Masquerade Part 5: Masquerade

By Valerie Francis

Part 5: Seduction's three strict rules are beginning to look more like guidelines, as Grace and Marlowe bump into each other at the Staadt bookstore. Who knew the rare books room could be so titillating?

 

What would you do if you knew you wouldn't get caught?

Unwind with this steamy love story. Told as a 12-part serial, each book is about the length of a glass of wine or a soak in the tub.

Isla Foster and Colin Jackman are strangers. Desperate to escape the daily grind of life, they each accept an anonymous invitation to a masquerade ball — one of the most prestigious events in New York City. There they are given lavish costumes, false identities and an opportunity to take part in a seductive game.

If they accept, using the aliases Grace and Marlowe, they'll meet each month for a year in a series of secret rendezvous, consequence free. No one will ever know where they go or what they do, as long as they follow three simple rules:

1. they must never know the other's identity
2. they must only meet at the prearranged times and places
3. they must not fall in love

What could possibly go wrong?

"You'll be hooked from the opening scene." - Victoria Barbour, USA Today Bestselling Author

 

A Selection of Reviews

"Masquerade reads like a piece of chocolate after dinner. It goes down smoothly and leaves you craving more."

"Amazing fantasy getaway. Perfect rainy day read!"

"Ms. Francis is a skillful storyteller. She quickly captured the attention of this fussy reader and held my interest through to the end."

"Hard to put down."

"Absolutely phenomenal. Each part is better written than the last."

"I enjoyed this book as another fun diversion from my busy life."

"It has excellent characterization and I was pulled into the story, intrigued to know what would happen next."

"Absolutely love this format of delivery for a book. Oh Masquerade you have my attention now! I voluntarily reviewed this book."

"I really like this book. The characters were believable, the story had some mystery and I liked where the series was going to go with the Masquerade themes. I especially liked how this story was 'as long as a glass of wine'. I didn't test that but it was as long as a short stint on the beach. Now I want to see what happens in the next few stories!"

"This first instalment hooked me in every way: interesting opening, great detail, fully-fleshed major characters, each with a problematical life situation and minus my pet peeve -- poor editing. This instalment is expertly written AND edited, so there are no grammatical errors or typos to weaken/distract from the story. Kudos to Ms. Francis. I look forward to reading more!"

"What a fun escape these first two books are! I just finished part 2 and am left hanging in suspense and anxiously awaiting part 3 to be delivered. This is a unique way to read for me and I love it. Come on part 3!!!!!!!!!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fifth Hammer Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9780994014191

Book preview

Chapter 1

Isla paced the boardroom floor, periodically checking her watch. Gordon sat at the table, leafing through sheets in a file folder.

We need to get started, she said.

Give him five more minutes.

She shook her head in disgust. Are you sure Robert knows about this?

I told him myself.

He's blowing it off then.

Be patient.

Look, she said, standing over him. You called this meeting because there are things we need to discuss before the lawyers arrive. They'll be here soon, so if we're going to talk, we have to do it now.

Gordon thought for a moment and then leaned back in his chair. Ok. Tell me how much you know.

I know that three people are dead and we're holding the smoking gun.

This is not the time for dramatics.

That's not drama. It's fact. The blame has been publicly placed at our feet.

The boardroom door opened and Robert strolled in carrying the morning paper and a coffee. He looked like a man without a care in the world. Sorry I'm late, he said. Off to a bit of a slow start this morning. With a grunt, he dropped down into a chair.

Isla glared at him and continued. What I don't know is what caused the Wellman Building to collapse and whether it is in any way connected with the work we did there.

Oh Jesus. Not this again. Robert popped the top off his takeaway cup and slurped his coffee.

Yes, this again. She crossed her arms across her chest. And isn't it curious that it's one of your projects.

You sound like that Leo woman.

"Oh, you mean the woman you referred to in the Times as 'an annoying little shrew'?"

Birds of a feather, you two. He unfolded his paper and spread it on the table in front of him. Neither of you has a clue what you're talking about, and yet you won't shut up.

Then enlighten me.

Robert scanned the newspaper as he spoke. The work we did on Wellman — and Midshipman for that matter — was top notch. The accidents are tragic, of course, but they've nothing to do with us.

That may be, said Gordon, lacing his fingers together. But the public doesn't see it that way. Three clients have already dropped us, and I expect more will do the same.

Then they're fools. Can't they see this is just a smear campaign against me?

Against you? Isla's eyes widened. Three people are dead and another is disabled, and you think this is about you?

Your naivety would be charming if it wasn't so annoying. He took another gulp of his coffee. We're in the run-up to an election. Leo and that journalist, whatever his name is, are riding my coattails to boost their own careers.

She let out a sharp laugh. You megalomaniac.

Enough! Gordon took a deep breath. "We've got to get a handle on this, and that's all there is to it. To that end, I've