Two rebellious souls… An innocent deception… One scorching catastrophe… cruel wager during her come-out in London, she vows to put off the penniless noblemen vying for her sizeable dowry. But her season is cut short after her mother discovers the subterfuge, and Fenella retreats to Scotland.
Lachlan MacNaughton has neither the temperament nor the patience to be the next MacNaughton chief, preferring to knock heads together rather than placate bickering clansmen. He readily accepts a reprieve to help with the family’s textile mill in Glasgow. A sizzling chance encounter in the rain introduces him to the new female bookkeeper. His grandfather may want him back in the Highlands, but his heart has been lost in the Lowlands.
The attraction between Fenella and Lachlan sparks a passion not even two rebellious souls can deny.
But an innocent deception tests their newfound love and threatens the freedom they both crave.
A MacNaughton Castle Romance
Book 1 – Deception and Desire
Book 2 – An Allusive Love
Book 3 – A Bonny Pretender
more
Fenella Franklin is taller than most young ladies of the Ton and subject to their ridicule, and even a cruel wager. When she takes matters into her own hands, her social-climbing mother explodes in anger. Fenella escapes to Scotland to stay with her grandmother. When she sees an advertisement in the newspaper for an accountant, she applies in person. She’s always had a talent for numbers and after a bit of persuasion, she lands the job at the mill. From the moment she sets eyes on handsome Lachlan, one of the men who manage the mill, fire sizzles in her veins. She’s unsure why he lavishes his attention on her but for the first time in her life, she feels beautiful and feminine. When a small omission turns into a huge blow-up, Fenella’s heart shatters. Can she beg for Lachlan’s forgiveness or has she lost her only chance at true love?
Deception and Desire is the latest release by Aubrey Wynne and there are so many great elements in it including a sweeping romance between an intelligent English heroine and a brash Scottish man, historically accurate events serving as a catalyst to the plot, a social-climbing mother, a kind-hearted father, humorous dialogue and so much more. The characters leap from the pages and come alive. I connected with shy Fenella right away and my heart leaped in my throat several times. Mrs. Douglas is a wonderfully portrayed Scottish grandmother. The MacNaughton men are larger than life and their voices swirled around me as they talked. From beginning to end, Deception and Desire is a heart-wrenching read about striking out on your own and not giving in to familial expectations. If you’re a fan of Scottish Regency, this is a must-read. I can’t recommend this book enough!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in the hopes I’d review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Lachlan MacNaughton doesn’t want to be clan chief as his grandfather wishes. When he is sent to oversee their mill business, he finally finds something he’s good at. What throws him off is the hiring of a bookkeeper, but not just any bookkeeper. Fenella Franklin is a tall willowy blonde who is a whiz at numbers and doesn’t realize she’s a catch. After her disastrous first Season, Fenella wants nothing to do with English Society, but her mother wants her to marry a gentleman with a title. Problem is, Fenella is not the model most gentlemen want. When she meets Lachlan, she finally feels beautiful.
I enjoyed this book and thought the opening chapter was compelling. Poor Fenella. I felt so bad for her, but her father’s revenge against the deceitful gentleman who played that terrible prank was at least a small consolation for her. Fenella was relieved when she was sent to Scotland to be with her grandmother for the summer. I loved the McNaughton brothers and their cousin Colin. They all looked out for each other. Ms. Wynne does a good job of highlighting the importance of family. Lachlan resists his feelings for Fenella and when he finally confesses how he feels, he learns about a secret that Fenella kept from him. Can she ever win back his love?
I voluntarily read this book and all opinions are my own.
Deception And Desire is a magnificent historical romance by Aubrey Wynne. Ms. Wynne has once again provided readers with a well-written book and a spectacular cast of characters. Fenella had two strikes against her, she was tall and she was smart. After being made the victim of a wager she’s determined to avoid marriage and let her sister find a husband. Her father takes her grandmother in Scotland so she can avoid her mother’s harping. Lachlan’s grandfather is the chief of their clan and wants him to take his place when the time comes. Lachlan and Fenella’s story is packed with humor, drama, action, sizzle and suspense. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Aubry Wynne. Deception And Desire is book 1 of the MacNaughton Castle Romance Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
This is only my 2nd story by this author and I will be reading more of her work.
The character’s were written with depth and you got a feel for them. Even though they are not together until about 25% into the story, I felt a connection when they do meet. There is romance which builds slowly and felt right. Anymore seems more of these type of stories either have no romance or instant. I enjoyed the slow walk to HEA for these two.
Not all is fun and games. There is sadness that was handled well along with a lack of honesty that was innocently held back. I felt how each reacted was true and made them more endearing to me. Also, how I loved the h’s grandma in this story.
There is passionate loving without the act outside of marriage and once described within marriage. Heat level 4 out of 5 if that.
We are treated to the Highlands and England and I liked how the two finally came together. The h is smart and tall and feels like no-one sees the real her except for a few. A joke is played on her and oh how I loved the revenge her dad got on the man – made me laugh out loud.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, romance and some spice. I recommend this story and author. (ljb)
This is the story of the ugly duckling turned to a beautiful swan. Fenella Franklin is tall, awkward and intelligent, the total opposite of the ideal debutante. But Fenella’s mother is determined that her daughter marry a titled gentleman. When Fenella is found to be the butt of a cruel joke she feels she can take no more and convinces her father to let her go visit her grandmother. While in Glasgow Fenella gets a job to pass the time. There she meets Lachlin, a braw Scot. Although Lachlin kisses her when she bumps into him, it is not love at first sight. There are many ups and downs ahead for Fenella and Lachlin. This book will make you laugh, cry, get frustrated and cheer. This is definitely a book you do not want to start at night. You really can’t put it down!
What a way to start a new series! Deception and Desire by Aubrey Wynne is book one in A MacNaughton Castle series and if this is how it begins, I can’t wait for book 2. I found this to be easy to read and Aubrey can really write amazing descriptions. Her characters are lovable and who does’t love a brawny Scot?!. This original story is a true gem and there were some unpredictable happenings that I just didn’t expect… oh how I like that in a book. This story has an embarrassing and horrible scheme, feeling that you don’t belong, a job that is loved, bumping into a handsome stranger, death, grief, secrets, a pushy mother who wants to move up in society, denying your roots, a stubborn grandfather, a loving & supporting grandmother, kindness, joy and yes love. I highly recommend this book…it was truly a wonderful read.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Miss Fenella Franklin doesn’t fit the current fashion. She’s intelligent, blonde and taller than most men. Her father is only a baronet who made his fortune in trade. Her mother is pushing her into society and wants her to marry a man with a title. After being humiliated once too often she begs her father to let her go and stay in Scotland with her grandmother.
Lachlan MacNaughton is not happy as his Grandfather’s second in the Clan. He would be much happier in the family’s Glasgow Mill.
This is a fun historical romance with lovely characters and complicated family conflicts. You will easily get caught up in their lives.
This is the first book of the series. I will definitely read the rest.
Too Tall Fenella Finds Her Giant Scotsman
Late Regency Historical ADULT Romance taking place in Scotland.
Having no luck with London Gentleman of the ton because of her height and bookish ways, Finella, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, decides to go to Glasgow, Scotland to visit her Scottish grandmother. While there, she plans on secretly getting a job in a textile factory as a bookkeeper, a task she excells at because she has a genius head for numbers and has helped her father for years.
Finella wants to be able to support herself because she doesn’t see herself ever getting married.
The first day she meets the MacNaughton brothers, at their textile factory . Lachlan and Colin are two two huge Scotsmen. Lachlan kisses her in the rain and she is lost in her first kiss!
This is a superior ADULT historical romance. Having read a few thousand of them, I can tell right away when the quality of the author’s writing is cohesive, immersive ,and mesmerizing. In short, this is a really interesting and well written page turner! Enjoy!
Fenella’s first season on 1818 London was a disaster. With her awkward height, love of knowledge, and shy conversation skills, Finella was especially vulnerable to the sniping and attacks of the ton. Things came to a head when she learned that Lord Stanton had only planned to kiss her so he could win a fifty pound bet. Her sister Evie was the complete opposite: petite, charming, a wonderful conversationalist and dancer, a woman who fit easily into the ton. In order to be out of the way as Evie sought a titled gentleman to marry, Finella traveled to Scotland to spend a few months with her maternal grandmother. She takes a job as an accountant and falls in love with Lachlan McNaughton. The author does an excellent job with the plot. Both Finella and Lachlan have issues they need to work out with their families, and their relationship is not without troubles. Minor characters such as Rose and Colin and Aileen keep the book interesting and add charm. This is one of the best romances I’ve read in a long time.
Only forgiveness can heal a sad heart.
When tall and willowy Fenella Franklin bumped into tall and brawny Lachlan MacNaughton, little did they realize they were about to begin a life altering journey together into an uncharted future.
Sweet and tender with a mix of both humor and sadness, Deception and Desire is an engrossing and entertaining read. There is just enough angst and introspection to pull each personality facet of the likable characters to the surface, and the plot twist is surprising.
Aubrey Wynne is a good writer and seems to understand the essential need of good balance between dialogue, descriptions and introspection. Her scenes all have a flow that keeps the story line moving along toward a happy ending. My biggest disappointment was the omission of an epilogue.
Content 411: In addition to some swearing, there are passionate kisses and sexually intimate scenes.
This is a very entertaining read. Great characters and story. Keeps you interested from the beginning.I highly recommend this book.
I enjoyed this story about a young misfit finding her passion (both work and love) in Glasgow. I liked all the characters, the story was engaging and, being in the rag trade myself, I was fascinated with the scenes that happened in the family weaving mill. This is my first book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more!
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
It was an unexpected meeting.. wait no more like a collision in the rain! Lachlan grabbed her before she could hit the ground. “Her alabaster skin gave her the appearance of a fine Greek sculpture.. clear gray eyes blinked owlishly at him.. Mesmerizing. A wet angel, he thought. A single droplet of moisture clung to the corner of her mouth.. He dipped his head and brushed his lips against her velvet ones…”
The Fenella hurried into the factory. “My first kiss. In the rain. With a stranger.. She smiled as her fingers traced her lips.”
Oh yes, that got my attention and I could not wait to see what would happen! After a series of events, Fenella was in Scotland visiting.. oh wait, more like banished, to her Grandmother’s, but she wanted to do something to occupy her time. So she applied for a job as a bookkeeper at the mill.
Lachlan was visiting his brother in Scotland who ran the family business, and was going to stay and run it for a bit while his brother went back home.
A delightful tale filled with a handsome Scot and a determined lass that brought many smiles to my heart and I could only sigh as I turned the last page!
Fennel Franklin became a laughingstock during her debut season in London. She has retreated into her home and rarely goes about in society. She’s convinced her father to let her visit her grandmother in Scotland. Once in Scotland she becomes a bookkeeper where she meets Lachlan MacNaughton. Lachlan is the next in line to be the clan chieftain, but he feels his brothers are better suited to the Laird. Fennel and Lachlan are immediately attracted to each other. For the first time Fennel is confident, she stands tall and look Lachlan in the eye, tells him what she thinks, and she sometimes gets sassy. I loved the captivating story of young woman learning who she is and falling love, but there’s a secret she’s kept from him. Will their new love survive when she confesses her secret, will he fight for her or break her heart? I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Fenella Franklin hates being put on display. Everyone stares at her and talks about her. She is taller than most of the men, the women make fun of her and her fAther is a business man with no title. When a man finally pays attention to Fenella she is so flattered and excited that a man has finally taken an interest in her for who she is, until she finds out it was only a bet between the men of the ton. Fenella is devastated and takes time away to visit her grandmother in Scotland where she meets a very handsome Scot! Although Fenella knows nothing can become of it as her mother would ever let her marry a Scotsman!
Lachlan MacNaughton is destined to become the next clan Chief and hates the thought of it. Preferring to work for the family business instead. Lachlan has been trying to convince his grandfather that his brother would be the better Chief. And then a beautiful woman falls into his life. As Fenella and Lachlan become close there are lots of obstacles in there way, not to mention that Fenella has some secrets she has omitted.
I really enjoyed reading this story! This was my first book by this author and I can say it won’t be my last! Loved the characters and the story, definitely recommend this one!
this was such a well written book.
Lady Fenella Franklin is too tall, too shy, & too intelligent for the ton.
She is the recipient of a horrible wager which ruins her chances of a marriage.
Lachland MacNaughton is supposed to be the next laird but doesn’t think he will be good at it.
Neither him nor his brothers are good at math and it shows in their books.
Lady Fenella answers the ad for a bookkeeper and its love at first sight for Lachland.
Their chemistry is immediate and continues to develop into a lovely relationship where they both support each other.
4.5 Stars
Fenella Franklin is too tall, too intelligent, and has no title. Her talents lie in numbers and a keen business mind, not in the art of flirtation. When she becomes the object of a cruel wager during her come-out in London, she vows to put off the penniless noblemen vying for her sizeable dowry. Lachlan MacNaughton has neither the temperament nor the patience to be the next MacNaughton chief, preferring to knock heads together rather than placate bickering clansmen. He readily accepts a reprieve to help with the family’s textile mill in Glasgow. A sizzling chance encounter in the rain introduces him to the new female bookkeeper. The attraction between Fenella and Lachlan sparks a passion not even two rebellious souls can deny.
This is the first book in the series & what a promising starter. I loved both Lachlan & Fenella their attraction was immediate & the more time they spent together the deeper their feelings became until disaster struck & a misunderstanding & omission totally threw their HEA into jeopardy. A well paced well written book that I read in two sittings, it took me on a plethora of emotions from laughing out loud to tears streaming down my face. An engrossing read & I look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Deception and Desire by Aubrey Wynne is a terrific, if a bit different, love story featuring Fenella Franklin, who is beautiful but unique: too tall for the ton; too intelligent, by far; and in love with numbers, no man. Lachlan MacNaughton is the hair to a lairdship in Scotland; a lairdship he has no desire to inherit. They meet in Glasgow, Scotland, where Fenella has fled to stay with her grandmother for a while and get away from the marriage mart in London. Lachlan has fled his home with the clan to help with the textile factory his clan owns and runs. He runs into her, literally, as she is leaving the factory, having just been hired to be the bookkeeper, and he is reporting to work. They are both astounded when they discover each other’s identities.
It is always exciting when a woman, not matter what historical period, who doesn’t meet society’s norms finds love with a man who can accept her for who she is. Not only does Lachlan accept her, but so does his family. Fenella is smart and fiery and Lachlan appreciates that in her. A potential problem arises when Fenella realizes she must tell her mother about her love. Her mother is/was Scottish and hates all things Scottish. This turned out to be a bit anti-climactic, which was a disappointment in an otherwise terrific book. It had the potential to be highly entertaining. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Deception and Desire from Dragonblade, through Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations are solely my own. #netgalley #deceptionanddesire
Miss Fenella Franklin doesn’t fit the current fashion. She’s very smart, blonde and taller than most men. Her mother wants to move up in society and pushes Fenella into society and wants her to marry a man with a title. Her father made his fortune in trade and has no title. Fennella was tired of being humiliated and begs her father to let her live in Scotland with her grand mother.
Then you have Lachlan MacNaughton who seems happier in the family’s Glasgow Mill. He told his father that his brother Ian needs to see his wife and decides to go to the Glasgow Mill and run it for a bit so Ian could go home for a bit.
Fenella is getting bored and sees an ad for an Accountant and sends a letter applying for the job and signs it as F. Franklin. While Fenella is walking in the rain runs into a gentleman [Lachlan] and he keeps her from falling. Both Ian and Colin are impressed with her skill for figures. Fenella gets hired because she has a skill with numbers not too many people have. Lachlan was surprised that his brother hired a woman. Lachlan and Fenella have feelings for each other but, Fenella has no experience in with flirting. Lachlan and his brother get invited to Fenella’s grand mother for Sunday supper then one day Lachlan asks Fenella’s grand mother permission to court Fenella. Fenella’s grand mother tells Fenella that she neds to tell Lachlan the truth about her father being alive and about her mother not liking Scot’s. During the interview an assumption was made that her father was dead. Then tragedy strikes and Ian is killed. Fenella does tell Lachlan about her father being alive and about how her mother feels about Scot’s. Lachlan gets very angry and walks out. Want to know what happens?? Do Fenella and Lachland get back together?? Well you need to read this book to find out. I truly loved this book!! I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publisher, for an unbiased opinion. #DeceptionandDesire #NetGalley
Enduring her ambitious mother’s plans for her, Fenella has had to suffer insults and snide comments from members of the ton. She thinks her luck has turned when she attracts the attention of a charming viscount, only to discover that he is even more despicable than the rest. When her caring and protective father realises that she needs a respite, he takes Fenella to her much loved grandmother in Scotland for the rest of the season. Used to being busy, if not with attending events of the season, then assisting her father in his office, Fenella finds she has too much time on her hands and with her grandmother’s approval, applies for the position of bookkeeper at the MacNaughton textile mill. Life changes dramatically for Fenella, especially when she meets the mischievous Lachlan MacNaughton. This romance is well written but also brings into focus the events of the era that led to the changes that brought about better working conditions for lower ranks in society. I loved the main characters in this book and whilst Lachlan may well have been the hero of the story, Fenella’s father comes in a close second. Misunderstandings occur but ultimately the novel comes to a happy and successful close. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.