The Harlot Countess (Wicked Deceptions Book 2)

Simon, Lord Winchester or Winejester as he was satirized as, was sometimes less than kind. He felt his assent in Parliament was being made fun of by the male painter, Lemarc, who in fact is Maggie, Lady Hawkins aka the half Irish Harlot! After her debacle during a ball in her first season, she is ruined by her friend's fiancee. No one believes her, and Simon, who seemed to be courting her, turned his back on her. Now Maggie's satirized posters of Lord Winejester are her way of getting back at Simon for his choices of long ago.Being a widow, Maggie has much more freedom than other ladies at the time, and Simon believes all of the rumors of her sexual escapades! In reality her painting is what has saved her.Simon and Maggie begin a fabulous chase! While sometimes I felt that Simon was an idiot, he also had reflective moments. Having lived with her reputation for 10 years, Maggie still regrets, but has risen from the ashes to fulfill her destiny. This 'second chance at love' story is a powerful look at how society can ostracize someone with there being no truth to any of the rumors.I was happy with this book. Although, now that I've read some of the negative reviews on Amazon, I still have to say, I was happy with this book.Ms. Shupe has written a historically accurate book and we're trying to review it with our 21st Century sensibilities! Women were ostracized by society at that point in history for any number of infractions. A man's word was taken over any woman's every time! It was a complete double standard and very accurately portrayed by Ms. Shupe. That the heroine of this book rose above the marriage her parents forced her into with a much older gentleman, society continuing to call her the 'Half-Irish Harlot', her ability to function and in essence 'roll with it' when it would have been easier to stay out of society, throwing parties that were 'over the top', living a 'second life' as a political satirist, my goodness...she was pretty bada$$! There was no #MeToo movement in Regency England!

lady Margaret Neeley was making her debut. Her best friend fiancee Lord Cranford said he wanted to talk to her..She thought it was about her friend and went into the garden with him.He tried to attack her and she refused .He then went and told Lady Amelia she was trying to sleep with him. The entire group turned on her . She knew Simon Barrett the Eighth Earl of Barrett would help her instead he turned his back on her. She had been in love with him and they were good friends. She was later forced to marry an older man to try and save her reputation. She was shunned by everyone and called the Harlot Countess.Ten years later she was a widow and did every thing to live up to her reputation .She also had begun painting and used the name Lemarc . She did caricatures of people and had done five unflattering ones of Simon. He used to drink a lot and the latest one shown him as a drunk. She had never forgiven him by not coming forward to save her. He still believed her guilty he had seen letters supposedly written by her. He had straightened his life out and was in Parliament. They had not seen each other in 10 years till he saw her in a art store. He was trying to find out who Lemarc was no one knew his identity or if they did would not tell. He tries to see her again and she refuses. He finally goes to one of her parties to see her.He wants her help tracking down the artist. He also unknown to her hires someone else to find out who the artist is. They both have feelings for each other but neither wants to care . The misunderstanding between went on forever she even left and went to France. I thought he would never believe she hadn't been guilty that night and had many lovers since. The two had so much pain and anguish before they admitted how they felt. She also has to deal with blackmail but this time she had Simon . He wants to marry her but she feels like her reputation would only ruin him .She is a strong person but will she marry him knowing how that might affect his life. The author keeps your interest through out the book I read it at one sitting. I have already preordered her next book. I hope she writes for a long long time.

J Shupe is an author I’ll continue to read. This story is well told. The plot and the characters remain consistent with time period in which they were set. So many romance writers will superimpose a storyline and dialogue that is suppose to be 19th Century but is really transferring 21st Century ideas to that time. Read this book, you won’t be disappointed with the hH and the other characters in the book. I couldn’t stop reading until I finished it.

I just could not put this book down enjoyed it an i highly recomend it as a very good read

Eine unterhaltsame und hübsche Regency-Liebesgeschichte.Vor zehn Jahren wurde die Debütantin Lady Margaret ungerechtfertigerweise der Liebschaften mit Männern verdächtigt, ihr guter Ruf dahin. Ihr geliebter Beau, Lord Simon, drehte ihr daraufhin den Rücken zu und sie musste einen alten Mann heiraten. Verwitwet und unter den Männern heiss begehrt, kehrt sie nach London zurück.Die Geschichte ist gut aufgebaut und kurzweilig erzählt. Doch irgendwie habe ich im Hinterkopf, dass ich diese Story auch schon gelesen habe.

Joanna will be one of my go to writers now. I loved Maggie's feisty spirit in the face of adversity. Some great minor characters too such as Quint and Lucien.

Loved it. Couldn't wait to finish reading it that i stayed up until 3 in the morning. Brilliant writer and enjoyable book

excellant book