Amelia Abbott may be a baron’s daughter, but rich she is not. Her father’s unscrupulous business practices will soon have him going to prison leaving Amelia on the street and her family destitute. A marriage is her only hope to survive. But with her family shunned by London society, her choices are limited. Accepting a proposal from a second cousin, she is secured to start her new life until a merciless man she met at a friend’s house makes a scandalous offer. Early 19th century Scotland was a hard life for an Irishman. Growing up on the streets and engaging in petty crimes earned Andrew Baird his stripes in the small gangs that ruled his neighborhood. As his size and territories increase, he eventually organizes his gang and creates his own criminal empire earning him the infamous name of Black Baird. A known blackguard with impeccable manners and ruthless business practices. Owning many gambling clubs throughout Scotland and England, his business takes him to collect money from a young lord’s home where he meets an innocent young girl that intrigues him like no other.

The deception series continues with a new bad boy in town, Thane Ryley. Amelia's Deception's famous crime lord Andrew Baird seems to have some competition. Deceiving Lily can be read as a standalone novel, but is more enjoyable if read after Amelia's Deception. Thane Ryley grew up in the slums of Liverpool. After the death of his parents, he took care of his siblings by earning money from petty crimes. When money was tight, he used street fighting as his main source of support. Making a modest name for himself within the underworld of London, he meets a young girl whose innocence intrigues him. Finding the truth of her identity proves bothersome and he soon gives up his interest and moves to Paris. A few years later, Thane is back in London and has made a fortune through his criminal empire. Soon, he meets the infamous Andrew Baird the king of the blackguards and challenges his reputation and loyalty within the same circles. Running from his past does not prove easy as the same young girl he let go years ago suddenly shows up in his life and the walls he has built to protect himself start to crumble.