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The Ramseys #3
A Lover's Mask
Fernando Ramsey wants the kind of love his parents never shared--a love based on equality and respect. Sadly, he hasn't met the woman to make his secret yearning come true, until he meets Contessa Warren. The Chicago publisher is everything Fernando desires....only…Contessa is out to prove the Ramseys are hip-deep in a scandal that could harm more than their family name. She's also dangerously close to falling for Fernando. Can their relationship survive the shocking revelations about to shake the powerful Ramsey clan?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
16 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
AlTonya Washington
145 books336 followersAlTonya Washington has been an author for 20 years. She’s traditionally, independently and scholarly published, a winner of the Romance Slam Jam EMMA Award, and two-time winner of The Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award.
She's a librarian, film buff and music junkie and enjoys writing in an array of genres: T. Onyx erotica, Ally Fleming interracial romantic suspense, and Temple Carver mainstream romantic suspense. She's best known for her long-running Ramsey/Tesano multicultural romantic suspense series.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 15, 2012
Spoiler Free Review
4.5 STARS
Genre: African American Romance
Series: Book#3 in The Ramseys Series
"I've never known a woman to match me word for word play for play- who can satisfy me physically so much that i find myself wondering what we'd be like together after twenty years."- Fernando in A Lover's Mask
Brief Summary
Chicago Publisher Contessa Warren is a woman on a mission. She is looking to prove that the Ramseys are not as clean cut as their reputation claims them to be. And she will. But at what cost? Love?! When Rape, Murder and Treachery all turn up embroiled in one huge scandal County knows she has struck gold. Until Fernando Ramsey lets her know he wants her and very much intends to have her as his. Fernando was always considered the badboy of the Ramsey clan. Having spent time in Juvenile Detention in his youth to his illegal business dealings that follwed into his early adulthood. Yes Fernando is very much a badboy. But now on the straight and narrow he is currently seeing over his business in Chicago, Fernando can not deny that he is more than just attracted to Contessa he is falling in love with her.
But can love hold strong after what County has found out about his fathers past? As more dark secrets rise to the forefront in book 3 of The Ramseys Series.
Thoughts
The story kept me captivated as usual. Fernando and County had a very passionate love affair and i loved every second of it! The book gave diffrent family members pov. A few more things are uncovered in this book but i feel like it was just the tip of the iceberg. I can't wait to see what goes down in book 4.
Countessa- Was Sassy as always. I enjoyed getting to know her better. I loved her confidence it seemed to never waver. She also had brains to go with her beauty. County is a really good friend to Mick too. I love their sisterhood!
Fernando-Was an Uber Alpha male he took no shit when it came to County. He admitted that she was a female equal to his male and how much it pleased him. It pleased me to read it! LOL!!
Marcus- Fernando's father. Pure Evil. His usual self...
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Clever,Favorable and Strategic
Plot/Storyline- Calculated, Suspenseful and Intriguing
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy
Overall- I Enjoyed it!!!
4.5 STARS
Genre: African American Romance
Series: Book#3 in The Ramseys Series
"I've never known a woman to match me word for word play for play- who can satisfy me physically so much that i find myself wondering what we'd be like together after twenty years."- Fernando in A Lover's Mask
Brief Summary
Chicago Publisher Contessa Warren is a woman on a mission. She is looking to prove that the Ramseys are not as clean cut as their reputation claims them to be. And she will. But at what cost? Love?! When Rape, Murder and Treachery all turn up embroiled in one huge scandal County knows she has struck gold. Until Fernando Ramsey lets her know he wants her and very much intends to have her as his. Fernando was always considered the badboy of the Ramsey clan. Having spent time in Juvenile Detention in his youth to his illegal business dealings that follwed into his early adulthood. Yes Fernando is very much a badboy. But now on the straight and narrow he is currently seeing over his business in Chicago, Fernando can not deny that he is more than just attracted to Contessa he is falling in love with her.
But can love hold strong after what County has found out about his fathers past? As more dark secrets rise to the forefront in book 3 of The Ramseys Series.
Thoughts
The story kept me captivated as usual. Fernando and County had a very passionate love affair and i loved every second of it! The book gave diffrent family members pov. A few more things are uncovered in this book but i feel like it was just the tip of the iceberg. I can't wait to see what goes down in book 4.
Countessa- Was Sassy as always. I enjoyed getting to know her better. I loved her confidence it seemed to never waver. She also had brains to go with her beauty. County is a really good friend to Mick too. I love their sisterhood!
Fernando-Was an Uber Alpha male he took no shit when it came to County. He admitted that she was a female equal to his male and how much it pleased him. It pleased me to read it! LOL!!
Marcus- Fernando's father. Pure Evil. His usual self...
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Clever,Favorable and Strategic
Plot/Storyline- Calculated, Suspenseful and Intriguing
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy
Overall- I Enjoyed it!!!
September 8, 2014
Well, this surely was a page turning WOW.
I had to DEVOUR this book, I tasted my way through it. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting, it was MORE.
The hard man about town, the classy sexy woman. The apple of his eye.
The fantasy sex in here is WOW breath taking.
Its a book I would certainly recommend, just hide it from your sons!!!
I had to DEVOUR this book, I tasted my way through it. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting, it was MORE.
The hard man about town, the classy sexy woman. The apple of his eye.
The fantasy sex in here is WOW breath taking.
Its a book I would certainly recommend, just hide it from your sons!!!
January 31, 2013
Fernando and County are by far my favorites. This book was full of romance, intrigue and suspense. Love how AlTonya keeps you updated on the couples from previous books in the series. Looking forward to the next book.
June 19, 2017
The Ramsey family series just gets better. Suspense, romance and intrigue.
September 18, 2017
Good read
I really enjoyed this book I'm going to start reading the entire series . I couldn't stop reading from beginning to the end. I'm anticipating what happens next
I really enjoyed this book I'm going to start reading the entire series . I couldn't stop reading from beginning to the end. I'm anticipating what happens next
March 11, 2018
Wow
Each book is a climatic journey that keeps the reader riveted to the edge of your seat! I'm ready for the next Ramsey read.
Each book is a climatic journey that keeps the reader riveted to the edge of your seat! I'm ready for the next Ramsey read.
October 22, 2018
I didn't care for their love story as much but i'm loving the plot
August 25, 2008
This book on the first read is a choppy mess, what with fragments of stories and lost scenes all over the place, it made for a frustrating read. On the second read, I found out that it was part of a series (jazz, read the author's notes! Damn), and although I'd like to be generous and give it more than one star, I always feel that books such as this one should have enough merit to stand on its own.
Contessa Warren is on a mission: she's out to prove that the Ramseys (a wealthy AA family) are hip deep in scandal, and she's out to find out, only to encounter Fernando Ramsey, who's tempting as sin and probably just as dangerous. Little does Countessa know that Ramsey's involvement in her life might bring her pain.
Good plot summary, eh? Thank you, thank you very much. If only the book had been this streamlined, but it isn't. There's a murder that seemed to have happened a couple of books ago, there's no quick recap. Then, there are other characters with other story lines : Fernando's mum hates herself and her husband, Stef (F's partner) seems to have a grouse against Fernando and we don't know why, Mike is all concerned about being a good mum to her baby, Ty and Quay are having sex (lots of it), someone doesn't want to be a part of some family reunion unless he can pummel someone, this random named Marcus is supposed to get a beat down... all in 297 pages. *sigh*.
Fernando and Countessa's story doesn't get enough space to be shown, so the author has to tell you things, with the characters doing mad exposition - to the point of the characters explaining the title. No, woman, I'm supposed to stumble on to this myself! Also, I had problems with Countessa's name. In the book, she goes by County most of the time. I kept reading the name as Cunty because I am twelve. I think Tess, or Tessa would have been a better bet, but that's just me.
If the book had been more about Countessa (I don't even know what she looks like, for example, apart from having 'an ample' bum and being honey toned with a V haircut') and her wanting to find out about Fernando's family, or Fernando actually finding out that he's hip deep in trouble of his own family's making, the story could have been stronger.
I give the one star for inspired sex scenes, I thought the rose petals was a classic with a twist.
Recommended for followers of the series only. If you're a casual reader like myself, caveat emptor.
Contessa Warren is on a mission: she's out to prove that the Ramseys (a wealthy AA family) are hip deep in scandal, and she's out to find out, only to encounter Fernando Ramsey, who's tempting as sin and probably just as dangerous. Little does Countessa know that Ramsey's involvement in her life might bring her pain.
Good plot summary, eh? Thank you, thank you very much. If only the book had been this streamlined, but it isn't. There's a murder that seemed to have happened a couple of books ago, there's no quick recap. Then, there are other characters with other story lines : Fernando's mum hates herself and her husband, Stef (F's partner) seems to have a grouse against Fernando and we don't know why, Mike is all concerned about being a good mum to her baby, Ty and Quay are having sex (lots of it), someone doesn't want to be a part of some family reunion unless he can pummel someone, this random named Marcus is supposed to get a beat down... all in 297 pages. *sigh*.
Fernando and Countessa's story doesn't get enough space to be shown, so the author has to tell you things, with the characters doing mad exposition - to the point of the characters explaining the title. No, woman, I'm supposed to stumble on to this myself! Also, I had problems with Countessa's name. In the book, she goes by County most of the time. I kept reading the name as Cunty because I am twelve. I think Tess, or Tessa would have been a better bet, but that's just me.
If the book had been more about Countessa (I don't even know what she looks like, for example, apart from having 'an ample' bum and being honey toned with a V haircut') and her wanting to find out about Fernando's family, or Fernando actually finding out that he's hip deep in trouble of his own family's making, the story could have been stronger.
I give the one star for inspired sex scenes, I thought the rose petals was a classic with a twist.
Recommended for followers of the series only. If you're a casual reader like myself, caveat emptor.
January 16, 2016
Deception and Truth Beneath the Mask
Ms. Washington has spun quite an ENGAGING series about a very wealthy and powerful African American family with MAJOR issues! She has masterfully integrated the heroes and villains within this BIG dysfunctional circle of family and friends. This series gives new meaning to the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. To have to CONSTANTLY be on your toes like that with your own family! NOT being able to trust your own father or uncle. WOW!! Each installment to this series just gets better and better. Fernando and Contessa definitely heat up the pages of this novel with their sexy SIZZLIN’ encounters. And the mystery and intrigue surrounding their budding relationship only aids in making this an even more intriguing page-turner. Will Fernando and County finally remove their masks and be truthful with each other before it’s too late?!! Or will another couple be DOOMED to failure due to the many skeletons hidden deep within this family’s closet?!! I am having a blast “watching” these scandalous secrets unfold before my eyes. And I CAN’T wait to get to the next installment to see what other tangled webs Ms. Washington and Ramsey’s will spin for my reading pleasure!
Ms. Washington has spun quite an ENGAGING series about a very wealthy and powerful African American family with MAJOR issues! She has masterfully integrated the heroes and villains within this BIG dysfunctional circle of family and friends. This series gives new meaning to the saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”. To have to CONSTANTLY be on your toes like that with your own family! NOT being able to trust your own father or uncle. WOW!! Each installment to this series just gets better and better. Fernando and Contessa definitely heat up the pages of this novel with their sexy SIZZLIN’ encounters. And the mystery and intrigue surrounding their budding relationship only aids in making this an even more intriguing page-turner. Will Fernando and County finally remove their masks and be truthful with each other before it’s too late?!! Or will another couple be DOOMED to failure due to the many skeletons hidden deep within this family’s closet?!! I am having a blast “watching” these scandalous secrets unfold before my eyes. And I CAN’T wait to get to the next installment to see what other tangled webs Ms. Washington and Ramsey’s will spin for my reading pleasure!
August 12, 2014
Altonya Washington blew me away with this story. It has all the makings of a movie… love, sensuality, steamy sex with a touch of mystery.
Kamari and Huron are a couple who has everything stacked against them including secrets. As we know, secrets can destroy any relationship but it brought this couple closer together. Huron is very protective of the love of his life and will stop at nothing to protect her as he knows his past will catch up to him sooner or later. Will he be able to protect her from his demons? Will Kamari stick around after Huron’s secrets are revealed?
This story will take you on a roller coaster as you try to keep us with the constant drama unfolding. As a standalone (since I have not read the first book, Layers), the characters were well developed. I knew the depth of each character’s personality and could relate to their emotions as they went through the trials and tribulations.
Great job and I will be going back to the read Layers.
Kamari and Huron are a couple who has everything stacked against them including secrets. As we know, secrets can destroy any relationship but it brought this couple closer together. Huron is very protective of the love of his life and will stop at nothing to protect her as he knows his past will catch up to him sooner or later. Will he be able to protect her from his demons? Will Kamari stick around after Huron’s secrets are revealed?
This story will take you on a roller coaster as you try to keep us with the constant drama unfolding. As a standalone (since I have not read the first book, Layers), the characters were well developed. I knew the depth of each character’s personality and could relate to their emotions as they went through the trials and tribulations.
Great job and I will be going back to the read Layers.
July 19, 2014
I give this book 5 fangs!!!
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
Layers of the Past
Oh me, oh my.....What a book!!!
The beginning is kind of a hard start. But I promise you, once you get deeper inside the book, you will not be disappointed. The book is erotic, sensual, mysterious, and page turning wonderful!
I love Base one of the main characters. He is a beautiful man inside and out. And you can almost imagine licking him from head to toe. Oh, how I wish I was Kamari, (so I could lick Base from head to toe) she is a successful business woman, sexy, and the apple of Base's eye. The story plot is riveting and mind blowing. A definitely not-expecting-that story kind of ending.
Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock
Layers of the Past
Oh me, oh my.....What a book!!!
The beginning is kind of a hard start. But I promise you, once you get deeper inside the book, you will not be disappointed. The book is erotic, sensual, mysterious, and page turning wonderful!
I love Base one of the main characters. He is a beautiful man inside and out. And you can almost imagine licking him from head to toe. Oh, how I wish I was Kamari, (so I could lick Base from head to toe) she is a successful business woman, sexy, and the apple of Base's eye. The story plot is riveting and mind blowing. A definitely not-expecting-that story kind of ending.
August 12, 2014
Layers of the Past was interesting to read. Definitely had to make sure I was not sitting by a window or it would have been steamed up (even in the middle of the summer). The main story between all of the adult scenes was very well put together and made this book continue to flow making it interesting.
This book is something to read when needing to pass the time waiting for someone to come share some time.
Overall I think this book deserves a solid 4/5 stars.
Given a copy of this book for an honest review.
This book is something to read when needing to pass the time waiting for someone to come share some time.
Overall I think this book deserves a solid 4/5 stars.
Given a copy of this book for an honest review.
January 22, 2012
County and Fernando......hot! The suspense was really killing me in this one. I found myself reading faster just to see what would happened next. The family dynamic of course was still there. Lots of love within this family, but also a ton of hate. The courting that Fernando did to County was simply amazing, and these two were just really on fire. Another great read from this series.
January 29, 2012
And the saga continues.... Ms. Washington does it again! Every time I finish a book in the Ramsey series I'm left with more questions. I love the romance and the mystery in all of these books. One thing I love the most is how the other characters we met play apart in the current book and she sets up the upcoming hero and heroine nicely. I can't wait to read the next!!
January 22, 2015
EXCELLENT!!! Fernando is my favorite Ramsey so far. I love his over protective nature and his love for Contessa. The storyline, plot and character interaction are awesome. So many things are revealed in the story, but it does not take away from it. 5 stars, HIGHLY RECOMMEND this read.
November 3, 2012
It is true we all have mask that we where. It is hard to sometime let our mask down. This was another great book for AlTonya Washington it is clear, that this lady is an amazing author. She has a way with word.
July 22, 2014
Hence the word Layers in the title, this book had many of them. I first realized from the very beginning I had to read slowly to follow along but those erotic scenes between Huron and Kamari kept me in fantasyland. Genius unravelling of their pasts.
December 30, 2014
Very slow and confusing in the past books by Ms Washington have keep me up all night. Not this one, yes I read Layers and was looking forward to the sequel. This sequel fell short on many levels. Yes, I will continue to read Ms. Washington's work.
January 22, 2015
EXCELLENT!!! Fernando is my favorite Ramsey so far. I love his over protective nature and his love for Contessa. The storyline, plot and character interaction are awesome. So many things are revealed in the story, but it does not take away from it. 5 stars, HIGHLY RECOMMEND this read.
Read
November 25, 2010Read the book when it first came out and it was a very good read I need to get all of her books about the Ramsey family.
December 10, 2011
Book 3 of the Ramseys series
August 15, 2012
Loved the story of Fernando and Contessa. Loved the passion, the romance, the mystery and suspense. On to the next Ramsey story!
April 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. On to the next one.
April 22, 2013
All I can say is LOVED IT and can't wait to read the rest if the series.
January 2, 2022
3rd time reading this
Not a stand alone, more twist and turns and whodoneits.
Originally this was not my favorite couple but I kinda like them now
Not a stand alone, more twist and turns and whodoneits.
Originally this was not my favorite couple but I kinda like them now
July 11, 2014
Good story. Obviously part of a series but stood on its own accord. No boring parts. Nice tempo with lots of plot points and subplots. Recommend.
December 30, 2014
Read Layers, was looking forward to the sequel, but was very disappointed, In the past book by Ms Washington have been page turners keeping me up all night. Yes, I will continue to read her work.
March 22, 2016
I. Really. Love. This.
March 29, 2017
Another winner
Fernando and Contessa are so great together look forward to reading more of their story. Just waiting for Marcus to get what he has coming to him. I recommend this book to all the true romantics.
Fernando and Contessa are so great together look forward to reading more of their story. Just waiting for Marcus to get what he has coming to him. I recommend this book to all the true romantics.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews