Heart of Deception
by
M.L. Malcolm
Back Cover: "Leo Hoffman is a man of many contradictions. He is a Hungarian national with a French Passport, a wealthy businessman with no visible means of support, and a devoted father who hasn't seen his daughter in years. He is also a spy. Recruited by the Allies to lay the groundwork for their invasion of North Africa, Leo intends to do as little spying as possible; he just wants to earn his American citizenship, get to New York, and find his daughter, Maddy. But while Leo dodges death in France and Morocco, Maddy learns the truth of her father's mysterious past, and this haunting knowledge compels her down a dangerous path of her own, into deception and discovery."
Heart of Deception is the sequel to Heart of Lies and continues the saga of Leo Hoffman as he works to earn his citizenship, working as a spy, playing one group against another group against another group. None know whether to trust him or kill him. His fate is left up in the air and he is stuck in Cairo while the powers that be concentrate on more important issues: the invasion of North Africa by the Brits and Americans. Meanwhile his daughter Maddy is taken in by her belated mother's sister who encourages her to be anything she wants, except a faithful daughter to Leo. She refuses to read any letters Leo sends her, believing he has completely abandoned her and is lying about being a spy. Her heart's desire is to be a pianist but her aunt expects more out of her. Maddy falls in love with two very different men who lead her in two directions.
The story takes you from 1942 to 1960 alternating between Leo in various countries and Maddy in America. The historical aspects are more backdrop in the story and the focus is more on the characters and their actions. There is plenty of intrigue and deceit, but also moments the characters will frustrate the heck out of you by their decisions. Heart of Deception will stand alone but I think you'd enjoy it better if you read Heart of Lies first. (review here)
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for inviting me to be a part of the tour, HarperCollins for providing me with a courtesy copy and M.L. Malcolm for writing Leo and Maddy's story.
Check out the rest of the tour stops:
Tuesday, April 5th: Unabridged Chick
Wednesday, April 6th: My Two Blessings
Thursday, April 7th: Diary of an Eccentric
Monday, April 11th: Rundpinne
Tuesday, April 12th: Amused By Books
Wednesday, April 13th: Book Journey
Tuesday, April 19th: Reading Through Life
Thursday, April 21st: I’m Booking It
Monday, April 25th: Man of La Book
Tuesday, April 26th: Chocolate & Croissants
Wednesday, April 27th: Chefdruck Musings
Thursday, April 28th: BookNAround
Friday, April 29th: Booksie’s Blog
Pages: 352
Publisher: Harper
Released: April 5, 2011
I just won this book on another blog. Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like the first book very much, so I doubt I will read this second installment, but I did enjoy reading your review.
ReplyDeleteI still have the first book on my shelf from BEA 2010 ... I really have to make time to read it because now I want to read book 2 as well!
ReplyDelete@Michelle - Congratulations. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete@Zibilee - I liked the first book better to be honest.
@Heather - Get going lady and read it.
You got me curious! I'll have to see if the library has the first one.
ReplyDelete