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 ... read full description
reviews
Oct 20, 2011
Katie
rated it: 
First posted on my blog, Legacy of a Writer.
I’ve read several of the books Laurie Eakes has published over the past few years, and all were very good and beautifully written. When I first heard about this new series that begins with A Necessary Deception, I was eager to find out what new adventure Laurie would think up next! To my delight, this book did not disappoint my expectations in the slightest—in fact, I thought it was the best one she’s written yet!
Lady Lydia Gale More...
I’ve read several of the books Laurie Eakes has published over the past few years, and all were very good and beautifully written. When I first heard about this new series that begins with A Necessary Deception, I was eager to find out what new adventure Laurie would think up next! To my delight, this book did not disappoint my expectations in the slightest—in fact, I thought it was the best one she’s written yet!
Lady Lydia Gale More...
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Feb 15, 2012
Faye
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A Necessary Deception is so much more than the cover would imply. It is a Regency novel full of lush characters and suspense. A read that I thoroughly enjoyed, down to the very last page. I will admit that I was a bit lost in the first chapter, but after I got my bearings all was well. Laurie Alice Eakes brings the world and society of centuries past, to life in a beautifully entertaining and page turning manner. Having read other books by the same author I expected no less :)
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Dec 03, 2011
Kav
rated it:
Another Regency I adored. I'll have to stop saying I don't like books set in the Regency period! Too many good authors are reviving the genre with a twist that catches -- and more importantly -- keeps my attention. Eakes' writing style is sublime. She manages to capture the nuances of the time period in both dialogue and description. In fact A Necessary Deception is filled with wonderful phrases that hit me right between the eyes in an explosion of imagery. Nothing like free-falling through a co
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Oct 29, 2011
Laura
rated it:
A Necessary Deception by Laurie Alice Eakes weaves a tale of deception so complex that you will be wondering who the "bad guy" is right up until the end.
A young English widow by the name of Lydia Gale is caught in a game of espionage against her country during a time of war. She thinks she is doing a good service to her dead husband when she seeks the release of the French prisoner who had given her husband aid before he died. She never dreamed she would see the man agai More...
A young English widow by the name of Lydia Gale is caught in a game of espionage against her country during a time of war. She thinks she is doing a good service to her dead husband when she seeks the release of the French prisoner who had given her husband aid before he died. She never dreamed she would see the man agai More...
Oct 22, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
Set in 1812, in England, young widow Lydia Gale, helps a prisoner who showed her a kindness, only to discover that now she is being blackmailed into helping the French spy on her nation.
Angry at being deceived, all she is interested in to doing, is getting her younger sisters through the Season. Presenting her youngest sister and seeing her middle sister married is her goal, now this deception has invaded her peace of mind.
Even more alarming is the prisoner whom she More...
Angry at being deceived, all she is interested in to doing, is getting her younger sisters through the Season. Presenting her youngest sister and seeing her middle sister married is her goal, now this deception has invaded her peace of mind.
Even more alarming is the prisoner whom she More...
Oct 22, 2011
Jolene
rated it:
Trying to atone for her mistakes as a wife, Lady Lydia Gale helps Christian de Meuse, a French prisoner and friend of her late husband, obtain parole. Having done her good deed, she expects never to see him again. With one sister debuting in London society and one sister close to marriage, Lydia's days are full with preparations for the events. However, when a mysterious stranger blackmails her and Christian reappears, Lydia struggles to keep her sanity. Will her preoccupation with Christian rui
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Oct 18, 2011
Holly (2 Kids and Tired)
rated it: 
Lydia's husband went to war with France after a week of marriage. After his death, she received cryptic instructions which told her that one day she would have the chance to help a friend of her husband's. When that time comes, she's surprised to find out that she's helping to free a French prisoner. With unanswered questions she, nevertheless, fulfills her obligation. As she then travels to London to prepare her younger sisters for one's entrance into society and another's marriage, she's s
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Oct 16, 2011
Tamara
rated it:
A NECESSARY DECEPTION is the second book I’ve read from Laurie Alice Eakes, and was definitely the better of the two.
Lady Gale believes her time for love is over. After the death of her husband in the war with the French, and her suspicions that he wasn’t true to her, Lydia decides her life would be better spent seeing her two sisters introduced into London society. After her sisters are accepted into London’s upper crust, she plans to travel back to her simple cottage, paint the lan More...
Lady Gale believes her time for love is over. After the death of her husband in the war with the French, and her suspicions that he wasn’t true to her, Lydia decides her life would be better spent seeing her two sisters introduced into London society. After her sisters are accepted into London’s upper crust, she plans to travel back to her simple cottage, paint the lan More...
Oct 15, 2011
Victor
rated it:
Laurie Alice Eakes in her new book, "A Necessary Deception" Book One in The Daughters Of Bainbridge House series published by Revell lets us experience England in 1812.
1812: England and France are at war but Lady Lydia Gale, a young English widow, helps procure a parole for a French prisoner of war. Never figuring on seeing this man again she heads back home to London in order to help her ill mother with her youngest sister's London season as well as plan her other sister's More...
1812: England and France are at war but Lady Lydia Gale, a young English widow, helps procure a parole for a French prisoner of war. Never figuring on seeing this man again she heads back home to London in order to help her ill mother with her youngest sister's London season as well as plan her other sister's More...
Oct 15, 2011
Carly
rated it:
I have read Laurie’s work before and to be honest, I had a lukewarm response to it. I’m not sure why, it just didn’t do a lot for me. But, I was really in the mood for a Regency novel. It has been a long time since I’ve read a Regency novel, and it was time, so A Necessary Deception came along at just the right time.
I started reading this book and liked it right away, then the story changed a bit to include some mystery in the form of treason and spies, etc and I thought, “uh oh, More...
I started reading this book and liked it right away, then the story changed a bit to include some mystery in the form of treason and spies, etc and I thought, “uh oh, More...
Oct 14, 2011
April
rated it:
4.5)A NECESSARY DECEPTION by Laurie Alice Eakes is an exciting historical romance set in 1812 Devonshire,England. Book 1 in “The Daughters of Bainbride House”. This is the story of a young widow Lady Lydia Gale and a French prisoner Christophe Arnaud. It has danger,mystery,suspense,faith,love,misunderstanding,traitor,treason,romance,betrayal,spies,family,healing,intrigue,balls,masquarades, and love.It has strong characters with twists and turns. While, Lady Gale and Christophe,not only are figh
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Aug 09, 2011
Christine
rated it:
A Necessary Deception, set in the era of Regency England, is a delightful inspirational story that romps with all the richness of a ‘season’ for the ‘haut ton’ and at the same time ricochets with espionage and romance, and laughter.
British heroine, Lady Lydia Gale, tries to pick up the pieces of her life after her soldier husband dies in Napoleonic France. But this strong-hearted and vivacious young woman is left to takes charge of her younger sisters when their politician father an More...
British heroine, Lady Lydia Gale, tries to pick up the pieces of her life after her soldier husband dies in Napoleonic France. But this strong-hearted and vivacious young woman is left to takes charge of her younger sisters when their politician father an More...
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Dec 27, 2011
Miss Pippi
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The British and the French were at war. Any Frenchman living in England is viewed with a suspicious glare. A young widow tries to redeem herself by assisting a friend of her husband, but a simple favor turns into blackmail. Fear for her family and her life motivate her to follow through on the threats. Is the LORD turning His back on her as well? Can she protect her sisters as the London season plays out?
I adore the 1800's so I was drawn to the descriptions of England, society and fa More...
I adore the 1800's so I was drawn to the descriptions of England, society and fa More...
Oct 26, 2011
Terri
rated it:
Laurie Alice has done it again! I love these characters! Lydia Gale is strong and confident despite the fact she believes her father never approves of her actions. She loves her family beyond anything else and will do anything for them. Christien is a man of honor. He is a man of great feelings and passion. He struggles within himself to honor God in his actions and is willing to give up his ten year commitment of fighting against Napoleon to live in a way that doesn't compromise that honor. The
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Oct 17, 2011
Holly
rated it:
Lydia Gale felt obligated to aide Christophe Arnaud, the Frenchman who helped her dying husband, obtain parole from the British prison. She never imaged her kind gesture would later force her into being blackmailed. While she must prepare her younger sister for her debut into society, she must also now introduce certain men into high society . . . or face being turned in as a traitor. When Christophe Arnaud shows up in her parlor, assuming a different name, she must determine whether he is a tra
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Oct 16, 2011
Angelc
rated it:
3.5 Stars
This is a nice regency spy/double agent type of mystery. The romance and lead characters could have been developed a little more but all in all, it was a fun, relaxing read. The book was almost fluffy, nothing too heavy here, which makes for a nice, cozy read.
In my opinion, Lydia's two sisters outshone her. I was much more interested in Cassandra's and Honore's lives and romances than in Lydia's. They both seemed to have more spunk and backbone than Lydia and the More...
This is a nice regency spy/double agent type of mystery. The romance and lead characters could have been developed a little more but all in all, it was a fun, relaxing read. The book was almost fluffy, nothing too heavy here, which makes for a nice, cozy read.
In my opinion, Lydia's two sisters outshone her. I was much more interested in Cassandra's and Honore's lives and romances than in Lydia's. They both seemed to have more spunk and backbone than Lydia and the More...
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Oct 19, 2011
Christy
rated it:
The last time I read a Regency novel, I was less than thrilled. The lifestyle and culture of that time was so slow and methodical--far different from our current society. There was hidden meaning in almost every action, and one had to be so careful to be seen or not to be seen with just the right people. So, I won't lie...I was a little nervous about picking up another Regency. I was so afraid I would be disappointed.
Thankfully, Laurie Eakes exceeded my expectations with A Necess More...
Thankfully, Laurie Eakes exceeded my expectations with A Necess More...
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Dec 20, 2011
Roseanna
rated it:
Laurie Alice Eakes has done it again. With A Necessary Deception she has penned a novel that combines heart-stopping romance with heart-pounding suspense, crafting characters at once strong but consistent with their times, blind in some ways and brilliant in others. These true-to-life characters of Lydia and Christien--not to mention the wonderfully made secondary characters, especially Lydia's younger sisters--will pull you in from the start and keep you flipping the pages as surely as the espi
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Dec 10, 2011
Debbie Lynne
rated it:
Laurie Alice Eakes is a master of intrigue. A Necessary Deception is a book you won't be able to put down. I found myself falling in love with not only the hero and heroine of the story but other characters as well. Ms. Eakes did a wonderful job with the suspense, intrigue and romance. She pulls you into the story from page one and never lets you go. You just keep wanting to turn the page so allow yourself plenty of time to read. This is not a typical who done it story. She keeps you guessing th
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Oct 22, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
I'm probably one of the biggest critics of Regency novels. Mainly because, in all the Regency book I've read, it was a struggle for the author to make the life in that era, interesting. To me it seemed like all anyone did back then was sit in a parlor, drink tea, and try not to make any slight faux pas, or else stories, even the Grimm brother couldn't think up, would be spread about you. Nevertheless, even before reading A Necessary Deception, I knew it wouldn't be "just another unexciting
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Oct 24, 2011
Margaret
rated it:
While my introduction to the creative writing of new-to-me author Laurie Alice Eakes was in the first Midwives novel Lady in the Mist. I knew that I would be excited to read more from her in the future. While I’m uber eager to read the next Midwives novel, Heart's Safe Passage: A Novel, it was a treat to have an interlude with another new series, this one a regency.
Her characters are strong and the romance and intrigue are in perfect tandem. Regency novels are one of the time periods More...
Her characters are strong and the romance and intrigue are in perfect tandem. Regency novels are one of the time periods More...
Oct 17, 2011
Andi
rated it: 
I am sad to say that I was sadly disappointed in this book. It started out GREAT!!! My parents have just returned from Europe and talked about all the places they had seen so the places in the book were becoming real. When Ms. Eakes used French words and phrases over and over again I felt like I was in a room with people speaking a foreign language and I was the odd one out. I put the book down and didn't finish it. I love this time period and I was really saddened that I wasn't able to finish i
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Jan 10, 2012
Angela
rated it:
Ugh. And blech. This book tried to combine too many genres in my opinion. History, romance, mystery and Christianity. It didn't flow well, often changing characters pov and gaps of time without a noticable break. I get annoyed with whiney indecisive female leads, so that didn't help. The one thing I enjoyed were the snippets of French phrases, which took me back to high school French class. Vraiment! :)
Oct 27, 2011
Dinasleiman
rated it:
There's something magical about an author getting to write the books of their dreams. Laurie Alice has finally written a Regency romance like she always wanted to. The suspense elements are great fun, and the book deals with family relationships and the relationship between God and mankind as the hero and heroine work through their issues together. Definitely my favorite by Laurie Alice so far.
Oct 08, 2011
Cheri
rated it:
When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Lydia finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?
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Jan 07, 2012
Amy
rated it:
Well, I finished it. So, it wasn't the worst out there. But there wasn't a lot else in the house and I didn't want to dash out to the library. If you want a clever, fun, English historical romance, there are so many authors who will delight.
Feb 01, 2012
Samantha
rated it:
It was an okay read - got a little preach-y at the end. I did like the
independence of the main character, but her (spoiler!) union with the
male hero was a little too predictable. I read the kindle e-book version
from my local library.
independence of the main character, but her (spoiler!) union with the
male hero was a little too predictable. I read the kindle e-book version
from my local library.
Oct 13, 2011
Jeanette
rated it:
Predictable, but I enjoyed it anyway. I liked how well the period was portrayed, and got hooked on the characters. I knew who the bad guy was though, and OF COURSE knew who would get together in the end!
Feb 21, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
This book was nothing like I thought it was going to be like. It was set in Regency England, with all the culture, and society that you would come to expect, but when our young widowed Heroine helps to rescue a French prisoner, her life and everyone around her is turned upsidedown. I love this time period. It is one of my favs. I was suprised at how many unchaperoned excursions were had here though. Very uncharacteristic of this era. I also loved the hero/heroine POV switching. This is th
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Nov 04, 2011
Claire
rated it:
A fun regency. Points for originality and including Napoleon in the plotline.
