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Brethren of the Lords #1
My Lady of Deception
***This dark, sweeping Regency novel was previously only offered as part of the limited edition box sets: From the Ballroom and Beyond, Romancing the Rogue, and Dark Deceptions. Now, available for the first time on its own, is My Lady of Deception.
Everybody has a secret. Some are more dangerous than others.
For Georgina Wilcox, only child of the notorious traitor known as “The Fox”, there are too many secrets to count. However, after her interference results in great tragedy, she resolves to never help another... until she meets Adam Markham.
Lord Adam Markham is captured by The Fox. Imprisoned, Adam loses everything he holds dear. As his days in captivity grow, he finds himself fascinated by the young maid, Georgina, who cares for him. When the carefully crafted lies she’s built between them begin to crumble, Georgina realizes she will do anything to prove her love and loyalty to Adam—even it means at the expense of her own life.
Everybody has a secret. Some are more dangerous than others.
For Georgina Wilcox, only child of the notorious traitor known as “The Fox”, there are too many secrets to count. However, after her interference results in great tragedy, she resolves to never help another... until she meets Adam Markham.
Lord Adam Markham is captured by The Fox. Imprisoned, Adam loses everything he holds dear. As his days in captivity grow, he finds himself fascinated by the young maid, Georgina, who cares for him. When the carefully crafted lies she’s built between them begin to crumble, Georgina realizes she will do anything to prove her love and loyalty to Adam—even it means at the expense of her own life.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
439 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
About the author
Christi Caldwell
136 books2,558 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 1, 2022
I could not understand why reviewers praised the book so much. Then after 100 pages, I understood. Not only was the book well written, it had a very unique story.
The h was fantastic! She makes the whole book. Though physically and emotionally beaten, she still bravely coresponse with the British about her traitorous family. She even risks her life to save the H. I can't help but praise the author on such well developed character.
I definitely recommend this book, just don't forget your tissues!
The h was fantastic! She makes the whole book. Though physically and emotionally beaten, she still bravely coresponse with the British about her traitorous family. She even risks her life to save the H. I can't help but praise the author on such well developed character.
I definitely recommend this book, just don't forget your tissues!
December 30, 2021
I'm literally obsessed with this one. My first Christi Caldwell made me so upset I didn't pick up another book by the author despite seeing them on my feed and hearing recommendations about them. While I was trying to find a book similar to another one I just read, I saw this shelved on the same shelf by a GR reviewer and... ooh this gave me the angst. I think Christi Caldwell is a lighter HR author but give me the angst!
More thoughts/review to come.
*Full Review*
Highly recommend this one if you want to read a regency with angst, or a heroine and hero that fall in love after being put in horrible, life-threatening situations. For this reason alone, it reminded me of one of my favourite novels, Anna Campbell's Untouched, because although the storylines are completely different, the MCs suffer in situations where they are trapped but you truly feel for them. There is no shame or frustration but complete woe at how they will survive. So, do not read this if you're not in the mood to read about suffering MCs, or have no patience or desire in general to read about physical violence and domestic violence particularly towards the heroine.
I'm not familiar with Christi Caldwell. From what I've seen, she's an incredibly prolific Regency author who seems like she skews on the lighter side of things, so she hasn't appealed to me. However, I really went on a limb with CC. After banning her books on sight after my first read from her, I trusted a GR review and liked what I saw of the sample to download it.
And wow. This completely satisfied my mood!
Georgina Wilcox is the daughter of the Fox, an Irish rebel who wants Irish independence at all costs. Her father is one of the worst fathers and villains I've read due to the graphic nature of how he talks to her but also physically abuses her. Not only that but Georgina is also getting that and workplace harassment from Jamie, her father's protege, an orphan she grew up with who is quite similar to her father's temperament. The one difference is that Jamie likes/obsesses over her, unlike her father who has no remorse or love for her at all. Unfortunately for Georgina, Jamie's her father to a T. Uses his fists and physical intimidation instead of say, nonviolent communication.
A battered woman, she spends her days taking care of the prisoners that her father kidnaps for the Irish cause by feeding them food and wiping off blood. By night, she is double crossing her father by sending secret information about their plans to the Crown.
Enter Adam Markham, a spy for the Brethren, a super secret order of English spies, who gets captured by the Fox. Georgina takes care of Adam but her father soon decides to have her seduce him in order to try to get secrets out of Adam from another channel. Georgina "agrees" to the scheme but they mostly just get physical. She also never tells Adam who she is but a maid, as she fears Adam would never trust her.
A common refrain is that Georgina is a good woman. This is said at least 5 times in the novel by different characters. I could have done with a little less, but that is the crux of the story. Can Adam overlook her blood to trust in her and her love? Can Georgina save herself to triumph despite all odds?
The angst was particularly delicious when Adam and Georgina are together. Some spy stuff that I do not want to spoil but includes incorrect assumptions about betrayal. I liked the grovel but I definitely think it could have been extended.
All this to say, I'm on the CC bandwagon for now. Any recs mightily appreciated!
More thoughts/review to come.
*Full Review*
Highly recommend this one if you want to read a regency with angst, or a heroine and hero that fall in love after being put in horrible, life-threatening situations. For this reason alone, it reminded me of one of my favourite novels, Anna Campbell's Untouched, because although the storylines are completely different, the MCs suffer in situations where they are trapped but you truly feel for them. There is no shame or frustration but complete woe at how they will survive. So, do not read this if you're not in the mood to read about suffering MCs, or have no patience or desire in general to read about physical violence and domestic violence particularly towards the heroine.
I'm not familiar with Christi Caldwell. From what I've seen, she's an incredibly prolific Regency author who seems like she skews on the lighter side of things, so she hasn't appealed to me. However, I really went on a limb with CC. After banning her books on sight after my first read from her, I trusted a GR review and liked what I saw of the sample to download it.
And wow. This completely satisfied my mood!
Georgina Wilcox is the daughter of the Fox, an Irish rebel who wants Irish independence at all costs. Her father is one of the worst fathers and villains I've read due to the graphic nature of how he talks to her but also physically abuses her. Not only that but Georgina is also getting that and workplace harassment from Jamie, her father's protege, an orphan she grew up with who is quite similar to her father's temperament. The one difference is that Jamie likes/obsesses over her, unlike her father who has no remorse or love for her at all. Unfortunately for Georgina, Jamie's her father to a T. Uses his fists and physical intimidation instead of say, nonviolent communication.
A battered woman, she spends her days taking care of the prisoners that her father kidnaps for the Irish cause by feeding them food and wiping off blood. By night, she is double crossing her father by sending secret information about their plans to the Crown.
Enter Adam Markham, a spy for the Brethren, a super secret order of English spies, who gets captured by the Fox. Georgina takes care of Adam but her father soon decides to have her seduce him in order to try to get secrets out of Adam from another channel. Georgina "agrees" to the scheme but they mostly just get physical. She also never tells Adam who she is but a maid, as she fears Adam would never trust her.
A common refrain is that Georgina is a good woman. This is said at least 5 times in the novel by different characters. I could have done with a little less, but that is the crux of the story. Can Adam overlook her blood to trust in her and her love? Can Georgina save herself to triumph despite all odds?
The angst was particularly delicious when Adam and Georgina are together. Some spy stuff that I do not want to spoil but includes incorrect assumptions about betrayal. I liked the grovel but I definitely think it could have been extended.
All this to say, I'm on the CC bandwagon for now. Any recs mightily appreciated!
May 12, 2020
A much abused h , thankfully mostly off-pages, at the hands of her father and foster brother (who feel some aberrant loyalty towards the Irish), and a captured British spy who also gets a taste of torture by their hands. The h plays succor, support and nurse to him. Love results after lust.
The angst is pretty contrived, in ways of ...
'Let's all torture, abuse, use, degrade the h to the max.'
'Suffer, little girl, suffer. For England, For the audience!' *eyeroll*
The angst is pretty contrived, in ways of ...
'Let's all torture, abuse, use, degrade the h to the max.'
'Suffer, little girl, suffer. For England, For the audience!' *eyeroll*
November 1, 2015
SPOILERS...MAYBE..
WOW! Talk about being able to hate someone and wishing them dead. CC really made that easy when it same to Georgina’s father and Jamie. They were too horrible for words and when they beat her you just wanted to reach into the book and save her. That’s some good writing. I couldn’t figure out who was the most insane, her father or Jamie, but they were both mean and vicious when it came to “punishing” her.
Eventually, Adam found out who Georgina’s father was and, of course, here’s a misunderstanding that will probably go on for the rest of the book. After all, I’m only at 59% and the angst is about to start. UGH. I really do have to stop buying these 300+ page books. They are just too frustrating.
At 80% Georgina left her maid at home, which she was told NOT to do, and snuck out to meet that miserable creature Jamie and when said creature told her to get in his carriage IF she cared for her husband, she went! Really? This was her second TSTL episode within minutes of each other: first leaving the maid then thinking for a minute that her big strong husband needed her to protect him. Wow! And I have 20% more of this book to go?
Geez! At 85% she just stands there with Jamie telling his lies and Adam believes it and tells them both to go. She doesn’t even try to stand up for herself. It’s going to be tough finishing this book. I don’t know how this book got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. Must be readers who love books filled with angst.
I have to agree with reviewer Kelly. This was way too angsty. And it lasted until the end of the story. I will admit it was a good story but it would have been better if it had been shorter. It was too long for Adam to find out she wasn’t a traitor and even longer for him to win her back. He groveled too long.
I did like the players, Nick, Tony, Stone, Archer, Nurse Catherine and the Duke of Aubrey.
There wasn’t any sexual tension in this story buy several good sex scenes.
WOW! Talk about being able to hate someone and wishing them dead. CC really made that easy when it same to Georgina’s father and Jamie. They were too horrible for words and when they beat her you just wanted to reach into the book and save her. That’s some good writing. I couldn’t figure out who was the most insane, her father or Jamie, but they were both mean and vicious when it came to “punishing” her.
Eventually, Adam found out who Georgina’s father was and, of course, here’s a misunderstanding that will probably go on for the rest of the book. After all, I’m only at 59% and the angst is about to start. UGH. I really do have to stop buying these 300+ page books. They are just too frustrating.
At 80% Georgina left her maid at home, which she was told NOT to do, and snuck out to meet that miserable creature Jamie and when said creature told her to get in his carriage IF she cared for her husband, she went! Really? This was her second TSTL episode within minutes of each other: first leaving the maid then thinking for a minute that her big strong husband needed her to protect him. Wow! And I have 20% more of this book to go?
Geez! At 85% she just stands there with Jamie telling his lies and Adam believes it and tells them both to go. She doesn’t even try to stand up for herself. It’s going to be tough finishing this book. I don’t know how this book got so many 4 and 5 star reviews. Must be readers who love books filled with angst.
I have to agree with reviewer Kelly. This was way too angsty. And it lasted until the end of the story. I will admit it was a good story but it would have been better if it had been shorter. It was too long for Adam to find out she wasn’t a traitor and even longer for him to win her back. He groveled too long.
I did like the players, Nick, Tony, Stone, Archer, Nurse Catherine and the Duke of Aubrey.
There wasn’t any sexual tension in this story buy several good sex scenes.
March 28, 2016
Bad read :( This book was filled with abuse, verbally and physically to our heroin, by both her family and then later by the man who was supposed to be her husband(verbal abuse only and ripping her heart to threads so many times). Between the misunderstandings, the lies, deceit, believing everyone else but Georgina and lack of communication between our H/h and all the angst there was little to no happy moments. I felt so incredibly sad and horrified for what Georgina suffered throughout this book. If an author is going to write a book such as this with so much pain and heartache then by gosh you better give us more than 3 pages of HEA and that was the final page and epilogue....ugh!! I finished this book with hopes of its redemption, like Georgina my hopes went unfulfilled. Not a read I'd recommend. My heart still hurts from this sad upsetting read.
July 4, 2018
I loved this book. It had angst on every page almost. I loved the heroine and while the hero disappointed me many times he definitely loved the h. Tragically really. And she loved him. There were moments I was crying and moments I hated the hero but I always loved the story. He totally misjudged the heroine and he totally comes to regret it. Her father and adopted brother were horrible and they were totally abusive to her. She was so strong. I wish the epilogue had been longer. Loved this book so much.
September 30, 2016
I just cant finish this book it is so bad. The story line is bad and the characters are terrible, the insta lust is stupid. Sorry CC just can't finish this book. Narration is by Tim Campbell is good.
November 3, 2015
Sometimes I have a yen to read a book with a heart-wrenching martyred wrongfully accused heroine. And in that regard this book paid off... a bit too well.
My goodness! She has the heart of a saint! She's physically beaten by her own father and his heir apparent; and is beaten down by circumstances. Of course, being a saint, she is sometimes helped along by protectors and she has enough spine to get up for another day.
I chose this book because it was kindle unlimited eligible and I thought that I could start a few chapters and see how it goes. I ended up reading it straight through my insomnia-riddled night but I am not quite sure what kept me from putting the book down or choosing another. As in every historical romance reading bout, I rolled my eyes a few times at the lines or at the story and I might have huffed at some other parts a few times too...
I blearily drove my tired body to work the next day and thought about this book, asking myself if it was a good book or a book I would recommend and I had a hard time figuring out my answer. And, of course, I did this thing every author must hate: I started to dissect the whole thing and think "what I would have done" and in doing so realizing how really the story doesn't really hold water at all!
SPOILERS and ISSUES:
SO...
Read this book if you need a martyrdom fix.
Do not read this book if you are looking for a suspenseful and complex intrigue.
Read this book if you haven't read thousands of historical novels and you don't mind you may regret getting lost in a book that isn't perfect for 6 hours, all for the price of a mocha latte. Or if it is KU eligible (as it was for me).
Do not read this book if you are looking for an Alpha male hero and a feisty heroine.
Read this book if you don't feel like you've read everything twice already and you just like the author and you want to see how this series starts.
I'M SORRY...
I apologize to the author for this review. This must be most annoying for you. This is only my personal opinion and my personal views and I understand others could have a better opinion or not find issues with the story at all. I realize I am not an author and I do not think I could be an author. But if your looking for a beta reader...
My goodness! She has the heart of a saint! She's physically beaten by her own father and his heir apparent; and is beaten down by circumstances. Of course, being a saint, she is sometimes helped along by protectors and she has enough spine to get up for another day.
I chose this book because it was kindle unlimited eligible and I thought that I could start a few chapters and see how it goes. I ended up reading it straight through my insomnia-riddled night but I am not quite sure what kept me from putting the book down or choosing another. As in every historical romance reading bout, I rolled my eyes a few times at the lines or at the story and I might have huffed at some other parts a few times too...
I blearily drove my tired body to work the next day and thought about this book, asking myself if it was a good book or a book I would recommend and I had a hard time figuring out my answer. And, of course, I did this thing every author must hate: I started to dissect the whole thing and think "what I would have done" and in doing so realizing how really the story doesn't really hold water at all!
SPOILERS and ISSUES:
SO...
Read this book if you need a martyrdom fix.
Do not read this book if you are looking for a suspenseful and complex intrigue.
Read this book if you haven't read thousands of historical novels and you don't mind you may regret getting lost in a book that isn't perfect for 6 hours, all for the price of a mocha latte. Or if it is KU eligible (as it was for me).
Do not read this book if you are looking for an Alpha male hero and a feisty heroine.
Read this book if you don't feel like you've read everything twice already and you just like the author and you want to see how this series starts.
I'M SORRY...
I apologize to the author for this review. This must be most annoying for you. This is only my personal opinion and my personal views and I understand others could have a better opinion or not find issues with the story at all. I realize I am not an author and I do not think I could be an author. But if your looking for a beta reader...
March 18, 2022
This was good...like, reeeeeal good! lol!
Seriously, if you're into spies and angry hostile villain's running amok, then this one is for you! Our heroine is one of the most mistreated, misunderstood, and wronged women I’ve ever read about. I just wanted her to have a chance at happiness, but she continuously put others before her. She was a martyr that was braver than any man in the book! She deserved even more groveling from her man…like lots more. She was, in short, a badass and I loved her!!
Seriously, if you're into spies and angry hostile villain's running amok, then this one is for you! Our heroine is one of the most mistreated, misunderstood, and wronged women I’ve ever read about. I just wanted her to have a chance at happiness, but she continuously put others before her. She was a martyr that was braver than any man in the book! She deserved even more groveling from her man…like lots more. She was, in short, a badass and I loved her!!
February 5, 2018
It started out interesting, but was ultimately disappointing. I liked the characters in the beginning. Their relationship started off in a common way. The weird love for Grace vs. lust for Georgina thing didn't work for me. I found that irritating. When she is left behind is horrible, nothing about that is okay at all. I liked how they found each other later. But what is the deal with people lying all of the time...even to spare someone else? It's just stupid. I cannot fathom how anyone can expect to have a real relationship built on lies. Ugh. I understand the circumstances but they were both idiotic. Granted I thought he was awful for how he treated her. And he knew she was a terrible liar. Anyhow, I still enjoyed it up til about 75-80% in. Then the ending was so ridiculous and muddled and just weirdly rushed. It made it hard to enjoy.
November 20, 2015
I read this book in the book Dark Deceptions. This was the first story and then one by another author. I loved it! I didn't want to put it down. This book is darker than the others I've read by this author. It has a complex plot and wonderful characters. At some points, I wanted to slap the hero, but remembering what he went through helped to understand him. I hope Christi writes more of the Brethren group. We meet some of them in this book and the agent who was the first helped by Georgina deserves a story. Some of the others might also. Hint hint Christi!
November 8, 2015
I really wanted to like this book, but it just fell short for me. The author generated a lot of emotion for me, but it just didn't make me love it. I think it may had to do with the hero. I wanted more from him, I really wanted him to be more of a hero.
March 25, 2015
I'm not sure why i can't find this as a stand alone book--it's in a couple of bundles and it was the best book in both of them!
April 11, 2016
There was way too much abuse and torture in this book for my tastes.
October 10, 2022
2 stars
So much about this book doesn't make sense.
- Why would Hunter and Fox let Georgina in with Adam?
- Why would they let her give him drawing materials?
- Why wouldn't they torture him more?
- Months are skipped during captivity and it's unclear what they're getting from Adam or the point of him being there at all
- It doesn't seem like trying to make Adam fall in love with Georgina is the most efficient way to get the information out of him—stupid idea
- That Adam's family didn't know about Grace (who Adam was courting), when they were apparently so close, is hard to believe
So many more things actually, like tons, but that's all I can think of for now.
Georgina keeps from Adam that Fox is her father and I was really uncomfortable with this deception and secret-keeping, given what Adam underwent. Of course she should have told him immediately, and then he would have gotten used to it and still come to see her the way he did; it's not like it would be hard to believe that a man like Fox was a horrible and abusive father!
So much about this book doesn't make sense.
- Why would Hunter and Fox let Georgina in with Adam?
- Why would they let her give him drawing materials?
- Why wouldn't they torture him more?
- Months are skipped during captivity and it's unclear what they're getting from Adam or the point of him being there at all
- It doesn't seem like trying to make Adam fall in love with Georgina is the most efficient way to get the information out of him—stupid idea
- That Adam's family didn't know about Grace (who Adam was courting), when they were apparently so close, is hard to believe
So many more things actually, like tons, but that's all I can think of for now.
Georgina keeps from Adam that Fox is her father and I was really uncomfortable with this deception and secret-keeping, given what Adam underwent. Of course she should have told him immediately, and then he would have gotten used to it and still come to see her the way he did; it's not like it would be hard to believe that a man like Fox was a horrible and abusive father!
March 24, 2019
This is one of my favorite books. Caldwell has written a masterpiece that I couldn’t put down. I absolutely adore the heroine in this story. Georgina Wilcox is an amazing character. I loved her kindness and fortitude and her expressive nature. Truly one of my favorite characters written by any author. Adam Markham is a very believable hero. His thoughts and actions stay consistent throughout. I loved the layers the story. It’s not just about boy meeting girl, boy and girl fall in love..the story goes deeper than that. Conflicts arise within each character as well as around them that they must face and overcome. Overall one of the best novels by Caldwell in my estimation.
May 6, 2019
What did I love about this story?
1) the characters had real life issues and lived in circumstances that were less than ideal. Which was great and made the story feel real.
2) It showed a part of history, that I had not seen in many books before.
3) The characters were not perfect and they did show growth during the story.
4) The hero did grovel for his mistakes! He realized he was wrong and he felt bad for it!
This won't be that last book I will read by Christi Caldwell and I will look forward to the rest of the series.
1) the characters had real life issues and lived in circumstances that were less than ideal. Which was great and made the story feel real.
2) It showed a part of history, that I had not seen in many books before.
3) The characters were not perfect and they did show growth during the story.
4) The hero did grovel for his mistakes! He realized he was wrong and he felt bad for it!
This won't be that last book I will read by Christi Caldwell and I will look forward to the rest of the series.
March 15, 2019
Good storytelling. Full of thrilling intrigue, spies, and a HEA. 4☆
May 18, 2018
e-book
July 12, 2017
This book, My Lady of Deception, the first in the series, “Brethren of the Lords” was my introduction to Christi Caldwell's wonderful writing. It is quite well written and extremely dark. I usually don't go for dark, but the prose sucked me in. This is not your typical Regency romance.
Wow! What an incredible ride. I've never worried so much for a heroine in my life. Honestly, I came to the conclusion at one point that Adam Markham did not deserve her. I know that there were some extenuating circumstances, but good grief man! He redeemed himself, of course, in the end.
The characters are well developed. Georgina Wilcox’s ability to maintain a strong moral compass despite her family situation is amazing. Her compassionate drive to do the right thing in spite of personal peril was exemplary. It begs the question for readers, if this were my home and my family, would I be brave enough to do the right thing? Or would I know my role in the family and do what is expected? Georgina's decision defines the term heroine.
Adam’s willful blindness to Georgina’s true social standing annoyed me. Yes, of course, a servant can pick up ballroom etiquette and ton manners in a few easy steps. Yes, a servant speaks posh English. Context clues are a thing, Adam.
The villains of this piece, The Fox and Hunter, were two of the most unredeemable examples of human refuse I've ever had the misfortune to read in literature. They were cunning and brutal in the extreme. I cheered uproariously when they met their demise, which begs the question about my own bloodlust. But that's another issue for another day and discussion.
This book also left me yearning to know more about the other “brethren” Nathaniel Archer, the Duke of Aubrey, and Adam's natural brothers. There is so much potential there to be mined.
I know that there are no definite plans to continue the series, but surely these characters will start screaming or whispering to the author for a story at some point.
NEWSFLASH: Apparently, Nathaniel Archer has done a little whispering in Caldwell's ear and we should be getting his story soon! Yay!
TRIGGER WARNING: There are scenes that allude to torture and domestic violence.
BLURB:
Everybody has a secret. Some are more dangerous than others
For Georgina Wilcox, only child of the notorious traitor known as “The Fox”, there are too many secrets to count. However, after her interference results in great tragedy, she resolves to never help another... until she meets Adam Markham.
Lord Adam Markham is captured by The Fox. Imprisoned, Adam loses everything he holds dear. As his days in captivity grow, he finds himself fascinated by the young maid, Georgina, who cares for him. When the carefully crafted lies she’s built between them begin to crumble, Georgina realizes she will do anything to prove her love and loyalty to Adam—even it means at the expense of her own life.
November 7, 2015
4.5 Stars
~Karen's Review~
Christi Caldwell weaves an intricate tapestry of betrayal, love, loyalty, and romance in The Lady of Deception, the first in her new historical romantic suspense series Brethren of the Lords. The Lady of Deceptions starts out bloody and bruised as crown spy Adam Markham has been betrayed and had landed in the grasp of brutal Irish nationals. Georgina Wilcox is the young woman who tends to him in his captivity and she is ill used by his captors The Fox and The Hunter, but it has not cowed her braver in helping stifle their plans. Georgina is a wonderful fleshed out character, full of compassion and unrelentingly love, even when she is herself betrayed and ill used by those around her. Georgina circumstance broke my heart, and how she is used as a pawn by everyone around her is horrendous. The tale that Caldwell spins is gut wrenching, full of emotional pit falls, and unforgivable treachery.
Adam and Georgina come to learn what love and sacrifice is really all about as their relationship is tested from the very start; and those outside forces destroy the minor trust that this couple has in each other.
The ending felt lacking, and for all the ugliness that Adam spewed I really need more contrition from him. At the same time I do need to defend Adam as the girl he loved moved on quickly after he was out of sight. So he is quick to paint Georgina with the same brush as Grace. The man is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, and he is betrayed by everyone! My heart bled for him, but I also wanted to kick is ass, as he cuts the valet Georgina to the core. This is why I would have loved a longer ending, with more contrition on Adams part. Yes I know I repeated myself in the review.
Note to readers, this book is darker and more carnal than previous Caldwell books that I have read.
~Karen's Review~
Christi Caldwell weaves an intricate tapestry of betrayal, love, loyalty, and romance in The Lady of Deception, the first in her new historical romantic suspense series Brethren of the Lords. The Lady of Deceptions starts out bloody and bruised as crown spy Adam Markham has been betrayed and had landed in the grasp of brutal Irish nationals. Georgina Wilcox is the young woman who tends to him in his captivity and she is ill used by his captors The Fox and The Hunter, but it has not cowed her braver in helping stifle their plans. Georgina is a wonderful fleshed out character, full of compassion and unrelentingly love, even when she is herself betrayed and ill used by those around her. Georgina circumstance broke my heart, and how she is used as a pawn by everyone around her is horrendous. The tale that Caldwell spins is gut wrenching, full of emotional pit falls, and unforgivable treachery.
Adam and Georgina come to learn what love and sacrifice is really all about as their relationship is tested from the very start; and those outside forces destroy the minor trust that this couple has in each other.
The ending felt lacking, and for all the ugliness that Adam spewed I really need more contrition from him. At the same time I do need to defend Adam as the girl he loved moved on quickly after he was out of sight. So he is quick to paint Georgina with the same brush as Grace. The man is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, and he is betrayed by everyone! My heart bled for him, but I also wanted to kick is ass, as he cuts the valet Georgina to the core. This is why I would have loved a longer ending, with more contrition on Adams part. Yes I know I repeated myself in the review.
Note to readers, this book is darker and more carnal than previous Caldwell books that I have read.
January 17, 2020
Disappointing read, 1.5 stars
This book had such promise for me. I love the enemy's daughter trope especially in a historical setting. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to any of my expectations but I was able to finish it so I guess that's something. I'm going to start off with the good things I did enjoy and then dive into the rest.
The good:
1. The premise. So like I said before, I really do like the historical enemy's daughter trope. This could have been an amazing book if the author had actually delivered on the story I could see hints of in the premise. This is one of those times where I wish the author would take the book back and workshop it some more so that they could deliver a truly great book. I was engaged with the story and thought the plot itself was pretty interesting, hence the extra 1/2 star, but I just kept stumbling across all these roadblocks to my enjoyment of the book. And that's what's adding to my disappointment in this book, I think. The belief that this book had so much potential and I, as the reader, kept being let down time after time.
The bad:
1. The writing. The writing in this book was subpar to say the least. I can't say that I've ever read anything else by this author so I don't know if this is standard work by them or not but it left a lot to be desired. Many times there was repeated actions such as a character standing up again when they stood up the paragraph before and hadn't sat down again. The timeline was also all over the place. In one character's perspective, it could be three weeks that had passed but in another perspective it was four weeks. The timeline became so convoluted I stopped trying to decipher it by the end and just started shaking my head each time I came by another inconsistency. Additionally, the author would have characters have baffling conversations with each other that didn't make sense. An example,
2. The chemistry. It. Was. Horrendous. This book didn't even shoot for no chemistry and instead went past that into "bad porno" chemistry. Several times in the book there are arguments and discussions about the virtue of the heroine and most of the time she is being called a whore or something similar by different characters (FYI, she was a virgin and supposedly untried in anything sexual). The hero is the one that consistently defends her and challenges anyone to disparage her in front of him. So here I am chugging along, reading this book, and I keep getting this feeling that, sure, the hero defends her, but he actually seems to treat her like she is a slut. It's not really blatant like name calling or similar, it's more the way they go about having sex every single time. This is where the "bad porno" chemistry comes in because it just seems littered with fake moans and insincere passion. This woman is an inexperienced virgin and the hero tries to have sex with her in multiple public locations, usually with people not far away, and she just seems to "know" things that would please him. It just felt... off to me somehow. After the first one or two instances of sexual interactions, I skimmed the rest because I just didn't like the tone of them for what I thought the author was trying to portray otherwise in the book.
3. The hero. What an idiot. That pretty much sums him up for the entirety of the novel. My one positive for him was that he was a great defender of the heroine... until he wasn't. He just doesn't seem to know how to use his brain at all. He spent a year or so being held captive with most of that time spent getting to know the heroine when she brings him food and cares for him. I would imagine he would have a pretty good idea of who she was as a person at that stage. But let's say he can explain that away by her putting on a show as a traitor (which is possible)... how does he explain her constant nightmares? Or the way she is consistently wary of new males or males in general if they're angry? Honestly, if he had just stopped and thought for one second about anything, the whole book could have gone very differently (and more pleasantly). Instead, he turns from this admirable hero who defends the heroine into one who treats her like lower than dirt and hurts her over and over again. I was truly hoping that the author would at least make a long reconciliation where the hero and heroine would have to work at their relationship and the hero would have to show he was able to be there for her but no that didn't happen. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying to say the least.
4. The heroine. I did actually like her overall. Her story was pretty tragic and harsh but she seemed to have spirit and courage. I wouldn't necessarily class her as that bad of a character but I think the author could have done so much more with her. There's no character arc that you see for her. From the beginning of the book to the end, she's this naive, innocent lamb who jumps and screams every time someone startles her. It would have been nice for her to gain greater confidence in herself and to even feel safer and less twitchy when she was with the hero. Part of this lack of progression can be attributed to the hero's character, and in a smaller amount, the plot. I think if the hero had provided a safe space for her, she could have really blossomed as a character. As it is, she still held fear that the hero would hit her when he was angry. It was an irrational fear in regards to the hero as he had never laid a hand on her in anger but it still doesn't show much trust between them that she isn't even confident that he won't hurt her physically. It just would have been nice to see the author develop more of an intimacy between the main characters that really provided a way for the heroine to come into herself.
This book had a great deal of potential but it never fully delivered. The hero backslid into this demon character while the heroine never came into herself. I would not recommend this book nor will I reread this novel in the future. Happy reading!
This book had such promise for me. I love the enemy's daughter trope especially in a historical setting. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to any of my expectations but I was able to finish it so I guess that's something. I'm going to start off with the good things I did enjoy and then dive into the rest.
The good:
1. The premise. So like I said before, I really do like the historical enemy's daughter trope. This could have been an amazing book if the author had actually delivered on the story I could see hints of in the premise. This is one of those times where I wish the author would take the book back and workshop it some more so that they could deliver a truly great book. I was engaged with the story and thought the plot itself was pretty interesting, hence the extra 1/2 star, but I just kept stumbling across all these roadblocks to my enjoyment of the book. And that's what's adding to my disappointment in this book, I think. The belief that this book had so much potential and I, as the reader, kept being let down time after time.
The bad:
1. The writing. The writing in this book was subpar to say the least. I can't say that I've ever read anything else by this author so I don't know if this is standard work by them or not but it left a lot to be desired. Many times there was repeated actions such as a character standing up again when they stood up the paragraph before and hadn't sat down again. The timeline was also all over the place. In one character's perspective, it could be three weeks that had passed but in another perspective it was four weeks. The timeline became so convoluted I stopped trying to decipher it by the end and just started shaking my head each time I came by another inconsistency. Additionally, the author would have characters have baffling conversations with each other that didn't make sense. An example,
“What did Aubrey say to you?” he asked, a ferocious gleam in his eye.The brother's name isn't even close to Aubrey! It's Anthony (Tony) Devon Markham so I'm not really sure how she started answering the question wrong? Maybe if the author had showed that the heroine hadn't been paying attention or something it would make more sense but that didn't happen here. Due to multiples of these errors, I find it hard to believe this book ever went through an editing process with an editor or even a reread by the author. It made it very hard to immerse myself in the book when glaring writing errors kept jumping out frequently.
“No.” She gave a brusque shake of her head, dislodging a curl. Georgina brushed it back. “Tony has been perfectly gentleman—”
“I referred to the duke.”
2. The chemistry. It. Was. Horrendous. This book didn't even shoot for no chemistry and instead went past that into "bad porno" chemistry. Several times in the book there are arguments and discussions about the virtue of the heroine and most of the time she is being called a whore or something similar by different characters (FYI, she was a virgin and supposedly untried in anything sexual). The hero is the one that consistently defends her and challenges anyone to disparage her in front of him. So here I am chugging along, reading this book, and I keep getting this feeling that, sure, the hero defends her, but he actually seems to treat her like she is a slut. It's not really blatant like name calling or similar, it's more the way they go about having sex every single time. This is where the "bad porno" chemistry comes in because it just seems littered with fake moans and insincere passion. This woman is an inexperienced virgin and the hero tries to have sex with her in multiple public locations, usually with people not far away, and she just seems to "know" things that would please him. It just felt... off to me somehow. After the first one or two instances of sexual interactions, I skimmed the rest because I just didn't like the tone of them for what I thought the author was trying to portray otherwise in the book.
3. The hero. What an idiot. That pretty much sums him up for the entirety of the novel. My one positive for him was that he was a great defender of the heroine... until he wasn't. He just doesn't seem to know how to use his brain at all. He spent a year or so being held captive with most of that time spent getting to know the heroine when she brings him food and cares for him. I would imagine he would have a pretty good idea of who she was as a person at that stage. But let's say he can explain that away by her putting on a show as a traitor (which is possible)... how does he explain her constant nightmares? Or the way she is consistently wary of new males or males in general if they're angry? Honestly, if he had just stopped and thought for one second about anything, the whole book could have gone very differently (and more pleasantly). Instead, he turns from this admirable hero who defends the heroine into one who treats her like lower than dirt and hurts her over and over again. I was truly hoping that the author would at least make a long reconciliation where the hero and heroine would have to work at their relationship and the hero would have to show he was able to be there for her but no that didn't happen. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying to say the least.
4. The heroine. I did actually like her overall. Her story was pretty tragic and harsh but she seemed to have spirit and courage. I wouldn't necessarily class her as that bad of a character but I think the author could have done so much more with her. There's no character arc that you see for her. From the beginning of the book to the end, she's this naive, innocent lamb who jumps and screams every time someone startles her. It would have been nice for her to gain greater confidence in herself and to even feel safer and less twitchy when she was with the hero. Part of this lack of progression can be attributed to the hero's character, and in a smaller amount, the plot. I think if the hero had provided a safe space for her, she could have really blossomed as a character. As it is, she still held fear that the hero would hit her when he was angry. It was an irrational fear in regards to the hero as he had never laid a hand on her in anger but it still doesn't show much trust between them that she isn't even confident that he won't hurt her physically. It just would have been nice to see the author develop more of an intimacy between the main characters that really provided a way for the heroine to come into herself.
This book had a great deal of potential but it never fully delivered. The hero backslid into this demon character while the heroine never came into herself. I would not recommend this book nor will I reread this novel in the future. Happy reading!
January 27, 2016
It pains me to give one of Christi Caldwell's books a poor review, but I hated this story with a passion. I'm only giving it two stars because Christi's writing is beautiful. I wanted to strangle both of these characters for about 75% of the book. And the ending just would not end. Good Lord, the last 30% of the book was over the top melodramatic - and STILL the two idiots wouldn't say what was in their heart. It was f#@king painful. I wanted to stop around 50% but kept reading because I really hoped Christi would turn it around. And for a short while I actually thought she might reel me back in. But nope. Hated this story with a passion. Sorry!
October 25, 2015
This book is beyond fantastic. Its like Christi Caldwell took a piece from all the greatest romance books ever written and created this masterpiece. I could not drop this book until i finished it. This would definitely be joining my favorite shelf.
After getting past the haze this book left me, i decided to vote on every list this book is on. The world needs to know this book is out there.
I would get this book as gifts for my friends and watch them read it so that they can feel how utterly amazing this book is.
After getting past the haze this book left me, i decided to vote on every list this book is on. The world needs to know this book is out there.
I would get this book as gifts for my friends and watch them read it so that they can feel how utterly amazing this book is.
October 29, 2023
SO SO MUCH DELICIOUS ANGST!!! Reminded me of Lady Gallant. The only way this book could have been more right up my alley is if Georgina was a BBW. Though there is a bit of insecurity about her appearance, which I always love. Only complaint:
On reread: still an absolute fave, but I wish the villains hadn’t been Irish Republicans. I have too much sympathy for people fighting against colonialism to appreciate them being painted as evil.
On reread: still an absolute fave, but I wish the villains hadn’t been Irish Republicans. I have too much sympathy for people fighting against colonialism to appreciate them being painted as evil.
June 30, 2018
I have to put this down. I don't like it at all.
October 2, 2016
It's too bad the hero is such an asshole. The heroine really is far more awesome and amazing. Good story. Preferred the duke of Aubrey to the hero (or even the Archer). But oh well.
February 16, 2018
A dark book of torture and sweetness , with a beautifully romantic edge . One of Christis best x
October 8, 2017
For a traditionally published novel, by a best-selling author, with an editor, this book had an insane number of typos. More than any non-traditionally published book that I've read -- and I've read quite a few. I mention this, because there's a stigma towards self-publishing and non-traditional publishing. People assume the better written and edited books are written by traditionally published and established writers, not true. Typos included misused personal pronouns, (she instead of he, or her instead of his), verb tense - pressured instead of pressure, and misplaced punctuation.
Other than that I enjoyed the book. And I admittedly don't mind these things as much as some do, mainly because I think differently and hand-wave it as people being human. But this one did have more than most. So may be the transference to the Kindle edition.
I'm not sure if this is intentional but the author seems to have a very negative view of government covert operations and those who operate and are in charge of them. My main quibbles with the plot were well, the operations of insanely inept and somewhat cruel heroic Brethren -- which is super secret spy arm of the British Home Office.
That's a heavy theme in the book by the way. Condemning people based on very little information or illogical syllogisms. Or one person by the actions of others they are related to or identified with.
The other huge theme of the novel is a question...do the means truly justify the ends? Are the Brethren's actions justified even if they may have a good result? It's debatable, I guess. But Caldwell does not appear to think they are, and I tend to agree...for the road to hell is laid with the best of intentions. So even if the result is seemingly good at the end of the day...there are deep scares, and losses that could have been avoided and do have repercussions...as is seen in the next book, "The Spy Who Seduced Me" .
Other than that I enjoyed the book. And I admittedly don't mind these things as much as some do, mainly because I think differently and hand-wave it as people being human. But this one did have more than most. So may be the transference to the Kindle edition.
I'm not sure if this is intentional but the author seems to have a very negative view of government covert operations and those who operate and are in charge of them. My main quibbles with the plot were well, the operations of insanely inept and somewhat cruel heroic Brethren -- which is super secret spy arm of the British Home Office.
That's a heavy theme in the book by the way. Condemning people based on very little information or illogical syllogisms. Or one person by the actions of others they are related to or identified with.
The other huge theme of the novel is a question...do the means truly justify the ends? Are the Brethren's actions justified even if they may have a good result? It's debatable, I guess. But Caldwell does not appear to think they are, and I tend to agree...for the road to hell is laid with the best of intentions. So even if the result is seemingly good at the end of the day...there are deep scares, and losses that could have been avoided and do have repercussions...as is seen in the next book, "The Spy Who Seduced Me" .
July 24, 2018
In a perilous time of Irish radical is when this book takes place.
Georgina Wilcox is subject to her cruel father and the orphan they took in, Jamie. Her mother died in childbirth which is one of the reasons he hate her , the other is the fact she is a girl. Now she spends her days caring for the men her father and Jamie abuse and batter.
Adam Markham has been drugged, beaten, and kidnapped. As a hostage to "Fox" and "Hunter" Irish radicals who want the names of all his brethern. Unwilling to give them any information he insures the torture hoping to get free.
As Georgina cares for Adam's wounds she also sends secret messages to the crown on her father, known as the Fox, and Jamie, known as the Hunter, activities.
Now Adam gets a brief reprieve from the beatings and Georgina befriends him. As the two try to survive and figure out a way to release Adam, things get muddled. Adam promises to take her with him but she knows that the penalty would be her death so declined to help.
An ally comes in an unexpected source. With Adam free, Georgina gets beaten and left for dead. The one person who she thinks is dead rescues her and helps his her.
As things get worse at home for Adam, he can't stop thinking about Georgina. When out of nowhere their paths cross. Realizing he is in love with her, Adam goes against his family and married her.
When her secrets come to light she is abandoned and helps the. Down once more for freedom and security. As it would happen Adam figures out that her secrets are not enough to keep them apart and goes after her only to almost losing her by a bullet wound. Once recovered she takes her freedom and leaves. Adam hunts her down to get her back.
Travel along on this suspenseful, wild ride with great characters, a wonderful plot, and twisting turns to keep you reading until the end.
Georgina Wilcox is subject to her cruel father and the orphan they took in, Jamie. Her mother died in childbirth which is one of the reasons he hate her , the other is the fact she is a girl. Now she spends her days caring for the men her father and Jamie abuse and batter.
Adam Markham has been drugged, beaten, and kidnapped. As a hostage to "Fox" and "Hunter" Irish radicals who want the names of all his brethern. Unwilling to give them any information he insures the torture hoping to get free.
As Georgina cares for Adam's wounds she also sends secret messages to the crown on her father, known as the Fox, and Jamie, known as the Hunter, activities.
Now Adam gets a brief reprieve from the beatings and Georgina befriends him. As the two try to survive and figure out a way to release Adam, things get muddled. Adam promises to take her with him but she knows that the penalty would be her death so declined to help.
An ally comes in an unexpected source. With Adam free, Georgina gets beaten and left for dead. The one person who she thinks is dead rescues her and helps his her.
As things get worse at home for Adam, he can't stop thinking about Georgina. When out of nowhere their paths cross. Realizing he is in love with her, Adam goes against his family and married her.
When her secrets come to light she is abandoned and helps the. Down once more for freedom and security. As it would happen Adam figures out that her secrets are not enough to keep them apart and goes after her only to almost losing her by a bullet wound. Once recovered she takes her freedom and leaves. Adam hunts her down to get her back.
Travel along on this suspenseful, wild ride with great characters, a wonderful plot, and twisting turns to keep you reading until the end.
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