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Red Masquerade #1
Red Masquerade
It’s the 1920s, and money, liquor, and lust are flowing freely in the great city of New York, where dreams are made—and destroyed.
Helena Quintrell isn’t the only one in the city with a dark past she’d rather forget. Born into a newly wealthy family, she spends her nights dancing and drinking with her friends, much to the disapproval of her mother, who wants to see her settle down as a ‘proper woman’ would. When her brother Lucas comes home to find her a husband, her past threatens to break or strengthen her against his iron will and menace.
Until she runs into the only man she’d ever truly loved—who is supposed to be dead.
Vince Thornton is not the man he used to be. He’s extremely rich and throws notoriously debauched parties every night, parties where everyone who’s anyone attends. Helena falls into his world of night, her eyes opened to the possibilities of luxury and immortality, where blood is the only cost of freedom.
But Lucas doesn’t want to let her go, and the game just gets deadlier the more she falls into Vince’s den of monsters.
Red Masquerade is a dark and gothic Great Gatsby-inspired vampire romance. Please check the author's website for content warnings.
Helena Quintrell isn’t the only one in the city with a dark past she’d rather forget. Born into a newly wealthy family, she spends her nights dancing and drinking with her friends, much to the disapproval of her mother, who wants to see her settle down as a ‘proper woman’ would. When her brother Lucas comes home to find her a husband, her past threatens to break or strengthen her against his iron will and menace.
Until she runs into the only man she’d ever truly loved—who is supposed to be dead.
Vince Thornton is not the man he used to be. He’s extremely rich and throws notoriously debauched parties every night, parties where everyone who’s anyone attends. Helena falls into his world of night, her eyes opened to the possibilities of luxury and immortality, where blood is the only cost of freedom.
But Lucas doesn’t want to let her go, and the game just gets deadlier the more she falls into Vince’s den of monsters.
Red Masquerade is a dark and gothic Great Gatsby-inspired vampire romance. Please check the author's website for content warnings.
467 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2025
21 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Shaye Madison
2 books7 followersShaye Madison writes dark and stormy romances, and when she isn't lurking around book stores and drinking iced chais, she's conjuring up gothic fantasy worlds she (sometimes) wished she lived in. Based in North Carolina, she lives with her partner and their cat, Phoebe. Red Masquerade is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 28, 2024
I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a spicy romance novel! I couldn't get enough, and I can't WAIT for the second book!
The way the author writes is beautiful, and it's not hard to imagine yourself in the book right there along with the characters.
If you haven't read this yet- HURRY UP!!!
The way the author writes is beautiful, and it's not hard to imagine yourself in the book right there along with the characters.
If you haven't read this yet- HURRY UP!!!
January 26, 2025
I will *impatiently* wait for the next book to be released. Red Masquerade is well written and engaging. I found the ending surprising, which I truly appreciated its unpredictability! I loved so many of the characters in the story and am excited to see them develop further in the next book. If you love a spicy dark romance and vampires this is the book for you in 2025. S.M. has a way with words in her descriptions and ability to build a scene that made it easy for me to be immersed in this Gatsby-esque novel. This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts from my partner this year
January 16, 2025
"He looked at me directly. “If it meant we’d be together once again. I’d become a specter if just to follow you and know you were alive and well. I wouldn't let death get in the way of my loving you"
This was so good! It's written in a way that is both dreamy and haunting but introspective and grounded at the same time and the plot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's saucy, darkly sexy and gothic in all the right waysssss! I'm only detracting a star for the cliffhanger (I HATE those) and some other things I wasn't crazy about (more below).
PLOT:
Set against the backdrop of the 1920s and its swirling parties and dark hidden corners, Helena is a wealthy girl running from her past and heartbreak. At a particular party she sees a face she thought she would never see again, that of her lost love, Adam. But Adam is not who he appears to be, he's changed in the years following his injury in the great war and is now Vince Thornton, an exceedingly wealthy vampire. While Helena deals with her feelings for him and what he is, she also has to face her trauma and controlling family all while a sense of mystery permeates everything.
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW!!!
THOUGHTS I HAD WHILE READING :
- this was so engaging, you really get sucked into the world, glittering alcohol soaked parties, dancing, flirting with handsome men and escaping reality while also towing the line of expectation and society.
- I really liked Helena as a character, she's surprisingly self aware and dealing with inner demons. Her mother barely loves or acknowledges her, her brother has come back to torment and marry her off to a stranger and all she's got is her best friend Flora and the parties she sneaks out to, trying to fill the emptiness within her. She's gothic, witty and troubled and while she's happy to have her love back, she's having a hard time coming to grips with the fact he's different, alive and that it's been so long. She's grieved and suffered and meandered through her life, but he was right there the whole time and it's hard for her to accept and adapt.
- I liked the flashbacks where we got to see how Adam and Helena met and were in the past. It was a great juxtaposition of how pure and sweet things were from them when they were younger versus now, where she's older and tired and he's a worldly vampire.
- I loved Adam / Vince as a character. We really get a feel from how he was before, an earnest, hardworking, bright boy willing to do anything for Helena, even go to war. Now he's darker, older and a hardened man with a beast inside and secrets. He's had 6 years to come to terms with his change and why he didn't come back for Helena right away. One thing that did annoy me was that towards the end he kind of treats her like a pet / child? Like he won't talk to her, just expects to be able to keep her safe and doesn't seem to take her concerns seriously and distracts her with sex. I wanted to see a bit more care on his end towards the end. Like I wanted more romance and them reconnecting and it seemed like he was keeping her at arms length.
- I LOVED Flora, she's so light and carefree but you can see how Helena distancing herself is hurting her. (She kind of reminds me of Lottie from the Princess and the Frog movies). I loved seeing her be her own woman and interact with Dixon who is so deeply protective of her. She's a great friend and I loved her spunky, sensual nature.
- the smut was really good IMO! It's not as spicy as some books (it's pretty split between smut and plot) but it totally works. If you're a fan of vampire smut, you'll probably love this!
- WE NEED FLORA AND DIXON NEXT!!!!
- I hate cliffhangers. I really do! If a book is going to have one I like a heads up so I can mentally prepare. Now instead of absolutely loving this book, I'm annoyed I'm going to have to wait forever to know what happened?! BIG pet peeve of mine.
- One thing that confused me was that Adam's eye color keeps changing? He's described as having dark red hair and light amber eyes which we see in some of the art, but even after the change he's also described as having grey / dark eyes? That was a bit confusing to me. There's also so many unanswered questions due to the abrupt end but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
This was so good! It's written in a way that is both dreamy and haunting but introspective and grounded at the same time and the plot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's saucy, darkly sexy and gothic in all the right waysssss! I'm only detracting a star for the cliffhanger (I HATE those) and some other things I wasn't crazy about (more below).
PLOT:
Set against the backdrop of the 1920s and its swirling parties and dark hidden corners, Helena is a wealthy girl running from her past and heartbreak. At a particular party she sees a face she thought she would never see again, that of her lost love, Adam. But Adam is not who he appears to be, he's changed in the years following his injury in the great war and is now Vince Thornton, an exceedingly wealthy vampire. While Helena deals with her feelings for him and what he is, she also has to face her trauma and controlling family all while a sense of mystery permeates everything.
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW!!!
THOUGHTS I HAD WHILE READING :
- this was so engaging, you really get sucked into the world, glittering alcohol soaked parties, dancing, flirting with handsome men and escaping reality while also towing the line of expectation and society.
- I really liked Helena as a character, she's surprisingly self aware and dealing with inner demons. Her mother barely loves or acknowledges her, her brother has come back to torment and marry her off to a stranger and all she's got is her best friend Flora and the parties she sneaks out to, trying to fill the emptiness within her. She's gothic, witty and troubled and while she's happy to have her love back, she's having a hard time coming to grips with the fact he's different, alive and that it's been so long. She's grieved and suffered and meandered through her life, but he was right there the whole time and it's hard for her to accept and adapt.
- I liked the flashbacks where we got to see how Adam and Helena met and were in the past. It was a great juxtaposition of how pure and sweet things were from them when they were younger versus now, where she's older and tired and he's a worldly vampire.
- I loved Adam / Vince as a character. We really get a feel from how he was before, an earnest, hardworking, bright boy willing to do anything for Helena, even go to war. Now he's darker, older and a hardened man with a beast inside and secrets. He's had 6 years to come to terms with his change and why he didn't come back for Helena right away. One thing that did annoy me was that towards the end he kind of treats her like a pet / child? Like he won't talk to her, just expects to be able to keep her safe and doesn't seem to take her concerns seriously and distracts her with sex. I wanted to see a bit more care on his end towards the end. Like I wanted more romance and them reconnecting and it seemed like he was keeping her at arms length.
- I LOVED Flora, she's so light and carefree but you can see how Helena distancing herself is hurting her. (She kind of reminds me of Lottie from the Princess and the Frog movies). I loved seeing her be her own woman and interact with Dixon who is so deeply protective of her. She's a great friend and I loved her spunky, sensual nature.
- the smut was really good IMO! It's not as spicy as some books (it's pretty split between smut and plot) but it totally works. If you're a fan of vampire smut, you'll probably love this!
- WE NEED FLORA AND DIXON NEXT!!!!
- I hate cliffhangers. I really do! If a book is going to have one I like a heads up so I can mentally prepare. Now instead of absolutely loving this book, I'm annoyed I'm going to have to wait forever to know what happened?! BIG pet peeve of mine.
- One thing that confused me was that Adam's eye color keeps changing? He's described as having dark red hair and light amber eyes which we see in some of the art, but even after the change he's also described as having grey / dark eyes? That was a bit confusing to me. There's also so many unanswered questions due to the abrupt end but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
January 18, 2025
An absolutely fantastic debut, I can’t wait to see what this author does next! A character-driven, atmospheric read that will pull you in from the first chapter.
Also, Shaye Madison is a smut writing god.
Also, Shaye Madison is a smut writing god.
April 6, 2025
Great Gatsby x vampire vibes
November 1, 2025
3.5/5 Stars | Gatsby, but Make It Undead 🦇🍸✨
What I liked: You tell me “The Great Gatsby, but with vampires,” and I am already sprinting toward the nearest art deco coffin. The Roaring Twenties glitz mixed with gothic bite? Divine. Add in a layered family dynamic that deepens the familiar story, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for obsession. The concept alone had me saying, “Yes, old sport,” and diving immediately into book two. For me, that’s the ultimate sign of a story with teeth (pun entirely intended).
What I didn’t like: I must, with love, bring up the editing. Grammar gremlins, punctuation poltergeists, and a few structural ghosts made their presence known. The pacing wobbled, the dialogue sometimes clanked, and the relationship development could’ve used a touch more presence. But you know what? It’s an indie debut—and there’s so much promise here. For readers less picky about polish and more here for vibes, I think this would absolutely hit the mark.
What I liked: You tell me “The Great Gatsby, but with vampires,” and I am already sprinting toward the nearest art deco coffin. The Roaring Twenties glitz mixed with gothic bite? Divine. Add in a layered family dynamic that deepens the familiar story, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for obsession. The concept alone had me saying, “Yes, old sport,” and diving immediately into book two. For me, that’s the ultimate sign of a story with teeth (pun entirely intended).
What I didn’t like: I must, with love, bring up the editing. Grammar gremlins, punctuation poltergeists, and a few structural ghosts made their presence known. The pacing wobbled, the dialogue sometimes clanked, and the relationship development could’ve used a touch more presence. But you know what? It’s an indie debut—and there’s so much promise here. For readers less picky about polish and more here for vibes, I think this would absolutely hit the mark.
August 19, 2025
I could not put this book down once I started it. It’s got the glitz and glamour of the 1920s mixed with Twilight vibes in the absolute best way. Our heroine, Helena, is strong-willed and determined to live life on her own terms, pushing back against her mother’s expectations and her brother’s plan to marry her off just to be someone else’s problem.
This story has everything: a second-chance romance, thrills, spice, and a slow widening of the world that keeps you hooked until the very last page. By the heart-stopping end, you realize how cleverly each character’s life is interwoven, for good and definitely for evil. And speaking of evil… that cliffhanger! I’ll be counting down the days until book two!
This story has everything: a second-chance romance, thrills, spice, and a slow widening of the world that keeps you hooked until the very last page. By the heart-stopping end, you realize how cleverly each character’s life is interwoven, for good and definitely for evil. And speaking of evil… that cliffhanger! I’ll be counting down the days until book two!
August 20, 2025
i love that this held the air of a thriller with how tense some scenes felt, like YES actually vampires should be depicted as monsters & not just romanticized as sparkly love interests (not hating on them, just time & place ppl). i also really appreciated that no one was perfect in this book (although the fmc could’ve been even more messy imo) & i really enjoyed that you as the reader could never fully trust anyone bc that’s life — even tho it drove me crazy how trusting the fmc was at times but such is life. also also, i genuinely loled at the scene relating to one of the author’s content/trigger warnings (no spoilers here!) bc i could not take it seriously 🫶
excited to chat abt this in more depth at my local indie bookstore’s book club tmrw night!!
excited to chat abt this in more depth at my local indie bookstore’s book club tmrw night!!
June 3, 2025
It's not that I didn't like it, but 3.5 ⭐️ is the best I can give. it was slow but had a great plot. The few sex scenes were great. The relationship of Helena and Adam was so sweet. It ends with a cliffhanger so you will want to read book 2 whenever that comes. I really hope the next one isn't as drawn out.
January 29, 2025
The Great Gatsby with vampires? Absolutely, 10/10. That cliffhanger?? Please give me book two!
Want to read
October 12, 2025Excited to read this one; I picked it up at a local book fair here in Charlotte, NC.
November 18, 2025
The Great Gatsby, but make it VAMPIRE?! Count me in. This was so much fun, can’t wait to read Blood Veil.
August 28, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75/5)
Set in the 1920, this vampire romance is giving Great Gatsby at its best - roaring parties in the most gorgeous locations, surrounded by the feel of danger and illegality.
We know I love a good atmospheric setting, and this book delivers! Gothic, sparkling, and spicy - what more could you ask for? I'm not usually big on vampires, but this felt like a good deviation from the norm on that front, and even poked fun at a few of the tropes. The author did a great job designing the vampires to truly be seamlessly and invisibly integrated into society. I only wish the action had really kicked in a bit earlier, as it felt a bit scrambled towards the end. Excited for the next one!
Set in the 1920, this vampire romance is giving Great Gatsby at its best - roaring parties in the most gorgeous locations, surrounded by the feel of danger and illegality.
We know I love a good atmospheric setting, and this book delivers! Gothic, sparkling, and spicy - what more could you ask for? I'm not usually big on vampires, but this felt like a good deviation from the norm on that front, and even poked fun at a few of the tropes. The author did a great job designing the vampires to truly be seamlessly and invisibly integrated into society. I only wish the action had really kicked in a bit earlier, as it felt a bit scrambled towards the end. Excited for the next one!
January 2, 2025
I hope you enjoy the dark, gothic vampiness of my book baby. Make sure to check content warnings here-- https://shayemadisonbooks.com/pages/r...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews