The Masquerade (de Warenne Dynasty) [Mass Market Paperback]

Brenda Joyce (Author)

Book Description

Series: de Warenne Dynasty | Publication Date: September 1, 2005

As a child, shy, bookish Elizabeth Anne Fitzgerald loses her heart to the dashing young Lord Tyrell de Warenne. Although she is well aware that he is the heir to an earldom and utterly unattainable, Lizzie secretly worships him for years. On the night of her first masquerade ball, she is stunned when he suggests that they rendevous at midnight. But then fortune takes a maddening turn and Lizzie is thwarted from ever meeting Tyrell. Lizzie is certain such an opportunity will never arise again, but that night is only the beginning . . .

Tyrell de Warenne is shocked when, two years later, Lizzie arrives on his doorstep with a child that she claims is his. He remembers her well -- and knows that it is impossible that he is the boy's father. What is this game she is playing . . . and why? Is Elizabeth Anne Fitzgerald a woman of vast experience, or the gentle innocent he had believed her to be? Tyrell quickly decides he will play her game, and he claims the child as his own, determined to uncover Lizzie's lies. But neither scandal, deception nor pride can thwart a love too grand and passionate to ever be denied . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The chunky second volume in bestseller Joyce's de Warenne Dynasty series (after The Prize) dances on slippered feet, belying its heft with spellbinding dips, spins and twists. Jane Austen aficionados will delve happily into heroine Elizabeth "Lizzie" Fitzgerald's family, with its three sisters, socially obsessed mama and indulgent father. Lizzie has long loved Tyrell de Warenne, heir of the local earl, but never suspects he knows of her existence until he arranges a rendezvous with her at a masquerade. A switch in costumes sets Lizzie's loose sister in Tyrell's arms instead, resulting in a baby boy. When Lizzie claims the child as her own to save her sister's reputation, she again puts herself in Tyrell's sights. Joyce's tale of the dangers and delights of passion fulfilled will enchant those who like their reads long and rich, though some may find the secondary characters more compelling personalities than the somewhat conventional protagonists.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Even though the kind, handsome nobleman provides the perfect inspiration for her childish dreams of romance, deep down Lizzie knows that Tyrell, the heir to the Earl of Adare, would never marry a poor, plump, bookish girl like herself. Several years later, however, it seems as though her romantic dreams might be coming true when Lizzie encounters Tyrell at a masquerade ball, and he proposes a midnight tryst. Circumstances prevent Lizzie from showing up, but two years later, when they meet again, Lizzie is still hopelessly in love. The only difference is that now Tyrell has the power to separate her from the one person she loves as much as the sexy nobleman: his young son, Ned. Joyce continues her de Warrene Dynasty series with a passionate tale of two lovers caught up in a web of secrets, deceptions, and lies. Readers who love the bold historicals by Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss will find much to savor here. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Mira (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0778322092
• ISBN-13: 978-0778322092
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,033,632 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 

Once Upon A Time "Professional DayDreamer" (Southern Pines, 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.

7 of 7 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.