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Unchained #2
Masquerade
Celebrated actress Lavinia Hargraves performs her most challenging role offstage. Born in 1872 to Daniel Taylor, a white man and wealthy landowner in southern California, Lavinia’s mother, Lori, is a Negro and former slave.
Lavinia, who appears white, is desperate to hide her Negro ancestry, as well as pursue her dream of becoming the world’s greatest actress.
After eloping with the much older Vernon Hargraves, owner of New York’s premier theater company, Lavinia is provided with all she could ever want: a new life as white, stardom on the stage, and an abundant supply of money.
Soon, Lavinia’s seduction by a young and handsome actor sets in motion a devastating turn of events. Dashing millionaire contractor Andrew Standish comes into Lavinia’s life at a time when she needs him most. However, Lori's existence could demolish her daughter's carefully constructed facade. To what lengths will Andrew go to uncover Lavinia's past?
Lavinia, who appears white, is desperate to hide her Negro ancestry, as well as pursue her dream of becoming the world’s greatest actress.
After eloping with the much older Vernon Hargraves, owner of New York’s premier theater company, Lavinia is provided with all she could ever want: a new life as white, stardom on the stage, and an abundant supply of money.
Soon, Lavinia’s seduction by a young and handsome actor sets in motion a devastating turn of events. Dashing millionaire contractor Andrew Standish comes into Lavinia’s life at a time when she needs him most. However, Lori's existence could demolish her daughter's carefully constructed facade. To what lengths will Andrew go to uncover Lavinia's past?
440 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2013
47 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Maria McKenzie
13 books84 followersI was a librarian for several years, and librarian, of course, equals book lover! I enjoy curling up with a good book when not writing, or daydreaming about a new novel to write. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and live on a steady reading diet of romantic suspense, thrillers, historical fiction and non-fiction, and biographies.
I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!
Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy exploring the topic of interracial/multicultural romance in our nation's past and writing tales of forbidden love.
Mixed race romance from decades gone by is emotionally explosive, providing heart-wrenching conflict, as well as incredible pain. Those elements combined create amazing stories. Love transcends all boundaries. If two hearts are meant to be together, they'll find a way, regardless of circumstance.
I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in English, then received a master's in Library Science from Atlanta University. While working as a librarian in North Carolina, I met my husband. Our marriage inspired my novel Unchained. One day I thought how sad it would have been if we'd fallen in love 150 years earlier and couldn't have married (as mentioned earlier, he's white, I'm black). I kept thinking "what if, what if," and eventually Unchained came into being, but I turned it into a trilogy because the story kept going on and on!
Essie Mae Washington Williams's memoir Dear Senator provided the idea for The Governor's Sons. Ms. Williams is the African American love child of South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. After reading her story, I wondered what would have happened if a southern governor fathered a son by a black woman, and that son grew up to become a civil rights leader.
I live in Cincinnati with my husband and our two sons. I'm a foodie, love old movies, history, museums and antiquing. I'm also into fitness and enjoy running. During my morning runs I can come up with some great story ideas, if I'm not listening to a book! Book junkie that I am, audio books are an addiction!
I've always been a daydreamer, but didn't enjoy reading until I discovered Nancy Drew at age 10. As for writing, I never thought I'd actually pen a novel. I'm not a talker, so how could I ever fill up a book? As a quiet person, I internalize a lot. And later in life I discovered that internalizing can create some wonderful stories!
Being in an interracial marriage (I'm black and my husband's white), I enjoy exploring the topic of interracial/multicultural romance in our nation's past and writing tales of forbidden love.
Mixed race romance from decades gone by is emotionally explosive, providing heart-wrenching conflict, as well as incredible pain. Those elements combined create amazing stories. Love transcends all boundaries. If two hearts are meant to be together, they'll find a way, regardless of circumstance.
I graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in English, then received a master's in Library Science from Atlanta University. While working as a librarian in North Carolina, I met my husband. Our marriage inspired my novel Unchained. One day I thought how sad it would have been if we'd fallen in love 150 years earlier and couldn't have married (as mentioned earlier, he's white, I'm black). I kept thinking "what if, what if," and eventually Unchained came into being, but I turned it into a trilogy because the story kept going on and on!
Essie Mae Washington Williams's memoir Dear Senator provided the idea for The Governor's Sons. Ms. Williams is the African American love child of South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond. After reading her story, I wondered what would have happened if a southern governor fathered a son by a black woman, and that son grew up to become a civil rights leader.
I live in Cincinnati with my husband and our two sons. I'm a foodie, love old movies, history, museums and antiquing. I'm also into fitness and enjoy running. During my morning runs I can come up with some great story ideas, if I'm not listening to a book! Book junkie that I am, audio books are an addiction!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 8, 2024
As conniving as Lavinia is, I’m a moral person. There was not a reason at all that should morally make an unconventional union right.
The book is well written, but why make her sister seem so desperate in her vulnerable state!
I can’t wait to read book 3
The book is well written, but why make her sister seem so desperate in her vulnerable state!
I can’t wait to read book 3
February 7, 2016
Masquerade: Book two of the Unchained Trilogy is by Maria McKenzie. I believe it is better than the first book. It takes place between New York City and California near Los Angeles. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of surprises.
Lavinia has defied her parents and married Vernon Hargraves and is headed for the stage in New York City. Vernon owns a theater there and a traveling theater group. Marrying Lavinia though will keep him from putting up a theater in Los Angeles. His troupe will play there but not in its own theater. It is all the same to Vernon because he has Lavinia as his wife.
Lavinia takes the stage and is an immediate hit. Her life as an actress takes precedent over everything else in her life, especially Vernon. She does keep the peace with him because he is the moneyman. She has an affair with Kenneth Tyler, a leading actor. He convinces her that this will help her with her acting in love scenes. All she has to do is keep it from Vernon. The affair is short-lived and ends violently. Eventually Vernon passes away and leaves her in charge of everything, leaving his daughter Carrie only a little. How did Lavinia manage this?
Lavinia then married businessman Andrew Sinclair. He is looking for a wife and family. Lavinia is determined not to have children; but an unexpected pregnancy occurs. How will Lavinia take to motherhood? Will Andrew ever see through Lavinia? Will he ever discover her secret
Lavinia has defied her parents and married Vernon Hargraves and is headed for the stage in New York City. Vernon owns a theater there and a traveling theater group. Marrying Lavinia though will keep him from putting up a theater in Los Angeles. His troupe will play there but not in its own theater. It is all the same to Vernon because he has Lavinia as his wife.
Lavinia takes the stage and is an immediate hit. Her life as an actress takes precedent over everything else in her life, especially Vernon. She does keep the peace with him because he is the moneyman. She has an affair with Kenneth Tyler, a leading actor. He convinces her that this will help her with her acting in love scenes. All she has to do is keep it from Vernon. The affair is short-lived and ends violently. Eventually Vernon passes away and leaves her in charge of everything, leaving his daughter Carrie only a little. How did Lavinia manage this?
Lavinia then married businessman Andrew Sinclair. He is looking for a wife and family. Lavinia is determined not to have children; but an unexpected pregnancy occurs. How will Lavinia take to motherhood? Will Andrew ever see through Lavinia? Will he ever discover her secret
January 4, 2023
Book 2 - Lavinia (Daniel and Lori's daughter)
Lavinia is the single most hateful character I have ever had the misfortune to come across in a book, and I've read A LOT of books.
Although part of me understands some of her feelings about her 'situation' (ie her ethnicity) given the time period, the utter hatred she felt for her origins really had me in tears more than once. She is completely narcissistic and borderline sociopathic. She is selfish, self-centered, greedy, cruel, blind, and absolutely totally loathsome. That she then passed on some of this to her own daughter was even more unforgiveable.
I had no sympathy for her at any point in her part of the story, even , but that I think is what made this so compelling to read.
(Added 02.03.20)
Lavinia is the single most hateful character I have ever had the misfortune to come across in a book, and I've read A LOT of books.
Although part of me understands some of her feelings about her 'situation' (ie her ethnicity) given the time period, the utter hatred she felt for her origins really had me in tears more than once. She is completely narcissistic and borderline sociopathic. She is selfish, self-centered, greedy, cruel, blind, and absolutely totally loathsome. That she then passed on some of this to her own daughter was even more unforgiveable.
I had no sympathy for her at any point in her part of the story, even , but that I think is what made this so compelling to read.
(Added 02.03.20)
July 18, 2017
This is the sequel to Escape. This story follows Lavinia, the first daughter of Lori and Daniel and her life in New York. Here, she passes as a white woman, with exotic background in 1890s.
The content of this sequel focused more on the character of Lavinia who remains true to initial view. There are some episodes which require some suspension of belief. And honestly, there are obvious plot holes given the scenario. Other secondary characters develop more than Lavinia. This is the weaker of the two books but I was intrigued enough to read in one day. And to continue the last book in this trilogy to see how life for this family develops.
The content of this sequel focused more on the character of Lavinia who remains true to initial view. There are some episodes which require some suspension of belief. And honestly, there are obvious plot holes given the scenario. Other secondary characters develop more than Lavinia. This is the weaker of the two books but I was intrigued enough to read in one day. And to continue the last book in this trilogy to see how life for this family develops.
December 15, 2017
Not as good as Book 1 and 3.
September 30, 2020
Second book in this amazing trilogy. I am riveted.
May 15, 2022
Deranged.
Lavinia is deranged. I'm not sure how she could live with her self. The only reason could he that she's crazy. I hope she doesn't ruin another generation.
Lavinia is deranged. I'm not sure how she could live with her self. The only reason could he that she's crazy. I hope she doesn't ruin another generation.
March 24, 2017
Read whole trilogy...Meh
January 10, 2018
Lavinia Hargraves devastated her parents when she eloped with Vernon Hargraves. She didn't care. She was going to New York City to be the world's most famous actress and Hargraves could make that happen. He agreed never to tell anyone that her mother was a Negro slave. I have seldom read about a female character that was more of a bitch that Lavinia Hargarves. Oh, she's a fun one to hate! I gave this one 3.5 stars as well. There is one more book in this series. It doesn't come up when you type in the first or second books' titles though. The name of it is, "Revelation".
July 30, 2015
I discovered author Maria McKenzie recently and have enoyed her storytelling and richly definded characters. Masquersde contiues the story of an America family and explores the worlds between black and white; the challenges, triumphs heartbreaks and secrets. Personally, Im dissapppointed that I'll have to wait until 2014 to learn what happens to the characters I've come to care about...and Lavinia, the woman you love to hate! I'm looking forward to the final installment, because I want more!
February 16, 2015
I enjoyed it!!
This book is a great example of true love has no color and adversity can bring out the good or bad in people like Lavinia. Her twisted lies will catch up with & she will find herself alone & miserable!! I hope Selina goes back with her father where she belongs. I can't wait to read the next book.
This book is a great example of true love has no color and adversity can bring out the good or bad in people like Lavinia. Her twisted lies will catch up with & she will find herself alone & miserable!! I hope Selina goes back with her father where she belongs. I can't wait to read the next book.
July 12, 2015
Masquerade book two
Maria McKenzie is a talented writer. She presents a depth to her characters so you really get lost in the drama. Good read.
Maria McKenzie is a talented writer. She presents a depth to her characters so you really get lost in the drama. Good read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews