From the back cover:

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.

“A Noble Masquerade” by Kristi Ann Hunter is a brisk, fun-filled Regency story that is filled with quirky characters and unexpected situations. Although the story is not always 100% believable in terms of the Regency time-period, or even natural human actions, it does make for a quick and enjoyable story that is perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

The Regency setting of this story is one of my favorite parts, and fans of the time period will enjoy this fresh take that includes spies, secret missions, and even attempted murder! In case you haven’t already suspected as much, the plotline is somewhat outlandish… And yes, sometimes the characters act pretty outlandishly, too. Does this mean that it can’t be enjoyed in spite of, or perhaps because of all its quirks? Not at all – if you are in the right frame of mind.

I hope my thoughts about this novel helped to prepare you for a story that crosses the bounds of typical Regency writing. Although not exactly what I was expecting when I opened to the first page, it is still an enjoyable book in its own right. I also appreciated the various references to prayer and faith. If you are in the mood for an unconventional Regency tale that will tickle your imagination, and likely your funny bone too, be sure to check out “A Noble Masquerade”.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.