The Notorious (The Deceived Series) Sequel to Cloaked Beauty
Celeste Edulici and Derek Loredo are on the run after Radeskian, the enemy country of Lorendian, have invaded their country. There's a lot hanging on what Celeste can do, since getting their country back and saving as many people as she can seems to be in her hands. But being on the run isn't so easy, not that anybody thought it would be.
Francesca La Rosetta - or actually Francesca Lockheart, the princess of Radeskian who had pretended to be the princess of Serenia, has been able to keep the fact that Radeskian has taken over Lorendian and Serenia a secret, though her ability to do so is unknown. Those in Lorendian who don't live near the city, aren't always informed about the goings on in the castle and marketplace. So they believe that everything in Lorendian is right, that it's at peace, and that the royal family is still in power. But they couldn't be more wrong.
What's worse, everyone thinks that Celeste is a criminal, a traitor. There's a high price for her head, because apparently, she had tried to kill the queen, and now she's on the loose. It makes running away that much harder. Oh, and she's not wanted dead or alive. She's wanted alive. Which sounds better, but really isn't.
Francesca wants her found, and the Radeskians are always right on their trail, so Derek and Celeste must be careful.
But to take down this empire that Francesca intends to create, they need more information. They need to know more about the Radeskians plans. But they find something else entirely.
This story will take you on a thrill ride of romance, action, and more secrets than you ever thought possible.
***COMPLETED!!!***
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Everyone has secrets...
Vincent, Viscount Thorne, perfected his wicked grin and his good-humored mask years ago. He has no time for fools. Or that fickle emotion, love. The ton is full of sheep blindly walking into heartbreak.
After all, he had ruined his best friend's little sister for love only to have ripped away from him. Thorne had no choice but to leave her waiting that night in the garden. It was his only choice. So, why does he still regret it so damned much?
Especially now, when the lady in question reenters society, scarred but hardly broken. The Duke of Burkeley - that pompous, uptight wanker - declares himself her fiancee, and Thorne finds he will do whatever necessary to keep her out of that prig's clutches.
A wager is in order. He'll find her a better bridegroom and then let her go. If only he could.
...but eventually, even the best kept secrets come out...
Lady Georgianna is done hiding. So what, the love of her life left her waiting for hours in a darkened garden? So what, the fire chose that evening to entrap her, leaving her face burned? She dares anyone to place her into an imposed exile. Once was enough.
With the Duke as her betrothed - the most arrogant and influential of them - Georgie will finally have everything she wanted within her grasp. Well, if Thorne hadn't intervened once more with his ridiculous talk of wagers. Suddenly, Georgie's in a game she can't afford to lose.
But, what if she wins?
...Until everything comes crashing down...
By season's end, the masquerade ball reveals more than their masked faces. It's a blazing unveiling that trumps even Beau Brummel's exile. The question remains. Will it lead to their ultimate ruination? Or might it just be their salvation?
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UPDATES: Irregular, but I'm going to try for every Friday!
HIGHEST RANKING: #2 on 3/6/2017
Book 2 in the Spirited Brides series. **CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE**
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Beautiful cover and Graphic by @angelanguyenn!