WINNIE'S REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books for many years. She is a brilliant wordsmith with a special talent for creating compelling, engaging characters and imaginative scenarios. Her writing flows seamlessly and is enriched by colorful imagery and rich historical detail.
An Honorable Deception is the third book in her The Imposters series, which has been such a delightful, captivating series. I’ve been anxiously awaiting Yates’ story, and it definitely was worth the wait. I love his vibrant, fun-loving personality, his sense of humor, and his care and concern for his family and friends. The humorous banter between the characters was such a treat and gave a needed respite from the somewhat dark subject matter, which White handled beautifully.
“You know, most women wouldn’t appreciate being compared to a monkey.”
When Lord Yates Fairfax rescues the Imposters’ newest client, Lady Alethia Barremore, from attempted murderers, he finds himself involved in much more than a missing person’s case. As he involves the other Imposters, their friend, Lady Lavinia Hemming, stumbles upon the truth of their group and wants to be involved in the investigations. Unfortunately, Yates had spent years getting over his youthful love for Lavinia.
“Six years later, he’d learned to look at her without that punch to his gut.”
What a dilemma! Two beautiful ladies to protect, a missing nanny, and a mystery to solve. This tale is a fantastic conclusion to the series. It was such fun to see characters from some of the author’s previous series show up in this one.
With lots of humor, suspense, romance, and inspiration, this book has something for everyone. I wholeheartedly recommend this author and series to those who enjoy clean and wholesome historical romance fiction.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.
REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Six years later, he'd learned to look at her without that punch to his gut."
And it's a good thing that he had, because Lord Yates Fairfax is suddenly tasked with overseeing the care of another particularly lovely young woman . . . a client actually . . . who was shot three times after meeting with Yates in his role as the leader of an elite private investigative firm cleverly named the Imposters. Lady Alethia Barremore may think that she has hired the group to locate her missing nanny, but apparently has unintentionally involved herself in something far more sinister.
Lady Lavinia Hemming has been a shadow of her true self since recovering from heart damage following a fever; on top of that, discovering that her mother was a traitor . . . well, through it all, her best friends Marigold and brother Yates had been a constant . . . that is, when she didn't push them away. Could she discover purpose again?
When Lavinia offers to become a member of the "firm", she had no idea how rewarding it would feel to avail her skills or how difficult it would become to watch the one man she couldn't possibly fall in love with turning his eyes upon another, and rightfully so.
What's not to love about this beautifully written book? Swirling with danger and intrigue, the investigation forces the character dynamics into close proximity, as the circumstances grow darker and deeper within a despicable underworld of deceit. Emotions run high as Yates, Lavinia, and Alethia pull back layer after layer of hurt, fear and insecurity; eventually choosing hope over despair and courage over cowardice . . . but apparently it is going to take them awhile to figure it all out, gifting readers with chapter after chapter of an outstanding story!
"Is it wrong to pass one's time in fretting, instead of sleeping on the heart of Jesus?"
*I purchased a copy. I also received a copy from the publisher. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
BackCover Blurb:
In
the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must
determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that
could threaten everything he holds dear.
As the leader of the
Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has
made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the
beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting,
he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia
thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has
clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.
Lady Lavinia
Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're
willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the
esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is
happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family
secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back
into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the
disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.
Tormented by a
past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to
help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as
clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates,
and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as
they fight to hold fast to their own honor.
