Masquerade

The Secret Library

by Scarlet Blackwell, Zara Stoneley (Contributor), Elizabeth Coldwell

A collection of three erotic novellas. Seducing Mr Storm by Scarlet Blackwell: In the late 1700s, Susanna Seymour's mother is very keen to find a husband for her younger sister, Lucy, while Susanna is considered on the shelf at 27. Enter their neighbour arrived from London, the dashing and irreverent Elijah Storm, who makes his admiration plain for Susanna from the start. Susanna is not looking for a husband and is keen to make sure Lucy bags the bachelor, but things don't go quite to plan. Elijah is frank in his desire to have Susanna's sexual services, and she believes by giving him what he wants, he will lose all interest in her. The price of it is his agreement to marry her sister. But with passions ignited, what will happen when Susanna seduces Mr Storm? Freefalling by Zara Stoneley: Falling in love has just been scrubbed off artist Hayley Tring's to-do list. But when the gorgeous Tom Holah commissions a painting, keeping her mind on the job and her hand on a paintbrush becomes a whole new challenge. Tom needs to brighten up his corporate image, but after a lust-filled night with Hayley he wants more than just her pictures. And he isn't used to taking no for an answer. But can mixing business with pleasure be good for both of them? Or will it leave Hayley with a blank canvas and a broken heart? Masquerade by Elizabeth Coldwell: Let go from her sales job, Summer Kerrigan finds new employment at her local bar. It's nothing like her old routine, but there's welcome compensation in the shape of her cute boss, Eddie Quinn. When Eddie's sister, businesswoman Heather, turns up at the bar selling tickets for the fundraising Masquerade Ball, he claims Summer's his new love. But if Heather's going to buy the lie they're really a couple, they have to attend the ball as a couple - and with champagne flowing, passions run high, and Eddie and Summer find themselves in bed together. The sex is mindblowing, but is it simply the result of taking part in a charade? Can their sham love affair turn into the real thing, or is it all just a masquerade?

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2012

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology was different then what I had expected when I picked it up; but that was part of the reason I decided I wanted to read a bunch of anthologies this Summer, to try out new authors.

Masquerade
I really enjoyed how at the very beginning Summer Kerrigan's life shifts drastically, leading her to exactly where she needs to be. If only real life worked out that way. The Epilogue at the end was just right.

Seducing Mr. Storm
There were so many times in this story that I just wanted to slap various characters for being ridiculous, annoying, oblivious, etc. Unfortunately that is how families are sometimes...

Freefalling
This was an interesting story, and I am so glad that I had the chance to read it! I think it was a wonderful way to end this anthology.

Off to read more short stories.

[мєℓ · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st one: 2.5 stars
2nd one: 3 stars
3rd one: 2.5 stars

Nice book. Nice stories, nothing more