Touch of Downton ~ Moonlight Masquerade by Ruth Axtell ~ Review

With the new fad of Downton Abbey (and I’m speaking as an avid fan myself), it seems there will probably be a great many more regencies showing up on the Christian fiction market. But what I liked about “Moonlight Masquerade” is that it doesn’t have to fit any one “mold” or expectation. The story was fresh, interesting and engaging.

            

I liked the “espionage” angle and it is definitely one of those upstairs/downstairs relationships with a twist that I wasn’t sure the two main characters could actually fall in love. Amazing, considering they are the main characters. (wink)

         

   I love titles that actually match a scene within the story and the masquerade under moonlight is definitely one such moment. Oh goodness…talk about a good fiction moment.

          

  Parts of the story weren’t *as* engaging as far as the actual telling of the story and I thought parts a bit repetitive, but overall the story was one I’m still glad I took the time to read.

            

Several sections during the story bore a delightful smidge of humor. Secondary characters had strength beyond the page and gave delightful spice to the story. I enjoyed reading the progression and character growth. An overall entertaining read.

           

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review

         

   **Available March 2013 from Revell, a division of Baker Publishers**

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

More about the novel...

Lady Celine Wexham seems the model British subject. French by birth but enjoying life in 1813 as a widowed English countess, she is in the unique position of being able to help those in need--or to spy for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. When Rees Phillips of the British Foreign Office is sent to pose as the countess's butler and discover where her true loyalties lie, he is confident he will uncover the truth. But the longer he is in her fashionable townhouse in London's West End, the more his staunch loyalty to the Crown begins to waver as he falls under Lady Wexham's spell. Will he find the proof he needs? And if she is a spy after all, will he do the right thing?

Ruth Axtell deftly creates a world where black and white burst into a confusion of colors and no one is who they seem. Readers will be hooked from the very first scene to the final page.