Title: Beloved Deceiver
Author: Margaret Blake
Published September 2007 by Whiskey Creek Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 978-1-59374-507-3
Other books by Margaret: Eden's Child, Fortune's Folly
A young woman reunites with her estranged father, where ruled by their hot-blooded Greek heritage, both engage in a battle of wills. He is not getting any younger so needs grandchildren, especially a boy to carry on the family name. At nineteen years old, she just wants to get to know her father, not become his personal “heir” maker. Standing between them is an English nobleman thirsty for revenge against the Greek mogul, so siding with the man’s young daughter is gratifying retribution in redeeming his family’s honor.
Wealthy Greek Ari Palvides banished his daughter from his life for not being born male. During her childhood, Flora Billington and her mother lived comfortably, her father sending enough support to keep the mortgage paid. Money was tight but her mother always afforded camping trips or caravanning as vacations that were always joyous and enlightening. Before her death, Flora’s mother warned against contacting Ari Palvides, afraid he would weld his wealth and authority over her. Now, with her gone, Flora feels the pull of getting to know the only family she has left. Accepting his invitation to visit, Flora heads to Mythonos. While on the voyage, she meets her father’s next-door neighbor who she remains in contact after arriving. The neighbor becomes Flora’s haven, escaping her father’s possessiveness; including Ari’s goons who were forever following her. So proposing marriage to him was quiet easy.
Marsden Collingwood has dated the most beautiful woman in the world. Imagine his reaction to the young woman wearing jeans and a t-shirt, topped with unruly curly red hair proposing marriage. Obviously, she has no clue to the level of bad blood between her father and Mars. Ari Palvides destroyed his uncle’s business, causing the poor man to take his life. The Collingwood family recovered, but Mars never forgot the grief of loosing his favorite uncle. He dreams that one day Palvides’ suffers just as greatly. It would definitely appease his need for vengeance. In the meantime, Mars brushes off Flora’s marriage proposal, along with worries about her safety.
The action and suspense builds as Flora’s real fear comes to being. Mars is incredulous when Ari visits only to threaten him away from Flora. Later when the tycoon’s thugs pay him a visit, Mars is certain that she just might be in harms way. He calls Flora where they agree to meet but she never shows. Reaching her again by phone, Mars really begins to worry as Flora details Ari slapping her hard enough to bruise. Mars and Flora devise an escape plan that is almost fool proof.
Ms. Blake writes an attractive story as Beloved Deceiver , a Whiskey Creek Press publication, comes to life through it believable characters and intriguing romantic plot. Readers will applaud the two main characters sly ingenuity as Mars and Flora escape via his yacht. Once in London Mars plans to visit his mother at her country estate; who is unaware of their plan, so in the least he feels Mom should know of his engagement before it’s announced. However, she cannot know of Flora’s connection to Ari Palvides; her dislike of the man runs as deep as Mars’.
The story relaxes a bit as Flora meets Mars’ mother however, the sexual tension between her and Mars rapidly builds. Its while visiting his mother that the two perceive their mounting attraction for each another. With adjoining rooms that shares a common bathroom, some interesting encounters occur. As a new day begins, a sleepy Flora interrupts Mars’ morning rituals. To him it is an invitation to engage in a simple kiss that quickly turns more passionate, but leaves him aroused and craving. For Flora it imparts a sense of inadequacy, having no intimate experience with men. Even so, the lust sparked by this interlude has them struggling to maintain the ruse; both wanting to sate a need that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. As they frolic in the countryside, Ari Palvides commences to make Mars’ life difficult on the business front. Not one to be bullied, Mars abruptly decides on a swift wedding, trusting that Flora’s father will back off. Yet, one cannot help but wonder, are they still maintaining the engagement hoax? Or, has this ruse lost its significance, giving way for the one thing they want most – each other?
Ms. Blake delights her readers with two other books from Whiskey Creek Press; Eden's Child where it ranked as a number one seller during March 2007, and Fortune's Folly. Other titles written by Ms. Blake can be found in many pubic libraries; A Sprig of Broom, The Peterloo Weaver, The Peterloo Inheritance, Bitter Legacy, Bartholomew Browne, The Saxon Tapestry, The Devil’s Prince and Seed of Broom. Writings as Ellen Noone, adopting her grandmother’s name as a pseudonym, include four more romance novels; Polonaise Enchantment, Fiona, Yolande, and Fond Deceiver.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
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