Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) [Kindle Edition]

Cege Smith (Author), Christine LaPorte (Editor)

Book Description

Blood never lies, but people do...

With the King of Altera on his deathbed, all eyes are on his only child, eighteen-year-old
Angeline Robart. Called from her studies to return to her father's side, the Crown Princess is kidnapped en route by Connor, a mysterious rogue who has been waiting a long time for the chance to change his destiny.

Facing the consequences of a freak accident that even Connor could not prevent, Angeline is forced to travel a dangerous path to regain control of her fate and her kingdom. Her impossible choice requires her to rely on Connor, who epitomizes everything generations of her family tried to destroy.

As the last of the Robart bloodline, Angeline discovers that enemies she thought long conquered have been lying in wait for just such an opportunity as her father's death to turn events to their advantage. Worse yet, by uncovering those secrets, Angeline must confront the possibility that no one ever expected her to take the throne in anything but title alone.

As her bond with Connor grows stronger, she realizes they have far more in common than she ever expected, and that could make him just the ally she needs.

The Bloodtruth Series:

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1)
The Queen's Betrayal (Bloodtruth #2)
Trials of Truth (Bloodtruth #3) 

Product Details

• File Size: 400 KB
• Print Length: 200 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0078G41BS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #35 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban
  • #65 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Paranormal

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Excellent Y/A, Fantasy, Paranormal Novel February 24, 2012

By Madeline

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is rather brilliant in a way. Within its genre, it's hands down the best paranormal/fantasy/young adult book I have read this year.

While falling prey to some of the genre's usual mistakes--a potential triangle, cliffhanger ending, the plot revolving around saving the world etc...all these elements actually work here. The epic plot makes sense. It was doled out in little morsels so that you are never quite sure who is bad or good or what on earth is going to happen. The pacing is just right between necessary slow parts of character building and then action that then has importance and is captivating. The potential love triangle isn't so much as a triangle as a battle between duty and love. And the ending actually is quite satisfying even though the major plot aspects aren't resolved--something in no small part due to Smith's skill in writing.

While I love the mix between like the fantasy medieval setting with some more traditional paranormal elements like wraiths and vampires---the key to this book is the main character, Angeline. She is both strong yet confused and vulnerable. She is intelligent yet is slightly naive. But the cool thing is that you can see her change over the course of the book. I love that she's unpredictable yet growing in maturity. Total props to Smith on her characterization as Angeline is someone you actually want to succeed.

I realized the back-jacket blurb written above doesn't really give a true picture of the plot though. Essentially, Princess Angeline gets kidnapped while on the way back home to see her dying father. 95% of the book is about her captivity and finding out some secrets of the kingdom.***Spoiler**** Like her great great something grandfather king hadn't in fact killed off the vampires.... And that there is this mysterious "clan" that essentially are magicians and have made a deal with pretty much every major faction: humans, wraiths, vampires, ghosts, wolves etc.. in a bid to control the kingdom. Aka lots of intrigue.

I realize I've written a lot--its just been a really long time since I've read a book in this genre that got me excited. I love that Angeline doesn't have an animal attraction that defies logic to her captor (Stockholm Syndrome much)but only sorta begins to like him once he's no longer in power and has shown himself to be a pretty stand up guy.

Bottom line: this book has an epic plot that was literally just begun, a great main character, tight writing and pacing and was truly enjoyable. If you are into YA books--I strongly suggest reading this one. Read more ›

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahhhh 2nd book pls! May 31, 2012

By Jamie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Awesome book. Read it in one night & immediately went to look for 2nd book but much to my horror didn't find one. Story was very intriguing right from the start. I'm hoping to hear news soon on the rest of the series.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story April 20, 2012

By A. L. Jones

Format:Kindle Edition

I'm a huge fan of paranormal fiction that is more than simply blood, guts, and a vapid female. Heiress of Lies combines a sympathetic and strong female main character with a dramatic but well constructed plot line and some very intriguing male characters who may or may not turn out to be 'good guys'. Cliffhanger ending killed me--can't wait for the sequel!

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't Care for this Book May 11, 2013

By Lynn

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sorry, I just could not get into this book and ended up not finishing it. I have read so much better vampire stories. The characters weren't awful but I found the book very slow and it lost my interest.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not your usual vampire novel March 16, 2013

By Eyriana

Format:Kindle Edition

I wasn't sure what I expected when I downloaded this book. But I can tell you I found it a great read. From the very beginning you are thrown into royal intrigue. It read so quickly from start to finish without the usual lulls between the really interesting bits. I think perhaps the romantic aspect may have been a bit rushed, but who knows how emotions boil when life is literally thrown in the balance... Twice! I found the main characters interesting and likable. I even liked the villains a bit, too. Overall good read.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Admirable Protagonist January 30, 2013

By FWM

Format:Kindle Edition

Heiress of Lies is the first book of the Bloodtruth series by Cege Smith. It's the story of Angeline Robart, princess and heir to throne of Altera. She's spent the last few years away from court, studying and preparing to be a queen. But visitors from home bring the worst possible news: her father is dying, and Angeline must ascend the throne sooner than she imagined. Angeline rushes to get home before it's too late to say goodbye, but someone has other plans for her.

An old enemy has been laying in wait--a terrible race of vampires that everyone believed had been vanquished by the first Robart king. And now they hold Angeline captive, threatening her life and the future of all Altera.

Angeline must find a way to free herself and return home, yet to do so she may have to endear herself to vampire that kidnapped her in the first place. Connor is the enemy, but Angeline has a hard time reconciling that fact with her inexplicable feelings for him. And as her own family's dark secrets start coming to light, he may be the only person she can trust.

The story starts off strong by introducing Angeline and giving us a good look into her character. As a protagonist, Angeline is exceptional. She's immediately accessible as a woman who is strong and sensible yet riddled with misgivings. She's the kind of leading lady you can happily root for, telling yourself, "yeah, that's totally what I would have done had it been me."

Much of the praise for this character's likability is due to the author's skill with words. Cege Smith writes with clarity, subtlety, and sophistication. She's created a convincing portrayal of a young woman caught between intention and impulse. Angeline wants to be clever, controlled, and responsible.... But she's also sheltered, vulnerable, and emotional. This tenuous balance lends realism and respectability to her character.

Plus she's smart, and I always like that.

In contrast, I didn't feel much for Connor. He lacks Angeline's complexity, and there's a general sense of weakness just under his surface. I'd say he's as well-written as Angeline is, but he isn't as attractive. He's saved by the fact that, as a duo, they're quite interesting. I really enjoyed the way Angeline's feelings for Connor developed. From early on she's attracted to him, but she tempers that with caution and practicality. Meanwhile he has to contend with just how deep his feelings really go.

As for plot, the first half of the book is a little slow. Then things pick up greatly with a healthy dose of intrigue and urgency. And more intrigue. Sadly, the book leaves off just as things really get interesting. Clever Cege. I definitely need to know what happens next and plan on buying the sequel, The Queen's Betrayal. And then there's the third book, Trials of Truth.

This book was received courtesy of the author and LibraryThing Member Giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

Originally posted at Strange Bedfellows: PNR Reviews Read more ›

4.0 out of 5 stars New Vampire Origins YA/Fantasy January 4, 2013

By LibStaff2

Format:Kindle Edition

This book starts off with a smart and strong female MC and ends with you wanting to know what happens next. The very different vampire origins premise is a nice addition. This novel has quite a few twists and surprises that separate it from other paranormal stories. The historical/fantasy setting also sets Heiress of Lies apart from the more blase vampire novels. Come on book 2.

LT Member Giveaway

More About the Author

The written word is fundamental to who I am and what I do. When I was a kid, I escaped reality by diving into books that perhaps were sometimes too mature for me, but gave me a glimpse of "what if". I had the typical wild imagination and I was able to dream up all sorts of crazy new worlds to sink into based on the latest book I'd read.

I made my first foray into writing my own stuff when I was twelve. I wrote about two sisters trapped inside a haunted house that was shifting in time. Through high school I carried a little black book with a velvet cover in which I wrote all sorts of teenage angst poetry and ideas for short stories. Then I "grew up" and writing took a back burner to building a career.

*Cue usual music for yearning for things unfulfilled.*

The thing that kicked my butt back into writing was National Novel Writing Month, which I found in 2004. I'm not sure who was more surprised when I finished my first novel that year, me, or the characters I met in the story who finally found a home on a written page.

Since then I've written 4 additional novels and and 2 novellas and there is plenty more where that came from. I need to quiet the manic voices in my head! But whatever I write there always seems to be a paranormal element of some kind (ghosts, vampires, zombies, witches, wolves). The genre I land in seems to be more dependent on where the story is set, and I really have no issue with that.

I hope you'll connect with me here, on my blog, on Twitter, or Facebook and let me know what you think about my work. I'd love to hear from you!