This was an interesting story and I liked what the back cover said: "Sometimes it is hard to tell if you are the cat or the mouse". Lady Wexham is French by birth, but living as a widowed English countess in 1813. Is she spying though for the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte??

Rees Phillips was working in the British Foreign Office at a routine job, when he is given the chance to pose as the countess's butler and discover where Lady Wexham loyalties lie. The problem is, the longer he works for her, the harder it is to spy on her, as his feelings for her are far more than a butler should have for a "lady". And then what happens when Lady Wexham finds out who he truly is and sets up to deceive him, even though it is hard for her, as she too finds herselt drawn to her butler.

This was a story of intrigue, where (as the back cover says) "black and white burst into a confusion of colors - and no one is who they seem". I appreciated the dialogue between the two main characters, and the 'moonlight masquerade' scene was one of my favorites. Looking forward to "A Heart's Rebellion" next, which I believe is about one of the secondary characters in this story. ( )

This book was fun and the romance was subtle and romantic rather than erotic. The spy aspect makes this book more interesting and easy to get caught up in. ( )

In times of war people have been known to go to drastic measures. Where will loyalties lie when the truth comes out?

Mr. McKinnon, or rather Rees Phillips, has been sent as a butler, a spy, into the house of Lady Céline Wexham. Céline is a French émigré who is most likely a spy herself. Although as he gets to know her his loyalty to his homeland falters. It is 1813 and word has it that Bonaparte will soon be conquered. The royalists long to reestablish the monarchy in France, however Lady Wexham is in favor of the republic. She has made enemies of the French and the British. Will Rees follow his country, his heart, or God’s call?

Moonlight Masquerade is an exquisite tale of love in regency England. Intrigue, espionage, masquerades and highwaymen fill the pages of this book from beginning to end. It is a very moving story filled with sorrow and joy. Ruth Axtell did a wonderful job detailing where our true loyalties must lie. First and foremost to God. Our path will become clear, if not easy, as long as we rely on Him to guide us. ( )

Loved it! Review to come...












*With appreciation to Revell for providing a reading and review copy without obligation. ( )

Read from February 24 to March 06, 2013 — I own a copy

I have been looking forward to reading something from Ruth Axtell, aka Ruth Axtell Morren for a while ever since I kept seeing such beautiful covers on mass market imprints. I'm delighted that she is now writing for publishers like Howard and Revell Books. Revell has another great read in this author and I hope for more to come. I did not know what to expect with this story except romance and that was definitely there as well as some fun suspense all set in the background of an English regency. Trying to figure out characters' motives and sides in the war between France and Napoleon was an interest keeper and I enjoyed coming back to this novel every time I had to put it down for life events. I truly enjoyed the characters and while I'm not ecstatic about the novel, without a doubt I will be willing to go back for future novels as well as backlist from Ruth. She knows how to tell a story. While it's a century earlier, this one would also appeal to Downton Abbey-esque fans with an Upstairs/Downstairs dynamic and feeling as well.

*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*

posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/03/07/moonlight-masquerade-by-ruth-axte... ( )