Dangerous Deceptions

Rating:
Summary: Lynn Kerstan never disappoints
Review: "You are summoned, for your failures, your guilt, and your debts, to undertake a mission that will test your every claim to character and courage." So begins Lord Dering's association with the secretive Black Phoenix organization that seeks to right wrongs in Regency England. Taking up the challenge, Lord Dering visits Paradise, a remote resort that caters to dissolute men and promises to fulfill their every desire...for a price. Once there, Lord Dering is assisted by a beautiful actress with her own secret past as they work together to uncover the dark secrets behind Paradise. Lynn Kerstan takes the conventional tropes of Regency England and combines them in new and unexpected ways using fascinating characters to create a story that is by turns exciting, sexy, suspenseful, and even humorous. This wonderful read is the first of a trilogy that promises to be a keeper. Don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Okay...
Review: I couldn't get to know Jarrett and Kate because of all the (misplaced) intrigue thrown in and I found that very frustrating. These two characters were secondary to the plot, and it should have been the other way around.

Rating:
Summary: fine amateur sleuth investigation
Review: Lord Jarrett Dering receives a letter demanding he account for his sins and meet at a chop house. He ignores the invitation, but the author visits Jarrett asking him to go to the exclusive estate Paradise at the bequest of the mysterious Black Phoenix. Though he would prefer to say no, Jarrett agrees to visit this renowned den of iniquity.

In Paradise, actress Gaetana makes Jarrett look silly as well as sexually frustrating him in front of a packed house. Later she wears a mask when she meets him in private to inform him she is his partner. Jarrett tells her he knows from her smell that she is Gaetana, but calls her Kate from the Taming of the Shrew. As they work undercover (figuratively and literally) together to expose Carrington and he makes public displays of his sexual power over her, they fall in love. However, Carrington and his minion have killed before and will do again if they strip bare either identity.

The strong lead characters must put on a sexual pretense in public, but fall in love in private. Thus, readers will take delight with this fine amateur sleuth investigation in which the hero fakes abuse of the heroine to gain access to the inner secrets of Paradise. Though the last forty or so pages occur after the good guys win seemingly too easily and come across as two padded unnecessary subplots, fans will appreciate Lynn Kerstan's erotic Regency romance and seek out her animal tales (see THE GOLDEN LEOPARD; HEART OF THE TIGER, and THE SILVER LION).

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: Exquisitely Suspenseful
Review: YOU ARE SUMMONED.....three words that would be forever imprinted on the mind of Jarrett, Lord Dering. Disowned years ago by his father, Jarrett lived a life that most of the ton described as near dissolute. He lived by his wits and gambling, courting the very elusive Lady Luck. With this mysterious summons he would be compelled to enter into a game more dangerous than anything he'd ever encountered before along with a female associate that was immune to his undeniable charms.

Kate Falshaw, was also summoned, to play a part in the machinations of a secret band of fellows that was dedicated to righting the wrongs of privileged nobles in the highest circles of Regency society. As both Jarrett and Kate work together to infiltrate and bring down the dark underbelly that operated in Paradise, Kate's distrust and antagonism towards the reputed rake began to lessen as she discovered the hidden man beneath the façade, treasuring whatever memories she could to take away with her when the job was done --- before he ever discovered the dark secrets she harbored from her past.

This was an amazing story and first installment on a wonderful new trilogy by the award-wining author Lynn Kerstan. The two very unusual protagonist's were remarkably well matched with individually complex backgrounds that sent them both on journey's of self discovery as they came to understand and help one another unravel and come to terms with their past lifes mistakes and embrace the passion that simmered beneath. Along with a plethora of well defined secondary characters and an intricate plot line, this book will keep the reader flipping pages far into the night and waiting in anticipation for the next installments in this new and promising action packed trilogy. BOTTOM LINE - This exquisitely suspenseful, action packed, and exciting tale should not be missed by fans of this mistress of exotic romance. --- Marilyn Rondeau, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---