In the dark, the greatest lover can become the most dangerous conspirator...

Lord Frederick Aveline, otherwise known as Derick, has successfully kept up appearances as an English nobleman. What no one knows is that he's a full-blooded Frenchman--a double agent for the British against the French. But there is something else no one knows about Derick. Deciding to leave behind his days of espionage, he's arrived home in Derbyshire to finish one final order of business: to find and expose a dangerous traitor in their midst.

But Aveline Castle holds its own share of secrets--including murder--and an unexpected lure in the brilliant and fiesty Emma Wallingford. Emma's loyalty lies with acting as the town's magistrate, and she doesn't welcome an unanticipated, though appealing, intrusion like Derick's. As the two of them are drawn closer, the sordid past of Derick's family comes to light, as does the true nature of his arrival.

But when deception, however sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and every life--is at risk.

Series: A Veiled Seduction Novel (Book 2)

Review

A spy, a lady with a photographic memory, and a traitor with a body count…

Derick Aveline, the new Lord Scarsdale, is in Derbyshire to track down a traitor. It’s his last mission for the crown and upon completion he’ll leave England’s shores forever. At least that’s the plan until he runs into the girl who used to know him better then he knew himself. Emma Wallingford, nickname Pygmy, is all grown up and damned intelligent. She’s the acting magistrate in town and bound to be a thorn in Derick’s side just like when they were children. The only problem is he’s enjoying Emma up close, and things are about to be a little more serious than hide and seek.

Sweet Deception is the sequel to Snow’s debut novel Sweet Enemy. So far I have to admit I love Snow’s creative way of inserting heroines into traditional male roles. First it was a chemist, now the lovely Emma Wallingford is a magistrate. Not only does Snow explore this odd twist in a Historical setting, but she gives Emma a trait without a technical name—a photographic memory. Emma’s unique traits are a ton of fun, and I love the idea of her using her knowledge for more than cow theft.

Derick is the hardened spy. He’s also not entirely British, raised in England by a French mother and English father he found trouble on the continent in multiple forms. His only choice was to become a spy and not the atypical. He found his quarry and secrets in the bedchamber rather than dark alleys. Derick’s womanizing ways is the one thing I had a hard time getting over. At the start of the book he’s abstaining from the practice, but I just couldn’t get over what he’d once done. The ‘bad boy’ past also sits a little poorly when it comes to Derick getting close with Emma.

Emma and Derick come together in one of those ‘I can’t help it’ couplings. For me the progress of the romance just wasn’t enough to spark the feeling that I would read this book over and over. I liked Emma and Derick, but there was something missing from the romance. I couldn’t buy Emma as Derick’s savior from his inner turmoil.

On the opposite end of the spectrum Snow creates a wonderful murder mystery. The plot kept me guessing and this is the second book in the last month that actually contained a murder plot that kept me engaged. There are plenty of twists and turns, along with some memorable characters and poignant moments. I really felt Emma and Derick were on more of a discovery journey rather than a romantic journey.

Overall this is a good story, and worth the read. Characters are well developed and entertaining. If you’re a fan of Kasey Michaels or Renee Bernard you’ll enjoy Sweet Deception.

Reviewed by Landra

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