A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, the Duke of Marshington. Since she's never actually met the man she has no intention of ever sending the letters and is mortified when her brother's mysterious new valet, Marlow, mistakenly mails one of the letters to the unsuspecting duke.

Shockingly, this breach of etiquette results in a reply from the duke that soon leads to a lively correspondence. Insecurity about her previous lack of suitors soon becomes confusion as Miranda finds herself equally intrigued by Marlow, a man she has come to depend upon but whose behavior grows more suspicious by the day. As the secret goings-on at her family's estate come to light, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

Heidi here. Oh. My. Goodness. A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter is an awesome read, simply awesome! Just read the back cover copy!

Now seriously. The writing is fabulous, very active and intriguing and fresh. I am amazed that this is a debut novel, Kristi did a wonderful job.

The plotline, especially the premise of Lady Miranda writing letters to the Duke of Marshington, creates conflict from the first page. And that conflict never lets up until the very end. The author takes us on twists and turns and makes us care more and more deeply for the characters with each flip of the page.

This historical novel takes the reader back to the times of corsets and ladymaids and servants galore. A time when the people who owned the house didn't cook or shop for groceries or even do their own hair! Kristi Ann is successful in making the reader feel like they have gone back in time. Bravo!