat. And I definitely teared up a little. (But maybe that were the pregnancy hormones.)

If you haven’t read The Bodyguard of LA series yet, you definitely should. You can read these books as standalones, but reading them in order is the most fun.

[Nadene (Totally Addicted to Reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceiving Bella by Cate Beauman is the 11th book in the Bodyguards of LA County series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I got my first taste of the series and the author's work when I read Falling for Sarah the second book in the series. I had enjoyed it, as such when the opportunity came for me to read the latest installment, I was over the moon.
 
What I enjoyed most about this story was that the balance between the romantic and suspense elements was perfectly done. The author spent time building on the emotional aspects of the story and managed to keep me on the edge of my seat in the process.
 
The story began on an emotional high and kept that momentum to the end. From the moment I was introduced to Bella, my heart went out to her. She had been through so much as a child. Her childhood was not perfect. She grew up believing her father did not love her and was ashamed of the life her mother lived. As such she dedicated her life to helping children who had experienced pain and loss at a tender age. She had a generous heart, always willing to give a hand to those in need. As such, it came has no surprise that Reed McKinley would be attracted to her.
 
Reed had relocated to the Los Angeles area after a seventeen-year stint with the NYPD. Years which were spent seeking revenge against the Caparelli family, a quest which had consumed him and made him a shell of the man he once was. He currently works with Ethan Cooke's security firm, a job which keeps him occupied and leaves him no time for himself much less a relationship. However, he would soon find himself in a battle for his heart when he met his generous and equally gorgeous neighbour.
 
The characters were well developed. There was sufficient back story for me to establish a connection with both Reed and Bella. I understood Reed's need for revenge and the hold it had on his life. It led to a breakdown in his relationship with his mom. The need was so much that even though he was no longer a cop, he found himself embroiled in the investigation when new evidence came to light. An act that would prove detrimental to his budding relationship with Bella.
 
I enjoyed Bella's interaction with her dad. Those moments were happy and at the same time heartbreaking. I can't imagine what it must have been like for Bella. Living without her father for twenty-one years and when she is finally reunited with him only to find out he is dying. I could see how painful it was for her.
 
Reed and Bella's relationship was not without its conflicts. After weeks of trying to fight their attraction, they finally gave in. However, secrets threatened to destroy their newfound happiness.
 
The story moved at a steady pace. It was tied up nicely and there were no loose ends. The story flowed seamlessly. It demonstrated that things are not always black and white. Not because something appears to be correct, it does not necessarily mean that it's so. Also, it showed the devastating effects that secrets can have on a relationship.
 
 
VERDICT: This was an enjoyable read and one which I highly recommend.

[Angela Withrow TheArdentReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed McKinley is looking forward to a new life. One with a little less danger than he is used to. He moves to a new city all the way across the country.
He meets an adorable new neighbor, Lucy, a Great Dane who wandered into his open door as he was moving.

Isabella Colby did not have a normal childhood. After her father left, things were never the same and rarely good. Now she finally has a good life. A great dog
and she just met a new gorgeous new neighbor, thanks to her wayward puppy Lucy!
Neither of these neighbors is looking for a relationship right now, but friends are always good to have.
Reed is an ex-cop, who was under deep cover and now just wants to relax a bit. His old friend from home, just won't let their previous undercover work in the mafia go.

I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. The mystery was great, an excellent story line and a great plot. Someone commented it was too long..umm, that is an oxymoron. No good book is too long in my opinion! LOL My beef with the book were the main characters. They were just too perfect. And the amount of coincidence is a bit suspect as well. But as the story progressed, I got over that.
The rest of the story, the characters, the plot and the climax were all very well done. I just couldn't get over te perfect beautiful girl falls for the perfect gorgeous guy. I'm sure I am being too picky! I am certain, however, that you will love his story. I did. I would give it 4.45 stars.
I have not read any of the other books in this series,now I'm going to have to!

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does say that it can be read as a standalone, but is better if you read the series as a whole. I completely agree! I jumped straight in, with this book. It was excellent as a single read, but I will definitely go back and read the others. The story, as a whole, was great on its own and made perfect sense, as well having good flow. I would love to just go back and read the others to see how much they overlap and just how brilliant a series it is.

I found the story had great flow, as I mentioned. It started out slowe, but then picked up and became a great, suspenseful read. The characters and background had been built up well, during the start, so the rest of the read could throw surprises at us and we could guess and hope what would happen, all because we were given a great base.

I liked the characters and found it a lot of fun to get to know each one. They had a great deal of detail and personality, making them very real and easy to connect with, which is important in a fast, action read, with such a brilliant level of suspense.

Overall, I would highly recommend not only this book, but this author, as a whole.

** I received this book for free and voluntarily provided my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all let me say that I absolutely LOVE this series. Each book was a winner to me. But this book is absolutely the best one of the series. If I could give it 10 stars I would. I never wanted to stop reading it. The characters were highly developed; the secondary characters were strong as well with just the right amount of intrigue to make you wonder how many of them will we see in the next book. The story line while sad with both H/h having to take traumatic journeys through their childhood years, helped to mold them into the adults they were today. Just when you think you had a handle on the story, something else happens. My only regret is that I'm finished with the story and have to wait until the next one comes out. This is definitely one I will read again and again; and trust me, there are not too many books that get a second read from me. Romantic, suspenseful, heart-wrenching, apprehensive, happiness, many emotions felt throughout this book not only by the characters but also by the reader. It's what makes a for a great book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how Cate Beauman manages to keep me on the edge of my seat when reading her books. I know the characters will break up after one of them hurts the other and after fighting their feelings they'll end up getting their happily ever after. I know that the female character will be kidnapped near the end of the book and the bodyguard will save her at the last second. I know that the male characters will be hardened and a bit closed off before they meet the woman that will step in and change their lives. I know all of this yet I STILL LOVE HER BOOKS SO MUCH!!

She always has a fun, interesting storyline to push the bodyguard agenda along, whether it be the mob, sex trafficking, Russia, etc. You know the author has done a great job when she manages to bring tears to the reader because they're so connected to a character.

I'm saddened that I'm all up to date on the Bodyguard and I have to wait until Ms. Beauman decides to put out another installment in the series.

[Merle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've deducted a star from this review because of the length of this story. I understand that the twists and turns had to happen, but it took a little too long! However, I liked this one. Reed and Bella needed to meet each other and needed each other to heal. Reed is a former NYPD detective who spent too long undercover, and Bella Colby is a young woman who lived in a happy home for a short time and a very unhappy one later on. She's not let it turn her hard or cynical, while Reed has armored himself against any emotion.

Buried in all of the emotion is a pretty good mob-chase story, and the fact that one-half of this duo is engaged in behavior that makes the other convinced of a totally wrong idea - wait, that actually applies to both of them. There is deception done from love here, and it happens more than once.

It takes a long time to arrive at their HEA, but they do.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deceiving Bella

Deceiving Bella is the latest book in The Bodyguards of LA series by Cate Beauman. Bella has been deceived her whole life regarding her father. He left to keep her and her mother safe. As an adult, she finally locates him, only to find quickly that he has cancer. She also has a new male friend, that blossoms into romance. Reed is in former NYPD detective now working as a bodyguard in LA. An unresolved case intersects with his new life when he finds that a mafia family member is related to Bella, but she is unaware. Now they must do everything they can to keep her safe without revealing too much. But secrets always have a way of coming out and lead to heartache. Don't miss this wonderful story!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and I loved this book, her characters are so real. This book made me laugh and cry.
Bella always wanted a normal life, she finely gets it in the Palisades. She has a thriving career as a top skincare specialist and lots of good friends. Then one day her Great Dane puppy Lucy ran into her new neighbors condo.
Reed had worked as a NYPD detective and was undercover for 7 years until he and his partner got shot and almost died. He quit to move out to LA to work for Ethan Cooke Security and to be closer to his Mom and Aunt. Then one day a Great Dane puppy ran into his condo along with her beautiful owner.
Reed, Bella and Lucy became fast friends, but they both were keeping secrets that could get them both killed.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I have read the entire series and eagerly await the next book. Bella was the perfect heroine. I loved how she interacted with her absent father and came to grips with her past. Reed was the perfect hero. Ms. Beauman knows how to write alpha heroes without going over the top.. This book has engaging characters, steamy romance, edge of your seat action, hold your breath suspense, everything you look for in a romantic suspense book. While this book is part of the bodyguard series, each book can be read as a stand alone, but I am betting once you read one, you will quickly read the whole series. I highly recommend this book.

[Maari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your head will spin at times, with all of these turns!
Although this is book eleven, in the Bodyguards of L.A. County series, it can be read as a stand-alone. This is the first book that I have read by this Author, so of course, the only book that I have read in this series. ;) Ms. Beauman keeps you guessing and ensures that there is nothing predictable about her tale. I recommend this suspenseful read to anyone who enjoys staying on your toes, on your way to a happy ending! I will be watching for more from this Author.

[Sparkymom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I love this author and love this series, but this book was super slow for me. It's not that it wasn't a good book, but I read this series for the suspense and danger/action. The action/danger in this story didn't kick in until about 95%. If you like some intrigue, drama, and angst, you will likely enjoy this. There were so many characters I enjoyed, but it just wasn't what I was looking for.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I look forward to all of Cate's books. This one seemed a little long at first but to tell Bella and Reed's story it had to be. If you a good story with mystery and a little romance you will enjoy everyone in The Bodyguards of L.A. County Series.

Thank you Cate. I can't wait for the next one.:)

[Mrs H R Gillett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read.

What a brilliant book. Had me staying up late reading. Tears were shed (by me) in a few places. Have read all books in the series and I think this is the best so far. Reed and Bellas story is complicated and draws you in from the start.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Cate Beauman. I really enjoyed it. She makes you fall in love with the characters in the story. It has everything you want in a book. Suspense, romance, a bit of an emotional roller coaster! I was sad to have it end! I can't wait to read more of her books.

[Tiffany Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! My favorite of this series.

This will not disappoint. The story moves quickly. The characters are likable and well developed. It's well researched and believable. Lot's of twists and turns. You won't be able to put it down

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Not enough stars to truly rate this book. Best book I've read in a long time. It's everything romantic suspense needs, plus it's 682 pages.

[E.M. Shue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I loved the story and it kept me hooked. I was surprised by some of the story lines but in a good way.

[Hope Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Bella and Reed's story. It may be my favorite of the series. Can't wait to see who is next.

[Donna Kranz]

Loved it.

[Di · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Could not stand the main me character and how forgiving the main female charter was. Least favorite of all her books.