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Romance #5
Love's Masquerade
Plunged into the often indistinguishable realms of fiction, fantasy, and hidden desires, Auden Frost discovers a shifting landscape that will force her to question everything she has believed to be true about herself and the nature of love. It began one winter morning when Auden set out to interview for a much-needed position as an editor in the nonfiction division of Palmer Publishing. Haydon Palmer, however, the powerful young head of the company, offers Auden something far different—something that ultimately forces them both to confront their deepest fears and utmost desires. Unable to resist Hays's challenge and unaware of the charismatic woman's closely-guarded secrets, Auden soon finds herself on a journey that will transform both their lives.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Radclyffe
475 books1,732 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 18, 2020
“ She has taught me that a touch is a lifetime, a kiss forever, and that our passion will transcend the limitations of fragile existence to span eternity.”
This was such a magical experience. I can't remember the last time I connected this strongly with the main characters. What didn't I love here. This book had the most beautiful soul- piercing prose, a couple that is the definition of 'could cut the sexual tension with a knife' and screams 'soulmates', at the same time there is the constant fear looming over their heads that they won't get their happily ever after and will shatter my heart. I cried so much.
This was such a magical experience. I can't remember the last time I connected this strongly with the main characters. What didn't I love here. This book had the most beautiful soul- piercing prose, a couple that is the definition of 'could cut the sexual tension with a knife' and screams 'soulmates', at the same time there is the constant fear looming over their heads that they won't get their happily ever after and will shatter my heart. I cried so much.
November 11, 2018
This is one of those gorgeous, angsty romances that you can really sink into. It also has an interesting structure, since we get to read some stories that Thane and Rune are writing for a collection, which are inspired by events that are happening in the story.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/love...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/love...
April 15, 2017
Though I started out wanting to give Love's Masquerade five stars, I found myself more and more put off by the explicitness of the sex scenes, which strike me, at least, as definitely more graphic than loving. I prefer more subtly, which is why I love the emotional and romantic scenes between the two main characters and feel they are the novel's defining strength and why I would read it again someday.
August 29, 2026
I really need to pay attention to my TBR shelves! This book griped me from the beginning! I was immediately immersed in Auden and Hay's' love! Gayle is a beautiful best friend, and Thane her fabulous lover. The sex is so HOT and beautifully written. It's love.
This is A FAVORITE! Deserves more than 5 stars!
This is A FAVORITE! Deserves more than 5 stars!
March 20, 2019
At first, I had some reservations about how this book was written, the interjection of various excerpts from the author characters was distracting. Eventually, as the story unfolded, they began to intertwine with the plot, and I began to enjoy them more until they became so much a part of what was going on that I couldn't imagine the book without them. All in all, the book was entertaining and a little longer than Radclyffe's norm, although I never noticed at all. I highly recommend this read to any Radclyffe fan, and I do count myself in that number, wholeheartedly.
November 20, 2011
This book was good and I mostly appreciated that she showed the beginings of a relationship between a interacial couple. That is one thing that I have noticed with writer's is that they very rarely step outside of their own race when it comes to the story and there are plenty interacial lesbian couples. Very good!
August 12, 2017
Good read! passionate,interesting and a sexy love story with some incredible flawed well developed characters (paperback!)
July 9, 2019
Emotions ran high
Although it followed one of Radclyffe's themes of medical jargon, where you learn new medical terms and diseases and what have you, this book was so much more. The pace was incredible. When it started it was calm whilst introducing the story, it read like a stroll in the park. Then the mystery and you sit a bit straight paying close attention. Then tension between the four characters. Then Radclyffe calms things down and you feel the love. Next thing you know your heart clenches with sadness as the characters experience pain. Tensions rise again and your heart beats fast along with the pace of the story. Then you calm when all is right. It was like I was all four characters and I felt everything they felt. And that's some good writing.
Although it followed one of Radclyffe's themes of medical jargon, where you learn new medical terms and diseases and what have you, this book was so much more. The pace was incredible. When it started it was calm whilst introducing the story, it read like a stroll in the park. Then the mystery and you sit a bit straight paying close attention. Then tension between the four characters. Then Radclyffe calms things down and you feel the love. Next thing you know your heart clenches with sadness as the characters experience pain. Tensions rise again and your heart beats fast along with the pace of the story. Then you calm when all is right. It was like I was all four characters and I felt everything they felt. And that's some good writing.
July 21, 2019
I was in need of a good read - and Radclyffe is a sure bet - but, hey,after 20% of the book I was really struggling - and it was only thanks to reading reviews that mentioned this that I read on, and began to understand the book "doubling-up" (read it, and don't get put off) - loved and wept over it all. Persevere.
April 21, 2020
This book is beautifully written, as Radclyfe usually does. It was passionate and I was emotionally involved throughout the story. The love scenes are always written so smoothly. I found myself reading with a silly grin at times and even teary eyed in the end. This book was wonderful!
April 18, 2016
I liked the previous bullet point review I did so I'm going to try that again here. (+ = positive, ? = unsure, - = negative).
(+) Auden and Haydon (the two main women) had really interesting personalities and worked really well together. The secrets between the two of them were entirely believable and resulted in a conflict that I felt made total sense - which is rare for me to say about a romance book.
(+) The side characters were pleasing and added a lot to the story. I loved how supportive Gayle was to Auden and the sense of spunk she added throughout the book. I also liked how different of Thane and Rune were from each other in their writing styles and dispositions.
(+) I greatly appreciate the core plot of the story. It was very meta and it definitely brought a smile to my face. I thought the way the author managed to interject lesbian romance stories into a lesbian romance book was not only entertaining - but also very unique.
(?) The random bits of erotica thrown in throughout the book were both good and bad. Good in the sense that it helped counter the slow relationship with some interesting sex scenes. Bad in the sense that these random interjections sometimes took away from the core plot. There were at least a few scenes that I pretty much skipped because I was desperately wanting to find out what happens with the main characters. It was difficult for me to go from an emotionally intensive interaction between Auden and Haydon to reading about two women having sex so close to each other.
(?) There was a secondary romance mixed in that felt out of place. As with the random interjections of erotica, I found that the random scenes with the two other characters took away from the core plot. I'm not sure I really see why the author decided to add it in.
(-) Once the main "issue" was revealed, the book became a bit too stressful for me. This wouldn't have been so bad if it got resolved at a reasonable time - but you don't even find out the answer to what happens until the 99% mark. This literally leaves 3 pages to tie everything together and come to a close.
(-) I'm not sure the ending could be constituted as a "Happily Ever After." I tend to enjoy romance books because they're supposed to end on a high note and leave me feeling better about the future - but this one just left me feeling meh. If you're the type of person who likes that, though, then this is probably a positive for you.
Overall, a solid book - with good characters and a unique plot. It's just too bad that the last quarter of the book was so emotionally intense and the ending left much to be desired.
(+) Auden and Haydon (the two main women) had really interesting personalities and worked really well together. The secrets between the two of them were entirely believable and resulted in a conflict that I felt made total sense - which is rare for me to say about a romance book.
(+) The side characters were pleasing and added a lot to the story. I loved how supportive Gayle was to Auden and the sense of spunk she added throughout the book. I also liked how different of Thane and Rune were from each other in their writing styles and dispositions.
(+) I greatly appreciate the core plot of the story. It was very meta and it definitely brought a smile to my face. I thought the way the author managed to interject lesbian romance stories into a lesbian romance book was not only entertaining - but also very unique.
(?) The random bits of erotica thrown in throughout the book were both good and bad. Good in the sense that it helped counter the slow relationship with some interesting sex scenes. Bad in the sense that these random interjections sometimes took away from the core plot. There were at least a few scenes that I pretty much skipped because I was desperately wanting to find out what happens with the main characters. It was difficult for me to go from an emotionally intensive interaction between Auden and Haydon to reading about two women having sex so close to each other.
(?) There was a secondary romance mixed in that felt out of place. As with the random interjections of erotica, I found that the random scenes with the two other characters took away from the core plot. I'm not sure I really see why the author decided to add it in.
(-) Once the main "issue" was revealed, the book became a bit too stressful for me. This wouldn't have been so bad if it got resolved at a reasonable time - but you don't even find out the answer to what happens until the 99% mark. This literally leaves 3 pages to tie everything together and come to a close.
(-) I'm not sure the ending could be constituted as a "Happily Ever After." I tend to enjoy romance books because they're supposed to end on a high note and leave me feeling better about the future - but this one just left me feeling meh. If you're the type of person who likes that, though, then this is probably a positive for you.
Overall, a solid book - with good characters and a unique plot. It's just too bad that the last quarter of the book was so emotionally intense and the ending left much to be desired.
July 21, 2026
oh my god this is just so intimate
March 20, 2019
This is going to sound dramatic, but this book changed my life. I've read Radclyffe for 15 years and although this is one of her earlier published books, I skipped over it for years because I thought the title was more literal and wasn't as interesting to me as her other books. Recently, I did a reread of nearly all of her novels and finally put this on the list. Immediately after I finished, I wrote Radclyffe a letter I never sent (too fan girl. lol). Instead, I started writing the novel I'm working on today.
The characters are alive and nearly tangible as you celebrate their wins and dry tears at the losses. The close-calls and slow build are a specialty of Radclyffe's and the execution here is exceptional. Following women in the literary world as authors, editors and publishers was a different side of Radclyffe that I was very pleased to have finally found. The main characters are smoking hot on their own but this book treats us to several tantalizing moments and couples that readers can identify with. Very steamy!
The characters are alive and nearly tangible as you celebrate their wins and dry tears at the losses. The close-calls and slow build are a specialty of Radclyffe's and the execution here is exceptional. Following women in the literary world as authors, editors and publishers was a different side of Radclyffe that I was very pleased to have finally found. The main characters are smoking hot on their own but this book treats us to several tantalizing moments and couples that readers can identify with. Very steamy!
October 4, 2019
Without a doubt, the best work yet
Writing about authors writing seems like such a strange concept, not to mention the twists you don't see coming, but this was totally awe-inspiring. Very different from the medical series and the Honor series, but so much more profound. When Auden is reading and gets pulled in so she feels like she is the character - that is utterly magnificent writing.
I really enjoyed the different approaches to the sex scenes, as they happened to the characters and as they were written by Thane and Rune. They are so totally believable that you feel as if they were real, which I guess is the point.
Bravo and well done. Loving every minute of it.
Writing about authors writing seems like such a strange concept, not to mention the twists you don't see coming, but this was totally awe-inspiring. Very different from the medical series and the Honor series, but so much more profound. When Auden is reading and gets pulled in so she feels like she is the character - that is utterly magnificent writing.
I really enjoyed the different approaches to the sex scenes, as they happened to the characters and as they were written by Thane and Rune. They are so totally believable that you feel as if they were real, which I guess is the point.
Bravo and well done. Loving every minute of it.
July 16, 2013
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down and read it within 3 days! I loved the tension between Auden and Hays before they got together, and could really feel the love between them. My only issue with this book is that it was too short, there could have been so much more added to the end, I didn't expect it to end the way it did! I have only read a few of her books, and can't wait to read more!
April 25, 2016
I liked Radclyffe's interesting idea of "books in the book", but was most impressed, of course, with the storyline itself. Once again, I did not think that I would be captured as much. The strength of the experiences on the approach to the end of the book made me feel emotional as well as physical pain. It was perfect and unbearable at the same time! I like the book very much, but I find it hard to think to re-read it even though I really want it.
August 13, 2022
Gawd!
I don’t know who I fell hardest for…Auden or Haydon! I was so invested in these two MC. I never wanted a HEA as much as I wanted it in this story. I was filled with angst, happiness, grief, worry, sadness, and joy all wrapped up in one. And this is one of Radclyffe’s earlier works and it is just as good as all of her latter books. She was already amazing from the beginning.
I don’t know who I fell hardest for…Auden or Haydon! I was so invested in these two MC. I never wanted a HEA as much as I wanted it in this story. I was filled with angst, happiness, grief, worry, sadness, and joy all wrapped up in one. And this is one of Radclyffe’s earlier works and it is just as good as all of her latter books. She was already amazing from the beginning.
October 9, 2015
Another winner
A great story. Clever writing with books within the books. Very hot and sexy as expected. Formulaic? Certainly, but so is Nora Roberts! Like Roberts, good strong female characters. I'll keep reading her stuff! Wish it weren't so expensive.
A great story. Clever writing with books within the books. Very hot and sexy as expected. Formulaic? Certainly, but so is Nora Roberts! Like Roberts, good strong female characters. I'll keep reading her stuff! Wish it weren't so expensive.
February 1, 2016
Excellent book.
Thanks to Radclyffe for another great book. Interesting characters. A plot to keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. Everybody wants someone to love them. I'll add this one to my wish list for Audible to record.
Thanks to Radclyffe for another great book. Interesting characters. A plot to keep you turning the pages as fast as you can. Everybody wants someone to love them. I'll add this one to my wish list for Audible to record.
October 17, 2014
This book touched me so deeply, on so many levels. I laughed, loved and cried with these characters. Just ... go read it. Go, go, go.
October 9, 2015
REALLY GOOD BOOK. ANOTHER BOOK THAT HAD EVERYTHING IN IT, FROM THE OVERWHELMING LOVE FOR EACH OTHER AND THE ILLNESS THAT THREATENED THAT LOVE, WHICH NY THE WAY DEF LEFT TEARS ON MY TABLET.
December 17, 2017
A good, traditional romance. Interesting characters, both major and minor, lots of tension, sex, emotion, etc. It has it all.
February 3, 2018
One of the best stories I read this year! Funny, hot, full of love and expectations. BOOK that you cannot put down! ❤
November 1, 2019
My fave so far
May 21, 2020
Heartbreaking and breathtakingly beautiful.
December 23, 2021
Radclyffe never disappoints
January 3, 2022
Damn, I really thought she was going to kick the bucket but thank God, that wasn't the case. A WELL WRITTEN BOOK.
I have to admit though, I totally expected something else.
I have to admit though, I totally expected something else.
September 8, 2017
I feel disappointed. This was a highly recommended author in the lesbian romance community and yet the writing is just dismal. It feels like a high schooler wrote this for NaNoWriMo or something? There was a lot of word-padding.
October 25, 2023
publisher and writer Hayles Palmer who was very illed and les division of Palmer director Auden
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews