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A Tainted Heart Bleeds (House of Croft Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

He’ll never forgive her deception, or the hold she still has on his heart…

Adrian Croft’s worst fear has been realized. His wife, the sweet woman who swept past his every defense, is a cunning spy working against him. Forced to play a dangerous game where one wrong move could see him destroyed, he must unravel her secrets while hunting a far more sinister threat.

Samantha knew her decision to marry her target would come at a price. Now, having lost her husband’s trust and affection, she’ll do whatever it takes to win it all back – abandon past loyalties, spill her secrets, and catch a killer. But will it be enough to undo the damage?

-One series, one couple, and the brutal challenges they must face-

If you like What Angels Fear, Silent in the Grave, and Murder on Black Swan Lake, you’ll devour Sophie Barnes’ thrilling new series.

Buy A Tainted Heart Bleeds and continue this action-packed adventure today!

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From the Publisher

A Tainted Heart Bleeds, e-book edition

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Dear Reader,

Thank you for supporting my House of Croft series by reading
A Tainted Heart Bleeds. I'm so glad you've chosen to join me on this amazing adventure!
As nervous as I was to publish the first book in this series, 
A Vengeful King Rises, the positive response I've received for that book since it was released has put me at ease. However, it also means the bar is now high for the subsequent books.
I therefore hope A Tainted Heart Bleeds will meet your expectations and that you look forward to finding out what happens after. Will Adrian's fate been sealed? Can Samantha save him? And what will become of their marriage?
This couple is still at the very beginning of their journey. There's so much to come, and I for one, can't wait to share it all with you!

Sophie
xoxo

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CMJBWY48
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 29, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.8 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 442 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 35 ratings

About the author

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Sophie Barnes
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USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

For all the latest releases, promotions, and exclusive story updates, subscribe to Sophie Barnes’ newsletter today!

Get your FREE book > https://www.sophiebarnes.com/sb/newsletter/

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Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSophieBarnes

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Find me on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5400052.Sophie_Barnes

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
35 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
    This is the 2nd book in the series. Adrian Croft works with his wife Samantha to solve a murder. There is intrigue and thrills in this book with well-drawn characters. I read it in one day and could not stop! Book 3 is pre-ordered as I can't wait to see what happens to the couple.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
    A TAINTED HEART BLEEDS is the second book in author Sophie Barnes’s dark and moody "House of Croft" historical mystery series, and as before, another killer is loose among the ton of London. Only four months after Lady Evelyn Croft’s murderer was dealt with, another young debutante is murdered in her own home. The girl’s distraught father is bent on revenge and implores Adrian Croft to find the person responsible for her death. Great characters, an exciting, complex plot, and an atmospheric London setting combine to make this book one you’ll not want to put down until you know all the answers!

    Samantha and Adrian Croft are newlyweds, but their pre-wedding passion abruptly disappeared before they consummated their marriage. Samantha is guilt-ridden over keeping secrets from her new husband and fears his change in demeanor means he’s found out all about her mission to gather intelligence that would lead to his arrest and execution. Adrian, determined to break free from his criminal past, had counted on Samantha to help him leave that part of his life behind until he discovered her deceptions. Their growing distance was swift, and their despair palpable. It was suspenseful waiting to see if this couple, who had so much chemistry together in the previous book, would be able to find a way back to each other.

    The year is 1815, and the plot is gritty, involving the gruesome murder of a young, engaged debutante. A side storyline features Izak, the ten-year-old street urchin who previously served as a courier between Samantha and Chief Constable Peter Kendrick, and is dark and terrifyingly realistic. As the Crofts team up to rescue Izak and the other children with him, they also chase down any source of information about Lady Eleanor Marsh to identify a motive for her murder and suspects. I was glad to see Samantha finally realize that she was just a means to an end for both Harlowe and Kendrick, so maybe her heart could start to mend over their emotional betrayal. With each discovery they make, another plot twist increases the intrigue and suspense.

    With its engaging characters, compelling plot, and atmospheric setting, I recommend A TAINTED HEART BLEEDS to historical mystery fans. While this book can be read as a standalone novel, it would be best enjoyed after having read the first book in the series.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024
    This is the second book in House of Croft, an amazing series by Sophie Barnes. Though I had previously known her more as a histrom writer, I've enjoyed her work so much that when I learned she was branching out into a more gritty historical action/drama, that was a no-brainer. I do recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one, as this book will make much more sense afterward. **spoilers ahead - particularly if you have not read the first book** This book jumps in very shortly after the quasi-cliffhanger with which the first book ended. Adrian believes the wife he has come to adore plans to betray him to his enemies. Samantha would be in the perfect position to do so, and given her background it only makes sense. Above all Adrian values loyalty, so this is an especially heavy blow, since he had come to accept his love for her and he thought she was being honest with him. To protect himself, he keeps her at arm's length. Samantha has come to see the world has many more shades of gray than the strict black and white she had been raised to accept. While the original plan had been to get close to Adrian and find damning evidence of his criminal activity, she now only wants to protect Adrian. She believes she is in love with Adrian but is frustrated at his stand-offishness. Once she realizes he believes her a spy in his camp, she tries to do everything in her power to make him see the truth. The sticky part is Samantha has to be very careful not to let her spy handler adoptive father to realize that she has changed allegiances, or things will get bad very quickly for both Adrian and Samantha. But her father keeps issuing taskings to Samantha, so satisfying his requirements without condemning Adrian is challenging. Though he had avenged his sister's death, another murder has taken place. Adrian wants to help the police with this investigation as well. But someone does not want him involved, and will stop at nothing to prevent it. What an amazing follow-up to the first book! It was hard to put down at times because I wanted to know what would happen next. This one is a bit graphic in crime scene and spicy scenes, so if that is not your thing you should probably move on. It is just a fantastic, edge-of-your-seat read and I can't recommend it enough. I received an advance copy for free but the thoughts I share in this review are my own honest opinion. Buy this book now! :-)
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Pinkcowlandreads
    5.0 out of 5 stars This series is sooooo good!!!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 29, 2024
    I had been waiting on tenterhooks for this one to come out after reading book one, A Vengeful King Rises!!! This is an interconnected series where each book is completely addictive and leaves you dangling on a cliffhanger!

    I don’t want to give too much away because this series really is one of those ones you have to read to experience. That being said, the house of Croft is a Victorian crime, family drama with the family head, Mr. Croft getting himself embroiled in investigating murder mysteries… all the while he is being investigated by the police to bring down his empire! Oh, and did I mention that his wife is a secret agent who was sent in to uncover information to bring Mr. Croft down and now she has flipped sides and is working to keep his neck from the noose!

    This book (and the one before) is so action packed with the murder mystery investigation, and the relationship drama between Croft and his now wife Samantha. I couldn’t put this book down, but now that I whizzed through it I am in the same place I was before anxiously awaiting the last installment and hopefully happily everafter for Croft and Samantha! They deserve it!!!

    If you enjoy gritty, Victorian romance and mystery/ suspense this is a series you need to pick up! I can’t recommend it enough!

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