For the first time in a standalone volume—and originally titled Holiday Heat—enjoy this unforgettable romance from USA TODAY bestselling author Beverly Jenkins!
For Eve Clark, colder weather usually means long cold nights spent alone, until she’s persuaded to attend a masked ball. Abandoning her inhibitions, she shares a blissful tryst with a mysterious partner. Though she runs from their hotel room the next morning, Leyton Palmer is determined to track Eve down and show her that the night neither can forget was only the start of something sensational….
Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
Straight-laced ATF agent Eve agrees to attend a charity costume ball at her cousin's behest. There, she meets Leyton, who is an undercover cop on duty. Things get steamy fairly quickly; they don't even know each other's real names, as they refer to each other in character.
However, pretty soon they're both called in to investigate the same arson -- and, of course, they don't recognize each other for quite a while. They're both thinking about the person they met at the party and not the somewhat prickly and reserved individuals they are on the job.
Of course, we know from the get-go that they're going to wind up together; it's pretty obvious. However, all of the twists and turns of the "whodunnit" create obstacles even once they know that their work partner is that fabulous person from the party.
This is the first book I have read by romance powerhouse Beverly Jenkins, but it won't be the last. I enjoyed it very much.
A short, sexy read which was fun and well written - thankfully. These short reads usually don't find that right balance between the fun and the sexy times. Here, Ms. Jenkins manages that balance well.
The masquerade trope was a lot of fun but I was actually surprised at how well the latter half worked in getting our couple together. Worth checking out.
Two strangers, one costumed event, and a steamy night to remember. Neither Eve nor Leyton know of each other's true identities, but they allow themselves one night of masked fun with the understanding they'd never see each other again. But of course the universe has other plans.
One Masked Night was a fun read. I liked how Ms. Bev wove the story around the theme of fire, both literally and figuratively. Both the heroine and hero work in law enforcement with specialties in fire. But a fire also sparked between them when they cosplayed as Storm and a Centurion and allowed themselves to succumb to their carnal desires. Even though it is obvious it is about a budding romance, this novella still managed to have a completely developed storyline about who Eve and Leyton were as individuals, agents, etc.
The only thing that seemed like a letdown was that the holiday element did not seem to be as noticeable. I picked this up thinking it would have a Christmas vibe, but it begins with brief Halloween discussions (as a way to establish the fire storyline) and at the very end mentions the upcoming New Year. But that didn't sour my reading experience.
I read this as a buddy read with my friend. This was an okay quick read. I really wanted more with Eve and Layton, this book talked more about their profession than anything else. I honestly just wanted more. I liked the beginning of the story of how Eve and Layton met I thought that was nice. But overall this was a quick read and I can't be too mad with that, this was the first book I read by Beverly Jenkins and I plan to read more from her soon. 2.75 stars ☆☆☆
A little fire and spice that will have you turning the pages to see where the one masked night will lead. Likable characters with exciting careers but the cases they were working on could have been deleted, they were lackluster. Short novellas always leave you wanting more.
Beverly Jenkins writes in such way that puts you right there with the characters. I so loved this story !!! I wish it didn't end where it did. I really wanted to have Eve meet Angie and Oliver. I also wanted to be there when Eve spilled everything to Shelly.
Nothing like a fantastic read from start to finish. Good lead into the storyline. Good character descriptions with great visuals. The read was on point, factual, and unapologetically romantic. Love it!
The centurion and lady Oya's story was short and sweet. Two people in a similar line of work, finding love. I really enjoy how the author really captures chemistry in her writing.
I liked that it got right to the point, no space filled empty wording and still kept my interest. I love the relationship between the two main characters.
This was a quick read and I really enjoyed how balanced the characters were and how the storyline flowed. Things go sexy first, then the relationship starts, but still a fun read.
In the contemporary novella One Masked Night, Beverly Jenkins deftly manages a sexy masked ball (emphasis on sexy: that's kind of the whole point) and a hot, fast romance between a goddess (Chicago-based ATF agent Eve, born in Detroit) and a Roman centurion (Detroit detective Leyton). In between the action—and there's a lot of it, both the sexy kind and the arson kind—Jenkins fits in commentary about Detroit as a community, something I, as a Chicagoan, really enjoyed. It's good to see Detroit from the perspective of people who love it.
One Masked Night is a lot of fun. My only real criticism is that it moves a little too fast, and I think that Eve and Leyton might have been better served by one or two more chapters.
I've read most of Beverly Jenkins 's books, she's one of my favorite author's. This book had a different twist. Ironic how the two met and then was reunited in a case which put them back together to discover that they were destined to be together. Loved the ending. May God continue to bless you.
Eve was a trained and skilled ATF agent who was home in Detroit for a vacation. Her cousin/sister enticed her to go to a masquerade party and she really didn't want to go. However upon viewing her costume she knew she had to go if only for a little while. Leyton was charged to be on duty as security for this extravagant party being held in his city. However, when "Storm" walked in his eyes were drawn to the extraordinary beauty dressed in black with silver hair. Leyton as a Centurion watched Storm conguer and slay every lame party goer who approached her. However, he was drawn to her on many levels and found his attraction was mutual. Storm took control and challenged the Centurion to guard her one on one. The heat between the two burned hotter than the candles in their room. Even with all the heat, they never took off their masks. The only thing Storm left for the Centurion was a glimpse of the butterfly tattoo on her back. Little did they know, their paths would cross again all because of FIRE!!.. Great read from a great author ..hope to hear from these two again sometime..
What an unexpected unconventional way in which to meet your equal. That's the story of Eve and Leyton. When a masquerade party turn into so much more. By happenstance Eve and Leyton connect. Even in a short Ms. Beverly Jenkins gives a history lesson by Eve being Oya the African Goddess commercially known as Storm.
The tale shows that equals attract just as much as opposites. With the connection of being in high stress life on the line fire investigators Eve and Leyton aren't your tradition heroine or hero. It was a sexy affair with a contemporary flair.
This book was hot! A secret romance that came barreling into the light. For me, this book had it all even though it was a quick read. There was the strong characters. The mystery element surrounding how they met. The journey of them finding each other again. I could not put this book down. Great job!!
It was intriguing, I was swept away by princess love I loved that the characters was based on being detective. Story was short and sweet can't wait to read more of your novels
I love Beverly Jenkins's novels, and was quite pleased with this novella. The characters were well-drawn and believable, as was their initial night together. This was a quick and enjoyable read! ❤❤❤❤❤
I like how Eve stepped out of her comfort zone and not only met Leyton but got to spend an insatiable night with him not knowing that they would meet again under unexpected circumstances. I like that everything worked out for them in the end.
this was a super cute, feel good romance. kinda short though, but that's just because I love the characters so much, I want to know more. it's kinda hard to write a substantive review without recapping the story. it was just a simple, engaging story. perfect for an evening of relaxing.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I routed for this couple. Imagine longing for the person who, not only rocked your world and burn their memory into your mind, but you have no idea why they are or how to find them... Ms. Jenkins, wow!
There are no words on the twist in the story. I loved the story as well its unusual to see a Halloween story with a romance but it matches the story. I enjoyed the mystery part of this story because it help both the hero and heroine to come together with their hearts not just physically.