Title: And Only to Deceive (Emily Ashton #1)

Author: Tasha Alexander

Publisher: Harper 2005

Genre: Historical Fiction; Mystery

Pages: 321

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Read My own Damn Books; Popsugar - Takes Place on an Island; Women Authors

For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was an easy way to escape her overbearing mother, who was set on a grand society match. So when Emily's dashing husband died on safari soon after their wedding, she felt little grief. After all, she barely knew him. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and immerses herself in all things ancient and begins to study Greek.

Our book club selection for May. It was recommended by another member and I can't believe I've never heard of this series before. I love every page of this volume! Emily is a great character full of spark. I loved reading about her increasing interest in history and art and her attempts to puzzle out the mystery of her husband's death. I loved all the twists and turns. Even though I mostly figured out the who-dun-it before the reveal, I was still intrigued and kept reading to the end. I think I will have to pick up the rest of the series to read...

Lady Emily Ashton

• #1 And Only to Deceive
• #2 A Poisoned Season
• #3 A Fatal Waltz
• #4 Tears of Pearl
• #5 Dangerous to Know
• #6 A Crimson Warning
• #7 Death in the Floating City
• #8 Behind the Shattered Glass
• #9 The Counterfeit Heiress
• #9.5 Star of the East
• #10 The Adventuress
• #10.5 That Silent Night
• #11 A Terrible Beauty