Divine Deception By Marcia Lynn McClure - Life experience had harshly turned its cruel countenance on the young Fallon Ashby. Her father deceased and her mother suffering with a fatal illness, Fallon was given over to her uncle, Charles Ashby, until she would reach the age of independence. Abused, neglected, and disheartened, Fallon found herself suddenly blessed with unexpected liberation at the hand of the mysterious Trader Donavon. A wealthy landowner and respected denizen of the town, Trader Donavon concealed his feature of face within the shadows of a black cowl. When Fallon's secretive deliverer offered two choices of true escape from her uncle, her captive heart chose its own path. Thus, Fallon married the enormous structure of mortal man-without having seen the horrid secret he hid beneath an ominous hood. But the malicious Charles Ashby, intent on avenging his own losses at Trader Donavon's hand, set out to destroy the husband that Fallon herself held secrets concerning. Would her wicked uncle succeed and perhaps annihilate the man that his niece secretly loved above all else?This was my first Marcia book that I ever read. I finished it in a single day. It's a small book, maybe around 150-200 pages, but from the moment I started reading it I was hooked. Marcia has a special talent of grabbing the reader's attention and keeping it. The story opens up with poor Fallon being mistreated and abused by her horrible uncle. The uncle is visited by the mysterous Trader Donavon...aka Landlord who is in the process of evicting the uncle from the property. After Trader leaves, he later comes back because he was seeking shelter from the winter storm. Fallon's uncle later finds both Trader and Fallon curled up together in front of the fireplace and demands Trader marry Fallon within the week. Fallon is already in love with Trader even though she has never seen his face since he always wears a hood. She is determined to win Trader's love. Through events her uncle creates, she falls into dangerous trouble and Trader has to save her life. The story is very well written. My only complaint is that the "kissing scenes" aren't as good as some of her other books. They are still good, but some of ther other books such as Dusty Britches and The Highwayman of Tanglewood have scenes in them that can curl your toes with expectation. But don't let that stop you from reading this book, the storyline is so worth it, and the final plot twist will have you go, no wonder!!!
