Miri Brayden teeters on a razor’s edge between placating and enraging her brother, whom she depends upon for support. Yet if his anger is unleashed, so is his madness. Miri must keep his descent into lunacy a secret, or he’ll be committed to an asylum—and she’ll be sent to the poorhouse.
Ethan Goodwin has been on the run all of his life—from family, from the law … from God. After a heart-changing encounter with the gritty Reverend John Newton, Ethan would like nothing more than to become a man of integrity—an impossible feat for an opium addict charged with murder.
When Ethan shows up on Miri’s doorstep, her balancing act falls to pieces. Both Ethan and Miri are caught in a web of lies and deceit—fallacies that land Ethan in prison and Miri in the asylum with her brother. Only the truth will set them free.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 2/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
Reading \"A Heart Deceived\" was like embarking on a treasure hunt; finding gems hidden deep within its pages, precious nuggets of truth and inspiration where least expected, and discovering characters whose lasting value had been buried under layers of sediment after experiencing grotesque and unsavory experiences. When the lives of a redeemed reprobate and lovely sister of a deranged interim vicar coincide, a story erupts that exudes mystery, mayhem, and highly unlikely romance. It is 1795 in Bedfordshire, England and Miriall Brayden is hideously trapped in a rectory with her brother Roland, whose sanity is precariously hanging by a thread . Mourning the whereabouts of her younger brother, she is surprised one evening when a total stranger, sick and near death arrives at the back door, knowing her name and that of her missing brother. While innocently bestowing kindness, refuge and nourishment, Miri is inextricably drawn to the man, whose speech and mannerisms are that of a gentleman, but whose appearance is likened to someone who has lived a cruel existence on city streets. \"God works powerfully lad, but for the most part gradually and gently\"; the Reverend John Newton\'s prophetic words to Ethan Goodwin. After Ethan experiences tragedy and finds forgiveness through salvation, he flees London desperate to find Will Brayden\'s sister. Never mind that his friend failed to mention that Miri was breathtakingly beautiful, wore a head of riotous curls, had porcelain smooth skin, or spoke words of kindness like an angel. Over time however, nothing at this rectory is as it seems. When Ethan\'s past comes knocking at the door and Roland Brayden is accused of unmentionable acts, Miri finds herself caught in a tight web of mystery and deceit which threatens her very existence and that of her newfound faith. \"Sometimes faith is a moment-by-moment thing\"; Ethan\'s words to Miri just before their love and their future is nearly extinguished. What will it take to bring all things into the light of discovery? Michelle Griep has written an extraordinary story which deserves to be savored and quite possibly read over and over and over again.
Violence: There are some violent scenes scattered through¬out this book, but tastefully written and consistent with the time period and the setting.
Drug & Alcohol: Descriptive in nature; applying to minor characters.