Customer Reviews

Unmasked

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

 

 

I am not a big anthology fan, and prefer the longer stories more. I read this book for Jennifer Blake, since I like her writing style. I was not too terribly disappointed in her story or Gage's story. It was the last one that I didn't like at all. There was something very distrubing about that whole plotline. I just can't seem to like it, no matter how hard I try. I would give the three stories a 3 star, 3 star and 1 star rating respectively.

" Unmasked" makes you feel as if you were in New Orleans, during Mardis Gras. The seson of parties and celebreation. Blake and Dailey makes a great team!!! Though Elizabeth Gage story was a little to much sex for my taste.

The first novella (Love in Three-Quarter Time) was pretty much okay. The second felt like a joke to me because the characters were, quite frankly, awkwardly built up and the chemistry between the couple was highly unlikely.

But come the third one, Tapestry, and I felt like I stumbled into a scene right out of any sane woman's nightmare. I kept glancing at the back cover and looking at whatever clues I could find just to assure myself I was still reading a romance anthology. Whatever moral the author wanted to send by the end of the story was eclipsed by the bitter aftertaste I had with the whole plot. It was more fitting as a psychological, crime-thriller... so, yeah, that's why I could only give 2 stars...and that's being polite =(

On a warm spring night in a New Orleans Garden District mansion, the pick of society are gathering. Masquerading as Legendary Lovers, they have come to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Duchaise masquerade ball. Charles and Millicent Duchaise have spared no expense - everything is perfect. Everything, that is, except their guests.

Amidst the glitter and the beauty, the music and the revelry, some of the world's most legendary lovers are in trouble. Napoleon is doubting his Josephine, who in turn suspects him of deception. Violetta, Ladry of the Camellias, has found her Alfredo; only, she's not sure she can trust him with her heart. Petruchio is attempting to seduce his Kate, who is reluctant to be tamed. And Juliet has discovered that her long-lost Romeo in not who he seems.

O.k. You are probably wondering why I gave the book four stars and then the title is to leave the last story out. Well, the reason was that the last story was totally inapporpriate for a collection of love stories. It was dark and disturbing and I don't care to read something like that again.

The first two stories were pure magic. I found the references to "Taming of the Shrew" very funny mostly because I loved that movie. The first story with the private eye and his daughter is all about misunderstandings and how they can blow things right out of proportion. It was so nice to see two happy endings. The stories just flowed and made me feel like I was right in New Orleans at the ball. Oh just once I want to be able to dress up in a fancy gown. This was the next best thing. Best of all, was that the stories were short and were easy to finish in a couple of hours without taxing your brain.