![Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4) by [Mortimer, Carole]](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51GmGsm2sVL._SY346_.jpg)
FINAL DECISION: I didn't think much of the story as it started, but the relationship between the hero and heroine as the story progressed made me enjoy the story quite a bit. This is a simple easy story and certainly not a complex drama, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
THE STORY: Maximillian Smythe, Earl of Carlton is taking his turn searching for the traitor that the eight Sinners are searching for. The woman he is to investigate is his own stepmother Heather. The young and beautiful second wife to his father. Six years ago Maxim and Heather had a whirlwind romance before Maxim left to spy for the Crown and returned to find Heather married to his father. Now Maxim must determine what Heather is hiding.
OPINION: The story line here is not surprising and almost everything is quickly disclosed to the reader (if not to the characters). A second chance at love for these two characters complicated by deceptions and lies and misunderstandings.
The story and the characters are not particularly deep, but sometimes an uncomplicated story makes a nice easy read. The characters were not stupid despite their misunderstandings and I liked that they quickly were able to unravel the secrets between them.
I liked Maxim as a character and thought that his darkness was actually what made the story interesting. This book reminds me of the category romances in the past (although more erotic and explicit) because of the simplicity of the story.
WORTH MENTIONING: This is a novella.
CONNECTED BOOKS: WICKED DECEPTION is the fourth book in the Regency Sinners series. This is a series of books with the overarching storyline of the search for a woman traitor. While there is some connection between the books, this book can certainly be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.
Product Description
Wicked Deception is the 4th book in USA Today Bestseller Author, Carole Mortimer’s, Amazon #1 Regency Sinners series.
Author’s Note: All the books in the very sexy Regency Sinners series are complete and HEA stories. The stories are connected by the friendship of the eight heroes.
Maximillian Smythe, the Earl of Carlton, is the fourth of the eight gentleman, known as The Sinners, tasked with proving or disproving the guilt of a lady in Society as being a spy for Napoleon, and a traitor to the English Crown.
The lady Maxim is to investigate is his young and beautiful widowed stepmother, Lady Heather Smythe, the Dowager Countess of Carlton.
Maxim remembers Heather as being passionate and wild as the rugged Cornish coastline where she resides with her young son. Ralph is Maxim’s half-brother and his heir since their father died eighteen months ago.
Heather is far from pleased when her arrogant stepson, Maxim Smythe, arrives at Treganon House for an unexpected visit. She is only too well aware of the contempt Maxim’s has for her. As she holds less than fond memories of him.
From the moment of Maxim’s arrival they treat each other with suspicion.
Heather believes Maxim, a friend of the Prince Regent, to be in Cornwall to investigate the smuggling in the area. Something her family has been involved in for several centuries.
Maxim knows Heather is hiding something but he is unsure if it is her role as a spy for the imprisoned usurper, Napoleon, or something else.
While the turbulent seas roil and crash in the cove beneath Treganon House, the desire and passion Maxim and Heather once shared flares back into life, and this time refuses to be extinguished.
More books by Carole Mortimer:
Regency Sinners Series:
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3)
Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4)
Wicked Captive (Regency Sinners 5) Coming Soon
More books to come in this series
Dragon Hearts Series:
NATHANIEL (Dragon Hearts 1)
DERYK (Dragon Hearts 2)
BRYN (Dragon Hearts 3)
DYLAN (Dragon Hearts 4) Coming Soon
More books to come in this paranormal romance series.
Regency Unlaced Series: 9 book Regency series
Contemporary Knight Security Series – spin-off to Alpha Series: 7 book Romantic Suspense series
Contemporary Alpha Series: 8 book Romantic Suspense series
Carole Mortimer has written 228 books, in contemporary, Regency and paranormal romance, and is the Recipient of the 2017 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, and the 2015 Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She is an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Romance Author—ever. 2014 Romantic Times Pioneer of Romance. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, for her “outstanding service to literature.”
Author’s Note: All the books in the very sexy Regency Sinners series are complete and HEA stories. The stories are connected by the friendship of the eight heroes.
Maximillian Smythe, the Earl of Carlton, is the fourth of the eight gentleman, known as The Sinners, tasked with proving or disproving the guilt of a lady in Society as being a spy for Napoleon, and a traitor to the English Crown.
The lady Maxim is to investigate is his young and beautiful widowed stepmother, Lady Heather Smythe, the Dowager Countess of Carlton.
Maxim remembers Heather as being passionate and wild as the rugged Cornish coastline where she resides with her young son. Ralph is Maxim’s half-brother and his heir since their father died eighteen months ago.
Heather is far from pleased when her arrogant stepson, Maxim Smythe, arrives at Treganon House for an unexpected visit. She is only too well aware of the contempt Maxim’s has for her. As she holds less than fond memories of him.
From the moment of Maxim’s arrival they treat each other with suspicion.
Heather believes Maxim, a friend of the Prince Regent, to be in Cornwall to investigate the smuggling in the area. Something her family has been involved in for several centuries.
Maxim knows Heather is hiding something but he is unsure if it is her role as a spy for the imprisoned usurper, Napoleon, or something else.
While the turbulent seas roil and crash in the cove beneath Treganon House, the desire and passion Maxim and Heather once shared flares back into life, and this time refuses to be extinguished.
More books by Carole Mortimer:
Regency Sinners Series:
Wicked Torment (Regency Sinners 1)
Wicked Surrender (Regency Sinners 2)
Wicked Scandal (Regency Sinners 3)
Wicked Deception (Regency Sinners 4)
Wicked Captive (Regency Sinners 5) Coming Soon
More books to come in this series
Dragon Hearts Series:
NATHANIEL (Dragon Hearts 1)
DERYK (Dragon Hearts 2)
BRYN (Dragon Hearts 3)
DYLAN (Dragon Hearts 4) Coming Soon
More books to come in this paranormal romance series.
Regency Unlaced Series: 9 book Regency series
Contemporary Knight Security Series – spin-off to Alpha Series: 7 book Romantic Suspense series
Contemporary Alpha Series: 8 book Romantic Suspense series
Carole Mortimer has written 228 books, in contemporary, Regency and paranormal romance, and is the Recipient of the 2017 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, and the 2015 Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She is an Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Romance Author—ever. 2014 Romantic Times Pioneer of Romance. She was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, for her “outstanding service to literature.”
