A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Review: I've been lugging this book around in my purse for weeks. The bright coloured bonnet on the front-cover teasing me every time I open my handbag to look for something. Feeling a little overwhelmed by life's changes, I've put off reading anything but text books or to-do lists for the last month. I don't think I've managed to be that self-disciplined since my university years. Unfortunately or fortunately... depending on how you look at it, I started getting sick a couple of days ago so I didn't feel half so guilty reaching for a novel instead of more Parkinson's Disease literature. Is it strange that sometimes I actually like getting sick because it gives me a break from being a responsible adult? Haha.... sheesh. 

So, cuddled up with a nice cup of tea made by my sweet hubby and a fuzzy blanket I finally indulged in a novel. It didn't take me long at all to breeze through the pages of "A Noble Masquerade". It made my giggle out loud and hubby says that he kept seeing me smirk as I flipped through the pages. This book was just a fun, cozy read. It made me happy, held my interest, and kept me entertained. It was exactly what I was looking for.

To get into the details, I especially liked the elements of intrigue and mystery. I'm a sucker for spy stories and I always like it when there is mystery mixed into a romance. The plot was well done, and I also really appreciated how our nobly bread heroine turned out to be quite the brave adventurous! And the hero was awesome.... a bit of a rogue ... but totally awesome - probably the reason for all the smirking.

I give this novel a thumbs up :)

Thank-you to Graf Martin Communications for the free copy!

Book has been provided courtesy of Bethany House and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group"

Back Cover:  Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she's never actually met the man, she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother's mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.

Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend up but whose behavior grows more and more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family's estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.