Review: Masquerade, Volume Two by Various Authors
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Title: Masquerade, Volume Two |
Masquerade, Volume 2 consists of four stories by authors Jude Mason, Nikki Watson, CJ England and Michelle Houston centered around the theme of selected Invitations to the Island of Arcadia to attend the Masquerade Ball so that they may 'live out their wild fantasies."
In Jude Mason's ISLAND OF FANTASIES, Syne, the heroine, arrives by boat to the Arcadia Island Masquerade Ball at the Plantation House with a forged invitation given to her by her roommate Diane. As the most creative loving story of the four, the author Jude Mason, gives us a story of Syne who wishes for a plaything on her trip to the Island. The author gives breathtaking descriptions of the Island from the time Syne arrives, such as Castles of the Gods until the ending at the poolside. Within this beauty of the scenes is also a unique story of Syne, known as Mnemosyne, and her lost of memory and living in anger for a year due to her visit the previous year at the Island with Ares. Mnemosyne is given the opportunity to heal emotionally and again, this author, has a gift of being able to have the reader feel and even see the healing process. The love scenes consist of light bondage, that too will give the readers a very sensual glimpse of Ares and Syne's love for one another. ISLAND OF FANTASIES is an outstanding beginning to Masquerade Volume 2.
POMEGRANATE by Nikki Watson, is a unique story than the other 3 within this volume, that is a light dark fantasy fiction story. With a ending that doesn't portray a HEA (Happily Ever After) is does give a very creative story surrounding a forbidden fruit, three headed creatures, darker parts of the underground and scenes between the characters that would await their outcome. Very unique characters were also introduced that were new to this reviewer as well as danger and suspenseful scenes. Two college students, Aaron and Patrick are smoking pot and Patrick begins to hear stories from the walls about the Greek gods. An invitation to the Masquerade ball was given to him by Hermes, who is a messenger for the gods. Patrick, then called Patroclus, is taken through the underworld meeting with Persephone and waking up also with another character Hades. Through a story of fantasy, Patroclus eats the forbidden fruit of pomegranate, and an attempt to rescue him by his roommate is made. The author Nikki Watson, gives a very fascinating fantasy story with some darkness to it but one too that the reader will enjoy if they read some light dark fantasy stories.
Next comes the most romantic story within the anthology, BLINDSIDED by author CJ England. Emma is a character who is blind. With an invitation given to her by her friend to attend the Masquerade ball, Emma arrives to the Island after an uneasy trip on the boat with her seeing eye dog named Delphi which also has a special meaning within the story. She is greeted by Apollo, god of light and music. Prior to Emma's arrival, he had made a promise to his father that he would be Emma's guide, take full responsibility for her, and see to her needs throughout her stay. After some protesting of others arriving and seeing Emma's dog, she is situated in a cottage outside of the castles. Apollo as her guide, saw so much beauty within Emma as well as her surroundings. He described the island, the people and the legends to her with words of love and life and Emma. Through passionate scenes together, Emma and Apollo's love for one another strives beyond words. Apollo gives up his life at Mount Olympus so that she may continue to be all she is, including her being blind. Their love is one of intense sensuality, that the reader will have tears in their eyes for the love they give to one another. But as the writer CJ England further gives us in the story, is that love continues to grow and change for each other.
WORSHIPED by Michelle Houston is the last story within this anthology that may be called the most sensual one of the four. Another breathtaking and unique story, this time includes the Greek god Pothos, which is the god of passion and Himeros, Greek god of sexual desire. Alecia, an emotionally scarred victim of spousal abuse, is hesitate when she receives an invitation to attend the Masquerade Ball. Athena, Alecia's friend who is a goddess, recommends her to Dione, another goddess at the Island of Arcadia and promises her that nothing will happen to her that she doesn't want to happen. Dressed in a silk teal toga, Alecia arrived to dinner and after is greeted by the Greek God Pothos, to give her a tour of the Island. Alecia picks the maze over the beach as her tour. Through the maze, there are no shortcuts, no easy ways out and the maze shifts that moves their direction along differently through each step they go. During their walk, they also meet the Greek god Himeros. Seduced by two Greek gods, Alecia finds trust, freedom and love that she hasn't had in so long. In a sensual loving menage scene, Alecia find tenderness, and pleasure she has not felt in the past. The author Michelle Houston, gives a beautiful loving story with WORSHIPED that will leave the reader with knowing the healing both Greek gods give her, love and living.
Stories of heroines finding love, life and healing are told within the pages of Masquerade Volume 2. Each author, Jude Mason, Nikki Watson, CJ England and Michelle Houston brought forth a unique story that would only fit for the characters who came alive within the book. The variety of these stories fit perfect within Masquerade Volume 2. After closing the last page readers will feel genuine heartfelt thanks to the four authors writing these stories for the readers and their time for using the their beauty of their writing for their readers joy. So many lessons of love and life are within this book are appreciated more than words can say.
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