Book Beginnings on Friday

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader. The idea is to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name. 

 

And Only To Deceive by Tasha Alexander

 

Few people would look kindly on my reasons for marrying Philip; neither love nor money nor his title induced me to accept his proposal. Yet, as I look across the spans of Aegean Sea filling the view from my villa's balcony, I cannot doubt that it was a surprisingly good decision.

 

 

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, to be honest. I'm waiting for Behind the Shattered Glass by the same author, and this is the first book in that series. So I wanted to give it a try. Was it going to be all manners and tea? I was pleasantly surprised. It's got humor, Greek mythology, antiquities fraud, and a little danger. And it's got Santorini, so it can't be all bad right?  

From Goodreads:

For Emily, the sudden proposal of Philip, Viscount Ashton, freed her from her overbearing mother, set on a grand match. When the new groom died on safari, she felt little grief. Two years later, his journals reveal surprises, a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector deeply in love with his wife.

In his beloved quiet British Museum, she finds a dangerous secret while juggling two suitors, one whose intentions may go beyond marriage. Her search to solve the crime leads to more surprises about Philip, and questions about her role as a woman in Victorian society.