Unmasking
Love
A
Holiday Romance Novel
By:
Peggy Bird
Released
29th September 2014
Crimson
Romance
Getting
a life do-over in the small theater town of Ashland, Oregon, has
suited lawyer Julie Payne to a T. After ten years in the Portland
prosecutor’s office, she’s enjoying her new, easy lifestyle, and
she’s not looking for any complications.
Trace Watkins comes to town seeking the same refuge from life as a big city banker. A new job might make Ashland his permanent address, and he likes what he sees of the place, especially when he meets Julie one hot Halloween night.The sparks fly instantly between the costumed couple, and Julie and Trace waste no time connecting beneath the sheets while literally hiding behind their masks.
But when the holiday hook-up ends, their real identities present a serious snag: Trace manages the bank Julie happens to be suing. The only way they can turn this trick into a treat is if both of them are willing to face their pasts and finally bury the skeletons in their closets.
Trace Watkins comes to town seeking the same refuge from life as a big city banker. A new job might make Ashland his permanent address, and he likes what he sees of the place, especially when he meets Julie one hot Halloween night.The sparks fly instantly between the costumed couple, and Julie and Trace waste no time connecting beneath the sheets while literally hiding behind their masks.
But when the holiday hook-up ends, their real identities present a serious snag: Trace manages the bank Julie happens to be suing. The only way they can turn this trick into a treat is if both of them are willing to face their pasts and finally bury the skeletons in their closets.
She should ask him to stop. But
apparently the sensible part of her had been tapped out resisting her
inclination to walk across the room to him when he’d smiled at her.
All that was left was the other part of her, the one that wanted him
to keep going. The smell of his aftershave, his soap, something,
along with the soft whisper of his voice and the feel of his arms
around her, filled her senses, made her forget where she was, who she
was.
She had to take control of this.
Somehow. Maybe if she knew who he was under that mask. She asked,
“How do you know who I am when I don’t know who you are?”
“I know you’re Juliet and I’m
Romeo. What else matters tonight?”
Could he really not know her? Did he
really think she was the Juliet of her costume, as he was the Romeo
of his? He didn’t look or sound familiar, although she couldn’t
really see much because of his mask. And he hadn’t done more than
whisper. Should she really believe he was a stranger in town who had
been as attracted to her as she was to him from only a look across
her living room?
Quietly, for her ears only, he began
to recite, “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It
is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the
envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief, that thou, her
maid, art far more fair than she.”
She whispered back without thinking,
“O, Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo?”
“I’m right here, beautiful.”
After one final kiss on her neck, he slid his hand down her arm,
laced his fingers through hers, and motioned her to follow him.
I
picked this book purely on its cover, having no pre-conceived ideas
about what to expect, as I barely skimmed the synopsis. So, I'm
delighted that this is a complete departure from what I normally read
and a welcome “feel good” change of pace.
Julie
(Juliet/Greer) didn't intent to end up in Ashland, but fate stepped
into her life in the form of transmission failure on her car.
Stranded, she is forced to stay in this small town; tantalisingly
close to the California state line. The state where she planned on
making her new home. After overhearing a conversation in restaurant
about a possible job, Julie abandons her plans and decides makes this
friendly, theatrical town her new home.
When
Trace ends up in Ashland, the last thing on his mind is finding a
woman. Hell, he didn't even want to gatecrash the Halloween party
everyone was talking about. After a fair bit of cajoling from his
old fraternity brothers , wearing a “Romeo” costume; leaving
nothing to the imagination, he ends up at the celebration. A meeting
of eyes across a crowded room, leads him to his “Juliet.” A
night of passion follows, but their masked faces which concealed
their identities means neither knows who the other one is. Was this
just a fantasy?
Intrigue
follows as Trace takes up his new position as manager at Northwest
Savings and Loan, where he meets “ice queen,” a woman who looks
familiar. Have they met before?
I
love the author's witty writing style which is present right from the
opening lines of this book. Ms Bird, successfully builds
deliciously, believable sexual tension between Julie and Trace; you
can almost hear the cracks of electricity! Additionally, she paints
a wonderful landscape with words to describe the setting for this
light-hearted and sexy romance.
This
was a fun and quick read, but one that also left a smile on my face.
5 *'s -arc
received in exchange for an honest review.
Peggy
Bird lives in the Pacific Northwest where she sets most of her
novels. To stay out of trouble—and the rain—she writes stories
about smart women and sexy men and creates the occasional piece of
glass art.
