It is 1886 and Charlotte Gleason is on her way from England to New York with turmoil in her heart. She is to marry a rich American and never be in want of anything – a man who she has never met. In a panic she switched identities with her maid, Dora.
For Dora this is a chance of a lifetime, thrust into mansions and pretty gowns…. yet she is tormented by being found out….
For Charlotte it means giving up financial security, but she is willing to take the risk. What starts as a whim of a spoiled rich girl soon becomes a test of survival, and beyond Charlotte’s darkest nightmares as her “adventure” turns into something else.
And what of the man in New York?
I have enjoyed Nancy Moser’s writing from the first time I read The Seat Beside me and The Invitation series. Books that I read years ago, but was reminded of when I opened this book, like being reminded of old friends.
Lately, as the mornings become a little crisper and the scent of fall is in the air, I have been craving Historical Fiction. Odd? Maybe, but it seems as the seasons change, so do my reading habits. Masquerade filled that craving with its descriptions of England and early New York.
Well written and well paced, I had memories of Titanic, not only for my love (LOVE!) of the movie, but for the time the girls travel to America – and their choices become somewhat of a disaster. I enjoyed reading about the changes in both women, Dora finding that she has a bit more elegance than she had thought, and Lottie (who comes off as extremely snobby and spoiled) has a soft spot in her heart for children.
As I read through the tangled web the two girls have created by their choices, author Nancy Moser pulls God into the mix. Even through the blunders and mistakes on both sides, God provides and I find myself closing the last page feeling satisfied and warm inside, for a cool Fall morning.
My Amazon Rating
Book Journey has updated the 2010 Book Map to Include Masquerade
394 pages
Cover Story: Perfect…. a gorgeous dress that could be a disguise…and you can not see the woman’s face.
This book was provided by The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
Book Journey 
Sounds wonderful, Sheila, and I love your creative “twist,” with the photo of you reading.
My reading preferences change with the weather too! Cozy mysteries in the autumn and winter…
Thank you Laurel, I thought it would be fun to picture where I read the book…. I am always looking fora way to make the reviews unique…. 😀
This sounds like a great story and I love the cover! Thanks for sharing.
Sure Tasha – it was a great read – I really enjoy this author!
I enjoy place-switching stories I must admit. Thanks for the suggestion!
I do too Trisha! 😀
I’ve seen this book on several blogs I follow and everytime I read a review, I say to myself, I should really put Masquerade in my TBR pile.
I’m saying it again today. 🙂
I think you should listen to the blogs Joy – they are speaking to you. 😛
What an amazing cover! One of the first steps in my book selection is the cover, if the cover actually speaks to me I will pick up the book and read the back cover to see if it is something that I would be interested in. Without even reading your terrific review, I immediately was drawn to this book. Yet another book on the TBR list. . . I know that thanks to your reviews I will be surrounded by many “friends” this winter. :o)
I am a huge cover snob Sarah. i too look at a cover to see if it draws me in.
So glad you will have many books during the cold months 😀
I can’t wait to track down a copy of this one. It sounds so good. Covers are a big draw for me too.
Holly I have always been drawn by covers… 🙂
This sounds fantastic!! I just read/reviewed Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, and I am so with you on cooler weather eliciting historical fiction, or just a story line set in a time long, long ago! This sounds like a fabulous book, and I’m totally putting this on my wish list!!
Oh good- I hope you enjoy it 😀
Hmm, sounds like it could be good. I’ve not read any of Moser’s books.
Hannah I think you would like Nancy Moser. I read her years ago the series I mentioned above was called The Mustard Seed Series
Love the cover. I have been pushing through my series mysteries to lighten my shelves. None are keepers so they go for trade or in a yard sale or I give them away. My historical fiction has been calling me too. As soon as I finish the book I’m reading, I am switching to historicals. Not sure what just yet, but I have more than enough to choose from.
Hope you have fun plans for Labor Day Weekend.
OOh I cant wait Pat – I am still finishing up some other reads but maybe I can pull a Historical fiction into next weeks reads…
Oh..this one looks like it is right up my alley. I’ll look it up on my jaunt to my crack den this weekend (that would be Books a Million)
Crazy den Andrea? Thats awesome! 😀 Have fun!
Thanks for sharing-what a beautiful cover.
Sure Esme – I had forgotten how much I enjoy Nancy Mosers writing.
Oh I like “switching places” books! This one sounds really good. I don’t like book covers where it looks like her head has been cut off though…
I do too Ladytink – and movies! 😀
I love stories where people switch places. It seems like such a treasure to be able to really experience someone else’s life – but I can see that also being a curse in some ways. Still this seems like a wonderful read – perfect for fall.
I think so too Jennifer – imagine being able to switch with someone totally unknown to your friends, family…