Engaging Deception
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A lively competition draws her into her rival's blueprints--and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Self-taught architect Olive Kentworth bristles against the sexism of 19th-century Missouri in the winning third entry in Jennings's Joplin Chronicles series (after Proposing Mischief). Olive longs to be accepted as an architect and pounces on the opportunity to design an expansion on the Blount family's house, which was originally designed by renowned architect Max Scott. To be taken seriously, she enlists the help of her male cousin and submits her work under his name. Meanwhile, Olive reluctantly agrees to babysit two young children only to learn that they belong to Max, who obliges when Olive picks his brain about his library and work. The stakes escalate after a prominent family hires Max to build them a house larger than the Blounts', igniting a heated battle to build the biggest home in town. Then Max learns that Olive has been drawing her cousin's blueprints and she, embarrassed, hides out at her family's farm until her grandmother counsels her that God wouldn't have given her a gift for architecture without giving her the courage to use it. Olive's story of overcoming the biases of her community inspires, and readers will appreciate the message that "God is right there beside you in a hundred different ways." Series fans will be pleased.
Customer Reviews
Superb!
Ms. Jennings has, once again, woven an incredible story which refused to be put down!
Olive Kentworth is a heroine that I was able to really relate to. I love it when I find that in a book! I was so caught up in enjoying the story that unfolded with her and Maxfield that I found myself approaching the end of the book long before I was ready to have arrived there.
The Kentworth cousins were as meddlesome and outrageous as ever and I just wish that this series could go on forever! Author Regina Jennings has become one of my favorite authors to read and I look forward to each new book I read by her with incredibly high anticipation!
This is a series not to be missed! Highly Recommended!!!