Customer Reviews

Masquerade

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Masquerade by Nancy Moser is my new favourite book. I loved the characters, the setting, the concept - well everything!

Set in England in 1886 Charlotte Gleason is a spoiled rich girl with not a wit of sense. Her maid Dora Connors has the sense, but when it comes to standing up to her mistress, she doesn't think things through. Charlotte is being forced to marry one of America's wealthiest heirs - a man she has never met, all because of bad decisions made by her father. While on the voyage to America to meet her intended, Charlotte decides to switch places with Dora. Think - The Prince and the Pauper. Charlotte wants her freedom, she doesn't want to get married. Dora wants security - it seems like a good idea - until everything goes horribly wrong!

The historical nature of this book was well researched. Moser left nothing to chance. The workhouses, the crowded tenement conditions and the horrible way immigrants lived during those times, compared to the rich, are well defined and contrasted. You could see everything and smell it too!

The lesson that Charlotte learns through her flight of freedom speaks volumes. I wish I could tell you more, but that would spoil everything for you. Suffice it to say - you need to get this book today!

I just finished reading Masquerade and I love it! This is the kind of story that's perfect for a movie. Fabulous historical detail, wise human insight and an unassailable spiritual message make this romantic women's novel a must-read. When an heiress from England and her companion maid switch positions on a voyage to America, not only does the maid, once raised in poverty, tackle the challenge of learning the societal rules of the upper crust, but the young heiress, pampered from infancy, learns to trust God for strength when she is plunged into the real world of immigrant life in New York City in the late 1800s. Well-balanced, with satisfying romance, this novel is poised to shoot to the top. I think Nancy Moser has taken her next step toward greatness.

Historical romance readers will love Nancy Moser's book on America's gilded age. In Masquerade she weaves a tale of scandal, adventure and romance. Charlotte "Lottie" Gleason is a wealthy, young English socialite in 1886. She is forced to face reality when she learns of her father's sin and loss of money. Trying to save her from disgrace, her parents send her to America with instructions to wed Conrad Tremain, a wealthy man she has never met. Lottie decides she wants to have a chance to control her own life even if it means disobeying her parents and giving up the lifestyle she is accustomed to. She convinces her lady's maid, Dora, to trade places with her.
Dora considers this her chance to escape poverty and avoid a lifetime serving others. She takes Charlotte's place and enters the world of fancy clothing, parties, and leisure. She discovers that all is not well in the Tremain household and even though she likes Conrad and considers him a friend, she learns that it isn't always easy to live a lie.
Charlotte faces many hardships in the streets of New York; robbers, unhealthy living conditions, hard work and unsavory crowds are a shock to her system. She begins to regret her decision and wants to take her rightful place in the Tremain home. Will she learn how to support herself, or will she expose Dora and ruin Dora's chance at happiness? Both ladies must learn to seek God first and trust in His guidance. This was an enjoyable book worthy of an all-night read! Thank you to Bethany House for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

This was the first book of Nancy Moser's I read, and it's definitely made me a fan. I feel a little sheepish admitting this, but the cover threw me off at first. In fact I almost passed on the chance to review it, because I expected a simplistic romance without much historical detail or character growth. But I picked it up anyway and I'm so glad I did! (Yes, I should've remembered that trustworthy saying about not judging books by their covers!)

What struck me at first was Lottie's fascination with Sense and Sensibility, Little Women, and Wuthering Heights, and her opinion about Charles Dickens. It felt surreal to see what a girl from 150 years ago might have said about the same classic books and authors that I've read and enjoyed. This raised my hopes that the rest of Masquerade would have more of 19th century culture and social issues woven into it, which it did. I truly love historical fiction that pulls back romanticized visions of history and sets its characters right into the heart of the gritty, multi-layered, paradoxical reality of their time period, which Nancy's book does so well. It helps me, as a Christian reader, reflect on my own complicated times where the 'right' answers and decisions are rarely as straightforward as I wish they were.

I found myself emotionally connected to Lottie and Dora, whether I was cheering for them or upset with them for making particularly immature choices, as inexperienced and idealistic young people often do. The struggles Nancy brought Lottie and Dora through, in a way, are also not very different from the struggles young women face in our time. This is another huge strength I appreciate about Masquerade. The characters were three-dimensional from the start because their challenges didn't only force them to survive in the world, but also to survive inner conflict. Painstakingly they struggled with God, with social norms and pressures, with their dreams, their consciences, their baggage, and their calling. I could relate! And through it all they changed and were sharpened and became more nuanced, wiser, more grounded, and deeply beautiful grown-up young women.

I was especially impressed that Nancy chose to focus on two young people who were born into a familiarity with religion yet lacking a dynamic personal relationship with God, as so many Christian young people are today. Lottie accompanied her parents to church all her life, yet she was still in a spiritual wilderness of sorts. Her personal encounter with God probably mirrors that of many churched kids today. It's a gradual, almost snail-paced, but also very intentional splicing of our identity from our parents', realizing we've been riding their spiritual coattails, so to speak, and have to decide if we want to plant our own two feet on our own journey of faith. It's a different kind of spiritual story to find in Christian fiction, and it's definitely one that needs to be told because of how many of us can relate.

In a way I wish the end of the book hadn't been wrapped up as quickly as it was, because I wanted to know what both women, and all the men in their lives, were thinking and feeling when the last events unfolded and final decisions were made. But overall the story kept me glued to the book, and I loved it. As I wrote above, I'm a fan and I'll be keeping an eye out for Nancy Moser's work from now on!

This was my first Nancy Moser novel and I really liked it. There were several times that I thought I knew what was about to happen and sometimes I was right, lots of times, I was wrong! I love that! I loved the description of the garments and was heartbroken by the accuracy of the descriptions of Five Points. I have a few friends who I'll be passing this to since I know they're going to love it too!

I was provided with a copy of the book from Bethany House in exchange for a review. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

MASQUERADE BY NANCY MOSER is a delightful Inspirational Historical Fiction set in 1886 England and New York City. It is well written with details, depth, fast paced and a page turner. It has romance, adventure, switching identities, fashion, faith, taking a chance, moving forward in your faith, rich,poor, good,bad, finding who you are and what you are supposed to be.The characters are strong, determined,troublemakers and will capture your heart. Lottie and Dora trade places, Lottie was being sent to New York to marry a wealthy merchant's son due to the scandal her father has caused. She didn't want to marry a man she has never met, so decides to get her maid to trade places with her. Dora, the maid trades places with Lottie, but she finds herself in love with another. Dora, is well received at the Tremaine's. Lottie, however, finds herself lacking funds, due to a thief. Conrad, Lottie's supposed fiance, is kind, does what his parents bidding, and truly enjoys Dora's company. Dr. Greenfield, meets Dora on the ship to America, finds he truly loves her. Fitz, the photographer who helps Lottie, finds he truly loves Lottie. This is a story on faith, finding ones purpose, truly finding love and following ones purpose in life. I would recommend this book. This book was received for review from Library Thing and the publisher and details can be found at Bethany House and My Book Addiction and More.

Even grown-ups love a Cinderella story. Masquerade by Nancy Moser escorts our inner- princess into the late 1800's where high society flourishes and the lower class barely survives. And never the twain shall meet. Nor would it be proper for them to associate.

Lottie Gleason is born into the British upper-crust and has been comfortably insulated from the likes of problems with politics, business and even struggles within her own home. She gets a crash course in Adulthood 101 on her 19th birthday when she discovers her family is being shunned thanks to some indiscretions by her father. Before her ship can totally sink, Lottie is forced to accept a marriage proposal from a wealthy American who hasn't caught wind of the tarnished Gleason name "across the pond" in New York. Lottie doesn't want to marry this stranger and Lottie is used to getting her way.

Dora Connors is Lottie Gleason's maid. She has lived on the streets and experienced life in the gutter. Since the age of 13, however, she has been attendant and confidant to Lottie. They are very close, yet they both know their place. Dora is to accompany Lottie on her voyage to America, where she will start a new life as well.

Somewhere across the expanse of the Atlantic, a plan forms in Lottie's mind. A plan to escape the restraints and expectations of her family and chase her own dreams. Dora can be Lottie Gleason, Dora can marry this strange man, and Dora will be glad to do it because it is a chance to better her life beyond her wildest dreams.

And so each girl assumes a new identity and they both live happily ever after.

Yeah right. While Dora steps into New York society with only the occasional stumble, Lottie falls flat and hard and finds herself seeing how `the other half" live. More than seeing, she is experiencing it first hand.

Both girls find that "a man makes his plans but the Lord orders his steps" as they discover their masquerade is not the neat little package they had hoped. The character issues that are addressed and the relational honesty that is necessary for love and friendship to flourish are learned in the fire of the streets--and the mansions--of New York.

Masquerade is a cinderella story. One of the best kind. No fairy godmothers here. Rather, the God of the universe helping two girls find their purpose, their love, their friendship and their true identity.

Masquerade by Nancy Moser is the story of Charlotte Gleason, a wealthy English heiress who has known nothing but pampering and luxury, and her ladies' maid Dora Connors, who has known nothing but a life of service to others. Dora is only a year older than Charlotte and they have grown to be friends.

The year is 1886 and Charlotte's parents have arranged a marriage between Charlotte and a wealthy young American man named Conrad. It is decided that Dora will accompany Charlotte as she sails to America but she will go as her companion rather than her maid.

While on the ship Dora has her first taste of life as a "lady" and Charlotte gets a glimpse of how the "lower classes" live.

Charlotte is not altogether pleased with the purpose of her journey. She wants to fall in love and marry rather than marry a man her parents chose for her.

Before the ladies reach America Charlotte comes up with a plan. Dora will assume Charlotte's identity and marry Conrad while Charlotte will live out what she feels will be an adventure in a new land finding a man to love. It's not an altogether selfish plan on Charlotte's part. Dora will have a secure future as a lady.

So when they reach America Dora goes to Conrad's home and Charlotte begins her adventure. But things aren't quite what she hoped they would be. Immediately she lands in trouble. Will she change her mind about switching places?

Historically accurate and richly detailed. Ms. Moser even includes a section in the back of the book that reveals some of the parallels of her story and real life events as well as pictures and descriptions of some of the fashions described in the book.

Great characters, believable situations and wonderful story-telling make this a book you won't want to put down.

My thanks to Bethany House for my copy of Masquerade for my honest review.

This is the first Nancy Moser's book that I read, and what a treasure it has been! It tells a story about two young girls, with very different background, status, and characteristics but yet a dear friend to each other. Lottie Gleason has the high society upbringing, boldness, and adventurous heart, while Dora Connors has the humility, intelligence, and kindliness. When family circumstances forces Lottie to go to America and marry a wealthy man she never met, she left her comfortable living in England with her maid Dora. Determined to escape the arranged marriage, Lottie convinces Dora to take on her identity. It supposed to be a win-win solution to both of them - Lottie will be free to seek her own adventure, and Dora receives the chance of a lifetime of becoming an upper class lady. But God has a different plan for both of them, and soon each girl faces challenges that turn their world up side down. It reminds me that sometimes we can not comprehend how God is working in our life, but as we put our hope and trust in Him, He is faithful. I thoroughly enjoy the details that Nancy put in the story and recommend the book for all historical fiction lovers. I receive this book from Bethany House to review, but I received no compensation for this review and I am not under any obligation to provide a positive review.

Nancy Moser weaves a period tale filled with wonderful juxtapositions created by class, money and social standing, which are then dismantled piece by piece as the book goes on. As a romance, it follows fairly typical style - boy and girl meet, tension, problems, resolution... but the added elements of changing countries and developing ones own identity make this story much more than just a typical romance. One of the things I love about the book is Ms. Moser's attention to detail - to the point where she has glossaries at the back of the book detailing specific historical information about the buildings, clothing and social scenes depicted in the book! The character of Charolotte is the most intriguing because of the twists and turns that her search for freedom take her on.

I heartily recommend Masquerade to anyone who likes a good soul searching Christian romance with a historical twist.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for completing this review. All opinions are my own