FROM NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR ELISABETH NAUGHTON, BOOK TWO IN THE HOUSE OF SINSome doors were never meant to be opened…I made a fateful mistake. I should never have peeked behind the doors into his forbidden world.But I did, and now I’m a prisoner. Trapped by the man I love. The man I thought I could trust. The man who, despite his lies and deception, I continue to crave.He can melt my resolve … continue to crave.
He can melt my resolve with one rough, whispered demand, and I feel myself giving in to the desire he still stirs inside me. And yet, if I want to survive, I have to be strong. I must find a way to escape. Because if I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll be consumed by a shadowy world that will ultimately destroy me.
Lost forever in his wicked House of Sin…
Books in the House of Sin Series:
FORBIDDEN – Book 1
DECEIVED – Book 2
UNDONE – Book 3
more
Fear. Betrayal. Desperation. Anguish. Love. My heart may not survive this series. The emotions Elisabeth brings forth in DECEIVED, the second installment of the House of Sin series, is unbelievable. This is definitely a story that will make your heart race and have you holding your breath, anticipating Luc and Natalie’s fate. This story picks up right where FORBIDDEN leaves off and jumps right in filling in the gaps. A few of the characters from book one make an appearance, as well as an introduction to new friends and allies of Luc’s, but this read centers mostly on the tenuous relationship between Natalie and Luc and brings forth another threat to their fragile bond…one that could be fatal. Questions are answered, decisions are made and truths are revealed but serious mistakes have been made that will have major consequences for them both. The air of suspense and danger is thick in this tale and you will wonder from page to page what their fate will be. Will Luc and Natalie be able to navigate the dangerous waters of deception and lies and come out unscathed? Or will Luc’s House rein the victor in this dark tale? Join Natalie and Luc’s journey and be prepared, once again, to be swept away and for the second cliffhanger that is more harrowing than the first. DECEIVED is a gripping story full of a tangled web of emotions, suspense, well-written characters with strength and depth and a thrilling storyline that will leave you breathless.
*I have reviewed this book under no obligation to the author or other party and have received no gift or other compensation for this review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own.
I’m going to enlighten you and entice you to get this book. This is my intent.
I was given this book by the author and in no way am I being coherence in giving a review. I am doing it with my own free will.
This is the second part of Luc’s and Natalie’s story. Have you ever read a story and felt you were a voyeur looking in and watching all that is being transpired, not just sexually, but feeling the pain and angst, the emotional suffocating desire to try and help one or the other?
This is how I felt reading this book. Luc is such a powerful character, strong physically, but emotionally he is nothing but putty.
Natalie will not be pushed, shoved or lied to any longer, but this is her new reality.
The tug and pull the desire of Natalie and Luc is so overwhelming, their desire for one another and the strong wills they both possess is like a stalemate of what they truly want. Their desire for one another is so gut wrenching, I felt like crying, and sadly they didn’t know what to do about it. It is so fresh and new to them, both didn’t want to be hurt, but they were hurting each other anyway.
Luc deceived Natalie, by underhandedly doing what he did to make her his, to protect her from his father, because as you know from the first book his father didn’t want Luc with Natalie.
Both Luc and Natalie are on the cusp of breaking down their barriers and finally realize what is important to them. Each other… I felt so many variants of emotion while reading their story, I either wanted to shake them until their teeth rattled for how they were treating each other or comfort them for their pain.
A lot of the characters from the first book are in this one, and I am sure they will be in the third installment as well.
So many surprises will become unfolded in this story, which when it is all said and done, you will say “well holymoly seriously??? I cannot believe it ended this way. ”
But wait it hasn’t… one more book; another story to be told, and believe me I for one will be getting it.
This was gifted to me and volunteered to give a review
A lot of sex, with a good story woven in…
Oh my word, you could cut the tension with a knife in this book. The threat, the intrigue and the half-truths make your head spin and your heart ache.
This is a gripping romantic suspense with a dark underbelly of threatening evil. Deceived (Book #2 in the House of Sin series) picks up a few days after the end of Forbidden , which must be read BEFORE reading this book. Once you’ve read Forbidden you will understand why I am hooked on this series and read Deceived as soon as it dropped on my kindle.
Despite the description, I knew I was getting a dark themed romantic suspense, rather than a truly dark romance. However that really doesn’t matter because both Forbidden and Deceived are incredibly well written books, with a plot that immediately sucks you into the story and characters that steal both your heart and soul.
Forbidden ends with Luc drugging and kidnapping Natalie. This is done to try and keep her safe from the evil clutches of his family, but you just know it doesn’t bode well. Despite their love for one another both Luc and Natalie struggle to do the right thing, to trust and be honest with the other, and this leads to a clash of wills and lots of angst.
A call from home drags them back into the path of Luc’s family. Can Natalie reconcile her love for Luc with her hatred of his House? Will Luc be able to keep Natalie safe? There is a battle for control and power between Luc and the House Salvatici, and it isn’t only Natalie that ends up in the cross-hairs. I’ll warn you now…this ends on one heck of a cliff hanger. A screaming ‘NO!!!!! YOU CAN’T DO THAT’ cliff hanger.
Luc and Natalie really go through the wringer in this book. Sometimes I forgot that they had only known each other a few weeks. It felt like for every two steps forward they took one, two and often three steps backwards. They tore my heart in two, just as they ripped each other’s hearts apart. This book is like being cast adrift in the middle of a huge storm, the waves of emotion poured over me, battered me, threatened to pull me under and drown me, yet they are also what kept me afloat.
I have no clue as to how the story will continue in the next book. I’m hoping for a HEA. Actually I’m hoping for hellfire and damnation to rain down on the House of Salvatici and devour all those with evil in their hearts, but I’ll settle for a HEA instead.
If you’re looking for a damn good read, one that kept me reading until 2AM IN THE MORNING, because heck this isn’t the kind of book you can put down once you’ve started it, then look no further. Be warned there is a plenty of steamy sex, some bad language and one very hot alpha male who occasionally needs a slap upside the head. (If that doesn’t make you want to read it then I’m not sure what will). Oh and Book 3 won’t be out for a couple of weeks yet *sigh* but at least that will give your head and heart some time to recover.
Luc and Natalie:
A global love affair spanning the South Pacific, Italy
Treachery, intrigue, hidden socities with ancient rituals, towering love, danger
Strong, charasmatic characters in an emotionally charged, erotic, suspenseful romance gives you a heart pounding, edge of your seat reading experience.
In Deceived, Natalie has escaped from Italy and is back at home in the USA and she is trying to re-establish a normal life. But fate has other plans for her. She is drugged and awakes in yet another foreign country. She is not amused to say the least. Luc has a battle on his hands. He has to win Nat’s trust all over, again. His mind is clouded with guilt for so many things. He has a problem with communicating his feelings to Natalie and as an act of desperation, he explains some of the sordid history of the Entente to her. This seems to gain more trust with Nat.
Natalie and Luciano have a lot on their plate in this installment. They both love each other but have to overcome what seems like endless obstacles to achieving their HEA. This book is filled with intrigue, danger and steamy sex. A true thrill ride. Breathlessly waiting for the conclusion to their story.
A sensually dark read that will seize your emotions and transport you on a twisted journey of lies, deception, and lust
No Spoilers – this is one you need to follow the breadcrumbs on your own to get the full impact of each new “OMG” moment and enjoy the emotional turmoil and angst each leaves behind
Natalie is on a quest – she knows her friend’s death was not an accident and she intends to expose the truth – Though it could cost her everything if she picks the wrong man to trust.
I definitely found myself drawn into this one. So many hidden twists and plot turns – it ends on a cliffhanger and WOW -I am still not sure who is the good guys here and who are the guilty ones…
There is a lot going on in this story and I have so many questions.. Yes I need book two like yesterday
“Deceived” by Elisabeth Naughton is the second book in the House of Sin series. In this book, we continue with the story of Natalie James and Luciano Salvatici.
The first book, “Forbidden,” left us hanging. Natalie was convinced Luc was the beast she thought he was when she first met him. And I was left wondering if there were any redeeming qualities to the handsome billionaire Luc.
As “Deceived” begins, we still don’t know if he’s as evil and selfish as the rest of his low-life, criminal family. Natalie attempts to escape the sinful world of Luc, his family and their House Salvatici, but can she smother the fire Luc stokes in her body, mind and soul?
The roller-coaster ride that is Natalie and Luc’s lives continues in “Deceived.” And just when I thought it wasn’t possible for the characters to get more complex, Naughton weaves more suspense and intrigue with romance. How is that possible? Elisabeth Naughton makes that possible with her expert writing.
This isn’t a stand-alone book, although you can start here if you want to. However, I guarantee you will want to read “Forbidden” and re-read “Deceived.” I did, and I read them in order! I picked up on details that I didn’t catch the first time.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait too long for the final book, “Undone.” Naughton will present the “Undone” soon. That’s a good thing, because I guarantee, you will be hooked on this story and won’t want to miss a single part of Luc and Natalie’s story.
Wow! This series is addictive. So much suspense, intrigue, danger, excitement, and love. I would absolutely recommend this book. Luckily and Natalie’s story is one that you can’t put down.
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review. I am not compensated by or associated with the author or publisher.
More than 5-Stars!
The drama is like watching a movie! We are back with Luc and Natalie. Oh, how things have gone from bad to worse! Natalie is so irritatingly stubborn. When someone tells you NOT to do something because it would endanger your life, most sane people would listen. Not her!
Fabulous drama! Things get easier for a minute and then go back to life-threateningly difficult. Amazing writing! BRAVO! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book 3!
Deceived was another Sensational, Edge of Your Seat, Page-Turner by Elisabeth Naughton.
Luc and Natalie have true feelings for each other, but what will happen when they each push each other to the brink? Luc’s family is truly nuts and Natalie is hanging on by a very thin thread while they are back in Italy for Luc to visit his family. We see what happens to Dante when he defies his family, so what is going to happen when Luc also defies them?
Oh, Luc?? What have you done? And Natalie?
I can’t wait to get Undone (House of Sin Book#3) in June of 2018. This is an amazing new series by Elisabeth and she has outdone herself on these books. They are all wonderfully written and keep you on the edge of your seat and always wondering what will happen next.
Deceived, book two of the House of Sin series, was for me not as enjoyable as the first book, Forbidden. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, there was so much angst going on within Luc and Natalie, it was at times hard to get through. Also, this one ends with a huge cliffhanger and I am not as appreciative of the use of this as a writing tool as others may be. Deceived dwells mostly on the evil of Luc’s family and the pain of trying to find a way forward for the two of them, if there is one. Everything in this book seems to be focused on the extremes: of sex, pain, punishment, evil, trust, love, family and what it means when all those things are tied together. I did not enjoy Deceived as much as Forbidden but I do look forward to Undone to see what the ending might be for these two.
Deceived (House of Sin Book 2) by Elisabeth Naughton
Series: House of Sin 2
3.5 Stars – This book starts off right where the last book ended, so you will need to read Forbidden first to know what is going on. That said, this book is a bit of a conundrum for me. Early on in this book, some events happen that just make me upset, and I thought to myself “seriously.. If this happened to me I would LOSE it!” Which on the plus side, allowed me to relate to Natalie a lot. Then comes the middle of the book where both characters seem to do a 180 on their attitudes and behaviour, and I am wondering if this is what the title is about. I am also secretly hoping that this is who the hero really is, because I am a romantic and I love a happy ending with all the good lovey-dovey stuff. However, if that was the case it would also leave me unable to understand how Natalie could ever trust Luc again. I know that this is not the end, there is one more cliffhanger, and one more part to this story.
Naughton amped up the suspense just a wee bit at the end there to get you ready for the last book and I am left with conflicting feelings. Part of me doesn’t see a true HEA in their future, but the other part of me sure hopes there is! The content for me is a bit on the darker side then I would normally go for, but the writing is still wonderful.
*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
This story just gets better and scarier! Deceived is the second book in the House of Sin trilogy and if you haven’t read Forbidden, the first book, don’t even think of reading them out of order! Just like its predecessor, this story ends in a HUGE cliffhanger that had my heart beating erratically. I swear I’ll need to visit a cardiologist sometime soon, if this series doesn’t kill me first, I’m sure my heart stopping several times while reading isn’t normal. I have no idea where or how Ms Naughton comes up with all the plot twists and details, the writing is superb, and the characters are so multifaceted; I kept wondering who’s a villain and who’s a good guy, not everything is as it seems. I’m going to very vague, you need to read and experience it for yourselves. Let me just say I fell deeper in love with Luc than I could’ve imagined! Is it June 5th, yet?
Luc will do whatever it takes to keep Natalie alive. Not just safe, but hide her and disobey his family, after rescuing Natalie from the hitmen his father sent to kill her. Natalie can’t understand how someone who claims to love you can do the things Luc has done to her; all she wants is to get away from him and his wretched family and their secrets. Natalie’s feelings soften, and she begins to understand him, when Luc confides his deepest, darkest secret to her. Luc tells her everything, so she’ll understand why he’s so fearful of his family and what they can do to her. He knows he can’t lose her, and swears he’ll protect her at all costs.
“My angioletto. The only person in the world who had the power to once and truly break me. And who I was pretty sure would before all was said and done.”
With lives in danger and knowing one false move can be fatal, they make a decision to go back to Italy and defy the House of Salvaciti, in order to protect and rescue loved ones. Luc tries desperately to awaken the feelings Natalie has buried; in order to protect not only herself, but her heart. And after a lifetime of betrayal she knows she doesn’t want to feel any more pain and will do everything she can to make sure of it.
“I didn’t know if I could trust my heart or my eyes. I only knew that there were two kinds of pain in life—the kind that hurts a person and the kind that changes a person. I was just deathly afraid to discover whether it would change me for good or bad.”
This story ends with a terrifying cliffhanger and I was screaming at my Kindle ‘Noooo, that’s not supposed to happen, there are RULES!’ Sometimes rules don’t apply and I guess this is one of them.
First, let me start by saying that this book is not a stand alone. It is the second in the House of Sin series. The first book, Forbidden, must be read prior to starting this book or you will be totally lost.
Deceived starts almost immediately where Forbidden leaves off. Luc, in trying to keep Natalie safe and off the radar of those trying to harm her, has made some decisions and taken some actions of which Natalie was unaware. The first half of the book tends to bog down a bit during the discoveries of these actions and their consequences. Mistrust and doubt return to the forefront of Luc and Natalie’s relationship, and because of that, neither wishes to be open and honest with the other.
An emergency situation causes a change of location and both Luc and Nat are trying to help each other, but each one is still harboring doubts about the sincerity of the other and thus further complicates matters, and not just romantically.
The second half of the book really picks up speed and returns us to the thrill of the adventure and the desperation of two people trying to do what is right, not only for each other but for others as well. The second half is Naughton at her best, weaving an intricate and suspenseful storyline.
Elisabeth Naughton is also a master at creating full rich characters that come to life and stay on your mind. This book is no exception. We are introduced to new characters who capture us and we revisit other characters from the first novel that are developed further in this, the second novel. Let me just say, that these villains are some of the most dastardly evil people I ever remember encountering in literature.
Although a bit slow on the uptake, when the action did pick up, it really accelerated quickly. Everybody is suspect. Everything is messed up. Time is running out. It seems nobody has control over anything anymore. I am addicted – to The House of Sin. You should be too.
I absolutely loved this story. Luc is trying desperately to protect Natalie from his house. He is willing to do anything to keep her safe. Natalie cannot trust him and has a Constant battle with herself. We are taken on an adventure of intrigue, learning to trust and love all while trying to save each other. I cannot wait for the final chapter of this fast paced, well written story.
OMG! I am wrecked….totally and utterly wrecked. How, oh how am I going to survived until the next book???? WOW! Amazing, gut wrenching, unexpected, frightening….pick one, cause I feel all of this and more. This is the continuation of the House of Sin series and it picks up right where Forbidden left off.
Luc’s hand is forced when Natalie’s life is put in danger. He will do anything to keep her safe, ever if it means marrying her! But as with all great stories, these two do not ride off in to the sunset and live happily ever after. They fight, they argue, they misunderstand each other and the intent behind every move the other makes. It takes Luc’s willingness to let Natalie go, something that to this point he was never able to do before, that finally get these two to stop and talk, really talk to each other.
Just as you think that things will be smooth sailing for these two love birds, we are thrown a curve ball of epic proportions! I cannot wait for this series to continue because it is simply amazing! As with book 1, there will not be a long wait, and I am glad, because, yes there is a cliffhanger, and yes you will want to scream NNNNNOOOOOOOO! But I can guarantee that this series will delight and excite with its twists, turns, and edge of your seat suspense.
Love this series! Now, I might need to curl up in a ball and rock a bit until I feel better, or until the next book, which ever comes first.
4.5 Deceiving Stars
Review by Amy W.
Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books Blog
I’d known love wasn’t real. I’d known it was a myth, but I’d let myself be fooled by a handsome face, by an empty promise, by meaningless words. And that was what hurt the most.
Elisabeth Naughton knew what she was doing when she titled this one Deceived. So many deceptions, lies and secrets around every turn. Even as a reader its hard to know who to trust and just when you think there is a happy ever after in the future the wool is thrown over your head.
At some point I had to wake up from this nightmare, didn’t I?
First thing first, you need to have read Forbidden before reading Deceived, this is not a standalone story. I can’t say much about the storyline, its one you need to read to understand, but Natalie and Luc have so much to contend with. So many circumstances and people standing in their way.
I knew what I wanted. I knew what I needed to do to protect my heart and mind. But the instant Luc kissed me, I forgot everything but him.
I feel that Natalie and Luc’s journey, or more like nightmare, gets more twisted the more I read. Nothing is as it seems and I can’t wait to find out all the answers to the many questions I have. One that has been on my mind since the end of book one, where is Gio? He’s going to pop back up and give me the shock of my life, I just know it.
So, I am just going to sit back and anxiously await for the moment Undone hits my kindle and I get the answers I need. Bravo Ms. Naughton, you have my full attention and I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Salvatici House.
Wowza! Deceived is Book 2 of Elisabeth Naughton’s Hours of Sin series. This story packed quite the punch right from the start and the heart-pounding cliffhanger ending, Oh My Gosh NOOO! I can’t wait!
While Book 1 was good, Book 2 was AMAZING! Natalie finally seems to grasp the severity of what she’s involved in and came across as more level-headed this time around. This story is filled to the brim with murder, mayhem, and deceit. We do finally learn some cold harsh truths behind the Salvatici Family history as well. Things that have changed Luc into the person he is today.
I am on pins and needles waiting to see what happens next!
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Natalie James is confused. Then it goes from confusion to “what the…” She also lets us know that some things have been solved but now there are other things going on that will have you wondering what this author has in store for her characters. Luciano “Luc” Salvatici is angry and frustrated. He’s still something of an enigma but he seems a little more human here. At times he even seemed a little vulnerable. There are some new secondary characters. They have connections to Luc and he’s a little more forthcoming to Natalie about them. It didn’t take long to realize that I was hooked – line and sinker.
It was interesting to watch the light bulb above Luc’s head finally go on. But my questions become, “will it stay on?” Maybe dim a little? How will Natalie handle things? If you like a book with a lot of emotion, the author has done a great job here. You can feel Natalie’s hatred, maybe even anger, coming right off the page. And we all know what the opposite of that is.
You can’t start this series here. It’s not one where you can skip around. In order to understand how Luc and Natalie got where they are here, you have to read the series in order. I have to say that I liked this one just a little bit more than the first one because some things come to light. I could almost see where the author is taking us – sounds good right, and if you believe that one… She likes to tease – by the way, she’s very good at it. My mind starts to go in the direction I think she wants me to go in and then I’m off in a different direction. This becomes more evident as I get closer to the ending. That’s not a bad thing because that’s what has me continually turning the page. Maybe I’ll have to let the author know that I have vertigo issues when I change direction too quickly. But then I won’t have to because she stopped me dead in my tracks – I’m left hanging on a ledge until the next book comes out.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.