I told a friend that this was a great book. I’m not known to exaggerate, so she picked it up for herself. I’m waiting to hear what she thinks, because I loved it, but I could be a tiny bit biased.

A NOBLE MASQUERADE by Kristi Ann Hunter is a excellent book. I’m busy enough between writing and reading for pleasure and for reviews that I don’t often read series books anymore. I just don’t have the time. But I will look for the next in Kristi Ann’s Hawthorne House series.

Lady Miranda is puzzled by the … interest she is experiencing in her brother’s new valet, Marlowe. She’s about to embark on her fourth season in society, and is likely to remain a spinster since she refuses to marry a man who is interested only in the advancement his connection to Miranda’s brother, the Duke, can bring.

Marlowe is irritated that his attraction to Lady Miranda is distracting him from his purpose in her brother’s home: finding the spy who is selling England’s secrets to France. He’s been absent from British society for a reason and he’s not quite ready to resume his place, until this final job is done and done right.

Both Miranda and Marlowe are intriguing and compelling characters. I loved them both separately and together.

The spying subplot was a bit disappointing. I expected the culprit to be one of the main characters. That would have upped the emotional stakes for Miranda, Marlowe, and for the reader. I won’t give away the guilty party, though, so you can judge for yourself. I could be wrong.

Overall, I loved the book and the romance and will definitely buy the next one in the series. I’m looking forward to reading Miranda’s brothers’ and sister’s stories.

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Kristi Ann is a writer acquaintance and a 2014 Golden Heart® Dreamweaver sister. I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House for review purposes. I’ve been honest in my review.