A Secret Surrender Another fabulous gem from Darcy. The characters that she comes up with are absolutely Intriguing and captivating. When you have to deceive, lie and steal to survive after a while it will catch up to you. Trying to protect her alter identity a secret and trying to find out who killed her brother Selina gets too close to Harry Sheffield a bow street runner. Harry Sheffield has his hands full trying to help his father find out if a fortune teller that is mother is seeing is a fraud and reopening and investigation into a four year old fire that killed orphans. He in lists the help of Salina. As Selina gets closer to Harry and their feeling start to grow she begins to question life choices. As the truth is revealed will it destroy their relationship? I received this ARC as an exchange for a fair and honest review

Harry Sheffield is the younger son of an earl, a former barrister turned Bow Street Runner. He is very good at his job. He is currently investigating a fortune teller who he believes is fleecing his mother and some of her friends. Selina Blackwell, aka Madame Sybilia, aka Lady Gresham, has lived through a horrible childhood on the streets of London. Lucky enough, thanks to her brother, to attend school, she becomes a governess. What should have been a better life becomes another nightmare. Now she is Madame Sybilia, a fortune teller who is making her way by fleecing wealthy ladies. She is also Lady Gresham, a widow bringing her sister out in Society. Harry is having no luck talking to Madame Sybilia, but he meets Lady Gresham on one of his visits. They get along well and even agree to work together to find who started a fire four years ago where they each lost someone they cared about. The chemistry between this two is great. The problem? Selina’s fear and guilt. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Is there any way they can move beyond her deception and her past? The first story in The Pretenders series is an action-packed, page-turning romantic ride. The characters deal with lies, betrayal, guilt, and pain. There are several surprises, including one real shocker. Harry and Selina are kind, good hearted people. There are definitely some problems, but with Harry’s large family, friends, and even the Spitfire Society to support them, they have a great chance at happily ever after. This is a good one! I recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I love me a complicated character. And Selina is definitely a complicated lady. She’s smart, a chameleon (she’s also Lady Gresham in a dual role), she’s clever and deceptive because she’s had to be, living by her wits to survive and thrive. Harry is much more straightforward. He’s the perfect foil for Selina. How often do we get a dual role in our female leads? Recommend.

A secret surrender-As a Bow Street Runner Harry is investigating Selina the fortune teller. Although she is a fraud and a cheat she has a wonderful heart. As Harry starts to get closer to her romance blooms . But will it last when he finds out who she really is? 4*