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Royce Lie Detectors #3
The Wicked Ways of a True Hero
THE Lies are undeniable— but the truth is harder to see...
Daniel Stamfield has become invaluable to the British Army for his ability to detect the truth from the enemy’s lies. After years of service, Daniel finally takes a respite for some wine, wenches, and wagering. Unfortunately, he didn’t bet on the lovely Miss Corisande Abbott and her unsavory reputation to swagger back into his life.
But as time passes, Daniel realizes he wants to make an honest woman of Corey—and an honest man of himself.
Daniel Stamfield has become invaluable to the British Army for his ability to detect the truth from the enemy’s lies. After years of service, Daniel finally takes a respite for some wine, wenches, and wagering. Unfortunately, he didn’t bet on the lovely Miss Corisande Abbott and her unsavory reputation to swagger back into his life.
But as time passes, Daniel realizes he wants to make an honest woman of Corey—and an honest man of himself.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 2, 2009
19 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Metzger
93 books200 followersBarbara Metzger is the author of over three dozen books and a dozen novellas. She has also been an editor, a proof-reader, a greeting card verse-writer, and an artist. When not painting, writing romances or reading them, she volunteers at the local library, gardens and goes beach-combing and yard-saling.
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
Her novels, mostly set in Regency-era England, have won numerous awards, including the Romance Writers of America RITA, the National Reader's Choice Award, and the Madcap award for humor in romance writing. In addition, Barbara has won two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine.
Source: http://www.barbarametzger.com/about_b...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 26, 2009
Barbara Metzger's regencies are full of fun and humor. Her heroines need a bit of rescuing, but so do her heros--just in a different way. "The Wicked Ways of a True Hero" is the third connected novel about a family whose sons have the 'special' inherited trait of being able to, in different ways, sense lies and deceit.
Daniel has become something of a dissipated scoundrel since his release from the military. He spends his time gambling, drinking, and consorting with loose women. But he knows his freedom to carouse is about to be cut short because his mother and sister are coming to London for the season. If that weren't bad enough, they're bringing his sister's friend and mother's god-daughter...the same girl he had to retrieve from an inn while trying to elope with a no-good cad! What can his mother be thinking?
Corie has despised Daniel ever since he foiled her youthful escape from her abusive father. And the things she's heard about his life since the military certainly don't change her mind. But living in the same house in London and seeing how he cares for his mother and sister and protects them...and even her despite his opinion of her, may just change her mind.
I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have all the rest by Barbara Metzger. I didn't particularly like Corine OR Daniel. Corine came across as more witless than winning and Daniel seemed rather slow. I also missed the normally sparkling banter I'm used to from this author. The relationship between the main characters suffered from a constant lack of communication and that bugged me. They didn't blow hot and cold...they just blew cold and then all of a sudden realized they cared for each other. That just doesn't work for me.
"The Wicked Ways of a True Hero" is a G-rated romance whose sex scenes are more along the lines of make-out sessions. I would have no problem letting a young teen read this as well as most other of Metzger's works. But to be blunt, I'd recommend they start with her House of Cards trilogy which I found fabulous from start to finish.
Daniel has become something of a dissipated scoundrel since his release from the military. He spends his time gambling, drinking, and consorting with loose women. But he knows his freedom to carouse is about to be cut short because his mother and sister are coming to London for the season. If that weren't bad enough, they're bringing his sister's friend and mother's god-daughter...the same girl he had to retrieve from an inn while trying to elope with a no-good cad! What can his mother be thinking?
Corie has despised Daniel ever since he foiled her youthful escape from her abusive father. And the things she's heard about his life since the military certainly don't change her mind. But living in the same house in London and seeing how he cares for his mother and sister and protects them...and even her despite his opinion of her, may just change her mind.
I have to admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have all the rest by Barbara Metzger. I didn't particularly like Corine OR Daniel. Corine came across as more witless than winning and Daniel seemed rather slow. I also missed the normally sparkling banter I'm used to from this author. The relationship between the main characters suffered from a constant lack of communication and that bugged me. They didn't blow hot and cold...they just blew cold and then all of a sudden realized they cared for each other. That just doesn't work for me.
"The Wicked Ways of a True Hero" is a G-rated romance whose sex scenes are more along the lines of make-out sessions. I would have no problem letting a young teen read this as well as most other of Metzger's works. But to be blunt, I'd recommend they start with her House of Cards trilogy which I found fabulous from start to finish.
September 11, 2011
This series is so sweet, so dear, so utterly guilelessly charming - I can't describe it. The premise (family of people who can distinguish truth from lies, through various physical signals) is deliberately lighthearted, and it matches the rest perfectly.
Daniel, here. He gets rashes when someone lies. (At one point, he pre-emptively powders his genitals to help prevent the itch.) Going out to a social event is hell, just pure hell - all those polite social falsities make him scratchy for days.
Daniel meets Corie, hijinks ensue, blah blah blah romance novel, yes.
& subtly entwined in all that is a lot of seriousness - so quietly it doesn't unhinge the light tone of the story, but deepens it - is a long conversation about a woman's powerlessness. Ostensibly the story of this woman against her abusive family and unlucky fate, but - a little deeper - about all women whose powerlessness is reinforced by society and written into law and trained into everything they do.
Except, you know, not in my heavy-handed feminism. In the funny kind.
(9-10 to 9-11)
Daniel, here. He gets rashes when someone lies. (At one point, he pre-emptively powders his genitals to help prevent the itch.) Going out to a social event is hell, just pure hell - all those polite social falsities make him scratchy for days.
Daniel meets Corie, hijinks ensue, blah blah blah romance novel, yes.
& subtly entwined in all that is a lot of seriousness - so quietly it doesn't unhinge the light tone of the story, but deepens it - is a long conversation about a woman's powerlessness. Ostensibly the story of this woman against her abusive family and unlucky fate, but - a little deeper - about all women whose powerlessness is reinforced by society and written into law and trained into everything they do.
Except, you know, not in my heavy-handed feminism. In the funny kind.
(9-10 to 9-11)
August 25, 2016
When she was younger, Corisande Abbot ran away with a scoundrel just to get away from her abusive father and the old man he would force her to marry. Her father enlisted the help of their neighbor, Daniel Stamfield, to find her and bring her back home. Daniel found Corie in bed with the guy and forcefully sent the guy back to war and Corie back to her father. Several years later, Daniel's mother and sister ask Corie to accompany them for Susanna's first Season. Still desperate to get away from her father, Corie agrees--only to realize in horror that Daniel is going to be chaperoning them all. He is entranced by her beauty but sure she's a mercenary loose woman; she is uncomfortably attracted to him but thinks he's a brawler and a drunk. They're both marginally correct, but of course, given that this is a romance novel, they're both pretty good people at heart. Over the course of the Season Corie and Daniel fall in love against their better judgement, and eventually foil a forgery ring and get married.
This book felt really sloppy to me. Plot threads and characters are just kinda dropped. Corie writes letter after letter to old friends, but nothing comes of them. There are all these clues dropped that something hinky is going on with Corie's dowry, but that's never resolved. Every single bad or underhanded thing that occurs during the book is traced back to just one character (this is a problem I've noted in several of Metzger's novels before). In the last few chapters, every single non-attached character is revealed to be in love and engaged with someone, from Susanna (there were no clues that she was in love with her parson, and she basically disappeared for half the novel) to a lord marrying a pregnant dairymaid. There are actually a few interesting things in this book that could've been explored, like how Daniel finds the transition between carousing layabout to an upright government investigator, and what that means for his former friendships and habits. Or whether the government is unhappy that his public talk about forgeries basically led to a run on the banks. Or the tension Corie feels between how attractive she finds Daniel and her horror of being thought whorish. In the book it just comes across as an excuse for her to get mad at him every time he looks good or they kiss, but done less clumsily it could've been an exploration of the variety of roles and messages that gentlewomen in Regency society were attuned to.
Most of the characters are very stupid and seem to purposefully misunderstand each other. Daniel gets itches, rashes, and even welts in the presence of lies, yet it takes him an absurdly long time to believe Corie. And Corie continually believes the worst of Daniel, even when she's supposedly in love with him. Corie is a character I could've warmed to, but never did. Her father drinks and is physically abusive to her, and she continually lambasts Daniel for getting into fights (each and every one of which is in service of her or the Crown, not that she ever gives him a chance to say so), yet she throws things and hits Daniel! And never once feels bad about it, or worries that she's emulating her father. This hypocrisy and lack of self-reflection is emblematic of all her conduct. She assumes the worst of Daniel time after time, long after any reasonable person would've started giving him the benefit of the doubt. Characters come to realizations or decisions, then seemingly forget them a few pages later. I found it a tiring book, and probably would've given up on it had I anything better to read.
This book felt really sloppy to me. Plot threads and characters are just kinda dropped. Corie writes letter after letter to old friends, but nothing comes of them. There are all these clues dropped that something hinky is going on with Corie's dowry, but that's never resolved. Every single bad or underhanded thing that occurs during the book is traced back to just one character (this is a problem I've noted in several of Metzger's novels before). In the last few chapters, every single non-attached character is revealed to be in love and engaged with someone, from Susanna (there were no clues that she was in love with her parson, and she basically disappeared for half the novel) to a lord marrying a pregnant dairymaid. There are actually a few interesting things in this book that could've been explored, like how Daniel finds the transition between carousing layabout to an upright government investigator, and what that means for his former friendships and habits. Or whether the government is unhappy that his public talk about forgeries basically led to a run on the banks. Or the tension Corie feels between how attractive she finds Daniel and her horror of being thought whorish. In the book it just comes across as an excuse for her to get mad at him every time he looks good or they kiss, but done less clumsily it could've been an exploration of the variety of roles and messages that gentlewomen in Regency society were attuned to.
Most of the characters are very stupid and seem to purposefully misunderstand each other. Daniel gets itches, rashes, and even welts in the presence of lies, yet it takes him an absurdly long time to believe Corie. And Corie continually believes the worst of Daniel, even when she's supposedly in love with him. Corie is a character I could've warmed to, but never did. Her father drinks and is physically abusive to her, and she continually lambasts Daniel for getting into fights (each and every one of which is in service of her or the Crown, not that she ever gives him a chance to say so), yet she throws things and hits Daniel! And never once feels bad about it, or worries that she's emulating her father. This hypocrisy and lack of self-reflection is emblematic of all her conduct. She assumes the worst of Daniel time after time, long after any reasonable person would've started giving him the benefit of the doubt. Characters come to realizations or decisions, then seemingly forget them a few pages later. I found it a tiring book, and probably would've given up on it had I anything better to read.
December 23, 2017
The cover of this book totally cracks me up. Look at the pretty man. About the first thing we learn about Our Hero is that he gets a rash when people lie, and that he was thrown out of Almacks for scratching his arse. Also, he's scruffy unless someone else dresses him, his nose has been broken numerous times, and his best feature is his blue eyes with black lashes. I don't know who the artist thought he was painting, but it isn't Our Hero, that's for sure.
This book is clearly part of a series, but while some of Johanna Lindsey's series books can read like, "Hey, go read this other book -- and that one -- and their story was terrific, check it out -- oh, if you're wondering how that worked, read another book," this book actually gives you the story of the hero and the heroine, and tells you what you need to know about the other characters, instead of making you feel like you came in on the last act and need a playbook to keep the characters straight. I would be happy to read the other books in the series but I was also quite happy with this one.
Not to say the number of characters isn't a bit overwhelming for someone like myself, just that it wasn't a big problem. The hero and heroine are charming, as are many of the secondary characters, and although I couldn't always keep track of the tertiary characters all that closely, when I wasn't dead sure where someone came from, either it never mattered enough I cared, or the author gave me a hint and I got then back into the right slot again.
This book is clearly part of a series, but while some of Johanna Lindsey's series books can read like, "Hey, go read this other book -- and that one -- and their story was terrific, check it out -- oh, if you're wondering how that worked, read another book," this book actually gives you the story of the hero and the heroine, and tells you what you need to know about the other characters, instead of making you feel like you came in on the last act and need a playbook to keep the characters straight. I would be happy to read the other books in the series but I was also quite happy with this one.
Not to say the number of characters isn't a bit overwhelming for someone like myself, just that it wasn't a big problem. The hero and heroine are charming, as are many of the secondary characters, and although I couldn't always keep track of the tertiary characters all that closely, when I wasn't dead sure where someone came from, either it never mattered enough I cared, or the author gave me a hint and I got then back into the right slot again.
June 12, 2019
This is the final part of a trilogy that is one part funny, one part mystery and one part paranormal. OK, I was happy with everything except the paranormal.
Daniel is a womanizing, drinking, gambling bachelor who is forced to mend his ways when his mother and sister decide to come to London for the Season. They bring along the mother's goddaughter, who is also looking for a husband.
Daniel and the goddaughter, Corisande Abbott, have an unfortunate past history. Daniel helped Mr. Abbott snatch Corie from the arms of her lover and return her to her father's home, without ever asking a question of Corie. She now hates Daniel.
There was lots of humor but I thought some of the humor went flat when Daniel had so many 'itches in his britches' when he lied. Suddenly, Daniel became a counterfeit detector midway through the book. This story did not read like a complete novel but episodic snatches put together.
To be fair, I have not read the previous novels and that may have something to do with my dissatisfaction. 3.5 stars
Royce Lie Detectors
1. Truly Yours (2007)
2. The Scandalous Life of a True Lady (2008)
** 3. The Wicked Ways of a True Hero (2009)
Daniel is a womanizing, drinking, gambling bachelor who is forced to mend his ways when his mother and sister decide to come to London for the Season. They bring along the mother's goddaughter, who is also looking for a husband.
Daniel and the goddaughter, Corisande Abbott, have an unfortunate past history. Daniel helped Mr. Abbott snatch Corie from the arms of her lover and return her to her father's home, without ever asking a question of Corie. She now hates Daniel.
There was lots of humor but I thought some of the humor went flat when Daniel had so many 'itches in his britches' when he lied. Suddenly, Daniel became a counterfeit detector midway through the book. This story did not read like a complete novel but episodic snatches put together.
To be fair, I have not read the previous novels and that may have something to do with my dissatisfaction. 3.5 stars
Royce Lie Detectors
1. Truly Yours (2007)
2. The Scandalous Life of a True Lady (2008)
** 3. The Wicked Ways of a True Hero (2009)
January 14, 2015
The Wicked Ways of a True Hero by Barbara Metzger is a delightful romp through the “London Social Season” for the reader. For our reluctant hero, Daniel Stanfield, it’s pure torture. The debutantes and their match-making mothers are bad enough, but all those little white lies that one must say almost hourly make Daniel break out in hives and rashes and occasionally one has to scratch but not there, and definitely not in public. His mother and sister have come to London for the Season and he has to be their escort and the escort of his mother’s goddaughter, Corrie Abbott. Years earlier Daniel had ridden with Corrie’s father to prevent an elopement with a fortune-hunting cad. That Corrie had excellent reasons for wanting to escape her father was not known to Daniel at the time. Unfortunately, portions of that adventure keep turning up in Society gossip and the Stanfields must rally to protect Corrie, no matter the rashes, sneezes or other problems caused by lies. Fortunately love triumphs and Daniel finds a manner to use his talents that does not irritate his skin.
March 29, 2011
As the second of this series that I have read, I must say I was still surprised that it stayed appropriate. I will admit that there is one scene, while very little happens, I wouldn't let my 14-year-old daughter read (that is, if I had one). Anyway, I would still call it clean. I would also consider it a very good book. Not quite as good and book 2 in the series, but still very enjoyable. Daniel is a wonderful reforming rake who is finally having his responsibilities thrust upon him. Corie is a strong young woman, but desperate to fulfill her plans. It felt a little Shakespearean in that there were so many couples - but that just makes it better in my opinion. I would definitely recommend this book and I personally can't wait to finally read book one in this series.
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May 26, 2009
In spite of the cheesy cover, this is a goood read. Daniel has a talent where he can tell lies. The only problem is that he breaks out in a rash or worse. His whole family has a similar gift. They must be fun at parties! He is attracted to Corie, who is upset over an incident in an earlier book. This story has humor and is fun to read. There is very little sex. Maybe there will be a sequel for his sister?
October 15, 2012
I loved this book. I love the whole series. The hero, Daniel, is a terrific character, who breaks out in a rash when anyone, including himself, lies. The Heroine is of course misunderstood, and his understanding of her and her situation takes a long time to work out. Meanwhile a counterfeiting ring must be stopped or England could be plunged into a financial disaster. A unique story and characters, with a satisfying ending. What more could a reader ask for?
January 19, 2013
I'm a fan of Ms Metzger's work. Her books are light and fun. This one was in the same vein, but I was bothered that the heroine disliked the hero so vehemently and for so long. Worth a read, just not my favorite.
August 8, 2013
I loved the series. However, the heroine in this was my least favorite. While I ultimately felt sorry for her I never liked her or grasped the hero's interest in her. But I loved the hero and supporting characters.
September 25, 2009
Regency
Want to read
October 14, 2009I'll have to pick this one up an another time.
March 31, 2011
Book 3 was good also. I gave it one less star since I was not totally believing the hero in his change from rake to marriage material!!
February 2, 2012
A very enjoyable read.
August 27, 2012
I kept waiting for the truth to be revealed about the death of Corie's mother but it was never resolved.
Currently reading
September 8, 2013the lies are undeniable but the truth is harder to see
June 14, 2014
The last of the truth trilogy is about Daniel who gets itchy rashes when he hears lies. Enjoyable story with true love, intrigue, and humor.
March 13, 2015
Poor Daniel--he inherited the worst trait! Nice series.
November 8, 2021
First read 2010. Second read 2015. Third read Jan 2017.
April 11, 2017
This might have been my favorite of the series because I liked the hero. He felt like the bumbling ox in his family with an embarrassing way of knowing a lie when he hears it, but still does the right thing for his family.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews