A perfect book to disappear into

In addition to being a chocoholic I am also - let's face it - a bookaholic. Purchasing Tasha Alexander's "And Only to Deceive" and Tracy Grant's "Secrets of a Lady" was completely and utterly compulsory. I admit it. I don't even have the decency to feel bad about it. When the books came in I went through a few agonizing moments, trying to decide which one to read first. As a true statistician, I resorted to a coin toss. Tasha won.

Just to give you an idea: the evening I started reading the book came after two grueling weeks of constant fire-fighting at work (even the statistical nerds get job crises), a day of back-to-back meetings and an hour-long drive home (this was my one-per-week office day, but trust me - one is enough). My husband was watching something violent, with shooting, explosions and hostages - I didn't care... It's been a long time since I disappeared into a book like that, and I relished every moment of it.

Tasha Alexander may not be the right author and Lady Emily Ashton - the right character for you. I can only wish that you find one that resonates as well with your personality as "And Only to Deceive" had resonated with mine.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Plot a little obvious but an enjoyable read anyway!

The overall plot was good, but a little transparent...it became a little obvious who was supposed to be the villain fairly early on. Lady Emily herself was flat at times but became interesting as she discovered what it was that she wanted. I really liked the fact that she decided to do the detective work herself without relying on the men in her world. I do look forward to reading more of this series though.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Starts out strong, becomes illogical and unbelievable.

I enjoy stories about the regency and victorian periods in England and this story had a very strong beginning, protraying a young widow who matured after her husband's death, and whose character and independent spirit came out strongly although somewhat unorthodox behavior for Victorian society. The unbelievable last 2/3 of the book was that after she had belatedly fallen in love with her deceased husband, discovering him to be a worthwhile person she had barely known, she then DOUBTS him based on unsubstantiated tales from his 'friends' and then BELIEVES any flimsy story that he might still be ALIVE. This is totally illogical with the first third of the book. In addition, her instant 'maturity' after only 6 months of marriage and widowhood, having lived her whole life with her parents is also somewhat unbelievable. Suddenly she knows her own mind extremely well, she moves in society she was barely introduced to, manages servants and a house, knows fashion, and she decides to live in Paris, where she is an instant social success. Just a little too much to swallow.......

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Really enjoyable read

I really enjoy a book that is not your typical Romance. I enjoyed exploring the character and her journey in life.
Also a wonderful depiction of the social rules during the time peroid.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

PERIOD CHICK-LIT

More than a novel of suspense, this debut novel is a period romance with bits of history and mystery. It's mildly entertaining. Just passable.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Goes from good to boring.

Starts out good but slows to a snail's pace. It's hard to get behind characters that are such spoiled aristocrats with little depth. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time with this book when there's so many other better books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Interesting Plot, unlikeable characters

Lady Emily isn't particularly likeable. She marries a man she doesn't love to escape her overbearing mother who knows exactly what everyone should do and knows she is alwasy right. And as the book develops the reader realizes that Lady Emily is...exactly like her mother. She knows best and her way is right. I am assuming the author is trying to convey that Lady Emily is a proto-feminist, but to me she comes across as unlikeable. The secondary characters are barely developed. If you want a good historical read I would suggest the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourne. The characters are all well-drawn, even the secondary characters and the plots are well developed.

Recommend the series!

I bought this book because one of the BN staff recommended #5 of the series. I always like to read a series from the beginning and am hooked on this series. Have already read books 1 and 2 and am reading #3 now.

Wonderful start to a great series

I didn't really expect this book to get me hooked but surprise! Tasha Alexander (no relation) has a way of taking you back in time. The heroine, Lady Emily Ashton, is a young woman who has to endure all the challenges that Victorian era society has to offer. Murder is thrown in the mix. Lady Emily is a very spunky, curious and determined to live to the fullest.

Good

Enjoyed it a lot.

Love this series! Well worth the time. I live the Lady Emily series.

Young Adult.

This is at best a young adult book. There is very little substance in the characters or the plot. Fatuous use of the author's knowledge of Homer and the Illiad.

Whirlwind of Victorian Suspense

The subtitle "A Novel of Suspense" is certainly no lie here. This delightfully Victorian novel whisks the reader into the world of Lady Emily Ashton. Lady Emily is rich, beautiful, and fiercely independent. Her journey takes the reader from London to Paris to Greece, and gives us lively characters and a suspenseful story to intrigue us. It is truly enjoyable to follow Lady Emily as she discovers some wonderful, some starling facts about her dead husband, Philip Ashton, whom she barely knew before he passed away and attempts to discern the puzzle he left behind. The only thing lacking in this book would be in the character of Colin Hargreaves. Although he is a handsome, intelligent man, his character is not as strong as one would hope the suitor of Lady Emily might be. This is altogether an enjoyable book, and the next in the Lady Emily series is definitely on my reading list.

Great Read

Good read- I have not previously read anyting by this author, and the book was on the buy one get one table, but it was surprisingly enjoyable. Short, sweet, but absolutely entertaining. I like the characters and the plot. Will def pick up the next installment.

Engaging

Well written, engaging and intelligent characters.

Take a trip to Victorian England...

... you won't be sorry. I purchased the first book of the series because I enjoy the genre. What is great about the story is that it has a very real heroine who struggles with the same roadblocks that 21st Century women do. I like Emily's strong will and Ms. Alexander works it beautifully - in first person POV which can be troublesome at times but it really reads well in this book. There's not a boring character - even Emily's husband who is dead, is interesting. What can we say about the plot? Great elements! I really wanted Emily's husband to be alive! I wanted her to find him! And I was also deceived by her suitors - good and bad. A great read and I'm definitely going to purchase the others in the series.

Surprisingly Wonderful!

I honestly was not expecting much from this book so I was shocked when it became a can't put down, rush out for the rest of the series book. The characters were great and I loved Lady Emily - she was so relatable and someone I couldn't stop rooting for! Great book to pick up for a rainy day or to keep you company by the pool!

all for money...

I admit that when I first purchased the three books in this series, I had no idea what to expect. Little did I know, I was in for a thrill ride with a love story enfolded within. It was quite touching yet sad how Lady Emily began to develop feelings for her late husband after discovering who I truly was, especially after having married him without knowledge of his true character left her void of any attachments when he passed away. It was quite shocking how the story begins to unfold itself, I absolutely loved Lady Emily's mindset and her determination to not bend to society's rules. The people that she befriends along they way are special in their own ways, and each have their own unique personality that supports Lady Emily's character. At first, this story was just supposed to be a pass time, but I got so wrapped up in the story that I could not put it down. I finished it in less than 48 hours, which is rare for me unless it truly is a good book.

An Outstanding Find

I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up this book. After reading the first few chapters, I was drawn into a world that I didn't want to leave. Love, romance, mystery, friendship. Tasha Alexander has done an outstanding job on this book. And just think, I've only finished book one!!

And Only To Deceive By Tasha Alexander

It was a great book and I liked the mystery the main character had to solve. With that she also was finding out the mystery of her husband Philip who died. Both mysteries in a way were tied together made the plot of the story more interesting. It gave the character more depth to her personality. I also liked that the main character was a woman since most mysteries that I read the character are more men then woman. Especially the era this book is set in. From reading And Only To Deceive I would read the series of the books, to find out what happens to Emily. I especially think it good for giving to someone since my sister told me about the book in the first place.