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Liberty's Ladies #2
Savage Deception
PBK
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1989
62 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Lynette Vinet
22 books27 followersBorn in New Orleans, Louisiana, I have always been intrigued by the history of the city and the south. New Orleans is unique, there is no other place like it and once you’ve lived there, you can never forget the sights, sounds and smells of the city. I am also intrigued by other countries, especially Ireland and England, probably because my ancestors were born there. So, I feel it is only natural that I have combined my love of history, New Orleans, and the British Isles in many of my novels.
EMERALD DESIRE was my first novel, published in 1985, and begins in Ireland and sweeps the reader to the French Colonial city of New Orleans. That was the first book in the Emerald Trilogy, followed by EMERALD ENCHANTMENT and EMERALD ECSTASY. Eight more books followed. I am pleased that ereads.com will eventually publish my backlist of books. At the present time EMERALD DESIRE, EMERALD ENCHANTMENT and PIRATE’S BRIDE are available on Amazon Kindle.
EMERALD DESIRE was my first novel, published in 1985, and begins in Ireland and sweeps the reader to the French Colonial city of New Orleans. That was the first book in the Emerald Trilogy, followed by EMERALD ENCHANTMENT and EMERALD ECSTASY. Eight more books followed. I am pleased that ereads.com will eventually publish my backlist of books. At the present time EMERALD DESIRE, EMERALD ENCHANTMENT and PIRATE’S BRIDE are available on Amazon Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 25, 2013
Savage Deception by Lynette Vinet was originally published by Zebra and is now being re-released by Steel Magnolia Press in digital format.
Diana is encouraged to marry Kingsley by her sister, Anne. They are of the same station in life and Kingsley shows himself as a good man, but when Diana sees Tanner, a common laborer and the bastard half brother of her fiancé, she feels things she never thought were possible.
When Tanner and Diana find themselves alone, Tanner can not control his passion. But, the two are discovered in a compromising position by none other that Kingsley.
Tanner is punished and Diana is still set to marry Kingsley, so Tanner leaves the estate.
But, Diana's marriage is horrible. Kingsley abuses her and punishes her at every opportunity. When Diana's father in law discovers the truth, he banishes Kingsley from his home. But, Kingsley goes to war and dies a hero.
Now, Diana’s sister and brother in law are in trouble, and when she is told of a man that could help free her brother in law, the last person on earth she imagined seeing again was Tanner.
Tanner has never forgotten Diana. He has tried every way he knew how. Now, no longer a poor laborer, but a man of vast wealth and connections, he feels he can win Diana’s love.
Naturally, things do not start off so well for the couple. Not only are there several misunderstandings but both of them are keeping very dangerous secrets.
After Diana and Tanner marry, a marriage in name only for Diana, Tanner learns of his half brother’s cruelty to Diana and promises to show her how true love can be. Just when Diana begins to relax with Tanner and realize he really loves her and that their marriage could work, their secrets are exposed and a wedge is driven between them that they may never recover from.
This was an excellent historical romance. There were some difficult passages in the beginning, but it doesn’t last for long and then the story takes a very different turn. Watching Tanner win Diana over is sighing worthy.
The war and the intrigue that Tanner and Diana are involved in, makes the book suspenseful and toward the end when a huge twist comes into play, you will find you are on pins and needles.
Tanner is just dreamy. Wow! What a guy. Diana wasn’t one of those whining females either. She started out being a bit fragile which was perfectly understandable, but she really grows as a person and with Tanner’s love and patience becomes confident.
This book was so entertaining and how I wish, wish, wish they still wrote historical romances like this one.
I am so happy that Steel Magnolia Press is releasing many of Lynette’s backlist in digital format.
Diana is encouraged to marry Kingsley by her sister, Anne. They are of the same station in life and Kingsley shows himself as a good man, but when Diana sees Tanner, a common laborer and the bastard half brother of her fiancé, she feels things she never thought were possible.
When Tanner and Diana find themselves alone, Tanner can not control his passion. But, the two are discovered in a compromising position by none other that Kingsley.
Tanner is punished and Diana is still set to marry Kingsley, so Tanner leaves the estate.
But, Diana's marriage is horrible. Kingsley abuses her and punishes her at every opportunity. When Diana's father in law discovers the truth, he banishes Kingsley from his home. But, Kingsley goes to war and dies a hero.
Now, Diana’s sister and brother in law are in trouble, and when she is told of a man that could help free her brother in law, the last person on earth she imagined seeing again was Tanner.
Tanner has never forgotten Diana. He has tried every way he knew how. Now, no longer a poor laborer, but a man of vast wealth and connections, he feels he can win Diana’s love.
Naturally, things do not start off so well for the couple. Not only are there several misunderstandings but both of them are keeping very dangerous secrets.
After Diana and Tanner marry, a marriage in name only for Diana, Tanner learns of his half brother’s cruelty to Diana and promises to show her how true love can be. Just when Diana begins to relax with Tanner and realize he really loves her and that their marriage could work, their secrets are exposed and a wedge is driven between them that they may never recover from.
This was an excellent historical romance. There were some difficult passages in the beginning, but it doesn’t last for long and then the story takes a very different turn. Watching Tanner win Diana over is sighing worthy.
The war and the intrigue that Tanner and Diana are involved in, makes the book suspenseful and toward the end when a huge twist comes into play, you will find you are on pins and needles.
Tanner is just dreamy. Wow! What a guy. Diana wasn’t one of those whining females either. She started out being a bit fragile which was perfectly understandable, but she really grows as a person and with Tanner’s love and patience becomes confident.
This book was so entertaining and how I wish, wish, wish they still wrote historical romances like this one.
I am so happy that Steel Magnolia Press is releasing many of Lynette’s backlist in digital format.
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March 26, 2020🎁 The Liberty's Ladies Novels (2 book series) is FREE on Amazon today (3/26/2020)! 🎁
April 28, 2014
well written story. favorite character would be Tanner, hands down!
August 1, 2023
Diana was supposed to marry Kingsley Sheridan, but she finds herself drawn to his illegitimate half-brother, Tanner. Tanner is the overseer of the slaves at Briarhaven and he also longs for Diana at first sight. When Diana and Tanner are caught in a compromising position at a ball, Tanner is beaten and exiled. Diana learns that Kingsley still wants to marry her, but he will make her life a living hell. He beats her, gloats about his escapades with prostitutes and makes her engage in degrading sex (not described). At one point, Harlan (the men's father) interrupts a beating and throws Kingsley out.
Some time later (years?), they receive word that Kingsley has died in the American Revolution. Diana learns that their home is the only one not burnt to the ground by the British. However, she still must quarter the British troops, particularly a captain who has designs on her. At this point, Diana is acting as a spy, listening to the conversations in her house and then passing on the information to the Patriots. She learns that she has an anonymous benefactor who has demanded that Briarhaven be saved and that she is not to be touched.
Soon she learns that Tanner is the rich man behind all of this. He still wants Diana, though he thinks that she betrayed him. Diana, terrified of sex, says that she will be a widow forever. However, Tanner blackmails her in a way and she relents. The rest of this romance deals with some espionage and the giant misunderstandings between the two.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I liked the background of the American Revolution and how Tanner and Diana tried to make their relationship work despite them being on different sides. I also liked how Tanner was a mysterious character from the previous book and I was not expecting that. There were villains trying to keep the two apart, particularly two scheming women who want Tanner to themselves. It was a little unrealistic how Tanner and Diana were saying "I love you" when they first met, but it is a romance. The misunderstandings were annoying and if they only had a real conversation from the beginning, everything would have been resolved.
Some time later (years?), they receive word that Kingsley has died in the American Revolution. Diana learns that their home is the only one not burnt to the ground by the British. However, she still must quarter the British troops, particularly a captain who has designs on her. At this point, Diana is acting as a spy, listening to the conversations in her house and then passing on the information to the Patriots. She learns that she has an anonymous benefactor who has demanded that Briarhaven be saved and that she is not to be touched.
Soon she learns that Tanner is the rich man behind all of this. He still wants Diana, though he thinks that she betrayed him. Diana, terrified of sex, says that she will be a widow forever. However, Tanner blackmails her in a way and she relents. The rest of this romance deals with some espionage and the giant misunderstandings between the two.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I liked the background of the American Revolution and how Tanner and Diana tried to make their relationship work despite them being on different sides. I also liked how Tanner was a mysterious character from the previous book and I was not expecting that. There were villains trying to keep the two apart, particularly two scheming women who want Tanner to themselves. It was a little unrealistic how Tanner and Diana were saying "I love you" when they first met, but it is a romance. The misunderstandings were annoying and if they only had a real conversation from the beginning, everything would have been resolved.
April 24, 2022
One of the best books I've read lately (and I've read quite a few). This story has so much going for it that I don't want to spoil things and reveal too much. I will say that it takes place in my fav time period, the Rev War days. I was happy to discover that an intriguing character from the first book in Ms. Vinet's "Liberty's Ladies" series, Tanner the British spy, was the H in this book. (The same goes for Annabelle, also a spy and Tanner's lover.) He's also the half Cherokee half brother of Kingsley Sheridan, who despises him and marries the girl (the h, Diana Montaigne) Tanner loves.
I won't go into details as to how this comes about, I'll just say it involves an arranged marriage, misunderstandings, supposed betrayals and false accusation, a vicious revenge and several years separation. Diana endures a miserable, abusive marriage and is later a somewhat reclusive widow who starts spying for the Patriots, while Tanner worked his way up from outcast to most notorious of the British spies.
There's a lot more to it, as Diana and tanner find their way back to each other, including Tanner's estranged relationship with his father, his mother's resentment of Diana, the discovery that they're both spies, (on opposite sides!) and a lot more I won't go into, so as not to give anything more away. I'll just say that I liked the historical background, which included George Washington in the story (along with an intriguing idea of a kidnap plot against Benedict Arnold) and the secondary subplot regarding Annabelle and Sam, a British officer.
Okay, I've said enough. Just enjoy the book!
I won't go into details as to how this comes about, I'll just say it involves an arranged marriage, misunderstandings, supposed betrayals and false accusation, a vicious revenge and several years separation. Diana endures a miserable, abusive marriage and is later a somewhat reclusive widow who starts spying for the Patriots, while Tanner worked his way up from outcast to most notorious of the British spies.
There's a lot more to it, as Diana and tanner find their way back to each other, including Tanner's estranged relationship with his father, his mother's resentment of Diana, the discovery that they're both spies, (on opposite sides!) and a lot more I won't go into, so as not to give anything more away. I'll just say that I liked the historical background, which included George Washington in the story (along with an intriguing idea of a kidnap plot against Benedict Arnold) and the secondary subplot regarding Annabelle and Sam, a British officer.
Okay, I've said enough. Just enjoy the book!
September 4, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
October 8, 2023
Savage DeCeption
Good book and store line. I would read more of her books...I really like the author and stories. Good book
Good book and store line. I would read more of her books...I really like the author and stories. Good book
September 25, 2013
This is weird but this book caught my eye because the plantation house on the ebook cover reminded me of Millbrook Plantation around the corner from where I used to live near the North Santee. What a shock to start reading and find that this story was set near that very spot! Dang, that is eerie! I doubt the cover designer made a special trip to check out the house that is actually located there before he designed this cover. I really enjoyed the book for other reasons besides it being set in my old back yard. Actually being set in my back yard detracts from my enjoyment when the author gets something very wrong--like Cherokee raids in the Low Country...seriously! Tanner was the most intriguing character in Pirate's Bride, that I was pleasantly surprised to find this book filling in the before and after story of the mysterious spy. Definitely a better and more cohesive book than the first. I did get a good giggle over the times they made love outdoors, since that area is known as mosquito heaven--hope they used loads of deet!
September 1, 2013
I've never heard of this author before, but the story was well-written. The plot was intense, it started good until the end. Its a kind of story that will transport readers to another enticing place and time. I would look forward another book of this author....she's really good at weaving story.
The protagonist was the embodiment of a hard-working man. Tanner was full of pride and was so relentless to better himself, and wants to live life to the fullest, along with his wife Diana and daughter Jenny.
The protagonist was the embodiment of a hard-working man. Tanner was full of pride and was so relentless to better himself, and wants to live life to the fullest, along with his wife Diana and daughter Jenny.
September 13, 2014
A great read about the innocent Diana who fell in love with the bastard half-brother of her betrothed.
A story about how she puts up with her maniacal husband up until he dies & learning to love again 'crass Mr.Tanner' after she swore she would hate him forever. Trouble in paradise follows when Diana's nightmares come alive. At the end, hero saves the day. All's well that ends well, indeed.
A story about how she puts up with her maniacal husband up until he dies & learning to love again 'crass Mr.Tanner' after she swore she would hate him forever. Trouble in paradise follows when Diana's nightmares come alive. At the end, hero saves the day. All's well that ends well, indeed.
May 23, 2014
Worth the read!
Worth the read!
this book was an excellent read. it was very addicting. I could not put my kindle down. Great author, pulls you in. action and love
Worth the read!
this book was an excellent read. it was very addicting. I could not put my kindle down. Great author, pulls you in. action and love
September 14, 2013
Ugh. Found this disturbing, not romantic. I knew there would be some dark historical themes, like slavery, but once I got to the first rape scene, I stopped reading.
April 6, 2014
A wonderful "bodice ripper". A delicious love story with all the elements of passion and deception that keeps the reader involved.
September 7, 2014
3.5 Stars
April 20, 2015
Great Read
This had so many twists and turns and I loved it. Abuse, romance, was, spies, hatred, class hate and more made this a fun book to read.
This had so many twists and turns and I loved it. Abuse, romance, was, spies, hatred, class hate and more made this a fun book to read.
July 2, 2016
Not my style. Never got further than the first couple chapters
September 28, 2014
Is a great book to read forever
April 6, 2018
Great book! Lots of times when I didn't want to put it down. Lots of plots that kept me interested. Story takes place during British/American war. Diane loves Tanner, a half-breed, but is forced to marry Kingsley who starts abusing her on their wedding night for loving someone else. Gut-wrenching at times, but good read!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews