(BWF) And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander - 3 stars

[Ellen]

In order to appease her pushy mother, Emily accepted the proposal of Viscount Philip Ashton. Within just a few months however, Emily was widowed when Philip died during a hunting expedition in Africa. She barely knew the man but living in Victorian times Emily was forced into mourning for at least the next year. Trying to learn more about Philip, Emily reads his journals and finds that Philip had a great love of Grecian art and antiquities. She begins to frequent the British Museum where she develops a deep appreciation of Grecian vases. Shockingly she realizes that some of the vases are exactly like ones in Philip's library. Certainly they are copies. After diligent research and with the help of an artist who makes legal reproductions, Emily realizes that the vases Philip owns are the originals. Had she married a man who dealt in black market antiquities?

The story is a pleasant one with Emily being a great character. For the times she lived in, she was quite sure of what she wanted out of life and was unafraid of what she would need to do to get it.
There is a good deal of romance in the book and the mystery of the vases is good. As for Philip, he's given rather short shrift although there are some lovely passages in his journals.

[Theresa]

I found this quite enjoyable too. Read it last year. I've yet to read the next in the series though I do have it.

[Robin P]

I found it fine but not special enough to continue. However, it worked for a prompt in a GR game were I needed a book related to mythology - without my having to read yet another retelling.

[Booknblues]

I read this years ago and liked it quite a bit, but never went on to read more of the series.