Masquerade by Madeleine Taylor is an erotic romance not to be missed.
When Ivy Giacometti goes to New Orleans to visit her best friend, the last thing she expects is to gate-crash a women’s only masquerade party thrown by the city’s elusive Countess Montgomery. This isn’t just any women’s only party. Carnal delights appear to be the main focus, and Ivy is both shocked and turned on.
Lucky for her, an attractive masked stranger takes her under her wing. Ivy is mesmerized by this devilish woman and before she knows it, she’s consented to a night of passion and submission.
Ivy’s taken to new heights during their sexual encounter. Her eyes are opened to physical sensations and emotional feelings she’s never experienced. When the party ends, Ivy’s delighted when her stranger introduces herself and asks Ivy if she’d like to get to know her better.
Is Ivy’s encounter with Kameron just going to be one of the highlights of her vacation, or has she found a woman who’s going to become a part of her future?
The Characters
Both Ivy and Kameron are well written with aspects of their personalities fed to the reader bit by bit. When they meet at the extravagant party, they’re just as anonymous to the reader as they are to each other. I thought this was a lovely way to introduce them. Their sexual encounter says a lot about who they are. Kameron is kind, chivalrous, and confident. Ivy’s secure in herself, yet a novice when it comes to kinky sex. As the reader gets to know them, Ivy and Kameron feel just right for each other. Kameron has always shied away from relationships because she’s deeply private, and she’s not found the woman who’d make her feel differently. Ivy’s constant and true. She’s without artifice so it absolutely makes sense she’d be the one to open Kameron’s heart. I like these women, and I think you will too.
The Writing Style
Taylor is a must-read author for me. Her writing is strong. Her character development, plot, and sex scenes are close to perfect. Masquerade is told in first person present tense entirely from Ivy’s point of view. The reader is taken through a gamut of emotions from beginning to end and there’s nothing contrived or rote about it. Everything we learn about Kameron runs parallel to how Ivy learns it. This makes identifying with her second nature. This isn’t just erotica built around a flimsy plot. Masquerade is darn good storytelling.
My Favourite Parts
Not only is the sex as hot as a five-alarm fire, there’s consent in each and every scene. I like seeing a couple establishing trust and that includes consent. Kameron consistently checks in with Ivy during all their encounters. She’s not just checking to make sure Ivy remembers her safe word. She’s confirming Ivy’s comfortable about what they’re doing and that Ivy’s receiving the pleasure Kameron is determined to give her.
Cons
Not one.
The Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed Masquerade. It’s the third novel from Madeleine Taylor and I’ve been captivated by each one. She certainly knows how to write a steamy book, but her ability to nurture the romance behind the erotic encounters is fantastic. She balances the sexual escapades with a developing love story in a way that gives me the best of two genres making this a book I highly recommend.
Excerpt from Masquerade by Madeleine Taylor
“So, what do people talk about without giving anything away about themselves?” I ask when we’re sitting on a couch in something that looks like a reception room. There are fewer people in here, but the vibe is the same; steamy, heated, sexual. No one is taking it any further than kissing so far, but their hands have started to wander now, and it’s hard not to look. “I can’t ask you about your name, how you know the hostess, or what you do for a living,” I continue, desperate to take my mind off the woman opposite me, whose hand is now making its way up another woman’s thigh.
“We could talk about what you’d like me to do to you in bed,” she suggests matter-of- factly, making my heart rate go up so fast that I clutch onto my chest. “I take it from your reaction that public intimacy isn’t your thing, but I have a nice room upstairs. Countess Montgomery is fine with me using it and it’s very private.”
“Of course you do.” I can’t help but laugh because she’s simply not giving up. After my second drink though, I’m feeling more relaxed and the chemistry between us is explosive.
“Well?” She arches a brow. “What do you want, Miss Black?”
A blush rises to my cheeks and I hide behind my glass. Being a professional nightclub singer, I’m not normally the shy retiring type, but I seem to have lost my ability to speak tonight. “I’m not sure if I know what I want. Not right now, anyway.”
My seductress nods, the corners of her mouth tugging up. “Then maybe you should let me decide what you want. Do you like handing over control?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know very well what I mean. Does the idea of me being in command appeal to you?”
“No.” As the answer leaves my lips in a breathy whimper, I know I’m lying. Although I’ve had many fantasies, I’ve never submitted to anyone. “Maybe.”
“Maybe means you’re curious. Are you curious, Miss Black?” Her eyes flash back at me and I let out a quiet breath before I finally give in.
“Yes.”
It’s just one word, but somehow, I feel like that one word is about to change my world. A rush of heat spreads between my thighs, making me quiver. Clearly, I want this more that I realized, and if I’m ever going to try something totally out of my comfort zone, it might as well be with an anonymous stranger who I will never see again. up. “Then maybe you should let me decide what you want. Do you like handing over control?” “What do you mean by that?” “You know very well what I mean. Does the idea of me being in command appeal to you?” “No.” As the answer leaves my lips in a breathy whimper, I know I’m lying. Although I’ve had many fantasies, I’ve never submitted to anyone. “Maybe.”
“Maybe means you’re curious. Are you curious, Miss Black?” Her eyes flash back at me and I let out a quiet breath before I finally give in.
“Yes.”
It’s just one word, but somehow, I feel like that one word is about to change my world. A rush of heat spreads between my thighs, making me quiver. Clearly, I want this more that I realized, and if I’m ever going to try something totally out of my comfort zone, it might as well be with an anonymous stranger who I will never see again.
“Are you sure?” Her hand slides up my thigh, making my chest heave. “You know what? It doesn’t matter; you can change your mind anytime.” A gentle squeeze is all the encouragement I need, because all I can think of now is having that hand in other places. I have no idea how she’s done it, but within the span of an hour, I’ve agreed to go upstairs with her and let her do God knows what to me.
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Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9781838164300
- Publisher: Lise Gold Books
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