Impassioned Deceit

by Faye Hall, 4th Avenue Press, Pamela Tyner

Genres: Victorian Romance; Romantic Suspense; Erotic & Steamy Romance; Historical Romance; Small-town Romance; Second Chance Romance; historical romance; small town romance; steamy romance; Second Chance Romance; scarred hero heroine; australian romance

Synopsis

Would you risk your life for the one you love?

At thirty-two, Hannah Wagstaff’s scandalous past, and the scar it left her with, has made her a spinster, scaring away any offers of marriage. She had given up on love until by chance she was reunited with Patrick, a man who had lit a flame in her heart years ago before disappearing from her life.

Patrick O’Doherty couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Hannah. He had been certain he would never see her again, but there she was, and this time he would do anything to keep her in his life.

Things take a drastic turn when Patrick’s vengeful stepfather starts demanding ownership of the cattle station that was left to Patrick by his father. Suddenly, Patrick finds himself on the run for his life, trying to uncover the secrets of his stepfather’s past and the reason he would be willing to murder for a cattle station.

Hannah is distraught when she’s told Patrick died in a fire. Her grief continues when her sister is kidnapped without any clue to who could have taken her. Months later, when her sister returns, Hannah goes looking for the culprit. What she finds is Patrick, alive and working as a bartender at a hotel.

Passionately reunited with Hannah, Patrick discovers that not only is his life under threat, but hers as well. What secrets tie their families together? Will he be able to protect Hannah, or will his love for her ultimately cost him his life?

Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

 

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Release date: February 6, 2023

Publisher: 4th Avenue Press

Print pages: 472

Content advisory: contains sex, strong language, and some violence

Sample

Patrick walked toward the waterhole, the sound of his father’s departing carriage drifting off in the distance behind him. He had come here to swim several times over the years, finding it a welcomed solace from the heat in this country. Was that why Hannah had invited him here? He could think of no other reason. Even if his assumption was wrong, and this visit was brief, he was just happy to be seeing her again.

As he neared the water, his gaze went to the dark-haired woman sitting on the bank, her feet dangling in the water. He was going to announce himself, but in truth, he didn’t know what to say. He cleared his throat nervously, hoping that would be enough to draw her attention.

She turned to look at him, a huge smile filling her face. “I feared you wouldn’t be able to come.”

“My father dropped me off on his way to deal with some business in Inkerman,” he explained. “He’s going to collect me on his way home.”

She stood and stepped toward him. “How long can you stay?”

He shrugged. “Maybe an hour. Maybe longer.”

The pair stood there, their gazes joined. He wanted to ask her so many questions, hungering to know just who she was.

“Can you swim?” she asked. “Or we could just go for a walk around the area.”

Her uncertainty confused him. “Why did you ask me to meet you here?”

She bent down and slipped off her shoes. “A swim seems like a better idea in this heat.” Her hands went to the buttons on her blouse, unfastening them.

“What are you doing?”          

She giggled. “You can’t expect me to go swimming in this. I’ll drown from the weight of it.”

Patrick watched as she stripped down to her chemise and drawers before turning and running into the water. Hesitating only a moment longer, he took off his shoes, then his shirt, throwing it beside her clothes.

“Is that all you’re taking off?” she asked.

He walked toward her and waded through the water until he was only a few feet from her. “I think it’s for the best.”

She began to giggle. “Are you shy?”

He shook his head, sharing in her humour. “I just think what lies beneath my trousers is a bit too much of an introduction given we only met an hour ago.”

Her laughter began to fade, and he watched as a cheeky grin spread across her lips. “I’ll take my chemise off if you take your trousers off.”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You can’t be serious?”

She raised her brow. “What if I am?”

The pair waded in the water, their gazes joined, each wondering if Hannah would indeed go through with her side of the bargain. Patrick knew he shouldn’t encourage such behaviour, but the thought of being so close to this woman—and so revealed—both thrilled and scared him. Never had he met a woman so forward, and he needed to know now more than ever if she was serious or just all bluff. “You have yourself a deal,” he finally said.