My False Heart (Sonnet Books) [Mass Market Paperback]

Liz Carlyle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sonnet Books | Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Prepare yourself for the heart-stopping romance of newcomer Liz Carlyle. "My False Heart" is the luminescent love story of a chance meeting between two strangers one dark, rain-swept night in the English countryside. From thatmoment on, their destinies are forever changed.

When Elliot Armstrong, the dissolute marquis of Rannoch, pursues a spiteful mistress into the wilds of Essex to sever their relationship, he is surprised to find himself hopelessly lost -- in more ways than one. Inexplicably drawn to a warmly fit house along an isolated country lane, he is mistaken for an overdue guest -- but he dares not reveal his identity for fear of being tossed back out into the torrential rain, a fate he admittedly deserves. The loving family that innocently welcomes Rannoch into their midst soon challenges his cynical convictions, and ultimately, resurrects his shattered dreams.

The beautiful Evangeline van Artevalde is an artist of exceptional talent and extraordinary secrets. Isolated from society by choice, the half-Flemish refugee has fled her homeland in search of a secure haven for the children in her family. But even the Essex countryside, she finds, is not without danger. As the clutches of her aristocratic English relatives tighten, Evangeline holds them at bay by sheer force of will, unleashing her emotions only within the walls of her studio. The furthest thing from her heart is desire -- until a drenched, strikingly handsome man shows up at her doorstep late one night. Soon, Evangeline finds she can no longer confine her passions to oil paint and canvas.

Drawn by desire, Elliot and Evangeline discover a powerful love neither thought possible. But malevolent forces surround them, and soon their secrets will be exposed and their hearts tested to unthinkable limits. Only if they can forgive the past will they have a future....

Editorial Reviews

Review

Linda Howard author of All the Queen's Men A treat! Romance fans will want to read this one and remember Liz Carlyle's name! -- Review

About the Author

During her frequent travels through England, Liz Carlyle always packs her pearls, her dancing slippers, and her whalebone corset, confident in the belief that eventually she will receive an invitation to a ball or a rout. Alas, none has been forthcoming. While waiting, however, she has managed to learn where all the damp, dark alleys and low public houses can be found.

Liz hopes she has brought just a little of the nineteenth century alive for the reader in her popular novels, which include the trilogy of One Little Sin, Two Little Lies, and Three Little Secrets, as well as The Devil You Know, A Deal With the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. Please visit her at www.lizcarlyle.com, especially if you're giving a ball.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671040545
• ISBN-13: 978-0671040543
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

During her frequent travels to London, Liz always packs her pearls, her dancing slippers, and her whalebone corset, confident in the belief that eventually she will receive an invitation to a ball or a rout. Alas, none has been forthcoming. While waiting, however, she has managed to learn where all the damp, dark alleys and low public houses can be found.



When Liz isn't living in the 19th century, she resides in Cary, North Carolina with her husband, a corporate attorney, and their four very fine felines.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expectations fulfilled!!, September 10, 2001

By 

Susan Smith (A small rural village in the English Midlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My False Heart (Sonnet Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've had Liz Carlyle's books in my TBR pile for some time and have just finished My False Heart. I found the plot to be well developed (if perhaps leisurely) and the characters rounded and believeable - people about whom I could care. The peripheral members of the cast, most especially the children and young people, were memorable and added great value to the overall story. Rannoch's gay valet, Kemble, was a real delight and an excellent foil to his master and his dissolute, overtly masculine circle of friends.

If every woman loves a rake, then Elliot Armstrong, the Marquis of Ranoch, is truly delicious. His reformation and redemption make for a read full of angst and tension. Perhaps Evie is not quite as well drawn for sometimes I wanted to shake her and remind her that for such an intelligent woman she easily allowed herself to head down the wrong track where Rannoch was concerned.

I particularly appreciated the evocative descriptions of every day life (for example the family meals and lively discussions) and the healing effects of a happy domesticity on the Marquis. It was a demonstration of true healing through the little things of life. Sometimes the author's word pictures reminded me a bit of the tranquility of a Vermeer painting.

I now look forward to reading the rest of her books. I'm going on holiday soon and two of them will be in the luggage!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No False Romance, April 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: My False Heart (Sonnet Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ms. Carlyle has successfully captured the magical peace true love brings to the redeemed. The heroine in MY FALSE HEART, embodies the strength of the truly beautiful woman: not only in outward appearance, but as a person with so much love to give her family and friends, she is their safe harbor; one hunky rogue of a hero [must read the pond scene!] who is almost so lost in debauchery, he carries faint hope of ever becoming clean again.

It seems fate has brought Elliot Armstrong to the door of Evangeline van Artevalde and her loving, extended family. As head of her household, the home Evangeline has made for all under her roof is filled with the warmth of love, laughter and intellectual pursuits--all that has been missing from Armstrong's privileged, though wasted life.

Although the hero's reputation has been unfairly maligned by foul gossip, he fully accepts, and flaunts, the parts of his bad name he has brought upon himself. Hurt by the betrayal of a past love, Elliot Armstrong has devoted ten years of his life to living as a wastrel, little caring how it will all turn out--until Evangeline becomes his friend. He then alternates between fantasies that she will love him and shame that he could corrupt her.

Though dire obstacles threaten Evangeline and Elliot's chance at happiness, Liz Carlyle has written a lovely story about the power of love and forgiveness.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romance is....... My False Heart, August 18, 2000

By 

Guppie - See all my reviews

This review is from: My False Heart (Sonnet Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Once in while when you're reading a book, you feel along the way that the book you're reading is truly special. My False Heart, a debut from Liz Carlyle, is one of those special books.

The story, as describe in the book description, is wonderfully written and filled with powerful characters that will surely steal your heart. Believable in every aspect because the story build up, the emotions of the lead characters and the motivation of Elliot to reform are all well told.

I enjoyed this book because it was told from the viewpoint of Elliot. I laughed and suffered with him. Also, the way the writer described everything so splendidly I could really it feel it, touch it and see it.

As for the characters Elliot and Evie, they were perfectly matched for each other! Elliot is a "to die for" hero. He shows his vulnerability to the readers but never loses his masculinity. Evie is a temperamental painter and on the outside she's so confident but deep inside a woman with doubts and insecurity.

The secondary characters are delightful, giving the story something extra and let the readers long for a story of their own.

My False Heart is also a book filled with favourite scenes. Like the pond scene and the balcony "vase throwing" scene. I love to re-read those scenes. Not everyone will agree with me, but I thought they were wonderful, touching and funny. Especially the pond scene!

Anyway, My False Heart is a truly special book, a keeper! It will leave behind a feeling of longing, a feeling of romance and hope that soon Liz Carlyle will write a sequel.

Enjoy and savour My False Heart, for this is what romance is about!