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Hidden Women #1
Mujeres ocultas, 1. Tras una máscara
Sarah Thompson viaja a Venecia con un doble objetivo: profundizar en su trabajo de doctorado e intentar, además, superar la ruptura con su novio Steven. Sin embargo, el seductor Marco Donato le roba enseguida la capacidad de concentrarse. A pesar de que su relación es cada vez más profunda, el misterioso millonario la reta a participar en un juego repleto de sombras tras las que él se esconde. ¿De qué está huyendo Marco?
La tesis de Sarah se centra en la joven veneciana Luciana Giordano. En una época en la que el desenfreno sexual era el pasatiempo favorito de la ciudad, la virginal Luciana permanece oculta y custodiada por una estricta carabina… hasta que conoce a Giacomo Casanova. El legendario amante le descubrirá no solo los secretos del erotismo y el placer, sino que también le dará las claves para obtener la libertad.
La tesis de Sarah se centra en la joven veneciana Luciana Giordano. En una época en la que el desenfreno sexual era el pasatiempo favorito de la ciudad, la virginal Luciana permanece oculta y custodiada por una estricta carabina… hasta que conoce a Giacomo Casanova. El legendario amante le descubrirá no solo los secretos del erotismo y el placer, sino que también le dará las claves para obtener la libertad.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
24 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 5, 2013
I want to thank Stella on writing this wonderful book.
It is very cleverly written by bringing together 2 era's....two stories about the discovery of sexuality and sensuality. If you are wanting the usual "Biting of lip" female character, you'll be disappointed, in Sarah you have a stronger woman. With the added mystery of Marco, Stella Knightley leaves you wanting more....
It is very cleverly written by bringing together 2 era's....two stories about the discovery of sexuality and sensuality. If you are wanting the usual "Biting of lip" female character, you'll be disappointed, in Sarah you have a stronger woman. With the added mystery of Marco, Stella Knightley leaves you wanting more....
July 29, 2021
Heroine nya ini peneliti sejarah atau nymphomaniac ya? 🤔 Gw kadang bingung embel² peneliti tapi ceritanya si Sarah ini dibayang-bayangi adegan intim mulu terutama dgn Steven, pacarnya. Steven ini jg punya obsesi seks yg lebay, too much mnrt aku. Namun novel ini serba nanggung sih mnrt gw. Erotica nya (maaf) gak nampol juga, krn saking gak fokus jg sih.
Lalu bagian sisi Luciana Giordano juga aneh, tapi masih mending sih. Dgn setting abad 18, Luciana ini perawan yg menyodorkan keperawanannya pd seorg pria yg dipanggilnya Sang Guru. Lalu pria ini mengenalkan Luciana pd sisi-sisi kelam Venetia. Sayangnya Luciana yg naif ini terlalu idealis yg akhirnya malah merengut masa depannya sendiri. Too stupid to live.
Lalu ada tambahan Marco, anak keturunan orang kaya yg gak jelas pekerjaannya dan sangat misterius. Si Sarah ini mau²nya diatur ini itu yg kagak² oleh Marco. Dan endingnya msh cliffhanger.
Walau bukunya tebal tapi isinya gak ada yg menjelaskan perubahan² sikap tokoh²nya. Yasudahlah, cukup 2 ⭐
Lalu bagian sisi Luciana Giordano juga aneh, tapi masih mending sih. Dgn setting abad 18, Luciana ini perawan yg menyodorkan keperawanannya pd seorg pria yg dipanggilnya Sang Guru. Lalu pria ini mengenalkan Luciana pd sisi-sisi kelam Venetia. Sayangnya Luciana yg naif ini terlalu idealis yg akhirnya malah merengut masa depannya sendiri. Too stupid to live.
Lalu ada tambahan Marco, anak keturunan orang kaya yg gak jelas pekerjaannya dan sangat misterius. Si Sarah ini mau²nya diatur ini itu yg kagak² oleh Marco. Dan endingnya msh cliffhanger.
Walau bukunya tebal tapi isinya gak ada yg menjelaskan perubahan² sikap tokoh²nya. Yasudahlah, cukup 2 ⭐
May 8, 2018
There are so many aspects of this book which I loved. For starters, it was set in my beloved Venice where the architecture and lifestyle was beautifully written about (I am fully envious of the Donato Palazzo and of the home with the monkey knocker!). The main characters were two strong women, not simpering love sick husks of women. Even with Casanova as lover! The running Beauty and the Beast theme (the scene with the rose caught me off guard!). And the wonderful history woven into the story! And the mystery and intrigue of people. Even though the ending was not a happy-ever-after, I'm still quite enamoured by these two wisps of a love story.
April 26, 2013
Originally posted on my blog.
Ever since Fifty Shades of Grey became a smash-hit, many publishers have grown the desire to replicate its success by releasing their very own version of the trilogy. While you can't blame them for this (after all, publishing is a business and they have to make money), it does annoy me that they don't generally pick very imaginative novels. For example, you might remember my review of Sylvia Day's Bared to You, where it seems as though Day hasn't gone to great lengths to separate her plot from that of Fifty Shades (the characters' names are even similar: Eva and Gideon instead of Ana and Christian!).
So when The Girl Behind the Mask arrived in the post, I admit that I was apprehensive about reading it at first glance – the front cover certainly doesn't look any different to other books of its kind. But when I flipped it over and read the back, I could tell that, despite some superficial similarities, this novel would be more unique.
Reading through the chapters, it became increasingly evident that The Girl Behind the Mask wasn't just another carbon-copy. It blends together the lives of two women living in different eras – present day Sarah and eighteenth century Luciana – as they experience the allure of Venice, Italy for the first time.
I enjoyed the very personal feel to both stories; Luciana's is told through a series of diary entries and letters which we read along with Sarah as she does her research. And though Sarah's narrative isn't presented in diary form, I still felt as though she was personally confiding in me as she discusses her life before and after arriving in Venice.
The sex scenes, while unambiguous, are told tastefully. The language used is subtle, rather than being explicit for the sake it (for example, there are no 'C' words here... unless you think that letter stands for the word used to name a male bird!)
Altogether, The Girl Behind the Mask is a multi-layered erotic romance novel with a difference. If you loved Fifty Shades but don't just want to read another version of it, this is probably the novel for you. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for Sarah in The Girl Behind the Fan!
Ever since Fifty Shades of Grey became a smash-hit, many publishers have grown the desire to replicate its success by releasing their very own version of the trilogy. While you can't blame them for this (after all, publishing is a business and they have to make money), it does annoy me that they don't generally pick very imaginative novels. For example, you might remember my review of Sylvia Day's Bared to You, where it seems as though Day hasn't gone to great lengths to separate her plot from that of Fifty Shades (the characters' names are even similar: Eva and Gideon instead of Ana and Christian!).
So when The Girl Behind the Mask arrived in the post, I admit that I was apprehensive about reading it at first glance – the front cover certainly doesn't look any different to other books of its kind. But when I flipped it over and read the back, I could tell that, despite some superficial similarities, this novel would be more unique.
Reading through the chapters, it became increasingly evident that The Girl Behind the Mask wasn't just another carbon-copy. It blends together the lives of two women living in different eras – present day Sarah and eighteenth century Luciana – as they experience the allure of Venice, Italy for the first time.
I enjoyed the very personal feel to both stories; Luciana's is told through a series of diary entries and letters which we read along with Sarah as she does her research. And though Sarah's narrative isn't presented in diary form, I still felt as though she was personally confiding in me as she discusses her life before and after arriving in Venice.
The sex scenes, while unambiguous, are told tastefully. The language used is subtle, rather than being explicit for the sake it (for example, there are no 'C' words here... unless you think that letter stands for the word used to name a male bird!)
Altogether, The Girl Behind the Mask is a multi-layered erotic romance novel with a difference. If you loved Fifty Shades but don't just want to read another version of it, this is probably the novel for you. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing what's next for Sarah in The Girl Behind the Fan!
May 2, 2013
I haven't really read any historical romance, so I wasn't really sure what to make of historical erotic romance...turns out, I love it! The story intertwines beautifully as Sarah, the protaganist researches an erotic story, Lessons in Love written over 3 Centuries ago. The suspected author of said book is a Young girl called Luciana. As Sarah delves into the diaries of Luciana and reads about the Young girls sexual awakening. comparisons can be drawn to Sarah's own life and she embarks on a virtual relationship with the mysterious Marco. As Sarah and Marco share intimate thoughts with each other, including how they lost their virginity, it's sure to make any reader feel nostalgic about their first time. I really enjoyed both the romance and the sexual nature of this book... Will be reading the next installment.
April 4, 2015
16/20
En bref, ce premier tome met en place les relations entre les personnages et nous plonge aussi dans le passé d'une jeune vénitienne qui voulait plus que ce que la vie lui réservait. J'ai adoré ces plongeons entre passé et présent et la façon dont l'auteur fait un parallèle entre les deux histoires. Le final nous promet je l'espère une suite palpitante, je suis d'ores et déjà curieuse de la lire !
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
En bref, ce premier tome met en place les relations entre les personnages et nous plonge aussi dans le passé d'une jeune vénitienne qui voulait plus que ce que la vie lui réservait. J'ai adoré ces plongeons entre passé et présent et la façon dont l'auteur fait un parallèle entre les deux histoires. Le final nous promet je l'espère une suite palpitante, je suis d'ores et déjà curieuse de la lire !
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
August 15, 2017
One of those rare find gems.
(I found it at the library but I'm definitely making an effort to purchase the book. Hopefully I'll find one without that Fifty Shades of Grey reference because this book is by far superior in every way to Fifty Shades but I understand that marketing ploy as much as the next girl. I just have a serious prejudice against Fifty Shades, which almost made me pass this book over completely. Thank goodness I didn't.)
(I found it at the library but I'm definitely making an effort to purchase the book. Hopefully I'll find one without that Fifty Shades of Grey reference because this book is by far superior in every way to Fifty Shades but I understand that marketing ploy as much as the next girl. I just have a serious prejudice against Fifty Shades, which almost made me pass this book over completely. Thank goodness I didn't.)
December 27, 2016
voto 3.5 per l'intera trilogia di media...a volte 4 stelle a volte 3. Sicuramente ben scritto, molto sensuale e mai volgare....ho apprezzato il parallelismo tra gli studi di Sarah e la sua storia...ma avrei voluto più spazio per la sua storia con Marco Donato....consiglio comunque a chi apprezza un pò di erotismo ma senza scadere nei dettagli esagerati.
May 15, 2013
WICKED was gripped from beginning till end , cant wait for next instalment ,i enjoyed every page and will definitely read it again , thanks stella knightley
March 30, 2014
strano che questo libro non sia stato preso in considerazione da noi lettrici subito. Ho trovato la storia bella e originale...
November 29, 2018
Libro scritto molto bene: il presente di Sarah è scritto in prima persona, mentre le parti delle tre protagoniste del passato, sono scritte in terza persona. Il passato si intreccia al presente tramite le pagine dei diari e segue il presente in modo parallelo ed equilibrato.
Le vite di Luciana, Augustine e Kitty sono inserite molto bene nel conesto temporale in cui hanno vissuto e la scrittrice ha trovato per ognuna un carattere differente, con i punti in comune di vivere e lottare per l'amore della vita.
Fino a poco tempo fa (ma anche tutt'oggi purtroppo) le donne venivano considerate come oggetti e le tre protagoniste vivono la loro condizione dell'epoca: Luciana ha il padre padrone che preferisce lasciarla nell'ignoranza, trasformandola in una moglie remissiva. Augustine donna disonorata che lavora per una prostituta dell'epoca, a sua volta diventa cortigiana, è ammirata per la sua bellezza, viene invidiata ma additata come prostituta e il barone la usa come oggetto sessuale.
E infine Kitty che conosce la libertà omosessuale delle persona con cui lavora e che si lascia trasportare dalla vita notturna, mentre si gode l'amore della vita mentre subisce le bruttezze della guerra.
Bellissimo il passaggio di proprietà della perla arcobaleno, che lega tutte e tre le ragazze e del ruolo che assume per ognuna di loro.
Le tre ragazze vivono l'amore in modo giovane, intenso, profondamente, amano la vita e accettano il destino in maniera differente, e Sarah da loro impara a essere forte a vivere e ad amare.
Marco... che dire di quest'uomo che si castiga e si nega non solo al mondo ma alla vita, si punisce rifiutando di farsi amare, accontentandosi di amare a distanza.
Sarah, ha come ognuno di noi una parte selvaggia e segreta che però vuole domare e trattenere, lasciando libera la fantasia per vivere pienamente solamente l'amore che tutto da e nulla chiede. Per non parlare dei suoi sogni onirici, misteriosi ed erotici.
Probabilmente il primo libro è più hot degli altri, ma non c'è niente di scabroso, perverso o tremendamente spinto: è osè e pepato al punto giusto.
Un piccolo appunto per Silvio il discreto quanto determinante domestico, che appare a margine della storia ma dal ruolo davvero determinante.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa trilogia, lasciando da parte quel titolo che poco la rappresenta, dimenticatevene e immergetevi nelle vite di Luciana, Augustine, Kitty, Sarah, Marco e di tutti quelli che li hanno circondati.
Le vite di Luciana, Augustine e Kitty sono inserite molto bene nel conesto temporale in cui hanno vissuto e la scrittrice ha trovato per ognuna un carattere differente, con i punti in comune di vivere e lottare per l'amore della vita.
Fino a poco tempo fa (ma anche tutt'oggi purtroppo) le donne venivano considerate come oggetti e le tre protagoniste vivono la loro condizione dell'epoca: Luciana ha il padre padrone che preferisce lasciarla nell'ignoranza, trasformandola in una moglie remissiva. Augustine donna disonorata che lavora per una prostituta dell'epoca, a sua volta diventa cortigiana, è ammirata per la sua bellezza, viene invidiata ma additata come prostituta e il barone la usa come oggetto sessuale.
E infine Kitty che conosce la libertà omosessuale delle persona con cui lavora e che si lascia trasportare dalla vita notturna, mentre si gode l'amore della vita mentre subisce le bruttezze della guerra.
Bellissimo il passaggio di proprietà della perla arcobaleno, che lega tutte e tre le ragazze e del ruolo che assume per ognuna di loro.
Le tre ragazze vivono l'amore in modo giovane, intenso, profondamente, amano la vita e accettano il destino in maniera differente, e Sarah da loro impara a essere forte a vivere e ad amare.
Marco... che dire di quest'uomo che si castiga e si nega non solo al mondo ma alla vita, si punisce rifiutando di farsi amare, accontentandosi di amare a distanza.
Sarah, ha come ognuno di noi una parte selvaggia e segreta che però vuole domare e trattenere, lasciando libera la fantasia per vivere pienamente solamente l'amore che tutto da e nulla chiede. Per non parlare dei suoi sogni onirici, misteriosi ed erotici.
Probabilmente il primo libro è più hot degli altri, ma non c'è niente di scabroso, perverso o tremendamente spinto: è osè e pepato al punto giusto.
Un piccolo appunto per Silvio il discreto quanto determinante domestico, che appare a margine della storia ma dal ruolo davvero determinante.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa trilogia, lasciando da parte quel titolo che poco la rappresenta, dimenticatevene e immergetevi nelle vite di Luciana, Augustine, Kitty, Sarah, Marco e di tutti quelli che li hanno circondati.
July 15, 2018
Aburridísima.
Luciana, una noble veneciana encerrada en una casa para que se mantenga segura, decide salir a explorar vestida de hombre en el bote del clérigo que viene a “confesar” todas las noches a su carabina.
Se encuentra con Giacomo que la va seduciendo mientras le da clases.
Ella escribe su historia en cartas y en la actualidad Sarah investiga in situ las cartas para entender qué pasó con ella, mientras tiene sueños húmedos con un desconocido. Steven, su ex.
Cuando Luciana cuenta su primera relación sexual con Giacomo, Sarah descubre que ella es la escritora de una novela sin autor.
Sarah se comunica por e-mail con Marco, un Playboy dueño de una biblioteca privada. Comienzan a contarse cosas privadas.
Su ex Steven reaparece y la lleva a una orgía. Ella se enoja por una tercera y ella le reprocha que le enrostre su relación con otra. Pero él quería algo más que el sexo vainilla.
Un día Marco le da instrucciones a Sarah para masturbarse en la Biblioteca. Luego le envía un vestido y una máscara para un baile. Pero ella decide demostrarle que no la puede comprar dándoselo a su amiga. En el baile una mano quemada asusta a su amiga y Sarah sospecha que puede ser Marco.
Luciana recibe la oferta de matrimonio de un duque que estaba enamorado de Ernesta, y quería tomarla como amante pero todos los regalos que le hacía, no eran suficientes aún. En el encuentro Luciana deja caer su rosario y una perla que le regaló Ernesta.
El duque se entera que encuentran a Luciana en la cama del mayor calavera y le cuenta a su padre. La mandan a un convento donde pretenden cortarle el cabello y venderlo.
Marco escribe que no asistió al baile.
Luciana, que se había adaptado a las monjas y ya no era rebelde, recibe al mono de Ernesta con veneno y una nota que le enviaba Giacomo para morir juntos y dejar las desgracias. La dejaron en una cripta y el tío la veló y a su hermana toda la noche. Pero no era el tío, sino Giacomo, y no era veneno, sino una pócima para dormir.
Ella despertó con Giacomo. Él la envió sola a Trentino y luego le envió una copia de su diario publicado como anónimo.
Marco reconocía que no estaba seguro de mostrar su nuevo rostro.
Luciana, una noble veneciana encerrada en una casa para que se mantenga segura, decide salir a explorar vestida de hombre en el bote del clérigo que viene a “confesar” todas las noches a su carabina.
Se encuentra con Giacomo que la va seduciendo mientras le da clases.
Ella escribe su historia en cartas y en la actualidad Sarah investiga in situ las cartas para entender qué pasó con ella, mientras tiene sueños húmedos con un desconocido. Steven, su ex.
Cuando Luciana cuenta su primera relación sexual con Giacomo, Sarah descubre que ella es la escritora de una novela sin autor.
Sarah se comunica por e-mail con Marco, un Playboy dueño de una biblioteca privada. Comienzan a contarse cosas privadas.
Su ex Steven reaparece y la lleva a una orgía. Ella se enoja por una tercera y ella le reprocha que le enrostre su relación con otra. Pero él quería algo más que el sexo vainilla.
Un día Marco le da instrucciones a Sarah para masturbarse en la Biblioteca. Luego le envía un vestido y una máscara para un baile. Pero ella decide demostrarle que no la puede comprar dándoselo a su amiga. En el baile una mano quemada asusta a su amiga y Sarah sospecha que puede ser Marco.
Luciana recibe la oferta de matrimonio de un duque que estaba enamorado de Ernesta, y quería tomarla como amante pero todos los regalos que le hacía, no eran suficientes aún. En el encuentro Luciana deja caer su rosario y una perla que le regaló Ernesta.
El duque se entera que encuentran a Luciana en la cama del mayor calavera y le cuenta a su padre. La mandan a un convento donde pretenden cortarle el cabello y venderlo.
Marco escribe que no asistió al baile.
Luciana, que se había adaptado a las monjas y ya no era rebelde, recibe al mono de Ernesta con veneno y una nota que le enviaba Giacomo para morir juntos y dejar las desgracias. La dejaron en una cripta y el tío la veló y a su hermana toda la noche. Pero no era el tío, sino Giacomo, y no era veneno, sino una pócima para dormir.
Ella despertó con Giacomo. Él la envió sola a Trentino y luego le envió una copia de su diario publicado como anónimo.
Marco reconocía que no estaba seguro de mostrar su nuevo rostro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2019
Este libro me recuerda al Infierno de Gabriel y a La Historia de X porque transcurre en la bella Italia, y en este caso en vez de hablar de Beatriz y Danto hablamos de Casanova y Luciana con una mescla de la Bella y la Bestia.
Sinceramente este libro tiene escenas de relleno, escenas de sexo que no le importan a nadie y eventos del pasado que ocupaban como 3 capítulos (y no me refiero a la historia de Luciana), que llego un punto en el que enserio me interese por que sucedía con ella
Aquí lo que nos mantiene interesados es Marco y Sarah, y si creen que ese final con mucha falta de respuestas me hará leer el siguiente libro, pues estan en lo correcto, por ellos leeré el siguiente libro
Sinceramente este libro tiene escenas de relleno, escenas de sexo que no le importan a nadie y eventos del pasado que ocupaban como 3 capítulos (y no me refiero a la historia de Luciana), que llego un punto en el que enserio me interese por que sucedía con ella
Aquí lo que nos mantiene interesados es Marco y Sarah, y si creen que ese final con mucha falta de respuestas me hará leer el siguiente libro, pues estan en lo correcto, por ellos leeré el siguiente libro
November 2, 2019
Classico romance leggero da spiaggia, leggermente spinto ma una piacevole lettura che si fa in poche ore/giorni.
In questo libro le protagoniste sono le donne.
Di epoca passata e presente, tutte e due con la voglia di scoprirsi e scoprire il mondo.
In questo libro le protagoniste sono le donne.
Di epoca passata e presente, tutte e due con la voglia di scoprirsi e scoprire il mondo.
February 28, 2022
Whilst I enjoyed this book I won't bother getting my hands on the other two.
August 27, 2022
Vraiment super livre, mélangant l'érotisme, l'amour, l'histoire, l'indépendance des femmes... Vraiment très bon livre. Les flash du passé sont super bien intégrés dans l'histoire. - 0,5 parce qu'il manque un petit quelque-chose pour qu'il soit parfait.
July 29, 2017
It's rather late in the day to be reading and reviewing an erotic novel. Shades of Grey-mania has passed. And passed me by during the three years since my daughter's birth where I haven't read so much as a warning on the back of a fag packet (mainly because I gave up smoking and reading around the same time).
Three long years since I settled back with a good book.
But I have Stella Knightley aka. famous novelist Chrissie Manby to thank for getting me back in the saddle again in a literary - and also (ahem) - physical sense. Although her pen name is Chrissie - I actually know her as Chris. That's right I know her. Sort of. She is in fact the most famous person I have ever met (apart from Stuart Hall who we don't mention anymore). She's a friend of a friend and someone with whom I spent an evening with in Paris, New Year's eve 2001. She is also - like me - adopted. A connection that I never forgot. And even though when we met, my memory blanked out the fact that 4 of her published novels were sitting on my bookshelf and my opener was 'Oh have you ever written anything I might have read?', she hasn't blanked me out. That's how nice she is. So when I asked a few weeks ago for a copy of her first foray into the world of erotica... she obligingly sent it all the way to Sweden.
Three long years since I settled back with a good book.
But I have Stella Knightley aka. famous novelist Chrissie Manby to thank for getting me back in the saddle again in a literary - and also (ahem) - physical sense. Although her pen name is Chrissie - I actually know her as Chris. That's right I know her. Sort of. She is in fact the most famous person I have ever met (apart from Stuart Hall who we don't mention anymore). She's a friend of a friend and someone with whom I spent an evening with in Paris, New Year's eve 2001. She is also - like me - adopted. A connection that I never forgot. And even though when we met, my memory blanked out the fact that 4 of her published novels were sitting on my bookshelf and my opener was 'Oh have you ever written anything I might have read?', she hasn't blanked me out. That's how nice she is. So when I asked a few weeks ago for a copy of her first foray into the world of erotica... she obligingly sent it all the way to Sweden.
The Girl behind the Mask - decorated just as it should be in hot pink and black - is a subtle and seductive introduction to a rather English Erotic heroine. The book is well plotted (not just barely linked sexual encounters) and uses a double threaded storyline (similar to Kate Morten's The House at Riverton) of a protagonist, seeking answers to a 'sexy' mystery in the past. Usually (and I say usually with the assured expertise of someone whose read only one erotic novel until now) one wouldn't read an erotic novel for the story...and so it was that I hurried through the opening blurb to page 17 where I could read about sex.
Writing - and reading - about sex is intensely personal. I know, because I've done it. And as we all know authors have a habit of writing from personal experience. What a blessed relief this one was. No chains, no whips, no ball gag. Just a real, sexy and titillating description of the best vanilla sex you've ever had (in the beginning of the book at least...). Most have been there, because in general vanilla sex, is how anyone begins their sexual encounters. And as opposed to my other well-thumbed tome, this one actually described hot one-on-one sex... my kind of sex.
My original intention was to skip past to the next sexy part, but the book captivated me for its story. Intrigue and romance grounded in a historical fiction mystery with dollops of explictly arousing sex thrown in - sometimes obviously so - but welcome nonetheless. And as a practising polyamorist, the terrifying and yet sexually arousing encounter of the first toe dip into swinging she describes is one I've experienced in person.
Either "Stella" has a pretty good imagination, or she's had a good time researching the novel...:-P
In fact, the girl behind the mask is exceedingly enjoyable on so many levels for me. Not least the awakening my sexual ardour after so much downtime as a new Mum. I'm anticipating the next in the trilogy for the story, the historical fiction, the familiarity of tentative sexual debauchery, the oh-so-english heroine who has sex like me and just maybe getting a glimpse of the real Girl behind the Mask through her writing. The nice down-to-earth yet famous girl I once hung out with in Paris, Chris Manby.
Review republished from author's own Book Reviews at Louisa Leontiades
September 6, 2015
Vous me connaissez maintenant assez bien pour savoir que ce genre d'histoire est pour moi, le genre que je préfère. En plus d'après babelio, je suis quand même l'experte erotisme #1. Mais ce que j'ai aimé surtout c'est le fait que l'histoire se passe à Venise. Ça a complètement fait pencher la balance vers un énième coup de coeur pour moi.
L'histoire débute sur l'extrait que je vous offre plus bas. Et déjà mon cerveau est en ébullition. Venise en 1753, j'imagine les merveilleuses robes, les masques, les gondoles, les courtisanes, Casanova ...Enfin bref, vous vous imaginez où je veux en venir. Et hop, retour à notre époque avec Sarah Thomson, étudiante en histoire qui se rend à Venise pour rédiger sa thèse sur Luciana Giordano. Elle aura la chance d'étudier le journal intime de la demoiselle, dans la bibliothèque privée du Palazzo Donato. Elle fera donc la connaissance de son propriétaire par la voie virtuelle et entre eux se nouent une certaine intimité.
J'étais été complètement captivée par l'histoire, je l'ai d'ailleurs dévoré très vite, mais à un moment quand Sarah explique à Marco de quelle façon elle s'est mise à apprécier l'histoire de l'Italie. J'ai eu un moment de blanc. Je me suis dit : "Mince, j'ai déjà lu ça quelque part !".
Du coup plus moyen de me sortir de la tête cette impression de déjà vu, jusqu'à la fin de l'histoire et ne me demandez pas pourquoi, je ne saurais vous le dire. Peut-être parce que j'ai regardé les films de "Casanova" (avec Heath Ledger) et "la courtisane" (avec Catherine McCormack)? Ou alors parce que j'avais lu une fanfiction ou un livre qui aurait eu le même sujet ou quelque chose d'approchant ? Du coup, j'ai vu venir le clou de l'histoire des kilomètres avant, mais ce n'est pas grave, ça ne m'a pas dérangé plus que ça. Toutefois est-il que j'ai beaucoup aimé les passages qui reviennent sur Venise en 1753. Je crois que mon esprit a apprécié s'évader bien au-delà des frontières.
En ce qui concerne le personnage de Sarah, je l'ai trouvé très charmante mais surtout très intéressante du point de vue de ses recherches, elle ne se laisse pas facilement abattre et même lorsque quelque chose vient se mettre en travers de son chemin, elle n'abandonne pas facilement, quitte à tenter d'obtenir ce qu'elle veut d'une autre façon. Bref, elle est prête à tout.
Quand a Marco Donato, il reste un personnage très mystérieux, l'auteur a très bien réussit à faire en sorte qu'on se pose des tonnes de questions sur lui. Enfin moi, je me pose surtout la question de savoir si ce que je pense est correcte.
Ce que j'ai aimé aussi c'est que pour une fois, les scènes de sexe ne sont pas réelles. Elles sont soient des flash-back de Luciana et de son amant ou alors des songes à Sarah. J'ai hâte de découvrir la suite maintenant, afin de savoir si l'essentiel de ce que j'ai en tête est ce que l'auteur a imaginé.
Alors dépêchez-vous d'aller à la librairie pour vous procurer ce livre qui sort demain. Moi je vais me lamenter en patientant jusqu'au 19 juin que sorte le second tome.
L'histoire débute sur l'extrait que je vous offre plus bas. Et déjà mon cerveau est en ébullition. Venise en 1753, j'imagine les merveilleuses robes, les masques, les gondoles, les courtisanes, Casanova ...Enfin bref, vous vous imaginez où je veux en venir. Et hop, retour à notre époque avec Sarah Thomson, étudiante en histoire qui se rend à Venise pour rédiger sa thèse sur Luciana Giordano. Elle aura la chance d'étudier le journal intime de la demoiselle, dans la bibliothèque privée du Palazzo Donato. Elle fera donc la connaissance de son propriétaire par la voie virtuelle et entre eux se nouent une certaine intimité.
J'étais été complètement captivée par l'histoire, je l'ai d'ailleurs dévoré très vite, mais à un moment quand Sarah explique à Marco de quelle façon elle s'est mise à apprécier l'histoire de l'Italie. J'ai eu un moment de blanc. Je me suis dit : "Mince, j'ai déjà lu ça quelque part !".
Du coup plus moyen de me sortir de la tête cette impression de déjà vu, jusqu'à la fin de l'histoire et ne me demandez pas pourquoi, je ne saurais vous le dire. Peut-être parce que j'ai regardé les films de "Casanova" (avec Heath Ledger) et "la courtisane" (avec Catherine McCormack)? Ou alors parce que j'avais lu une fanfiction ou un livre qui aurait eu le même sujet ou quelque chose d'approchant ? Du coup, j'ai vu venir le clou de l'histoire des kilomètres avant, mais ce n'est pas grave, ça ne m'a pas dérangé plus que ça. Toutefois est-il que j'ai beaucoup aimé les passages qui reviennent sur Venise en 1753. Je crois que mon esprit a apprécié s'évader bien au-delà des frontières.
En ce qui concerne le personnage de Sarah, je l'ai trouvé très charmante mais surtout très intéressante du point de vue de ses recherches, elle ne se laisse pas facilement abattre et même lorsque quelque chose vient se mettre en travers de son chemin, elle n'abandonne pas facilement, quitte à tenter d'obtenir ce qu'elle veut d'une autre façon. Bref, elle est prête à tout.
Quand a Marco Donato, il reste un personnage très mystérieux, l'auteur a très bien réussit à faire en sorte qu'on se pose des tonnes de questions sur lui. Enfin moi, je me pose surtout la question de savoir si ce que je pense est correcte.
Ce que j'ai aimé aussi c'est que pour une fois, les scènes de sexe ne sont pas réelles. Elles sont soient des flash-back de Luciana et de son amant ou alors des songes à Sarah. J'ai hâte de découvrir la suite maintenant, afin de savoir si l'essentiel de ce que j'ai en tête est ce que l'auteur a imaginé.
Alors dépêchez-vous d'aller à la librairie pour vous procurer ce livre qui sort demain. Moi je vais me lamenter en patientant jusqu'au 19 juin que sorte le second tome.
February 24, 2015
A very sad novel. It certainly delivers on the promise of erotica, but I found myself skipping those bits for the storyline! (Who reads porn mags for the articles? Me) The story-within-a-story format held up but I actually read Sarah's arc first (skipping Luciana's) and then went back and read Luciana's in the last third of the book.
I am very happy that the author did not choose to spell out the obvious in-your-face (literally) twist, but rather leave it for us to acknowledge/be surprised by in the next installment.
The book is not strong story-wise, running in a formulaic girl-torn-two-ways, but is masterful in the manipulation of emotions. The characters are very strong, especially Marco - his self-inflicted isolation and punishment and the motivations behind it carry a very identifiable Rochester-esque feel. I cried at his embarrassment and shame and withdrawal, and thought it perfectly suited the sexual over-indulgence of his past and of the book itself.
This book, at its heart, is really exploring the central theme of the separation of sex, commitment and love. Each is a different aspect of a romantic relationship and this author has much to say about each of the three. Steven represented the need for sex, Sarah the need for commitment, and Marco the need for love. Each is beautiful in its own way, but when these needs are not met, thoughts become twisted and desperate, and heartache ensues.
Steven emotionally blackmailed Sarah, knowing full well that she was not comfortable with the direction their sexual relationship had taken, yet beseeching her to go along with him and continue. Sarah, on the other hand, was willing to put herself in situations she was not comfortable with just so Steven would stay with her. Finally Marco: flakey, unable to give Sarah any assurances, unable to satisfy her sexually (or unable to view himself as sexually satisfying because of his disfigurement). These people are one combined hot mess.
The author uses the dysfunction to take relationships to the extremes; and shows ultimately what happens when your needs for sex, security, and love are not met. Would give 3.5 if I could.
I am very happy that the author did not choose to spell out the obvious in-your-face (literally) twist, but rather leave it for us to acknowledge/be surprised by in the next installment.
The book is not strong story-wise, running in a formulaic girl-torn-two-ways, but is masterful in the manipulation of emotions. The characters are very strong, especially Marco - his self-inflicted isolation and punishment and the motivations behind it carry a very identifiable Rochester-esque feel. I cried at his embarrassment and shame and withdrawal, and thought it perfectly suited the sexual over-indulgence of his past and of the book itself.
This book, at its heart, is really exploring the central theme of the separation of sex, commitment and love. Each is a different aspect of a romantic relationship and this author has much to say about each of the three. Steven represented the need for sex, Sarah the need for commitment, and Marco the need for love. Each is beautiful in its own way, but when these needs are not met, thoughts become twisted and desperate, and heartache ensues.
Steven emotionally blackmailed Sarah, knowing full well that she was not comfortable with the direction their sexual relationship had taken, yet beseeching her to go along with him and continue. Sarah, on the other hand, was willing to put herself in situations she was not comfortable with just so Steven would stay with her. Finally Marco: flakey, unable to give Sarah any assurances, unable to satisfy her sexually (or unable to view himself as sexually satisfying because of his disfigurement). These people are one combined hot mess.
The author uses the dysfunction to take relationships to the extremes; and shows ultimately what happens when your needs for sex, security, and love are not met. Would give 3.5 if I could.
June 16, 2016
Jeux de masques est une romance mêlant érotisme et histoire, à travers un récit à deux voix.
Sarah est une jeune universitaire, ses recherches portent sur Luciana Giordano, une jeune vénitienne ayant vécu au 18ème siècle et dont la vie dégage un sulfureux parfum de mystère. Sarah est intimement persuadée que la jeune fille est l'auteur d'un livre attribué au fameux Casanova, ayant fait scandale à l'époque.
C'est dans le cadre de son travail que Sarah est amenée à s'installer à Venise, et elle va avoir une chance inouïe en ayant accès à la bibliothèque de Marco Donato, cél��bre homme d'affaires. En effet, Marco garde jalousement ses secrets et ses ressources littéraires, mais Sarah va pouvoir découvrir des documents précieux : le journal intime de Luciana, et ainsi poursuivre ses recherches tout en s'immergeant au plus près de la personnalité et de la vie de sa jeune "protégée".
On suit donc en parallèle la vie de deux jeunes femmes, à plusieurs siècles d'intervalles, les récits étant évidemment tous les deux à la première personne.
L'histoire de Luciana est celle d'un éveil, à la fois intellectuel et sensuel, une libération du carcan dans lequel son père, extrêmement pieux, l'a enfermée.
L'histoire de Sarah est celle d'une femme qui essaie de remonter la pente après une rupture difficile, et elle aussi connaîtra la sensualité à travers sa relation avec Marco.
Bien que le résumé m'ait attiré, je n'ai pas réussi à rentrer dans ce livre, à m'attacher aux personnages et ressentir des choses, si ce n'est de l'ennui. Je n'ai pas adhéré au personnage de Sarah, un peu plus à celui de Luciana, et encore. Le récit est parfois sensuel certes, mais pour moi, les promesses ne sont pas tenues.
Je me demande ce qu'il adviendra de Sarah et de Marco dans le deuxième tome, peut-être aurai-je la curiosité de le lire, qui sait ?
Sarah est une jeune universitaire, ses recherches portent sur Luciana Giordano, une jeune vénitienne ayant vécu au 18ème siècle et dont la vie dégage un sulfureux parfum de mystère. Sarah est intimement persuadée que la jeune fille est l'auteur d'un livre attribué au fameux Casanova, ayant fait scandale à l'époque.
C'est dans le cadre de son travail que Sarah est amenée à s'installer à Venise, et elle va avoir une chance inouïe en ayant accès à la bibliothèque de Marco Donato, cél��bre homme d'affaires. En effet, Marco garde jalousement ses secrets et ses ressources littéraires, mais Sarah va pouvoir découvrir des documents précieux : le journal intime de Luciana, et ainsi poursuivre ses recherches tout en s'immergeant au plus près de la personnalité et de la vie de sa jeune "protégée".
On suit donc en parallèle la vie de deux jeunes femmes, à plusieurs siècles d'intervalles, les récits étant évidemment tous les deux à la première personne.
L'histoire de Luciana est celle d'un éveil, à la fois intellectuel et sensuel, une libération du carcan dans lequel son père, extrêmement pieux, l'a enfermée.
L'histoire de Sarah est celle d'une femme qui essaie de remonter la pente après une rupture difficile, et elle aussi connaîtra la sensualité à travers sa relation avec Marco.
Bien que le résumé m'ait attiré, je n'ai pas réussi à rentrer dans ce livre, à m'attacher aux personnages et ressentir des choses, si ce n'est de l'ennui. Je n'ai pas adhéré au personnage de Sarah, un peu plus à celui de Luciana, et encore. Le récit est parfois sensuel certes, mais pour moi, les promesses ne sont pas tenues.
Je me demande ce qu'il adviendra de Sarah et de Marco dans le deuxième tome, peut-être aurai-je la curiosité de le lire, qui sait ?
June 10, 2013
I got this book because for one it came highly recommended and two it states on its cover 'Loved Fifty Shades?'. Well actually no I didn't, I hated fifty shades. For me it is the most pathetic book I have ever read. I am far from Prudish and I have a collection of erotica from various authors and various times. I was very intrigued to see how much like fifty shades it actually was. Knowing the author I had my suspicions it would be nothing at all like it, secretly hoping it would be full of hidden depth.
I was thrilled that my suspicions were correct and I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only do we have a fabulous story with an erotic twist here, we have a brilliant adult tale of love and debauchery.
I must admit I did find it long, but saying that the length is needed for the desired effect as it is told by in dual narration in different eras. I however, did want more from the side of Luciana Giordano. I found her exciting, exotic and adorable, I could have read a whole book about just her alone. I found Sarah very complicated and annoying, she whined far too much for my liking.
I felt slightly deflated after finishing this book too, but as it is carried on in a second part book named 'The Girl Behind The Fan'. I will be giving it a try just because I'm nosy and my curiosity will always win. I want to know what happens next.
I actually think this book is well thought out, excellently written and should take off that fifty shades thing on its cover.
It is a classy erotica novel with a fabulous story. I recommend it to romance readers and people who love a good twist.
I was thrilled that my suspicions were correct and I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only do we have a fabulous story with an erotic twist here, we have a brilliant adult tale of love and debauchery.
I must admit I did find it long, but saying that the length is needed for the desired effect as it is told by in dual narration in different eras. I however, did want more from the side of Luciana Giordano. I found her exciting, exotic and adorable, I could have read a whole book about just her alone. I found Sarah very complicated and annoying, she whined far too much for my liking.
I felt slightly deflated after finishing this book too, but as it is carried on in a second part book named 'The Girl Behind The Fan'. I will be giving it a try just because I'm nosy and my curiosity will always win. I want to know what happens next.
I actually think this book is well thought out, excellently written and should take off that fifty shades thing on its cover.
It is a classy erotica novel with a fabulous story. I recommend it to romance readers and people who love a good twist.
September 1, 2014
Absolutely amazing read. Such an intricately written book with so many threads flowing through it but it is the first book I have read in a long while that has had me so intrigued and my attention grabbed so much that I literally haven't been able to put the book down.
The premise of Sarah being an historian is amazing and reading her story in tandem with that of a courtesan in the 1700's was totally unique! I have adored the brewing relationship (if you can call it that!) between Sarah and Marco and cannot believe how the book ends! I am just thankful the entire series is now out and believe me I will be devouring it in one go!
I am a bit mixed about reading historical romances but the insight into the life of Luciana and how her and Sarah's paths actually cross in may ways. I have loved the scene that Stella sets in Venice and you feel almost as if you are there with Sarah.
It's like a two for one romance novel. Luciana's struggles as a cloistered daughter of a wealthy Venetian family and her "education" is so beautifully entwined in Sarah's research and her growing feelings for the elusive private library owner. There are so many threads o both so tires but you are left somewhat satisfied at the end of the book but the epilogue leads you to wanting more! Stella does a fantastic job of dropping subtle hints in the book about the characters and I am left with a sense of happy anticipation for what the next book holds!
Fantastic story and it is a strong five star read for me!
The premise of Sarah being an historian is amazing and reading her story in tandem with that of a courtesan in the 1700's was totally unique! I have adored the brewing relationship (if you can call it that!) between Sarah and Marco and cannot believe how the book ends! I am just thankful the entire series is now out and believe me I will be devouring it in one go!
I am a bit mixed about reading historical romances but the insight into the life of Luciana and how her and Sarah's paths actually cross in may ways. I have loved the scene that Stella sets in Venice and you feel almost as if you are there with Sarah.
It's like a two for one romance novel. Luciana's struggles as a cloistered daughter of a wealthy Venetian family and her "education" is so beautifully entwined in Sarah's research and her growing feelings for the elusive private library owner. There are so many threads o both so tires but you are left somewhat satisfied at the end of the book but the epilogue leads you to wanting more! Stella does a fantastic job of dropping subtle hints in the book about the characters and I am left with a sense of happy anticipation for what the next book holds!
Fantastic story and it is a strong five star read for me!
March 2, 2015
I haven't read a book with quite this blend of genres before, and I have to say I enjoyed it. I'd call it erotic/historic/contemporary/romance. In that order. It was actually very well done, once I got past the first gratuitous erotic dream. I've always liked books that blend a historic story with a contemporary character, and Knightley has done a good job with that aspect - Luciana's diary and letters added an extra, very interesting, dimension to the story. I wish Luciana and her encounters with Cassanova were real - I'm not a history expert but the way Knightley wrote those parts made it very believable, to the extent that I actually looked up the name Luciana Giordano to see if she was a real historical figure. I was disappointed to find that she wasn't.
I also very much enjoyed the fact that the book was set in Venice. It's a wonderful city, and Knightley described it well. It added a certain atmomsphere to the story that just wouldn't be there if it had been based in a British or US city. The sex scenes were quite obvious, but they were tastefully written. I found them sensuous and erotic, intriguing and arousing. I found the ending a little disappointing because I didn't realise the book was the first in a trilogy, so I guess I'll just have to get the other two to satisfy my need for a good ending.
I also very much enjoyed the fact that the book was set in Venice. It's a wonderful city, and Knightley described it well. It added a certain atmomsphere to the story that just wouldn't be there if it had been based in a British or US city. The sex scenes were quite obvious, but they were tastefully written. I found them sensuous and erotic, intriguing and arousing. I found the ending a little disappointing because I didn't realise the book was the first in a trilogy, so I guess I'll just have to get the other two to satisfy my need for a good ending.
June 18, 2014
Oh my oh my.
Sejujurnya, buku ini bisa jadi menarik. Sayangnya gw baca edisi bahasa yang terjemahannya yang jelek banget. Hampir mirip The Rossetti Letter (but trust me The Rossetti Letter jauh lebih bagus, apalagi terjemahannya cakep), Sarah pergi ke Venice untuk mengobati luka hatinya sekaligus meriset The Lover's Lessons, literatur yang ditulis lebih dari 3 abad yang lalu. Historian percaya itu merupakan karya Casanova, tapi Sarah menemukan bukti buku itu ditulis oleh seorang remaja perempuan bernama Luciana Giordano yang mengalami banyak pergolakan dalam hidupnya. Perjalanannya ke Venice membuatnya mengenal Marco Donato, sosok lelaki misterius yang hanya bisa dikenalnya melalui surel, bahkan sampai buku selesai.
Erotic romance, mungkin penggemar Fifty Shades bakal suka. Gw baca karena settingnya Venice dan referensi sejarah abad 16, of course. Mau baca kelanjutannya tapi yang english aja.
Sejujurnya, buku ini bisa jadi menarik. Sayangnya gw baca edisi bahasa yang terjemahannya yang jelek banget. Hampir mirip The Rossetti Letter (but trust me The Rossetti Letter jauh lebih bagus, apalagi terjemahannya cakep), Sarah pergi ke Venice untuk mengobati luka hatinya sekaligus meriset The Lover's Lessons, literatur yang ditulis lebih dari 3 abad yang lalu. Historian percaya itu merupakan karya Casanova, tapi Sarah menemukan bukti buku itu ditulis oleh seorang remaja perempuan bernama Luciana Giordano yang mengalami banyak pergolakan dalam hidupnya. Perjalanannya ke Venice membuatnya mengenal Marco Donato, sosok lelaki misterius yang hanya bisa dikenalnya melalui surel, bahkan sampai buku selesai.
Erotic romance, mungkin penggemar Fifty Shades bakal suka. Gw baca karena settingnya Venice dan referensi sejarah abad 16, of course. Mau baca kelanjutannya tapi yang english aja.
May 13, 2015
Ho iniziato a leggerlo convinta, visto il titolo della trilogia, di ritrovarmi immersa in un libro con il solito miliardario impelagato con la ragazza della porta accanto di turno, ed invece mi son scoperta a leggerlo tutto d'un fiato poiché ha fatto scaturire in me una feroce curiosità ed una febbrile ricerca del lieto fine.
E' un libro che seduce, una doppia trama intreccia con un filo sottile la protagonista Sarah Thomson e...
http://piecesofbooksblog.blogspot.it/...
E' un libro che seduce, una doppia trama intreccia con un filo sottile la protagonista Sarah Thomson e...
http://piecesofbooksblog.blogspot.it/...
August 21, 2015
Più leggo libri del genere e più mi domando perchè degli autori o delle autrici che hanno in mano un soggetto accettabile e una trama anche carina, si ostini a infilarci descrizioni anatomiche dettagliate dell'atto sessuale. A mio parere non è assolutamente necessario.
In questo romanzo, ad esempio, la storia è carina, anche se un po' prevedibile. L'unico punto in cui mi sono stupita è stato durante il loro primo incontro. Sinceramente mi aspettavo un finale diverso, ma la cosa mi ha piacevolmente colpita, anche perchè per una volta la protagonista ha scelto se stessa invece che il solito uomo di turno.
Avrebbe potuto guadagnarsi una stellina in più da parte mia. Peccato.
Ho buone speranze per il seguito.
In questo romanzo, ad esempio, la storia è carina, anche se un po' prevedibile. L'unico punto in cui mi sono stupita è stato durante il loro primo incontro. Sinceramente mi aspettavo un finale diverso, ma la cosa mi ha piacevolmente colpita, anche perchè per una volta la protagonista ha scelto se stessa invece che il solito uomo di turno.
Avrebbe potuto guadagnarsi una stellina in più da parte mia. Peccato.
Ho buone speranze per il seguito.
February 23, 2015
Such a great book I cannot wait for the second one to published. From page 1 of this book has kept me hooked, it was such an incredible story line of modern and past romance. Would 100% read again and recommend it to everyone.
March 15, 2014
Brilliantly written Stella! I was drawn into the story right from the start, I love it!!! It was mysterious, sad and intriguing and has me really hoping that Sarah and Marco find their future together!! I look forward to reading the girl behind the fan!!
January 26, 2014
Un libro erotico come pochi ma elegante alla stesso tempo, La ragazza dietro la maschera Le città della perversione di Stella Knightley
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