Deceptions (Jamestown)

Deceptions (Jamestown)

In 1617 Jamestown, Virginia, a daring deception leads to dangerous passion in this riveting blend of romance, intrigue and adventure. Desperate to find and wed her childhood sweetheart and to escape a marriage arranged by her London guardians, Catherine Parke secretly boards a ship bound for Jamestown. But the shock of what greets her there nearly destroys her. Determined to succeed, she bravely starts a Dame School. Although Catherine knows that adherence to a strict moral code rules the colonists' lives, she soon discovers that beneath their proper facades not all is as it seems. Although disappointments and disasters repeatedly test Catherine's strength and courage, a burning desire to uncover the truth drives her to unravel a confusing web of lies and deceit. Finding her life in jeopardy, Catherine is drawn to the one man who can save her. Can she trust him, or will she be swept into an unknown and terrifying wilderness, once again loving the wrong man and paying dearly for it? Vivid historical details bring the Jamestown settlement and Indian villages to life. This suspenseful and compelling tale of one courageous woman determined to forge a new life for herself in a frightening and dangerous New World is an irresistible combination of intrigue and romance. Well-researched, fast-paced and brimming with unexpected twists and turns, Deceptions will keep readers guessing until the final page. Deceptions is Oklahoma native Marilyn Clay's seventh published novel.From BooklistIf the letter had arrived just one day later, there would have been nothing Catherine Parke could have done. The letter was from her father, who, along with her brother Adam and her beau, Noah Colton, left England for the New World six years ago. Catherine's father now wants her to join them, but the very next day, Catherine's guardians arrange for her to marry a wealthy London merchant. Fortunately, a chance meeting with Princess Pocahontas, who is visiting London, gives Catherine the means to set sail for Jamestown. Once Catherine arrives in the colony, she discovers her father is dead, and Noah, who had promised to wait for her, is married to another woman. With her dreams for a new life as Noah's wife crumbling around her, Catherine realizes it's up to her to survive in the New World. A surfeit of fascinating historical details and a refreshingly different setting give Deceptions its unique flavor, making Clay's novel perfect for readers who miss the romance-tinged historical novels of Rosalind Laker. --John Charles