Unmasked [Mass Market Paperback]

Setting - Nottingham Castle, 1644 -- At the age of thirteen, Robert Greysteel Montgomery was not at all enamored by the seven year Elizabeth Cavendish he was being betrothed to. Though he did think she had the face of an angel he would also, on that day vow, she was the imp of Satan as he observed firsthand her precocious-ness and later as she announced she was changing her name to Velvet and would no longer respond to the name Elizabeth.

Velvet, at age seven, wanted only to marry Robert's best friend Charles, who would one day be King of England, but her mother was able to convince her to behave at the betrothal and vowed that Robert would protect and always keep her safe. That seemed to placate her and the betrothal was signed and sealed.

Thirteen long and tumultuous years later, Greysteel has been operating as a double agent working to restore King Charles II to the throne. Velvet and her family had been living abroad having lost their properties, as had most Royalists loyal to the Charles. When Velvet returns to England they are reunited and Greysteel is immediately ready to marry Velvet. Though Velvet is definitely attracted to the handsome cavalier, she isn't quite so ardent in her affections - still holding a special place in her heart for Charles. Greysteel, on the other hand, a master strategist, approaches the courting of Velvet as another battle to win - but though Velvet may allow herself to be caught, her heart would be another matter.

*** I am once again in awe at the brilliant way that this author can weave fiction into and around the rich historical background that she sets her characters into. Greysteel and Velvet are both crafted as headstrong individuals portrayed bigger than life and their story is filled with love and a powerful passion. Make no mistake - Velvet the precocious child who needed her arse tanned grew to a be force to be reckoned with and it would be Greysteel alone who had the insight to realize that behind Velvet's precocious behavior and willful defiance masked the delicate and fragile vulnerability that he came to love. The author depicts that while their passions were all consuming, it wasn't enough, as she gives us that one glorious and defining moment where both are willing to risk all to prove their love for one another in this marvelous romantic epic. Henley once again does a masterful job in transporting the reader smack dab in the middle of the time period, enfolding all the drama, and all the passion in her characters that only this true master of the historical genre can create. Once again, Henley strikes pure gold in UNMASKED. - Marilyn, for www.historicalromancewriters.com ---

UNMASKED - Virginia Henley

Signet

ISBN: 0-451-21627-X

September 2005

Historical Romance

Saint-Germain, France; Scotland; London, England - 1644 and 1657

The domineering Oliver Cromwell rules England and no one is happy, especially those of the royal Stuart court. Forced to bend to his will and adopt the less-than-luxurious lifestyle the Protectorate enforces - attending church three times a week, wearing dull garments, and having absolutely no fun whatsoever - London citizens are more than ready for their rightful monarch to be returned to his throne. Change is in the air, and Charles II lies in wait, forced into exile after the murder of his father, Charles I.

No one knows the hardship of exile in France better than Elizabeth "Velvet" Cavendish. Raised by doting parents, Velvet now wears ratty clothes that barely fit, and is able to eat only enough to stay alive, yet she lives in anticipation of her beloved monarch returning to the throne of England. Childhood friends, Velvet fondly recalls many good memories of the handsome Charles. She fell in love with the then prince and prayed that he would marry her; and even as she nurses her ailing mother, Velvet holds on to that one great wish - to marry the man of her dreams, Charles. Instead, she is betrothed to Robert Greysteel Montgomery, yet another friend to the Stuart prince.

With a stroke of luck, Velvet is able to return to her beloved England under the tutelage of a distant relation, Christian Cavendish, the Dowager Countess of Devonshire. Now Velvet may take up her rightful life as the daughter of an earl, and live accordingly. Velvet is quite beautiful and is sure to ensnare some rich gent into marriage, but one man stands in her way - Greysteel Montgomery, who has returned to England as well. Now a double agent, his greatest goal is to see Charles II back on the throne. Greysteel cannot believe his eyes when he sees Velvet again. He remembers the little hellion quite well, and is startled to see the girl has transformed into a stunningly sensuous woman. By God, he'll have her or die trying...

Oh what a tangled web we weave... Greysteel wants Velvet and will stop at nothing to make her his. Velvet cannot deny her passion for Greysteel, and that's when she becomes confused. Her head tells her she wants Charles, but her body cries out for Greysteel.

Virginia Henley's love for history shines in UNMASKED. Velvet is more than a match for Greysteel, and Greysteel is just the man to tame Velvet and show her that her passionate nature can be better used than in battles of will. Her time back on British soil is well spent, and Velvet becomes quite adept in attracting and seducing a man, particularly Greysteel. Although an innocent, Velvet is a quick learner and it's not long before she's matching his barbs word for word and enchanting him even more. Greysteel can see the softer side of Velvet and knows that her precociousness hides a gentler nature that many don't see. Greysteel will never forget that he wasn't Velvet's first choice, but can he make her his own before it's too late?

Fans will be interested to know that Velvet Cavendish is a descendent of the heroine of Ms. Henley's A WOMAN OF PASSION, Bess Hardwick; UNMASKED, however, stands alone very well. The Restoration period is brought to life by the talented pen of Virginia Henley. Many true-to-life historical characters make appearances, from Charles II himself, to Barbara Villiers, the woman who was arguably Charles's favorite mistress. Set against the backdrop of Charles appointment to the throne, Velvet and Greysteel's romance remains the main focus in UNMASKED. If not treated by a deft hand, they might have gotten lost in the muddle of historical facts and events that were added for a more vivid texture to this very colorful history. Some may call Virginia Henley's writing historical fiction, but the proof that this woman still loves the romance fiction genre is between the pages in UNMASKED.

Add UNMASKED to your fall reading list and prepare to be enthralled!

Amy Cunningham

Romance Reviews Today

This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful feisty heroine, someone who always seems to interfere with the hero and heroine, and, most of all...PASSION! The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a diffrent. The plot was interesting and it kept you interested in what was going to happen next. Unmasked has a strong (but not obnoxious) heroine who is in no way ordinary, a back story which is compelling but doesn't get in the way of the love story, and of course a wonderful hero. The reader will feel the despair, the heartbreak, passion and the joy of Elizabeth "Velvet" Cavendish and Robert "Graysteel" Montgomery in this very excellent character driven romance. I found the characters to be multi-dimensional. All I can say in conclusion is if you like a good, emotional, heart-tugging historical, with characters that leap off the pages, buy Unmasked.

The thing that dragged this story were all the bloody misunderstandings. Uugh I hate when books do that. I enjoyed this book but it could have been better.