When Harry Sheffield's mother starts going to see Madame Sybil, a fortune teller, he sets out to prove she is a fraud at his father's behest and in his professional capacity as a Bow Street Runner. When he engages the bewitching Lady Gresham to help him prove that Madame Sybil is a fraud, unbeknownst to him, he has engaged Madame Sybil herself! When he finds out who she truly is and that she holds the key to the one case he was unable to solve, will he choose justice or love?
I really liked the characters in this book! They are very well-balanced and three dimensional. I haven't read The Untouchables, so I'm not familiar with that particular setting. However, I am familiar with the more general setting of Regency England. The plot is very well written and moves at a good pace. I had a hard time putting it down! I'm really looking forward to the next book as I'm hoping we'll find out more about the family.

I was attracted to this book by the cover and the chance to read an author that was new to me. Selina Blackwell had a rough and poor beginning in life. She worked and stole as a child before being sent to school by her brother. She has returned to London and feigns to be respectable, posing as Lady Gresham, to help her younger sister marry. She at the same time is operating as a fortune teller. Harry Sheffield is the son of an earl and is employed as Bow Street Runner (policeman). He enlists Selina to to help him prove that the fortune teller is a fake.

The story wasn't a simple romance and much of the book is spent on steps to catch the fortune teller as a fraud. There were also secondary stories regarding a fire in the past and ongoing thefts. I thought the main relationship was believable and liked the characters. Sheffields family was warm and friendly and I enjoyed their matchmaking. I didn't care as much about the secondary stories although they might be important to other books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Darcy Burke for the ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story: the deception, the tension, the emotional ride were all just wonderful. I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

Darcy Burke continues to make readers love her books. Selina and Harry have a very unusual story. She is on the wrong side of the law and he on the right. What will happen when the two come together? Well....Sparks will fly of course. The romantic tension between the two can be felt leaping off of the pages of this book.

3.5 stars

The concept is really intriguing. I love secret identities, especially in romance. It complicates every other element of the story, making the whole plot complex and the book, a page-turner. And I'm happy to say that A Secret Surrender didn't disappoint.

I couldn't stop reading because I couldn't wait to see what will happen next? Will Selena be discovered in the next chapter? On the next page? It was very entertaining to read. Apart from that, Selena is a very interesting character, to begin with. She's too far from perfect as a character. In fact, some might find her unlikeable or even unredeemable...I mean she really and truly scams people. And I think she only started feeling remorse after meeting Harry. But I liked how Selena's character affected me, in a way that made me question if what she's doing is really wrong. Selena's history, what she'd been through wasn't easy and that's why she is who she is.

That brings me to Harry. Harry's job as a Bow Street Runner, is, of course, put those who don't abide law into justice, people like Selena. But I love his character who tries to answer and understand what it is that makes criminal a criminal. I think that alone makes this book an interesting read.

Another thing I liked is Selena and Harry's relationship with the people in their lives. It's really amazing, that despite their individual conflicts, especially Selena's, they have people in their lives who really care. and I love that.

The story can be slow at times, and there are things that I think could've done better but overall, this is such an amazing read. As a first in a new series, it made me excited to read future books.

Bow street runner Harry Sheffield is trying to prove Madame Sybil a fraud. His mother had spent a lot of money with her and his father was concerned. But instead, he runs into Lady Selina Gresham. Selina had several "personas" that she portrays as needed. As Lady Gresham, she is determined to launch her "sister" into society.
There is a lot going on in this story and it kept me riveted to the pages to see what would happen. Harry has been after a criminal for four years, the Vicar and Selina wanted to find the same person and kill him for the murder of her brother. But all is not as it seems.
There are some serious sparks between these two, but will it combust when Harry finds out who Lady Gresham truly is?
Loved this story and cannot wait for more. 4 out of 5 Stars

I'm voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advanced Reader Copy of this story.

When is a fortune teller, not a fortune teller? When she is a Lady Gresham of course! Selina had several "personas" that she portrayed as needed. As Lady Gresham she was determined to launch her "sister" into society.
Bow street runner Harry Sheffield was trying to prove Madame Sybil a fraud. It seemed his mother had spent a lot of money with her and his father was concerned. But instead he runs into Lady Gresham. Fortuitous you say? Oh yes.. Then it begins!
There is a lot going on in this story and it kept me riveted to the pages to see what would happen. Harry has been after a criminal for four years, the Vicar and Selina wanted to find the same person and kill him for the murder of her brother. But all is not as it seems.
Must I say there is a definite spark between these two? A little combustible but what happens when he finds out who Lady Gresham truly is?
Loved this story and cannot wait for more.. Oh and don't you love the cover? Yes.. sigh...

Harry Sheffield is the younger son of an earl, a former barrister turned Bow Street Runner. He is very good at his job. He is currently investigating a fortune teller who he believes is fleecing his mother and some of her friends.

Selina Blackwell, aka Madame Sybilia, aka Lady Gresham, has lived through a horrible childhood on the streets of London. Lucky enough, thanks to her brother, to attend school, she becomes a governess. What should have been a better life becomes another nightmare. Now she is Madame Sybilia, a fortune teller who is making her way by fleecing wealthy ladies. She is also Lady Gresham, a widow bringing her sister out in Society.

Harry is having no luck talking to Madame Sybilia, but he meets Lady Gresham on one of his visits. They get along well and even agree to work together to find who started a fire four years ago where they each lost someone they cared about. The chemistry between this two is great. The problem? Selina’s fear and guilt. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Is there any way they can move beyond her deception and her past?

The first story in The Pretenders series is an action-packed, page-turning romantic ride. The characters deal with lies, betrayal, guilt, and pain. There are several surprises, including one real shocker. Harry and Selina are kind, good hearted people. There are definitely some problems, but with Harry’s large family, friends, and even the Spitfire Society to support them, they have a great chance at happily ever after. This is a good one! I recommend it.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

The sweet Surrender by Darcy Burke

Lady Gresham is leading a double life to enable her sister to come out in London society and gain a husband . She is secretly posing as a fortune teller and swindling money from ladies in society to fund her time in London but she has raised the suspicions of Harry Sheffield a police man in Bow Street. Harry's mother is defrauding but he has to prove it although he doesn’t know they are one& the same person.

It is a good story with many twists you do not expect . Another very good historical novel by Darcy Burke didn’t disappoint.

This would have to be my favourite Darcy Burke book, so I am quite excited about the series ‘The Pretenders’. The book begins with Harry Sheffield determined to out, Madame Sybila, supposed fortune-teller as a fraud, attempting to take money from women such as his mother. Yet little does he know that Lady Gresham, another alias of Selina Blackwell, is also Madame Sybila. Selina has had to invent many identities for herself in order to survive and to give her sister, an introduction into London society. However, in spinning many stories to survive, she soon discovers that this may prevent her from having any future with Harry.
What made this book stand out was that I found myself wondering how there could possibly be a HEA when the lies told by Selina, threated everything. At many a turn in the book, I wondered if that was when Selina would reveal her secrets but with every page, it seemed that the web of deceit became greater. However, the tragedies faced by Selina never threated to overwhelm her happiness with Harry, which made this such a lovely book to read. I found myself thoroughly immersed in their interactions, as I did their interactions with Harry’s family and Selina’s sister, Beatrix. I so look forward to reading about Beatrix and also their brother, Rafe, in this series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Selina Blackwell has learned to be a chameleon, she’s changed her name and her life from living on the streets of London many years ago, a girl’s school, to a governess and now to a fortune teller Madame Sybil and Lady Selina Gresham to launch her sister into London’s high society. Harry Shefffield a Bow Street Runner set put to prove Madame Sybil is a fraud and taking advantage of his mother the Countess of Aylesbury. Selina realizes Harry is also investigating a murder case involving the “Vicar” a man she very much to find him, he’s the man responsible for the death of her brother. They make a bargain, but can Selina keep all her secrets from the man she’s falling in love with? Will Harry forgive her deception and lies? I loved this story of a young girl growing up in the east end of London who recreates herself into the self-assure chameleon who falls in love with the one man who could destroy her whole life and everything she loves. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

I’m torn about this book. The premise was interesting with Selina doing what she needs to do to survive and Harry, the son of an Earl bring a Bow Street runner.

Let’s start with the good - I truly did like Selina and admired what she had to do to survive. I’m definitely interested in Beatrix and Rafe’s stories.

The not so good - I wasn’t really impressed with the romance. I think it was more because I though Harry was underdeveloped as a character. He definitely had a strong sense of justice but other than that, he seemed a bit flat to me.

That being said, I’m going to read the next books in the Pretenders series because I like the characters who will get their stories in those books.

***4.5 Historical Romance Stars***

This was a really enjoyable and engaging read, with an unexpected twist for an ending. I found this book to be quite an unconventional historical romance, and in a very good way.

I thought the two main characters were great. I really warmed to Harry, he was a charming, intelligent and energetic person. He was the son of a Duke, but also a Bow Street Runner, and his work as a runner is what allowed him to meet Sybila. I also really liked Sybila. She was actually the opposite of Harry, from a poor and difficult background, and using deception and crime to make her way in the world. A large part of Harry and Sybila's relationship is from ever increasing and intricate deceptions that Sybila uses to cover herself. I had a lot of empathy for Sybila and her circumstances. Harry and Sybila's relationship had great chemistry and electricity.

While the relationship of Harry and Sybila is the heart of this story, running through this story is a interesting crime story, which provides plenty of mystery and intrigue. The conclusion of this subplot actually provided an unpredictable, gripping and exciting conclusion to the novel.

I thought this was a brilliant historical romance from Darcy Burke. I highly recommend to lovers of this genre.

I really enjoyed this book and I really recommend you read this book and this is why:
This author doesn't just give you one story. No, she gives you three stories. The main story is between the heroine and the hero. How they meet, why they meet, why they are attracted to each other, what they do to support themselves or if they are gentry or good ton. And this story did not disappoint. The heroine is trying to help her 'little sister' from school. Little sister needs to have a season and get married because her father won't have anything to do with her. So to raise money, the heroine is doing a little fraud involving a fake orphanage. The hero is a Bow Street detective and the son of a lady the heroine is de-frauding, but he doesn't know it is the heroine who is doing the fraud. The second story is the background of the lower, meaner parts of London and the organized crime that has the power. The author drops you right in this world and it plays like a movie in your head. The third story iinvolve the characters who support and interact with the primary characters and help them move from the glitter of the ton to the mean streets of the slums. Let me tell you that I have read authors that try to do this and I only know of a couple who are successful at keeping things on point, keeping things realistic and believable and have it all make sense. Most fail, but not this author. I have read about half of the series and each one is stand alone, but there are support elements that show up in many books. All the books have a definite beginning and end and as you read the author successfully twists the story around so that the reader knows clearly what is going on. I give this book 5 stars for creativity, continuity, clarity and character development. I enjoyed the characters and how they grew and developed. I liked the back ground and how it shows a different form of life in Regency London.

3.75 stars. Like [author:Darcy Burke|5823441]’s many other Regency romances, this is a fun read and sets up her new Pretenders series (I’m especially looking forward to Rafe’s book). Selina has lots of balls in the air, juggling her charade as the fortune teller Madame Sybila and the country widow Lady Gresham with Selina, who fled the crime of London for a finishing school. Back to help the sister of her heart, Beatrix, find a rich husband, Selina falls in love with second son and Bow Street Runner Henry. The two are well matched and morally steadfast characters despite their respective professions, with steamy chemistry and teasing banter. Perfect for Burke fans and fans of the genre in general.

CW: attempted rape, accidental defenestration, past rape

I received an ARC from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Secret Surrender is the first in Darcy Burke’s new series, The Pretenders. And while there are some connections to previous series, particularly those in her expanded “Untouchables” world, it can be read as a stand-alone, which I can attest to, having read only a few of the previous books in that world.

While the premise has been a bit hit-or-miss for me, I was glad to see it was another new book that had the law-abiding hero falls for a heroine involved in slightly nefarious activities. And I admired Selina for doing what she had to do to ensure Beatrix had a good future and didn’t have to resort to the same wheeling-and-dealing she did after a hard life on the streets, even though I knew it was only a matter of time before her house of cards fell.

I also liked Harry and his strong sense of justice, and how it comes into question when he falls for Selina in one of her guises and eventually finds out her game, admittedly much later than I would have liked. While I do feel like both came from a similar place of wanting to do good, even if they pursued this in different ways, I wanted more from the ending, as I’ve found myself wondering how people can trust each other again so quickly after such a massive betrayal.

I still found this book fairly solid, and I can’t wait for the next one for Beatrix’s story. I recommend this to all historical romance lovers.

Author Bio

A Secret Surrender by Darcy Burke
The Pretenders #1

What would you do to survive? Would you lie, cheat, steal, run cons, do whatever it took to save yourself and someone you cared for as deeply as a sister? Some would and some think they would not and yet…in a situation like that my guess is that a child might do what it took to keep body and soul together. Selina was lucky enough to have a slightly older brother by her side for the early years of her life on the streets and the skills she learned stood her in good stead when she and her friend Beatrix found themselves alone and in need of a way to make a living. We don’t hear much about those years as the book begins when the two women have already made it to London so Beatrix can have a season and make her mark. But will either Selina or Beatrix achieve what they set out to do?

What I liked:
* Selina: savvy, capable, intelligent, willing, and able to do what it took. She didn’t plan to fall in love with Harry but fall in love she did.
* Harry: intelligent, loves to solve puzzles, knows the law, sees in black and white…until he meets Selina and shades of gray appear. He did not plan to fall in love with Selina but fall in love he did.
* Beatrix: a woman with sticky fingers but a heart of gold. I really want to see what happens when her story is told in book two.
* Rafe: Intriguing brother of Selina that I need to know more about – can’t wait to read his story!
* Harry’s family: what a blessing they are and so much fun. I am wondering if perhaps Jeremy, Harry’s twin, might end up married in this series, too.
* Maggie: a bit player but one that was key to the story. I hope she and her brother managed a better life.
* The way Selina managed to make a life for herself and Beatrix – her strength of will was amazing.
* The relationship between Harry and Selina was believable and real and I was hoping they would manage their HEA by the end of the story.

What I did not like:
* That Rafe and Selina had their future stolen from them – do want to know more about how that happened.
* The evil men that were revealed at the end of the book – I was glad they were caught.
* Having to say goodbye to the cast of characters knowing it will be awhile before book two is ready to read.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Burke Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Oh, how I love a good cat and mouse game. A Secret Surrender is full of lies and deception with a big smidge of steam and a whole lot of intrigue. Darcy Burke has a way of writing stories that are fun and interconnect with other series without feeling forced or some formula different book.

Selina Blackwell is on a mission to help her sister from another mister in her late-debut season- for reasons- and to try to reconnect with her estranged- for reasons- actual brother back in London. She has, by necessity, learned to be a chameleon of sorts to survive. In her latest con, she is fronting as a fortune-teller while presenting herself as Lady Gresham to the ton to further her sister's season and presentation into society. But when a Bow Street Runner takes too much of an interest in her business, she has to play a deep, multifaceted game. It's best to keep your enemies close and all that, right? Not because the man trying to send you to prison makes your breath catch and makes your toes curl when he kisses you. No. Never that.

Harry is the younger twin son of the Earl of Aylesbury and a constable for Bow Street. His father has tasked him to investigate a fortune-teller who his mother has been visiting. While trying to further his investigation, Harry runs into and enlists Lady Gresham to aide in his investigation of Madame Sybila and her sure-to-be fraudulent enterprises.

This is the first book in a new series, but there are a few ties to the Spitfire Society with familiar names, activities and even a cross-over with the Vicar and Bow Street activities seen in A Duke Will Never Do. (Which I enjoyed immensely as we worked through all the connections.)

I really enjoyed all the secondary characters, oh how I love nosey siblings, and can't wait for the other Blackwell-ish siblings to have their time. The cat and mouse game was fun. While, I tend to dislike continuous plots of deception amongst love interests, I found this to be enjoyable and Selina really did redeem herself in the end.

Darcy Burke is always a good bet for a fun and enjoyable historical with just the right amount of steam. Can't wait for more!

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Not gonna lie, I was definitely disappointed by this book after reading (and loving) Darcy’s Spitfire Society series a while back. I went into this thinking that I was going to enjoy it just as much as that series, and unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

Everything from the plot, to the characters, the pacing, and the romance was just okay. I probably would have given this less than 3 stars if it wasn’t for the surprisingly good plot twist towards the end.

I’m now hesitant to go into the next book in the series. I’m hoping this one was just a fluke!

**Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

A Secret Surrender
Series: Book 1 in The Pretenders series
Rating: 2 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed previous books by this author, but sadly I will have to DNF this story. Unfortunately this story was not for me. I did not find the heroine likeable at all. It was refreshing for once to have a heroine with a unique profession, but Selina, to me, just took advantage of the wrong people. One of those people was Harry Sheffield's family. I understand that her being a con artist in order to survive in those times was very important to her, but it just felt wrong, especially because his family were helping her and sister out move in society. Even Harry was a great guy and was just doing his job, which he loved doing, as a Bow Street Runner.
I just couldn't see them together when he was investigating her for fraud, which she was committing against his own mother.
I do not know how it ends, since I read only up to 40%. Maybe the story does get better, but I just couldn't continue with it.