Monday 13 April 2015

Books Read: Nora Roberts - The Liar

When her husband Richard dies in a freak accident, Shelby Pomeroy is devastated. But his death reveals a horrible truth - Richard was a liar and a cheat. Now Shelby is left with the consequences - huge, terrifying debts and mounting proof that her late husband betrayed her in every conceivable way. 

Heart-broken but unbowed, Shelby is determined to fix her problems - if only for the sake of her gorgeous little daughter Callie. Returning home to Tennessee and the family she thought she'd lost for ever, she discovers a new sense of strength and freedom. And hope, too, in the handsome form of carpenter Griffin Lott - a straight-dealing man who couldn't lie to her if he tried. 

But not everyone is thrilled to see Shelby Pomeroy back in town. And when a shocking act of violence is traced back to Richard's shady business, it becomes clear that she is not safe from him, even in death. With her life in danger, Shelby must face the lies of the past - or lose everything.

Amazon links: Kindle or Hardcover

Although I've read quite a few Nora Roberts trilogies in the past it's been a number of years since I last read one of her books so when I was asked by Clara at Little Brown to read her latest standalone The Liar I happily accepted especially as it sounded like an intriguing read.

The story revolves around Shelby Foxworth who is having to pick up the pieces for herself and her young daughter Callie after her husband dies in a boating accident.  But as she soon discovers Richard was not the man she thought he was and their whole life together has been one big con which has left her having to deal with the staggering debts that he left behind.  So will moving home to Tennessee be the fresh start that she needs to enable her to finally rid herself of Richard's debt and move on with her life? 

This was a bit of a slow burner for me and it did take me a little while to get into it but the story soon picked up as the unsavoury element of Richard's past starts to be unveiled and I was soon gripped wanting to know how much more Shelby would have to deal with.  Just how many secrets did Richard have and who are all these mysterious strangers who keep turning up that could place their lives in danger? 

At times I wondered just how much more Shelby could take, through no fault of her own she had been left with crippling debts that she was determined to clear without any help from others.  I'm sure some might think she was naive and wonder how did she not know that Richard was a con artist but when you're in a controlling relationship it is easy to become distanced from friends and family and believe everything that your partner tells you.    

I must also admit that as a sucker for romance I loved the romantic element between Shelby and Griff and there sure was plenty of chemistry between the two of them right from their first meeting but I could totally emphasis with Shelby and understand her reluctance to start something new until she was finally clear of anything to do with Richard.  And of course she has Callie to think of but it's the friendship between Griff and Callie that provided some of my favourite moments.    

Overall I enjoyed the mix of mystery and intrigue with the romance and despite having worked out quite early on how it was going to end this didn't spoil my enjoyment of what was a great read.  

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