Publisher: Muddle House Publishing
Release Date: January 12, 2007
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Available Formats: eBook
Independent Hannah Montgomery doesn’t want the cottage her father left her in the remote Catoctin Mountains. She wanted his love. But he’s dead and it’s too late to mend his broken promises.
She travels to the cottage and there meets a broken and wounded ex-CIA agent, Jake Sutherland, who is fulfilling his promise to D.C. Montgomery to help his daughter. As she settles her father’s estate, Hannah is reluctantly fascinated by her father’s mysterious friend.
Unknown to both of them, the woman who betrayed Jake and killed D.C. is coming after Jake. Caught in a web of deceit, Hannah must choose who to believe. Will she risk her heart – and her life – to learn the truth about her secretive father?
House of Lies is a double finalist (best romantic suspense, best first novel) in the National Readers Choice Awards
“A classic romance in House of Lies Maggie Toussaint pens a romantic tale of deceit, danger, and murder” —T.A. Ridgell, author of FRACTURED SOULS
“Sparks fly as two well-crafted characters tangle with a crafty villain in House of Lies. Maggie Toussaint is an author to watch” —Tracy Montoya, Harlequin Intrigue author of FINDING HIS CHILD
“Maggie Toussaint is a fresh voice filled with talent and characters that step off the page” —Diana Cosby, author of HIS CAPTIVE
“The perfect blend of heart-warming romance and suspense. House of Lies is a book you’ll definitely want to curl up with” —Gail Barrett, award winning author
“House of Lies is a tender tale of redemption, forgiveness – and romance” —Hope Tarr, author of THE HAUNTING
“A yummy hero. A yummy romance. An intriguing mystery. What could be better? Maggie Toussaint gives us an enjoyable read” —Diane Gaston, RITA-award winning author
“Maggie Toussaint’s House of Lies was surprisingly poignant for a romantic suspense novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been sitting on my bookshelf for a month but once I got started I couldn’t put it down. I just needed to find out that secret. Well Done” —A. Jefferson of Richmond VA, posted to Amazon.com
“Like a donut’s cream-filled center, Maggie Toussaint’s debut novel contains secretive pleasures” —Darlene Gardner, Harlequin SuperRomance author
“I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was choc full of excitement and intrigue and the plot was very well written. I felt like I was pulled into the world the author created. I especially enjoyed the amazing amount of detail that was put into the character development. From the occupations of the main characters, to their favorite hobbies and everything in between, I loved the subtle and very accurate description of the characters’ emotions and thought processes. The information didn’t seem overwhelming. It was concise, but so true to the characters and the situations they were in. I was highly impressed by this. I would definitely give this book as a gift. This genre isn’t usually one of my favorites, but I enjoyed this book very much. I was engrossed in the characters and loved how strong the heroine was. I would highly recommend it to anyone” —Sweeter Romantic Notions (Note: the highest rating at SRN is ‘I would give this book as a gift!’)
“House of Lies by Maggie Toussaint is an exciting romantic suspense. Poignantly written, it touches on the emotional aspects of parental abandonment and the courage necessary to face the truth. The romance between Hannah and Jake is exceptionally well-developed and Hannah’s mother, Libby, is a sensitive character who added much to the story. I truly loved House of Lies and look forward to reading more novels this highly talented new author” —Linda Morelli, author and reviewer at http://www.lindamorelli.us
“Five stars! A wonderful read from the first page through to the last! Wonderful characters and a stunning plot make this a keeper that just couldn’t be put down until I reached the last page and even then I wanted more. Maggie Toussaint is clearly a rising talent and I’ll certainly be first in line for her future works” —Ellen Dye of Bloomery, WV, posted on www.thewildrosepress.com
“Five stars. House of Lies grabbed me from the start when it thrusts together the two main characters after the death of the female’s father. The interest between them kept the same pace throughout, while also exploring the all-too-common curiosity of a person who grew up feeling distant from a parent. The author has done a great job of interweaving romance, suspense, and this same empathy for the main character. Keeps you guessing up until the very end when the final “secret” is revealed” —Sheila Langley of Jacksonville, FL, posted on Amazon.com
The rawhide ties of her loosely laced long sleeved shirt held his attention, as did the snug jeans skimming her petite frame. Heavy hiking boots completed her attire.
“Jacob Sutherland?” she asked as she briskly mounted the four shallow steps leading to the porch.
Limping forward, he inclined his head. “Call me Jake.”
“I’m Hannah Montgomery.” After she shook his hand, she shoved her hands into her pockets. “How do you manage this mountainous terrain with a cane?”
The concern in her tone irritated him. He didn’t want her sympathy. His stupid leg injury was the reason her father was dead. Every ache, every twinge, reminded him of his unfinished business.
Unfinished business that he meant to finish.
He shrugged. “It isn’t a problem.”
“I’m sorry for only giving you a few hours notice, but I had an unexpected opening in my schedule. My job has a tendency to take over my life.”
Her words glossed over her three month delay, making it appear that she was glad to finally be here. But he knew otherwise. Her closed body language and that flicker of annoyance in her eyes suggested she didn’t want to be here at all. Too bad.
