Sweet Deception

Talk about a literary buffet with all the best ingredients: romance, family drama and the search for one's true desires. This is what bestselling author Patricia Sargeant has given us with the newest book SWEET DECEPTION. Once again men and women can come together after a nice dinner and talk about a book that has something for all palettes. The characters ring true to so many of the struggles we know all too well, and the author draws us in with her realness and search for the answer to the age-old question: What part of yourself are you willing to give up in order to feel whole?

Sweet Deception is an enjoyable read. Ms. Sargeant does a wonderful job taking readers into the lives of Joan and Ron. Yes, the passion was heated. However, what was so refreshing for me about this story was that this couple's love went beyond the physical. Early on in the relationship Joan and Ron challenge each other to face their greatest obstacle...their families. Joan is totally devastated when her religious family practically disowns her after finding out her secret. Ron is drowning in a sea of anger and bitterness when his irresponsible brother tells a damaging lie. It is Joan and Ron's genuine friendship which gets them through difficult trying times as they explore their love for one another. If you want a read that will keep you totally engaged then Sweet Deception is for you.

Sweet Deception by Patricia Sargeant is a unconventional romance that is filled with passion and conflict. Joan Brown aka erotic writer Cleopatra Sinclair meets a compelling man at a writer's conference. Since she is far away from home she decides to let her hair down and give into her desires. Once she is back home in Ohio safe and secure at her art store she can only remember the searing passion she had with Ron Montgomery. Thriller writer Ronald Montgomery was intrigued from his first meeting with Cleopatra Sinclair. One night with her was not nearly enough. He finds out her real name is Joan Brown and lives in Columbus, Ohio. As luck would have it he offered a teaching position for the summer in Columbus. The woman he sees is so different from Cleo he remembers but Ron is still enthralled by Joan Brown. Joan is shocked by Ron's reappearance in her world. Her real life as a minister's daughter is worlds away from her writing. She can't let these worlds collide Ron has his own family issues that follow him to Columbus. Can these two new lovers overcome their family's interference? Patricia Sargeant books are rich in passion and connections between the characters. I had enjoyed Patricia's stories in several anthologies and went and bought her single titles. I am glad I did, they are all first rate romances.

While Joan Brown attended a writers conference in Los Angeles under her erotic romance pseudonym, Cleopatra Sinclair, she meets mystery writer, Ronald Montgomery. As with some romance critics, Ron looks down on the romance genre; however, after spending one night with "Cleo", Ron cannot forget the author and tries to look her up with no luck. Joan returns to Ohio to take up her regular place as owner of an art store and daughter of a minister-a minister who wants to dictate the life of his three adult daughters when choosing who to marry and continue his standing in the church community. When Ron accepts a three month teaching position in Ohio of all places, he fnds Joan and a HOT romance begins. Ron encourages Joan to tell her family about her other career as an erotica author and things begin to unravel with family members accusing her of writing "pornography". Not only does Joan's character become strong but so do other characters in the story. On the side, Ron has his share of family problems as well so it seems Joan solves his problems while he solves hers. Suprisingly, Joan's sister and mother have copies of Cleopatra Sinclair's book in their possession as do some of her choir members. Patricia Sargeant has written a wonderful keeper book for the romance reader in all of us.

The first question she asked NY Times best- selling author Ronald Montgomery rendered him speechless. He thought, "How dare she be so forward;" yet, she turned him on at the same time. There was something about Cleopatra Sinclair. Cleopatra was tall and sexy with a husky voice that pulled him in ways no other woman had ever done. In her first contemporary romance novel, Sweet Deception, Patricia Sargeant gives readers a story that is certain to be discussed by many. Ronald soon learned that Cleopatra was really Joan Brown, an erotic romance writer. Intrigued by her mystery, he left his New York home to find her. Joan was completely different than her alter ego, Cleopatra. She was the middle daughter of Reverend K. Howard Brown. Joan and her sisters maintained a certain standard for the church and their family. How could she be this erotic romance author? Ronald and Joan realized that they had a lot in common. He encouraged her to face her fears and her family. With Ronald, Joan learned to embrace her dreams. Ronald, with Joan's strength, realized that he did not need approval from those he cared about the most to be successful. Sargeant has written a very unique romance novel. It was sexy and erotic in all the right places. However, the story also embraced hints of Christian Fiction. Ronald and Joan worked through issues with family, faith, acceptance and love. This was the first novel by Sargeant that I have read and it will not be the last. This book is highly recommended for book clubs because it will generate lots of conversation and fun. Priscilla C. Johnson APOOO BookClub