I am frequently weary of novella’s or novelettes because so often they leave you feeling unaccomplished, like there was more to be said but they just didn’t. That is most definitely NOT the case in this compilation "Autumn Masquerade” You start out strong with;
"A Merry Dance" by Josi Kilpack. Summed into one word delightful… or enchanting… either one work perfectly for me! You meet Lila (which I loved the names in this book most especially, which is always a plus, do to the fact when you love a book but hate the main characters name its annoying) Anyway, she is a charming young woman. I love her cute quarks that show her age and personality well. The beginning set up the book so well where I felt like I had known her for years and wasn’t constantly wondering if something she did was actually within her character. Uncle Peter is the perfect Uncle turned to Father, (for her, he does already have a child, so as to not be misleading) and his role in the whole book makes him an endearing character. Mortimer, a name I never thought I liked, but came to find lovely, I don’t really want to describe for fear of giving too much of the book away. As Lila learns more of herself, she lands in some humorous situations and your view of Mortimer leaves you feeling happily content. It’s one of those books you finish *sigh* and walk away happy. (Really the best kind) Without question 5 stars, READ THIS BOOK!
“Unmasking the Duke" By Donna Hatch. This was a first from this author from me but it was probably my favorite from the book! In fact when I learned that this novelette stemmed from characters in one of her books I immediately purchased it! Here we are treated with painfully shy, Hannah Palmer. Though she is pretty and has the upbringing of a gentlemans’ daughter she still feels out of place in large crowds and really anything social. Through some unusual circumstances (a masquerade ball) she is able to overcome it playing the part of “Aphrodite" who she is dressed as. At least for a time, enough to meet a charming musketeer whom she doesn’t know his identity, only as Bennet. When she learns of his identity her world well for lack of a better term “crashes.” Wonderfully written, the characters struggle with things that would have been issues for their time. The banter between the two is witty and fun. I throughly enjoyed each character in the book! I don’t want to write much about the plot because I would give it all away but this book is one to READ! A lovely clean romance.
“What’s in a Name?” by Nancy Campbell Allen. Also another first for me, I had not read this author before. I loved it. It was most definitely nothing I was expecting. We meet Persephone and Penelope, twins, who like many if not most twins are nothing alike. They have an awful aunt who is mean and honestly without feeling. We learn that Penelope is different from the mold of her time enjoying pastimes that hardly any other would know anything about, if they had heard of it at all! Persephone is self-centered but sometimes well meaning, and perfect in her aunts eyes. The Duke of Wilmington has been corresponding with Penelope unknowing it was her and not her sister, when they meet this becomes obvious and honestly, a bit of chaos ensues which is delightful. I loved the story! I loved that is wasn’t like every other romance you read! This is one you won’t be disappointed in!
All the stories within this collection are clean, (no sex scenes or foul language.)
