My False Heart

Ms. Carlyle has successfully captured the magical peace true love brings to the redeemed. The heroine in MY FALSE HEART, embodies the strength of the truly beautiful woman: not only in outward appearance, but as a person with so much love to give her family and friends, she is their safe harbor; one hunky rogue of a hero [must read the pond scene!] who is almost so lost in debauchery, he carries faint hope of ever becoming clean again. It seems fate has brought Elliot Armstrong to the door of Evangeline van Artevalde and her loving, extended family. As head of her household, the home Evangeline has made for all under her roof is filled with the warmth of love, laughter and intellectual pursuits--all that has been missing from Armstrong's privileged, though wasted life. Although the hero's reputation has been unfairly maligned by foul gossip, he fully accepts, and flaunts, the parts of his bad name he has brought upon himself. Hurt by the betrayal of a past love, Elliot Armstrong has devoted ten years of his life to living as a wastrel, little caring how it will all turn out--until Evangeline becomes his friend. He then alternates between fantasies that she will love him and shame that he could corrupt her.Though dire obstacles threaten Evangeline and Elliot's chance at happiness, Liz Carlyle has written a lovely story about the power of love and forgiveness.

I've had Liz Carlyle's books in my TBR pile for some time and have just finished My False Heart. I found the plot to be well developed (if perhaps leisurely) and the characters rounded and believeable - people about whom I could care. The peripheral members of the cast, most especially the children and young people, were memorable and added great value to the overall story. Rannoch's gay valet, Kemble, was a real delight and an excellent foil to his master and his dissolute, overtly masculine circle of friends. If every woman loves a rake, then Elliot Armstrong, the Marquis of Ranoch, is truly delicious. His reformation and redemption make for a read full of angst and tension. Perhaps Evie is not quite as well drawn for sometimes I wanted to shake her and remind her that for such an intelligent woman she easily allowed herself to head down the wrong track where Rannoch was concerned.I particularly appreciated the evocative descriptions of every day life (for example the family meals and lively discussions) and the healing effects of a happy domesticity on the Marquis. It was a demonstration of true healing through the little things of life. Sometimes the author's word pictures reminded me a bit of the tranquility of a Vermeer painting.I now look forward to reading the rest of her books. I'm going on holiday soon and two of them will be in the luggage!

I have just discovered Liz Carlyle and I feel fortunate indeed. I am halway through her second book, "A Woman Scorned" and I can barely tear myself away from it. This is a very gifted author and all her books should be read (I think in the order she has written them). Unfortunately there are only four books right now, but we can only hope that she is as prolific as she is gifted. Her characters are so well drawn out you can actually remember them. Her secondary characters are also rich and vibrant. Her dialogue is wonderful and her prose is unique and highly-charged emotionally whether she is describing a thought or a sensuous love scene. Buy her. Read her. Treasure her. I can't wait to read all of her books.

Once in while when you're reading a book, you feel along the way that the book you're reading is truly special. My False Heart, a debut from Liz Carlyle, is one of those special books. The story, as describe in the book description, is wonderfully written and filled with powerful characters that will surely steal your heart. Believable in every aspect because the story build up, the emotions of the lead characters and the motivation of Elliot to reform are all well told. I enjoyed this book because it was told from the viewpoint of Elliot. I laughed and suffered with him. Also, the way the writer described everything so splendidly I could really it feel it, touch it and see it.As for the characters Elliot and Evie, they were perfectly matched for each other! Elliot is a "to die for" hero. He shows his vulnerability to the readers but never loses his masculinity. Evie is a temperamental painter and on the outside she's so confident but deep inside a woman with doubts and insecurity.The secondary characters are delightful, giving the story something extra and let the readers long for a story of their own. My False Heart is also a book filled with favourite scenes. Like the pond scene and the balcony "vase throwing" scene. I love to re-read those scenes. Not everyone will agree with me, but I thought they were wonderful, touching and funny. Especially the pond scene!Anyway, My False Heart is a truly special book, a keeper! It will leave behind a feeling of longing, a feeling of romance and hope that soon Liz Carlyle will write a sequel.Enjoy and savour My False Heart, for this is what romance is about!

My False Heart is simply the best romance I have read in a very long time -- a strong and intelligent heroine, a handsome and world-weary hero (this is one gorgeous hunk!), a great story line that includes a credible murder mystery for good measure, and a delightful cast of secondary characters. This book is so good that it is hard to believe that it is a debut.Ms. Carlyle, thank you for reminding me why I started reading romances in the first place and may you have a long and prolific career!