Vows of Deception
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Vows of Deception
Champagne Books, December 2006
Judith O’Neil wants to keep her freedom - and her grandmother’s estate. But can she do both? Especially when her father demands she marry before he can give her an inheritance.
Andrew Dean is tired of being the stable help, and jumps at the chance of playing Lady Judith’s pretend husband. But he didn’t plan on falling in love … or discovering a secret that had been hidden in his memory for twenty years.
Ms. Campbell has written a powerful story full of deception, secrets and lies. As the story unfolds and the truth becomes known you will not be able to put this book down. Ms. Campbell has once again captivated us with a book that makes you feel you are living through this passionate love story. You will be taken back to regency England, filled with luxurious balls, hasty betrothals, and the English ton. Ms. Campbell has continued with her talent of weaving a story that will gain a much deserved spot on your keeper shelf.
~~ Sherry / My Book Cravings
5-Heart!!Phyllis Campbell is an author that the reader of historical romances can be sure of getting a hot, sensual, full of tension read that will curl the toes. VOWS OF DECEPTION has a plot with lots of twists and turns that keeps the reader turning the cyber pages and two characters that leap from the pages. It is all nicely packaged in an historical setting where the reader will be transported back in time when the opinions of the ton could make or break a person. Ms. Campbell writes a hero who is strong, capable and in one word…dreamy. Her heroine is a hoyden, a blue-stocking and very much a woman who knows her own mind and is determined in what she believes. It was nice to see Nicolas and Gregg Fielding from ALWAYS MY LOVE, another great read from Champagne Books.~~Val / Love Romances
5-Hearts!! Ms. Phyllis Campbell does an excellent job with this historical romance; the plot is so interesting, the details present a story that is spell-binding. It reunites half-sisters who always had conflict; Madeline was younger than Judith, but she always managed to mess things up as she pushed to take whatever Judith held dear to her heart. Immediately upon seeing them, Maddie decided she loved Andrew and proceeded to take him away from her older sister. Whatever the circumstances throughout this fiasco, Ms. Campbell delivers a compelling story which is guaranteed to captivate her readers. Her description of the areas of the story is graphic enough to encourage the readers to travel to Scotland and London! I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical love story. It is one of the best I’ve read! Congratulations, Ms. Campbell, on creating a masterpiece!~~ Brenda Talley / The Romance Studio
4.5 Blue Ribbons!! Within the pages of VOWS OF DECEPTION you will encounter a gripping plot with many twists and turns that will have you turning the pages quickly to see what will happen next. Phyllis Campbell pens an attention-grabbing tale laced with deception, passion, mystery and a love older than time. I laughed out loud, screamed in frustration and felt my heart soar. I adore Judith and Andrew and their unique qualities. Judith is a sassy young lady with a quick temper and a sharp tongue. She finds Andrew to be rude, frustrating and the only man who has ever made her insides quiver. Andrew is a charming man who is sexy, passionate and a lost soul looking for a place where he belongs. I fell in love with him. He thinks Judith is an irritating snob but his heart is drawn to her and he is willing to do anything to protect her. VOWS OF DECEPTION is another award-winning tale by a very talented author who has become an auto-buy for me. ~~Billie Jo / Romance Junkies
5 Lighthouses!!! Vows of Deception is a remarkable read! I love the joie de vivre of Judith. She is a tough heroine and the way she and Andrew first meet, the simmering chemistry can definitely be felt within the eye contact. Andrew is a bit resolute and when the two get together the forces are powerful. When Judith’s half-sister devises a plan to plot against Judith, the action gets even more intense. Ms. Campbell cleverly pens a sensual romance that takes off immediately from the first page and doesn’t stop until the end. The well-rounded secondary characters kept this page-turner flowing consistently, while keeping this reader completely spellbound. She sketches characters that breathe life and leap from the pages in a most gratifying read. ~~Linda / Lighthouse Literary Reviews
“Mistress, I’ve been out and about doing yer special errand, and I think I’ve found him.”
Judith gasped. “You have?” Her fingers clutched the bedpost. “Where is he?”
“Downstairs, in the parlor.”
Judith practically hurdled over the trunks as she dashed out of the room and down the stairs. Careful not to trip, she lifted her skirt to her ankles as she descended each step, Pearl and Wilbur hurrying behind. When she stepped inside the parlor, she stopped dead in her tracks and sucked in a quick breath.
A man, filthy beyond belief, stood with his back to her. Sweat stains marked his underarms and his dirty gray shirt. At least she thought it was gray. Judith cringed. Spots of mud splattered his brown pants–and heaven knows what else helped decorate the material. His black, knee-high boots were terribly spoiled, and she wouldn’t be surprised if the horrid man had brought animal droppings into her house.
Her mind froze. Behind her, Pearl’s soft touch rested on her shoulder. “Milady? What’s wrong?”
After a few moments, Judith’s head cleared. “He’s absolutely vile,” she blurted as she stared unbelieving at the walking pile of filth.
The man turned away from the expensive paintings on the silver and gold-patterned wall and faced her, meeting her stare. Without saying a word, he lifted an eyebrow.
The man from the pond. The naked man! She gasped and quickly slapped her hand over her mouth.
Wilbur stepped forward and cleared his throat. “Umm, Lady Judith? He works in the stables. I bade him to come posthaste and I didn’t give him time to clean himself.”
Judith fanned away the stench. “Obviously.” With her heart beating in an erratic rhythm, she stepped closer to him. Why, out of all people, did Wilbur have to find this man? “What is your name, stable hand?”
His blue eyes slowly skimmed her attire. Unwanted tingles coursed through her from his bold scrutiny, making her feel as if she stood before him in her chemise and bloomers. The same way he’d made her feel at the pond. She crossed her arms over her bosom to hide it from his gaze.
Although his appearance appalled her, underneath all of that grime, she remembered he was indeed a handsome man. His tall frame bulged with cords of muscles against the fabric of his shirt. His broad chest and lean legs gave evidence to his worth in her stables. Although his hair was caked in dirt, she knew it to be a darker color, just as his eyebrows and sideburns.
He straightened, his chest appearing even broader. “We meet again, Miss O’Neil.”
She groaned.
Wilbur stepped up to him, wagging is finger under the man’s nose. “She’s Lady Judith, to you, sir.”
He bowed. “Me deepest apologies again. I’m Andrew Dean, at yer service, milady.”
She held her chin high, hoping not to reveal how his identity unnerved her. “Mr. Dean? How old are you?”
“I’m in me twenty-sixth year.”
“Are you married?”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Nay.”
A smile tugged at Judith’s mouth. Although unclean and stinking to high heaven, he would do. He would fill a gentleman’s clothing properly as long as she could teach him to speak proper English. She circled him eyeing his length carefully, wondering how educated he really was, and how long it would take her to teach him to pass for a gentleman in front of her father?
His gaze followed her, his head whipping around as she moved. “Will you check me teeth, milady?” His tone was laced with amusement. “Maybe you’d like tae feel me legs for firmness and strength? Or perhaps ye’ll ride me first, then decide if I’m healthy enough?”
Judith covered her throat with her hand and gasped. Her face heated from the vulgarity of his words. “Pardon me?”
“Ye’re checking me out like a horse about tae be purchased. I’m a wonderin’ if ye’re goin’ to follow through with the inspection.”