Monday, August 23, 2010

Giveaway! Masquerade by Nancy Moser

1886, New York City:
Charlotte Gleason, a rich heiress from England, escapes a family crisis by traveling to America in order to marry the even wealthier Conrad Tremaine. She soon decides that an arranged marriage is not for her and persuades her maid, Dora, to take her place.

What begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl wanting adventure becomes a test of survival amid poverty beyond Charlotte's blackest nightmares. As for Dora, she lives a fairy tale complete with gowns, jewels, and lavish mansions--yet is tormented by guilt and the presence of another love that will not die.

Will their masquerade be discovered? Will one of them have second thoughts? There is no guarantee the switch will work. It's a risk. It's the chance of a lifetime.


My Review:
A lovely tale of America's Gilded Age unfolds as the pages turn on this historical romance. Lottie teaches Dora and the reader that "the first rule of being a lady" is to be "polite, prompt, pretty, and proper," and the second rule is to "smile." That sounds doable, but with the rules of dining, the restrictions of proper clothing, and propriety, we see our characters struggle. Each girl wants to be free and marry for love, but is that possible?

Along with a look at the extravagant party given to introduce their special visitor from England to the Four Hundred of society's elite, held inside the mansion owned by the nouveau riche fictional Tremaine family, the reader experiences the horrible conditions of Five Points, the first American slums, where three to four babies would suffocate each night in the airless tenements. What a contrast!

I read this novel straight through; I did not want to put it down. Although I guessed at the ending, I was never certain that I was guessing correctly. If historical fiction is your genre, grab this one.

Discussion questions are included.

Thank you to Bonnie at Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House for my Advance Reading Copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am willing to give away my copy of this book. Note: This is an Advanced Reader Copy. It is illegal to resell ARCs.
  • Because of postage, winners are restricted to the United States.
  • No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
  • I'll close the comments at 6 PM EST September 24th and pick the winner. I will contact the winner via email to get her mailing information. She will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from her within three days, I will select another winner.
  • If you're interested, just say so in a comment; be sure to include that all-important email address in code.
    Example of email in code: you[at]yourmail[dot]com

40 comments:

Unknown said...

Great review, Sally!! I read mine straight through, too....it was impossible to put down! I am so embarrassed that I have not read any other historical novels by Nancy Moser. Looks like I'll have to rectify that problem soon. :)

Don't sign me up for the giveaway...just wanted to stop by and say hi!

joyh82 said...

Sounds great and I love the cover too. Sign me up for the giveaway!
jhoorm01atyahoodotcom

LV said...

Sorry, Sally, I have not been visiting this blog as much as I would like. It takes me longer on doing post than others, so I do not get around like I want to. I miss not reading as much. I would like to be entered for your book. If I do not win, will check for it at the library. I am going to do better.

Julia M. Reffner said...

Great review, Sally. I've been wanting to read this one for a while as I've enjoyed several of Nancy's historicals.

adge said...

Thanks for the review. Please include me in the giveaway. bholton1[at]bellsouth[dot]net

Maggee said...

I have only started reading Nancy Moser, so this is one I did not yet read. I would love to be entered in your giveaway! Now I am off to browse your blogs some more... Hugs,

Maggee
vabnannyatyahoodotcom

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I love historical fiction! This sounds great, enter me please!
Cindy
applestonecottage@gmail.com

Kim, USA said...

Hi Sally, thanks for inviting me here I am so glad to enter your giveaway. Just by reading the excepts makes me curious and wanting to read it now! ^_^

Manang Kim
kissess4u7@aol.com

bj said...

Oh boy...this sounds like a great book. Please add my name..and thanks so much for giving this away.
Hugs, bj

Blue Ridge Altered Art said...

Great review. Made me definitely want to reat this. I love historical novels and this one sounds wonderful. Would love to be entered in the giveaway. ~~Sherry~~

Wifey10 said...

Oh I like the story so much, full of interesting thoughts and exciting, impulsive moves of Charlotte.And like the though of two settings, England to America, briliant! Haven't read any of Nancy Moser's work though but would love to have one..Thanks for inviting me to join this Sally, perhaps you knew I love reading novels, don't you?hehe..Good day!

Pblacksaw said...

I love to read.. This sounds like a good book. I'd love to have a copy.. sign me up..
Pblacksawataoldotcom

Thanks for stopping by my blog.. Have a great day!
Patsy

Patti said...

Sounds like a great book - please put me in the drawing! Thanks for your generosity to share the book with us.

Elaine said...

This looks like a great read.. I love to read and I'm always buying books. One day while out shopping my daughter said she was going to put me on a book diet until I read what I had..Can't pass up a good deal on books

Clarissa's Cottage Arts said...

Thanks for introducing me to this book. I really want to read it, so please include me in your giveaway.


clarissa

Anonymous said...

The is wonderful and the story is probably too. Please enter me in this contest.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

xinex said...

Sounds like a very intriguing story. I would love a chance to win. Thanks for letting me know about the giveaway, Sally. Have a nice week!...Christine

Ann said...

This is just up my (book) alley. Would love to win, please enter me.
Ann

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Hi Sally, Loved this review! Now of course, I really want to read it...maybe I will get lucky.
♥, Susan

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Sally! This sounds like a great read! Please enter me in your giveaway!
Thank you so much!
Coralie

Libby's Library said...

I would love to be included.
Thanks for the chance at winning a copy:-)

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Loui♥ said...

Hi Sally!
great review!!
now you've stirred my curiosity!!
I would love to be included!
warm sandy hugs..
Loui♥
louiewindom@gmail.com

Nanette said...

Hi Sally,
Sounds like a good book. I haven't read a good historical romance in years. Please sign me up too.
Thank you!
Valerie

valeriebircher{at}yahoo{dot}com

Jeanne said...

Hi Sally, this sounds like a book I would really enjoy. I love historical novels very much. sign me up for the drawing. Thanks for mentioning it today. We have been so busy with company here for the anniversary party I have not been on my computer for a few days. I'm glad I came over tonight.

It's late so goodnight my friend.
Jeanne /jeav@earthlink.net

Doni said...

Oooohhhhh that sounds like an awesome book! I'd love to win it! I always have my nose in a novel and am not happy if I'm not reading Christian fiction or my Bible! Of course blogging is a close second!
Blessings, Doni

Deborah Kay at The Paint Splash said...

Sally, Thanks for the chance to win your copy of this book. I love to read and it really sounds like a good book. Have a great week. Debbie/p119160aywat@gmail.com

Rebecca said...

This book sound really good. I love to read in the winter in front of the fire in our house built around 1855-especially novels about the Victorian time-it makes me feel like I'm really there. How exciting to do what you do-always an adventure or story to transport you somewhere else!

Judi said...

Hi Sally
Please enter my name for your Book Giveaway Draw. That sounds like a very interesting book! Thank you!

I have a Giveaway too Sally and all you have to do is leave a comment by clicking on the Sidebar...nothing else. :o)

Judi

Sheryl of georyl.com said...

Hey sally. do count me in. I'd like to win this book. Here's my email addie: athomewithg@gmail.com. thanks!

Maria Berg said...

Hi Sally,

I di read that it was only for USA, but I am willing to pay for the post if I win!
Or maybe I have a book for you and I can send another to you.

Love Maria Berg

Donnie said...

Love your review. Please include me in your generous giveaway. I will be back to read more. Thanks
Donnie W. at
ki4ggs(at)gmail(dot)com

xinex said...

Looks interesting! Would love a chance to win...Christine

Marie said...

Hi Sally!
How generous of you. Looks like an interesting book. Please include me.

Denise Marie said...

Sally, this book looks scrumptious! I love it that you edit/review books!! I'l enjoy getting the copy. sdjwest@yahoo.com

Diann said...

Hi Sally!

Sounds like a good book! I would love to enter to win!

diannandtroy{at}aol{dot}com

SmilingSally said...

I'm noticing that so far only 14 of 35 have left their EMAIL ADDRESS on the comment!

eileeninmd said...

Sounds like a great book, Sally! Please enter my email eileen3600(at)live(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Caught my interest Sally... toss my name in.

briarsidelane[at]gmail[dot]com ...Karen

Darlene said...

That sounds like a really great read. I LOVE books that you can't put down! Please toss my name into the hat...thanks, Sally!!

SmilingSally said...

Here are your random numbers:

15

Timestamp: 2010-09-25 00:08:52 UTC

Denise Marie is the winner!