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.