Article by Ceri Wheeldon
Masquerade, by Hannah Fielding, is the second in a trilogy set in Andalucia, although it should be enjoyable as a stand alone novel, I was glad I had previously read Indiscretion, the first in the series, as it helped place the characters and some of the storyline into context .
Masquerade picks up about 25 years on from where Indiscretion ended. The story moves onto the next generation – and 1976 – where it seems the passion for the leading character was running as high as the British summer temperatures!
Luz de Rueda returns to Spain , having been commissioned to write the biography of a famous artist. Her boss is arrogant successful, handsome – and startlingly similar to a passionate young gypsy she has encountered. Luz is drawn to both men, for different reasons. Neither is straightforward, and old histories play a part in the course of love – with either man, not being a smooth path to happiness.
Will Luz be drawn ultimately to sophistication and convention, or danger, deception and passion? Will family loyalty get in the way of true love.
The book is a colourful drama with lots of twists and turns and total escapism – ideal to read on a rainy afternoon to escape the gloom. Strands from the first book are woven cleverly into the storyline as Luz has to decide between two men and two different worlds. Or will she walk away from both?
In some ways Masquerade reminds me of the serial romances I used to read in my mother’s Women’s Weekly magazine when I was in my teens – so it was quite a nostalgic read.
Author Hannah Fielding shares her own story with Fab after Fifty readers.
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