Deceptions (The Cainsville Series)

Kelley Armstrong is one amazing writer!! Her Cainsville series only continues to prove that by getting better and better with each and every book! It's definitely way different from her Otherworld series, as I've said in past reviews, but it's still a marvelous and enthralling tale just the same!

Deceptions is the third book in the series, and unlike her Otherworld series, you have to read this series in order from the beginning or else you're going to miss so much! It's like missing an episode of LOST and then, trying to pick up in the middle and being totally lost! This series is very intricate and detailed. There's so many things to it that are hard to explain, but yet, as you're reading the book, it makes total sense and is easy to absorb. Though, trying to explain that to others, not as easy!

For now, I believe Olivia's end game is to see her birth parents set free. She and Gabriel have already established that one couple they supposedly murdered, wasn't actually committed by them. Olivia and Gabriel will have to continue to look into every detail of her parents' past crimes.

In the meantime, we still see bits of Cainsville and the fae that live there. There's also more digging into the story, Matilda the Crone and how it connects to Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky. I still find myself a bit confused with the events concerning the fae and how it all pieces together, I'd like to say that I'm understanding it, but not completely. Again, it's one of those things I can grasp when reading, but turning around to explain to others leaves me at a loss for words. Just know that there are great threads of mythology regarding the fae in this one and that it's enjoyable! I especially like seeing the connections of the old tales to Olivia's current predicaments.

Things get really intense with this one. As we started to see in Visions, Olivia's ex-fiance, James, is turning into an obsessed stalker. We get to see more of that and it has a decidedly dangerous outcome that leaves Olivia, Gabriel, and even Ricky in hot water.

Speaking of Ricky, we also see his relationship with Olivia continue to grow. I find I really like these two together. Though, there does seem to be a possible, sorta love triangle going on when it comes to Gabriel and Olivia as well. But Gabriel is still his stoic self and I just can't see them together. Again, the possibility of a relationship doesn't mean there will be. There's also possible reasons for it that go back to the fae lore. I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more of this in further books to come. And though romance doesn't play a huge role in this series, I do like seeing bits and pieces of it. It has an interesting effect on Olivia and Ricky's lives.

We also continue to get an occasional chapter that comes in Gabriel, Ricky, or another character's point of view. These are always interesting chapters, I think, because they give you new perspectives on the going ons of things. It's not just seeing the world through Gabriel's eyes or learning what he's thinking, which is nice since he's such a frustratingly, mysterious guy, but we also see the plot in a new way. You'll see a bit of the story with new eyes and gain a better understanding of it. And I really like that!

I also liked that the title itself played a bit of a role in this one. Olivia's visions continue to happen and there are times when we are deceived by what's happening. The visions happen so seamlessly that one moment Olivia is in the present and the next, she turns and suddenly finds herself in a vision. Being able to tell vision from reality becomes a struggle, and hence the deception! A very nice play on words and title choices!

Cainsville is truly one of the most unique series I've ever read! It's mysterious and creepy, fascinating and exciting! There's a lot of details woven into the pages and plot. I'm astounded as I read every word. It's unlike anything I've ever read before. And when I try to describe it too myself, I can't get much past mysterious and enthralling, because it is those things to the depths of their core! If you haven't started this series yet, than I once again, cannot recommend reading Omens, the first book, enough! It's truly one of the best series I've read!

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

4.25 stars-- DECEPTIONS is the third installment (of five) in Kelley Armstrong’s adult Cainsville paranormal /fantasy series focusing on Olivia Taylor Jones’s (aka Eden Larsen) and her struggles to prove, one way or another, that her birth parents Pam and Todd Larsen may or may not be the notorious serial killers who murdered eight people, over twenty years before. Olivia’s continuing search for the truth finds our heroine facing the past, the present and the future through nightmares, memories, and magical travels.

Cainsville is a small town in Illinois, secluded away from the rest of the world, while its’ inhabitants of otherworldly beings struggle to keep their dying species alive. But a battle between the dark and light finds Olivia caught in a world she knows nothing about and has been forced to make choices that affect everyone and everything that she knows. Along with Gabriel Walsh-her mother’s former attorney and Olivia’s friend and current boss- Olivia continues to ‘see’ omens and portents of death and destruction in her search for answers about her present and her past. Olivia’s visions find our heroine entering the dreamscape and memories of long ago; a void or wasteland of visions, flashbacks and a consciousness that aren’t her own. Olivia will be witness to horrific acts of violence and death; her psyche will be forced to accept that which she is unable to understand. All clues lead to everywhere but nowhere; nothing is as it appears to be. Magic covers a host of sins-some sins run closer to the truth than others.

Once again, Kelley uses Celtic lore, myths, magic, fabled legends and supernatural beings to reveal a storyline filled with mystery, suspense and the fear of the unknown. There are Druids, Elves, Fae and other paranormal creatures all vying for Olivia’s attention-some are portents of death or disaster, while others seek Olivia for their own agendas.

The potential for a love triangle between Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky continues to build although Olivia’s heart currently belongs to only one man. The underlying sexual tension between Olivia and Gabriel is high; the attraction and impassioned desire is intense. Gabriel breaks my heart and I am unsure as to his future happiness, if any at all. I am not a fan of the ‘love-triangle’ trope-someone will always be hurt and in many cases it is the reader whose heart will break regardless of the outcome of the love triangle.

DECEPTIONS is a wonderfully detailed and amazing storyline that reveals many secrets and stories; the truth about what happened years before; and the reasons Olivia’s parents are currently serving time for the murders they may or may not have committed. Kelley Armstrong takes the reader into a fantasy world where the future of Cainsville rests upon the outcome of Olivia’s choices and acceptance. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; mystery and suspense; action, death and destruction. The premise is intoxicating and addicting; the characters are intense, enthralling and magical; the happily ever after is still to come.

Life for Olivia Taylor Jones has been spinning uncontrollably ever since she discovered she was adopted and her real parents were famous serial killers. Now working for friend and lawyer, Gabriel, Olivia continues to explore the reasons for her real parents killing spree. She can no longer write off the visions she has been having, as now, they overtake her everyday life, leaving her incapacitated and feverish. These visions are trying to tell her something about herself, Ricky and Gabriel, and the people of Cainsville. These visions have her asking questions that ultimately answer the mystery of why her parents would kill three couples in cold blood.

Her relationship to Ricky has become even more heated. However, her relationship with Gabriel, although different than with Ricky is just as emotional. As her visions get more specific, she realizes that the three of them are players in a game between two factions of fae. A game none of them are playing willingly yet they keep getting sucked in deeper.

I am thoroughly enjoying how Olivia’s feelings are being yanked back and forth between Ricky and Gabriel. Ricky, heir to an MC gang, should be the bad boy in this threesome but he is actually the reasonable, stable choice. Gabriel is the bad boy, the emotionally damaged choice. Olivia can’t let him go and I’ll admit there is something about him that makes me root for her final choice to be Gabriel. However, this is only book three and there are two more books full of paranormal happenings, romantic entanglements and strategy between fae to take place. I am going to sit back in my armchair and enjoy the ride. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

Kelley Armstrong is one amazing writer!! Her Cainsville series only continues to prove that by getting better and better with each and every book! It's definitely way different from her Otherworld series, as I've said in past reviews, but it's still a marvelous and enthralling tale just the same!

Deceptions is the third book in the series, and unlike her Otherworld series, you have to read this series in order from the beginning or else you're going to miss so much! It's like missing an episode of LOST and then, trying to pick up in the middle and being totally lost! This series is very intricate and detailed. There's so many things to it that are hard to explain, but yet, as you're reading the book, it makes total sense and is easy to absorb. Though, trying to explain that to others, not as easy!

For now, I believe Olivia's end game is to see her birth parents set free. She and Gabriel have already established that one couple they supposedly murdered, wasn't actually committed by them. Olivia and Gabriel will have to continue to look into every detail of her parents' past crimes.

In the meantime, we still see bits of Cainsville and the fae that live there. There's also more digging into the story, Matilda the Crone and how it connects to Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky. I still find myself a bit confused with the events concerning the fae and how it all pieces together, I'd like to say that I'm understanding it, but not completely. Again, it's one of those things I can grasp when reading, but turning around to explain to others leaves me at a loss for words. Just know that there are great threads of mythology regarding the fae in this one and that it's enjoyable! I especially like seeing the connections of the old tales to Olivia's current predicaments.

Things get really intense with this one. As we started to see in Visions, Olivia's ex-fiance, James, is turning into an obsessed stalker. We get to see more of that and it has a decidedly dangerous outcome that leaves Olivia, Gabriel, and even Ricky in hot water.

Speaking of Ricky, we also see his relationship with Olivia continue to grow. I find I really like these two together. Though, there does seem to be a possible, sorta love triangle going on when it comes to Gabriel and Olivia as well. But Gabriel is still his stoic self and I just can't see them together. Again, the possibility of a relationship doesn't mean there will be. There's also possible reasons for it that go back to the fae lore. I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more of this in further books to come. And though romance doesn't play a huge role in this series, I do like seeing bits and pieces of it. It has an interesting effect on Olivia and Ricky's lives.

We also continue to get an occasional chapter that comes in Gabriel, Ricky, or another character's point of view. These are always interesting chapters, I think, because they give you new perspectives on the going ons of things. It's not just seeing the world through Gabriel's eyes or learning what he's thinking, which is nice since he's such a frustratingly, mysterious guy, but we also see the plot in a new way. You'll see a bit of the story with new eyes and gain a better understanding of it. And I really like that!

I also liked that the title itself played a bit of a role in this one. Olivia's visions continue to happen and there are times when we are deceived by what's happening. The visions happen so seamlessly that one moment Olivia is in the present and the next, she turns and suddenly finds herself in a vision. Being able to tell vision from reality becomes a struggle, and hence the deception! A very nice play on words and title choices!

Cainsville is truly one of the most unique series I've ever read! It's mysterious and creepy, fascinating and exciting! There's a lot of details woven into the pages and plot. I'm astounded as I read every word. It's unlike anything I've ever read before. And when I try to describe it too myself, I can't get much past mysterious and enthralling, because it is those things to the depths of their core! If you haven't started this series yet, than I once again, cannot recommend reading Omens, the first book, enough! It's truly one of the best series I've read!

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

4.25 stars-- DECEPTIONS is the third installment (of five) in Kelley Armstrong’s adult Cainsville paranormal /fantasy series focusing on Olivia Taylor Jones’s (aka Eden Larsen) and her struggles to prove, one way or another, that her birth parents Pam and Todd Larsen may or may not be the notorious serial killers who murdered eight people, over twenty years before. Olivia’s continuing search for the truth finds our heroine facing the past, the present and the future through nightmares, memories, and magical travels.

Cainsville is a small town in Illinois, secluded away from the rest of the world, while its’ inhabitants of otherworldly beings struggle to keep their dying species alive. But a battle between the dark and light finds Olivia caught in a world she knows nothing about and has been forced to make choices that affect everyone and everything that she knows. Along with Gabriel Walsh-her mother’s former attorney and Olivia’s friend and current boss- Olivia continues to ‘see’ omens and portents of death and destruction in her search for answers about her present and her past. Olivia’s visions find our heroine entering the dreamscape and memories of long ago; a void or wasteland of visions, flashbacks and a consciousness that aren’t her own. Olivia will be witness to horrific acts of violence and death; her psyche will be forced to accept that which she is unable to understand. All clues lead to everywhere but nowhere; nothing is as it appears to be. Magic covers a host of sins-some sins run closer to the truth than others.

Once again, Kelley uses Celtic lore, myths, magic, fabled legends and supernatural beings to reveal a storyline filled with mystery, suspense and the fear of the unknown. There are Druids, Elves, Fae and other paranormal creatures all vying for Olivia’s attention-some are portents of death or disaster, while others seek Olivia for their own agendas.

The potential for a love triangle between Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky continues to build although Olivia’s heart currently belongs to only one man. The underlying sexual tension between Olivia and Gabriel is high; the attraction and impassioned desire is intense. Gabriel breaks my heart and I am unsure as to his future happiness, if any at all. I am not a fan of the ‘love-triangle’ trope-someone will always be hurt and in many cases it is the reader whose heart will break regardless of the outcome of the love triangle.

DECEPTIONS is a wonderfully detailed and amazing storyline that reveals many secrets and stories; the truth about what happened years before; and the reasons Olivia’s parents are currently serving time for the murders they may or may not have committed. Kelley Armstrong takes the reader into a fantasy world where the future of Cainsville rests upon the outcome of Olivia’s choices and acceptance. There are moments of heartbreak and sorrow; mystery and suspense; action, death and destruction. The premise is intoxicating and addicting; the characters are intense, enthralling and magical; the happily ever after is still to come.

Life for Olivia Taylor Jones has been spinning uncontrollably ever since she discovered she was adopted and her real parents were famous serial killers. Now working for friend and lawyer, Gabriel, Olivia continues to explore the reasons for her real parents killing spree. She can no longer write off the visions she has been having, as now, they overtake her everyday life, leaving her incapacitated and feverish. These visions are trying to tell her something about herself, Ricky and Gabriel, and the people of Cainsville. These visions have her asking questions that ultimately answer the mystery of why her parents would kill three couples in cold blood.

Her relationship to Ricky has become even more heated. However, her relationship with Gabriel, although different than with Ricky is just as emotional. As her visions get more specific, she realizes that the three of them are players in a game between two factions of fae. A game none of them are playing willingly yet they keep getting sucked in deeper.

I am thoroughly enjoying how Olivia’s feelings are being yanked back and forth between Ricky and Gabriel. Ricky, heir to an MC gang, should be the bad boy in this threesome but he is actually the reasonable, stable choice. Gabriel is the bad boy, the emotionally damaged choice. Olivia can’t let him go and I’ll admit there is something about him that makes me root for her final choice to be Gabriel. However, this is only book three and there are two more books full of paranormal happenings, romantic entanglements and strategy between fae to take place. I am going to sit back in my armchair and enjoy the ride. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

If Kelley Armstrong wrote it, I will read it. But, for the first time in my long history as one of this author’s devotees, I could take or leave the CAINSVILLE series. Book 1 took some effort to finish, 2 was WOW all the way, and then here comes the love triangle in 3. I’m not fully against this romantic trope however DECEPTIONS came down with a severe case of woe-is-me, and as much as I thought that the narrators did wonders for this audiobook’s tone, it wasn’t quite up to snuff.

These novels are rooted in Welsh mythology, specifically Mallt-y-Nos (Matilda of the Night) folklore, so I knew that a Olivia / Gabriel / Ricky triad was imminent, my beef lies with how it came about. The degree of drama found therein was of Young Adult proportions, and the you-can’t-fight-fate level was extremely high. It was all just incredibly clichéd, and not a path that I’d expect Armstrong to go down at all. Gabriel is broken, Ricky is perfect except for the fact that he’s not Walsh, and Taylor Jones wants the freedom to choose.

The prior two installments kept me guessing, but this latest addition was easy to foretell which was yet again out of character for this author. I effortlessly linked the Spina Bifida thing to Olivia’s serial killer parents, and the James frame job wasn’t much of a stretch either. Still, the world-building was sound, the Fae artifices measured up to their notoriety, and the heroine’s personality really came through in this volume. I was previously under the impression that this series was much darker than it actually is which brings me to the narration.

Initially, I found that Carine Montbertrand’s voice was a little too old lady-ish, but once I got used to it my opinion quickly changed. Her performance was a pivotal factor in lightening up an otherwise dark story line, and I’m seriously contemplating backtracking to OMENS because apparently my internal monologue was way off. Mozhan Marno’s portrayal of the secondaries was on pace, although I do wish that a male narrator had been used for Gabriel & Ricky. The transitions to the “vision” scenes were jerky, but otherwise it was a satisfying listen.

DECEPTIONS was a moderately good read by a sterling author, make of that what you will. ~ 3.5 Stars

One of my favourite supernatural/paranormal authors is Kelley Armstrong and one of her series particular that I had been enjoying was the Cainsville series where we met Olivia Taylor-Jones who discovered that she was adopted and that her "real" parents were in fact sitting on death row and were serial killers. As Olivia got to know her past, she noticed that strange things were occuring and that something eerie was happening. We later discovered that Olivia's blood line was filled with paranormal qualities. In Book #3 Deceptions, Olivia is starting to have a life with Ricky and create a friendship with Gabriel and try and get her parents out of jail but what happens when her stalker ex-fiance James Morgan turns up dead and Gabriel is blamed for it - something that her "real" mum Pamela predicted. Things just got a whole lot more complicated for Olivia and it's about to get worse as she realises that she has been decieved by those she thought she could trust from Ricky and his motorcycle gang to Aunt Rose and Gabriel as Olivia will learn that she is fae and her parents were from rival fae gangs and now an ancient prophecy is arising where Olivia is the main female and Ricky and Gabriel are the chosen ancestors from the two fae clans and whomever she will choose will start another domino effect and ripple. In Deceptions, Olivia will also finally learn the truth about the murders her parents were said to commit and that like everything that has happened , it all comes back to protecting one person - that person being herself.
Deceptions unlike the other books was quite a lengthy one and had a more complicated plot line and had a few different angles. Also if you are more into the Fantasy angle rather than Thriller - Deceptions makes up for it as the previous two were more of a thriller read.
However, in saying that I enjoyed Deceptions and loved discovering more about Olivia's true background as Eden and now I am hoping we will have a Book #4 where we can read if she goes for Ricky or Gabriel - I personally am hoping despite his inability to fully comprehend love and feelings that Olivia will try and work with him and choose Gabriel as I am on #Team Gabriel

Olivia Taylor-Jones, or Eden, which is her birth name, is still seeking answers to her past and present: are her birth parents really serial killers, what is really up with the people of Cainsville, why has her ex-fiancee gone a little crazy and why is she having visions of a little girl? She has her boyfriend Ricky and lawyer/boss/friend Gabriel to help her, who thankfully believes in her visions and her ability to see omens. But when her search for the truth reveals some really harsh truths, can she keep moving forward on the path she is on? Or will it change things in a big way?

I have been a big fan of Kelley Armstrong for a long time, and I have always loved her books. This book, Deceptions, is no exception. It is filled with great detail, non-stop action, and great love scenes. And even great friend scenes. This series in general has been the type where, if I can actually force myself to put the book down, it is so easy to get right back in the book after time has passed without any trouble. I can usually guess where the books are going, but with series and this book in particular, I have no idea and I love it. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book today, and then go back and pick up the first 2 in the series. You will not regret it! 5/5!

Thanks to Penguin Random House publisher's First to Read program for the advanced copy which I voluntarily reviewed. Review posted on Goodreads.

What a spectacular series! I've actually taken the time to re-read the two first novels of this series, (Omens & Visions) before starting this one. I didn't want to miss any nuanced bit of writing or innuendo because I couldn't remember the past books. I'm so glad I did.

Olivia is still trying to deal with the fact that her birth parents are behind bars for serial murder. It hasn't really helped that in the last book she and Gabriel (her lawyer and boss) proved that her parents didn't kill one of the four couples they are convicted of brutally killing. What has changed though is Olivia's understanding of why she seems to be so important to the elders of Cainsville. She is also being wooed by the Huntsman and she learns more about each group who want her to be their own.

Unfortunately, as Olivia becomes closer to both Ricky and Gabriel, her ex-fiance won't leave her alone. He has become her stalker and even tries to have her kidnapped. This pushes Ricky and Gabriel to try to keep her safe by always being with her. They're like a tag team, when one isn't with her, the other is. All of this and increasing visions frustrate Olivia as she struggles to figure out the whole puzzle of her life and her future.

The story is beautifully moved along and every chapter just makes you want to read more. I was so thankful that I had "Betrayals" after this one to read. You'll find that you learn more and more about the relationship between Gabriel and Olivia. It begs the question, what's going to happen between Ricky and Olivia if a relationship starts between her and Gabriel? This is a 5 star book.

Some booksellers have mistakenly listed Kelley Armstrong's Cainsville series as a trilogy, but rest assured that Books 4 and 5 are scheduled for publication. Being the third book, DECEPTIONS has a bit of Middle Book Syndrome - it answers some questions, but others dangle.

We find out how Ricky Gallagher is linked to the plot, which is a relief because I wondered in VISIONS if he was just included as a love rival. (Bikers being all the rage in romance at the moment...) Mind you, the motorcycle club element is the weakest part of the novel. Olivia Taylor-Jones notes the sexist nature, yet submits to going along to the club and being "handed off" to minders while Ricky has a meeting. Olivia (*cringe*) gets into a girl-fight, and then has to fight off a guy. In other words, that "alpha-hole" environment is just as stereotypically bad as I expected.

Another questionable plot element involves "roles". Some people may enjoy fate as a trope, but it doesn't work for me, and it reinforces the love triangle.

Also, the paparazzi are included just to create more trouble at the funeral, but are conveniently absent during the outdoor sex scenes. (There are a few. Seriously, I expected the paparazzi to follow Olivia all the time.)

Even though these are my quibbles, DECEPTIONS is a high-quality page-turner that may be slow to start but builds to a big finale (with a rather convenient rescue that I didn't quite believe). The characterisation is thorough, the psychiatric care facility is fascinating, and the piece-by-piece reveals are handled well. It's a solid read, and I'm very much looking forward to Book 4.

So, I read the first two books on the strength of the Kelley Armstrong name, but this book just won me over as a fan of the series. The first two books just created question upon question. What does Olivia's heritage mean? Are her parents guilty of the heinous crimes they were convicted of? Why do the people of Cainsville have such a vested interest in her life? What is the deal with Gabriel? Is Ricky a convenience or something more? And what the heck is James' damage!

I was afraid this book would be more of the same: questions with no answer. Fortunately, that is not the case. Yes, there are more questions. And they are important ones. But FINALLY we get some vital answers. The plot of the series is like a gorgon knot, but at least we can see how many threads there are at last. And answers we get are good ones, satisfying.

I can't say much more without giving too much away, IMO, but I will say that the book is very aptly name. Deception is the name of the game in this book. Very little is as it seems at first glance, so trust your gut.

I already cannot wait till the next book! You need to read these in order, but you should definitely pick this series up. It's shaping up to be a winner.

Deceptions is the third book in the Cainsville series. These books are adult mysteries with paranormal elements. There will be spoilers from books one and two (Omens and Visions) in this review.

The main narrator of this book is twenty-four year old Olivia Taylor Jones. The book is told first person by Olivia. But there are also some third person chapters (Gabriel, Ricky...).

Cainsville is a mystery series. Each book has a murder to be solved.

The paranormal elements are much more evident in this book. The other books featured psychic things like omens and visions (Olivia can see omens and has visions). But the visions are even more important in Deceptions. And the fae play a key role in this book.

Olivia was adopted. Her birth parents are Pamela and Todd Larsen both currently in jail for killing a bunch of people. One of the ongoing cases in this series has been to figure out if they are guilty of these killings. In the previous books they were cleared of two of the eight murders.

I have enjoyed this aspect of the series. I like that there has been a continuing investigation that crosses over the first three books.

Deceptions picks up right where Visions (book two) left off. Olivia has gotten very close to both Gabriel (who is now her boss and friend) and Ricky (the biker who is her boyfriend). Her ex James is stalking her.

There was definitely a lot to like about this book. But at 450+ pages there is a lot of information to digest. So truthfully it took me quite a number of days to get through it (almost a week, which is a very long time for me).

Less of this book takes place in Cainsville (the other books featured Cainsville much more prominently). More takes place in Chicago and other locations nearby. This sort of made me sad because Cainsville is such a key factor in what makes this series unique. But I guess for the story (Olivia is mad at the elders) it made sense to have more story outside Cainsville. But I definitely missed seeing more of the residents.

Olivia has been having visions. In Deceptions the book was much more focused on her having visions and much less on her seeing omens (I sort of missed this aspect that was so prevalent in the other books). These visions give her information. I enjoyed this aspect of the book as there is a lot of stuff that Olivia did not know.

In the previous book Olivia found out that Cainsville is populated by fae. This becomes extremely important in Deceptions. In this book we get a lot more information about the fae.

Since I read these books as they come out (a year apart) I really appreciate all of the reminders that the author gives about the numerous things that happened in the previous books. This is especially helpful since a lot of details are fairly complex.

In this book Olivia has two possible love interests. She dumped her ex James (so he is no longer a possible love interest). Now she has Ricky (college student/biker/training to take over his father's biker gang) and Gabriel (older lawyer who has a lot of trouble expressing his feelings). I really enjoyed the differences between these two men. It definitely makes for a very interesting and unique story.

I enjoyed Olivia and Gabriel's friendship in Deceptions. And I enjoyed how Todd and Pamela fit into this book. I also thought that all of the info about the fae was very relevant to the story. I have enjoyed how this story has progressed. The part of the story for me that is a bit too much is in the visions. I found many of them dragged the story too long.

I am not sure how I feel about the guilty parties in this mystery. I did not see it coming. It was okay. And I think that it will take the story in an interesting direction in the next book.

I cannot wait for Betrayals (Cainsville #4). Olivia will surely have some difficult choices to make.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

This book picks up were Visions left off. James has decided he wants Olivia back and won’t take no for an answer!! He’s stalking her and even sent deprogrammers to go and kidnap her at gunpoint!! It’s a good thing she’s been staying with Gabriel for her safety and he was there to help her out of a jam! But when Olivia discovers James’s dead body at an abandoned house, Gabriel is arrested for the murder! Now they must uncover the murderer and clear Gabriel’s name!

Meanwhile Olivia’s amount of visions is increasing, telling her a story from the past and showing her the role that she, Gabriel, and Ricky all play in this drama. Her visions also tell her the truth where the fae will not. She must rely on what she sees to guide her in all her dealings to know what is true and what is deception by those hoping to manipulate her to their means.

This was another strong novel in this series and I really enjoyed it! It’s another dark and gritty story, full of mystery and intrigue. It keeps you riveted and turning the pages to see what happens next.

In this book we get a better look at the past and see exactly how Olivia, Gabriel, and Ricky are involved in what happens now and in the future. I’m curious to see how it will all play out and how Olivia’s future actions will affect the trio in the upcoming books. I love both Ricky and Gabriel and it pains me to know that this series will most likely end with one of these guys’ heartbreak.

Gabriel has been making quite a bit of progress himself, allowing Olivia into his life and personal space, and it’s fun to see him evolve. Although I do adore Ricky!!

I’m also really enjoying learning more about Olivia’s birth father, Todd, and the motivations that led him to where he is now, in prison! This storyline is bound to only get better.

I really enjoyed this story and honestly cannot wait for the next entry into this series!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

I had a few meh reads in a row and decided it was time for a book I knew I would enjoy, so I started Deceptions. Deceptions is everything I hoped for and more. From the first page I was back in the world and got sucked into the story. Deceptions sure lives up to his name, with lots of mystery, people their motives are unsure and only at the end the deceptions come to light. I just wanted to keep reading as I had to know what would happen next and this book caused quite a few nights where I went to bed late as I couldn't put the book down. The story is so well written and I love Kelley Armstrong her writing style.

The plot in Deceptions continues from where the last book Visions ended and seamless continues the story, while also providing a few recap sentence so readers get reminded of what happens next. There is so much going on this book, multiple plot lines and mysteries and it's all woven together quite well. The mystery about everything Fea and Cainsville and the legend continues. Then there is the plot line of Olivia her parents and if they are guilty and they make some progress on that case too.

Olivia is a great main character and I really enjoy following her story in this one. I liked how she handled the situations, standing her ground and searching for answers. And not running away from dangerous situations,but cautiously approaching them if necessary. And there were also scenes where she showed her emotions and feelings. There is one thing I thought she handled badly, but she realizes that herself as well and I do understand why she handled it that way, I just didn't like how things turned out afterwards. She kept something a secret for too long and ofcourse the other person found out and it wasn't pretty. I liked seeing how the answers they do find and her Visions impact her relationship with those around her and how she finally got to see her real father Todd in this book. Then there are Gabriel and Ricky who are both great characters too and we even get a few short chapters from their point of view, which I really liked as it gave some more depth to their characters and made me understand them better. We also get a chapter from Rose her point of view again, which was nice. There are also some big surprises concerning some side characters, what they do and what happened to them. Sometimes I had a bad feeling about a character which was true and other times an unexpected twist suddenly was there, like at the end. It was well done.

Then there is the romance, which on the one hand I enjoy, but it also frustrates me a lot. I love a good slow building romance, which I still think Gabriel and Olivia their relationship is. There are finally hints in this book that they feel more and there are some awesome scenes between them, as friends that is and gah I want them together so much, but the there is Ricky who is great for her too. Maybe that's the problem, as much as I want her to get together with Gabriel I also really like Ricky. Ricky is a nice and sweet biker guy, who also can be forcefully and aggressive at times. He really cared about Olivia and knows what she needs. He cares about her in a way Gabriel doesn't or maybe can't or not yet. On the other hand with Gabriel and Olivia I feel at that tension and build-up and them being close but not close enough, and she never has that with Ricky. So I still prefer Gabriel as love interest. And the whole almost love triangle thing has me so conflicted and frustrated and at the same time I appreciate how the author can make me feel so much about these characters.

Just like in the first two books the world building is awesome, we learn new things and make pieces of the puzzle fall on their place. This book brings more details and depth to the world and it comes more alive in each book. There are Visions that Olivia has that show us more about the past and explains quite some things. It's fascinating learning more about this world and with every answer more questions pop up, but the author explains enough to not have it be confusing. It's such a fascinating world and all I want is to know more and more about it. The only thing that I might have missed in this book is Cainsville, as there only a few scenes that take place there.

To summarize: this is another awesome book in the Cainsville series. It continues the plot lines from previous books and adds some new plot lines and mysteries. We get more answers and questions in this book and there is so much happening that I had a hard time putting this book down. I really like all the characters, especially Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky. Although the sort of love triangle can be a bit frustrating at time,s but it's also well done as both men are so good for Olivia. The world building is done great, slowly progressing and adding more details and depth to this world. All in all I loved this book and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Third in the Cainsville urban fantasy series set in Chicago and revolving around Olivia Taylor-Jones, Ricky Gallagher, and Gabriel Walsh.

<b>My Take</b>
Oh, boy, there are answers in <em>Deceptions</em>, giving us some satisfaction about the past, clarifying the roles our threesome are intended to play. Yet, there are still more revelations that lead to yet more questions, but at least those questions are going forward.

One answer is about Chandler and why he is not at all eager to get out of jail. Another clue in the pot about these past crimes, especially when Armstrong makes it sound as if Chandler had killed four people?

There are a number of firsts in <em>Deceptions</em>… Liv finally gets to meet with her birth father, Todd; the <em>why</em> and truth of the killings; Gabriel learning of Gwynn ap Nudd; Tristan's goals; what the visions are; James' reasons for pursuing Liv; and, another step forward in why the different fae groups are after Liv.

There is a lot of subtle infighting over Olivia: Don is still testing Ricky's resolve to stand for the club and pushes too far on one occasion, and Gabe is blowing hot and cold on keeping Ricky informed while keeping him away (or not) from Olivia. The guy is so conflicted! Aunt Rose has her own issues as well, for she sees that Ricky is good for Olivia, Olivia likes him, and Gabriel needs someone like Olivia, and he's attracted to her, who has Ricky.

Poor Gabe wants Olivia, and he has no idea. None. And I really, really appreciate that Armstrong makes this clear; she also opens Gabriel up into admitting that he doesn't know the proper responses that most people have. He's so careful, so terrified that he'll try something, want something, and have it taken away. Both Gabe and Ricky want to do what's right; Gabe is more fearful in this while Ricky is vulnerable in his own breezy way. They both want her for their own, and yet Gabe "knows" he wouldn't be right, an excellent example — and a great twist — of the I'm-not-good-enough trope. Ricky simply loves her, always thinking about what's best for Olivia whether it'll help him or not. Nor does he want to interfere with her relationship with Gabriel. It's Gabriel's want and fear with how wonderful Ricky is that makes for great romantic tension and is one of the many reasons I need to keep reading Cainsville.

LOL. Ricky cracked me up with that field trip he insisted TC come on. How can you NOT adore Ricky? He's so mature, thoughtful, funny…being gorgeous helps *grin*. And then you think of Gabriel, and how honorable he is as well. Of that horrible childhood Patrick condemned him to, and you want him to be happy too.

Olivia's visions increase in number, flipping her into her own past lives, health histories. She gets exposed to other worlds, ahem, including Ricky's clubhouse, lol. Where women are meant to be seen but not heard. It'll open yet another world for Ricky and Olivia.

Morgan is whacked. You will not believe the stunts he pulls, trying to get Olivia back. It makes what happens to him all the sadder, especially when the truth all comes out.

I do like Armstrong's statement that demons do not exist. Good and bad fae do not exist. What does exist is good and bad in any group. This makes a LOT more sense than demons lurking around a corner. Armstrong uses Patrick to tell us that we "look for ways to explain evil, and instead of seeing it in yourselves, you offload the responsibility onto monsters." Yep, sounds like what I'd prefer to think!

The whole fate concept finally gets explained — the reason why both sides are battling to join Olivia with their "chosen prince", and I am dying of curiosity as to how Armstrong is going to solve this.

I gotta sympathize with the Huntsman on why he won't give Liv the answers she wants. He's absolutely right, and I suspect I'd be as untrusting as Liv.

And Liv finally has to tell Gabe about Matilda, Gwynn, and Arawn.

It's a busy, busy story with lots of characters. It's also difficult to put down, partially because that means we'll have to wait for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25174916-betrayals" target="_blank" title="Opens a new page"><em>Betrayals</em></a> coming in August 2016! I hate that…!

<b>The Story</b>
Olivia Taylor-Jones' visions continue to haunt her: particularly a little blonde girl in a green sundress who insists she has an important message for Olivia, one that may help her balance the light and darkness within herself.

Now if Olivia can survive her ex-fiancé stalker and those fae who don't want her to succeed. If she can pull the truth from her imprisoned mother. If, if, if while death stalks both Olivia and the two men most important to her, as she desperately searches to understand whether ancient scripts are dictating the triangle that connects them.

<b>The Characters</b>
<strong>Olivia Taylor-Jones</strong>, a.k.a., Eden Larsen and the Queen of Swords, is the adopted (arranged by the fae) daughter of <strong>Lena Taylor</strong> and heiress to a department store fortune. <strong>Pamela Bowen Larsen</strong> and <strong>Todd Larsen</strong> are her birth parents and imprisoned for life for multiple murders.

<strong>Ricky Gallagher</strong>, the Knight of Wands evolving into the King of Wands, is studying for an MBA at the University of Chicago so he'll be a better leader for Satan's Saints. He, Olivia, and Gabe all have a sprinkling of fairy genes and are believed to be a reincarnation of <strong>Arawn</strong>, Lord of the Otherworld and Leader of the Wild Hunt, dark; <strong>Matilda</strong> the Crone is Mallt-y-nos, the Night Hag who is both Light and Dark; and, <strong>Gwynn ap Nudd</strong> of the light Tylwyth Teg.

<em>Satan's Saints are…</em>
…a motorcycle club led by <strong>Don Gallagher</strong>, Ricky's dad. <strong>Wallace</strong> is a sergeant-at-arms for the club, Don's right-hand man, and his enforcer. He and <strong>CJ</strong> frequently act as bodyguards for Ricky. <strong>Lily</strong> is a nineteen-year-old with a yen for Ricky. <strong>Meribeth</strong> is Lily's mother. <strong>Beau</strong> is a prospect who had hooked up with Lily, and I'd say he egged her on.

<strong>Gabriel Walsh</strong>, the King of Pentacles, is Chicago's most notorious defense attorney. <strong>Pamela Larsen</strong> hired him to get her a new trial. Olivia considers him a friend, wants to love him, and works for his legal office. He's retained by Satan's Saints as their lawyer. <strong>Lydia</strong> is Gabriel's office assistant and a marvel. She was also an executive assistant for the CIA's Chicago field office, a mom with two kids, three grandchildren, and in a long-distance dating relationship. <em>Go, Lydia!</em> <strong>Aunt Rose Walsh Razvan</strong> reads the cards, sees the future, and cares very much for her nephew.

The drug-addicted <strong>Seanna Walsh</strong> was Gabe's horrible mother. <strong>Doug</strong> had been one of his mother's friends who taught Gabe a lesson. Patrick is Gabe's true father. It's his childhood that explains Gabe's obsession with protecting himself. With his need to hoard.

<strong>James Morgan</strong> is Olivia's ex-fiancée, obsessed with getting her back, or at least away from Gabriel. <strong>Maura</strong> is his nutjob of a mother.

<em>Cainsville is…</em>
…an enclave the <strong>Tylwyth Teg</strong>, Welsh fae, have created and protected from the outside world. The elders rule it, among them are <strong>Ida and Walter Clark</strong>. They desperately want Olivia to mate with Gabriel. They sometimes send owls to watch over Liv. <strong>Grace</strong> is Liv's landlord and a bogart. <strong>TC</strong> is Liv's cat who's living with Rose.

<strong>Patrick</strong> is an elder and a <em>bòcan</em>, a hobgoblin. <em>Think Puck</em>. The <strong>Carew</strong> house, Olivia's ancestors' home, is owned by Cainsville. <strong>Glenys Carew</strong> was Liv's great-great-grandmother. <strong>Isolde Carew</strong> was born in 1901 and died in 1970. Grandma Jean, a.k.a., <strong>Daere Jean Carew</strong>, had been Pamela's mother. <strong>John Bowen</strong> had been Pams' father.

<em>The Cŵn Annwn is…</em>
…the <strong>Wild Hunt</strong>, vigilantes who exact justice where the human world cannot, for those who commit crimes against those from the Old World. They want Olivia with Ricky. They send ravens to watch Liv.

A <em><strong>dökkálfar</strong></em>, a dark elf, is targeting Ricky with the help of <strong>wights</strong>, the <em>disir</em>.

<strong>Jon Childs</strong> is supposed to be a self-employed equities trader. <strong>Tristan</strong> is the man, the <em>spriggan</em>, Chandler wants "removed" in exchange for information. <strong>Alis</strong> is Tristan's glamoured neighbor. <strong>Macy Shaw</strong> died in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18398797-visions" title="Opens Kelley Armstrong's Visions in Goodreads" target="_blank"><em>Visions</em></a>, 2, after betraying Tristan. <strong>Ransom</strong> is one of the prison guards *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* The blonde girl in the Mary Janes from Olivia's visions is her: Matilda, Eden, Olivia…

The <strong>Lost Rebels</strong> are a motorcycle gang that wants some Saints territory.

<em>Villa Tuscana is…</em>
…an estate built by <strong>Nathaniel Mills</strong> for his wife, <strong>Letitia Roosevelt</strong>. Only he massacred fae to do it, and they retaliated the night of the ball. Nathaniel is a distant cousin of James'. <strong>Campbell</strong> was the foreman back then. <strong>Napier</strong> was the hunter.

<strong>Detective Chris Pemberton</strong> had investigated the Valentine Killers, the Larsens. He's retired now. <strong>Dr. Escoda</strong> is the daughter of Olivia's original pediatrician.

The people who were murdered include <strong>Jan Gunderson</strong>, Peter's fiancée; <strong>Peter Evans</strong>, the son of Dr. William Evans; and, <strong>Josh Gray</strong>, Peter's friend. There are others, but I never thought to track them in the first book, so I'm confused at this point. Then Armstrong tosses in <b>Imogene Seale</b>'s testimony about <strong>Marty and Lisa Tyson</strong> (who looked similar enough to the Larsens from a distance for a witness to think it was them) killing <strong>Amanda Mays</strong> and <strong>Ken Perkins</strong>, the first victims. That the Tysons invented the "ritual" they used to murder and that was supposedly used by the Larsens. That the Tysons and <strong>Stacey Pasolini</strong> and <strong>Eddie Hilton</strong> were chosen for the Larsens to execute for them. Nor can you ignore what has come up with <strong>Edgar Chandler</strong>'s arrest. A psychologist who ran a top-secret CIA experiment in the 1960s on mind control, <strong>MKULTRA</strong>, who was <strong>Dr. William Evans</strong>' supervisor.

<b>The Cover and Title</b>
The cover has an Escher-like feel with the cast iron pale green staircase against a pale, yet warm, yellow wall that reflects itself as well as the Olivias moving fast across the middle band of black with the author's name. The title is smaller with the series information just below it…and mirrored as well.

The title is the <em>Deceptions</em> all around Liv, Gabriel, and Ricky.

This is the third book in the Cainsville series. In it Olivia learns a lot more about her past. She is also learning about what the fae want from her. Being Olivia, she isn't going to give it to them unless it is what she wants too.

This story begins with a phone call from James who is Olivia's former fiance and her current stalker. Both Gabriel and Ricky have tried all they can to get him to stop harassing Olivia but nothing has worked. Olivia can't understand how the man she loved enough to accept a marriage proposal from could ever become the person he is now.

Meanwhile, Gabriel and Olivia are still working on getting her birth parents out of prison. They have already proven that they didn't commit one of the murders that they were convicted for. They are still pursuing leads that have grown cold in the twenty-two years since they were convicted. Olivia finally gets to meet her father in prison which is a very traumatic experience for her.

Olivia is also having visions of the past which are providing her with at least as many questions as answers. The fae are telling her that she, Gabriel and Ricky are reliving an old story and her choices could determine the fate of the fae.

I like Olivia a lot. As Rose's tarot card reading tells us, she is bright, perceptive, intuitive and independent and sometimes cold-hearted, critical and cynical. I like that she knows what she wants out of life and isn't going to let anyone push her around. I also like Ricky who is a perfect romantic partner for her.

I love Gabriel who is such a heart-breaking character. As a child he suffered both abuse and neglect at the hands of his drug-addicted mother. It has made him into an adult who is very protective of what he has. He can't touch and has no emotional intuition. He is very private and isn't going to risk his heart with anyone. He knows this about himself but has no way to change. I like that Olivia also knows who he is and is determined to be his friend no matter how hard it is.

While this book has a satisfying conclusion, I am glad that the author has already sold books four and five in this series. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

I got a copy of this book from the publisher to review in exchange for an honest review. This was the third book in the Cainsville series and I enjoyed it a lot. This is by far my favorite Kelley Armstrong series. Previous to this I read part of her Women of the Otherworld series (it was okay), her Darkest Powers series (again it was okay) and her Age of Legends series (really like this one). This is the book where you start to find out a lot more about the Fae and how they are tied into Olivia’s story. There are supposed to be at least five books in this series, which makes me a very happy reader!

Olivia Taylor Jones has started coping with the fact that her parents are serial killers, she’s spending more time away from the sanctuary of Cainsville and its invasive Elders and is working for Gabriel in Chicago. However, someone is stalking Olivia and in this book we quickly find out it is Olivia’s ex-fiance James. Visions continue to haunt Olivia especially one of a young girl in a sundress who says she has important things to tell Olivia and visions of the death of both Gabriel and Ricky. As the story unfolds we find out that Olivia, Rickey, and Gabriel are all pawns in an ancient fae war.

I absolutely love reading urban fantasy/paranormal books involving fae. This book delves into some lesser known Welsh fae mythology, which is something I haven’t read a ton about and was very interesting.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book as well. I love Olivia and her crazy Visions and I enjoy watching her cope with all the craziness. I adore Gabriel and how he respects and supports Olivia despite his own obsessive personality issues.

In this book Olivia and Ricky are still together and there are some steamy scenes between the two of them. I definitely don’t like Ricky as much as Gabriel; but he is a light-hearted and fun character. You find out that the whole Ricky, Olivia, Gabriel triangle is actually there for a mythological reason.

I continue to really enjoy the town of Cainsville and the fae elders who dwell there. We meet some new types of fae in this book and the story really increases in scope as the reasons behind the fae elders tampering are revealed.

Overall this book is just a perfect blend of mystery, fantasy, romance, magic, and action. I really really enjoyed it a lot. This is by far my favorite Armstrong series I love the fae mythology, the wonderfully engaging characters, and the complex and well done plot. I am dying to see what happens in book 4.

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

After my enjoyment of book 2 (which I read recently) I was pumped to read this last installment in the Cainsville series and finally be caught up again. DECEPTIONS was just as intriguing as I was expecting but it was also missing a certain spark that I can’t quite put my finger on to make it as good as the previous one.

We are finally starting to understand the puzzle that has become Olivia’s life and how it’s tied into the fae past and future. For her, making a decision between Ricky or Gabriel it’s bigger than just who she loves. And both of the fae factions they represent are fighting to make sure their side wins.

I really enjoyed the whole premise of the story arc even if I’m not a fan of triangles. I have my favorite in sight but I’m not sure how this will all turn out in the end.

This was a book of answers. As many riddles as we’ve faced in this series, a lot of things get uncovered here. From the fae relation, to Olivia’s own past and her birth parents being killers (or are they?).

Never a dull moment when reading the Cainsville series, it keeps you on your toes for sure and captivated by the story. Now that we got all these answers, I can’t help but think the next book will end the series with a resolution. Can’t wait.

I will readily admit that I'm a big fan of the Cainsville series. I loved the first 2 books in the series, and book #3 didn't disappoint. This is Book 3 of 5, and you must read all the books in order; these are not stand alones.

As readers of the previous books, we are already clued into a developing love triangle, and yes, this installment opens that can of worms more thoroughly. Some readers don't like that angle, but one of the arcing themes in this series is the story/fable/legend of Matilda/Arawn/Gwynn, so of course this is a major part of the series. I don't mind it. Ricky falls a bit flat for me; he's just SOOO good and sweet. Nice guys finish last? I do like the male characters to be dark, bitter, and emotionally constipated, and Gabriel fits that bill for me. I'm so intrigued by Gabriel and I think Armstrong has done a fantastic job with his character. I can't wait to see him again in Book 4.

In sum, Deceptions earns 5 stars from me. It has enough of the crucial bits that make an outstanding read: steady pace; smarts; complexity; resolution; intrigue; tension; character development; and that last hook to keep you guessing and yearning for the next installment.

This is the third book in The Cainesville Series. It needs to be read in order. The first book is Omens.
Olivia has gotten away from her whirlwind mess of a life, if only for a brief moment. But once again she is drawn back to Cainesville, and this installment, more of the truth is revealed, and in the end, there are several big revelations that will forever change Olivia and those around her.
This tale does a good job balancing out the simple and mundane with the supernatural and manages to move in a way that grabs the reader and leads them on a wonderful ride, leaving one wanting to know what will happen to Olivia and those she cares for.

The Good: I love how this series slowly unfolds the whole paranormal side of things. As the third book, the faerie stuff is coming into the forefront. We still get a ton of answers regarding the ongoing mystery of Olivia's parents crimes, but we also get a lot of the why and how of the town of Cainsville itself. There is a love triangle building up steam, but it's weird. Olivia is sort of stuck between Ricky and Gabriel, but Gabriel has more issues than any character in any book EVER, so romance isn't a possibility for him. The love triangle thing is a predestined deal of sorts, so it's going to play out regardless of its realistic possibilities, which will likely lead to some very interesting events in the future.

The Bad: Not a thing.

Deceptions and illusions at every turn.

Olivia Taylor-Jones has just had her life upended. She has discovered she’s adopted and her real parents are convicted serial killers. Hiding in the small town of Cainesville to escape media attention, she finds herself at the center of a very different sort of plot that may or may not involve the true nature of her parents. Behind the lies and pretty fakery lie the twisted secrets of the fae and their trickery runs deep.

There are several aspects to this novel. One is the Welsh mythology that runs throughout. I found that fascinating in the extreme. Without having read the first two books however, I was utterly lost and floundered around like a misplaced fish. So-take my advice and don’t pick this book up until you’ve had the pleasure of reading the first two. They are now on my list. With all the mysteries dredged up, the plot kept me guessing and summarily scratching my head. I just didn’t have the correct context in which to read the book in the middle of the series. The author has too many things going on and you need to have the solid background for the book to flesh out in the appropriate fashion.

Another appealing facet of this book was the love triangle between Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky. There was tension in the air and wow…you can feel something building here. Sort of Twilight-ish. Ricky is perfect-in my mind almost too perfect for a biker. Gabriel is moody and I’m not altogether sure where things are going to lead but either way, it’s going to be interesting.

The nightmarish quality of Olivia’s visions was the part that intrigued me the most. Her heritage brings her down all manner of dark passages and leaps in time and space. And bodies for that matter. Despite not knowing exactly what I was reading, I was transfixed by the sheer creep factor of Olivia being inside of her mother’s body while she was in the asylum watching her relative-and seeing the true nature of the nurse as a shining one. So cool. The rage. The thrumming emotion. It was as vibrant as any painting. There is a lot of fear of the unknown and it floods the pages, making any lover of horror, romance or fantasy just revel in it.

My rating of 4/5 is mostly based on the fact that picking up the book, I wanted to be able to understand what was going on and at least be able to have a point of reference without having to have read the others in the series. I didn’t have that and was quite frustrated. If not for that, this would be a five star all the way. The characters were alive. The sex scenes-the ones that there were-were hot and appropriate for the story line. The dialogue was spot on. The mythology nicely woven into the fiber of the book. With Kelly Armstrong I would expect nothing less. She is one of my favorite PNR authors and has been for years. I will be going back and investing time and money in the other books in the series because now I simply have to find out what the heck is going on. The mystery is too compelling for me not to.

Read them in order-but read them. And be sure to sleep with the lights on.

originally posted at long and short reviews

I have not read the first two books in this series. Perhaps if I had, I would not have been as lost as I was. The title and the back cover blurb made me think this was going to be mystery. I did not expect it to have a paranormal/fantasy twist based on the back cover blurb (though on a later reading, I did notice the vision aspect).

I thought it was going to be a trilogy. But there's two more upcoming so far. So the story continues. I still don't like Gabriel for Olivia but he's tugging on my heartstrings dammit. I do want him to break out!! But not with Olivia. I like Ricky with Olivia. There was a lot more folklore pulled into this book. And though book 2 barely mentioned it, we got back to the Larsen's case. And it all makes sense now. I wonder where books 4 and 5 are going? Time to read more Kelley Armstrong novels since I've only read the Women of the Otherworld series, which I love. Kelley Armstrong is a more story-driven, less sex-crazed Laurell K. Hamilton. Love it.

The third story in the Cainsville tales by Kelley Armstrong is Deceptions. Reading Omens, Visions, and Deceptions in a row is like reading one long novel. Deceptions (as did Visions with Omens) begins immediately where Visions ended. Ms Armstrong has done an excellent job of making each story stand alone, but each story is so much richer if you've read the previous one. Looking forward to the fourth book!

I love Kelley Armstrong ever since seeing a just released Bitten while on a trip to London. I enjoy her Cainesville series as she moves into new territories, but I find that she covers old ground (i.e., stories from previous volumes) way too much. As a fan, I would like to read Vol #N in a series that assumes I have read Vol #1 through Vol #(N-1). The review of old relationships, rehashing of well-known feelings and motivations slows the plot's pace significantly (otherwise, it would have been a 5 star). Otherwise, this was a fun read, although since Kelley resolved a number of issues that have been hanging since the first book, I wonder if she is done with this series or has another direction she wants to take it in future books.

I'm a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, but this series has been a bit of an up and down for me. I absolutely loved the first book in this series, but the second book just didn't wow me. The lack of answers and forward momentum really slowed things down for me. So, this time around I have to admit I went into the book with just a bit of trepidation, worried about another book without explanations. I shouldn't have worried. After finishing DECEPTIONS, I'm happy to say that I was hooked from the start. Sure there's still a lot of things unanswered but between the things that were revealed and the plot/character momentum those questions didn't seem so important anymore. There just was a certain amount of intensity this time around that put things back on track and now I'm content to sit along for the ride. And a ride it was.

Another thing that made this book more addictive was the stronger prevalence of the love triangle. Sure it was hinted at previously, but it was only that, a hint. Typically I'm not the biggest fan of these as there's always a whole lot of angst involved. But for Olivia, Ricky, and Gabriel, it just somehow works. Perhaps that's because it's all tied into the plotline and secrets behind Cainsville, or perhaps because there's no real jealousy involved. Regardless, I found it interesting and I'm rather anxious to see how everything plays out in that department especially as it intertwines with each of their choices and future. I'm honestly not sure who I'm rooting for, and that's just fine with me.

All in all DECEPTIONS was a very enjoyable installment in the Cainsville series. I know I'll be counting down the days until the next book's release.

Many more questions are finally answered. Liv's heritage is revealed, as well as a thorough explanation of the two men circling her life.

A lot more of the supernatural here, as she gains more familiarity with her powers, and learns more about everyone’s place in the story. I don’t want to give too much away, since this book is full of revelations on everything you’ve been wondering since the first two books.

Loved it! Waiting for more.

I only read Deceptions (book 3) of the Cainsville series and the beginning was very confusing to me, partly because I was not aware of the prior storyline and partly because I have never read any books based on Welsh mythology. It was hard to keep track of all the supernatural beings and make sense of their abilities, powers or purpose. Yet, as more of the plot was revealed, everything started making better sense and I could finally follow along. Olivia's visions were my favorite part, a glimpse into the past that helped her solve mysteries of the present.

The love triangle between Gabriel, Olivia and Ricky was not a viable one in my mind. It didn't seem likely, considering how Gabriel was emotionally unavailable, and the other two were in love with each other.

I was hoping to learn more about Gabriel's past, specifically his childhood, and what happened to him. I would also like to know who was able to cure Olivia's spina bifida and how. How did the murdered victims play a part in that and what the markings on their bodies were meant to represent. There are so many questions that are left unanswered and I'm hoping will be addressed in the next installment. There is a next installment right?

Deceptions was definitely a page-turner that was slow in the beginning but picked up fast to a big finale. The characters were developed in depth, relatable and very likable. Each reveal was a missing piece of the puzzle that became a link to the next set of events.
I won an advanced copy of the book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I have liked all of the Cainsville novels, but I think this was my favorite. The main story is Olivia finding out the meaning behind her visions and exploring her relationships with Ricky and Gabriel. The author gives us much more insight into Ricky and Gabriel by giving us chapters in each of their voices. Doing this gave more depth to the story. The ending is as unique as Olivia's character. If this is the end I would be satisfied if not totally happy.

I loved this novel; this series is my favorite of all of Armstrong's. The writing is brilliant and flows well; 400+ pages went by quickly.

This series is much different than her others, set in it's own world. It involves Fae folklore and in this novel, Liv finally has some answers as to her identity and to her parents' crimes. The triangle plot line isn't any closer to resolution.

*Can't get into any more detail without spoilers.

A light and pretty captivating read. It had its emotional moments and I know the next book will be one emotional roller coaster. So why the three stars? The feel of this series, the aesthetics weren't as stable as the last book. There was one particular scene reminiscent to the magic of this series but that's it. And my biggest issue: plot was repetitive and almost nonexistent. Basically this is a filler book. It's still good and entertaining but don't expect a fast pace. I can't wait unil Betrayals!

I've read everything Kelley has written and loved them all but this series is one of my all time favorites! I absolutely recommend it! Read them in order though! Thank you Kelley! Waiting on the last one!! P.S. I very rarely have written a review but I had to take the time to say what a fabulous story this is!!!

I enjoyed the 1st two Cainsville novels and was so looking forward to the third. However, I was sorely disappointed in Deceptions. There seemed to be no purpose to the book and it took effort to finish. I do not recommend this book and cannot say I will read another book in this series.

I was a fan of the Bitten series, but Cainsville is absolutely amazing! This is my new favorite series, the characters are deep and interesting and the world is vivid and imaginative. I can't wait for the rest of the series!