A Lady in Disguise

GIVEAWAY

BYRD, SANDRA
A LADY IN DISGUISE

After her father's mysterious death, Miss Gillian Young takes a job as the new principal costume designer at the renowned Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Gillian remembers her father as well-respected officer of the Metropolitan Police, but she uncovers clues that suggest he led a double life.

Then Gillian meets the dashing Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Although the attraction between them is instant, a friend suggests that he was involved in her father's murder. Is Lockwood's interest in Gillian just a front for his pursuit of her newly inherited property?

Gillian is convinced her father has left behind evidence that will prove his innocence. But as her opposition becomes increasingly dangerous, it is obvious that someone wants to stop her from discovering it. With her life on the line, Gillian takes on an ingenious disguise in the role of a lifetime to reveal her father's true killer.

My Review:

Sqqqquuuueeeealllllll!!!!!!!

Just...

Sqqqquuuueallllll!!!!!!

I am still light-headed with residual Gothic Romance Glee. The first 'grown up' books that I read as a teen were classics in this genre -- Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis A. Whitney -- so I can't help but get a tad shy of giddy when I discover a new one and A Lady in Disguise is exquisitely perfect in absolutely every way.

Deliciously sinister evil threatens Gillian at every turn as she sifts through layers of intrigue. Danger draws ever closer as she persists in searching for the truth about her father's death. Thrilling plot twists and a host of interesting characters kept me glued to the page as I tried to discern friend from foe right along with this intrepid heroine.

And then there's Viscount Thomas Lockwood. Be. Still. My. Heart. My toes are still curled and my fainting couch has lost most of it's pouffe from all my swooning. Dashing hero with a commanding presence and an air of mystery. Need I say more? I could wax poetic all day. Especially over some of the exhilarating dialogue between Thomas and Gillian. The art of saying one thing while meaning something entirely different. The romantic tension between these two is palpable and mesmerizing to read.

But then the danger turns even more ominous as menacing evil preys upon Gillian and there comes a point when you won't be able to put this book down. In fact, A Lady in Disguise should really come with a warning:

Do not attempt to read this book on public transit. You will miss your bus and forget to get off  at the right stop which will cause you to arrive late for appointments (though you won't even care because it will give you more reading time.)

And woe be the reader who reaches a certain point in the story while riding on the bus. That happened to me so I speak with authority. My eyes welled up, I got a lump in my throat and I struggled for breath as outrage and despair consumed me.  I tried to explain away the red eyes and sniffles as allergies but my fellow passengers weren't fooled. :-)

This is the third book in the Daughters of Hampshire series. Each book reads as a standalone, so no worries if you haven't read Mist of Midnight and Bride of a Distant Isle -- but really, you want to read both of the books as well.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of A Lady in Disguise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 13 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.