Lies & Liberation: The Rape of Europa (ISBN 0974889911)

What a read!:
These two books are among my favorite novels in many years. The first book left me wanting more of the story and more of Barbara's writing and the second was no disappointment. I talked with her recently at a book signing at Oxford Valley (PA) and told her how much I enjoyed the intrique and story line of these characters, and the rough and tumble of romance as well as the passion. I hope there is a #3. Jerrett L. Hansen

The Saga continues-----only better than Europa Rode the Bull:
Oh my, Barbara Berot has made me such a fan! What a web she has woven with her first two novels. A lot of subtext in both. I rarely read novels as I'm into history, politics, biographies and autobios. I can not wait for the third book. I understand she is working on that now. Such a fabulous love story!!!!!!! We should all have an Andrew! LJ

Sometimes the Past is the Future!:
Sometimes the past cannot help but profoundly predict the future! Andrew Stuart-Gordon makes a decision in the present to live with the one love of his life, Annie, recently separated from her own husband, Mike. Simple enough, right? No, not quite! Barbara Berot's novel is a story of romance unlike the majority of romantic novels being published today! For her characters can't just make their decisions and move on to create a different future. Andrew at first believes he can maintain his relationship with his wife, Janet, and Annie is led by Andrew to maintain her connection with Mike. But neither Andrew nor Annie realize the familial decisions made years earlier that involved subterfuge, infidelity, betrayal, possible murder and other deviant actions that are about to implode smack in the middle of their romance! One person will seek to bribe Andrew into compliant abandonment of Annie. He also has no idea of how Andrew's intense passion will lead to action rather than passive acceptance, resulting in page-turning, searing plots and counterplots that leave the reader hanging on for the hoped-for yet not so inevitable conclusion. How will vengeance and protection play out in these characters who phenomenally talk out the evolution of their past with everyone around them? What are the possibilities for characters who refuse to let go? What are those who are left in the dust of this whirlwind romance to do or not to do? Barbara Berot is a master creator of plot and subplot. Her story seems more realistic because readers know it just isn't that easy to ignore the past and forge onward into the "happily ever after" scenario that passion imagines! Maintaining tension and connection, she deftly succeeds in compulsively drawing the reader into the complexities of this second novel of a series that will definitely be welcomed by her ardent readers! Also included are some lovely descriptions of Scotland's beautiful Highland country and France's luscious vineyard atmosphere. Quite different and a refreshingly new approach to the typical romance novel! Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on March 9, 2008

Loved it!:
This is not your ordinary romance novel!It is so much more. Barbara Berot described St. Andrew's in such detail and with such beauty...I felt as though I had been there myself and experienced the lush green hills and centuries old buildings. Her character development is exceptional. The length of the book allows you to become fully committed to the characters, which is a rare gift. I love Annie as a heroine because she is flawed, which makes her so real. When Europa Rode the Bull and the Rape of Europa ignited the "what if" questions for me personally. What if, 13 years ago, I had chosen the other guy instead of my husband? Where would I be now? Barbara is a brave writer who is unafraid to go places most writers never would. I eagerly await chapter 3 of Annie and Andrew's beautiful love story.

A thrilling story of romance that captivates from first page to last:
The only thing keeping them together - the complex and diverse web of lies and falsehoods has begun to unravel. "Lies & Liberation: The Rape of Europa" is the tale of Andrew's failing marriage and his endless lust and need to be with the woman he so wished he had married in the first place - Annie. The two decide that no matter what stands in there way they must go through to overcome the odds - and there are odds in their way - to be together. A thrilling story of romance that captivates from first page to last, "Lies & Liberation: The Rape of Europa" is highly recommended for romance fans everywhere and for community library fiction collections.