Sweet Deception

No Deception - This Is a Sexy Sweet Book! 4.5 Rating

I've been a fan of Patricia Sargeant's since I interviewed her in 2007 on ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING; back then, I was digging her novel On Fire. For 2009, I am telling all romance fans to check out her June 2009 release, Sweet Deception.

You want a book description, you can head to Patricia's website and read one; you want to know why you should pre-order this book TODAY, keep reading!

I have read a lot of romance novels, and oftentimes, I get irritated at how "damsel-in-distress" the woman is or how - even when strong - she always manages to loosen her backbone when the man comes with his demanding, "I want you now" ways. I like both my male and female leads to be strong, yet vulnerable, and Sargeant handles this wonderfully in Sweet Deception. We have two strong, sexy characters, both struggling to deal with familial issues while trying to find and reconnect with themselves and ultimately with each other. We have humor - not your typical man-made comedy, but life comedy - those things that happen just from living and breathing and dealing with the world. We have yearning because each of these characters desperately want love and affection in their lives and as readers, we want them to receive it. And no sexy romance novel could be complete without sex, and Sargeant laces the novel with sensual scenes that will warm you and make you enjoy the novel all the more.

Those of you who are hard core romance fans and believe that romance novels have merit within the publishing industry, you'll have an added reason to buy the book, too; I won't tell you why - just to say that very early on in the novel, Sargeant places the characters in a situation that will hearken many a YAY FOR ROMANCE cry!

Sweet Deception hits shelves in June; however, you can pre-order your copy TODAY by clicking the cover above!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very good read!!

I seldom give 5 stars but I really really enjoyed this book. Great storyline, realistic characters and well written. This one is a keeper!

Sweet!

I really enjoyed getting to know Joan and Ronald and the love that they shared. I would really like to read about the sister in their own stories and to really see if there was some changes in their lives. Joan someone that I had to get involved with simply because she was so confused about herself and what she had to offer others. I did not understand the confusion she felt. Also, I was not into the so call "christian" side of this story. There were issues I did not agree with, but I will read this author books again.

AAMBC Book Reviews

In this exhilarating story of love and power struggles, Patricia Sargeant delivers family fueled drama. Sweet Deception introduces the reader to lust and loneliness through the connection of romance author Cleopatra Sinclair (Joan) and best selling author Ron Montgomery. Joan, driven by the forbidden fruits of the pastor's child creates her Cleopatra alter ego morph into a young woman that is confident, intriguing, and sexy. Ron hides behind the success of his thriller novels to overshadow the pain of family neglect and rejection. This passionate couple ruffles the feathers of their families; in the process both Ron and Joan mature, by confronting their parents. Sargeant does an excellent job developing the characters. Emotion leaps off of the page when relationship dynamics reach their peak. Additionally, the author highlighted several issues that are rarely written about in the black community. She captures the stresses of the first family of the church, arranged marriages, the burden of being successful, sibling rivalry, etc. Moreover, the author accomplishes this without sacrificing health and love, necessities for human survival. The author could have developed some of the settings more. For example, I had a clear visual of Ron's Brooklyn apartment, but not Joan's parents' house. Also, the dialogue between Joan and her older sister did not flow as naturally as with her younger sister, but perhaps that was a reflection of their relationship.
Great piece, the beginning grabs your attention and the ending makes you yearn for more; looking forward to the next.

Natsha Hines
AAMBC Reviewer

Full Of Drama, Review by Sisterhood Book Club

This book is so surreal that all my emotions were pulled back and forward with all the characters. It takes place in Columbus and New York, now Joan stays in Columbus and Ron stays in New York. But the love is so strong until it brings the distance between them together.

Joan is living a double life as the preacher daughter/Romance author known as Cleopatra Sinclair. When she meets Ronald/ best seller she introduces herself as AKA Cleopatra. The jump off was incredible between the two that brings the two worlds to its knees.

Joan comes from a controlling family/father that is determine to make sure his girls live and be taken care of by men's he picks out for them all. But Joan is not going for it, can't say the same for the other two sisters. Joan is brave enough to talk up to her father about picks of guys but too scared to tell her family about her writing career. But once she did tell her family all hell brakes loose.

Ronald comes from a dysfunctional family where he's caught up in a roller coaster of lies and decent. His mother is a protector of her sons but she's protecting the wrong son. Ronald finds himself face to face with his brother and fiancé in his bed. The jump off between the brother, mother, father and Joan is a golden moment full of drama.

I recommend this book to all Book Clubs

Sweet Deception is exceptional

Sweet Deception by Patricia Sargeant is a unconventional romance that is filled with passion and conflict.

Joan Brown aka erotic writer Cleopatra Sinclair meets a compelling man at a writer's conference. Since she is far away from home she decides to let her hair down and give into her desires. Once she is back home in Ohio safe and secure at her art store she can only remember the searing passion she had with Ron Montgomery.

Thriller writer Ronald Montgomery was intrigued from his first meeting with Cleopatra Sinclair. One night with her was not nearly enough. He finds out her real name is Joan Brown and lives in Columbus, Ohio. As luck would have it he offered a teaching position for the summer in Columbus. The woman he sees is so different from Cleo he remembers but Ron is still enthralled by Joan Brown.

Joan is shocked by Ron's reappearance in her world. Her real life as a minister's daughter is worlds away from her writing. She can't let these worlds collide Ron has his own family issues that follow him to Columbus. Can these two new lovers overcome their family's interference?

Patricia Sargeant books are rich in passion and connections between the characters. I had enjoyed Patricia's stories in several anthologies and went and bought her single titles. I am glad I did, they are all first rate romances.

After the Lies...

"Sweet Deception" is an INTRIGUING concept...I was totally CAUGHT UP in the budding romance of Joan and Ronald...Mrs. Sargeant weaves an ENGAGING tale...with a cast of well-developed and UNFORGETTABLE characters...the conflict and drama that the characters, (main and secondary) struggles with make this novel that much more compelling and entertaining...she creates quite a CAPTIVATING grown & sexy romance about personal and professional growth, love and life, and the UNFORTUNATE dysfunctional...more "Sweet Deception" is an INTRIGUING concept...I was totally CAUGHT UP in the budding romance of Joan and Ronald...Mrs. Sargeant weaves an ENGAGING tale...with a cast of well-developed and UNFORGETTABLE characters...the conflict and drama that the characters, (main and secondary) struggles with make this novel that much more compelling and entertaining...she creates quite a CAPTIVATING grown & sexy romance about personal and professional growth, love and life, and the UNFORTUNATE dysfunctional dynamics that some families experience...the whole church, family and erotic romance writing situation will quite possibly make for some interesting discussions among book club members.

A Tangled Web

When Joan Brown attends a writers conference in Los Angeles under her erotic romance pseudonym, Cleopatra Sinclair, she meets mystery writer, Ronald Montgomery. As with some romance critics, Ron looks down on the romance genre; however, after spending one night with "Cleo", Ron cannot forget the author and tries to look her up with no luck.

Joan returns to Ohio to take up her regular place as owner of an art store and daughter of a minister-a minister who wants to dictate the life of his three adult daughters when choosing who they should marry and continue his standing in the church community.

When Ron accepts a three month teaching position in Ohio of all places, he fnds Joan and a HOT romance begins. Ron encourages Joan to tell her family about her other career as an erotica author and things begin to unravel with family members accusing her of writing "pornography".

Not only does Joan's character become stronger but so do other characters in the story. On the side, Ron has his share of family problems as well so it seems Joan solves his problems while he solves hers.

Suprisingly, Joan's sister and mother have copies of Cleopatra Sinclair's book in their possession as do some of her choir members.

Patricia Sargeant has written a wonderful keeper book for the romance reader in all of us.

No text was provided for this review.