Format read: ebook provided by publisher through NetGalley
Series: Book #2 in the Veiled Seduction series
Release Date: 7 August 2012
Number of pages: 384 pages
Publisher: Signet
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Kindle store, Barnes and Noble, Book Depository, Read an excerpt

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

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds herself tangled in the dangerous mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy who also happens to be her long lost first love.

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

My Thoughts: I LOVED Sweet Enemy, Heather Snow’s debut novel and the first book in her Veiled Seduction trilogy, so much that it immediately became one of my favourite books read in 2012 and so I was impatiently counting back the days until the release of the second novel. Thankfully the wait is over as Sweet Deception released this week and I am happy to report that Heather Snow did not disappoint with this second instalment, her position on my “new favourite authors” list is secure 😉

Though Sweet Deception can very well be read as a standalone (there are just a few mentions of the previous novel’s couple to make a loose connection between the books of the series, but nothing major that you need to know prior to starting Sweet Deception), I still think you shouldn’t miss out on Sweet Enemy as it is such a delightful story.

If you have read Sweet Enemy you might have a few preconceived ideas on what to expect of Sweet Deception, and though there are similarities between the two novels, I would still say that their general tone is quite different. While Sweet Enemy is light and full of flirty, light seduction, Sweet Deception is a bit darker and the mystery(ies) plotline is more central to the story. Though Sweet Enemy had a few mystery undertones as well, Sweet Deception is rather a historical mystery romance. The story is built around murder investigations, uncovering traitors, and as someone once said “it is less obvious and harder to be cute when dead bodies are scattered around”. 😉

But do not be afraid, what you got to love in Sweet Enemy you’ll also find it in Sweet Deception: a wonderfully brilliant scientist heroine, a dark and tortured, yet warmhearted and loving hero, sizzling chemistry and sensual romance, and most of all Heather Snow’s beautifully evocative and smooth writing:

The barrage of today’s revelations was almost too much for her to bear. So many pieces, memories, and thoughts seemed to make a new kind of sense now and yet make no sense at all. It was as if she’d been looking at Derick through a kaleidoscope that blurred his edges, but it hadn’t mattered because he’d been such a beautiful, dazzling thing. But now, with a turn of the wrist, the lenses had aligned and he’d come suddenly into sharp, stark view with all of his faults on display. And she found him even more beautiful.

Emma is a delightful heroine, I loved how besides her intelligent scientific mind (she is a brilliant mathematician and a female criminal profiler!) she had such a naïve and optimistic outlook on life, and the way she jumbled up common sayings and proverbs made her human and so lovable (she reminded me a lot of dr. Temperence Brennan aka as Bones from the TV series, although Emma is never aloof or cold, she is approachable, compassionate and very loving).

And Derick… oh Derick. Derick (short for Lord Frederick Aveline, Viscount Scarsdale) was a great hero. I found it impressive how despite him being a tortured hero with a bleak outlook on life, he wasn’t a depressing character: he had so much life, energy and passion that it livened up the dark outlook he forced himself to adopt. It was moving to see the way Emma unraveled him layer by layer and got under his skin despite Derick’s declarations and objections. His attraction, passion, tender feelings and love for Emma progressed beautifully and when he finally realized the depth of his emotions for her, it was humbling. These two’s romance was beautiful and worth telling alongside Liliana and Geoffrey’s (the heroine and hero of Sweet Enemy).

Verdict: Sweet Deception was a fantastic addition to the Veiled Seduction trilogy. With a scientist heroine and a dark hero, murders and investigations, mystery and romance, it had everything to keep the reader’s heart rate racing, either due to the intrigue or the sensual romantic storyline.

And once again I’m back where I started: impatiently counting back the days until the release of Book #3, Sweet Madness… *groans*

I give Sweet Deception 4.5 stars!

About Stella

Stella is a proud bookaholic and a self-taught multilinguist in training. Besides reading, her other great passions are travelling and baking. When she is not globetrotting she lives in sunny Budapest, where she loves to spend her free time preparing (and feasting on) delicious cookies or devouring equally yummy books. Her favourite genres are urban fantasy and romance and she couldn't live without her daily dose of sunshine. Besides being the Latin Lover on BLI Stella also blogs about books and a bookish life on Ex Libris.

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