Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty inspirational novels. Her genres include contemporary stories including John 3:16 and Time Lottery, and historical novels of real women-of-history including Just Jane(Jane Austen) and Washington’s Lady (Martha Washington). Her newest historical novel is Masquerade. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Sister Circle Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com and www.sistercircles.com.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
They risk it all for adventure and romance, but find that love only flourishes in truth…
1886, New York City: Charlotte Gleason, a rich heiress from England, escapes a family crisis by traveling to America in order to marry the even wealthier Conrad Tremaine.
She soon decides that an arranged marriage is not for her and persuades her maid, Dora, to take her place. She wants a chance at “real life,” even if it means giving up financial security. For Charlotte, it’s a risk she’s willing to take. What begins as the whim of a spoiled rich girl wanting adventure becomes a test of survival amid poverty beyond Charlotte’s blackest nightmares.
As for Dora, it’s the chance of a lifetime. She lives a fairy tale complete with gowns, jewels, and lavish mansions–yet is tormented by guilt from the possibility of discovery and the presence of another love that will not die. Is this what her heart truly longs for?
Will their masquerade be discovered? Will one of them have second thoughts? There is no guarantee the switch will work. It’s a risk. It’s the chance of a lifetime.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Masquerade, go HERE.
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MY REVIEW:
Having read and enjoyed Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper” as a young student, I approached Masquerade with the expectations of a similar story. Although the story had a similar exchange of positions in which Cora was no more equipped to assume a role in society than Lottie was prepared to fend for herself, Masquerade was unique in most other aspects.
Moser’s carefully researched facts and her eye for detail made for an educational as well as entertaining novel. The contrasts between the opulent homes of the rich and the tenements occupied by immigrants painted an image of a life many of my generation and younger have not experienced first hand. It was interesting to note the love and joy shared by the immigrants despite their circumstances as compared to the discontent and indifference displayed by the Tremaine family. It was inspiring to read how the Lord worked in the lives of Dora and Lottie to change and protect them and to use them in the lives of others.
I personally would have liked to see a bit more development of the romances before the conclusion; however I realize that could have added another hundred pages or so to the four hundred already included. I can’t imagine anything that could have been left out so the exclusion of a few romantic details is a small price to pay. Overall, Masquerade is an excellent novel with a timely message.
After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm–all from the comforts of home.
Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.
After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a “corporate executive” was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.
Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.
Her 2010 books, Beguiled and Maid To Match are now available for order.
Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-seven years and their two border collies. They have four grown children. Visit her blog to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Falling in love could cost her everything.
From the day she arrived at the Biltmore, Tillie Reese is dazzled, by the riches of the Vanderbilts and by Mack Danvers, a mountain man turned footman. When Tillie is enlisted to help tame Mack’s rugged behavior by tutoring him in proper servant etiquette, the resulting sparks threaten Tillie’s efforts to be chosen as Edith Vanderbilt’s lady’s maid, After all, the one rule of the house is no romance below stairs.
But the stakes rise even higher when Mack and Tillie become entangled in a cover-up at the town orphanage. They could both lose their jobs, their aspirations…their hearts.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Maid to Match, go HERE.
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MY REVIEW:
Although I have enjoyed all the novels of DeeAnne Gist, I think Maid to Match is my favorite of her books to date. It offers a fascinating look from a maid’s point of view at life inside the famous Biltmore mansion during the Vanderbilt years. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about what was expected of the staff of the Biltmore, particularly the duties of a lady’s maid. I was amazed by the type of intimate details that maids were expected to attend. That way of life is so foreign to me, it is difficult to imagine that it actually took place in the United States within a day’s drive of my home.
A turbulent romance between Tillie and Mack, two of the Vanderbilt servants, drives the plot. As each of them plans their future according to their own ambitions and desires, they soon find that the Lord has other plans for them. Maid to Matchpaints a stark contrast between life at the Biltmore and life at the local orphanage which adds even more depth to an already excellent story.
It is difficult for me to say just how good this book is without totally giving away the whole story. It is full of informative and humorous gems as well as plenty of drama and romance. In my opinion, Maid to Matchis a must read.
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