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Brianna and Angelica Stafford have each been betrothed to marry by their parents. Brianna is engaged and will wed her Viscount at the end of the season. She is not thrilled with having to marry so soon but her parents refused her request to break the betrothal. Brianna is persuaded to switch places with her twin sister, Angelica. She is to convince Nicholas Santrell, the tenth Earl of Saxford that they won’t suit thus freeing Angelica to follow her heart’s desire. Nicholas believed he was getting a shy and timid girl for his future wife. He is shocked by his fiancée’s behavior and more than a little enticed by it. Use to women falling at his feet, he is unsettled by Brianna’s behavior and it makes him want her even more.
Masquerade is a lively story featuring two strong and forceful leads. Brianna and Nicholas are well matched characters. Their personalities come across the pages and the reader knows they are in for a treat from the opening pages. Although this reader is not a fan of the “twin switching” plots, the author makes this one works. The twins are not a known factor to Nicholas thus it is easy to believe that he can be fooled by the switch.
It is a game of wits as Brianna tries to do everything in her power to make him lose interest. However everything she does just makes him more determined to have her for his wife. In this process, they fall in lust and love with each other. The supporting cast from Angelica, Peter to their Aunt Freddie enhances the story. Angelica’s fate is presented within the book thus it becomes a very satisfying read as both sisters gets their “happily ever after”.
Masquerade is another winning historical romance from Ms. Templeton. With rich characters and very heated boudoir scenes, this is one book that will keep the reader entertained on all levels.
Reviewed by Susan Tam
for The Road to Romance
April 23, 2006
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