The Masquerade (Super Historical Romance) [Import] [Paperback]

Brenda Joyce (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon (2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0263855392
• ISBN-13: 978-0263855395
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,690,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brenda Joyce is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourty-nine novels and five novellas. There are over fourteen million copies of her novels in print and she is published in over a dozen foreign countries. A native New Yorker, she now lives in southern Arizona with her son, dogs and numerous Arabian and Half-Arabian reining horses. Brenda divides her time between her twin passions' writing powerful love stories and her quest to become a nationally ranked Top Ten equestrian. For more information about Brenda and her upcoming novels, please visit her websites: www.brendajoyce.com, www.francescacahillseries.com www.thedewarennedynasty.com and www.mastersoftimebooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so hard to put down.., October 12, 2005

By 

Raimiara (North Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masquerade (de Warenne Dynasty) (Mass Market Paperback)

I so enjoyed this book. It brought me feelings I rarely have when I read books. I love that there was no mad jealous villain after the heroine. Although the hero was engaged, the readers can sense she is really not a threat to the heroine. The real threat here was the social status that separates the main characters and family obligation. I felt the love Lizzie has for Tyrell. Ms. Brenda Joyce made sure the reader can not detached themselves from this story. I was moved when Tyrell was begging Lizzie not to leave him. I cried when Lizzie is force to make a decision to spare her family more shame. Not once did I doubt that Tyrell loves Lizzie. This book was written beautifully. I couldn't put it down, I read it until 2 am and woke up at 4:30a to read again. Now I have to go to work and I have a splitting headache. The funny thing is I'm just dying to read it again tonight after I come home from work. Thanks Ms. Joyce. I feel like 15 again when I first read my romance novel. Captivated.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Feelings About This One..., February 5, 2006

By 

The Black Pearl "Professional DayDreamer" (Raeford, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masquerade (de Warenne Dynasty) (Mass Market Paperback)

"The Masquerade" is my first romance by Brenda Joyce but after only a few pages, I knew it would not be my last. I was instantly caught up in the story of how Lizzie, at the tender age of 10, first met Tyrell during an unfortunate tumble into a lake at a social event and the events that led up to the fateful masquerade ball. Great story! And then there was Anna's confession....and the story just went downhill for me there. Don't get me wrong! I loved the relationship between Lizzie and Tyrell. The sexual tension between them, the love scenes...hot! And there was no mistaking the love that either had for the other...very endearing. But I could not get pass the fact that Anna never received her comeuppance! Spare me the "cast the first stone" speech - Anna was a shallow, selfish (bleep)! Period! And I applaud Lizzie's efforts as sister to Anna, mother to Ned, and all...but dang! I was hoping she would eventually get tired of how everyone's lives were being destroyed by her sister's deceit and just put it all out there! She was far too forgiving and that, dear reader, was pretty unforgivable in my sight. I agree with another reader who commented that instead of coming across as kind-hearted and sacrificing, she just came across as a spineless twit to me. *shrug

Nevertheless, I will not hesitate to read another romance by Brenda Joyce and I look forward to hearing more about Rex, the crippled brother. In fact, I plan to order "The Prize" as soon as my review here is done. My advice is read the book and judge for yourself.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre, at best, March 15, 2008

By 

P.Jasmine - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Masquerade (de Warenne Dynasty) (Mass Market Paperback)

The plot is excellent and very original compared to most Regency/Historical novels, but the characters were poorly developed. I made myself finish the book because I wanted to see how the author maneuvered them out of their webs, but I didn't really care about the hero/heroine.

The heroine was unbelievably 'good' and the hero's redeeming qualities were never demonstrated. He rescues the heroine a couple times, and it seems like that's the only reason she loves him. We read, over and over again, that he is kind and noble and honest - really?? There's absolutely no evidence of that until the very last few pages and the expected happy ending.

Overall, I was impressed with the author attempting such a bold plotline, but the character development got left behind. This was my first Brenda Joyce book...and may or may not be my last.