Cover Image: Lord of Lies

Lord of Lies

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Member Reviews

Had trouble getting into this but once you get the meat it's good. There's great chemistry between Portia and Dell and no lack of romance. They are complete opposites but compliment each other perfectly. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters. This book has the perfect balance of humor, suspense and romance!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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In the third story of the Fallen Ladies series, we finally get Portia’s story. The youngest Chadwick sister has been shown to be a bit more outspoken, more rough around the edges than her older sisters. Portia wants a life of adventure far beyond the ballrooms and strict rules of the ton. She’s not likely to get the life she believes she wants under normal situations. But life has a way of tossing in a few surprises, and when a dangerous event happens to her sister Portia is immediately head first into more adventures than she’d ever imagined.

I usually suggest reading series in order, but with this one I feel much more strongly about that suggestion. All these stories run somewhat parallel with each other in events happening and people coming into the sisters lives. I don’t think you’d be lost if you picked up Lord of Lies first, but you’d certainly miss some nuances and events seen through other’s eyes with slightly different perceptions. Of course, that’s merely my opinion, but I do feel these are best read in order for the most understanding and impact.

Dell is a master of disguises. As an investigator it’s in his best interests to blend and to work alone. Portia doesn’t give him that chance when she confronts him to help her search for her sister. She’s determined to be part of this. And he has no other choice but to to keep her close before she runs off and gets herself into trouble as well. The chemistry between Portia and Dell is strong, and while they may seen complete opposites – they definitely work well together.

Lord of Lies will bring answers to events that have happened throughout the series. Surprises, twists and turns that you didn’t see coming will add another enjoyment level to this story. While Dell wasn’t my kind of hero, he worked well for Portia. And in the end, that’s really all that matters. I enjoyed this world and I believe if you love Regency romance with a bit of mystery, then you’ll enjoy this story and series as well.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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Captivating and dangerous--in more ways than one!

I loved this Fallen Ladies episode. There was something about the energy between the enigmatic and fascinating Dell Turner and Portia Chadwick that really exploded off the page.
Clever and intelligent Portia is a restless soul looking for more than the acquiescent debutant's role. It seems Dell is the answer.
Their meeting is under difficult circumstance. Lily, Portia's sister has just been kidnapped and Portia's somewhat doddering great aunt Angelique takes her to someone who might help, the mysterious Nightshade!
The story is littered with other interesting characters. Hale, a boxer and his search for his daughter Claire, Thomas the young contact agent for Nightshade caught my eyes, as did a young boy met in the latter part of the story.
From the ballrooms of the ton to the brothels in the dank alleys of London--the action ranges high and wide, fast and dangerous.
I was so caught up with this story that I am about to reread the others in The Fallen Ladies series to review the dovetailing of the stories that the puzzle of the Chadwick sisters presents to us.

A NetGalley ARC
(July 2017)

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I thought that this was a very interesting historical romance. I picked up this book largely because of the cover. Isn't it gorgeous? I had never read anything by Amy Sandas before but I thought that the story sounded interesting so I decided to give it a try. I haven't read any of the previous book in this series and thought that this book worked well as a stand alone novel. I really enjoyed this story.

I really liked the characters in this book. Portia was quite the character. She was really outspoken and could be demanding when it was required. She was very focused on helping others and was incredibly brave. Dell lives a very interesting life. He seemed to know how to handle just about any situation. Dell and Portia really made a great pair and seemed to be very evenly matched.

This was an exciting story and there was a whole lot going on in this book. Portia and Dell first meet when Portia and her aunt hire Nightshade to find Portia's sister who has been kidnapped. There are questions that need to be answered and Dell is the man for the job. The pair work together on another related operation which turned out to be rather tense at times. I did think that the book had a bit of a slow start but once it got going the pace really didn't let up.

This book had some really unique aspects. I liked reading about all of Dell's disguises and how he was able to do the work that he does. I can really understand why Portia was intrigued by what he does. I loved the fact that there was a bit of humor woven into the story. The chemistry between the pair was very well written. I liked the secondary characters in this book as well. Portia's aunt was really interesting and I would love to know her full story.

I would recommend this book to fans of historical romance. This was a really wonderful story that held my interest. I hope to read more from Amy Sandas soon including the previous books in this exciting series.

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley.

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'Lord of Lies' by Amy Sandas this is the Third Book in The "Fallen Ladies' series. This is the story of Portia Chadwick and Dell Turner. I have not yet read the other books in this series...but I do think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had.
Portia is trying to save her sister and looks for help which turns up to be in the form of Dell. Dell seem pretty stubborn in his feelings for Portia but love does win in the end.
This was a spy type of romance that had some exciting parts. I liked the secondary characters too...and overall liked this book. I will not have to go back and try to read the other books to see what all I might have missed..
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Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and netgalley for this ARC.

Portia and Dell's story is so scorching , shocking, and exciting - it should have a warning on it- flammable.
I love how Amy Sandas has made each sister unique and independent in her own right. This series is in its own awesome class.

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This is the 3rd book in the Fallen Ladies series and I enjoyed it! The 3 books run concurrently. This is Portia, the youngest sister’s story. When her sister, Lily, is kidnapped, Portia goes to the infamous Nightshade to find her. Nightshade is Dell Turner’s moniker. Dell grew up poor and is determined to better himself. He is doing very well as an investigator, using many disguises. Dell normally works alone, or with a few of his men, but Portia is determined to help him find her sister.

He reluctantly lets her help if she follows his orders. Surprisingly, Portia is good at disguising herself and getting information. Lily returns home safely (see book 2), but there are other dangers lurking. While we might expect the danger to come from Mason Hale, he may not be the only danger. No spoilers from me, but I can recommend this one.

Thank you to the publisher for giving me an ARC. They did not ask or require me to write a favorable review. I liked this book!

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at first i thought i wasn't going to be able to stand portia. she's the youngest of the chadwick sisters and her nosiness and impatience were evident even in the earlier books in the series, but at least in small doses. lord of lies is her book to lead.

but you know what? she won me over. just like she wins over dell turner. she's relentless but also open and honest about who she is and what she wants. she knows she doesn't fit in with polite society. and when she meets dell she knows that she's finally found her place in the world. being with him, doing his work, that is what she wants for her life.

now to convince him of this. after all, he's very aware of the chasm in their backgrounds. he's a commoner who believes he has nothing to offer her. except he doesn't realize that his very acceptance of who she is as a person, a whole person is so very freeing. that the strictures that society places on women, on her are killing her little by little.

this novel is the perfect conclusion to this series. the sisters' stories all overlap and cross paths at different times, and this really works. the stories are all independent of each other, and the sisters are so different that the books don't feel as if they are retelling the same story in any way.

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Lord of lies is the story of the final sister, Portia. Portia was never interested in society or the men her sister wanted her to marry. She played along for awhile until she meets Dell Turner. Portia is fascinated by the life of deception, intrigue, and salvation Dell lives and wants to join him. He is skeptical not only because she is a proper lady of the ton, but because he is attracted to her.

I adored their adventures! Lord of lies really ties all the books together. This event is happening at the same time as the events of the previous two books and involves some of the same characters. I enjoyed seeing a different side of Hale and am dying to know more about Freddie!
Portia is such a delight and I am glad she found a way to be happy. I loved her moments with Angelique as well!

My biggest struggle was Dell’s stubbornness. He pushed Portia away frequently with only bad excuses and reasons. I wanted to throat punch him!

Lord of Lies gives you the historical feel but with more progressive characters that transcend the time!

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Rating 2.5

Synopsis is a pretty accurate description of the overall story line of this romance. I'm just going to share some quick points and thoughts on this book.

I found it very difficult to get engaged or interested in the characters or plot of this story. I've loved the first one in the series but found this one lacking.

As the first chapter unfolds you are thrown back to previous books and the setting of the scene for this one. I found it a little confusing at first but it helped that I read the other in the series, so I highly recommend reading the first two.

The characters seemed more immature in this book then previous ones and some of the situations as well as resolutions were kind of out there as well as unrealistic. I found I lost interest at times in the story line and had to put it down and come back at a different time hoping I would become more reengaged. Unfortunately it was a struggle throughout the book. The story line was decent but the character development and depth didn't do it for me in this book.

It could be it just didn't work for me at this time and could for others. I will read the next in the series and hope I love it as much as I did the first.

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In return for this ARC, I am giving a fair and honest review. Fantastic story with great complex characters. There is so much to get your mind around but the tale flows in a way that you can't put it down. Put this one on your to be read list.

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Amy Sandas continues to deliver beautifully entertaining stories, characters who grab hold of your heart and never let go and every time I finish reading one of her books, I think "This is my new favorite". Portia is the definition of "intrepid" and Dell, is as endearingly flawed as he is intelligent. Together they make a stellar team in every way possible. Kudos to Ms. Sandas for a job VERY well done!

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I adore the Chadwick sisters books and Ms. Sandas has written another winner with "Lord of Lies." Portia Chadwick is bored with the life of a debutante. She craves something more out of life than going to endless rounds of balls, parties and dinners. When her sister is kidnapped, she learns there is only one man who can save her and he's the elusive Nightshade. From the moment Nightshade, aka Dell Turner, lays eyes on Portia, he knows she trouble--trouble that stirs his blood and makes him want sinful things. Can these two work together to find Lily before she's lost to them forever?

Ms. Sandas is a talented author. I loved Portia--the no nonsense, passionate, unpredictable heroine. It's a pleasure to read a regency romance that offers something different. The chemistry between Portia and Dell is undeniable and I was routing for them all the way. The book kept my interest throughout and there were a few twists and turns I didn't see coming. That's always a good thing. Fans of regency romance who long for a book that doesn't stay in the ballroom will thoroughly enjoy this story.

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For the first page of this book, I kept thinking I was experiencing deja vu. Then I realized that I actually was, if you've read the first two books in the series then you will too. All three books are pretty much happening simultaneously. Once I figured that out the book flowed smoothly with just a little overlap from Lily's and Emma's stories. If this is the first book for you in this series, don't worry I think it would read just fine as a stand alone also.

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I must say that the covers for this series are absolutely beautiful. It's what grabbed my attention initially.

This book is the third in the Fallen Ladies series. The previous book, The Untouchable Earl, was fantastic. Loved it! I absolutely adored Lily & Harte. Now I find when that happens, I get myself all fired up and go in to the next book anticipating it to be just as good--if not better--than the last.

As it has happened to me so many times before, this book just didn't grab me the way the previous on did. I really need to stop doing that to myself.

The books in the series all intertwine which I really enjoyed. You get to see each person's perspective of the same events. Sandas is a wonderful writer and really brings to life her characters. However, Portia's story-line just wasn't for me. The problem lies with my particular tastes. I'm not one for spy type stories, or heroes in disguise.

Would I recommend this book? Without a doubt. This series really is enjoyable and I look forward to more books by this author.

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What a refreshing and unique theme for an historical romance book! Read hundreds of this genre but this one is far and above the others. At times the author gets somewhat bogged down with too much information that adds little to the storyline otherwise would've given it 5 stars.

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A delightful addition to the series. A buy and enjoy read!
I would of given this read five stars, however, at times, I became frustrated with the heroine and the hero and their clueless attitudes when I expected more from each of them. Now my gripe is over with, lets go to the story. A wonderful addition to a series that you can read as a stand alone or all together! I have enjoyed the stories before and keep on reading and enjoying! The author is so talented that she pulls you into the story and then you realize your caught and do not wish to be bothered until you are done reading! It was a true enjoyable read. Wonderful characters, writing that gives you photos in your mind like a movie and one with a plot instead of just sex! A truly good read! So buy the book and enjoy the story. I was given this book in return for a honest review. Anna

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*** 3.5/5: Liked it to the edge of love- a stage 1 crush

A fun, adventurous historical romance from Amy Sandas.

Lord of Lies Amy Sands

Recommended readers:

If you like Historical Romance
If you like a character with spunk
Here's my Rankings:

3.5/5 for characters
3/5 for plot
3.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:

When Portia Chadwick's sister is kidnapped, she finds the best spy for the job: Nightshade. Only there's something intriguing about the man that Portia wants to uncover as she helps him find her sister. The intrigue continues in Amy Sandas' third novel in the Fallen Ladies series. A great escapist read, Lord of Lies has the perfect mix of bold characters and plot for a fun, adventurous historical romance. It's a great addition to the Fallen Ladies Novels and sticks to the theme of society women stepping out of the norm.

Available July 1: Lord of Lies by Amy Sandas.

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A nice novel but nothing spectacular. It was too predictable and got tedious towards the end. The first third was really nice, the second got a little boring and the third was .... let's say I skimmed through the descriptions only.

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Portia Chadwick's sister has just been kidnapped. Her one and only priority is finding her sister. With the help of her aunt Angelique, Portia seeks out a mysterious man named Nightshade. He is rumored to do most anything for a price, and Portia is willing to pay him any cost to return her sister home safely.

Dell Turner has many aliases, Nightshade being only one of them. When Portia enters his home demanding he come to her aid, Dell is first annoyed, but something about Portia calls to him. Going against his better judgement, Dell agrees to track down her sister, but before he can do much of anything, Portia's sister returns home seemingly none the worse for wear. Dell thinks his dealings with Portia are over, but he has no idea they are just getting started.

Scandal and adventure abound in author Amy Sandas' latest novel, LORD OF LIES. Although it is book three in her FALLEN series, I must admit that so far it is my absolute favorite. Side note, if you haven't read the first two books, LUCK IS NO LADY and THE UNTOUCHABLE EARL, you're missing out! Back to LORD OF LIES... the heroine, Portia is ballsy, witty and a real whirlwind. Here is a real lady who is also not afraid to show her devilish side. Dell, the hero, has no idea what hit him when he encounters the spirited Portia. Oh, the trouble these two got up to! What a wicked good time.

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