"Polite society has its share of secrets"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted February 12, 2014
Romance Historical
A KISS OF LIES is the first in Bronwen Evans' series of
The
Disgraced Lords. In this series we will meet a host of
characters many will surely be around for some time in this
historical romance based primarily in England. Evans does a
very effective introduction into this historical society as
well as an absolutely addictive entry into a story line that
will keep you begging for more. I've already put the next
installment of this series on my must read list.
At the center of this series is a group of young men part of
the infamous Libertine Scholars. They had forged a close
friendship while definitely sowing their wild oats but there
was no denying that any one of them would drop anything to
lend a hand to one of their little group. The Libertine
Scholars all had intriguing backgrounds that it would seem
shaped who they are, rather rough around the edges, brave,
honest, reckless and at odds with society. These young men
are all titled gentlemen and yet have worked tirelessly to
avoid the trappings of society.
Sarah Cooper narrowly escaped with her life from her abusive
husband. A man who treated his wife with the same vicious
distain as his slaves. Callous regard to any person's
welfare was at the center of this monster's behavior.
Sarah applies for the job as a governess for the ward of
Christian Trent, Earl of Markham. Trent has been a fugitive
of sorts living in Canada caught in a compromising position
with a young well-bred woman. His ward Lily is the daughter
of the man who saved his life when he was summarily dumped
off a boat in Canada. Upon the death of her parents Lily is
now Christian's responsibility as well as his heart. Lily
and her parents saw beneath Christians horrific scars to the
amazing man. A man who served his country, was a war hero,
but now faced a decidedly lonely future. He was quite
certain he would never find a woman who would be able to see
past these scars and envision a relationship.
Christian is unaware that Sarah, this beautiful intelligent
young woman, is actually someone he met in the past. Sarah
remembers him very well. They had briefly met years before
when Christian was a dashing ladies' man and Sarah was a
young girl, daughter of the Duke of Hastings.
Here's the thing about this elite, polite society -- it was
ripe with secrets, most not complimentary. As the daughter
of a Duke Sarah had the benefits of a gentile upbringing but
when the Duke's finances were in trouble she was basically
sold to the highest bidder. Her father needed the money and
wasn't very careful who he chose to be his daughter's
husband. This left Sarah unprepared for the treatment she
received from her husband with no one to turn to for help.
So Sarah helped herself.
Sarah is haunted by the actions she took to escape from her
marriage and is convinced that her actions had actually
killed her husband. Now she was basically a fugitive waiting
for the law or even worse one of her husband's men to catch
up to her.
Christian is immediately taken with Sarah. She doesn't seem
put off by his looks. She is direct and obviously
intelligent. The only thing wrong with this picture is that
for a governess she has hobbies that are more in tuned with
the gentry then a servant. But Sarah has a very sharp mind
and has devised a tale built on half-truths that even
Christian can accept.
Bronwen Evans has written a classic tale about judging a
book by its cover. She does an excellent job keeping true to
the times and her characters are just divine. The passion
between her characters basically smolders. A KISS OF LIES is
a heartwarming look into finding love when least expected
and having the guts to fight to keep it.
SUMMARY
USA TODAY BESTSELLER In Bronwen Evans's Loveswept debut, a pair of damaged
souls ignite each other's deepest passions—even as
they tempt fate by deceiving the world. Desperate to escape her abusive past, Sarah Cooper disguises
herself as a governess in the employ of Christian Trent,
Earl of Markham, the man who, long ago, she fantasized about
marrying. Despite the battle scars that mar his face, Sarah
finds being near Christian rekindles her infatuation. A
governess, however, has no business in the arms of an earl,
and as she accompanies Christian on his voyage home, Sarah
must resist her intense desires—or risk revealing her
dangerous secrets. One of the renowned Libertine Scholars, Christian Trent once
enjoyed the company of any woman he chose. But that was
before the horrors of Waterloo, his wrongful conviction of a
hideous crime, and his forcible removal from England. Far
from home and the resources he once had, Christian believes
the life he knew—and any chance of happiness—is
over . . . until his ward's governess sparks his heart back
to life, and makes him remember the man he used to be. Now
Christian is determined to return to England, regain his
honor, and win the heart of the woman he has come to love.
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