Masquerade Part 8: Masquerade

By Valerie Francis

Part 8: With their real lives spinning out of control, Grace and Marlowe retreat even further into their fantasy world. But fantasy and reality are about to collide as news of their rare books room tryst leaks out.

 

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: Jan 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9780995340329

Book preview

Chapter 1

Afew days after returning to New York, Colin was summoned to lunch with Eve. He was to go to the Ritz-Carleton, Central Park on Wednesday, May 4 at one o'clock in the afternoon. Grace had received the same message and had texted him, worried that somehow Eve had discovered their transgressions. He'd done what he could to allay her fears, but he had to admit this meeting was playing on his mind as well. It created an underlying sense of foreboding in everything he did.

The first to arrive, Colin sat now at the small, black marble table, fidgeting with the cutlery. There'd been enough surprises in his life lately and he wasn't sure he could take another one.

Grace arrived a few minutes before the hour, wearing a tailored lavender pantsuit. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders. As he stood to greet her, he smiled.

Hello, beautiful, he said and kissed her cheek.

She returned a weak grimace that saddened him. It was obvious from the darkness under her eyes that she wasn't sleeping well.

It'll be ok, he said.

I hope you're right. She took a sip of water, and he noticed her hand shake ever so slightly.

I know I am. It was complete bullshit, of course. He hadn't the first clue whether things would be all right, but he hated to see her worry. Perched on the edge of her chair, she looked like she would bolt any second. Whatever happened, he had to make sure she was safe. This was, after all, his doing. He'd left the papers on the car seat, and at the ski chalet he'd left his suitcase in open view. At the store, he'd been the one to ask her to the rare books room.

As to his feelings for her, well, she was extraordinary and he was human. Looking at her now, he could see the tension in her back and shoulders and wished he could help ease it. He cared for her deeply, and while it shouldn't have happened, it didn't feel like a problem. Not now anyway. When the game ended in four months it would be another story.

He reached out to brush the hair from her face, but she pulled away and nodded toward the doorway.

Eve had arrived. Her natural effervescence had fizzled, leaving behind a no-nonsense business woman. This did not bode well.

Thank you for coming, she said, and Colin wondered whether they'd really had much of a choice. The waiter appeared carrying menus, but before he could distribute them, Eve ordered afternoon tea for the table, and sent him away.

I'm sure you both know why I've called you here.

He sighed. Might as well meet this head on. We didn't think it was a social occasion.

Unfortunately, no. She looked from one of them to the other. I'm really not sure where to start, she said.

Grace dropped her hands to her lap and began to wring them.

Something has come to my attention . . . something I'm not very happy about, she said, sliding her napkin out from under the forks.

Beside him, Grace began chewing her bottom lip.

"I