Customer Reviews

Love's Masquerade

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fans of lesbian romance need look no further than any of Radclyffe's books for the most romantic, erotic, intelligent, thrilling tales of women finding each other and finding love being written today. No other author combines all of the elements necessary for a grand romantic reading experience quite the way Radclyffe does. Her characters are all strong, compelling women, unapologetic about loving women and intensely passionate-in life and in love. In Love's Masquerade, Radclyffe yet again exceeds all expectations. When Auden Frost accepts the position of director for Palmer Publishing's new division of lesbian fiction, she begins working directly for the head of Palmer Publishing, the devastatingly attractive and powerful Haydon Palmer. Love's Masquerade is the story of Auden and Hays, their secrets, and the path that may lead them to love, but it is also a testament to the power of the written word. Radclyffe weaves a story within a story, taking us inside the world of lesbian publishing by giving us not only the story of Auden and Hays, but also the writing of other Palmer authors. The result is the delicious equivalent of having several books in one. The writing in all is superb and profoundly erotic. The original approach Radclyffe utilizes to tell Auden and Hays' story, is a perfect example of why her writing is in a class by itself. It is apparent Radclyffe constantly pushes herself to exceed what she's written before and she does not, and will not, settle for anything less than creative excellence. If you like your lesbian romances with steamy, sexy, passionate love scenes, you will not be disappointed. Radclyffe instinctively knows the ingredients to place in the pot to bring us to a slow boil. She does not hide from the deeply intimate physical or emotional love that exists between two women .

*Note to romance novel addicts* Unlike many authors who publish a new book once a year, if that, Radclyffe is one of the most prolific writers in the lesbian romance genre. She publishes several books per year, all of the same high quality. Readers can rest easy in becoming addicted to Radclyffe's work. I have to believe she is a fan of lesbian romance herself, and knows all too well what it is like to wait for that next book to be published, because she never lets her fans down.

For readers such as myself who for years settled for books that "passed" as lesbian romance novels, Radclyffe is an oasis in the desert. Love's Masquerade, like all of Radclyffe's books is a genuine treasure.

It's always a pleasure to fall in love with a writer's work and then to have the pleasure of watching her writing - always excellent both in matters of content and style - improve over time. LOVE'S MASQUERADE, Radclyffe's fourteenth published work of lesbian romance fiction, is, simply put, magnificent. In the tradition of Love's Melody Lost and Passion's Bright Fury, Love's Masquerade is a soaring tale of romance: of love's power to heal those wounds that go deeper than the physical, of the potential for agony to which falling in love leaves one vulnerable, and of the strength love gives to enable one to make the most difficult of choices. It is the story of Auden Frost, newly appointed director of Palmer Publishing's new lesbian fiction imprint, and her relationships with the reclusive best-selling novelist Rune Dyre, whose work Auden edits, and her boss Haydon Palmer, who is hiding a devastating secret of her own.

But beyond being a glorious, sexy, synapse-frying romance, Love's Masquerade is a love story about love stories. And it is about the power of stories to heal as they enable us to recognize ourselves - our hopes, our dreams, our fears - in the lives of the characters who leap from the page. It is about the way stories can make us feel less alone. It is about the relationship between writers and readers, about the often unspoken dialogue that two people have through a page of text. Radclyffe's novels are always special - she tells stories as no one can. But here, she celebrates not only women who love women, but readers and writers who love words. Interwoven with the love story are erotic vignettes from Rune Dyre's published works as well as her works-in-progress; Radclyffe's ability to deftly fuse Auden and Hays's love affair with this story-within-the-story is the mark of a true artist of the written word.

For those of you who've never met Radclyffe's writing in any form, this book is a powerhouse introduction to what the lesbian-romance genre can be in the hands of a modern master. And for those of you who've only read her novels in online beta-versions, the pleasures to be had in reading this book in its entirety, text in hand, are beyond compare.

In this instalment of fabulous writing by an equally fabulous author, Radclyffe again brings to the table an uncanny empathy of the greatest love of all.........the love that grows stronger in the face of adversity. I was enthralled from page one, and never put the book down until I turned the last page. The love story between the main characters also has a parallel story running between the best friends of the main characters. Your emotions are put through the wringer from the first page as Radclyffe takes us on a journey which exposes us to the steamy, sensual, erotic love story we have come to expect from her, but in this story intertwines, as she has not done before, the extreme sadness, resignation of the inevitable and soul-wrenching anticipation of the worst. The most emotionally charged book I have ever read by Radclyffe.

Auden Frost is set to interview at Palmer Publishing for a position as an editor in their non-fiction department. When she appears for her interview with the Director of Operations, she is dismayed to find that the position has been filled. Haydon Palmer, the enigmatic President of the company, learns of the situation and brings Auden in to interview for a job in a new division. The company has acquired a small publishing company and Auden is offered the job of Director for the new lesbian division of Palmer Publishing. There are two slight glitches in Auden's eyes. She's not a lesbian and she doesn't read fiction.

Nevertheless, she accepts the position and sets about her duties. She enlists the aid of her best friend Gayle. Gayle, who is a lesbian, provides Auden with ample "background information." Auden settles into the mission at hand and begins to learn a few things - about herself - things that come as a bit of a surprise.

In getting the new division up and running, Haydon and Auden spend a great deal of time working together. During this time Auden finds herself with changing feelings for Haydon. Feelings she's not sure what to do with. For the first time in her life, she is considering the possiblity of being with a woman. Haydon, though experiencing feelings of attraction for Auden, questions herself. Can she allow herself to get involved with Auden? As the relationship begins to grow between the two women, Auden learns Haydon Palmer has secrets, secrets that are very carefully guarded. One of which could greatly impact a chance at a future for the two women.

Radclyffe, the author of such outstanding books as Passion's Bright Fury, Fated Love, Love's Tender Warriors, Tomorrow's Promise, the "Honor", "Justice" and "Provincetown" series and Innocent Hearts - not to mention my personal favorite of Love's Melody Lost - proves a definitive talent steady and true. Love's Masquerade is a dynamic, tug-on-your-heartstrings tale of the strength that can come from within when seemingly overwhelming odds are faced.

The plot of this book is as described elsewhere. It is a complicated plot and several books within this book. What a wonderful story and only a writer like Radclyffe could pull this off.

Whether you read Radclyffe's series books, like the Justice series or the Honor series or the Provincetown series, or you read one of her stand-alone romances, you can not go wrong.

I have been reading lesbian fiction for many years, and can honestly say that I have never come across a writer that has so affected me. Her characters are strong, intelligent, and romantic. Naysayers will say that Radclyffe's characters are too perfect almost never flawed - either in looks or character. That may be true, but aren't you tired of the genre's penchant for ordinary? Radclyffe's characters are always enchanting, intoxicating, enticing, and intense. The stories, particularly in the series books, are all first class. Most of her series books are page-turners. And in two of the books, I actually turned to the last page to make sure that the main characters survived - something I never do.

Radclyffe let us believe, at least for the duration of each of her books, that the grand passion, the true love, the happy-ever-after are all possible. She lets us believe that being a strong, intelligent woman does not mean that we will be alone and/or isolated.

The only caveat I have is to read the series books in order. And if you enjoy watching a writer grow, then read the non-series books in the order they were written and watch Radclyffe's talent grow before your very eyes.

In the tradition of Love's Melody Lost, Radclyffe has written another heart stopping, tender romantic story.

Auden, unsure of her own sexuality, is destined to fall in love with her boss, the mysterious Haydon Palmer. But Haydon has secrets of her own that make her reluctant to become involved with Auden or with any woman for that matter. She just doesn't know how much time she has.

Radclyffe emerses us into the world of writing and publishing romance. Those of us that love to read romance get a glimpse of the world behind the storytelling.

This gripping story will have you turning pages well into the night, smiling with tears in your eyes at the same time. Even in the last ten pages, you will question how it will end.

I have to admit Radclyffe has never written a book I don't like. I like some more than others, but my second read of `Love's Masquerade' was a enjoyable as the first. Not only is her work enjoyable, it is also memorable. I first read the book about three years ago and found the characters and story details coming back to me as I turned each page.

Here, Radclyffe introduces the characters of Auden Frost and Hays Palmer. Auden is an unemployed editor who applies for a job at Palmer Publishing. The job she originally applied for has been filled. However, Hays senses a hidden talent and hires Auden to run Palmer's recent acquisition of a small lesbian fiction publishing house. Straight-as-a-board Auden isn't sure if she'll be successful, but is soon intrigued by the genre and silently discovers new aspects of herself.

Auden eventually learns Hays has two well-hidden secrets. The first is that Hays writes under a pen name as a lesbian fiction author. Secondly, Hays is suffering from a rare, life-threatening disease. As the women begin to rely upon each other more and more, they also fall in love. Hays is scared to expose her feelings due to her illness. Auden is scared as well, but for her inexperience in loving women.

Certainly one of Radclyffe's best early books, `Masquerade' is well worth the investment and will continue to be a permanent part of my personal collection.

I really love this writer. I have just about every single one of her books and I have yet to be disappointed. This book is absolutely superb and had me on an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. Like all of her other books the characters are very well developed. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I have since read it again.

This book was just fantastic because not only did I fall in love with the main characters, Auden and Haydon, but also Auden's best friend Gayle. Auden who doesn't believe she is gay, suddenly realizes that she is. But when she falls in love it just happens to be with someone who is ill with a rare and very serious disease. This book is outstanding because it takes us through Haydon's struggle with her disease and the undying love and support Auden gives to her. In addition to the support Gayle gives her best friend while she struggles with her lovers illness.

This is a must read. I didn't know how it was going to end, until the very end. It had me captivated throughout. Definetly one of Radclyffe's bests.

Interms of depth, this is likely Rad's very best. However, it is really hard to say that since she is the very best writer in this genre today.

I couldn't have been happier reading this story. I never knew which direction the story was going to take you. Not your usual romance, deals with life's tougher issues but also full of romance.

You will want to read this again and again - this story is a 'keeper'.

Look for the Bold Strokes Books edition published October 2004.