Deceit

Beastly Tales #2

by M.J. Haag

**Adult Romance**
Safely hidden within the estate’s enchanted walls, Benella no longer has time to fear her tormentors. She’s too preoccupied attempting to determine what makes the beast so beastly. It might be the taxing visits from the aged enchantress who cursed him or his growing vexation at not being allowed to touch Benella.

In order to gain her freedom, she must find a way to break the curse, but first, she must help him become a better man while protecting her heart.

**Intended for adult readers due to sexual situations, violence, and moderate language.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Retellings, Beauty and The Beast, Paranormal, Fairy Tales, Magic

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2015

About the author

MJ Haag is the bestselling author of the Beastly Tales and the Resurrection Chronicles. Writing as both MJ Haag and Melissa Haag, she has sold more than three hundred thousand copies worldwide and authored several other series, including the Judgement of the Six and Of Fates and Furies.

She thinks bios written in third person are hilariously pretentious and doesn't take much in life seriously, including her author photo.

She lives in Wisconsin with her three children and husband.

Connect with the Author:
Website
Instagram
Facebook

Check out her YA books at melissahaag.com

Reviews

[Mischenko]

DNF - I just can't get into this one at all. The first book was okay, but this one isn't for me. There's more character development and the beast is better explained, but this is too weird for me. I'll end the series here...

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of my favourite retelling's of beauty and the beast it is just so well written and the characters feel so real.

Happy Reading 📓📗📚📒📘📓📙📚📕📚📓📒📘📔📗📖📚📙📕📚📓📗📒📘📔📗📖

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread December 2017. I still love this one.


----------------------

It is beyond cruel to leave me hanging like that!!! Evil author!

Seriously, I loved this one even more than the first book. Amazing

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio - 5 stars
Story - 4 stars

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣ · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

Ok! Deceit and Devastation kept me up until 6.30 a.m. and not for the right reasons.

First of all, I fail to understand why there are three books. As I see it, it's just one book split into three parts.

Second, if I liked Depravity, the second book walks the fine line between it was ok and did not like. And mostly because...



Benella seems on verge of getting raped every other chapter. And I find that forced and unrealistic. How little self preservation can one have to continuously put oneself in dangerous situations?!

Beauty's attempted rape by the baker (with witnesses who just stand there for the show) is disgusting. It made my skin crawl. I knew it would happen from reading GR reviews and throughout the book I felt anguish and could not enjoy even the decent parts of it - try as I might my sleep-fogged mind doesn't remember any of those, but there ought to have been some).

Anyway, the 4+ rating on this book is a mystery to me.

[Ash Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book...no. I never thought I'd have to say this but I don't know if we can be friends any longer Melissa Haag. You have severely devastated me this time. In an utterly brilliant twist of fate, you did something that I never saw coming. **here's me clapping my hands while drying my face at the same time**
Few books can illicit such a torrent of emotions, and I have to say that despite the fact I'm once again left aching to know what happens, I am happy to have the chance to read this far, and will not stage a riot in the meantime:) If you thought you knew Beauty and the Beast, and thought it couldn't get better, think again. Read The Beastly Tales and discover a new legend to haunt your dreams.
5 stars for this ARC read
***Free copy without any review requested, but I can't leave a girl hanging so here it is.***

[kelly {BookCrushin} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come closer to release date, I beta read this & LOVED IT! This is a serial release novel but it is lengthy and well worth it! SMOKING HOT TOO!

Full review posted on BookCrushin on 7/22/15!

Deceit is the second part, of the three part serial, The Beastly Tales and this may contain minor spoilers from book 1, Depravity: A Beauty and the Beast Novel (Beastly Tales Book 1). Deceit blew me away and I felt like there was so much going on in part 2 of this series that I am not sure how much I can say without spoiling everything! We pick up exactly where we left off in Depravity, and we find Benella and the beast in a quite a game of cat & mouse. He wants her for way more than just helping to break his curse.

Benella is growing into such a strong independent woman in part 2. She is seeking knowledge to help free the beast as well as continuing to try and help her struggling family. She is so good natured and her heart is kind that she continually tries to find the best in everyone around her even those who have done her harm in the past. She also has such a talent for defusing situations, which makes her perfect for the beast, however some of her ideas do tend to put him in more of a fury at times!

This book had such great character building, I found myself loving everyone Benella did and her emotions and frustration had me transfixed. I can say that I am not nearly as patient or as forgiving as Benella. I would never have put up with that BS as much as she did. I think her ability to see nothing but the good in people may have also blinded her to the real awfulness inside them and caused her to get into a little too much trouble. The relationship growth in this book was just so enjoyable and we find that Benella is totally falling for the beast which is expected, this is a fairy tale we all know, right?

One thing that this fairy tale is not, is for kids! This second part is way more naughty and mature than book 1. I am talking about some serious face fanning going on! There are also some heated sexual and violent scenes in this book too. So please, please be aware of that going into this book/series.

I will say one thing that can be spoiler-ish all on it’s own, but I have to just get it off my chest, that there is a crazy cliffhanger! But it’s a serial release, of course there is a cliffhanger! Luckily we only have to wait a month before we get to read Devesatation, the conclusion of the Beastly Tales! Seriously, this ending was nothing short of devastating. I never wanted to throw my eReader more than I did after I finished this book…the anger overcame me and it was hard to move onto another book for a good long while.

I know fairy tale retellings are very popular these days, but I implore you to give this series a go! It is so much fun and well worth the read–even if I wanted to toss my Kindle at the end!

[Brittney Andrews (beabookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time the Beast mentions Rose the 70-year-old lady he must pleasure for one night in order to break his enchantment and return to his human form, this is all that I can see:



See my full review of Depravity, the first book.

[Verónica Fleitas Solich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ridiculously entertaining.
You don't have to wait much longer than the premise promises, this story is what it is and it does the job.
The plot advances and takes shape.
I'm already with the third installment.

[Bon Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, things started to move forward... a little :) Enough for this story to become quite enjoyable.

[meghann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I read this whole book in one sitting last night. The first part had me like:



Then the second part had me going:





And then that ending just:



So now I'm trying really hard to get all my stuff done today before I buy the third book and read it all in one sitting.

[Rebecca Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOWZA...part 2 is full of trial and error, acceptance, love, deciet, mistrust, pain, and devastation...Benella adjusts to her new surroundings in the Beasts estate. He is rough, unkept, brash, selfish and used to getting his way. With her soft touch, honesty, and sheer will power she learns to make her surroundings her home. Part two provides answers but also arises more questions. Will she survive what the Beast has in store for her?

[Tandie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Beasty Boy is a bit voyeuristic and has a bad temper, some redeeming qualities too. Beauty is a total martyr. She's totally passive about assaults & violence in her own community, weak! At this point, I like Beastie a lot better than the girlie. I even like the two harem ladies. They're like her spirit guides/mother figures without any personal boundaries.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best retelling's of beauty and the beast I have ever read the audiobook is equally good too.

[Shasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! The emotions covered in this book will bring you up and down. The heroine has a strong sense of right and wrong and is curious in an innocent way. The hero is hot and cold but begins to make changes because of her influence.

I would classify this as erotica, monster at that, because the hero is a beast.

The cliffhanger tore my heart and I can't wait for book 3!

Mature content including attempted rape and f/f tension

[Kira Simion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, well, okay. It had some action and some tension, but even those moments, as unrealistic as they were, were little and while some with some suspense, not the best of reasoning as to how they happened.

Also everyone was an asshole who used the main character and sometimes she definitely could’ve avoided it but didn’t and then did the exact same mistake a few pages later??

[Gi's Spot Reviews]

H rapes OW... :(
Self note:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[booknuts_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

EEEEEEEWWWW NOOOOOOOOO!!!! GRROOOOOSSS!!! This is more of Beauty and Beastiality

Yup definitely DID NOT FINISH.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

So you might notice that the review for book 2 comes very close after book 1. I can basically sum up the review with this one statement. Book threes review will shortly follow. That's right book 2 continued the amazingly blunt, open, full of amazing and terrifying things story. The cliffhanger ending in book 1 is nothing compared to this one! I also want to applaud Benella for thinking up the way to break the curse and instead of keeping it to herself and keeping the beast (as she is in love with him by this point) she tells him the truth and accepts that he might change back and discard her or he might still love and want her. It was brave and selfless and I wonder if in book 3 she will regret it. Oh, and on a side note, I agree with the beast on how she should deal with her sisters.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up where Depravity leaves off. I won’t say where you are, but I will say that this is the time where the beast has her to himself and he is trying to woo her. Kind of. He needs her to help him to break his curse. So she is doing everything that she can to help him figure this out. She seeks out help from the Whispering Sisters, from the nymphs and tree and the enchanted creatures at the estate. Benella didn’t mind helping the Beast, she never thought that by helping him, she would find herself falling in love with him. Then one day things change….

I will go no further. I will say this IS a book that ends on a cliffhanger. Oh my goodness does it ever. I will say this really made me angry. I was cussing mad. I had a tiny moment where I didn’t think I could forgive Ms. Haag for hurting my heart the way that she did. It lasted all of a nanosecond. This second part definitely ups the ante on the first, and it is by far much naughtier. Still far from erotica, but oh so blush-inducing. And even though this book ends in a big cliffhanger, I wouldn’t suggest anyone not read it. Unless of course they can’t live with cliffhangers, then I suggest waiting a month for Devastation to come out.

Ms. Haag has taken this childhood tale and has created something VERY adult and very modern (even though its setting is in the past). Her story continues to get us more involved with the characters and more in tuned with Benella and her plight. We even root for the Beast, even if he is crude and harsh. So, would I recommend this book? Yes, I would! Read it now if you can handle the cliffhanger. WAIT, but read it later when Devastation comes out. Because believe me when I tell you that you’ll scoff at the other “popular kid’s movie” beast. He’s not beastly enough. I will give a warning though, this IS adult. This is NOT for children. This is NOT the Beauty and Beast story from your youth. This DOES contain graphic depictions of sexual acts. Therefore, consider yourself aware and don’t cry foul if you are affronted by such things.

[Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because . . .

- It is written by Melissa Haag. She is a phenomenal and imaginative writer, and her books are well written, unique, and a pleasure to read. Melissa also seems to always make me feel what her characters are feeling, whether good or bad.

- When I started reading it captured my attention,and I did not want to put it down.

- I'm loving the main character, Benella; love her practical side, her honesty, her sense of humor, her kindness, her toughness. I have a love/hate relationship with the Beast. He is so beastly, self-centered and selfish, but he is also lonely and frustrated by the curse he is under.

- Even though this book is fantasy/paranormal, the storyline is very vivid and real. I could easily picture the action, and I felt the emotions of the characters.

- I feel that the relationships in Deceit (and in the entire series) are believable and realistic; they grow and develop throughout the book.

- While reading this book I laughed, cried, smiled, was frustrated, fearful, and angry. I love it when a book evokes emotions from a reader.

- When I finished reading it, I felt so helpless and devastated for Benella. There are so many twists and turns and unexpected things in Part 2. I desperately want to read Part 3, but since it isn't out yet, I will settle for rereading Depravity and Deceit.

Another great read by MJ Haag that has turned me inside out.

Note: This book is intended for adults and has content that might offend.

[Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

No means no. Period.

Shame on this author for glorifying sexual abuse and putting a 16 year old girl in situations where she nearly gets raped, then has her forgive and sympathize with her abuser! Like, what the eff? How has this gotten so many 5 star reviews?

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't know how to rate it.
This is almost like erotica. Very strange, sexually tense relationship between Benella and the Beast.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but fun.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stepped close and rested my hand on his chest. “No man can capture me, only a beast.”

- Benella ... this turning point was so sweet!

I loved the arc of Benella and the Beast’s relationship … how it gently unfolded into something beautiful and sweet and heated and fun. The intrigue continues in Deceit as we uncover more about the Beast’s curse and Benella finds her voice living in the enchanted castle. This book is dripping with deceitful acts and brings light to the beastly ways of humanity. It is the shocking end and the uncovered truth that will have you reaching for book three, Devastation
3⭐️’s
2🌶️’s

In this installment Benella now lives with the Beast. She’s used her wit and years of trading experience to come to a deal with the Beast that she feels comfortable with. Benella is a clever girl with lots of ideas and strategies for handling the Beast’s temper and lust. The Beast is a defeated being, shrouded with insecurity and lonesomeness.

Both are stubborn. The Beast tries to resist Benella’s boundaries to appease his baser instincts. And Benella stands her ground, sometimes stirring up trouble she wasn’t ready for. But as their tiptoeing and negotiating slowly turns to play, banter and a bit of heavy petting we see a change in both of their motives. There is clear growth in both characters and their relationship and it is sweet to behold.

What I liked most about this book was the moment when the Beast started called Benella “dearest”. It was so unexpected and perfectly timed, my heart melted and I literally said, “awww!” 🥹

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING right off the bat.

There is a VERY scary and rather detailed attempted rape scene at the end of this book. It is shocking and terrifying and might not be for all readers.

Also, throughout the book, there is a lot of nudity and naughty scenes, so definitely NOT your classic Beauty and the Beast tale.

That being said, I did enjoy the writing, the characters (though I wanted to SMACK the father for raising his two other daughters so apparently poorly) and I wanted to absolutely SHAKE the sisters for being so horribly selfish and better-than-thou with their father and Benella. All I have to say to them is “Well SMELL you!” Ugh, they were so horrible! If I was the father or the only sister worth a darn, I would have given up on them AGES ago.

So, excellent writing, my suspicion of how the curse was to be broken was CORRECT (yay I feel smort!) and definitely made me want to read the final book in the trilogy. 4, it’s very adult but I like it so far, stars.

[Rowan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm usually all for beauty and the beast retellings. I knew this was a more erotic type of retelling, I'm just not sure this one's for me. I had a couple of wtf am I reading moments.
Will probably finish book 3 just to see how it ends though.

[Miriam still reading! HIATUS from GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars audio and story.
Squeeeeeee! Love this series. Moving immediately to book 3!

[Meg (booksandwinewithmeg.blog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya know, the more I think about it the story is horrible. But it really kept me reading and it pretty HAWT. There are so many ways this could be better!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deceit is book 2 of M.J. Haag's Beastly Tales series and it starts up where Depravity ends. There are even more sexual scenes than in book 1, and like before some are dark (and even strange), so be warned.

After Byle loses her sewing job, the family moves to another town where their father can continue working as a teacher but with better pay (at a place called the Whispering Sisters- which is pretty much a brothel). The house they move to is much smaller than their former and they face even more problems because of their poverty.

The Beast finally gets Benella to stay with him by threatening her family for trespassing on his land. He asks for Benella's help with breaking the enchantment placed on him, his staff and property, which they have been under for over 50 years. Despite his short temper, and demanding and selfish ways, Benella tries hard to help him break the spell. Through her efforts we find that the Beast does indeed have some redeeming qualities.

I enjoyed getting to know all the enchanted creatures that reside on the Beast's land. The women who work at the whispering sisters are kind and befriend Benella. Dryn and Byle are still very selfish though and I feel bad for their father.

A lot happens in this book, especially to Benella, and most are horrible. Her unwavering optimism blows me away. She's a very strong character but, like I've said before, she's way too forgiving. Her sisters knowingly put her in uncomfortable situations, the baker is a scummy perv who's constantly going after her, and the bothers who bully her from the first book are even more terrible. M.J. Haag definitely has a way with writing horrible situations.