Book Review: A Necessary Deception by Laura Alice Eakes

Excerpt: "Christophe Arnaud never arrived in Tavistock."

"What happened to him?" Lydia focused all her attention on the stranger now. "I saw him leave. He had an escort. He had everything he needed. He - was he injured? Assulted?" She squeezed Hodge so tightly the cat shot out of her arms with a yowl.

How could she have made amok of such a simple act of kindness?

"He eluded his guard and escaped."

"Escaped." Lydia peered through the darkness, trying to see the man's face. "What are you saying? He was paroled from Dartmoor. He didn't escape."

"Not Dartmoor, my lady, England."

"But that's not possible." She shook her head, sending half of her hair sliding from its pins and into her face. "He wouldn't have had the time or the means to get away."

"Of course he did, and you provided both. In other words, my lady, you allowed an enemy of England to return to his country. Lady Gale, you have committed an act of treason." A Necessary Deception, pg 21.

Back Cover: When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?

Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past--and let love guide the future.

My Review: A Necessary Deception is a story filled with danger and intrigue. For the love of her family, Lady Gale finds herself thrown into a pack of spies, and she is not sure who she can trust. Who is really telling the truth, and how can she know what is real and what is not. Danger lurks behind every corner, and everyone is a suspect. Will she unravel the secrets in time to protect those that she loves?

This novel is full of adventure and suspense, but I was a little disappointed in how it all came together at the end. However, my slight disappointment does not keep me from recommending this book.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Lady in the Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes

Excerpt: A hand clamped over her mouth. "This is a warning." The voice was sibilant, muffled, as thought he spoke from behind a kerchief. Something sharp pricked the skin of her throat. "Keep silent about this night if you don't want to swim with the fishes." Lady in the Mist, pg 16.

Back Cover: By virtue of her profession as a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, why he, a British aristocrat, is on American soil working as an indentured servant.

In a time when relationships between America and England rest on the edge of a knife, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths, leading them on a journey of intrigue, threats, public disgrace, and ... love. But can Tabitha trust Dominick? Finding true love seems impossible in a world set against them.

With stirring writing that draws you directly into the story, Lady in the Mist takes you on the thrilling ride of love's discovery.

My Review: This is the first book of Eakes' that I have read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The plot sounded intriguing, and I tend to love historical fiction, so I gave the book a try. While the book and the story line were interesting, I found this book a little slow in the reading. I, personally, had a hard time getting into the story. In fact, it took me twice as long to read this book as it would normally. That being said, I can't put my finger on the exact reason behind my feelings about this book. Overall, the book was interesting, but it just didn't strike a cord with me.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those who enjoy the writings of Laurie Alice Eakes.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.