Moira Trevithick and her brother have been bilked of their family fortune by Lionel March, so they masquerade at a country inn as the vulgar Lady Crieff and her stepson, with a plan to take the scoundrel for everything he owes them. But they’re not the only ones interested in March, and they look very suspicious to one well-born gentleman.
Joan Smith’s Regency Masquerade deprived me of several hours of precious sleep. From the first to the last, Smith wastes no words delivering delightfully funny and suspenseful scenes, filled with characters; and I was glued to my e-reader the whole time forgoing said sleep in the blissful activity of reading a well-written Regency.
Heroine is a spunky provincial, hero is a former solidier, and brought together by circumstance and machinations at the dubious Owl Inn (rumoured to be a den of smugglers) the sparks fly. This is a Regency masquerade with a little of the levity of a Regency romp, a villian (or two) and several very clever plot twists.
The Trevithick’s have tracked down their devious step-papa who stole their fortune (a mere 25,000 pounds!) and deprived our heroine Moira of her dowry. After four years planning, and with her younger brother Jonathan at her side, she has arrived at the Owl Inn under a carefully crafted charade. Without giving any spoilers, things at the Owl Inn are not quite as they seem, and everyone suspects everyone else of being up to something.
Throughout the book, the hero is cloaked in mystery, and although Moira (and the reader) are attracted to him and recognize him to be an honorable gentleman, it is not always clear he has the best intentions.
The villian step-papa is detestable, with his “green gooseberry” eyes filled with greed. If only Moira can stomach her masquerade, she might bait the trap and reel in her prize.
If you like a little suspense and intrigue, love masquerading H/h and are looking for a fun and fast paced read, then Regency Masquerade is a recommended purchase. New book cover aside, of course.
(4.75 out of 6…classic traditional Regency with clever plot twists and likeable H/h. Light on romance, but awesome on action.)
| Content Rating/Heat Index | |
|---|---|
| Mature Content |   |
| Light adult subject matter, scenes | |
| Intimacy |  |
| Kissing and embracing. | |
| Violence | |
| Some minor violence and violent subject matter | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Not recommended for younger teens, but generally a PG read. | |
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